News archive

October 2020

100 Great Black Britons author to kick off Black History Month at University of Exeter Business School

100 Great Black Britons author to kick off Black History Month at University of Exeter Business School

Project aims to reveal the fate of tyre particles in the marine environment

The new study aims to assess an until now hidden form of marine litter and show the effects it could have on our seas

Introducing third legal gender option popular with majority of trans and non-binary people, research shows

Introducing a third legal gender option is popular with the majority of trans and non-binary people, research suggests.

Nights warming faster than days across much of the planet

Global warming is affecting daytime and night-time temperatures differently – and greater night-time warming is more common than greater daytime warming worldwide – new research shows.

Exeter researchers awarded prestigious fellowships to tackle issues from food insecurity to autism

Five researchers at the University of Exeter have been awarded prestigious fellowships to tackle key issues from food and housing insecurities to autism diagnosis.

New lecture series will examine role of humanities in today's global crises

A new University of Exeter lecture series will examine the role of humanities experts in tackling global crises, including health, the climate emergency and racial injustice.

University of Exeter Business School and J.P. Morgan to launch apprenticeship scheme for aspiring investment bankers

The University of Exeter and J.P. Morgan are offering one of the first UK apprenticeships that gives school leavers the opportunity to secure a front-office investment banking role.

Fifth of people experiencing mental health issues due to coronavirus, major new survey shows

A fifth of people have reported experiencing mental health issues and a third of people are feeling isolated because of the coronavirus pandemic, a major new survey shows.

Five Simple Lifestyle Changes That Can Prevent Dementia

40% of all dementia diagnoses can be avoided

£1.2 million to roll-out dementia care home programme to COVID-hit sector

£1.2 million in government funding will help researchers develop an innovative online programme to improve and personalise care for people with dementia in care homes.

Here’s to Thee – new art collaboration explores the rich ecology and culture behind cider making

A fascinating and thought-provoking new collaboration will seek to uncover the complex ecology and cultures that surround the art of cider making.

Gift Aid project could see charities pocket £560m extra a year

The University of Exeter Business School is involved with a project to automate Gift Aid donations and potentially unlock more than £560 million for charities every year.

Cardiac rehabilitation programme wins BMJ award

A home-based rehabilitation programme that could help thousands of heart failure patients to achieve a better quality of life has won a prestigious BMJ award.

Less than a fifth of farmers plan to fully retire, new university study finds

Less than a fifth of farmers plan on fully retiring and many do not discuss their later life plans with loved ones, according to a new study from the University of Exeter in collaboration with NFU Mutual.

Exeter scientists support council action on low-carbon travel

Climate experts from the University of Exeter have written to Devon County Council in support of action to encourage low-carbon travel.

University of Exeter spin-out Neuronostics win prestigious national award

An innovative University of Exeter spin-out company, which uses sophisticated mathematical modelling to help develop treatment plans for patients with epilepsy, has won a prestigious national award.

Geologists solve puzzle that could predict valuable rare earth element deposits

Pioneering new research has helped geologists solve a long-standing puzzle that could help pinpoint new, untapped concentrations of some the most valuable rare earth deposits. 

Type 1 diabetes could begin in the womb, new research suggests

Type 1 diabetes can develop in babies under six months old, and the immune attack behind the condition may begin before they’re born

Professor Roy Sambles awarded knighthood in Queen’s Birthday Honours

Professor Roy Sambles FRS has received a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, announced today.

Could BCG vaccine protect against COVID-19? UK recruitment begins

A largescale global trial, designed to test the theory that the widely-used BCG vaccine could help protect against COVID-19 will soon recruit healthcare staff and care home workers in the UK.

Pioneering collaborative research project helps enhance understanding of climate tipping points

Mathematicians from the University of Exeter will play a pivotal role in a new collaborative research project to help enhance our understanding of climate tipping points.

COVID sparks volunteering boost

Researchers working on a project across four European countries have seen a "significant rise" in volunteering and community action during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

End of the annual report as we know it? Researchers set out future of corporate reporting

How can companies make their annual reports meet the information needs of investors and other stakeholders more effectively?

New app could help schools and colleges stay open amidst Covid-19 infections

The University of Exeter, working with Petroc College and the Association of Colleges and supported by City and Guilds, have produced an online tool for forecasting the spread of Covid-19 in colleges and helping to keep buildings open for as many students as possible.

