In choosing a header image for my new blog, I’ve tried to use images that reflect the breadth of activity from across our School. I hope to change these images on occasion so that, over time, all aspects of our School are highlighted and celebrated.

I’ll write an inaugural post about the School soon but for now, I’ll say a little about each of the images (left to right):

Not only are we one of the few universities that operate a farm, but we operate two: Nafferton and Cockle Park. Working together as NU Farms, they give us a unique platform for research and teaching. Whilst Agriculture-focused, the farms can and do support a wide range of University activities across science and engineering. The farms not only have a very long and proud history but a very exciting future and we recently held a very successful event celebrating the farms and our role in two of the Government’s Centres for Agriculture Innovation.

A key feature of Biology is the first class facilities and excellent resources we have to support students’ study. As in many of the degrees our School offers, laboratory work is also supported by significant levels of fieldwork. Field and practical work is an essential component of our offering to students across our School and something I hope we can grow and celebrate as our new organisation matures.

The beautiful image in the centre comes from the work of Dr Mike Probert (Chemistry) on Crystallography.  It was taken by photographer, Max Alexander, who showed it at the Royal Albert Hall as part of his ‘Illuminating Atoms’ exhibition. The image shows a single grain of salt held between two diamonds. This arrangement of using opposing diamond anvils allows the controlled generation of extremely high pressures in a laboratory environment. Our work and expertise in this field made the front cover of Science in 2014.

The fourth image shows Earth Science students undertaking fieldwork in the Lake District. Colleagues from Earth and Environmental Sciences are already exploring ways to work more collaboratively to improve both the student and staff experience.

The fifth image was taken on our research vessel, Princess Royal. Like the farms, we are one of the few universities to operate our own vessel for teaching and research. Along with the, Dove Marine Laboratory we have fantastic facilities to support research, teaching and outreach work across the School.

If anybody would like to suggest and forward any images, please do.