News archive 2017
What next for Semi-Toned singers?
The end of 2016 saw Semi-Toned, the University of Exeter’s own all-male a cappella group, achieve national success by winning the BBC’s TV singing competition The Choir, Gareth’s Best in Britain.
Exeter alumnae challenge gender inequality in post-16 Physics
Five Exeter graduates from Physics recently volunteered at an event on campus to support the University’s commitment and continuing efforts to tackle gender inequality in STEMM...
Santander W50
Santander have launched the 2017 edition of its W50 Programme for female graduates...
Philosophize project success made possible by the Annual Fund
Philosophize, a project created by PhD student Laura Kerslake, recently held a children’s philosophy conference on the Streatham Campus thanks to the support of the Annual Fund.
UN report recommends Exeter alumnus’ interview technique
An interview technique developed with an Exeter alumnus in the early 1990s, has been recommended for wider use in a United Nations report.
MAD2Run
Adam Lees (Geography, 2010) is taking part in a charity run from Johannesburg to Cape Town...
Volunteer in the Spotlight - Dr. Gordon Christian
Volunteer in the Spotlight is a regular feature that highlights the alumni that help current students achieve more. Dr. Gordon Christian (LL.B. (Euro) (with German) 1996, LL.M. in European Legal Studies 1997, PhD European Law 2003) is Senior Competition Counsel at Siemens AG in Germany.
Annual Fund helps to deepen cultural understanding at the Institute of Islamic Studies
In 2015 the Arabic and Middle Eastern Society (AMES) secured a substantial grant from Exeter’s Annual Fund to expand the literature available at the Institute of Islamic Studies on Streatham Campus.
Volunteer in the Spotlight - Lauren Churchman
Volunteer in the Spotlight is a regular feature that highlights the alumni that help current students achieve more. Lauren Churchman (Spanish 2013) works in the Music Team at 6 Music, the BBC's alternative music radio station.
Exeter alumnus breaks Guinness World Record
An Exeter graduate has become a Guinness World Record holder following a charity challenge last year.
A valentine's tale: Exeter exchange students find love after 20 years
Exeter alum, James Marjoribanks (Education and French, 1983), met his first love on an exchange trip to Hungary but lost touch after graduation. He shares the story of how they were reunited after more than 20 years.
Making the Exceptional Happen - Campaign launch event
On 9 February we officially launched our ‘Making the Exceptional Happen’ fundraising Campaign at an event in London, hosted by the Vice-Chancellor Prof Sir Steve Smith.
Celebrity divorce lawyer backs research to help strengthen couple relationships
Prominent divorce lawyer Baroness Shackleton is funding new University of Exeter research which could help uncover the secret of finding life-long love.
University of Exeter launches its largest ever fundraising Campaign
The University of Exeter has launched its most ambitious philanthropic Campaign to date to reinforce its position as one of the leading research institutions worldwide.
A valentine's tale: Kenyon exchange leads to love
For the last 40 years, groups of students from Kenyon College, a liberal arts college in the US state of Ohio, have been coming to Exeter to study for a year as part of their degree programme. Marc Millon was on the first year of the programme in 1975 and has some great memories of this time. Not least because he met his wife Kim during the trip.
International Women's Day 2017 - Jessica Pryce-Jones
We're celebrating International Women's Day with just a few of our great alumnae. Jessica Pryce-Jones talks to us about her career since leaving Exeter.
International Women's Day 2017 - Joanne Butcher
We're celebrating International Women's Day with just a few of our great alumnae. Joanne Butcher talks to us about life in the media industry.
Additional support for Exeter Care Homes Reading Project
A community project at the University of Exeter has been given a boost thanks to support from two national charities.
Exeter Alumnus set to write official song for the 2018 World Cup
An Exeter Alumnus has had the prestigious honour of being asked to write the official song for one of Russia’s official 2018 World Cup host cities, Saransk.
