May | News and features | University of Bristol

What will The Decision Machine tell you? Come along this Bank Holiday and find out 31 May 2022 An interactive installation by Bristol-based artist and illustrator, Ellie Shipman, created as the result of an artist residency with the University of Bristol’s Jean Golding Institute, will be on display this Bank Holiday (Thursday 2 June).

The students breaking the poverty cycle with a hand-spun washing machine 31 May 2022 Engineering students at the University of Bristol are refining a hand-spun washing machine that could change the lives of millions of people around the world.

Alumni Awards 2022: Climate Scientist, Olympian and Charity Champion among this year’s winners 30 May 2022 Each year, the University of Bristol recognises alumni who have made remarkable contributions to society through the Alumni Awards. From highly successful tech entrepreneurs to an award-winning journalist, this year’s winners are all inspirational leaders in their fields.

Fresh partnerships herald exciting new era for research centre dedicated to online protection 30 May 2022 A University of Bristol led-research centre introduced to ensure people are safe online has awarded funding to a further four new projects.

Data can be good for you – showcase brings together experts in data & AI 30 May 2022 The University of Bristol’s Jean Golding Institute – a hub for data intensive research – will host the 2022 Bristol Data & AI Showcase at the M Shed in Bristol on 7 June.

Bristol Network one of six new NHS brain tumour centres awarded Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence status 27 May 2022 The Bristol Network, which includes North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, has been recognised as a “Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence” following rigorous expert-led assessments by the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM).

West Country family gives £7.7m to create physics PhDs in perpetuity 26 May 2022 A West Country family will fund a new generation of gifted physicists, after leaving the University of Bristol nearly £8million in their wills.

Hospital database of serious injuries can be used to identify domestic violence and abuse, finds study 26 May 2022 Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) could be identified in the future using an already established national database of serious injuries, according to new University of Bristol-led research. The pilot study, published in Injury Prevention [26 May], developed a method to identify DVA victim-survivors from hospital records.

Great George to chime for anniversary of University’s Royal Charter 25 May 2022 Bristol’s largest bell will ring out across the city today [25 May] as the University of Bristol celebrates the anniversary of its charter being granted.

University of Bristol centre of innovation for 138 years, archives reveal 24 May 2022 Bristol University’s research and enterprise team have discovered patents dating back to 1884.

The right moisturiser for children with eczema is the one that they like to use, study finds 24 May 2022 The Best Emollients for Eczema trial has found that no one type of moisturiser is better than another. This study, the first in the world to directly compare different types of moisturisers, highlights the importance of patient education and choice when deciding which moisturisers to use for children with eczema. The results from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded study are published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health and British Journal of General Practice today [24 May].

Pioneering study reveals teaching techniques which boost exam performance 24 May 2022 With the exam season in full swing, teenagers taking their GCSEs are hoping their teachers covered everything so they can achieve top marks. The methods teachers use in the classroom could also hold the key to improving pupils’ grades, according to a pioneering report published today.

Statement: court judgement in relation to Natasha Abrahart's death 20 May 2022 The family of Natasha Abrahart, a 20-year-old Physics student who very sadly took her own life in April 2018, brought a civil action against the University of Bristol. A judgement, handed down today (Friday 20 May) by His Honour Judge Ralton at Bristol County Court, found the University was not negligent, but deemed the adjustments made by the University for Natasha’s assessment were insufficient. This was despite the absence of a disability summary.

Ivor Victor Franklin, 1925-2022 20 May 2022 Ivor Franklin, a much loved and respected member of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, passed away in March this year. His friends and colleagues Sandy Mitchell and Steve Burrow offer a remembrance.

Community run leader completed 10k in quarantine hotel room 19 May 2022 A student who ran 650 laps of a quarantine hotel room for last year’s Bristol Run Series is now helping others get the running bug.

Patients wanted for study aiming to identify factors affecting IVF treatment success 18 May 2022 A University of Bristol-led study into the factors affecting IVF treatment success is looking to recruit 1,500 women and their partners to help researchers identify factors that play a part in whether IVF treatment is successful or not.

Ukraine doctoral students offered scholarships at the University of Bristol 18 May 2022 PhD and other doctoral students at universities in Ukraine are being offered six month scholarships at the University of Bristol so they can continue their research.

University of Bristol appoints Nicola Dandridge as Professor of Higher Education Policy 18 May 2022 The University of Bristol is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicola Dandridge to the post of Professor of Higher Education Policy.

Pioneering new gambling harms research hub launched at University of Bristol 17 May 2022 A £4 million Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research has been launched to build greater understanding and evidence around the growing and diverse impact of gambling harms across Great Britain.

Green robotics start-up signs deal with energy giant 16 May 2022 A start-up with University of Bristol roots has signed a deal with energy giant Enel to help keep its estimated 9,000 turbines spinning.

£2.5m grant boosts carbon reduction for Bristol’s newest research hub 16 May 2022 The University of Bristol’s commitment to sustainability took a significant step forward today (Monday 16 May) with a £2.5 million grant to embed carbon reduction technologies and practices in its first research and innovation hub at Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus.

