The rise and rise of the flying reptiles
Pterosaurs, flying reptiles from the time of the dinosaurs, were not driven to extinction by the birds, but in fact they continued to diversify and innovate for millions of years afterwards.
News in 2011
Is there a link between obesity, chronic illness and bullying?
A study exploring the prevalence of overweight and obesity in nine-year-olds and its associations with chronic illness and bullying will be presented today [Wednesday 6 July] at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Academic Primary Care hosted by the University of Bristol's Academic Unit of Primary Health Care.
Inspirational summer schools attract almost 300 people
Students from across the country will be descending on Bristol next week [July 10 – 15] to sample university life in the city.
A body-centric perspective
Dr Dominique Paul, a Research Fellow in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, was invited to present her work on wearable electronics at the recent Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Body-Centric Wireless Communications Conference 2011.
Can you hear the shape of a graph?
What can you deduce about an object just by listening to the sounds it produces? Visitors to this year’s Royal Society’s annual Summer Science Exhibition will be given the opportunity to find out for themselves thanks to researchers from the University of Bristol.
Distinguished psychologist’s inspirational work celebrated
A celebration of the life and achievements of Professor Richard Gregory, a distinguished psychologist at the University of Bristol, is being held on Friday [July 8].
Unemployment and immigration addressed by world’s leading economists
Public sector wages, unemployment and inequality will be just some of the issues addressed this week at an international conference featuring the world’s most eminent economists including Nobel Laureates, Dale Mortensen and Christopher Pissarides.
Bristol hosts major primary health care conference
Health experts from across the world will gather in Bristol this week for the 40th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC). The conference, which will runs from Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 July 2011 is hosted this year by the Academic Unit of Primary Health Care at the University of Bristol.
Are worms ticklish? A Bristol student has the answer!
Bristol student Suzi Gage is one of the winners of I’m a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here!, an X Factor-style competition for scientists, where school children aged 13 to 18 are the judges.
Bruce Hood on BBC Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage
Professor Bruce Hood of the School of Experimental Psychology featured in an episode of BBC Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage on 4 July.
Young researcher wins Women in Science award
Dr Heather Whitney, European Research Council Research Fellow in the School of Biological Sciences, is one of four winners in this year’s L’Oréal-UNESCO UK and Ireland Fellowships For Women in Science.
All TV and no talking makes Jack a dull boy
Children whose parents encourage early communication are better at talking by the age of two and fare better when they start school.
Physical geography expert discusses climate change on Radio 4
Professor Paul Valdes, Head of the School of Geographical Sciences, was interviewed for Radio 4's Material World programme, talking about the hot topic of sudden climate change.
English lecturer on BBC Radio 4's In Our Time
Dr Jane Wright of the Department of English was a guest on BBC Radio 4's In Our Time discussing Tennyson's poem In Memoriam, AHH.
Inspirational students honoured
Some of Bristol’s most inspirational students have been honoured for their efforts in helping to make a difference to the lives of people in the local community and across the world. Winners of the 2011 University of Bristol Union Awards, set-up to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement in fundraising, volunteering, innovation and the environment, include an array of talented students who have dedicated their time to run community and school engagement projects while also raising money for charity to help others in need.
Take a botanical trip down under
Members of the public will have the opportunity to come on an Australian wine endeavour tour at the University of Bristol's Botanic Garden next week [Wednesday 6 July].
University leads the world with free intellectual property initiative
A portfolio of innovations and intellectual property (IP) developed by Bristol University can now be accessed free of charge thanks to a new initiative being rolled out by three universities.
Studying solar wind
An international team of scientists, including Dr Chris Coath from the University of Bristol, have measured oxygen isotopes in solar wind, captured by NASA’s Genesis mission, to infer the isotopic composition of the Sun, and, by inference, the solar system as a whole.
The higher education white paper: the key points
A message from the Vice-Chancellor concerning the Government's white paper on higher education.
Merchants' Academy wins Ofsted praise
A pioneering school, co-sponsored by the University of Bristol, is celebrating after an overwhelmingly positive Ofsted inspection.