Exeter graduate combines her passion for Art and Science - IWD 2017
We're celebrating International Women's Day with just a few of our great alumnae. Dr Olivia Osborne talks to us about her work with nanotechnology in California.
International Women's Day 2017 - Sarah-Jane Chilver-Stainer
We're celebrating International Women's Day with just a few of our great alumnae. Sarah-Jane Chilver-Stainer talks to us about life in Finance.
Exeter Engages with Europe
The University of Exeter has undertaken a week of engagement work with institutions and supporters across the European continent.
The Santander Entrepreneurship Awards are now open
Are you a student or recent graduate with your own business or a great idea for one? If so, you could take part in the 2017 Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards.
Recent alumni benefit from Careers Advice
Exetra, the recent alumni group, recently ran an event which aimed give practical advice and guidance to graduates who were looking to change their career.
An Exeter alumnus and his daughter, a current Exeter student, publish book together
A University of Exeter physics alumnus has recently published two books, one of which is with his daughter, a current student at Exeter.
Business School host alumni reception at London Stock Exchange
In February, the Business School Alumni Association hosted a special reception at The London Stock Exchange, attended by alumni and senior Business School staff.
Warm Welcome to Campus for University of Exeter Retired Staff Association
Members of the University of Exeter Retired Staff Association (UERSA) were recently given a warm welcome back to campus to view some of the latest developments.
Exeter voted as UK’s top university for international students
The University of Exeter has won a prestigious award for providing the best international student experience of any university in the UK.
History alumnus to publish great grandfather’s first-hand account of WWI in the Middle East
Henry Austwick (History, 2011), is set to publish an unseen first-hand account of his great grandfather’s time in the Middle East during WWI.
Exeter host Director of Santander UK on campus to celebrate ongoing relationship
The University recently hosted Matt Hutnell, Director of Santander UK, to celebrate the ongoing relationship between the two organisations.
Alumnus runs 240km and raises over £11,000 for charity
Exeter alumnus Adam Acworth (Sports Science, 2008) has recently run the 240km ‘Marathon des Sables’ and has raised over £11,000 for the charity Mencap.
Alumnae Learn about the ‘Glass Cliff’
Alumnae recently listened to research about the ‘Glass Cliff’ at the annual Exe-X: Women and Leadership Reception, organised by the Alumnae Group.
Northcote Trophy 2017 – Alumni retain the trophy
The Alumni team that headed down to Devon for the annual Northcote Trophy fixture was the most numerous and strongest to date.
Students graduate from Pathways to Law programme
29 students from 13 schools and colleges from across the South West region graduated from the Pathways to Law programme.
Celebrating 20 years of friendship at 2017 Leventis Lectures
Around 100 people attended a special event to celebrate the partnership between the University of Exeter and the A.G. Leventis Foundation.
Politics of (Mis)Information?
More than 100 alumni and supporters attended a special event at the historic Reform Club in London last week, marking 100 days of Donald Trump’s Presidency.
Memories of UCSWE
2017 marks 95 years since the University College of the South West of England (UCSWE) was founded in Exeter.
Exeter reflects on 95 years of exceptional education
The University of Exeter has a colourful history that goes as far back as the 1920s.
Volunteer in the Spotlight - James Pearce
Volunteer in the Spotlight is a regular feature that highlights the alumni that help current students achieve more. James Pearce (Politics, 1992) is a freelance broadcaster who previously worked for the BBC.
Adjusting by degrees; ‘coming up’ 50 years ago
Derek Lamb (Economic History & Geography, 1970) writes about his experiences at Exeter in the late 1960s.
Alumna author shortlisted for award
The latest book by Exeter alumna and author, Kathleen Jowitt (English, 2006), has been shortlisted for the Society of Authors’ Betty Trask Prize – the first ever self-published book to receive this honour.
Online election advice website built by former student reaches 800,000+ voters
A website, ge2017.com, set-up by Exeter alumnus Matthew Morley (History, 2015) has reached more than 800,000 voters in the run up to this year's General Election.
