UC Science has a very broad research base including spectroscopy applied to trace analysis (SIFT), New Zealand’s unique ecology, the human geography of exposure to environmental chemicals, protein biochemistry, molecular biology, risk and resilience, volcanology, the neurochemistry of psychological processes, bioactive compounds from marine fauna, Antarctica, and food chemistry and toxicology.
UC geography graduate honoured for global science leadership
UC alumnus Distinguished Professor Emeritus Iain Hay has received a prestigious international Fellowship recognising his contributions to geography and scientific collaboration.
Preserving decades of environmental knowledge
UC research explores how community groups can safeguard valuable environmental records collected over decades for future generations.
The hidden world opening global doors
Innovative plant science leads to international opportunities for UC student
Study links environment and youth mental health
A new UC-led study of almost one million young people in New Zealand shows the environments they live in may be linked to their mental health over time.
UC researchers secure major funding for health research
Six University of Canterbury researchers and students have received more than $355,000 in new Canterbury Medical Research Foundation (CMRF) funding to advance health research.
Dungeons & Dragons study rolls for better wellbeing
UC research suggests the world’s most popular tabletop roleplaying game could offer an accessible way to strengthen social connection, belonging and wellbeing.
Pressure test for new graduate working through real-life disaster
A UC graduate hit the ground running when she found herself working in emergency communications within weeks of starting her first job.
'UC Essay Prizes' now open for applications
Have a go at entering one or more of our three Essay Prizes and get yourself some extra cash!
First Psychology Assistant students begin training
UC’s first Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology Assistance students have come together on campus as a new mental health workforce pathway gets underway.
Explore our research
Our Research Areas
Research in Te Kura Pūtaiao Koiora School of Biological Sciences at UC spans molecules to ecosystems and is conducted within a dynamic, internationally recognised research environment.
Our work is supported by purpose‑built laboratories, advanced computational facilities, and specialist equipment including confocal microscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, alongside the Cass Mountain Research Station for field‑based ecological and physiological research.
Our researchers address major challenges in biodiversity and conservation, ecosystem resilience, freshwater and marine systems, health, and biotechnology.
With strong national and international collaborations, our science contributes to sustainable futures, resilient communities, and technologies that support living well in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.
Research in Te Kura Pūtaiao Koiora School of Biological Sciences at UC spans molecules to ecosystems and is conducted within a dynamic, internationally recognised research environment.
Our work is supported by purpose‑built laboratories, advanced computational facilities, and specialist equipment including confocal microscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, alongside the Cass Mountain Research Station for field‑based ecological and physiological research.
Our researchers address major challenges in biodiversity and conservation, ecosystem resilience, freshwater and marine systems, health, and biotechnology.
With strong national and international collaborations, our science contributes to sustainable futures, resilient communities, and technologies that support living well in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.
Research in the School of Earth and Environment | Te Kura Aronukurangi is focussed on issues of importance to society and on understanding fundamental earth and environmental processes. We think global, but also take advantage of our amazing backyard in South Island Aotearoa/New Zealand and our connections to Antarctica and the Pacific.
We have expertise and research in fields ranging from volcanism and tectonics to human wellbeing and governance. The School has intensive research around the Antarctic and Southern Ocean, water science and resource management, geology of an active plate margin, paleontology, climate change, environmental change, human impacts on the environment, remote sensing of both natural and human environments, geospatial data science, hazards, risk and resilience, coastal science, urban resilience, wellbeing and governance.
Researchers in the School are supported by a wide variety of funding agencies including MBIE and Marsden (NZ) and many staff collaborate on ARC, NERC and NSF projects internationally. Graduate student projects are supported through all these grant sources.
We have a range of research specialities inside our school and host the most research centres of any Science School Learn more below.
Earthquakes, Disasters and Resilience Research
Te Taiwhenua o te Hauora | GeoHealth Laboratory
Research in the School of Earth and Environment | Te Kura Aronukurangi is focussed on issues of importance to society and on understanding fundamental earth and environmental processes. We think global, but also take advantage of our amazing backyard in South Island Aotearoa/New Zealand and our connections to Antarctica and the Pacific.
We have expertise and research in fields ranging from volcanism and tectonics to human wellbeing and governance. The School has intensive research around the Antarctic and Southern Ocean, water science and resource management, geology of an active plate margin, paleontology, climate change, environmental change, human impacts on the environment, remote sensing of both natural and human environments, geospatial data science, hazards, risk and resilience, coastal science, urban resilience, wellbeing and governance.
Researchers in the School are supported by a wide variety of funding agencies including MBIE and Marsden (NZ) and many staff collaborate on ARC, NERC and NSF projects internationally. Graduate student projects are supported through all these grant sources.
We have a range of research specialities inside our school and host the most research centres of any Science School Learn more below.
Earthquakes, Disasters and Resilience Research
Te Taiwhenua o te Hauora | GeoHealth Laboratory
The Te Kura Mātu | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences Te Kura Mātu is made up of over 80 staff and runs an exciting programme of teaching and research using state-of-the-art facilities.We collaborate nationally and internationally in our research and our staff work in Crown Research Institutes.
Our academic staff are all active researchers and very passionate. Dynamic teams are leading research in a wide range of disciplines, from molecular cloning to stellar astrophysics, from the design of new pharmaceuticals to nanotechnology devices.
We also have a graduate research programme that offers an exceptional opportunity to talented students who are preparing themselves for careers in
- Astronomy
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Medical Physics (including clinical).
Graduate training at Canterbury is aimed toward developing within each student the ability to do creative scientific research. The most important facet of the programme for a research student is his or her own original research project.
The opportunities for research are favourable and a research environment is encouraged by all staff, most of whom dedicate a large portion of their time to research and are concerned to ensure that the standing of the School is recognised in the international scientific community.
The Te Kura Mātu | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences Te Kura Mātu is made up of over 80 staff and runs an exciting programme of teaching and research using state-of-the-art facilities.We collaborate nationally and internationally in our research and our staff work in Crown Research Institutes.
Our academic staff are all active researchers and very passionate. Dynamic teams are leading research in a wide range of disciplines, from molecular cloning to stellar astrophysics, from the design of new pharmaceuticals to nanotechnology devices.
We also have a graduate research programme that offers an exceptional opportunity to talented students who are preparing themselves for careers in
- Astronomy
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Medical Physics (including clinical).
Graduate training at Canterbury is aimed toward developing within each student the ability to do creative scientific research. The most important facet of the programme for a research student is his or her own original research project.
The opportunities for research are favourable and a research environment is encouraged by all staff, most of whom dedicate a large portion of their time to research and are concerned to ensure that the standing of the School is recognised in the international scientific community.
Te Kura Mahi ā-Hirikapo | School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing is home to the Psychology Centre, and Speech and Hearing Clinics, providing students with first-hand experience in real-world research and clinical environments.
With a burgeoning post-graduate programme and new doctoral-level faculty in diverse areas of psychology, communication disorders, audiology, swallowing rehabilitation and stroke recovery, the School's research profile is rapidly expanding.
Learn more about Psychology research
Learn more about Speech and Hearing research
Te Kura Mahi ā-Hirikapo | School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing is home to the Psychology Centre, and Speech and Hearing Clinics, providing students with first-hand experience in real-world research and clinical environments.
With a burgeoning post-graduate programme and new doctoral-level faculty in diverse areas of psychology, communication disorders, audiology, swallowing rehabilitation and stroke recovery, the School's research profile is rapidly expanding.
Learn more about Psychology research
Learn more about Speech and Hearing research
