July 2020 news

The successes and failures of populism during the pandemic – new report

“My orders to the police and military ... if there is trouble and there’s an occasion that they fight back and your lives are in danger, shoot them dead.” “Is that understood? Dead. Instead of causing trouble, I will bury you.” – President Rodrigo Duterte (Philippines) in a televised address to lockdown violators, April 2020

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MEET THE MAKER: Student’s spore trap design aims to save UK trees and inspire the next generation of citizen scientists

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health – an opportunity to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can benefit the environment and other areas.
the latest experts in sport hero image

Experts in Sport: why do some of the best young players never make it?

Every professional sports club dreams of a long production line of young talent, but why do some of the most promising youngsters fail to fulfil their potential and inevitably fall by the wayside?

Lloyd Glasspool playing tennis

Top British tennis talent joins Loughborough University

Loughborough Tennis has announced top British talent Lloyd Glasspool will join its ranks next season.

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Art student creates animation to celebrate coming out to her dad

Loughborough University Fine Art student, Amy Begent, made an animation for her final year project – featured in the Arts Degree Show – that celebrates the support her dad gave her when she came out to him as bisexual.

Water house and rendered images of the tech.

New study reveals water-filled windows could make a huge splash when it comes to saving energy and reducing global carbon emissions

Most everyone knows that heating and cooling buildings is not only expensive, but a massive issue due to the resulting carbon emissions.

New research reveals smart homes can flatten peak demand

Incisive new research undertaken by Loughborough University in partnership with the Solar Trade Association (STA) and Advance Further Energy reveals significant positive impacts of smart energy technologies in the home, including carbon reductions, energy bill savings, and improved system resilience.
Child football team huddling

‘Technical Guide on Preventing Violent Extremism through Sport’: UN launches important guidance developed by Loughborough London expert

A new guide has been launched by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that looks at how sport can be used to protect youth around the world from the risks and root causes of violent extremism.
Image of a bus stop shelter design for the 1960s Leicester art trail

Student uses illustration as a powerful tool to celebrate the stories of everyday people from 1960’s Leicester

Lauren Jefferis is a final-year Graphic Communications and Illustration student within the School of Design and Creative Arts at Loughborough University.

Preparing the UK’s motorways for self-driving vehicles: New £1m research project announced in partnership with Highways England

A new £1m project will see Loughborough University team up with Highways England to ensure the country’s motorways can accommodate connected and autonomous vehicles (self-driving) vehicles.
Photo of Karl Hurn, Dr Rhoda Trimingham, Nicholas Johnson, Nikki Clark, Salman Asghar and Dr George Torrens

Record number of Starpack awards given to Loughborough design students including ‘Best in Show’

Students from the University’s School of Design and Creative Arts have been awarded more than 30 awards for their innovative work submitted as part of an international competition.

Netflix account and a laptop for schoolwork are now essential requirements for homes according to new research into minimum living standards

People now consider access to Netflix and other basic technology such as laptops as fundamental requirements for a minimum acceptable standard of life in the UK.
Photo of students chatting around the Hazlerigg/Rutland fountain

Loughborough crowned ‘University of the Year’ at the 2020 WhatUni Student Choice Awards

Today, Loughborough University was named ‘University of the Year’ at the 2020 WhatUni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs).

Summer statement: Tory benefits policy under coronavirus is finally beginning to help the poorest

As Rishi Sunak announces that the government will pay the wages of hundreds of thousands of young adults for 25 hours a week over six months, it’s worth remembering that this will be on a minimum wage more than a quarter higher than it was five years ago.

Summer statement: Tory benefits policy under coronavirus is finally beginning to help the poorest

As Rishi Sunak announces that the government will pay the wages of hundreds of thousands of young adults for 25 hours a week over six months, it’s worth remembering that this will be on a minimum wage more than a quarter higher than it was five years ago.
Photo of Alice Burnhope wearing 'Nature to go' whilst stood next to wall hanging, 'Hang Out'.

Textiles student creates garments inspired by nature to help those that lack access to green spaces

Alice Burnhope is one of many final-year students in Loughborough’s School of Design and Creative Arts currently showcasing her work online as part of the annual Arts Degree Show.

Loughborough and Royal Air Forces Association to lead new support programme for UK military veterans

Loughborough University and the Royal Air Forces Association are leading a new project offering military veterans who have issues with their mental wellbeing specialist courses, aimed at enhancing their social resilience and overall welfare.
Illustration of an older woman with a younger woman

New study further supports that age-related hearing loss in patients taking cognitive tests may result in misdiagnoses of dementia

The early and correct diagnosis of a cognitive impairment – such as dementia – is crucial as it allows interventions and treatments that may slow the progression of a patient's symptoms to be quickly put in place.

Illustration of a woman with a prosthetic leg.

Prosthetic limbs affect our attitudes to disability – expressive design might change things for the better

Amputation can have a devastating effect on a person’s body image and sense of self. The use of prosthetic limbs may help, but when it comes to their appearance, options are often limited.
A person receiving rehab

Academic experts come together to push forward innovation in clinical rehabilitation

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of effective rehabilitation post serious illness or injury – saving lives is only one part of an overall care journey which necessarily needs good rehabilitation if a patient is to stand a chance of returning to their former selves.

Three UK police officers

Why we need to stay alert to the terror threat as the UK reopens

The UK has faced a persistent threat from terrorism over the past decade, with recent attacks focusing on busy public spaces. In June 2020, this threat was highlighted once again by an attack in a public park in Reading. This was the first reported terrorist event in the UK since the beginning of the pandemic.

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Experts in Sport: ‘Support, develop, empower’ - the dual-career journey of an athlete

The life of an elite level athlete can be tough and unforgiving. Now, more than ever, athletes are balancing high performance sport with education and/or vocation.

A child playing a video game

Lockdown and loot boxes: Experts issue vital advice for parents of young gamers about risks of in-game purchases in response to recent screen-time concerns

Researchers from Loughborough and Newcastle Universities and the national charity Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) have teamed up to help parents and carers understand why, and control how, their children buy in-game items such as loot boxes.

Swimming makes you hungrier – new study

Running, cycling and resistance exercise have all been shown to decrease appetite.
Theia.

Student designs autonomous way-finding device for visually impaired people unable to home a guide dog

There are more than 253 million visually impaired people worldwide, yet only a small proportion use a guide dog to get around, the remaining majority rely on white canes.