University of Portsmouth

Audio version of a University of Portsmouth Education Matters blog, 'Whole organisation learning for socially just education and outcomes'. It describes a recent collaboration between Dr Catherine Murgatroyd, Principal Lecturer in Higher Education (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), and Fiona Hnatow, Head of Human Resources, to ensure that every member of the University community embodies and models the attributes that support students to become successful graduates. Education Matters Blog: https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/blogs/education-matters

The railways are part of our country’s heritage – and for many of us, a regular part of our lives. What can we learn from the past to ensure train travel is safer than ever in the 21st century? In the last in the current series of Life Solved, Dr Mike Esbester explains how a growing historical database of railway accidents, going back over 150 years, could create safer journeys and be a useful resource for those exploring their family’s past. With 21,000 cases documented so far, the Railway Work, Life And Death Project reveals how staffing levels have changed over the years and how passenger and employee safety is addressed today, compared to the approaches of old. The project is particularly timely as current-day rail union members have held industrial action in 2022, citing – amongst other things - concerns over staffing levels. And whilst advanced technology is increasingly available, can decades-old records of accidents inform today’s safety procedures? You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects Dr Mike Esbester is a Senior Lecturer in History https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/mike-esbester Read more about the project https://www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/ https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/caution-railway-safety-1913 The Railway Work, Life And Death database can be downloaded here https://www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/the-accidents/

University of Portsmouth researchers are using techniques, normally reserved for athletes, to help aid weight loss and address the challenges of diabetes. In the latest episode of Life Solved, Dr Ant Shepherd takes us through a unique project to investigate how altitude and temperature could be of benefit to millions of people in the UK. The project is currently taking place in the 'Extreme Environments Laboratory' at the University Of Portsmouth, using both state-of-the-art techniques but also more familiar features like hot tubs! In the podcast Ant takes us through the results of the experiments that have already been conducted and explains why he thinks it is entirely possible that the technology needed to address the obesity crisis could be an integral part of people's homes in the future. You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects Dr Ant Shepherd is a Senior Lecturer in the School Of Sport, Health & Exercise Science https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/ant-shepherd Read more about the project https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/news/call-for-volunteers-with-type-2-diabetes-to-trial-weight-loss-technology https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-61864181 For advice on diabetes https://www.diabetes.co.uk/

University of Portsmouth researchers are using the latest digital technology to help more of us uncover the secrets of our seas. In the latest episode of Life Solved, Dr Ann Coats takes us through a cutting-edge project to investigate shipwrecks around the UK coastline and reveal more about our maritime past. By drawing together research from across different disciplines, the Unpath’d Waters Project (UNPATH for short) has been working with museums and exhibitions such as Portsmouth’s Mary Rose, to design immersive exhibitions. But other specialist groups are also gathering information about our past, from landscapes to ocean scientists, by studying the UK’s shipwreck hotspots. In the podcast Ann takes us through the stages to this enormous project, and its big picture of creating an astounding, accessible resource upon the history of our seas. You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects Dr Ann Coats is a Reader in Maritime Heritage https://port.academia.edu/AnnCoats Find out more about UNPATH and its role in the UK’s Maritime Heritage https://unpathdwaters.org.uk https://historicengland.org.uk/research/current/discover-and-understand/coastal-and-marine/unpathd-waters/ The Mary Rose has been immersing visitors in the past life of this ship and its residents https://maryrose.org Find out more about famous shipwrecks and the history behind them https://www.history.co.uk/articles/there-are-40000-shipwrecks-around-the-british-isles-here-are-the-most-fascinating https://www.historyhit.com/guides/shipwrecks-you-can-visit-in-the-uk/ https://www.businessinsider.com/shipwreck-photos-history-2018-4?r=US&IR=T

It’s possible there’s a fifth form of matter out there, and you might be using it right now. University of Portsmouth research stretches across the disciplines to help us understand our world better. And in today’s episode of Life Solved we hear from one academic who might be about to transform our concept of reality! Dr Melvin Vopson thinks he might have found the missing piece to understanding matter in our universe, and he’s planning an experiment to find out if “information” is the fifth form of matter. Get ready for some complex physics, brilliant theory and a workout for your mind as Melvin takes us through this exciting new theory – and its possible implications! You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects USEFUL LINKS Dr Melvin Vopson https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/melvin-vopson https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/news/new-experiment-could-confirm-the-fifth-element Melvin on The Conversation https://theconversation.com/profiles/melvin-m-vopson-304487 Is information the fifth element of matter? https://www.iflscience.com/information-fifth-state-matter-physicist-aims-prove-63035 https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2020/06/09/what-are-the-fifth-and-sixth-states-of-matter/?sh=67a3c9814a7f https://futurism.com/the-byte/physicist-information-new-form-matter What are the states of matter? https://www.livescience.com/46506-states-of-matter.html Claude Shannon https://www.quantamagazine.org/how-claude-shannons-information-theory-invented-the-future-20201222/

