Research Facilities
The University of Winchester has been investing heavily in state-of-the-art facilities. From teaching and research to innovation, outreach and consultancy, we are excellently equipped to meet the needs of academics and students, external partners and researchers, community groups and individuals.
Explore our state-of-the-art teaching, research, innovation and consultancy facilities.
Our research facilities per specialism
Archaeology, Anthropology and Geography
Archaeology, Anthropology and Geography have significant expertise in archaeological science and physical anthropology, in particular human bioarchaeology, environmental archaeology, geoarchaeology, geomorphology and geomatics, and is excellently equipped for analytical work in these subdisciplines. In Physical Geography, we have significant expertise in hydrology, in particular flow gauging and water quality analysis, the environmental impacts of climate change, and conservation/biodiversity. We also collect local meteorological data.
Over recent years, the University has invested heavily in new and improved laboratory facilities and equipment, including a purpose-built artefact and human bone store that meets the guidelines of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. We have a dedicated laboratory technician who, as well as supporting all academic staff and students, is actively involved in STEM outreach.
In line with our values of sustainability and social justice, we are currently working towards achieving Green Lab status. My Green Lab is considered the global standard for best practice in laboratory sustainability. Find out more about My Green Lab. Our application is a joint initiative between our laboratory technician and the University's Department for Student Engagement and Employability.
We have a teaching lab and a research lab; the latter is used by staff and students for research projects as well as by our commercial arm ARCA Geoarchaeology.
We have recently opened an Analytical Chemistry Lab. Mainly for Forensic Science use, it contains analytical equipment that can also be used by Archaeology and Geography.
ARCA Geoarchaeology Consultant Nick Watson in the research laboratory
We currently have the following equipment and software for our academic, undergraduate, postgraduate and commercial research.
Equipment
- wet chemistry facilities, including fume cupboards, Malvern 2000 laser granulometer, muffle furnace, Eijkelkamp calcimeter
- wet sieving/flotation facilities
- pulse EKKO Pro ground-penetrating radar system (50, 100, 250 and 500 MHz antennae)
- two Geoscan magnetometers
- two Geoscan resistivity meters
- Leica System 1200 RTK, a GS16 Smartnet (rover), an R200 (with base station) and two Zeno dGPS GPS
- two Leica (Builder) total stations
- Leica MS60 robotic total station
- Leica laser scanner
- Bartington MS2 magnetic susceptibility meter (with two field and two laboratory sensors)
- An Atlas Cobra/Eijkelkamp mechanical auger ('vibra corers'), two sets of manual Eijkelkamp augers and a Russian auger
- Drone
- Petrographic microscope, for thin section analysis
- Niton portable XRF
- Weather station
- Human evolution skull casts
- sufficient excavation equipment to equip a team of 70
Specialist software
- ArcGIS Pro (deployed on all staff, laboratory and research student computers, as well as in teaching and open access rooms elsewhere on campus)
- GeoPlot (on dedicated research laptops)
- SCC (Survey Control Centre) for the processing of 3D point cloud data
Facilities and equipment hire
Our Archaeology, Geography and Anthropology laboratory facilities and collections are available for use by external researchers such as Master's and PhD students. The rate is £20 per day +VAT. To book, please use our online store.
During weekends and outside the academic year, our laboratory facilities are also available for hire by external organisations and community groups who wish to run training courses or events within a laboratory environment. For enquires, please contact the Laboratory Manager, Dr David Ashby.
Fieldwork equipment is also available to be hired by external organisations, community groups and commercial companies, including excavation and survey equipment. For enquiries, please contact the Laboratory Manager, Dr David Ashby. Please note, you must supply a valid insurance certificate demonstrating the equipment you are hiring from us is covered for the duration of the booking period.
Find out more
Criminology and Forensic Science
Criminology and Forensics are excellently equipped to undertake both fieldwork and laboratory-based projects in Forensic Biology, including botany and entomology, as well as CSI and soil analysis, and forensic linguistics. We are licensed by DEFRA to run a taphonomic facility for carrying out decomposition research using pig carcasses. We have a dedicated laboratory technician supporting all academic staff and students. The Forensics laboratory was opened by David Suchet, a.k.a. Hercule Poirot - watch the video.
