Latest news with #UniversityOfDerby
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
'Don't be afraid to change lanes after A-level results day'
A student who swapped her pen for a spanner on results day to follow her dream says people should not be afraid to change of Derby student Amelia Shackleton had studied academic subjects her whole school life - thinking hands-on, male-dominated subjects like mechanics were not for despite getting higher grades than she needed to take up a place studying English Literature, she instead chose to go through after a Foundation Year to get up to speed, the 21-year-old motorsports fanatic is about to move into a final year studying motorsports engineering. "I just stuck with what I knew" Amelia, from Grimsby, grew up watching superbikes and speedway with her mum Claire, while her stepdad Andy "used to mess about with cars and bikes for fun" as an amateur "nervous" Amelia didn't transfer her love of engines into her said: "I don't know why, I didn't picture myself in it, thinking it would be cool but it's not anything people around here would get into, and I don't think I'm smart enough."I felt like it was quite a rare thing for women to go into that sort of environment, so I just stuck with what I knew." Instead Amelia focussed on English, maths and biology - until her A-level results came said: "I'd really stressed myself out thinking that I wasn't even going to get the results that I wanted to for English, and because I was kind of riding the high of doing better than I thought, I was having quite a confident day."I was in my living room I've just come back from picking up my results and I just thought I don't want to do English, I don't want to go to the universities that I've chosen, and my mum was like 'Just have a look at clearing.'"Amelia said she is still building her confidence and hopes to find a career doing "something hands-on" after said: "I think what kept me back a little bit is staying in my comfort zone too much, that's why I chose the A levels that I did and then that's why I chose what I was going to do at university."I'm happy that I actually decided that I'll at least give it a try." With A-level results day on Thursday, UCAS anticipates a record number of more than 76,000 students choosing to go through clearing this University of Derby says clearing is increasingly not just for people who haven't made the grade they needed.A spokesperson said: "There are plenty of reasons students go through clearing – they may have changed their mind on what and where to study, received better results than expected, or are simply exploring new options."Student priorities have reshaped in recent years, and more people are using clearing proactively, not reactively."Recent University of Derby graduate Omoye Dsangbedo, 22, also switched her course even though she had achieved the grades she had hoped for. Omoye, from Lagos, had been due to study biomechanical engineering at the University of Kent, but after a heart-to-heart with family about her love of technology she switched to a computer science said: "The last minute, sudden change was a lot - but we pushed through."Don't be afraid to make change because you never know what that's going to bring."If you told 18-year-old me to change her course, she'd be looking at you so confused, but clearing was probably one of the best things that happened."Sometimes it is necessary for an abrupt change to happen, just so you can see how capable you are."Don't be afraid to start over again, as nerve wracking and scary as that can be."
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Human connection to nature has declined 60% in 200 years, study finds
People's connection to nature has declined by more than 60% since 1800, almost exactly mirroring the disappearance of nature words such as river, moss and blossom from books, according to a study. Computer modelling predicts that levels of nature connectedness will continue to decline unless there are far-reaching policy and societal changes – with introducing children to nature at a young age and radically greening urban environments the most effective interventions. The study by Miles Richardson, a professor of nature connectedness at the University of Derby, accurately tracks the loss of nature from people's lives over 220 years by using data on urbanisation, the loss of wildlife in neighbourhoods and, crucially, parents no longer passing on engagement with nature to their children. In the research published in the journal Earth, Richardson also identified the disappearance of natural words from books between 1800 and 2020, which peaked at a 60.6% decline in 1990. The modelling predicts an ongoing 'extinction of experience' with future generations continuing to lose an awareness of nature because it is not present in increasingly built-up neighbourhoods, while parents no longer pass on an 'orientation' towards the natural world. Other studies have found parental nature connectedness is the strongest predictor of whether a child will become close to nature. 'Nature connectedness is now accepted as a key root cause of the environmental crisis,' said Richardson. 'It's vitally important for our own mental health as well. It unites people and nature's wellbeing. There's a need for transformational change if we're going to change society's relationship with nature.' Richardson said when he tested different policy and urban environmental changes in the model he was surprised at the scale of the changes required to reverse the loss of connection to nature. Increasing the availability of biodiverse green spaces in a city by 30% may look like radical positive progress for wildlife and people but Richardson said his study suggested a city may need to be 10 times greener to reverse declines in nature connection. The study found that measures to increase popular engagement with the natural world were not effective at reversing long-term declines in nature connectedness. Richardson said such schemes by charities – for instance, the Wildlife Trusts' #30DaysWild – were still important for boosting mental health but the modelling suggested they don't halt the intergenerational loss of nature connection. More effective, according to the study, are measures instilling awareness and engagement with nature in young children and families, such as forest school nurseries. A further obstacle to restoring nature connectedness is that the modelling shows policies to transform early education and urban areas need to be in place over the next 25 years to reverse the decline. But if done, increases in nature connectedness would become self-sustaining. Richardson said the scale of societal changes required to re-establish nature connection may not be as daunting as they appeared because the baselines were now so low. