About us

The values of the network align with those of the University in striving for research excellence, promoting equitable partnerships, and acting with integrity and accountability to improve the health of individuals and communities.

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History

The University of Sheffield has a proud history of health-related discovery, innovation and social change. Our motto — “Rerum cognoscere causas” (To discover the causes of things) — is as relevant today as when we were founded in 1905. 

In 1930, we pioneered the very first medical use of penicillin, while more recently our researchers developed a lifesaving drug for the treatment of ovarian and breast cancer.

Somewhat uniquely for a UK University with a global reputation for research excellence, Sheffield serves the population within which it is embedded, improving health services and health equity. 

The University of Sheffield was runner-up for University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.


Our work

The Global Health Network at the University spans our five faculties (Arts and Humanities; Engineering; Health; Science; and Social Sciences), promoting multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approaches to improving health locally, nationally and globally. 

The University of Sheffield offers a breadth and depth of expertise second to none. For example, the Faculty of Health’s Division of Population Health provides expertise in 

  • epidemiology
  • sociology
  • mixed-methods research
  • real-world evaluations
  • disease surveillance
  • measurement and modelling
  • evidence synthesis
  • food and nutrition
  • global health and environment
  • health equity and inclusion
  • translational research
  • clinical trials and medical statistics
  • health economics and decision science
  • health services and social care research

The University of Sheffield is a member of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) and has fostered impactful partnerships with other member institutes, including the University of Cape Town, University of Ghana, and Makerere University.

Centres of excellence

The University's cross-faculty research centres harness our interdisciplinary expertise to solve the world's most pressing challenges.