Research news

Latest stories from the University of Stirling

Self-paced exercise may be key to improving children’s attention, memory and wellbeing

Outdoor classroom breaks involving 15 minutes of self-paced exercise may improve children’s attention, memory and wellbeing, according to new research.

School children running in the playground

Stirling academic offers glimpse into the future of tropical forests

A University of Stirling academic has played a key role in an international research project into what the future may hold for the world’s tropical forests, and how that data can shape governments’ policies.

Tropical forest

Stirling expert’s potentially life-saving advice to COVID-19 social workers

A leading expert from the University of Stirling is providing potentially life-saving advice to social workers around the world as they tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

face mask

Stirling expert receives fellowship to conduct international research 

A leading expert from the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) at the University of Stirling has received a renowned Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship. 

japan

System forecasts global warming of lakes globally

A new study – part of a wider project led by the University of Stirling – will enable scientists to predict future warming of the world’s lakes due to climate change.

lake

Parliamentary reception highlights University’s role in empowering communities

The role of research in empowering communities to become resilient as the world’s population ages was the focus of the University of Stirling’s presence at a Scottish Parliament reception.

Person sitting in a chair using a laptop

Sports fans exposed to high levels of alcohol sponsorship

Football and rugby supporters in Scotland are consistently exposed to high levels of alcohol sponsorship, according to new research from the University of Stirling.

fans

City Deal signing: Major step forward for University-led projects

Two landmark projects led by the University of Stirling have today taken a major step forward – following the signing of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal.

City Deal Signing

Experts welcome heading ban for under-11s – but insist more needs to be done

Experts from the University of Stirling have welcomed news that heading footballs will no longer form part of training sessions for under-11s in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Alan Shearer

Funding boost to bridge the gap between play and study

A new research project led by the University of Stirling will highlight the benefits and skills gained from playing bridge.

cards

MSPs celebrate the 40th anniversary of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health

The Scottish Parliament is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health – praising its contribution to the development of public health policy.

smoking

Study to investigate energy challenges in Scottish town

A new study led by the University of Stirling is seeking to understand the everyday energy challenges facing one of Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas.

gas

£2.2m for new study on the care of parents who use drugs

An innovative £2.2 million study will investigate the provision of treatment for parents who use drugs in the UK – in a bid to understand how they interact with health and social care services.

parent

Research suggests benefits of conservation efforts may not yet be fully visible

The time it takes for species to respond to conservation measures – known as an ‘ecological time lag’ – could be partly masking any real progress that is being made, experts have warned.

An image of a loch

Efforts to tackle tobacco harm explored by experts

The impact of the tobacco display ban on young people’s attitudes to smoking has been analysed by University of Stirling experts.

cigarettes

Stirling expert appointed as Research Director for Healthy Ageing Challenge

A leading University of Stirling academic has been appointed as Research Director for the Healthy Ageing Challenge delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Image of the campus and Wallace Monument

New Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities Director announced

The Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities (SGSAH) is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Director, Professor Claire Squires.

Image of Professor Claire Squires

Study reveals factors behind a resilient community

A new study has identified the key components of ‘community resilience’ – and experts believe their findings will help to develop and enhance responses to extreme events.

flood

Stirling expert appointed to Scottish Sentencing Council

A University of Stirling criminologist has been appointed to the Scottish Sentencing Council.

Hannah Graham

New study on the impact of innovative feeds on salmon health

Scientists are testing whether oils from microalgae and genetically modified (GM) oilseed crops could provide beneficial omega-3 for salmon – and, in turn, boost levels in the human diet.

salmon

Pub profits largely unaffected by Scotland’s lower drink-drive limit

The lowering of the drink-drive limit in Scotland had little long-term financial impact on pubs – unlike some had predicted ahead of its introduction, according to new research.

pub

New research finds that Shetland had its own ice sheet

A massive ice sheet covered Scotland’s Shetland Islands and the surrounding seafloor around 21,000 years ago – and rapidly collapsed about 19,000 years ago, a new study has found.

Skerries

Lisbon Lions’ impact on Scotland’s Irish diaspora revealed

Celtic’s historic European Cup triumph in 1967 was a “defining moment” for the Irish diaspora in Scotland, according to a new study from the Universities of Stirling and Edinburgh.

old football

Romanian President honours University of Stirling scientist

A University of Stirling scientist has received a prestigious honour from the Romanian President in recognition of his research team’s environmental management efforts across Europe.

Image of the campus and Wallace Monument

Project to enhance shrimp and fish health in Bangladesh

Experts at the University of Stirling are working with senior industry, government and scientific officials from Bangladesh in a bid to tackle a major issue in the aquaculture sector.

