News
Environment
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Academics to help design electric vehicle specific to the Indian market in a bid to improve the country’s uptake of clean transport tech
Loughborough University academics have been awarded funding to help with the design and development of a four-wheeled electric vehicle for research, teaching and outreach in India.
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SUSTAINABLE HOME: "Let’s make energy waste at home as socially unacceptable as single-use plastic"
“We need to start thinking about energy the way we think about waste – just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean we should just throw it away carelessly.”
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Risk rooted in colonial era weighs on Bahamas’ efforts to rebuild after Hurricane Dorian
When Hurricane Dorian made landfall on Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas on Sept. 1, 2019, it packed winds of up to 185 miles per hour and a 20-foot storm surge. A day later, it ravaged Grand Bahama for 24 hours.
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SUSTAINABLE HOME: Easy solutions to help reduce plastic and packaging pollution
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will have seen headlines here, there and everywhere warning of the dangers of plastic pollution.
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SUSTAINABLE HOME: Combine ethics with aesthetics by joining the circular fashion movement
It’s that time of year again where we have social occasions coming out of our ears.
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SUSTAINABLE HOME: Don’t trash the planet – take recycling seriously and try these tips
Recycling conserves resources, saves energy, protects the environment and reduces the number of items going to landfill.
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SUSTAINABLE HOME: Experts share top tips for being more environmentally friendly this Christmas in new video series
FIVE Loughborough experts are sharing their tips and tricks for making your home more sustainable this Christmas as part of a new video series.
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What about the environment?
Despite worldwide protests about climate change, the environment has barely featured in election media coverage, securing just two percent of all coded news themes in week three of the campaign.
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How England’s broken planning system has created (not reduced) the risk of floods
Recent floods in England have been described as unprecedented or even “biblical” events, often with the misguided assumption that they were unavoidable or unpredictable, writes Dr Lee Bosher.
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Mobile phones can help cities be more energy efficient, study suggests
Mobile phone data could be used to make urban buildings more energy efficient, a new research paper has found.
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The future of railway vehicles: New digital design allows for quicker, smoother and more economic travel
Engineers and academics have upgraded the design of traditional railway vehicle chassis with lasers, electric motors and artificial intelligence.
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Virgin Media owner announces plans for 1,200 on-street electric vehicle chargers – and Loughborough research will determine where they go
Liberty Global, the owner of Virgin Media, has unveiled plans to help revolutionise on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging – and Loughborough academics will play a crucial role in making the vision a reality.
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Loughborough London academic to develop AI systems that can ‘think’ and respond to dynamic environments faster than any human being
A Loughborough University London academic is to develop ground-breaking algorithms that will equip AI systems with the ability to ‘think’ and respond to busy, ever-changing environments – like complex road junctions - much faster than human beings.
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Rivers are changing all the time, and it affects their capacity to contain floods
The rainfall that has inundated the North of England is the latest in a long line of flood events that are becoming the country’s new normal.
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Experts examine how technology is being used to improve food manufacturing and outline the next steps for the industry
From using satellites to track asparagus crops, to measuring the lean meat percentage of pork using a high-tech camera, companies across the food manufacturing supply chain are embracing emerging technologies in new and interesting ways.
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Electric planes are here – but they won’t solve flying’s CO2 problem
The UK government plans to ban the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2040. Clearly the plan is for all citizens to be driving electric or hybrid-electric cars, or – better still – riding bicycles.
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Loughborough lecturer to give talk on climbing Mount Everest
Dr Tom Matthews, a Lecturer in Climate Science, will be giving his talk ‘Going to Extremes: Climbing Everest to measure the weather’ on Wednesday 27 November.
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Loughborough-led programme awards £1.3m to projects and innovators in a bid to accelerate the transition to clean cooking on a global scale
More than £1.3m has been awarded to six clean cooking innovators and 22 projects thanks to a Loughborough University-led research programme that looks to find innovative, clean and modern alternatives to biomass fuels, such as charcoal and wood.
