Top Ten Research Topics for Students in 2022

1) Sustainable Energy

As part of a global effort to reduce carbon emissions, governments and organizations are beginning to embrace alternative energy sources. In addition to helping protect our environment, sustainable energy sources such as solar and wind power can also help save money over time. If you’re looking to research a topic relevant to our changing world, sustainable energy might be an interesting option.

2) Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are two of today’s most active fields of research. The recent advancements in AI applications have led to serious questions about what a future with robots might look like. There are concerns that AI technology will replace human labor and others who see immense opportunity to improve our lives. What is it? In simple terms, artificial intelligence is defined as a system or device that mimics human behavior, which can lead to amazing insights and actions without explicit instructions.

3) Personalized Medicine

By allowing patients to contribute their data to a larger pool of information, personalized medicine will help physicians make more informed decisions about diagnosis and treatment. It has already started with digital health—for example, Fitbit, Apple Watch, and other fitness wearables that keep an eye on heart rate—but it will continue to evolve. As DNA sequencing becomes faster and cheaper, we’ll start having more access to our genetic data.

4) Connected Health/Wellness

Connected health and wellness is a burgeoning field, with Fitbit, Apple Health Kit, and similar tools making it easier than ever to track your activity and calorie intake. Social media tools are also blurring lines between work life and personal life: Facebook has been a popular place for post-workout photos—and now Instagram is introducing a platform where you can earn money by promoting products through images.

5) 3D Printing

In medicine, doctors are turning to 3D printing to manufacture replacement parts and implants. Researchers also hope to use these printers to create new living tissue that can grow into human organs. It may be years or even decades before you can run down to your local 3D printing store and buy a new liver, but scientists are well on their way toward making it a reality.

6) Genomics, Cancer, and DNA Sequencing

Because of new technologies and scientific breakthroughs, more genetic information is available than ever before. It’s estimated that by 2022 we will have an exponentially larger amount of human genome sequencing data. That means opportunities abound for bioinformatics experts who can sort through all that genetic information to find disease genes and make new medical discoveries.

7) Emerging Markets

With increasing poverty levels and decreasing amounts of natural resources, several international organizations are predicting a potential rise in civil unrest. While direct intervention is often seen as a violation of sovereignty, some organizations—particularly those focused on reducing poverty—have established means to support fragile states and establish safety nets.

8) Biometrics, Sensors, and Wearables

Biometrics refers to technology that uses unique physical characteristics (like fingerprints, retina scans, or other body patterns) to identify individuals. Sensors and wearables are devices that collect data about a person’s activities and health status; as wearable technology becomes more sophisticated, we can expect to see an explosion of biometric-sensor integration in healthcare.

9) Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources

Agriculture will continue to be one of, if not THE most important industry on Earth and there is an incredible amount of potential topics that students can explore and pursue. One area that is gaining more attention than ever before is sustainable water usage as freshwater supplies dwindle around the world. More and more studies are indicating how important it is to utilize existing freshwater supplies properly, effectively, and efficiently.

10) Saving Money on Education, Housing, and Travel

No matter where you’re going to school or what you’re studying, it can be easy to get caught up in how much money your education is costing. Make your research into finding affordable options part of your undergrad thesis by spending some time on these topics: (1) affordable housing near my new college/university, (2) how to cut down on traveling costs while studying abroad, and (3) making smart choices about student loans.