Newsroom University of ˮ��ർ��

Mentoring programme gives big mental health boost to LGBTQIA+ teens

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 13:04:37 +0100

A mentoring programme for LGBTQIA+ young people is making a real difference to their mental health, according to new research from The University of ˮ��ർ��.

The programme, called , pairs young people aged 13 and over with trained mentors who understand the challenges LGBTQIA+ teens can face. Over regular one-to-one sessions, the mentors offer a safe space to talk, practical advice and support to help build confidence, reduce feelings of isolation and improve overall wellbeing.

LGBTQIA+ young people are more likely to struggle with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression compared to their heterosexual or cisgender peers. Many of these struggles are linked to experiences of discrimination, prejudice or feeling unable to be themselves.

Despite this, there’s been little solid evidence about which support services actually work - until now.

Researchers at The University of ˮ��ർ�� compared the mental health of young people taking part in Free2B with thousands of other teens from a large wellbeing study. The results were clear: those in the Free2B programme saw a strong and noticeable improvement in their mental wellbeing, much higher than what’s usually seen in similar support programmes.

“Free2B isn’t just helpful - it’s making a meaningful difference in young people’s lives,” said lead researcher Qiqi Cheng. “We saw real changes in how the participants felt about themselves and their future. Many started the programme feeling isolated, anxious, or unsure of how to cope with the challenges they were facing. By the end, they reported feeling more confident, supported, and hopeful. Programmes like this show that when young people have someone in their corner who understands them, it can completely shift their outlook.”

”The evidence is strong, and it should be part of the conversation on how we help vulnerable young people not just survive, but thrive," Neil added.

The experts say the next step is to study the programme in more detail, looking at whether the benefits last long term and whether it can also help reduce loneliness.

The study was funded by PBE, with wider support from the , The National Lottery Community Fund, and the Greater ˮ��ർ�� Combined Authority.

Creative ˮ��ർ�� appoints Deputy Director and new academic Research Leads

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 09:21:33 +0100

Since appointing its first research leads in 2022, Creative ˮ��ർ�� has continued to grow, nurturing exciting interdisciplinary research and convening research communities at The University of ˮ��ർ�� and the city region. The three research themes - Creative Industries and Innovation, Civic and Creative Futures and Creativity, Health and Wellbeing - continue to remain relevant and are expanding in line with the aspirations set out in ˮ��ർ�� 2035, The University of ˮ��ർ��’s new 10-year strategy.

Creative ˮ��ർ�� Director, Professor John McAuliffe, said of the appointments:

The newly appointed Deputy Director, Dr Constance Smith, will work closely with Director, Professor John McAuliffe, the broader Creative ˮ��ർ�� team and management board to develop and coordinate activity across three core research themes, with a focus on internal stakeholders, advancing and coordinating interdisciplinary research and cross-School working.

is a Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures in the Faculty of Humanities. Her research focus is the anthropology of architecture, time and urban change. She is interested in shifting landscapes of buildings, planning and infrastructure and how their materialities inflect ways of engaging with the past and anticipating the future.

Professor John McAuliffe commented:

The Research Theme Leads will work with the senior leadership team to further develop and help coordinate activity across their respective core research themes. They will convene and grow the Platform’s interdisciplinary research communities with both University and external partners, to address strategic opportunities.

Creative ˮ��ർ�� is pleased to announce that Dr Stephen Hicks has been re-appointed as Research Theme Lead for Creativity, Health and Wellbeing. Creative ˮ��ർ�� are also thrilled that Dr Riza Batista-Navarro will formally take up the Research Theme Lead role for Creative Industries and Innovation, following her work as maternity cover for former Research Lead Dr Claudia Henninger. Finally, Creative ˮ��ർ�� looks forward to welcoming Dr Anke Bernau to the academic team as Research Theme Lead for Civic and Creative Futures.

is a Senior Lecturer in Text Mining at the School of Computer Science in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Her research focusses on the development of natural language processing methods for information extraction, explainable text classification, machine reading comprehension and language modelling. She has led a number of inter-disciplinary text mining projects, in which she developed computational approaches together with collaborators from various domains such as biomedicine, biodiversity, sustainability and online safety.

is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work (FBMH) and also a member of the Morgan Centre for Research into Everyday Lives. He has been the Creativity, Health and Wellbeing Research Lead for Creative ˮ��ർ�� since 2022 and has a professional background in child care/protection as a qualified and registered social worker. Steve has been involved in research projects on: LGBTQ parenting; social care and housing needs of older LGBTQ people; communities, neighbourhoods and belonging in modernist housing; and an interdisciplinary project on concerns about air quality/pollution and impact on local communities and environments. He has also been a volunteer in HIV/Aids services; homelessness support for young men and LGBTQ people; and LGBTQ adopters and foster-carers.

is a Senior Lecturer in Medieval Literature and Culture at the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures in the Faculty of Humanities. She has worked on a diverse range of topics, including female virginity, poetics, aesthetics, material culture and environmental humanities. She is particularly interested in recent work emerging out of Critical Plant Studies and is co-editing a special issue on 'Plant Temporalities', as well as a volume on the global cultural history of 'nature' in the Middle Ages.

Professor John McAuliffe reflects:

Creative ˮ��ർ�� is looking forward to working with Drs Constance Smith, Stephen Hicks, Riza Batista-Navarro and Anke Bernau, and would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Drs Claudia Henninger and Jenna Ashton for their important and impactful work as Research Theme Leads at Creative ˮ��ർ�� since 2022.

Festival celebrating ˮ��ർ��’s medieval heritage returns for 2025

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0100

Thanks to the dedication of The University of ˮ��ർ��’s Dr Gillian Redfern and the support of the University’s Social Responsibility Fund, the ˮ��ർ�� Medieval Quarter Festival will return to the city on Saturday 27 September. The free, family-friendly festival will once again transform the area into a lively celebration of ˮ��ർ��’s rich medieval heritage.

Now in its third edition since its launch in 2021, the festival continues its mission to shine a light on an area many residents are surprised to learn exists - the Medieval Quarter. Nestled beside the modern city centre, this historic area stretches from Chetham’s Library and School of Music to ˮ��ർ�� Cathedral, weaving through Shambles Square, the Corn Exchange and the National Football Museum.

The area tells the story of ˮ��ർ�� long before the Industrial Revolution. From the 10th-century parish church that grew into ˮ��ർ�� Cathedral to the 15th-century Collegiate buildings that became Chetham’s Library, the area is steeped in history. At the festival, the public will have the rare chance to explore these spaces for free - normally only accessible by paid tour - making the festival a unique opportunity to engage with the city’s past.

Visitors can look forward to an exciting programme of activities designed to bring medieval ˮ��ർ�� to life:

Saturday Scriptorium – Try your hand at medieval calligraphy using quills, ink and parchment in Chetham’s Library’s Baronial Hall, and take home your masterpiece.
Falconry Displays – Watch birds of prey soar in the courtyard and even try falconry with expert guidance.
Historical Re-enactments – Meet medieval re-enactors from Historia Normannis as they showcase tournaments, crafts, and costumes.
Medieval Drama – Boo, cheer, and hiss along with interactive student performances in Chetham’s Courtyard.
Guided Tours – Discover the story of the Medieval Quarter, including rare access to the remnants of the 14th-century Hanging Bridge, and enjoy tours of ˮ��ർ�� Cathedral.
Music of the Middle Ages – Immerse yourself in the sounds of the era with performances from the ˮ��ർ�� Troubadours.
Family Fun – Browse medieval-themed stalls, enjoy a fashion show, and soak up the atmosphere with food, picnics and live entertainment.

The festival will take place from 11am – 4pm. For more information, visit .

Not white, not seen: study uncovers France’s racial blind spot

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 16:20:34 +0100

A groundbreaking new study from The University of ˮ��ർ�� has challenged traditional ideas of race and national identity in France, revealing how French citizens of Indian descent are navigating their identities in a society that often ignores them.

The research, led by Manuela Latchoumaya from the University’s Department of Sociology and published in leading journal Ethnic and Racial Studies, explores the lived experiences of French people whose families come from former French colonies in India and the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe via the system of Indian indentured labour in the 19^th century.

Despite holding French passports and speaking fluent French, many of these citizens feel excluded from what it means to be “truly” French.

Using interviews with 21 people, the study paints a powerful picture of what it feels like to be treated as invisible in your own country - and how people push back.

“It’s not just about being seen as different,” said Latchoumaya. “It’s about being completely left out of how the French think about who belongs.”

The study found that many French Indians are misidentified as Black or North African, two established categories in France that covertly operate to minoritise people with roots in the French Empire. Others are judged by outdated stereotypes - like being overly traditional or even exotic - based on ideas left over from colonial times. These experiences often begin in childhood and continue into adult life, especially in education, work and healthcare.

But rather than staying silent, many people are speaking up and taking control of their identity. Some proudly reclaim the label Black as a category of visibility, while also identifying as South Asian. Others challenge people who use offensive or outdated terms, and several participants said they now openly name ‘whiteness’ - the idea that being white is the default or “normal” in France - as part of the problem.

The study also highlights the deep impact of colonial history, showing how the French Empire shaped today’s ideas about identity, and how some communities - like those with Indian roots - have been left out of the national story.

This research is one of the first studies to centre the voices of French citizens of Indian descent, a group rarely studied in academic or public discussions about French imperial history. It is especially relevant today as France - and many other countries - grapple with their colonial past and while having increasingly diverse populations.

New tool tackles unreliable research trials

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:31:00 +0100

An international group of researchers has developed a new tool which can help identify problematic randomised controlled trials (RCTs), including fraudulent studies, where there are serious concerns about trustworthiness.

The final version of the tool, called INSPECT-SR, is now published on the pre-print server .

It was developed by a worldwide collaboration of more than 150 integrity and health research experts, led by Dr Jack Wilkinson from The University of ˮ��ർ��

Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), it was developed in collaboration with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Cochrane, a not-for-profit organisation which is the world’s leading publisher of health systematic reviews.

Some of the studies are subject to critical but honest errors, but many appear to be fraudulent.

Concerns are growing over the increasing numbers of problematic high-level summaries of the research evidence from randomised controlled trials , known as systematic reviews.

In 2023 alone, over 10,000 research papers issued globally were retracted by journals according to an analysis by , many of which used evidence from problematic RCTs.

Dr Wilkinson warns problematic RCTs can result in medical research potentially being compromised, drug development hindered and promising academic research jeopardised.

INSPECT-SR is designed to root out problematic RCTs which publish faked or manipulated data or have Inadvertently made critical errors.

Some, written for a fee by outfits known as “paper mills”, are entirely fabricated.

The tool guides users through a series of 21 checks, grouped into 4 domains:

Post publication notices which express concern and retractions.
conduct, governance, and transparency
text and figures
data discrepancies and statistical errors.

One of the most well-known examples of problematic RCT research was around claims the drug Ivermectin, hailed as a miracle drug that would save the lives of people with severe COVID-19.

However, some of the trials used to make the Ivermectin claims appear to have been fabricated, according health authorities in the . Subsequent high-quality trials suggested little or no benefit.

In another example , the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) reversed recommendation for a device called a fetal pillow, developed to assist caesarean sections, following the retraction of three clinical studies supporting it.

According to an article in : An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, a trustworthiness assessment may have prevented the use of the evidence in the NICE guideline, as it contained statistical anomalies.

And trustworthiness concerns were also identified in a group of trials around the use of CBT and exercise to combat spinal pain. The trials had substantial impacts on clinical practice guidelines. Several have now been .

Dr Wilkinson said: “When a systematic review is carried out, it includes all randomised controlled trials on a given topic.

“But historically, there has been no way to identify fraudulent or otherwise problematic RCTs, meaning that these studies are inadvertently included in systematic reviews.

“This is a big problem, as systematic reviews are very influential - they inform health guidelines for example.

“Most fraudulent RCTs are produced by individual researchers rather than commercial paper mills, but with the advent of AI I fear this is likely to become more of a problem in the future.”

He added: “Academic papers are often assessed for quality before they are published. But reviewers do not ask the more fundamental question of whether the evidence they are reading is even genuine..

“But we anticipate that INSPECT-SR will become the standard for assessing trustworthiness of RCTs, especially as it has been created withCochrane for use in their systematic reviews of health interventions.

“However, it’s important to stress that our tool is not merely a test for fraud and misconduct- though clearly many problematic studies are examples of that.

“It also tests for critical errors which is why our priority is to determine if a clinical trial should be used to guide healthcare decisions.