Exeter alumnus sets up charity to support disadvantaged children in Tanzania
A charity set up by an alumnus in 2011 is expanding its activity programme after recent success.
Exeter’s teaching excellence officially recognised as ‘gold standard’
The University of Exeter’s commitment to providing world-class teaching has been recognised with the award of a “Gold” rating in the first national Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment.
How will Brexit affect London?
Exetra, the recent alumni group, recently held an event which focused on Brexit and looked to tackle the questions of how different sectors could be affected by Brexit, and what affect might this have on the young workers of today?
The legacy of Exeter
Howard Woodhouse (Philosophy, 1968) shares his experiences of studying at Exeter in this blog.
Exeter graduates highlighted at prestigious awards
Four Exeter graduates were recently featured at the prestigious Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Award semi-finals.
Local alumna wins two top sporting awards
Exeter alumna Helen Reddy (Exercise and Sports Sciences, 2000), Head of Performing Arts at Ivybridge Community College, has won two top accolades at the Devon Sports Awards.
Students’ Guild rewards its student superstars with a night of glamour
This year's Students' Guild awards featured an alumni award for the first time.
Recent graduate wins award for student support group
Exeter alumna Leah Fuller (Psychology, 2016) set up the Eating Difficulties Peer Support Group in her final year of study.
Exeter graduates make elephant conservation film
Two University of Exeter graduates have visited Nigeria to make a film promoting conservation of elephants and their forest habitat.
A Warm Welcome to Exeter University Club and Friends for a Discovery Visit to Penryn Campus, Cornwall
Members of the Exeter University Club (EUC) and friends were recently given a warm welcome at the Penryn campus to view some of the latest developments.
Innovate Energy wins Shell LiveWIRE Smarter Future Award
Innovate Energy, founded by recent graduates from the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus, have won £5000 to invest in their business, which will hire out battery packs to charge mobile phones.
25th anniversary for alumna-founded Devon Air Ambulance
Devon Air Ambulance, a charity set-up by an Exeter alumna, is set to mark 25 years of service at celebration event in September.
British Council International Alumni Awards: Open for Applications
Applications are currently open for the British Council Alumni Awards 2017-18.
Making the Exceptional Happen in schools - Headteacher of the Year Alan Gray
University of Exeter alumnus Alan Gray (Chemistry, 1979) was recently named TES Headteacher of the Year for his leadership of Sandringham School in Hertfordshire.
Lazenby visit marks 50 years since graduation
A group of alumni have travelled from all over the world to reunite in Exeter after 50 years.
Fifty years on - memories of Exeter
We caught up with two alumni who featured in Westward TV’s series ‘The Privileged?’, filmed at the University of Exeter in the late sixties.
University and Exeter Chiefs to offer rugby PhD
The University of Exeter has teamed up with Exeter Chiefs rugby club to fund a PhD study into the injury risks facing young rugby players.
Volunteer in the Spotlight - Wenjie Lee
Volunteer in the Spotlight is a regular feature that highlights dedicated volunteers who support other alumni, students and the university in many different ways. Wenjie Lee (MSC Accounting and Finance 2012), is currently working as a Manager at Investment Bank Headquarters of Everbright Securities Co., Ltd. in Shanghai.
Mine waste water project seeks gold in International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM)
This November, a team of undergraduate students will travel to the USA in their campaign to take home a fourth gold medal in the iGEM competition.
Fundraising Campaign hits £30 million
The University of Exeter’s largest ever philanthropy Campaign, ‘Making the Exceptional Happen’, has reached the halfway point in its fundraising target with three years still to go.
‘Breaking 2’: Exeter scientists take the lead in Nike’s marathon mission
Exeter scientists and alumni spearheaded the science behind Nike’s moonshot to achieve the first sub two-hour marathon, ‘Breaking 2.’
