News archive

October 2013

Gathering information about food is not top priority for individuals with high metabolisms

New research has revealed that individuals with the highest metabolic rates within populations should be the least pre-occupied with keeping track of changes in their environments that could lead them to sources of food. 

Childhood disability research funded for six more years

Families who care for disabled children have welcomed the news that a group that specialises in childhood disability research will continue to receive funding to take it through to 2019.

A myriad of praise for Middle East expert at Honorary Graduate ceremony

The University of Exeter has awarded an honorary degree to one of its most distinguished academics, Professor Tim Niblock, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern Politics. 

University of Exeter breaks into THE top 150 globally for first time

The influential Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings have placed Exeter in the top 150 for the first time, in 148th position.

Exeter part of £19.5 million overhaul of quantitative social science training

The University of Exeter is one of 15 universities across the UK to benefit from the £19.5 million award to overhaul teaching in the social sciences.

Giant channels discovered beneath Antarctic ice shelf

The 250 metre high channels will help predict future of Antarctic ice

Nick Ross open lecture on crime – all welcome

Broadcaster and former BBC Crimewatch presenter Nick Ross will be delivering a lecture at the University of Exeter based on his new book: ‘Crime: how to solve it, and why so much of what we’re told is wrong.’

Puzzled about depression? Free open day at University of Exeter Mood Disorders Centre

Researchers from the University of Exeter are inviting members of the public to visit the Mood Disorders Centre on Saturday 12 October 2013.

University of Exeter in world top 100 for Arts and Science

The influential Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings have placed Exeter in the top 100 for both Arts and Humanities and Life Sciences. The two Colleges were ranked 65 and 95 respectively.

Poetry is like music to the mind, scientists prove

New brain imaging technology is helping researchers to bridge the gap between art and science by mapping the different ways in which the brain responds to poetry and prose.

Exeter students create E.coli camera for international competition

A team of students from the University of Exeter are making their final preparations before taking part in a prestigious international synthetic biology competition.

Russell Seal Fitness Centre a huge success

Opened on the 5 September 2013, the Russell Seal Fitness Centre on the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus is already a huge success.

Business School accredited by prestigious international body

Following a rigorous assessment process, the University of Exeter Business School has joined an elite group of international management educators accredited by EQUIS.

Insulin ‘still produced’ in most people with Type 1 Diabetes

New technology has enabled scientists to prove that most people with Type 1 Diabetes have active beta cells, the specialised insulin-making cells found in the pancreas.

Exeter strengthens ties with the University of Tokyo

A senior delegation from the University has spent the last week strengthening Exeter’s ties with Japan.  

Nick Ross open lecture on crime – all welcome

Broadcaster and former BBC Crimewatch presenter Nick Ross will be delivering a lecture at the University of Exeter based on his new book: ‘Crime: how to solve it, and why so much of what we’re told is wrong.’

Hip-Hop demystifying mental illness

Hip-hop culture is being used as a vehicle for raising awareness about mental health at an event on Thursday 17 October, 7.30pm at Mama Stone’s in Exeter.

Camborne School of Mines celebrates 125 year anniversary

A centre of mining excellence which has pioneered the very best in industry-led teaching, research and technological advances is celebrating a truly special landmark. 

South, West and Wales consortium awarded £14.2m to nurture next generation of arts and humanities researchers

The South, West and Wales Consortium, in which the University of Exeter is joined with seven other universities – has been awarded £14.2 million funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Forum wins at World Architecture Festival

The Forum has recently been announced as the winner of the Higher Education and Research Category at the World Architecture Festival.

New article reveals why people with depression may struggle with parenthood

An article by researchers at the University of Exeter has shed light on the link between depression and poor parenting.

Shakespeare and the controversy over Richard III’s remains

More than a year after Richard III’s bones were unearthed in Leicester, the last Plantagenet king is still waiting for a resting place.

Cabinet reshuffle promotion for Exeter alumnus

Exeter alumnus Sajid Javid MP has been promoted in the Prime Minister’s Cabinet reshuffle.

Grand Challenges goes Global

Three Grand Challenges 2013 champions represented the University of Exeter at the recent One Young World summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Killer whales may have menopause so grandma can look after the kids

Killer whales are just one of three species – we’re one of the others ‐ that continue to live long after they’ve stopped reproducing. 

Fact checking politicians gets results

New research indicates that American politicians are affected by the practice of fact-checking, thereby reducing the risk of misinformation and strengthening democratic accountability. 

Play your part to improve healthcare through research

In just 30 minutes, you could find out more about your health and contribute towards helping researchers make new discoveries to benefit others.

Major new TV series ‘The Tipping Points’ features University of Exeter climate researchers

University of Exeter climate scientists Professor Tim Lenton and Professor Peter Cox have contributed to a major new television series –‘The Tipping Points: 6 Places on Earth Where Climate’s Changed’. 

Infection connections: Badger surveillance project reveals how TB infects their social networks

Researchers at the University of Exeter and the AHVLA’s National Wildlife Management Centre have shown that the social lives of badgers are related to their risk of infection with bovine tuberculosis (TB).

Internet therapy may help postnatal depression

Researchers at the University of Exeter have teamed up with online forum Netmums in a pilot study which has shown that post natal depression can be treated effectively using online therapy.

Exeter water engineers collaborate with US researchers on global water issues

A new trans-Atlantic collaboration, ‘Clean Water for All’, will bring leading water engineers from the United States and the UK together to tackle problems of providing clean, sustainable water supplies.  

Students challenge experts at the Battle of Ideas

On 19-20th October, fifty University of Exeter students participated in the Battle of Ideas at the Barbican, London, following on their good work on the Grand Challenges programme.  

Business School graduate scoops prestigious national award

Selin Yigitbasi who recently graduated in Business and Management with proficiency in French from the University of Exeter Business School has also been awarded the Institute of Directors (IoD) Student of the Year prize.

Buckingham Palace award for Steve’s sea rescue

Steven Cooper, a lab assistant in the University’s Aquatic Resources Centre, was honoured for bravery at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace earlier this month.

Welsh medical history research wins European book award

A medical history book focusing on the experience of illness, medicine and care in 17th century Wales has won a major European prize.

Booker Prize winner, Mantel speaks on campus

One of the country’s most distinguished living novelists, Hilary Mantel CBE will discuss the impulse to recover the past that lies behind her historical fiction, ‘Wolf Hall’ and ‘Bring Up the Bodies’ at the University of Exeter on 29 October.

Speaking with the dead: All Souls Day

The Day of the Dead, also known as All Souls Day, is about commemoration. This practice of honouring and remembering the dead is observed in churches on 2 November.

After the gold rush

New research suggests that 19th C. gold mining in California remains a major contamination risk. 

Melting Arctic sea ice could increase summer rainfall in northwest Europe suggests new study

A new study offers an explanation for the extraordinary run of wet summers experienced by Britain and northwest Europe between 2007 and 2012. 

Diwali celebrations shine bright on campus

The Hindu Festival of Light is being celebrated by Indians all over the world and by students at the University of Exeter on Sunday 3 November.

New water-powered plant halves the cost of treating mine water

A new low energy mine water treatment plant promises a 50% reduction in the electricity costs of treating mine water.

Folk Singer Jim Causley pays musical tribute to Charles Causley's poems

On 6 November, the University of Exeter will be hosting a special gig by renowned Devon folk singer, Jim Causley.