From Day Parties to 10Ks: Why Young People Are Choosing Run Clubs 

Author: Ishaa Sivan // Editors: Erin Pallott & Helen Whitehead A few months ago, in May, I was walking through Hackney Wick, East London when I suddenly found myself surrounded by cheering spectators, handwritten signs, and even a few dachshunds brought out for the occasion. Only then did I realise that I had walked straight … Continue reading From Day Parties to 10Ks: Why Young People Are Choosing Run Clubs 

A group of ants carrying leaf fragments.

What Counts as Good Evidence? Making Sense of Digital Mental Health Trials

Author: Alexia Jeayes // Editors: Emily Barrett & Federica Spaggiari We often assume that more research in digital mental health means better answers... But what if it isn’t giving us the answers we need? The evidence researchers generate must be relevant, transparent, and shaped by the needs of everyone who relies on it to make … Continue reading What Counts as Good Evidence? Making Sense of Digital Mental Health Trials

The buried truth about body farms and scientific lessons from decay

Author: Cherene de Bruyn // Editors: Erin Pallott & Sarah Klingberg Cover image: Kusozu: the death of a noble lady and the decay of her body. Watercolours. Credit: Wellcome Collection Attribution Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0). Source: Look and Learn  Forensics of Death, Decay and Decomposition Like many people, my first introduction to forensics … Continue reading The buried truth about body farms and scientific lessons from decay

Why Teaching Deserves Thought: The Case for Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)

Author: Cherene de Bruyn // Editor: Oliver Hartley Cover Photo by Max Shilov on Unsplash I’ve been sitting in lecture halls and standing at the front of them since 2010. I’ve been a student, a tutor, a teaching assistant, and even a student‑lecturer. Four degrees, two countries, countless classrooms. So, you’d think, as a PGR, … Continue reading Why Teaching Deserves Thought: The Case for Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)

The PhD Confirmation process is not a hurdle – It’s a crucible

Author: Cherene de Bruyn // Editor: Sophie Alshukri & Oliver Hartley Forging metal. Photo from Pexels In his book, The Art of Peace (1991) Morihei Ueshiba, founder of the martial art of Aikido, wrote: “Iron is full of impurities that weaken it; through forging, it becomes steel and is transformed into a razor-sharp sword. Human … Continue reading The PhD Confirmation process is not a hurdle – It’s a crucible

Polygenic risk scores: calculating the likelihood of complex diseases

Author: Nina Wycech // Editors: Neve Diggle and Emily Barrett Even if you are not studying science, you have likely heard about genetic predispositions. We intuitively assume that we’re more likely to experience a disease that our ancestors had. Although not always true, many conditions run through generations, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention … Continue reading Polygenic risk scores: calculating the likelihood of complex diseases

Proton Therapy: Precise Cancer Treatment at What Cost?

Author: Emily Barrett // Editors: Federica Spaggiari and Sophie Alshukri What does the word ‘radiation’ make you think of? In physics, the definition is broad: Any kind of emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or moving particles, including the light we use to see. But for many people, ‘radiation’ is synonymous with ionising radiation, with … Continue reading Proton Therapy: Precise Cancer Treatment at What Cost?

What’s Hiding in Your Cosmetics Bag? A Closer Look at Parabens as Endocrine Disruptors

Author: Dalia Aziz // Editor: Nithya Eswaran You have likely come across the term “endocrine disruptor”, particularly on social media, which got me wondering - what is an endocrine disruptor? How do they work, and are they truly as harmful as people say? According to the Endocrine Society, there are nearly 85,000 synthetic chemicals in the … Continue reading What’s Hiding in Your Cosmetics Bag? A Closer Look at Parabens as Endocrine Disruptors