Inspiring research to tackle global challenges launched

The University of Exeter is investing £1.5m to ensure that research in the Humanities and Social Sciences helps find innovative solutions to the major global challenges of the 21st century. 

The funds will bring a number of world leading researchers to the South West cementing Exeter’s reputation as one of the UK’s top universities.

Seed funding will also be available to enable academics to test out brand new concepts and new approaches. 

New staff and new projects will cover the following themes:

  • Environment and Sustainability
  • Global Uncertainties
  • Identities and Beliefs
  • Medical Humanities
  • Sciences, Technology and Culture
  • Societal and Lifestyle Shifts

The University works with many regional, national, and international research partners ranging from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Met Office to the Eden Project and Tate Galleries and, further afield, international governments, networks and agencies.

Throughout the afternoon of 28 November, there will be a series of open discussions and research group presentations within each theme. In addition, the event also includes the Food Security and Land Research Alliance. 

Professor Nick Talbot, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Transfer said:“Our Humanities and Social Sciences strategy builds on Exeter’s rich tradition of academic excellence.  Six interdisciplinary themes will research globally important areas, having been developed through extensive internal consultation and rigorous external peer review.  All of the themes are academically challenging and are established major priorities for international research funders. The strategy has outstanding foundations in world-class research through our Humanities and Social Sciences subject areas. It will enable academics to continue finding innovative solutions to global challenges and we can look forward to exciting results.”

The University of Exeter is one of the top three institutions for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) awards by number, and is sixth in the same table for Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). 17 of the university’s departments ranked in the top 15 for the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise and Exeter is consistently ranked within the top institutions in receipt of AHRC and ESRC funding.

Date: 28 November 2012

Read more University News