New code of conduct calls for universities to do more to protect academic freedom in their international partnerships

UK higher education institutions should be more transparent about their international partnerships and more accountable to their staff and students in order to protect academic freedom, experts have said.

Ancient books meet modern technology at a unique event

People can discover how modern technology is being used to reveal the secrets of medieval books at a unique online event.

UK’s first fully electric powered sea-going ferry revealed

The UK’s first fully electric powered sea-going ferry, designed and developed by consortium of engineering experts and businesses including the University of Exeter, has been revealed.

Life-changing work to promote social mobility by University of Exeter recognised at UK Social Mobility Awards

Life-changing work by the University of Exeter to support disadvantaged young people has been recognised at awards which honour excellence in promoting social mobility in Britain.

Third of people want coronavirus lockdown rule-breakers to be jailed, survey shows

A third of people are in favour of prison sentences for those who break coronavirus lockdown rules, according to a major new survey.

Watching nature on TV can boost wellbeing, finds new study

Watching high quality nature programmes on TV can uplift people’s moods and reduce negative emotions

Knighthood for Exeter Honorary Professor allergy and asthma expert

A national authority on the links between allergy and asthmas has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s birthday honours.

Young Investigator award for Exeter childhood diabetes researcher

An Exeter researcher who specialises in discovering the cases of types of diabetes that affect babies has been named as Young Investigator of the Year by the International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes

Australian carp virus plan 'dead in the water'

Plans to release a virus to reduce numbers of invasive Common Carp in Australia are unlikely to work and should be dropped, researchers say.

Discover origins of superstitions and popular magic at special online event

People can explore how a belief in magic still impacts our daily lives at a special online event.

Astronomy expert secure prestigious national fellowship

One of the University of Exeter’s most prominent astrophysics experts has received a prestigious national fellowship, it has been announced.

COVID-19 boosts support for US healthcare system and unemployment benefits

The spread of COVID-19 has increased Americans’ support for government healthcare, unemployment insurance and “big government”, a new study reveals.

NHS urged not to spend money on expensive incontinence devices

An international team of experts have found no evidence that expensive biofeedback devices used in the treatment of urinary incontinence in women make any difference

Challenges Online returns in 2021 after success of virtual event

Challenges Online will return – bigger and better – in 2021 following the success of the virtual event this summer.

University of Exeter’s campuses recognised as among the best green spaces in the country

The University of Exeter’s spectacular campuses have been recognised as being among the best green spaces in the country.

Prestigious medal honour for University of Exeter sensory ecology and behaviour expert

A University of Exeter expert has been awarded a prestigious medal for his cutting-edge research to explain the complexities of animal sensory systems, coloration, and behaviour.

WWF and Exeter alumni join forces to protect natural habitat

A consortium of Exeter alumni have joined the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and the University of Exeter, in setting up a new PhD project to protect the Cerrado ecosystem in Brazil.

Mystery over decline in sea turtle sightings

The number of sea turtles spotted along the coasts of the UK and Ireland has declined in recent years, researchers say.

Three Exeter alumni involved in Chiefs' triumph

Three University of Exeter alumni played a part in the Exeter Chiefs' Champions Cup victory on Saturday.

Join film-makers, experts and translators to discuss world cinema and take part in free screenings

People can join film-makers, experts and translators to watch and discuss classic films past and present as part of a special event to celebrate world cinema and documentaries.

Academic Promotions 2020

Congratulations to our academic colleagues below who have achieved promotion in the last twelve months.

Scientists develop algorithm to help relieve pressure on the NHS

New research suggests an algorithm could be used to help optimise the sharing of healthcare resources during the Covid-19 pandemic, preventing NHS intensive care units (ICU) from becoming overwhelmed.

Scientists pave way to reducing antibiotic resistance build-up in waterways

Researchers have developed a swift new method that could help reduce the problem of antibiotic resistance increasing via wastewater systems

Healthcare workers celebrated during lockdown reject ‘sudden hero’ status

Hospital workers, celebrated as heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, have rejected their new-found status, calling public applause and other displays of support a “trick” and accusing the public of lacking sincerity, according to a new study.

Exeter researcher wins Philip Leverhulme Prize

A University of Exeter researcher has been named among the winners of the 2020 Philip Leverhulme Prizes.