You might not give a second thought to a well-fitting piece of sports clothing, but when your kit isn’t up to scratch, it can be a real disadvantage to your game. That’s what Dr Jenny Burbage and her team have been addressing through their innovative research in breast health and biomechanics here at the University of Portsmouth. In this episode of Life Solved Jenny shares how inconsistent products, sizing systems and a lack of historic research has left many women wearing the wrong bra for their sport or shape. She discusses what actually makes a good sports bra and the considerations we should have when looking for the right fit. It’s her hope that by addressing the gap in knowledge in this field of biomechanics, we can also address inequalities not only in women’s sport but in fields such as the military and police too. You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects USEFUL LINKS Dr Jenny Burbage @jenny_burbage https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/jenny-burbage Breast Biomechanics and Riding Bras https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publications/breast-biomechanics-exercise-induced-breast-pain-mastalgia-breast https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/better-riding-bras-needed-644411 Sport Bra Use https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publications/sports-bra-use-preferences-and-fit-issues-among-exercising-female Bras and the Women’s Euros https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/news/bespoke-bras-given-to-top-sportswomen-to-boost-performance Jenny is part of the University’s Breast Health Research Group https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-centres-and-groups/research-group-in-breast-health How to Buy The Right Bra https://www.stylist.co.uk/fashion/how-to-buy-correct-bra/535700

How can a background in mapping cause you to end up tracking illegal gold miners, and using drones to assist in humanitarian crises? Professor Richard Teeuw is a geomorphologist and remote sensing scientist at the University of Portsmouth. In this episode of Life Solved he explains how his work in geoinformatics and disaster risk reduction has led him to work on tackling challenges here on earth. Thanks to revolutionary modern technology, Richard’s helping more and more organisations embrace mapping and imagery for good. And it’s not just satellite mapping either. His work with uncrewed aircraft systems or drones is helping rescue teams and communities work safely and affordably to save lives in the face of disaster. You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects USEFUL LINKS Professor Richard Teew @Chewwy_Teeuw https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/richard-teeuw Use of drones and mapping in disaster risk reduction https://phys.org/news/2018-02-hurricane-survey-worldwide.html Tackling Illegal Gold Mining in Columbia https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/news/helping-in-the-fight-against-illegal-gold-mining-in-colombia https://blog.maxar.com/earth-intelligence/2022/combating-illegal-gold-mining-in-the-amazon-rainforest-with-maxars-high-resolution-satellite-imagery What is a Cubesat? https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cubesats/overview

Tropical marine ecologist Dr Ian Hendy discusses how he’s working with Spaceport Cornwall to combat climate change.

In a special edition of Life Solved, we’re celebrating the work of researchers across the University of Portsmouth, by chatting to some of the brilliant minds featured in the new edition of SOLVE magazine. Our magazine shares in-depth articles and research highlights from across campus and in this episode Dr Nils Niederstrasser explains the link between chronic pain and physical activity and how we can use these insights for health and wellbeing later in life. We also catch up with Professor Adrian Hopgood on how Artificial Intelligence could improve outcomes for bowel cancer surgery and hospital care, before Dr Nizar Ibrahim shares his thoughts on new talent in a new era of international palaeontology. Dr Patricia Shamai discusses the importance of public opinion, social media and grass-roots action in modern politics and warfare. Plus engineer Dr Jovana Radulocvic shares some important insights into the energy systems we could be using in our homes in the near future. You can download and read the latest copy of SOLVE magazine for free right now on this link. You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects USEFUL LINKS Dr Nils Niederstrasser https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/nils-niederstrasser Professor Adrian Hopgood @adrianhopgood https://adrianhopgood.com/?i=1 Dr Nizar Ibrahim @nizaribrahimphd https://www.nizaribrahim.net Dr Patricia Shamai @pshamai https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/patricia-shamai Dr Jovana Radulocvic @drsuperblondie https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/jovana-radulovic

