University of Brighton is part of a pilot project to create the world’s first clay bricks made 100% using green hydrogen energy rather than natural gas.
A trio of Brighton researchers – Dr Kevin Wyche, Doug Gregg and Dr Kirsty Smallbone – are involved in an initiative which could significantly reduce the huge climate impact of the construction industry worldwide. Continue reading “Brighton team helping create world-first 100% hydrogen fired bricks”
As international travel was restricted this year due to COVID, in April our second year Geography and Environment students travelled to Northern Ireland for a week-long field trip. The aim of these longer residential field trips is to let students practice the field skills they’ve been learning under real-world conditions, and to support them in developing and undertaking their own research projects. But we also know that students spend field trips taking lots of photos to share with friends, family and social media – so this year we decided run a photo contest too!
There were three categories for the contest, each with a prize of a £50 National Book Token. Here are this year’s winning photos, plus some background info from the students who took them: Continue reading “Winners of our Northern Ireland field trip photo contest”
David Hughes graduated in 2017 from Environmental Sciences BSc(Hons). He now works as a Marine Biogeochemist for Cefas, the (Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science)
Read about his experience of studying here:
Continue reading “My journey from degree to Marine Biogeochemist”
Kieran Tang graduated from Geography BA(Hons) in 2018 – here’s what he has to say about his time here:
Studying Geography BA(Hons) at the University of Brighton opened my eyes to a plethora of course content, numerous routes for future career opportunities, the wonderful area of Brighton, and the occasional field trip.
The best aspect of the course is the wealth of different modules you can study, and how you can start to specialise in certain areas. During the course of my degree, I began to shape my learning on planning, the environment, and sustainable development.
Dr Nick McGlynn is course leader for Geography BA(Hons).
I teach Human Geography, specialising in lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) equality issues and community spaces.With all of the progress that’s been made it’s easy to forget that LGBTQ people still face marginalisation and exclusion in our society, and really value having distinct LGBTQ spaces.
I bring high energy and enthusiasm to all of my lectures, using plenty of videos, group discussions, class polls, and sometimes a bit of quick research right there in the classroom. Learning isn’t about just sitting and listening, it’s about actually doing stuff!
One of the field trips I lead takes students to the Soho area of central London. We explore why Soho became an LGBTQ neighbourhood over the past 40 years, and document changes to the area by making our own ethnographic observations. Students get to visit LGBTQ venues, observe the nightlife, and hear from experts like local journalists about the politics of LGBTQ spaces and the issues faced by Soho businesses and residents.
You can read more about the Soho trip here
Human Geographers often use ‘qualitative’ data, like audio-recorded interviews or written stories. But graduates from lots of degrees leave university not really knowing what to do with this kind of data! I teach students how to analyse qualitative data effectively and rigorously, so that they can evidence the conclusions they draw from it. This includes training in step-by-step techniques like Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA), and specialist software like NVivo which helps organise and manage very large qualitative datasets. Students practice these during our 2nd year Morocco field trip, using them to analyse the data they gather in the field while doing their own group projects.
Getting to see students learn and develop during their time with us. It’s so great when you see a student’s marks consistently getting better and better, because they’re listening to their feedback and actually enjoying what they’re learning!
We’ve got a really superb staff-to-student ratio, so we get to teach in small classes and genuinely get to know our students. This means we’re able listen and give advice tailored to individuals, their needs and their situations. No student here is ever just another face in the crowd!
I love walking along the Brighton seafront. In winter you wrap up, watch huge waves crash and roar as flocks of starlings swirl around the pier. In summer it’s shorts and t-shirts, baking in the heat as you go to get an ice-cream. Amazing all year round!
Find out more about Dr McGlynn’s research.
We’re excited to announce that we have a new second year Geography, the Earth and Environment undergraduate module starting in the 22/23 academic year – Critical Digital Geographies. The use of digital technologies to transform work, homes, cities, romantic relationships, exercise, health and transport (to name a few), is one of the most pressing contemporary societal challenges, providing exciting possibilities but also new power struggles. Continue reading “Critical Digital Geographies – a new module”
A study by University of Brighton researcher Nick McGlynn is spotlighting the often difficult experiences of fatter men in gay spaces across the UK.
Dr McGlynn’s report – entitled Bearspace – is the largest ever study of the UK’s community of ‘Bears’, a term referring to big and hairy gay men who typically present in a more ‘masculine’ way, and who make up one of the UK’s largest gay male subcultures. This groundbreaking research explores the experiences of fat gay, bi and queer (GBQ) men in spaces used and created by Bear communities in the UK, drawing on data from focus groups, interviews and Nick’s own observations.
Continue reading “New study shows plus-size men face stigma in gay spaces “
23 Feb 14.00 – 15.30
Start location: Old Steine Gardens fountain.
This 90-minute guided walk around central Brighton will introduce you to the oldest and the newest LGBTQ spaces in the city. Continue reading “Brighton’s LGBTQ Spaces – Then, Now, Next: Walking tour with Dr Nicholas McGlynn and Dr Rebecca Searle”
Find out how gaining her Geography BA(Hons) in 2018 led Jen to planning and delivering regeneration programmes in town centres, and what advice she has about life as a Brighton student.
Things that helped me to choose Geography at the University of Brighton were the enthusiastic lecturers, diverse course content, unique field trips, and location of the Uni itself. Continue reading “Bringing regeneration plans to life”
Fieldwork is at the heart of geography as a discipline. In early November, Level 4 students underwent an exciting field trip to investigate coastal change along the South Coast led by Dr. Georgios Maniatis and Magda Grove.
As part of the Academic Learning and Field Skills module, students created a series of beach profiles analysing grain size distribution along Brighton beach and the National Trust’s amazing Cuckmere Haven.