News from 2015

Study uncovers the reason behind health and safety myths

New research from the University of Exeter reveals some of the complex reasons why health and safety regulations are used incorrectly and blamed for over-the-top decisions. 

Student study centre opens at St Luke’s

A high quality new student study centre is now in use in Giraffe House, part of the ongoing South Cloisters redevelopment.

Hostile takeover research wins ethical Hutton Prize

A University of Exeter Law postgraduate student has been awarded the Hutton Prize for Excellence, which encourages the next generation of young professionals to put ethical conduct at the forefront of business, government and the professions.

Law professor appointed as Honorary QC by Her Majesty The Queen

Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of six new Queen’s Counsel Honoris Causa, exclusively bestowed upon lawyers who have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales outside practice in the courts. 

Exeter academic contributes to UK parliament report on Iraq

A University of Exeter, Middle East political expert features heavily in a new report by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on ‘UK Government policy on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’.

Exeter academics win grant to lead public policy workshops in Kazakhstan

Politics academics from the University of Exeter were involved in leading a three day political science workshop in partnership with Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan.

#RU2Drunk breathalyser initiative reduced alcohol fuelled crime in Torquay

A scheme to breathalyse suspected drunks trying to get into pubs and clubs in Torquay has seen a 39 per cent drop in violent crime.

Online courts could increase access to justice and reduce costs by 2017

The future of civil law courts is likely to be online according to a new report. The study suggests that it will increase access to justice and streamline the court processes in England and Wales. 

Seeking sanctuary:Refugee Week events

Encouraging people to take a positive look at asylum and celebrating the contributions of refugees in the UK forms the basis of Refugee Week.

England's treasured landscapes to benefit from new partnership

A pioneering partnership is being launched to care for some of England’s most beautiful and vulnerable high ground. The Uplands Alliance (UA) brings together for the first time practitioners, researchers and policy makers with interests in the highest areas of land, including treasured landscapes of the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Dartmoor.

Global Exe: Acting-Up for Cultural Diversity

Undergraduate students from the College have been working hard on a student-led Change Agents project which aims to raise awareness of Cultural Diversity at The University of Exeter through interactive Forum Theatre performances.

Consent for research participation:Time to change?

A major investigation into the views of volunteers on the consent process for medical research has been found to conflict with the standard practice required for consent in the UK. 

Magic, Malta and a Muslim during the Inquisition in 1605

Making a living by practising magic can have dramatic consequences, especially if you are a Muslim slave with mainly Christian clients at the time of the Inquisition in early 17th century Malta.

Defence and Uncertainty lecture by Strategy and Security expert

The issues behind unforeseen events like the disorder in the Ukraine to the revolutions of the Arab Spring which caught intelligence organisations off guard, is the subject of a fascinating lecture at the University of Exeter.

New guide a helping hand for young voters

A University of Exeter student has created an online resource to educate young people in the basics of British politics in the run-up to the General Election. 

The University of Law and the University of Exeter launch groundbreaking collaboration

Students planning a career in law will be able to complete both the academic stage of their training and the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at the University of Exeter thanks to an innovative collaboration with The University of Law (ULaw).

Nominate now for the College Student Engagement Awards

To celebrate a fantastic year in the College we are organising the Student Engagement Awards to recognise and reward the hard work and dedication of Academic Reps, Change Agents and volunteers in 2014/15.

Success for SSIS at the Guild Teaching Awards!

The College of Social Sciences and International Studies had eight nominations and picked up two awards at the Students’ Guild Teaching Awards. Photo: Exeter Students' Guild

Student Engagement Awards Shortlist Announced

After receiving over 50 nominations for this year’s College of Social Sciences and International Studies Student Engagement Awards, the judging panel met on 14 May 2015 to decide the winners!

PhD student contributes to new TV programme on Churchill

A University of Exeter PhD student has contributed to a brand new TV programme about Sir Winston Churchill on the Discovery Channel. 

Magna Carta experienced through Exeter's medieval law trail

In celebration of the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta a sponsored 10km walk around Exeter’s legal sites on 3 June at 5pm, is being organised by the South West Legal Support Trust with assistance from the University of Exeter’s School of Law and the Devon and Somerset Law Society. 

New project to help farmers plan succession

A new initiative to help farmers effectively plan who will take over their farms is being announced at the Royal Cornwall Show on 5 June. The University of Exeter’s Centre for Rural Policy in partnership with NFU Mutual, a leading rural insurer, and Cornwall’s Rural Business School have developed the first UK-wide academic study of succession farming. 

Briefing regulators and decision-makers in Italy

Professor Claudio Radaelli, director of the Centre for European Governance, last week provided a briefing session at the Italian think tank ASTRID, where participants included members of the Italian government.

College Hosts Student Engagement Awards

Students and staff from the College, Students’ Guild and FXU gathered to celebrate a fantastic year of student engagement initiatives within SSIS.

Queen to honour Exeter education expert with MBE

Debra Myhill, Professor of Education at the University of Exeter has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for her leadership of the Secondary PGCE programme and the Centre for Research in Writing.

Success for SSIS students at Students’ Guild Awards

Students from the College of Social Sciences and International Studies (SSIS) scooped three prestigious awards and many more were nominated at the Students’ Guild Awards this June.

