In the news (July)
Domestic coverage
Birmingham Health Partners research lead by Professor Bob Stone, School of EECE, into new therapies using virtual reality which alleviate the pain that burns victims and amputees experience when having their wounds dressed was featured in the Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/virtual-reality-strolls-through-devon-countryside-tested-as-pain-relief-on-soldiers-with-worst-injuries-8670333.html?origin=internalSearch
Dr Somak Raychaudhury, School of Physics and Astronomy, contributed to a BBC online feature on the science behind the solstice: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/0/22956681
With 60 tonnes of khat imported to the UK each week, Dr Simon Cotton, School of Chemistry, makes the case for better scientific literacy of the now banned herbal stimulant: http://theconversation.com/khat-on-a-hot-tin-roof-but-its-no-meow-meow-15817
Professor Richard Williams, Head of College, featured in The Sunday Telegraph discussing how businesses can benefit from fresh and innovative ideas.
Dr Zoe Schnepp, School of Chemistry, and Professor Laura Piddock, School of Immunity and Infection, involvement in ‘Soap box Science’ was featured in the Times Higher Education: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/soapbox-science-event-boosts-gender-awareness/2005631.article
Dr Nick Hawes, School of Computer Science, and Dora the robot were interviewed at the Cheltenham Science Festival by the BBC World Service programme Clickat and for download here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/digitalp
Richard Williams, Head of College, was interviewed by BBC Radio WM and Power Technology magazine about a £6m grant from EPSRC to create a new cryogenic energy storage centre at Birmingham.
Russell Beale, School of Computer Science, was interviewed by Central TV News about the breadth of information available on the internet in light of a court case of man who had used the web to make a bomb.
International coverage
A leading science magazine in Brazil, Galileu, published an in-depth feature on Dr Ginevra Castellano’s research with empathetic robots. (School of Computer Science)
Professor Graham Smith’s research with Academica Sinica in Taiwan, and the Kavli Institute of Physics and Mathematics of the Universe in Japan, which found new evidence that the mysterious dark matter that pervades our universe behaves as predicted by the ‘cold dark matter’ theory known as ‘CDM’ was featured across the international media. (School of Physics and Astronomy)
Professor Mark Ryan and Gurchetan Grewal’s development of an e-voting system to detect coercion was the subject of a feature by India’s Deccan Chronicle and further covered in the Hindi and Punjabi media across India. (School of Computer Science)
Professor Bob Stone’s work using virtual reality to aid the recovery of injured soldiers was featured by the Kenya Star, Medical News Today, Beijing News, Bio Portfolio and Newstrack India. Professor Stone was also interviewed by World News Network. (School of EECE)
Professor Richard Williams, Head of College, was interviewed by Euroasia Industry Journal for an in-depth feature on liquid air.
Dr Mirco Musolesi’s work on mobile data to prevent the spread of epidemics was featured by Time magazine in an article focusing on big data and how it can be used to predict trends and quell disasters. (School of Computer Science)
UoB press releases
Researchers in Birmingham are hoping to use the hi-tech world of virtual reality in a bid to relieve the pain of hospital patients: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2013/06/21-June-Virtual-world-to-help-relieve-patients-pain.aspx
Dr Simon Cotton, School of Chemistry, discusses the claim that Syria has used nerve gas in the civil war {podcast}: www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/impact/perspective/nerve-gas.aspx
Applying game theory to the government's Spending Review. Is it better to get in first or hold out for a better deal? Dr David Craven, School of Mathematics, discusses: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/thebirminghambrief/items/Applying-game-theory-to-the-governments-Spending-Review-Is-it-better-to-get-in-first-or-hold-out-for-a-better-deal.aspx
Professor Williams, Head of College, discusses the handling of UK energy strategy {transcript}: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/impact/perspective/energy-politics.aspx
Dr Zoe Schnepp, School of Chemistry, and Professor Laura Piddock, School of Immunity and Infection, took their cutting edge research to the streets as they take part in Soapbox Science and call for a change in gender inequality in STEM: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2013/06/4-July-Female-scientists-campaign-for-change-in-gender-inequality-in-science-.aspx
Physicists from the University will be showcasing some of their ground-breaking work through a series of interactive displays at the Royal Society’s annual Summer Science Exhibition: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2013/06/01-Jul-13-Understand-the-Higgs-boson-at-Royal-Society-Summer-Science-Exhibition.aspx
The University has won a £6m grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to create a new Centre for Cryogenic Energy Storage: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2013/07/17-jul-13-new-centre-for-cryogenic-energy-storage.aspx
Leading figures across industry, science and government convened at the University to further UK-China partnerships in sustainable energy and smart grid technologies: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2013/07/17-JulyPreparing-for-the-low-carbon-economy-fresh-dialogue-advances-UK-China-collaborations-in-sustainable-energy.aspx