In line with our values of sustainability and social justice, we are currently working towards achieving Green Lab status. My Green Lab is considered the global standard for best practice in laboratory sustainability. Find out more about My Green Lab.
January 2020 saw the launch of a new Crime Scene House (CSH). The CSH can be used for briefings, undertaking crime scene photography, packaging of evidence and as a Blood Pattern Analysis (BPA) space.
The Crime Scene House - image by student Emma Copley
The latest addition to our research facilities is an Analytical Chemistry Lab, which was opened in January 2023 and is used for both teaching and research. It contains analytical equipment that is mainly for Forensic Science use but can also be used by Archaeology and Geography. We currently have a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, an HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatograph), an AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer) and an FTIR (Fourier - Transformed Infrared Spectroscope). With these instruments we are able to analyse pure substances and complex mixtures, in biological and non-biological samples, including the detection and quantification of pharmaceutical components, solvents and metals.
Main equipment and analysis types
- Stereo and biological microscopes
- Wet chemistry facilities (for geoforensics)
- General CSI equipment, e.g. evidence recovery, evidence markers, dummies
- Fingerprinting equipment
- Multispectral light sources, to reveal evidence beyond the range of human vision
- Forensic Entomology, particularly blow flies and larvae, and temperature and humidity data logging
- Electro-Static Detection Apparatus (ESDA), for forensic linguistics
- High-Spec DSLR camera for forensic photography
We regularly invite young inquisitive minds such as scout groups into our laboratories to be a forensic investigator for the evening and solve a crime. Find out more.
Dr Carolin Esser-Miles (left), Senior Lecturer in English and Forensic Linguistics, with scouts during one of our regular Whodunnit events
Facilities and equipment hire
Our Forensics laboratory facilities and collections are available for use by external researchers such as Master's and PhD students. The rate is £20 per day +VAT. To book, please use our online store.
During weekends and outside the academic year, our laboratory facilities are also available for hire by external organisations and community groups who wish to run training courses or events within a laboratory environment. For enquiries, please contact the Laboratory Manager, Dr David Ashby.
Some specialist Forensics equipment is also available to be hired by external organisations, community groups and commercial companies. For enquiries, please contact the Laboratory Manager, Dr David Ashby. Please note, you must supply a valid insurance certificate demonstrating the equipment you are hiring from us is covered for the duration of the booking period.
See below for Forensic Psychology facilities.
Computer Science and Cyber Security
The University has been investing heavily in dedicated new facilities for these growing and important subject areas. In addition to teaching and research, the laboratories below will be used to support Knowledge Exchange activities, working with external clients.
- A Cyber Security and Digital Forensics lab
- An Enterprise Networks lab
- A Software Development and Artificial Intelligence lab
Digital Technologies and Digital Media
The University's Centre for Enterprise, Design and Innovation (CEDI), based in the Department of Digital Technologies, is a Knowledge Exchange centre focussed on the Digital Creative sector. The Centre links University activities with creative, innovative and design-led organisations in the private, public and third sectors, with a focus on building Knowledge Exchange and Consultancy-based collaborations.
CEDI boasts a brand new Digital Innovation Hub, featuring:
- A VR/AR Suite, with headsets, software, cameras, high-end PC’s, programming tools and display/analysis screens, to support engagement with local creative businesses
- 3D printers & Laser Scanner, to support engagement with local creative businesses
- iLabs, used for innovation development and management support, in support of local creative businesses
- iPcreate Diagnostics, used for Intellectual Property assessment in support of local creative businesses
To find out more about CEDI, its services and facilities, contact Debs Wilson, Senior Lecturer in Digital MediaDesign/Practice, or Dr John Richardson, Senior Lecturer in Innovation Management.
Film and Media
Our School of Media and Film is supported by outstanding purpose-built, industry-standard facilities. These comprise a professional newsroom, sound recording/post-production studios and control galleries, and a multimedia centre.
The newsroom was opened by ITV journalist/broadcaster Alastair Steward in 2018. Read the news release. This is also the hub for WINOL (Winchester News OnLine), the news website produced by students of the BJCT-accredited BA in Journalism.
