University of Essex in the press...

Video clips on-line

Parliament Live
University of Essex report on care farming was discussed as part of an adjournment debate on Care farming and disadvantaged groups by Mr Mark Todd in Parliament on 24th November.
Discussion starts at 7hrs 11 and finishes at about 7hrs 45.

BBC
Flagship University Building open
Teaching has begun in the new flagship building for the recently created university in Suffolk. University Campus Suffolk (UCS), in Ipswich, was established by the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex last year. View the clip here.

The University of Essex in the Press

June 2009

Tuesday 30

Have your say on joint library plans
Southend residents are being asked their opinions on the proposed new joint library for the town on the Farringdon car park site. Derek Jarvis, councillor responsible for culture, said: "We are delighted the council is joining with the University of Essex, South East Essex College and Southend Adult Community College in this tremendous venture.”  Read the article here.
Echo

Survey boost for NE Derbyshire

Data on life sciences discussed by researchers in Biological Sciences at the University of Essex
Researchers have published a study in the Journal of Environmental Monitoring on 'Particulate air pollution in transport micro-environments'.
Life Science Weekly

Monday 29

Work Experience with Wayne Brewster, head of operations, Coventry NDC
Essex Law graduate Wayne Brewster is interviewed about his career and training.
Regeneration and Renewal

Relief as academy stays in estate
Parents in Colchester have been assured a new academy to replace Sir Charles Lucas Arts College will be built on the same site. Jude Hanner, Headteacher at Sir Charles Lucas said that talks with the University of Essex, Colchester Institute and NHS North East Essex, the three groups looking at joint sponsoring the academy would take place soon.
Gazette

A Royal Headache in Britain
Prince Charles is no fan of modernist architecture—last year he referred to a new lecture hall at the University of Essex as a “dustbin.” The latest target of his ire: a $5 billion, 13-acre steel-and-glass complex meant for the Chelsea Barracks site in West London. The design by architect Lord Richard Rogers looked set to win approval from the Westminster City Council this week. But the Prince of Wales reportedly thought it unsympathetic, and said as much to the Qatari royal family, which owns the site. The Qataris withdrew the -design in deference to his wishes. To many, the prince’s meddling was a breach of the unwritten conventions that pass for a constitution in Britain.
Newsweek

Speaker John Bercow called for 'assisted repatriation' of immigrants
The Tehran Times reports on his time as a member of a far-right political group while a student at the University of Essex.
The Tehran Times
The Daily Telegraph
The Independent

Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince Casting
Read an article about the cast, director and producer of the new Harry Potter Film. The Director, David Yates is an Essex Politics graduate.
Girl.com.au

Sunday 28

Plagued by headaches? Get on your bicycle...
According to studies at the University of Essex commissioned by Mind, a walk surrounded by nature reduces depression whereas a walk in a shopping centre or city increases mood problems. A study found that three brisk 30-minute walks a week had greater effects on reducing depression than antidepressant drugs. Read the article here.
Cape Times
Sunday Tribune
IOL
Pretoria News

Long Beach Calls
Essex Art History graduate Cecilia Fajardo-Hill has been appointed vice president of curatorial affairs and chief curator of Museum of Latin American Art.
Miami Herald

Little Mr Turncoat in an awfully big chair
The South African Sunday Times profiles Essex graduate and new speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow.
Sunday Times (South Africa)

Five candidates competing for Iraqi Kurdistan presidency
Dr Halo Ibrahim Ahmad is one of the five candidates competing for the Iraqi Kurdistan presidency.  He is a graduate of the university, achieving a master's degree in the history of philosophy in 1982.
BBC General News Service


Saturday 27

U's training ground plan rejected
A proposal from Colchester United for a new training complex on the outskirts of an Essex village could be a Trojan horse for major development, it has been claimed.
The accusation comes as the League One club admitted it was considering appealing against a surprise decision from councillors to reject plans for its development at Tiptree. The club had been hoping to get the green-light for five pitches, including one for community use, on agricultural land it owns at Grange Road. Players currently train at Essex University but the facilities are no longer suitable for the club.
East Anglian Daily Times
Chelmsford Weekly News
Harwich and Manningtree Standard
Halstead Gazette
Clacton, Frinton and Walton Gazette
Gazette

European Institute of Education sets up new study abroad unit
The European Institute of Education (eie) has just set up a new unit: “eie Study Abroad”, the main focus of which is to help Maltese students further their education in one of eie’s foreign partner universities. These include Cranfield University School of Management, Coventry University, the University of Essex, Sheffield Hallam University, the Accademia Italiana – Fashion and Design Institute and many more. Read the article here.
The Malta Independent
Times of Malta

Friday 26

Seminar on how to boost sales during a recession
Businesses across the county are being invited by the Essex Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to a free seminar being held at the University of Essex Business Incubation Centre, by Steve Clarke, one of the county's top sales experts.
The Harlow Herald

