Archive
St Andrews community recognised in King's Birthday Honours
The University of St Andrews is celebrating the achievements of members of our community who have been recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours.
Learning from history to prepare for the next massive volcanic eruption
Researchers at an international gathering hosted at the University of St Andrews are calling for governments to reassess their response to volcanic eruptions.
Scotland's highest order for Sir James MacMillan
Sir James MacMillan, acclaimed Scottish composer and St Andrews professor, has been appointed to the Order of the Thistle by His Majesty the King, recognising his outstanding contributions to music and culture.
Remembering St Andrews alumnus and former MI6 Chief, Sir Alex Younger KCMG
The University of St Andrews is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Alex Younger, St Andrews alumnus and former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), who has died aged 62.
St Andrews top in Scotland and fourth in UK in new rankings
The University of St Andrews is ranked as the top university in Scotland in the newly released 2027 Complete University Guide.
Leafy Lovers: male katydids amplify attractiveness
This new research is the first demonstration of how impressive leaf mimicry can also be used to enhance the attractiveness of a sexual signal.
Historic first for St Andrews
Students and honorary graduates are set to celebrate summer graduation, during which the University will install its first woman Chancellor.
Professor Mark Chaplain elected to Fellowship of the Royal Society
Professor Mark Chaplain, Gregory Chair of Applied Mathematics in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at St Andrews, has been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, the UK's national academy of sciences.
Relief following academic's safe release
The University community was relieved to hear this week of the safe release of Dr Antonis Vradis who was amongst a group of activists detained by Israeli defence forces while taking part in what the Global Sumud Flotilla
Scientists show how human presence affects how animals behave
New research reveals lessons learned from human and wildlife movement during the pandemic
School of Medicine to benefit from £9.7 million investment
The MRC's £9.7m investment will support St Andrews and NHS Fife clinicians to combine research with clinical practice, strengthening innovation, patient care and future NHS research careers.
Size isn't everything - volcanic eruptions may cause more global disruption than previously thought
Researchers have precisely dated an eruption from Newberry Volcano (Oregon, USA) and discovered that its ash spread more than 5000 km across the globe
Renowned professor elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science
Professor Kishan Dholakia has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
University of St Andrews photography collection recognised as Nationally Significant
The collection of 1.6 million images is honoured by National Museums Scotland and the University of St Andrews is also thought to be the oldest photography collecting institution in the world.
Scotland's medical schools secure £100,000 to embed sustainable healthcare in education
A £100,000 Scottish Government grant has positioned University of St Andrews at the centre of a landmark national programme to embed sustainable healthcare education across all undergraduate medical degrees in Scotland.
Be magnificent - it's a virtue!
New research on the nature of human happiness and how we can flourish, via the ancient philosopher Aristotle's account of the virtue of 'magnificence'.
Children of mothers who work nonstandard hours face greater vulnerability
In the first study of its kind using UK data, researchers found that when mothers work nonstandard schedules, their children's socioemotional health is often compromised
Major new funding harnesses AI to combat infectious disease
St Andrews helps lead €1.3m AFRITRAC project to train African experts in disease modelling, boosting outbreak prediction, data skills and public health capacity across 8 countries through a 4-year programme.
Dip dip hooray!
Hundreds of University of St Andrews students gathered at the East Sands at dawn to take part in the traditional May Dip.
St Andrews celebrates Leverhulme Trust Success
Eight academics from the University of St Andrews have been awarded the prestigious funding across arts, humanities and science.
Scientists cautiously suggest GLP-1s are safe to use around pregnancy
St Andrews researchers carried out the largest ever systematic review of more than 49,000 pregnancies over a period of twenty years.
St Andrews to host Scottish film premiere
St Andrews staff and students are being given a unique opportunity to attend a special screening of 'Searching for Satyrus', a film on the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
St Andrews astronomers help make the most extensive map of the Universe ever created
An international team of researchers observed more than 47 million galaxies and quasars and 20 million stars.