SSIS Students Shadow Senior Staff in Guild’s ‘Mirror’ Scheme

The purpose of the scheme is to enable managers and students to gain an insight into each other’s daily working lives, helping to foster understanding and a deeper collaboration between professional services staff, academics and students.

Report lays bare public priorities for the natural environment

Public views on the challenges facing policy and decision makers to manage the natural environment have been revealed in a major national public dialogue project.

Chat rooms can boost success in learning English as a foreign language research shows

Chat rooms play a positive role in motivating students and encouraging an independent approach to learning English as a foreign language.

Sixth form students graduate from Pathways to Law

A group of high achieving sixth form students from Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, have graduated from a national project which aims to raise aspirations and the confidence of young people to pursue a career in law. 

Student collaborates with Q-step Centre in Change Agents project, ExeQtive

Second-year Politics and Sociology student, James Winterbotham began to piece together the workings of different areas of the University and Students’ Guild as a vast conglomerate of information relationships, leading him to imagine a student-driven research tool to bind together these various interests

Exeter alumnus earns Harvard Scholarship

Exeter alumnus Tom O’Bryan has been awarded a Kennedy Scholarship to study a Masters of Public Policy (MPP) at Harvard in 2015/16.

Penryn Campus Politics student accepts national peacemaking award on behalf of FXU Islamic Society

Represented by University of Exeter Politics student Oussama Kardi, the FXU Islamic Society have won this year’s Jimmy Mizen Award.

Exeter academic meets Pope Francis

Dr Mustafa Baig of the University's Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies met with Pope Francis in St Peter's Basilica on June 30.

First anniversary for flourishing student-founded company

A non-profit company, which specialises in dementia daycare for the elderly, has increased its capacity 20-fold since its inception.

Law student’s project aims to empower children in care

A first year University of Exeter Law student has founded a project focused on improving the prospects of children in care.

Police and University join forces to harness research potential

A new research project will unite police and researchers to increase evidence-based knowledge, skills and problem solving approaches within policing.

Politics professor speaks to Scottish parliament

Politics Professor Nicole Bolleyer was invited to give evidence to the Devolution (Further Powers) Committee of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh

University hosts largest geography conference in Europe

Exeter researchers will join delegates from across Europe to present work at the Royal Geographical Society's Annual International Conference, which is taking place at the Streatham Campus. 

Two University partnership schools open this week

Two new University partnership schools are opening in Devon this week. 

Strategy and Security Institute hosts high-level workshop on legal aspects of 'Hybrid Warfare'

The event, convened in collaboration with the NATO Office of Legal Affairs and the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, brought together senior legal advisors and experts from across the UK and NATO for a two-day seminar, held in Exeter.

Manage family farms like football clubs to survive in tough world market

Exeter researcher Prof Lobley calls farmers to learn from football clubs

Education leaders gather in Exeter to celebrate the life of influential Professor

Friends and family of Professor Anna Craft were joined by leading figures in education and the arts at Exeter University on 10 October to celebrate the life of one of the region’s most influential thinkers and to ask “What next for Creativity?”

Exeter launches humanities festival with a touch of magic

The University of Exeter will launch a national humanities festival with a touch of magic this year as experts and academics come together to discuss our modern view of the mystical.

Over 100 PhD studentships available for 2016 entry

The University of Exeter is looking to build on its success in the Times Higher Education world university rankings and Research Excellence Framework, by offering over 100 funded PhD studentships for 2016 entry.

Fellow appointments recognise Social Science excellence

Two leading academics from diverse fields at the University of Exeter have been appointed as Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Festival of Social Science: A fascinating insight into social science and its influence on our lives

Exeter academics will be demonstrating how our research is investigating the key issues in modern day life at a series of events.

The College of Social Sciences and International Studies Advocate Scheme

Would you like to earn money talking about your course and student life? Do you want flexible work?

Exeter enters global 100 for Social Sciences

The University of Exeter has strengthened its position as being among the very best universities in the world for Social Sciences.

Plight of Syrian exiles showcased in film

A powerful and heart-warming film about a group of Syrian refugee women is being shown at the University of Exeter.

‘Global Conversation’ focuses on addressing literacy disadvantage in Canada and the UK

World-leading education experts will gather to discuss how to address the crucial issue of addressing literacy disadvantage in Canada and the UK, at a special event in Toronto.

Strategy and Security experts address Select Committee over Defence Review

Experts from the University of Exeter will appear before the Defence Select Committee on Tuesday, November 24th to give specialist comment on the new Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).

Public Service communications and government communication careers explained

Students at the University of Exeter had the opportunity to hear from the Executive Director for Government Communications, Mr Alex Aiken, at a talk on the theme of Public Service Communications. The role of government communications was explained and Mr Aiken took a range of questions from students who were keen to know more about current developments in Mr Aiken's Cabinet Office role.

Event encourages female lawyers of the future

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

Penryn Politics students learn about working in the third sector

“Careers that Make Society Work” is an event held frequently by the College of Social Sciences and International Studies. The umbrella title reflects the demand from students to learn about a broad range of career options in the third and public sectors. Previous events have focussed on Child Protection and Social Work and on Police and Probation. The latest “Careers that Make Society Work” panel discussion took place at the Penryn campus, University of Exeter, bringing together Politics, English and History students to hear about a variety of third sector jobs.

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

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

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

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