2021

Keele’s Vice-Chancellor has welcomed the approval of a new £13 million Institute of Technology (IoT) for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

Two new short courses will be developed by Keele University for professionals who are looking to upskill in the fields of data, AI, and sustainable development, after the university secured funding from the Office for Students (OfS).

Keele University Day Nursery has received an “outstanding” Ofsted rating following a recent inspection.

A Keele University researcher is lending her expertise to a new project that will help increase digital inclusion and reduce isolation within local communities in Stoke-on-Trent.

A team of researchers including anatomy experts from Keele University have published new research investigating whether it was anatomically possible for an infamous, brutal Viking ritual to be carried out as described, which could support any discussions as to whether it is likely to have taken place.

Dr Heidi Fuller and Luke John Murphy write for The Conversation

Dr Gabriella Legrenzi writes for The Conversation.

Keele academics have continued to share their expertise, research, and good news all around the world through media engagement this year. Here, we take a look back at some of the highlights from 2021.

Senior leaders from Keele University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery have paid a heartfelt tribute to the Keele-trained nurses and midwives working in the NHS as they prepare for another hard winter amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Keele University has launched new undergraduate and postgraduate courses in cyber security to train a new generation of professionals in how to combat online threats.

Dr Sara Vestergren writes for The Conversation.

A Keele University professor has been named as a Fellow of the Queen’s Nursing Institute in recognition of her significant contribution to nursing.

A Keele University professor has secured a prestigious human rights research fellowship at Oxford University.

Keele University has been judged as a “First Class” university in an assessment of its environmental and ethical impact.

Dr Tolu Olarewaju writes for The Conversation.

Professor Tomoya Obokata has conducted his first official mission abroad in his role as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.

Professor Coel Hellier writes for The Conversation.

Since graduating in 1981, alumnus Mike Tipton has spent 40 years studying the body’s responses to adverse environments, publishing over 600 research papers and books as well as contributing to drowning prevention campaigns that have been seen by over 50 million people.

A project led by a Keele University professor to improve digital pathways to treatment for patients with low back pain, has secured funding from the NHSX Adoption Fund.

Dr Jacco van Loon writes for The Conversation's Curious Kids segment.

A Keele University professor is co-leading a research team aiming to improve mental health in tuberculosis (TB) patients by developing a new psychological treatment.

A project to map out secret WW2 bases on British soil has taken another step forward thanks to a £30,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.

Dr Helen Wells writes for The Conversation UK.

A team of academics from Keele University has been named the winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Team Prize for Excellence in Higher Education.

A brand-new Master’s degree designed to address a skills shortage in a highly specialised field of healthcare has been launched at Keele University.

A stylish, multifunctional new space providing catering, social, and learning areas has been officially opened in the heart of Keele University’s campus.

Keele's Professor Zoe Robinson writes about her experience at COP26 in Glasgow.

A top Government adviser has praised the outstanding quality of Keele’s health and social care research and the strong links with NHS and care partners during a visit to the School of Medicine.

New research has found that people who have had Covid-19 have an increased risk of mental illness, fatigue, and sleep problems.

A change in BMI after retiring from competitive sport could contribute to lower back pain in retired Olympic athletes, according to a new study led by a Keele University researcher.

Keele University hosted a series of sustainability-themed events over the last two weeks as part of its own COP26 Festival event, engaging with over 500 local leaders, businesses, staff, students, school children, and residents.

Keele University welcomed local students to its campus this week to learn more about sustainability as part of the Keele COP26 Festival.

Keele University has joined more than 1,000 universities and colleges around the world in pledging decisive action to reduce its carbon footprint, as the crucial COP26 climate summit in Glasgow takes place.

Since graduating with a degree in Medicine from Keele in 2018, Sajan Khullar is pursuing a career in paediatric medicine at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.

Former professional footballers who headed the ball frequently may suffer from an increased risk of neurodegeneration, according to new research.

A new study has been published which has found that children’s library books do not accurately represent the diversity of the UK population.

Keele's Dr Andrew Rutherford writes for The Conversation UK

A Keele Professor has received a prestigious career award for his work in cardiovascular research and medicine spanning over thirty years.

After applying to Keele through clearing, Ken Andersen shares how his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Maths and Physics propelled his career in neutron science research which has taken him around the world.