Finding my happy place in Exeter
Alumna Clairre C. Abeyratne shares her experience of travelling from the US to study MSc International Management at the University of Exeter Business School in 2016.
Living through WWII at Exeter
Letters from alumnus John Saunders (Engineering, 1943) share an insight into what it was like to study at Exeter during the war.
Alumni Annual Fund supports Exeter University Canoe Club
The Exeter University Canoe Club recently received a grant from the Alumni Annual Fund to purchase new white water boats.
"'89, don't turn back the clock…" Remembering Exeter University in the late 1980s
Alumnus Shaun McCrindle (English Literature and Fine Art, 1991) had a particularly creative experience during his student days at Exeter, combining art with literature and a good helping of music on the side.
COMEX - the journey of a lifetime
COMEX 2 was an expedition that saw university students across the country jump on buses and drive across Europe and the Middle East and beyond, for a two and a half month overland expedition to India, and back.
Alumni theatre company stages Shakespeare production in World War I setting
Alumni from the English and Drama departments at the University of Exeter will be staging a local performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
Exeter alumni make second shop opening a success
Alumni business and Santander Entrepreneurship award winner, Sancho's Dress successfully opened its second organic and ethical shop.
Alumnus and Adventurer John Peck gives HPP athletes an insight into succeeding under pressure
John Peck (M.Phil 1994) returned to campus to offer an insight into how having your resilience and resourcesfulness tested can ultimately help athletes succeed.
Exeter alumna talks about her time at Exeter and career path that followed
Exeter alumna, Alice Tapfield (Politics with European Study, 2004), talks about her time at Exeter and career path since she graduated.
Serial tech entrepreneur and Exeter alumnus supports entrepreneurial community
Serial tech entrepreneur and Exeter alumnus, Chris Howard has returned to Exeter this week to support Global Entrepreneurship Week and run a pitch practice session.
Dementia research at Exeter gets £190,000 boost
The dementia research charity BRACE and Kirby Laing Foundation have together awarded more than £190,000 to the University of Exeter Medical School to support cutting-edge genomic research to better understand the causes of dementia.
Award winning producer talks shows, advice and volunteering
Alumnus Gub Neal (English Literature and American Studies 1981) is an award-winning producer and former head of Drama for Channel 4.
Autumn telethon success
The University of Exeter’s autumn telethon has raised more than £112,000 to support students and research.
Research will help GPs diagnose dementia more accurately
Research at the University of Exeter designed to help identify patients with dementia and reduce the pressure on health services has received a generous boost of £120,000 from the Halpin Trust.
Exeter alumnus named as Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Highly Commended Graduate of the Year
Camborne School of Mines graduate Kieran Lean (BEng Mining Engineering 2016) was given the award at the CIBSE North East and Yorkshire awards in November.
Trip down memory lane for MBA Class of 95-96
Alumni from our MBA Class of 95-96 recently returned to campus for their weekend 20 year reunion visit.
Alumnus talks how he combined his career with his love of cricket
Alumnus, Tim Brooks (History, 1999), talks about how his time at Exeter led him to pursue his passion for Cricket.
New scholarships support students with disabilities
Students with disabilities can now receive support to complete postgraduate study in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at Exeter thanks to a donation from the Snowdon Trust.
Charity funds Medicine students’ placements abroad
Final year Medicine students have spent the summer developing their clinical skills through international work placements in locations around the world, thanks to a charity donation.
Exeter alumna finds the perfect match in New York
Exeter alumna, Alice Tapfield (Politics with European Study, 2004), has helped to take matchmaking firm The Vida Consultancy across the pond.
Alumnus nominated for top education award
Recent Exeter graduate Liam Taylor (Geography, 2017) has been shortlisted for a British Education Award.
Alumna adventurer tackles Europe’s waterways
Exeter alumna Anna Blackwell (Psychology, 2016) will be putting herself to the test next spring by kayaking across Europe with her friend, Kate Culverwell.