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Our News

Read the latest news from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Blue plaque honours woman who helped design the Tyne Bridge

A new commemorative plaque has been unveiled on the Tyne Bridge, in honour of Dorothy Buchanan, who was a member of the design team for the bridge which opened in 1928.

Top theatre award for play based on Newcastle academic's research

A play based on research by a Newcastle University academic has won a prestigious theatre award for the way it tackles young fatherhood.

BUILDING: An exhibition under construction

The Farrell Centre presents BUILDING: An exhibition under construction which will transform the exhibition galleries into live making spaces in an exploration of the process of building.

Verses with your veg? Grainger Market to gain Poet-in-Residence

If you fancy stanzas with your strawberries or couplets with your cuppa, then a new position at one of Newcastle’s most famous shopping destinations could be for you.

Reducing stigma of poverty in schools improves maths and reading

Researchers from Newcastle University have identified a link between reducing the stigma of poverty in schools and the reading and maths attainment of pupils.

Kathryn Scanlan wins the Gordon Burn Prize 2023-24

The winner of the £10,000 Gordon Burn Prize is Kathryn Scanlan for Kick the Latch, published by Daunt Books.

Newcastle academic awarded prestigious Fellowship

A Newcastle University academic has received national recognition from the prestigious Academy of Social Sciences for the excellence of her work.

Student strikes the right chord with new orchestra

A second year Music student at Newcastle University is delivering unique shows and genre-bending concerts.

Student success at film awards

The Milky Way won the Regional Student Award: Factual Short at the RTS North East and Borders Awards.

Research-intensive universities generate nearly £38 bn for UK economy

A new report assessing the economic impact of the Russell Group universities, found that for every £1 of public funds invested in research, more than £8.50 was generated for the UK economy.

Architecture formed of fungal mycelium is growing in Newcastle

The Growing Room will be exhibited as part of the Edinburgh Science Festival.

Katie Cuddon: A is for Alma

A is for Alma is Newcastle University artist and academic Katie Cuddon’s first solo exhibition in the city for 15 years.

Newcastle University attractions recognised as Museums of Sanctuary

The Great North Museum: Hancock and Hatton Gallery, which are managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, have been recognised as Museums of Sanctuary by the charity City of Sanctuary UK.

Leading journalists to give Spring INSIGHTS public lectures

The political editor who exposed the Partygate affair and one of the BBC’s best known war reporters will speak as part of Newcastle University’s INSIGHTS public lecture series.

Newcastle University students hit the high notes with The Fairy Queen

Talented young musicians will take to the stage to perform The Fairy Queen on Sunday.

First visual art fellow stages new exhibition at Belsay Hall

Ingrid Pollard MBE has created new work in response to one of Northumbria’s grandest houses Belsay Hall

Academic's adaptation of award winning book premieres

Playwright Dr Zoe Cooper has adapted David Almond's A Song for Ella Grey.

Against the Grain

New art project explores the friendship between two 18th Century artists and radical thinkers

Whodunnit? Newcastle University academic pens murder mystery

Dr Oskar Jensen’s new murder mystery Helle & Death was published this month.

Shortlist announced for the Gordon Burn Prize 2023–24

The shortlist for the Gordon Burn Prize 2023–24, which recognises and celebrates fiction and non-fiction books that are fearless in their ambition and execution, was announced today.

GNM: Hancock's new exhibit gives voice to women of the ancient world

Newcastle University's Great North Museum: Hancock is bridging the gap between past and present with a new exhibition, Voicing Objects.

Comment: Keir Starmer keen to avoid comparisons with Ramsay MacDonald

Writing for The Conversation, Dr Martin Farr discusses the similarities and differences between the challenges facing Ramsay MacDonald, and Sir Keir Starmer, should he be the next Prime Minister.

From dawn of time to dusk – our evolutionary ability to perceive time

Scientists have shown that people are able to tell apart morning from evening depictions in paintings using simple and subtle colour clues in the image.

Mystery of Roman hoard revealed by Newcastle experts

Archaeologists at Newcastle University have revealed the story behind one of the largest and most unusual hoards of late-Roman metalware ever discovered in the British Isles.