“Work is ongoing to develop more automated systems - perhaps using AI- to assist with this process. In the future, we hope to expand our work to detect problems in other forms of research studies, not just clinical trials.”

The paper INSPECT-SR: a tool for assessing trustworthiness of 1 randomised controlled trials is available on the print server https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.03.25334905

ˮ��ർ�� expert wins Royal Society’s highest honour for historian of science

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:18:22 +0100

Professor Sadiah Qureshi, a leading historian at The University of ˮ��ർ��, has been awarded the prestigious Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Medal and Lecture by the Royal Society in recognition of her internationally acclaimed research on science, race, empire and the history of extinction.

The medal is the Society’s highest honour for a historian of science, which is awarded annually for outstanding interdisciplinary contributions that illuminate the relationship between science and the wider human experience. It is named in honour of John Wilkins, John Desmond Bernal and Sir Peter Medawar, whose pioneering work explored the intersections of science, philosophy and society. Previous recipients include some of the UK’s most prominent historians and philosophers of science.

Professor Qureshi’s award acknowledges both her distinguished scholarship in the history of science and her ability to engage wider audiences in urgent debates that shape our present and future. Her work has transformed understandings of how ideas about race and empire have influenced scientific thought from the eighteenth century onwards.

Her research highlights the ways in which science and empire were deeply entangled, showing how racialised worldviews were both informed by and reinforced through scientific practices. She has also made major contributions to the history of natural history, particularly through her recent book on the emergence of extinction as a modern concept.

Published this year to widespread acclaim, explores how the idea of extinction - which is now fundamental to modern science and environmentalism - was only recognised in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. By uncovering the cultural, political and imperial contexts in which extinction was first understood, Professor Qureshi demonstrates that what we often take as timeless scientific knowledge is in fact historically contingent, with deep consequences for how societies today approach the climate and biodiversity crises.

Professor Qureshi joined The University of ˮ��ർ�� in 2023 as Professor of Modern History, having previously studied natural sciences and the history of science at the University of Cambridge. She has established herself as a leading public intellectual, contributing to major exhibitions, media debates and policy discussions that seek to make historical perspectives on science accessible beyond academia.

“It is a tremendous honour to receive this medal,” said Professor Qureshi. “The Royal Society’s recognition highlights the importance of placing science within its broader social and historical contexts, especially at a moment when global challenges demand we think critically about our past to imagine better futures.”

“The recipients of this year’s medals and awards have all made outstanding contributions to science and its applications for the benefit of humanity,” said Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society. “They have done so through by furthering our understanding of the processes that govern the world around us, changing the practices of academia to build a more robust and inclusive research environment, and engaging new audiences. I offer my congratulations to all the 2025 recipients.”

Open Research Fellowship Programme – apply now!

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:55:54 +0100

The Office for Open Research is inviting .

The Open Research Fellowship programme seeks to provide a unique opportunity for Fellows to advance their careers while contributing to the work of the Office for Open Research. Notably, the programme offers financial support by covering 0.2 FTE salary costs for up to five Fellows, for a period of seven months (from January to July 2026), subject to Head of School/Service approval.

The programme is open to all University academic, professional, and technical services colleagues (up to and including Grade 7).

Find out more:

You can access full details on the Programme, including how to apply, and how to book onto our on 1 October, via our dedicated webpage:
You can also read about the work of previous cohorts of Fellows via our .
If you have any questions, please the Office for Open Research team.

Applications close on Friday, 24 October.

Three ˮ��ർ�� experts become Academy of Social Sciences Fellows

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:05:39 +0100

Three academics from The University of ˮ��ർ�� have been recognised as leading experts in their fields by being named as Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences.

New Fellows are named in recognition of their excellence and impact, and their advancement of social sciences for the public good. Through leadership, research and policymaking, they have deepened understanding of major societal challenges. The Academy comprises over 1,700 Fellows from academia, the public, private and third sectors as well as 46 societies and affiliates, forming a 90,000-strong network that cements the UK’s global leadership in social sciences.

Academy Fellows - who are selected through an independent peer review which recognises their excellence and impact - are elected for their excellence in their fields and their substantial contributions to social science for public benefit.

Joining them is Professor of Public Administration and Head of Politics Liz Richardson, an expert who advances democratic and inclusive policymaking through her knowledge of participatory urban governance, local politics, public services and innovative research methods. Recognised among the Local Government Information Unit’s Top 25 Thinkers, Liz bridges academic insight and civic practice to tackle complex local and global policy challenges. She has co-authored pivotal reports in the UK’s Public Design Evidence Review, shaping how design thinking can reinvigorate public services.

“I am delighted to be an ambassador for social science,” Liz said. “Academic research has the potential to create a more equitable society - such potential is greater when knowledge fosters scientific rigour as well as respect for the experiential expertise of participants.”

Also named as a new Fellow is Professor of Public Policy David Richards, an internationally recognised scholar who specialises in British politics, governance, democracy and institutional reform. His research investigates the relationship between political institutions, public policy and democratic accountability. He has co-authored influential works, including Institutional Crisis in 21st Century Britain, and leads major projects on Treasury–Whitehall financial relations and productivity governance. Widely published and frequently cited in national debate, he bridges academic insight and public discourse, shaping critical conversations about the challenges facing British democracy and the future of effective, accountable government.

Our third new Fellow is Professor of Urban Economics & Real Estate Anupam Nanda, an award-winning expert in the economics of property markets, urban and regional dynamics, real estate finance, investor sentiment, cross-border investment, ESG issues, and the role of technology in real estate. A prolific researcher, his papers feature in top journals such as Journal of Urban Economics, Real Estate Economics, Regional Studies, and Energy Economics. Alongside his academic research, he works with policymakers and industry to develop solutions for sustainable, resilient and fair urban and housing systems.

“I am pleased to be nominated to join the Academy and contribute to its crucial work in promoting the role of social sciences in my field and across other related fields,” said Anupam. “I look forward to working with other fellows of the Academy.”

President of the Academy, Will Hutton FAcSS, said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome more leading social scientists to the Academy’s Fellowship. Their research and practical applications have made substantial contributions to social science and wider society in a range of areas, and we look forward to working with them to promote further the vital role the social sciences play in all areas of our lives.”

UK Data Service expertise helps government listen to researchers on the future of health data

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 10:39:49 +0100

Work led by Professor Vanessa Higgins (Professor of Data Literacy in the Social Sciences and Service Director of Training and User Support, ) and (Professor of Social Gerontology and Deputy Director, UK Data Service) has made headlines in following the UK Data Service in June, which brought national attention to the future of the (HSE).

Drawing on their expertise in population data, large scale social surveys, and the use of data to inform fair and effective health policy, the ˮ��ർ�� academics highlight the vital role of robust evidence in ensuring policy keeps pace with societal change.

Launched in 1991, the Health Survey for England, has been the backbone of health policy evidence for more than three decades, providing annual, nationally representative data to monitor the nation’s health and guide healthcare delivery. At the June 2025 conference, the government confirmed that NHS England would no longer run the survey. While details of any replacement are yet to be confirmed, discussions are under way on the future of population health surveys in England.

Since the conference, The UK Data Service has acted swiftly to ensure researchers’ voices are heard in the national debate:

Boosting consultation responses – negotiating with (DHSC) and the (ONS) to re-open a user consultation on the future of population health surveys for three weeks in July, generating a further 140 responses from health survey users.
Showcasing impact – collaborating with a key health survey user to publish a Data Impact blog highlighting the importance of the survey: .
Supporting decision-makers – at DHSC/ONS’s request, preparing a written summary of the Health Survey for England’s value and impact, including user testimonies, to feed into their internal report (due end of September), and advising on an expert peer-reviewers.

Through this work, ˮ��ർ�� academics and the UK Data Service are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Health Survey for England, influencing how health data will be collected to meet the challenges of a changing world.

Major new book asks whether addressing climate change requires stability or conflict

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0100

A landmark new book is set to change how we think about tackling the climate crisis. It asks a big question: when it comes to climate change, is it better to ‘lock in’ steady, long-term policies, or do we need dramatic political conflict and protests to force real change?

Stability and Politicization in Climate Governance is co-edited by and - both leading politics experts from The University of ˮ��ർ�� - alongside from the University of Massachusetts Boston (USA). The book highlights that the debate between ‘stability’ and ‘politicisation’ isn't as simple as it seems.

For a long time, many policymakers believed that ‘stability’ was the key to successful climate action. This stability meant creating predictable rules that encourage businesses to invest in green solutions, or making laws that are difficult to roll back in the future.

However, the book reveals a significant problem: often, trying to keep things stable just means nothing really changes, which can actually slow down efforts to cut carbon. Studies in the book also show that a focus on stability can perpetuate existing inequalities, making it harder for marginalised communities to participate in climate action.

On the other hand, "politicisation" means bringing climate issues into the public spotlight, challenging powerful interests and sparking debate. The book shows how social movements like the Fridays for Future school strikes in Germany have successfully pushed governments to adopt more ambitious climate strategies. This kind of public pressure can show who really has the power and lead to significant policy changes, like demanding deadlines for phasing out coal.

However, building pressure isn't equally easy or safe for all communities. For some groups, like Muslim climate activists in the UK, engaging in protests can be risky because of existing unfairness in society. As one Muslim climate campaigner noted, "when you think about climate change, it is a social justice issue".

The book’s main message is that stability and politicisation aren't always opposites - they often interact in complex ways. What appears stable may hide underlying conflicts which eventually burst out, while political conflicts can sometimes lead to new forms of stability.

The book covers examples from around the world - from Brazil to China and South Africa to Norway - across all levels of society from grassroots street activists in California right up to global negotiations. The volume also tackles a wide range of policy areas and sectors including the fossil fuel industry, financial and insurance businesses and electricity companies.

It is available now, and free to read and download from .

Tyndall Centre at 25: UK must step up climate ambition, report warns

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 08:00:00 +0100

The UK now uses less energy than almost anyone anticipated 20 years ago, but opportunities to act on this potential were largely missed, according to a new report published by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at The University of ˮ��ർ�� today.

’, published to mark the Centre’s 25th anniversary, looks back at the Tyndall Centre’s own energy scenarios, alongside more than 80 others produced in the 2000s. The study found that while most scenarios assumed some level of reduction in energy demand, only one - Tyndall Centre’s “Red” scenario - came close to predicting the UK’s actual energy demand in 2022.

The researchers say this mismatch reveals that early scenarios often focused on untested technologies while overlooking practical and proven ways to reduce energy use, such as improving public transport, insulating homes, and reducing air travel.

They identified that these modelling choices often influenced policy debates, with optimism about new technologies often overshadowing everyday solutions, potentially limiting the scope of decarbonisation deemed possible by policymakers.

By comparing the envisioned futures with the UK energy system changes that actually emerged, the authors show where foresight was limited, where assumptions proved overambitious, and where genuine transformation was underestimated.

The report also reflects on two decades of Tyndall Centre’s research. Starting with the Royal Commission’s 60% carbon cut target by 2050, the Tyndall Centre helped bring carbon budgets to the centre of UK climate policy and highlighted the need for action across all sectors, including aviation and shipping,.

The authors argue that energy scenarios aiming to support an urgent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, must explore a wider range of options, with greater focus on proven solutions such as efficiency, lifestyle change, and equity. Doing so would open up more options for policymakers to deliver on their climate ambition, reduce reliance on unproven technologies, and align the UK’s energy pathways more closely with climate science.

Decarbonising the UK revisited is being launched at the Tyndall Centre’s 25^th Anniversary Conference at the University of East Anglia (UEA) on Monday, 8 September. Our Critical Decade for Climate Action is a major meeting for 300 researchers from 20 countries.

The report is part of a wider project at Tyndall Centre that explores how energy scenarios influence policy and what lessons can be drawn halfway through this critical decade for climate action.

Read the full report

Applications open for 2025-26 Open Research Fellowship Programme

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 06:30:00 +0100

The seeks to provide a unique opportunity for Fellows to advance their careers while contributing to the work of the . Notably, the programme offers financial support by covering 0.2 FTE salary costs for up to 5 Fellows, for a period of seven months (from January to July 2026), subject to Head of School/Service approval.

The programme is open to all academic, professional, and technical services colleagues at The University of ˮ��ർ�� (up to and including Grade 7). Applications close on Friday, 24 October. The project-based application process ensures that Fellows are selected based on the merit and potential impact of their proposed Open Research projects.

