UCL in the media
Edward Allington: In pursuit of sculpture
Artworks by the late Edward Allington (1951–2017), a former Slade Professor, are on display in a new exhibition titled ‘In Pursuit of Sculpture’ at the UCL Art Museum until 7 June.
UCL lecturer and three alumni named in Forbes 30 under 30
Dr Zhifu Mi (UCL Construction & Project Management), an award-winning sustainability economist, has been selected to join the prestigious list along with three UCL School of Management alumni, who began their businesses while studying for their MSc in Technology Entrepreneurship.
Gravitational waves will settle cosmic conundrum
Measurements of gravitational waves from ~50 binary neutron stars over the next decade will definitively resolve an intense debate over how fast our universe is expanding, find a team including Professor Hiranya Peiris (UCL Physics & Astronomy).
Bloomsbury Theatre reopens following major renovation
The historic Bloomsbury Theatre has officially reopened its doors following a specialist £19.8m restoration project. The cutting-edge revamp includes upgrades to the theatre’s 541-seat auditorium, stage and fly-tower.
The importance of taking statins for heart patients
A study has found that patients who fail to take their statins correctly are more likely to die within a year. Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) says “If statins are recommended and prescribed by your doctor, then we need to focus much more on adherence.”
Nasa declares end to Mars rover mission
Professor Andrew Coates (UCL Space & Climate Physics) says the 15-year mission of the Mars rover Opportunity was “fantastically successful” and had “completely outlived its shelf life” as Nasa declares that the mission is finally over.
Read: Guardian, More: The Conversation. Listen: Guardian's Science Weekly podcast (from 17 mins 32 secs)
The problem with non-disclosure agreements
Professor Richard Moorhead (UCL Laws) comments on the use of non-disclosure agreements in sexual harassment cases, saying that it harms a company's culture.
Read: FT. Listen: BBC Radio 4’s ‘You and Yours’ (from 4 mins 10 secs)
Call for tax on second homes to ease housing crisis
A study led by Jonathan Bourne (UCL Energy Institute) concluded that building new homes is not the answer to Britain’s housing crisis as they are likely to be bought up as second homes or investments in the most popular areas.
Insect population at risk
With researchers warning that a dramatic drop in insect numbers could have devastating consequences, Professor Georgina Mace (UCL Biosciences) says there has been a “loss of abundance of wildlife” in the UK.
Listen: BBC Radio 4 ‘Today in Parliament’ (from 25 secs). Read: New Scientist
How fast is the universe expanding?
Professor Hiranya Peiris and Professor Andrew Pontzen (UCL Physics & Astronomy) discuss methods for measuring how fast the universe is expanding, including Professor Peiris’ work on the cosmic microwave background.