Our News

Comment: Britain’s quarter century: Blair, populism and human rights

Writing for The Conversation, Martin Farr and other experts exlore how the UK has changed over the last quarter century as they discuss Blair, populism and the battle over human rights.

Newcastle academic elected to the British Academy

Professor Chantal Conneller has been elected to the British Academy’s Fellowship in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the humanities and social sciences.

Comment: World Cup ‘Falklands are Argentine’ banner

Writing for The Conversation, Matthew Benwell discusses how the World Cup ‘Falklands are Argentine’ banner is a foretaste of diplomatic challenges ahead for the UK.

New future secured for AmberSide Collection

One of the UK’s most significant documentary photography and film collections is on loan to Newcastle University’s Special Collections, thanks to National Lottery funding.

University supports more secure, resilient society

Newcastle University has been selected as a founding member of the UK's new Defence Universities Alliance (DUA).

Comment: Beekeeping as a hobby for young men

Writing for The Conversation, Michael Richardson discusses how beekeeping as a hobby can be a good choice for young men struggling with mental health or loneliness.

Renowned figures given honorary degrees

Leading figures in the video games industry, financial services and women’s health are being recognised with honorary degrees at Newcastle University.

Data suggests greater glacial flood risk faced by Bhutan

Researchers at Newcastle University have carried out the first comprehensive modelling of glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) risk in Bhutan and identified previously unrecognised high-risk lakes.

Comment: Uzbekistan's World Cup appearance

Writing for The Conversation, Nick Megoran discusses how Uzbekistan's World Cup appearance is a moment of pride and shows off central Asia’s peaceful development.

New gallery tour aims to connect visitors to nature

A group of Newcastle University staff and students has developed a new self-guided tour of the collection displays at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle.

Preti Taneja in Conversation with Nikesh Shukla

Newcastle University Professor to interview acclaimed Author Nikesh Shukla at Masala Festival.

Comment: The Makerfield result means Labour might have reason to hope

Writing for The Conversation, Martin Farr discusses how the big win in Makerfield for Andy Burnham might give the Labour party reason to hope.

Academic-directed film adaptation hits the big screen

BAFTA-nominated Newcastle University academic Dr Tina Gharavi’s new film Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day opens in cinemas nationally.

Comment: Experts choose the best songs and albums about fatherhood

Writing for The Conversation, Adam Behr is among the experts selecting the 11 best songs and albums about fatherhood.

Comment: Andy Burnham is back at Westminster

Writing for The Conversation, Andrew Stevens discusses what Andy Burnham's victory says about Britain's changing political system.

Newcastle University spinouts create value of more than £270M

A new report shows value creation by Newcastle University spinouts was more than £270M between 2010 and 2025.

Funding system risks limiting genuine community collaboration

A new policy paper written by researchers at Newcastle University warns that the way UK research is funded may be undermining efforts to create genuinely collaborative partnerships with communities.

Freemen of Newcastle see construction of new Castle Leazes

The Freemen of Newcastle and other key stakeholders have become an indelible part of new student accommodation at Newcastle University’s Castle Leazes.

Comment: Why the Common Travel Area isn’t a ‘loophole’ for migrants

Writing for The Conversation, Colin Murray explains what the Common Travel Area is and why it isn't a 'loophole' for migrants.

Comment: Creative employers are struggling to fill vacancies

Writing for The Conversation, Bernard Hay highlights that many creative employers struggle to fill vacancies due to a lack of skills and suggests how that can be fixed.

UNEE and North East Mayor launch £22.5m fund

Universities for North East England and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness have launched the £22.5m Inspire fund to commercialise academic research and innovation in the region. 

Academic’s new film premieres in North East ahead of national release

BAFTA-nominated Newcastle University academic Dr Tina Gharavi’s new film Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day is set to receive a North East premiere.

Comment: Women’s prize for fiction - six experts review the shortlist

Writing for The Conversation, Professor Anne Whitehead reviews Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly, which has been shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2026.  

Radio show inspired by University music project wins prestigious award

The Song Detectorists has won silver in the New York Festivals Radio 2026 Awards.

