Bristol University Opens New Life Sciences Department
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Students attending The University of Bristol will be able to enhance their study of life sciences thanks to a new faculty opening at the higher education facility this summer.
The building will encompass already thriving departments at the university, including Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Psychological Science, Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, and Biological Sciences.
The south-western university hopes that the creation of a new life sciences faculty will help it achieve its goal of becoming the place to study for those interested in the subject, and attract more investors and academics.
It hopes to become a leader in all areas of life sciences over the coming years, including molecular, cellular, tissue, organ systems, behavioural, social and societal.
In order to achieve this, the faculty will provide both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that are focused on research.
It will also work together with the Faculty of Health Sciences, another major building on campus, which concentrates on Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science. By contributing to these subjects through research, the faculties will be able to make breakthroughs in their respective sectors.
Vice-chancellor of the university Professor Hugh Brady said Bristol already has a reputation as a “centre of life sciences”.
“The university is at the heart of that, not least because of our world-leading research and the relationships we have with the city’s specialist teaching hospitals, but also our close connection with the BBC’s Bristol-based Natural History Unit,” he stated.
Indeed, in the past, students and academics studying life sciences here have contributed and had significant influence over BBC programmes, including the ever popular Blue Planet show.
Hosted by the legendary David Attenborough, this documentary series is all about the natural world, and has helped millions of Brits learn more about wildlife, plants and our impact on nature.
Last year, Blue Planet II’s first episode was the most popular programme of 2017, with 14.1 million people tuning in to watch it, reported The Guardian. This demonstrates just how much life sciences has grown in popularity with the British public, not just among academics.
Mr Brady added that its new faculty will improve its “reputation for research-rich life sciences education and teaching”.
Leading Bristol’s new life sciences facility will be Professor Jeremy Tavare, who will take the position of Dean. He comes to the role with rich experience of both the sector and the university, having previously been the founding director of the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute and the director of Research (Health & Life Sciences) at the Russell Group University – one of the 24 top research-based further education establishments in the UK.
To help Bristol’s new life sciences faculty become world-class, it has been fitted with technologically advanced equipment. This includes a £13.6 million BBSRC/EPSRC-funded biology centre called BrisSynBio.
Many staff in the life sciences department are also key players in Bristol’s £10 million Integrative Epidemiology Unit and £21 million Biomedical Research Centre.
Speaking about Mr Tavare’s appointment, Mr Brady said: “[He] is a world-class scientist and natural leader. He is held in high-esteem by the research and university community and is the most natural choice to the lead the new Faculty of Life Sciences and implement this vision for the university.”
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