Two peer reviewed studies led by University of 51福利社 researchers across 28 NHS maternity units are published  today in the journals BMJ Open Quality  and BMJ Quality and Safety.

The BMJ Open Quality   paper showed 89% of women reported positive antenatal care and 86% had positive labour experiences.

However, the data from online surveys with 1,140 women and 633 healthcare professionals  - carried out in 2023-  also showed concerns around poor communication, lack of personalised care, staff shortages and delays still persist.

The Saving Babies鈥� Lives Care Bundle (SBLCB) was introduced in England from 2015 as the Government鈥檚 response to a stillbirth rate that was comparatively higher than many western countries.

SBLCB has evolved through three versions in 2016, 2019, and 2023, each building on the last to improve maternity care and reduce perinatal mortality across England.

The SBLCB evaluation- of version 2 -  found it had been successfully rolled-out in the majority of NHS maternity providers and that midwives and frontline staff have a pivotal role in implementing it.

Women鈥檚 positive experiences were linked to feeling listened to, being involved in decision-making, effective communication and continuity of care.

They encountered staff, the researchers found, who acknowledged their history and made them feeling able to ask questions.

However their negative experiences often stemmed from poor communication and lack of personalised care, making them feel dismissed, especially when expressing concerns about reduced fetal movement and during labour.

Some of the women who had a negative labour or birth experience also reported disorganised and inconsistent care, staff shortages, lack of beds and poor pain management which left them feeling neglected.

Poor communication between staff made care feel disjointed and was further hindered with changes to electronic notes, they reported.

Risk factors was not always communicated effectively and women were often given no choice in their treatment which meant they felt threatened or frustrated.

Alexander Heazell, is Professor of Obstetrics at 51福利社, Honorary Consultant Obstetrician at St Mary鈥檚 Hospital, and Director of the Tommy鈥檚 Stillbirth Research Centre.

He said: 鈥淲e analysed a total of 1,071 women鈥檚 written responses about their antenatal care, of which 89% reported a positive experience. 86% had positive experience of labour.

鈥淪o much progress has been made  in terms of their experiences around feeling listened to and reassured, feeling in control of decision-making and  encounters with staff and care.

鈥淥ur data suggest that elements of the SBLCBv2 are increasingly embedded in maternity care, but refinements are still needed.

鈥淭his will  address variation in practice between units and to support effective communication between health care professionals and service users to balance standardised clinical practice with personalised care.

A second paper published in BMJ Quality and Safety examined the qualitative  experiences of the women.

Lead author Dr Holly Reid, also from 51福利社, said: 鈥淥ur paper found that having a trusting relationship with maternity care providers is of paramount importance to achieve positive and safe maternity experiences for women.

鈥淭rust was built through consensus among the care team, making sure the partner was involved in discussions around care and continuity of carer.

鈥淲hen women were not listened to or believed by healthcare professionals during labour and birth, this resulted in frightening experiences for women and their safety being put at risk.鈥�

Professor Heazell added: 鈥淗owever, there is still work to do. Service users need to feel heard, involved in and reassured by their care. To this end, the communication between health care professionals and service users is critical.

鈥淲e suggest maternity staff may benefit from additional training to discuss the reasons for and results of interventions to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.

鈥淭his will need to be combined with effective communication skills to ensure that service users receive information to make an informed choice, ensuring they retain agency and perceived control.

鈥淎nd that will enable the core recommendations of SBLCBv2 to be personalised to individual service users, promoting safe maternity care and improved maternity experience.鈥�

Examples of representative anonymised quote from service users:

All testing done efficiently, staff were continually informing us about the decisions they were making, we felt well taken care of鈥�

鈥淚 felt really dismissed by the midwives when I kept saying the baby wasn鈥檛 moving and I didn鈥檛 feel well

鈥淎ll testing done efficiently, staff were continually informing us about the decisions they were making, we felt well taken care of鈥�

鈥淲hile yes I got growth scans nothing was ever explained and I wasn鈥檛 able to ask any questions鈥�

鈥淭he staff were attentive and provided me with all the information I required. This was offered and also given 24 hours a day with no bias.鈥�

鈥淭he administration side of things was not great. I was forgotten about on numerous occasions. Letters were sent out with appointment dates that didn鈥檛 exist. I would turn up and people weren鈥檛 expecting me.鈥�

• The paper Evaluating the implementation of the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle Version 2 from Service User and Health Care Professionals鈥� perspectives: A Questionnaire Study  is published in BMJ Open Quality  DOI:  bmjoq-2025-003456
• The paper Service users鈥� experiences of maternity care in England informed by the Saving Babies鈥� Lives Care Bundle Version 2: A reflexive thematic analysis to be published in BMJ Quality and Safety is  published in BMJ Quality and Safety  DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2025-018582

The work by Professors Jo Dumville and Nicky Cullum on the most effective types of compression treatments is good news for the hundreds of thousands of patients affected by venous leg ulcers every year,  costing the NHS tens of millions of pounds. 

Venous ulcers are a common long-term condition which adversely affect people's quality of life; nurses deliver the majority of care, which takes the form of compression therapy as a first-line treatment. 

According to the NHS National Wound Care Strategy Programme, venous leg ulcers account for 60% to 80% of all leg ulcers. 

However, the abundance of different compression treatments and heavy product promotion by the wound care industry makes it difficult for nurses to decide, with patients, on the course of treatment that is most clinically effective and offers the most value to the NHS. 

The guidance - known officially as a 鈥淟ate Stage Assessment" -  is set to change that by providing crucial information to nursing staff on the most effective types of compression. 

It will also help NHS commissioners and procurement specialists give healthcare professionals access to a range of the most appropriate compression products to ensure their affordability to the NHS. 

According to the researchers鈥� evidence, the clinical effectiveness of two-layer compression hosiery and two-layer and 4-layer bandages is similar, while compression hosiery is more cost-effective than bandages. However, compression wraps are less clinically and cost-effective.

Professor Cullum was first asked to review the research evidence on leg ulcer management by the then Department of Health (now the Department of Health and Social Care) in 1989.

Working with Professor Dumville, they have been analysing and publishing the evidence in Cochrane and other systematic reviews, and have worked to fill knowledge gaps by doing new randomised controlled trials and other relevant studies.

A Cochrane systematic review is a rigorously conducted, independent review of research evidence on the effects of healthcare interventions, published by Cochrane, a global, not-for-profit organisation.

The latest randomised controlled trial, led by Professor Dumville will have further important implications for care and is likely to be published later in 2025 or early 2026.

Professor Dumville said: 鈥業 am delighted that our NIHR-funded research has delivered high-quality and relevant evidence on compression therapy for venous leg ulcers.

鈥淭he contribution of these findings to NICE鈥檚 late-stage assessment underscores the importance of NIHR studies like VenUS 6 in strengthening the clinical evidence base in wound care and informing national recommendations that support best practice in patient care.鈥�

Professor Cullum said: 鈥淭his is the first time there has been a piece of NICE guidance on compression therapy for venous leg ulcers.

鈥淚t feels like something of a culmination of all the work Jo Dumville and I have been doing for decades, so we are delighted it has culminated in some national guidance which will help nurses and patients arrive at informed decisions.鈥�

• See Professor Cullum鈥檚 Lockdown Lecture  where she talks about her work on leg ulcers and her with Jude Johnson.

Published in the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) journal Cancer Research Communications, the study assessed AOA鈥檚 novel technology that analysed multiple groups of biological markers from a single blood sample. 

The researchers showed the test outperformed traditional biomarker tests for ovarian cancer detection in over 950 patients from Colorado and 51福利社. 

This study is a major milestone and AOA is committed to pursuing regulatory approval across the US and Europe in the coming years, ahead of launching the test to the NHS. 

The technology combines two different sets of blood-markers, proteins and lipids, with   machine learning to identify the presence of ovarian cancer in women that present with vague abdominal/pelvic symptoms. 

In samples from University of Colorado the test exhibited an accuracy of 93% across all stages of ovarian cancer and 91% for early-stage disease. 

In a set from 51福利社, the model continued to perform strongly, with an accuracy of 92% for all-stages of ovarian cancer and 88% for early-stage disease.

 AOA鈥檚 test performed better than single blood-based-markers which have been used for the past 30 year, which were only able to attain accuracies of less than 90%. 

The successful results, say AOA, will inform the final design of the test, which could produce a streamlined and cost-effective diagnostic relevant to healthcare systems globally. 

鈥淥ur platform detects ovarian cancer at early stages and with greater accuracy than current tools,鈥� said Alex Fisher COO and Co-Founder of AOA Dx. 鈥淭hese findings show its potential to aid clinicians in making faster, more informed decisions for women who need urgent clarity during a challenging diagnostic process.鈥� 

鈥淏y using machine learning to combine multiple biomarker types, we鈥檝e developed a diagnostic tool that detects ovarian cancer across the molecular complexity of the disease in sub-types and stages鈥� said Dr. Abigail McElhinny, Chief Science Officer of AOA Dx. 鈥淭his platform offers a great opportunity to improve the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer potentially resulting in better patient outcomes and lower costs to the healthcare system.鈥�

varian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, largely due to late-stage diagnosis.

Over 90% of women experience symptoms in Stage I, yet only 20% of cases are diagnosed in Stage I or II, as symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and digestive issues often resemble benign conditions.

Existing diagnostic methods, which rely on invasive procedures or less reliable markers, frequently fail to identify early-stage disease.

An accurate early detection test available to women when they first visit a physician with symptoms could revolutionize the detection of ovarian cancer.

Professor Emma Crosbie, Professor at 51福利社 and Honorary Consultant in Gynecological Oncology, 51福利社 University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), said: 鈥淎OA Dx鈥檚 platform shows significant promise for ovarian cancer early detection, offering a practical solution for symptomatic women.鈥�

Professor Crosbie is also National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 51福利社 Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Co-Theme Lead.

She added: 鈥淎OA Dx鈥檚 platform has the potential to significantly improve patient care and outcomes for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. We are eager to continue advancing this important research through additional prospective trials to further validate and expand our understanding of how this could be integrated into existing healthcare systems.鈥�

The paper Utilizing serum-derived lipidomics with protein biomarkers and machine learning for early detection of ovarian cancer in the symptomatic population published in cancer Research Communications is available DOI:

The research also suggests that monks kept their copy of the charter safe for generations, possibly consulting it at annual rent payments or during disputes 鈥� ensuring the king鈥檚 message lived on.

By looking at this 1,100-year-old parchment not just as a legal record but as a piece of political theatre, the study opens a new window into how early English kings built and maintained their power.

The full article, 鈥�鈥�, is published in the Journal of Medieval History.

鈥淔or an institution of our scale and ambition, continued progress on the global stage is both a challenge and an opportunity," Duncan added.

The 2025 ARWU result follows a strong year for 51福利社 in other leading global rankings - in June, it was named the 35th best university in the world in the QS World University Rankings.

The power of the University鈥檚 social and environmental impact has also been recognised on a global scale, being the only university in the top ten in both the QS World University Sustainability Rankings and Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, in recognition of its contribution towards the United Nations鈥� Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The University鈥檚 research strength is further evidenced by the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), in which 93% of research activity was rated either 鈥榳orld-leading鈥� (4*) or 鈥榠nternationally excellent鈥� (3*).

鈥�51福利社 has always been a place where world-class research meets real-world impact,鈥� said Vice-President for Research Professor Colette Fagan. 鈥淲e are proud of our achievements, but even more excited about what lies ahead.鈥�

The full 2025 ARWU list and methodology can be explored at ShanghaiRanking鈥檚 .

The winner of this year鈥檚 Prize will be revealed on the evening of 1 October 2025, where they will be presented with a cheque for 拢25,000. Each of the five shortlisted authors will receive a cheque for 拢2,500.

鈥淯nderstanding how counter fraud work is carried out is important for improving its effectiveness," added Dr Benson. 鈥漁ur research will better understand the experiences of those delivering these services, identifying what challenges they face and what support they need. This insight is vital for shaping a more strategic and joined-up approach to tackling fraud across the NHS."

The research was a partnership with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, and is published in the journal .

 

The study, published in journal Social & Cultural Geography, offers important lessons for researchers, policymakers and the public. By listening to how people make sense of their lives, especially during the long stretch of middle-age, we can better support their needs - and challenge the idea that middle-age is boring or unimportant.