Uni is truly, madly, deeply impressed with Juliet
Neil D'Arcy Jones interviews actress Juliet Stevenson who said she was 'delighted and chuffed' when she learned that the University of Essex was to award her an honorary degree in July.
Gazette

No signs of town basilica
A hi-tech search for the remains of Colchester's basilica by Dr Tim Dennis from the University of Essex found no trace of the basilica but did turn up traces of a wall which formed part of the precincts surrounding the Roman Temple of Claudius.
Essex County Standard

New Speaker's ties with town university
Essex graduate, John Bercow is the new Speaker of the House of Commons. He graduated in 1985 with a first class honours degree in Government.
Essex County Standard

Student team look at rights of travellers
A team has been put together from the Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex to help prepare a case against eviction of travellers at Dale Farm near Billericay. The case could go to the European Court of Human Rights to halt the eviction and keep the community at the site so that they can stay together.
Gazette
Brentwood Weekly News
Echo
Basildon and Wickford Recorder

Thursday 25

The best democracy money can buy
The lack of corporate reform is an indictment of the UK's institutions and the weak state of our democracy. Read Professor Prem Sikka's article here.
The Guardian

This is for you Mark
After her boyfriend Mark died in a tragic accident last summer, Katie Barlow needed a focus to help her cope with her grief. They had been students together for two years at Essex University and after Mark’s death, Katie felt unable to complete the last year of her history degree course. Katie’s first thought was to help other people - and when she saw an appeal to raise cash for Marie Curie Cancer by long distance cycling, she knew that could be answer. Read the article here.
Yellow Advertiser
Basildon Today

Philosopher by day - magician by night
For students in Essex University's Department of Government, he's Dr Todd Landman, best known as an acknowledged expert on human rights. But Todd Landman, mind-reading magician could become even better known as he has recently been screen-tested for a possible new TV series.
Gazette
Essex County Standard

Peter Townsend
Read an obituary for Professor Peter Townsend, the University's first professor of sociology.
THE

Outside looking in
The UK's external examiner system is supposed to uphold standards across the sector and Rebecca Attwood from the Times Higher Education asks if it still does the job. Professor Colin Riordan who is Chair of a Higher Education Funding Council for England quality committee charged with assessing the validity of complaints about external assessment argued in the THE that in an age of mass higher education, the system "must show more transparently that it can ensure the comparability of standards". Read the article here.
THE

Uni awards new professor
Colchester consultant, Khaleed MA KHaled, an obstertrician and gynaecologist has been awarded the title of Professor by the University of Essex for his work in medical education and training.
Gazette

Welcome to town old boy
Colchester's MP, Bob Russell raised a giggle from embattled politicians as he seized the chance to highlight his constituency's connections to the House of Commons' new Speaker. He was greeted by laughter when he told Mr Bercow: "The University of Essex is proud of you".
Gazette

Wednesday 24

The Greening of Psychotherapy
The good news is that ecopsychological research is proving that reconnecting with the rest of nature yields astonishing results, both at the individual and collective levels. Let me give just one tiny example: a study by the University of Essex in the UK revealed that walks in nature are as powerful an antidepressant for cases of mild to moderate depression as antidepressant medication -- at a fraction of the cost and with no unwanted sexual side effects. Read the article here.
The Huffington Post

Heavyweights Of Global Food Crisis Debate Gather For Foreign Policy School
Several of world's leading voices in the global food crisis debate gather in Dunedin, New Zealand this weekend for the University of Otago's 44th Foreign Policy School. Among the international line-up of speakers for the Foreign Policy School includes Professor Jules Pretty from the University of Essex. Read the article here.
Voxy.co.nz
Scoop Auckland

The Massacre and Requiem
Read a review of the production performed by students from the Centre for Theatre Studies - The Massacre by Elizabeth Inchbald and The Requiem by Jonathan Lichtenstein at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds.
What's on Stage

The John Bercow story
Read more about the University of Essex graduate here.
BBC

'The kind of student it's difficult to forget'
A Colchester graduate has won the race to be the House of Commons' new Speaker. John Bercow, a former Essex University student, completed his first day in the Speakers' hotseat yesterday after winning three rounds of voting. Read the article here.
Gazette
Halstead Gazette
The Scotsman

New speaker 'lively and bright' student
Academics at Essex University have been recalling the time they spent teaching John Bercow MP, who yesterday served his first day as the newly-elected speaker of the House of Commons. Read the article here.
East Anglian Daily Times

Is Bercow an opportunist or a reformer?
Out of the Speakership election frying pan, and into the what exactly? It's usually a good idea to respect election results except when, as in Zimbabwe or today's Iran, the maths suggest a fix. But I am still struggling this morning to feel positive about the prospect of Mr Speaker Bercow. Read the article here.
The Guardian

