News archive

April 2014

New Vice Dean Education for Medical School

The University of Exeter Medical School is delighted to welcome a new senior member of staff to preside over medical education.  

University announces new senior appointments

The University’s governing body, Council, has approved the appointment of Prof Nick Kaye as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) for five years from 1 Aug 2014. 

Effect of important air pollutants may be absent from key precipitation observations

Pioneering new research from the University of Exeter could have a major impact on climate and environmental science by drastically transforming the perceived reliability of key observations of precipitation, which includes rain, sleet and snow.

Male extinction prevented by promiscuous females

Female fruit flies with a large number of sexual partners are playing an invaluable role in preventing the extinction of males, new research has shown.

Surviving and thriving under climate change in the world’s deltas

Researchers from the University of Exeter are investigating the effect of climate change on deltas in South Asia and Africa to understand how people will respond and adapt.

Sex and History: Talking sex with objects from the past

A ground-breaking initiative from the University of Exeter, the Sex and History project, is offering schools a new way to tackle difficult topics in sex education.

Medics use arts to knit together with charity hostel residents

Medical students have teamed up with Devon women living in a homeless hostel, to get creative in a project which helps nurture confidence and compassion.

Flood prone communities in UK and Africa to share their stories through theatre

An ambitious project exploring the shared experiences of flood-hit and vulnerable communities in Cornwall and Kenya has been announced today, with the aim of building resilience for those affected by climate change and extreme weather events.

Prize-winning student invention could banish car parking pressure and reduce emissions

Students from the University of Exeter are celebrating after winning a national competition with their innovative system which could reduce the headache of searching for a parking space, and help reduce vehicle emissions.

Running geese give insight into low oxygen tolerance

A new study into how the world’s highest flying bird, the bar-headed goose, is able to survive at extreme altitudes may have future implications for low oxygen medical conditions in humans.

New report confirms South West Universities huge contribution to revenue, jobs and growth in the region

A new report from Universities UK (UUK) has, for the first time, quantified the economic benefit generated by the region’s 12 Universities.

Graduate is new Secretary of State for Culture

Exeter graduate Sajid Javid MP has been appointed the new Secretary of State for Culture.

“Now is the time to act and establish a national service for diabetes prevention,” say academics

A major collaborative study into the prevention of diabetes by a team of academics from the University of Leicester and the University of Exeter has found that ‘half-hearted’ attempts to implement diabetes prevention guidance are much less effective than professionally developed, high-quality programmes.

“Miracle treatment” families gather at Exeter centre of excellence

At five years old, Jack Neighbour’s neonatal diabetes health complications meant he had never spoken a word, and he communicated with his family through picture cards. Yet just six weeks after a genetic test by the team at the University of Exeter meant he could switch from insulin injections to tablets, he delighted his family by uttering his first words: the simple phrase “hello, mummy”.

Online Easter egg hunt helps scientists unlock secrets of camouflage

An online Easter egg hunt in which players act as ‘predators’ to find hidden bird eggs will help scientists better understand camouflage and its evolution.

Research gives new insights into rare disease of the inner ear

A new study has shed light on the factors likely to lead to the development of a rare condition affecting the inner ear.

Teenagers given rare insight into world-leading Artificial Intelligence research

Teenage students from across the UK have been given an invaluable insight into the world-leading advances being made in the crucial field of Artificial Intelligence, during a special course hosted by the University of Exeter.

Queen's Drive closure Tuesday 22 April – Friday 25 April

Queen’s Drive will be closed from Tuesday 22 April – Friday 25 April for partial resurfacing work. Vehicular access to the main part of the Streatham Campus will be via Stocker Road.

Vice-Chancellor and President of USF to discuss international partnerships at global education conference

On May 1, the Vice-Chancellor and Dr Judy Genshaft of the University of South Florida (USF) will be taking to the floor in an interactive and engaging discussion session at Going Global, the world’s foremost education conference.

University welcomed its first Houses of Parliament Open Lecture as part of Politics Department 50th anniversary

The University was delighted to welcome its first ever Houses of Parliament Open Lecture given by Dr Mari Takayanagi on the 29 April. View the lecture here.

How Australia got the hump with one million feral camels

A new study by a University of Exeter researcher has shed light on how an estimated one million-strong population of wild camels thriving in Australia’s remote outback have become reviled as pests and culled on a large scale.

Students and staff team up to showcase University grounds in aid of Hospiscare

On Saturday 3 May the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus will become a hive of activity as gardening enthusiasts and families flock to explore some of the hidden gems of the 280 acre estate.

Factory disaster marked with Fashion Revolution Day

University of Exeter Geography students have designed a fashion ethics card game as part of a series of global events and initiatives commemorating the first anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory disaster.

Vice-Chancellor joins influential new panel established to look at current student funding system

Prof Sir Steve Smith, the University’s Vice-Chancellor has been asked to join an influential new group called the Student Funding Panel which will consider the design of the current student fees and loans system in England, and make recommendations on its future development. 

Exeter student is UK minister at the G20 Youth Forum

Grigory Leskov, a first year student in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences has been chosen to portray the UK Minister of Finance at the upcoming G20 Youth Forum to be held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, from 7 to 11 May 2014.

Interactive Web APP supports events at Exeter food festival

The University of Exeter is involved in the launch and development of an interactive Web App, Placeify which is being used at this year’s Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink.

Free performance brings Exeter's past to life this Bank Holiday weekend

On Friday May 2nd, performers in Exeter’s Guildhall will bring the city’s theatrical history back to life.

Sexual conflict affects females more than males, says new research on beetles

Researchers at the University of Exeter have found that sexual conflict over mating impacts the parental care behaviour and reproductive productivity of burying beetles.

Family business growth pilot prompts vision for national research hub

A national Rural Family Business Research Hub is being proposed for the West Country. The intention is to provide training, research and knowledge exchange.

New funding to aid cancer bowel diagnosis in the young

The Department of Health has awarded funding for a new research project run by the University of Exeter and Bowel Cancer UK.

Females prefer lovers not fighters, study finds

It’s official (in the horned beetle world at least), females prefer courtship over competitiveness – and it doesn’t matter about the size of your mandibles either.

Decolonisation of British and French Empires

Britain’s impending withdrawal from Afghanistan and France’s recent dispatch of troops to the troubled Central African Republic are but the latest indicators of a long-standing pattern.