Dianne said of the CATE recognition: "I feel truly privileged to have led the development and continued delivery of our PGCert programme. At the heart of our success is a team philosophy grounded in open dialogue, mutual respect, and trust鈥攚here every individual voice is valued. It's a genuine pleasure to work in an environment where collaboration and support are embraced by all, and I couldn't be prouder of what our team has achieved together."  

Bip added: 鈥淭he PGCert team is truly unique in the way it functions, supporting colleagues to achieve their very best. I am delighted the team has been recognised for our excellence in collaborative working which showcases the very best of what teaching looks like when we truly work together for the flourishing of colleagues and learners.鈥�  

The PGCert Medical and Health Education is offered through the University鈥檚 Transnational Education operation to expand its reach, value and impact, helping healthcare systems around the world and improving health outcomes for patients globally. 

Professor April McMahon, who was Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students at the time of the nominations, said: 鈥淢any congratulations to Ang, Jenni, Dianne, Bip and everyone who has supported them. The NTFs and CATE awards are highly competitive and prestigious, and it is wonderful to see that again our 51福利社 people have done so well. Our students, and those considering coming to join us in September, should also be encouraged that teaching excellence is such a focus for us at 51福利社.鈥�

The 2025 awards ceremony will take place on 25 September in Bristol, hosted by incoming Advance HE Chief Executive Alistair Jarvis.  

In the past, aid helped these countries avoid economic crises. But over time, aid became more about short-term goals like fighting poverty or improving health, and less about helping countries grow strong, independent economies. 鈥淲e鈥檝e forgotten that aid used to be about helping countries stand on their own two feet,鈥� says Dr Behuria.

The research also takes aim at what鈥檚 called 鈥楪lobal Development鈥� - a newer idea that treats poverty in rich countries the same as poverty in poorer ones. While this sounds fair, Dr Behuria says it confuses the issue and weakens the case for giving aid to the countries that need it most. 鈥淵es, there鈥檚 poverty in London and New York - but that鈥檚 not the same as poverty in Malawi or Bangladesh,鈥� he explains.

Dr Behuria calls for a new way of thinking - what he terms a 鈥渟tructuralist鈥� approach - where we tackle the deep, historical roots of inequality between nations. He says academics, governments, and the public all need to reconnect with the original purpose of aid: correcting global injustice.

"I hope to contribute to the growth of the institute, which has been phenomenal in the past 15 years, and help position the institute for the new challenges emerging around the world."

"The HCRI has always been known for its excellence in research and teaching, and for its policy-relevant work, engaging a multitude of stakeholders on the ground. I plan to build on this track record to further consolidate the HCRI's position in the UK, Europe and beyond as one of the key institutes to study and do research in humanitarian, disaster, global health and peace and conflict studies."

Professor Lemay-H茅bert will lead an Institute at the forefront of research in humanitarian, conflict and disaster studies, as well as a thriving teaching unit at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. HCRI鈥檚 teaching portfolio includes a pioneering - and in the current times of global conflict, ever more important - joint degree programme in Humanitarian Practice, in collaboration with M茅decins Sans Fronti猫res and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

The project will run from September 2025 and is open to pupils aged five to 11 as part of their PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education. Children will explore not only bereavement but other forms of loss 鈥� such as the death of a pet or a friend moving away 鈥� through archaeology-inspired art and poetry. Parents will be invited to information sessions and can choose whether their children take part. 

鈥楲ost and Found鈥� builds on the success of previous AHRC-funded projects, including 鈥楥ontinuing Bonds鈥� and 鈥楧ying 2 Talk鈥�, which used archaeology to support conversations about death in secondary schools. The new pilot will result in a workshop resource pack for other schools to replicate the approach. 

This initiative also aligns with the UK Government鈥檚 recent inclusion of grief education in . 

鈥楲ost and Found鈥� builds on nearly 拢100,000 in AHRC funding and follows two earlier projects:  and . These initiatives explored how archaeology can support conversations about death, dying, and bereavement in non-medicalised, creative ways. 

Continuing Bonds brought together archaeologists, healthcare professionals, and psychologists to explore legacy and loss, while Dying 2 Talk co-produced resources with secondary school pupils, using artefacts and workshops to help young people reflect on grief and caregiving through the lens of the past. 

The study sets out clear recommendations for further improvements, based on direct community feedback. These insights are expected to inform future active travel strategies both locally and nationally.

The full report is available here: .

The study, published in Nature Physics, and carried out at ETH Zurich, demonstrates how researchers used a finely tuned laser and vacuum system to trap and cool a 100-nanometre glass disc composed of billions of atoms. The work sets a new benchmark for quantum purity, a measure of how closely a system behaves according to the rules of quantum mechanics. 

Dr. Jayadev Vijayan, a Research Fellow in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at 51福利社, explains: 鈥淭his high-purity quantum state of motion gives us the best starting point to test whether objects 10,000 times heavier than the current record-holder show wave-like behaviour characteristic of the quantum world.鈥� 

A new cold source for quantum experiments  

In the quantum world, atoms can behave like both particles and waves at the same time, appearing to being  鈥渋n two places at once鈥� 鈥� an effect that only happens in the quantum world.  

To observe these effects in larger objects, their motion must be cooled close to absolute zero 鈥� where the only remaining motion is due to quantum fluctuations, the jittering of empty space itself. 

To achieve this for the first time, researchers used a laser beam to trap a nanoparticle and make it levitate inside a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber removes all the air, so nothing can bump into the particle and heat it up. Next, they placed the particle between two mirrors facing each other, forming a cavity to cool the motion of the particle. 

Professor Carlos Gonzalez-Ballestero, Institute of Theoretical Physics at TU Wien, explains: 鈥淭he laser can either supply energy to the nanoparticle or take energy away from it. By carefully adjusting the cavity mirrors, we can make sure that the laser almost always takes energy away. The particle then spins slower and slower until it reaches the quantum ground state.鈥� 

What makes this result remarkable is the record-breaking purity of the quantum state. High purity means the object is behaving in a way that is almost entirely quantum, with very little influence from the environment. That level of control and precision opens doors to experimental tests of quantum mechanics at completely new scales. 

Putting large quantum systems to use 

This breakthrough creates a pathway to revolutionary new technologies. The larger a quantum object is, the more sensitive it becomes to certain types of forces, potentially making them incredibly sensitive quantum sensors. For example, levitated nanoparticle-based sensors could provide: a new type of precise navigation system that does not need global satellite systems; early detection systems for earthquakes and volcanic activity; and mapping tools for subterranean topology. 

• This research was published in the journal Nature Physics. Full title: High-Purity Quantum Optomechanics at Room Temperature. DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-02976-9 . Available

The PDER was coordinated by the Policy Profession Unit, prepared for publication in the Department for Work and Pensions, and launched by the Cabinet Office with support from the University of the Arts London. 

The report represents a true cross-sector effort to rethink how government can better serve the public. Professor Richardson鈥檚 involvement highlights how academic research can directly shape public services, and help to build more responsive, trusted and inclusive government.

The manufacturing of African print textiles has shifted to China in the 21st century. While they are widely consumed in African countries 鈥� and symbolic of the continent 鈥� the rise of 鈥渕ade in China鈥� has undermined the African women traders who have long shaped the retail and distribution of this cloth.

For many decades , the Dutch textile group which traces its origins to 1846 and whose products had been supplied to west Africa by European trading houses since the late 19th century, dominated manufacture of the cloth. But in the last 25 years dozens of factories in China have begun to supply African print textiles to west African markets. Qingdao Phoenix Hitarget Ltd, Sanhe Linqing Textile Group and Waxhaux Ltd are among the best known.

We conducted to establish how the rise of Chinese-made cloth has affected the African print textiles trade. We focused on Togo. Though it鈥檚 a tiny country with a population of , the capital city, Lom茅, is the trading hub in west Africa for the textiles.

We conducted over 100 interviews with traders, street sellers, port agents or brokers, government officials and representatives of manufacturing companies to learn about how their activities have changed.

鈥淢ade in China鈥� African print textiles are substantially cheaper and more accessible to a wider population than Vlisco fabric. Our market observations in Lom茅鈥檚 famous Assigam茅 market found that Chinese African print textiles cost about 9,000 CFA (US$16) for six yards 鈥� one complete outfit. Wax Hollandais (50,000 CFA or US$87) cost over five times more.

Data is hard to come by, but our estimates suggest that 90% of imports of these textiles to Lom茅 port in 2019 came from China.

One Togolese trader summed up the attraction: 鈥淲ho could resist a cloth that looked similar, but that cost much less than real Vlisco?鈥�

Our research shows how the rise of China manufactured cloth has undermined Vlisco鈥檚 once dominant market share as well as the monopoly on the trade of Dutch African print textiles that Togolese traders once enjoyed.

The traders, known as Nana-Benz because of the expensive cars they drove, once enjoyed an economic and political significance disproportionate to their small numbers. Their political influence was such that they were key backers of Togo鈥檚 first 鈥� himself a former director of the United Africa Company, which distributed Dutch cloth.

In turn, Olympio and long-term leader General Gnassingb茅 Eyad茅ma provided policy favours 鈥� such as low taxes 鈥� to support trading activity. In the 1970s, African print textile trade was considered as significant as the phosphate industry 鈥� .

Nana-Benz have since been displaced 鈥� their numbers falling from 50 to about 20. Newer Togolese traders 鈥� known as Nanettes or 鈥渓ittle Nanas鈥� 鈥� have taken their place. While they have carved out a niche in mediating the textiles trade with China, they have lower economic and political stature. In turn, they too are increasingly threatened by Chinese competition, more recently within trading and distribution as well.

China displaces the Dutch

Dating back to the colonial period, African women traders have played essential roles in the wholesale and distribution of Dutch cloth in west African markets. As many countries in the region attained independence from the 1950s onwards, Grand March茅 鈥� or Assigam茅 鈥� in Lom茅 became the hub for African print textile trade.

While neighbouring countries such as Ghana limited imports as part of efforts to promote domestic industrialisation, Togolese traders secured favourable conditions. These included low taxes and use of the port.

Togolese women traders knew the taste of predominantly female, west African customers better than their mostly male, Dutch designers. The Nana-Benz were brought into the African print textile production and design process, selecting patterns and giving names to designs they knew would sell.

They acquired such wealth from this trade that they earned the Nana-Benz nickname from the cars they purchased and which they used to collect and move merchandise.

Nana-Benz exclusivity of trading and retailing of African print textiles cloth in west African markets has been disrupted. As Vlisco has responded to falling revenues 鈥� over 30% in the first five years of the 21st century 鈥� due to its Chinese competition, Togolese traders鈥� role in the supply chain of Dutch cloth has been downgraded.

In response to the flood of Chinese imports, the Dutch manufacturer re-positioned itself as a luxury fashion brand and placed greater focus on the marketing and distribution of the textiles.

Vlisco has opened several boutique stores in west and central Africa, starting with Cotonou (2008), Lom茅 (2008) and Abidjan (2009). The surviving Nana-Benz 鈥� an estimated 20 of the original 50 鈥� operate under contract as retailers rather than traders and must follow strict rules of sale and pricing.

While newer Togolese traders known as Nanettes are involved in the sourcing of textiles from China, they have lower economic and political stature. Up to 60 are involved in the trade.

Former street sellers of textiles and other petty commodities, Nanettes began travelling to China in the early to mid-2000s to source African print textiles. They are involved in commissioning and advising on the manufacturing of African print textiles in China and the distribution in Africa.

While many Nanettes order the common Chinese brands, some own and market their own. These include what are now well-known designs in Lom茅 and west Africa such as 鈥淔emme de Caract猫re鈥�, 鈥淏inta鈥�, 鈥淧restige鈥�, 鈥淩ebecca Wax鈥�, 鈥淕MG鈥� and 鈥淗omeland鈥�.

Compared to their Nana-Benz predecessors, the Nanettes carve out their business from the smaller pie available from the sale of cheaper Chinese cloth. Though the volumes traded are large, the margins are smaller due to the much lower final retail price compared to Dutch cloth.