Fellows will contribute to the work of the Office for Open Research with domain expertise and will participate in an Open Research community of practice at the University, networking with other Fellows, and proactively sharing best practice with their peers.

For further information and details about the application process, please see the or email the team: openresearch@manchester.ac.uk

80 Years of Occupational Health at ˮ��ർ��

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:33:02 +0100

Registration ! Join us to celebrate 80 Years of Occupational Health Research at the University of ˮ��ർ��.

The and the are delighted to invite you to a landmark event marking eight decades of research, training, and impact in Occupational Health at The University of ˮ��ർ��.

Date: Wednesday 1st October 2025
Venue: 18th floor, Hyatt Regency, 55 Booth St W, ˮ��ർ�� M15 6PQ
Time: 13:00 – 20:00 BST (multi part event - see important info below)
Register: Register on Eventbrite

From lightning talks and panel discussions to the prestigious Lane Lecture — delivered this year by Professor Malcolm Sim on The Artificial Stone Silicosis Epidemic: Lessons Learned for More Effective Prevention, and introduced by Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of ˮ��ർ�� — this is a unique opportunity to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and shape the future of occupational health.

Secure your free place now: (registration closes 24/09/2025)

Important:

The event is divided into multiple sessions. Please ensure you select tickets for each part that you wish to attend.
Due to capacity, attendees without a valid ticket for a specific session may be asked to leave that part of the event.
View the Full Programme (PDF):
Accessibility & Queries: If you have any queries, or need to discuss a PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) or other adjustments to support your attendance, please email: ashton@manchester.ac.uk

Innocence success in the United Nations

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:39:49 +0100

Since its inception, the Task Force has submitted over 15 reports to the United Nations Human Rights Commission (HRC), with further work actively underway.

At The University of ˮ��ർ�� Law School, , Suzanne Gower, and Nicola Campbell, along with volunteer students from the , have contributed pro bono research to support the Task Force’s efforts. Their briefing materials recently informed a report submitted to the HRC in August against the treatment of incarcerated individuals in Vietnam.

The HRC report strongly reflects the Task Force’s central message: international law requires a mechanism to prove innocence and secure exoneration, alongside the right to appointed legal counsel and access to essential resources for pursuing such claims. Additionally, compensation must be provided upon exoneration.

As more experts encourage UN bodies to endorse these principles, the case for recognising them as universal human rights grows stronger. A critical mass of support is steadily taking shape. The ˮ��ർ�� Innocence Project is helping lead the way as part of the Task Force.

Claire McGourlay reflects:

Congratulations to Keir Monteith KC, Honorary Professor of Law

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:30:11 +0100

On his promotion, Keir commented:

Keir was appointed as a SALC in 2022.

Along with Eithne Quinn, SALC’s Professor of Cultural and Socio-Legal Studies, Keir was lead author of the report . A follow-up report this year will coincide with the end of the 5-year Judicial Inclusion & Diversity Strategy.

Keir has worked closely with Creative ˮ��ർ�� since 2023, under its Creative and Civic Futures banner – particularly in relation to the AHRC project, on which Keir was Lead External Advisor.

He was recognised as newspaper earlier this year.

Keir is a part time Criminal Court Judge, a judicial tutor and is a leading silk who represents clients facing heavyweight criminal allegations. He has been instructed in numerous murders, industrial scale Class A drug importations and conspiracies, escape from custody cases and appeals against conviction and sentence. Keir is ranked for criminal law in Chambers UK and the Legal 500 and was shortlisted for Financial Silk of the Year at Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024. He practices from Garden Court Chambers, is a SHiFT trustee and a member of the JUSTICE Council. Keir acted as counsel for Ade Adedeji in the historic ˮ��ർ�� 10 appeal, leading to the quashing of Ade's wrongful conviction. He also drafted the CCRC application for the Moss Side miscarriage of justice case.

Keir is a founding member of Art Not Evidence campaign, launched to advocate for a limitation on the use of creative expression as evidence in criminal trials.

Keir and Professor Eithne Quinn, jointly authored the ground breaking report . In early 2025, they both made a submission to the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts on the issue of racial bias. A follow-up report this year will coincide with the conclusion of the 5-year Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Keir also assisted in advising on aspects of the University of ˮ��ർ�� report 'Compound Injustice' authored by Professor Eithne Quinn, Erica Cane, and Will Pritchard.

New research calls for global action on micro and nanoplastics in the atmosphere

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 08:20:55 +0100

Scientists at The University of ˮ��ർ�� are calling for the creation of a global network of air monitoring stations to track the movement of airborne plastic pollution, which may be travelling further and faster around the planet than previously thought.

In a new review, published in the journal today, the researchers have examined the current scientific research on how tiny plastic fragments – called micro and nanoplastics – enter the air, where they come from, and the mechanisms that transport them across vast distances.

The study reveals significant gaps in knowledge and understanding of airborne plastic pollution, driven by inconsistent measurement techniques, limited data, oversimplified simulations, and gaps in understanding atmospheric cycling mechanisms.

One key uncertainty is the scale of plastic entering the atmosphere. Current estimates vary wildly - from less than 800 tonnes to nearly 9 million tonnes per year - making it difficult to assess the true global impact. It also remains unclear whether the dominant contributors are land-based, such as road traffic, or marine based, such as sea spray.

Such large uncertainties raise the concern that airborne plastics, which pose potential risks to human and environmental health, may have a more extensive presence and influence than previously captured by current monitoring and simulation systems.

Each year, the world produces over 400 million tonnes of plastic, with a significant proportion ending up as waste. Over time, these plastics breaks down into microscopic particles called microplastics (less than 5mm) and nanoplastics (smaller than 1 micron), which are increasingly being found in the air we breath, oceans and soil. These particles can move thousands of miles within days and have even remote regions like polar ice zones, desserts and remote mountain peaks.

While our understanding of the problem has grown rapidly, limited real-world data, inconsistent sampling methods, and computer models that oversimplify how plastic behaves in the air, means that key questions remain unanswered.

To address these concerns, the authors are calling for future research efforts to focus on three critical areas:

Expanding and standardising global observation networks
Improving and refining atmospheric modelling
Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI)

They say this integrated approach could transform how we understand and manage the plastic pollution crisis.

Full title: A Review of Atmospheric Micro/Nanoplastics: Insights into Source and Fate for Modelling Studies

Journal: Current Pollution Reports

DOI: 10.1007/s40726-025-00375-5

Link:

Scientists develop groundbreaking ‘blood on demand’ technology to revolutionise emergency transfusions

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:57:21 +0100

The technique, created with industry partners CryoLogyx, has the potential to revolutionise how blood is stored and delivered in emergencies, remote locations, and military operations.

Led by Dr Fraser Macrae from Leeds and from ˮ��ർ��, the research is published today in journal.

Rather than using traditional cryoprotective agents – substances which protect cells by preventing ice, the team developed a cocktail which includes a new class of macromolecule which protects cells by preventing damaging ice from forming inside them, known as polyampholytes.

Beating the clock: delivering on-demand blood

Red blood cell transfusions are critical for treating trauma, anaemia, and complications from chemotherapy or surgery. However, refrigerated red blood cells have a shelf life of just 42 days, creating logistical challenges for maintaining a reliable blood supply – especially in crisis situations or remote regions.

To allow blood to be banked for future use, cryopreservation (freezing) is an essential technology. Currently, glycerol is used as a cryoprotectant – a substance which protects the blood from cold stress by preventing ice from forming within the cells. However, it comes with a major drawback: a laborious and time-consuming thawing and washing process that can take over an hour per unit of blood. This delay can be life-threatening in emergencies and complicates its use in, for example, crisis or military situations.

The new method reported today, addresses this washing speed problem. By combining three cryoprotectants – polyampholytes (a type of polymer), DMSO (a cryoprotectant typically used for stem cells), and trehalose (a sugar) – the researchers have developed a formulation (PaDT) that not only preserves red blood cells effectively but also reduces the post-thaw washout time by over 50 minutes compared to glycerol.

How it works

The PaDT formulation leverages the unique properties of its three components:

Polyampholytes: unique polymeric cryoprotectants which have many beneficial properties including preventing ice forming inside cells.
DMSO: a permeating cryoprotectant that enters cells quickly replacing water molecules, stopping ice from forming
Trehalose: a sugar found in extremophiles like tardigrades; trehalose protects cells from dehydration and stabilises proteins and membranes.

Together, these agents work to protect RBCs during freezing and allow for a simplified, low toxicity thawing process.

What’s the prognosis, doc?

This breakthrough has the potential to transform emergency medicine. With this new method frozen blood could be stockpiled and rapidly deployed in disaster zones, on the battlefield, or in rural hospitals – without the need for constant donations or complex equipment.

The research team is now exploring how this method can be integrated into automated systems for large-scale blood processing. They are also investigating its potential for preserving other cell types, including stem cells and platelets.

Journal: Cryobiology

Full title: Towards blood on demand: Rapid post-thaw isolation of red blood cells from multicomponent cryoprotectants

DOI/link:

Most women have positive experience of NHS maternity services, study shows

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 09:02:00 +0100

An independent evaluation of measures introduced by the NHS in 2019 to reduce stillbirth in England has shown that most women have a positive experience antenatal care, birth and labour.

Two peer reviewed studies led by University of ˮ��ർ�� researchers across 28 NHS maternity units are published today in the journals BMJ Open Quality and BMJ Quality and Safety.

The BMJ Open Quality paper showed 89% of women reported positive antenatal care and 86% had positive labour experiences.

However, the data from online surveys with 1,140 women and 633 healthcare professionals - carried out in 2023- also showed concerns around poor communication, lack of personalised care, staff shortages and delays still persist.

The Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle (SBLCB) was introduced in England from 2015 as the Government’s response to a stillbirth rate that was comparatively higher than many western countries.

SBLCB has evolved through three versions in 2016, 2019, and 2023, each building on the last to improve maternity care and reduce perinatal mortality across England.

The SBLCB evaluation- of version 2 - found it had been successfully rolled-out in the majority of NHS maternity providers and that midwives and frontline staff have a pivotal role in implementing it.

Women’s positive experiences were linked to feeling listened to, being involved in decision-making, effective communication and continuity of care.

They encountered staff, the researchers found, who acknowledged their history and made them feeling able to ask questions.

However their negative experiences often stemmed from poor communication and lack of personalised care, making them feel dismissed, especially when expressing concerns about reduced fetal movement and during labour.

Some of the women who had a negative labour or birth experience also reported disorganised and inconsistent care, staff shortages, lack of beds and poor pain management which left them feeling neglected.

Poor communication between staff made care feel disjointed and was further hindered with changes to electronic notes, they reported.

Risk factors was not always communicated effectively and women were often given no choice in their treatment which meant they felt threatened or frustrated.

Alexander Heazell, is Professor of Obstetrics at The University of ˮ��ർ��, Honorary Consultant Obstetrician at St Mary’s Hospital, and Director of the Tommy’s Stillbirth Research Centre.

He said: “We analysed a total of 1,071 women’s written responses about their antenatal care, of which 89% reported a positive experience. 86% had positive experience of labour.

“So much progress has been made in terms of their experiences around feeling listened to and reassured, feeling in control of decision-making and encounters with staff and care.

“Our data suggest that elements of the SBLCBv2 are increasingly embedded in maternity care, but refinements are still needed.

“This will address variation in practice between units and to support effective communication between health care professionals and service users to balance standardised clinical practice with personalised care.

A second paper published in BMJ Quality and Safety examined the qualitative experiences of the women.

Lead author Dr Holly Reid, also from The University of ˮ��ർ��, said: “Our paper found that having a trusting relationship with maternity care providers is of paramount importance to achieve positive and safe maternity experiences for women.

“Trust was built through consensus among the care team, making sure the partner was involved in discussions around care and continuity of carer.

“When women were not listened to or believed by healthcare professionals during labour and birth, this resulted in frightening experiences for women and their safety being put at risk.”

Professor Heazell added: “However, there is still work to do. Service users need to feel heard, involved in and reassured by their care. To this end, the communication between health care professionals and service users is critical.

“We suggest maternity staff may benefit from additional training to discuss the reasons for and results of interventions to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.

“This will need to be combined with effective communication skills to ensure that service users receive information to make an informed choice, ensuring they retain agency and perceived control.

“And that will enable the core recommendations of SBLCBv2 to be personalised to individual service users, promoting safe maternity care and improved maternity experience.”

