OBE for Professor making a difference for children and families
Discover more on page 5
Out-of-this-world careers event for youngsters
Find out more on page 13
Lois and her guide dog Buster celebrate at graduation
Read all about it on page 31
FOR
The North East is fast gaining a reputation as a creative powerhouse, and with high-profile industry and government investment in the region announced in recent months, Northumbria University is playing a key role in this cultural revolution.
In January this year, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced it would be investing £5 million in a new centre for writing in Newcastle — a project Northumbria University is leading alongside the charity and writing development agency New Writing North. Having worked together for over a decade, the two organisations have teamed up with local government and national publishers to make the centre a reality. Set to be based within Newcastle’s
historic cultural and creative zone, known as Creative Central NCL, the centre will support the development of a new generation of northern writers, provide space for local communities to connect with writing, and become a hub for creative industries, in the North of England. As the only higher education institution partnering on this development of the centre for writing, this offers an exciting opportunity for Northumbria to be at the forefront of the growing publishing industry.
Home to world-leading researchers with a wide variety of expertise, the University is in a unique position to provide the knowledge and skills needed to support the development of creative industries in the region. Dr Heather Robson is Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor of Northumbria’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Social Sciences and explains: “This is an exciting time for the North East — we’ve seen global organisations such as Warner Music UK demonstrating their confidence in the region by investing here,
plans for major developments such as the £450m Crown Works Studios in Sunderland, as well as an increase in new creative SMEs and start-ups in the region.
“As a university we have a deep knowledge and understanding of the creative industries and how they fit into the economy and infrastructure of society. Through our academic research we can look at the industry though a different lens and help identify future needs and requirements. And through our
teaching we can then provide the skills needed to meet those requirements — training the next generation of writers, artists, film makers, producers and creatives.
Continues on page 2.
Satellites could keep the lights turned on, Page 8
Ancient volcanoes reveal hidden climate mystery, Page 18
Improving support for people with Parkinson’s, Page 21
Imagining homes of the future, Page 23
Examining forensic science in criminal law, Page 24
Scholarship success for architecture student, Page 28
Graduate foodie franchises burger restaurant, Page 30
Northumbria has enhanced its position as a leading hub for sustainable construction innovation with the installation of new cutting-edge 3D printing technology that can aid the drive toward net zero.
The advanced technology can print concrete structures faster, cheaper and more sustainably than conventional methods, and will enable testing and validation which could be adopted by industry. Northumbria teamed up with leading 3D construction printer manufacturer, Luyten 3D, and UK-based, sustainable technology company, ChangeMaker 3D, to establish the new capability. Support was also provided through a Royal Society Research grant available for scientists in the UK.
According to a 2024 UN Environment Programme report, the buildings and construction sector accounts for around 21 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Transforming building methods is
therefore considered a vital factor in reaching net zero commitments in the UK and around the world.
3D concrete printing saves time, energy and resources, with Luyten 3D’s projects in Australia showing it can cut construction waste by 60 per cent, production time by 70 per cent, and labour costs by 80 per cent when compared to hands-on construction projects.
Northumbria’s Assistant Professor of Structural Engineering, Dr Mohammadali Rezazadeh, who is the Principal Investigator of this Royal Society Research grant, said: “At Northumbria University, our team is leading research in 3D concrete printing technology to develop sustainable infrastructure. We are developing eco-friendly
concrete mixes, reinforcing them with corrosion-resistant composite materials, and optimising their designs to reduce material usage, shaping a more sustainable future in construction.”
Scientists at Northumbria are now exploring partnerships with leading health, water and civil engineering organisations to support the development of sustainable hospital buildings, water tanks and green infrastructure.
For more information on Mechanical and Construction Engineering research at Northumbria click the QR code.
Continued from Page 1
“The confidence shown by the government through this investment in the centre for writing demonstrates how far the region has already come, and we are excited to play our part in really establishing the North East as a creative and cultural centre of expertise and excellence.”
As well as providing a home for commercial publishers and cultural SMEs, the centre for writing will include a space dedicated to Northumbria University — offering students unique opportunities for study, networking, collaboration, and experiential learning, and opening doors for them into the publishing industry. This will allow Northumbria to build on the success of its MA Publishing, co-designed and cotaught with publishers Hachette and New Writing North, which provides
students with the skills and work experience needed to work in this major UK growth industry. The centre will also provide space for Northumbria academics, allowing them to work closely with representatives from the creative industries, and further strengthening existing links between research and industry established by the University.
The centre has been backed by the North East Mayor and Newcastle City Council, with support from publishers including Hachette UK, Faber & Faber and Simon & Schuster. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “This is a big vote of confidence in the North East’s creative potential and will burnish our reputation as a leading region for the creative industries, with new jobs and opportunities coming to the region in writing, TV and film. The North East is a region on the rise and
taking its rightful place in the world — standing tall and proud on the national and world stage, thanks to our worldclass arts, culture, and creativity.” Claire Malcolm, CEO of New Writing North, who spearheaded the campaign, added: “Creative writing is the backbone of the UK’s world-leading creative industries which employ 2.4 million. It also plays a vital role in wellbeing and public health. The centre for writing will provide an opportunity to expand our work with communities in the region and to work with even more brilliant Northern talent. It will also bring writers and readers together in a space which celebrates the power of storytelling.”
Click the QR code to find out more about the centre for writing.
“LOGICALIS IS INCREDIBLY PROUD TO PARTNER WITH NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY AND LENOVO IN DELIVERING HPC TECHNOLOGIES TO FUEL CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH.”
Dr Bashton explained: “All our leading research requires computation and, in my own area of research, I had pushed our existing HPC infrastructure to the absolute limit — particularly during the pandemic when the University was generating far more genome sequencing data than many nation states in the world.
Northumbria University has announced a multi-million pound investment in its first university-wide high-performance computing facility giving researchers access to state-of-the-art technology.
The University has teamed up with global digital technology providers, Lenovo and Logicalis, to deliver the new Higgs highperformance computing (HPC) cluster, placing Northumbria at the forefront of technological innovation and facilitating excellence in research. Through its ability to handle large scientific datasets at high speeds, Higgs will power world-leading research at Northumbria in areas including DNA sequencing and genomics, solar and space physics, glaciology and climate science, and biotechnologies for renewable energy and sustainable materials.
The name of the cluster was inspired by Professor Peter Higgs, who was born in Newcastle, and whose revolutionary work on the
Higgs boson particle changed our understanding of what helps bind the universe together.
Professor Louise Bracken, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange) at Northumbria, said: “This is a major investment which will continue the sustained growth in our research capabilities at Northumbria and demonstrates our commitment to building capacity to support the worldclass research that goes on here. “Given the significance of his contribution to the way we understand the world, we have sought permissions from the family of the late Professor Peter Higgs to name the new cluster after the visionary Nobel laureate, whose name lives on through his transformative work.”
Over the next five years, the capabilities of the advanced hardware and software within the cluster will be regularly reviewed and expanded to ensure it meets the evolving needs of Northumbria’s research community.
For Professor Darren Smith and Dr Matthew Bashton, whose work at the University’s cutting-edge NU-OMICS DNA sequencing research facility was used during the pandemic as part of the national COVID-19 Genomics UK consortium (COG-UK), the Higgs cluster will help drive forward other research breakthroughs.
“The Higgs cluster will give us the bandwidth and computational power to fully utilise the DNA sequencing instrumentation that we have in the NU-OMICS lab and get results faster. At the same time, this leading research supports knowledge and teaching at the University, with students benefitting from learning in a research-rich environment.”
Northumbria is also developing the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST), a £50 million facility that will support worldleading space experts and unite industry with academia to help transform the UK space economy. Work led by experts at the University to investigate how best to develop, enhance, and protect the satellite fleets in space, which are heavily relied upon for communications in our daily lives on Earth, will be among the research projects
to benefit from the investment in the Higgs cluster.
Dr Simon Corbett, Chief Information Officer at Northumbria University, said: “There’s been brilliant collaboration between IT, procurement and academic staff at Northumbria, who have worked closely with Lenovo and Logicalis to co-design the specification of the cluster so that it gives us everything we need to meet current demand, while ensuring it is capable of growing with us over the coming years to meet future requirements.”
Neil Eke, Chief Executive Officer, Logicalis UKI added: “Logicalis is incredibly proud to partner with Northumbria University and Lenovo in delivering HPC technologies to fuel cutting-edge research. Our team of dedicated HPC experts will be working closely with the University over the next five years, ready to scale the Higgs cluster’s compute performance and capacity as needed to process ever larger datasets at high speed.”
Click the QR code to discover more about research and innovation at Northumbria in a special case study spotlighting the benefits of the Higgs HPC cluster.
A team of leading sleep researchers from the British Sleep Society have called for the government to abolish the twice-yearly clock changes in the UK due to the adverse effects on sleep and circadian health.
Their recommendation follows mounting scientific evidence that circadian rhythm, also known as the body’s internal clock, and sleep health are positively affected by the availability of natural daylight during the morning yet negatively affected by the twice-yearly changes of clock time. With sleep being central to health and wellbeing, the Society has issued a statement saying that it “strongly recommends” for Standard Time — also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) — to run throughout the year. Evidence reviewed by the Society shows the changes of clock time to Daylight Saving Time (DST) in late March, more widely known as British Summer Time (BST), can interfere negatively with sleep regulation.
The Society’s statement and subsequent recommendations were recently published in the Journal of Sleep Research. It was co-authored by academics from across the UK and led by Professor Malcolm von Schantz of Northumbria University, Dr Megan Crawford of the University of Strathcylde and Dr Eva Winnebeck of the University of Surrey. The statement has received support from several organisations, including The Irish Sleep Society, British Paediatric Sleep Society, Capella (Sleep Action), The Sleep Charity, and the
British Society of Pharmacy Sleep Services.
Malcolm von Schantz, Professor of Chronobiology at Northumbria University and a member of the Northumbria Centre for Sleep Research, said: “There is an ongoing debate in the UK and in other countries about whether twice-yearly changes into and out of Daylight Saving Time should be abolished. Standard Time aligns closely with the natural light-dark cycles of the day and night. In calling for Standard Time to run yearlong, the Society emphasises that natural daylight in the morning is crucial for maintaining an optimal
alignment of our body clocks with day and night, which is essential for optimal sleep and overall health.
“Restoring permanent Standard Time would mean our clocks would be closely aligned to solar time, and while it would mean earlier sunsets in the summer, there would be additional benefits to health from improved sleep and circadian alignment due to increased exposure to morning sunlight from autumn to spring.”
Members of the British Sleep Society also assessed the unique geographical context and orientation of the UK in their decision making.
“THERE IS AN ONGOING DEBATE IN THE UK AND IN OTHER COUNTRIES ABOUT WHETHER TWICE-YEARLY CHANGES INTO AND OUT OF DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.”
Almost the whole of the UK is located to the west of the Prime Meridian which passes through the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, which means that most of the country experiences later sunrises and later sunsets all year round. The Society also noted that if the UK considers changes to the current time zone arrangements, then the discussion and decision should be taken in partnership with
the Republic of Ireland to avoid a time zone border across the island.
Click here to read the full statement from the British Sleep Society, titled The British Sleep Society position statement on Daylight Saving Time in the UK.
A researcher who played a key role in bringing breakfast clubs and holiday activities to millions of children across the country was awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List.
Professor Greta Defeyter, Director of Northumbria’s Healthy Living Lab, has spent the last 20 years researching how meals and enriching school holiday activities can be, and are being, provided to millions of children across the UK through schools and community organisations.
The Order of the British Empire (OBE) is awarded to those who have made a significant impact in the arts, sciences, charitable work and public service. Professor Defeyter’s award was given in recognition of services to education. Her research has had significant influence on the Department for Education’s rollout of a National School Breakfast programme and funding of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for children and
young people across England.
Professor Defeyter said: “I am both delighted and astonished at being awarded an OBE. To be recognised in this manner for my research with children, young people and families is a humbling experience.
“Most importantly, I would like to thank all the organisations, local authorities, charities, children, young people, parents and carers who trusted me, and worked alongside me to conduct this research that has enabled societal change.”
Professor Defeyter initially investigated the impacts of school breakfast clubs on children’s health, social and educational wellbeing. Her studies demonstrated that breakfast clubs can improve school attendance and punctuality, motivation, social
relationships, educational attainment and quality of life for many children, providing evidence that has supported the nationwide expansion of breakfast clubs over the past fifteen years. More recently, the Chancellor launched a £315 million free breakfast club programme for all state-funded primary schools, to start in spring 2025.