After procuring African print textiles from China, Nanettes sell wholesale to independent local traders or 鈥渟ellers鈥� as well as traders from neighbouring countries. These sellers in turn break down the bulk they have purchased and sell it in smaller quantities to independent street vendors.

All African print textiles from China arrive in west Africa as an incomplete product 鈥� as six-yard or 12-yard segments of cloth, not as finished garments. Local tailors and seamstresses then make clothes according to consumer taste. Some fashion designers have also opened shops where they sell pr锚t-脿-porter (ready-to-wear) garments made from bolts of African print and tailored to local taste. Thus, even though the monopoly of the Nana-Benz has been eroded, value is still added and captured locally.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese actors have become more involved in trading activity 鈥� and not just manufacturing. The further evolution of Chinese presence risks an even greater marginalisation of locals, already excluded from manufacturing, from the trading and distribution end of the value chain. Maintaining their role 鈥� tailoring products to local culture and trends and linking the formal and informal economy 鈥� is vital not just for Togolese traders, but also the wider economy.

, Reader, Global Development Institute, and , Postdoctoral fellow, Duke Africa Initiative,

This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .

Approximately one in 50 people will develop wounds that fail to heal with the issue a particular problem for older people and in diabetes. 

Chronic wounds are more likely to become infected and can even result in a need for amputation making tackling them a really important issue. 

The paper published in the , reveals that the enzyme-  called arginase 1 -  can  promote wound repair in the  skin, through modulation of  a protein called Lipocalin2. 

A major factor in non-healing wounds is a failure of the damaged outer layer of skin, the epidermis, to repair and regrow. This can be worsened by uncontrolled inflammation and infection. 

The authors show that on wounding Arginase 1 enhanced production of Lipocalin2, an anti-microbial agent, which was required to combat infection and help the skin cells reform the skin barrier. 

Arginase 1 also reduced levels of inflammatory products made by the damaged skin cells showing its potential for tackling the inflammation typically associated with chronic wounds.

 The researchers also showed that the function of arginase, could be restored to help skin regrow by adding products that arginase 1 can make which include metabolites called polyamines. 

The paper follows on from previous by the team, published in February, which showed how important this enzyme Arginase 1 was for healthy skin and eczema. 

A healthy skin barrier involves a balance between cells multiplying (鈥榩roliferating鈥�) and changing their function (鈥榙ifferentiating鈥�). A key feature of eczema is a disruption of this balance. Arginase is required for skin barrier regulation where it functions to promote cell differentiation, a process essential to maintain a protective healthy skin barrier. A process that is disrupted in eczema.

 Arginase 1 has been shown to have an important role in tissue repair but how it promotes skin health was until now, unknown. 

Lead author Sheena Cruickshank, Professor of immunology at 51福利社 鈥榮 Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, said: 鈥淭hese two studies highlight the mechanism by which arginase 1 promotes barrier function and ensures good wound healing. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 importance is highlighted by the abnormal levels of Arginase seen in wounds that don鈥檛 heal well and eczema 

鈥淭hat is why we think that targeting arginase 1 has potential to be used in the treatment of eczema and non-healing skin ulcers. Data in the two papers suggest it might also protect the skin from infection.鈥� 

She added: 鈥淣on-healing skin wounds, or ulcers, are incredibly common and serious skin conditions that are more common as we age. 

鈥淭hey can have a devastating effect on the lives of patients, causing chronic pain, problems with mobility and can lead to increased morbidity. 

鈥淪imilarly, eczema can significantly impact quality of life, leading to intense itching, pain, and sleep disruption. It can also increase the risk of skin infections. 

鈥淲e clearly have a long way to go before these skin conditions can be cured, but knowing the crucial role of arginase 1 in the healing process and that we can rescue function in model systems is an important milestone.鈥� 

Jason Wong, Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Regenerative Medicine  from 51福利社 said: 鈥淭he burden of chronic wounds seems to be on the increase and any new insights to how we can treat the problem will save limbs.鈥� 

The PhD studentship for coauthor Denis Szondi was funded by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore and 51福利社. 

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) funded a PhD studentship for co-author Rachel Crompton. 

Banked tissue collection was funded by Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)51福利社 Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). (Prof Wong is part of the Dermatology Theme at the NIHR 51福利社 BRC.

British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 193, Issue 1, July 2025, Pages 125鈥�135, 

The publication includes detailed chapters on iconic buildings such as Whitworth Hall, the John Rylands Library and Jodrell Bank鈥檚 Lovell telescope, as well as little known aspects of campus history including lost rivers, nuclear reactors, Toblerone-shaped halls of residences and unrealised plans for an underground station.

The book particularly highlights the architectural significance of Owens College, and how its Gothic Revival buildings designed by Alfred Waterhouse established a distinct identity in Victorian 51福利社. These early structures set a tone of civic ambition and intellectual seriousness that still echoes through the campus today.

A dedicated section also explores the post-war expansion of science and engineering facilities at the University, driven by Cold War priorities and rising student numbers. It examines the rapid, often pragmatic construction of labs and lecture theatres, many of which defined the university鈥檚 mid-20th-century landscape.

鈥淭his book offers the public a chance to see behind the scenes - to understand why buildings were built the way they were, and how the campus continues to evolve to meet the needs of students, researchers and the wider city,鈥� added Dr Hopkins.

The publication was made possible through the generous support of both internal and external partners. Within the University, from the School of Environment, Education and Development and the University of 51福利社 Library. Additional support was provided by companies that have worked closely on building projects across the campus over the years, including Avison Young, Arcadis, Balfour Beatty, BDP, CBRE, Halliday Meecham Architects, Recom Solutions, Rider Levett Bucknall, and Sheppard Robson.

Building Towards the Bicentenary is available to view for free .

Professor Devinney joins other 51福利社-based Fellows including Professors James Nazroo, Melanie Giles and Penny Harvey, who have all been elected to the British Academy in recent years reflecting the University鈥檚 enduring commitment to cutting-edge scholarship and societal impact.

President of the British Academy Professor Susan J. Smith said: 鈥淥ne of my first acts as incoming President is to welcome this year鈥檚 newly elected Fellows, who represent the very best of the humanities and social sciences. They bring years of experience, evidence-based arguments and innovative thinking to the profound challenges of our age.鈥�

鈥淓very new Fellow enlarges our capacity to interpret the past, understand the present, and shape resilient, sustainable futures. It is a privilege to extend my warmest congratulations to them all.鈥�

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of 51福利社 also commented: 鈥淟ord Alliance was a close friend to the University and a remarkable figure whose contributions extended far beyond it. His belief in the transformative power of education created opportunities for generations of students, while his leadership and philanthropy shaped the Alliance 51福利社 Business School and the wider 51福利社 region. His story will remain a source of inspiration for years to come, and his legacy will endure in the lives he touched and the institutions he helped to build.鈥�

The research study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), LifeArc and the Wellcome Trust and published in The Lancet Neurology today (16/07/25). 

Twenty-five years ago when Timothy Bingham was two years old, he had a mild flu like illness which left him unable to walk. 

Three years later following another infection, he was paralysed and has been in a wheelchair ever since. 

Then in 2011, doctors saw an 8-month-old girl at a UK hospital who had been completely fit and well until a mild chest infection left her unable to breathe without the support of a ventilator. 

They considered that there may be a genetic cause as her two brothers had experienced similar severe problems following mild infections. 

Genetic researchers at the University of 51福利社 have now discovered that changes in a gene called RCC1 led to this severe nerve damage in both Timothy and the family in 51福利社. 

A further 20 children from 10 families from the UK, T眉rkiye, Czechia, Germany, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, and Slovakia have been found to have changes in the same gene leading to this severe nerve condition all triggered by mild infections. 

In over half of the children, doctors suspected the diagnosis of a different severe nerve condition that can develop after infection called . 

The researchers performed laboratory studies on skin cells taken from patients and in specially genetically  engineered fruit flies to show that the damage to nerves can be caused by certain chemicals. 

Skin cells from patients when looked at under special microscopes have changes very similar to those seen in the cells of patients with motor neuron disease where muscles, including those controlling breathing and swallowing, become weak. 

Bill Newman, Professor of Translational Genomic Medicine at the University of 51福利社 and Rare Condition co-theme lead at the NIHR 51福利社 Biomedical Research Centre led the research. 

He said: 鈥淯ntil this study, little was known about why some people experience severe nerve damage after they have had a mild infection like flu or a stomach upset. 

鈥淭his work provides families with an explanation and is the first step in us developing an effective treatment. As children are well before they develop nerve damage following an infection, this gives us an opportunity to treat at risk children before problems occur. 

鈥淭he similarity with Guillain-Barr茅 syndrome and with conditions like motor neuron disease may help us understand these more common conditions and why some people are at greater risk and what treatments may be effective.鈥� 

Kate Bingham, mum of Tim who is now 28, said: 鈥淎bout 25 years ago Tim got a flu like infection and a temperature. What seemed like a minor illness had devastating consequences. 

鈥淭he attack, and subsequent attacks - did terrible damage. First to his legs, then his arms, his face and his chest. 

鈥淎nd now he needs 24-hour care. His diaphragm barely works at all so he can鈥檛 cough. It鈥檚 hard for him to chew and he can鈥檛 drink unassisted. He can鈥檛 move in bed so needs turning throughout the night. The things we all take for granted he can鈥檛 do. 

鈥淏耻迟 I鈥檓 proud of how strong Tim has been. He now has a girlfriend he met online who is wonderful. He proves there is life beyond disability.鈥� 

She added: 鈥淎s Tim鈥檚 mum the discovery of a gene which is linked to what happened to Tim means everything to me. For so long we have lived with uncertainty of not knowing the full picture. 

鈥淭his breakthrough brings us great hope as it will do to all those people who have waited years for answers. This is something that helps us look to the future.鈥� 

Sam Barrell, CEO of LifeArc, said, 鈥溾�淔or many people living with rare conditions, the wait for a diagnosis can be agonisingly long - around a third wait more than five years. In Timothy鈥檚 case, that uncertainty stretched for over twenty years.  This discovery provides a potential target for treatment and the first step towards delivering a brighter future for people that could be living with this same devastating condition.鈥� 

Image: Kate and Tim and Tim with his dog, Red.

The paper Acute-onset axonal neuropathy following infection in children with biallelic RCC1 variants: a case series is published in The Lancet Neurology here DOI 

The findings - based on the scans of 1,684 women - could make the difficult task of determining whether labour should be induced in the final stages of pregnancy easier, resulting in fewer complications, say the researchers.

Published today in the Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women鈥檚 Health, the study was led by gynaecologist Sanne Gordijn of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) in collaboration with Wessel Ganzevoort of Amsterdam University Medical Centre and Professor Alexander Heazell from 51福利社.

When pregnant women feel their baby is moving less in the final weeks of pregnancy, they are referred to hospital where an examination is carried out to assess the condition of the baby.

The examination consists of monitoring the baby鈥檚 heart rate and an assessment of its growth and amniotic fluid - the fluid around the baby it.

Now the researchers have discovered that an extra ultrasound scan - in addition to the other tests-  is able to significantly help doctors to see whether a baby would benefit from being born earlier.

By measuring the resistance in the blood vessels of the umbilical cord and the baby's brain they were able to accurately assess the functioning of the placenta and the condition of the baby, making it easier to decide if doctors needed to induce delivery earlier.

The perception from mothers that their baby is moving less commonly can occur when a baby has changed position or the mother hasn鈥檛 noticed the movement because she is busy or distracted.

However in some cases, reduced movement could be a sign that the baby is unwell, which can be worrying for pregnant women and midwives.

Professor Heazell said: 鈥淲e know that a reduction in baby鈥檚 movements is a common reason to attend maternity services. Thankfully, in the majority of cases the baby is ok.

鈥淭he findings of this study will help us to reassure the majority of mothers that their baby is healthy, and help us to focus intervention for the babies who will benefit from being born because they are not receiving enough oxygen or nutrients in the womb.鈥�

Sanne Gordijn said: 鈥淲e call the ratio between the two ultrasound measurements the Cerebro Placental Ratio (CPR). The idea is that an abnormal value may indicate that the placenta is not functioning properly.

