Washington University in St. Louis

Research

Research by School

The faculty of Washington University in St. Louis are distinguished for their research and creative activities. Twenty-three Nobel laureates have been associated with the university, nine completing the major part of their pioneering research here.

Faculty are successful in winning support for their research from many sources, including the federal and state governments, corporations, foundations, nonprofit agencies, individuals and the university itself. During fiscal 2009, $567.4 million was received in total research support, including $437.4 million in federal obligations. The federal obligations include $4.7 million as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Arts & Sciences

One of the distinguishing characteristics of a great university is its ability to contribute new knowledge through research. The faculties of Arts & Sciences are frequently recognized around the world for their research leadership. In addition to faculty, both graduate and undergraduate students are critical to research, where they may play hands-on roles in projects that could be discussed by colleagues around the world. To learn more about faculty research at the departmental level please visit the areas of study listed here. You can learn more about student research by visiting the Graduate School or the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Learn more about research in Arts & Sciences

George Warren Brown School of Social Work

Some of the most vital, thoughtful and path-breaking social work and public health research is being conducted at Washington University's Brown School and its 10 research centers and applied research programs.

The Brown School aims to lead the creation and application of research in social work and public health. Its faculty are on the forefront of a number of fields including biostatistics, child welfare, epidemiology, health policy, health communications, gerontology, mental health, violence prevention and asset building – a social development designed to address poverty.

The School's centers and applied research programs work collaboratively with partners across the university, within the St. Louis community, and around the globe to seek new knowledge and real-world, evidence-based solutions to address societal challenges facing an ever-changing, multi-cultural world.

The Brown School is also home to an innovative Social System Design Laboratory. The Lab advances the science and field of system dynamics for human services, including education, social work and public health. The Lab is both a resource for the community as well as a provider of unique educational opportunities for Washington University students.

Learn more about faculty or the social work and public health research at the Brown School, or visit:

School of Engineering & Applied Science

With technology enabling innovation, many of the greatest opportunities for advancements in research exist at the interfaces between engineering and other disciplines. As part of a great life sciences research university, many of the School of Engineering & Applied Science’s areas of intellectual focus exist between and among the fields of engineering, medicine and the sciences.

The School also has truly unique and exceptional opportunities to collaborate in research with the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, and with partner universities throughout the world through the McDonnell International Scholars Academy.

The engineering faculty and students are innovative thinkers who work across disciplines to solve problems, and they understand the opportunity engineering has to benefit society — especially in areas such as health, energy, the environment, economic development and security.

Learn more about research activity at the School of Engineering & Applied Science.

Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts

Because contemporary practice demands not only disciplinary proficiency, but also fluency across disciplines, the Sam Fox School offers multiple opportunities for interdisciplinary study, multi-disciplinary collaborative research, and problem solving on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students develop abilities to think, communicate and work across disciplinary lines.

Learn more about research activity at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts.

School of Law

Washington University School of Law's greatest strength is its faculty. They are nationally and internationally recognized experts in fields ranging from international law and constitutional law to corporate and other private law fields. They come from a broad array of practice and disciplinary backgrounds, and utilize diverse methodologies, such as empirical studies, law and economics, and critical race theory.

Many law faculty have graduate degrees in other fields and have joint appointments with other schools and departments at Washington University, including political science, business, economics, history, architecture, philosophy and environmental engineering. Complementing their extensive research and scholarship, law professors head the law school's three centers and one institute, devoted to empirical research, innovation and economic growth, work and social capital, and international law.

Learn more about research activity at the School of Law.

School of Medicine

Washington University School of Medicine is the largest research enterprise at the university and is a world-renowned center for clinical, translational and basic science research initiatives aimed at advancing human health around the globe.

Research at the School of Medicine is supported through:

  • Grants and contracts totaling more than $484 million to support faculty research efforts during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009
  • Private gifts and grants from over alumni, individuals, foundations, corporations and other organizations totaling $96.3 million
  • Additional support provided to faculty investigators from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  • More than $347 million in research funding, for 684 grants, from the National Institutes of Health during the federal fiscal year ending September 30, 2008

Washington University School of Medicine has a long-standing commitment to education and research initiatives. The biotechnology revolution that has transformed and continues to change the landscape of healthcare began at the benches of university scientists and clinician-scientists. The spirit that drives these endeavors has enabled the university to establish multidisciplinary, collaborative research initiatives, such as BioMed 21, as well as thriving partnerships and collaborations with other institutions, foundations and industry partners in an effort to rapidly translate basic science discoveries into treatment options.

Learn more about research activities at the School of Medicine.

Get the latest news from the School of Medicine at twitter.com/WUSTLmedschool.

Olin Business School

Olin’s longstanding, active commitment to scholarly work and its distinctively collaborative atmosphere keep our faculty on the leading edge of business thought.  Renowned for their research productivity, Olin faculty also inspire the cross-fertilization of knowledge through leadership in their scholarly community at conferences around the world and editorial boards of key scholarly journals.

Learn more about research at Olin Business School.