You are here:

Research in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences has six overarching research themes that represent the areas of strength of our research activity.  These thematic areas that were established on 1 August 2007 evolved from the thematic structure already in place in the constituent Schools which were merged to form a Faculty.

In the last two UK research assessment exercises (RAE 2001 and RAE2008) the biomedical research of the Faculty attained ratings in the top 5% of institutions in the country.

 For RAE2001, FHMS was a top 5* rated institution, and in RAE 2008 over 60% of our biomedical research activity was rated world-leading or internationally excellent, and over 95% at an international standard. In the biomedical sciences (UoA12) we were ranked 3rd in the country. 

Staff regularly publish in the top impact factor journals in each field, as well as publishing in interdisciplinary journals such as Nature, Science and Cell. 

For the first time in 2008 we submitted our healthcare related research (UoA7) which showed that more than 55% of our activity has already reached international standard. 

In addition, the Faculty has a Materials Chemistry research activity which was part of a General Engineering submission (UoA25) in RAE 2008. It was ranked 8th in the UK, all at an international standard and with over 75% of the research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

In total the number of academic staff involved in our research exceeds 100, with more than 100 research fellows and over 150 PhD/MD students.  Each research theme has an academic co-ordinator and each contains teams of researchers working in sub-areas of the theme. If you are looking to do a research degree please see our graduate school site.

The primary academic disciplines embraced by these research areas include, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Clinical Medicine, Dietetics, Endocrinology, Health Care, Immunology, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Social Care, Toxicology and Virology.

Research Themes

 

Research Centres

There are also Faculty Research Centres, which are either multidisciplinary activities, specific funded units or are specific networks with external organisations.

FHMS Ethics Committee

Research within the Faculty is supported by the Faculty Ethics Committee. The committee considers applications for research ethics approval from BSc, MSc and Clinical Doctorate students in FHMS for any project proposing to use healthcare staff or patients, or involving issues requiring ethical advice. The committee also ensures that Faculty students are adhering to current ethical and research governance guidelines, as well as advising Faculty staff and researchers on ethical issues.