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United Nations launches new standards that could spur investment in solar energy, thanks to Loughborough academic and expert group
Solar energy investments across the globe could be set to soar thanks to the launch of new United Nations specifications a Loughborough University researcher helped construct.
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Techno-fix futures will only accelerate climate chaos – don’t believe the hype
Thanks to the efforts of climate activists, the climate and ecological emergency has never been more prominent.
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Student project which supports harvesting activities on campus shortlisted for Green Gown 2019 Awards
An initiative led by Loughborough academics, the University’s Sustainability team and artist Anne-Marie Culhane – in collaboration with Hiroshima Institute of Technology, Japan – has been announced as a finalist at this year’s Green Gown Awards.
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Academics part of £39m Ford project that looks to bring the next generation of electrified vehicles to the market faster
Loughborough University is working on a collaborative industry research project to develop digital engineering tools that will help bring the next generation of electrified commercial vehicles to the market much faster.
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Future Transport Campaign: University launches new drive to promote game-changing research and innovations
Loughborough University is celebrating the academics and projects that look to revolutionise vehicles and the way we travel as part of a two-month initiative focussed on the future of transport.
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Loughborough academics preparing to perform at the Nottingham Comedy Festival
A Loughborough University professor and a PhD student will be swapping learning, lectures and graphs for performing, hecklers and laughs when they take to the stage at next month’s Nottingham Comedy Festival.
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The sound of the underground: Academic awarded £100,000 to develop technologies that can ‘hear’ the deterioration of buried infrastructures
A Loughborough University academic has been awarded £100,000 to develop new systems that can ‘hear’ when the ground under building, transport and energy networks is starting to deteriorate.
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How tiny creatures are reshaping the very rivers they live in
What shapes a river? People typically imagine large-scale processes such as storms and floods or human modifications like dams or fortified banks.
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Fruit Routes Harvest event invites local community to learn, make and eat using foraged food from University campus
On Friday 18 and Saturday 19 October, Loughborough University will hold its annual Fruit Routes Harvest.
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Loughborough University London Chevening scholar selected for UN Youth Climate Summit
Kristeena Monteith, a 2018-19 Chevening scholar, attended the UN Youth Climate Summit in New York as one of 17 United Nations Young Leaders for Sustainable Development.
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UK Arctic Science Conference: Experts from all over the world visit Loughborough to discuss the icy region that is becoming a hot topic
From atmospheric physicists to anthropologists, to political scientists and ecologists, more than 110 researchers from different fields and parts of the world gathered at Loughborough University earlier this month to discuss Arctic matters.
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Five weird and wonderful ways nature is being harnessed to build a sustainable fashion industry
Chetna Prajapati, a lecturer in textiles, writes for The Conversation about five ways nature is being harnessed to build a sustainable fashion industry.
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Government activity to tackle air pollution can reduce people’s mental wellbeing, research says
Efforts by governments to tackle air pollution can reduce people’s mental wellbeing by not meeting citizens’ expectations, new research has found.
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Postgraduate student reaches global video competition finals
A student from Loughborough University has reached the finals of the UN’s Global Youth Video Competition.
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Arctic science conference to take place at Loughborough University
Loughborough University will host a three day Arctic science conference next month to give scientists from around the world the opportunity to share information about their research.
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Heatwave: think it’s hot in Europe? The human body is already close to thermal limits elsewhere
I am a scientist who researches climate hazards. This week I have published research on the potential for a catastrophic cyclone-heatwave combo in the global south.
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‘Stark warning’: New research identifies deadly hidden weather hazard that has the potential to affect millions of people
NEW research, led by Loughborough University academics, has found that tropical cyclones followed by deadly heat is an emerging weather threat that could put millions of people at risk as global temperatures continue to rise.
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Loughborough expert contributes to new paper launched at House of Lords that champions UK solar expertise
A Loughborough University expert has contributed to a new report that champions the role of solar in the UK energy system and the extensive expertise and innovation in UK companies and academia.