Burning ambition of man who won in spite of his own party
How the former secretary of the repatriation committee of the notorious Monday Club became a Tory Speaker elected on almost entirely Labour support is testament to years of work by the MP from Buckinghamshire and the deep cynicism of his backers. Read the article here.
The Times

Some success in search for Roman basilica
A hi-tech search for the remains of Colchester's Roman basilica proved fruitless, but archaeologists have declared the experiment a 'partial success.' Essex University researcher Dr Tim Dennis used ground-penetrating radar equipment to scan part of Castle Park for evidence of old foundations.
Gazette

Got a headache? Get on your bike
We're always being told that regular exercise is the best way to improve our health and stave off obesity. But did you know that specific types of exercise can help to reduce the symptoms of many common ailments? Here we review the latest evidence to find out how you can ease health problems ranging from IBS to gum disease through the right choice of exercise...According to studies at the University of Essex commissioned by Mind, a walk surrounded by nature reduces depression whereas a walk in a shopping centre or city increases mood problems.
Daily Mail

Migration is a hot topic
Researchers from Essex University have won funding for a major four-year study on the effects on human migration.
Gazette

Tuesday 23

Another giant step on a remarkable political journey
The youngest Commons Speaker for 170 years - the son of a Jewish taxi driver from Margaret Thatcher's north London heartland - began his political life on the hard-right and ended up elected to the Speaker's chair by hundreds of Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs. Now the Essex Graduate and Tory MP for Buckingham has to raise himself above party allegiance to help rebuild the shattered reputation of the Commons after the expenses scandal. Read the article here.
The Independent
The Scotsman
The Daily Mail
Press Association
The Times
Orange UK

A maverick estranged from Tory Leadership
Essex graduate John Bercow became Speaker of the House of Commons last night. He takes office at a time when Parliament's standing has never been lower with the public.
East Anglian Daily Times

'I might complain against the police'
Former Essex University student, Peter Simpson has threatened to lodge a complaint against the police after he was wrongly accused of stealing an officer's radio at a Stop the War demonstration.
Gazette

Mace selected for Colchester gallery scheme
Colchester Borough Council (CBC) has announced it has appointed the construction company behind the London Eye attraction, Mace Group, to help get plans for the town's new art gallery back on track. The project is a partnership between firstsite, Arts Council England, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), CBC, Essex County Council and the University of Essex.
Health Club Management
Leisure Management

JEFFERSON COLLEGE: Retirement doesn't mean she is going away
For Jane Sullivan, Essex Graduate and Drama Professor at Jefferson College, retirement only means she will have time to devote to a new line of work - making costumes for local theatre companies in St. Louis. Read the article here.
Suburban Journals
 

Monday 22

How can students be inspired to go to uni?
Aimhigher Essex offers a helping hand to secondary school pupils and students from the University of Essex are providing long-term guidance and support to 191 school and college pupils who might not otherwise have considered higher education. Read the article here.
Gazette
Harwich and Manningtree Standard

A brave new financial world
Dr Sanjay Banerji from the Essex Business School talks about how granting more powers to the existing authorities such as Fed, SEC, FDIC, for regulating various kinds of activities of banks and financial firms and reallocation of power and jurisdiction between these institutions and creation of even a more powerful institution (Financial Services Oversight Council) to co-ordinate regulatory activities are the hallmark of the Obama proposal. Read the article here.
The Financial Express

Sunday 21

Friday 19

The Case for Compulsory Voting
Dr Sarah Birch from the Department of Government has an article on compulsory voting in the latest edition of Public Policy Research, the quarterly journal of the Institute for Public Policy Research.
ippr

Earl is kept busy on whistle-stop tour of county
University Campus Suffolk welcomed The Earl of Wessex as it celebrated the official opening of its main building. The Earl unveiled a plaque to open the £22 million Waterfront Building and spent an hour and a half at the campus. Read more here.
East Anglian Daily Times
Ipswich Evening Star

The Big Race Rolls into Town
Fifty riders lapped the one-mile course around Colchester yesterday with Essex University student Joe Skipper finishing among the peloton.
Gazette

University Superfair
More than 7,000 students will get an insight into campus life at Essex University on 25 and 26 June. Representatives from 130 higher education institutions will be attending and students can attend seminars and talks subject areas, applying to university and student life and finance.
Gazette

Disabled man is latest to fall foul of uni clampers
A disabled volunteer has criticised a controversial car clamping policy that is under review by university bosses after his minibus was clamped. A car park review committee was set up recently and Tony Rich, Registrar and Secretary and Chairman of the Review Committee said he hoped a new parking regime would be decided on by the middle of next month.
Gazette
Halstead Gazette
Harwich and Manningtree Standard

Here come the girls
More than 7,000 women took part in Basildon’s Race for Life, hoping the 5K event would smash the £451,000 fundraising target for Cancer Research UK. There are two more Race for Life events in the county this summer - one in Epping Forest on July 15 and one at the University of Essex on July 25.
Yellow Advertiser
Billericay Today

