Unintended consequences of pensions reform1 December 2006Since the Pensions Commission made its recommendations in May 2006, there has been relatively little reflective scrutiny of its proposals. Researchers at the CMPO look at two crucial aspects of the Commission’s proposals - the retirement age and means testing for state pensions – and raise some worrying concerns about the proposed reforms.
The latest evidence on children's development1 December 2006In the Autumn 2006 issue of Research in Public Policy, leading experts look at the latest evidence on three key aspects of children’s development – health, behavioural and cognitive development – and their impact on educational attainment and hence ‘life chances’.
Professor Dixon to chair Hospitals Trust30 November 2006Professor Richard Dixon in the School of Chemistry has been elected Chairman of the Charitable Trust for the United Bristol Hospitals.
Festive treat in store for local kids30 November 2006Up to 120 local children will be given a Christmas treat this week, thanks to Bristol University’s Student Community Action (SCA) which is holding a special party to help them celebrate the festive season. The party takes place on Saturday, 2 December.
University leader explores Bristol's role as a 'Science City'30 November 2006Bristol University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Thomas, will give a free public talk on Monday, 4 December reflecting on the Government’s recent designation of Bristol as one of the UK’s six Science Cities. He will ask, ‘What would Brunel have thought?’.
Are two medicines better than one?29 November 2006Parents should be advised to use the minimum dose necessary when treating a child with fever
Professors Claxton and Deem become Academicians29 November 2006Professor Guy Claxton and Professor Rosemary Deem have been elected Academicians of the Academy of Learned Societies for the Social Sciences.
PhD graduate wins UK neuroscience prize29 November 2006Karen Luyt, a recent Bristol PhD graduate, has won the 2006 British Neuroscience Association (BNA) Postgraduate Prize for the year’s best neuroscience thesis.
Conference explores neighbourhood ‘accident hotspots’29 November 2006Young children living in some neighbourhoods of Bristol are 3 times more likely to have an accident in the home than those living in ‘safer’ areas of the city.
Bristol's partnership success highlighted at European cities summit23 November 2006Cities across Europe should develop strong partnerships between universities, public bodies and the business sector so that academic,social and commercial research can be better integrated and help drive forward city economies, Bristol City Council Leader Cllr Barbara Janke will tell a meeting of European leaders on Thursday, November 23rd 2006.
Royal Society Wolfson Award for Professor Mann23 November 2006Professor Stephen Mann FRS in the School of Chemistry has been awarded a five-year Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award.
Preventing meningitis: improving recognition, improving practice20 November 2006Junior doctors need specific training in the diagnosis and management of suspected bacterial meningitis and other severe infections concludes a study published in the Quarterly Journal of Medicine.
Archaeology and European Modernity: Producing and Consuming the ‘Minoans’17 November 2006In recent years, scholars have started exploring the relationship between archaeology, ‘Modernity’ and Europeanism. A new book examines the intriguing case study of ‘Minoan’ Crete, often claimed to be the ‘cradle of European civilisation’.
Professor Arthur Willis, 1922-200617 November 2006Arthur Willis, a Bristol alumnus and former lecturer and reader in the Department of Botany, died in June.
John H. W. Barrett (1933-2006): psychologist and inspirational educator17 November 2006John Barrett embodied everything that is best in a university academic: widely read, welcoming to students, challenging, scholarly, diplomatic, resourceful, and able to contribute original research.
Rare lightshow seen in deep ocean16 November 2006Rare footage of marine creatures putting on deep sea “lightshows” on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean has been captured by scientists using the latest technology.
Serving up the 'compleat' salmon16 November 2006The salmon is more than just a fish. It has become a symbol of fortitude, fecundity, self-sacrifice, loyalty to place and unwavering pursuit of destiny. Now, an innovative and richly illustrated bio-biography by Dr Peter Coates, an environmental historian at the University of Bristol, tells the story of this remarkable species.
