UCL in the media
Inquiry urged into governance of universities’ pension fund
Thirty-five UCL academics are among more than 1,000 academics to sign a letter raising concerns about the governance of the UK’s largest private pension, the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).
New UK and USA ‘space weather’ service using UCL tech
The UK Space Agency is allocating £7 million for researchers at the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory to develop a “plasma analyser” to give warning of imminent, damaging space weather as part of a new UK-US forecasting service.
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Rethinking the value of the public sector
Professor Mariana Mazzucato (UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose) challenges the idea that governments’ economic role is to merely step in to correct market failures. This false assumption, she says, gives civil servants a very narrow sense of their role.
Psychedelic drugs: would you accept a prescription?
As evidence grows to support the use of psychedelic drugs in medicine, Dr Adam Winstock (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care) explores people’s polarised responses to these drugs and explains why this poses a thorny problem for policymakers.
Next bank governor must serve wider society
Dr Josh Ryan-Collins (UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose) is among 94 academics and civil society representatives to have signed a letter urging the next governor of the Bank of England to serve the whole of society rather than financial markets only.
Defending Europe’s climate policy
In a letter to the editor, Professor Michael Grubb (UCL Bartlett School of Energy, Environment & Resources) defends Europe’s renewable energy efforts, saying that, far from being weak, they have sparked a revolution in technology.
Why better maintenance of infrastructure is an urgent challenge
Professor Sarah Bell (UCL Bartlett School of Energy, Environment & Resources) explains the peril of cutting maintenance budgets and describes why maintenance demands vary depending on whether the infrastructure or equipment has to be failsafe or can fail safely.
Sixteen powerhouse female economists
Professor Mariana Mazzucato (UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose) is listed as one of 16 economists making waves in the profession and changing how we live and work.
Gene mutation could protect against diabetes
An ancient gene mutation helps nearly one in two people cope with modern diets by keeping blood sugar low, according to a study by Professor Frances Brodsky (UCL Structural & Molecular Biology) and Professor Mark Thomas (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment).
Sure Start had a positive effect on health of children in poorest areas
A study led by Dr Gabrielle Conti (UCL Economics) has found that the Sure Start government funded childcare scheme brought ‘major health benefits’ to children, particularly those in deprived areas and saved the NHS millions by reducing hospitalisations of five to 11-year-olds.
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