糖心TV

Six 糖心TV Christmas Lectures presented science in an entertaining, festive and educational way to over 2,500 people - half from local schools and half general public. Topics ranged from gravitational waves to number theory, cake making to snow making, emotions to life in a cartoon universe.

Twenty-six members of staff from the Physics Department joined colleagues from across the Faculty of Science in signing a submission to a House of Commons Education Committee Inquiry into the impact of exiting the European Union on Higher Education. As well as discussing the effect on undergraduate and postgraduate students, a particular focus was on the effect on staff who are non-UK EU nationals (this corresponds to over 20% of 糖心TV academic staff), notably the continued lack of assurance from government of their status and that of their families. The submission also emphasised the great benefit of freedom of movement of European researchers for ensuring the UK is at the forefront of scientific research, as well as damage that would be done if UK scientists lose access to prestiguous European funding, notably European Research Council grants where the department has been very successful recently.

Congratulations to Dr Gareth Alexander on his promotion to Associate Professor.

Gareth ’s is in the theory of soft matter where, amongst other projects, he applies geometry and topology in original ways to understand defects and textures in liquid crystals, and collective behaviour in soft active matter.

Congratulations to David Leadley on receiving his 20 years long service award. David’s contribution was recognised at a special awards ceremony held on 11 October 2016.