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Drone expert to develop technology that can measure objects as small as 0.5cm through water in a bid to understand how climate change is impacting rivers
A Loughborough University academic is developing drone technology to measure the size of small, underwater sediments in a bid to understand how rivers are responding to environmental drivers such as climate change.
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London to be as hot as Barcelona by 2050? I research urban heat, and I’m sceptical
Barcelona just had a week of temperatures above 30℃. It’s a few degrees hotter than the long-term average, but no heatwave.
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Loughborough expert helps construct new United Nations specifications that could lead to huge international investments in solar energy
A Loughborough University academic has helped construct new United Nations specifications that have the potential to boost solar energy investments across the globe if implemented.
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University Environment Campaign ends after 84 days of promoting the best of Loughborough’s expertise and research
Loughborough’s environment PR campaign ends today after a 12-week spell which has spread news of our game-changing research to millions of people worldwide.
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Everest: I journeyed into the 'death zone' to install the world’s highest weather station
Perched at almost 8,500m on Everest, we paced back-and-forth, attempting to stave off frostbite as temperatures hovered close to -30°C and our drill batteries became too cold to work. Our ambition to install the highest automatic weather station in history looked destined for failure.
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New flood prediction technology will save lives and livelihoods across the world
Unique, real-time street level flood prediction technology developed at Loughborough University has been commercially launched to save lives and livelihoods worldwide.
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How climbing trees and making dens can help children develop resilience
Despite all the research that tells parents how good it is for their children to spend time playing outside, they are spending more time indoors than ever before. It seems that concerns about the dangers of climbing trees or getting lost means that many parents are nervous about allowing their children to engage in risky play.
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Loughborough University researcher joins team to install highest weather stations in the world on Mount Everest
A climate scientist from Loughborough University was part of the team that installed the two highest weather stations in the world on Mount Everest to enable communities to respond to climate risks.
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Forest Schools teach children vital skills not found in the classroom – including independence, responsibility and negotiation
Outdoor learning gives children the opportunity to develop important skills not taught in the classroom, such as negotiation, resilience and independence, according to a new study.
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Making waves: student designs find creative solutions to saving our oceans and seas
Three Loughborough University students have designed innovative products that look to tackle different dangers threatening our oceans and seas.
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How a future with zero net emissions might look for Britain...
With the Government’s announcement that Britain will make zero net emission law by 2050, experts from a diverse assortment of academic backgrounds have given their views on how they think that might work.
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Recycling: why you can't just throw anything in the collection bin
For many years the recycling collected from households in the UK and other Western countries has been exported. This strategy has enabled these countries to carry on without much thought about how consumers purchase goods and dispose of all the unwanted packaging and containers.
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Solar experts and aerial inspection company awarded £345k to develop drone technologies that detect panel defects
Academics from Loughborough University are to work with aerial inspections and data analytics company, Above, as part of a £345k project that looks to benefit the wider solar industry.
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Imago Venues shares tips on how to be a more sustainable hotel guest to mark World Environment Day
Loughborough University's Imago Venues is marking World Environment Day (5 June) by sharing their top tips on how to be a more sustainable hotel guest.
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Video Q&A: We asked an expert your burning climate change questions
Every wondered where polar bears will live if all the ice melts? Or what is the most impactful policy parliament could pass to combat climate change? Or maybe you’ve thought ‘why is the UK so worried about what’s happening in the Arctic’?
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It’s time to look at how gift giving spares a thought for loved ones but not the planet
Father’s Day, graduation ceremonies, weddings and birthdays…they all have two things in common: they’re coming up over the next few months and they involve gifts.
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Researchers to assess effectiveness of eco-friendly flood schemes
Loughborough University academics are to explore the economic and environmental benefits of natural flood defences as part of a £467,000 research project.
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Students host first plastic art exhibition at government department to highlight the dangers of pollution
Students at Loughborough University are exhibiting their art in a government department as part of a project that looks to highlight the impact of plastic pollution.
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New study aims to better understand the impact of invasive species on British rivers
A new study will examine the damaging impact of non-native river species including killer and demon shrimp aims to better understand their effect on the indigenous ecology and prevent the threat of an invasional meltdown.