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion A study found that people in Sheffield on average spent just four minutes and 36 seconds in natural spaces each day. 'Increase that by [a factor of] 10, and people are spending 40 minutes outside every day – that may be enough,' said Richardson. 'Working with families and parents to engage children with nature with a real focus on that intergenerational transmission is key. There's already a lot of focus on connecting children with nature but I prefer to say – don't disconnect them. A newborn child is much the same as a child born in 1800. Children are fascinated by the natural world. It's maintaining that through their childhood and schooling that's essential, alongside urban greening. There's policies starting to do that but we've got to think in transformational terms – not 30% but 1,000%.' Intriguingly, there may be hope of a cultural shift. Richardson was surprised to find that nature words in books are actually on the increase again – with the decline having fallen from 60.6% between 1800 and 1990 to 52.4% today. 'Is it a genuine eco-awareness? Is it the British trend for nature writing? Is it 'real' or is it an artefact of the data? I don't know,' said Richardson. 'There has also been an increasing interest in spirituality in recent decades so that might reflect people getting back in touch with nature.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
University students help Derby County team prepare for new season
A group of university students have been given the opportunity to help Derby County players get prepared for the upcoming of the Rams men's first-team visited the University of Derby, where staff and students performed a series of tests, such as cardiac screening, blood tests, eye tests and dental assessments. The squad, including club captain Ebou Adams and new striker Carlton Morris, visited the university's Human Performance Unit to carry out tests ahead of their Championship opener against Stoke City on university said the tests gave their sports science students "invaluable experience" of what working with professional athletes and clubs was like. The collaboration also provided the Rams with "valuable data and insights" needed to help create individual programmes for each player ahead of the new Roach, who will return to Derby in September to study for a Masters in Applied Sport and Exercise Science, said: "It has been a fantastic experience to work closely with professional athletes so that I could apply what I have learned at the University of Derby to a real-world situation." Adams said he was hoping to "better his stats" in the upcoming season and to do so, he has been putting in the work during pre-season."No-one really likes the running part of it, but you've got to get it done," said the midfielder."To play, you have to be fit, and what I've seen so far in terms of pre-season, is that everyone has been up and at it."Alice Kemp, who is also returning in September for a Masters, said the session was focused on "recording baseline measures that the players can work on throughout the season, seeing how far they can safely push their bodies".
BBC News
05-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Keys to £70m Derby Business School handed over ahead of opening
The keys to the University of Derby's new £70m business school have been officially handed over ahead of its opening in Cavendish Building, in Agard Street, will welcome thousands of students in the coming years and feature teaching spaces, laboratories, a virtual reality suite and a stock market financial trading construction work on the seven-storey-building was completed on 29 July, the final touches will now be undertaken by the university ready for students to arrive in university says small businesses and start-ups will also be able to use the building. Prof Kathryn Mitchell, vice-chancellor and chief executive of the university, said: "This is an incredibly exciting time for the University as this new landmark building will serve as a dynamic hub where industry, students, and academics come together to drive innovation and shape a better future for society."Tony Shenton, regional director of Kier Construction Eastern and Midlands, said: "Handing over this world-class business school building is a major milestone, and we are delighted to celebrate it with the University of Derby."
The Guardian
27-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
‘I'm ready to make an impact in the world of work': how the University of Derby equips students for career success
Preparing students for the world of work is an ever-changing challenge for modern universities. At the University of Derby, a wholehearted commitment to applied learning ensures graduates enter the workforce armed not just with qualifications, but with the technical skills, confidence, connections, and mindset to succeed and achieve. Equipping students for the real world is at the very heart of the university's purpose, according to Duncan Marson, programme leader and senior lecturer in tourism and applied management at the University of Derby. 'Our students are not just leaving with an academic qualification,' he says. 'They can be confident that they will graduate with the skills that employers seek. At Derby we have always taken great pride in our approach to teaching and learning and ensure our students leave with real-world readiness and the tools they need to be successful.' Futureproofing students and supporting them to thrive within an unpredictable jobs market is one of the many passions of both Marson and the wider academic team, and it underpins everything on offer at the university's Derby International Business School. From teaching placements to ongoing career support for graduates, the emphasis is firmly on career readiness, not just academic performance. 'At the University of Derby, every module we teach and every project we deliver is grounded in applied learning. It's industry-linked, often shaped directly by the challenges businesses are facing right now and those anticipated in the future too.' The university's new Cavendish Building – the soon-to-be home of Derby International Business School – is set to provide an exceptional learning environment and has been designed with a 'living lab' ethos in mind. A centre for innovation, circular economy projects, and hands-on learning, it's planned to change the way students engage with issues such as sustainability. 