A selection of published articles and broadcast items from April 2013 that highlights people, research and events associated with the University of Sussex.
Print and web
Why Monbiot’s attack on Walport misses the mark
Professor James Wilsdon (Spru) wonders if the criticisms of the new Chief Scientific Adviser Mark Walport have come too soon.
The Guardian (Political Science blog) 30/04/13
Cannibalism. Incest. Murder. What bumble bees are really up to in your garden
Professor Dave Goulson (Biology) writes about bumble bee crimes.
Mail Online 30/04/13
Press release
Celebration of Victorian horror writer
An exhibition about forgotten horror writer Richard Marsh, whose novel The Beetle outsold Dracula when it was released in 1897, has been put together by the University of Sussex with Crawley Library.
The Argus 29/04/13
Press release
Farage’s surge makes this result so hard to predict
Professor Paul Webb (Politics) writes about the possible outcomes of Thursday’s local elections.
The Observer 28/04/13
Bertie Carvel gives his all as 'Matilda's' demonic Miss Trunchbull
Interview with Sussex alumnus and star of 'Matilda', Bertie Carvel.
Los Angeles Times 28/04/13
Insecticide firms in secret bid to stop ban that could save bees
Professor Dave Goulson (Biology) adds his views on neonicotinoids.
The Observer 28/04/13
Bad Beehaviour
A study by Professor Dave Goulson (Biology) found that bumble bees have learned the art of nectar robbery.
The Economist 26/04/13
Gardeners urged to let ivy flourish to save bees
Professor Francis Ratnieks (Biology) and colleagues say that ivy, the scourge of gardeners, is a crucial source of nectar for honey bees during the autumn.
The Daily Telegraph 26/04/13
Press release
A very Wellcome appointment
Professor James Wilsdon (Spru) considers what influence the new director of the Wellcome Trust may have on science funding and research.
The Guardian (Political Science blog) 25/04/13
Whim and rigour
Professor Louise Morley (Education – Centre of Higher Education and Equity Research) and her colleague Dr Barbara Crossuard comment on whether the viva is the best way to examine PhD candidates.
Times Higher Education 25/04/13
Where would you rather live – small-government Somalia or big-government Sweden?
Comments made by Professor Mariana Mazzucato (Spru) about state-funded investment are referenced in a blog about ‘big governments’.
New Statesman 23/04/13
Where would you rather live – small-government Somalia or big-government Sweden?
As above
Huffington Post 23/04/13
Success stories
Mike Herd, Director of the Sussex Innovation Centre, is profiled after winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
The Argus (Business) 23/04/13
News story
Wise heads guide young entrepreneurs
As above.
Financial Times 22/04/13
Why you quickly forget what’s-his-name
A study led by Dr Ildiko Kemenes (Neuroscience) explains how memory lapses could serve a vital evolutionary function.
The Times 22/04/13
Press release
Saving face: Scientists have worked out why we forget the names of people we know
As above.
The Times (leader column) 22/04/13
Why we abruptly forget a person’s name
As above.
The Daily Telegraph 22/04/13
Revealed: Why we forget people’s names only to remember it hours later
As above.
The Mail on Sunday 21/04/13
Scientists on snail trail of memories
As above.
The Argus 21/04/13
Study unveils what snails and humans have in common
As above.
The Voice of Russia 21/04/13
Memory lapses key part of learning
As above.
Irish Examiner 21/04/13
Memory lapse help avoid overload
As above.
Sky News Australia 21/04/13
Memory lapse could be linked to a necessary part of the brains ability to consolidate long-term memories
As above.
StudyguideIndia.com 23/04/13
Why we forget names so easily
As above.
Times of Malta 23/04/13
(This story also appeared in various media in East Asia and Eastern Europe)
The power of ‘you’? Science policy
Dr Alice Bell (Spru) predicts the consequences of greater openness about science.
The Guardian( Political Science Blog) 18/04/13
Climate change slowdown baffles scientists
Professor Richard Tol (Economics) says he has lost confidence in the data on climate change predictions.
Mail on Sunday 16/04/13
Climate scientists struggle to explain global warming slowdown
As above.
‘Today’ (Singapore) 16/04/13
Taste of beer releases chemicals which makes drinkers want another
Professor Dai Stephens (Psychology) comments on a study in India that shows the taste of beer is enough to make drinkers want to continue before the alcohol takes effect.
Daily Mirror 15/04/13
Taste of beer causes people to crave more drink and drugs, research claims.
As above.
Evening Standard 15/04/13
Why we love a pint: The taste of beer alone releases the 'feel-good' chemical dopamine
As above.
