REF 2021: Excellence in Research and Excellence in Education

The long-awaited results of the Research Excellence Framework 2021 are published and show that the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton now ranks in the top 20 of UK universities overall for research excellence in biosciences and is bringing significant global benefit through its scientific discoveries.

Our expertise and innovation in basic biological systems spanning biodiversity through to biomedicine is evidenced by the assessment that graded 85% of our research publications as world-leading or internationally excellent. This has powered impact that tackles real world problems placing us in the top 10 UK universities for biological sciences.

Our submission to the assessment included impact case studies demonstrating influence that spans biodiversity through to biomedicine: We are improving the health of the population by shaping government policy in food security,  enabling the commercialisation of products with antimicrobial properties, empowering conservation practitioners to rapidly measure the benefits of ecosystem services and using smart detection of environmental sounds for ecological applications.

Our success in research continues to inspire our teaching programmes in Biology, Biomedical Science, Biochemistry,  Pharmacology and Zoology which have been placed at the top of the Russell Group for course satisfaction in the Guardian University League Tables 2019-2022.

Professor Lindy Holden-Dye, Head of the School of Biological Sciences said “Excellent in research and excellent in education; This is what a great school should be about! It reflects our superb teamwork and pride in all we do. Our success reflects efforts of the entire School.”