It’s been quite a privilege: my 30 years at Nottingham

Professor Neil Crout, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, is retiring. Here, he reflects on 30-plus years at the University of Nottingham The university in 1990(ish) Money was very tight, staff numbers had fallen in our school, and recruitment was rare. We were worried about the low A-level grade of our incoming students. The …

Climate change: we are determined to make a difference

Research update from Professor Neil Crout Following COP27 in Egypt, I am pleased to share news of how our researchers are delivering climate solutions that are having impact at local, national and global level, from a new energy system set to reduce carbon emissions and homeowners’ bills at an award-winning community energy scheme in Nottingham, …

University’s largest ever funding award for UK’s most powerful MRI scanner

Update from Professor Dame Jessica Corner The University of Nottingham, the birthplace of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), has received its largest ever funding award to establish the UK’s most powerful MRI scanner. The £29.1m award, from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will establish a national scanning facility to help the UK lead the world in …

Ending links with Russia universities – guidance for researchers

Update from Professor Dame Jessica Corner Following Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West’s announcement on ending all formal links with universities in Russia, colleagues in Research and Innovation have produced guidance for researchers and teams who may be affected by this decision. It includes advice and support on ending current research projects, bilateral agreements, memoranda of understanding …

My thanks and a look ahead to 2022

Season’s greetings from Professor Dame Jessica Corner Welcome to my final research update of 2021. It feels particularly tough to be writing this as we face new challenges in getting through the pandemic and as we return to scenario planning for different eventualities. But there is also room for optimism. We continue to help drive …

Launch of Biodiscovery Institute: celebrating our research and wonderful people

By Professor Chris Denning The University of Nottingham’s Biodiscovery Institute officially opens on Monday 6 September, when Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West will welcome around 100 guests including senior leaders from industry, funding bodies and government. We are honoured that Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council Professor Fiona Watt will formally open the institute and …

Our gradual and careful approach for research as restrictions are lifted

Update from Professor Dame Jessica Corner We are reviewing our research activities following the lifting of Covid restrictions by the government. This will be a careful and gradual approach, ensuring your wellbeing remains our first priority. We continue to work very closely with public health officials, and our estates and health and safety teams are …

Care homes trial offers hope

Update from Professor Dame Jessica Corner In a troubling week for the UK in its fight against the pandemic, it is heartening that a University of Nottingham-led national study offers hope of reducing the impact of coronavirus in care homes. Professor Philip Bath and Professor Adam Gordon from the School of Medicine are leading a …

Joining Horizon Europe: exciting opportunities for our research

Update from Professor Dame Jessica Corner Amid the current gloom, some very good news – the UK can look forward to associating with Horizon Europe, the EU’s new €95.5bn framework programme for funding research and innovation. It has emerged from the Brexit deal that UK organisations will be able to fully take part in Horizon …

Looking ahead after a difficult year and support for postgraduate research students

Update from Professor Dame Jessica Corner Research remains classified as an essential activity under the Tier 3 restrictions that came into force on Wednesday for Nottinghamshire. The steps we took in summer to make our buildings Covid-secure continue to protect our community and give us confidence in the safety of our on-campus research and teaching. …