Bath Beacons

Our multidisciplinary Beacons empower our research community to tackle major global challenges by building consortia for large-scale funding.

Our Research with Impact

Our research is helping to improve the world. Through collaborative partnerships we're creating a healthier, more sustainable, and connected future for all.

Research culture

Putting people at the heart of research and innovation.

Complex life developed earlier than previously thought, new study reveals

New study suggests complex cells evolved around 2.9 billion years ago, almost a billion years earlier than other estimates.

Local charity announces £160,000 funding for new academic research roles at 50th Anniversary event

Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases announced funding for three research roles at the University of Bath to mark its 50th anniversary.

New research shows ‘trophy spouse’ phenomenon persists into marriage

Couples balance money and attractiveness throughout relationship in ‘beauty-status exchange’.

Food and social events trump gym memberships in battle to motivate customer-facing employees

Study shows motivation, company loyalty and sales increase with food and social programs.

DNA discovery could help identify mothers at risk of pre-eclampsia

New study shows how ancient viral DNA shapes modern human placentas.

“Rotten egg” gas could be the answer to treating nail infections, say scientists

Scientists at Bath and King's College London have discovered a chemical that could be used to develop a new treatment for difficult-to-treat nail infections.

Rethinking blood test reference ranges could make medicine fairer – and safer

Professor Kari Lancaster and colleagues explain why "normal" ranges should be redefined to take into account the true variety that exists in human populations.

UK plans for pay-per-mile electric vehicle tax could make the system fairer – or provoke a backlash

Professor Phil Tomlinson assesses the pros and cons of a radical reform to EV road charging, a new scheme under consideration by the government.

If the AI bubble does burst, taxpayers could end up with the bill

As AI becomes widely adopted in public services, Dr Akhil Bhardwaj considers if the sector is becoming too big to fail, and the implications for taxpayers.

AI threatens universities’ ability to bolster democracy

To protect critical, context-rich thinking in higher education, knowledge agency must be quickly reclaimed from Big Edtech, say Dirk Lindebaum and Gazi Islam.

The UK military says Russia targets its satellites on a weekly basis. What can be done about it?

Russia is targeting UK space infrastructure, and in particular military satellites, on a weekly basis, according to the head of UK Space Command.

The more in favour of welfare you are, the more likely you are to support cycle lanes

Dr Joanna Syrda explains how people's world views affect their views on transport infrastructure - and how to use this to build support for green travel.

Help us research fat tissue inflammation and the regulation of muscle in older people

Take part in research into whether differing levels of fat tissue inflammation are linked to levels of muscle loss as people age.

Talking weight in sport: Take part in our research study

We need high-performance athletes and coaches to help us research how we talk about body weight in a sporting context.

Join our research into whether personalised feedback can improve your diet

Earn £200 and help us understand if personalised feedback can improve people's diets. We need volunteers aged 18-45 with diets low in fresh vegetables.

Take part in our study about the effects of intermittent carbohydrate restriction on health

Join our study that looks at how short periods of carbohydrate restriction impact health, and whether a new mobile health app can help with lifestyle adherence.

Help us research how exercise plans can improve health for people with cystic fibrosis

We need volunteers to help us research the impacts of remotely delivered exercise plans on cardiovascular health in people with cystic fibrosis.

Modern Slavery and Trafficking Survivors: Albanian mothers’ experiences of parenthood in the UK

A study to explore the experiences of parenthood of Albanian mothers who have survived human trafficking and modern slavery.