Research spotlight

Date

February roundup of some of the latest research and education stories from the University.

Fully-funded PhD opportunities

The University has announced 200 new fully-funded PhD opportunities, to train the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Unlocking the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medical diagnosis and care, a new centre for doctoral training (CDT) will offer 50 PhD places. The CDT will focus on the early detection, diagnosis, treatment and care of cancer.

Read more about the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence for Medical Diagnosis and Care.

Digital pathologyIt follows more government funding for three new EPSRC centres for doctoral training at Leeds, which will create another 150 fully-funded PhD researcher places, in Molecules to Products, Fluid Dynamics, and Water and Waste Infrastructure Systems Engineered for Resilience.

Find out more about the funding in our news story.

Successful applicants will all become members of the University’s Doctoral College

Fighting skin cancer

New research has shown that melanoma patients with a history of smoking cigarettes are 40 per cent less likely to survive their skin cancer than people who have never smoked.

A study of more than 700 melanoma patients, mainly from the north of England, provides evidence to suggest that smoking may blight the immune response against melanoma and reduce survival. 

Based on these findings, stopping smoking should be strongly recommended for people diagnosed with melanoma.

PROFESOR JULIA NEWTON-BISHOP

It was funded by Cancer Research UK and published in the journal Cancer Research.

Read the full story in the article Smoking may limit body’s ability to fight skin cancer.

Fixing Fashion

Research led by the School of Design has contributed to a new report, Fixing fashion: clothing consumption and sustainability

Produced by parliament's Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), lecturer Dr Mark Sumner gave evidence in person on 30 October 2018. 

After the launch of the report, the researchers said: “The EAC research has helped to identify a number of responsible brands and organisations which are attempting to address a number of difficult problems associated with materials, the supply chain and workers, as well as the major issue of end of life clothing waste from consumers."

Read more in the article Fixing fashion? Sustainability and social justice in the clothing sector

Digital skills drive 

The University has partnered with the Institute of Coding and FutureLearn to create new online courses to support the next generation of digital talent.

Computer coding on a screenIt will create a new programme called The IoC guide to kick starting your career with 21C skills. 

The online courses – delivered through digital education platform FutureLearn – are designed to focus on digital employability skills for people in the 18-25 age group and will be available later this year.

Read more in the article Leeds helps Institute of Coding launch £4.8 million digital skills drive.