View all research areas
Research area

Mathematical sciences

A person with their back to us works out a maths equation on a chalkboard

From developing next generation batteries to informing pension planning, our research helps address scientific, engineering and social challenges. Our academics are leaders in the areas of pure and applied maths, theoretical physics, operational research and statistics.

Research highlights

Image of graphene

Disorder is Good – Taming disorder in self-assembled materials with topology

AI, big data and analytics
Environment, sustainability and clean growth
Instead of fighting disorder, we should identify structures that are ordered enough to perform the required function. We have combined cutting edge experiments with breakthrough methods from topological data analysis to quantify emerging structure in apparently disordered nano-assemblies and classify their response to light. We aim to design a new generation of controllable nanosystems at a fraction of the cost of the current methods.

Computer games with superpower help children with amblyopia or lazy eyes

AI, big data and analytics
Digital
Health and wellbeing
Lazy eye can lead to vision problems in young children when one eye doesn't connect well with the brain.
Read more

Discovering how to save cardiac patients' lives with deep learning

AI, big data and analytics
Health and wellbeing
University mathematics expert Alain Zemkoho had worked on optimising decisions in areas such as transport. PhD supervision led to him and his team developing a way cardiologists can use hours, not seconds, of data provided by heart activity tests.
Read more

Eliminating cloud shadow impact on Earth observation imagery

Space
Environment, sustainability and clean growth
AI, big data and analytics
Read more

Research institutes, centres and groups

Centre for Defence and Security Research

Our multi-disciplinary research responds to the breadth of defence and security requirements, delivering leading edge capability to both government and to our industrial partners.

Mathematical Modelling

The modelling group focuses on mathematical modelling across science and engineering, including physics (from the physics of quanta and strings to that of liquid crystals), chemistry (modelling lithium-ion batteries and solar cells), engineering (controlling sound direction), biology, medicine and healthcare (from stem cell population dynamics to medical imaging and healthcare models).

Pure Mathematics

Collaborating around the world to contribute to research in algebra, analysis, geometry and topology.

Statistics

Our research is focussed on three themes: design and analysis of experiments, statistical modelling, and biostatistics. As part of the Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute (S3RI), we have close links with statisticians and stochastic modellers across the University, especially those in the Division of Social Statistics and Demography.

String Theory and Holography

The group works on all aspects of fundamental physics - string theory; quantum field theory; applications to gravity, black holes, cosmology, particle physics, condensed matter and quantum information.

Gravity

Research conducted by the Southampton Gravity group focuses on gravitational waves, general relativistic spacetimes around black holes, and the properties of ultra-dense matter in neutron stars, such as superfluidity and superconductivity of nuclear and quark matter.

People