May 2025 press releases

A digital image of three hands holding jigsaw pieces signifying team working

Leicestershire’s universities join Nottingham in ambitious research project where communities can shape research to solve real-life problems

Loughborough University, the University of Leicester and De Montfort University are joining forces with Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham in an unprecedented ambitious project which brings together academia and the community to support growth and development, broaden prospects, drive change, and improve wellbeing.
toddler eating from a food pouch

Public health expert offers guidance after baby food pouches found lacking in key nutrients

A new BBC Panorama investigation that aired early this week revealed that baby food pouches from six major UK brands – including four leading manufacturers and two supermarkets – are failing to meet key nutritional needs for babies and toddlers and are often high in sugar.

A butterfly looks at his shadow, which remebles an eagle

The complex role of narcissism in entrepreneurial success (and failure) – new research

A new study has revealed that narcissism could play a beneficial role in early-stage entrepreneurship – however, it could also damage businesses and have a negative impact.
strawberry milkshake in a cup

“For ‘sugar tax’ to be truly effective, it must be part of a greater food reform” – expert calls for bigger changes within ‘overwhelmingly complex and often misleading food environment’

The government announced last week that they are consulting on proposals to extend the sugar tax that is currently applied to fizzy drinks, to include pre-packaged milk-based drinks, as well as non-dairy substitutes such as oat or rice milks.

Primary age children sitting around a teacher

It costs £1,000-a-year to send your child to state primary school and £2,300 for secondary school - new report

New research reveals that families in the UK must now cover minimum annual education costs of over £1,000 for a primary school child and nearly £2,300 for a secondary school pupil – a sharp rise that far outpaces inflation and earnings growth since 2022.
Materials pressured between two graphene layers melt in complex ways. Illustration: Ville Heirola/Aalto University.

Physicists use artificial intelligence to reveal how layered gases and metals melt

A team of physicists – including a Nobel Prize winner – has used artificial intelligence to uncover how layered materials melt and shift between physical states when confined to two dimensions.
A woman is holding a light bulb with images around it signifying education and new ideas.

‘Forging Ahead’ initiative to transform innovation and entrepreneurship across the Midlands

A coalition of 15 Midlands university partners has launched a bold new initiative that is set to revolutionise how research and innovation are translated into real-world impact across the region.
View from the Mount of Olives on the dome of the rock and ancient cemetery through the barbed wire, as a symbol of Palestine Israeli conflict

Israel’s peace movement offers a ray of hope amid the pain of Gaza conflict

An opinion piece written by Dr Yuval Katz from the School of Social Sciences and Humanities for The Conversation platform:
The flag of Vatican City - the home of the Pope

The prospect of a US pope was once viewed with suspicion – but Leo XIV could prove an important counter to Trump

An opinion piece written by Doctoral Researcher Massimo D'Angelo from Loughborough University London for The Conversation platform.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson jumping over a hurdle

Katarina Johnson-Thompson to star at 2025 Loughborough International Athletics

British track and field star Katarina Johnson-Thompson has confirmed she will compete at this year’s Loughborough International Athletics (LIA), taking place on Sunday 18 May 2025 at Loughborough University’s Paula Radcliffe Stadium.
Front of Marks and Spencer store

“Nobody wants to think of Percy Pig or Colin the Caterpillar being embroiled in cyber crime” – Cyber security expert explains why there is never a quick fix following a cyber attack.

It’s been over two weeks since news broke that retailers Marks & Spencer and the Co-op, were dealing with serious cyber incidents. Both are still experiencing painful repercussions following the attack, with the latter still struggling to get shelves fully stocked in certain areas, and the former unable to process online orders and, more worryingly, announcing that customer data has been stolen. Many are now asking, ‘why hasn’t the situation been fixed yet?’.

A group of people walking through a woodlands

How 7,000 steps a day could help reduce your risk of cancer

An opinion piece written by Dr Mhairi Morris from School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences for The Conversation platform.
A UK oil rig

UK oil and gas firms face hidden risks in net zero transition

Smaller companies with ageing North Sea assets were especially vulnerable to financial losses, researchers found.
Sport scholar Molly Palmer in action

Impressive Palmer wins Women’s Long Jump as Sawyers returns at LIA

Sport scholar Molly Palmer topped the Women’s Long Jump rankings at Loughborough International Athletics (LIA) in an event that saw Great Britain’s Jazmin Sawyers make a long-awaited comeback from injury.
Woman opening fridge in supermarket

“In our interconnected world, a hacker’s keyboard can disrupt the journey from farm to fork” – cyber security expert comments on growing vulnerability in our food infrastructure.

As incidents of cybercrime and security breaches dominate the news – particularly in connection to our groceries, Professor in Cyber Security, Oli Buckley comments on how online attacks, such as the recent incidents involving M&S, the Co-op, and now major distributor, Peter Green Chilled, pose serious risks to the complex supply chains that sit behind the shelves we shop from.

Red exclamation mark on digital background

“Are we dangling on the edge of a digital apocalypse given all of the high-profile attacks recently?”

Professor in Cyber Security, Oli Buckley comments on the importance of digital housekeeping in a world so intrinsically tied to digital services.
Busy Oxford Street in London including a red bus

Britain is already becoming an ‘island of strangers’ – but immigration isn’t the driver

An opinion piece written by Dr Michael Skey from the School of Social Sciences for The Conversation platform:
a cricketer prepares to take a shot

Loughborough plays host to England Men’s Test team ahead of summer international schedule (VIDEO)

Loughborough University has welcomed the England Men’s Test team to campus ahead of a busy summer of international cricket.
Ghana's minister for youth and empowerment George Opare-Addo meets Loughborough academics

Loughborough University welcomes Ghana youth minister to discuss future partnership

Ghana’s Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment George Opare-Addo visited the East Midlands today to meet academics from Loughborough University and talk about a possible research collaboration.