Our News
Read the latest news from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
North East's five universities to strengthen collaboration for impact
The five North East universities are to launch a new partnership to strengthen their collaboration to achieve even greater social and economic impact.
Funding boost for heritage science expertise
Heritage science experts at Newcastle University have received £1.5M in new funding to unlock the potential of existing heritage collections.
Comment: Why being like your boss still matters
Writing for The Conversation, Tom Lane discusses why being like your boss still matters, especially if you share political views
Unearthing the origin story of The Star-Spangled Banner
A radical ballad by Liverpudlian abolitionist is missing link in chain, says acclaimed historian Dr Oskar Jensen
Comment: Disclosures about impact on nature hide more than they reveal
Writing for The Conversation, Erwei (David) Xiang and Marwa Elnahass highlight that businesses that try to come clean about their impact on nature can end up concealing more than they reveal.
Dean appointed to prestigious business school role
Professor Stewart Robinson, Dean at Newcastle University Business School, has been appointed the new Chair of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.
New hub for sonification innovation announced
Newcastle University experts will help deliver a project to improve how we communicate data through sound.
Curtain lifts on historic performance calendar
Painstaking research by a team of volunteers led by a Newcastle University academic has documented thousands of performances at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House in its Victorian/Edwardian heyday.
Pipelines: Newcastle University MFA Degree Show
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree Show brings together the work of emerging artists at both the midpoint and the culmination of two years of study, alongside work by PhD students.
Heritage expertise to lead new climate change project
Newcastle University heritage experts are to lead a groundbreaking project to understand the growing and multiple impacts of climate change on Hadrian’s Wall.
Professor Jacob Polley made a Fellow of the RSL
Professor Jacob Polley has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (RSL).
Statement from Newcastle and Northumbria universities
Joint statement from the Vice-Chancellors of Newcastle and Northumbria universities
Concrete Dreams
New exhibition and project explores radical urban transformations that changed Tyneside
Olympic success for University alumni
Newcastle University alumni are celebrating after gaining medals in rowing at the Olympic games in Paris.
Comment: Peace with Ukraine will need to factor in Russia's reasons
Writing for The Conversation, Nick Megoran explains why Russia’s reasons for invading Ukraine – however debatable - shouldn’t be ignored in a peace deal.
Distinguished figures receive honorary degrees
Outstanding individuals have been recognised with honorary degrees from Newcastle University.
Catrina McHugh Recognised With Honorary Degree
An award-winning playwright who was made an Honorary Doctor of Letters said it honoured "thousands of women thousands of women who have placed their trust” in her the theatre company.
Davina McCall made an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law
The household name, who has presented some of Britain's most popular television programmes, was honoured for the work she has done over the years to shine a spotlight on women’s health.
Glasshouse artists in residence announced
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music announces its three next generation artists appointed as Artists in Residence 2024/25, marking the start of a new partnership with Newcastle University.
Report calls for corporate courage to end racism
A Newcastle University anti-racism expert has led a review for the North East Chamber of Commerce into how businesses in the region can take action to promote diversity and inclusion.
Comment: Ziggy Stardust
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Adam Behr examines how David Bowie developed the role that would bring him undying fame.
Reasons to be cheerful
Writing for Research Professional, Vice-Chancellor Chris Day assesses what the change of government could mean for the university sector
Comment: Alaska’s glaciers approaching irreversible tipping point
Writing for The Conversation, Bethan Davies discusses how the melting of glaciers in a major Alaskan icefield has accelerated and could reach an irreversible tipping point earlier than thought.
Graduates celebrated in North East Emerging Artist Awards
Three local artists have been selected, with two out of the three being recent graduates from Newcastle University’s Fine Art programme.
Comment: Kang Youwei - thinker behind modern China’s transformation
Writing for The Conversation, Daniel Hutton Ferris discusses the revolutionary thinker who has had a profound influence on modern-day China.