New project to find Europe’s green technology metals

A new four-year project ‘GREENPEG’ has received a grant of €8.3 million from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme to develop new techniques to explore for pegmatite rocks containing lithium and other green technology metals.

Project to investigate Southeast Asia plastic pollution

Researchers have launched an ambitious project to discover the impacts of plastic pollution in the oceans of Southeast Asia – and how the problem might be tackled.

Former rebel groups become more moderate after gaining political power in nations with democracy, research shows

Former rebel groups who transform into political parties have adopted a moderate stance after gaining power in more democratic political systems, a study shows.

Survey shows one in six children having a probable mental disorder

The proportion of children experiencing a probable mental disorder has increased over the past three years

Online church services prove popular with rural congregations during pandemic, new study shows

Online church services have proved popular with rural communities during the pandemic, a new study shows.

Rare posters showing glamorous stars of cinema’s golden age return to Britain

Rare posters showing the glamorous stars of cinema’s Golden Age have returned to Britain, thanks to a donation by one of the world’s foremost movie memorabilia collectors.

University of Exeter expert appointed to prestigious economic committee

A University of Exeter expert has been appointed to be a member of a prestigious economic network.

Launch of new neurodevelopmental and neurodiversity network

A new regional network between the GW4 universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter has launched which will focus on research into neurodiversity and conditions such as ADHD and autism

Exeter-trained scientist honoured in Peru

A scientist trained at the University of Exeter has won Peru’s highest award for conservation.

Animation uses psychology to help us tackle COVID-19

Colleagues and students all have a part to play in talking to people who aren’t keeping to the COVID-19 rules – whether that’s not wearing a face mask, not adhering to social distancing, or disregarding one way systems. 

One in 10 young people lost their job during covid-19 pandemic, new survey shows

More than one in 10 people aged 16 to 25 have lost their job, and just under six in 10 have seen their earnings fall since the coronavirus pandemic began, new research shows. 

Death rates among people with severe COVID-19 drop by a half in England

Death rates from people with severe COVID-19 in hospital have dropped to around a half of the rate at the peak of the pandemic

Mountain gorillas are good neighbours – up to a point

Mountain gorilla groups are friendly to familiar neighbours – provided they stay out of "core" parts of their territory – new research shows.

Secrets of 'smasher shrimp' property ladder revealed

Mantis shrimps carefully survey burrows before trying to evict rivals, new research shows.

Blood test predicts ovarian cancer better than previously thought

A blood test already available to GPs in the UK is more predictive of ovarian cancer than previously thought and could also help pick up other forms of cancer

New ‘epigenetic’ clock provides insight into how the human brain ages

A relatively new concept – the epigenetic clock – could inform us about how swiftly we age, and how prone we are to diseases of old age

New study will uncover influence of medieval philosophers on today’s pluralism

New research examining the work of three sages from India, Byzantine Empire and Scotland will show how thinkers linked natural philosophy with theology.

Majority of people would pay to watch online theatre again – even when venues are open, research shows

The majority of people who have experienced digital theatre would now pay to watch online shows, even when venues are open, a new study shows.

Innovative Exeter student-led projects secure double award success

Two innovative student-led projects, to create a washing machine filter that breaks down plastic microfibres and bring sustainable biofuel to remote communities in Africa, have secured a double success in a prestigious national competition.

Leading climate scientist wins prestigious award

A world-leading climate scientist from the University of Exeter has received a prestigious award in recognition of his pioneering and innovative research.

Prestigious £900,000 award to investigate underlying mechanisms of depression

An award of £900k will allow research at the University of Exeter to investigate the underlying mechanisms involved in depression

Invitation to submit photos for major climate report

Photographers are invited to submit images for inclusion in a major scientific report on climate change in the UK and around the world.

New time-traveling drama podcast takes listeners on a moving and inspiring journey through transgender history

A new podcast takes listeners on a moving and inspiring journey through the ages as they time-travel to explore transgender history.

Malaria parasites adapt to survive the dry season, research shows

The main parasite that causes malaria can alter its gene expression to survive undetected in the human blood stream, new research has shown

Living near green space linked to lower rates of smoking and higher chances of quitting

People are significantly less likely to smoke – and are more likely to successfully quit – if they live in green neighbourhoods, new research has found