Keele Students’ Union’s Co-op store has been chosen as one of just six nationwide - from over 2,500 branches - to be rebranded as Co-op26, in recognition of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) which takes place in Glasgow this month.

A Keele student was invited to 10 Downing Street this week to mark his success in making the finals of a prestigious international competition.

Keele University research on environmental storytelling as an approach to tackle urban air pollution is being showcased as part of the British Academy’s Being Human Festival 2021.

Dr Gabriella Legrenzi from Keele Business School writes for The Conversation UK

Luke Jerram’s popular art installation, GAIA, is set to be installed on the Keele University campus this November.

Dr Tolu Olarewaju from Keele Business School writes for The Conversation UK

Keele University is training the next generation of paramedics with the launch of a brand new course in its School of Medicine.

Keele University will host a series of sustainability-themed events to coincide with the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in November.

A common variation in a specific gene could make home kidney dialysis treatments less effective for some patients, leading to worse outcomes and even death in some cases.

After graduating with a degree in Neuroscience and Biochemistry in 2011, Abid  Taluquedar  went on to pursue a career in  audiology, and  has worked in  places from  Harley Street  to  the Great Ormond Street Hospital. Now,  having launched his own  clinic  - London Audiology - he  reflects on his  time at Keele  and how it set him on his path to helping people hear.

Keele University has increased its renewable energy generation ten-fold during September thanks to the installation of 12,500 solar panels on the new campus Low Carbon Energy Generation Park.

Dr Sharon George from Keele's School of Geography, Geology and the Environment writes for The Conversation UK

A Keele University PhD candidate is one of just two students in England to be shortlisted as a Top 10 Finalist for a prestigious global student award.

Law at Keele University has been ranked among the Top 200 in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings 2022.

Students from the Harper and Keele Veterinary School have started their new academic year in a brand-new facility at Keele University.

Researchers have successfully trialled an intervention which can prevent the onset of depression and loneliness amongst the most vulnerable in society.

A new partnership between Keele University and a leading global education provider will give international students new opportunities to access higher education.

As featured on BBC News, over 75% of cancer patients involved in a study at Katharine House Hospice in Stafford say their mental health has been given a boost thanks to a virtual reality research project by a local filmmaker, in partnership with Keele University researchers.

A Keele University Professor has won a prestigious award from the Institution of Engineering Designers for his work to provide engineering solutions relating to healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Keele astrophysicist has spoken of the importance of international collaboration at a recent summit organised by the United Nations.

An upcoming exhibition will highlight work by artists from around the world created to support vital Keele University research into global health.

Professor Dominic Janes from Keele's School of Humanities writes for The Conversation

An international study led by Keele University’s Emeritus Professor Michael Rigby has assessed the factors that influenced how different countries’ responses affected early control of Covid-19.

A Keele criminologist has played a crucial part in a new national campaign to reduce the number of uninsured drivers.

A new Greggs store is now open on the Keele University campus.

Keele University has joined a scheme which aims to enhance and safeguard the quality of the UK’s teaching and learning delivery abroad.

As we look ahead to the new academic year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the events and achievements of the Keele community in 2020/21.

A Keele University professor has been named as a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in recognition of her significant contribution to nursing.

A Keele University researcher is co-developing a new project to give support to male NHS frontline workers - particularly those who have experienced emotional and mental health problems due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Medicine at Keele has been ranked 4th in England in this year’s Times Good University Guide.

The Universities of Keele, Birmingham and Warwick have formed a consortium to become part of an NIHR-funded body working to improve public health through research.

A Keele University Director is running this year’s London Marathon to raise money for the hospital charity that helped her daughter.

A consortium of 18 UK universities including Keele has been awarded funding to accelerate the uptake of open research practices across the UK academic sector.

Energy generation is now underway at the new Low Carbon Energy Generation Park on the Keele University campus, marking an important milestone in Keele's journey to become carbon neutral by 2030.

A Keele University scientist has received a prestigious award from a national charity to improve methods of detecting prostate cancer earlier, which will improve outcomes for patients.

A team of researchers have discovered a class of drug candidates which may be effective in treating triple-negative breast cancer, a type of cancer which does not respond to mainstream therapy.

A Professor from the Harper and Keele Veterinary School has been appointed as the new Chairman of a Government board advising ministers on animal health and welfare issues.

Blending hydrogen into the natural gas network is a viable and promising strategy for vastly reducing CO2 emissions, a pioneering trial has shown.

