One company, two people, 30 shows and 4,000+ performances
The archive of the remarkable theatre company, Theatre Roundabout, has been donated to the University of Bristol Theatre Collection
News in 2014
Exploring voice to create an alternative language
During November, Bristol academics are working with artist Emma Smith to host a series of events which explore the power of the voice to connect us to one another.
Bird battles promote unity on the front line
Like the Three Musketeers’ famous strategy of ‘all for one, and one for all’, birds marshal their troops to defend key resources when threatened by rivals, new research from the University of Bristol has found.
Bristol spin-out awarded £600,000 to develop haptic technology
A leading developer of technology that uses ultrasound to create tactile sensations in mid-air has been awarded £600,000 to advance the haptics system. The new investment, led by IP Group plc (LSE: IPO) and one of its managed funds, will allow the Bristol-based company, Ultrahaptics, to expand its software team and accelerate product development and customer engagement.
Could walking to work help fix the nation’s health woes?
Businesses will be encouraging their workers to walk to work as part of a new £1 million trial which gets underway this month.
Mongoose sentinels respond flexibly to threats
Just as soldiers on sentry duty constantly adjust their behaviour to match the current threat level, dwarf mongoose sentinels exhibit flexible decision-making in relation to predation risk, new research from the University of Bristol has shown.
Last Ice Age has shaped sharks across Europe
Shark populations in the Mediterranean are highly divided, an international team of scientists, led by Dr Andrew Griffiths of the University of Bristol, has shown.
Bristol-Airbus Group charter reinforces University-industry links
The University of Bristol was recently invited to sign up for a University Charter Agreement with Airbus Group.
London’s diverse ethnic population explains the success of its schools
London’s diverse ethnic population is the reason for its pupils achieving significantly better GCSE results than the rest of England, according to a new study published today [12 November].
RISE set to be biggest yet
Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the award-winning Eden Project and specialist in sustainable business, will be inspiring Bristol’s social entrepreneurs of the future when he visits the city this month.
Lord Anthony Giddens to give 2015 Policy & Politics Lecture
The Bristol-based journal Policy & Politics has announced Lord Anthony Giddens as the speaker for the 20th Policy & Politics Annual Lecture.
Senior civil servants speak to Bristol students
Alex Aiken, Executive Director of Government Communications, visited the University last week to give a lecture to students about the Civil Service.
Janice Virgin, 1951-2014
Janice Virgin, former member of the professional services staff, died recently. Her colleagues, Melissa Werrett and Dr Marc Holderied, offer a tribute.
Ask bigger questions – the impact of Big Data analytics
What is the impact of Big Data analytics on the way people do business and its advance across public and private sectors? This question will be explored by the co-founder of Cloudera, an American-based software company, at a free University of Bristol public lecture tomorrow.
Mike Chaplin, 1948-2014
Mike Chaplin, a former Senior Porter in the Computer Centre, died recently. Liz Lynch, Site Services Manager, offers an appreciation.
Professor Louis Solomon, 1928-2014
Louis Solomon, former Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, died in August. Emeritus Professor Ian Learmonth and Professor Ashley Blom offer a tribute.
Bristol students help to launch UNESCO Sustainability Literacy Test
How well-prepared are the world’s students to tackle the key challenges in social, economic and environmental sustainability?
Molecular breakthrough could halt the spread of prostate cancer
Scientists believe a new treatment, shown to be effective in mice, could halt the growth of tumours in patients with prostate cancer.
Trial evaluates new laser operation for prostate surgery
A £1.2 million trial to evaluate the use of new laser technology for benign prostate surgery – one of the most common operations performed on the NHS - is underway in Bristol.
Pigeon English author visits Big Read finale
The University of Bristol Big Read will culminate in a visit from Stephen Kelman, author of Pigeon English, on Thursday [13 November].
That’s cracking - University launches first MOOC
The University of Bristol’s first Massive Online Open Course (MOOC), Cracking Mechanics - Further Maths for Engineers, will be launched next week [Monday 10 November]. The free six week course is aimed at anyone, particularly sixth formers, who is interested in a career in engineering, maths or physical science.