University Fellow wins Northern Writers’ Award
Dr Laura Tisdall, NUAcT Fellow in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology has been presented with the Arvon Award as part of New Writing North’s Northern Writers’ Awards.
Melting of Alaskan glaciers shown to be accelerating
Melting of glaciers in a major Alaskan icefield has accelerated and could reach an irreversible tipping point earlier than previously thought, research led by Newcastle University suggests.
Artist Emily Cropton to explore wellbeing in rural communities
Newcastle University and The Maltings (Berwick) Trust have appointed artist Emily Cropton to undertake a research commission to explore wellbeing in rural communities.
Comment: Tackling the ticket touts
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Adam Behr discusses why finally, the time to tackle ticket touts may have come.
Newcastle University academic wins Architects' Journal award
Jack Mutton, Lecturer in Architecture at Newcastle University, has won awards for his work to transform a derelict office block into artists’ studios and community spaces.
Newcastle University artists recognised
Five Newcastle University students and graduates have been shortlisted in this year’s North East Emerging Artist Award, based at the National Trust’s Seaton Delaval Hall.
Architecture Degree Show 2024
The annual celebration of work by students in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, is going on show.
Judges announced as Gordon Burn Prize 2025 opens for entry
The Gordon Burn Prize 2025 is now open for entry to both fiction and non-fiction books that are fearless in their ambition and execution.
Final year of excavations commence at Birdoswald Roman fort
Work has begun on the final season of a long-term programme at the Roman fort of Birdoswald, on the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site.
Comment: We don’t know enough about how money is spent in elections
Writing for The Conversation, Professor Alistair Clark discusses how it is getting more expensive to hold elections, saying greater transparency is needed.
Comment: Save our grassroots music spaces
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Adam Behr discusses a cross-party report which calls for a levy to help venues in crisis.
Event connects North East partners to optimise devolution opportunity
The second Insights North East annual conference comes at a critical juncture for the region and will bring together key policymakers, experts and organisations.
Comment: Paul Weller 66
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Adam Behr reviews a skilful, layered album that pays homage to rock music.
Comment: Mexico’s voters set to elect first woman president
Writing for The Conversation, Rosario Aguilar discusses the election in Mexico this weekend, and how the country looks set to make history by electing its first woman president.
Celebrating 15 years of the Great North Museum: Hancock
It's been 15 years since the renowned architect Sir Terry Farrell gave the Hancock Museum a makeover, transforming it into the Great North Museum: Hancock.
Unique visualisations offer chance to explore ancient Rome
A new exhibition at Newcastle University's Great North Museum: Hancock uses stunning visualisations to transport visitors on a time-travelling journey to Ancient Rome.
Celebrating the past and present of Fine Art at Newcastle University
The BA Hons Fine Art course is celebrating its centenary as the next generation of talented artists to study at the University get ready for their Degree Show.
Comment: Bridgerton - the real ladies of the ton weren’t so ignorant
Writing for The Conversation, Meg Kobza discusses how, although many of the characters in Bridgerton know little about sex, the real ladies of the ton weren’t so ignorant.
Comment: Let It Be
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Adam Behr discusses how the rerelease of the 1970 Beatles film reveals how the history of popular music is written.
Comment: Fresh tensions over Ireland’s post-Brexit border
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Niall Cunningham discusses the impact of the recent increase in asylum seekers that Ireland has experienced.
Comment: International Booker prize 2024
Writing for The Conversation, Professor Anne Whitehead is one of six experts to review the shortlist for the prestigious award.
New report calls for ‘fresh start for Sure Start’
The document written by Professor Liz Todd, sets out the case for a new updated model of Sure Start that puts schools and nurseries at its heart.
Comment: Blackpool South byelection
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Martin Farr discusses the significance of the local election results.
Newcastle expert helps reveal link between ancient Rome and Carlisle
A Newcastle University lab technician has played a pivotal role in establishing the connection between a modern day cricket club in Carlisle and the centre of Roman power in the third century AD.