22 h. ago It’s my goal to live to 100 – and it’s not just diet and exercise that will help me achieve it | Devi Sridhar

Every time my mind goes down the ‘optimisation’ route, I’m reminded of my job as a public health scientist, looking into the factors that affect how long we will liveProf Devi Sridhar is chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, and the author of How Not to Die (Too Soon)For much of the past century, life expectancy continually increased. In most countries in the world, children could hope to live, on average, longer, healthier lives than their parents. This expectation is still true of the mega-wealthy. In fact, tech billionaires and multimillionaires have recently been fixated on finding the secret to longer life, convinced that with enough money, technology and cutting-edge science, they can stave off the inevitable for a few more decades to reach 120 or even 150 years old.But their efforts aren’t trickling down to the rest of us. The world’s health crises are getting worse, with life expectancy going backwards in several high-income countries, such as the UK ...

Events

3 d. ago University of Edinburgh lecturers to walk out over planned £140m cuts

Princpal defends six-figure pay package as he refuses to rule out compulsory redundancies in front of MSPs

Economics

3 d. ago Edinburgh University principal unsure of his own salary in grilling from MSPs

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson defends six-figure pay package as he refuses to rule out compulsory redundancies

Politics

3 d. ago MSPs challenge university principal on pay and perks amid £140m savings goal

Holyrood Education Committee convener Douglas Ross questioned University of Edinburgh principal Professor Sir Peter Mathieson.

Economics

5 d. ago 'Bubbly' Edinburgh student dies running Half Marathon as tributes paid

Tributes have been paid to Olivia Tuohy, studying at Queen Margaret University, who passed away while running the Edinburgh Half Marathon on Sunday, May 25.

Events

6 d. ago Renewed call for Edinburgh University bosses to be grilled by MSPs over £140m cuts plan

A trade union letter cited the potentially ‘devastating’ impact of the cuts

Economics

8 d. ago Queen Margaret University named Higher Education Institute of the Year at Herald Awards 2025

Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh has been crowned Higher Education Institute of the Year at the prestigious Herald Higher Education Awards 2025, held in Glasgow on 29th May 2025. Coming in QMU’s 150th anniversary year, this accolade celebrates the institution’s enduring commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, inclusion, innovation and student support.

Politics

9 d. ago Local children’s engineering ideas celebrated at The University of Edinburgh

An awards and exhibition event was held on 28 May in Edinburgh, which showcased and celebrated local school pupils across Scotland South East region for their engineering ideas submitted to the Primary Engineer annual UK STEM competition.

Culture

9 d. ago Patrick Grant named as Queen Margaret University’s new Chancellor

Patrick Grant, the designer, entrepreneur, writer, and advocate for sustainability and sustaining communities, is to be the next Chancellor of Queen Margaret University, (QMU) Edinburgh. The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University, presiding over graduation ceremonies and performing an ambassadorial role.

Politics

1 week ago Scientists create soft robots able to walk out of the printers which made them

Researchers said the new devices are a ‘game-changer’.

Politics

1 week ago ‘My parents didn’t have a clue’: why many digital natives would not give their kids smartphones

Online bullying, violence and paedophilia have made young people sceptical of unfettered access to technologyIn 2019, when Sophie* was 12, her classmates sent her “extreme and traumatising” videos that included an al-Qaida beheading, pornography and bestiality. She recalls an adult player in an online game persuading her to meet in person. Although her dad worked in IT, looking back she thinks: “My parents’ generation simply didn’t have a clue.”Now aged 18 and a student at the University of Edinburgh, she wouldn’t allow her children to have a smartphone until they’re adults. “As a teen I would have been the biggest advocate on everyone having a phone, but I’ve 100% changed my opinion,” she said. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Edinburgh University staff vote for strikes over 'unprecedented' job cuts as marking boycott threat revealed

The result of a ballot on strike action at the University of Edinburgh has been announced.

Events

2 w. ago Edinburgh University staff back strike action over £140m cuts and threat to jobs

In a ballot of University and College Union Scotland members at the university, 84% of those who voted backed strike action.

Events

3 w. ago University law student caught with 16kg of drugs in suitcase at Edinburgh Airport

The law student was caught with herbal cannabis in a suitcase at Edinburgh Airport.

Society

3 w. ago Edith Bowman and her mother look back: ‘My Scottish accent got me professional knockbacks, but I’m so glad I didn’t have elocution lessons’

The broadcaster and her mum, Eleanor, on youthful misbehaviour, early ambition, and going to gigs togetherBorn in Fife in 1974, broadcaster Edith Bowman started her radio career while doing communication studies at Queen Margaret University College in Edinburgh. Her first on-screen job was as a news presenter for MTV UK in the early 00s. Top of the Pops, royal wedding coverage, the Baftas and shows on BBC Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6 Music followed. Soundtracking, the film and music podcast she launched in 2016, is available on all providers. She is married to Tom Smith of the band Editors, has two children and lives in Gloucestershire. Continue reading...

Politics