鈥淚n that case, it is better for the baby to be born in the short term. We do this by inducing labour. If the value is normal, it would be better to wait for the natural moment of delivery, as the baby may not be completely ready yet. Women who want to give birth at home can still do so.鈥�

鈥淭he results of this study show better outcomes for the baby when the result of the CPR measurement is known.

鈥淭his means that we see fewer complications during childbirth when this measurement is taken, compared to the current policy where it is not done.鈥�

She added: 鈥淚f doctors know the results of this measurement, they can better distinguish whether the baby's reduced movement has a harmless cause or whether it requires action.

鈥淭his ensures that mother and baby receive the care that best suits their situation.' The guideline on reduced fetal movements will soon be updated; the professional association will incorporate the results of this study into it.鈥�

The study was funded by ZonMw from the Netherlands.

Sanne Gordijn conducted this CEPRA study together with researchers from Amsterdam UMC in 23 hospitals. Laura Lens, the MD, PhD student on this study presented at the international SMFM conference in Denver (USA) and Sanne in London. The study is published on July 10 in the authoritative scientific journal The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women鈥檚 Health.

• The study is published in the Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women鈥檚 Health and is available
• doi.org/10.1016/j.lanogw.2025.100002

Professor Cox returned to his hometown of Oldham in July for a series of four inspirational 鈥楪reat Horizons鈥� events. These celebrated STEM education and highlighted the vital role teachers and industry play in shaping future opportunities for young people in Oldham. They were designed to raise the profile of science teachers and science learning, towards igniting ambition in the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.  On Tuesday 1 July, Professor Cox took part in a celebration event for science teachers and leaders from across Oldham鈥檚 schools. The event was coordinated by the Cranmer Trust and brought over 250 teachers together to identify how they can take science to a new level in their schools. 

The following day, he engaged with primary school pupils in a 鈥榯our of the galaxy鈥� during special morning assemblies, promoting participation in the Great Science Share for Schools. 

In the afternoon, Professor Cox met with business leaders, council representatives, and local influencers, working with Oldham鈥檚 Economy Board鈥檚 and Oldham Athletic Football club with the remit to lever local business engagement to actively support education and career pathways in STEM. 

Later that evening, he hosted a Q&A session with secondary and college students at Oldham Sixth Form College, sharing insights and answering questions about science and space. 

 51福利社 provided leadership in coordinating and hosting the events, with special focus on the primary school event that involved Professor Cox having a whistle-stop tour of 4 primary schools in Oldham, working to ignite the curiosity of hundreds of pupils. Across the town other schools received VIP visits from the Oldham Lord Mayor, industry and charity professionals. These experiences provided opportunity to incentivise schools to become involved in the University鈥檚  flagship campaign, the Great Science Share for Schools, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. The campaign encourages young people to ask, investigate and share scientific questions, elevating the prominence of practical science in the classroom. 

Professor Lynne Bianchi, FSE Vice Dean for Social Responsibility, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Director of SEERIH, said: 鈥淭he two days were powerful in bringing the town鈥檚 industry and education partners together. It鈥檚 been a real place-based approach that is starting something that will have legacy beyond these launch events. The key now is to harness the energy that spued out of each event and identify key actions that can impact on young people in the short and longer term.鈥�  

Dave Benstead, Chairman of Oldham Enterprise Trust and Oldham鈥檚 Economy Board, said: 鈥淲e set out to optimise STEM-Industry-School-College partnerships which will lead to greater exposure of a variety of STEM career options, broaden student's perspectives and help them make more informed decisions as they progress through education. Our young people need a clearer understanding of the real-world problems that STEM related careers can address and Professor Brian Cox achieved this grabbing their interest and motivation as only he can.鈥� 

With acknowledgments to: Oldham Council, Oldham Enterprise Trust, Oldham Athletic Football Club, Cranmer Education Trust, Pinnacle Learning Trust and SEERIH (51福利社). 

Celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, the campaign inspires teachers of 5-14 year olds to upskill their own knowledge and skills of teaching science enquiry - a form of science education that gives the pupils the opportunity to explore a scientific question through practical investigations linked to .  

Using innovative resources and ideas related to this year鈥檚 theme of #51福利社edScience, pupils across the UK and across the world have been taking the lead and becoming science communicators.  The theme illustrates how science is not isolated in learning, but rather, the way we think scientifically has the power to connect our ideas and successes in all areas of our lives. 

The campaign runs throughout the year, leading to registrations from 835,135 pupils sharing on or around Tuesday 17 June. With wider reach across the globe, #GSSfS inspires teachers and educators from 52 different countries to take part, with events taking place across venues such as schools, hospital schools, museums, sports venues and universities.  

This year, 51福利社 hosted more than 35 schools from across Greater 51福利社 in its Nancy Rothwell building.  

Some of the questions shared this year included: 

• Are all flowers the same? 
• How does wind speed affect voltage generated? 
• Which type of soil will retain the most water to help keep plants hydrated in hot weather? 
• How does the temperature of the ocean affect coral? 

The GSSfS campaign was launched by Professor Lynne Bianchi, Vice Dean for Social Responsibility at 51福利社, to provide a unique way to elevate the prominence of science in the classroom, focussing on learner-focussed science communication, inclusive and non-competitive engagement, and promoting collaboration.  

Professor Bianchi, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been truly inspiring to witness the Great Science Share for Schools reach its 10th anniversary with such global momentum.鈥�

In 2024 and 2025, the campaign was granted the prestigious patronage of the , in recognition of its status as a beacon of excellence in science education and its pivotal role in shaping the next generation of scientists, innovators, and global citizens.  

Now in its 10^th year, the GSSfS strategy further develops to explore strategic alliances with ministries of education and schools across the world.  This year the Ministry of Education in Malta and the STEM & VET Curriculum and the Museo de Ciencias Universidad de Navarra in Spain, and the Foundation for Education and Development (FED) Unified Learning Centre in Khao Lak, Thailand have become a key focus for development. 

Grace Marson, Campaign Manager, said: 鈥淲hat Great Science Share for Schools has shown year on year, is that pupils have a thirst for science. They are naturally curious about the world around them and given the opportunity through GSSfS, they demonstrate that they can ask amazing scientific questions. This campaign puts pupils at the centre of their learning.鈥�  

鈥淭his research provides a clear roadmap for change, underscoring that where a young person lives really matters,鈥� said co-author Dr Emma Thornton. 鈥淧olicymakers should prioritise proactive, upstream investments in affordable housing, improving local green spaces, and boosting accessible community support schemes. These interventions can make a tangible difference, helping to prevent mental health issues before they escalate and reducing long-term burdens on vital services.鈥�

In the first ever study of its kind, tennis fan Dr Liam Blything analysed the impact of timeouts using from the world鈥檚 top 250 players between 2013 and 2023. 

Players at this year鈥檚 Wimbledon Championships will be watching closely how their opponents take a bathroom break, in light of the study. 

The paper follows years of speculation by journalists and sports people that the practice amounts to gamesmanship, bestowing an advantage for players taking a bathroom break by disrupting the rhythm of their opponent. 

However, proponents of the bathroom break argue that timeouts are a useful and acceptable way to help players reset.

 In response, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) introduced a rule for the 2022 season to restrict timeouts to a maximum of 3 minutes, alongside limitations on when and how often they can be deployed. 

Published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Dr Blything found that 71% of time outs were taken when a player lost the previous set. 

And in normal circumstances, 33% of players recover the next set after losing the previous one. This, however, rose to 47% if they took a bathroom break. 

The data analysed by Dr Blything showed there were 1,928 breaks in play in the study period, though when medical and other breaks were accounted for, he was left with 366 bathroom timeouts. 

Dr Blything said: 鈥淭here has been much argument in the media over recent years about the formalisation of gamesmanship in tennis, with the taking of bathroom breaks. 

鈥淭his study for the first time used real data to check the validity of those concerns. 

鈥淭here is now clear evidence a well-timed bathroom break in play confers an advantage to the player taking the break by regathering him or herself and disrupting the flow of the opponent..鈥� 

Dr Blything also carried out follow up analyses on the extent to which unforced-errors contributed to the forms of points won and lost. 

The overall decrease in the opponent鈥檚 winner-shots was offset by an equivalent decrease in the strategist鈥檚 unforced errors, preserving the proportion observed in the baseline data. 

That showed timeout advantage is a combination of both the strategist benefitting from the opportunity to personally reset, and a disruption of the rhythm of the opponent, rather than being disproportionally driven by one player. 

Psychological theory also supports the notion that taking a break can confer advantages by interrupting momentum. 

Theorists argue an interruption disrupts perceptions associated with positive momentum for players who are on a roll, which is in turn difficult to regain. 

The timeout also potentially affords the opportunity for a losing player to refocus from that negative thinking spiral about prospective outcomes, for example by using self-talk and mental imagery techniques. 

Dr Blything added: 鈥淭hese pioneering findings uniquely inform players and tennis governing bodies about the influence of timeouts and, more broadly, elucidate the role that stoppages can play in sport for altering momentum. 

鈥淚t would be useful understand if this effect is relevant  in other sports. Snooker players, for example, seem to take a lot of bathroom breaks.鈥� 

Examples of comments from players:

Andy Murray on a Stefanos Tsitsipas bathroom break after Murray won the 4th set 2-2 in the 2021 US Open 1st round. He went on to lose 3 - 2. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just disappointing because I feel it influenced the outcome of the match. I鈥檓 not saying I necessarily win that match, for sure, but it had influence on what was happening after those breaks.鈥�

Roger Federer who took a bathroom break after losing the 4th set 2-2 in the 2017 Australian Open semifinal. He went on to beat Wawrinka 3-2. 鈥淚 think they're more mental than anything else. I only really did take the timeout because I thought, 'He took one already, maybe I can take one for a change'. Because I'm not a believer in any way that we should be allowed to take a lot of timeouts. But I took it after the set break. People know I don't abuse the system. I hope it's going to stay that way in the future for me, too.鈥�

Stefanos Tsitispas, who鈥檚 opponent Novak Djokovic took a bathroom break after losing 2nd set to make it  0-2 in the 2021 French Open Final. Djokovic recovered to beat Tsitsipas 3-2: 鈥淚 don't think I changed much, I just kept the same pace. I kept the things that were working for me. He left the court after two sets to love down, and he came back to me like a different player suddenly. I don't know. I have no idea.鈥�

On the same match, Djokovic said: 鈥淭he bathroom break was the turning point. Sometimes in these kind of circumstances where not much is happening positively for you on the court in terms of tennis and the other guy on the court is dominating the play, sometimes these things are necessary. A little break, a little pep talk, and try to recuperate and re-gather the thoughts and reassemble everything that you have and [counter] your opponent with the best possible game.  Maybe it's the experience, maybe it's the toilet break, maybe it's everything combined, but I'm just glad I'm through.鈥�

The paper psychological (ab)use of timeouts in professional tennis is available DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2024.2436271:

The excavation of the site by Amgueddfa Cymru 鈥� Museum Wales and Heneb 鈥� The Trust for Welsh Archaeology and the careful lifting of the chariot grave components has revealed tanatalising glimpses of its potential: a rich suite of decorated chariot gear and weaponry, interred with someone who lived through the Roman conquest of Wales, and was buried in a moment of dramatic ritual. 

Whilst we know of many isolated artefacts and even hoards containing chariot gear, this find is currently the only complete chariot known from Wales - and also the 鈥榣ast鈥� chariot burial known from northern Europe, making this an internationally important find. 

This once-in-a-lifetime discovery now needs archaeological investigation and conservation to preserve and display these finds for the people of Pembrokeshire and Wales. Working with local organisations and school groups, particularly rural, traveller and conflict-migrant communities based in west Wales, the project will shape the story of the charioteer through an exciting programme of creative workshops and public performance events, alongside a three-year programme of conversation-led research into the finds and the burial site.

Led by Professor Melanie Giles from 51福利社, the project will draw on the skills of Iron Age curator Adam Gwilt and his expert conservation and curatorial team at Amgueddfa Cymru, alongside members of Heneb: Dyfed Archaeology, who were all involved in the original excavation. A workshop and public conference will help launch and celebrate this discovery, learning from other chariot discoveries in Britain, Ireland and the near Continent, such as the recent stunning Iron Age hoard finds from Melsonby (North Yorkshire). 

