In the news: 15-21 May 2025

A round up of recent media coverage about the University, our graduates, staff and students.

Journalism student Mason Harper was in the ‘headlines hot seat’ with BBC 5 Live presenter Dotun Adebayo. The story he chose to focus on was about one of the teachers from Southport who, following the attacks last year, has started a campaign – Let’s Be Blunt – to help reduce knife crime. Listen again (starts at 3hrs and 42mins).

Heart FM Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire reported on a reverse vending machine that has been installed at Waterside Campus. Thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, it allows people to claim food and drink credits when they recycle their containers (listen again links not available).

Associate Professor Dr Patrice Seuwou, writing in the Times Higher Education, calls for universities to better support international students with non-English, and especially received pronunciation, accents.

More than 1,800 new graduates ‘crossed the stage’ at Royal & Derngate earlier this month during our annual, Spring Graduation Ceremonies, as reported by the Chronicle & Echo.

Visiting Professor David Cooper has been named as the new President of the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineer, as reported by various publications, including the Operations Engineer website.

UON academics produced an evaluation about the success of one scheme from the wellbeing organisation Action 4 Happiness, as reported by the Chronicle & Echo.

Research from the University and other partners that concludes plant-based diets were associated with significant improvements in emotional wellbeing, physical wellbeing, depression is reported on the National Federation of Professional Trainers’ blog.