The University of Reading's mission is to address global and societal challenges through excellent research with an open, interdisciplinary and collaborative approach.
We are world leaders on environmental sustainability and a trusted independent voice on climate change. We aim to use the power of knowledge and challenge-led research to motivate change towards a more sustainable and fairer future.
Professor Parveen Yaqoob, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
February 2025
Excellence is central to our research strategy. We support research of the highest quality in all our disciplinary areas, encouraging a culture of curiosity and innovation, which aims to make a positive difference to the lives of local and global communities.
Our research underpins impactful partnerships as well as providing a creative and supportive environment and inclusive research culture for all of those who work at the University.
Our strategic objectives are:
Our research strategy for 2030 is a live document aligning with the four principles underpinning the University Strategic Plan – Community, Excellence, Engagement and Sustainability – and will be updated in line with the University strategy as appropriate.
Our research and innovation community comprises a dynamic collective of academic and research staff, professional services staff and research students, united by an ambition to drive discovery, challenge convention and shape a better future.
Our research environment in 2030 will be characterised by creativity and bold thinking, where risk-taking and innovation are embraced, and collegiality, collaboration and continuous learning are embedded in our ethos.
An inclusive, supportive and vibrant research culture will nurture talent, value diverse perspectives and thrive on shared ownership, partnership and mutual respect.
Research excellence is driven by originality, rigour and a commitment to tackling the world’s most pressing challenges through ethical and forward-thinking inquiry.
Our research creates new knowledge, fuels innovation and thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration. It shapes the future and engages both academic and public audiences.
Research excellence at Reading is about more than achievement; it fosters talent development, builds sustainable global networks, and celebrates outstanding contributions. It is underpinned by our distinctive infrastructure – ranging from farms and laboratories to studios, museums and collections – and is amplified by our four Research Themes:
Our infrastructure and research themes drive transformative solutions for people, communities and the planet.
By 2030, we will be a global force in sustainability research, shaping agendas, pioneering new frontiers and driving disruptive innovation. We will push the boundaries in areas where our expertise leads the way, forging transformative collaborations and leveraging emerging technologies to address society’s greatest challenges.
We will elevate our academic standing and global influence, significantly increasing the number of researchers who define the future of their fields. Our research teams will increasingly lead and deliver major externally funded research and innovation projects, strengthening the scale, scope and impact of our research and unlocking new opportunities through strategic partnerships and investment.
Engagement is at the heart of how we connect and collaborate and is a dynamic force that fuels creativity and accelerates innovation, ensuring that our research delivers meaningful real-world change.
By working closely with individuals, communities, businesses, policymakers, charities and public bodies – locally, nationally and globally – we co-create knowledge that is relevant, inclusive and transformative.
We are committed to forging equitable partnerships that amplify the reach and significance of our research. Our collaborations with leading institutions, including the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Met Office, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, demonstrate our ambition to deliver research that matters today and shapes the future for generations to come.
By 2030, we will be recognised as a leader in research engagement, building partnerships that transcend disciplines, borders and sectors. We will be a proactive, forward-thinking university, driving research that is co-created with stakeholders, and shaped by innovative, inclusive methodologies.
As a regional anchor institution, we will deepen our local impact while expanding our global reach, ensuring that our research delivers solutions where they are needed most. We will work with policymakers to influence change, empower communities through participatory research, and accelerate knowledge exchange that drives real-world progress.
At the University of Reading, sustainability is at the core of our research mission. As a globally recognised leader in climate science, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and energy systems, our work informs policy, transforms industry practice and builds a more resilient future.
We recognise that sustainability is as much a social and cultural challenge as an environmental one. The arts, humanities and social sciences play a pivotal role in shaping how societies understand,
communicate and respond to climate change, while also exploring the ethical, historical and governance dimensions of environmental action.
By 2030, we will be the go-to institution for bold, interdisciplinary solutions to the planet’s most urgent environmental and societal challenges. Our research will fuel breakthrough innovations and actively drive societal and economic transformation, moving beyond influence to direct action and ensuring real, lasting change where it is needed most.
We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2026/27 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2025/26 courses.
