Bath Beacons

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

Research culture

Putting people at the heart of research and innovation.

Study of Tommy Robinson’s social media shows how he mobilises support without direct calls to action

Analysis shows how influencers shape public behaviour and legitimise violence through narratives, not instructions.

Breakthrough offers endless recycling for acrylic plastics without the environmental cost

A new method for chemically recycling acrylic uses less energy and non-toxic solvents without reducing quality, so plastics can be recycled again and again.

University of Bath study warns AI could erode human capital, thinking and expertise in the workplace

Study flags AI failings, urges creation of ‘learning vaults’ to protect creativity and critical thinking.

Cactus catalogue could help plant’s prickly problem

New open access database of cactus ecology and evolution could help scientists and conservationists save these threatened plants from the brink.

Bio-based polymer offers a sustainable solution to ‘forever chemical’ cleanup

Bath researchers have developed a renewable membrane to capture toxic PFOA pollutants, paving the way for scalable, sustainable water treatment technologies.

Volunteer UK and US fighters in Ukraine face hidden health crises – new study

Volunteer soldiers who have served in Ukraine experience high levels of mental and physical health difficulties yet rarely receive the healthcare they need.

Home or away? Why planning a sustainable holiday is about more than swapping planes for trains

Flying for holidays is fuelling rising aviation emissions. We must shift towards more climate-friendly travel while also reimagining where holidays take place.

AI and work: an expert assesses how far this revolution still has to run

Every week brings fresh claims about AI transforming the workplace but what has AI actually changed about work so far? Professor Vivek Soundararajan discusses.

No space, no power, no support – what life is really like for Indian IT workers serving global firms

Professor Vivek Soundararajan describes the harsh realities of working from home for the five million Indian IT professionals working for big western companies.

Showing shoppers the ‘cost per wear’ of their clothing choices could make fashion greener

Using cost per wear in shops or online retail spaces could reduce the environmental impact of fashion - Dr Lisa Eckmann explains how.

The mathematical crimes of the Young Sherlock Holmes series

Professor Kit Yates analyses some of the on-screen maths discussed in the new Amazon Prime series, Young Sherlock.

Drug murders in France: how organised crime moves in and ruins communities

France is at a turning point in its relationship with drugs cartels and Marseille is emblematic of its failure to understand how drug networks function.

How chemistry research at Bath is tackling the plastics problem

In the sustainable chemical technologies space, we're putting chemistry at the core of new solutions that will enable a circular economy.

Bath research is helping businesses innovate for the future

From boosting crop yields to supporting workers with dementia, read about how our academics are making innovation work for business and industry.

Our research into psychology, digital behaviour, and pain is supporting young people's health

From tackling chronic pain and reducing self-harm to supporting mental health, autism inclusion, and healthy behaviours, our work is shaping better futures.

How our engineering and management research is powering the UK's industrial strategy

How Bath is helping to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero, strengthen industrial capabilities, and foster inclusive growth.

How our research is making sport more inclusive

Through our sport research, we are making a huge impact on the lives of people worldwide and progressing positive policy change to help level the playing field.

How our pharmacology, psychology, chemistry and social policy research is protecting consumers

From reducing emergency admissions to tackling antimicrobial resistance, we're driving innovations that address some of the world's biggest health challenges.

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.

Help us research barriers, motivation, and physical activity support in pregnancy and postpartum

We need pregnant and postpartum people for research into how motivation and barriers to being active are linked to perinatal physical activity.

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.

Help us explore how VR and video mindfulness actions affect stress, anxiety, and confidence

We are researching how virtual reality (VR) and video-based mindfulness exercises impact stress, anxiety, and confidence in public-speaking situations.