UCL in the media
How being their parents' translator affects children
Dr Humera Iqbal (UCL Institute of Education) meets children who have to translate English for their parents and explains how this ‘role reversal’ changes the dynamics of the parent/child relationship.
Challenging perceptions of homosexuality in the animal world
Professor Volker Sommer (UCL Anthropology) says it is common for animals to have sex with members of their own and the opposite sex and that dismissing gay behaviour in animals as merely bonding or an expression of dominance is incorrect and shortsighted.
Listen: Channel 4 'My Gay Dog and Other Animals' (from 8 mins 30 secs), More: Sun, Guardian, iNews
Why period pain is often overlooked by doctors
Some women experience period pains which feel “as bad as a heart attack” but, according to Professor John Guillebaud (UCL Institute for Women’s Health), the problem is not given the right priority by the medical profession because “men don’t get it”.
Why Britain’s ‘delicate’ constitution needs support
The Brexit vote has weakened parties and led to a ‘selectocracy’, with party members, not MPs choosing their leaders. Professor Robert Hazell (UCL Constitution Unit) says this has caused “fundamental issues of trust” and makes constitutional reform more necessary but less likely.
Older people with poor vision face discrimination
Older people with declining vision are more likely than peers with good eyesight to experience discrimination as well as depression that may result from this bias, according to a study led by Dr Sarah Jackson (UCL Epidemiology & Health Care).
Flats in new developments could be “unsellable” in 90 years' time
Professor Peter Rees (UCL Bartlett School of Planning) explains how cheap maintenance contracts could lead to a serious devaluation of many newly-built apartment blocks in central London and fears the Thames could be “lined with derelict towers” in less than a hundred years.
European elections could open new alliances among MEPs
Professor Philippe Marliere (UCL School of Languages Culture & Society) argues that despite its flaws and relative lack of power, the European Parliament is the most democratic institution in the EU and encourages new MEPs to move away from "endless compromise".
Listen: BBC World Service ‘The Real Story’ (from 37 mins 10 secs)
No substance to claim measles virus is stronger because of jabs
Professor Helen Bedford (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health) dismisses the claim by the disgraced doctor Andrew Wakefield that the measles vaccine has made the virus stronger and says his comments “only serve to confuse parents further over vaccination."
Ease and the perception of ‘better value’ induce us to spend more online
An Ofcom study has found we now spend more time and money shopping online than in-store. Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) suggests the convenience and perceived value of shopping online can “sabotage” our finances.
How AI could soon detect human emotion
Professor Nadia Berthouze (UCL Interaction Centre) says the UK is at the forefront of developing "machine learning emotional recognition" but that there is still "work to be done" before it is "usable in the real world."