Research news

Latest stories from the University of Stirling

Study sheds new light on behaviour of humans’ closest relatives - chimpanzees

A study by University of Stirling researchers has shed new light on the behaviour of the closest living relatives of humans – chimpanzees.

Chimpanzee eating grapes

University of Stirling to promote better outcomes from water resources for Scottish businesses and communities

A team at the University of Stirling is embarking on an extensive study into how water resources in Scotland promote better outcomes for our economy, society and the environment, in a £5 million partnership project to last three years.

river with monument on hill

Study could lead to improved mussel production

Innovative new research by the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture could lead to increased mussel production.

Mussel shell

Largest ever study of autistic people’s research priorities finds need for focus on mental health

Largest ever study of autistic people’s research priorities finds need for focus on mental health

A group having a discussion

Why grey matters for these academic researchers with a difference

Like many older people during the COVID pandemic, they were in search of company and mental stimulation. Then came a chance for this group of retirees to tackle something none of them had tried before – academic research.

older man on beach

Study lays out options for Scotland’s first drug checking services

An extensive study led by the University of Stirling has laid out options and key considerations for Scotland’s first drug checking services.

woman in lab

Study reveals longer term impact of sport-related brain injuries

Almost half of people who suffer a sports-related traumatic brain injury are still experiencing physical symptoms after six months, a new study by the University of Stirling has found.

iStockbraininjury1920689

Deepwater Horizon oil spill study could lead to overhaul of cleanup processes worldwide

The innovative study led by researcher Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget and Dr Wade Jeffrey of the University of West Florida assessed the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on microscopic seawater bacteria that perform a significant role in ecosystem functioning.

Deepwater Horizon

Call for urban developers and land managers to aid healthier cities research

Researchers are calling for urban development and land professionals to take part in a research project to help shape the way places are created for better population health.

Two cyclists in city

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

New research could disrupt international trafficking of endangered pangolins

New research by the University of Stirling could disrupt the international trafficking of endangered pangolins

White-bellied pangolin

Human decisions and human rights should be at the core of AI regulation, says UN adviser

It’s not quite time for machines to be taking over, according to a University of Stirling expert in Artificial Intelligence (AI), who says a human touch and close oversight is crucial to developing such technologies.

Man using a smartphone.

University of Stirling ranked top 13% in the world for sustainability

The University of Stirling has been ranked in the top 13% by the World University Rankings for Sustainability.

An image of a loch

AI study creates faster and more reliable software

A University of Stirling AI study has created faster and more reliable software using Chat GPT.

A person at a laptop

Abuse of female athletes goes unchecked on mainstream social media sites, study shows

Social media posts that abuse female athletes can remain unmoderated on the official social media accounts of major sports clubs, new research has shown.

women playing football

Be part of the play in unique theatre event coming to Alloa

A unique theatre experience is coming to Alloa where the audience is invited to steer the play.

men and women on stage

Social science fest features theatre, displays and discussions for all ages

The University of Stirling is putting on a host of exciting events – all of them free – to spread the word about social science to the local community in Clackmannanshire.

people celebrating festival

Personal air pollution monitoring needed for people with asthma

Better air quality monitoring techniques are needed to assess the acute impacts of pollution on people with asthma, according to new research by the University of Stirling.

PhD researcher Amy McCarron

New data shows employee owned businesses deliver an 8-12% productivity boost

New research suggests the fast-growing UK employee ownership sector is markedly outperforming the UK’s national productivity trend whilst simultaneously contributing to employee wellbeing, fair pay, community resilience and commitment to net zero.

people in business meeting

UK government misses the mark on shaping healthy urban policies

A large-scale review of two key UK policy areas reveals that health outcomes are largely missing when it comes to shaping our urban centres.

red bus in city centre

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

Visiting Scottish lochs and rivers improves mental health, study finds

Visiting inland freshwater spaces improves mental health, a new University of Stirling study has found.

Loch Voil

Stirling scientists to develop new carbon negative food

A pioneering project led by University of Stirling scientists aims to develop a new carbon negative food source.

Professor Paul Thomas

Curriculum making research centre first of its kind in the UK

A new research centre focusing on school curriculum making – the first of its kind in the UK - has opened at the University of Stirling.

Girl and boy at desk at school

New methodology addresses “contentious” student satisfaction surveys

Adopting a new methodology approach could address concerns about student satisfaction surveys, according to new research.

students sitting in library

Understanding pandas’ body clocks could improve their welfare, Stirling study finds

Giant pandas living in zoos outside their native latitude range may not have optimal welfare if their body clocks are out of sync, new research by the University of Stirling has found.

A panda

University of Stirling research uses COVID-19 conspiracy theories to create tool against fake news

Experts at the University of Stirling have taken a deep dive into COVID-19 conspiracy theories in new research that aims to combat digital disinformation or ‘fake news’.