Plastic pollution in freshwater lakes can become an established habitat for microscopic algae within just two weeks, according to new research.

Keele University’s School of Medicine is welcoming 15 additional students this academic year as part of a national scheme led by the Department for Education (DfE).

A new Co-op store has been officially opened at Keele University’s Students’ Union, following an opening ceremony on campus.

Keele researchers are set to work with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue to develop mental health support for older adults that can be delivered through the fire service, in an innovative new project.

Keele University has secured funding of £910,000 as part of the Government’s new Turing Scheme, which will facilitate opportunities for Keele students to study abroad.

A Consultant Professor in Regenerative Orthopaedics has been appointed by leaders at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) and Keele University.

Dr Tom Kingstone and Professor Lisa Dikomitis write for The Conversation UK.

Dr Maddy Thompson writes for The Conversation.

Scientists have measured thousands of nearby stars and far away galaxies that have never been identified before at radio wavelengths, while studying a galactic body that neighbours our own Milky Way galaxy – the Large Magellanic Cloud.

Keele University has secured nearly £1m in Government funding to implement an ambitious decarbonisation scheme on campus which will save 241 tonnes of CO2 every year.

New research from Keele University has highlighted the key challenges that workers in the social care sector faced during the first wave of Covid-19.

A new app has been launched by an international team of scientists including Keele’s Professor Toby Bruce, to support farmers across Africa to use innovative, environmentally friendly techniques for evading crop pests.

A study led by Keele University researchers has identified a range of potential triggers which may lead to acute flares of knee pain in adults with, or at risk of, knee osteoarthritis.

A new study of patients who suffered blood clots in the brain following Covid-19 vaccination provides data to help clinicians diagnose and treat this rare but dangerous condition.

Ella Tennant writes for The Conversation.

A licensed drug normally used to treat abnormal levels of fatty substances in the blood could reduce infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) virus by up to 70 per cent, according to new laboratory research by an international team of researchers.

Over 70 students from Keele University’s Business School have worked alongside local charities to support their recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Researchers, including a Keele University volcanologist, have discovered how the rise and fall of sea levels influence the likelihood of volcanic eruptions on the Greek island of Santorini.

Researchers at Keele University have found that the attitudes of GPs, and having access to GPs, can play a crucial role for young people who self-harm in deciding whether to seek help.

Dr Abigail Pearson writes for The Conversation.

Keele University’s Professor Ian Cumming OBE is leading the response to Covid-19 for the UK’s fourteen overseas territories including Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, and Bermuda in his role as UK Ambassador for Health of Overseas Territories during Covid-19.

Keele University has climbed impressively in a university ranking based purely on student reviews, ranking 5th out of all universities in the UK and winning five awards in total.

Ofsted inspectors have praised Keele’s approach to apprenticeship delivery after a recent monitoring visit, with the University’s apprenticeship provision being commended for making “significant progress” across all three inspection themes.

Construction is now underway on the latest Innovation Centre on Keele University’s Science and Innovation Park, which is set to open in 2022.

Social work at Keele has been ranked among the Top 10 in England in the Complete University Guide 2022.

We are delighted to announce that medical student Jenna Volpert has won our prestigious Student of the Year award for 2020/21.

A new UK-wide study aims to improve healthcare and outcomes for pregnant women who have two or more active long-term health conditions.

A Keele researcher has been awarded a prestigious grant to develop ways of improving the manufacture of an advanced nanoscale technology – quantum dots.

Keele University researchers have completed the first phase of trials for treatments which aim to improve outcomes for stroke survivors that are learning to walk again.

A Keele researcher who is also a practising GP has been named as a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in recognition of his significant contribution to general practice.

The Keele Policing Academic Collaboration (KPAC) is working with Transport for London (TfL) to analyse passenger behaviour during incidents in order to understand the impact that this can have on public safety during evacuations.

Keele University’s Professor Pauline Walsh has been appointed as the new Convenor of a collaborative partnership to improve health across the Midlands.

Keele University has been ranked among the Top 10 universities in England (broad-based public institutions) for overall Student Satisfaction in this year’s National Student Survey (NSS).

A Keele University Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project will use neuroscience to develop marketing strategies with a local IT consultancy.

A study led by a Keele scientist has given researchers a greater understanding of the mating behaviour of a devastating African crop pest, which will help them to develop better methods of pest control and management.

