Our News
Read the latest news from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Autumn season of INSIGHTS public lectures unveiled
The new series of lectures by leading figures gets underway with discussions ranging from the issues facing rural communities to how animals heal themselves.
Sir Terry Farrell 1938 - 2025
A tribute to Sir Terry Farrell, an architecture graduate and long-standing friend and supporter of Newcastle University.
Newcastle University expert receives prestigious PR award
Anne-Marie Lacey has received the Sir Stephen Tallents' Medal, one of the most prestigious honours in public relations.
AI Growth Zone taskforce to accelerate jobs, skills and growth
Universities across the region, skills providers and industry leaders are to fast-track planning, investment and site development for the North East’s AI Growth Zone.
Newcastle strengthens Knowledge Exchange Framework performance
Newcastle University has built on its reputation for collaborative research and regional impact in the latest assessment known as the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).
UK children dying through poverty, data shows.
Addressing Poverty Update: UK Children Dying through Poverty is the second updated report to be released as part of the Child of the North’s #ChildrenFirst campaign.
Comment: Trump, Charles and Starmer
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Martin Farr discusses Donald Trump's second state visit to the UK.
North East set to become AI powerhouse
The University is playing a key role in an AI Growth Zone in the North East which is set to unlock more than 5,000 new jobs and bring in £30 billion in investment as the region becomes a hub for AI.
Prototype which turns wood into a living textile to go on show
A new wooden prototype which reimagines architecture as a living, adaptive organism has been created by Newcastle University researchers.
Newcastle University academic hits the right note with UKRI Fellowship
Dr Oskar Jensen has been awarded £2m funding to research the history of song.
Comment: Peter Mandelson was always a high risk appointment
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Martin Farr explains why Peter Mandelson's departure is not the end of the matter for Keir Starmer
Comment: Complete honesty might not be the best policy for your CV
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Tom Lane discusses what you should and shouldn't include in your CV.
Why lonely people would prefer a robot over human interaction
Many lonely people would rather deal with a robot than interact with an actual human, according to research co-led by Newcastle University.
University awarded Athena Swan Gold for gender equality work
Newcastle University has reached a significant milestone in its commitment to gender equality by being awarded the prestigious Athena Swan Gold Award – the top recognition in higher education.
Comment: Put down your phone and engage in boredom
Writing for The Conversation, Mehmet Sebih Oruc discusses how philosophy can help with digital overload.
Climate expert awarded Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellowship
Professor Hayley Fowler has been awarded a Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellowship to tackle extreme weather risks.
Business expert honoured for contribution to management history
A Newcastle University business expert has been awarded the prestigious Daniel A. Wren Research Award for Contributions to Management History by the Academy of Management (AOM).
Newcastle University academic wins prestigious award
Dr Joe Lockwood has been awarded the 7th International Handel Research Prize by The Georg Friedrich Händel Society.
Academic to represent Scotland at Venice Biennale 2026
Fine Art lecturer Angel Cohn Castle and her artistic partner Davide Bugarin will present a multi-layered new project which will explore complex emotional legacies of shame, pride and celebration.
Newcastle expert chosen as author for next IPCC report
Professor Bethan Davies has been selected as a lead author for the forthcoming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report 7.
Uta Kögelsberger explores humanity’s relationship with nature
Some Kind of Love: Actions and Reactions to Living on a Damaged Planet, an exhibition by award-winning artist Professor Uta Kögelsberger, will open at the Hatton Gallery, on 20 September.
Comment: Thinking about empathy could cool Britain’s migration rows
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Dimitris Skleparis and colleagues discuss why understanding and overcoming the empathy gap may help to calm the anger demonstrated at recent anti-immigrant protests.
Comment: Kenya’s 1950 Kolloa massacre: communities need closure
Writing for The Conversation, Chloe Josse-Durand discusses how Britain won’t own up to its colonial violence but communities need closure
Newcastle student strikes gold in first excavation
A Newcastle University international student has discovered a rare piece of 9th century gold in Northumberland during her first archaeological excavation.