The results will then be used by expert chariot maker and wheelwright, Robert Hurford, to construct two full-sized chariot reconstructions 鈥� one to test in the field and use at public events, the other to display as part of an exhibition at both Oriel y Parc (St Davids) and St Fagans: National Museum of History. The whole process will be recorded as a film with many other resources hosted through the project website. A key theme of the project and the Welsh curriculum is cynefin 鈥� how knowledge of places and their past can deepen senses of belonging 鈥� and the team will host a special workshop with Welsh teachers to help shape new resources for schools in Pembrokeshire and beyond. 

This ambitious partnership project draws together Welsh heritage, community and creative partners as contributors. Cadw (Welsh Government鈥檚 historic environment body responsible for the care and protection of Wales鈥檚 cultural heritage) is a funding partner, while Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority will be an event and exhibition host at its Oriel y Parc, St David鈥檚 and Castell Henllys reconstructed Iron Age village venues. Heneb 鈥� The Trust for Welsh Archaeology will contribute staff expertise to help craft the final publication of the site in its regional setting whilst PLANED (the Pembrokeshire-based community-led social enterprise charity) will help co-design and deliver the public engagement programme, alongside the stunning creative skills of Pembrokeshire based Span Arts.  

Adam Gwilt, the Co-project Lead at Amgueddfa Cymru 鈥� Museum Wales said: 鈥楾his unique chariot discovery has wonderful potential to captivate, inspire and engage with communities, helping us to tell rich new stories about Iron Age peoples living in western Britain at the time of the Roman invasion. This project, and our grant funding news, is a great success story for Amgueddfa Cymru, for our partners and for archaeology in Wales. I am really pleased that the team鈥檚 dedication and efforts so far, and in coming together to create this distinctive and collaborative project, have been recognised at UK level. It is really exciting that we can now begin to present this national treasure together in many ways, exploring meanings, connections and community responses, past and present.鈥�

John Ewart, of PLANED said: 鈥楶LANED has been supporting communities for almost forty years and we are honoured to be working alongside so many culturally significant organisations on this incredible find. We are eager to be part of the next chapter in the story of the chariot and its location.鈥�

Bethan Touhig-Gamble, Director of SPAN Arts said: 鈥楽PAN Arts is thrilled to be part of this exciting project, using creativity to connect the community to this important work.鈥�

Richard Nicholls, Chief Executive of Heneb 鈥� The Trust for Welsh Archaeology said: 鈥榃e were delighted to work in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru, Cadw and the National Lottery Heritage Fund to excavate the first Celtic chariot burial site to be found in Wales. This new funding will ensure there is wider recognition of the importance of the find and we hope it will inspire future generations to connect with our shared heritage.鈥�

Kathryn Roberts, Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings, Cadw said: 鈥榃e are delighted to support this project to learn more about the Pembrokeshire chariot burial and share its fascinating discovery more widely.   This project combines the specialist skills of archaeologists and conservators with craftsmen and storytellers in a unique mix that will explore the world of the charioteer and help people of all ages learn more about the life in Iron Age Wales.鈥� 

James Parkin, Director of Nature and Tourism at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority commented: 鈥榃e are thrilled to be playing an integral part in this incredible partnership project showcasing the history, culture and rich archaeological legacy of this internationally important discovery. The project provides an opportunity for a diverse cross-section of Pembrokeshire communities to be involved in co-creating the stories linked to the charioteer, to deepen their connection, understanding and sense of place. We鈥檙e extremely pleased that Castell Henllys Iron Age Village, the only Iron Age site in Britain reconstructed on the exact site where our ancestors lived 2,000 years ago, will play a part in recreating the rich tapestry linked to this exciting discovery. We look forward to working together with partners to host the Cynefin exhibition at Oriel y Parc, National Park Discovery Centre in St Davids, showcasing the culmination of the project鈥檚 extensive research, engagement and creative collaborations.鈥�

Designed by the undergraduate Physics Society, the sculpture is based on the telescope鈥檚 original engineering blueprints, ensuring a high level of accuracy and detail. Student James Ruxton spent six months perfecting the design using computer software to model and test different structures, producing a 4,000-page instruction manual. He even custom-designed some Lego pieces, using a 3D printer to create bespoke bricks. 

James and fellow Physics Society members began building the sculpture in late April. The finished model weighs 30kg, with 12.5kg attributed to the dish alone. Due to its weight, the dish had to be reinforced with a steel pole鈥攎irroring a real-life engineering challenge faced during the telescope鈥檚 original construction eighty years ago. 

The sculpture serves as a tribute to the University鈥檚 pioneering role in astrophysics and engineering. It will be on permanent display in the Schuster Building, housed in a specially modified cabinet alongside a Lego model of a Large Hadron Collider detector鈥攂uilt by students a decade ago. 

A unique feature of the sculpture is a brick which was signed by Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell - the physicist who discovered Pulsars - during her visit to the University to deliver this year鈥檚 annual Bragg Lecture in March.  

The sculpture arrives in time to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Jodrell Bank, a site of immense significance to 51福利社 and to science in the UK.  

Professor Chris Parkes, Head of the Physics and Astronomy department, has been supporting the students with their project. He reflected: 鈥淛odrell Bank has always been a symbol of bold innovation - pushing the boundaries of science and engineering from its earliest days.  

In December 1945, physicist Bernard Lovell travelled from 51福利社 to a quiet field in Cheshire hoping to explore the use of radar in cosmic ray detection. Instead, this became the start of the Physics Department's world-famous Jodrell Bank radio astronomy observatory.  

Over the following 12 years, Lovell and his team constructed the telescope that now bears his name. Its global importance was confirmed in 1957 when it became the only instrument capable of tracking the rocket carrying Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union during the Space Race.  

Since then, the Lovell Telescope has stood at the forefront of astronomical research. In 2019, the Jodrell Bank Observatory was granted UNESCO World Heritage status, further cementing its legacy as a beacon of scientific innovation. 

The event is a joint collaboration between the University of 51福利社, Athlete鈥檚 Journey Home and Drug Science and is supported by the British Association for Psychopharmacology. 

The event will feature world experts in the psychedelics field:  Prof David Nutt from Imperial College London and Prof Sara Tai from 51福利社. 

Three elite athletes: former professional rugby player, Rory Lamont; former professional ice hockey player, Daniel Carcillo; and former mixed martial artist, Ian McCall will talk about their own healing experiences. 

Organised by Jo Neill Professor of Psychopharmacology, from 51福利社, the event will explore scientific and real world evidence to show that psychedelic assisted therapy (PAP) may be able to alleviate some harmful effects of trauma in elite athletes. 

Clinical studies, fieldwork and personal accounts from across the world are now finding that PAP can induce neuroplasticity - the ability of the brain to reorganise and make new connections throughout life. 

And that may treat the cognitive decline, early dementia, severe headache and pain which are so common in brain injuries. 

Prof Neill said 鈥淭his is particularly relevant to elite athletes in sports such as rugby, football, ice hockey, horse riding, mixed martial arts and boxing. 

鈥淚n addition to injury, athletes experience emotional trauma from the high pressure environment of competitive sport, and gruelling training regimes, most evident when they leave that sport. 

鈥淏耻迟 psychedelic assisted therapy is known to reduce the emotional and physical impact of these forms of trauma and is even starting to be used by elite athletes for their mental and physical health in countries where it is legal. 

鈥淧AP is increasingly being recognised as a safe treatment though patients must always adhere to the law, and be well prepared in a very safe setting when taking the psychedelic medicines. They must also receive appropriate and extensive integrative therapy afterwards.鈥� 

The event takes place at the University鈥檚 Nancy Rothwell Building on Wednesday 2nd July at 2PM. 

Dr Grace Blest-Hopley and Nige Netzband, experts on Traumatic Brain Injury who work with psychedelics will also speak to the conference. 

Professor Neill added: 鈥淲hile most people find it extremely beneficial and indeed life-changing, PAP can be a very challenging and difficult experience for many. It is not be a medicine to be taken lightly. The treatment paradigm is 1-3 high doses in combination with therapy. Some people may not need to take this treatment again. This is very different from the current approach where people need to take a medicine every day which can have a significant side effect burden. 

鈥淚n spite of all the clinical and scientific evidence for their medicinal properties, particularly for disorders where nothing else works, they remain illegal Class A, Schedule 1 drugs in the UK. 

鈥淭he law is not evidence based and it enacts the harshest penalties for unlicensed manufacture, possession and supply. 

鈥淐linicians and scientists who want to conduct research require a controlled drugs licence from the Home Office, an expensive, bureaucratic and extremely time-consuming process. This must change.鈥� 

Tickets available here, free for BAP members.

51福利社鈥檚 involvement continues to shape global narratives of Egypt鈥檚 forgotten cities, bringing the ancient Delta back into view one discovery at a time.

In addition to Dr Nicky Nielsen, the excavation team comprised Dr Hamada Hussein (University of Sadat City), Dr Diana T. Nikolova (University of Liverpool), Matei Tichindelean (UCLA), Kylie Thomsen (UCLA), Omar Farouk, Jamal el-Sharkawy, Ahmed Fahim and Ali Bashir.

鈥淚t鈥檚 encouraging to see 51福利社 climb to 7th in the world for international research collaboration,鈥� said Professor Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research. 鈥淭he University鈥檚 research excellence is rooted in a culture of curiosity, collaboration and purpose, and the international collaborations of our academics across the globe is crucial for advancing research and tackling some of the major issues facing the world today.鈥�

The University鈥檚 social and environmental impact is ranked in the top ten globally with the university being the only institution in the world in the top 10 in for both the  and ). In 2025, the University was ranked in first place in the UK and Europe and second in the world for benefitting society and the environment by Times Higher Education for the third year running. 

For further information, visit the website.

The University鈥檚 unique commitment to addressing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is world leading. 51福利社 is the only university in the world to rank in the top ten for social and environmental impact in all seven years of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. 

The 17 SDGs are the world鈥檚 call to action on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing humanity and the natural world, and 51福利社鈥檚 consistent top ranking is recognition of its leading role in tackling them. 

In this year鈥檚 assessment, more universities than ever were ranked with 2,318 institutions from 130 countries being ranked against how they are addressing the most pressing challenges facing our planet.  

The ranking, is the world鈥檚 only one that measures universities鈥� contributions to the UN SDGs and assesses their commitment to sustainability across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. 

Dr Julian Skyrme, Executive Director of Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement at 51福利社, who leads the institution鈥檚 entry to the ranking, said: 鈥淓ach year, we submit a wealth of evidence demonstrating how we embed social responsibility across all areas of our work鈥攆rom sustainability and cultural engagement to research impact, widening participation and the student experience. This continued recognition highlights the dedication of our entire University community to making a positive difference locally and globally.鈥� 

51福利社 came top in the world for SDG11 鈥� Sustainable Cities and Communities. Significantly contributing to this is the investment made in four public-facing cultural institutions. 51福利社 Museum has recently been recognised as one of Europe鈥檚 leading museums after winning .  

The annual prize is one of the most prestigious museum awards in the world and 51福利社 Museum is the first university museum to receive it, earning recognition for the way it balances globally-significant academic research with community engagement and social responsibility.  

The University has also directly addressed the energy impact of its campus in a landmark deal to see up to 65% of its electricity demand supplied via a new renewable project. In support of SDG7 鈥� Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG12 鈥� Responsible Consumption and Production, the University is building a 104,000 solar panel farm to generate green energy and also create a significant biodiversity enhancement to previously low-grade farmland. 

The University was ranked second in the world for SDG15 鈥� Life on Land. Particularly key contributions towards this goal have come from for his climate research on restoring grasslands in the UN鈥檚 Decade on Ecosystem Restoration initiative. Alongside this is leading research on socially driven reforestation policies to better protect our environment. 

President and Vice Chancellor, 51福利社, Professor Duncan Ivison said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendous achievement for our University community to once again be recognised as the UK and Europe鈥檚 top-ranked university - and second in the world - in this year鈥檚 THE Impact Rankings. This reflects not only the depth of our commitment to social responsibility but also the passion and dedication of our staff, students, and partners who bring that commitment to life every day. 

