News archive: 2019

The School of Physics and Astronomy was delighted to run microbe workshops and an escape room at the Midlothian Science Festival in October.

Six Higgs Scholarships are available to MSc applicants studying in 2020/21.

Congratulations to Castleview Primary School who win the Rolls-Royce Science Prize and Eden Award.

The search for evidence of life on Mars could be helped by fresh insights into ancient rocks on Earth.

Researchers study comet which has come from beyond our Solar System.

Congratulations to students who received Medals, Certificates, Prizes and Scholarships at the School of Physics & Astronomy Undergraduate Student Awards Ceremony.

The University of Edinburgh has received £650,000 to provide essential contributions to the DUNE experiment.

Students, staff, industry and supporters gathered to learn about the career development projects students completed, and to announce the winner of the best project report and poster.

Dr Xin Ran Liu joins scientists and an audience of 100,000 on ‘World Dark Matter Day’ to discuss the substance which makes up most of the universe.

Edinburgh scientists are taking part in the most detailed survey of the Universe ever undertaken.

Interdisciplinary work between colleagues in physics and biology propose a new mechanism for controlling gene expression via ‘traffic jams’ of biomolecules.

Astronomers have pieced together the cannibalistic past of the neighbouring large galaxy Andromeda, which has set its sights on our Milky Way as the main course.

Physics and Astronomy at the Postgraduate Open Day, 13 November 2019

An international team of astronomers have made a historic discovery, detecting gas molecules in a comet which has tumbled into our solar system from another star.

Prof Arthur Trew has stepped down as Head of School after 8 years. As Prof Jim Dunlop takes the helm, he tells us about his vision for the School.

Rock mining in space could open up a new frontier in space exploration by giving astronauts the resources they need for long periods away from Earth.

Congratulations to Prof Wilson Poon who has been awarded the Sam Edwards Medal and Prize

New analysis suggests a natural origin for our first interstellar visitor, ‘Oumuamua

The European Space Agency (ESA) has just announced that its latest mission, Comet Interceptor, will visit a comet from the very edge of our Solar System.

The Royal Astronomical Society awards Dr Amon the Michael Penston prize for the best thesis in astronomy and astrophysics.

Working to commemorate the Scottish physicist who formulated the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation.

An EPSRC grant has been secured to find out how dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria differ from less dangerous antibiotic-sensitive ones.

The Caroline Herschel Prize Lectureship supports promising female astronomers early in their careers.

From 3-7 June 2019, Edinburgh welcomes hundreds of scientists from around the world for the International Soft Matter Conference.

School children and colleagues help mark Peter Higgs’ 90th birthday with a birthday card competition and celebratory dinner.

The School welcomes applications from both external and internal scientists interested in applying for personal fellowships.

Students involved in the School’s Physics Outreach Team and Maths Buddies scheme receive awards for their completion of the Edinburgh Award programme.

Applications are invited for the vacancy of Higgs Chair of Theoretical Physics.

Dr Varri has been awarded a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship as part of the Government’s aims to secure the country as world-leading in scientific research and innovation.

Researchers study a 140-year-old mixing technique which reveals what makes good chocolate.

The School of Physics and Astronomy has had its Athena SWAN Silver status renewed in recognition of our efforts in addressing gender equality.

To mark Peter Higgs’s 90th birthday and to honour his legacy, a year of activities aimed at scientists, current students, alumni and the wider public are taking place.

Computational evidence shows how the synergy of topoisomerase and structural-maintenance-of-chromosomes proteins work to keep DNA entanglement-free.

Congratulations to Dr Jean-Christophe Denis who received the University of Edinburgh’s Community Partnership Award for his work with the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine and the Craigmillar community.

Conference showcased the research undertaken by students and highlighted projects where new discoveries have led to the publication of student work.

Scientists have discovered a new state of physical matter in which atoms can exist as both solid and liquid simultaneously.

New Nelson Monument exhibition – part of a year-long series of events - opens in Edinburgh to establish Charles Piazzi Smyth’s place in Edinburgh’s history.

The Institute of Physics is launching a bursary scheme to help under-represented students to become physics researchers, thanks to the donation of prize funds from Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell.

Congratulations to Carlo who will participate in this event which focuses on the exchange of knowledge and ideas between Nobel Laureates and young scientists.

The School of Physics and Astronomy has had its status as Juno Champion renewed in recognition of our continuing efforts in addressing gender equality and fostering a more inclusive working environment.

Hundreds of thousands of previously undetected galaxies are revealed, shedding new light on many research areas, including the physics of black holes and how clusters of galaxies evolve.

PhD studentships available in two new collaborative EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training in which we are partners.

A head-on collision between distant worlds led to the formation of an iron-rich planet nearly ten times as heavy as Earth, a study shows.

Discover more about our MSc programmes during the virtual events taking place 11 - 15 March 2019.

Congratulations to Professor Wilson Poon who has been awarded the Thomas Graham Lecture, an award made for work in colloid science by the Royal Society of Chemistry & the Society of Chemical Industry.

Feedback on outreach project on the exploration and settlement of space.