Newcastle Innovations to unlock faster routes to innovation and growth

New initiative creates a single front door for businesses, investors and partners to collaborate with Newcastle University and drive economic growth.

Lines of Action

New exhibition at Hatton Gallery 20 June –1 August

Malavika Anderson made co-chair of University Museums Group

Malavika Anderson, Manager of Newcastle University’s Great North Museum: Hancock, has been made co-chair of the University Museums Group (UMG).

Newcastle University Fine Art Degree Show 2026

The next generation of artists is putting their work on show.

Newcastle University led Creative PEC wins national award

The Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) has been awarded the prestigious Arts Professional Award for Excellent Research or Policy Intervention.

Fine Art students win Fellowships to Venice Biennale

James Wheeler and Vinita Gurjar are heading to Italy to work at this year’s prestigious Venice Biennale.

Watershed moment for the Creative industries

A major new study finds creative employers are ambitious for growth but hampered by an outdated skills system.

Newcastle University academics honoured by Royal Geographical Society

Two Newcastle University geographers have received top honours for their work.

Newcastle University academic’s Venice Biennale exhibition to open

Fine Art lecturer Angel Cohn Castle is presenting Shame Parade at the 61st International Art exhibtion with her artistic partner Davide Bugarin.

Discover Festival 2026: Celebrating pioneering research and creativity

Newcastle University’s city-centre campus will be transformed into a hub of exploration and fun for everyone on Saturday, 13 June 2026, as the annual Discover Festival takes place.

Work to begin on repairing Henderson Old Hall

Work to repair the external façade of the fire damaged Grade II listed Henderson Old Hall is due to start in May.

Restoring rivers can slow flows and boost opportunities for wildlife

A major river restoration project in Cumbria has shown that reconnecting rivers to their floodplains can slow the movement of water and improve habitats.

Rare Hong Kong films tour six cities across the UK this Spring

The Waving Kites: Hong Kong Diaspora Cinema UK Tour offers audiences a rare opportunity to engage with independent Hong Kong cinema.

Election ‘transparency gap’ still a key issue in devolved nations

A Newcastle University politics expert has warned that political party donations and election spending in devolved elections are less transparent than for UK general elections.

Manager training in creative industries 11% lower than wider economy

New research finds there is significant room for improvement in management practices in the creative industries.

Elite MBAs still influence who reaches top of corporate America

Graduates of elite MBA programmes are significantly more likely to become top management team members and CEOs than those with non elite MBAs or no MBA at all.

Lough Neagh sand mining threatens lake’s ecosystem, research warns

New research involving Newcastle University outlines how Lough Neagh, the UK and Ireland’s largest freshwater lake, is under threat from commercial sand dredging.

Newcastle University recognised with geography award

Newcastle University has been awarded the Highly Commended Geographical Association Publishers Award for its collaboration with Time for Geography, the UK’s open-access, dedicated video platform.

Newcastle historians mark General Strike centenary

To mark the 100th anniversary of the British General Strike and miners’ lock-out of 1926, historians at Newcastle University are organising a series of events on its enduring legacy.

Comment: NCP is in administration

Writing for The Conversation, Erwei (David) Xiang discusses how some big companies like NCP are so dependent on debt that they can’t adjust to change.

Neolithic tombs reveal ancient kinship ties

Male individuals buried in Neolithic chambered tombs in northern Scotland were often related to each other through the paternal line and some were interred in the same or nearby tombs, research shows.

We are our Memories

New exhibition by Fine Art graduate Trish Hudson-Moses, 22 April – 4 May 2026

Comment: How eco‑dystopian novels from Asia and Africa push boundaries

Writing for The Conversation, Alastair Bonnett outlines some of his favourite eco-dystopian novels from China and Taiwan, Nigeria and India.

Castle Leazes redevelopment under way

Construction of new student accommodation at Newcastle University’s Castle Leazes has commenced, with the stairwell and lift cores in the first building now installed.

Radio show inspired by music project shortlisted for award

The Song Detectorists has been shortlisted for a prestigious New York Festivals Radio Award.

Comment: The Sex Pistols at 50

Writing for The Conversation, Dr Adam Behr discusses how punk's most notorious band became part of the mainstream.