'Teaching modules are mapped to the UN sustainable development goals,' says Marson. 'We're part of the SDG Teach In initiative, and that focus on sustainability – both environmental as well as the inevitable economic parameters – runs through everything we do.' Derby's rich industrial heritage – particularly in engineering, rail, and aerospace – is a huge influence on the university. This is reflected in pioneering enterprise partnerships. Rolls-Royce, which has operated a manufacturing facility in Derby for more than 60 years, recently co-developed an international business and AI degree with the university, inspired by research from Derby's Sustainable Business and Green Growth Research Cluster. While the location of the university in the East Midlands is of profound importance, the University of Derby retains a distinctly global focus. 'Our students get to work on projects with organisations all over the world, including the Bank of England, the FA, and Boots, as well as Marketing Derby, which is focused on generating inward investment into the city and takes a very global approach to doing so,' says Marson. As well as supporting international enterprise, the University of Derby champions regional SMEs – an approach that earned it the small business charter, the national accolade that recognises excellence in SME support. It's well documented that businesses must establish a robust talent pipeline in order to survive. In response, the university tailors its curriculum to ensure it is aligned with changing industry needs. Max Smith, who graduated from the University of Derby this summer with a first-class degree in business management, credits the university's career-focused approach with preparing him not just for work, but for life. Having secured a role with Alstom, a supplier of trains and train services, Smith believes the University of Derby's commitment to real-world, applied learning helped sharpen his career and ensured he stood out when applying for the role. 'The careers and employment service were a great help,' he says. 'A lot of praise goes to them. They helped completely restructure my CV, and even launched an initiative where you could pick up smart clothes for interviews if you needed them.' Originally from Poland, Natalia Jarczyńska graduated from the University of Derby with a BA (hons) in business management and is now a senior analyst at Goldman Sachs in the US. Jarczyńska says the University of Derby's practical approach not only helped her develop vital business acumen but crucial soft skills – including active listening, communication, and adaptability – that she uses daily in New York's financial district. 'At Derby, we didn't just write essays,' Jarczyńska says. 'We pitched to clients, worked on real problems, and got feedback from actual stakeholders. That gave me confidence and communication skills that I use every day. Derby gave me a foundation few other universities offer.' Should she ever wish to further her academic qualifications, Jarczyńska says she would think about returning to the East Midlands. 'In terms of my career goals, I want to stay in finance, but if I ever think about doing an MBA or maybe a PhD in future, I will definitely consider returning to Derby, that's for sure,' she says, underscoring the university's impact on her both professionally and personally. The University of Derby empowers students to hit the ground running when they graduate, but its commitment to employability doesn't end there. Graduates can continue accessing career services – including job hunting, networking, CV advice, and mentoring from industry leaders – for up to three years after they graduate. For students like Smith, the impact of studying at Derby is profound and long-lasting. 'I feel ready to step into the job market and make an impact,' he says. 'Derby doesn't just teach you for exams – it teaches you for life.' 'Derby helped create a safe, nurturing space for me to grow' Los Angeles-born Tyra Tucker graduated from the University of Derby in 2020 with a degree in international relations and diplomacy. Now living in the UK, she works as a civil servant. While studying at Derby, Tucker joined one of the university's business development programmes, which offered workshops, mentors, one‑on‑one support, and grant funding to help students launch their own ventures. Inspired by her entrepreneurial mother, Tucker had an idea for a cultural platform and attended additional classes through the programme on design, finance, and marketing. She then registered her business, secured mentoring, and qualified for a startup grant, which enabled her to assemble a small paid team of student interns – a videographer, marketer, and social media coordinator – to help launch a multimedia site dedicated to global culture. A turning point came when her mentor persuaded her to pitch at a university showcase. Nervous but encouraged, Tucker presented to a live audience and won decisively with 42% of the vote – a moment that built her creative confidence and strengthened her belief in her business. Tucker says Derby didn't just nudge her into entrepreneurship – it equipped her. Through practical training, mentor support, collaborative teams, and a 'just start' culture, Tucker learned to 'stop over‑perfecting' at the same time as developing her practical skills, such as how to manage finances. Her advice to current students is simple.'Now is the best time to start something,' she says – university offers the time, creative community, and entrepreneurial freedom that can vanish after graduation. Looking back, Tucker says that Derby didn't confine her – it 'unboxed' her. She arrived with ideas and passion, and left with tangible achievements, experience, confidence, a professional network, and enduring support that continues to this day, long after she graduated and moved into the world of work. 'I walked in with ideas and walked out knowing they mattered,' she says. 'Confidence isn't built by dreaming but by doing,' she adds. 'Derby helped me to tap into what was already within me and created a safe, nurturing space for me to grow without limit.' Tucker's current role proves that creative student ideas, supported by the structure and community on offer at Derby, are laying the groundwork for real-world leadership. To find out more about Derby International Business School, visit
