School of Geography and Environmental Science

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

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.

Visit our EDI page to learn more about:

• 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.

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

1. During the fellowship, we'll set the objectives the research fellow must meet to move to a permanent role.
2. After 18 months, the school will review progress against objectives.
3. If the research fellow meets their objectives, they can apply for a permanent role.
4. 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.

• Email our fellowships champion, Dr. Eli Lazarus: e.d.lazarus@soton.ac.uk.
• Email our research lead, Professor Jim Wright: j.a.wright@soton.ac.uk.