Picturing China
Fed by nostalgia for the pre-revolution era, China is undergoing an ‘old photographs’ fever, with many being destroyed during the 1966-69 Cultural Revolution.
News in 2008
Celebration of George Brandt's life and work
The Department of Drama is holding a celebration of the life and work of the late George Brandt on 8 June.
Industrial archaeology tutor retires after 38 years
An expert on the history of local industries who tutored at the University of Bristol for 38 years has retired at the age of 80.
New programme of adult swimming lessons
A new programme of swimming lessons for adults begins next week [Wednesday 16 April] at the University of Bristol swimming pool in Clifton.
Cutting unnecessary treatment for blood disorder in pregnancy
A new test for identifying a mismatch between the blood of a pregnant woman and her baby is accurate, feasible, and could substantially reduce unnecessary treatment, finds a Bristol study published on bmj.com today.
Researching global change
A ‘Global Change Day’ held at the University on 14 March brought together more than 100 researchers for a day of round-table discussions, networking opportunities and presentations on current and future University of Bristol directions in global change research.
Budding physicists take part in detector challenge
Around 180 budding physicists will be competing to design a detector capable of finding invisible particles at a special physics masterclass being held at Bristol University this week [Thursday 3 and Friday 4 April].
Brunel cement find is world first
Archaeologists working on a site in the Bristol Docks have discovered what is thought to be the first ever substantial use of Portland cement in the construction of a major building. The building was designed in 1839 by the great Victorian engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, to house the machinery to fabricate the world’s first screw-propelled iron ship, the ss Great Britain.
Preventing Torture in Africa: Major International Conference
A major international conference on the prevention of torture is being held in Cape Town from 3 to 4 April 2008. The event will bring together high-profile experts and representatives of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the South African Human Rights Commission, the UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture, governments, national institutions and NGOs from across Africa and further afield.
Batting for China
Gareth Jones, Professor of Biological Sciences, works on the ecology and behaviour of bats. He has been visiting China for seven years, during which time he has seen a staggering change occur in Chinese science.
Life or death for the heart?
Scientists in Bristol have been awarded over £800,000 by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to investigate the mechanisms responsible for determining whether heart cells live or die following conditions like a heart attack or cardiac surgery.
Positive futures: fifth Research Staff Conference
The 2008 Bristol Research Staff Conference takes place on Thursday 17 April at the Victoria Rooms.
NVQ first for Animal Technicians
Two members of staff in the Animal Service Unit (ASU) were recently each awarded an NVQ level 3 in Animal Technology. Lionel Wheeler and Anne Cornish, both Animal Technicians based in the ASU, are the first people in the country to achieve this qualification.
The table is laid for a feast of art
A ground-breaking interactive artwork by video artist and University of Bristol AHRC Research Fellow in Creative and Performing Arts Terry Flaxton comes to Bristol Cathedral this week. In Other People’s Skins, which takes its inspiration from Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, opens to the public on Tuesday 1 April.
New Thais with Bristol
Bristol University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Thomas, is awarding an honorary degree today [March 31] – in Bangkok.
Cuneiform clay tablet translated for the first time
A cuneiform clay tablet that has puzzled scholars for over 150 years has been translated for the first time.
University offers children’s swimming lessons
Another programme of swimming lessons for children (aged five and over) wanting either to learn how to swim or gain confidence begins on Monday 7 April at the University of Bristol swimming pool in Clifton.
Bristol makes a splash in waterpolo
Both the University’s women’s and men’s waterpolo teams were winners in their sport at the inaugural British Universities Championships in Sheffield earlier this month. The men’s team won the Men’s Championship Finals, and the women were victorious in the Women’s Trophy Final.
Staff and students walk half-way around the world
With a total step count of 22,9485,28, participants in the 2008 Pedometer Challenge, organised by the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health, clocked up almost 11,475 miles in just four weeks – almost half-way around the world.
Silicon chips for optical quantum technologies
A team of physicists and engineers has demonstrated exquisite control of single particles of light – photons – on a silicon chip to make a major advance towards the long sought after goal of a super-powerful quantum computer.
PWE week is back
The University’s third Positive Working Environment (PWE) Week will take place from 2-6 June. This year’s week will be the biggest so far, with more than 100 events taking place over the five days.
Chemistry festival for budding young scientists
Over 40 budding young scientists will be discovering the fun of chemistry at the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry being held today [Thursday 27 March] at Bristol University’s School of Chemistry.
Bristol hosts Festival of School Sport
Over 1,000 pupils from 16 Bristol schools will be taking part in the inaugural Festival of School Sport, being hosted by the University of Bristol’s Coombe Dingle Sports Complex this week [Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 March].
First firing of STERN rocket
A team of engineers from Bristol University has conducted the first firing of the STERN rocket motor.
Retirement debt growing
One in four people are approaching state retirement age with outstanding consumer credit commitments, owing four times as much as their counterparts did ten years ago, according to a new study by Bristol University’s Personal Finance Research Centre.
Made in China
Professor Ka Ho Mok, Director of the Centre for East Asian Studies, explored the changes in social stratification and mobility from migration of rural labourers into cities and towns.
Garden of thinking
Traditional Chinese academies, comparable to Greek philosophic schools, were neo-Confucian institutes, often located in reclusive mountains.
Emeritus professor becomes Lay Canon
Professor Gordon Stirrat is to be made a Lay Canon of Bristol Cathedral.
The science of medieval mosaics: PhD student wins with lecture
Diana Edwards, a PhD student in the Interface Analysis Centre, has won the South West regional heat of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Young Persons’ Lecture Competition.
Library refurbishments 2008
In 2008 the Library will be carrying out exciting refurbishment projects in two branches.
Brighter future for student residences
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Thomas, offers a few brief comments on future plans for the University's student residences.
Art on show at the Botanic Garden
Over 25 local artists will be taking part in the first exhibition and sale of original botanical paintings and drawings held at the University of Bristol to open the Botanic Garden's 2008 season.
April e-learning workshops for staff
A summary of April workshops for staff, run by the Education Support Unit, to encourage the use of technology in learning, teaching and assessment at Bristol.
Welcome to the extraordinary world of hypnotherapy
Imagine having your dentist pull your teeth out and drill into your jaw with no anaesthetic – just someone muttering in your ear about being on the beach. Sounds alarming? Welcome to the extraordinary world of hypnotherapy.
April digital imaging workshops
A summary of April workshops for staff run by the University’s Technical Advisory Service for Images.
Does caffeine aggravate tinnitus?
Tinnitus sufferers, who live in the Bristol area, are being asked to take part in the first experimental trial to support or challenge the theory that caffeine can affect tinnitus.
Professor Marianne Hester to lead NSPCC research
Professor Marianne Hester, Chair in Gender, Violence & International Policy at the School for Policy Studies, has been appointed as NSPCC Professor of Child Sexual Exploitation.
Million-dollar maths prize comes a step closer
A new mathematical object has been discovered by Ce Bian, a maths student at the University of Bristol. The news caused great excitement when it was announced at a workshop organised by the American Institute of Mathematics (AIM) and attended by 25 of the world’s leading analytic number theorists.
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons honours Geoff Davies
Geoff Davies, Preclinical Dean of the Veterinary School at Langford, has been awarded an Honorary Associateship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Students explore secrets of remarkable Tudor women
Bristol University students have been delving into the secrets of an important collection of Tudor portraits, thanks to a unique collaboration between the University, the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) and the National Trust.