Research in Life and Environmental Sciences

Across the breadth of life and environmental sciences we discover, apply and translate science, forging advances in human and environmental health.

Keeping 1.5⁰C Alive

Discover how we are taking academic work into the real world to help policymakers and business leaders make informed decisions now for a better future tomorrow.

Find out abut the Centre for Urban Wellbeing

Discover the Institute for Mental Health

Find out about our world class research facilities

New network to address the legacy of long-term exposure to humanitarian conflict

Inaugural Lectures

There are no results that match your search

Our world-leading collaborative research areas and facilities include:

Environmental Sciences

We focus on the major environmental science challenges such as air pollution and health, climate change, extreme weather events, and the safety of chemicals and nanomaterials.
Microbiology and Infection

With one of the largest groupings of microbiologists in the world, we are at the vanguard of innovative research into combatting antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance.
Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain

We use cutting edge technology and expertise to collectively advance the assessment of patients with spinal pain through the development of new assessment tools.
Centre for Human Brain Health

We are an interdisciplinary brain research facility established with the mission of understanding what makes a brain healthy, how to maintain it, and how to prevent and reverse damage.
Institute for Mental Health

We are ensuring a sustained impact on public policy and practice, translating research in neuroscience to improvements in treatment, and improving the care and outcomes of those suffering from problems in their mental health.
Water Sciences

Our research is essential to sustainably manage the supply and use of water, provide a healthy environment and enhance resilience of ecosystems and people to water-related risks in a changing world.
The Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR)

Providing fundamental science, social science and cultural research of direct relevance to forested landscapes anywhere in the world. We make the evidence-based case for forests as part of one-planet living.
Enabling Technologies

These research areas are all underpinned by our Enabling Technologies. We continually invest in resources so our researchers are able to pursue their ideas, undertake research and transfer their knowledge to create global impact.

Research in our four schools

Research Highlights from the College of Life and Environmental Sciences

Addressing Youth Homelessness through Mental Skills Training

My Strengths Training for Life™ (MST4Life™), has improved well-being and increased employability outcomes for young people who are homeless or at risk for homelessness.
Improving Great Ape Conservation

Interventions so zoos and sanctuaries can ensure their chimpanzees and orangutans have to solve similar physical and mental problems to their wild cousins on a daily basis.
Changing public understanding, learning and education in Earth Sciences

Using research to inspire the next generation of scientists, and change public understanding of Earth Sciences.
Using the internet of things to help keep transport moving

Improving decision making in Winter Road Maintenance through networks of low-cost sensors.
Food Security

Helping to reduce the threat to humanity from food insecurity by safeguarding agrobiodiversity and improving its availability for crop enhancement.
Transforming Management of Psychosis

Our research has informed national and international bodies on the need for early treatment and on recognition of depression in early psychosis and schizophrenia.

Life and Environmental Sciences news

Could a volunteer 'buddy' scheme support older adults to get out and about more and improve their mobility?

24 January 2022

A new study aimed at improving mobility in older adults is being launched in Stoke-on-Trent, led by scientists at the University of Birmingham.

Air pollution significantly reduces pollination by confusing butterflies and bees

21 January 2022

Common air pollutants from both urban and rural environments may be reducing the pollinating abilities of insects by preventing them sniffing out the crops and wildflowers that depend on them, new research has shown.

Powerful volcanic blast not the cause for 2018 Indonesian island collapse – new research

17 January 2022

Aston Webb building in Chancellors Court

The collapse of Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano resulted from long-term destabilising processe.

Greenspace outside prison walls has a positive effect on prisoner wellbeing

13 January 2022

High security fence with green vegetation on one side

Prisoners who are incarcerated in buildings located in green areas are less likely to engage in self-harming or violent behaviours, new research shows.

€1.5M grant will enable research into why and when we help others

10 January 2022

A University of Birmingham psychologist has been awarded a prestigious grant from the European Research Council to investigate why and when people make decisions to help others.

Fossil research affected by significant colonial bias, study finds

06 January 2022

Close-up of the spirals of an ammonite fossil.

The fossil record, which documents the history of life on Earth, is heavily biased by influences such as colonialism, history and global economics, argues a new study involving palaeontologists at the University of Birmingham and the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg.