Our News
Read the latest news from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
We all came here from somewhere
On show at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art until 9 Feb 2025
Buried landforms reveal North Sea’s ancient glacial past
An international team of researchers, including a glaciologist at Newcastle University, has discovered remarkably well-preserved glacial landforms buried almost 1 km beneath the North Sea.
Comment: Who cares for the British countryside? - new book
Writing for The Conversation, Professor Christopher Rodgers reviews a new book by campaigner Guy Shrubsole, who argues for a radical reappraisal of property and land ownership rights.
Comment: The challenge of translating Japanese’s many words for "I"
Writing for The Conversation, Gitte Marianne Hansen discusses the work of Haruki Murakami and the challenges of translating Japanese's many words for "I"
Comment: The UK’s creative industries could employ even more people
Writing for The Conversation, Jonathan Jones, Sara Maioli and Daniel Simandjuntak discuss how international investment is crucial to the UK's booming creative industries sector.
Government needs to be clearer on food waste rules, says new report
English councils could struggle to meet new food waste recycling regulations, known as ‘Simpler Recycling’ which are due to come into force next year, says a Newcastle University report.
Leading figures awarded honorary degrees
Distinguished figures from the worlds of business and health have been honoured by Newcastle University for their pioneering work.
New book shows anxieties over ‘adulting’ properly are not new
While some young people today feel they’re not ready to reach the ‘traditional’ markers of maturity, a new book reveals adulthood has always been out of many people’s reach.
Young Muslims disillusioned by politics but politicised in other ways
Some young Scottish Muslims are less interested in national politics and instead are increasingly involved with local and global issues, research led by Newcastle University shows.
North East universities respond to proposals for higher education
The five universities in North East England have responded to the UK Government’s priorities for higher education reform, indicating their commitment to work together and with others to drive growth.
Live Music Mapping Project 2.0
Newcastle University to be part of a first-of-its-kind project to advance live music mapping technology.
James Berry Poetry Prize 2024
Clementine Ewokolo Burnley, Nadine El-Enany and Roshni Gallagher have won the 2024 James Berry Poetry Prize for emerging writers of colour.
Famous artists donate work to Newcastle University auction
Antony Gormley and Sean Scully are among the renowned artists who have donated to this year’s Newcastle University Fine Art Postcard Auction.
Funding boost for thousands of doctoral students
Major funding to support the next generation of researchers has been announced.
Policy ‘pendulum’ holds back attempts to reduce regional inequalities
Constant institutional change and shifting resources have created decades of uncertainty and inconsistency in regional policy delivery, an expert at Newcastle University says.
Comment: What next for the special relationship in a second Trump term
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Martin Farr discusses the issues Keir Starmer will have to navigate now Donald Trump has been re-elected.
Comment: Who was ‘Red Ellen’, whose portrait is now in 11 Downing St?
Writing for The Conversation, Professor Matt Perry discusses Ellen Wilkinson, the radical Labour MP of the 1920s, whose portrait is now hanging in 11 Downing Street.
With & Without You
Cultural exchange sees Newcastle University Fine Art students exhibit in Japan and art students from Kyoto, Japan, show work in Newcastle.
Universities re-affirm strategic partnership for city
With the new academic year now well underway, Newcastle and Northumbria universities have re-affirmed their commitment to working together to improve the health, wealth and wellbeing of Newcastle.
Speak for Yersel
New resources will create a digital snapshot of how language is used on the island of Ireland.
Comment: Norman coin treasure
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Chloe Duckworth argues that the Norman coin hoard, which has become England’s most valuable treasure, could have been worth a lot more.
US election comes under the spotlight in public lecture
The consequences of the US election will be discussed in a talk two days after the American people choose their next President.
Newcastle University joins partnership to support Small Island States
Newcastle University is part of the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) which will strengthen education, health and climate resilience in Small Island Developing States.
Comment: Why ghosts wear clothes or white sheets
Writing for The Conversation, Dr Shane McCorristine discusses the history of ghosts and why many are seen wearing clothes or white sheets instead of appearing in the nude.
Newcastle University playwright named Writer-in-Residence for RSC
Award-winning playwright Dr Zoe Cooper has been appointed Writer-in-Residence to the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
Newcastle University announces Global Scholarships launch for 2025
Over 700 Scholarships Available for International and EU Students.
National competition win for postgraduate student
A Newcastle University PhD researcher has won a top prize for communicating her research project with the public.
Major new investment in smart data services for UK research
Newcastle University is to co-lead a major new project to transform the usability of satellite data for social science and health research and policy applications.
Comment: Religious hate crimes in England and Wales at a record high
Writing for The Conversation, Peter Hopkins discusses how despite religious hate crimes in England and Wales being at a record high, many still go unreported.
Exhibition celebrates peace heroines of Northern Ireland
Women who helped to bring about peace in Northern Ireland will be the focus of a special exhibition on Tyneside later this month.
Comment: Thatcher, Blair and a history of class in British politics
Martin Farr takes part in this podcast for The Conversation, discussing why Tony Blair’s decision to move Labour away from the working class was such a watershed moment.
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.