UCL in the media
Re-thinking archaeology with sea otters
Archaeology is historically the study of human history, but it is now being used to study tool-using animals, like sea otters and monkeys. Tomos Proffitt (UCL Institute of Archaeology) says “archaeology can be applied to any species that produces a durable material signature."
Clinical trial for treatment of drug-resistant TB
Professor Andrew Nunn (UCL Institute of Clinical Trials & Methodology) writes about a new clinical trial that is testing a more effective and safer treatment for patients who have drug-resistant TB and is showing promising results.
Tribute to Professor Sue Povey
Professor Sue Povey, who was UCL’s Haldane Professor of Human Genetics, is remembered for her pioneering work in mapping the human genome.
The rise of “accent softening”
Elocution lessons are back in vogue, with many people seeking to disguise their regional accents. Professor Sophie Scott (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) says “accents tell you as much about what we project on to people as anything to do with the actual people.”
Homes as warm as Africa?
Scientists have found that wherever humans settle, whether hot, cold or temperate, we adjust our climate to match the place we all originally came from: the highlands of east Africa. Professor Mark Maslin (UCL Geography) comments.
The gender politics of “they”
An increasing number of non-binary people are using them/they pronouns. Research by PhD student Laura Marshall (UCL Geography) has found that “people are increasingly giving wide-ranging answers including various non-binary identities” when asked to define their gender.
New Zealand mosque shootings
Investigators' growing certainty that a single gunman was responsible for the shootings has renewed attention to a longtime concern: terror attacks by ideologically driven lone actors in the U.S. and Europe. Dr Noemie Bouhana (UCL Security & Crime Science) comments.
Health Secretary wants NHS to roll out genetic tests
Honorary Professor David Curtis (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) criticises a call by the Health Secretary Matt Hancock to roll out genetic tests to detect diseases, saying such tests are racially biased, cause unnecessary worry and place additional demands on the NHS.
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‘Careerist’ MPs and welfare cuts
A report by Dr Tom O’Grady (UCL Political Science) is cited as showing that as MPs became more "careerist" in the Tony Blair era, they also became “increasingly fond of slashing welfare”.
Labour commissions UCL academic to consider transport policy
Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald has commissioned Emeritus Professor Phil Goodwin (UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering) to consider a “social contract for transport” between the government and public. McDonald has called for a "green industrial revolution".