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Read the latest news from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Comment: Podcasts are a great tool for political persuasion

Writing for The Conversation, Dr Katie East discusses how political podcasts have much in common with 18th century political writing.

Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day

Newcastle University academic’s film of classic novel finishes principle photography

Newcastle Pro-Vice-Chancellor chosen as CBI North East Chair

Professor Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Engagement and Place at Newcastle University, has been appointed Chair of CBI’s North East Council.

World Heritage Sites could and should be ‘ambassadors for peace’

World Heritage Sites could and should play a more active role in promoting a vision of global peace, heritage experts at Newcastle University say.

Newcastle law experts advise on landmark pollution case

Newcastle University legal experts have contributed to a landmark case heard by the European Court of Human Rights on large-scale environmental pollution.

New research into Bhutan’s glacial flood risk

Newcastle University researchers have been awarded funding to assess the risk facing Bhutan from glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

Comment: How should Keir Starmer handle Donald Trump?

Writing for The Conversation, Dr Martin Farr comments on how Keir Starmer should handle Donald Trump – and how’s it going so far

Research identifies causes of catastrophic flooding

A Newcastle University student has contributed to a major international study which has identified the exact causes and drivers of the catastrophic 2023 Sikkim flood in India.

Archaeologists find ‘lost’ site depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that a house in England is the site of a lost residence of Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England, and shown in the Bayeux Tapestry.

New centre will support transition to low-carbon living

Researchers at Newcastle University are to play a crucial role in a new centre that will support more people make the transition to low-carbon living.

Comment: Mandelson goes to Washington – or does he?

Writing for The Conversation, Dr Martin Farr discusses the issues facing Peter Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US.

New exhibition at the Hatton Gallery explores the future of ceramics

Newcastle University’s Hatton Gallery is preparing to showcase an exhibition of work by 12 contemporary artists at different stages of their careers.

Academics search for descendants of people buried in Ballast Hills

Newcastle University experts are calling for relatives of those buried in a historic city burial ground to get in touch..

Glaciation expert awarded prestigious Richardson medal

A glaciation expert at Newcastle University has been awarded the prestigious Richardson Medal by the International Glaciological Society (IGS).

New Year Honours for Newcastle University community

This New Year's Honours list recognises a number of outstanding University colleagues.

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