Our research
As a Faculty of experts in a broad range of health and life science disciplines, we aspire to positively impact the health and wellbeing of our city, our country and our planet. We work in collaboration with our partners to ensure our research has significant, tangible outcomes for society. The University reinforced its place as a world-leading research institution in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021:
Clinical Medicine
Ranked 11th in the UK for Research Power, with 100% of our impact rated outstanding or very considerable.
Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care
97% of our research is world leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*), making us joint 3rd in the UK. 100% of our impact and environment is world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*).
Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Placed joint 1st in the UK for our world-leading (4*) environment and ranked in the top 10 in the UK for Research Power.
Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science
Liverpool has the top Veterinary School return for 4* overall research. Our research is ranked joint 1st in the UK for world leading research environment and 3rd for world leading research.
Our challenges
Ageing and chronic disease
The world’s population aged >60 years will double in the next 4 decades, and this will also mean increased incidence of chronic age-related diseases placing huge burden on global healthcare resources. We're working to improve the quality of life in the elderly and exploring ways to offset negative effects of ageing.
Cancer
Affecting 1 in 2 people of all ages, cancer cuts through society, causing suffering on a global scale. Using our team science approach we are investigating cancer biology alongside early detection and therapies in cancers regionally high incidence.
Cardiovascular disease
Liverpool City Region has one of the highest rates of heart disease in the UK and contributes directly to poorer life expectancy in the most deprived areas of the area. We're targeting the challenges and inequalities of poor cardiovascular health, disease epidemiology and prevention to allow people to live longer healthier lives.
Children's health
We have a unique child-centred approach to research with children and young people and their local communities, bringing together citizens, researchers and clinicians across the Liverpool City Region. Through initiatives such as the new C-GULL program, we have adopted a true 'life course' approach to enhance the well-being of our children at all stages of their lives.
Health inequality
The health of children and adults of all ages in Liverpool is generally worse than the England average, with life expectancy for both men and women lower than the national average. Our world-leading research addresses these health inequalities, improves health outcomes and quality of life.
Infection and antimicrobial resistance
Tackling the global problem of infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires a truly multidisciplinary approach and multilateral action. There's never been a more important time to focus our research into infectious diseases and supporting our local, national and global communities.
'One Health' and food security
We're focused on the relationships between human health, animal health and the environment and methods of improving control of infectious diseases in food-producing animals, better food safety systems and sustainable food production.
Safer drugs and smart delivery of new therapeutics
We provide pre-clinical and early phase clinical support as new therapies and innovative healthcare treatment are developed, ensuring safety, quality and efficacy while putting the patient outcomes first
Centres of Excellence
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/centre-of-excellence-for-long-acting-therapeutics/
Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics
The Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT) aims to broaden understanding of long-acting medicines, create new interventions and accelerate the research and development of new therapies.
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/eatc-for-children/
Experimental Arthritis Treatment Centre for Children
The Experimental Arthritis Treatment Centre for Children (EATC4C) is a unique consortium delivering translational biomedical research in childhood arthritis and related musculoskeletal disorders. It is the UK’s first and only EATC dedicated to children.
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/liverpool-cancer-research-institute/research/experimental-cancer-medicine-centre/
Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre
The Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC), funded by CRUK and the NIHR, is a collaboration between the University of Liverpool and The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust.
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/microbiome-innovation-centre/
Microbiome Innovation Centre
The Microbiome Innovation Centre (MIC) combines state of the art facilities with diverse expertise from across numerous disciplines including ecological, biological, clinical and veterinary science.
Our institutes
We deliver research through our four institutes, which bring together the vast skills base we need to tackle our challenges.
Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences
Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences
Addressing the issues that are most important to local health challenges, delivering results from bench to bedside, positively changing patient care in our communities.
Institute of Population Health
Institute of Population Health
Improving the health and wellbeing of the population and reducing inequalities by exploring how systems, practices and policies work together.
Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Tackling major challenges of the 21st century, including emerging infectious diseases, food security, antimicrobial resistance and the impacts of environmental change.
Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Responding to important societal problems, from improving crops to creating new diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions across many diseases.
REF 2021 research areas
Staff submitted as part of our Faculty’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 return are aligned to 18 research themes, which cross Institute boundaries and facilitate interdisciplinary research.
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/health-and-life-sciences/research/research-excellence-framework-2021#infection
Infection and global health
Researchers are working to improve our understanding of the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, and developing and delivering the next generation of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines to protect populations in the UK and beyond.
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/health-and-life-sciences/research/research-excellence-framework-2021#trials
Trials and methodology
Researcher in this theme seeks to improve population health by informing practice and policy through clinical trials, epidemiological research, and evidence synthesis in areas of strategic importance, supported by the development of underlying methodologies.
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/health-and-life-sciences/research/research-excellence-framework-2021#mental
Mental health
Mental health research in the Faculty aims to increase our understanding of issues at all life stages with a focus on perinatal, child and adolescent mental health, mental health in a societal and environmental context, and mental health interventions in low and middle-income countries.
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/health-and-life-sciences/research/research-excellence-framework-2021#animal
Animal welfare and productivity
Researchers within this theme are focussed on improving animal health, increasing farm productivity, and studying the impact of companion animals on human health and wellbeing, and seek to tackle animal health issues such as obesity, metabolic syndromes, and welfare.
Case studies
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/research/research-themes/infectious-diseases/one-health/
One Health approaches to antimicrobial resistance
The University of Liverpool is taking a 'One Health' approach, encompassing human, animal and environmental impact.
Collaborate with us
Our interdisciplinary world-leading research, unique model for collaboration and cutting edge facilities enable our academic community to work with you to help address societal challenges and deliver novel solutions for your organisation.
Find out how you can collaborate with us and access our facilities.
Accreditations and partnerships
Our local and global partnerships provide vital support to our research activity.
Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust exists to improve health by helping great ideas to thrive. Wellcome is an independent global charitable foundation.
Liverpool Health Partners
Liverpool Health Partners' mission is to improve population health outcomes and economic productivity in Cheshire and Merseyside.
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
NIHR is the nation's largest funder of health and care research and provide the people, facilities and technology that enables research to thrive.
Athena Swan Silver Award
As a Faculty overall we are accredited with the Athena Swan Silver Award, which covers each of the four institutes, recognising our commitment to advancing gender equality.