Research news

Latest stories from the University of Stirling

Stirling scientists to analyse peatland restoration benefits

A range of high-tech scientific monitoring equipment has been installed

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University of Stirling leads on research into housing adaptations for older and disabled people

A group of housing bodies has commissioned the work, which will consider what is needed in terms of funding and support.

Airthrey Loch University of Stirling

New approach empowers teachers to embed Learning for Sustainability from the beginning of their careers

The new framework will support teacher educators in encouraging student teachers to embed sustainability into their teaching

Children learning in an outdoor environment.

Study could change woodland creation strategies

Biodiversity benefits are improved if land managers are able to consider current and historic use of the landscape

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Black Sea group unveils investment opportunities

Investment drive aiming to regenerate Black Sea communities launched in Bucharest

(L-R) Lord McConnell, Special Interest Group Chair; Dr Rebecca Shah, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy, Bucharest; Professor Adrian Stanica, DOORS Project Co-ordinator.

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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Student-led human rights journal is a first for Scotland

The journal showcases cutting-edge research by postgraduate and PhD students at Stirling, and practitioners in the sector and other institutions.

Airthrey Loch University of Stirling

New method to monitor sewage pollution in rivers

The system will help to address the public health issue created by discharge from effluent pipes

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Asylum seeker support reduces trauma and saves lives, report finds

A specialist service in Scotland has empowered families through the asylum process.

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Significant health benefits from workplace step count challenges, study finds

Workplace activity participation challenges can significantly and immediately improve physical fitness and wellbeing

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Dogs prove key to truffle harvest success, Stirling study finds

How the behaviour of both dog and human affects the success of truffle hunting.

Man stands amongst sunlit trees holding a truffle. A dog looks up to the man.

Research reveals basketball creator was Scottish, not Canadian

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

James Naismith

Beaver dams can reduce water pollution from farmland, Stirling study shows

Beaver dams act as traps for pollutants, improving downstream water quality

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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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MSP backs campaign to end stigma around drug and alcohol deaths

Claire Baker urges public to show more compassion.

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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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Interactive air quality dashboard is launched

Air quality experiences in Forth Valley can be recorded

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Surveillance experts welcome Nineteen Eighty-Four exhibition to Stirling

The University hopes to bring new audiences to the classic tale and highlight its own research into privacy and surveillance.

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Professor appointed to REF pilot panel

Professor Rachel Norman will work on indicators to be used to assess People Culture and Environment

Airthrey Loch University of Stirling

Research finds chair-based activities more physical than we thought

Elite-level bridge uses body and mind interconnectedly, says the study.

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“Community catapult” launch in Clackmannanshire will help build diversity and opportunity

The initiative is part of £10 million project to create stronger communities UK-wide.

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Campaign to end stigma around drug and alcohol deaths receives Scottish Government funding

Researchers will run a series of roadshows in Scotland to further raise awareness among the public.

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Stirling academics appointed to REF pilot research panels

Professor Iain Docherty and Professor Jayne Donaldson will participate

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Fear, stigma and exclusion prevail for LGBT+ welfare claimants, study finds

Fear of discrimination means LGBT+ people can delay claiming benefits.

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University of Stirling expert behind landmark UN declaration on artificial intelligence

Honorary Professor Markus Krebsz developed the principles on artificial intelligence embedded products.

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University of Stirling film event highlights issues in perfume industry

Stirling academics and BBC filmmakers discussed issues of modern slavery in global supply chains.

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Former First Minister to lead Black Sea regeneration group

Former First Minister and University of Stirling Chancellor to lead Black Sea regeneration group

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Endangered mountain trees making a comeback in Scotland, study shows

Endangered mountain trees and shrubs are making a comeback in Scotland, a study has shown.

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Stirling expert contributes to overhaul of sports concussion guidance

A neuropsychologist at the University of Stirling has played a key role in an overhaul of the Scottish Sports Concussion Guidance

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New research uncovers growing wave of legal challenges to climate action

A new study, led by Professor Annalisa Savaresi at the University of Stirling, has revealed a surge in legal challenges associated with climate policies and projects.

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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.

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Film screening and Q&A will highlight the perfume industry’s dark secret

The University of Stirling and the BBC are teaming up for an exclusive event which will lift the lid on child labour linked to the perfume industry.

perfume bottle and child

University of Stirling academics take social science festival to three Scottish cities

Ten free public events will take place across central Scotland as part of this year's Festival of Social Science from the University of Stirling.

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Game playing can help reduce stigma around ageing, say researchers

"Serious games" can help overcome the stigma that still exists around ageing, according to Stirling researchers.

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Stirling is first Scottish University to win £4m Leverhulme Award

The University of Stirling’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities has been awarded a £3.98m Leverhulme International Professorship grant from the Leverhulme Trust – becoming the first Scottish institution to receive the prestigious award.

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Football club’s performance can influence students’ choice of university, research finds

Students can be swayed by the performance of English Premier League football clubs when choosing a university, according to new research.

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Scotland’s most vulnerable children taking years to be placed in permanent homes

Scotland’s care system is taking years to find many of the country's most vulnerable children permanent homes – and too many of them have no contact with their siblings, according to new research.

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Stirling academic joins political thinkers to debate Scottish independence

University of Stirling lecturer Dr Tom Montgomery is among some of Scotland’s top political thinkers who will take part in a conference this month on Scottish independence.

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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

Skin cell discovery could help Atlantic salmon fend off sea lice

Skin cell discovery could help Atlantic salmon fend off sea lice

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University of Stirling appoints two new Deputy Principals

The University of Stirling has appointed two new Deputy Principals

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Study of cancer patients finds need for mental health support

A study of cancer patients has found a need for mental health support

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Stirling researchers to study how babies use sense of smell to successfully breastfeed

Psychologists at the University of Stirling are to study how newborn babies use their sense of smell to successfully breastfeed in a new project that could improve breastfeeding rates worldwide.

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Improved conditions needed if Scotland is to achieve a more circular economy, research finds

Systemic changes are needed if Scotland’s businesses are to accelerate the growth of circularity in Scotland, says new research.

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University of Stirling encourages ‘homes for life’ as it hosts Scottish Housing Day

University of Stirling encourages ‘homes for life’ as it hosts Scottish Housing Day 2024.

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Online archives provide ‘family albums’ for children in care

Researchers at the University of Stirling have come up with a way to preserve the childhood memories of people in care – through accessible online archives.

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Stirling in global top 100 for contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Stirling in global top 100 for contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

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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

Silicon Valley isn’t the start-up utopia we thought, research finds

The highly regarded hub of technology and innovation can breed inequality and sameness among budding entrepreneurs, finds new research.

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Lesbian, gay and bisexual population face housing inequalities, study finds

Britain's lesbian, gay and bisexual population experience inequalities in accessing housing, according to a study led by the University of Stirling.

for sale and to let signs on street