Examples of representative anonymised quote from service users:

All testing done efficiently, staff were continually informing us about the decisions they were making, we felt well taken care of”

“I felt really dismissed by the midwives when I kept saying the baby wasn’t moving and I didn’t feel well

“All testing done efficiently, staff were continually informing us about the decisions they were making, we felt well taken care of”

“While yes I got growth scans nothing was ever explained and I wasn’t able to ask any questions”

“The staff were attentive and provided me with all the information I required. This was offered and also given 24 hours a day with no bias.”

“The administration side of things was not great. I was forgotten about on numerous occasions. Letters were sent out with appointment dates that didn’t exist. I would turn up and people weren’t expecting me.”

The paper Evaluating the implementation of the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle Version 2 from Service User and Health Care Professionals’ perspectives: A Questionnaire ˮ��ർ�� is published in BMJ Open Quality DOI: bmjoq-2025-003456
The paper Service users’ experiences of maternity care in England informed by the Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle Version 2: A reflexive thematic analysis to be published in BMJ Quality and Safety is published in BMJ Quality and Safety DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2025-018582

How one man’s life is reshaping criminological thinking

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100

The University of ˮ��ർ��’s will officially launch next week, a powerful new book set to redefine how criminology is taught and understood. The book offers a fresh take on academic theory, told through the compelling story of William ‘Billy’ Mahaffey, a former soldier, prisoner, and now, community role model.

Through Bringing Criminological Theory to Life, we’re taken on a journey that spans a troubled childhood, through addiction and incarceration, military service, to education, athletic achievement, and community leadership. A powerful mix of expert insight and real-life experience conveys the challenges of crime, the impact of punishment, and the potential for change.

Each chapter explores a key turning point in Billy’s life to interrogate criminological concepts, including the long-term impact of childhood experiences, the military-to-prison pipeline, and the role of education, sport, and networks supporting journeys out of crime and identity transformation.

“This book is a new kind of criminology,” said , Senior Lecturer in Criminology at The University of ˮ��ർ��. “It breaks down barriers between academic theory and human experience, and makes the case for a more compassionate, context-aware understanding of crime and change.”

Hosted by the at The University of ˮ��ർ��, the launch event will continue these conversations, featuring contributions from Billy himself, co-editors Dr Emily Turner, , (University of ˮ��ർ��) and (University of Liverpool), as well as chapter authors from leading institutions across the UK.

Inspired by teaching methods that embed real-world experience into theory, this book is a call to rethink traditional approaches to education and criminal justice. Billy, now a father of two and active in his community, has rebuilt his life after years of instability, addiction, and imprisonment. His story is one of persistence and personal accountability, offering a powerful reminder that change is possible, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

“I never imagined that my life story would be used in this way,” said Billy.

From policymakers to practitioners, academics to support workers, these insights aim to challenge assumptions and inspire change across the justice system and beyond.

Join us for the ‘Bringing Criminological Theory to Life: A Lived Experience Approach to Crime and Desistance’ launch event, which includes contributions from leading criminologists at The University of ˮ��ർ��, University of Hull, Anglia Ruskin University, Royal Holloway University of London, and the Prison Reform Trust.

New report highlights how UK asylum system can distort memory through trauma

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:36:17 +0100

The report, based on a peer-reviewed paper in the Journal of Social Philosophy, is authored by , Lecturer in Political Theory within The University of ˮ��ർ�� , and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Durham University. It explores how social and political institutions, particularly the asylum system, can disrupt people’s autobiographical memories. This can lead to inconsistencies in their accounts, which may be unfairly interpreted as dishonesty during asylum interviews.

Read the or access the .

The authors use the UK asylum system as a case study to show how institutional stress can affect memory. They argue that the system itself—through long waiting times, hostile environments, and public protests—can cause or worsen trauma, which in turn affects how people recall and communicate their experiences.

The report recommends reforms to reduce stress and improve fairness, including better living conditions, trauma-informed interview practices, and training for officials to understand how trauma affects memory. The authors stress that these changes are essential to ensure that people seeking asylum are treated with dignity and that their rights are respected.

AMBS completes innovative KTP with leading law firm

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:47:00 +0100

By combining artificial intelligence, data science and decision theory, we’ve helped the firm enhance decision-making at scale.

Through a part-funded by Innovate UK, our team at Alliance ˮ��ർ�� Business School supported the development of Ivy – an insurance intelligence tool that draws on historic data to recommend optimal settlement strategies.

Designed to enhance, not replace, human judgement, Ivy helps claim handlers make faster, more informed decisions. It is already improving operational performance and delivering better outcomes for DWF’s clients.

“The benefits of using good quality data and shifting towards a data-empowered culture are expected to be long-lasting,” said , academic lead on the project.

“This project demonstrated the value of collaboration between domain experts and data science professionals. Adequate knowledge of the data and thought process of the users were key to the success of the project,” said Dr Mayowa Ayodele, KTP Associate.

The tool’s development also draws on Dr Papamichail’s research into AI explainability at the , and highlights the growing role of human-centred design in transforming legal services.

DWF is also a partner in The University of , which brings together law firms and academics to drive innovation in legal services.

Read the to explore how Ivy is reshaping insurance claims and decision-making at DWF.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership between AMBS and law firm graded ‘outstanding’

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0100

The project brought together expertise from , the , and the , combining advanced data science with behavioural psychology profiling to improve how legal services are delivered.

JLG was already a member of The University of , which brings together academics and legal professionals to explore how emerging technologies are reshaping the sector.

Building on this relationship, the firm partnered with AMBS to integrate data science and behavioural insights in addressing key organisational challenges.

Working in collaboration with Jackson Lees Group, we developed and embedded an AI-powered decision support tool, alongside new approaches to personalise client communication and strengthen staff engagement.

The partnership has also contributed to long-term strategic change and sustainable growth within the organisation.

“Our KTP with the University of ˮ��ർ�� has been a transformative journey for the MAPD Group. Achieving the 'Outstanding' grade is a testament to the collaborative efforts, hard work and dedication of all those involved,” said Brian Cullen, CEO.

Read the to see how this collaboration is setting new standards in legal innovation.

KOSTAT-UNFPA Population Seminar 2025

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:12:50 +0100

Held in Seoul, the seminar brought together 30 international scholars for a week of intensive workshops. The training was methodologically rigorous and highly relevant to Rahul's PhD research on migration dynamics in the Global South.

Practical sessions included the implementation of Cox Proportional Hazards models and Kaplan-Meier estimators using R. A highlight was a constructive meeting with Professor Yabiku and colleagues concerning future work and collaboration on research on migration.

KOSTAT-UNFPA Summer Seminar on Population

The Summer Seminar on Population was first launched by the East-West Center (EWC) in 1970 and quickly gained recognition as a leading population seminar series. In 2013, responsibility for population activities was transferred to Statistics Korea (KOSTAT), which hosted the first KOSTAT Summer Seminar on Population in 2014.

Since 2017, the seminar has been co-hosted annually by KOSTAT and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), continuing its mission to advance population studies and statistical capacity building.

The seminar serves as an international platform for government statisticians, graduate students, and population experts to exchange ideas, share research, and strengthen statistical capacity in population-related fields. Over the years, participants from more than 20 countries have taken part in the programme.

Decades of research informs NICE guidance on leg ulcer treatment

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:24:38 +0100

Research on venous leg ulcer treatments, doggedly pursued by two University of ˮ��ർ�� academics since 1989, has greatly influenced NICE issued this month.

The work by Professors Jo Dumville and Nicky Cullum on the most effective types of compression treatments is good news for the hundreds of thousands of patients affected by venous leg ulcers every year, costing the NHS tens of millions of pounds.

Venous ulcers are a common long-term condition which adversely affect people's quality of life; nurses deliver the majority of care, which takes the form of compression therapy as a first-line treatment.

According to the NHS National Wound Care Strategy Programme, venous leg ulcers account for 60% to 80% of all leg ulcers.

However, the abundance of different compression treatments and heavy product promotion by the wound care industry makes it difficult for nurses to decide, with patients, on the course of treatment that is most clinically effective and offers the most value to the NHS.

The guidance - known officially as a “Late Stage Assessment" - is set to change that by providing crucial information to nursing staff on the most effective types of compression.

It will also help NHS commissioners and procurement specialists give healthcare professionals access to a range of the most appropriate compression products to ensure their affordability to the NHS.

According to the researchers’ evidence, the clinical effectiveness of two-layer compression hosiery and two-layer and 4-layer bandages is similar, while compression hosiery is more cost-effective than bandages. However, compression wraps are less clinically and cost-effective.

Professor Cullum was first asked to review the research evidence on leg ulcer management by the then Department of Health (now the Department of Health and Social Care) in 1989.

Working with Professor Dumville, they have been analysing and publishing the evidence in Cochrane and other systematic reviews, and have worked to fill knowledge gaps by doing new randomised controlled trials and other relevant studies.

A Cochrane systematic review is a rigorously conducted, independent review of research evidence on the effects of healthcare interventions, published by Cochrane, a global, not-for-profit organisation.

The latest randomised controlled trial, led by Professor Dumville will have further important implications for care and is likely to be published later in 2025 or early 2026.

Professor Dumville said: ‘I am delighted that our NIHR-funded research has delivered high-quality and relevant evidence on compression therapy for venous leg ulcers.

“The contribution of these findings to NICE’s late-stage assessment underscores the importance of NIHR studies like VenUS 6 in strengthening the clinical evidence base in wound care and informing national recommendations that support best practice in patient care.”

Professor Cullum said: “This is the first time there has been a piece of NICE guidance on compression therapy for venous leg ulcers.

“It feels like something of a culmination of all the work Jo Dumville and I have been doing for decades, so we are delighted it has culminated in some national guidance which will help nurses and patients arrive at informed decisions.”

See Professor Cullum’s Lockdown Lecture where she talks about her work on leg ulcers and her with Jude Johnson.

James Webb Space Telescope reveals hidden heart of the Butterfly Nebula

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 09:49:20 +0100

The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed extraordinary new details in the heart of the famous Butterfly Nebula, one of the most striking planetary nebulae in our galaxy.

Located around 3,400 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius, the Butterfly Nebula is one of the best studied planetary nebulae. Its ‘wings’ of glowing gas were previously but Webb’s new observations, published in today, go even further, uncovering hidden structures and finally pinpointing the nebula’s elusive central star.

Planetary nebulae like the Butterfly form when stars heavier than the sun reach the end of their lives, casting off their outer layers of gas and dust. The Butterfly Nebula is what astronomers call a bipolar nebula, meaning that it has two lobes of gas that spread in opposite directions to form the ‘wings’ of the butterfly. At its centre, a dense band of dusty gas called the torus, which poses as the butterfly’s ‘body’. This structure energises the nebula and may be responsible for its insect-like shape by preventing gas from flowing evenly in all directions.

Using James Webb’s , scientists have now been able to see through this dusty torus for the first time, providing an unprecedented view of its complex structure.

By combining images at many different wavelengths with complementary data from the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array in Chile, the international team of researchers, including from The University of ˮ��ർ��, discovered the butterfly’s central star, one of the hottest ever found in our galaxy, with a scorching surface temperature of around 220,000 Kelvin.

Although this intense heat powers the nebula’s colourful glow, earlier telescopes lacked the sensitivity and resolution needed to see through the thick layer of dust, making the star impossible to detect at visible wavelengths.

Professor Albert Zijlstra, a co-author of the paper from The University of ˮ��ർ��, said: “This is an extraordinary discovery. We’re looking at one of the hottest stars ever found - an object so elusive that even Hubble couldn’t detect it for decades. Thanks to JWST, we’ve finally uncovered it, concealed within its own dense shroud of dust.

“Surrounding the star is a massive dark torus, the heaviest ever observed around such an object, containing more material than our own Sun. Even Webb can’t fully pierce through it. Inside, the environment is sheer chaos; powerful radiation and stellar winds tearing into the surrounding cloud. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

“Most planetary nebulae appear graceful and symmetric, but this one is still at the beginning of its transformation – it’s more like a butterfly struggling out of its cocoon than the elegant shapes we’re used to seeing.”

The Webb data revealed that the torus is composed of crystals similar to quartz as well as unusually large grains of dust, suggesting they have been growing for a long time. Outside the torus, the team observed jets of iron and nickel blasting away from the star in opposite directions, along with a multilayered structure made up of different atoms and molecules.

Perhaps most intriguing was the discovery of carbon-based molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. On Earth, these molecules are found in smoke from fires or even burnt toast – but they have never before been seen in an oxygen-rich planetary nebula. The team believes the PAHs may form when a bubble of stellar wind bursts into the surrounding gas.