In-depth analysis of National Student Survey published16 November 2006HEFCE-commissioned research, analysed by a sociologist at the University of Bristol, has explored in detail how student, course and institution characteristics influenced the results of the National Student Survey.
Family lawyers to highlight the support needs of parents with learning difficulties15 November 2006The support needs of parents with learning disabilities will be highlighted at a family lawyers conference later this week, together with the launch of a new national network for people working with parents with learning disabilities.
Students on the run for charity15 November 2006Students will be putting on their running shoes for charity later this month for Bristol University’s annual Half Marathon and 5k challenge. The event takes place on Sunday, 26 November at Coombe Dingle Sports Complex and there are still places available for members of the public.
Breathtaking discovery by Bristol University academic set to rock art world14 November 2006The discovery of two Fra Angelico paintings, one of the greatest artists of the early Renaissance, by Bristol University academic, Michael Liversidge, has been hailed as one of the most exciting art finds for a generation.
US Ambassador visits Bristol's Centres of Excellence13 November 2006Mr Robert Tuttle, US Ambassador to Britain, visited the University’s two Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETLs) recently, and met members of staff in the Schools of Chemistry and Medical Sciences.
Reward for clinic's breakthroughs in tackling childhood obesity10 November 2006The UK is in the grip of an epidemic of childhood obesity with one in five children overweight or obese. But one clinic in Bristol has had unprecedented success in turning back the tide of obesity in children through its pioneering research and innovative interventions.
How to catch a mosquito9 November 2006Male mosquitoes increase their chances of mating with a passing female by enhancing their ability to hear her flying past. Much like the human ear, the mosquito ear is able to amplify the sounds it hears, making the female appear closer.
Research shows drop in income will hit harder8 November 2006Although 23 per cent of UK mortgage borrowers believe they will face real financial difficulties if interest rates rise as predicted later this week, their fears are not entirely justified; in fact just 1 per cent would be affected.
Students donate over 100,000 hours to local community3 November 2006Student volunteers at Bristol University will be swapping their normal roles for those of decorators at Withywood Community School tomorrow [Saturday, 4 November] to mark the start of this year’s Student Community Action (SCA) Week. The painting and decorating day is the first of many community volunteering projects being held during SCA Week, which aims to highlight the voluntary work carried out by students.
Professor Sir Philip Randle, 1926-20063 November 2006Professor Sir Philip Randle founded the Department of Biochemistry at Bristol in 1964, building it up into one of the strongest in the UK both in research and teaching.
New degree addresses educational psychologist shortage3 November 2006The School of Applied and Community Health Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law has launched a new degree that aims to provide more strategic, research-based training for educational psychologists.
Purchasing Exhibition 20062 November 2006The University’s Purchasing Exhibition takes place on Wednesday 8 November in the Great Hall of the Wills Memorial Building.
Chewing the quid in Papua New Guinea1 November 2006Dr Steve Thomas first visited Papua New Guinea in 1983 where he stayed for four years looking into the cause and prevention of oral cancer.
Bristol Law student enters debate on capital punishment1 November 2006Gabe Tan, a student in the School of Law and a Student Representative at the University of Bristol Innocence Project, contributed a letter to Straits Times in Singapore arguing against capital punishment.
Major US grant for Candida study1 November 2006Professor Howard Jenkinson in the Department of Oral and Dental Sciences has been awarded a $2 million research grant by the US National Institutes of Health to explore the causes of Candida infections.
Aiming high with maths1 November 2006A new building costing more than £34 million is to be developed for the University of Bristol's Mathematics Department.
Opportunity knocks for local pupils1 November 2006An exciting new initiative designed to help local pupils enter higher education is taking place at Bristol University today [Wednesday, 1 November]. Over 80 pupils from local schools and colleges will be visiting the University to take part in the Access to Bristol scheme. The scheme is offering pupils the chance to gain access to some of the world-class teaching available on their doorstep, at one of the country’s leading universities.