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”

People walking along Brighton prom

International Insight: One Student’s Experience with Studying Abroad

Hi, my name is Rachael and I am an international student studying at the University of Brighton and I am going to share a bit about my experience as an international student in hopes that I can help you decide if studying abroad is the right choice for you.

I am from Colorado, right in the middle of the United States of America, and as I am writing this I am at the end of my first year doing Biological Sciences BSc(Hons). Continue reading “International Insight: One Student’s Experience with Studying Abroad”

RTPI logo

RTPI bursary agreed for 2022!

The Royal Town Planning Institute has just confirmed that they have agreement from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to extend the Future Planners Bursary for this coming academic year 22-23.  The scheme will again support new students who are going into planning.

You can apply for the Future Planner Bursary (England) if you are starting  our Town Planning MSc course in Sept/Oct 2022. Continue reading “RTPI bursary agreed for 2022!”

Brighton pier and beach in the sunshine

From Setúbal to Brighton

My name is Carla, I am from Setúbal, Portugal, and I am a final year Biomedical Sciences BSc(Hons) student at the University of Brighton.

I moved to the UK when I was 16 years old, and I’ve been living here for eight years. I did most of my education in Portugal. I studied in Portugal until 10th grade, but when I moved to the UK, I enrolled in college, and I did GCSEs, A-levels, and an access course before I started university in 2018. Continue reading “From Setúbal to Brighton”

Sandra walking in a green field with blue skies

A few things about what it’s like to be a Polish student in Brighton

Hi! My name is Sandra and I originally come from Warsaw, Poland. I’m currently a final year Biological Sciences BSc(Hons) student and for my pre-university education, I obtained International Baccalaureate in a bilingual school in Warsaw.

How did you hear about the University of Brighton?
The high school I attended had a Brighton University prospectus, which I was able to have a look at. Additionally, I attended a small-scale university educational event happening in my city where I found a bit more in-depth information about the university. Continue reading “A few things about what it’s like to be a Polish student in Brighton”

bournemouth pier

Our first science conference experience

We attended  the UK Young Coastal Scientists and Engineers Conference, our first-ever conference, and it was a great yet somewhat scary experience!

After our abstract applications were accepted in February, we started the daunting task of preparing our posters, learning the best way to display the data, and making summaries with enough information but without being overwhelming. This was a learning curve, but the outcome of our posters was great, and we were all very proud of what we produced.

Continue reading “Our first science conference experience”
Graduate Ashlie at work in a hospital

Graduate stories: Physician Associate in Emergency Medicine

My name is Ashlie and I’m a Physician Associate in Emergency Medicine at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals. I did Biological Sciences at University of Brighton, and I then completed my master’s degree in Physician Associate Studies at Brighton and Sussex Medical School in 2021. In between these two courses, I worked full time as a Healthcare Assistant, to save for my master’s course and to gain more experience in the field.

What do you do as a PA in hospital?
I love working in a hospital as there are lots of opportunities to undertake practical skills such as blood tests and suturing to name a couple of examples! Continue reading “Graduate stories: Physician Associate in Emergency Medicine”

Model of a body's internal organs

Why study at Brighton? The Huxley building!

Biological Sciences student Sandra Skubis tells us about one of her favourite spots at uni.

One of my favourite places at Brighton University is Huxley Building located at the Moulsecoomb campus.

Specialist facilities at Brighton

Huxley itself has seven floors, mainly filled with specialised labs but also lecture halls and offices. My favourite floors are the 4th and 5th as this is where I spend most of my time participating in practicals. Whenever I enter the premises of this building, I’m amazed by the amount and variety of equipment available. The most impressive apparatus I’ve seen so far includes an NMR machine, spectrophotometers, 3D printers, DNA sequencing system and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectrometer.

Continue reading “Why study at Brighton? The Huxley building!”

Nick McGlynn

Meet Dr Nick McGlynn

Dr Nick McGlynn is course leader for Geography BA(Hons).

How I like to teach

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.

What I like most about teaching

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!

My favourite location in Sussex

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!

Listen to Nick’s podcast

Podcast: Nick talks discusses his research into LGBTQ communities in both rural and urban areas and his high energy teaching style

Watch a video

Find out more about Dr McGlynn’s research.