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Student helps solve scientific puzzle that could improve solar panel efficiency and increase their usage around the world
A Loughborough University PhD student has helped shed light on a solar panel puzzle that could lead to more efficient devices being developed.
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Postgrad student will travel to the UN headquarters to promote her disaster resilience research
A Loughborough PhD student will travel to the UN headquarters in Switzerland to promote her work which uses social media to engage people in emergency risk communication.
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Experts secure £200,000 from the Department for Transport for research into greener travel
Loughborough University has been awarded £200,000 for two projects which aim to make the transport sector more environmentally friendly.
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Winning outdoor classroom design for Leicestershire school is revealed
A group of Loughborough University students are set to see their ideas brought to life as their outdoor classroom design for a Leicestershire school has been selected to be developed by an architect.
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Loughborough and Surrey project to map energy and productivity
A researcher at Loughborough University has been awarded funding by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to explore the role of energy in the UK’s productivity puzzle.
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Academic creates nifty food planner to help tackle national waste issue
A new food planner created at Loughborough University hopes to get staff, students and members of the public thinking more carefully about their meals in a bid to tackle the ever-growing national waste issue.
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£1.6m grant to improve building façade technologies for better energy efficiency
A project to create new technologies to improve the energy efficiency of buildings is set to get underway as a group of researchers from Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham and University of Exeter have been awarded a £1.65m grant from the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council).
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Médecins Sans Frontières learns how to provide crucial water, hygiene and sanitation interventions in emergency situations
Loughborough University has been praised by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) for the valuable training it provides that equips teams with skills to better assist communities in emergencies.
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Easter eggs: hunting for a solution to excessive packaging
So which Easter tradition came first? The packaging or the egg? The answer is of course not that surprising (it’s the egg). The tradition of giving people eggs at spring time has roots in ancient pagan festivals and exists in the history of a range of religions.
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Fruit Routes event returns for the first days of summer offering activities for all to attend
Loughborough University and artist Anne-Marie Culhane have come together for the seventh year to bring the Fruit Routes project to campus.
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Research aims to produce negative-emission fuels from industrial CO2
Scientists at Loughborough have created a new chemical process which converts industrial CO2 emissions into useable green fuels and chemicals.
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Surviving climate change means transforming both economics and design
What could be more important than sustaining habitable living conditions on Earth?
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Wealth from waste – three ways pollution can be turned into something useful
Solving environmental problems usually just means cleaning up the mess people have made. But scientists are increasingly interested in creating something valuable from pollution.
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Centre for SMART holds conference featuring industry-leading speakers
The Centre of Sustainable Manufacturing and Recycling Technologies (SMART) and Internet of Food Things (IoFT) Network Plus recently held an event at Loughborough University London to discuss how the food manufacturing industry can take advantage of opportunities brought forward by the advent of the fourth industrial revolution (industry 4.0).
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Environment Campaign: University launches new drive to promote game-changing environmental research and innovations
Loughborough University is celebrating the academics and projects which tackle some of the most challenging areas of climate change, ecology, sustainability, technology and renewable energy as part of a two-month initiative to highlight environmental research.
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Loughborough University leads a UK aid programme to tackle climate change
Loughborough University and the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) joined forces in leading a UK aid research project to find innovative, clean and modern alternatives to biomass fuels, such as charcoal and wood.
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Research paves the way for faster more powerful and greener supercomputers
The next generation of supercomputers is a step closer after a team of physicists found a way to simplify the design of devices used in superconducting spintronics – a promising route to energy-efficient supercomputing.
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Loughborough to welcome VIPs for forum on sustainable development in Central Asia
On Monday 18th March, Loughborough University will welcome a host of VIPs from the UK and overseas for a day-long event focused on sustainable development within the Central Asian region.
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Loughborough University flies the Green Flag at ceremony to celebrate environmental accreditation
Staff, students and members of the community gathered at Loughborough University last week to celebrate the Green Flag Award which the University received last year.