New Festival to support survivors of childhood sexual abuse 16 May 2022 Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) affects half a million children and young people every year. In Bristol alone, it is estimated that 13,000 children and young people are currently living with experiences of sexual abuse. In the first event of its kind, University of Bristol researchers and The Green House, Bristol’s only specialist provider of therapeutic support, are collaborating to stage a Festival to support survivors. The Beyond Therapy Festival of Activism Against Child Sexual Abuse will be held on Thursday 19 May at the Watershed.

Study shows children’s physical activity levels fell below national guidelines in wake of pandemic 16 May 2022 New research has revealed children’s physical activity levels in the UK were significantly lower by the time the COVID-19 pandemic public lockdown restrictions were lifted.

University of Bristol chosen to host prestigious British Academy lectures 13 May 2022 The University of Bristol is very pleased to be one of nine institutions across the United Kingdom to be chosen to host flagship lectures by the British Academy.

Event celebrates Outstanding students 12 May 2022 Eight Outstanding students have been celebrated at a special awards ceremony.

Inhaled antibiotics could help reduce antimicrobial resistance 12 May 2022 Using inhaled antibiotics to treat lower respiratory tract infections could help reduce antimicrobial resistance, according to researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Bath.

Bristol Neuroscience awarded £6.5 million to nurture mental health by keeping young brains on track 12 May 2022 We need to look after young brains: threats including early life adversity, sleep disruption, drug addiction and genetic mutations can all challenge brain development and lifelong mental health. Thanks to funding of over £6.5 million for new brain research, neuroscientists at the University of Bristol hope to alleviate these threats and their burden on patients, carers, clinicians and society.

University of Bristol ranked fifth for research in the UK 12 May 2022 The University of Bristol has been ranked fifth for research in the UK, with a remarkable 94% of its research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Professor Imre Berger elected Fellow of prestigious Academy of Medical Sciences 11 May 2022 Imre Berger, Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry and Director of Bristol’s Max Planck Centre for Minimal Biology has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences for his outstanding contributions to biomedical science and notable discoveries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reform to Mental Health Act must prompt change in support for families 11 May 2022 As yesterday’s Queen’s Speech outlined government plans for changes to the Mental Health Act 1983, a study has highlighted the challenging experiences for family members of people detained.

People were hesitant rather than opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine, study finds 10 May 2022 A study that explored the attitudes of vaccine hesitant adults in the UK towards uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine found that participants were hesitant rather than opposed to the vaccine. They had questions about their need for, and the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Concerns were exacerbated by a lack of trust in government and misunderstanding of science, the University of Bristol-led study found.

International siblings study sheds new light on the nature of the genetics of disease 9 May 2022 Genetic studies aim to find regions of the genome that associate with diseases or other outcomes. A new study has shown that for social traits these genetic effects are due to a mixture of direct effects (e.g. biological effects of DNA), and indirect effects (e.g. family or social environment). Whereas biological traits are mainly driven by direct effects.

Innovative ‘smart socks’ could help millions living with dementia 9 May 2022 ‘Smart socks’ that track rising distress in the wearer could improve the wellbeing of millions of people with dementia, non-verbal autism and other conditions that affect communication.

Research shows future super cyclones would expose vastly greater numbers of people in most vulnerable parts of the world to extreme flooding 9 May 2022 A new study has revealed super cyclones, the most intense form of tropical storm, are likely to have a much more devastating impact on people in South Asia in future years.

Just three per cent of adults with a recording of overweight or obesity in primary care in England are referred to weight management programmes 7 May 2022 New University of Bristol-led research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Maastricht, the Netherlands (4-7 May), has found that just three per cent of adults with a recording of overweight or obesity in England are referred to weight management programmes by their GP.

Children could find it easier to reach a healthier weight if their parents are addressing their own weight 7 May 2022 New research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Maastricht, the Netherlands (4-7 May), has found that many parents attending commercial weight management programmes would be happy for their child, if overweight, to also receive support to reach a healthier weight.

Cynthia Galliers, 1939-2022 5 May 2022 Cynthia Galliers, former assistant to the Graduate Secretary and administrator of PhD graduate teaching and research programmes in the School for Policy Studies, passed away in early March. Her colleague Randall Smith offers a remembrance.

Research communities led by Bristol awarded GW4 funding 4 May 2022 Bristol-led projects investigating epilepsy, the circular economy in building construction and sustainability management have been awarded £125,000 in GW4 Alliance funding.

Prison must not be ‘default option’ to cover up lack of support in care system and community 4 May 2022 Girls and women who have been through the care system should be diverted away from custodial sentences into community alternatives wherever possible, says a new report published today.

Beetle iridescence a deceptive form of warning colouration, study finds 3 May 2022 A new study published today in Animal Behaviour shows for the first time that brilliant iridescence and gloss found in some animals can have a protective function by working as a form of deceptive warning colouration, and that it is the key feature of iridescence, its changing colours, that is important for this effect.

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