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Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Research

The work of the Faculty encompasses a journey from Discovery to Translation to Impact, all of which are studied from Bench to Bedside to Beyond.

Our curiosity about the world around us drives our innovative and ground-breaking research across the spectrum of health, wellbeing and life sciences, from discovery, through translation to impact.

Anni Vanhatalo

Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research

This journey is seen across nine core themes of activity in the Faculty:

[1] Food, metabolism and nutrition (Medical School, Sports Science and Biosciences)
[2] Lifelong Diseases 
[3] Infectious Diseases
(Biosciences; Med School)
[4] Neuroscience, psychology and mental health
(Psychology, Sports Science and Medical School)
[5] Sports and rehabilitation
(Sports Science, Psychology and Medical School, HPS)
[6] Research methods, data science and bioinformatics (all)
[7] Health and Care policy, technologies and services
(Medical School, Psychology, HPS)
[8] Environment, Climate and Health
(Medical School, Psychology and Biosciences)
[9] Genes, molecules, cells and biology (Biosciences and Medical School, HPS)

Our case studies from the Research Excellence Framework 2021 tell an inspiring story of the wide range of local, national and international impacts of our research.   

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Our ground-breaking research has been ranked 100% for impact (REF 2021)  

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85.7 citations per research paper (QS Life Sciences and Medicine ranking 2022)  

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We are No1 in the UK for world-leading research in Sport Science (REF 2021)

University Research Institutes and Research Centres in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Our Faculty is also home to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre for Exeter, the first of its kind in the South West Peninsula; the NIHR ARC South West Peninsula (also known as PenARC); and we are part of the NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR); and the NIHR School for Public Health Research (SPHR).

Our research culture and environment

At the University of Exeter, we are committed to supporting each other to thrive, be fulfilled and reach our potential. Our research excellence is underpinned and enhanced by an open, ethical and supportive research culture and environment. 

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