Once again in Britain, a royal nose is out of joint
Even people who believe that the royal family should be seen and not heard have to admit that when it comes to contemporary architecture, Prince Charles has a robust talent for imaginative insults. Charles, who is next in line to the British throne, once went off-piste and called a proposed extension to the National Gallery "a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend" and last year, he said a new  building at Essex University looked like a garbage can.
New York Times
International Herald Tribune
Ipswich Evening Star

Thursday 18

Digital radio plan sparks debate
Plans to switch all national radio stations on to digital-only platforms at the end of 2015 were announced in the government's Digital Britain report earlier this week. Meanwhile, music lovers and audio buffs are divided over the merits of digital radio versus analogue. Read Professor Malcolm Hawksford's comments on DAB versus FM transmissions here.
BBC

Becky gets GB call-up
Woodford Green triathlete Becky Hewitt has won a place in the Great Britain team for the European Triathlon Championships in Italy. The 16-year-old, who attends Davenant Foundation School in Loughton is a member of the eastern region talent academy and the University of Essex triathlon talent squad.
Ilford Recorder

Uni Rise in Colchester
New figures reveal there's been a 14 per cent increase in applications for undergraduate courses like degrees. More students who've completed a degree are also considering staying on in education, with the Colchester campus reporting a 33 per cent increase in applications for post graduate courses. The recession could be a factor with many people considering staying on in education rather than trying to get employment.
Heart

How green is my tally?
View the Times  Higher Education Green League Tables here.
THE

Archaeologists hope to unravel mystery of the lost basilica
The hunt has begun to find Colchester's lost Roman basilica underneath Castle Park. Yesterday, University of Essex Researcher Dr Tim Dennis was using ground penetration radar equipment to look for signs of the basilica from the surface - the first time this equipment was used on the site.
Gazette
Essex County Standard

What are you reading?
Professor Jules Pretty from the Department of Biological Sciences is currently reading Alan Duff's Once Were Warriors and Yuri Rytkheu's a Dream in Polar Fog.
THE

Chew On This: Cow patting relieves stress
England's University of Essex researchers say farm trips could alleviate stress. After a few hours spent petting farm animals and riding tractors, 95% of participants reported they felt less tired, 91% felt less tense and 55% revitalized. After a spell at a farm, stressed over 30-year olds old and over-worked men experienced a "statistically-significant" increase in energy levels. Read the whole article here.
Eat Washington
Self Online

Creative Venture
Professor Michael Harlow retires as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford this summer. Professor Harlow was Dean of Social Sciences and  Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Essex before being appointed Vice-Chancellor of Salford in 1997.
THE

Events helps cyclists get a good start to the day
A bike breakfast was held in Colchester in a bid to kick-start a summer of cycling. A similar event was held at the University of Essex where 140 staff and students cycled to the Wivenhoe Park campus and then enjoyed a free breakfast.
Gazette
Harwich and Manningtree Standard
Halstead Gazette

New website aims to improve teens' health
Teenagers who took part at a consultation event at the University of Essex have been fully involved in the creation of a new local NHS website aimed at providing younger people with information and advice on a wide range of health and lifestyle issues.
Gazette

Wednesday 17

Animals that count: How numeracy evolved
Read about Dr Claudia Uller's research with red-backed salamanders and horses.
New Scientist
The National Washington DC Bureau

Summit Meeting of Developer Icons: Journey into the Online Gaming Past at the Games Convention Online
The Games Convention Online will witness an historic meeting between two legendary figures from the video and computer game past. The inventor of home video games Ralph H. Baer and the inventor of online gaming Dr Richard Bartle, from the University of Essex will both come to Leipzig for the world's first trade show for browser, client and mobile games from 31 July to 2 August 2009. Read the whole article here.
develop

Uni's bid pools resources
The University of Essex is taking the plunge to secure funding to build a swimming pool.
Gazette

Charity races to its target
More than 2,250 women have signed up to take part in the Cancer Research UK Race for Life at the University's Colchester Campus on Sunday 26 July.
Gazette

UCS chief to retire
University Campus Suffolk's Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Chief executive, Professor Bob Anderson, is to retire this year.
East Anglian Daily Times

Speaking of speakers
University of Essex graduate John Bercow is one of the favourites to succeed Michael Martin as Speaker of the House of Commons.
East Anglian Daily Times

US troops ask Syria to thwart al-Qa'ida offensive
The Iraqi government expects al-Qa0ida and Baathist insurgent groups to launch a wave of attacks so they can take credit for compelling the US military to leave Iraqi cities by the 30 June according to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, an Essex graduate. Read the full article here.
Independent
Belfast Telegraph
Africa Leader
Assyrian International News Agency

