World-leading Research

We pride ourselves on the depth, the range and the quality of our research. Our research has been rated as world-leading in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, which assesses the quality and impact of research by UK universities.

A student examining some chemistry equipment

Our Research Impact

Take a look at our most recent research impact case studies, ranging from the creation of a new biopesticide to deal with the invasive armyworm, to identifying the effectiveness of COVID-19 treatments.

Research Impact

Research in Departments

Each of the Faculty of Science & Technology's departments is actively engaged in world-leading research. To find out more, visit the departments below.

  • Chemistry

    Chemistry research is broadly structured into the three themes of analytical chemistry and spectroscopy, chemical theory and computation, and synthetic chemistry.

  • Computing and Communications

    The School of Computing and Communications was ranked 14th in the UK for research power, with 94% of research being rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF2021)

  • Engineering

    95% of the Engineering department¡¯s research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF2021)

  • Lancaster Environment Centre

    Our world-class research, combining natural and social sciences, delivers the understanding needed to address the global environmental challenges that confront us all.

  • Mathematical Sciences

    With 100% of our research being rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF2021), Lancaster is one of the UK's top departments for research in mathematics and statistics.

  • Physics

    Our Physics Department is one of the top in the UK for research, with 98% of research outputs rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF2021). Physics was also ranked 14th in the UK for its research outputs and for the quality of its research environment.

  • Psychology

    According to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 87% of research undertaken by Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é's Psychology department was rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

Research Centres

The Faculty plays host to a number of research centres, working with the University to further scientific knowledge and translate it into applicable solutions for the economy and environment.

  • Data Science Institute

    Lancaster is home to a world-class Data Science Institute that will set the global standard for a truly interdisciplinary approach to contemporary data-drive research challenges.

  • Energy Lancaster

    Energy Lancaster brings together Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é's world-leading expertise in a wide range of energy-related areas covering the demand and supply of energy. Energy Lancaster is working in partnership with global organisations in the development and management of secure and sustainable energy supplies in support of the world's energy needs.

  • Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Systems Centre

    This centre brings together the diverse research excellence and expertise in the areas of Intelligent, Robotic and Autonomous Systems (IRAS). Its core is formed by 30 academics from a range of departments and faculties. LIRA is multi-disciplinary by design. It covers aspects as diverse as engineering, computing, psychology, management and more.

  • Materials Science

    Our multidisciplinary Materials Science unites chemists, physicists, engineers, computer scientists, environmental scientists, biologists, designers and social scientists, covering all development stages from modelling a new material, through material synthesis and characterization, to applying that material in the real world.

  • Quantum Technology Centre

    The Quantum Technology Centre provides a state-of-the-art capability with access to industry and academic users enabling the translation of quantum technologies into new products and processes. The Centre seeks to bring economic benefit to the region and accelerate the pull-through of science into the marketplace.

  • Security Lancaster

    Security Lancaster delivers research that innovates and challenges the way that individuals, organisations and societies secure and protect themselves. Our approach delivers the best use-inspired and pure research that delivers real impact.

  • CREST brings together the UK¡¯s foremost experts in understanding the psychological and social drivers of the threat, the skills and technologies that enable its effective investigation, and the protective security measures that help counter the threat in the first place.

  • Centre for Global Eco-Innovation

    Bringing together the cross-disciplinary expertise and cross-sector collaborations needed to create and deliver products, services and practices that help both people and our environment prosper.