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Weddell Sea Expedition: Science programme complete
At the start of January 2019, Dr Jeff Evans, a Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography in the School of Social Sciences, boarded the 134m-long S. A. Agulhas II – one of the largest and most modern research ships anywhere in the world.
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Weddell Sea Expedition: ice runways, coring, penguins and more…
At the start of January 2019, Dr Jeff Evans, a Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography in the School of Social Sciences, boarded the 134m-long S. A. Agulhas II – one of the largest and most modern research ships anywhere in the world.
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Leading geopolitical expert who established polar regions parliamentary group to join Loughborough University
Dr Duncan Depledge, a leading authority on political geography, international relations, and security studies, will be joining Loughborough University in February.
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Expert comment: The questions we need to be asking ourselves about ethical gift giving in 2019
It’s a new year, and many of us use this as an opportunity to make changes in our life and set goals to better ourselves.
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Unsafe HGVs to be removed from London’s roads thanks to Loughborough University research into dangerous designs
The most unsafe HGVs will be removed from London's roads as part of a world-first scheme that was defined and tested by Loughborough University researchers.
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Academic to embark on scientific expedition that will study giant ice shelf and attempt to locate Shackleton’s lost ship
A Loughborough University academic is embarking on a 45-day scientific expedition that hopes to increase understanding of one of the largest ice shelves in Antarctica and locate Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated ship.
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Let’s tackle fashion waste and be more clothing conscious this Christmas
It’s less than 20 days until Christmas and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to panic buy because once again gift shopping has been left until the last minute.
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From BOGOF offers to single-use packaging, expert panel discusses different food waste issues
Key policymakers, charities, business representatives and a Member of Parliament joined Loughborough academics on campus last month to discuss the main challenges of food waste.
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Could physics be the answer to understanding the destructive growth of toxic algae?
A team of physicists has taken the first step for better understanding the growth, movement and spread of toxic algae which kill large numbers of marine life around the globe.
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World Health Organisation recognises academics’ research into transgender-inclusive sanitation
The World Health Organisation has recognised a collaborative study on transgender-inclusive sanitation that features research undertaken by Loughborough University academics.
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Academics to help develop building materials that generate power as part of £36m government-funded project
Three Loughborough University academics have received research funding as part of a £36m project that looks to accelerate market adoption of new solar-powered building design.
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Students to work with community to design outdoor classroom for Leicestershire school
Students from Loughborough University are to bring their learning to life by designing an outdoor classroom for a Leicestershire school.
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Students donate thousands of items to local charities
Loughborough students have donated thousands of items to local charities in a bid to help those in need and to divert resources from landfill.
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Online game aims to save lives by educating children on how to identify storm surges
A Loughborough academic hopes the online game they have developed will help save lives by teaching children how to identify early warnings of coastal flooding.
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Loughborough University set to benefit from Central England training centre programme funded by NERC
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is investing over £100 million over the next five years as part of its continued support of environmental science PhD training in the second round of the Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTP) programme.
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Exciting two-day event to celebrate Fruit Routes harvest
The annual Fruit Routes harvest event is returning to campus later this month and it promises two days of interesting discussion and activities.
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Westminster group visits Arctic research station
Arctic scientists welcomed a Parliamentary group to their Greenland research station to showcase work which investigates the environment’s impact on regional lakes.
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Exciting expert panel to lead discussion on food waste
Loughborough University is to welcome key policymakers, charities, business representatives and a Member of Parliament next month for an important discussion on food waste.
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Arctic scientists welcome MPs and peers to Greenland research station
Arctic experts will host the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Polar Regions at a research station in Greenland later this month to demonstrate the latest in geographic and ecological science.
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Artists invited to submit ideas for public artwork outside new hall of residence
Loughborough University is to commission a public artwork to mark the entrance to its new hall of residence complex – and artists from across the globe are invited to submit their ideas.
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Academic involved in major European research project issues tips for beating the heat at work
A Loughborough University academic has issued advice on how to beat the heat at work based on research they are conducting as part of a large European project that aims to improve the safety of millions of workers.
