Marine Research - protecting our Environments

Recognised by a rare award of a Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2020, Exeter is one of the first research universities to demonstrate the ecological impact of changes to the marine environment on human and non-human animals. Our findings have been pivotal in supporting policy change across the world, including in a UN resolution, and in a legal ban on microplastics in cosmetics in the UK in 2018.

Research teams at Exeter are leading the way on solving the marine plastic problem, restoring healthy oceans, supporting coral reef conservation and enabling our circular economy.

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Solving the Marine Plastic Problem

Our multi-award winning and internationally impactful research has shown, for the first time, the vast extent to which microscopic waste is ingested by marine animals, and our findings are now actively informing policy change around the world.

Enabling Coral Reef Conservation

Our innovative ReefBudget is an open access tool that’s already been adopted by multiple national conservation and management organisations, monitoring reefs in four of the six global marine biogeographic realms where tropical reefs form.

Reuse. Repair. Recycle. Enabling our Circular Economy.

Working across five circular economy centres, we’re exploring how reusing waste materials in the textiles, construction, chemical and metals industries can both boost the UK economy and deliver incredible environmental benefits.

Healthy Oceans. Healthy Humans.

By outlining the research needed to answer fundamental questions in the fields of oceans and human health, we are shaping how evidence is provided to policy makers and helping to improve ocean literacy in Europe and beyond.