The state-of-the-art sound recording and post-production studios - designed by specialist acoustic architects - were launched by the Mercury Prize-winning group alt-J in 2018. Read the news release.
The multimedia centre incorporates a computerised radio station/studio; two HD TV studios and galleries, with green screens and state-of-the-art cameras, and facilities for multi-track audio recording.
Find out more about our School of Media and Film
Take a virtual tour of our facilities
Libraries
Martial Rose Library
The University's Martial Rose Library houses over 300,000 books, including key course textbook, as well as a huge online library of academic journals, e-books and databases. The Library welcomes members of the public, staff, students and researchers from other institutions and anyone wishing to use the Sybil Campbell and Thorold & Lyttelton Collections. It also has an Education Resource Room.
Find out more about the Martial Rose Library
Take a virtual tour of the Martial Rose Library
West Downs Library
Located adjacent to the Business School, our West Downs Library, based in the brand new West Downs development, has dedicated resources for the various subject areas in the Faculty of Business, Law and Digital Technologies, including Fashion and Mathematics.
Performing Arts
Our Performing Arts spaces comprise 6 studios, specifically:
2 smaller studios (capacity ~20)
3 large studios (capacity ~30), including a dance studio with mirrors, ballet bars and a sprung floor, and a dance space with mirrors and some portable, height-adjustable ballet bars. All rooms have pianos, or can be equipped with a piano if requested.
1 'black box' with a black-painted floor-level performance area and seating (capacity ~20).
A Performance Gym, a larger black box space with a full lighting rig, black painted sprung floor, flexible scene arrangements and seating bank. Seating can be stowed and chairs installed around performance area if so desired. Performance space dimensions – seating deployed - 8.4m x 7.2m; Performance space - seating stowed 8.4m x 12m.
NB all capacities are for room users, not seating capacities.
All our spaces are bookable, subject to availability. Please direct any Performing Arts venue hire enquiries to theatretechnicians@winchester.ac.uk.
Take a virtual tour of one of our spaces
Psychology
Between 2018 and 2020, the Psychology Department underwent a multi-phase refurbishment, including extensive upgrading of our facilities for staff and student research. Our refurbished facilities comprise a range of specialist labs: 8 two-person, general-purpose project labs. each equipped with one or more research-grade PCs and testing space.
We also have a range of specialist equipment such as BioPACS for physiological measurements, GENEActive actigraphy devices for sleep and activity monitoring, access to a wide range of standard software used for conducting psychological research (e.g. Matlab, Qualtrics, EPrime, SPSS), together with support for work using other platforms (e.g. PsychoPy, R) and a well stocked psychometric test library with a range of cognitive, educational and developmental test batteries as well as aptitude, ability and personality tests.
Psychology specialist labs
Electro-encephalography and Neurostimulation Lab
The remodelled EEG and Neurostimulation lab includes a sound-proof, shielded testing booth and is equipped with a 64 channel Biosemi EEG system and a NeuroConn Transcranial Electrical Stimulator. The set-up facilitates a wide range of cognitive neuroscience research. For instance, recent work has explored brain responses to email alerts as a function of work-life balance, the relationship between neural inhibitory processing, thought suppression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and anxiety, auditory hallucinations, and musical preference.
Social Interaction Suite
The Social Interaction Suite includes a room with a multicamera recording system and a large central screen for displaying stimuli to groups, plus an adjacent control room. The suite facilitates a wide range of research that uses approaches such as focus groups or interviews and can be adapted to have large open areas for group interaction. Examples of the kind of research that this lab can be used for include interviewing in investigative psychology and qualitative organisational psychology research on leadership.
Infant and Child Observation Suite
This large space has plenty of room for groups of children to play and for work with their parents and carers. It is equipped with comfortable sofa seating, a multi-camera recording system and large display for stimulus presentation. The camera system also streams footage to a remote camera observation room allowing for non-intrusive observation work. Examples of the kind of research that this lab can be used for includes work on reading development. Meet the reading development researchers, Dr Kirsty Ross and Dr Amy Warhurst.