RSE welcomes five new Fellows from St Andrews
The prestigious accolade recognises the advancement of learning and useful knowledge, which is at the centre of public life, across the arts, business and technology and science sectors.
St Andrews climbs global rankings
St Andrews ranked in the top 20 of UK institutions in Arts & Humanities (9), and Natural Sciences (17) in the QS Subject Rankings.
Motivations behind violent extremism uncovered in groundbreaking global study
New findings carry profound implications for programmes aimed at countering violent extremism.
The peatland 'nurseries' of Peru give new insights for conservation
An important group of peatlands in the western Amazonia region of Peru developed more recently than many other peatlands in the tropics.
Global study identifies urgent blue carbon priorities in the fight against climate change
Strong international research collaboration has produced a major new study on blue carbon--and the message is clear: we're underusing it.
Moby Dick 'ship sinking' sperm whales caught headbutting on camera
In first known footage, 'ship sinking' sperm whales confirmed to headbutt one another, as well as ships.
Knowledge Exchange Hero win for St Andrews-led Alliance
St Andrews-led Research Alliance for Homes, Energy, and Livelihoods wins national award for Knowledge Exchange excellence.
St Andrews welcomes Professor Sir Jim Skea during Sustainability Week
Chair of the IPCC, Professor Sir Jim Skea highlighted led keynotes, panels, and student Q&As, offering wide-ranging engagement on climate science, policy, and collaboration.
South Rupununi Conservation Society Wins St Andrews Environment Prize
uyana's South Rupununi Conservation Society wins the St Andrews Prize for the Environment, earning $95,000 for its education project empowering youth with science and Indigenous knowledge across 20+ communities.
Systemic financial risk increases during election years
On average, systemic risk is about 3.7% higher in election years compared to normal periods.
Bright pink insect stands out to blend in
Tropical bush cricket changes colour from vivid hot pink to green within a fortnight, which scientists believe may mimic the young leaves of rainforest plants.
University was correct to dismiss Rector over breaches of governance
The University of St Andrews was correct to remove its Rector from University Court, its supreme governing body, after she refused to follow its governance rules.
St Andrews Professor Gurchathen Singh Sanghera elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences
School of International Relations Professor Gurchathen Singh Sanghera has been elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, recognising his research on social justice, discrimination, and human rights
New research maps the breadth of St Andrews relationship with colonialism
A unique visualisation identifying, charting and exploring the colonial connections of over 900 students who were at the University in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The 'Rough Wooing' is offensive and wrong: Argues leading historian
The term 'the rough wooing' is used to refer to the first eight years of Mary's reign, Dr Amy Blakeway argues that it legitimizes sexual violence and distorts historical facts.
St Andrews Prize for the Environment finalists announced
Three global finalists have been selected for the 27th St Andrews Prize for the Environment - the University of St Andrews innovative sustainability initiative.
Dame Anne Pringle elected Chancellor of the University of St Andrews
Dame Anne, a trailblazing diplomat who was formerly British Ambassador to Moscow, won a majority of support in the recent election.
The University of St Andrews teams up with the R&A in a unique collaboration
A new series of lectures explores the relationship between sport and art.
New research shows how to challenge the rising tide of global hate
A global team of researchers have produced a new World Bank Working Paper offering an innovative and innovative and integrative analysis of how collective hate develops and the strategies that can be used to counter it.
Unique 'inside out' planetary system discovered
St Andrews researchers have found four planets which break the usual convention of how solar systems are composed.
Sakura cherry trees bring colour, culture and biodiversity to St Andrews
The University has planted its first Sakura cherry blossom trees as part of a nationwide initiative celebrating the longstanding friendship between Japan and the UK.
University welcomes approval for cutting-edge investment
The Digital Nexus building will provide collaborative research spaces designed to help tackle major global challenges, such as climate change and dementia.