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Southampton Solent University logo

Welcome

At Solent, our aim is to undertake innovative research that has a wide-ranging and significant impact on the experiences and learning of our students and on the lives of those in our local, national, and international communities.

Led by Professor Emma Wadsworth, Vice-Provost for Research and Innovation, our Research and Knowledge Exchange Enabling Strategy is designed to support our delivery of research that will make a positive difference and create social value.

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Research areas

Aligning closely to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, our research priorities fall under four broad areas:

Graduate School

The hub for our vibrant and interdisciplinary postgraduate research community.

Graduate School

REF 2021 results 

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 results have established Solent as a university with research at its core.

Overall, in REF 2021, 34% of Solent’s research was assessed as world-leading and internationally excellent – up from 19% in 2014; and 50% of our research outputs were rated as world-leading and internationally excellent – up from 28% in 2014.

The University’s submission included research from 59 researchers – up from 43 researchers in 2014.

This improvement in the REF 2021 results has been recognised by a 50% increase in our quality-related (QR) research funding allocation from ~£172k in 2021-22 to ~£255k in 2022-23.

Close up of a microscope

Latest news

Three people in hi-vis tabards digging on an archaeological siteResearch project shared at Festival of Archaeology

The 2023 CBA Festival of Archaeology featured Solent's AMPHORA project - UKRI-funded work which has developed best practice guidelines for organisations offering heritage project for people living with mental health issues.

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Illustration showing lightbulbs, a magnifying glass, twitter birds and various other digital technology iconsNew report into dark web card leaks

Out of 6 million cards being sold for £5.50 each on the dark web, 4 million had personal information attached, according to a report by NordVPN and Dr Garfield Benjamin from Solent University.

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3D render of the trifoil£1.86m funding for zero-emissions high-speed passenger ferries project

A new cost-effective zero-emissions solution for high-speed passenger ferries is on the horizon thanks to a new industry-led collaboration between Solent University, Chartwell Marine and Newcastle Marine Services.

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A person wearing sensors stood in front of an image of a brainResearcher's pioneering work in treatment of Parkinson's

A senior research fellow at Solent University has been hailed for her role in the development of new non-pharmacological treatments for Parkinson's disease that will be explored further within a new specialist clinic.

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