News archive

July 2013

Photos on social media used to measure aesthetic value of Cornish landscape

A new method designed to measure the aesthetic value of ecosystems has been applied in Cornwall.

Mathematicians meet in Exeter to tackle challenging climate problems

Mathematicians, climate scientists and leading policy makers from across the world are gathering this week, 1 – 5 July 2013, at the University of Exeter and the Met Office HQ in Exeter to tackle the challenging problems that forecasting the weather and the climate bring.

Vice-Chancellor accompanies PM on high profile business mission to Kazakhstan

Professor Sir Steve Smith left the UK yesterday, accompanying Prime Minister David Cameron and a delegation of business leaders on an intensive two day trip to Kazakhstan.

Exeter scientist reaches semi finals of two Venus Awards that celebrate working Devon women

Dr Olivia Champion, a research scientist in Biosciences at the University of Exeter, has been nominated and shortlisted for two Venus Awards Devon: the High Achiever Award and the Employer of the Year Award. 

Tackling educational disadvantage in partnership

The vision to ensure that no child’s educational success should be limited by their socio economic background forms the bedrock of the prestigious educational charity Teach First.

Exeter students now in running for world app prize

Four University of Exeter students will fly to Russia next month in a bid to show the UK is the best in the world when it comes to building apps.

One Planet MBA hosts first ever Exeter Sustainability Challenge

Teams from as far afield as France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Australia and Mexico came to Exeter last month to compete in the first ever One Planet Sustainability Challenge.

Hubble Telescope reveals variation between hot extrasolar planet atmospheres

First results from the analysis of eight 'hot Jupiter' exoplanets suggest that winds and clouds play an important role in the atmospheric make up of these exotic planets. 

Sensational scholars? Academics on TV

Professor Francesca Stavrakopoulou, lecturer in theology, will talk about her experience of being an academic on TV on Saturday 6 July.

New South West Health Innovation network aims to improve region's healthcare

Transforming patient care and public health in Exeter for the better is the collective pledge of the new South West Health Innovation network.

Tailoring diabetes treatment to older patients yields dramatic results

More than a quarter of over 70s with type 2 diabetes could benefit simply from improving communication and education in the clinic, new research has revealed.

Graduation celebrations at the University of Exeter

More than 4,200 students at the University of Exeter will be celebrating their graduation between 15 and 22 July. 

Top grades for first Medical Sciences graduates

The first graduates of a course which develops tomorrow’s health and science researchers have passed with flying colours.

£50,000 for online documentary to explore risk

Exploring the idea of risk - in a short interactive documentary - forms the basis of a new project led by the University of Exeter in collaboration with viral advertising agency, Rubber Republic, Bristol. 

Office plants boost well-being at work

Office plants can assist in boosting staff well-being by up to 47% according to research carried out at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

Blood pressure research wins National Prize

Research carried out at the University of Exeter Medical School on the monitoring of blood pressure has received the Royal College of General Practitioners Research Paper of the Year Award in the stroke category.

Further destabilisation in the Middle East possible according to new report

The crisis in Egypt is already having a negative effect on the Syrian civil war and contributing to further destabilisation of the wider Middle East according to a major new report. 

Event Links Research to Clinical Practice and Patient Care for Allied Health Professionals

The South West is home to world class health services research, the aim of which is to improve patient care and outcomes. It is also home to excellent clinical practitioners who have the best interests of their patients at the heart of their day-to-day working lives.

Ship noise impairs feeding and heightens predation risk for crabs

A study published in the journal Animal Behaviour found that the noise of passing ships disrupts feeding for the common shore crab. 

Hubble spots azure blue planet

True colour of exoplanet measured for the first time.

Exeter students’ app device wins first place in Microsoft’s global competition

Four University of Exeter students have won the Microsoft Imagine Cup World Innovation Competition which aims to find the best app developing talent worldwide. 

Russell Seal fitness Centre to change Exeter’s Fitness landscape

Construction work on the new £6.5million Russell Seal Fitness Centre at the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus is nearing completion. 

Exeter’s Formula for Success

A team of engineering students from Exeter University took on the best in the world at the Formula Student competition at Silverstone from 3 – 7 July 2013. 

