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  • Explore Research
  • Research Spotlights

    Spotlight on Research

    • 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.

    • Rail decarbonisation

      Decarbonisation is one of two railway grand challenges (along with digitalisation) that requires a strategic, whole-sector approach with government, industry and academia working together. We are leading the way in decarbonising the railway in the UK and across the world.

    • 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

    • 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.

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    • 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.

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A footprint on Mars

In 'Perspectives'

  • Addressing the Climate Crisis
  • Past debates and perspectives
Maggie Lieu Perspective

Maggie Lieu

“The Mars One project plans to create a human settlement on Mars by 2024. The catch? No human has ever done this before and the trip will be one way. There will be no coming home. ”

Read full opinion

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Our impact: find out about recent advances

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