News archive

November 2016

Food supply – not ‘live fast, die young’ mentality – makes male crickets chirpy

Shedding a few pounds might be a good strategy in the human dating game, but for crickets the opposite is true.

Exeter seals new strategic collaborations with University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of Exeter sealed new strategic collaborations during meetings in Vancouver in October.

Research reveals that ‘Singapore’ approach to teaching maths can work in UK classrooms

Mastery – an approach to teaching maths commonly used in East Asian countries – can significantly benefit children in UK schools, a University of Exeter academic has found.

Exeter Professor appointed as environmental charity board trustee

Professor David Butler, Director of the internationally-leading Centre for Water Systems, has been appointed as a trustee of a vital South West environmental charity.

City event to celebrate Exeter's history following fire

Exeter residents will gather to celebrate the city’s historic buildings which still stand despite the recent devastating fire at an event this weekend.

Call for government investment to strengthen advanced engineering and digital innovation industries

South West England and South East Wales can lead the UK and compete with the world in the areas of advanced engineering and digital innovation, and has called for targeted government investment in these areas.

Forgotten language found in poems uncovered by a University of Exeter expert

Moving poetry in now forgotten Lancashire regional dialects written generations ago is being uncovered by a University of Exeter academic.

Large-scale study reveals new insights into coral and symbiotic algae partnership

A large-scale study of Caribbean coral has yielded discoveries on the pairing process between an endangered coral and the microscopic symbiotic algae they rely on for survival.

NHS England boss delivers Exeter Lecture

Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, has delivered the latest in the University of Exeter’s ‘Exeter Lecture’ series. 

Soil could become a significant source of carbon dioxide, experts warn

If people continue using and changing land over the next century in the same way they currently do, soils will have limited potential to counter the effect of climate change. 

Exhibition: Life at Exeter City FC captured by top photographer

Many aspects of match day life at Exeter City Football Club are brought to life in a new exhibition at St James Park.

New Medical School Pro-Vice Chancellor now in post

Globally-renowned dementia and ageing expert Professor Clive Ballard is now in post as the new Dean and Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter Medical School.

Astronaut joins Extreme Medicine team

Astronaut Dr Michael Barratt has signed up to support the Extreme Medicine teaching team, which will help train doctors on how to practice high-quality Medicine, even in space.

Bees use multiple cues in hunt for pollen

Bees use a variety of senses and memory of previous experiences when deciding where to forage for pollen, research by the University of Exeter suggests.

Hundreds of bat deaths at wind farms could be prevented, finds new research

Hundreds of bat deaths at on-shore windfarms in the UK could be prevented by better risk assessments and simple changes to the operation of turbines.

Olympic champion Sally Gunnell opens £4 million sports centre in Penryn

Olympic gold medal winner Sally Gunnell OBE has officially opened a £4 million new sports facility at the Penryn Campus.

Wave energy device successfully deployed at BiMEP site

The final section of a sophisticated wave energy device has been successfully installed by a collaborative research team in the Bay of Biscay, on the northern coast of Spain.

Award-winning cartoonist joins experts to discuss dementia care and support

Experts in dementia and those affected by the emotional experience of having a loved one with the condition will join an award-winning cartoonist to discuss the care and support available for those with memory loss at an event today.

New partnership between Exeter and the Center for Whale Research

The Vice Chancellor met with Professor Darren Croft and Dr Deborah Giles at the Center for Whale Research on San Juan Islands USA to talk about the work they have been doing.

Trouble Down Below? - Exeter expert offers insight into Cornish underground hazards

A fascinating insight in to the potentially dangerous underground hazards commonly found at development sites across much of Cornwall will be presented at a special seminar.

The Prince of Wales praises work of University of Exeter farming experts

The Prince of Wales has praised the work of University of Exeter experts to help support small family farms.

First UK assessment of underwater noise published

The first assessment of underwater noise in the UK marine environment has been carried out by a research partnership including the University of Exeter.

Production of seedless fruits an under-estimated tool for improving food security, research shows

The opportunity to produce bountiful levels of vital food crops such as apples, tomatoes and watermelons could be boosted by reducing a crop’s demand for pollinators, new research has shown.

CSM students dig deep for victory at international mining competition

Students from the Camborne School of Mines are celebrating becoming global champions at an internationally-celebrated mining competition.

Exeter student groups sing for Gareth Malone’s nationwide TV talent hunt

Gareth Malone’s televised hunt for the UK’s most entertaining amateur singing group will see two popular a cappella groups at the University of Exeter battle it out for tonal triumph.

Even physicists are "afraid" of mathematics

Physicists avoid highly mathematical work despite being trained in advanced mathematics, new research suggests.

Exeter experts join global response to climate change health crisis

Experts at the University of Exeter will join forces with 15 other organisations worldwide to drive action on climate change given potential “catastrophic risk to human health”.