The spirit of scientific enquiry
Essex student Majed Alhaisoni has been awarded one of the "Best Paper" Awards at the Fifth International Conference on Autonomic and Autonomous Systems (ICAS 2009) held during April in Valencia, Spain.
Arab News
Individual.com

Tuesday 16

Harman pledges an end to expenses culture
Professor Anthony King, Department of Government, gives evidence at the inquiry into MPs expenses. Read the full article here.
ViewLondon.co.uk
Yahoo News
Birminghamwired.com
Daily Mail - Washington DC

Dragon to inspire business hopefuls
The University of Essex is inviting budding entrepreneurs to an event with Doug Richard, one of the original "dragons" from the BBC2's Dragon's Den. The event will take place in Ipswich and will be free of charge to people living in Suffolk and Essex.
East Anglian Daily Times

The ticking pension timebomb we can't ignore
For those in their 20s and 30s, retirement may seem like a distant concern. Yet an annual report is warning the UK is facing a pensions timebomb if people continue to put off planning for their retirement. The Gazette speaks to Essex Psychology student, Suzanne Long about her plans for a pension.
Gazette

Research from University of Essex into superficiality of Welsh agreement
Professor Borsley from the Department of Language and Linguistics has published his study on the superficiality of Welsh agreement in the journal  'Natural Language & Linguistic Theory'.
Life Science Weekly

Review of Income and Wealth
Professor Stephen Jenkins and colleagues from the Institute of Social and Economic Research have published their study in the Review of Income and Wealth on Distributionally-Sensitive Inequality Indices and the GB2 Income Distribution.
Life Science Weekly

Winner of the First Photonics21 Student Innovation Award Announced
Professor Dimitra Simeonidou from the School of Computing and Electronic Engineering was part of the committee who chose PhD Student Yannick Chassagneux as the winner of the first Photonics21 Student Innovation Award.
AZONanotechnology.com

Findings from C. Zabel and co-authors broaden understanding of population research
Using data from the British Household Panel Survey, a German academic has conducted research into whether women postponed first birth in accordance with tenure requirements for maternity leave.
Science Letter

Daily Diary
Professor Anthony King will give evidence to the First Committee on Standards on Public Life public hearing on MPs' expenses.
Press Association

Monday 15

Essex Uni offers MsC in survey methods
The University of Essex is offering the UK’s first masters degree in survey methods. The course will be taught by staff from the university’s Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) and the department of sociology, and will cover sampling methods, questionnaire design, management of the survey process and methods for analysing survey data. Read the article here.
Research Magazine

Blur on comeback trail
Colchester's most famous sons returned to their roots at the weekend and performed an astounding concert in a converted Essex railway goods shed.
The concert took many in the audience back to the heady Colchester music scene of 20 years ago, when bands with names such as Penny Arcade, Idle Vice and The Mysterie Boys played venues like Fagin's Den, the Institute, the Arts Centre and Essex University. Read the article here.
East Anglian Daily Times

Saturday 13

Postcards from the edge
University of Essex sociologist Mike Roper has written a book on soldiers' emotional traumas in the first world war. The Secret Battle: Emotional Survival in the Great War is published by Manchester University. Read the whole article here.
East Anglian Daily Times

A nation of accountants
The growing industry has aided corruption, fraud and unethical governance. Why does the state help it audit society at a profit? Read Professor Prem Sikka's article here.
The Guardian

Girls compete without the boys
Girls going to single-sex schools are more competitive than their co- educated peers, research has found. A study of competitive behaviour and gender differences by Australian National University economist Professor Alison Booth and Dr Patrick Nolen, of Essex University, found girls' environments could have more of an impact on competitiveness than their genetic identity.
Canberra Times

Studies from University of Essex update current data on anxiety disorders
Professor Elaine Fox from the Department of Psychology has had a study entitled 'Looking on the bright side: biased attention and the human serotonin transporter gene' published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B - Biological Sciences.
Obesity, Fitness and Wellness Week
 

Friday 12

Is MPs' second job system in our interest?
Calls have been made for MPs to give up their outside interests and concentrate on representing constituents, following the David Amess caravan row.  Paul Whiteley, Professor of Government at the University of Essex, which has a campus in Southend, said: “The traditional view is that it’s a good thing for MPs to have outside interests, as it keeps them in touch with the world outside Westminster." Read his comments and the full article here.
Echo

If Essex girls sound coarse, you're a snob
Essex's much-derided accents only sound unpleasant to the ears of snobs says Dr David Britain from the Department of Language and Linguistics. He says "attitude to accent is usually influenced by attitudes towards the people who speak those accents".
Gazette
Halstead Gazette
Harwich and Manningtree Standard
Echo
Basildon Recorder
Brentwood Weekly News

Rising stars battle for league honours
Budding Squash players battled for honours in the finals of the North Essex Junior League, held at the University of Essex and sponsored by the North Essex Squash Academy.
Essex County Standard

