College of Life and Environmental Sciences

12 February 20262 min read

Over the past decade, metamaterials research at the University of Exeter has grown from a small, emerging area into a nationally recognised centre of activity, with strong industry partnerships and an increasingly visible role in UK strategy.

12 January 20262 min read

We’re excited to announce that nominations for the 2026 Knowledge Exchange Awards are officially open! If you’re part of a project that has turned research expertise into real-world benefit, now is your chance to put it forward and be recognised.

1 October 2025< 1 min read

Xiaoyu Yan is a Professor in Sustainable Energy Systems who has worked with several businesses to provide Life Cycle Assessments and advice on reaching Net Zero.

10 July 20252 min read

The University of Exeter is proud to be a long-standing partner of the National Trust. As featured in the Trust’s Annual Research Report 2024–2025, our collaboration delivers practical, interdisciplinary solutions to some of the UK’s most pressing environmental, social and cultural challenges.

26 June 20253 min read

Dr Becca Lovell is a senior lecturer in biodiversity, health and policy, based at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health.

1 February 20252 min read

Measuring and reducing the environmental impact of some of the worlds’ largest companies Journey to spinout Exeter Innovation’s Cornwall based Commercialisation Manager began working with NERC funded PHD Student Robert Pell in 2019.

7 August 20242 min read

Despite covering most of our planet’s surface and playing a pivotal role in the climate system, the ocean hardly features on the UK schools’ curricula and is rarely taught in primary schools.

27 July 20231 min read

The University of Exeter is now a member of the BioIndustry Association (BIA) — an influential trade association within the UK Health and Life Sciences ecosystem.

3 February 20234 min read

Three "super-leverage points" could trigger a cascade of decarbonisation in sectors covering 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

30 January 20232 min read

On Friday 13th January 2023, the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW) team were honoured to host the Rt Hon Mr Ben Bradshaw (Labour MP for Exeter) and Steve Race (future Labour candidate).

25 August 20223 min read

Two University of Exeter experts have been working with England Athletics to evaluate and improve their highly successful Youth Talent Programme.

23 June 20222 min read

Psychology PhD student Katy Chapman is taking a break from lab work to investigate pollinators in the South Devon AONB, as part of her work looking at pollinators.

20 June 20222 min read

Having recently completed her bioscience PhD, Dr Rebekah Boreham has transitioned into biomedical research to apply skills learned in her PhD studies to the field of diabetes.

15 June 20222 min read

Experts from the University of Exeter have worked on pioneering project to design digital innovations; helping communities across Africa become more resilient to climate hazards and prevent outbreaks of associated diseases.

4 May 20222 min read

Dr Ben Temperton, Associate Professor of Microbiology at the University of Exeter, has set up the Citizen Phage Library, in collaboration with PhageDirectory and Exeter Science Centre.

12 April 20223 min read

University of Exeter researchers have teamed up with shoemaker Cosyfeet on an EPSRC IAA funded project to develop shoes that support healthy ageing.

8 March 20223 min read

To mark International Women's Day – this Three Questions blog by Geography PhD student Hannah Hayes – reflects on the need for promoting women in academia.

18 January 20222 min read

New evidence predicts that more than one in three people worldwide will still mainly be using polluting cooking fuels and technologies in 2030, despite being a significant source of disease and environmental destruction.

15 November 20213 min read

The unique partnership, forged ten years ago, focuses on creating initiatives to support and benefit members of the local community.

9 November 2021< 1 min read

The University of Exeter has led a collaboration to define the term “Oceans and Human Health” for a new Encyclopaedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

8 November 20212 min read

The multitude of ways in which the natural environment and human health are inextricably linked have been outlined in a document designed to help individuals and organisations across the 53 member states of the WHO European Region make evidence-based decisions.

3 November 20212 min read

The NetZeroPlus project is helping the UK reach its net zero 2050 climate target. By producing evidence-based research, the NetZeroPlus team aim to show how planting trees removes greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere, while also providing additional benefits.

2 November 20212 min read

Economics of Energy Innovation and System Transition (EEIST) is a £4million government-funded programme led by Dr Jean-Francois Mercure from the Global System’s Institute at the University of Exeter.

20 September 20214 min read

A recent study from Activity Informatics – the partnership centre from University of Exeter and Activinsights – has shown the potential for improving patient outcomes with digital wearables called accelerometers.

21 April 20213 min read

A University of Exeter research group has helped to eliminate tonnes of plastic waste entering the sea, improving the health of organisms and the environment.

23 March 20213 min read

A unique World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Culture and Health (WHO Centre) at the University of Exeter has transformed health policy and practice in Europe.

4 February 20213 min read

The COVID-19 crisis is impacting our mental health. Increased uncertainty, health fears, disruption to normal life, isolation, unemployment, and the loss of loved ones increase worry, anxiety and depression.