Recognising that school holidays also brought difficulties for many families with children who receive school meals in term time, Professor Defeyter expanded her research to evaluate holiday clubs and city-wide holiday programmes. Her work confirmed the need for the UK government to provide nutritious food and activities for children and young people to engage in outside term
“IT IS CLEAR THAT HER RESEARCH OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES HAS INFORMED AND INFLUENCED GOVERNMENT DECISION MAKING WHICH HAS LED TO A POSITIVE, AND MEANINGFUL, IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.”
time as well as during the academic year. As a result, the government announced funding of more than £200 million to local authorities across England in 2021 to fund the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
Professor Defeyter is currently researching broader issues around poverty, school meals, and the Healthy Start Scheme. Through her work with charities, schools, supermarkets, and caterers, she is advising the UK and Scottish Governments on the development of national strategies and policies to help eliminate the need for food banks.
Professor Andy Long, ViceChancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: “We are delighted to see this recognition for Greta and her work. It is clear that her research over the last two decades has informed and influenced government decision making which has led to a positive, and meaningful, impact on the lives of children
and families across the country.”
Professor Defeyter will formally receive her OBE at a ceremony later in the year. Northumbria University is dedicated to reducing health and social inequalities, contributing to the regional and national workforce and improving social, economic and health outcomes for the most marginalised in society. Through its new Centre for Health and Social Equity, known as CHASE, researchers will be delivering worldleading health and social equity research and creating innovative, evidence-based policies and data-driven solutions to bring impactful change across the region, the UK and globally.
Click the QR code to discover more about the work of Northumbria University’s Healthy Living Lab.
Three leading figures were awarded Honorary Degrees at the University’s winter graduation ceremonies in recognition of their contributions to the worlds of fashion marketing, sustainable business, and business education.
Michelle Poole, a Northumbria University graduate, has built an impressive career spanning nearly 30 years in global fashion and lifestyle brands. After studying Fashion Marketing at Northumbria’s School of Design from 1988 to 1992, Michelle launched her career at Converse, where she eventually became Marketing Director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. She then held senior positions at companies like Sperry Top-Sider, Timberland, Kangol, MTV Europe, and Pepe Jeans. In 2014, Michelle joined Crocs, where she rose from Senior to Executive Vice President, and later became President in 2020 until her departure in 2024. Her leadership has expanded Crocs’ global reach, with oversight of teams across the Americas, Asia, and EMEA. With her passion for equality and diversity, she has also been instrumental in advancing women’s representation in leadership, with twothirds of Crocs’ leadership team now women.
Michelle successfully guided Crocs through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and, in 2021, led the company to win the Footwear News Shoe of the Year award. Crocs was also named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies of 2023. That same year, Michelle was honoured with Women in Retail’s Top Woman of the Year award, recognising her significant contributions to the community and her role as a mentor to other women in the industry. Throughout her successful career, Michelle has remained closely connected to Northumbria University. She has shared her industry insights by mentoring students and, in 2021, established a scholarship to support those from underrepresented backgrounds in Arts, Design, and Social Sciences, as part of the University’s Higher Education Without Barriers campaign.
Jim Rowan is a Northumbria graduate having obtained a master’s degree in Business with Supply Chain and Logistics in 2014.
Jim has been the CEO of Volvo Cars since March 2022. His mission is to ensure that Volvo is a leader and pioneer in protecting people and the planet through next-generation mobility and is spearheading Volvo’s ambition to become a fully electric car maker by 2030. He is also a current member of the Shareholder’s Committee of Henkel, a global leader in adhesive technologies, beauty care, laundry, and home care products, with a genuine focus on sustainability.
Before joining Volvo, Jim had a long and illustrious career in the engineering, technology and manufacturing industries, holding senior positions at several organisations. He was CEO Consumer Division of Ember Technologies, Chief Operation Officer of BlackBerry and in 2012, he joined Dyson as Chief Operating Officer, later becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2017.
During his tenure at Dyson, he delivered record results, rapidly expanding the company’s supply chain, engineering, and digital commerce capabilities. He oversaw the launch of an unparalleled suite of new Dyson innovations that allowed the company to successfully enter new industries.
Outside his professional roles, Jim is a charitable supporter. He was an ambassador and sponsor of Sok Sabay Phnom Penh Cambodia & Laos for six years, a registered charity that rescues children in situations of abuse. In 2024, Jim was named one of TIME’s 100 most innovative leaders driving business climate action. This recognition highlights his outstanding contribution to creating sustainable business value while tackling the pressing challenges of climate change.
Nizam Razzaq is an Attorney at Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and the Founding Director of Business Management School (BMS) which celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2024. BMS is one of Northumbria University’s key education partners, providing opportunities to students whose financial and personal circumstances prevent them accessing study in the UK. Under Nizam’s leadership, BMS has become a Sri Lanka Government approved non-state sector higher learning institution and also a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. As a Chief Executive of BMS, Nizam has played a key role in the institution’s development, earning several accolades, including the South-Asian Business Excellence Award 2022 for Best Institute for Academic and Industry Interface. In 2022, Nizam was awarded the Exemplary CEO of the Year by CEO Magazine, Sri Lanka.
Nizam has led BMS in its partnership with Northumbria University for 22 years, in which time thousands of BMS students have graduated with Northumbria degrees and gone on to make valuable contributions to the Sri Lankan economy. He has worked closely with colleagues throughout the University and fostered excellent working relationships with professional and academic staff as well as executive leadership.
Nizam has dedicated himself to offering Sri Lankan students the opportunity to earn a Northumbria degree. He has partnered with local employers to create job opportunities for graduates, set up scholarships and interest-free loans for students facing financial hardship, and built a strong alumni network. Nizam has also played a key role in strengthening BMS’s relationship with Northumbria, leveraging his professional network to expand the Northumbria brand across Sri Lanka and the wider region.
University.
Researchers have now identified what causes a form of brain cancer in children to be particularly aggressive and how to diagnose it. As this type of tumour is near incurable using current therapies, the study provides critical evidence that will help medics with diagnosis and treatment plans. It is hoped this will minimise long-term side effects and improve quality of life for patients.
Medulloblastoma is among the most common malignant brain tumour identified in children and is responsible for around 10% of childhood cancer deaths. Keen to better understand why a certain type of medulloblastoma has a particularly poor prognosis, researchers set out to identify key genetic defects and find effective targeted approaches to treating it.
Most medulloblastomas have two copies of a gene family called MYC. However, 8% of cases have a higher number of copies, which triggers rapid disease growth and often results in treatment failure.
Dr Ed Schwalbe, Associate Professor in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics at Northumbria brought together the largest cohort of MYC-amplified tumours ever studied to assess clinical and molecular data to determine which factors affected survival. The study defined patient groups that can be considered near incurable using current chemotherapy and radiotherapy, leaving the patients with what Dr Schwalbe described as a “dismal prognosis”.
“Identifying groups of patients who would be considered nearincurable has the potential to immediately impact their clinical management,” he said. “The delivery of chemo and radiotherapy is very gruelling for the patients, and their families, and we now know that this is providing
little, if any benefit for those in this high-risk group, who urgently require new treatment approaches.
“I’d like to thank those parents and patients who consented to take part in this study. Understanding that children with MYC medulloblastomas have different outcomes helps us to select the best treatments and paves the way for new approaches to treat this devastating disease.”
Dr Schwalbe’s work forms part of a £5 million, twophase research programme called INSTINCT which has been funded by a number of charities. Launched in 2015, INSTINCT is exploring new ways to identify and treat some of the most lethal childhood brain tumours and is led by Professor Steve Clifford,
Director of Newcastle University Centre for Cancer. He explained: “Medulloblastomas with MYC gene amplifications are one of the biggest challenges in paediatric oncology. In our latest studies, we have identified an important group of these tumours which are essentially incurable using current therapies, and how to recognise them diagnostically. New therapies are urgently required to treat these tumours, but there has been a lag in their development.”
The studies were funded by national childhood cancer charity Children with Cancer UK, together with Cancer Research UK, The Brain Tumour Charity, Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity), Blue Skye Thinking and Little Hero. Both Blue Skye Thinking and Little
“UNDERSTANDING THAT CHILDREN WITH MYC MEDULLOBLASTOMAS HAVE DIFFERENT OUTCOMES HELPS US TO SELECT THE BEST TREATMENTS AND PAVES THE WAY FOR NEW APPROACHES TO TREAT THIS DEVASTATING DISEASE.”
Hero were formed by families in the memory of their lost sons who passed away from medulloblastoma.
John Rainsbury, Trustee of Little Hero and father to Will who died of Group 3 medulloblastoma at six years old, said: “As a family we are excited by the possibilities that this discovery provides and hope this new understanding can develop into meaningful treatments for other children facing what Will went through. Whilst diagnostics have progressed, surprisingly the actual treatment for medulloblastoma has changed
little in 30 years, with the prognosis for high-risk versions remaining stubbornly poor. It is essential that we develop novel approaches to target high-risk disease far more effectively and give kids like Will a chance for the future.”
Click the QR code to find out more about the important research being undertaken within Northumbria’s Department of Applied Sciences.
Extreme weather is becoming more common around the world, with severe storms causing damage to power networks, resulting in a loss of electricity — but could satellites situated hundreds of kilometres away in space be the solution to maintaining energy supplies on Earth?
Storms and floods can have devastating consequences, leaving thousands of homes without power, with vulnerable people particularly affected. At the same time, the amount of renewable energy going into the UK power grid is increasing significantly as the UK aims to reach Net Zero by 2050. Unlike fossil fuels or nuclear power, the amount of energy generated through solar or wind is much harder to predict, with sudden surges placing pressure on the power grid, also potentially disrupting the power supply. A new research project aims to tackle both these issues by using satellite technology to monitor and manage power grids more effectively, as well as helping to restore power following an extreme weather event. The SAT-Guard project (Satellite-Aided Technologies for advancing resilienceGuarding energy services under climate hazards, risks, and disasters) has received funding of approximately £1 million through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Led by Durham University in partnership with Northumbria University, it has support from several industry partners including Northern Gas Networks.
Small-scale energy generation and storage units, such as rooftop solar panels, and small wind turbines, are known as distributed energy resources (DERs). They are often owned and operated by homeowners at a consumer level and can be connected to the local power grid or used to power standalone applications. With the amount of solar and wind power produced in the UK increasing, there are expected
to be several million DERs connected to the power grid over the next decade. It is almost impossible to accurately predict the amount of energy generated by these renewable DERs due to both a lack of information about their number and location and variations in weather conditions, which will only become more challenging with climate change. Poor management of DERs could lead to power grid congestion, or extreme fluctuations in voltage which may cause widespread power outages.
Dr Jing Jiang of Northumbria’s Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering is leading Northumbria’s involvement in the research, supported by Professor Eamon Scullion. Their work centres around the
use of satellite technology and data-driven energy scheduling to restore power.
Dr Jiang said: “By using satellite images we will be able to get a much clearer picture of the amount and location of wind turbines, solar panels and other distributed energy resources in a local area. This will not only allow us to more accurately predict the energy which could potentially be entering the power grid, but also greatly improve energy coordination and management. In addition, if terrestrial communications systems are compromised due to extreme weather events, satellite communications can provide a reliable alternative, providing high-speed and reliable data transmission.”
“IF TERRESTRIAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS ARE COMPROMISED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS CAN PROVIDE A RELIABLE ALTERNATIVE, PROVIDING HIGH-SPEED AND RELIABLE DATA TRANSMISSION.”
DR JING JIANG
One of the key elements of the SAT-Guard project will be the development of ‘digital twins’ — digital replicas of real-world systems, such as the power grid, which can be used to monitor, test and predict how the real system is working. This will enable researchers to predict the impact of extreme weather on DERs and consequently the power grid, and to coordinate DERs in order to restore power. The models will be tested at Northern Gas Network’s National Energy Research Village, situated on the outskirts of Gateshead. Nine hundred applications were made to the UKRI’s cross research council responsive
mode pilot scheme, with SATGuard one of just 36 projects selected to receive funding. Between them, the successful projects will share over £32 million of funding across new and creative interdisciplinary ideas emerging from the research community.
Click the QR code to find out how Northumbria University researchers are developing new energy materials and systems to help deliver a cleaner, greener future.
The North East’s reputation for world-class space research and innovation has been enhanced with the announcement of £2.5 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The funding has been awarded to a consortium of academic, civic and industry partners who together will form the North East Space Communications Accelerator (NESCA). Over the next four years NESCA will build on recent investment in space skills, research and innovation in the region, creating new opportunities for knowledge exchange that lead to high-skilled jobs and economic growth.
NESCA is a collaboration between Northumbria, Durham, and Newcastle universities, the North East Combined Authority, Space North East England, and the North East Space Leadership Group, as well as 14 industry partners. It aims to support the UK’s ambition to become a leader in the global space industry by bringing together academic research with business and commercial expertise to contribute directly to the growth of the national space ecosystem.
