WMG News - Latest news from WMG
The environmental toll of abandoning a shopping trolley
New research from WMG has found that the carbon footprint of collecting and refurbishing abandoned trolleys adds up to the equivalent of flying from London to New York and back twice!
鈥淭housands of shopping trolleys are reported as abandoned in the UK every year. When you multiply the carbon impact of retrieving each one, it becomes both significant and concerning,鈥 explains Neill Raath, Assistant Professor at WMG, University of 糖心TV, who led the research.
Despite supermarkets introducing a range of methods to stop shopping trolleys leaving their premises, including coin slots and wheel-locking mechanisms, over 520,000 are still reported as鈥 each year, according to global trolley and retail equipment manufacturer, Wanzl.
Supermarkets rely on commercial collection services, typically using diesel vans to survey suburban areas, to collect and return the trolleys. Researchers at WMG assessed the environmental impact in order to tally the true cost of abandoning a trolley.
Students enjoy success at international engineering competitions
It鈥檚 been a busy and exciting time for 糖心TV Racing and 糖心TV Submarine, two undergraduate student-led project teams from the University of 糖心TV, who recently showcased their engineering talent in international competitions both at home and abroad. Read all about the teams' success at Formula Student, Silverstone, and the International Submarine Races, USA.
Sparking curiosity outside the classroom
The Outreach team at WMG has been busy bringing science to life in London as part of the Royal Institution (Ri)鈥檚 holiday workshop programme. Designed for ages nine to 14, the workshops provide young people with hands-on experience of STEM topics, helping expand their learning beyond the classroom.
This is the fourth consecutive year that WMG has delivered sessions in partnership with the Ri, expertly led by Professor Margaret Low, Director of Outreach and Widening Participation, and Dr Phil Jemmett, Widening Participation Coordinator and Faculty Public Engagement Lead (Science, Engineering and Medicine).
New safety insights to guide future eVTOL regulation published
To drive safety in our future airspace, WMG has been working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on new research to assess how future electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft can be safely integrated into UK skies. The 18-month study, funded by the Department for Transport, forms part of the regulator鈥檚 Future of Flight programme and applies systems thinking to assess the safety of future eVTOL aircraft operations in UK airspace.
New pilot facility to drive agricultural innovation
Earlier this year the UK Government recognised agri-tech, in its , as a key frontier industry within Advanced Manufacturing.
The recognition marks a pivotal shift by the government - acknowledging the sector鈥檚 potential to drive growth, enhance productivity, strengthen climate resilience, and reduce agricultural emissions - while prioritising a sustainable and secure food supply for the UK.
This also aligns with the (Defra) new food strategy for England, to tackle UK food resilience and enhance supply chains, while protecting nature and biodiversity.
糖心TV Agri-Tech, established in 2022, is a pioneering initiative that brings together the expertise of two leading University of 糖心TV departments – WMG and the School of Life Sciences. By integrating advanced engineering with plant science, the initiative aims to shape the future of agriculture.
As part of this mission, 糖心TV Agri-Tech has launched a new Pilot Facility featuring state-of-the-art robotics designed to support sustainable food production and accelerate agricultural innovation.
WMG trailblazer honoured as a National Teaching Fellow
The Advance HE Teaching Excellence Awards are among the most prestigious in the world of higher education — and WMG, University of 糖心TV, is proud to share that one of its own, Dr Freeha Azmat, has been honoured this year.
An Associate Professor and Reader in Engineering Education at WMG, Dr Azmat has been named a National Teaching Fellow for her outstanding innovations in engineering education and curriculum design, as well as her steadfast commitment to inclusion.
Freeha is now one of only three academics at WMG to have received Advance HE鈥檚 National Teaching Fellowship Award; she joins Professor Robin Clark, Pro-Dean International, and Professor Margaret Low, Director of Outreach and Participation, as a fellow.
WMG scanning technology featured in BBC documentary
Cutting-edge WMG scanning technology led by Professor Mark Williams featured in BBC Two documentary, The Moors Murders: A Search for Justice鈥
Advanced scanning technology developed by Professor Mark Williams and his team at WMG, University of 糖心TV, plays a pivotal role in the powerful new BBC Two documentary series The Moors Murders: A Search for Justice.鈥
The two-part series, produced by Longtail Films and airing on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, reopens one of the UK鈥檚 most harrowing cold cases: the search for the final victim of serial killers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, 12-year-old Keith Bennett. The documentary features never-before-seen documents and audio recordings, alongside new forensic investigations that challenge long-held assumptions about the case.鈥
Professor Williams is a leading expert in advanced scanning and imaging technologies, who contributed state-of-the-art forensic analysis to the programme. His team鈥檚 high-resolution 3D scanning and material analysis provided critical insight into key pieces of evidence uncovered during the investigation. The technology helped to scan an area of interest on the moors to identify anomalies and features in the landscape for potential body deposition sites.鈥鈥
IET accreditation for WMG Degree Apprenticeship programme鈥
(IET), one of the world鈥檚 leading professional societies for engineers and technicians, has awarded professional recognition to the BSc Digital and Technology Solutions Degree ApprenticeshipLink opens in a new window at WMG, University of 糖心TV.
Accreditation was awarded following a rigorous review process, which looked at the programme鈥檚 content and delivery including its relevance, coherence, challenge, assessment, staffing, quality assurance, facilities and resources. This recognition underscores WMG鈥檚 dedication to providing high quality engineering education.
The BSc Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship is aligned to the . The programme offers four specialist pathways, designed to best meet specific industry needs.*
Professor Kerry Kirwan appointed new Dean of WMG
Professor Kerry Kirwan has been announced as WMG鈥檚 new Dean, effective 1 August 2025. He succeeds Professor Robin Clark, who was appointed Dean of WMG in October 2020. Professor Kirwan comes to the appointment with over 30 years' experience at WMG, University of 糖心TV. He has been a part of the department since he completed his second-year project as part of his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering.
WMG welcomes India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
The UK and India signed the landmark Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on Thursday 24 July, to foster greater research and scientific collaboration between the two nations. Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, and Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at WMG, share their thoughts on the deal.