WELCOME TO RE:ACTION

The University of Southampton has an enviable track record for the strength of its interdisciplinary research activity. This was specifically commented upon in the feedback we received from the 2021 Research Excellence Framework Exercise and is one of the four pillars of our 2022 Research Strategic Plan.

It has never been more important to foster interdisciplinary approaches to our research. The global challenges we face, including those of public health, climate change, energy, food and water security and the responsible use of artificial intelligence, all need highly interdisciplinary solutions. These will span the physical and life sciences but must also reflect that people are key elements of the systems being affected and so social sciences, arts and humanities disciplines have important parts to play.

I have always found this university to be a particularly encouraging place in which to pursue interdisciplinary approaches, with a very collegial and entrepreneurial culture and low barriers between disciplines. I also believe that we are well served by the processes and structures we have put in place to foster interdisciplinary work, through our four strategic Interdisciplinary Research Institutes, which are described in this edition, and through the appointment of our Associate Vice-President Interdisciplinary Research, in the form of a job share between Professors Rebecca Hoyle and John Holloway, who provide excellent leadership in this area.

This edition of Re:action documents a wide range of interdisciplinary activities from across the University that all reflect our strength in working in this way. As with many previous forewords to Re:action, I wonder at the diversity of activities, ranging from Kai Yang’s Medical Research Council-funded project on smart textiles, which she hosts in the Winchester School of Art, work by Jane Hart and Kirk Martinez on using drones and sensors to measure glacial ice melt, through to the ‘Pathways to

Health’ project, led by Joanna Sofaer in the School of Humanities. It is also great to see our first two cohorts of Anniversary Fellows having a successful start to their time at Southampton, with many exploring interdisciplinary approaches to their research.

I very much hope that you enjoy the articles in this edition. As always, comments and feedback are very welcome.

Best wishes

Professor Mark Spearing Vice-President (Research and Enterprise)

Please Send Us Your Feedback

We are keen to receive your feedback about Re:action. If you have any ideas, comments or suggestions, please send them to reaction@southampton.ac.uk