Professor Vincent Barrioz, of Northumbria University’s Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering, leads the project. He said: “The North East is recognised as a prime location for the rapid growth of space innovation, skills development, investment, and industry, which, if nurtured, will
transform the industrial landscape of the region.
“NESCA will provide the structure and resources to ensure that innovation taking place in our universities is driven by, aligned with, and delivered in collaboration with regional partners to create place-based impact. Specifically, it will bridge the gap between space research and industry-ready products launching in the market.”
NESCA will focus primarily on the development of new resilient space communications technology — a key element of many space applications and an area in which the North East has already developed a reputation for excellence.
The funding will support three key strands of focus over the next four years — innovation, place, and people. An innovation fund will support new ideas through the commercialisation process, from proof of concept and feasibility to market. The place strand will focus on delivering regional and national priorities for the space sector, including promoting the North East at national and international space industry events, and increasing
public awareness of the space sector through engagement activity. This will be achieved in partnership with the newly established North East Combined Authority, led by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness. And the people strand will focus on providing the skills required within the space sector, from student summer schools, to continued professional development for those already working within the industry.
The three universities involved in NESCA already boast world-class research and teaching expertise in space technology and communication, as well as state-of-theart facilities to support new commercial innovations.
Northumbria University is currently constructing a £50 million North East Space Skills and Technology Centre, with investment from the UK Space Agency and the space and satellite division of industry giant Lockheed Martin. Durham University’s new £5 million
Space Research Centre has been created to ensure a sustainable future in space, while Newcastle University’s space research spans a variety of academic disciplines, with a strong presence in artificial intelligence (AI) and spatial data analytics.
NESCA is one of seven new projects funded through EPSRC’s Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme. Sharing £22 million between them, the projects will strengthen emerging and existing research and innovation clusters to kickstart economic growth and address regional needs.
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “We are backing universities across the UK to home in on local strengths in research — to support thousands of local jobs, boost skills and bring new technologies to market. This investment will allow innovators up and down the country to continue or expand their pioneering work to improve lives and kickstart growth in our economy with new opportunities.”
Click the QR code to find out more about NESCA, launching in early 2025.
The Conversation is a collaboration between news editors and academics to provide informed news analysis and commentary that’s free to read and republish.
At Northumbria, our academics have been working with The Conversation to produce independent, quality current affairs journalism on some of the latest topics to hit the news.
Elon Musk has gone all in for Trump — here’s what’s at stake for the world’s richest man in the US election
In a confusing landscape of interviews and appearances in the run-up to the US election, one question on everyone’s mind was “What exactly does Elon Musk want?”. Assistant Professor, Dr Thomas Cheney from Northumbria Law School analyses what Musk aims to extract from the Trump administration.
Leeches are making a medical comeback — here’s why we should celebrate it
Despite their reputation as a medical horror of the past, conservation efforts are growing to protect Britain’s medicinal leeches. Visiting Scholar at Northumbria’s Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Dr Mike Jeffries, discusses both the unsettling past and the hopeful future for medicinal leeches.
Mangroves in the Maldives have been drowning as sea level rises — new study
For millennia, Mangrove forests have protected coastlines around the world against erosion and storm surges, but how are they handling a rapid rise in sea levels? Associate Professor in Physical Geography, Dr Vasile Ersek, discusses new research into climate impacts on Mangroves and the potential knock-on effects.
If you have a great idea for an article, please email media.communications@northumbria.ac.uk
Man Utd: the myth of the ‘all-powerful’ football manager is why so many of them get the sack British football appears to have a ‘managers’ problem, but that doesn’t mean the managers are always to blame. Professor Anthony Montgomery from Northumbria’s Department of Psychology argues that maybe it’s not the managers who need changing but the culture of the clubs themselves.
DeepSeek claims to have cured AI’s environmental headache. The Jevons paradox suggests it might make things worse
Chinese start-up DeepSeek has rocked the AI world with its claims of a model that matches its US rivals for a fraction of the cost and carbon footprint, but is this actually a good thing? Assistant Professor Pete Howson, from Northumbria’s Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, explains how developments like DeepSeek could accelerate AI’s energy usage.
What are sleep retreats? A sleep scientist explains the latest wellness trend
Recently, there’s been an increase in the offering and appetite for so-called ‘sleep retreats’, but what are sleep retreats and are they actually helpful? Professor of Sleep Science at Northumbria, Jason Ellis, explains the theory behind the trend and what you should consider before buying in.
At Northumbria, we are committed to providing equal opportunities for success to all students, regardless of their background. We want every student to feel empowered to pursue highly skilled careers and achieve their life ambitions.
PRO VICE-CHANCELLOR FOR EDUCATION AT NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY
Northumbria University News speaks to Professor Graham Wynn, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education, who shares his vision for students’ educational journeys, and explains how universities can open opportunities for students, whatever their goals, ambitions and background – something that Northumbria continues to champion.
Tell us about your role at Northumbria and how it supports the aspirations of students throughout their learning experience.
As Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education, I am responsible for shaping the student experience at Northumbria, both inside and outside the classroom. My focus is on ensuring that students not only succeed academically but also thrive in their personal growth and professional development during their time with us. This involves working closely with colleagues across the University to ensure we deliver high-quality courses that equip students with the skills, knowledge, and experiences needed for their future careers or further study. Beyond the curriculum, I also oversee and get involved with initiatives that support student wellbeing, engagement, and personal development, whether that’s through our student support services, extracurricular activities and campus events such as Freshers’ Fair and activities led by Northumbria Students’ Union and Northumbria Sport.
A key part of my role is fostering successful student progression, with a strong emphasis on employability and career readiness. We are committed to producing graduates who are well-prepared for the next steps in their journey, whether that’s entering the workforce, starting a business, or continuing their studies.
Collaboration is also central to my work. I partner with external organisations, including other universities, schools, and colleges, to share best practices and broaden educational opportunities. A great example is our partnership with Education Partnership North East (EPNE), which supports 20,000 students in further education across the region. By working together, we are driving forward social mobility and ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to opportunities for skills development and career success.
How does a Northumbria University education help to transform lives?
A key part of this commitment is placing experiential learning at the heart of all our undergraduate degrees. This means providing students with opportunities to apply what they learn in real-world settings, ensuring that their education goes beyond the classroom.
Experiential learning can take many forms, including industrial placements, consultancy-based projects, learning in authentic environments such as a simulated courtroom or hospital ward, or service learning, where students engage with community issues or take part in volunteering. These experiences allow students to develop practical skills, build career confidence, and gain valuable insights into professional environments while they study.
Crucially, students get to experience firsthand what it’s like to work in different settings, whether in a business environment, research laboratory, or medical clinic. By interacting with professionals and learning by doing, they develop the confidence and adaptability needed to stand out in a competitive job market.
Alongside this, our Graduate Futures team supports students in building the career skills they need, from job applications and CV writing to excelling in interviews.
Generative AI is also shaping the future of education, and at Northumbria, we embrace its potential as part of a forwardthinking curriculum. As industries evolve, it is essential that our students understand how to use AI responsibly and ethically. By equipping them with the skills to navigate and leverage this technology, we are preparing them to thrive in a world increasingly influenced by AI.
Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that Northumbria graduates are career-ready, highly sought after by employers and able to make an immediate impact in any organisation. We want every Northumbria graduate to enter the workplace with confidence, capability, and a real competitive edge.
Driving social mobility is at the heart of our mission. Around 40% of our undergraduate students come from underrepresented backgrounds, and our graduates already fill almost a quarter of highly skilled jobs in the North East of England. We are committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed and transform their future.
To support this goal, we are developing an Access and Success Framework, a whole-institution approach that ensures students receive the right support at every stage of their journey. From their first encounter with Northumbria, perhaps at a school visit or campus open day, to their transition into graduate careers, we are focused on removing barriers, increasing opportunities, and empowering students to reach their full potential.
A key part of this commitment is recognising and addressing the challenges faced by specific student groups. For example, we are proud to have signed the Care Leaver Covenant, reinforcing our pledge to provide sectorleading, wraparound support for students from care-experienced backgrounds, ensuring they have the academic, financial, and personal support needed to succeed.
But transformation isn’t just about individual students, it extends to families, communities, our region and beyond. A Northumbria education changes lives and opens new opportunities that drive success and positive change across society.
How is Northumbria removing barriers to get more students into highly skilled professions to help further boost the local economy?
The North East has the lowest higher education participation rates of any region in England.
At Northumbria, we recognise our civic responsibility to change this by removing barriers, widening access, and creating opportunities for students from all backgrounds to enter and thrive in higher education.
A key part of this mission is working in partnership with schools, colleges, and regional employers to create seamless
pathways into university and highly skilled careers. One example is our NU ALLSTARS scheme, which provides schoolage students with tailored advice and guidance to support their progression into higher education, while giving them a clear picture of the opportunities available at Northumbria.
Another important initiative is our partnership with Bede Academy in Blyth, a coastal town where higher education progression rates have historically been low. Recognising this, the Academy has developed a new T-Level course in health, in partnership with Northumbria, to encourage more young people to enter the NHS, health, and social care professions. The course provides an alternative route to A-Levels or apprenticeships, helping students take their first steps towards achieving their career aspirations.
As part of this collaboration, we provide access to Northumbria’s cutting-edge facilities, placement support, and an innovative shadowing scheme, where pupils gain firsthand experience of life as a Northumbria student. Crucially, students who pass the new T-Level in health will also be guaranteed an interview for related courses at the University, ensuring a clear, supported progression route. These initiatives highlight our role as a beacon of learning and opportunity in the North East. Our mission is to remove barriers, raise aspirations, and create pathways for success, transforming lives while powering an inclusive regional economy.
“BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE ARE DRIVING FORWARD SOCIAL MOBILITY AND ENSURING THAT STUDENTS FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS HAVE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER SUCCESS.”
Click the QR code to discover more about the Northumbria University Strategy 2030.
A book written by two women, born 60 years apart, who never met, has finally been published, more than 30 years after work on it first began.
In the early 1990s historian Professor Olive Anderson began work on a book highlighting a little-known Victorian legislative clause which restored the financial and legal independence of married women whose husbands had left them. Sadly, she died in 2015 before completing it. More than 30 years later, Northumbria University academic Dr Jennifer Aston came across the forgotten manuscript while carrying out research into the history of divorce. In 2024, with the support of Olive’s two daughters, Dr Aston finally completed the book Professor Anderson started.
Deserted Wives and Economic Divorce in 19th Century England and Wales: For Wives Alone explores a relatively unknown, but widely used, section of the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857, also known as the Divorce Act, which reformed divorce law in England and Wales.
At the time, by law, when a woman married, all her assets automatically transferred to her husband. However, under Section 21 of the Act, a wife whose husband had deserted her could apply for a protection order and restore her ‘feme sole’ status — the legal term for a woman who was not married or was acting independently of her husband. A woman with feme sole status had the right to make legal contracts and sign legal documents in her own name, own and dispose of property, own and operate a business, and sometimes even vote.
Dr Jennifer Aston, an Associate Professor within the Northumbria Law School, said: “Section 21 was a radical piece of legislation. At the time it was very difficult for women to prove they had grounds for a divorce, but Section 21 enabled them to apply to their local magistrate for an order of
“UNTIL
NOW THE BOOK WAS FORCED TO LEAD A VERY GHOSTLY EXISTENCE, BUT SEEING IT FINALLY PUBLISHED ALLOWS IT TO TAKE ON FLESH AT LAST AND TAKE ITS PLACE BESIDE OUR MOTHER’S OTHER BOOKS.”
RACHEL ANDERSON
protection which would ringfence all their assets from their husband should he return, and it only cost a few shillings — the equivalent of about £32 today.
“Despite the potential Section 21 had to change the lives of deserted wives, when I came to research it, I found that very little was known about its impact. In fact, the only person I could find who had done any research around it was Olive Anderson, who had mentioned the subject in two articles, in which she referenced her upcoming book.
“I was unable to find the book and then sadly discovered an obituary written following
Olive’s death in 2015. I contacted her family, and her two daughters very kindly allowed me access to her manuscript.
“It was from here that the idea came for me to complete the book that Olive had started, finally shining a light on this fascinating piece of legal history and telling the stories of some of the everyday women whose lives were changed thanks to Section 21.”
Born in 1926, Olive Anderson was awarded a scholarship to study History at St Hugh’s College, Oxford, and after graduation was appointed as an assistant lecturer at London University’s Westfield College, now Queen Mary University of London. She went on to become Professor of History and Honorary Research Fellow
before her retirement in 1991. Throughout her career she sought to explore new ways of thinking about history, studying groups of people outside the historical mainstream. It was her belief that women, including married women, should have the ability to achieve financial independence that led to her interest in Section 21.
