News archive

March 2014

Exeter engineers gear up for world’s largest student motorsport competition

A team of students from the University of Exeter are gearing up to take part in the world’s largest student motorsport competition, to be held in July.

University Staff Scoop Paddon Prizes

This year’s Paddon Award revealed the amazing quality of creativity amongst the University’s staff.

MMR vaccination campaign messages can 'backfire', research shows

Messages designed to encourage parents to vaccinate their children against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) can actually have the opposite effect, new research has revealed.

Virtual bees help to unravel complex causes of colony decline

Scientists have created an ingenious computer model that simulates a honey bee colony over the course of several years.

Water racket - fish reactions to noise vary between species

Fish exposed to increased noise levels consume less food and show more stress-related behaviour, according to new research from the University of Bristol and the University of Exeter. 

Cornish pond owners recruited for study into frog killing diseases

Pond owners across Cornwall are being sought by a student at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus who is conducting research into whether two deadly frog diseases can be found in the county.

Vice-Chancellor wins over audience at the Exeter Debate

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith carried the vote for the opposition in the eagerly anticipated Exeter Debate on the emerging topic of potential rises to tuition fees last night.

Academic adds expertise to new BBC series on Asian migration

The 1950’s was a time when Britain desperately needed workers from its former colonies to regenerate its post-war economy. BBC Radio 4 is broadcasting a new three part series about the tens of thousands of migrants that came to Britain from the Indian subcontinent. 

Love or kill thy neighbour? New study into animal social behaviour

A theoretical study led by the University of Exeter has shed new light on the conditions that lead to the evolution of spite or altruism in structured populations.

BBC reveals Dartmoor treasures with support from Exeter archaeologist

A rare and "amazing" burial discovery dating back 4,000 years has been described as the most significant find on Dartmoor: it is the subject of a new BBC2 TV programme on Sunday at 6.30pm.

Humanities academics contribute to BBC WW1 centenary broadcasts

 As part of the BBC’s WW1 centenary programmes key academics from the University of Exeter are contributing to an assortment of high profile broadcasts. 

First animals oxygenated the ocean, study suggests

The evolution of the first animals may have oxygenated the earth’s oceans – contrary to the traditional view that a rise in oxygen triggered their development.

CSM professor appointed first female President of Mineralogical Society

Professor Frances Wall has been elected as the first female president of the Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Beth wins Student Mentor of the Year

Bethany Partridge, a Senior Student Ambassador for the University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, has won the Student Mentor of the Year Award given by Brightside, a charity that helps young people access career and education opportunities.

Green light for St Luke’s refurbishment project

A major upgrade to research and learning facilities at the University’s St Luke’s Campus will soon begin, after full planning permission and internal funding were both granted.

New report fights back against unfairness

Tackling issues of inequality in the city of Plymouth forms the basis of a new report, by the Plymouth Fairness Commission. 

Queen to honour Exeter historian with MBE

Historian Dr Todd Gray has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for his voluntary services to Devon heritage. 

Graduate becomes first World Dementia Envoy

The Prime Minister David Cameron has appointed alumnus Dr Dennis Gillings CBE as the first World Dementia Envoy, whose role will be to bring international experts together to tackle the disease.

Business School chosen to develop the first MOOC to be sponsored and accredited by ACCA

FutureLearn today announced ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) as the first professional accountancy body to sponsor massive open online courses (MOOCs) on its social learning platform for professional recognition. 

University of Exeter scientists present research to Parliament

Science experts from the University of Exeter will showcase their pioneering research at the Houses of Parliament, as part of a prestigious national science event.

Politicians to be offered new service for tapping the latest academic research

A national consultation about a pioneering scheme to provide British politicians with unparalleled access to the very latest academic research has been launched.

New £5.5 million University of Exeter development at the Penryn Campus

A new £5.5 million facility at the Penryn Campus will provide another home for the University of Exeter Business School, Marine Renewables team, and growing Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC).

University launches Q Step programme

The University of Exeter is launching a pivotal new programme designed to improve quantitative social science training. 

Global warming may increase methane emissions from freshwater ecosystems

New research led by the University of Exeter suggests that rising global temperatures will increase the quantity of the key greenhouse gas methane emitted from freshwater ecosystems to the Earth’s atmosphere – which could in turn lead to further warming. 

Awards success for ground-breaking diabetes researchers

Dr Richard Oram and Dr Angus Jones have won prestigious awards from the national charity Diabetes UK.

New insight into the transport systems of cells

New insights into the basic operation of cells has been revealed in ground-breaking research carried out at the University of Exeter using a combination of advanced live-cell imaging, molecular genetics and quantitative analysis.

Celebrating Research in Cornwall

A postgraduate research conference is being held at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus for the first time, demonstrating the breadth and impact of the work being carried out on emerging and important global issues in Cornwall.

Rural researchers to take the temperature of public opinion on UK environmental change

Social scientists at the University of Exeter are working with environmental policy makers to explore public views on the future management of UK ecosystems.

BBC expert considers what became of the Arab Spring

The Arab Spring in the Middle East failed to deliver on its early promise, BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner OBE told a packed audience at the University of Exeter.

Cutting-edge health innovation centre will improve patient care

A newly-built £27.5 million health education and research centre is now open, streamlining the process from discovery to patient care.

Students showcase their research at inaugural conference event

Undergraduate students at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus are taking part in a conference style event for the first time to present their research in a professional setting.

A very special suitcase

They may look battered and tired but three very special old suitcases will soon be travelling around schools and communities in Cornwall.

Pioneering research offers new insight into improved wave energy testing

Pioneering research could provide a significant boost in the vital quest to harness wave power as a viable renewable energy source for the future.

University buildings go head to head for prestigious property award

The shortlist for the Michelmores Western Morning News Property Awards 2014 has been announced and two University of Exeter buildings are shortlisted in three out of the eight categories.

Successful Mirror scheme exchange for Vice-Chancellor

On Friday 21 March, Exeter University Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Sir Steve Smith visited the Students’ Guild to shadow student Anna Collin as part of the Mirror scheme. 

The Poet Who Loved the War documentary presented by Exeter academic

Ivor Gurney, soldier-poet and composer, is the subject of a ground breaking new documentary to be televised on Sunday 30 March as part of the BBC’s programming to mark the centenary of the First World War.

Alastair Campbell signs up for Grand Challenges

The Grand Challenges team is pleased to announce that Alastair Campbell will be speaking at the University of Exeter on Tuesday 3 June at 6pm in the Alumni Auditorium. This lecture will be the annual Andrew Stratton Convocation Lecture.

Doctors raise blood pressure in patients

Doctors routinely record blood pressure levels that are significantly higher than levels recorded by nurses, the first thorough analysis of scientific data has revealed.

Blood test may help predict whether a child will become obese

Scientists have found that a simple blood test, which can read DNA, could be used to predict obesity levels in children.

Royal recognition for research on Ireland and the First World War

A University of Exeter historian was invited as one of a small group of VIPs to be individually presented to the Queen at a Buckingham Palace reception in advance of the visit of the Irish President, Michael D. Higgins, in April.

Exeter plays part in crucial climate change task force

Academics from Geography at the University of Exeter have played an important role in The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s most recent report.

Universities in Cornwall contribute more than £490 million to the Cornish economy

A study by independent economic analysts, Oxford Economics, confirms that the University of Exeter and Falmouth University have contributed £491 million to the economy of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly between 2002 and 2012.