The finding provides an important glimpse into the details of how these molecules form.

***

Journal:

Full title: The JWST/MIRI view of the planetary nebula NGC 6302 – I. A UV-irradiated torus and a hot bubble triggering PAH formation

DOI:

Link:

University of ˮ��ർ�� welcomes legacy pledge to establish medical and musical bursaries

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 08:39:25 +0100

Switzerland-based alumna, Dr Sheila W Weir has pledged a transformational gift to The University of ˮ��ർ�� in her will to establish The Dr Sheila W Weir Bursaries.

Intended to fund future medical and music students in need of support, Dr Weir hopes the bursaries will help others experience the world-class education at ˮ��ർ�� she has benefitted from over her long career.

Dr Weir has an extensive background in pharmacology, joining ˮ��ർ�� after completing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. While she initially wanted to study medicine, she didn’t qualify for a grant.

For Sheila, this outcome paved the way to completing a PhD in Pharmacology at ˮ��ർ�� in 1985. Her work contributed to the eventual spark of interest worldwide in the field of potassium channels and their modulation by drugs.

After leaving academia, Sheila spent 30 years in drug development at the one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. But her keen interest in learning continued as she taught at ETH Zürich and the University of Lausanne in Switzerland along the way.

Dr Weir said of her donation: “The greatest gift I can give is making a difference in the life of another human being. Especially if that person is young, from an underprivileged background and dreams of attending University."

Professor Ashley Blom, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at The University of ˮ��ർ�� said: “We are honoured by Dr Weir’s forward-thinking commitment to support ˮ��ർ��’s future music and medical students.

“Her generosity will continue ˮ��ർ��’s rich history of musical vibrance and medical excellence, enabling talented individuals to pursue their ambitions regardless of the obstacles they may face. We thank Dr Weir for her unwavering faith in our students and for helping to make their dreams a reality.”

In addition to funding medical bursaries, the musical bursaries reflect Dr Weir’s passion for music, which has been a constant in her life from an early age.

Amy Harris, Legacy Officer at The University of ˮ��ർ�� said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Dr Weir to transform her hopes for the future into tangible support that will shape the lives of students, and their communities, for generations to come.”

Dr Weir is one of a growing number of alumni, staff and other supporters who have chosen to support the University with a legacy gift. Donors are welcomed to the , which recognises their generosity through a programme of special events and communications.

For more information about leaving a gift in your Will, visit the University’s website.

University of ˮ��ർ�� powers up brand new solar farm delivering clean energy to campus

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0100

From Monday (1 September), The University of ˮ��ർ�� will begin powering its campus with clean, renewable electricity from a major new solar farm, marking a key milestone in its goal of becoming zero carbon by 2038.

The energisation of Medebridge, located in Ockendon, Essex, means that up to 65% of the University’s electricity demand will now be met from exclusive ‘new-to-earth’ renewable infrastructure.

Developed in partnership with leading UK clean energy firm Enviromena, the project is part of a 10-year (CPPA), facilitated by EDF and supported by Inspired PLC, the UK’s leading energy and sustainability advisor. It is the UK’s largest solar CPPA with an educational institution.

The development represents the University’s long-term commitment to sustainability and energy resilience.

Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility at The University of ˮ��ർ��, said: “The University’s new long-term solar power agreement is a landmark moment in our journey to zero carbon. By entering into this corporate Power Purchase Agreement, we are directly supporting the development of new UK renewable energy while significantly cutting our own emissions.

“Universities have a vital role to play in tackling the climate crisis, not just through research and education but by taking bold, practical action. At ˮ��ർ��, we’re proud to be the only university ranked in the global top ten every year for social and environmental impact in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, and we remain determined to lead by example to help create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

“We’re incredibly grateful to our partners, including Inspired, Enviromena and EDF, whose expertise and support have been essential in making this project a reality.”

Lee Adams, Chief Commercial Officer at Enviromena, added: “We’re incredibly proud to see Medebridge go live. It’s our largest and most complex project to date and a major step forward in the UK’s net-zero journey.

“By securing a long-term commitment with a top-tier academic institution, this project proves how large-scale renewables and corporate sustainability can align to deliver real impact.”

The construction of Medebridge commenced in April 2024. Comprising of around 104,000 solar panels across 175 acres (roughly the size of 70 football pitches), the site will generate more than 72 GWh of electricity annually, 80% (58GWh) of which will be purchased directly by the University over the next decade. The move will reduce University carbon emissions by 12,000 tonnes of CO2e each year - enough to power 21,000 homes.

In addition to emission reduction, the site will also create a significant biodiversity net gain. Enhancements to the existing hedgerows and planting of native grassland and wildflower meadow beneath and around the solar arrays will encourage nesting opportunities for wildlife and improved habitat connectivity.

Since the CPPA was agreed, Inspired have supported the Enviromena team to connect Medebridge to the UK grid to facilitate the delivery of this power to the University via a sleeving arrangement.

Richard Sullivan, Managing Director of I&C and Estate Intensive at Inspired, said: “CPPAs are an increasingly popular choice for organisations seeking to decarbonise as they offer up to 100% renewable power and much-needed additionality to the grid. Now a solar farm in Essex supplies The University of ˮ��ർ�� with renewable energy.

“This is the culmination of years of meticulous contract negotiations and support our technical experts have provided, and we are delighted for the project to have reached this point. We look forward to powering our partnership on with The University of ˮ��ർ�� and Enviromena alike.”

Following a successful tender bid in 2025, The University of ˮ��ർ�� has also extended its procurement contract with Inspired to 2030, providing energy security and ongoing CPPA in-life management.

EDF, Britain’s largest buyer of renewable electricity, is playing a key role in delivering and running the agreement that enables renewable electricity from Enviromena to power The University of ˮ��ർ��. As part of this CPPA, EDF takes the variable output from the solar farm and turns it into steady, predictable blocks of power before adding it to the University’s energy supply contract. This ensures a smooth and reliable supply of renewable electricity, while delivering the transparency, reliability and carbon savings the University expects from a major renewable energy initiative.

Tom Abbott, PPA Director at EDF, said: “We’re proud to help The University of ˮ��ർ�� turn its sustainability ambitions into reality. By bringing power from Medebridge Solar Farm through this tailored CPPA, we’re showing how smart partnerships can unlock big wins for decarbonisation. Our balancing, shaping, and sleeving services mean the University gets dependable clean power - and a clear path towards its net zero goals.”

The Medebridge partnership adds to the University’s growing portfolio of environmental and sustainability initiatives from big changes, such as ending all investments in fossil fuels, and completing three zero carbon buildings, to the smaller ones, such as placing food waste bins in every University building, using peat free compost across campus and the .

The University of ˮ��ർ�� was recently ranked in first place in the UK and Europe and second in the world for benefitting society and the environment by for the third year running and was chosen to lead a pioneering global programme by United Nations designed to empower education’s role in the transition towards net zero.

Economics student among top three in UK for placement performance

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 11:48:24 +0100

Niamh Walsh, BA (Hons) Economics student, was recognised as the third best-performing intern across the nation during her year in industry with Enterprise Mobility.

Niamh was selected as the best performer in the South East, representing the region at the company’s Intern of the Year Finals 2025 where she came third.

Over 450 students took part in the scheme nationwide.

Niamh said:

The competition involved Niamh pitching her business improvement ideas to a panel of senior leaders at the company’s European Head Office.

She was celebrated for her achievement earlier this summer, with a member of the School’s Curriculum and Programmes team accompanying her to the awards ceremony.

Niamh added:

Blood test detects ovarian cancer with high accuracy, study finds

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:01:13 +0100

A new blood test pioneered by diagnostics company AOA Dx (AOA) can detect ovarian cancer in symptomatic women with high accuracy a by researchers from the Universities of ˮ��ർ�� and Colorado has found.

Published in the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) journal Cancer Research Communications, the study assessed AOA’s novel technology that analysed multiple groups of biological markers from a single blood sample.

The researchers showed the test outperformed traditional biomarker tests for ovarian cancer detection in over 950 patients from Colorado and ˮ��ർ��.

This study is a major milestone and AOA is committed to pursuing regulatory approval across the US and Europe in the coming years, ahead of launching the test to the NHS.

The technology combines two different sets of blood-markers, proteins and lipids, with machine learning to identify the presence of ovarian cancer in women that present with vague abdominal/pelvic symptoms.

In samples from University of Colorado the test exhibited an accuracy of 93% across all stages of ovarian cancer and 91% for early-stage disease.

In a set from ˮ��ർ��, the model continued to perform strongly, with an accuracy of 92% for all-stages of ovarian cancer and 88% for early-stage disease.

AOA’s test performed better than single blood-based-markers which have been used for the past 30 year, which were only able to attain accuracies of less than 90%.

The successful results, say AOA, will inform the final design of the test, which could produce a streamlined and cost-effective diagnostic relevant to healthcare systems globally.

“Our platform detects ovarian cancer at early stages and with greater accuracy than current tools,” said Alex Fisher COO and Co-Founder of AOA Dx. “These findings show its potential to aid clinicians in making faster, more informed decisions for women who need urgent clarity during a challenging diagnostic process.”

“By using machine learning to combine multiple biomarker types, we’ve developed a diagnostic tool that detects ovarian cancer across the molecular complexity of the disease in sub-types and stages” said Dr. Abigail McElhinny, Chief Science Officer of AOA Dx. “This platform offers a great opportunity to improve the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer potentially resulting in better patient outcomes and lower costs to the healthcare system.”

varian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, largely due to late-stage diagnosis.

Over 90% of women experience symptoms in Stage I, yet only 20% of cases are diagnosed in Stage I or II, as symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and digestive issues often resemble benign conditions.

Existing diagnostic methods, which rely on invasive procedures or less reliable markers, frequently fail to identify early-stage disease.

An accurate early detection test available to women when they first visit a physician with symptoms could revolutionize the detection of ovarian cancer.

Professor Emma Crosbie, Professor at The University of ˮ��ർ�� and Honorary Consultant in Gynecological Oncology, ˮ��ർ�� University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), said: “AOA Dx’s platform shows significant promise for ovarian cancer early detection, offering a practical solution for symptomatic women.”

Professor Crosbie is also National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) ˮ��ർ�� Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Co-Theme Lead.

She added: “AOA Dx’s platform has the potential to significantly improve patient care and outcomes for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. We are eager to continue advancing this important research through additional prospective trials to further validate and expand our understanding of how this could be integrated into existing healthcare systems.”

The paper Utilizing serum-derived lipidomics with protein biomarkers and machine learning for early detection of ovarian cancer in the symptomatic population published in cancer Research Communications is available DOI:

ˮ��ർ�� researchers help reveal asteroid Bennu’s complex origins

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 15:49:21 +0100

New analyses of the samples taken from asteroid Bennu by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx have revealed new insights into its origin – and The University of ˮ��ർ��’s scientists have played a key role.

A series of three new papers published this week in Nature Astronomy and Nature Geoscience, reveal that Bennu is a mix of dust formed in our solar system, organic matter from interstellar space and stardust that predates the solar system itself. The asteroid is thought to have formed from fragments of a larger parent asteroid destroyed by a collision in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

In the first paper, co-led by researchers at the University of Arizona and NASA’s Johnson Space Center, published in the journal , ˮ��ർ�� researchers studied the gases trapped inside Bennu’s samples – in particular xenon, which is a very rare gas. Their measurements showed that Bennu’s gases resembled those found in some of the most primitive meteorites found on earth and materials returned from asteroid Ryugu by Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission.

When combined with other elemental and isotopic analyses, the results suggest that Bennu’s parent body contained material from a range of origins, close to the Sun, far from the Sun, and even some grains from beyond our solar system.

The findings also show that while much of the materials in the parent asteroid had been affected by water and heat, some of the material had escaped various chemical processes and retained its original chemical signatures. Some even survived the extremely energetic collision that broke it apart and formed Bennu.

The studies also show that while some of Bennu’s original material survived unchanged, similarly, much of it was transformed by reactions with water. Minerals in its parent asteroid likely formed, dissolved, and re-formed over time, with up to 80% of Bennu’s material now made up of water-bearing minerals.

These findings were reported in a second paper the paper published in co-led by the University of Arizona and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, and included contributions from Professor Rhian Jones at The University of ˮ��ർ��.

