The Royal Society elects five scientists from the MPLS Division as Fellows
20 May 2025
Seven academics from the University of Oxford, including five from the Mathematics, Physical and Life Sciences Division (MPLS) have been elected as Royal Society Fellows.
MPLS success at the Vice-Chancellor's Awards 2025
16 May 2025
The University honoured remarkable talent and dedication to excellence on Thursday 15 May as the winners of the Vice-Chancellor's Awards 2025 were announced. Dr Joshua Bull from the Mathematical Institute received the Breakthrough Researcher Award and Department of Computer Science spinout Oxford Semantic Technologies claimed the Innovation and Commercialisation Award.
Scientists define the ingredients for finding natural clean hydrogen
16 May 2025
Researchers from the Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University and the University of Toronto have detailed the geological ingredients required to find clean sources of natural hydrogen in the Earth's continental crust.
Professor Ian Walmsley appointed to lead Oxford Quantum Institute
14 May 2025
Oxford marks a significant milestone in its quantum advancement with the Department of Physics' Professor Ian Walmsley appointed as Director of the Oxford Quantum Institute. Professor Walmsley has also joined the National Quantum Strategic Advisory Board, which advises the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
What lessons in cyber resilience can be learnt from the UK high street attacks?
9 May 2025
Dr Patricia Esteve-Gonzalez from the Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre (GCSCC), Department of Computer Science, and Luna Rohland from the World Economic Forum Centre for Cybersecurity, outline how organisations can take a strategic approach to minimising the impacts of cyber-attacks.
New screening method finds novel approaches to combat antimicrobial resistant bacteria
7 May 2025
Scientists from the IOI have developed a new screening method to tackle bacterial resistance to the tetracycline class of antibiotics – providing a starting point for the development new drugs to treat drug-resistant infections.
Oxford rises to second in world for Geology and Geophysics
6 May 2025
The University of Oxford has climbed to second place globally in Geology and Geophysics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, strengthening its position as the UK's leading institution for Earth Sciences.
Four Oxford researchers elected to the US National Academy of Sciences
2 May 2025
Véronique Gouverneur, Waynflete Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry has been elected as an international member to the US National Academy of Sciences, together with Oxford academics from social sciences and medical sciences.
New study reveals the anatomy of Uturuncu, the 'zombie' volcano
1 May 2025
Researchers from the Department of Earth Sciences have helped to reveal the inner workings of Bolivia’s 'zombie' volcano, Uturuncu. The study used seismology, physics models, and rock composition analysis to identify the causes of Uturuncu’s unrest, helping to alleviate fears of an imminent eruption.
In The Conversation: A robot that you ride like a horse is being developed. It will stretch current limits of engineering.
1 May 2025
Matías Mattamala from the Oxford Robotics Institute writes for The Conversation about the engineering complexities of developing a robotic horse.
Oxford welcomes new Schmidt AI in Science Fellows
29 April 2025
Ten new Fellows have joined the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship programme at the University of Oxford. Now entering its third year, the programme is helping to accelerate the next scientific revolution by applying artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to research across the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematical sciences.
Paying fishers to release endangered catches can aid conservation but only if done right
24 April 2025
The study, led by the Department of Biology and published in Science Advances, is the world’s first randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of an incentive-based marine conservation programme conclusively.
New ultrasound drug delivery system found to be highly effective against bacterial biofilms
24 April 2025
Researchers from the Department of Engineering Science and NDORMS engineered ultrasound-activated, antibiotic-loaded nanoparticles that disrupt biofilms and deliver drugs directly to infection sites – advancing non-invasive targeting of infections.
From The Conversation: If we must bring back extinct species, let’s focus on the giant herbivores
16 April 2025
An impressive feat for Colossal Biosciences would be re-engineering large animals to provide lost ecological functions writes Professor Tim Coulson in The Conversation.
Scientists find evidence that overturns theories of the origin of water on Earth
16 April 2025
Department of Earth Sciences researchers have helped overturn the popular theory that water on Earth originated from asteroids bombarding its surface. Instead, the material which built our planet was far richer in hydrogen than previously thought.
Two MPLS researchers awarded EPSRC Quantum Technology Fellowships
14 April 2025
Dr Jacob Blackmore from the Department of Physics and Dr Zhenyu Cai from the Department of Engineering Science have been awarded Quantum Technology Career Acceleration Fellowships by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Oxford-led divisional collaboration wins the PNAS Cozzarelli Prize
14 April 2025
A collaborative study between the Medical Sciences Division and the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division has been awarded the 2024 PNAS Cozzarelli Prize in Biomedical Science.
Oxford researchers awarded ARIA funding to develop safety-first AI
10 April 2025
Researchers from the Departments of Computer Science and Engineering Science are leading two major projects as part of the UK Government’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) Safeguarded AI programme.
Linnean Medal 2025 awarded to wildlife biologist Professor David Macdonald
9 April 2025
Professor David Macdonald, who founded the Department of Biology’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), has been awarded the Linnean Medal for long-standing and significant contributions to natural sciences.
New cutting-edge microscope to boost imaging capabilities
7 April 2025
The Department of Materials celebrates a new chapter in its microscopy facilities with the arrival of the JEOL GrandARM300F. The new instrument will support cutting-edge research across the University and play a role in teaching the next generation of microscopists.