UCL in the media
Human gene-editing
Professor Joyce Harper (UCL Institute for Women's Health) discusses the ethics of human gene-editing and stresses the need for regulation.
AI and corporate thinking
Professor Jon Agar (UCL Science & Technology Studies) contributes to a discussion about AI and the call for it to grow beyond the 'organisational dogma that characterised its birth' and 'reflect our humanity.'
Why does the date for Easter change every year?
Professor Sacha Stern (UCL Hebrew & Jewish Studies) explains how the date of Easter changes each year, following the Spring equinox and Passover.
Senior academics call for people's vote to save universities
Universities face “a big gap in funding and a generation of scientists disappearing,” warns UCL President & Provost Professor Michael Arthur, in an article highlighting concerns of Russell Group vice-chancellors over potential impacts of a no-deal Brexit.
The fascination of Mars
In an article exploring our continuing obsession with the Red Planet, Professor Raman Prinja (UCL Physics & Astronomy) highlights some of the psychological problems that may confront a manned mission to Mars.
The social implications of AI
Professor Geraint Rees, Dean of UCL Life Sciences, urges more diversity in discussions about AI and more consideration of its implications for society.
Tuition fee cut would ‘devastate university funding’
A letter from the Russell Group expresses grave concerns about proposed government cuts to student tuition fees, which UCL President & Provost Professor Michael Arthur says could have a “devastating” impact on universities’ abilities to recruit students from deprived backgrounds.
Chinese scientist claims world's first genetically edited babies
Professor Joyce Harper (UCL Institute for Women's Health) joins others in expressing concerns over the as yet unsubstantiated claims by a Chinese scientist to have created the world's first genetically-edited babies. Chinese health authorities are reported to be investigating.
Listen: BBC World Service News. Read: Evening Standard. More: Nature, FT (£), Guardian, Wired, Times (£), Mirror, Daily Mail, Sky, CNN
Bubbles and how they help oceans to breathe
Dr Helen Czerski (UCL Mechanical Engineering) explains how bubbles help oceans to breathe, and talks about the practicalities of doing scientific research in Arctic temperatures.
Listen: BBC Radio 4 'Saturday Live' (from 1 hr 12 mins 25 secs)
Latest NHS data on adolescent mental health problems
Dr Michael Bloomfield (UCL Psychiatry) comments in a news piece on latest NHS data on adolescent mental health, and Dr Parveetha Patalay (UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science) explains social media is one of many factors linked to poor mental health, including bullying.
Read: BBC News, Listen: BBC Radio 4 'PM' (from 25 mins 11 secs)