Aquaculture

University of Stirling wins the UK’s highest academic honour

The University of Stirling’s world-leading Institute of Aquaculture is to receive the UK’s most prestigious academic honour – the Queen’s Anniversary Prize.

aquaculture

Intergenerational study planned following successful pilot

Experts at the University of Stirling are planning a major intergenerational study into the benefits of bringing together nursery-aged children and adults living with dementia.

intergenerational project

Historic climate change on Mars might be detectable

Historical instances of extreme climate change on Mars could be detected through the measurement of subsurface temperatures, according to a new University of Stirling study.

Mars

Mind-expanding exhibition inspired by Stirling research

An art exhibition about the human mind – inspired by research involving the University of Stirling – has just opened at the Talbot Rice Gallery in Edinburgh.

Image of art exhibition

Major new study to examine curriculum provision in Scottish secondary schools

The structure of the Scottish secondary school curriculum – and its impacts on the lives of pupils – will be examined by University of Stirling academics.

Image of the campus and Wallace Monument

New Aquaculture PhDs under major new partnership

The University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture (IoA) will benefit from a number of new PhD studentships after joining a major partnership funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Image of the campus and Wallace Monument

New £350,000 project to promote education in sport

Experts at the University of Stirling will research and promote education in sport as part of a new £350,000 collaboration with European partners.

athlete

New research to look at peer support around dementia

A new research project will evaluate peer support initiatives for people with a lived experience of dementia, with the aim of improving care in Scotland and across the UK.

dementia

Review finds suicidal children are “at risk of being overlooked”

The needs of suicidal children are at risk of being overlooked due to gaps in policy and inconsistencies in how the issue is approached globally, according to experts.

counselling

New boxing archive has a nice ring to it

Scotland’s proud boxing history is to be preserved in a new archive - housed at the University of Stirling - following a funding award by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Covers of programmes for boxing tournaments donated to the new Scottish Boxing Archive at the University of Stirling

Multi-million pound award for domestic abuse research

Researchers have received a multi-million pound grant to investigate innovative interventions to support children and young people impacted by domestic abuse.

Professor Jane Callaghan from the University of Stirling

Male dominance of discussions around steroid use may increase risk to women

Women who use steroids may be at “higher risk” because discussions around the issue are often dominated by men, new research has revealed.

University of Stirling campus

Colonial settlers’ memories explored in new online course

The experiences of former European settlers of colonial Algeria will be the focus of a new online course launched by the University of Stirling.

Europeans disembarking in Algiers by steam boat in 1899 (Detroit Publishing Co., Public domain)

Eating mussels three times a week boosts omega-3 levels

Eating mussels three times per week may bring about significant health benefits – such as reduced risk of cardiac arrest – thanks to their omega-3 fatty acid properties.

mussels

Stirling graduates’ documentary helps kick-off film festival

A film – made by University of Stirling graduates – exploring inclusion within the world of rugby will be screened on the opening night of an international film festival.

Two people filming documentary

Farmed oysters able to protect themselves from acidification

Oysters bred for fast growth and disease resistance are able to adapt their shell growth to protect themselves from environmental acidification, according to new research.

Sydney

£300k project explores role of feed strategies in parasite control

A new £300,000 study involving University of Stirling experts and a leading animal feed manufacturer is aiming to explore how certain feed ingredients can reduce infections in farmed fish.

Salmon

Routine sparring in boxing can affect brain performance

Routine sparring in boxing can cause short-term impairments in brain-to-muscle communication and decreased memory performance, according to new research.

boxing gloves

Informal approach key to tackling drinking in pregnancy

Health professionals should adopt a conversational approach and focus on building trust when discussing alcohol consumption with pregnant women, midwives have told researchers.

pregnancy

Stirling graduates make national television debut

University of Stirling graduates' documentary about a mixed martial artist is to air on the BBC Scotland channel tonight.

Bad guy

Banning trophy hunting can have a detrimental impact, experts say

Experts have outlined “compelling evidence” that suggests banning trophy hunting can negatively affect conservation – arguing that unregulated killings are far more prevalent in non-hunting zones.

lions

Warnings on individual cigarettes could reduce smoking

Health warnings printed on individual cigarettes could play a key role in reducing smoking, according to new research from the University of Stirling.

cigarettes with warning message

‘Urgent action’ needed to clean up Scotland’s air further

Further action is required to support efforts to improve the quality of air in Scotland, an analysis led University of Stirling academics has found.

Image of white cloud in blue sky

Older private renters face unique challenges

The UK’s growing number of older private renters face distinct challenges which could worsen the nation’s housing crisis, according to research led by the University of Stirling on behalf of the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE).

View of Dumyat behind Airthrey Loch

Beaver reintroduction key to solving freshwater biodiversity crisis

Reintroducing beavers to their native habitat is an important step towards solving the freshwater biodiversity crisis, according to experts at the University of Stirling.

Beaver