In the third paper, co-led by Lindsay Keller at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Michelle Thompson of Purdue University, also published in , researchers found microscopic craters and tiny splashes of once-molten rock – known as impact melts – on the sample surfaces - signs that the asteroid was bombarded by micrometeorites. These impacts, together with the effects of solar wind, are known as space weathering and occurred because Bennu has no atmosphere to protect it.

Lindsay Keller at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, said: “The surface weathering at Bennu is happening a lot faster than conventional wisdom would have it, and the impact melt mechanism appears to dominate, contrary to what we originally thought.

“Space weathering is an important process that affects all asteroids, and with returned samples, we can tease out the properties controlling it and use that data and extrapolate it to explain the surface and evolution of asteroid bodies that we haven’t visited.”

As leftovers from the formation of planets 4.5 billion years ago, asteroids like Bennu provide a valuable record of solar system history. Unlike meteorites that fall to Earth, which often burn up or are altered in the atmosphere, Bennu’s pristine samples give scientists a rare opportunity to study untouched material.

The project brings together researchers from NASA, universities and research centres around the world – including the UK, the United States, Japan and Canada – to study Bennu’s samples and unlock new insights into the origins of the solar system.

For more information on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, visit:

Art and Religion: FN Souza at Bradford Cathedral

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:45:18 +0100

(Lecturer of modern and contemporary British Art) will lead a conversation about the Goan artist Francis Newton Souza at Bradford Cathedral on Friday 3rd October 2025.

In Conversation: F N Souza in Focus has been organised to accompany the exhibition Jesus- Guru, Avatar, God? at Bradford Cathedral, organised by the Methodist Modern Art Collection (5 September -12 October 2025).

The exhibition features two works, The Crucifixion by Francis N Souza, and Dalit Madonna by Jyoti Sahi, and considers Christianity from South Asian perspectives.

Born in Goa in 1924, FN Souza lived and worked in London during the 1940s and 50s, before moving to New York in 1967. Alice Correia will introduce his work with the context of British modernist painting and consider his preoccupation with Christian imagery.

Throughout his career, Souza painted multiple Crucifixion scenes, including the work acquired by the Methodist Modern Art Collection in 1962.

Correia will reflect on the hybrid Catholic visual culture that developed in Goa – a former Portuguese colony on the west-coast of India – during the 16th and 17th centuries, and will consider the possible impact of Goa’s Baroque ecclesiastical architecture on Souza’s work.

Event Details

Name: In Conversation: F N Souza in Focus
Location: Bradford Cathedral
Date and Time: Friday 3 October, 6-9pm
Reserve your spot on the website.

TropiConnect Launches Digital Trade Platform to Redefine Global Agriculture

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:18:58 +0100

TropiConnect, a ˮ��ർ��-based agri-tech startup founded by University of ˮ��ർ�� alumnus Mark Cuthbert, has officially launched its innovative agri-trade platform: .

With several successful pilots, the platform empowers farming cooperatives across Africa by connecting them directly with global buyers, enabling transparent, sustainable, and fair trade in tropical agriculture.

The launch follows TropiConnect’s recent recognition as the Venture Further Award (VFA) Winner, presented by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, celebrating the startup’s vision to transform agricultural supply chains with technology.

TropiConnect is already partnering with farmer cooperatives representing over 200,000 farmers across East and West Africa, while building high-level collaborations with Innovate UK, the United Nations, and government organisations across the continent. From coffee and cocoa to cashew nuts, sesame seeds, and tropical fruits, TropiConnect is positioning itself as the go-to gateway for sourcing Africa’s finest agricultural products in one trusted platform. Leveraging AI and blockchain technology, the platform ensures traceability, competitive pricing,and efficient trade facilitation.

The company’s close ties with the University of ˮ��ർ��’s innovation ecosystem have been instrumental in its growth. Support from the University’s R&D collaborations, has strengthened TropiConnect’s ability to scale and innovate.

For more information, visit or

Welcoming TAI's new Deputy Director

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:02:24 +0100

As 's term as Deputy Director of the Thomas Ashton Institute comes to a close, we want to take a moment to express our sincere thanks for his outstanding leadership and contributions over the past three years.

Richard has played a pivotal role in shaping the Institute’s direction — from strengthening our engagement with Government, to helping secure the . His expertise, collaborative approach, and good humour have left a lasting impression on the core team and our wider network. We’re incredibly grateful for all he’s done and look forward to continuing to work with him in other capacities.

We’re also delighted to welcome as our new Deputy Director (UoM), effective from 1st September. We’re confident he will bring valuable insight and energy to the role, and we look forward to working with him as we continue to grow and evolve.

As we mark this transition, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Richard once again and warmly welcome Martie to the team. With fresh perspectives and continued collaboration, we’re excited about what lies ahead for the Thomas Ashton Institute as we build on our achievements and pursue new opportunities to advance risk and regulatory research.

University of ˮ��ർ�� launches radiotracer partnership with Alliance Medical

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 10:04:35 +0100

The University of ˮ��ർ�� has forged a new partnership with Alliance Medical to fast-track the development of the next generation of radiotracers.

Alliance Medical has signed a long-term lease agreement to take up residence at the Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC), a University research facility based on the site of the Christie Hospital in Withington, a cancer care, research and education hub. WMIC is home to state-of-the-art radiochemistry facilities, including a cyclotron.

Through the partnership both parties will work collaboratively, combining the academic expertise at the University with Alliance Medical’s extensive industry experience. Alliance Medical works with the NHS to offer PET-CT diagnostic procedures to over one hundred thousand cancer patients in England per year, while also working within the fields of paediatrics, urology and neurology, among others.

Alliance will invest around £10m in the facility to rebuild a state-of-the-art radiopharmacy, which will support future academic research cooperations.

Professor Allan Pacey, Deputy Vice President and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at The University of ˮ��ർ�� said: “We are delighted to have entered into this agreement with Alliance. This will open the doors for new and exciting research opportunities for our staff involved in finding new ways to detect and treat cancers and other medical conditions where radiotracers are important tools.”

Professor Stavros Stivaros, Director of Imaging at The University of ˮ��ർ�� said: “This is an exciting collaborative long-term working agreement, which will revitalise the University’s opportunities for state-of-the-art radiochemistry-based research. Research that spans from pre-clinical right through to diagnostics and therapies, across all age groups of patients.”

As manufacturers of radiotracers, Alliance Medical has production facilities across Europe but its partnership with the University paves the way for a presence in ˮ��ർ��, a renowned UK medical research hotspot. The University will in turn benefit from Alliance Medical’s significant investment in research activity and the upgrade of its radiochemistry production facilities.

Howard Marsh, Chief Financial Officer for Alliance Medical Group, said: “We are delighted to be working with The University of ˮ��ർ�� to add an additional facility into our network that benefits patients in ˮ��ർ�� and the surrounding areas.”

Axel Schmidt, Managing Director of Alliance Medical Radiopharmacy said: “This cooperation is another testament to the fast-growing field of, and interest in, radiopharmaceuticals. It will further expand our involvement in the development and commercialization of own- and third-party innovative tracers for oncology, neurology and cardiology.”

The University will also utilise local access to commercial radiotracers for preclinical and clinical PET-MR imaging research. With Alliance Medical beginning its operations on the site in Autumn 2025, it is hoped production of radiotracers will begin within two years, with these tracers to be delivered to hospitals to improve patient care and diagnostic offerings.

Making the cleanest graphene ever

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:00:00 +0100

Researchers at the , have produced the cleanest graphene yet, allowing quantum phenomena to appear in magnetic fields as weak as the Earth’s own.

The breakthrough, reported in by a team led by Professor Andre Geim, was achieved by placing a sheet of graphene just three atoms below cleaner bulk graphite. This “proximity mirror” cancels out unwanted electric fields, reducing disorder in graphene by a factor of 100.

"Think of it like creating the ultimate clean room, but for electrons," explains first author Dr Daniil Domaretskiy. "We’ve removed almost all the ‘dirt’ that disrupts smooth flow of electric current. You can suddenly see effects that were hidden, like wiping clean a fogged-up window."

In quantum materials, disorder hides delicate effects and can prevent new physics from emerging. Researchers normally go to great lengths to remove impurities and minimise interference, but in graphene the team has now pushed this to an extreme: just one uncontrolled electron per 100 million carbon atoms remains across an entire device.

This record-low disorder means that electrons travel faster and further than ever before. Key benchmarks of material quality, such as Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations, are now visible at fields below 10 Gauss. The celebrated quantum Hall effect appears below 50 Gauss, far weaker than a fridge magnet.

The concept is straightforward: the nearby graphite acts like an electrical mirror, cancelling random electric fields in the graphene layer. The challenge was engineering the mirror close enough, three atoms apart, without damaging the graphene.

“Now that we know how to make things this clean, it opens the door to exploring phenomena that were out of reach,” said co-author Dr Zefei Wu. “This is just the beginning.”

The team expects their ‘proximity-mirror’ technique to become standard for probing quantum phenomena in two-dimensional materials, enabling new discoveries in superconductivity, magnetism and exotic quantum phases, which would all benefit from the ultraclean electronic conditions to clearly emerge.

The work involved collaborators from Lancaster University, the National University of Singapore, and the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan.

This research was published in the journal .

Full title: Proximity screening greatly enhances electronic quality of graphene

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09386-0

The is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at The University of ˮ��ർ��, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field – a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by £13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

Reading Lists Online user interface: support throughout September

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 15:45:34 +0100

Our dedicated team will be running weekly ‘Office Hours’ sessions between 10am – 12pm on the following dates:

11 September 2025
18 September 2025
25 September 2025

Find out more

Email uml.readinglists@manchester.ac.uk to arrange a call or visit, including any specific questions you may have.

For further information, see the fully updated on our webpages.

Update: Open Access Journals Guide extended through 2025

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:51:18 +0100

Thanks to the valuable feedback from our research community during the free trial, we’re pleased to announce that the Office for Open Research has invested in the for the remainder of 2025.

The Guide, powered by , has demonstrated potential as a helpful tool for researchers navigating the complex landscape of journal selection and Open Access publishing. It allows users to search and filter thousands of journals by discipline and interest, while providing tailored insights into Open Access options based on our institutional publisher agreements and available funding.

Your feedback matters

Since launching the trial, we’ve received thoughtful input from researchers across the University. You’ve told us what works, what doesn’t, and what could be better, and we’ve listened. We’ve shared your experiences directly with ChronosHub, and we’ve emphasised that improvements to the user interface and search functionality are top priorities for our community.

Try out the Guide and support its improvement

We encourage all researchers to try out the , whether you’re publishing for the first time or exploring new journals. Your feedback continues to be essential in shaping the future of this resource. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to complete our quick and let us know how the Guide is working for you.

Explore the Guide

Access the

For more information about Open Access publishing and the support available through the Office for Open Research, visit our and , or with our team.

Astronomers capture a record 130-year evolution of a dying star

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0100

For the first time, scientists have directly tracked the slow transformation of a dying star over more than a century - revealing it is heating up faster than any other typical star ever observed.

The research, published today in , tracks 130 years of changes in the “spirograph” Planetary Nebula IC418 - a glowing shell of gas and dust cast off by a dying star about 4000 light years from Earth.

By piecing together observations dating back to 1893, when astronomers first recorded the nebula by eye through a telescope, to today, scientists found the nebula’s signature green light, emitted by oxygen atoms, has grown around 2.5 times stronger since Victorian astronomers first studied it.

This change is being driven by the central star’s rising temperature, which has increased by around 3,000°C since 1893, or roughly 1,000°C every 40 years. For comparison, the Sun increased by the same amount during its formation, but took 10 million years to do it.

However, although the star is heating faster than ever observed, it is still slower than the latest models had predicted. This challenges current theories of how stars age and die, and may force astronomers to rethink the masses of stars capable of producing carbon — the element essential for life.

A planetary nebula marks one of the final stages in a star’s life. As the star’s core becomes unstable, it sheds its outer layers into space. The remaining core heats rapidly, energising the surrounding gas and dust to form beautiful structures. In the case of IC418, this creates an intricate, swirling structure, earning its nickname “the spirograph nebula”. Our Sun will undergo the same fate in about 5 billion years.

While planetary nebulae usually evolve slowly, the researchers discovered that IC418 is evolving fast enough to track within a human lifetime.

This makes it the most prolonged and rapid transformation ever recorded in a planetary nebula, and possibly any star.

