University of Brighton researchers are developing a diagnostic tool to find human sources of pollution in UK rivers, ensuring safer swimming and drinking water.
Continue reading “Brighton scientists to pioneer DNA-based ‘forensic’ tool to trace sources of water pollution”
Are you passionate about protecting our planet and tackling environmental challenges? At the University of Brighton, you’ll learn from leading experts who are shaping real-world solutions.
Marine pollution is becoming an urgent environmental challenge, and Brighton-based expert Dr Corina Ciocan is leading the conversation. Featured on national and regional television, Dr Ciocan has raised awareness of the growing threats posed by plastics and abandoned vessels in UK waterways.
Continue reading “Brighton marine expert warns of rising waterway pollution risks”
A landmark project, led by BHCC with research from the University of Brighton, aims to protect 90% of the city’s drinking water from toxic road pollution.
Continue reading “How Brighton scientists are helping keep toxic road runoff out of the city’s water supply”
Starting university is a big moment and at the University of Brighton, students on our Ecology and Conservation BSc(Hons) course, kick off their journey with boots on the ground and binoculars in hand.
The first-year field trip to FSC Preston Montford is more than just an introduction to ecological fieldwork, it’s a chance to build friendships, explore nature, and begin developing the skills that will shape your future career.
Continue reading “First steps into the wild: Year one ecology field trip to Preston Montford”
“I have learnt so much so quickly in a short period of time, it has made everything I have learnt far more clear.” – second year student
If you’re considering a career in ecology, conservation, or environmental science, the Ecology and Conservation BSc (Hons) at the University of Brighton offers more than just academic excellence – it offers real-world experience that sets you apart in the job market.
One of the most impactful opportunities is the second-year field trip to South Africa, where students spend 12 days at Mankwe Wildlife Reserve applying ecological theory in a dynamic, international setting.
Continue reading “From field to future: How Brighton’s South Africa trip boosts careers in Ecology”
The University of Brighton’s public lecture series continues this autumn with thought-provoking, educational talks from leading academics.
Yan Wang, Professor of Circular Manufacturing, will be unveiling the secrets of remanufacturing as a powerful pathway to improve sustainability and protect the planet. She will demonstrate how restoring end-of-life products can provide a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative to producing new products, and even recycling. Join her on Thursday 4 December 2025.
Continue reading “Remanufacturing: The ultimate pathway for a circular economy”
Chalk streams are being impacted by microparticle pollution, according to a new study.
Fewer than 300 chalk streams exist worldwide, and England is home to most of them – but these irreplaceable habitats aren’t safe. A first-of-its-kind study on the River Itchen, by the University of Brighton and Upper Itchen Restoration Community Interest Company (UIR CIC), has revealed tiny plastic and fibreglass particles in its headwaters, raising urgent questions about the health of one of England’s most important freshwater ecosystems.
Citizen scientists from the local community, working with researchers, detected microfibre and microparticle pollution at every site sampled in spring 2025. Microfibres – often shed from clothing – dominated the samples, while fibreglass, rarely reported in rivers, was also present, together with tyre particles from road run-off. Such contamination can disrupt the river ecosystem, posing risks to insects, fish and mammals that depend on these chalk streams.
Continue reading “Tackling microplastic pollution in England’s rare chalk streams”
Could white storks make a return to the skies in London? A new survey led by the University of Brighton and rewilding charity Citizen Zoo asks the question.
The Thoughts on Storks survey is part of an ambitious effort to explore whether these elegant birds could live and breed in the capital once again – centuries after disappearing from the UK due to hunting and habitat loss.
White storks were once native to Britain but vanished around the 15th century. Now, thanks to a successful reintroduction project led by the White Stork Project at the Knepp Estate in West Sussex, wild storks have begun breeding here again for the first time in over 500 years. Sightings across Greater London are becoming more common – prompting experts to ask: could the capital be their next home?
That’s the question driving an innovative new project led by Dr Rachel White from the University of Brighton’s School of Applied Sciences, exploring whether the capital’s urban landscape could support these iconic birds, just as other European cities have done. It asks residents and visitors to share their thoughts on storks, their knowledge of the species, and how they feel about sharing the city with more wildlife.
Continue reading “Could white storks return to London? University of Brighton launches landmark public survey”
For the first time, the University of Brighton is extending its Brighton Boost financial support initiative to students applying through Clearing in 2025 – helping to remove barriers and create opportunities for those who may have thought university was beyond their reach.
The Brighton Summer Boost package has been introduced to make sure that students applying through Clearing and who need extra support to start university aren’t left behind. It’s the first time that the university has offered dedicated financial assistance during the Clearing period – which opens on 1 July 2025 ready for students to start their course in September – providing targeted help to ensure every applicant who needs it can start university with confidence.
Continue reading “University unveils extra financial support for students applying through Clearing with Brighton Summer Boost initiative”
A newly released book takes us on a microscopic safari featuring weird and wonderful creatures shows why the humble Moss plant could hold the key to major scientific breakthroughs.
What if the greatest wildlife safari on the planet wasn’t across continents, but on your doorstep? In his curiosity-fuelled new book “Moss Safari: Exploring the secret life in moss”, Dr Andy Chandler-Grevatt, takes readers into the fascinating microscopic world of everyday moss.
Continue reading “Brighton lecturer’s new book reveals the hidden universe living beneath our feet”