University news
G-Research gift funds new PhD Scholarships in AI Sustainability
The University is pleased to announce a generous gift from G-Research to fund three four-year PhD Scholarships in AI Sustainability. The first G-Research PhD Scholarship was awarded this academic year, with two further scholarships to follow in 2026–27 and 2027–28.
G-Research is a leading quantitative research and technology firm pioneering advancements in data analysis, machine learning and statistics. With a mission to solve the world’s most complex challenges, they’re committed to shaping the future of research and innovation. G-Research NextGen work with academic partners, educational organisations and charities to help support the next generation of STEM talent.
Their support for AI Sustainability at Southampton reflects a wider commitment to championing research innovation. G-Research is funding over 40 PhD students at eight UK universities over the next three years, supporting research in areas from statistics to machine learning and natural language processing. Scholarship recipients benefit not only from financial support, but also from mentorship and career development opportunities.
The University is proud to partner with G-Research in advancing research that explores how AI can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Turner Sims and Nuffield building set for major transformation
Two landmark Southampton buildings are set to undergo major refurbishments, improving accessibility, learning and cultural opportunities.
Turner Sims, one of the South’s leading music venues, will become fully accessible for the first time in its 50-year history through a £2.3 million investment from the University, Arts Council England and a generous donor. The project will deliver step-free access throughout the building, new accessible public facilities and essential infrastructure upgrades. Opened in 1974 and renowned for its acoustics, Turner Sims welcomes thousands of audience members, artists, students and community groups each year.
Meanwhile, the iconic copper-clad Nuffield building on Highfield Campus is undergoing a £19 million refurbishment. The plans will transform the building into a modern, accessible lecture theatre and teaching suite, creating a much-needed large learning space for students. The renovated venue will also be available for conferences, events and theatre productions, helping to strengthen our role as a hub for education, culture and community engagement.
Read more:
Turner Sims secures future with major investment to fund accessibility improvements | University of Southampton unveils renovation plans for Nuffield
The countdown is on to British Science Festival in Southampton
Europe’s longest-running science festival is coming to Southampton, with a whole host of free events, exhibitions, performances and installations for the public to enjoy.
The British Science Festival, hosted by the University of Southampton and run by the British Science Association, is coming to the city from Wednesday 16 to Sunday 20 September.
The event will be a celebration of the people, stories and ideas at the heart of science.
Alumna Professor Charlotte Summers appointed new Dean of Medicine
The University is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Charlotte Summers as the new Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, who will join us in September 2026.
A former Southampton alumna, Professor Summers joins us from the University of Cambridge where she is Director of the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart & Lung Research Institute, Professor of Intensive Care Medicine and a Fellow of Selwyn College. She is also Chief Investigator of HEAL-COVID, alongside serving as co-investigator in a number of international collaborations. In her work as a clinician-scientist, her focus is on the improvement of care and outcomes for acute and critical illnesses – particularly those caused by respiratory failure or lung injury. She was the UK’s first NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Intensive Care Medicine and currently serves as NIHR Research Delivery Network National Specialty Lead for Critical Care and Chair of the UKRI-Medical Research Council’s Experimental Medicine Panel.
Professor Charlotte Summers said: “As a proud alumnus of the University, I am thrilled to return as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, where discovery science delivers real-world impact for patients and populations. With plans for a new Institute for Medical Innovation well underway, I am particularly excited about working side-by-side with the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and other stakeholders to deliver improvements in human health in the UK and beyond.”
Professor Summers will begin her new role as Dean at the beginning of September 2026, taking over from Professor Diana Eccles, who completes her term after eight years of service.
British Council Study UK Alumni Awards success
Our congratulations go to University of Southampton alumnus Trung Phan, who was selected as a national finalist in the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards in the Science and Sustainability category in Vietnam.
The Study UK Alumni Awards celebrate the achievements of international graduates from UK universities who have gone on to make significant contributions in their professions, communities and countries. The Science and Sustainability category recognises alumni whose work is helping to address global challenges through innovation, research and sustainable solutions.
Being named a national finalist is a significant achievement and reflects Trung’s professional accomplishments and positive impact since graduating from the University of Southampton. His recognition highlights the global reach of the University’s alumni community and the important role Southampton graduates play in advancing knowledge, driving innovation and creating positive change around the world.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Trung on this well-deserved recognition and wish him every success in his future endeavours.