Free-range Fitness
While it may be a bit over-eager to throw on the shorts once the temperature hits 10 degrees Celsius, warmer weather does offer fantastic opportunities for a jaunt in the elements. In fact, there may be some psychological perks—beyond the mental health benefits of exercise in general—to working out in the fresh air.  A study conducted by the University of Essex in 2005 revealed that individuals exposed to images of the outdoors while exercising reported higher levels of self-esteem post-workout than those who were not. Read the whole article here.
Green Living
The Huffington Post
 

Thursday 11

Youngsters from Helmsley's 1812 youth theatre group set out on acting careers
Four teenagers who are all members of the 1812 youth theatre group are going off to Acting Schools or into Theatre.  One of the members, Nathaniel Priestley, 19, has been accepted into East 15 acting school.
Gazette and Herald

Philosophy returns to the streets
The ancient tradition of discussing philosophy on the streets is about to come to Colchester as weekly Philosophy Cafes start up tonight.  The events, organised by the Philosophy Department at the University of Essex, will discuss topics such as why we need love and the meaning of life.
Gazette

Museum of Latin American Art names new curator
An art expert who has worked with both Latin American art and a family foundation has come to Long Beach to do more of the same. Cecilia Fajardo-Hill has been named to a newly created position called vice president of curatorial affairs and chief curator at the Museum of Latin American Art. Before working in Miami, Fajardo-Hill was a gallery director in Caracas, Venezuela. She studied art history at the University of Essex and the Courtauld Institute of Art in England. Read the article here.
Press-Telegram, Long Beach
InsideBayArea.com

How Shekarau Rescued Pfizer Victims
Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State led a Nigerian delegation to the final negotiation with the representatives of Pfizer to London on compensation to the families of the victims of the 1996 Trovan vaccine test in Kano. Besides the Pfizer affair, the governor used the opportunity of the London trip to present a paper titled “The Right of the Accused under Shari’a: A Case Study of Kano” at the University of Essex, Centre for Human Rights. In the paper, he argued that the rights and privileges of an accused person are protected under the Shari’a, like in most other modern legal systems. Read the article here. 
ThisDayonline
AllAfrica.com
This Day, Nigeria

Women outperform men in HE but who wins in the pay stakes?
A new report by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) shows that women enter higher education (HE) in greater numbers than men and get better grades – but in reality white British men are still ahead in the pay stakes. However,  BME groups attend university in far greater numbers as a percentage of their populations than white students and overall this is the case amongst all ethnic groups. Yet despite this, degree attainment is lower amongst BME groups and gaining higher qualifications, despite the financial sacrifices that are made, do not necessarily yield well-paid executive positions. For example, a report published at the end of 2008 by the University of Essex found that ALL ethnic minority groups earn less than white British men (against which BME groups and women are measured). Read the whole article here.
Colourful

Wednesday 10

Election day looms as MPs prepare to choose next Speaker
With many candidates having expenses problems, the contest to replace Michael Martin remains wide open. Some Tories fear that Labour colleagues will help elect Essex Graduate Bercow, MP for Buckingham and a maverick of a different kind from Shepherd or Field, men whose political views are mature and consistent. Read the Politics blog here.
The Guardian

Association tasks Nigerians on re-branding project
Nigerians have been urged to show more commitment in the ongoing re-branding Nigeria campaign of the Federal Government. The call was made at this year's induction ceremony of the Club of Merit Association in Lagos. The President, Mr Ifeanyi Orakwe, reminded Nigerians that the world was fast loosing its respect for the country and hence, the need for concerted efforts to restore Nigeria's fading image. Among the new members inducted was the University of Essex England, Regional Officer, Mr Arinze Odiari. Read the article here.
METRO

British war volunteers granted Spanish citizenship
Spain will put one of the most painful moments in its history behind it today when it grants honorary passports to the British men who fought against fascism in the country's civil war. The award could not come at a more symbolic time, as the UK still reels from electing two British National party (BNP) MEPs to the European parliament. But Rainer Schulze, head of history at Essex University, warned against drawing too strong a comparison between yesterday's struggle and today's BNP. "Fascism was alive and well in Britain at the time," he told politics.co.uk. Read the whole article here.
Politics.co.uk

Archivists launch campaign to save Essex accent
Archivists have launched a campaign to save the Essex accent claiming it has been put under threat by London Cockneys moving into the county...David Britain, a senior researcher in Language and Linguistics at the University of Essex, said it was unfortunate an Essex accent was often associated with stupidity.
Daily Telegraph

Tuesday 9

HESA Performance Indicators Show That 1994 Group Universities Are 'elite But Not Elitist'
1994 Group universities are continuing to widen access to higher education, attracting over 4/5 of their students from state schools for a third consecutive year, as highlighted by statistics published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA.) As well as increasing their average percentage of entrants from state schools by three times the national average, 1994 Group universities have also achieved drop-out rates well below the sector-wide average for a forth year running, signalling that wider participation and high quality student experience can go hand in hand. Read the article here.
Medical News Today