Microplastics’ Impact on Human Health Needs “Urgent Research,” says leading expert

One of the world’s foremost marine pollution experts has welcomed today’s (Monday) announcement that there will be a Government review into the impact of microplastics on human health.

New report recommends measures to improve dementia care

Enabling people with dementia to maintain control of the decisions surrounding their care is key to avoiding isolation, according to a new report by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Tales of magic, migration and mayhem at storytelling and performance event

The gypsies of Romania, the magical shapeshifting underground inhabitants of Russia and the crying dolls of Poland will be conjured in Exeter through the power of storytelling and performance.

Semi-Toned to represent South West in Gareth Malone’s TV singing quest

The University of Exeter’s a cappella group Semi-Toned were chosen to represent the South West in Gareth Malone’s TV search for the nation’s most talented and entertaining amateur choir.

Exeter professor appointed to influential global research advisory group

A world-leading social scientist from the University of Exeter has been appointed to an influential global research group, designed to pioneer new ways to tackle some of today’s greatest challenges.

Employee Engagement Survey raises ££££s for charity

More than £2,000 has been raised for charity in the first week of the University of Exeter’s Employee Engagement Survey.  The survey is open from 7 to 28 November with £1 donated for each completed survey.  

Treasures of the Royal Albert Memorial Museum on show at creative writing event

Clothing and objects from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum’s collections rarely seen by the public will be on show at an event to inspire creative writing in Exeter.

Concept of "glass cliff" resonates for women

The inventors of the term “glass cliff” – which appears on the shortlist for the Oxford Dictionaries word of the year 2016 – say it has found fame because it resonates for so many women.

Stories of hope and fear from Syria on display at the University of Exeter

Powerful art and artefacts from Syria and the chance to hear from a doctor detained by the Assad regime are part of a series of events at the University of Exeter.

Universities unite with industry to foster next generation researchers

The University of Exeter is part of a newly awarded £19 million doctorial training partnership programme with industry leaders.

Victorian beard craze inspired false ‘mechanical’ whiskers

Today they are a male fashion accessory, adored by hipsters and spurned by clean-shaven creatives. But in the 19th century, men associated beards and whiskers with manliness, strength and even male beauty.

‘Minimal’ shoes may reduce running injuries

Runners who wear trainers with no cushioning and land on the ball of their foot rather than the heel put significantly less demand on their bodies, new research suggests.

New research in Malawi will help to secure raw materials for green technologies.

Pioneering new insights into why high concentrations of some of the most rare and desirable natural elements - vital for the production of vital environmental, digital and security technologies – have been revealed.

Nearly £6 million for patient-centred research facility

An Exeter research facility which puts people at its heart has received nearly £6 million in funding over the next five years.

Students and staff recognised in Medical School awards

Outstanding students and staff based in Exeter and Truro have been recognised for their commitment and academic excellence at the University of Exeter Medical School’s annual Prizes and Awards ceremony.

New project aims to strengthen creative and cultural economy in South West England and South East Wales

A new project to broker partnerships between the arts and humanities sector and universities in South West England and South East Wales to generate economic growth has received funding.

Electronic Tracking of Song Birds Shows Roads and Urban Features Influence Choice of Gardens

Bird feeders visited more often in suburban gardens than terraced streets.

Exeter partners with Chinese government to offer PhD scholarships

The University of Exeter has agreed to sign an agreement with the Chinese government that will see hundreds of China's best students study in Devon and Cornwall over the next decade and beyond.

Try scorers as students join Exeter Chiefs in Anglo-Welsh Cup

Students from the University of Exeter were part of the Chiefs team who achieved a knock-out victory in a prestigious rugby union match.

World-leading Ocean Energy Professor receives prestigious international scholarship

One of the world’s leading Renewable Energy experts has received a prestigious international award, in recognition to his ground-breaking research into ocean energy and technology.

Children invited to explore the science of Christmas

Top scientists will put their minds to Christmas conundrums at a family friendly science event in Falmouth on Wednesday 14 December.

Should parents lie to children about Santa?

Shops are bursting with toys, mince pies are on the menu and radios are blasting out Christmas tunes – so it’s time for another festive favourite: lying to children.

Exeter’s New Living Systems Institute hosts ‘Global Conversation’

The pioneering and world-leading research conducted at the University of Exeter’s state-of-the-art Living Systems Institute (LSI) will form the basis of the latest high-profile Global Conversation event.

Thousands could benefit from greater use of revolutionary stroke treatment

Almost 10,000 UK stroke patients a year could benefit from a new procedure, according to research presented today at the UK Stroke Forum Conference in Liverpool.

Semi-Toned make final of national TV singing quest

The University of Exeter’s a cappella group Semi-Toned is in the final of Gareth Malone’s TV search for the nation’s most talented and entertaining amateur choir.

Vital vaccine could “reduce burden” of dengue disease in hardest-hit regions

The first licensed vaccine for the potentially life-threatening dengue virus should only be used in moderate-to high impacted regions, new research has predicted.