Spark your imagination with the Hatton Gallery's exhibitions

Newcastle University's Hatton Gallery will unveil a captivating line-up of exhibitions for winter-spring 2024, including works by internationally acclaimed Latvian American artist Vija Celmins.

Newcastle University academic advises on digital pound

A Newcastle University finance expert is to provide advice to the Bank of England on how the digital pound might be designed.

Newcastle student investigates Roman 12-sided 'mystery objects'

A Newcastle University doctoral student will appear on BBC 2’s Digging for Britain to share her expertise on mysterious Roman artefacts called dodecahedra.

Comment: Six books (and one play) to understand British politics today

Writing for The Conversation, Dr Martin Farr contributes his recommendation for a book that helps explain British politics in 2023.

Newcastle University student wins top architecture award.

Chloe Dalby has won the prestigious Serjeant Award for Excellence in Drawing at Part 2 in this year’s Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President’s Medals.

Good Morning Mr Bewick

A new digital artwork imagines a conversation with famed Northumbrian naturalist Thomas Bewick (1753 – 1828).

Comment: Changing the lyrics to hit songs is a long standing practice

Writing for The Conversation, Dr Adam Behr says that while changing song lyrics is becoming increasingly common, it's not a recent phenomenon.

17th century political texts led the way for social media influencers

A new exhibition will highlight the ways that early political texts tried to influence readers and incite them into action - and the similarities with how political messages are communicated today.

Roman pottery expert honoured by Newcastle University

Kay Hartley, an international scholar in mortarium studies, was made an Honorary Doctor of Letters at a degree ceremony today.

Longlist announced for Gordon Burn Prize 2023-24

The twelve-strong longlist for the Gordon Burn Prize 2023-24 has been revealed, recognising fiction and non-fiction books that are fearless in their ambition and execution.

Investing in ‘creative clusters’ is key to economic growth

The first Creative PEC State of the Nation report provides fresh insight on where policy intervention could be best targeted to bolster the creative industries and help level up the UK economy.

Funding for innovators for the future announced

Two Newcastle University academics have been awarded funding of more than £2.5 million as part of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) flagship Future Leader Fellowships programme.

Houses of Parliament launch for 18th-century elections project

The fascinating history of 18th-century politics has been brought to life with a new resource based on research led by Newcastle University.

Showcasing 75 years of student-led research expeditions

Newcastle University is celebrating the outstanding achievements of students in the field of research and independent overseas research expeditions.

Music academic wins top award

Dr Charlotte Bentley has won an American Musicological Society Award.

Avi-Alarm - Endangered birds sound the alarm on Instagram

New Instagram filters will turn five of the UK’s most threatened bird species into Instagram influencers.

Schoolchildren explore careers in polar research

Hundreds of schoolchildren will visit Newcastle University this week to learn what it is like to be a polar researcher.

Grand coalition formed to create a ‘Northern Creative Corridor'

Newcastle University joins local leaders across the North of England and leading figures in the creative industries to commit to developing a “Northern Creative Corridor”.

Newcastle University music student composes piece for rare carillon

Newcastle Civic Centre’s carillon rings out over the city twice a week.

New funding to help train the next generation of social scientists

A training partnership has secured an investment of over £28m in funding to continue training the next generation of social scientists.

Why has the Angel of the North become a place of memorial?

The Angel of the North is one of the country’s most iconic symbols and is synonymous with the North East.

Marcus Coates: Video Conference for the Birds

Thomas Bewick (1753-1828) and the Digital World

Ancient landscape discovered beneath East Antarctic Ice Sheet 

Scientists at Newcastle University have discovered an ancient landscape that has lain hidden beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet for millions of years.

Comment: The divisions exposed by the conflict in the Middle East

Writing for The Conversation, Dr Martin Farr discusses how the initial political consensus about the conflict in the Middle East has become fractured.

Durham’s colliery coastline at risk from Storm Babet

Researchers from Newcastle University are braving the elements during Storm Babet to document major changes in Durham’s industrial coastline.

Funding helps SHAPE understanding of heritage

A Newcastle University academic is among the first to receive funding for an innovative public engagement research project that will focus on experiential learning for heritage audiences.