Science and the Environment Research

Research and Knowledge Exchange within the School of Science and Environment is at the core of what we do, ensuring society benefits from our translational and applied research, and that our undergraduate students benefit from research informed teaching. The Degree Courses we deliver and the knowledge exchange we undertake therefore embody the range and reach of our impactful research. 

Research within the school focuses on ‘Sustainable Futures’ and ‘Human Health and Wellbeing’; Areas of Challenge outlined in the University’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy (2020-2025). We also actively engage in other research areas and encourage blue skies thinking.

To ensure the continued delivery of high quality and impactful research at the University of Worcester we have invested significantly over the last decade to enhance our research facilities. Find out more here.

The Sustainable Environments Research Group led by Dr Alan Dixon brings together colleagues whose research benefits people and the planet. ‘Sustainable Environments’ encapsulates any situation where there is potential for environmental impacts to be mitigated and for environmental benefits to be achieved. Research is across five thematic areas: 1) Food security, 2) Sustainable livelihoods, 3) River Science and Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle surveys, 4) Conservation and management of habitats and species, and 5) Sustainable places.

The Worcester Biomedical Research Group led by Dr Steven Coles aims to promote multidisciplinary biomedical science research at the University of Worcester. The group has forged collaborations with local NHS organisations and other academic institutions with the aim of addressing some major health issues of our time with a particular focus on cancer (leukaemia), cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and infectious diseases.

Members of the Pollen and Aerobiology Research Group focus primarily on three research areas: 1) Human health and allergen exposure, which includes pollen forecasting and palynology in relation to crime scenes and honey characterization, 2) Plant health & food security, focussing on the dispersal of plant pathogens and invasive species, and 3) Atmospheric processes, which includes the detection of bioaerosols using eDNA and state-of-the-art lasers.

The Molecular Plant and Microbial Biosciences Research Unit carries out both fundamental and translational research in the field of plant and microbial biosciences.  They are interested in answering the following fundamental questions; how do obligate pathogens such as downy mildews (Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis, Hpa and Peronospora vicia f.sp. pisi, Pvp) coordinate their attack to overcome the plants’ defence? What is the basis of their host specificity? Do they synchronize their physiological and metabolic activity with their hosts? Can we carry out reverse genetics to reveal the role of pathogenicity and developmental genes?

Since 1995 the School has also been the home of Pollen Forecasting in the UK, for which pollen and fungal spore forecasts are produced in conjunction with the Met Office on a daily basis. 

Disseminating Research

To ensure our research is impactful and makes a difference, colleagues from across the School take many different approaches in sharing the outcomes of their research, including publishing in peer-reviewed journals, books, and conference proceedings, via online events e.g., webinars, and through public community engagement. Within the School we are committed to delivering a Research Seminar Series, and actively contribute to the College Research Seminar Series. We also engage directly with growers, farmers, health practitioners etc to enhance the implementation of our research findings and secure positive outcomes.

All staff upload their research outputs onto WRaP, the University’s research repository. You can also find out more about our colleagues in the School by visiting the Staff Profile pages.