3 February 20212 min read

University of Exeter research has the protection of marine biodiversity across the world. Researchers at the University of Exeter, along with international collaborators, explored the status, distribution and behaviour of marine vertebrate species which were of commercial or conservational importance.

17 December 20202 min read

The University of Exeter has identified a direct link between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and impulsivity and problems in social reasoning, which are risk factors for young people committing violent and repeated crime.

15 December 20202 min read

Researchers at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology discover that faulty signalling in the immune system of healthy individuals leads to Chromoblastomycosis.

14 December 20202 min read

Professor Toby Pennington and Dr Carolyn Petersen are working with field partners at the Instituto Ouro Verde (IOV) to level the playing field in gender roles in agroforestry systems in Brazil.

18 November 20203 min read

Geography PhD student Emily Judson is researching the governance challenges emerging from the digitalisation of the energy industry and the development of policy which aligns with the transition to a Net Zero energy system.

17 November 20202 min read

Professor Andy Jones and team have generated a substantial evidence base over the past 12 years for beneficial effects of nitrate-rich dietary supplements on sport and exercise performance as well as cardiovascular and metabolic function.

3 November 20203 min read

Research at the University of Exeter has uncovered a previously unknown phenomenon, in which women are more likely to be appointed to risky and precarious leadership positions in times of crisis.

2 November 20202 min read

For many years running a sub-two hour marathon was considered impossible, but research produced by a team at the University of Exeter underpinned much of the scientific strategy applied by project leaders, Nike and INEOS, to make this a reality.

20 October 20204 min read

Might more kind and compassionate communities be part of the legacy of Covid-19?

28 September 20202 min read

Research led by Dr Jean-Francois Mercure has contributed to the development of a global model which forecasts the positive and negative impact that a transition to low carbon technology and renewable energy would have on our economy.

7 August 20205 min read

Our research released today shows the process of 'In Danger' listings is being manipulated for political gain. National governments and other groups try to keep sites off the list, with strategies such as lobbying, or partial efforts to protect a site.

28 July 20203 min read

For this year's #WorldNatureConservationDay, PhD candidate Hind Mohsen Al Ameri talks about why our warming climate could be driving marine turtles into extinction and why the conservation of nature is vital to life on Earth.

3 July 20202 min read

Marine research led by Dr Ross Brown has uncovered environmental factors that increase the risk of HABs forming, which have been applied to the development of a statistical model, which can predict the risks of HABs developing.

24 June 20203 min read

Dr Cruz recently defended her PhD at Exeter which focused on understanding the whole body regulation of energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis, with specific focus on how these change in diabetes.

30 April 20203 min read

The COVID-19 pandemic is producing substantial changes in the practices and experiences of migration and mobility.

22 April 20203 min read

What effect does fatigue have on your dexterity? PhD candidate Ellie Hassan’s research is looking at whether fatigue makes us clumsier and makes daily tasks more difficult.

17 September 20192 min read

Global sports giant Nike and University of Exeter scientists have facilitated an attempt to achieve the first sub-two hour marathon, in the internationally broadcast event ‘Breaking 2’.

4 January 2019< 1 min read

Sports scientists have built a successful relationship from a pilot study to two fully-funded PhD studentships with Quorn to assess the health benefits of mycoprotein.

17 October 20183 min read

The under-representation of women in surgical roles is being addressed by research from a leading University of Exeter academic.

22 March 20182 min read

Bioscientists have worked with Shell to make bacteria produce diesel on demand.

14 March 20183 min read

Dr Ceri Lewis is a lecturer in Marine Biology for the College of Life and Environmental Science. She spoke to Lara Cronin about her research into Ocean Acidification, the importance of educational outreach and why she loves the polar regions.

2 December 2016< 1 min read

Find out how research into warming seas has led to a partnership which is changing the way we fish.

14 April 2016< 1 min read

Vast amounts of plastic waste are thrown into the oceans every year, what would it mean if this plastic could, and was entering the food chain?

1 January 20162 min read

Research aimed at discovering how chemical pollutants are distributed through the environment and are affecting the world is being carried out by scientists working with the international organisation Greenpeace, based within the University of Exeter.

24 November 20152 min read

Dr Craig Knight is using video to reduce anxiety levels in dementia patients.

23 September 2015< 1 min read

When it comes to plastic waste in the ocean, how much is too much? Professor Tamara Galloway has been researching the effects of microplastics on marine wildlife and how ingestion of these objects by some of the smallest creatures in the ocean can have implications...

17 December 20142 min read

Research from the Sport and Health Sciences department, led by Professor Adrian Taylor, has identified gaps in the evidence-base for the effects of physical activity on mental health and nicotine addiction.

10 September 20142 min read

Fundamental research questions in areas including marine renewables, molecular biology and environment and human health are being addressed by a partnership between the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) - a marine environment research provider.

25 June 20142 min read

Microplastic debris floating in the world’s oceans could be having a massive impact on marine life. Tiny bits of plastic rubbish are having an impact on lugworms, and other marine animals, which are an important source of food for other animals.