Speaking about the publication of the book, Olive’s daughter Harriet said: “We first discovered the typescript when clearing out our mother’s study and said how wonderful it would be if it could be published in some form, but we didn’t really know how to go about it, and then Jennifer got in touch with us.”
Olive’s other daughter Rachel added: “Until now the book was forced to lead a very ghostly existence, but seeing it finally published allows it to take on
flesh at last and take its place beside our mother’s other books.”
Deserted Wives and Economic Divorce in 19th Century England and Wales: For Wives Alone is published by Hart Publishing, part of Bloomsbury and the largest independent academic law publisher in the UK.
Click the QR code to find out more about the book and Dr Aston’s work.
“YOU WOULDN’T REALLY THINK THERE WAS SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN SPACE BUT THIS IS A FANTASTIC WAY TO FIND OUT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS YOU CAN DO.”
PATRICK HOGGINS, 16, ST CUTHBERT’S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS
Pupils from schools across the North East explore out-of-thisworld careers at unique event.
Around 60 young people from Year Six and Year 12 at schools across Newcastle spent their half term at Northumbria University discovering real opportunities available in the fast-growing UK space industry.
Organised by international aerospace giant, Lockheed Martin and global communications company, Viasat, the students engaged with experts in the industry and immersed themselves in a range of workshops and projects. The pupils were involved in everything from making and launching rockets and robot workshops, to learning about the prospects of colonisation on Mars.
space, but this is a fantastic way to find out all of the different things you can do.”
Ben Shaw, Head of Operations and Capture with Lockheed Martin, emphasised the importance of the event. “The North East Space Skills and Technology Centre — or NESST — is a £50 million investment between the UK Space Agency, Northumbria University and Lockheed Martin,” he said.
Ten-year-old Eva Noorkhalid from St Teresa’s Roman Catholic School said Space Camp had been an amazing experience. “I am really interested in science and space, and we have learned about it in a really fun way.”
Patrick Hoggins, aged 16, from St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School for Boys said: “You wouldn’t really think there was so much opportunity to work in
“But this facility is only part of the story. Without the development of a talent pipeline we will not have students taking STEM subjects at higher education.
“Space Camp is part of the narrative which encourages students to develop their science identity and their pathway to a STEM career; hopefully into the growing space sector.”
The delivery of Space Camp was supported by the NUSTEM group, established in 2014 with the aim of engaging more children and young people in STEM subjects. The group, based in Northumbria’s Faculty of Engineering and
Environment, seeks to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers and redress the balance of female students and under-represented groups studying STEM subjects in universities.
Professor John Woodward, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) at Northumbria University, said: “Through the development of our North East Space Skills and Technology Centre we are working with local schools and industry partners to further our commitment to promoting STEM careers by delivering programmes such as Space Camp — opportunities that simply didn’t exist in the region when I was at school. Space Camp speaks to everything we do at Northumbria University to drive social mobility.”
Year 12 students delivered a presentation to a panel of guests on dealing with the problem of space debris. MP for Cramlington and Killingworth, Emma Foody, was on the panel. She said: “It was amazing to see the work these young people did and how much they realise the importance of STEM subjects.”
Click the QR code to find out more about NUSTEM.
A consortium of British universities is exploring a collaborative project with partners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to create a Joint International Institute for Clean Hydrogen. The project was announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a visit to the Gulf in December.
Initially, Newcastle, Northumbria, Teesside, Durham and Cranfield universities will work with universities and research institutes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and industrial partners from both nations to accelerate progress towards net zero.
The initiative aims to educate the next generation of engineers, to develop research and create new businesses that will be key for achieving the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy resources. A delegation from the universities plan to travel to Saudi in the coming months to progress the project.
The university partners said: “We welcome the government’s announcement of our intention to collaborate with partners in Saudi Arabia to create the Joint International Institute for Clean Hydrogen.
“By working together to strengthen our international partnerships, our universities are providing the foundation for a research and innovation ecosystem that will put the UK at the forefront of the green energy agenda. This will benefit local communities, create jobs, provide a pipeline of skilled graduates and amplify the global reach of our research.”
Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at Northumbria
University said: “The University already has a strong track record of successful research collaboration with partners in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in areas such as clean and sustainable energy, as well as health and wellbeing. Through our strategic research strengths, and in step with other regional universities and partners, Northumbria is well placed to further contribute and benefit from future opportunities to work together.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said at the time of the announcement: “The North East is an academic and an engineering powerhouse which I am determined should become the home of the green energy revolution. I have worked alongside the Prime Minister to bring together universities in Saudi Arabia and the North East as we build the New Joint International Institute for Clean Hydrogen and I look forward and seek further green energy investment and opportunities for our region.”
Click the QR code to discover more about research at Northumbria that is tackling global challenges.
An innovative programme to develop the next generation of leaders in renewable energy has been highly commended in the national Green Gown Awards.
The Green Gown Awards, which are delivered in association with UK Research and Innovation, recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the world.
The Renewable Energy Northeast Universities (ReNU) doctoral training programme was highly commended in the Tomorrow’s Employees category. This category focuses on institutions taking pioneering and innovative steps to embrace the green skills agenda by creating people equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours to ensure a transition to a sustainable economy.
Led by Northumbria University, and delivered in collaboration with Newcastle and Durham universities and more than 40 partners across industry, government and academia, ReNU is creating a team of future leaders in the renewable and sustainable energy fields with excellent scientific, engineering and problem-solving skills.
To date, more than 70 doctoral candidates have enrolled on the four-year training programme which also provides training in business and innovation and gives students the chance to work with industry specialists to develop their areas of research focus. Students have worked on industry-focussed projects with organisations including the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, where they investigated new technologies that would improve the efficiency of floating offshore wind turbines. And with deeptech innovation specialists CPI, where they evaluated the viability of Lithium-ion battery recycling in the UK.
Green Gown Awards judges described the work of ReNU as ambitious and said there was significant potential for global impact from innovations developed through
the programme. They were impressed not only with the volume of partnership working but also the work to address equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the programme.
Neil Beattie, Professor of Energy Innovation at Northumbria University and Director of ReNU, said: “ReNU is creating highly-skilled people with excellent scientific and engineering skills, coupled with specialist training in business, innovation and internationalisation to accelerate net zero.
“The shared platform of research excellence in energy materials and systems between the institutions and the unique training opportunities we provide, has created a transformative and professionally accredited programme to drive forward UK innovation in renewable and sustainable distributed energy.”
ReNU was launched in 2019 after being awarded £5.8 million by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. It has proven so successful that further funding of almost £11.5 million was awarded in 2024 to expand its work. The new funding, which also comes from partner universities and companies, has created ReNU+ which will help the UK government progress towards its net zero aims for a low carbon economy.
Professor Andy Long, ViceChancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: “ReNU is making a significant contribution to the global transition towards achieving net zero and a greener, more equitable future for all.
“This award recognises Northumbria as an inclusive provider of green skills and highlights our work to empower future leaders through ReNU’s innovative research, education and collaboration programme.”
Charlotte Bonner, Chief Executive of EAUC which administers the Green Gown Awards and is the leading
L-R: Professor Neil Beattie, Director of ReNU; Dr Li Chin Khor, ReNU Centre Manager; Dr Paul Steadman, Sustainability Manager at Northumbria University; and Jo Allatt, Head of Sustainability at UKRI who presented the awards.
“THIS AWARD RECOGNISES NORTHUMBRIA AS AN INCLUSIVE PROVIDER OF GREEN SKILLS AND HIGHLIGHTS OUR WORK TO EMPOWER FUTURE LEADERS THROUGH RENU’S INNOVATIVE RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND COLLABORATION PROGRAMME.”
PROFESSOR ANDY LONG
body for sustainability in the post-16 education sector for the UK and Ireland, said: “This year’s outstanding winners and highly commended entries for the Green Gown Awards UK & Ireland once again provide an inspiring and diverse array of initiatives, from impactful projects to passionate individuals, all dedicated to advancing sustainability.
“These awards demonstrate that sustainability is a
collaborative journey, not a competition, with each effort contributing to the broader goal of transformative change for the post-16 education sector and beyond. Congratulations to all our winners, highly commended entrants, and finalists.”
Northumbria University has a growing reputation for excellence in sustainability. In 2024, Northumbria achieved its highest ever world ranking
for sustainability after being named one of the top 50 institutions in the world in Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings 2024.
Click the QR code to discover more about RENU and research on energy materials and systems at Northumbria.
The five universities of North East England have launched a new partnership to strengthen their collaboration and accelerate economic growth in the region.
Northumbria University has long been a catalyst for regional development, supporting economic growth, social transformation, and widening access to higher education. Now, through the Universities for North East England (UNEE) partnership, Northumbria is working with Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland, and Teesside universities, to further strengthen the collective economic, social and cultural impact of higher education in the region. UNEE will work with the Tees Valley and North East Combined Authorities as a unified voice of higher education in North East England. Speaking at the partnership launch event, the universities outlined their response to the UK Government’s priorities for higher education reform, with a focus on expanding access and improving outcomes for disadvantaged students, economic growth, civic and regional engagement, and high-quality education. In a joint statement, the Vice-Chancellors of the five universities said: “As five independent institutions, we each bring unique strengths to the region. By working even more collaboratively through Universities for North East England, we will forge deeper connections with businesses and local communities to help unlock the full potential of our region and beyond.”
On access, Northumbria has been a key player in the region’s progress to date. Around 60 per cent of Northumbria’s students are from the North East and 40 per cent of those are from less advantaged backgrounds. Through its “Higher Education Without Barriers” fund, which has raised over £3.2 million since 2022, Northumbria has provided support, including financial aid and mental health services, to over 2,500 students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Additionally, the NU ALLSTARS scheme aims to foster close partnerships between schools and Northumbria, while the Destination Northumbria supported entry scheme provides valuable resources, guidance and a strong support network to help
local students develop the skills and knowledge they need to prepare for undergraduate study. While there is still much to do – recent data from UCAS shows that the higher education participation rate for 18-yearolds in the North East is 32 per cent compared to 58 per cent in London – Northumbria’s role in UNEE enhances its efforts to make higher education accessible to all. The decade-long North East Raising Aspiration Partnership (NERAP), now named Access UNEE, is a scheme that supports young people from underrepresented groups to think about their futures and how university study can help them reach their goals. Through the scheme, the five institutions already provide advice and guidance to over 30,000 young people annually – a campaign which UNEE pledge to drive forward with vigour.
On economic growth, recent London Economics analysis indicates that in the 2021-22 academic year alone UNEE partners contributed £9.7 billion to the UK economy, a higher output per institution than any other region in the UK. Northern Accelerator, an
existing collaboration between the universities, is already speeding up the commercialisation of research in the North East and has so far supported the launch of more than 50 spinout businesses. Meanwhile, in 2022-23, the region’s graduates launched 129 start-ups, generating £543 million in turnover and employing more than 3,800 people. Northumbria’s own focus on graduate enterprise has placed it in the top 10 UK universities for graduate start-ups based on turnover for the past 15 years*. Universities are critical assets when it comes to supercharging emerging sectors and accelerating research and innovation. At Northumbria, the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST), a £50 million state-of-the-art facility with investment from the UK Space Agency and Lockheed Martin UK Space, is set to boost regional growth and transform the UK space industry. And a recent award of £5 million from the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) will help create a new centre for writing and publishing in Newcastle - led by Northumbria and New Writing North. The centre will develop
Following a successful launch event in Newcastle, UNEE will be hosting a roundtable event in Westminster in May. The event will bring together government, industry and academia to showcase the development of the partnership and its crucial impact in the North East and beyond.
the next generation of northern writers, become a hub for the publishing industry in the North and be a place where residents of the region can discover their writing potential. Building on successes like these across all five partner universities, UNEE will help to identify and shape new collaborative opportunities, forging a stronger unified voice highlighting the North East as a great place to live, study, work and invest.
Key growth sectors, regionally and nationally, such as green energy, advanced manufacturing, culture and creative, life sciences and digital, are reliant on a high-quality graduate pool and continual workforce development. Northumbria’s contribution to the regional talent pipeline is significant, with approximately 60 per cent of its graduates choosing to remain in the North East poststudy. Working together, the five
universities will now strengthen ties with the region’s employers, identifying skills gaps and providing the specialist education and training required to meet their future workforce demands.
Northumbria’s commitment to playing a leading role in the economic and social transformation of the North East and beyond is nothing new, and its partnerships are essential to achieving this. Through UNEE Northumbria will be able to deliver even greater, meaningful impact with, and for, the communities it serves regionally, nationally and globally.