Every year in the UK alone, 155,000 people go missing. Why do they go missing and how can we protect our vulnerable loved ones better? There are many misconceptions about what it means when a person goes missing, and how you should respond and report this. But one research group from the University of Portsmouth is working to reshape public knowledge and support the services that all play a part in looking after missing persons and their families. Professor Karen Shalev-Greene works in the School of Criminology and Justice and leads the Missing Persons Research Group. She’s had an interest in the field since childhood, when her own father would sometimes go missing following post-war trauma. Karen is passionate about raising the profile of this international problem. She talks to Life Solved about the reasons people go missing, the scale of the problem, and what the public and families should know in order to protect vulnerable people around them. She’s also just launched a podcast called Missing Persons Uncovered, which explores the issues in greater detail as she and her colleague Caroline Humer join forces with experts and practitioners working in the field. You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects USEFUL LINKS Follow Karen’s work here @GreeneShalev https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/karen-shalev-greene Centre for the Study of Missing Persons https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-centres-and-groups/centre-for-the-study-of-missing-persons The Missing Persons Uncovered Website https://missingpersonsuncovered.com The Missing Persons Uncovered Podcast podfollow.com/missingpersonsuncovered The charity Missing People collaborates with the CSMP https://www.missingpeople.org.uk

If you thought VR was just for computer games, then think again! A groundbreaking new centre here at the University of Portsmouth is helping businesses and organisations from every sector transform the way they work. From defence training to medicine, construction and even curing spider phobias, the University’s Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality (CCIXR) is enabling more people to embrace exciting technology and inspiring the next generation of talent. Pippa Bostock is the Business Director at the Centre. In this episode of Life Solved, she explains how students working at the centre are referred to as ‘unicorns’ for their rare and sought-after skills in designing the engines behind simulations. What’s more, she shares exciting stories of how they’ve been working with museums and cultural organisations to present information in new and exciting ways for museum goers. Alex Counsell’s lifelong passion for technology has seen him overseeing the technical side of developing virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality programmes here. If you’re not sure what those terms mean, all is explained in the podcast. Alex has worked with creative partners in theatre as well as an organisation training journalists and first responders in emergency situations. He says we should all get ready for this kind of tech to be a part of daily life very soon. USEFUL LINKS Find out about The CCIXR https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-centres-and-groups/ccixr Follow CCIXR on Twitter https://twitter.com/UniPortCCIXR?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor What is Extended Reality? https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/08/12/what-is-extended-reality-technology-a-simple-explanation-for-anyone/ Have you heard of the Metaverse? https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-metaverse-and-what-can-we-do-there-179200 Work produced by the UoP’s former Motion Capture Studio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds76fUDP1Y4 Alex Counsell https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/persons/alexander-counsell Pippa Bostock https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/pippa-bostock

Life Solved is back this Autumn with a brand new series, and to kick us off, we unpick the complex world of nuclear power plants. As we look to a future of renewable energy options, nuclear energy is back on the table for discussion. Its low carbon footprint presents a greener alternative to fossil fuels, but how does it measure up to wind and solar power when you’re looking at costs, waste and environmental impact? Professor Victor Becerra worked for a power generation company earlier in his career before going into research and academic posts. He came to the University of Portsmouth in 2015 where he has led two projects on control and monitoring of nuclear plants. He joins us to explain how nuclear reactors work and why they’re getting safer thanks to design and technology to make the handling and managing of nuclear power and nuclear waste better. He also explains how new kinds of reactors are in development to help recycle waste as part of the system, and how Cybernetics has helped him consider whole energy systems (including the human element) of design, to make them work for us, safely. USEFUL LINKS Find out about Professor Victor Becerra and his work https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/persons/victor-becerra How do nuclear power stations work? https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/nuclear-101-how-does-nuclear-reactor-work Is Nuclear energy renewable? https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/quick-questions/is-nuclear-energy-renewable.html How the Fast Breeder Reactor Works https://www.britannica.com/technology/liquid-metal-fast-breeder-reactor Control Systems and Cybernetics https://www.techopedia.com/definition/6709/cybernetics

The mystery of how the first quasars in the universe formed – something that has baffled scientists for nearly 20 years – has now been solved by a team of astrophysicists whose findings are published in Nature today. Listen to Dr Daniel Whalen, who led the team of experts, talk about the exciting discovery.

