UCL in the media
Reviving culture in post-conflict Iraq
Dr Mehiyar Kathem (UCL History) says Islamic State destroyed Mosul University Library and desecrated ancient statues in an attempt to “totally eliminate any notion of historical identity”. He is involved in getting cultural institutions together to meet Iraq’s cultural needs.
Listen: BBC Radio 4 ‘The World Tonight’ (from 39 mins 43 secs)
How London's real estate market could become less volatile
Professor Yolande Barnes (UCL Bartlett Real Estate Institute) says the value of real estate markets have peaked but lower interest rates could lead to ‘gentler cycles’ in the future with ‘lower price inflation’.
Margaret Thatcher’s influence on science
Professor Jon Agar (UCL Science & Technology Studies) talks about his book ‘Science Policy under Thatcher’ and about the prime minister’s decision to effectively end Britain’s science-based industrial strategy in 1987.
Listen: BBC Radio 4’s ‘Inside Science’ (from 7 mins 47 secs)
Diminishing break times a ‘violation of rights’
The British Psychological Society has expressed concern at diminishing break times at school, following research led by Dr Ed Baines (UCL Institute of Education) which found older pupils had lost an hour a week over 20 years.
Read: Independent, More: Telegraph, Daily Mail, Telegraph (2)
Which beers stay chilled the longest?
Dr Helen Czerski (UCL Mechanical Engineering) describes how the colour, foam and bubbles of different beers leads to some warming up faster than others.
Discussing Trump and the demise of democracy
Dr Brian Klaas (UCL School of European Language, Culture & Society) explains how the world has become “more authoritarian” and says President Trump’s latest Twitter attack on London Mayor Sadiq Khan illustrates the US leader’s “longstanding bigotry towards Muslim communities”.
Listen: BBC WS ‘Weekend’ (from 27 mins 43 secs), More: BBC Radio 2 (from 1 min 2 secs)
Why we should be careful not to demonise all plastic
Commenting on a European Commission science and technology report, Professor Mark Miodownik (UCL Mechanical Engineering) explains how innovations such as “self-healing” systems could improve infrastructures forever and discusses plastic's vital role in keeping us safe and well.
Listen: BBC Radio 4 ‘Today’ (from 2 hours 23 mins & 47 secs)
The emotional fallout of using DNA testing websites
After a survey reveals 37 per cent of people find out through online DNA testing that they were conceived by donated sperm or egg donor, Professor Debbie Kennett (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) argues more support should be in place to help people come to terms with it.
How to measure the efficiency of a battery system
In a letter to the editor, Professor David Miller (UCL Physics & Astronomy) explains that to be truly energy efficient, a 50 megawatt battery system must maintain the same amount of constant energy flow when measured in hours and in comparison with other systems.
Human-powered transport set to rise in urban areas
Professor Nick Tyler (UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering) says bicycles will increasingly become “very, very important” in cities as car use diminishes and argues that pedestrians' needs must be considered to ensure that cities are easy to move around in on foot.