Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport news

Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport

New study sheds light on African alcohol industry activity

Research by the Stirling team found 61 examples of alcohol industry corporate social responsibility and marketing activity, across six African countries

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Experts call for second-hand smoke protection for children at home

Researchers say legislative measures should be considered

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New dementia teaching for nursing and paramedic students first of its kind in UK

The training taps into the University of Stirling's expertise in dementia-friendly design.

Two female nursing students

Stirling athlete is proud Baton Relay bearer

Judoka scholar Gabriella Wood helped launch the Commonwealth Sport King’s Baton Relay.

Gabriella Wood smiling whilst holding a baton

Research reveals basketball creator was Scottish, not Canadian

The inventor of basketball, Dr James Naismith, considered himself to be a Scot.

James Naismith

Liquor Licensing review recommends reform

A review of Liquor Licensing has been carried out by experts at the University of Stirling

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Substance use expert calls for change in drugs law to enable more safe drug consumption spaces

The call from Professor Catriona Matheson comes as she prepares to give evidence at a government inquiry.

city skyline with bridge and river

Stirling-led project aims to enhance NHS care

A new £500,000 project aims to ensure care decisions are informed by views and experiences

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Unique photo project tells story of air pollution in informal settlements

Researchers provided residents of settlements in Malawi and Kenya with smartphones to capture their experiences of using solid fuels for cooking.

A woman sits over an open pan surrounded by smoke

Nursing staff recognised for their role supporting next generation

A special event was held to celebrate the NHS staff who support the University's student nurses

A group of the nurses being celebrated at the event pose for a photo

Stirling nursing students celebrate graduation and new jobs

Close to 220 student nurses graduated last week with more than half already securing jobs with local health board, NHS Forth Valley.

A large group of nursing students wearing graduation gowns pose on the steps outside the Sports Centre alongside NHS Forth Valley’s Executive Nurse Director Professor Frances Dodd and Director of Nursing Professor Karen Goudie

Stirling sport students benefit from new mentorship programme

'Elevate' pairs students with industry professionals

The exterior of the Sports Centre

New courses launched to help fill healthcare gap

The new MSc Podiatry and MSc Physiotherapy courses have a planned start date of September 2025

A patient receives treatment from a physiotherapist

New research unit names Director

Professor Edward Duncan has been appointed as director of the new Centre for Healthcare and Community Research (CHeCR) at the University of Stirling.

Airthrey Loch University of Stirling

Only 1 in 10 children meet global health guidelines, researchers discover

New research has found only 14% of children aged three- to four-years -old are getting adequate physical activity, sleep and time away from screens.

Kid on an ipad

Meet Jessica Piasecki: the Olympian and researcher putting a focus on female physiology

Originally from Manchester, Jessica Piasecki was a talented hockey player before emerging as a cross-country star and representing her country for the first time in the sport at the age of 16.

A female runner training on an indoor athletics track

Stirling student’s historic discovery at Bannockburn House “confirms” Bonnie Prince Charlie assassination attempt

A University of Stirling PhD student has made a fascinating discovery that appears to confirm a previously unevidenced assassination attempt on Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Bannockburn House in Stirlingshire.

Elite sports roles for nutritionists graduating from Stirling 

Two top nutritionists working in elite sport returned to the University of Stirling today, to celebrate their graduation.

Sports nutritionists pose on graduation day.

Research explores measures to reduce alcohol harms without impacting pubs and restaurants

Higher prices in shops and tighter restrictions on online alcohol sales could help to reduce rising alcohol harms whilst minimising impact on hospitality businesses, according to a new study.

Beer taps in a pub

Study suggests novel ways to use e-cigarette packaging to better protect consumers

E-cigarette packaging could be used to encourage smokers to switch to vaping and deter non-smokers from taking up the habit, according to new research from the University of Stirling.

Blurry showcase in vape shop close up

Cash incentives drive weight loss in men

A major UK study led by health experts at the University of Stirling has found that offering financial incentives is effective in helping men to lose weight.

An image of a loch

Policy changes needed if UK is to be age-friendly, say healthy ageing experts

Policy changes are needed at central and local government levels to ensure an age-friendly UK, say experts at the University of Stirling.

older women takins selfie in wood

Health tech trialled by older people in Stirlingshire

Older people in Thornhill were among the first to trial new digital health and wellbeing activities co-designed by their peers.

A group of older people take part in an online movement class

First study of its kind finds voucher scheme helps new mums to stay smoke-free

A high street voucher scheme has been shown to be helpful in supporting new mothers, who stopped smoking during their pregnancy, to maintain abstinence from smoking in their first year postpartum.

A mother cradles a baby

University of Stirling strikes partnership with Falkirk Foundation

The University of Stirling has formed an official partnership with the Falkirk Foundation, Falkirk Football Club’s charity partner.

Stock image of a football on the corner line of a pitch

UK work policies not fit for people living with Long Covid

New research has found current sickness absence and return to work policies in the workplace are unfit for purpose for those living with Long Covid.

Generic image of Covid-19 virus.

Stirling graduate set to transform fencing in Scotland

A fencing coach and graduate of the University of Stirling is helping to transform the sport in Scotland.

Philip Carson coaches fencing students at his fencing club

New project supports children and young people to access the mental health benefits of live music

New research identifies ways more children and young people in Scotland can experience the mental health and wellbeing benefits of live music.