CD launched to preserve Essex dialect from the threat of the Cockney accent
Lyrical and musical? The Essex accent has been made famous by the likes of Denise van Outen...But David Britain, a senior researcher in Language and Linguistics at the University of Essex, said it was unfortunate an Essex accent was often associated with stupidity. He said: 'It is more of a social stereotype than a language stereotype.
Daily Mail - Washington DC Bureau

Professor Peter Townsend
Founding Professor of Sociology at the University of Essex, Peter Townsend has died at the age of 81. Read his obituary here.
The Guardian
The Times
The Independent
The Scotsman

Review launched into campus parking row
A review into a parking arrangements at the University of Essex has been launched thanks to a campaign group. The review committee has now been set up by university bosses to look at the situation.
Gazette

From yoga for gut pain to hiking for hypertension, how choosing the right exercise can cure your health problems
Feeling blue? Then ‘ecotherapy’ - walking in a park or the countryside - could be the key to boosting your mood. According to studies at the University of Essex commissioned by Mind, a walk surrounded by nature reduces depression whereas a walk in a shopping centre or city increases mood problems. Read the article here.
Daily Mail
 

Monday 8

Station revamp plans all set for green light
Hopes for a major revamp of Colchester’s Hythe railway station came a step closer, as planners were advised to approve a blueprint at their next meeting. The scheme, part of the ongoing regeneration and improvement of the Hythe, would see a ramp installed from Station Road directly up to the platform, the addition of sheltered bike storage areas for cyclists, and new seating. It believes the station should be an important feature in future development of the Hythe, particularly because it is so close to Essex University. Read the whole story here.
Harwich and Manningtree Standard
Halstead Gazette
Gazette

Studies from University of Essex update current data on anxiety disorders
Professor Elaine Fox from the Department of Psychology and colleagues have had the results of their research published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B - Biological Sciences. The research is called 'Looking on the bright side: biased attention and the human serotonin transporter gene'.
Mental Health Weekly Digest
NewsRX.com

In Britain, a Desperate Gordon Brown Hangs On
Two years ago, Gordon Brown entered 10 Downing Street for the first time as prime minister and promised, without a smile, to "try my utmost."  Now a battered Brown finds himself desperately clinging to his job, facing a fed-up public, a rebellious party and, if things get much worse, the prospect of being one of the shortest-serving prime ministers in modern British history. "It is a tragedy. He wanted the job so desperately, and very few people think he's doing it well," said Anthony King, professor of government at the University of Essex. "He lacks friends, he's acquired enemies, and he has very few admirers, even in his own government." Read the whole article here.
Washington Post

Young Stars battle for honours
Budding squash players battled for honours in the finals of the North Essex Junior League held at the University of Essex.
Gazette
Clacton, Walton and Frinton Gazette
Harwich and Manningtree Standard

Saturday 6

Even now, he might sit it out
Not since Sir Geoffrey Howe resigned from Margaret Thatcher's government in November 1990 and set in train the events that led to her removal from Downing Street has a Cabinet departure been calculated to cause so much damage. Hazel Blears may be a smaller political beast, in every sense; but the timing of her announcement, just an hour before Prime Minister's Question Time was devastating, and was intended to be so. Read Professor Anthony King's comments on the crisis here.
Gulf News

Colchester What next for Bourne Mill?
Last August, the National Trust appealed for ideas for Bourne Mill in Colchester. Now, staff have formed a working party to delve into the ideas collated, with a view to setting up projects for the future. Education will be a firm focus for the property, with students from Colchester Institute and Essex University to become involved. The staff at the Mill would hope to create a link with the university, so students can do a feasibility study about having hydroelectric power at the mill. Read the article here.
Essex County Standard

Poll analysis: Labour has been 'prodigiously and comprehensively thumped'
Read Professor Anthony King's analysis here.
Daily Mail

Friday 5

Braintree Stage school youngsters shine
Award-winning stage school Stageability with centres throughout Essex helps to build children’s confidence and their ability to express themselves. The approach taken to their business by Gary and Ann Sullivan from Great Leighs has seen it flourish from one centre in Thurrock 17 years ago to 11 in Essex, including one at Vestry Hall, St Michael’s Lane, Braintree. One of the shows they will be putting on in December will be Les Miserables and it is being staged at the University of Essex.
Halstead Gazette
Gazette

Jobs Despair
Shocking figures reveal the tough challenge Colcestrians are facing in finding a job in the recession. Unemployment in Colchester is twice as high as it was two years ago - with few signs of the green shoots of economic recovery. Information provided by major employers in Colchester including the University of Essex reveal that there are ten times as many applicants applying for jobs compared to two years ago. Read the whole story here.
Essex County Standard

