Mark E Smith

We've reached the highest point in constructing our new teaching and learning building on Highfield campus! 🎉 To celebrate, we held a steel-signing topping out ceremony with university leaders and local guests. Find out more: southampton.ac.uk/news/2026/03/u…

We’re proud to announce the launch of our new Southampton Space Institute, dedicated to keeping the UK at the forefront of the global space industry. It builds on our 65-year heritage of education and research in space science, aeronautics and astronautics. Read more: tr.ee/hTCGrl

We’re pleased to announce the appointment of Professor @charlot_summers as our new Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. A member of our alumni, she joins us from the University of Cambridge where she leads the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart & Lung Research Institute. Find out more: tr.ee/wtJGHv

The first call for solution-state NMR access at 1.2 GHz at Warwick is open, for time to be allocated in June #UKRI #EPSRC #NMR #UniversityofWarwick #UK #SolutionNMR warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physic…

Many congratulations to @unisouthampton on this well-deserved honour⚡️ The #QEdPrize recognises over two decades of groundbreaking research that has led to the savings of billions of pounds of public money, while improving the resilience of the UK's ageing rail network.

Great news for Southampton and for Prof William Powrie who I have known for many years. He and his team richly deserve this award @VCMarkESmith

It was a very very memorable day. The @QEdPrizes do it well so many colleagues from PhD students to the people going this great work get a chance to experience the day.

We are up one place, to 33rd, in the QS World University Rankings: Europe 🎉 @TIME Magazine’s first university world rankings have also placed us 7th in the UK and 39th globally, out of 500 institutions! Find out more: southampton.pulse.ly/fsaueic1iz @worlduniranking

🎉We're delighted to announce @LibbyHackettJMI has been appointed as our new Chief Executive, starting in May. Libby joins from the Australian Public Policy Institute, a joint-venture between Australian governments + universities to improve public policy. russellgroup.ac.uk/news/professor…

Make sure you check out the latest edition of Re:action. Learn more about creating an environment where people can thrive. Discover the full issue below 👇

Congratulations to Professor John Marshall on his Polar Medal, recognising his decades of research in the harsh polar regions. Awarded by His Majesty King Charles III to those who have made outstanding achievements in polar research. Find out more: southampton.pulse.ly/ajg0txwuak

A cold but beautiful day on campus ❄️

Happy New Year from everyone at the University of Southampton! ✨ Whether you’re studying, researching, teaching or supporting our University, we can’t wait to see what 2026 brings.

We have launched a website for the PINNACLE project I have been leading for the last 7 years.pinnaclestudy.org we have used machine learning to come up with a new classification system of age related macular degeneration in order to better understand the disease

The School of Biological Sciences co-organised the 2025 International Symposium for Young Scholars in Basic Medical Sciences, which took place in Jinan, China. The event welcomed nearly 80 young scholars and postgraduate students from 12 countries. bit.ly/4aYvilQ

Day 1 of Winter Graduation is complete. Congratulations to the Class of 2025, and thank you to all who joined us in celebrating 🎓 #WeAreUoS

Warmest congratulations to Professor Mark E. Smith CBE I fondly remember the many meetings and conversations I had with Professor Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton. Each interaction reflected not just strategic brilliance, but a rare humility and deep respect for education as a global public good. He is truly among the finest global educational leaders I have had the privilege to meet and engage with. After six impactful years of leadership, Professor Smith will take up the distinguished role of Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Oxford in mid 2026 a fitting next chapter for a leader of his vision and calibre. Under his stewardship, the University of Southampton has consistently remained within the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings since 2019 and made history by becoming the first university in the world to establish a comprehensive international campus in India, a landmark moment for transnational education. His contributions were rightly recognised with the award of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2019 for services to research and higher education. These memories of thoughtful conversations, global vision, and principled leadership will remain deeply cherished. Wishing Professor Smith continued success as he shapes the future of higher education on an even broader canvas. A leader who didn’t just lead institutions, but connected nations through education.

Great to be visiting the @unisouthampton Delhi this week, where I'm engaging with brilliant students, esteemed colleagues, faculty, and interacting with our network of key #industry and #employer #partners, alongside Professor Eloise Phillips. 🇬🇧🇮🇳 #LivingBridge #Southampton

Our rail research has won a #QEdPrize, the highest national honour for educational institutions 🎉 We're leading the way in future-proofing the UK's railways – using science to reach the most economical and effective solutions. Find out more 👉 southampton.pulse.ly/nt9fbkqwug

We're delighted to be part of a new consortium led by the Alan Turing Institute which will develop an AI system supporting national security. Read more 👉 turing.pulse.ly/80wdh9qjwo