The team examined 130 years of observations from a wide range of telescopes – from the human eye measurements in the late 1800s to the advanced technologies of today. They verified, calibrated, and combined the data before comparing it with detailed models of stellar evolution. This allowed them to measure the star’s heating rate, determine its current mass, and even estimate the mass of the star before it began its transformation.

The findings offer a rare insight into of how planetary nebulae evolve and suggest the night sky can change much faster than we usually think.

Co-author, Professor Quentin Parker from the University of Hong Kong, said: “We believe this research is important because it offers unique, direct evidence of how planetary nebulae central stars evolve. It will prompt us to rethink some of our existing models of stellar life cycles.

“It’s been a strong joint effort - collecting, verifying, and carefully analysing more than a century’s worth of astronomical data and then melding that with stellar evolutionary models. It’s a challenging process that goes far beyond simple observation, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our field in this way.”

Journal: The Astrophysical Journal Letters

Full title: The secular evolution of planetary nebula IC 418 and its implications for carbon star formation

DOI: 10.3487/2041-8213/ADF62b

Link:

How an ancient document secured the power of the ‘first King of England’

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:46:39 +0100

An expert from The University of ˮ��ർ�� has revealed how a single sheet of 1,100-year-old parchment may have been used to heal a dangerous royal rift in Ancient England.

King Æthelstan, who is generally known as the first King of England, began his rule almost exactly 1,100 years ago when he was crowned at Kingston on 4 September 925. While history books usually paint his reign as powerful and secure, Dr Jonathan Tickle has found that his early years on the throne were far from smooth sailing - especially in the city of Winchester, where loyalties to a rival prince ran deep.

The story centres on a document now known as “Sawyer 1417” – a lease of farmland agreed between the monks of Winchester’s New Minster and a royal official named Ælfred. On the surface, it looks like a simple property deal. But Dr Tickle’s analysis reveals it was also a carefully staged public event designed to send a political message, patch up strained relationships, and remind everyone who was really in charge.

At the time, Æthelstan faced opposition from supporters of his younger half-brother Eadwine, who some believed had a stronger claim to the throne. The New Minster was a key player in this drama - not only was it home to the tombs of Æthelstan’s father Edward the Elder and grandfather Alfred the Great, but it also stood in a city that may have backed Eadwine.

The charter was read aloud in an assembly packed with nobles, monks, and townsfolk. Its language tied the land deal to the memory of Alfred and Edward, anchoring the king’s authority in his famous ancestors. By setting the rent payment on the anniversary of Edward’s death, the agreement turned a routine transaction into a yearly reminder of Æthelstan’s royal lineage.

“This wasn’t just about farming rights. It was a performance – a way of reshaping alliances, cooling tensions, and making a statement about the king’s rightful place in history. The document itself became a lasting reminder of that moment,” said Dr Tickle.

The research also suggests that monks kept their copy of the charter safe for generations, possibly consulting it at annual rent payments or during disputes – ensuring the king’s message lived on.

By looking at this 1,100-year-old parchment not just as a legal record but as a piece of political theatre, the study opens a new window into how early English kings built and maintained their power.

The full article, ‘’, is published in the Journal of Medieval History.

Research finds that focusing on ‘luxury tourism’ may not benefit African nations

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:27:29 +0100

Many African countries have attempted to attract high-spending tourists in order to create economic success - but new research published in African Studies Review reveals that this strategy might not be as beneficial as it seems, and some countries are struggling to change course.

For decades, organisations like the World Bank advised African nations to focus on “luxury tourism”. The idea was to attract wealthy visitors who spend a lot per day, leading to "high-value, low-impact" tourism, which promised benefits for the environment and local communities. It sounds great on paper, and it helps countries to look like "green states" committed to sustainability.

However, critics are calling this "fake degrowth" as luxury tourists often arrive in private jets, which are much worse for the environment than regular flights. Plus, relying on international travellers - especially from far-flung places like Europe and North America - creates a higher global carbon footprint. But the problems don't stop there. The research found that luxury tourism often leads to:

• Enclaves: huge resorts or national parks that are separate from local life, with limited connections to the wider economy.
• Limited Local Benefits: these places hire few local workers, don't help communities improve their infrastructure, and are mostly all-inclusive, meaning tourists don't buy from smaller local businesses.
• Foreign Control: The most profitable eco-tourism lodges and conservation areas are often owned by foreign companies.
• "Leakages": the money tourists spend doesn't stay in the country. It goes to foreign travel agencies or is used to pay for imported goods for hotels, or profits are sent back to foreign owners.
• Increased Inequality: profits are concentrated among foreign operators or a small group of wealthy locals, while general wages in tourism jobs are often low. In Mauritius, for example, many locals feel like "foreigners are taking over the island" and don't even have access to their own best beaches.

The study highlights a surprising finding. When these luxury strategies don't deliver, democratic governments like Mauritius and Botswana - which face political pressure like upcoming elections or public anger over unemployment and inequality - are more flexible and have tried to adapt their strategies.

However, authoritarian governments like Rwanda with strong, centralised control tend to stick to their long-term luxury goals even when problems arise. Despite high unemployment and recent economic shocks, Rwanda has doubled down on its luxury tourism - its government believes this strategy will eventually pay off in the long run, even if it ignores short-term inequalities.

“This study challenges common ideas about which types of governments are better at development,” said Dr Behuria. “It shows that sometimes, political pressure in democracies can lead to more flexible and responsive policies than the long-term, rigid plans of authoritarian states.”

Northern Gritstone leads £4 million seed round investment in pioneering University of ˮ��ർ�� spinout

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:59:31 +0100

Northern Gritstone, the groundbreaking life sciences and deeptech investment firm chaired by Lord Jim O’Neill, has announced a combined £4 million seed round investment into the optical sensor startup PhovIR. Northern Gritstone is co-leading the investment alongside deeptech specialist SCVC.

The company is a spinout from the University of ˮ��ർ��, founded by Dr Tim Echermeyer, based at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (), and joined by Dr Steve Turley as executive-Chair.

PhovIR uses its breakthrough Near Infra-Red (NIR) optical sensor technology to identify the ‘optical fingerprint’ of constituents of solids, liquids and gases, in a portable device. Human eyes perceive a very narrow band of the optical spectrum, predominantly colours, yet there is much more information about materials and substances contained in longer wavelengths.

This innovation is a ‘platform technology’ which has far-reaching applications for human health, such as the detection of drink spiking and other contaminants to industrial safety, pollution monitoring and agricultural functions.

Although other NIR sensor devices exist, they are bulky, often difficult to integrate into portable devices and expensive to manufacture. The breakthrough achieved by PhovIR allows this to be manufactured on a silicon chip enabling a small, light and cost-effective solution that has the potential to be incorporated into a smart watch or phone.

PhovIR has developed a capability based on MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology to create a flexible, portable, low-cost solution that captures a broader optical range. Its software is fully configurable, doing the job of multiple sensors, and can be manufactured at scale.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor at The University of ˮ��ർ�� said: “PhovIR is a fantastic example of the kind of innovation that defines The University of ˮ��ർ�� – world-class research brought to life through collaboration, with the potential to change lives.

“It’s exciting to see this deeptech breakthrough moving towards real-world application, supported by the expertise of our Innovation Factory and partners like Northern Gritstone. My congratulations to the team behind PhovIR, this is exactly the kind of impact we want to see more of across our University and our region.”

PhovIR is chaired by Dr Steve Turley, who has over 25 years’ experience dedicated to scaling complex technologies into high growth businesses, including as Chair of Effect Photonics and ex-CEO of Perpetuum.

With the funding, PhovIR plans to bring its first commercial product to market, grow its team, and continue delivering on its vision for making the invisible visible to improve human and planetary health.

PhovIR recently completed Northern Gritstone’s pre-seed program, NG Studios, which has supported PhovIR to refine its commercial strategy as a customer-led organisation ready for growth and successful fundraising.

Active since May 2022, Northern Gritstone has already made 37 investments in early-stage businesses in the North of England, expanded its investment team and built NG Innovation Services, its venture building ‘toolkit’ offering, inter alia: talent management; growth advice; business services; and the accelerator program, NG Studios.

Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, said: “PhovIR is a Northern Gritstone NG Studios graduate. The University of ˮ��ർ�� is home to innovation in materials science including graphene. Northern Gritstone is delighted to back Dr Tim Echtermeyer and Dr Steve Turley – graduates of our NG Studios venture building program - knowing that PhovIR’s technology has the potential to create a global company.”

Dr Tim Echtermeyer, CTO of PhovIR, said: “I am exhilarated to enter the next part of PhovIR’s journey and turn our vision into reality. I am grateful to the many people contributing and making this happen; particularly Steve, and William Wren and Minh Vu from the Engineering team, who have worked relentlessly.

Dr Steve Turley, Chair of PhovIR said: “I am very excited to be working with PhovIR not only because of the immense potential that the technology has but also the great team in ˮ��ർ�� led by Tim. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate that the UK can take excellent innovative technology and turn it into a global success story”

John Williams, General Partner of SCVC said: “PhovIR represents the future of deep tech: advanced hardware, unlocked by AI. It’s the kind of multi-tech breakthrough that creates entirely new categories—and the kind SCVC is here to back.”

New exhibit: 'Come Out Tonight: queer 90's nightlife' in Spinningfields in ˮ��ർ��

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:15:00 +0100

From Tuesday, 19 August explore Come Out Tonight: queer 90s nightlife an exhibition capturing the energy and growth of the queer scene of the early 1990s. Displayed along The Avenue in Spinningfields, the photographs celebrate 90s queer nights in ˮ��ർ�� and across the country revealing a thriving, dynamic and inclusive community.

Celebrate more queer stories by visiting The Secret Public: LGBTQ pop 1955-1985, a free exhibition at The John Rylands Library. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm.

Drop into two free events to get ready for Pride weekend:

, Friday 22 August, 10.40-11.50am. Uncover ˮ��ർ��’s queer culture and pop music in nightlife through exploring our collections featuring Buzzcocks, the Haçienda and City Life magazine.
exhibition, Friday 22 August 3pm. Join curator Mat Bancroft to learn more about the exhibition and explore the profound influence of LGBTQ performers, artists and activists on mainstream popular culture.

Come Out Tonight: queer 90s nightlife will be on display from Tuesday, 19 August until Sunday, 5 October.

Scientists shed light on root cause of muscular dystrophy subtype

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 15:08:00 +0100

University of ˮ��ർ�� scientists have mapped the mutations in the tiny protein chains that cause a subtype of muscular dystrophy.

Published today in the journal , the study provides a major insight into the muscular dystrophy subtype known collectively as Collagen VI-related dystrophy – or COL6-RD for short.

The team are the first ever to determine the high resolution structure of collagen VI- one of the networks of protein molecules that give our tissues mechanical strength and the ability to stretch and bend.

Called the extracellular matrix, the protein network also enables cells to sense their environment and communicate with one another in response to mechanical forces.

COL6-RD, which includes Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) and Bethlem myopathy (BM), can cause a range of symptoms including muscle weakness, joint contractures, decreased muscle tone, and weak breathing muscles.

It is one of a number muscular dystrophy subtypes and others include the more prevalent Duchenne- caused by mutation of another protein - for which scientists are developing gene therapies.

However, so far equivalent therapies have not been developed for COL6-RD.

Collagens are the most abundant extracellular matrix proteins, and form long fibres many times smaller than a human hair, called microfibrils.

Collagen VI forms one type of microfibril, taking on the appearance of a large bead-like structure, consisting of three separate protein chains, that twist and fold together.

The research required the scientists to develop small fragments of collagen VI, which they called mini-collagens.

Mini-collagens will be useful tools for studying or even treating the diseases associated with collagen VI mutations.

Lead author of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council funded study Clair Baldock, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of ˮ��ർ�� said: “It is extremely important to understand where mutations in the tiny protein chains called collagen VI that cause a subtype of muscular dystrophy are, to help in the design of future treatments.

“Using a technique called cryogenic-electron microscopy - which can magnify collagen VI hundreds of thousands of times- we were able to determine the organisation of parts of collagen VI and map the disease mutations.

“That provides an opportunity for scientists to design drugs which specifically target the mutations by focusing only on what's broken.

She added: “We are the first group to determine the high resolution structure of collagen VI; until now, no- one has been able to show the locations of these mutations on the collagen VI structure.

“This is an important step along the path of finding ways to treat these types of muscular dystrophy and will provide momentum to accelerate scientific discovery in this area.

“We hope that our structure will provide vital information to help the scientific community develop treatments, such as gene therapy, for collagen VI-RD.

