Queen’s is a broadly based, research-driven university with a dynamic world-class research and education portfolio and strong international connections.

The University's priority is to achieve nationally and internationally recognised research excellence in all of its many and varied disciplines, with world-class research in distinctive niches and thematic areas. An emphasis is placed on the expansion of inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary activities.

Areas of research excellence at Queen's range across the whole spectrum: from Creative Writing and Poetry in the Seamus Heaney Centre to the design of new catalysts for cars; from Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies to Vascular Biology and its implications for Vision Science; from Cognition and Culture to Renewable Energy; and from Drug Design and Synthesis to Healthcare for the Mother and Child.

For further information on Research at Queen’s contact Research and Regional Services.

Research Clusters

Research at Queen's is focused through a formal framework of Research Clusters and Interdisciplinary Forums, each led by an established research leader. There are twenty-one research-led Schools, comprising over 90 research clusters.

Queen’s impressive track record of achievement in research and education is also reflected in the development of world-class centres of research excellence across the full range of disciplines.

Explore the world-class centres of excellence here.

RAE

2001 RAE - In the 2001 RAE, Queen’s University emerged as a major player in international research.  Research in 33 units of assessment at Queen's is of national and international quality. Sixteen units were rated in the top category - grade five and five-star. In addition, a further three areas within units of assessment were singled out as centres of international excellence - including the Cancer Studies group within Clinical Laboratory Sciences.  For further information on the University’s 2001 RAE Performance click here. 

2008 RAE - The reseults are summarised below :

• The Research Power Index, which measures the quality and quantity of research, places us in the top 20 universities in the UK.
  
  
• Queen’s has 11 subject areas ranked within the top 10 in the UK and 24 in the top 20.
  
  
• All areas at Queen’s had research assessed as world leading, ie 4*.
  
  
• 25 of the 38 Units of Assessment submitted had 50 per cent or more of the research activity recognised as world leading or internationally excellent (4* + 3*).

More detail can be found here.

Postgraduate Research