Update – Academic News

Strathclyde Research

A lighting system that can kill hospital superbugs has been named Research Project of the Year at a prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Awards.

The pioneering technology, developed by engineering researchers at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, has the ability to overcome MRSA, e-coli, TB bacteria and C.diff via a narrow spectrum of visible-light wavelengths, known as HINS-light.

The THE Awards each year recognise the very best achievements of UK universities across a range of disciplines.

Professor Jim McDonald, University of Strathclyde principal, said: “This pioneering research project epitomises Strathclyde’s approach of working with the health sector to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century.

“Receiving recognition with this prestigious award is a fantastic achievement for the research team and reflects the outstanding quality of work being undertaken throughout the University."

Greece talk

ACADEMICS and policy experts from across Europe will arrive at the University of Strathclyde next week to take part in talks on the future of a fragile Greece.

The international conference, 'The Politics of Extreme Insecurity' is to run on 8 and 9 December with party politics and the constitution top of the agenda.

University of Bournemouth-based academic Roman Gerodimos, a senior lecturer in Global Affairs, will be among the several figures arriving at the Glasgow-based institution.

Writing in this issue of The Journal, Gerodimos warns Greek democracy could be set to suffer in the wake of a fiscal crisis that has shellshocked the European nation.

He said: "Greece may soon be witnessing the undoing of decades of progressive reforms, democratisation and institutionalism, taking the country back to a mid-20th century full of emotive divisions and the politics of failure.

"A culture of anti-intellectualism is becoming not only prevalent, but (even more dangerously) trendy again."

Des Browne Nuclear Talk

The former secretary of state for defence this week returned to his old stomping ground to discuss the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

University of Glasgow graduate Des Browne MP delivered the annual Adam Smith Research Foundation lecture on November 28.