Dr Corina Ciocan at the harbour

Brighton research on microplastic marine pollution raises primetime alarm

Research by University of Brighton on an overlooked cause of potentially health-damaging marine pollution has been highlighted on BBC1’s The One Show.

The programme on 6 September featured University of Brighton’s marine biologist Dr. Corina Ciocan, whose research team has found alarming evidence of tiny shards of fibreglass shed from ageing or discarded boats being taken up by marine organisms – including those we eat. Continue reading “Brighton research on microplastic marine pollution raises primetime alarm”

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”

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”
Views of Cuckmere and Seaford montage

My favourite nature spots in Brighton!

Pharmacy student Eva Martin tells us about her favourite places for walking, biking and hiking near Brighton.

One of my favourite things about living in Brighton is that we get to have it all – city, coast, and nature all in one place. Brighton is surrounded by beautiful places to go walking, biking and hiking, but I’ve selected my top two for this article so you can visit the same spots I love. Continue reading “My favourite nature spots in Brighton!”

Dr Lorna Linch head shot

Earth: Digging Deep in British Art 1781 – 2022

Earth: Digging Deep in British Art 1781-2022 is a major exhibition spanning four centuries of artwork, at the Royal West of England Academy’s (RWA) newly refurbished galleries this summer. The final instalment of the RWA’s elements series, Earth tackles the most expansive and urgent of subject matters, bringing together important modern, historical and contemporary artworks. Continue reading “Earth: Digging Deep in British Art 1781 – 2022”

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”

Dr Paul Gilchrist

Dr Paul Gilchrist teaches across our geography undergraduate courses.

Paul Gilchrist head shotTell us about the subject area(s) you teach at undergraduate level?

I lead the research methodology aspect of the undergraduate curriculum, convening the second-year Research and Field Skills module which provides training on how to undertake research and design a dissertation project which students will complete in their final year. I am also module leader for Cities and Social Change, an optional first-year module which covers urban geography. I have developed a whole suite of day trips around Brighton and to coastal towns around Sussex to help students put their learning into context. My particular favourite is the trip we make in the spring to Bexhill-on-Sea where we look at the juxtaposition of Oriental and Modernist architecture and investigate its contribution to the town’s heritage tourism strategies. Continue reading “Dr Paul Gilchrist”

Selfie of Eva a pharmacy student

What I’ve found

Eva who is studying Pharmacy MPharm (with integrated foundation year), tells us about her first year here.

A foundation year prepares you for degree study

If you’ve got your heart set on a subject but don’t think you’ll meet the entry requirements, look into doing a foundation year. It’s very different to sixth form, much more targeted towards the course you want to study, and they do say ‘university days are the best days of your life’, so why not add an extra year? 

Continue reading “What I’ve found”

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”