"As we prepare to launch our new strategy, 51福利社 2035, this recognition is a powerful reminder of the role we can play, both here in 51福利社 and around the world, in leading on addressing the major challenges of our time: advancing sustainability, tackling inequality, and supporting inclusive growth.鈥� 

51福利社 has also, this week, been ranked 35th in the annual QS World University Rankings which evaluate over 8,000 institutions around the world. The results reflect the University鈥檚 international profile and continued excellence in research, with other standout performances in indicators such as the International Research Network and International Students.

Read more about 51福利社's rankings.

The project conducted research across five diverse schools - two secondary, two primary and one alternative provision 鈥� with each the subject of a comprehensive case study.

鈥淐hallenges such as inadequate facilities, socio-economic barriers and gender disparities were found to hinder participation,鈥� MacQuarrie and Hennessey explain. 鈥淵et the study recognised schools鈥� creativity in addressing these issues through tailored programs, community partnerships and student-centred approaches.鈥�

Students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) face 鈥渦nique challenges鈥� including limited access to appropriate and properly funded facilities.  But the authors add: 鈥淚nclusive practices - such as adapting sports to accommodate diverse abilities - demonstrate the potential for PESSPA to serve as a vital bridge in reducing inequities and promoting inclusive practice.鈥�

The study revealed 鈥渃oncerning trends in prolonged sedentary behaviour鈥� with 43% of pupils surveyed found to be spending over four hours daily on screens and 23% engaging in 鈥渆xtended sedentary activities.鈥�  Further, 7.2% of pupils reported feeling lonely often or all of the time compared to , with pupil happiness at 6.4 compared to .

鈥淧hysical activity offers a powerful counterbalance to these challenges, enhancing mood, reducing feelings of loneliness,鈥� MacQuarrie and Hennessey argue. 鈥淪chools should actively address concerns by integrating engaging, movement-based activities into daily routines. Programmes that emphasise the fun and social aspects and create comfortable and accessible opportunities for physical activity can shift behaviours and cultivate healthier lifestyle patterns among students.鈥�

In their article, the academics set out a series of recommendations for policymakers and educators to harness 鈥渢he transformative potential of PESSPA to uplift communities and catalyse generational change.鈥�

These include advice to the Department for Education to 鈥減rioritise safe, versatile and inclusive facilities for all schools.鈥�  This could be achieved, they suggest, by launching a consultation to gauge the views of 鈥渆ducators, practitioners and school leaders to build a national picture of how this infrastructure in schools needs to be developed and maintained at scale.鈥�

To embed physical activity in school culture, the Department is encouraged to 鈥渋ntegrate PESSPA across curricula and extracurricular activities, recognising its role in fostering holistic development.鈥�  MacQuarrie and Hennessey continue: 鈥淐ommunity assets can also be leveraged here, and local authorities should support schools to strengthen partnerships with local sports organisations to enhance reach and impact.鈥�

To promote equity, they urge policymakers to offer tailored programmes for underserved groups, including girls and children with special educational needs. They add: 鈥淎s the Children鈥檚 Wellbeing and Schools Bill progresses, there is opportunity to embed this into legislation.鈥�

And to tackle sedentary behaviours, the authors advocate 鈥渢he development of policies and programmes to drive awareness regarding screen time and promote active lifestyles that are valued by children and young people.鈥�

 by Dr Sarah MacQuarrie and Dr Alexandra Hennessey is available to read on the Policy@51福利社 website. It was included in the Youth Sport Trust's recent , along with which identified locations across England where access to play and sport need more support and encouragement.

The research, which included more than 270,000 people, found no such link between asthma and working nightshifts in men.

The study was by Dr Robert Maidstone from the University of 51福利社, UK, and colleagues. He said: 鈥淎sthma disproportionately affects women. Women generally have more severe asthma, and higher rate of hospitalisation and death from asthma compared to men.

鈥淚n our previous research we found a higher risk of moderate or severe asthma in nightshift workers, so we wanted to see whether there were further differences between the sexes.鈥�

The researchers used data from the UK Biobank. They included a total of 274,541 working people and found that 5.3% of these had asthma, with 1.9% suffering with moderate or severe asthma (meaning they were taking an asthma preventer inhaler and at least one other asthma treatment, such as an oral steroid). They categorised these people according to whether they worked only during the day, only nightshifts, or a combination of the two.

Their analysis revealed that, overall, women who work shifts are more likely to have asthma. Women who only work nightshifts are around 50% more likely to suffer with moderate or severe asthma compared to women who only work in the daytime.

The risk of asthma in men did not alter according to whether they worked days or nights.

Dr Maidstone said: 鈥淭his is the first study to evaluate sex differences in the relationship between shift work and asthma. We found that permanent night shift-workers had higher odds of moderate-severe asthma when compared to corresponding day workers.

鈥淭his type of research cannot explain why shift work and asthma are linked; however, it could be because shift work disrupts the body clock, including the levels of male and female sex hormones. High testosterone has previously been shown to be protective against asthma, and so lower testosterone in women could play a role. Alternatively, men and women work different types of shift jobs, and this could be a factor.鈥�

In postmenopausal women, the risk of moderate or severe asthma was almost doubled in night workers, compared to day workers, in those not taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Dr Maidstone added: 鈥淥ur results suggest that HRT might be protective against asthma for nightshift workers, however further research is needed to test this hypothesis in prospective studies and randomised controlled trials.鈥�

The researchers plan to study whether sex hormones play a role in the relationship between shift work and asthma by using data from the UK Biobank and from Our Future Health, a new health research programme in the UK population. 

Professor Florence Schleich from the European Respiratory Society鈥檚 expert group on airway diseases, asthma, COPD and chronic cough, based at the University of Li猫ge, Belgium, and was not involved in the research. She said: 鈥淎sthma is a common, long- term condition that affects millions of people worldwide. We know that women are more likely to have asthma, to have worse asthma and more likely to die from asthma, but we do not fully understand why.

鈥淭his research suggests that working nightshifts could be a risk factor for asthma in women, but not in men. The majority of workers will not have an easy option of switching their shift pattern, so we need further research to verify and understand this link and find out what could be done to reduce the risk for women who work shifts.鈥�

Maidstone RJ, Ray DW, Liu J, et al. Increased risk of asthma in female night shift workers. ERJ Open Res 2025; in press .

In recognition of its longstanding commitment to sustainability, the University will represent the UK as one of the founding members of the International Green Learning and Skills Accelerator, a Times Higher Education initiative set up as part of the

The Pact is run by three UN agencies 鈥� the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organization and the UN Children鈥檚 Fund, UNICEF - and was established to help tackle the green skills deficit and 鈥渁dvance the just transition to a low carbon and circular economy鈥�.

The Accelerator, and a related research project, will advance this mission by bringing together universities, industries, and policymakers from around the world to share best practice and to develop a globally recognised framework for green skills and learning.

This initiative aims to define, standardise, and promote the green skills necessary for the net-zero economy, aligning education and employment to meet the challenges of the climate crisis.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of 51福利社, said: 鈥淏eing invited to help shape the Green Learning and Skills Accelerator as a founding member is a powerful recognition of the University鈥檚 long standing leadership in sustainability 鈥� and of the expertise, creativity and collaborative spirit of our staff and students.  This initiative brings together universities, city partners, industry and global institutions to tackle one of the most urgent challenges of our time.  It鈥檚 a unique opportunity to co-create a scalable, inclusive approach to green learning that supports the transition to a net-zero future 鈥� here in 51福利社 and around the world.鈥�

Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer at Times Higher Education, added: 鈥淚t is fantastic to witness 51福利社 joining the Green Learning and Skills Accelerator programme as a founding partner representing the UK. This once more reinforces the University鈥檚 commitment to sustainability as witnessed by their participation in the top ten each year of our .  Times Higher Education鈥檚 mission is to connect people, data and insights to help universities make the world a better place and this is a prime illustration of this in practice as we move towards a green economy.鈥�

One of the primary objectives of the project is to offer a consistent definition and taxonomy of what constitutes 'green skills' for the net-zero economy and how to measure it. The initiative is also in support of the Green Jobs for Youth Pact, that has seen a number of governments sign up and show their support at the UN Summit of the Future.

51福利社 will work alongside a select group of other global institutions to co-develop a new framework that will guide universities and employers, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge needed teach young people from the offset or re-train the current workforce the skills they need to drive the green economy.

Professor Jennifer O鈥橞rien, Academic Lead for Sustainability Teaching and Learning, who has been leading on the project, said: "Universities are uniquely positioned to drive the green skills agenda through our world-class research, teaching, and partnerships. By engaging with our talented and diverse students and academics from not only our own community but across the globe, alongside our cross-sector collaborators, we are ensuring that green education is inclusive and has impact. This project will build on existing best practices and push us forward in creating thriving, sustainable futures for all, through transformative learning experiences."

As a globally connected, civic university, 51福利社 will use its connections to bring in alumni and partners from across the world have an input into the new framework. It also hopes to feed into city-wide plans to support its ambitious zero carbon goal for 2038.

The programme will involve extensive research and collaboration with universities, industries, and policymakers with the goal of creating an  inclusive, scalable Accreditation Framework to support, guide and give recognition to universities and colleges as Green Learning and Skills Providers.

Dr Julian Skyrme, Executive Director of Social Responsibility at 51福利社, said: 鈥淎s one of the world鈥檚 leading universities for social responsibility and sustainable development we know that our students 鈥� as future citizens, leaders and skilled professionals 鈥� will play a key role in addressing the climate and nature crisis. We鈥檙e look forward to playing a leading role in the critical task of defining and championing the sort of education we need to create a more sustainable world.鈥� 

51福利社 has been consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability. It is the only university in the world to rank in the top ten for social and environmental impact in every year of the .

The University has set ambitious goals to reduce its environmental impact, aligning with its core mission of social responsibility. In 2022, it divested from coal, oil, and gas, reducing the carbon intensity of its investments by 37%. All the University鈥檚 degree programs are aligned with the , and its research platform, which includes the , combines world-leading research across disciplines to develop sustainable solutions for urgent environmental challenges. The University also recently signed a landmark deal that will see up to 65% of its electricity demand supplied through a brand-new renewables project.

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; The unique Saint Christopher woodcut, dated 1423 鈥� the oldest known dated example of European printing.

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; The Gutenberg Bible of 1454/55 - the first major book printed in Europe and a masterpiece that revolutionised the book world.

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; The Mainz Psalters of 1457 and 1459 - two of the most beautiful books ever printed, both with handwritten musical notation.

路&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Fifteen very rare blockbooks - in which the images and text on each page were printed from a carved block of wood.

The release forms part of the ongoing Incunabula Cataloguing Project, which will eventually see all of the library's approximately 4000 15th century printed books fully catalogued, of which around 300 of the rarest and most important will be digitised and made available online. While of immense value to scholars of early print culture, the collection is also designed to engage curious members of the public with some of the most beautiful and significant books ever printed.

The Early European Print collection is part of a longstanding commitment by 51福利社 and the John Rylands Library to share cultural heritage with the widest possible audience through 51福利社 Digital Collections.

, Reader in Engineering for Net Zero, is one of ten finalists to be awarded 拢100,000 in seed funding to develop his solution for this year鈥檚 .  

In its second year, the 51福利社 Prize is looking for researchers with the most impactful and innovative artificial intelligence (AI) solution enabling the UK to accelerate progress towards net zero.  

Although AI technologies are advancing rapidly, their adoption in clean energy systems has not kept pace. The 51福利社 Prize aims to accelerate progress by encouraging the development of AI solutions that support the UK in achieving its ambition to lead the world in clean energy. 

Dr Papadopoulos鈥� solution, Grid Stability, uses AI to accelerate the analysis performed which ensures electrical power systems meet the specified stability, security and reliability criteria. 

Electrical power systems worldwide are going through unprecedented changes to achieve decarbonisation targets. This drive calls for new technologies, such as renewables, electric vehicles and heat pumps, which increases the complexity and uncertainty in power system operation. System stability is the cornerstone of power system operation, and if not carefully considered, it can lead to blackouts with high economic impact and fallout.  

The tool replaces slow, complex simulations with rapid, AI-driven assessments, enabling real-time monitoring, faster decision-making, and more confident planning. This helps grid operators maintain reliability while scaling up clean energy solutions and cutting emissions. 

Dr Papadopoulos aims to work closely with utility companies to enable safe and useful implementations of Grid Stability. 

