News archive

December 2015

‘Fish fraud’ across Europe in decline, study shows

Tough new policies to combat fish fraud across Europe appear to be working, according to a new study.

Exeter professor swaps lab bench for backbench

Professor Tamara Galloway from the University of Exeter swapped her lab coat for legislation last week when she visited Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw at the House of Commons for a week in Westminster.

Exeter wins Business of the Year award for support to apprentices

The University of Exeter has been awarded Large Business of the Year 2015 at an event to recognise the contribution of employers in support of apprenticeships across the South West.

Exeter’s Christmas Craft Market Returns

University of Exeter students are hosting the Christmas Craft Market on December 4th.

Cultural heritage “crucial” to climate change debate

An exploration of the relationship between cultural heritage and climate change is being led by an expert from the University of Exeter at the world’s largest ever climate change talks.

Exeter academic appointed to lead the Arts and Humanities Research Council

Professor Andrew Thompson, Director of the Centre for Global & Imperial History at the University of Exeter, has been appointed as interim Chief Executive of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Young people celebrated at University’s Excellence in Exeter awards

Environmental journalist and author Leo Hickman praised students from local schools on their positivity and creativity at the tenth annual Excellence in Exeter awards hosted by the University of Exeter on Thursday 19 November.

£4.6M boost for future biomedical research leaders

GW4 Alliance receives £4.6 million funding for new doctoral training partnership.

Scientists and fiction writers unite for sleep anthology

Scientists from the University of Exeter have joined forces with storytellers to explore the link between sleep and fiction in a new book about the science of sleep.

Protected area design secrets revealed in new study

It is not only size that matters when planning a protected area, other spatial features such as shape are also critical to the number of animal species found there.

Free online course: how genomics are transforming diabetes care

A free online course led by world-renowned experts at the University of Exeter will offer participants the opportunity to explore how developments in the field of genomics are transforming knowledge and treatment of conditions such as diabetes.

Event encourages female lawyers of the future

A group of leading women in law have made up the panel designed to encourage women to enter the legal profession.

Immediate and aggressive action needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, study says.

Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced aggressively and immediately because there are significant constraints to large-scale deployment of negative emissions technologies in the future, new research has shown.

How to teach Christmas: A new approach to primary Religious Education

New teaching resources that use cartoon characters to teach Religious Education in primary schools are being rolled out in time to explain the story of Christmas to children across the country.

Victorians exposed to fine art through Christmas cards

Designers of Christmas cards used fine art on their products to divert attention away from concerns that the festival was becoming too commercialised.

Study uses ‘evidence maps’ to signpost conservation research

Researchers have used a new technique to ensure research findings in the field of nature conservation are more visible and accessible.

Exeter leads the way in prevention of suicides

Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a new practice resource for local authority public health teams in England, which will help them take action to prevent suicides in public places.

Vice-Chancellor joins Minister’s delegation to India

Professor Sir Steve Smith has joined a high-profile delegation visiting India this week to promote UK Higher Education.

Christmas lecture unwraps the science behind light

Families from across the South West are invited to take part in an enlightening festive treat, at a special event hosted by the University of Exeter.

UK universities lead in international student satisfaction

The University of Exeter welcomes a new report which highlights the UK as a global leader in high quality undergraduate education for international students.

The body, according to the 18th Century

People in the 18th century were expected to look neat, elegant and have a natural shape, according to a University of Exeter academic.

Science for managing climate change risks across Europe under the microscope

An exploration into how science can manage climate change risks across Europe will be presented by an expert from the University of Exeter at the world’s largest climate change talks.

New consortium drives forward congestion-busting project for Exeter

Experts from the University of Exeter are taking part in a new initiative that will put the city at the heart of intelligent use of data to cut traffic jams.

Climate change course run by the University of Exeter inspires new artworks

A free online course run by the University of Exeter which explains the science behind climate change has inspired an artist to produce paintings which depict the risks posed by the changing environment.

Volcanic event caused ice age during Jurassic Period, new research suggests

Pioneering new research has shed new light on the causes behind an ‘ice-age’ that took place on Earth around 170 million years ago.

Exeter professor named in mining top 100

A professor at Camborne School of Mines, based at the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus, has been named one of the world’s most inspiring women in mining.

Mystery of missing exoplanet water solved

Astronomers from the University of Exeter have helped shed light on the atmospheres of a group of planets which orbit stars outside our solar system, known as exoplanets.

Academics celebrate social media success

University of Exeter academics are celebrating the success of their use of social media to help the public connect the past with the present.

Exeter students help Cornish leisure centre towards better energy efficiency

Students from the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus have been advising a Cornish leisure centre how to reduce its energy consumption and costs.

MPs and peers live far longer than UK average

Members of Parliament and Lords are likely to live far longer than the UK average, according to research involving the University of Exeter.

Outstanding researcher recognised through fellowship

A Senior Research Fellow at the University of Exeter Medical School has been awarded a Fellowship from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in recognition of her excellence in research, education and partnership working.

Growth potential remains at risk on even the most remote coral reefs

Coral reefs in the Indian Ocean that were severely damaged by a global warming event 17 years ago have bounced back to optimum health.

Baby fish will be lost at sea in acidified oceans

The ability of baby fish to find a home, or other safe haven, to grow into adulthood will be severely impacted under predicted ocean acidification, academics have found.

Exeter part of £10 million investment for new maths centres to tackle life-threatening diseases

Exeter will pioneer new methods for managing and treating chronic health conditions at a ground-breaking new maths-based research centre.

Exeter scientist secures prestigious award for mental health research

A University of Exeter scientist has been awarded a Distinguished Investigator Award by the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, a US charity that funds research into the causes of mental illness.

Depression therapy research makes waves in top 100

A University of Exeter- led study has been ranked as among the most shared and discussed academic research of 2015.

New Exeter research boosts antibiotic hope

Research carried out at the University of Exeter has advanced understanding of how some damaging bacteria behave and may pave the way for new and more targeted antibiotics.

Phytoplankton like it hot: Warming boosts biodiversity and photosynthesis in phytoplankton

Warmer temperatures increase biodiversity and photosynthesis in phytoplankton, researchers at the University of Exeter and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have found.

Clinical Psychology at University of Exeter celebrates 40th anniversary

Exeter’s internationally-renowned Clinical Psychology training programme celebrated its 40th anniversary, with a gathering of 100 leading psychologists, alumni and staff.

Exeter receives royal tribute for 60 years of success

The University of Exeter has received a royal message of congratulations from Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of 60 years of heritage and success.

Better understanding of hybrid warfare needed, University of Exeter academic warns

It is essential that the UK and allied nations gain a better understanding of the legal challenges posed by new methods of warfare.

Exeter academics make world’s best list

Six University of Exeter academics appear on a list of the world’s most influential scientific minds that is published this week.

University of Exeter research explains the worldwide variation in plant life-histories

A “window on the tree of life” created by a team which includes a University of Exeter researcher is helping to explain the worldwide variation in plant life-histories.

Crows caught on camera fashioning special hook tools

Scientists have been given an extraordinary glimpse into how wild New Caledonian crows make and use ‘hooked stick tools’ to hunt for insect prey.

Exeter scientists call for reduction in plastic lab waste

Three researchers at the University of Exeter are calling for action to cut down on the five and a half million tonnes of plastic being generated globally in the course of scientific research.

Cornwall Campus pioneer awarded MBE

A key figure in establishing and building the University of Exeter’s Cornwall campuses has been awarded an MBE for services to the community.