Keele University’s School of Medicine has been recognised as one of the best in Europe for rheumatology research.

A study led by Keele University aims to improve outcomes for pregnant women who are at a higher risk of complications due to a current or historical cancer diagnosis.

Dr Neil Archer writes for The Conversation.

Nursing and Midwifery at Keele has been ranked in the Top 10 in England in the Complete University Guide 2022, with a perfect score of 100% for graduate prospects.

A Keele University criminologist is calling for change in the behavioural management of children in Young Offenders' Institutions (YOI), as part of a study into the experiences of children going through the youth justice system.

Keele has been recognised as the top university in the world for sustainability at a prestigious awards ceremony celebrating sustainability in higher education.

Researchers including a Keele University scientist have engineered an innovative approach to disable highly powerful genetic devices that control harmful insect populations.

Elliott Lancaster, a PhD student at Keele University, has this week received a prestigious Diana Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to society.

Medicine at Keele University has been ranked among the Top 5 in England in the Complete University Guide 2022.

Keele’s Dr Gavin Miller has won a prestigious prize from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for his groundbreaking research in carbohydrate chemistry.

Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health, particularly reduced feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress, according to a major review led by a Keele psychologist.

A Keele Professor is part of a new consortium leading research into the psychosocial mechanisms of chronic pain.

International students arriving at Keele University for the 2021/2022 academic year will be able to receive a support package worth up to £2000 to enable them to travel from their home country to the Keele campus and get settled in safely and easily.

Keele University has retained its ranking of No.1 in England for Forensic Science for a third consecutive year, in The Complete University Guide 2022, thanks to excellent graduate prospects, high research intensity, and research quality.

A Keele University psychologist and undergraduate student are exploring the attitudes of parents and caregivers towards the introduction of the chickenpox vaccination into the routine immunisation schedule for children, and whether they would support such a measure.

Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham has been recognised for her contribution to improving the lives of people with mental illness.

Researchers are calling for changes to working culture and conditions for junior doctors in the UK after their new research has highlighted a lack of access to clinical and emotional support.

Keele University’s Dr Daniel Allen has played an important role in the development of a national charity’s pet theft awareness campaign.

The Keele Institute for Social Inclusion (KISI) is supporting Cheshire West and Chester Council to shape poverty-related policy through new research, which is set to be presented at an online showcase event.

A Keele psychologist was invited by Princeton University to contribute to a meeting with international colleagues to discuss changes to the methods used to study, research and teach psychology.

An alumna of Keele Business School is going from strength to strength in her career after achieving the joint highest score in the world in a professional qualification exam.

Experts from Keele University have worked alongside a national policymaker to develop new learning resources to train healthcare professionals.

Extra meals have been donated to homeless people across the region thanks to Keele University’s partnership with a local homelessness service.

Keele University's Professor Clifford Stott has been awarded an MBE in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Almost 1,200 Keele University students have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at a pop-up clinic on campus this week.

New research led by Keele University will investigate how rehabilitated hedgehogs behave when released back into the wild.

Dr Katie Szkornik, Dean of Education for the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Keele University, has been appointed as a panel Chair as part of Advance HE’s transformation of the Athena Swan UK Charter.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made more people vulnerable to modern slavery and caused an increase in worker exploitation and child labour around the world, Keele researchers have found.

A steering group chaired by Keele’s Vice Chancellor has helped to secure £23.6 million in funding from central government to improve communications, infrastructure and connectivity in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Dr Antonia Law writes for The Conversation.

A major smart energy project in Rugeley involving Keele University has taken a major step forward with the demolition of the town's former cooling towers.

A young author has published her debut novel thanks to support from the government-funded Higher Horizons programme, which is led by Keele University.

Dr Rob Jackson writes for The Conversation.

The work of artists from Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire will once again be available for the public to enjoy online this year.

The installation of 12,500 solar panels at Keele University has started this week, as part of a major low carbon energy project supporting the University’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Keele University is supporting Universities UK’s economic and social recovery campaign to help people and businesses recover from the wide-ranging damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hundreds more local organisations are set to benefit from increased access to world-leading expertise and resources, following an expansion of Keele University’s exclusive business support programmes.

A Keele University student has produced a film documenting how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the lives of staff and residents of YMCA Crewe, as part of a Student Knowledge Exchange internship