Speaking about his solution, Dr Papadopoulos said: 鈥淕rid Stability uses machine learning to help bring lower, or zero, carbon technologies onto the grid faster and at the scale we need to hit net zero, but without compromising system stability.

鈥�Being named a finalist for the 51福利社 Prize is a huge boost; it not only validates the impact of our work but also gives us a platform to accelerate progress and collaborate more widely across the energy sector.鈥�

Dr Papadopoulos recognised that the computational cost and complexity of assessing stability and security made it difficult to support real-time awareness, decision-making and optimisation. As a result, system dynamics are often neglected or oversimplified. Grid Stability, using machine learning, offers a promising solution to addressing this challenge. 

The 51福利社 Prize will pick its winner in Spring 2026, and the winning innovator will receive a 拢1 million grand prize to continue developing their solution. The winning solution must demonstrate not only technical innovation, but also an evidenced road map to near-term (2030) adoption and scale.  

Announced and launched in 2023, the 51福利社 Prize is multi-million-pound, multi-year challenge prize, which is funded by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology. The Prize seeks to reward UK-led breakthroughs in AI for public good and continues to secure the UK鈥檚 place as a global leader in cutting-edge innovation. 

The 51福利社 Prize is named after the world鈥檚 first stored programme computer, nicknamed 鈥楾he Baby鈥�, which was built at 51福利社 in 1948. AI research at The University continues to build on this legacy, as shown by Dr Papadopoulos鈥� achievement. 

Announced by the Technology Secretary on Monday 9 June), the Sp盲rck AI scholarships, named after pioneering British computer scientist Karen Sp盲rck Jones, will provide full funding for master鈥檚 degrees at nine leading UK universities specialising in artificial intelligence and STEM subjects 鈥� from Edinburgh to 51福利社, and Newcastle to Bristol. 

Set to rival the likes of globally recognised Rhodes, Marshall and Fulbright scholarships, at least 100 talented undergraduates level students from the UK and abroad will see unparalleled access to industry partnerships, work placements and mentorship opportunities, including in the UK鈥檚 AI Security Institute as well as leading tech firms like Darktrace, Faculty and Quantexa. 

This will not only drive forward AI innovation that grows the UK economy but also gives young people a direct route into highly skilled jobs in the UK鈥檚 tech sector. 

By covering both tuition and living expenses, the scholarship could also be of interest to talent students from low-income backgrounds who might otherwise be unable to afford university 鈥� spreading opportunity across the UK. 

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: 鈥淲e are providing unique opportunities for talented young people to take up master鈥檚 degrees in AI, with fully funded tuition and unparalleled access to industry. 

鈥淪tudents will be able to go on to highly skilled jobs, building a workforce fit for the future and boosting economic growth as part of our Plan for Change. 

鈥淲e are also expanding our fellowship programme to bring top talent into our leading AI sector and drive forward transformational benefits to the public like new drug discoveries.鈥� 

Sp盲rck AI scholarships: Applications will open in Spring 2026, with the first cohort beginning their studies in October 2026.  

Universities participating in the Sp盲rck AI scholarship programme include: Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, Southampton, Edinburgh, Newcastle, 51福利社 and Bristol, who will co-design and co-fund the initiative. 

Companies signed up to participate in the scholarship programme include PolyAI, Quantexa, CausaLens, Flok, Beamery, Darktrace and Faculty. 

At a ceremony in the historic Whitworth Hall, he was presented with an honorary doctorate by the University鈥檚 Chancellor, Nazir Afzal. The award is in honour not only of his sporting success but for his inspirational work away from football, including through his family foundation, the Guardiola Sala Foundation.

Pep said: 鈥�51福利社 means so much to me. I have spent nine years here and it has become home. The people, the culture, my incredible football club, my colleagues鈥� it is all so special to me and my family.  When I arrived here in 2016, I did not know how long I would spend here. The way this city embraced me made everything easy. My time here has been beautiful. 

鈥淚 know how important the University of 51福利社 is to our city. It鈥檚 the home to a lot of research and it has a history of discovery. So, honestly, to be honoured in this way by such an esteemed institution is an amazing feeling. I want to thank everyone at the University of 51福利社 for this moment 鈥� and I want to thank everyone at 51福利社 City for their constant support.鈥�

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of 51福利社, said: 鈥淧ep wasn鈥檛 born in 51福利社, but like me and so many others, the city has welcomed him and made it feel like home. That welcome and the way 51福利社 gets under your skin is why so many people feel a deep, lifelong connection with the city.

鈥淧ep is an innovator and a winner who has inspired millions of people through his success as a manager. He has played a huge role in making 51福利社 a global success story and we are honoured that he has chosen to accept this degree. I hope that this forges another important connection between him, the University of 51福利社, and the city.鈥�

Honorary degrees are the highest awards the University can offer. The University recognises remarkable individuals that have made outstanding contributions to society that embody its values, improve the lives of people in local communities or have created significant impact in their field of work and often far beyond.

Widely regarded as one of the successful and innovative managers in the history of the game, Pep followed a trophy laden playing career by being appointed as manager of the Barcelona first team in 2008. He won the La Liga title in three of his four seasons at the Camp Nou and lifted the UEFA Champions League twice.

After Barcelona, he joined Bayern Munich whom he led to the last four of the UEFA Champions League in each of his three seasons, landing the Bundesliga three times and winning the league and cup double twice.

Guardiola joined City in 2016. In his second season he guided the Cityzens to the Premier League title and the Carabao Cup. He picked up four successive Manager of the Month awards and was voted the Premier League Manager of the Season and the LMA Manager of the Year.

He was again voted Premier League Manager of the Season after guiding City to four more trophies in 2018/19 to become the Club鈥檚 most successful boss ever with six trophies in three seasons.

City added the Carabao Cup and Community Shield to Pep鈥檚 list in 2019/20, but the Catalan won yet more silverware in 2020/21, with another Premier League title and Carabao Cup success. He also became the first City boss to take his side to a Champions League final in May 2021, taking his trophy haul to 10. 鈥�Guardiola鈥檚 incredible spell at the Etihad saw him claim a fourth Premier League title in five years in 2021/22 and a fifth in 2022/23.

And to top off another history-defining season under Pep鈥檚 tenure, a fifth league win and City鈥檚 FA Cup final win followed by victory in the Champions League final saw the club named Treble winners in 2022/2023.

On the final day of the 2023/24 season, City became the first club to win the Premier League in four successive seasons, confirming the title on the final day.

Pep鈥檚 leadership has not only elevated the club鈥檚 success but is a model for performance excellence and continuous improvement that has inspired leaders outside of football. Alongside this, the University wanted to recognise his contributions to 51福利社鈥檚 cultural and community life, and unwavering commitment to social responsibility and justice, through his family foundation - the Guardiola Sala Foundation. 

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Led by The University of Cambridge and 51福利社, and supported by the two Mayoral Combined Authorities, City Councils, alongside businesses and investors

A groundbreaking partnership between 51福利社 and The University of Cambridge has been awarded 拢4.8 million by Research England to accelerate inclusive growth and innovation collaboration. As the UK鈥檚 first cross-UK innovation partnership, it will pioneer a new model of place-to-place collaboration and help drive economic growth for the UK- setting an example for other cities to follow. With further investment from the two universities, the total funding for the partnership will be 拢6m.

The partnership will be led by Unit M and Innovate Cambridge - the universities鈥� respective innovation capabilities - with support from the two Mayoral Combined Authorities, City Councils, businesses and investors. It is a prime example of how a university-led, cross-UK innovation collaboration can enhance the UK's global competitiveness and foster innovation-driven growth.

This initiative responds directly to the UK government鈥檚 imperative for universities to support the delivery of the national Industrial Strategy and make a stronger contribution to economic growth.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice Chancellor of 51福利社, commented: "Our partnership with Cambridge marks a new model of collaboration between UK universities. It brings together the distinctive strengths of each of our universities and cities, connecting two of the great innovation ecosystems to scale up what we can achieve. This new approach to innovation accelerates the time between discovery and impact, getting ideas into the real economy and our communities even more quickly to drive inclusive growth.鈥�

Professor Lou Cordwell, Chief Executive of Unit M, said: 鈥淯niversities are increasingly taking a lead in convening and catalysing their innovation ecosystems. By bringing together investors, businesses, entrepreneurs, academics, and public sector agencies, this partnership will create new opportunities and stimulate investment into the innovation economy. We are proud at Unit M to be part of such a pioneering partnership, and look forward to continuing to work with Cambridge.鈥�

Professor Deborah Prentice, University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor, commented: 鈥淭his pioneering initiative brings together the combined strengths of Cambridge and 51福利社 to create something that is truly ground-breaking. By connecting our cities, we鈥檙e helping to build a more collaborative and dynamic environment in which innovative research can connect with industry, venture capital and entrepreneurs to drive economic growth and deliver real benefits for people and places across the UK.鈥�

Science Minister and Oxford-Cambridge Growth Champion, Lord Vallance, said: 鈥淭his pioneering partnership is proof that our ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor can and will fire up economic growth across the length and breadth of the UK, which is critical to our Plan for Change.

鈥淐ambridgeshire and Greater 51福利社 are forging a path I hope others will follow. Science is always stronger when we work together, and stronger research ties between the UK鈥檚 great regions will only lead to more investment, more opportunities, and more breakthroughs, from health to clean energy and beyond.鈥�

Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, commented: 鈥淭his investment underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration across England. By connecting the vibrant ecosystems of Cambridge and 51福利社, we aim to drive significant economic growth and create a model for place-based innovation that can be replicated nationwide."

At the core of the partnership is the exchange of complementary innovation assets to ensure real-world impact. Both cities already have strong R&D capabilities and strengths in leading-edge sectors such as AI, life sciences, and advanced materials. Cambridge has deep investor networks but experiences growth constraints due to its small scale, higher costs, and lack of development land. 51福利社 provides that scale, affordability for start-ups and scale-ups, and a large talent pool - but has a less mature support ecosystem.

The Research England funding will be used in three key areas: ecosystem activation and integration; growing investment; and testing and learning.

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Ecosystem activation and integration: It will strengthen relations within and between the innovation ecosystems of the two cities, to create a vibrant and ambitious cross-city innovation network. This aims to create progressive new approach inclusive growth.

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Growing investment: It will harness the combined strengths of both universities and partner cities to support start-ups and scale-ups to secure funding and grow, attract innovation-intensive FDI to the UK, and stimulate investment into R&D.

鈼�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; Testing and learning: It will pilot new approaches and share best practice for delivering ecosystem collaboration and inclusive growth. This will allow other cities, the wider higher education sector community, and local and national governments in the UK and internationally to learn from the partnership.

Recognised as both a City of Literature and a City of Lifelong Learning, 51福利社 joins a select group of global cities acknowledged for their commitment to education, creativity and cultural development. 

51福利社, 51福利社 Metropolitan University, and 51福利社 City Council came together yesterday to celebrate 51福利社鈥檚 dual status as a UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning and Literature. 

The celebration was held at 51福利社 Metropolitan University, and 51福利社鈥檚 President and Vice-Chancellor Duncan Ivison delivered the event鈥檚 closing remarks. 

The UNESCO status of City of Lifelong Learning is an important accolade for 51福利社, as lifelong learning is one of the University鈥檚 key focuses.  

Lifelong learning provides the opportunity for access to a University of 51福利社 education without the commitment of full-time on campus study, creating a more flexible and inclusive learning environment. 

Outside of the classroom, lifelong learning also provides support for learner鈥檚 personal and professional development, aligning with industry and employer needs by driving economic, social and cultural progress. 

The University is continuously working with students, alumni, businesses and strategic industry partners to make The University a Learning Partner for Life.   

Professor Ang Davies, Academic Lead for Lifelong Learning at 51福利社, said: 鈥淲e are extremely proud to join the UNESCO family of Learning Cities and have already made many connections in the UK and beyond.鈥�

Mags Bradbury, Head of Social Responsibility & Civic Engagement at 51福利社, said: 鈥淲e are proud to be part of this city-wide partnership, working with civic partners, supporting the ambitions of our city. It鈥檚 great that we can share what we are doing locally on lifelong learning through UNESCO, delivering in 51福利社 our commitment to the global UN Sustainable Development Goals.鈥�  

The UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning designation was given to 51福利社 last February. In a short period of time, the partnership has launched over 90 projects, delivered events reaching 14,000 learners and over 2,000 learning and skills specialists have attended professional development events. Three films, launched this week, showcase the impact of the designation on learners and providers.   