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Loughborough University is recognised as one of the UK’s best green spaces
Loughborough University has received the sought-after Green Flag Award for its vibrant campus, marking it out as one of the nation's best green spaces.
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Hundreds attend Fruit Routes summer event and discussed global issues
More than 200 people headed to Loughborough University for the annual Fruit Routes summer event that looked at connecting local and wider issues.
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Loughborough students celebrate 20,500 hours of volunteering
Over the past year, Loughborough students have volunteered 20,500 hours to helping good causes, collected 15,000 items of food and clothing for those in need, and helped train more than 1,400 people in CPR.
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Photo exhibitions in Ghana reveal what drives community food choices
People in Ghana have captured images of what drives what they eat and drink as part of a collaborative international project involving Loughborough University academics – and the photos are being exhibited this week.
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Leading experts on hydrodynamics join Loughborough University
Professor Qiuhua Liang and Professor Christopher Keylock are bringing their expertise on fluid dynamics to Loughborough University.
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Kestrels nesting on campus are now caring for four chicks
The pair of kestrels that returned to their nest on campus several weeks ago are now caring for four chicks!
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Fruit Routes event to prompt conversations on global issues
Loughborough University’s Fruit Routes project is once again returning to campus from 13-15 June.
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Live camera set-up in kestrel nest box
A pair of kestrels have once again returned to their nest on campus – and now you can watch what Loughborough’s feathery friends get up to!
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Geographical expert hosts successful ‘Britain and the Arctic’ talk
The Director of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Polar Regions Secretariat in Westminster led a talk at the University last week that aimed to inspire and educate students on the science of the Arctic.
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Loughborough academic presents lecture to King of Sweden
Professor of Physical Geography, John Anderson, met with the King of Sweden this week to talk about environmental issues.
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Loughborough hosts forest education network 10-year celebration
Loughborough University hosted the Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Forest Education Network 10-year celebration anniversary event this week; bringing together practitioners, organisations and researchers from across the region.
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Study reveals how Forest Schools can benefit children’s development
Forest Schools are a growing phenomenon in the UK, but what impact does getting children outside of the classroom have on their overall development? Researchers at Loughborough University hope to find out.
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Fruit Routes harvest returns to campus
The annual Fruit Routes harvest event returns to Loughborough University from 18 – 21 October with a range of enjoyable harvesting activities.
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Geography research secures half a million in British Academy funding
Loughborough’s Department of Geography has secured over £500k in funding for two research projects from the British Academy Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).
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Loughborough University: Proud partner of a £276 million national infrastructure improvement programme, launched today
Loughborough University is part of a multi-million infrastructure research programme which has been officially launched in London today.
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Improving our streets will encourage more people to walk
A project to boost low-levels of physical activity in deprived areas has found that improving footpaths, clearing overgrown vegetation and increasing street cleanliness could be the answer to encouraging people to walk more.
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International climate change conference to be hosted by Loughborough University
An international climate change conference will bring experts to Loughborough to discuss the threats, solutions and technology associated with the growing environmental phenomenon.
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Using Twitter to understand emotional distress during and after large-scale disasters could lead to a more rapid and efficient response, a study has found
Scientists have analysed hundreds of thousands of tweets related to the 2012 superstorm Hurricane Sandy to measure the impact of large-scale disasters on people’s mental health.
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Electric cars: Are people getting revved up over 'fake' news?
EXPERT COMMENT
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Girls present inspiring ideas for future sustainable communities
Over two dozen girls completed a four-day challenge at Loughborough University this month to help develop sustainable communities for the future.
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Feathered friends build a home at Loughborough University
A group of kestrels has returned to its nest at the Loughborough campus.
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Celebrating five years of Fruit Routes
A marathon twelve-hour event will celebrate five years of the campus Fruit Routes project.
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World-first technology reduces harmful diesel emissions
An industry-first technology developed by Loughborough University has the potential to significantly cut nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in diesel engines.