Category: News

Back of a person crouching down in front of a rock

Brighton researchers to explore better sourcing of vital rare earth elements needed in battle to decarbonise

University of Brighton researchers have received a £799,950 grant to explore more efficient and less damaging ways to source vital rare earth elements.

Researchers from the School of Applied Sciences and the Centre for Earth Observation Science at the University of Brighton have been awarded a £799,950 grant by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to investigate the rock weathering processes in generating deposits of Rare Earth Elements (REEs). Information gleaned from the SCREED project should help to predict resource potential and minimise the environmental impact of extraction.

REEs are part of a group of elements that are crucial components in high power magnets used in renewable power generation and low carbon transport. In particular, neodymium and dysprosium are essential for renewable energy devices such as wind turbines and the development of electric motors. They are, however, in limited supply worldwide, and University of Brighton researchers will explore ways to access supplies in a more sustainable manner by examining the presence of REEs in rocks that have already been partly broken down by natural weathering.

Continue reading “Brighton researchers to explore better sourcing of vital rare earth elements needed in battle to decarbonise” →

Stephanie ThomsonLeave a comment
Simonne Weeks headshot

Funding boost for Brighton project to encourage more Black and Asian people to become blood, organ and stem cell donors

University of Brighton’s Donor Research team have received a share of £685,000 funding as part of the Government’s commitment to continue to tackle health inequalities and promote organ, blood, and stem cell donation among Black and Asian communities.

Donor Research is an award-winning network of University of Brighton students and academics from diverse backgrounds, supported by healthcare professionals and funded by NHS Blood and Transport (NHSBT). They work collaboratively to advance, support, and shape their community’s awareness of blood and organ donation for a fairer and more equal society.

Continue reading “Funding boost for Brighton project to encourage more Black and Asian people to become blood, organ and stem cell donors“ →

Stephanie ThomsonLeave a comment
crabs and lobster baskets at the beach

Study probes sharp fall in Sussex crab and lobster catch

University of Brighton experts are investigating a steep decline in the catch of crab and lobster in key fishing waters off Selsey in West Sussex.

Three female researchers at the beachDr Heidi Burgess is working alongside University of Brighton students as part of the CHASM (Crustaceans, Habitat And Sediment Movement) Project, in partnership with Chichester District Council, the Channel Coastal Observatory, and University of Southampton. The project is also supported by over 20 national, regional, and local environmental organisations with interests in the marine environment. Continue reading “Study probes sharp fall in Sussex crab and lobster catch” →

Stephanie ThomsonLeave a comment
Dr Sarah Pitt Media Fellow 2022 promo

Media fellowship puts biomedical expert behind the scenes at the BBC

University of Brighton’s Dr Sarah Pitt will team up with the BBC Science Unit as part of a Media Fellowship from the Association of British Science Writers.

As a virologist, Dr Pitt has made regular appearances on TV, radio and in print since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing expert insights on the disease itself, as well as infection rates, new variants and vaccinations. More recently, she has been called upon to comment on other topics such as the discovery of polio in London water and the ongoing monkeypox outbreak. Continue reading “Media fellowship puts biomedical expert behind the scenes at the BBC” →

Stephanie ThomsonLeave a comment
Professor Patel headshot

Brighton professor draws on the lessons of The Apprentice to win national teaching award

The TV show was an unlikely source of inspiration for Bhavik Patel when he was considering how to boost his students’ employability skills 10 years ago.

Yet the lessons he took from the format have this week contributed to him being announced as a National Teaching Fellow by Advance HE in recognition of his innovative educational practice as Professor of Clinical and Bioanalytical Chemistry in the University of Brighton’s School of Applied Sciences.

The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme celebrates those in UK higher education who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession.

In awarding the fellowship to Professor Patel, Advance HE said: “He is renowned for his work on developing novel educational practices for the delivery of analytical chemistry, and… passionate about enhancing employability skills and understanding the barriers faced by minority ethnic students in higher education.”

Continue reading “Brighton professor draws on the lessons of The Apprentice to win national teaching award” →

Stephanie ThomsonLeave a comment
Students wearing organ donor hoodies

Funding boost for student-led drive on minority ethnic organ donation

University of Brighton students are playing a key role in encouraging people from minority ethnic backgrounds to consider organ and blood donation.

The University of Brighton’s Donor Research Team has been awarded new funding as part of this year’s Community Investment Scheme led by NHS Blood and Transplant, which will receive £440,000 funding as part of the Government’s effort to tackle health inequalities in minority ethnic communities.

Continue reading “Funding boost for student-led drive on minority ethnic organ donation” →

Stephanie ThomsonLeave a comment
Hybricks product image

Brighton team helping create world-first 100% hydrogen fired bricks

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” →

Stephanie ThomsonLeave a comment
A river, grassy bank and bridge

Brighton academic spotlights water pollution reporting failings

Pioneering research by Dr Sarah Purnell on flaws in water and sewerage company pollution reporting has been published in a leading global journal.

Sarah Purnell head shotThe study published in the journal PLOS ONE by Dr Purnell – a Principal Research Fellow in the School of Applied Sciences – marks the first external analysis of nationwide pollution incident data. It found worrying trends in the pollution incident performance of water and sewerage companies across England, as well as questioning the onus on self-reporting by companies which made important judgements on comparative performance difficult. Continue reading “Brighton academic spotlights water pollution reporting failings” →

Stephanie ThomsonLeave a comment

University of Brighton leads drive to boost BAME student organ donation

Researchers and students have teamed up for a project to tackle shortages in relation to blood and organ donation in BAME communities across the UK.

With the help of funding from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), Simonne Weeks (Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science) and Rebecca Craig (Senior Lecturer in Nursing) have overseen a project with students from Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds to create  online awareness initiatives to support students across the UK to register an informed choice to donate organs, and tell others. Continue reading “University of Brighton leads drive to boost BAME student organ donation” →

Stephanie ThomsonLeave a comment