*Higher Education Business and Community Interaction Survey 2022/23
Click the QR code to find out more about UNEE.
“INTERDISCIPLINARY
COLLABORATION WITH
DESIGN AND
ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE WILL ENABLE OUR RESEARCH TO REDUCE FIBRE SHEDDING AT THE ROOT CAUSE.”
A newly established research hub, based at Northumbria University, will explore the extent and environmental impact of microfibre loss from textiles.
Microfibre shedding from clothing during machine washing and drying is well known, with the tiny fibres causing harm to wildlife and the environment when they enter soil, air and waterways. But recent research has shown that the clothes we wear are actually shedding microfibres throughout their entire lifespan, from textile manufacture through to everyday wear. Even microfibres from fabrics considered ‘natural’, such as cotton, can have a negative impact on the environment, as manufacturing processes introduce chemical dyes and finishes to the fabric, meaning it is no longer in its natural state.
Academics from Northumbria University have teamed up with research organisation The
Microfibre Consortium (TMC) to open the Fibre-fragmentation and Environment Research Hub — known as the FibER Hub. Based in Northumbria’s School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, the new Hub features state-of-the-art equipment which will enable researchers to understand exactly what and how much fibre a fabric sheds at each stage of its lifespan. In recent years, efforts have focused on quantifying microfibre loss from domestic laundering. This new collaboration will build on existing knowledge by also exploring other environmental settings in which textiles shed fibres. It is hoped that the research will inform the development of more sustainable textiles
in the future, with targeted interventions throughout the lifespan to reduce shedding rates.
TMC is a science-led nonprofit organisation which has been leading on research in this area. It works to connect academic research with the reality of commercial supply chain production, leading to science-led change within the industry. It works on behalf of 95 signatories, including global brands and retailers, suppliers, and non-governmental organisations, who have signed up to the Microfibre 2030 Commitment, which aims for zero impact from fibre fragmentation to the natural environment by 2030.
The FibER Hub has been developed as part of the IMPACT+ project — a multi-disciplinary network of academics and industry experts, set up to challenge the way environmental impact is measured and assessed across the fashion and textile industries. Established in 2023, the project is funded through UK Research and Innovation’s
circular fashion and textile programme NetworkPlus, and includes academics from Northumbria University, King’s College London and Loughborough University, covering a variety of expertise, such as water, air and soil pollution, forensic science, design, and big data.
Working alongside them are representatives from global fashion brands including Barbour, Montane, and ASOS; sustainable clothing companies Agogic and This is Unfolded; campaign groups Fashion Revolution and WRAP; and the Northern Clothing and Textile Network, Newcastle City Council and Newcastle Gateshead Initiative.
Northumbria’s Dr Alana James is Principal Investigator for the project and said: “This strategic partnership reflects the core aim of the IMPACT+ Network by focusing on microfibres as an overlooked and unmeasured environmental pollutant. Interdisciplinary collaboration with design and environmental science will enable our research to reduce fibre shedding at the
root cause, whilst implementing these insights directly within an industry setting.”
Dr Kelly Sheridan is Chief Executive Officer of TMC and an Associate Professor in Forensic Science at Northumbria. Her research focuses on textile fibres and fibre fragmentation. She said: “The FibER Hub collaboration enables TMC to draw on the interdisciplinary skills and technical capabilities of Northumbria and the IMPACT+ team to expand our knowledge offering to our signatory community. Through this collaboration, the TMC research team will provide direction to relevant research informed by industry needs, to go beyond what is possible today and create robust, wide ranging and comprehensive lifespan data on fibre fragmentation.”
Click the QR code to find out more about the IMPACT+ project.
“OUR CO-DESIGNED SOLUTION WILL NOT ONLY ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF PAKISTAN AND ITS VULNERABLE POPULATIONS BUT ALSO SETS A PRECEDENT FOR TACKLING SIMILAR CHALLENGES GLOBALLY.”
The S2Cool project supports…
UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 13 (Climate Action)
And international climate pledges… COP26 Glasgow Breakthrough COP28 Cooling Pledge
In response to the growing frequency of extreme heatwaves in Pakistan, an international research initiative has been awarded £2.8 million by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to develop energy-efficient cooling technologies that could save lives and reduce environmental impact.
In June 2023, Pakistan endured temperatures soaring beyond 52°C, resulting in a tragic loss of 120,000 lives and an economic cost of $16 billion. With severe heatwaves threatening human health, livelihoods, and the nation’s economy, Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director in South Asia, called for urgent action — a call the S2Cool project team has embraced through research-driven innovation.
Led by Northumbria University, S2Cool brings together an interdisciplinary consortium of over 30 partners, including academics, industry experts, and policymakers from the UK and Pakistan. It is one of thirteen
UK research projects which have each received a share of £33 million through UKRI’s Ayrton Challenge Programme that will address urgent global energy and climate challenges. With global air-conditioning energy demand projected to triple by 2050 — placing further strain on energy grids, particularly in underdeveloped countries — the need for affordable, efficient alternatives has never been more pressing.
Traditional Mechanical Vapor Compression (MVC) air conditioning systems present three major challenges: high energy consumption, high maintenance costs and use of hazardous refrigerants. Indirect Evaporative Coolers (IEC) were
later developed as an alternative to MVCs, utilising water’s evaporative potential to cool supply air. However, there are known limitations with current IECs, such as poor performance, frequent maintenance requirements and complicated manufacturing.
Dr Muhammad Wakil Shahzad, Associate Professor from Northumbria’s Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering and lead on the S2Cool project, has been working with a team of researchers to develop pioneering water and cooling technology solutions for the last decade. He explained: “The S2Cool project aims to design and develop a Novel Indirect Evaporative Cooler
(NIEC) which will represent a significant breakthrough in cooling technology, addressing the constraints of current IEC systems through simplified design and optimised airflow.”
The NIEC system is also designed to operate on renewable solar photovoltaic power with battery storage, ensuring off-grid capability and resilience against power outages. The project will utilise AI to drive system optimisation.
The team believes that S2Cool could deliver transformative benefits, including up to 65 per cent energy savings compared to conventional air conditioning systems, a 50 percent reduction in purchase costs and 65 percent reduction in operating costs
for domestic air conditioners, elimination of chemical refrigerants, and significant reductions in CO2 emissions, all contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly cooling solution.
Adoption of the technology could also lead to an estimated reduction of 23 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over a decade — equivalent to approximately 23 million barrels of imported oil — and could result in significant public health impact, mitigating heat-related illnesses and chronic diseases — potentially saving thousands of lives. The projected productivity gains are worth £16.25 billion annually, alongside other benefits such as job creation.
Prototype trials at Northumbria University, supported by Northern Accelerator funding, have already demonstrated promising results, indicating that the project is poised to redefine cooling technology globally. “Our co-designed solution will not only address the immediate needs of Pakistan and its vulnerable populations but also sets a precedent for tackling similar challenges globally,” explained Dr Shahzad.
“Our multi-faceted strategy leverages low-cost, energyefficient technologies, community-based initiatives, targeted training through a newly created International E-Centre for Sustainable Cooling, and policy support to ensure comprehensive and sustainable impact,” Dr Shahzad added.
Frances Wood, UKRI International Director, said: “The Ayrton Challenge Programme demonstrates the power of research and innovation to address critical global challenges. These projects exemplify how equitable, interdisciplinary collaboration can unlock transformative solutions, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive energy future for all.”
Click the QR code to find out more about work happening at Northumbria to deliver a cleaner and greener future.
A series of tremendous volcanic eruptions in Siberia led to Earth’s most severe mass extinction, more than 250 million years ago. Records show that the Earth’s climate took nearly five million years to stabilise after these eruptions, far longer than expected based on current scientific understanding.
Keen to understand the long-standing mystery behind prolonged episodes of climate warming, an international team of geoscientists, including Dr Jack Longman from Northumbria’s Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, set out on a major study.
After compiling chemical analyses of the volcanic lavas, developing computer models simulating melting inside the Earth, and comparing the results with records of past climate preserved in sedimentary rocks, they found evidence that carbon dioxide was still being released from volcanoes long after the eruptions had ended.
Although the eruptions may have stopped on the surface, the magma deep inside the crust and mantle continued to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere for millions of years — a phenomenon the team called “cryptic degassing” — which led to prolonged climate warming.
The research team say the findings are significant because they identify a hidden source of atmospheric carbon dioxide that had not been previously reported.
They say it highlights an important piece of the puzzle for how Earth’s climate was disrupted, and just as importantly, how it recovered.
Dr Jack Longman, an Assistant Professor in Geography and Environmental Sciences at Northumbria, modelled the impact of the volcanic activity on Earth. He explained: “Traditionally it has been assumed that during these large volcanic eruptions, the climatic warming resulting from the eruptions was offset by cooling, driven by the eruption of the lava itself.
“Lava is easily eroded, and when it erodes, chemical reactions occur which remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is a natural climate control system — almost like Earth’s own thermostat — so the extended warming we had seen had left scientists a little baffled.”
The “cryptic degassing” coming from the carbon dioxide which was continuing to be released caused an apparent failure of this natural thermostat, which explained the extended periods of warmth after enormous volcanic eruptions.
“Although the chemical reactions to draw down carbon from the atmosphere were occurring, we were able to assess why this apparent natural thermostat did not function at times,” explained Dr Longman. “In essence, the amount of carbon being drawn down was negligible when compared to the amount still being released from deep inside the volcanoes.” The team emphasised that their findings, which have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Geoscience, cannot explain present-day climate change but say that they hope to learn about current and future climate responses from these ancient eruptions.
Dr Longman is a member of Northumbria University’s Environmental Monitoring and Reconstruction (EnMaR) research group which studies modern and ancient environments, from the tropics to the polar regions, and seeks to answer fundamental global questions about climate and the environment.
Click the QR code to find out more about the EnMaR research group.
“THIS IS A NATURAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM — ALMOST LIKE EARTH’S OWN THERMOSTAT — SO THE EXTENDED WARMING WE HAD SEEN HAD LEFT SCIENTISTS A LITTLE BAFFLED.”
DR JACK LONGMAN
Vast swathes of mangrove forests have drowned in the Maldives after a rare climate phenomenon caused sea levels to rise faster than usual.
Mangrove trees play an essential role in protecting tropical and coastal regions. They are natural barriers against storms; erosion and flooding; biodiversity hotspots crucial for food security and livelihoods; and provide valuable resources such as construction materials for housing. However, in 2020, more than a quarter of the Maldivian islands home to mangrove forests saw their trees gradually dying off.
With satellite imagery revealing the severity of the issue — some islands had lost over half of their mangrove cover — a team of researchers, led by Lucy Carruthers and Vasile Ersek in Northumbria’s Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, set out to examine the cause.
Combining data with field observations they found that sea levels around the Maldives rose at an accelerated rate of over 30mm per year between 2017 to 2020.
Towards the end of this period, an unusually intense climate phenomenon known as the Indian Ocean Dipole occurred which caused warmer sea surface temperatures and an increase in sea level in the Western Indian Ocean. Many mangrove forests grow in basin areas where tidal movements flush water in and out of the bay. They naturally build up their own sediment which allows them to adapt to gradually rising seas. However, this rate of sea level rise was too fast for the mangroves to keep pace. As a result researchers found clear signs of salinity stress — an accumulation of excessive salt content — in the roots of the dead trees, evidencing their struggle to cope with high levels of salt in the sea water. As the rising
sea caused flooding in the basin areas, the mangroves couldn’t build the sediment they needed to stay above water and eventually drowned.
Dr Vasile Ersek explained: “Dieback was first observed in the centre of low-lying basin areas before gradually spreading outwards. As these basin areas have something we call limited tidal flushing we saw evidence of the rising sea level inundating the forests with seawater. This prolonged exposure created higher concentrations of salt.
“As the mangroves’ build-up of sediment slowed down due to the pace of the rising sea level, the soil salinity increased beyond what even these salt-tolerant trees could handle. Essentially, the mangroves were drowning.”
The research team warn that the findings have implications for other island nations and
coastal ecosystems around the world. Lucy Carruthers, who is now a postdoctoral scholar in East Carolina University’s Department of Coastal Studies, said: “This may sound like a local problem, but it’s a warning for coastal areas worldwide. These remarkable forests have thrived at the interface of land and sea for many centuries. Whether they can survive the rapid changes of the coming decades will depend largely on our actions in managing the climate crisis today.” Their findings are now published in the renowned journal Scientific Reports.
Click the QR code below to see detailed video footage showing the extent of mangrove dieback on one Maldivian island.
“THIS MAY SOUND LIKE A LOCAL PROBLEM, BUT IT’S A WARNING FOR COASTAL AREAS WORLDWIDE.”
