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  • Explore Research
  • Research Spotlights

    Spotlight on Research

    • Future of Energy and Transport

      Transport and energy are the largest contributors to UK carbon emissions. Across the University of Birmingham, we are working with industry partners to share knowledge and turn theory, through experimentation, into real-world applications, which will develop the technologies and infrastructure needed to decarbonise the energy and transport sectors.

    • Creating Sustainable Energy Solutions

      The Birmingham Energy Institute (BEI) is driving change in the way we deliver, consume and think about energy. Working with government, industry and international partners our research is solving societal issues and addressing challenges relating to energy poverty, the circular economy, transport systems, cooling, hydrogen, energy storage and the decarbonisation of heat.

    • Centre for Urban Wellbeing

      The Centre for Urban Wellbeing brings together academics from across the University of Birmingham to tackle global challenges to community health and wellbeing.

    • Birmingham Plastics Network: Shaping the Fate and Sustainable Future of Plastics

      The University of Birmingham has established a Birmingham Plastics Network, an interdisciplinary team of more than 40 academics working together to shape the fate and sustainable future of plastics

    • Ageing and Wellbeing

      Our research addresses the global challenge of supporting our increasing ageing population by encouraging an active lifestyle to help maintain physical and mental health in older generations.

    • Climate Change and Health

      Climate change and the direct impacts of increasing global temperatures and water shortages are two of the biggest challenges facing the world. Our research is addressing the impact of these fundamental global changes.

    • Sustainable Environments

      We are investigating the impacts of climate change on forests and water, people and our planet seeking sustainable solutions to real world crises.

    • Maternal Health

      We are developing, testing and implementing solutions to save women’s lives across the world by improving their standards of care during pregnancy and childbirth.

    • Quantum Technologies

      Developing the use of sensors and clocks in innovative, ground-breaking technologies to change the future landscapes of healthcare, transport, defence, civil engineering and more.

    • Responsible Business

      Academia partnering with business, investigating, developing and co-creating robust and innovative solutions to achieve responsible business success. Building the foundations for a more responsible and sustainable future.

    • Clean Air

      We are working with partners across the globe to understand how to save lives at risk from poor air quality.

    • Superdiversity

      Challenging established views and policy responses to migration and its impact on societies in a rapidly changing world.

    • Global Ethics

      Birmingham academics work on major issues in international ethics and global justice and train the next generation of students to tackle these issues.

    • Liver Transplantation

      Birmingham has been at the forefront of transplants since the pioneering work of Sir Peter Medawar. Our researchers are continuing his legacy.

    • Explore our Spotlights

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    With more than 1,000 academic staff researchers and around £80 million new research funding per year, we are dedicated to performing world-leading research with the ultimate goal of improving human health.

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    We address the challenges facing society and the economy, from shedding light on the refugee crisis, to character education in schools, through to developing leaders in the NHS.

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Budget 2014

In 'Perspectives'

  • Nurturing voluntary action beyond the pandemic
  • Past debates and perspectives
karen-rowlingson-perspective

Professor Karen Rowlingson 

We asked a leading University of Birmingham academic to respond to George Osborne's 2014 budget, and how it might impact on ordinary people.

Read full opinion

Related links

  • Professor Karen Rowlingson

Policy Experts Guide

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Our impact: find out about recent advances

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