Last updated: 15 May 2026
Plastic litter
“Plastic pollution is a global environmental problem that has major detrimental impacts on the environment, economies and human health. This study identifies for the first time the most abundant categories of debris at national, regional, and global scales, indicating not only where to prioritise interventions, but also which specific types of items to focus on.
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS
Professor in Marine Biology
Last updated: 6 May 2026
Defining plastic-induced liver injury (PILI)
Do plastics make liver disease worse? Exploring their interaction with alcohol, diet and inflammation
Last updated: 6 May 2026
Clinical liver assessment of risk, injury and toxicity from micro- and nanoplastics (CLARITY)
How plastics affect liver disease in patients
Published: 23 April 2026
Scientists explore whether plastic particles could be linked to significant rises in liver disease
The connection has been suggested in a new article written by experts in microplastics and liver disease from our Centre of Environmental Hepatology
Last updated: 25 March 2026
Minister for the Cabinet Office briefed on University's world-leading marine and maritime research
The Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Rt Hon David Lidington CBE MP, visited the University to see marine and maritime excellence in action
Last updated: 17 March 2026
How can we turn the tide on plastic pollution?
Discover why there is a global plastic emergency and how scientists are working to provide solutions
Last updated: 17 March 2026
Parliamentary Evidence Week
University of Plymouth’s partnership with Sense about Science (SaS) for Evidence Week in Parliament
Last updated: 10 March 2026
The Queen's Anniversary Prize for pioneering research on marine microplastics pollution and its impact on the environment and changing behaviour
Our ground-breaking research into microplastics pollution has received the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a higher education institution
Last updated: 10 March 2026
7 questions with Professor Richard Thompson OBE
Get to know the #PlymouthPioneer who is saving our seas from plastic
Last updated: 10 March 2026
Are microplastics a big problem?
Discover microplastics’ effects on the environment and what the University of Plymouth is doing to help