AERIAL IMAGE OF DEAD MANGROVE TREES IN THE MALDIVES
A brand-new healthcare training facility which has been developed with support from Northumbria University to be used by students on a new T-Level in health course has opened at Bede Academy in Blyth.
The new course, which launched in September 2024, is designed to offer an alternate route into healthcare and provide students with the hands-on experience they need to build their future careers. Experts from Northumbria’s Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, along with the University’s student recruitment team, collaborated closely with Bede Academy to develop a curriculum that provides an in-depth, two-year programme combining classroom-based learning with practical experience. Students will develop theoretic knowledge and the crucial skills through a 45-day industry placement, preparing them for a future in the health and social care sector.
Part of the course will be taught from Bede Academy’s new healthcare training facility, The Trinity Health Centre, which was inspired by Northumbria’s clinical skills facility based on its Coach Lane Campus. The new Centre includes a ward setting designed to give learners handson experience in a simulated environment.
The partnership between Bede Academy and Northumbria University has played a key role in bringing this new course to life with the aim of igniting aspiration, offering routes for students from all backgrounds to access higher education, and encouraging young people into health-related careers.
The T-Level in Health is equivalent to three A-Levels and covers a range of key topics including health and safety, clinical practices, personcentred care, and safeguarding. During their second year, learners can specialise before progressing to a degree course, apprenticeship, or employment in healthcare.
Amelia, one of the first students to enrol on the course, says she has always wanted to pursue a career where she could help people and is excited about the opportunities the T-Level offers. She explained: “I want to go on to be a midwife or to work in neonatal care specifically and I’m hoping to apply and study at Northumbria University after this course. We’ve visited the University as part of this course and the facilities are great so that’s where I’m hoping to be.”
“PARTICULAR THANKS NEED TO GO TO COLLEAGUES FROM NORTHUMBRIA HEALTHCARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST AND NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN BRINGING THE VISION FOR THIS FACILITY TO LIFE.”
ANDREW THELWELL, PRINCIPAL, BEDE ACADEMY
in the healthcare industry.
“The Trinity Health Centre is an incredible resource for our students. We are excited to see them learn and grow here, and we hope this inspires them to pursue meaningful careers in healthcare.
“Particular thanks need to go to colleagues from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria University for their support in bringing the vision for this facility to life.”
In recent years, the demand for nurses and midwives has increased faster than the number being trained in the UK. To help plug this gap and support a pipeline of highly skilled students into the healthcare sector, the University works collaboratively with partners like Bede Academy and NHS Trusts to make sure there are as many routes as possible into healthcare professions.
Northumbria University is one of the largest centres
for healthcare professional education in the North of England, offering a range of specialist degree and CPD programmes across many areas of nursing, midwifery, operating department practice, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Click the QR code to find out more about nursing, midwifery and health courses at Northumbria.
The Director of Northumbria University’s Physiotherapy Innovation Laboratory has been awarded a prestigious fellowship worth over £1 million to lead research which aims to improve the mobility of people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Dr Rosie Morris, an Associate Professor in neurological physiotherapy, researches the challenges faced by people with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, including impairments in balance, turning and walking. An Advanced Fellowship awarded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research will now enable Dr Morris to expand this research to include the co-design and assessment of a rehabilitation programme aimed at improving turning in people with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a condition that affects the brain and can cause uncontrollable shaking or tremor, slow movement and stiff muscles. Although there’s currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, treatments such as physiotherapy can help reduce the main symptoms and maintain quality of life for patients.
Dr Morris said: “Through research we have good evidence
to suggest that physiotherapy is effective at supporting patients with Parkinson’s who often have issues with their walking patterns, known as gait, and balance. What we don’t have much of an evidence-base for is the impact of physiotherapy on improving turning.
“This award supports my transition to an independent investigator in an area where there hasn’t previously been a lot of research. It will fund work on the co-design of a rehabilitation programme with clinicians, patients and families, to improve turning in people with Parkinson’s disease. Ultimately, all my research aims to develop new understanding of neurological impairment and enhance clinical assessment and rehabilitation.”
The Fellowship will build on previous Northumbria research projects aimed at supporting the management of Parkinson’s disease through the use of digital technology to measure patterns in walking and brain
DR ROSIE MORRIS
activity changes, and deliver prompts for patients to swallow without the need for medical intervention. Other work has included the design of a smartphone app to report falls or near misses.
“The idea of a smartphone app is something we’ll be looking at by building on the prototype to explore potential uses as a self-management tool, as well as recording and sharing information with healthcare professionals when incidents like falls have taken place,” explained Dr Morris.
She added that her Fellowship will also include a systematic review of current research evidence and a series of focus groups with patients and
“THIS AWARD SUPPORTS MY TRANSITION TO AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR IN AN AREA WHERE THERE HASN’T PREVIOUSLY BEEN A LOT OF RESEARCH. IT WILL FUND WORK ON THE CO-DESIGN OF A REHABILITATION PROGRAMME WITH CLINICIANS, PATIENTS AND FAMILIES, TO IMPROVE TURNING IN PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE.”
DR ROSIE MORRIS
healthcare professionals to gather feedback on developing the rehabilitation programme so that it can be as effective as possible.
Dr Morris is working in partnership with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to recruit patients, families and clinicians to take part in the research.
Northumbria University is dedicated to reducing health and social inequalities, contributing to the regional and national workforce and improving social, economic and health outcomes for the most marginalised in society. Through its new Centre for Health and Social Equity, known as CHASE, researchers will be delivering world-leading
health and social equity research and creating innovative, evidence-based policies and data-driven solutions to bring impactful change across the region, the UK and globally. Within CHASE researchers are using the latest technologies across genomics, proteomics, epigenetics and metabolomics to further understanding of disease, ageing, drug delivery, nutrition and health at an individual level.
Click the QR code to find out more about the Physiotherapy Innovation Laboratory.
A Northumbria University expert in health and social care for older people has shared his views on what could be done to improve access to care, at a special event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Peter Lloyd-Sherlock, Professor of Gerontology and Global Health, is a leading authority on public policy for older people in Latin America, Asia and Africa, having previously held positions at the World Health Organization and the UK Department for International Development.
Invited to speak at the United Nations event which brought together experts to discuss policies, legislation and practices that improve care and support systems for older people worldwide, he stressed the urgency for societies and governments to start taking robust and concerted measures to meet older people’s health and care needs.
He explained: “In many low and middle-income countries the numbers of older people will nearly treble over the next generation. As somebody from a high-income country, I’m often told these families will continue to provide for the health and care needs of all their old and young, but this cannot be an excuse for government inaction.
“Generally, the health of older populations is not improving, especially for the poor, yet there are many simple and affordable things that could be implemented now which could make a big difference in averting unnecessary suffering and increasingly overwhelmed health and social care systems. We must not deny the massive scale of the consequences of not taking action now.”
Professor Lloyd-Sherlock, who is based in Northumbria’s
CRAFTING CONNECTIONS: EXPLORING STORYTELLING AND WELLBEING THROUGH PAPER ART INSTALLATION
Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, travelled to the United Nations event direct from Brazil, where he has been evaluating Programa Maior Cuidado. This is a pioneering communitybased care programme which provides trained family care support to people living in the country’s poorest and most vulnerable neighbourhoods. Northumbria is dedicated to reducing health and social inequalities, contributing to the regional and national workforce and improving social, economic and health outcomes for the most marginalised in society.
Through its new Centre for Health and Social Equity, known as CHASE, the University will bring together researchers who are working to deliver world-leading health and social equity research and creating innovative, evidencebased policies and data-driven solutions to bring impactful change across the region, the UK and globally.
The full United Nations Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide event is available to view on UN Web TV.
Click the QR code to view Professor Lloyd Sherlock’s presentation from just after two hours into the session.
The annual Festival of Social Science was once again celebrated at Northumbria University, featuring a range of events led by researchers.
The festival offers a fascinating insight into some of the country’s leading social science research, highlighting its impact on our social, economic and political lives — both now and in the future. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
This year’s programme themed around “our digital lives” included events run by Northumbria researchers which offered insight into a variety of topics including AI, physical spaces, psychology and community.
Postgraduate researcher Nazima Kalita led the Crafting Connections: Exploring Storytelling and Wellbeing Through Paper Art event, which was held in Gallery North at Northumbria University’s City Campus. This interactive workshop invited participants to reflect on their personal experiences through the creation of origami birds,
which formed a final art installation.
Speaking about the event, Nazima said: “This interactive workshop was a wonderful way to bring social science concepts to life and demonstrate their real-world applications in an engaging interdisciplinary manner.”
Other events included: How to boil an egg!? — led by Helen Hooper, in which 17 and 18-years-olds improved their communications skills by teaching others simple tasks such as making a cup of tea; Is that Sexist!? — a pub quiz-style event led by Genavee Brown in which participants were tasked with spotting instances of online sexism; and Life After Stroke — a workshop led by Dr Stephen Dunne which aimed to improve awareness of the hidden disabilities that stroke survivors live with.
The events were run in partnership with Newcastle University, which was awarded
funding from ESRC through an Impact Acceleration Account (IAA), designed to maximise the social and economic impact of social science research and accelerate engagement and knowledge exchange activities. Victoria Barone, IAA Finance, Events and Communications Officer at Newcastle University said: “The ESRC Festival of Social Science keeps getting bigger and better and this year was no exception. The Festival was a fantastic opportunity for our researchers to showcase their important work and engage a wide range of public audiences in fresh and innovative ways.”
Click the QR code to find out more about the Festival of Social Science, including the events organised by Northumbria University.
Designers from Northumbria University’s Interaction Research Studio have created a room of the future to help visitors to a London museum imagine what a typical home might look like in 25 years’ time.
“THE INTERACTION RESEARCH STUDIO’S 2024 VERSION OF 2049 LIVING WILL ALWAYS BE AN INTERESTING SLICE OF HISTORY AND THIS MIGHT END UP AS ONE OF THE FASTEST-CHANGING ROOMS IN THE MUSEUM. WE’RE EXCITED TO SEE IT EVOLVE OVER TIME.”
SONIA SOLICARI, MUSEUM OF THE HOME DIRECTOR
The Converted Flat in 2049 is one of seven period rooms built to reflect stories in time — past, present and future — as part of the Real Rooms project which is now open at the Museum of the Home in London. Supported by Innovo and set in Hackney, where the museum is based, the flat features futuristic devices and furniture developed and created by designers and technologists from the Interaction Research Studio team, who carry out their research at the University’s London Campus.
From Mycelium insulation made from fungus to multigenerational living, the team have imagined how evolving tastes, societal changes and the climate crisis might dictate our future homes, and have even developed scenarios for fictional characters who might inhabit the space. The view from the flat’s window has also been imagined by the team and created for the exhibition. It reveals a vision of a 2049 transformed London that has adapted to climate change and technological innovation.
Visitors can expect a view which includes energy kites harvesting electricity from the winds above the city, while emissions patrol drones scan rooftops for illegal smoke. Green-clad buildings with living walls dominate the skyline, and protective ‘jackets’ shield historic structures from relentless storms and heatwaves.
Andy Boucher, an Associate Professor from the Interaction Research Studio team, said: “Being asked to produce a room of the future has been an extraordinary experience for our team. We’re used to designing
life might be like in 25 years required a real shift in approach. We knew from previous visions of the future that they are almost always wrong, but one thing we could confidently predict was the impact of climate change — so that became our starting point.”
Dean Brown, Senior Research Fellow from the Interaction Research Studio, said: “The approach we settled upon was to present a room that had a clear sense of foreground and background — where significant feature elements are vividly foregrounded against a monotone grey set-works, walls
Researchers use their interdisciplinary knowledge to engage with settings and design highly-finished products, placing the user at the heart of determining how best to use a new design or technology. The team have won over £7 million in funding since 2005 and have frequently exhibited at international venues including the V&A, Tate Britain and New York Museum of Modern Art. As well as the Innovo Room of the Future, the Rooms Through Time exhibition documents four centuries of the evolution of home life, beginning in 1630. All rooms have been curated through a mix of archival research and oral history interviews, to explore and celebrate what home has meant to different people over the decades, as well as what it may mean in the decades to come. Museum of the Home Director, Sonia Solicari, said: “The history of the future is a rich research topic. It’s fascinating to look back at how previous generations imagined the future. In fact, the Victorians actually predicted the future and foresaw the invention of video calls! The Interaction Research Studio’s 2024 version of 2049 living will always be an
and furniture items. This is intended to suggest that details will be filled in as the future evolves, conveying a sense of unfinished business with the future that is also explicitly readable to a museum visitor.”
