A female student looks at the image of a brain

Research for a better world

The University of Reading is defined and driven forward by its research.

Our research helps us to discover more about ourselves and the world we live in; to build a stronger and more resilient economy; to enhance social and individual wellbeing; to deliver 21st century teaching; and to influence policy and practice both within the UK and throughout the world.

We are focused on understanding and adapting to global challenges, as well as striving to secure the common-good, the diversity of human culture, and the value of the arts within society.

Research culture is part of everything we do at Reading: from our thriving undergraduate programmes in which students are producers rather than just consumers of knowledge, through our vibrant postgraduate research community, our support services and our academics, to the most distinguished of our research professors. Everybody has a role to play.

We have both ambition and capability. Our research will make a difference to the world.

Download our research brochure.

Our five research themes

Our research is structured around five themes:

Our five research themes are completely open-ended and overlapping. They identify core areas of research strength at Reading.

The distinct approach we use crosses traditional boundaries, and enables us to grow innovation and deliver both impactful and curiosity-driven research. It enables our academics to address those global challenges facing society, business and the environment that require knowledge and skills from across the Arts, Humanities, Social, Physical and Natural Sciences to be drawn together.

Our five research themes

Subjects A-B

Subjects C-E

Subjects F-G

Subjects H-M

Subjects N-T

Subjects U-Z

Subjects A-C

Subjects D-G

Subjects H-P

Subjects Q-Z

Research at Reading

Research for a better world

Our five research themes

Research with a global impact

Postgraduate research opportunities

Ready for more?