In the news: 14-27 March 2025

A round up of recent media coverage about the University, our graduates, staff and students.

On the fifth anniversary of the first Covid lockdown, academic research shows that social enterprises not only survived during the pandemic – they thrived. Professor Richard Hazenberg and Dr Claire Paterson-Young explained what happened to Social Enterprise UK.

UON’s Professor Andrew Williams talked to BBC Online Northamptonshire about the historical treasure trove that is the archive at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust.

A collaboration between the University and Childbase looks to create an environmental toolkit to enhance children’s speech and language skills in early years settings, as reported by Nursery World.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education highlights the need for academics to upskill and adapt to new roles and ways of working, as UON Associate Professor Dr Patrice Seuwou writes in his article for Times Higher Education.

It’s Mothers’ Day this Sunday, so women and their health and wellbeing is as important as ever. Someone who knows all about this is UON academic Dr Tracey Redwood, who has a new book out that talks women through how to maintain their emotional, mental, physical and spiritual selves. Tracey talked about this and her research with BBC Northampton host Kerrie Cosh. Listen again (1hr and 46mins).

Five years on from the Covid pandemic in the UK, BBC Radio Northampton looked back on what happened and the key players who kept the county informed and safe. One of them was former UON Visiting Professor of Nursing Dr Steve O’Brien. Listen again (starts at 2hrs and 9mins).

Deputy Head of Culture Dr Anthony Stepniak discussed the merits of the newly released Snow White film with BBC Radio Northampton host Annabel Amos. Listen again (starts at 1hr and 39mins).

An event is being held on Thursday 24 April for local and regional employers to find out more about what degree apprenticeships can offer them, as reported by the Northamptonshire Telegraph.

The University held its annual Health & Social Care Conference recently. Organised by student Gloria Kanku, the event saw health and care influencers from across the county talk about the need for equal access to services with UON students, as reported by the Northampton Chronicle & Echo.

Lego bricks are increasingly being used in education settings and new research from UON shows how it can strengthen research skills and enhance the creativity of postgraduate students, as reported by the Northants Telegraph and the Chronicle & Echo.

Science academics are evaluating how people feel about new paths around Delapre Abbey Park and have launched a survey and two in-person events to collect feedback, as reported by the Chronicle & Echo and the Northants Telegraph.

On the Open4Business Nlive Radio show last week, host Associate Professor Adrian Pryce began with a personal account following his return from Columbia where he collected his son who had been hospitalised by a car crash. Also on the show was Lucas Woodhouse from Blackburn, one of Adrian’s second year BA International Business Management students who spoke about why he choose Northampton over other Universities and his experience so far. Adrian also catches up with Station Manager Martin Steers and heard about the station’s recent awards shortlisting. Listen again.