Selective focus on lluminated microphone on stage

Son of Santos legend hopes racism research will strike impact in Brazil

Donald Silva was born in Mexico, while his father – football star, Abel Veronico – continued his professional playing career. Abel had started his career in Rio, before joining the world-famous Santos Futebol Clube where he played alongside football legend Pelé.

Close-up view of leather soccer ball on green grass

New programme to put walking at the heart of Scottish secondary schools

A new project bringing together academics and young people to promote the benefits of walking is being developed thanks to new funding.

School pupils walk out of a school building

University kicks off new education partnership with Rangers

In the first collaboration of its kind in Scotland, Stirling has partnered with the Scottish Premiership football team to launch a new MPhil Performance Analysis course.

Ross Ireland, Andrew Smyth and Harry Sutherland photographed in their Rangers uniform.

Safer consumption and drug checking facilities key to addressing drug harms in Edinburgh, study finds

Safer drug consumption facilities (SDCF) and drug checking could be key to addressing drug harms in the city of Edinburgh, according to University of Stirling experts in substance use.

Edinburgh at night

Tennis scholar takes singles and doubles titles at Australian Open

University of Stirling tennis star Anna McBride has claimed a second sweep at the Australian Open – after winning the women’s singles and doubles titles in its players with intellectual impairment (PWII) event.

Anna McBride pictured at the PWII Women's Singles at the 2023 Australian Open.

University of Stirling tennis star to defend titles at Australian Open

A University of Stirling tennis scholar will compete at the Australian Open this weekend – as she seeks to defend the two titles she won at last year’s event.

Anna McBride pictured at the PWII Women's Singles at the 2023 Australian Open.

E-cigarettes help pregnant smokers quit without risks to pregnancy

A new analysis of trial data on pregnant smokers, has found that the regular use of nicotine replacement products during pregnancy is not associated with adverse pregnancy events or poor pregnancy outcomes.

A pile of brightly coloured e-cigarettes scattered across a surface

A Doctoral project supporting academic capacity development in South Africa

The University of Stirling has partnered with four South African universities to enhance academic development and research at the country’s historically disadvantaged universities, including Nelson Mandela’s alma mater.

Group photo of the PhD candidates and staff from the partner universities

Researchers call for changes to tackle chronic pain in children

Health researchers at the University of Stirling are calling for an overhaul of services for children living with chronic pain.

An image of a loch

Symposium promotes ethical coaching practice

More than 100 sports professionals from across the UK took part in a special event promoting the importance of ethics in coaching, at the University of Stirling.

University Sports Centre

Composer swaps the stage for career in nursing

A Stirling graduate is celebrating after a major career change saw her swapping the stage for ward rounds.

The graduation hall showing a seated crowd and members of University staff on stage during a ceremony.

First paramedics to graduate from the University of Stirling

The first paramedics to study at the University of Stirling are set to celebrate their graduation this week.

Paramedic graduates leap in front of ambulance

Highland nurse to walk 200 miles to graduation

A Highland nurse is embarking on a 10-day solo trek to get to her graduation.

Helen Davies in hiking gear posing against a mountainous backdrop

Sports lecturer leads GB trampolinists at World Championships

A University of Stirling Sports lecturer is hoping to help Great Britain’s top trampolinists secure a spot at the Olympic Games this month.

Paul Greaves holds a Great Britain flag outstretched above his head outside the University's Sports Centre

Health experts to evaluate new fast-track cancer diagnosis scheme

University of Stirling health experts are to study the success of a new Cancer Research UK-funded scheme which aims to reduce cancer diagnosis waiting times in Scotland.

Blurred image of a hospital corridor

Dementia research wins diversity award

A University of Stirling research team investigating the impact of dementia on couples with a learning disability has been recognised with a top award.

The Stand by Me team on stage at the award ceremony

Funding boost for new tech to keep older people active

Exercise bingo, a virtual reality (VR) walking game and an online music and movement programme are hoping to boost the physical activity, health, and wellbeing of older people after receiving funding from the University of Stirling.

People seated in a conference room watching a presentation

Study shows detrimental impact of Long Covid on the education and lives of children and young people

New research, led by the University of Stirling, is shining a spotlight on the profound effect Long Covid can have on children and young people’s school experience and wider lives.

A shot of a group of female and male teenagers standing in school uniforms next to red lockers. Their faces are not visible.

Free NRT programme aims to cut children’s exposure to second-hand smoke in the home

A new research study aiming to tackle the number of children breathing in second-hand smoke at home is launching in Lanarkshire.

Karen Mather of NHS Lanarkshire with Dr Rachel O'Donnell of the University of Stirling

Stirling academic Professor Kate Hunt becomes Fellow of British Academy

University of Stirling health expert Professor Kate Hunt has been made a Fellow of the British Academy.

woman in field

Research explores whether free Nicotine Replacement Therapy can cut children’s exposure to second-hand smoke in the home

A new research study aiming to tackle the number of children breathing in second-hand smoke at home is launching in Lanarkshire.

Smoking in the home

Pioneering wellbeing programme supports academy players through ups and downs of football

The first programme of its kind to support academy players at two professional football clubs in Scotland is seeking fresh funding after overwhelming success.

Wellbeing Coaches Bradley Fullarton and Louis Kerr on the pitch at Kilmarnock Football Club with under-18s players Josh, Logan and Charlie