Earlier this month, the UK’s Ivory Act came into force to ensure protection for world’s elephants. The near total ban on elephant ivory sales is one of the toughest of its kind. In a new podcast, Dr Caroline Cox, Senior Lecturer in the School of Law and lead of The Ivory Project, says despite the ban, which came into force on 6 June, online trade is continuing, especially on auction sites such as eBay. In a fascinating discussion, Dr Cox talks about how sellers are flouting eBay's self-imposed ban on the sale of elephant ivory by listing it under pseudonyms such as ‘bovine bone’. Dr Cox and her team under took online forensic study and found hundreds of items listed as bovine bone, which were determined to be ivory. https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects/the-ivory-project https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/features/saving-elephants https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61735044

Have you heard of the Blue Economy? What has the sea got to do with national economies? What does the ocean mean to different nations? And how does the deep, blue sea hold the key to solving some of the most important issues facing our planet today? In the final episode of the series we meet up with Professor Steve Fletcher to explore a step-change in the way we’re thinking about the oceans as a natural resource. Steve explains how human activity has accelerated changes in these epic ecosystems and what that means for our boundaries, economies and the stability of environments. But he’s also revealing the exciting next step in the University of Portsmouth’s Revolution Plastics Initiative. Plastic pollution is damaging the health of people and environments worldwide but by putting research into action through international collaborations, there could still be hope to save our seas and reverse climate change. You can find out more about University of Portsmouth research at port.ac.uk/research Professor Steve Fletcher https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/steve-fletcher Revolution Plastics @UoP Plastics https://www.port.ac.uk/research/themes/sustainability-and-the-environment/revolution-plastics What is the Circular Economy? https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview The Blue Economy https://www.un.org/regularprocess/sites/www.un.org.regularprocess/files/rok_part_2.pdf

This time, hear how one researcher here at Portsmouth is taking a closer look at a pathogen that might be doing some mysterious good in our ecosystems. Christina Scott had a career in water testing before returning to Portsmouth to study bacteria. Her background in marine biology and interest in the environment has caused her to ask the question: why is Legionella in our environment? We may all be familiar with the bad it can do, via Legionnaires’ disease, but Christina has been collecting seawater samples to culture different strains and find their hidden positives. She also shares some thought-provoking ideas on our historical and cultural relationship with bacteria and pathogens. You can find out more about University of Portsmouth research at port.ac.uk/research Christina Scott at the “Pint of Science” festival https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/news/scientists-to-talk-at-portsmouth-pubs-as-part-of-worldwide-festival What is Legionnaries’ Disease? https://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/what-is.htm About Legionella https://legionella.org Microbiology at Portsmouth https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/news/scientists-to-talk-at-portsmouth-pubs-as-part-of-worldwide-festival

The world’s most iconic space telescope has orbited Earth for 31 years peering back into the Universe’s distant past and producing over 1.5 million scientific observations. In this short podcast, astrophysicist Dr Or Graur talks about how he uses the Hubble Space Telescope to inform his research on supernovae - the explosions of stars. He also talks about the Hubble’s successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, and what will happen to the Hubble once it’s eventually discontinued.

A number of UK sporting National Governing Bodies (NGB) are coming together to help tackle the issue of abuse towards officials and how to support them and protect their mental health. In a new podcast, Dr Tom Webb explains how he is trying to increase and develop the conversations between sports and so to be able to get these different sports to discuss the abuse, support and mental health of officials and to look at what can be done across sports to combat these issues. In a fascinating discussion, Dr Webb says the aim is to tackle the abuse that officials face and interconnected issues such as isolation and the impact on mental health, disciplinary processes and duty of care around sports officials. By learning from different sports (both in terms of aspects and initiatives that have worked and those that have not worked) and sharing good practice, it is hoped that the outcomes can help improve the recruitment and retention of sports officials.

Dr Keiron Roberts discusses new findings in a study being published today in the Nature Journal.

In this short podcast, Dr Ann Coats talks about a new project with a huge ambition: to bring the UK's marine history to life. The University of Portsmouth is one of several partners to receive a share of £14.5 million funding to transform online exploration of the UK’s culture and heritage collections through harnessing innovative AI. Listen to Dr Coats, Senior Lecturer from the School of Civil Engineering and Surveying and project lead for Portsmouth, discuss exploring underwater shipwrecks using virtual reality and making the UK’s rich marine history accessible to a global audience.