Newcastle University

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Presentations by students that demonstrate the achievements of their diverse summer research projects and expeditions. These challenging projects reflect the broad range of academic interests across all three Newcastle University faculties. 

West Backworth: systematic survey of a North Tyneside deserted medieval village, David Astbury (BA (Hons) History & Archaeology)

Studies of deserted medieval villages in England contribute to our understanding of many aspects of medieval life; however, few, if any, have been conducted in the North Tyneside region. The remains of West Backworth deserted medieval village are believed to be the best preserved in the region, yet the field in which the remains are situated has never been systematically surveyed. This project aims to illuminate through desktop analysis, basic survey and geophysical prospection the layout of this long disappeared medieval village, and further, to place the evidence obtained into local and national context.

An examination of cellular morphology in the hippocampal formation in late-life depression, Charlotte Rogers (MSci Biomedical Sciences)

Late-life depression affects 12-15% of the population, yet its exact neurobiology is still not fully understood. The ‘vascular depression’ hypothesis suggests damage to vasculature involved in brain function plays a key role. Studies of the hippocampus in particular, a region involved in mood regulation, report reduced volume and increased neuronal atrophy in depressed patients.

We propose to examine the post-mortem brains of late-life depressed patients to assess any changes to the neuronal morphology in the CA1 and subiculum hippocampal regions. We believe that this approach may help find evidence helping to prove the ‘vascular depression’ hypothesis.

Can audio recording be used as a replacement for human observers to survey nightjars?, Ruth Jeavons (BSc (Hons) Zoology)

Many organisations need to monitor and survey sites for a number of reasons. One example is determining the potential impact of proposed development on sites inhabited by protected species, such as nightjars. Nightjars are difficult to detect during the day as they are well camouflaged and do not tend to call in daylight. Therefore surveys at night by experienced ornithologists are needed to monitor this species. However, this is a resource heavy method of surveying. This project aims to explore the potential use of audio recording equipment as an alternative to traditional site surveys.

Bosnia – Hercegovina 20 Years on: Constructing National Identity, Oliver Kemp (BSc (Hons) Geography)

The state of Bosnia-Hercegovina (BiH) came into being in 1992, and was subsequently divided by the 1995 Dayton Accord into three autonomous entities, ending a bloody and bitter war. Twenty years on, this expedition sought to investigate the factors affecting national identity in a fledgling country, divided both physically and in terms of ethnic identity – are people beginning to identify with the new state, rather than along ethnic lines? What are the most significant forces affecting this, and how might it affect the country’s future? The study used a combination of conventional interviews and ethnographic/observational methods in seeking to achieve its aims.

Examining the impacts on the green iguana (Iguana iguana) with regards to tourism, urbanisation, and invasive species, Jessica Fisher, Rachel Blow, Donna Wintersgill and Sarah Wood (BSc (Hons) Zoology)

The island of St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands has been heavily impacted by cruise ship tourists, resort development and an influx of wealthy inhabitants seeking paradise away from mainland USA. A lack of local knowledge and protection enforcement for the island’s wildlife has led to a careless attitude toward the green iguana, an impressive but introduced lizard species. In this research the students compared the status and behaviour of iguana populations in three situations:  tourist centres, enclosed beach resorts and rural areas.