Alcohol Research (‘Bar’) Lab
The lab comes with its own bar and facilities for conducting alcohol intoxication-related research as well as PC’s for testing participants. A one-way mirror to an adjoining observation room enables participant observation, for instance during group interactions. Examples of research in this lab include forensic work that has explored the effect of intoxication on eye-witness memory following the viewing of a mock crime whilst intoxicated. Meet the researchers, Dr Sarah Bayless and Dr Debbie Crossland.
Eye Tracking Lab
The Lab is equipped with a SR Research Eyelink 1000 system and has black out blinds and black walls to minimise the effects of light. The facilities in this room are appropriate for a wide range of experimental psychology research, such as work on face perception and recognition (meet the researchers, Dr Sarah Bayless and Dr Daniel Gill), crime scene perception, computer user interaction research or any work where it is important to monitor participant gaze position in relation to visual stimuli.
Virtual Reality Lab
The Lab is equipped with a HTC Vive Eye Pro wireless system allowing participants the freedom to move around the space without fear of tripping over wires. The Vive Eye Pro also comes equipped with a built in eye tracking system so that it is possible to monitor participant’s point of gaze in their virtual world. Research in this laboratory is just getting underway. A recent project used VR to explore self-consciousness and paranoia, placing participants in a city roaming the streets whilst looking for a coffee shop and interacting with virtual characters.
Colour and Psychophysics Lab
This lab is light-proofed to allow for vision research and is equipped with a range of visual stimulus presentation equipment, including Cambridge Research Systems Visual Stimulus Generation equipment, high-spec displays suitable for vision research, and custom-built visual testing apparatus. The lab is suitable for a wide range of vision work, including research into colour perception, face perception and perceptual expertise.
Find out more
See below for Sport Psychology facilities.
Sport, Exercise and Health
We are excellently equipped for Biomechanics, Physiology, Strength & Conditioning, and Sport Psychology.
Biomechanics:
Delsys Electromyography (EMG) Sensors (Trigno Avanti System)
Woodway Treadmill (PPS MED)
Wattbike Cycle Ergometer (Pro)
Kistler Force Plate (9281ea)
BTS Bioengineering G-Walk (G-Walk)
Qualisys Motion Capture Cameras (Oqus 300, 310 & 600)
Microgate Gyko
Lafayette hand-held Dynamometer
Physiology:
The Altitude Centre Hypoxicator (Everest Summit II Hypoxic Generator)
Baty International Skinfold Calipers (Harpenden Skinfold Caliper)
Body Stat Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) Devices (Body Stat 1500)
EKF Diagnostics Blood Glucose/Lactate Analyser(Biosen C-Line Sport)
EKF Diagnostics Lactate Analyser (Lactate Scout)
Hawksley Haematocrit Centrifuge (Haematospin 1300)
Vitech Scientific Refractometer (Osmocheck)
Schiller 12-Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) (Cardiovit CS-200 Touch)
Polar Heart Rate Monitors (A300)
Monark Cycle Ergometers (874E & 894E)
SRM Cycle Ergometer (SRM Training System)
Woodway Treadmill
Harvard Apparatus Dry Gas Meter
Cranlea Douglas Bags
Servomex Gas Analyser (5200 Servoflex miniHF)
Cortex Gas Analyser (Metalyzer 3B)
Brower Timing Gates (TC-Timing System)
ADInstruments PowerLab (PowerLab 15T)
AtCor Medical SphygomoCor (SphygmoCOr XCEL)
Terason Ultrasound (uSmart 3300)
Artinis Medical Systems Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) (PortaLite)
Fitech CardioChek (CardioChek)
SMT-Medical Vicorder
Concept II Rowing Ergometer
Strength & Conditioning:
ESP Fitness Power Racks (TotalPower)
Eleiko Powerlifting Barbell (IPF Powerlifting Competition Bar)
BlkBox Weightlifting Barbells (15kg & 20kg Belfast Bar)
Microgate OptoJump (OptoJump Next)
PUSH Inc. PUSH Bands (PUSH Band 2.0)
Kinetic Performance GymAware
Sports Psychology:
SensoMotoric Instruments Eye-Tracking Glasses
ANT Neuro Electroencephalogram (ECG) (Eego Sports 32)
Batak (Professional)
Oculus Rift
Garmin 360° Camera (Virb)