Our impact
From cancer biology and drug discovery to neuroscience and biodiversity. Explore the case studies below to discover how our diverse research makes a difference to the wider world.
Making predictions about Covid-19
A School of Life Sciences researcher is leading the development of Covid-19 forecasting reports, which are being used by public health organisations including the World Health Organisation and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to guide public policy and better understand how the disease is affecting countries around the world.
Finding an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease
Saving one species so countless others benefit
Giving hope to those with rare genetic diseases
Protecting global food security and human health
Building sustainable local economics to conserve rainforests
Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)
The School of Life Sciences made submissions to two Units of Assessment (discipline areas). Each received a different set of grades:
Our Biological Sciences research (as submitted to UoA 05 – Biological Sciences) was assessed overall to be 35% ‘world leading’ (4*) and 59% ‘internationally excellent’ (3*). In particular, over 90% of research outputs, 100% of impact cases and 100% of our research environment were assessed as 3* or 4*.
Our Chemistry research (as submitted to UoA 08 – Chemistry) was assessed overall to be 29% ‘world leading’ (4*) and 58% ‘internationally excellent’ (3*). In particular, 75% of impact cases were assessed as 4* and 25% as 3*. Our research environment was also rated 75% as 3* or 4*.
Across the University of Sussex as a whole, 89% per cent of research activity submitted to REF 2021 was categorised as either ‘world-leading’ (40.6%) or ‘internationally excellent’ (48.4%).
The results of REF 2021 were published on 12 May 2022.
See all REF results and read more stories behind the research we submitted.