Health research receives £3 million funding boost
Innovative medical research led by the University of Bristol has been given a £3 million boost thanks to new funding awarded by the Wellcome Trust.
Students challenged to harness tidal energy of Bristol Channel
Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson yesterday [Tuesday 4 November] met with final year engineering students at the University of Bristol to launch the Bristol 2015 Marine Energy Accelerator Programme (MEAP) - a year-long programme of events and other initiatives, co-funded by Bristol City Council and Bristol 2015 European Green Capital.
Europe’s first speech lab for non-native English speakers opens in Bristol
The first speech lab of its kind in Europe, designed to break down communication barriers faced by those who speak English as a second language, is being launched in Bristol today [5 November].
NASA scientist to discuss the limitations of human vision
How do people view the visual world, what are the limitations of human vision and what are the implications of these for technology development? These questions will be explored by NASA’s Senior Scientist for Vision Research at a free University of Bristol public lecture next week.
Bristol philosopher writes on child patients’ testimonies in The Lancet
A paper by Professor Havi Carel in the Department of Philosophy was recently published in The Lancet, one of the oldest and most prestigious medical journals in the world.
Variations in ice sheet height influence global climate
Heinrich events, in which large masses of icebergs rapidly broke free from ice sheets during the last ice age, are thought to have influenced global climate by interrupting ocean circulation patterns with a large influx of freshwater. However, new research from the University of Bristol suggests the variations in the height of the ice sheet that happen in these events might also influence global climate.
Modern technology restores ancient dinosaur fossil
A rare dinosaur fossil has been restored by an international team of scientists, led by Dr Stephan Lautenschlager from the University of Bristol, using high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT scanning) and digital visualisation techniques. The work is described this week in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
University business incubators provide best service for technology start-ups
SETsquared has been named as the best service provider for the West’s technology sector.
The University of Bristol announces the appointment of Professor Hugh Brady as its next Vice-Chancellor
Today, following formal approval by the University’s meeting of Council, the University of Bristol announced the appointment of its next Vice-Chancellor and President. Professor Hugh Brady will succeed Professor Sir Eric Thomas when he takes up the role in September 2015.
Iconic building shines for hope
Bristol’s iconic Wills Memorial Building will be illuminated by purple lights tomorrow [Saturday 1 November] to mark the start of Pancreatic Cancer awareness month.
Six best postgraduate research students honoured
Six Bristol postgraduates have been awarded prizes for the exceptional quality of their research degree theses in the academic year 2012/13.
Universities’ collaboration celebrated
The GW4 Alliance, which brings together the combined strengths of the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter, held its official launch last night.
Secretary of State Vince Cable unveils £28 million expansion at National Composites Centre
A £28 million expansion to the National Composites Centre (NCC), a world-leading research and technology hub owned by the University of Bristol, has been officially opened by Business Secretary Vince Cable.
Jailbreak winners ‘escape’ 1,205km to Prague
Over 40 fearless students from the University of Bristol spent the weekend dashing across England, Scotland and continental Europe in a bid to get as far from Bristol as possible in the hugely popular Jailbreak charity challenge.
Leadership and the city: how an elected mayor has improved visibility
Having a directly elected mayor in Bristol has led to a huge increase in the visibility of leadership in the city, according to a unique study which has gauged public opinion before and after the creation of the new mayoral system.
Bristol academic wins inaugural Marcel Arnould Medal
Dr Brian Hawkins of the Department of Civil Engineering has been awarded the first Marcel Arnould Medal by the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG).
Bristol team develops aerosol optical tweezers
A device which allows users to hold airborne particles – aerosols – for extended periods has been developed by a team at the University of Bristol and Portishead-based firm Biral.
Lessons and legacies of the Holocaust
Books by Bristol historians Professor Tim Cole and Dr Joanna Beata Michlic will be the two featured books under discussion at the biannual Lessons and Legacies conference – the most important international Holocaust Studies conference – hosted by Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton this week.
What did we learn from the 2014 World Cup?
Experts on the history, politics and culture of football will gather at the University of Bristol this week to discuss the impact of this year’s FIFA World Cup. The event is free and all are welcome.