News from 2014

Social scientist wants to know what you think about on the throne

University of Exeter Politics lecturer Dr Joanie Willett is hosting a series of community discussions designed to collect information on what various members of the public think the British constitution should look like.

Exeter student's community project receives UN Gold Star award

A United Nations Gold Star Award for Environmental Impact has been awarded to a sustainability project that has improved the livelihoods of Kenyan farmers through the provision of trees and a communal water system. 

Politics and Sociology student raises nearly £700 for Homeless Charity in Exeter

James Winterbotham, a Politics and Sociology student currently studying in his second year, recently completed a 28-mile trek across Dartmoor on his own in order to raise money for the homeless.

SSIS research rated internationally excellent in latest national assessment

SSIS research has been rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the first assessment of the research quality of UK universities since 2008, the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

Sustainable Cornwall - The Cultural Connection

The ESI recently hosted a day's conference organised by the Institute of Cornish Studies (ICS).

College hosts thank you event for Academic Reps and Change Agents

Hosted by the Associate Dean for Education, Professor Wendy Robinson, the event was organised to thank the students for their hard work and dedication this term, and to hear ideas and gain feedback to take forward into next term. 

Exploring the impact of TASERs in the UK

Social Scientists at the University of Exeter have called for a greater comparative analysis of the impact of TASERs used in law enforcement.  

Study finds that correcting myths about the flu vaccine may not be effective in promoting immunisation

New research in the journal Vaccine concludes that correcting myths about vaccines may not be the most effective approach to promoting immunisation among vaccine sceptics.

Changing politics in Portugal

Politics Professor Claudio Radaelli travelled to Portugal to present a major report on lawmaking to the Portuguese Parliament.

Sixth form students inspired at the Festival of Social Science – Secrets, Lies and Spies

Dr Owen Thomas of the Politics department used his own research on democracy and security to inform the design of an interactive day-long exercise, in which sixth form students considered an important social and political issue of contemporary times

The College has recently completed its response to the Students’ Guild Vision for the Future of Education, introducing a number of new initiatives that will help improve student experience.

The Visions for the Future of Education see the Students’ Guild undergo a wide ranging consultation with students in every college, working with Student Staff Liaison Committees, focus groups, and survey data to outline the key priorities for enhancing educational experience across the University.

Dr Ann Kelly invited to participate in an 'Understanding Ebola' round table lecture

A University of Exeter academic is playing a pivotal role in advising governments and NGO responses to the Ebola outbreak.

College Hosts Welcome for Academic Reps

On Monday 27 October, the College of Social Sciences and International Studies (CSSIS) hosted a welcome reception for all academic representatives. The evening set a positive tone for the year ahead in which student engagement initiatives play a significant part. 

Leap into the imagination with Exeter's festival of writing for children

A stellar line up of top children’s authors will be sharing their expertise at Exeter’s festival of writing for and by young people during the October half term from 25 October to 1 November. 

Citizens’ take-over of Cornwall Council

On Saturday 1 November, a unique opportunity for Cornish people to take direct action by saying what the priorities for Cornwall should be is being made possible at County Hall, Truro.

St Luke’s Campus celebrates 160 years of teacher training

The University of Exeter’s St Luke’s Campus is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year. 

Bulgarian elections given a platform in Exeter thanks to student involvement

A University of Exeter student enabled citizens and students from Bulgaria living in the South West to vote in the recent Bulgarian General Elections by creating a voting station in Exeter. 

Genetic testing seeks co-ordinated approach in re-contacting patients

A new study will be examining the implications of when and how NHS healthcare professionals re-contact patients with new genetic information that may impact their health or that of their family.

Launch of Defra’s Sustainable Intensification Research

A series of projects to investigate ways to increase farm productivity while reducing negative environmental impacts (sustainable intensification) will receive £4.5 million from Defra. 

Culture Secretary holds personal Question Time session with students

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport and Exeter graduate, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, returned to campus to discuss the top political issues with current students. 

The ESI on the BBC

The Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI)’s Politics contingent has been in demand on the BBC.

Collaborative Magic in Malta research project receives AHRC grant funding

The Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) awards £233,831 to IAIS and History academics exploring magic in early 17th century Malta

In memory of Professor Anna Craft

18 August 2014
It is with great sadness that we report that Professor Anna Craft died on 11 August.

Environmental law academic wins major international award

The Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s highest honour widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, has been awarded to a visiting professor at the University of Exeter.

Research Participants Needed

5 August 2014
Do you use e-cigarettes or a vaporizer?

Alumnus becomes new Attorney General

Law graduate Jeremy Wright MP has been appointed Attorney General in the UK Government’s Cabinet re-shuffle.

