We're recognised for our ongoing commitment to addressing gender inequality
About the School of Geography and Environmental Science
We have a diverse academic community, working across human and physical geography, and environmental science.
Our experts carry out rigorous and novel fundamental research. This helps us tackle the interlinked environmental crises and social justice issues affecting our planet.
The impact of our work includes:
measuring population mobility to help reduce malaria and COVID-19 around the world
improving vegetation monitoring from space to help tackle poor harvests or plant disease outbreaks
developing automated methods and software for geographical zone design (used in the 2001, 2011 and 2021 UK censuses)
counting every person on Earth to assess the impact of growth, plan interventions and monitor development goals progress
As well as running a suite of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, we also offer a range of products, services and consultancy to commercial enterprises. These can relate to our specialist laboratory equipment for example providing particle size analysis, X-ray fluorescence analysis, or scanning electron microscopy. Our GeoData unit manages, analyses and processes environmental data. They provide solutions-based consultancy services. We host experts in population mapping, WorldPop. Their work supports Sustainable Development Goal planning around the world.
Our environmental sensing facility uses pioneering technology combined with geospatial and environmental science expertise. The facility includes terrestrial and mobile laser scanning, and multibeam echo sounding. It can be used by commerical organisations and researchers alike.
The school is committed to being an inclusive and supportive environment where staff and students thrive.
Geospatial experts discuss a research project.
Our impact
We work with governments and industry to address key problems such as social and health inequality and biodiversity and habitat loss.
In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework:
we are joint third in the UK for the quality of our research (grade point average)
94% of our research outputs are rated world-leading or internationally excellent
75% of our impact case studies and working environment are rated world-leading
Learn about the impact of our work by exploring our research highlights:
Putting children at the heart of climate policy
Expanding the use of satellite data to provide real-world benefits
Helping eradicate disease and assist victims of natural disasters
Education
We offer 4 undergraduate geography degrees. They allow students to study a balance of human and physical geography to match their interests.
Our environmental science degrees include a 3-year BSc and a 4-year integrated master’s in environmental science. This course gives undergraduates the opportunity to develop in-depth skills and specialist knowledge.
Our specialist geospatial, environmental management and sustainability MSc programmes give students foundational skills. These are valued by employers in fast-growing sectors of our economy including environmental consultancy and the geospatial sector.
We supervise around 40 postgraduate research students on our Geography and Environmental Science PhDs.
Undergraduate students use terrestrial laser scanning equipment.
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
We're a diverse community with an inclusive and welcoming environment. Our bronze Athena SWAN award is recognition of our commitment to gender equality in higher education.
our involvement in the University’s Race Equality Charter group
our committee
our EDI team
news, policies and support
mentoring and buddy schemes
As part of the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences we offer Black Futures Scholarships. These provide funding opportunities for talented Black students who want to pursue postgraduate research with us.
Fellowships
We encourage applications from researchers looking for independent research fellowships in a geography or environmental science field.
Eligible schemes
Our support package helps researchers develop competitive fellowship applications to a wide range of schemes, including the following. Contact us for advice about schemes not listed here, such as the Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship, British Academy Fellowship, and the ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship schemes:
BBSRC Discovery Fellowships
ERC Starting, Consolidator or Advanced Grants
MRC Career Development Awards
NERC Independent Research Fellowships
NIHR Advanced Fellowships
The Royal Society University Research Fellowships
The Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship
UKRI Future Leader Fellowships
Wellcome Trust Early Career Awards or Career Development Awards
Support for applicants
We match applicants with a departmental host, who will provide:
help with applications, including support letters and costings
introductions to potential collaborators
introductions to existing fellows
a tour of our department and facilities
Support for research fellows
Successful applicants enter our formal fellowship scheme, which offers:
training
access to the latest equipment
protected time away from teaching and administrative duties
opportunities to enterPhD studentship and research grant competitions
opportunities to move into a permanent academic role
Moving into a permanent role when a fellowship ends (proleptic appointments)
Sometimes a research fellow will wish to move into a permanent academic role with us when their fellowship ends. This is called a proleptic appointment.
How research fellows move to a permanent role
During the fellowship, we'll set the objectives the research fellow must meet to move to a permanent role.
After 18 months, the school will review progress against objectives.
If the research fellow meets their objectives, they can apply for a permanent role.
As part of the application process, we'll ask them to give a research talk to colleagues, complete a teaching exercise, and undergo a panel interview.
Get in touch to discuss a fellowship application
Whatever stage you're at with your application, we'd love to hear from you.
Contribute to research in the fields of either geography or environmental science, by completing a PhD with us.
Research and business services
Our work has real-world impact whether we’re putting children at the heart of climate policy or helping eradicate diseases like malaria. Find out about our research activities and business services.
Welcome to the School of Geography and Environmental Science. It's a great place to study, work or collaborate with, on some of the most pressing challenges that society and the planet face.
I integrate southern urban craft economy research to teach development geography's limits and sensory heritage research for human geography's innovative creative methods.
My research is about glaciers, climate change and sensor networks. I’m currently President of the Quaternary Research Association and General Secretary of the European Geoscience Union.
My research focuses on sustainable pathways for decarbonising the energy sector, knowledge of which I bring to my GIS and environmental science teaching.
The School of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Shackleton Building (building 44), University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ
