Skip to main content

Physical sciences, engineering and mathematics

We submitted research by 242 of our academics for the Physical sciences, engineering and mathematics panel, across four areas of study. 

Most of the research falling under the Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences Unit of Assessment has grown out of international collaborations, including with the European Union. Our research submitted as part of the Mathematics Unit of Assessment is setting the academic and intellectual agenda in relevant fields, with key partners including the People's Bank of China and TWI.  For the Computer Science Unit of Assessment, our key research partners included Deloitte and Sensyne Health, for projects funded by £9.6 million of grants. 

Our submission to the Engineering Unit of Assessment was our largest, representing the work of 159 researchers and involving 187 countries. Caterpillar, TWI, Constellium, Honeywell, Econotherm, Ecodek and Enertechnos were all key partners during the assessment period, and total funding of £133.2 million was won for our Engineering research.

 

Results highlights

100% of Environmental Science impact case studies world-leading or internationally excellent

88% of Mathematics papers world-leading or internationally excellent

95% of Computer Science papers co-authored internationally

Engineering research environment world-leading and internationally excellent

REF Unit of Assessment (click for full details) College Subjects World leading or internationally excellent research 4* 3* 2* 1* FTE equivalent
Computer Science and Informatics (UoA 11) popup window College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences Computer Science 69.0% 27.0% 42.0% 24.0% 0.0% 37.3
Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (UoA 07) popup window College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences Environmental Sciences 81.0% 15.0% 66.0% 19.0% 0.0% 16.4
Engineering (UoA 12) popup window College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Design School, Digital Media 81.0% 17.0% 64.0% 13.0% 6.0% 152.8
Mathematical Sciences (UoA 10) popup window College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences Mathematics 69.0% 20.0% 49.0% 31.0% 0.0% 26.4
Computer Science and Informatics (UoA 11) 4* 3* 2* 1* U/C
Overall 27.0% 42.0% 24.0% 0.0% 7.0%
Output (65%) 39.8% 41.9% 17.2% 0.0% 1.1%
Impact (20%) 12.5% 37.5% 25.0% 0.0% 25.0%
Environment (15%) 0.0% 50.0% 50.0% 0.0% 0.0%
69% of the research in Computer Science and Informatics at Brunel is world-class or internationally recognised

Connecting Africa: New Networks for Open Science

The Brunel team set about working with groups in a number of African countries to share the research and knowledge that underpinned the European system. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Connecting Africa: New Networks for Open Science

image of researchers on laptops
Close popup
Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (UoA 07) 4* 3* 2* 1* U/C
Overall 15.0% 66.0% 19.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Output (65%) 4.9% 82.9% 12.2% 0.0% 0.0%
Impact (20%) 50.0% 50.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Environment (15%) 0.0% 25.0% 75.0% 0.0% 0.0%
81% of research in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

New safety laws for chemicals

Our food, our water and the things we use everyday are constantly contaminated by hundreds of harmful chemicals that build up in bodies and the environment. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on New safety laws for chemicals

pollution on a spoon
Close popup
Engineering (UoA 12) 4* 3* 2* 1* U/C
Overall 17.0% 64.0% 13.0% 6.0% 0.0%
Output (65%) 14.4% 64.7% 15.7% 5.2% 0.0%
Impact (20%) 11.1% 61.1% 16.7% 11.1% 0.0%
Environment (15%) 37.5% 62.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
81% of research in Engineering at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

Wrexham firm decked out with Brunel research

Prof Fan’s helped the company develop the technology needed to produce a consistent and reliable product from a wood and plastic composite - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Wrexham firm decked out with Brunel research

decking technology invented by Prof Fan
Close popup
Mathematical Sciences (UoA 10) 4* 3* 2* 1* U/C
Overall 20.0% 49.0% 31.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Output (65%) 19.7% 68.2% 12.1% 0.0% 0.0%
Impact (20%) 33.3% 0.0% 66.7% 0.0% 0.0%
Environment (15%) 0.0% 50.0% 50.0% 0.0% 0.0%
69% of research in Mathematics at Brunel is world-leading or internationally excellent

Extreme modelling: statistical research fix for difficult-to-predict situations

Prof Yu’s disseminated modelling approaches have been used by TWI in Japan and the United Arab Emirates, to reduce risk of catastrophic incidents. - Example of REF 2021 Case Study Read more on Extreme modelling: statistical research fix for difficult-to-predict situations

statistical research
Close popup

Areas assessed