Mail Online 15/04/13
Beer flavour ‘triggers urge to get drunk’
As above.
Daily Telegraph 15/04/13
(This story also appeared in various media in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, China, Latvia, France and Hong Kong)
Village secrets
Article about Sweet Hill “shack and track settlement” in Brighton, based on research by Dr Geoffrey Mead (Global Studies).
The Argus15/04/13
Thatcher’s children – Janice Turner
Columnist and Sussex alumna Janice Turner recalls her activist days during the Thatcher era as Sussex’s student union vice-president.
The Times 13/04/13
Margaret Thatcher, science advice and climate change
Dr Alice Bell (Spru) writes about Thatcher’s legacy in science and technology policy.
The Guardian (Political Science blog) 09/04/13
End of themed university parties as universities crack down on lads culture
The National Union of Students wants to crack down on events that promote lad culture following research by Sussex academics that shows sexism continues to be an issue among students.
Mail Online 06/04/13
The Human Brain : Instant Expert
Professor Michael O’Shea (Neuroscience) has written an eight-page special feature on the history – and future – of neuroscience.
New Scientist 06/04/13
Noise - A Human History
Professor David Hendy’s (Media and Film) 30-part series on the history of noise for BBC Radio 4 is shaping up to be another classic, says a review.
The Spectator, 04/04/13
Press release
TV and radio
Amphibian extinction (16.14 mins)
Emeritus Professor Trevor Beebee (Evolution,Behaviour and Environment) talks about why amphibians have declined in numbers since the 1960s.
‘Costing the Earth’, BBC Radio Four 30/04/13
Pesticide debate (33.35 mins)
Professor Francis Ratnieks (Biology) airs his views on the likely outcome for bees of banning neonicotinoid pesticides.
‘The World at One’ BBC Radio Four 29/04/13
Beekeepers call on MPs to halt bee decline – video
Professor Francis Ratnieks (Biology) and the Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects were featured for a news item on the neonicotinoid debate.
Channel Four News (website) 26/04/13
As above
BBC Sussex and Surrey 26/04/13
Taking the sex out of language
Dr Justyna Robinson (English Language and Linguistics) commented on whether Washington State’s new laws to use gender neutral vocabulary would be successful in changing inequalities in society.
‘Update’ BBC World Service 24/04/13
Starburst galaxies
Professor Seb Oliver (Physics and Astronomy) talks about the excitement of being part of a team of scientists to discover a galaxy 13 billion light years away.
BBC South East Today 24/04/13
Press release
Starburst 13 billion years ago
Peter Hurley (Physics and Astronomy) talked about his involvement in the discovery of one of the first starburst galaxies in the Universe.
BBC Sussex 22/04/13
Press release
Instructions instructions (09.21 mins)
Professor Donia Scott (Informatics) talked about why we struggle to understand written instructions.
‘Word of Mouth’, BBC Radio Four, 23/04/13
Death of a Princess
Dr Alexandra Loske (Art History) talked with historian Lucy Worsley about the circumstances of Princess Charlotte’s death in the 1817.
‘Fit to rule’: How Royal illness changed history’ BBC2 22/04/13
Why we forget to remember (37.50 mins)
Interview with Dr Ildiko Kemenes (Neuroscience) about how the brain processes memories.
BBC Newcastle 22/04/13
Press release
(Also mentioned on BBC Radio 4 ‘Today’, LBC Radio and BBC Sussex)
Sussex astronomers discover earliest known star burst galaxy
University of Sussex PhD student Peter Hurley, Dr Isaac Roseboom, Dr Anthony Smith, Dr Lingyu Wang and Professor Seb Oliver are part of an international team that has discovered a distant star-forming galaxy that challenges the current theories of galaxy evolution.
BBC South Today19/04/13
Press release
Margaret Thatcher’s funeral
Professor Paul Taggart (Politics) reflected on Margaret Thatcher’s legacy.
‘Breakfast’ BBC Sussex 17/04/13
International drinking guidelines
Dr Richard de Visser (Psychology) talks about his research on the lack of global consensus on drinking guidelines.
'Healthcheck’ BBC World Service 17/04/13
Press release
Tomorrow’s World
Professor Mariana Mazzucato (Spru) is interviewed about how state funding has helped to create some of the most revolutionary inventions, such as the smart phone.
‘Horizon’ BBC 2 16/04/13
Margaret Thatcher remembered
Dr Lucy Robinson (History) reflected on how Margaret Thatcher’s divisive politics made her a divisive personality, although voters admired her strength in leadership.
BBC South East Today 09/04/13
Press release