Join the Race for Life
There are still places available for the Cancer Research Race for Life taking place at the University of Essex on Sunday 26 July.
Essex County Standard

Getting a taste of student life
Prospective students thinking about going to university next year have the chance to find out what student life is really like as Essex University prepares to open its doors on 20 June for an Open Day.
Essex County Standard

Professor to have his say
An Essex University Professor will be the first witness to give evidence at an inquiry into MP's expenses. The Committee on Standards in Public Life have called on him to offer his expert opinion at a public hearing, in Westminster on 16 June.
Gazette
Essex County Standard

Town graduate in running for Speaker position
Essex Graduate John Bercow is among the MPs being touted as the new Speaker. Mr Bercow graduated in 1985 with a first class honours degree.
Essex County Standard

Thursday 4

Nature, exercise, & health and where you can get your dose of outdoor fitness in Chicago
Leading an active lifestyle can enhance both your physical health and mental well-being, but when you combine physical activity with the great outdoors you get an added health benefit. Jules Pretty, professor of environment and society at the University of Essex, says that “being close to nature seems to improve our well-being, even when it is bitterly cold, fiendishly hot, or pouring rain. Being active outdoors seems to bring clear benefits, regardless of level of activity or time spent. Psychologically, it improves mood and self-esteem, and reduces anger, confusion, depression and tension.” Read the whole article here.
Examiner.com

We need to set up a new standards agency
On 7 May 2009 Colin Riordan, who chairs the appropriate committee of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, wrote in Times Higher Education "the sector accepts that quality is subject to a national regulatory framework operated by the QAA, but rightly insists that standards are an essential element of institutional autonomy, guaranteed by the institutions themselves... standards are properly the preserve of autonomous higher education institutions."
The Independent

Even now, Gordon Brown might sit it out
Professor Anthony King comments on the current political situation with regard to Gordon Brown. Read the article here.
Telegraph.co.uk
Expressbuzz.co.uk

The corporate death-grip on reform
With government in the sway of the big banks, corporate elites have stifled the possibility of radical financial reform. Read Professor Prem Sikka's article here.
The Guardian
 

Wednesday 3

The Times Good University Guide 2010
University of Essex is ranked 43rd (down one from 42nd last year) in the Times Good University Guide 2010.  Essex is ranked tenth in Sports Science, and is also one of the most international universities in the UK, with 27% of students coming from overseas.
The Times

Still places left to race for cancer charity
2,122 women have already signed up for the Cancer Research UK Race for Life next month, which will take place at Essex University on Sunday July 26.  There are still places available, details can be found at www.raceforlife.org.
Gazette

Training Clinics to boost lung care
Community clinics will be set up to help patients with a chronic lung disease as part of a new training project in south Essex. The new clinics form part of a course introduced at the University of Essex, which is working with Southend Hospital and primary care trust NHS South East Essex.  The article can be found here.
Echo

No short-term harm from mobile phone masts
"Phone masts. Phones. Chip and pin machines. Wi-fi. Try not to worry" twitters Anorak, referring to a study led by Elaine Fox of Essex University.  Read the post here.
Anorak News

KSRC conference set for 14th in London
The Khurasan Studies and Research Centre (KSRC) will organise its third conference in London.  On the occasion, Zalmai Nishat, a researcher at the University of Essex, will present results of his studies in Ethnic Nationalism in Afghanistan.
Pajhwok Afghan News

Tuesday 2

Monday 1

Healthy hiking happiness
A study commissioned by the leading British mental health charity MIND, suggests hiking contributes to improved mental and emotional health. Focusing on people affected by depression, researchers from the University of Essex compared the benefits of hiking a trail through the woods, and around a lake in a nature park, to walking in an indoor shopping center. The researchers found that the hikers realized far greater benefits than the mall walkers. In fact, they found that taking a hike in the countryside reduces depression, whereas walking in a shopping center increases depression. Read the article here.
Examiner

Look out: Mc's back in town
A quintessential Dub, Colm McCarthy still speaks the language of the bar rather than the boardroom, say colleagues. In a surprise move, he left consultancy to take a lecturing job in UCD. His next task? Cutting the State’s huge budget deficit. Read more about the University of Essex Economic graduate here.
Irish Times

Day of orienteering
Families can try something new at a fun orienteering event in the park and woods in the grounds of Essex University on Sunday 14 June.
Gazette

Our running team's 579 years old!
Eight women who have a combined age of 579 years are taking on the 5km Race for Life at the University of Essex on 26 July.
Gazette

May 2009

Sunday 31

Is marrying for money worth it?
A new book advises women to marry for money rather than love. But is it ever really worth it? Research undertaken by Professor Stephen Jenkins from the Institute of Social and Economic Research found that five years after divorce, men were 25% richer, whereas women still had less money than they did pre-split; and that 31% of mothers receive no payment for children. Read the whole article here.
Sunday Times
The Times