Speaking about the collaboration, Andy added: “Working with the Museum of the Home has been incredible. It’s rare to find a partner so open to experimentation and to creating spaces that challenge how we think about the way we live and where we’re heading. What’s even more exciting is that we’ll be able to continue evolving the space over the next decade, introducing new research and storytelling to keep the design fresh, engaging, and thought-provoking.”
Led by Professor Bill Gaver and Associate Professor Andy Boucher, the Interaction Research Studio was established almost 20 years ago and explores the design of computational systems which address the challenges of everyday life, creating prototype products that encourage playfulness, exploration and insight.
interesting slice of history, and this might end up as one of the fastest-changing rooms in the museum. We’re excited to see it evolve over time.”
The Real Rooms project is made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund; by the industry leading construction and development firm Innovo; and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport/ Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund.
Click the QR code to discover more about the Interaction Research Studio and the Room of the Future project.
Supported by the Home Office, a team of researchers from Northumbria University and the University of Derby are conducting research into the use and effectiveness of digital forensics and digital evidence across the criminal justice system. Their expert contributions have now formed part of an important Government project looking at the impact of forensic science in UK law.
As the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology, digital forensics— an area of criminal science dealing with data recovered from electronic devices—has become an integral part of the criminal justice system. This collaborative research project between Northumbria University and the University of Derby focuses on the role of digital forensics and evidence in the legal process, from investigation through to prosecution. Led by Dr Cerian Griffiths, Emma Piasecki, Philip Anderson, and Professor Tim Wilson from Northumbria University, along with Dr Sophie Carr from the University of Derby, the study explores how digital evidence is currently used and how it can impact the outcomes of criminal cases. Drawing from their diverse backgrounds in legal practice and forensic research, the team conducted a comprehensive
study involving a range of professionals from across the criminal justice system including police officers, digital forensics experts, counterterrorism specialists, independent practitioners, and members of the Crown Prosecution Service.
Through a combination of interviews, focus groups, and surveys, the researchers gathered insights into the challenges and successes of digital forensics in real-world situations. The report states that “90 percent of criminal investigations and prosecutions now involve a digital element”.
Mobile phones, computers, and other digital devices invariably play a key element in most crimes meaning digital forensics is now a core component of nearly every criminal investigation. Understanding of how this evidence is collected, analysed, and presented is therefore more crucial than ever.
The final report, entitled: Digital Forensics within the Criminal Justice System: Use, Effectiveness, and Impact was presented to the Home Office’s Forensic Science Reform Programme Board. It hopes to help inform policy discussions and contribute to the ongoing work to reform the use of digital forensic practice.
Reflecting on the report, Dr Griffiths, Associate Professor, Northumbria Law School, said: “As digital technology continues to evolve, the role of digital forensics in the criminal justice system will only become more important. Our research offers a valuable roadmap for policymakers and practitioners, helping to ensure that the use of digital evidence remains robust, effective, and fair as it shapes the future of criminal law.”
Click the QR code to read the full report, Digital Forensics within the Criminal Justice System: Use, Effectiveness, and Impact.
Northumbria Law School PhD student, Becca French, has addressed the Welsh Parliament to share her experience and legal expertise in support of proposals to decriminalise sex work in Wales.
The proposal to change the law has been driven by a consortium of sex workers, health professionals, church representatives and activists, known as Safety First Wales. Their aim is to prioritise sex workers’ safety, health and wellbeing.
Speaking at an event at the Welsh Parliament, sponsored by Member of the Senedd Mabon ap Gwynfor, Becca was able to use her research findings to help inform policy makers considering changes to the law relating to sex work. Alongside her doctoral studies, Becca is already a published researcher and has secured funding to organise international conferences, fostering multi-disciplinary discussion to explore sex work research. Her supervisor at Northumbria, Dr Laura Graham, believes the opportunity to address the Welsh Parliament was testament to Becca’s impactful and ongoing work. Dr Graham explained: “The invitation reflects the quality and relevance of Becca’s research within the field of sex work law.
Northumbria University has contributed to the global debate on sustainability and responsible business education during recent sessions of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.
Engaging with policymakers in this way before completing her PhD highlights the timeliness and importance of her contributions to the discourse around sex work legislation.”
Becca added: “Safety First Wales is an initiative that puts the rights of sex workers first, calling for decriminalisation and the protection of sex workers rights in law and policy. My statement on behalf of myself and the Sex Work Research Network supports this proposal by highlighting the abundance of research on the harms of criminalisation. It also draws attention to the frustration felt by me and many others that this research is not reflected in law and policy. Safety First Wales has created an excellent and informative proposal; I hope that with the support they receive today, the proposal will influence policymakers and initiate change.”
Click the QR code to find out more information on Northumbria Law School.
Dr Alex Hope, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Business and Law at Northumbria, recently participated in the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Global Board meeting and the UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit. During these PRME sessions, academics and business leaders discuss advancing sustainable development and responsible management education within Higher Education. Their discussions emphasised the critical role higher education institutions and businesses needed to play in tackling global challenges such as climate change — and in particular how business schools can champion sustainable leadership aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
At the PRME Global Board meeting Dr Hope, who is CoChair of the UN’s PRME Climate Change and Environment working group, worked alongside globally renowned institutions including the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Business School, Ivey Business School, INCAE Business School, and The University of Sydney Business School.
Dr Hope also attended the UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit, engaging with senior figures from global organisations and business communities dedicated to accelerating the integration of sustainability into corporate strategies. Northumbria’s presence at this summit reinforced the University’s commitment to PRME, and support for global sustainability leadership and alignment with the UN Global Compact’s vision
for a more sustainable future. Reflecting on the opportunity Dr Hope said: “It was an honour to represent Northumbria in such influential discussions. Our involvement in these global initiatives underlines our focus on fostering responsible business practices and preparing future leaders to address today’s complex challenges. Collaborating at this level also highlights Northumbria’s role in a global network dedicated to ethical and sustainable management education.”
Founded in 2007, PRME’s mission is to transform management education and develop the responsible decisionmakers of tomorrow to advance sustainable development. Northumbria’s active role on the PRME Global Board reflects the University’s mission to drive sustainable development through education, research, and collaboration with global partners.
Click the QR code for more about Northumbria’s membership of PRME.
A Northumbria University graduate has received international recognition with a major industry award for a project based on her personal experience with dyslexia.
Amber Bruzzi graduated from Northumbria’s Graphic Design BA (Hons) course last summer and for her final year project, designed a book tackling the misconceptions surrounding dyslexia. The book raises awareness of the condition through typography — the art of arranging letters and text in a way that makes the copy legible, clear, and visually appealing to the reader.
“AMBER’S WORK IS WORLD-CLASS AND NOT ONLY RESONATED WITH OUR JUDGES, BUT I’M SURE IT WILL ALSO STRIKE A CHORD WITH MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITH, OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS LIVING WITH DYSLEXIA.”
ALEX BROWNLESS, CO-FOUNDER OF ARTS THREAD
It uses different font styles, appearance, and structure to visually explore what people with dyslexia experience.
Amber’s project, titled My Dyslexia, was named joint winner in the typography category at the Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2024. The competition, which celebrates emerging creative talent around the world, was established by Arts Thread — a digital platform for emerging artists and designers.
Speaking about her success, Amber said: “There are many misconceptions about dyslexia including people thinking that dyslexia is linked to an intellectual disability, or that it can be cured.
These misconceptions result in many people not taking dyslexia seriously, leaving six million people in the UK struggling with dyslexia undiagnosed.
“I have used typography and design to help me explain what the many symptoms of dyslexia can look and feel like to those who don’t struggle with it. I designed, printed, bound and covered the book myself using university facilities. The book contains five chapters, all emphasising a different area of struggle. There are many physical elements to the book to create an interactive and personal experience for the reader.”
Alex Brownless is the cofounder of Arts Thread and
recently visited Northumbria’s city campus where he met arts and design students.
Speaking about Amber’s success he said: “This entry is exceptional and stood out to our industry judges. Amber’s work is world-class and not only resonated with our judges, but I’m sure it will also strike a chord with many people who are living with, or know someone who is living with, dyslexia. I’m delighted that the Arts Thread Global Creative Graduate Showcase can provide a platform for such a range of talents and disciplines.”
Industry judge Kim Tidwell, Managing Editor of PRINT Magazine, equally praised Amber’s work, saying: “I love this project’s use of letterforms and distortion to bring the reader into the dyslexic world.”
In its fifth year, the competition welcomed 225 highly esteemed industry
professionals to judge the work of over 5,000 students, from more than 500 universities and colleges around the world. Showcase partners included WGSN, a world leading forecaster of consumer trends; Coloro, a colour coding system used within the arts and design industries; and Google Arts & Culture, a non-commercial initiative aiming to preserve and bring the world’s art and culture online so it’s accessible to everyone.
The work of the 2024 showcase winners has been able to reach a global audience after being shared on both the Arts Thread website and Google Arts & Culture.
Click the QR code to find out more about My Dyslexia.
A group of aspiring filmmakers from Northumbria University have put their skills into practice, producing an impactful film for North East charity, Feeding Families, as part of their degree programme.
The live-project opportunity came from Film Buddy, a company that assists aspiring film crew and creatives into film, TV and creative media.
Film Buddy works with Northumbria as part of its experiential learning offering to make the film industry accessible for students postuniversity. They pitched a brief to students to produce a short film showcasing the work of Feeding Families, a local charity offering support, hope, and security to those experiencing food insecurity. They ensure thousands of families in desperate need have access to emergency food boxes and support packages.
Student Emily Courten worked as Camera Assistant on the film. She said: “Working with Film Buddy and Feeding Families was an exciting project to undertake as part of my degree. Aside from being amazing practical work experience, being part of this film has been a real eye opener on the needs and struggles that are going unseen in the local community. Feeding Families work extremely hard to support the community and it has been a pleasure to assist on this project, helping to raise awareness of the fantastic work that goes on behind the charity warehouse doors.”
Northumbria University is committed to providing transformative experiential learning opportunities for every on-campus undergraduate student to build their skills, social capital and enhance their post-university prospects. By collaborating with employers, practicing their skills and building their CVs, students have the opportunity to enhance their career prospects.
Sanghita Sen, Assistant Professor in Visual Communication and Digital
Cultures, explained the importance of work-based learning: “Working on live briefs is an essential part of the learning experience for Film students at Northumbria, and this is a brilliant example of how our students thrive in these environments. Each student has shown maturity and professionalism and have produced a film they should be very proud of.”
Film Buddy is equipping Northumbria students with the knowledge and skills required to be professional filmmakers after graduation, which includes how to navigate sensitive topics and situations.
Founder and Company Director of Film Buddy, Ben Sweet, praised the students’ work: “Working with a charity close to home has allowed them to witness the impact of their work first hand, which is a powerful thing to see. The team have produced an excellent film which will undoubtedly benefit Feeding Families and the local community in which they serve.”
Steve Sheard, Head of Operations at Feeding Families, added: “The film perfectly highlights what we do and why we do it, demonstrating a deep understanding of our mission. We could not have asked for a better representation of our efforts. The video has been shared with our partners and fundraisers and we are confident it will make a significant impact. On behalf of the entire team at Feeding Families, we cannot thank the team enough for their dedication and hard work.”
Click the QR code to watch the Feeding Families’ film.
“THE FILM PERFECTLY HIGHLIGHTS WHAT WE DO AND WHY WE DO IT, DEMONSTRATING A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF OUR MISSION. WE COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER REPRESENTATION OF OUR EFFORTS.”
A Northumbria architecture student has been named as one of only five students from across the country to be awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Wren Insurance Association.
Liam Philpot, who is currently in the final year of his Masters in Architecture after completing the Architecture BA (Hons) programme at Northumbria, will receive £7,500 and the opportunity to be mentored by an architect member of the Wren Insurance Association. The RIBA Wren Insurance Association Scholarships have been awarded annually since 2013 and are designed to support outstanding architecture students who have the potential to make a significant contribution to the future of the profession. The Wren is the Architects’ Professional Indemnity Insurance Mutual which has been providing cover to architectural practices for professional liabilities since 1987. The scholarship is open to students across the UK in their final year: Liam was selected alongside peers from the University of Cambridge and Central Saint Martins in London.
For 24-year-old Liam, from Hebburn in South Tyneside, the scholarship will enable him to develop his research into the impact architecture and the built environment has on children and child development, particularly through opportunities to learn and play.
Speaking about the scholarship, Liam said: “I am incredibly honoured to be selected as one of the recipients of the RIBA Wren Scholarship this year. The support and mentorship offered will be invaluable throughout my final year studies, which will significantly enhance my academic journey with the financial capacity to take on a more experimental practice.