“This provides some hope to people with muscular dystrophy that one day treatments will be available to improve their quality of life and help them to stay active and independent.”

The paper Collagen VI microfibril structure reveals mechanism for molecular assembly and clustering of inherited pathogenic mutations is . https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62923-3

Remembering Mrs Jean Oglesby CBE 1939-2025

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:21:35 +0100

It is with deep sadness that we mark the passing of Jean Oglesby CBE - a remarkable philanthropist, community leader and a treasured friend to The University of ˮ��ർ��.

Jean, alongside her late husband Michael, co-founded the Oglesby Charitable Trust in 1992, building a legacy that has touched thousands of lives across the North West and beyond. The University has been privileged to share in that legacy for many decades. Jean’s approach to philanthropy was deeply personal – she wanted to understand the programmes she supported, meet the people leading them, and be certain that her giving would create lasting change.

Through the Trust, Jean and Michael made transformational contributions to our work – from funding PhD scholarships at the Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre to advancing pioneering research in cancer and leukaemia, to supporting public health policy and environmental sustainability initiatives. Their leadership and generosity were instrumental in establishing the ˮ��ർ�� Cancer Research Centre’s new home, where world-leading oncology teams are now working to develop personalised cancer treatments that will save and extend lives.

Jean also enriched the University’s cultural life. Her love of the arts was expressed through the Trust’s support for ˮ��ർ�� Museum initially for the vivarium and followed by support for wider capital projects. This was also demonstrated in the Trust’s commissioning of original artworks for the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama, the John Rylands Library, and the Whitworth Art Gallery. These contributions have enhanced our campus as a place to learn, work and be inspired.

In 2015, Jean and Michael became two of the founding members of the Langworthy Circle of Benefactors, an honour that acknowledges our most significant donors. In 2016, Jean was also honoured with a CBE for services to philanthropy in the North West. But those who knew her will remember her most for her warmth, wisdom, and quiet strength - qualities that left an impression on everyone she met.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor, said: “Jean was a close friend to the University and a force for good. Her compassion and clarity of purpose were extraordinary. She believed deeply in the power of community. She touched and inspired countless lives – in ˮ��ർ�� and far beyond. Her legacy will live on through the Oglesby Charitable Trust, the causes she championed, the institutions she supported and the communities she cared for so deeply.”

On behalf of the entire University community, we offer our heartfelt condolences to Jean’s family and friends, and our enduring gratitude for her extraordinary partnership, which will continue to inspire for generations to come.

ˮ��ർ�� named as one of world’s leading universities in 2025 academic rankings

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 10:12:27 +0100

The University of ˮ��ർ�� has strengthened its position among the world’s best universities, rising to 46th globally in the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). The prestigious annual list, compiled by ShanghaiRanking Consultancy, assesses more than 2500 institutions worldwide and publishes the top 1000.

ˮ��ർ��’s strong performance also saw it improve to 13^th place in Europe while maintaining its place as the 6th best university in the UK, underlining its reputation for research excellence, global impact and academic achievement.

Since 2003, the ARWU has been recognised as one of the most influential global university rankings. It measures academic and research performance using a set of objective indicators including the number of highly cited researchers, publications in Nature and Science and articles indexed in major citation databases.

It also includes Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals – alumnus Professor Simon Johnson became the 26th Nobel laureate associated with The University of ˮ��ർ�� last October, when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for his groundbreaking research into understanding wealth disparities between different nations.

“For an institution of our scale and ambition, continued progress on the global stage is both a challenge and an opportunity," Duncan added.

The 2025 ARWU result follows a strong year for ˮ��ർ�� in other leading global rankings - in June, it was named the 35th best university in the world in the QS World University Rankings.

The power of the University’s social and environmental impact has also been recognised on a global scale, being the only university in the top ten in both the QS World University Sustainability Rankings and Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, in recognition of its contribution towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The University’s research strength is further evidenced by the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), in which 93% of research activity was rated either ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*).

“ˮ��ർ�� has always been a place where world-class research meets real-world impact,” said Vice-President for Research Professor Colette Fagan. “We are proud of our achievements, but even more excited about what lies ahead.”

The full 2025 ARWU list and methodology can be explored at ShanghaiRanking’s .

Scientists discover new ways to predict course of chronic kidney disease

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 04:12:00 +0100

Scientists from The University of ˮ��ർ�� and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust have discovered a series of biological signals which can predict how chronic kidney disease is likely to progress.

Published in the American Journal of Nephrology today (11/08/25), the researchers show that higher levels of Kidney Injury Molecule-1(KIM-1), a special marker of kidney damage in the blood and urine, are associated with higher risks of mortality and kidney failure, never before have the two been measured together.

The research follows hot on the heels of their published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology last month, which measured 21 markers in blood and urine that reflect key processes driving kidney disease, inflammation, and heart disease.

From the JASN study , the team pinpointed three standout markers that can predict both how quickly kidney disease will progress and the risk of death.

Unlike the generic tests used in routine kidney clinics, the markers shine a light on the biological changes, underpinning CKD, that truly drive the disease. By revealing the hidden drivers, the discovery opens the door to new treatments designed to target the disease at its roots.

Lead author Dr Thomas McDonnell, is both a researcher at The University of ˮ��ർ�� and a kidney doctor at Salford Royal Hospital, part of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.

He said: “The progression of chronic kidney disease is highly variable between people, so it’s difficult to predict which patients will progress to kidney failure or worse.

“But our work raises the prospect of the development of simple blood or urine tests that could better predict the degree of risk- invaluable information for doctors and patients.

“We think that , these models, which are more closely aligned with the underlying biological changes happening in chronic kidney disease, could allow a more tailored approach to the individual needs of patients.”

The researchers analysed the blood and urine of adults with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease from 16 nephrology centres across the UK.

They analysed blood and urine KIM-1 in 2581 patients for the KIM-1 study and looked at all 21 markers of kidney damage, fibrosis, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease together in 2,884 patients for the second

They used statistical analysis to assess how or if biological signals associated with kidney failure and mortality, and developed risk prediction models.

Because chronic kidney disease can stay stable for years in one person but suddenly worsen in another, doctors find it difficult to identify which patients are most at risk.

Existing blood tests currently only give doctors a partial picture, missing important clues like inflammation and scar build up. As a result, people with the same CKD stage are often labelled has having the same risk and are given the same treatments.

Dr McDonnell added: “This discovery may will help doctors identify high-risk patients, so they enact more aggressive interventions, earlier specialist referral, and earlier treatment therapies.

“And by identifying low risk patients, they would be able to prevent over-treatment.

“Living with chronic kidney disease often means managing fatigue, having limits to what you can and can’t eat, and being consigned to frequent medical appointments.

“It can be physically and emotionally challenging, but with the appropriate care, it is possible maintain an active and fulfilling life.”

Plasma and Urinary KIM-1 in Chronic Kidney Disease: Prognostic Value, Associations with Albuminuria, and Implications for Kidney Failure and Mortality is published in doi 10.1159/000547867is

Biomarkers of kidney failure and all-cause mortality in chronic kidney disease is published in the DOI:10.1681/ASN.0000000767

Book by ˮ��ർ�� academic shortlisted for Royal Society prize

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:44:39 +0100

A historian from The University of ˮ��ർ�� has been named as one of six authors shortlisted for the 2025 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize, which celebrates the best popular science writing from across the globe.

by Professor Sadiah Qureshi was named as one of the finalists at the Edinburgh International Book Festival by author and palaeontologist Steve Brusatte, following an event with the Prize’s 2024 winner Kelly Weinersmith.

The Royal Society Science Book Prize has championed non-fiction books that celebrate the collective joy of science writing for more than 30 years. Previous winning titles cover diverse themes, ranging from the sensory experiences of animals to the evolution of all life on earth, and a fresh perspective on human behaviour and relationships.

All of this year’s authors make the shortlist for the first time, with books that cover an array of important scientific topics through compelling and accessible storytelling. The shortlisted titles represent the judges’ pick of the most fascinating and relevant science writing over the past 12 months.

Professor Qureshi is a writer and historian of science, race and empire. Currently a Chair of Modern British History at the University of ˮ��ർ��, she has written for the London Review of Books, Times Literary Supplement and New Statesman.

Vanished is a compelling exploration of how the modern concept of extinction has been shaped not just by science but by empire, racism and the politics of disappearance, and it urges us to reckon with extinction as both an evolutionary fate and a deliberate choice.

“This book shows us why science is not a neutral subject - from the human-driven extinction of the dodo to the justification of indigenous peoples being killed based on false racial hierarchy, politics has been woven into scientific decision-making throughout history,” said previous prize winner Roma Agrawal, who was on the judging panel. “This is an updated and refreshing perspective of a story we ought to know about. Qureshi’s writing is thoroughly readable, while being extremely well researched, opening up a new and important conversation about natural history.”

The winner of this year’s Prize will be revealed on the evening of 1 October 2025, where they will be presented with a cheque for £25,000. Each of the five shortlisted authors will receive a cheque for £2,500.

Scientists discover surprising language ‘shortcuts’ in birdsong – just like humans

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:00:00 +0100

Scientists have uncovered a hidden pattern in birdsong that mirrors a core rule of human language.

A new study, led by researchers at The University of ˮ��ർ��, in collaboration with Chester Zoo, found that birds appear to follow Zipf’s Law of Abbreviation (ZLA) – the idea that more frequently used sounds tend to be shorter. This rule, found in all human languages, helps make communication more efficient.

The findings, published in the journal today, offer new insight into how animals communicate and provide a new foundation for researchers exploring whether birds, like humans, shape their vocal signals according to the 'principle of least effort'.

Lead author Dr Tucker Gilman, Senior Lecturer at The University of ˮ��ർ�� said: “In human language, if we say something a lot, we tend to shorten it – like saying ‘TV’ instead of ‘television’. It turns out that the same pattern exists in birdsong.

“We know that birds and humans share similarities in the genes and brain structures involved in learning to communicate but this is the first time we’ve been able to detect a consistent pattern of ZLA across multiple bird species. There’s still a lot more work to be done but this is an exciting development.”

Although previous studies hinted that animal communication might follow ZLA – including in penguins – it has been difficult to find clear evidence of ZLA in birdsong. That’s partly because most birds have much smaller repertoires compared to humans. While humans use thousands of words, birds may only produce a few dozen distinct sounds.

To tackle this, the researchers developed new method for studying ZLA in birdsong that focuses on how often individual birds use certain note types and how long those notes last allowing them to examine communication at an individual rather than population level.

They then applied this method using a new open-source computational tool called ZLAvian, which compares real-world observed patterns to simulated ones to determine if ZLA is present.

Using ZLAvian, the team analysed more than 600 songs from 11 bird populations spanning seven different species. They found that while individual populations didn’t always show clear signs of ZLA, a stronger pattern emerged when the data was combined, showing more frequently used birdsong phrases were shorter on average.

Co-author Dr Rebecca Lewis, Conservation Scientist at Chester Zoo, said: “ˮ��ർ��ing ZLA in birdsong is far more complex than in human language. Birds often have very few note types, individuals even within the same species can vary widely in their repertoires, and classifying notes is tricky too. Our research has taught that it’s important to look across a wide range of species when looking for language patterns and we hope ZLAvian will make it easier for other researchers to explore these patterns in more birds but also other animals in the future.”

The team says that further studies are needed across a broader set of bird species to confirm their findings.

Paper details:

Journal: PLoS Computational Biology

Full title: Does Zipf’s law of abbreviation shape birdsong?

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013228

Link:

ˮ��ർ�� Literature Festival 2025 programme announced

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 16:50:24 +0100

This year, ˮ��ർ�� Literature Festival is celebrating 20 years of stories, ideas and unforgettable voices!

The 2025 programme is here, featuring global bestsellers, radical thinkers and powerful poets.

We’re especially excited for the and partnership events:

The members’ presale is happening now – set your alarm for 10am on Thursday 14 August, when tickets go on general sale.

Winners of the 2024-2025 Adam Kay Prize announced

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 16:42:37 +0100

The Department of Art History and Cultural Practices is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024-2025 Adam Kay Prize for an Outstanding Dissertation in Art History are:

Rui Long for Performing Contemporaneity: Interculturality and Embodied Feminism in XieRong’s Body Art
Jasmine Abdel-Kader for Constructing Purity, Excluding Desire: The Aryan Ideal and Homoerotic Undercurrents in Nazi Visual Culture.

Rui Long said:

Jasmine Abdel-Kader commented: