News archive

May 2018

University of Exeter graduates Sajid Javid and James Brokenshire given new Cabinet posts

University of Exeter graduates – the MPs Sajid Javid and James Brokenshire - have been given key roles in a cabinet reshuffle.

Pioneering new Renewable Energy facility opens on Penryn Campus

A pioneering new renewable energy teaching and research centre has officially opened on the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

Exeter expert part of international team investigating massive Antarctic glacier collapse

A University of Exeter academic is part of an international team of experts working to discover how quickly a massive Antarctic glacier could collapse.

Nine out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air, new data shows

International team, led by Professor Gavin Shaddick of the University of Exeter produce new estimates of global air quality.

 

Voters make choices based on looks – but this doesn’t help them pick the best politicians

Voters are wrong to think they can pick the best politician based on their looks, according to new research

Exeter entrepreneur founds bespoke surfboard company

Duncan Lyster, a fourth year physics student at the University of Exeter, has founded his own hand-crafted, wooden surfboard company.

Helium detected in Exoplanet atmosphere for the first time

Astronomers have detected helium in the atmosphere of a planet that orbits a star far beyond our solar system for the very first time.

Significant grant will support sustainable fisheries

An important project to protect fish stocks in the Republic of Congo will be able to extend its work thanks to a grant from the Waterloo Foundation.

Temperature swings to hit poor countries hardest

Temperature fluctuations that are amplified by climate change will hit the world’s poorest countries hardest, new research suggests.

Exeter student wins Undergraduate of the Year Award

Edward Ashton Johnson, a second year student studying business economics at the University of Exeter has been awarded the L’Oréal Male Undergraduate of the Year award last week.

Academic Promotions May 2018

Congratulations to our academic colleagues below who have recently achieved promotion. 

World-class professor takes lead role at Medical School

A world-leading expert in the economics of health is joining the University of Exeter Medical School’s senior team.

Shadow of a clear sky - astronomers find an exoplanet atmosphere free of clouds

Scientists have detected an exoplanet atmosphere that is free of clouds, marking a pivotal breakthrough in the quest for greater understanding

Arctic research on micro-plastics broadcast to world's classrooms

Students around the world have been sending in questions directly to  the Arctic Live Research Expedition scientists about their work on microplastics and the impacts on marine life.

Exeter to bring data science and AI expertise to The Alan Turing Institute

The University of Exeter has joined the prestigious Alan Turing Institute, it has been announced.

University of Exeter set to become ‘Plastic Free’ by 2020

The University of Exeter has announced the latest phase of a sustainability drive designed to help its campuses become ‘plastic free’.

Excellence recognised at annual Teaching Awards

More than a thousand nominations were put forward by University of Exeter students towards this year’s annual Teaching Awards.

Critical role parrotfish play in coral reef island building shown in stunning new documentary

The pivotal role that parrotfish play in building and maintaining coral reef islands, unearthed by experts at the University of Exeter

Research reveals key factors to support quality of life in dementia

A robust research analysis has identified what factors can be targeted to support people to live as well as possible with dementia.

Beavers do dam good work cleaning water, research reveals

Beavers could help clean up polluted rivers and stem the loss of valuable soils from farms, new research shows.

Experts discuss a new international vision for Devon post-Brexit at Exeter event

An MP and foreign policy experts will discuss how Devon communities and companies can have influence around the world

Exeter holds inaugural Sports Medicine Conference

The University of Exeter will join forces with the Exeter Chiefs from today to hold the first ever Sports Medicine Conference, promising to tackle the biggest issues in the field.

Angry birds: Size of jackdaw mobs depends on who calls warning

Jackdaws recognise each other’s voices and respond in greater numbers to warnings from familiar birds than strangers, new research shows.

New research shows prehistoric hunter-gatherers were the first people to ride horses and explores its impact on migration and languages

A new study has  discovered that horses were first domesticated by hunter-gatherer descendants in Kazakhstan

Exhibition on Gender to highlight student projects

The Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter is to host an exhibition highlighting student work on gender studies this Friday, 11th May.

Exeter academic to lead new journal

A University of Exeter academic will lead a new international journal published by the British Ecological Society.

Volunteers needed for caffeine and mood study

The links between caffeine, physical activity and mood will be examined by a new University of Exeter study.

Evidence shows ocean sound may help reduce stress and create a sense of calm

The power of the ocean to bring mental health benefits to humans is a growing field of research as scientists increasingly understand the value of the marine realm in human health and wellbeing.

British film industry no better at including women in key roles than Hollywood, research launched at Cannes shows

More than half of British films had no or just one woman in key production roles, new research shows.

Wildfires may cause long-term health problems for endangered orangutans

Orangutans, already critically endangered due to habitat loss from logging and large-scale farming, may face another threat 

Climate-threatened animals unable to relocate

Many of the European mammals whose habitat is being destroyed by climate change are not able to find new places to live elsewhere.

Exeter subjects rise in influential global rankings

The University of Exeter has strengthened its position amongst the leading universities both nationally and internationally

Medical research at Exeter hits world top 30

The University of Exeter has entered the world top 30 for Biomedical and Health Sciences, according to an influential international ranking of the research quality of thousands of universities worldwide.

Most deprived far more likely to develop dementia

Older adults in England with fewer financial resources are more likely to develop dementia, according to new UCL and University of Exeter research.

Critically-endangered South American forests were man-made

Critically endangered South American forests thought to be the result of climate change were actually spread by ancient communities

Exhibition highlights tales and imagery of life with dementia

A public exhibition will feature poems, cartoons and images created by well-known artists working with people with dementia.

The University of Exeter launches new programme to power high-growth UK companies

The University of Exeter, as part of the SETsquared Partnership, today launched a programme to enable some of the UK’s best tech

New centre will boost entrepreneurship in Exeter

A new centre to drive entrepreneurship amongst University students and graduates is being set up in the Innovation Centre, situated on the University of Exeter Streatham campus.

College of Humanities rubber-stamps new agreement with University of British Columbia

The University of Exeter has rubber-stamped a new agreement with the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Resistance to antifungal drugs could lead to disease and global food shortages

Growing levels of resistance to antifungal treatments could lead to increased disease outbreaks and affect food security around the world.

Improving heart health could prevent frailty in old age

New research has shown that older people with very low heart disease risks also have very little frailty, raising the possibility that frailty could be prevented.

University and NHS team up to launch pioneering Academy of Nursing

A new Academy of Nursing will combine academic rigour with NHS expertise to raise standards of care.

Continuing links between the University of Exeter and South Korea public sector celebrated during visit

Academics and alumni have celebrated the strong links between the South Korean public sector and the University of Exeter with a series of events.

Exeter researchers on final funding push for mammoth 350 mile charity cycle

Two researchers from the University of Exeter are gearing up to reach their funding goal for dementia research.

‘Virtual safe space’ to help bumblebees

The many threats facing bumblebees can be tested using a “virtual safe space” created by scientists at the University of Exeter.

Public can help create night map of Earth

Researchers are asking the public to help them create the first high-resolution photographic map of Earth at night.

Mongooses inherit behaviour from role models rather than parents

Young mongooses learn lifelong habits from role models rather than inheriting them from genetic parents, new research shows.

Research sheds new light on understanding Pacific Trade Winds

Pioneering research has given a fascinating new insight into why the Pacific Trade Winds have seen “unprecedented strengthening” over recent decades.

Goal conflict linked to psychological distress

Being torn about which personal goals to pursue is associated with symptoms of psychological distress, new research shows.

Pioneering studies in Exeter funded by leading dementia research charity

Researchers in Exeter have received a £50,000 funding boost for pioneering dementia research in the city. The announcement of this new funding comes during Dementia Action Week, a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of dementia and encouraging people to get involved with efforts to help people living with the disease.

Invisible barrier on ocean surface can reduce carbon uptake

An invisible layer of biological compounds on the sea surface reduces the rate at which carbon dioxide gas moves between the atmosphere and the oceans, scientists have reported. 

New guidance on treating diabetes in elderly and frail adults

New guidance has been published on managing diabetes in the elderly, including for the first time how to manage treatment for the particularly frail.

Stories to help children cope

An educational psychologist has created stories to help children deal with issues such as anxiety and depression.

Could Galapagos become plastic pollution free?

There is a growing movement in Galapagos to drastically reduce marine plastic pollution with the aim, one day, of having a plastic-free Galapagos Marine Reserve.

Researchers launch dementia project to combat ‘frightening' hospital experience

A group of researchers from the University of Exeter Medical School has launched a project to improve our understanding of how best to help people with dementia and their loved ones in hospital.

Cautious prawns win battle for food

Prawns have personalities – and cautious crustaceans do better in the battle for food, new research shows.

Exeter hosts delegation from CUHK for collaborative environmental workshops

A delegation of senior representatives from the Chinese University Hong Kong (CUHK) has visited the University of Exeter