Person holding phone on computer

Study finds parkrunners more likely to return if route is near freshwater and woodland

A study by the University of Stirling has found first-time participants in parkruns are more likely to return if events are near to freshwater and woodland.

University of Stirling parkrun

University of Stirling teams up with National Trust for Scotland to boost heritage research

The University of Stirling has formed a new partnership with the National Trust for Scotland to enhance research, teaching and learning.

National Trust for Scotland and University of Stirling experts visit the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre

Ukrainian academics draw on University of Stirling’s water quality expertise

A delegation of Ukrainian academics have travelled to the University of Stirling for a joint research project aimed at improving water quality in the war-torn country.

Ukrainian delegation at the University of Stirling with (centre) Professor Andrew Tyler

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 professor receives one of the British Ecological Society’s highest honours

Katharine Abernethy, a Professor in Tropical Ecology at the University of Stirling, has received one of the British Ecological Society’s highest honours.

Woman smiling outside

Research to probe impact of climate change and nitrogen pollution on soil

University of Stirling research to probe potentially catastrophic impact of climate change and nitrogen pollution on soil

The Alps

The cheese paradox: study seeks to understand why vegetarians eat animal products

A new study by the University of Stirling has sought to understand why vegetarians consume non-meat animal products.

Person eating cheese

Stirling scientist measures emissions from ponds in Scotland for international study

Greenhouse gas emissions from ponds in Scotland have been measured by a University of Stirling scientist as part of a major new international study.

Dr Alan Law using sampling kit at the University of Stirling campus

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

Scientists spending a penny to cut wastewater emissions

An experiment given the green light by University of Stirling experts could halve emissions from wastewater treatment facilities.

Dr Xavier Alexis Walter, a senior researcher in water and wastewater management in a circular economy at The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, feeding his experiment.

Trafficked children face asylum ‘system trauma’, says University of Stirling research

Researchers at the University of Stirling exploring the long-term outcomes for trafficked children in Scotland have found that children face ‘system trauma’ connected to navigating the asylum, welfare and child protection systems.

child's hands at fence

Speed dating study finds opposites don’t attract

Speed dating study co-authored by University of Stirling academic finds opposites don’t attract

Two people speed dating

New research sheds light on the UK branded content industry and need for advertising regulation

The UK Branded content industry, where advertising and media combine, is a fast-growing sector that needs better regulation, according to new research.

An image of a loch

Research finds ‘extensive’ drug culture in football

Drug taking at football matches has superseded alcohol as a major safety concern, according to new research led by health and behaviour experts at the University of Stirling.

Crowd clapping on the podium of the stadium

Britain’s highest trees discovered atop Scotland’s Munros by University of Stirling researcher

Trees are growing at record-breaking heights atop Scotland’s Munros, new research by the University of Stirling has found.

Sitka Spruce on Ben Vorlich

MSPs share 'pain and loss' of their parents' alcohol use as part of new campaign

Miles Briggs MSP has opened up for the first time about his father’s alcohol use, as, together with Monica Lennon MSP, he backs a campaign aimed at reducing the stigma that surrounds deaths due to alcohol and drugs.

People sitting holding photographs

University of Stirling part of nationwide drive to address levelling up through research

The University of Stirling has successfully bid for funding in the first phase of a multi-million pound levelling up programme designed to benefit all four nations of the UK.

hands at desk

World leading health experts say aviation industry must act on cabin fumes as they launch new medical guidance

A group of world leading health and scientific experts are calling on the aviation industry to take action to protect passengers and aircrew from dangerous cabin fumes which they say have led to a new emerging disease.

Empty airplane cabin interior

Stirling scientist to lead investigation into climate change unknowns in the Arctic

Stirling scientist to lead investigation into climate change unknowns in the Arctic.

Trees and tall shrubs in Swedish Arctic, near Abisko. Credit Professor Philip Wookey

MSK event brings healthcare experts and academics together

On 21 April, the University of Stirling held an event where over 75 healthcare professionals attended to hear about the latest research and innovation into musculoskeletal conditions.

Six healthcare experts and academics stood next to each other outside

New high-tech lab is first of its kind in Scotland

New high-tech lab for the study of brain function across the lifespan is first of its kind in Scotland.

Fiadh Robertson, age 4, wears mobile electroencepholography (EEG) equipment at University of Stirling's Lifespan Lab, the first of its kind in Scotland.

Adolescent girls in Bangladesh at risk of nutritional deficiency, study finds

New study finds adolescent girls in Bangladesh are at risk of nutritional deficiency even if they live in a seafood rich area.

Woman in Bangladesh cooking tilapias

Study looks to understand exposure to air pollution in informal settlements in Africa

Researchers looking at fuel use for cooking in Kenya and Malawi have found residents in the countries informal settlements are being exposed to worrying levels of pollution.

Wooden logs and charcoal fire