“This opportunity will also aid my developing research plans and contribute to the costs of delivering more ambitious wider engagement strategies. I’d like to express my gratitude and appreciation to RIBA and the Wren Insurance Association for providing me
“LIAM
PROVES A WONDERFUL ROLE MODEL FOR THE PROFESSION, ACHIEVING RECOGNITION FOR HIS TALENT, SKILLS AND AMBITION TO
MAKE A DIFFERENCE THROUGH HIS CAREER IN ARCHITECTURE.”
with this opportunity, and to those at Northumbria who have supported and encouraged me throughout. I’m really looking forward to the academic year ahead.”
Liam’s studies to date have enabled him to gain practical experience, as well as opportunities to work on design briefs to prepare him for life in the industry. During his time at Northumbria, he has worked on projects exploring the impact of the restoration of wetland habitats in communities across Northumberland, and understanding how urban planning practices can better prioritise children’s developmental needs during the design of play spaces in the North East.
Kelly MacKinnon, Associate Professor in Architecture and one of Liam’s design studio tutors, said: “This scholarship will provide Liam the opportunity to develop his research interests into the final year of his Masters, exploring child development and play and how urban environments can be developed to be centred around children’s needs, whilst collaborating with academic staff and local communities on live projects in the region.
“Liam took an alternative route to university through the Plan BEE apprenticeship with Ryder Architecture and proves a wonderful role model for the profession, achieving recognition for his talent, skills and ambition to make a
difference through his career in architecture.”
RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said: “Thanks to the continued, generous contribution of the Wren Insurance Association, these five exceptional students will receive funding and mentoring to help them reach their full potential. I congratulate them all, and I look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve in their studies and careers, boosted by the support our scholarship offers.”
The Department of Architecture and Built Environment at Northumbria University offers professionally accredited degree programmes taught in state-ofthe-art studios and workshops. Click the QR code to discover more about the range of study programmes available at Northumbria.
Just two years after establishing a baby sleep consultancy during her final year of study, Northumbria graduate Imogen Russell has partnered with Mamas & Papas to become their resident sleep expert.
Imogen’s business, The Little Sleep Company, has joined a long list of successful enterprises established by students and graduates of Northumbria University with support from the Incubator Hub – a purpose-built facility which provides state-of-theart technology and business guidance for entrepreneurs. Soon after graduating, interest in Imogen’s business skyrocketed and she has recently secured the partnership with the leading international baby brand. Adopting a holistic sleep approach, The Little Sleep Company aims to help each child achieve their ‘biological best sleep’. This means working with parents to understand what is causing sleep disruption and how to combat these challenges to help ensure the child gets sufficient rest. Representing The Little Sleep Company as Mamas & Papas dedicated resident sleep expert, Imogen offers baby sleep support for parents. Through blogs, videos, and in-store resources, Imogen has shared her expert advice and
real-life tips with thousands of parents, offering support at every stage from newborn to toddler, as well as guidance on parental sleep.
Imogen, a certified sleep consultant, explained: “Sleep deprivation is really tough on families and there is a lot of unhelpful advice online, especially on social media. I’m working with Mamas and Papas to help empower parents, as a well-rested family makes for a happy home that enjoys calm nights and contented days. Families often don’t ask for help until they’re in crisis. My aim with The Little Sleep Company is to help support them before they reach this point, with gentle and compassionate strategies, so everyone gets the sleep they need.”
Click the QR code to discover more about the support available from Northumbria’s Student and Graduate Enterprise team.
“SUPPORT FROM THE BEGINNING HAS BEEN SECOND TO NONE. MY MENTORS ARE FANTASTIC AND HAVE HAD A BIG PART TO PLAY IN MY RECENT PARTNERSHIP WITH MAMAS & PAPAS.”
IMOGEN RUSSELL, FOUNDER OF THE LITTLE SLEEP COMPANY
“THE SUPPORT I HAVE HAD FROM THE UNIVERSITY SINCE DAY ONE HAS BEEN CRUCIAL FOR THE GROWTH OF BURGER DROP, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF LINKING ME UP WITH INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS. I NOW HAVE A NETWORK OF INFLUENTIAL AND EXPERIENCED INDIVIDUALS WHO I CAN TURN TO FOR GUIDANCE.”
Entrepreneurial flair is evident in Northumbria graduate Hasan Hamid who, with help from the University has franchised his restaurant, Burger Drop. Alongside Hasan’s successful marketing agency that launched in 2017, and the upcoming launch of his newest restaurant brand, This is Doner, Hasan has thoroughly put business theory into practice.
Hasan graduated in 2018, and with support from the University’s Student and Graduate Enterprise team, has founded three businesses in the North East. Two years after graduating, he saw an opportunity within the emerging ‘better burgers’ market, and launched Burger Drop — a gourmet burger brand offering an unparalleled dining experience. The first restaurant opened on Westgate Road in Newcastle and became an instant success. It was quick to earn the best-selling burger in the region title on Uber Eats and has continued to grow at such a rate, with annual revenues reaching £1.7 million from just one location.
Burger Drop franchises will open in Sunderland, Manchester, and Edinburgh in the spring and there are more than 200 franchise enquiries in the pipeline. Hasan credits
the University’s advice and guidance as instrumental in becoming a leading burger brand. “I was fortunate to connect with key figures at Northumbria like Graham Baty and marketing mentor John McRae who helped me with the legal and marketing aspects of both my businesses,” he said.
“The support I have had from the University since day one has been crucial for the growth of Burger Drop, particularly in terms of linking me up with industry professionals. I now have a network of influential and experienced individuals who I can turn to for guidance.”
One introduction that has been instrumental to Hasan’s success was with fellow Northumbria alumnus Jonathan Holden, who is the Chief Operating Officer at Molly Maid UK — one of the largest franchise brands globally. Hasan continued: “Having a
successful businessperson such as Jonathan in your phonebook is game changing. Our goal with Burger Drop is to be in the same category as Five Guys, Nando’s, and KFC and we are well underway in building the partnerships and infrastructure needed to get there. I would also like to continue giving back to the Northumbria community and share my experience with the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
Hasan first ventured into business while studying for his degree, receiving business support from the University to launch successful marketing agency, GYB (Grow Your Business). He continues to be guided by Northumbria’s Incubator Hub and is shortly expecting to open doors to This is Doner — a traditional Turkish restaurant offering the authentic taste of Yaprak Doner, just down the road
from the flagship Burger Drop restaurant. The Incubator Hub has played a pivotal role in Hasan’s success by offering a space to work alongside other entrepreneurs and providing high-quality business support to establish and grow a thriving business. Hasan said: “The supportive environment within the Incubator Hub is immensely helpful for all businesses that benefit from this space. Not only do we get to share our journeys with like-minded people, but being surrounded by successful entrepreneurs sets a high standard for your own business ambitions.”
Burger Drop was named a finalist in the Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year 2024 Trailblazers awards, celebrating its restaurant partners who make a positive difference in their communities and around the world. It was also listed within the Social Impact
category for its charitable work including, its support for Syrian and Palestinian refugees and the People’s Kitchen in Newcastle, and donations to national mental health charity, Mental Health Concern.
Northumbria University is dedicated to supporting current student and graduate startups. It has been ranked in the top 10 in the UK for the last 15 years for graduate start-ups based on aggregate turnover, according to the Higher Education Business Community Interaction Survey (2022/23) — and has been placed in the top five for 11 of those years.
Find out more about the entrepreneurial support available at Northumbria by clicking the QR code.
When Lois Turner graduated from her Occupational Therapy Masters degree last December she had a very special friend by her side — her guide dog Buster.
Having accompanied Lois to lectures, placements, and sports competitions throughout her time at Northumbria, Buster had become a familiar sight on campus.
Lois was born with Aniridia, a rare genetic condition that affects both eyes and causes the iris to be partially or completely absent. In Lois’ case, the condition has caused cataracts and glaucoma. But throughout her life, and with the help of Buster, Lois has been determined to prove that sight loss needn’t be a barrier to opportunity, particularly to excelling in sport. As a teenager Lois began playing blind cricket, going on to captain the British Women’s Blind Cricket team and being named Women’s Player of the Year by Blind Cricket England and Wales an incredible six times. Several years later she discovered the sport of Goalball — a game designed specifically for athletes with a visual impairment. During a match players roll a ball with bells inside along the floor to score goals in the opposing team’s goal. Players wear a cover over their eyes and compete in teams of three, listening out for bells inside the ball, in a game requiring immense skill and precision. It was through Goalball that Lois met her partner Matthew and, after moving to Newcastle in 2021 and discovering a lack of opportunities to play the sport, the pair established the Northern Allstars Goalball Club. With over 30 members from as far afield as Liverpool, Sheffield and Scotland, the club provides more
than just sporting opportunities, acting as a support network for visually impaired people across the North East and beyond.
Lois said: “Visual impairment can impact people at different stages of their life. Some of our members were born blind, whereas others lost their sight later on. But the Northern Allstars provides a place where we can help and support each other, as well as having fun playing competitive sport.”
Buster has been Lois’ companion since 2019 and has travelled up and down the country with her during her cricket and Goalball career. He was also at her side during her Occupational Therapy placements, and of course at lectures, becoming a firm favourite amongst Lois’ cohort.
She said: “I got Buster while I was studying my undergraduate
degree in Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation at the University of Staffordshire. The charity Guide Dogs were brilliant and knew I needed a dog who could sit for several hours at a time while I was in lectures, but also accompany me to sporting competitions.
“I came to Northumbria in 2021 to study an Occupational Therapy MSc as I knew the disability support here was excellent and Buster helped me settle in and really thrive here too.“Everyone loves him, and he was a real support to lots of people on my course, especially during busy or stressful times — a dog is a very calming influence for many people.”
Following her graduation from Northumbria, Lois hopes to put her occupational therapy skills to good use by working with young people who are experiencing
visual impairment themselves, helping them to adapt and live their lives to the full. She is also campaigning for increased awareness and inclusion of visually impaired sports like Goalball nationally in the School Curriculum.
She added: “It’s a dangerous misconception that all blind people are old. Blindness doesn’t exempt you from the challenges every young person faces – we still have dreams, goals, and the determination to achieve them. Never underestimate that you deserve anything less than anyone else.
“We all deserve equal opportunities and access regardless of our abilities.”
During her time at Northumbria Lois received support through the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) — a Sport Englandfunded athlete support programme to help talented athletes balance the demands of their sport and studies to be the best in both.
Click the QR code to find out more about TASS at Northumbria University.
Student athletes from Northumbria University finished top of the men’s table in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Boxing Championships held in Portsmouth.
The 13-strong Northumbria Boxing team displayed outstanding form at the event, which took place in January, managing to overcome opposition from Loughborough and Nottingham universities among others. The athletes also shone individually, earning three gold medals and three silver medals, while three students reached the semi-finals, and one to the quarter-finals. With a total of 14 victories from 20 bouts, the team’s impressive talent was clear throughout the competition. Quickly establishing himself as one of the most promising student athletes in the world of boxing, Divine Omojor managed to bring home a BUCS gold medal
“THIS WAS MY FOURTH YEAR GOING TO BUCS AS A COACH AND IT’S THE BEST TEAM WE HAVE ENTERED. TO WIN GOLD MEDALS IN ANY CATEGORY IS IMPRESSIVE BUT TO WIN TWO ELITE GOLDS IN THIS COMPETITION WAS OUTSTANDING.”
ROSS WILKINSON, NORTHUMBRIA BOXING COACH
in the Elite category where he competes at a cruiserweight of 86 kilos. The medal comes after Divine won his category in the 2024 Haringey Box Cup, Europe’s largest open boxing tournament, and secured the National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs (NABGC) Youth
National Title. Divine’s journey took another significant step forward when he was invited to the Roaring Lions event hosted by England Boxing, where he was presented with a special edition white England Boxing vest. This recognition is reserved for athletes who are considered
to have the potential to represent Great Britain in international competition.
Speaking of the team’s performance in the championship, Northumbria Boxing coach Ross Wilkinson, said: “I want to give a special shout out to team captain Olly Munro as this was his third BUCS competition. He has dedicated himself to boxing and won gold in both the Intermediate and Elite categories — a phenomenal achievement and we are all really proud of him. There’s no doubt he is one of the best to ever box for Northumbria and Olly has left his own legacy at the University in the sport.
“This was my fourth year going to BUCS as a coach and it’s the
best team we have entered. To win gold medals in any category is impressive but to win two Elite Golds in this competition was outstanding. I’m extremely proud of all boxers in this competition and to win Best Team is a huge accolade for us and the University. All boxers have worked tirelessly to get these results. I thank and congratulate them, and we will all have one eye on improving this result in 2026.”
Click the QR code to discover more about sport at Northumbria and read the full BUCS Boxing Championship results.