Open day offers thousands a taste of university life
A record number of visitors will be attending the University of Bristol’s latest undergraduate open day on Thursday [June 30].
Can materials self-heal?
The latest research into self-healing materials will be presented at an international conference, co-sponsored by the University of Bristol, this week [27-29 June].
Dietary advice improves blood sugar control for recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients
A study led by academics in the University of Bristol’s School of Clinical Sciences shows that 6.5 hours of additional dietary support in a year improves blood sugar control in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetics; exercise provides no extra benefit.
Professor Foster elected to Society of Biology
Professor Gary Foster in the School of Biological Sciences has been elected a Fellow of the Society of Biology.
Improving animal welfare: a practical approach
Professor Temple Grandin gave a free public talk, as part of the Bristol Festival of Ideas in association with the University’s Animal Welfare and Behaviour Research Group, last week about her work on animal handling facilities and on farm animal welfare auditing.
55 million years of climate change
State-of-the-art climate models, as used in the assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, could be giving a false sense of security in terms of upcoming abrupt change, suggests a Commentary by a University of Bristol scientist published online this week in Nature Geoscience.
Conference marks tercentenary of Thomas Wright, eighteenth-century polymath
A range of scholars from across the UK come together for a conference at the University of Bristol today to celebrate and reflect on the work of Thomas Wright, a fascinating eighteenth-century astronomer, mathematician and garden architect.
Optical circuit enables new approach to quantum technologies
An international research group led by scientists from the University of Bristol and the niversities of Osaka and Hokkaido, Japan, has demonstrated a fundamental building block for quantum computing that could soon be employed in a range of quantum technologies.
Collaborating on collections: Graham Sutherland exhibition at National Museum Wales
A selection of rarely-seen art works and archive objects are on display in an exhibition 'Artist in Focus: Graham Sutherland’, curated by a University of Bristol History of Art PhD student at Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, Cardiff (until 30 Oct 2011).
‘Appy’ ending for Virtual Training Suite
The Virtual Training Suite (VTS) of 60 online subject-based tutorials to help students expand their internet research skills will continue to be developed after July 2011, thanks to an agreement between the University of Bristol and the software house TutorPro.
New LGBT support group launched for staff
A new support group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) staff has been set up at the University.
Science Museum hosts yarn invasion
Members of Bristol Neuroscience will be bringing their subject - and a large quantity of wool - to the public this weekend (25-26 June) in a special event at the Science Museum in London.
New study into Guernsey’s voluntary and charitable sector
A new University of Bristol study into Guernsey’s voluntary and charitable sector has revealed a picture of a ‘generous island’ but a need for greater partnership with the island’s government and more co-ordination of its activities.
Are cryptographic systems secure?
A grant of over €2 million has been awarded to Professor Nigel Smart in the University of Bristol’s Department of Computer Science for a new research project to show cryptographic protocols are secure.
University awarded international environmental accreditations
The University of Bristol has achieved the rare distinction of being awarded two international environmental accreditations for significantly reducing its impact on the environment.
Funding boost for Human Rights Implementation Centre
The Human Rights Implementation Centre (HRIC) has secured new funding, from the Oak Foundation and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office respectively.
Cabot Institute paving the way for our future
A pioneering project at Bristol University has been upheld as an example of research which will have a real impact on people’s lives in the future.
Top national Girlguiding role for University volunteer
A member of staff at the University of Bristol has been appointed to a top volunteering role within Girlguiding UK, the largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women in the UK.
Have a wild weekend at the Festival of Nature 18-19 June
The Festival of Nature unleashes the city's wild side this weekend [18-19 June] when it returns to Bristol Harbourside. Visitors to the free Festival, which has just been awarded ‘Bristol Event of the Year’ in the 2011 Tourism and Hospitality Awards, will have the opportunity to explore, enjoy and get close to the natural world through a programme of talks, workshops, screenings and stalls from different exhibitors including the University of Bristol.
Assessment and learning in the digital age
The role and future of assessment and learning in the digital age will be discussed at a free event organised by the University's Graduate School of Education tomorrow [Friday 17 June].