News archive

January 2015

Study uncovers the reason behind health and safety myths

New research from the University of Exeter reveals some of the complex reasons why health and safety regulations are used incorrectly and blamed for over-the-top decisions. 

University of Exeter Psychology postgraduate wins writing competition

University of Exeter postgraduate Natasha Boyland has been awarded first prize in a writing competition run by the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS).

John Webster, former head of Department of Biological Sciences, dies aged 89

The distinguished mycologist and former Head of the Department of Biological Sciences at Exeter, Professor John Webster, died on 27 December 2014 at the age of 89.  

Former Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Exeter awarded CBE for Services to Higher Education

Professor Paul Webley, the former Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, has been awarded a CBE for Services to Higher Education in the 2015 New Year’s Honours list.

New EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training officially launched

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing has been officially launched at the House of Lords.

Student study centre opens at St Luke’s

A high quality new student study centre is now in use in Giraffe House, part of the ongoing South Cloisters redevelopment.

GraphExeter defies the Achilles heel of wonder material graphene

A resilience to extreme conditions by the most transparent, lightweight and flexible material for conducting electricity could help revolutionise the electronic industry, according to a new study.

University of Exeter to help Cornwall’s young people access higher education

The University of Exeter will play a pivotal role in helping more people in Cornwall access higher education.

New study will examine environmental antibiotic resistance

A new £1.2million grant from the Natural Environment Research Council is hoping to boost our understanding of how pollution can promote antibiotic resistance.

University of Exeter celebrates Winter graduation

More than 800 students celebrating their graduation across three ceremonies on Saturday 17 January.

Wolfson Foundation donates £2m towards future of science at Exeter

Exeter has received a £2 million gift from The Wolfson Foundation to support the establishment of a new Living Systems Institute, which will pioneer a new approach to treating the world’s most serious diseases.

Plastic pollution threatens one of the ocean’s key inhabitants

Microscopic plastic pollution, which is present throughout the world’s seas, could affect the feeding habits of one of the ocean’s key inhabitants.

Mr and Mrs Disraeli: A Strange Romance

The union of a wealthy older woman who caused offence in polite society and a political nobody who would become one of the foremost politicians of the Victorian age is the subject of a new book.

Exhibition reveals the impact of WW1 on art and facial reconstructive surgery

A new exhibition exploring how facial injuries suffered by soldiers during the First World War have influenced artists and surgeons will open this weekend.  

Delve into the controversies of the British Empire with new free online course

The opportunity to explore the British Empire through stories of the individuals who contributed to its rise and fall and the themes of money, violence, race, religion, sex, propaganda and power is now available through a free online course.

Wild pollinators at risk from diseased commercial species of bee

A new study from the University of Exeter has found that viruses carried by commercial bees can jump to wild pollinator populations with potentially devastating effects. 

Study reveals why geese adopt a ‘roller coaster strategy’ to combat life’s highs and lows

A new study has discovered that the world’s highest flying bird, the bar-headed goose, employs an unusual flight strategy when migrating at extreme altitudes across the Himalayas in order to cope in the relatively low-density mountain atmosphere.

Chief Operating Officer amongst most influential LGBT Executives in the UK

Geoff Pringle has been named as one of the most influential executive role models in the UK.

A voyage of transformation for Mariners Way sculpture

A new sculpture, ‘Mariners Way II’ made of contemporary materials in the form of a knotted rope sphere is now on display at the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus.

UK-first renewable heat network demonstration secures research funding

A low carbon heating project involving the University of Exeter has been awarded a Government research grant to carry out feasibility work to create a UK-first community-wide energy scheme.

Doubt cast on global firestorm generated by dino-killing asteroid

Pioneering new research has debunked the theory that the asteroid that is thought to have led to the extinction of dinosaurs also caused vast global firestorms that ravaged planet Earth.

Hostile takeover research wins ethical Hutton Prize

A University of Exeter Law postgraduate student has been awarded the Hutton Prize for Excellence, which encourages the next generation of young professionals to put ethical conduct at the forefront of business, government and the professions.

Research pinpoints new technique for producing cheaper solar energy

Pioneering new research could pave the way for solar energy to be converted into household electricity more cheaply than ever before.

Law professor appointed as Honorary QC by Her Majesty The Queen

Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of six new Queen’s Counsel Honoris Causa, exclusively bestowed upon lawyers who have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales outside practice in the courts. 

Exeter ranked amongst 100 most international universities in the world

The University of Exeter has been recognised as one of the 100 most international universities in the world.

Exeter academic contributes to UK parliament report on Iraq

A University of Exeter, Middle East political expert features heavily in a new report by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on ‘UK Government policy on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’.

Devon’s political history exhibition showcases electoral campaigns

The history of politics in Devon is the theme of a new touring exhibition, starting at the University of Exeter. 

Global warming doubles risk of extreme La Niña event, research shows

The risk of extreme La Niña events in the Pacific Ocean could double due to global warming, new research has shown.

Negative patient-doctor communication could worsen symptoms

Doctors who unintentionally communicate to patients that they do not believe or understand them could actually make their symptoms worse, a new study suggests.

Public invited to assist international aid efforts by mapping remote locations

Exeter students call for help to compile and digitise detailed maps of uncharted areas of the world

Exeter specialists work with Manchester United to revolutionise heart health

A unique research project to identify the effects of exercise on young hearts has been announced today.

Exeter team to monitor impact of wild beavers on our waterways

A team at the University of Exeter is to study England’s only breeding population of wild beavers in order to understand their impact on pollution, flooding and water quality after an announcement yesterday.

Hydrogen sulfide could help lower blood pressure

A gas that gives rotten eggs their distinctive odour could one day form the basis of new cardiovascular therapies.

James tells his story of surviving a traumatic brain injury

A man who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) will describe his incredible experience and the challenges faced by himself and others at a special event at the University of Exeter on February 4.

Prime Minister announces £10 million for Exeter Science Park

The Prime Minister has announced a major boost to Exeter’s cutting-edge weather and climate research, with a £10million cash injection for the Exeter Science Park.