Law students support villagers in fight against proposed incinerator

Law students from the University of Exeter are assisting a town in Devon to fight a planning appeal to turn their local quarry in Buckfastleigh into a waste processing facility and infill site.

Local Principal celebrates Doctorate graduation

Tony Gray, Principal of Teignmouth Community School, is among more than 4,000 students celebrating their graduation at the University of Exeter this week.

New trial offers free online therapy for depression

Researchers from the University of Exeter have launched a trial to improve understanding of treatments that are currently offered to people with depression. 

Historian contributes to Secret History of British Art Collections TV series

University of Exeter historian Professor Jeremy Black has contributed to a new TV series about the stories of people whose enthusiasm for art, sense of adventure, and wealth built Britain’s national collection and shaped the history of the art of the nation.

Energy and cost saving in mines achieved by innovative technique from Camborne School of Mines

A new approach that will save energy and reduce ventilation costs in mines has been developed by the University of Exeter’s Camborne School of Mines. 

University of Exeter breaks BUCS top five

The University of Exeter has finished fifth in the overall British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) rankings for the 2012 / 2013 season.

Second year of basking shark tagging gets underway

The second year of a project to track basking sharks in Scottish waters is now underway.

UK universities partnership the best in Europe at fostering start-ups

SETsquared, a partnership of UK universities including Exeter, is joint first in Europe at successfully incubating businesses, an independent survey has revealed.

Proud moment for Medical Sciences graduates

The first students to qualify from the University of Exeter’s Medical Sciences programme enjoyed a day of graduation celebrations.

Professor Peter Vukusic awarded 2013 Royal Society Kohn Award

Professor Vukusic is known internationally for his team’s research into biological photonics, as well as his dedication to science communication. His efforts in outreach are now being rewarded by the Council of the Royal Society.

Largest ever International Summer School begins

154 students from 29 countries have joined the University of Exeter’s International Summer School (ISS) this year.

High flying RAF professional wins major scholarship

The winner of the Chief of Defence Staff’s Scholarship for the University of Exeter’s MA Applied Security Strategy (MStrat) is Wing Commander Mal Craghill RAF.

Farmers' stories inspire children’s art exhibition

An exhibition of artwork, created by Primary School Children from around Cornwall and inspired by local farmers stories, will be on display from the 27th July - 3rd August at Heartlands in Pool.

Study investigates extraordinary trout with tolerance to heavily polluted water

New research from the University of Exeter and King’s College London has shown how a population of brown trout can survive in the contaminated waters of the River Hayle in Cornwall.

Shifting patterns of temperature volatility in the climate system

In recent decades there has been increased variability in yearly temperature records for large parts of Europe and North America, according to a study published in the journal Nature

Gorilla Flotilla hits Exeter

A life-size model gorilla, designed by third year English undergraduate student Meriel Royal from the University of Exeter, is floating into Exeter’s Quay today, Thursday 25 July as part of Paignton Zoo’s Great Gorillas Project.

Exeter engineer elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering for 2013

Professor Dragan Savić, Head of Engineering at the University of Exeter, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), the highest honour for a UK engineer. 

University of Exeter’s campuses named as two of the best in the country

The University of Exeter’s Streatham and St Luke’s campuses are among the record-breaking 1,447 parks and green spaces that will today receive a prestigious Green Flag Award.

€6.3m European Research Council success for Exeter five

Five early career academics from the University of Exeter are celebrating receiving European Grants worth a total of €6.3 million.

University of Exeter announces Strategic Partnership with IBM

The University of Exeter today announced that IBM (NYSE: IBM), the world's largest IT and consulting services company, will be one of the first University of Exeter Strategic Corporate Partners.

Excellent science for the environment links Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the University of Exeter

Two of the South West’s leading environmental research organisations will work much more closely to address some of the key questions facing the sustainable future of the ocean, which ultimately supports all life on Earth.

Survey takes to the skies over SW England

The University of Exeter’s Camborne School of Mines (CSM) is working on an aerial survey, Tellus South West, with project leaders the British Geological Survey (BGS).