University of Exeter

Virtual game brings cinema collection into focus

A brand new virtual game involving a group of rebels whose quest is to regain the world of cinema from a futuristic government that has banned all films is being launched by the University of Exeter’s cinema museum.

The University’s Bill Douglas Centre, is one of the world’s leading cinema museums and through its extensive collection the virtual game rebels locate cinematic artefacts and uncover film history. The objective of the game is to bring cinema back to the people in the mythical and dysfunctional future society. It will also help users appreciate what cinema has meant to...

New funding to help engage young people in research

A collaboration between the University of Exeter and a selection of schools and colleges in the South West is one of just 12 projects to receive more than £3.5 million in funding to engage young people in research.

Applications to Exeter Uni outstrip national picture

UCAS figures from 27th January 2013 show that the University of Exeter has seen a huge year-on-year increase in applications; excluding medicine, the number of applicants is up 24.6% versus the same time last year. This equates to an extra 4,258 individual applications with an average of more than six students applying for every place.

The additional applications are spread across almost every subject area, with growth in both the sciences and humanities subjects.

University of Exeter Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith said: “The high number of applications shows...

New evidence highlights threat to Caribbean coral reef

Many Caribbean coral reefs have either stopped growing or are on the threshold of starting to erode, new evidence has revealed.

Coral reefs build their structures by both producing and accumulating calcium carbonate, and this is essential for the maintenance and continued vertical growth capacity of reefs. An international research team has discovered that the amount of new carbonate being added by Caribbean coral reefs is now significantly below rates measured over recent geological timescales, and in some habitats is as much as 70% lower.

Coral reefs form some of the...

MP swaps white papers for white coat in science pairing scheme

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw became a scientist for the day when he took part in experiments in University of Exeter laboratories.

BBC quiz show recording at University of Exeter

It will be ‘fingers on buzzers’ at the University of Exeter on Wednesday 30th January as students and lecturers prepare for the arrival of BBC Radio 4’s lively quiz show, The 3rd Degree .

The show, which is hosted by comedian Steve Punt, pits a team of three academics – world-leading specialists in their field of Psychology, Bioscience and Philosophy, against a team of three undergraduates, who study the subjects of the lecturers.

The rounds vary between specialist and general knowledge, quickfire bell-and-buzzer rounds, and the show’s signature round, ‘Highbrow, Lowbrow’,...

How does our brain “learn” from stressful events?

A study that aims to investigate how the brain processes stress and creates memories of psychologically stressful events will begin shortly thanks to funding of £758,000 from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

Researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Exeter, led by Professor Hans Reul, aim to investigate the role molecular processes, known as “epigenetic modifications”, play in the regulation of expression of genes required to cope with stress. At present it is unclear how the healthy brain adapts to and learns from stressful events.

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Health and medicine showcase hailed a success

A dynamic event highlighted the wide range of medical and health research involving the University of Exeter, the NHS and business partners.

Staff from a number of University departments, the NHS, local charities and businesses, as well as students, gathered in the Forum, to speak to researchers first-hand about their pioneering work as part of a poster display.

Interdisciplinary opportunities in research were highlighted by the key note speeches from Professor Nick Stone of Physics, Dr Natalia Lawrence of Psychology, and Professor Jonathan Mill, of the University of Exeter...

Date set for Exeter Business Games Launch

The Exeter Business Games 2013 will be officially launched on Thursday, 31st January at an event hosted by Event Exeter at the Forum, University of Exeter. Businesses in Exeter who are interested in finding out more about the Games are invited to this free event, where organisers will give an overview of the planned games along with details of how to sign up and the opportunity to do so. The Exeter Business Games, which will run throughout May and June 2013, comprises of various corporate events such as Ten-Pin Bowling and River Boat racing and is open to any Exeter-based business. The...

Slinky science inspires African school children

A University of Exeter physicist has inspired hundreds of African school children to engage with science during a whirlwind outreach tour to Malawi.

Professor Pete Vukusic used simple interactive demonstrations including slinky springs, glass prisms, light sticks and iridescent butterflies to enthral large classes of pupils and teachers in underprivileged rural schools. The charismatic lecturer combined use of the demos and an interactive and engaging teaching style to explain fundamental and modern science principles to students who are used to formal instructional teaching...

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