News archive

January 2019

The Radical Sabbatical

In 2017, unsure about the career path set out before her, alumna Emma Rosen (MA Applied Security and Strategy, 2015) changed tack and spent a year trying 25 careers before her 25^th birthday.

Archaeologists to explore hidden past of one of Devon’s oldest buildings used by rulers and nobility

Archaeologists are hoping to discover more about the prehistoric, Roman and medieval history of a building used by Kings and Devon’s most important families.

Climate model uncertainties ripe to be squeezed

The latest climate models and observations offer unprecedented opportunities to reduce the remaining uncertainties in future climate change, according to a new study.

Exeter research wins prestigious engineering prize

Pioneering research that seeks to create new techniques to aid the selection, development and deployment of ocean energy systems has been recognised with a prestigious award.

Exeter neuroscience expert secures prestigious award

A neuroscience expert from the University of Exeter has secured a prestigious Wellcome Trust Investigator Award to pioneer new research into the function of neural circuits.

Roaming cats prey on their owners’ minds

Many cat owners worry about their pets wandering the streets, but perceive cats hunting mice and birds to be unavoidable instinct, researchers at the University of Exeter have found.

Call to increase number of specialist Maths Schools following Exeter's success

The success of the Exeter Mathematics School in helping pupils from all backgrounds to attend top universities has been highlighted in a new, high level report.

Pioneering collaboration will reimagine the future of museum visitor experiences

Experts from the University of Exeter are working with leading organisations from the fields of culture, entertainment and education as part of a pioneering collaboration which aims to reimagine the museum visitor experience using storytelling and cutting-edge virtual technology.

New policy design needed to tackle global environmental threat, according to report

A pioneering new report has devised a seven-point plan to help policymakers devise new, coherent and collaborative strategies to tackle the greatest global environmental threats.

Engagement Survey makes a difference with £3,556 charity donations

University staff have raised £3,556 for three very deserving charities, through 73% of colleagues completing their Employee Engagement Survey last November.

Technology Assessment team announces new lead

A renowned academic will join the University of Exeter to lead a research team that specialises in health technology assessment.

Step forward in understanding human feet

Scientists have made a step forward in understanding the evolution of human feet.

Wild insects ‘get old’ before they die

Short-lived wild insects “get old” – losing some of their physical abilities – before they die, new research shows.

Tree-mendous benefits from campus ecosystem

Mature trees at the University of Exeter have an annual economic value of more than £46,000, a recent survey has shown.

Men donned fake sideburns to join in with 19th century craze for whiskers

The mid nineteenth century was the age of the ‘beard movement’, a time when huge beards suddenly became all the rage, as the ultimate badge of manliness. But new evidence shows there was also a long-forgotten earlier mania for whiskers.

Common gene disorder causes serious “stealth” disease, but could be easily treated

The Western world’s most common genetic disorder causes far higher levels of serious disease and disability than previously thought, despite being easy to detect and treat.

Pioneering infrared imager gives sharpest-ever view of stars and planet-forming discs

A pioneering new instrument could give astronomers a glimpse into how the solar system looked more than 4.5 billion years ago.

New risk score far more effective for diabetes diagnosis

A new way of screening babies and adults for future risk of type 1 diabetes will be much more effective at identifying the condition than current methods, new research has concluded.

Local focus could help tackle global problems

People’s love for their local areas could be harnessed to tackle global environmental problems, researchers say.

Sean Fielding appointed as Chair of influential university-business collaboration organisation, PraxisAuril

Congratulations to Sean Fielding, Director of Innovation, Impact and Business at the University of Exeter who has been appointed as the new Chair of PraxisAuril until 2021.

Innovative film director and writer Mark Cousins next star of University of Exeter’s Creative Dialogues series

Award-winning innovative film director and writer Mark Cousins will discuss his prestigious career and influences during a free public event at the University of Exeter this month.

Devon teenagers hear incredible tales of courage from Holocaust survivor

Hundreds of Devon teenagers and students witnessed the incredible courage of concentration camp survivor Mala Tribich during an event organised to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Exeter cements position amongst top 200 best employers for LGBT staff

The University of Exeter has maintained its position as one of the top-200 best employers in Britain for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff.

Small trees are among the oldest in Congolese rainforest

Forest giants have long been considered the oldest trees in tropical forests, but new research shows small trees can also be very old, and can even grow older than the big ones.

Near-term climate prediction ‘coming of age’, study shows

The quest for climate scientists to be able to bridge the gap between shorter-term seasonal forecasts and long-term climate projections is ‘coming of age’, a study shows.

Virtual reality training for nuclear workers and police

Nuclear safety and counter-terrorism policing could be boosted by new virtual reality (VR) training being developed at the University of Exeter.

Almost half of us mistakenly believe that common law marriage exists

Almost half of people in England and Wales mistakenly believe that unmarried couples who live together have a common law marriage and enjoy the same rights as couples that are legally married.

Big Lottery Fund supports Exeter health research

A support programme to help parents of disabled children stay healthy in mind and body has received a funding boost of nearly £40,000 from the Big Lottery Fund, the largest community funder in the UK, to help it expand.

New study demonstrates benefits of undervalued saltmarsh

A new tool which helps land managers assess the costs and benefits of re-introducing valuable saltmarsh, has been developed by economists and environmental scientists from the South West Partnership for Environmental and Economic Prosperity (SWEEP) at the University of Exeter.

University sees historic growth in donations

The University of Exeter has witnessed donor numbers increase by a record 85 percent over the past five years.

Research sheds light on body clock and links to mental health and disease

A large-scale genomic analysis has revealed some of the inner workings of the body clock, shedding new light on how it links to mental health and disease.

Multi-million pound funding boost to develop virtual testing for next generation of lightweight aircraft structures

A groundbreaking new research project, designed to develop the next generation of lightweight aircraft structures, has received a multi-million pound funding boost.

Innovative new technique could pave the way for new generation of flexible electronic components

Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed an innovative technique that could help create the next generation of everyday flexible electronics.

Faster CO₂ rise expected in 2019

With emissions already at a record high, the build-up of carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere could be larger than last year due to a slower removal by natural carbon sinks.

EU funding failed to win hearts and minds and prevent Brexit vote

People in one of the poorest parts of the UK voted for Brexit despite being given billions of pounds of EU cash because they don’t feel the funding improved their lives, according to a new report.

Funding boosts Exeter’s research into the building blocks of galaxies

An Astrophysics expert from the University of Exeter has been awarded substantial funding to help solve one the most fundamental riddles of modern astronomy.

Exeter receives nearly £900,000 to fund dementia research

Researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School have been awarded up to £900,000 to fund leading research into epigenetic causes of dementia.

Over 20 Speakers To Appear At Explore South-West

A Mercury nominated-singer, the head of BBC Natural History Unit, and a storytelling workshop, are three of the highlights of an event about exploration in February at the Phoenix Arts Centre and the University of Exeter.

Nominations are now open for the Alumni Volunteer Awards 2019

Is there an alumnus/a you would like to see recognised for their fantastic support or who deserves an extra special thank you?

Exeter psychologist receives prestigious award for Research in Traumatic Brain Injury

A leading Clinical Neuropsychologist from the University of Exeter has received a prestigious award for his work.

Persistent sore throat could be larynx cancer warning

GPs should consider larynx cancer when patients report a persistent sore throat, particularly when combined with other seemingly low-level symptoms.

Exeter leads research into impacts of flooding and drought in South East Asia

Experts from the University of Exeter’s College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences (CEMPS) will spearhead two pioneering new research projects that aim to boost local resilience to the devastating effects of natural disasters across South East Asia.