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UCL in the media
The erosion of the work-life balance
The deterioration of work-life balance is mostly down to the pressure and insecurity created by employers’ increased use of tracking software, which “leaves employees feeling like they’re being watched every minute,” says Professor Anna Cox (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences).
Wider lockdown key to preventing Covid-19 surge if schools reopen
Wider restrictions must remain in place if schools reopen in March to keep the epidemic’s R number below 1 in the UK, finds a study led by Dr Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths (UCL Epidemiology & Health) and Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health).
New coal mines wouldn’t be carbon neutral
New coal mines in the UK would not lead to a reduction in coal production at existing mines, but would instead mean “that there will be more coal dug up…and the markets will expand to accommodate it,” warns Professor Paul Ekins (UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources).
Holocaust law wields a 'blunt instrument' against Poland's past
A law making it a crime to accuse Poland of being complicit in the Holocaust is dangerous as it not only prevents a truthful interrogation of history, but also could be used to censor art or silence journalists, says Dr Joanna Michlic (UCL Institute for Advanced Studies).
Uncovering the history of the Tower of Babel
The Biblical Tower of Babel may have been a real tower in Babylon, where the Jewish population was exiled in the sixth century BC, explains Dr Mark Altaweel (UCL Institute of Archaeology Gordon Square).
Wearing two facemasks is 'common sense' but not backed by strong evidence
Two face masks are likely to reduce Covid-19 spread, but there is a lack of research into the topic and the increased discomfort may mean people are put off, “fiddle with the mask more, or they don’t wear it properly,” says Dr Ben Killingley (UCL Institute for Global Health).
Fossil fuel air pollution responsible for 1 in 5 deaths worldwide
An estimated 1 in 5 deaths (18 to 21.5%) every year can be attributed to fossil fuel pollution, a figure much higher than previously thought, according to research co-authored by Dr Eloise Marais (UCL Geography).
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The problem with nuclear waste disposal
Proposals to bury spent nuclear fuel up to 1km underground are facing strong local opposition, and “the reality is nowhere in the world is there a functioning deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel,” says Dr Paul Dorfman (UCL Energy Institute).
Developers must take responsibility for flammable cladding
Developers need to fix homes affected by flammable cladding and then pursue any sub-contractors who are at fault, rather than shifting the blame and refusing to help, says Professor Yolande Barnes (UCL Bartlett Real Estate Institute).
How has lockdown affected light pollution?
Professor Lucie Green (UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory) explains how to spot the constellation Orion, as people are being asked to count the stars they can see from their home to measure how levels of light pollution have been affected by lockdown.
Listen: BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today Programme’ (from 1 hour 9 mins 35 secs)
