Research Groups

Our research covers a wide range of natural and social sciences. We work in multi-disciplinary teams within, across and beyond these groups to find solutions to global environmental challenges.

  • Atmosphere, Climate & Pollution

    Our research addresses the sources, transformation, trends and fate of chemicals in the environment with a focus on atmospheric composition, air quality and climate.

  • Critical Geographies

    Our research focuses on a variety of critical geographies that are vital to sustainability, social and environmental justice and our collective futures. These include geographies of migration, energy, water, food, climate change, infrastructure, the Anthropocene and the subterranean.

  • Earth Science

    The Earth Science research activities span four main areas of expertise: Volcanology and Hazards, Contemporary Environmental Processes, Sub-surface Fluids, and Palaeoclimatology and Palaeoenvironments.

  • Ecology & Conservation

    Our research uses molecular, behavioural and ecological techniques to understand how ecosystems function, how they respond to global change, and how they can be managed to enhance biodiversity and its associated services.

  • Environmental & Biogeochemistry

    We work across contemporary and palaeo timeframes, within the terrestrial, aquatic and deep Earth environments. Our analytical strengths span inorganic chemistry, stable and radioactive isotopes, noble gases, and trace organic analysis.

  • Geospatial Data Science

    We are undertaking research to develop innovative spatial techniques in order to increase our understanding of a wide range of environmental and socio-ecological systems.

  • Plant & Crop Science

    We work from the molecular to the crop scale with researchers and end-users of research, in both the natural (e.g. plant and soil ecology) and social sciences. Our particular strength is applying our research to provide solutions to real-world problems, particularly in relation to Agri-Food Challenges.

  • Political Ecology

    We understand political ecology to coalesce around critiques of the relationship between culture, politics and nature.

  • Soil, Plant & Land Systems

    Our research is focused on the effects of global change and human activity on the form and function of terrestrial systems, particularly around the interactions between plants and the soil.

  • Water Science

    We undertake pure and applied research to help improve our understanding of processes that control the movement, availability and quality of water, and the modelling of their influence on other environmental systems.