The event also showcased the projects from artists funded by the British Council鈥檚 International Collaboration Grant, who have been collaborating between 51福利社 and Nanjing - one of few other cities globally to have this prestigious dual designation. Yesterday鈥檚 event marked the culmination of a 9-month artistic exchange exploring the natural world through literature.  

Also showcased at the event was an exhibition of artwork and writing by young students, developed through a school engagement programme involving Year 3-6 pupils from 51福利社 and Nanjing schools. The work created by the artist exchange and schools programme will be open to the public as part of Festival of Libraries at 51福利社 Central Library from 3 - 17 June 2025. 

Ivan Wadeson, Executive Director of 51福利社 City of Literature, says: 鈥淗uge thanks to Arts Council England and the British Council International Collaboration Grants for their support to make this happen, alongside the regular funders of 51福利社 City of Literature: 51福利社 City Council, 51福利社 and 51福利社 Metropolitan University.鈥�

Jill Griffiths, Head of the School of Digital Arts and Academic Lead for Lifelong Learning at 51福利社 Metropolitan University, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a privilege to host the event at 51福利社 Metropolitan University in celebration of the UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning and City of Literature designations. 

鈥淲orking in partnership with 51福利社 City Council and 51福利社 to attain these designations is a reflection of the collaborative ethos of the city and 51福利社 Met, and this event, which also took place during the Festival of Libraries, was a vibrant celebration showcasing the breadth and depth of our creative and cultural offering alongside our commitment to making lifelong learning a reality for everybody within 51福利社.鈥�

To find out more about the artist exchange, exhibition and project please visit:  

To find out more about the British Council International Collaboration Grants please visit:  

Join us on Saturday 14 June, 11am - 4.30pm for a day of creativity, discovery and play. Our free community festival offers something for everyone with inspiring talks and performances, hands-on science experiments, art and crafts workshops, heritage tours and more.

One of the festival鈥檚 standout features is the Bee Curious programme, featuring thought-provoking talks and performances for all ages. Highlights include: exploring the science and art behind how our brains respond to everyday environments, people we see, and places we visit with Dr Sarah Fox and Dr Henry McPherson;  taking an interstellar journey to find out about other worlds with Dr Eamonn Kerins as the Jodrell Bank Alien; and exploring links between creativity and wellbeing to find joy in the everyday with 51福利社-based poet, Rebecca Hurst. 

Step back in time with Grant Collier and explore the roots of our revolutionary institution on a guided historic walking campus tour. Uncover the rich tapestry of history that makes our campus unlike any other. As the nation鈥檚 first 鈥榗ivic鈥� university, our unique identity has pushed us to global prominence and this tour offers a fantastic opportunity to learn about pioneering individuals and groundbreaking discoveries.

Try your hand at street art with local art collective Grit Studios, presenting The Art of Research, a vibrant showcase of artwork inspired by research at the University. There鈥檒l be a series of free drop-in workshops throughout Saturday, so release your inner artist and get creative with sprays and stencils.

Come plant with us! Pop along to our University community allotment a partnership between the University and Ardwick Climate Action and get hands-on with planting and sustainability.  Then visit the co-curated, community exhibition Blue Skies at 51福利社 Museum, which asks a critical question: 鈥淵ou wouldn鈥檛 drink visibly dirty water, so why would you breathe invisibly dirty air?鈥�

Together we鈥檒l explore what makes for a greener, healthier and fairer world for everyone. Take part in over 80 interactive stalls. Uncover the mysteries of the human body as we take a closer look at our hands, hearts and minds. Interact with robot companions, step into a world of virtual reality and explore the wonder of space. Meet the makers of marvellous materials. Enjoy wellbeing and craft making activities, learn the art of calligraphy and don on a University graduation gown! There鈥檚 plenty to discover and do 鈥� with activities on offer for all ages. 

Be amazed by the power and joy of chemistry in our visually exciting Flash Bang Show with Dr Frank Mair. Expect fantastic colour changes, flashes and the occasional bang - get ready to hold on to your hats!

Our Universally 51福利社 Festival is taking place on our Oxford Road campus and is free and open to everyone.

Find out more about our family-friendly activities on the .

This milestone reflects The University鈥檚 strategic vision to expand access to education and foster inclusive, innovative learning environments. By becoming a member of EUCEN, 51福利社 aims to: 

• Enhance collaborative opportunities: Partner with a diverse network of European institutions to exchange knowledge and develop joint continuing education initiatives. 
• Influence educational policy: Contribute to shaping European policies that support lifelong learning and address the evolving needs of learners. 
• Promote innovation in learning: Embrace and share best practices and technologies that enable flexible, accessible learning pathways. 

Through active participation in EUCEN鈥檚 programmes and initiatives, The University seeks to help drive advancements in lifelong learning and implement responsive educational programmes that meet the needs of diverse populations. 

Founded in 1991, EUCEN is a leading association dedicated to university lifelong learning - the provision of educational opportunities, services, and research by higher education institutions to support personal and professional development throughout life. University lifelong learning also plays a vital role in driving social, cultural, and economic progress in communities and regions. 

Pascal Paschoud, President of EUCEN said: 鈥淓UCEN is truly delighted to welcome 51福利社 to our network. As a leading UK institution with a strong commitment to lifelong learning, their dedication to making a real impact aligns perfectly with our mission. We look forward to their active involvement and collaboration. Together, we can strengthen the role of university lifelong learning in building innovative, sustainable and inclusive economies and societies.鈥�  

EUCEN currently includes 163 member institutions across 36 countries. Its platform supports knowledge sharing, the development of innovative educational strategies, and policy advocacy in lifelong learning. 

Also inducted at the 2025 conference was Imperial College London, making 51福利社 one of only four UK institutions in the network鈥攁longside the Universities of Oxford, Sunderland, and Imperial. 

To mark its 60^th anniversary, Alliance 51福利社 Business School (AMBS) is bringing back its Festival of Business, expanding on the success of last year鈥檚 inaugural event.

Taking place across four days from the 16^th to 19^th June, the festival will bring together industry leaders, policymakers and academic experts to discuss the role businesses have to play in helping society respond to the pressing challenges and opportunities of our time.

Headlining the festival will be the 鈥業nnovate 2050鈥� day on Thursday 16^th featuring panel discussions exploring the future of media, finance and digitalisation.

Alongside an impressive line-up of AMBS鈥檚 leading thinkers, the day will see the likes of Siobhan Morgan, head of development at the producers of hit TV show, Adolescence, Warp Films; Kerris Bright, chief customer officer at the BBC, and Jess McCreadie, investment director at Northern Gritstone, coming together to discuss how their industries are innovating to respond to the world鈥檚 biggest challenges including the climate crisis and the emergence of new technologies like AI.

Alongside this, other events will be running throughout the festival focussing on themes including professional development, the future of the Third Sector and empowering entrepreneurs. The Festival of Business comes as AMBS celebrates six decades of empowering leaders, thinkers and visionaries across the globe to deliver transformative and innovative change.

Ken McPhail, Head of Alliance 51福利社 Business School, said: "We are currently living through a critical period as we face challenges including economic growth and regional disparities, global geopolitical upheaval and climate change. Rising to these challenges won鈥檛 be possible without business playing key leadership role in finding solutions and capitalising on opportunities."

Further details about the Festival of Business, along with information on how to get tickets to the events running throughout it, can be found .

Sarah joins the University from the Department for Transport where she has been Chief Scientific Adviser since 2021, seconded from the University of Nottingham. At the DfT she leads on many of the engineering and science challenges in transport, including decarbonisation, applications of artificial intelligence and cross-modal safety.

She is an international expert in the field of human factors and its application to engineering problems. Human factors is a scientific discipline which uses an understanding of human capabilities and limitations to design systems to support human performance, wellbeing and safety.

Sarah has previously held the roles the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and People (2018-2021) and Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange (Engineering) (2015-2018) at the University of Nottingham.

She has recently been appointed to the role of Deputy Chair of Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 Unit of Assessment Panel 12 (Engineering), was previously a member of EPSRC Council and Advance HE Athena Swan Governance Board and is currently the CSA member of ESRC Council.

She was President of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors 2015-2016 and her academic research, funded by industry and UKRI, has considered how complex systems bring people and technology together in the domains of transport, healthcare and manufacturing.

Sarah and her husband Craig are parents to two grown up children, and in her spare time, Sarah applies her passion for human-centred complex systems design to the hobbies of cooking and gardening.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor, said: 鈥淎s we develop our 2035 strategy, having Sarah join our leadership team is going to be a great asset to the University. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is critical to our ambition to be one of the world鈥檚 great universities by 2035, through research impact, innovation and modern, flexible teaching. I鈥檓 very much looking forward to working with her.鈥�

Sarah will join the Faculty in mid-September. Professor Peter Green will be interim Vice-President and Dean in the intervening period.

The charity Versus Arthritis has awarded 拢3m to bring world-leading experts from five UK universities together to accelerate clinical epidemiology research, which will help answer pressing questions from those living with arthritis. 

Professor Kimme Hyrich, Director of 51福利社 Centre for Musculoskeletal Research will co-lead the consortium with Professor Christian Mallen, Executive Dean and Professor of General Practice and Public Health at Keele University. 

Professor Hyrich, a leading clinical epidemiologist and consultant rheumatologist, highlights the advantages of team science in epidemiological research: 鈥淭his award represents an exciting step-change in the way musculoskeletal epidemiology research is conducted in the UK, breaking down traditional research siloes and uniting minds, data and expertise to generate the evidence needed to support people living with arthritis and other painful musculoskeletal conditions."  

The new research consortium is part of the charity鈥檚 drive to harness 鈥榯eam science鈥� to better understand the causes and risk factors for arthritis and improve treatment options. Epidemiology 鈥� the study of how diseases occur in different people and why - is critical to designing better and targeted interventions using data.   

The consortium, made up of experts from the Universities of 51福利社, Keele, Oxford, Nottingham and Aberdeen, aims to close five gaps in our understanding of the debilitating disease and related conditions. They will consider menopause in relation to musculoskeletal health, inequalities in access to care, risks of long-term pain medications and determine the optimum levels of monitoring for those receiving immune drugs.  The researchers will also aim to identify those at higher risk of chronic pain sooner, given painful musculoskeletal conditions often begin in childhood. This holds the potential to explore ways to prevent or reduce persistent pain.  

Lucy Donaldson, Director of Research at Versus Arthritis, said: 鈥淭he Versus Arthritis Research Consortium: Musculoskeletal Epidemiology - Better lives, Safer journey is a major step forward in tackling the everyday realities faced by people living with arthritis and other painful musculoskeletal conditions.  

鈥淭his consortium will bring together leading researchers, clinicians, and people with lived experience from across the UK in a team science approach. Their aim - to find real, practical solutions to the problems faced by people with arthritis.鈥�  

The consortium will employ cutting edge analysis techniques on existing datasets to fill the identified gaps in our knowledge of arthritis and MSK conditions. Its findings will help to arm those living with arthritis to have informed conversations with clinicians about their care. It will also seek to improve clinical practice and policy around diagnosis, prevention and treatment.  

Professor Mallen, Keele University, said: "The new Versus Arthritis Research Consortium is an exciting new programme that will have a major impact on the lives of people living with painful conditions by uniting world-leading clinicians, academics, patients and policy makers.  

鈥淚t is a privilege to co-lead the consortium with Professor Hyrich and having strong representation from Keele University highlights the importance of primary care in improving outcomes for people living with arthritis and chronic musculoskeletal pain." 

The results will be shared through a broad range of partners including government, the NHS, clinicians and patient networks.  

More than 20 million people, of all ages, in the UK have problems with their joints, bones and muscles, which cause pain and impact all aspects of life including work and school.  

The Versus Arthritis Research Consortium: Musculoskeletal Epidemiology - Better lives, Safer journey is the first of six consortia to be announced by Versus Arthritis which is awarding 拢18 million of funding to this initiative over the next three years.