Research
From optimising the management of large-scale complex networks, through the long-term behaviour and interactions of structures and soils with their surroundings, down to the development of new materials and the monitoring and control of air and water quality, our research focuses on the delivery of sustainable infrastructure and environment in the widest of contexts.
Research excellence
In the latest UK Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), we ranked 15th in the UK for ‘*research power’ in engineering.
Overall, Surrey has risen 12 places in the rankings since 2014 to 33rd in the UK for our research quality.
* Research power is the overall quality of submissions, calculated by grade point average and multiplied by the full-time equivalent number of staff submitted.
About our research
Over the past ten years, very strong cross-disciplinary research themes have developed, particularly in sustainability, air and water quality, and environmental health, linking our staff with researchers in various centres within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, as well as in other parts of the University.
There are four research groups, contributing to two interacting research themes – environment and infrastructure – both being critical elements for sustainable development and growth. The “engineering focused” strength of the four research groups and positioning of “environment” and “infrastructure” research themes contributes to university priorities and pan-university efforts, such as the Institute for Sustainability and Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI.
By sharing resources with other schools, centres and research groups across the University we can support multi-disciplinary, multi-scale research which spans traditional subject boundaries and enables science-led enquiry to create engineered solutions to industrially relevant problems both nationally and globally.
Publications
We actively publish papers in leading, peer reviewed journals and at international conferences. Take a look at details of publications for each individual academic, or search through our Department's publications using the Open Access Database.
Centres by theme
Environment research
Infrastructure research
What we have to offer
We offer numerous facilities including a Materials and Structures laboratory, Air Quality Lab and a Geotechnical laboratory which our research students benefit from.
Studentships
PhD on artificial intelligence for air pollution
Funding information:
A stipend of £19,000 for 22/23, which will increase each year in line with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rate, plus Home rate fee allowance of £4,596 (with automatic increase to UKRI rate each year). The studentship is offered for 3.5 years. For exceptional international candidates, there is the possibility of obtaining a scholarship to cover overseas fees.A novel ventilation-pollution nexus framework for offsetting carbon by smart indoor spaces
Funding information:
The studentship funding covers academic fees for UK students. International candidates can be considered for a full fee waiver if they have exceptional academic credentials with prior research publications. International candidates can also apply on the basis of paying the difference between the home and overseas fees by their own means. You will also receive a standard UKRI rate amount £17,668 per annum to cover your living expenses. Additional funding will be made available to present your work at a conference and for project-related costs.Lung-deposited surface area deposition of airborne nanoparticles in different environments
Funding information:
The studentship funding covers academic fees for UK/home students. Your home fee will be covered. You will also receive a standard UKRI stipend of £17,668 per annum to cover your living expenses. Additional funding will be made available to present your work at a conference and for project-related costs. Any international candidate, who is not qualified as home/UK student, should have to cover the home and international fee difference of around £16,000 per year. There may an opportunity for this component of the fee waiver for international candidates should they have an exceptional academic track record and prior research publications.Research projects
Active projects
Start date: November 2022
End date: October 2023
Start date: October 2022
End date: September 2024
Start date: September 2022
End date: August 2024
Start date: July 2022
End date: February 2023
Start date: February 2022
End date: February 2024
Start date: October 2021
End date: September 2024
Completed projects
Start date: February 2021
End date: August 2022
Start date:
End date:
Start date: January 2021
End date: December 2021
Start date: January 2021
End date: July 2021
Start date: December 2019
End date: March 2022
Start date: May 2019
End date: May 2022
Start date: January 2019
End date: July 2019
Start date: September 2018
End date: September 2022
Start date:
End date:
Start date: 2018
End date: 2021
Start date: 2018
End date: 2022
Start date: 2017
End date: 2019
ASTRID: Accessibility, social justice and transport emission impacts of transit-oriented development
Start date: 2016
End date: 2019
BIOBURN: Towards the treatment of aerosol emissions from biomass burning in chemical transport models through a case study in the metropolitan area of São Paulo
Start date: 2015
End date: 2016
Start date: 2015
End date: 2018
RETINA: Reducing the impact of health and climate emissions in megacity Cairo
Start date: 2015
End date: 2017
Start date: 2015
End date: 2017
CAPTEN: Comparison of air pollution in transportation environments
Start date: 2014
End date: 2016
eRAIN: Missions and role of fine aerosol particles in formation of clouds and precipitation
Start date: 2014
End date: 2016
Experimental and numerical analysis of traffic emitted nanoparticle dispersion at urban traffic hotspots
Start date: 2013
End date: 2016
UK-India Education and Research Initiative
Start date: 2012
End date: 2013
Developing collaborative strategy for carrying out measurements, dispersion modelling and assessing heath impacts due to vehicle–induced airborne ultrafine particles and contributing to the development of wind tunnel capabilities in India
Start date: 2011
End date: 2013
Start date: 2011
End date: 2014
Experimental and computational analysis of the dispersion of nanoparticles in transport microenvironments
Start date: 2010
End date: 2014
Indicators of esteem
We work with the World Health Organisation and were joint winners of the 2011 Queen's Anniversary Prize for wide-ranging and global work improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
