From Blog

How PINZ researchers are powering the future of Net Zero leadership

Olivia Elwood — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:31:04 GMT

The Process Industries Net Zero (PINZ) Centre for Doctoral Training brings together an innovative cohort of researchers, paving the way for Net Zero in manufacturing industries.

PINZ unites the expertise of the University of York and Newcastle University, working alongside industry partners to drive the seismic shifts in practice required to achieve Net Zero. Focused on solving real-world industry challenges across energy, feedstocks, or data, this research community is the first of its kind.

How are researchers uncovering hidden maths from ancient Rome?

Dr Richard Marshall — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 09:00:05 GMT

How did the ancient Romans really use maths in their everyday lives?

Here, Dr Richard Marshall, Lecturer in Classics, writes about how our assumptions about ancient mathematical thinking could be hiding some interesting secrets.

Bridging seas and centuries: remembering the Beiyang sailors in Newcastle

Dr Yin Liang — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 09:44:31 GMT

How do six nineteenth century gravestones in a Newcastle upon Tyne cemetery bring together two nations?

Here, Dr Yin Liang – Lecturer in Human Resource Management – writes about how the legacy left by six Chinese sailors who never made the journey home reveals that their story isn’t a closed chapter after all.

Shaping the future: Newcastle and the 4th Generation University

Professor Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Place — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 07:43:22 GMT

In recent years, a new idea has been gaining momentum across the higher education sector – one that reshapes the very reason universities exist.

Here, Professor Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Place at Newcastle University, talks about the 4th generation university, and our role shaping the idea.

Why do businesses work with universities?

Newcastle University — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 08:13:36 GMT

Around the world, businesses and universities are working together. In this blog, we take a look at some of the reasons why and how the business and university worlds can support each other to push the boundaries of what is possible through knowledge exchange.

In a world where markets shift rapidly, technology is constantly evolving, and societal challenges grow more complex every day, the most successful businesses are those that don’t go it alone. Increasingly, forward-thinking organisations are turning to universities — not just as training grounds for future talent, but as strategic partners in innovation, skills development, and long-term impact.

We’ve seen first-hand the power of these partnerships to transform businesses, communities, and our University. Whether you're a start-up founder, working in an SME, or part of a global corporation, collaborating with a university offers more than just academic insight. It opens up a whole world of opportunity.

And it’s not just businesses we collaborate with, either. Schools, charities, NHS trusts, policymakers, civil society, and more all work with us to solve their business challenges, move towards a sustainable future, and influence our research, teaching and engagement work.

What can tiny tubeworms tell us about future environmental collapse?

Dr Isabel Smallegange — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 14:00:13 GMT

If you want to know how an ecosystem is doing, look to its smallest residents.

In estuarine and coastal habitats, marine tubeworms are quietly revealing more about the future of our environment that we can imagine. Find out more from Dr Isabel Smallegange, Senior Lecturer in Population Biology at Newcastle University.

How should we tackle racism in schools?

Professor Peter Hopkins — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:06:48 GMT

Racism is still a pressing issue in schools - but what can be done about it?

Professor Peter Hopkins from our School of Geography, Politics and Sociology and Professor Heather Smith from our School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences reflect on their collaborative work about how to tackle racism in schools and how to promote a culture of anti-racism.

Can we trust AI and algorithms to hire people fairly and inclusively?

Dr Emily Yarrow — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:15:03 GMT

Algorithms make decisions about events in our lives every day, from how much we pay for car insurance to what we see online.

Here, Dr Emily Yarrow at Newcastle University Business School writes about how AI algorithms now often influence how we’re hired to do our jobs, too.

Shrinking Nemo – the unusual way clownfish adapt to survive

Newcastle University — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:17:56 GMT

Animals are the masters of adaptation within rapidly changing environments, especially when faced with the risks of climate change.

Some are known to shift to lighter colourations to absorb less heat, while others expand the size of their beaks or feet to cool down faster. However, scientists Melissa Versteeg and Dr Theresa Rueger from our School of Natural and Environmental Sciences have observed a fascinating way that coral reef clownfish have adapted to survive heat stress while avoiding social conflict – they shrink.

Read on to find out why changing their size could help these iconic fish adapt to a warming ocean.

Hidden histories: the story of Ballast Hills Burial Ground

Dr Myra Giesen — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:16:18 GMT

We are uncovering the overlooked history of Ballast Hills Burial Ground (BHBG) in Newcastle upon Tyne, curating the stories of 40,000 individuals buried there through research, collaboration, and public engagement

Once a vital part of Newcastle’s social and religious landscape, Ballast Hills Burial Ground (BHBG) has gradually slipped from public memory and historical scholarship. Now, this project is changing that narrative, restoring the location’s identity and ensuring its stories are not lost to time. It's also reshaping how heritage is understood, valued, and governed. BHBG project lead, Dr Myra Giesen, shares how the team is uncovering and honouring the lives of those buried there.