UNEE responds to exclusion from Global Talent Fund
Universities for North East England (UNEE) have issued a response echoing the concerns of the Great North Mayors regarding the exclusion of northern universities from the UKRI Global Talent Fund.
Comment: When US & Japanese troops stopped fighting to pray together
Writing for The Conversation, Nick Megoran reveals an extraordinary story of when US and Japanese troops stopped fighting in June 1945 to talk, eat and pray together.
Comment: Why modern masculinity is a climate issue
Writing for The Conversation, Michael Richardson discusses ecological masculinities and opening up environmental care to young men.
Women politicians receive more identity-based attacks on social media
Women politicians in Europe receive uncivil tweets regardless of how known they are, new research led by Newcastle University has found.
A Place in the City
New documentary explores hope and resistance in Latin American cities
New student-led forum to boost community collaboration in Newcastle
A new student-led group to develop and promote ways to work together to make Newcastle the best possible place for its students and everyone who resides here has been launched.
Newcastle University academic receives a coveted Fulbright Award
Dr Katharine Wright from Newcastle University’s School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, has been chosen for a Fulbright All Disciplines Scholar Award.
Inspirational figures honoured by Newcastle University
Newcastle University awards honorary degrees to people who have made a positive impact on society.
Remains of ancient river landscapes control East Antarctica ice flow
The remains of landscapes thought to have formed when ancient rivers flowed across East Antarctica have been discovered – and could help predictions of future loss from the ice sheet.
Award winning writer in conversation with Professor Preti Taneja
Gurnaik Johal is to read from his new novel Saraswati as part of the GemArts Masala Festival.
Comment: Norman Tebbit, minister known as Thatcher’s enforcer, dies
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Martin Farr looks back at Lord Tebbit's career in politics.
Comment: An innovation boost for the UK’s creative industries
Writing for The Conversation, Bernard Hay, Head of Policy at the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, gives his expert opinion on the government's sector plan.
Chinese history of Newcastle graveyard explored
The story of six Chinese sailors buried in a Newcastle graveyard will provide the setting for an event exploring new ways to conserve the past and opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration.
Comment: How the Blitz spirit’ defined and divided London after 7/7
Writing for The Conversation, Professor Darren Kelsey discusses the enduring idea of Blitz Spirit.
Comment: Noticed Nigel Farage doesn’t talk about Donald Trump anymore?
Writing for The Conversation, Martin Farr discusses why - though nothing has happened to suggest that bromance is dead - neither Donald Trump nor Nigel Farage publicly now speak of the other.
Researchers bring ancient Roman maths up to date
Ancient mathematical texts that played a key role in constructing the Roman empire will be transformed for the 21st century by researchers at Newcastle University.
North East universities to host international music conference
An international conference celebrating the music of the medieval and Renaissance periods will be hosted by three of the North East’s universities this summer.
Comment: When industry changes, so does what it means to ‘be a man’
Writing for The Conversation, Sophie Lively discusses how class and masculinity are connected and that when industry changes, so does what it means to ‘be a man’
New Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion Launched
Professor Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Engagement & Place, has been appointed to the new Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, to build a more connected sense of community in the UK.
Newcastle University celebrates excellence in Tyne Design Week
University experts are taking part in a new celebration of North East creativity, innovation, and design.
Newcastle academic to host NATO Women, Peace and Security event
A Newcastle University academic will lead a discussion on the importance of the UN Women, Peace and Security agenda, at a special event in The Hague on 23 June, ahead of the NATO Summit.
Pioneering project will create three Green Corridors in the North East
Three Green Corridors will transform urban, suburban, and rural spaces in Gateshead, Durham, and South Tees.
The power of protected status: New platform supports UK producers
A knowledge hub to boost the UK's most celebrated foods and drinks has been launched.
Travel industry must accept plus-size tourists “can and will travel”
Plus-size tourists “can and will travel” and the travel industry needs to wake up to their needs, according to a study of TikTok posts.
Comment: Empowering plus-sized travellers
Writing for The Conversation, Weizheng Zhang and Whitney Vernes discuss four ways that plus-sized travellers can feel empowered this summer.
Comment: Sly Stone: influential funk pioneer
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Adam Behr looks at the legacy of Sly Stone.