Simon celebrates his success

Graduate Simon Amos, who is blind, shares success with his tutor, College, AccessAbility, alumnus David Merkel and guide dog Ronan. 

Jerusalem Unbound: a City in Conflict

A new book, Jerusalem Unbound, plots the history and examines the underlying factors that make a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians so difficult.

Ambition advantage for Abigail after active time at Exeter

A graduate from the University of Exeter is embarking on a career helping refugees, following her voluntary activity while studying. 

Superheroes to the rescue, to religious education and beyond

A new initiative that uses superheroes to teach Religious Education at a school in Cornwall has won a national award.

BBC Interview with Ilan Pappé

30 June 2014
The BBC's HARDTalk programme recently interviewed Professor Ilan Pappé.

Exeter social scientists play leading role in major environmental assessment

Social scientists in Politics at the University of Exeter played leading roles in a major new assessment of UK environment resources

Exeter academic wins most prestigious award for Higher Education teaching

A major education award that celebrates outstanding impact on the student learning experience and educational institutions has been awarded to a University of Exeter academic.

New approach to writing changes policy and practice

A decade of research into the development of writing in school-aged children at the University of Exeter has shaped classroom practice in the teaching of writing and informed national and international policy. 

College celebrates the continued dedication and enthusiasm of our students

9 June 2014
College held the first ever “Student Engagement Celebration" on 2 June 2014. Undergraduate and postgraduate students from across all disciplines gathered together with College staff to recognise and reward the hard work of academic reps and volunteers this year.

Revolutionising Religious Education in schools

A new textbook has been written by University of Exeter academics which invites pupils to explore and interpret the meaning of biblical stories in a revolutionary new way.

Family business growth pilot prompts vision for national research hub

A national Rural Family Business Research Hub is being proposed for the West Country. The intention is to provide training, research and knowledge exchange.

University welcomed its first Houses of Parliament Open Lecture as part of Politics Department 50th anniversary

The University was delighted to welcome its first ever Houses of Parliament Open Lecture given by Dr Mari Takayanagi on the 29 April. View the lecture here.

New report fights back against unfairness

Tackling issues of inequality in the city of Plymouth forms the basis of a new report, by the Plymouth Fairness Commission. 

Graduate is new Secretary of State for Culture

Exeter graduate Sajid Javid MP has been appointed the new Secretary of State for Culture.

Agriculture: steps to sustainable livestock

With one in seven humans undernourished, and with the challenges of population growth and climate change, the need for efficient food production has never been greater. 

BBC expert considers what became of the Arab Spring

The Arab Spring in the Middle East failed to deliver on its early promise, BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner OBE told a packed audience at the University of Exeter.

Rural researchers to take the temperature of public opinion on UK environmental change

Social scientists at the University of Exeter are working with environmental policy makers to explore public views on the future management of UK ecosystems.

University launches Q Step programme

The University of Exeter is launching a pivotal new programme designed to improve quantitative social science training. 

Rural researchers to take the temperature of public opinion on UK environmental change

Social scientists in the University’s Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR)  are working with environmental policy makers to explore public views on the future management of UK ecosystems.  

MMR vaccination campaign messages can 'backfire', research shows

Messages designed to encourage parents to vaccinate their children against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) can actually have the opposite effect, new research has revealed.

Ethics of stem cell clinical trials

A team at the University of Exeter are contributing to the largest clinical trial of adult stem cell therapy which has started in London.

Teacher training receives top rating

The recently published ‘Good Teacher Training Guide’ has rated the University of Exeter’s Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) as one of the top three university providers for teacher education in the country. 

New book explores challenges for democracy in North Africa

The uncertainties surrounding the long-term prospect of democracy being fully embraced by North African nations embroiled in the Arab Spring rebellions are the focus of a fascinating new book. 

Ethical prize for African Corporate Social Responsibility research

This year’s Hutton Prize for Excellence has been awarded to Omotoniola Adeeyo, who graduated from her undergraduate degree in Law in 2013.

Researcher recruitment

4 February 2014
We are recruiting two research fellows to join the ERC-funded project, 'A Process Ontology for Contemporary Biology'. Both posts (RF/ARF depending on experience) will be for a period of three years, starting not later than October 1, 2014.

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC lead this year's Wainwright Walk

6 March 2013
This year's Wainwright Walk was led by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC on 12 March.

Exeter scores high with Leverhulme Trust awards

Humanities and Social Sciences academics have been extremely successful in a recent announcement from the Leverhulme Trust, securing four Major Research Fellowships.