Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport news

Major sporting event leaders to attend 2026 symposium

The International Events Symposium returns following the success of last year’s inaugural event

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New route to nursing degree welcomes first students

Course is designed to create a direct route into nursing study at Stirling

First cohort of Fast Track to Nursing students

Study uncovers hidden challenges facing elite esports athletes

Research explores experiences of South Korean professional esports players who competed at the 2022 Asian Games

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Stirling research shapes better technology for older adults

Toolkit translates priorities of older adults into practical guidance

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New AI golf technology showcased at Stirling

A delegation from South Korea demonstrated cutting-edge golf technology as part of a growing international collaboration

Eddie Cho and Graeme Matheson

Hands-on nature projects are a gamechanger for men’s wellbeing, research finds

University of Stirling experts reveal the ‘three Ps’ that lift men’s moods: purpose, practicality and peer support

Sandy Douglas (Scottish Prison Service) alongside Dr Wendy Masterton and Josh Dumbrell (University of Stirling)

Dementia expert helps transform living spaces for Sir Jackie Stewart’s wife Lady Helen

The trailblazing design is already an award winner

Dining room table and chairs with bold prints on wall

Frontline workers suffer stress, grief and burnout as homelessness numbers grow

These workers are in a different situation than emergency workers because the people they support are usually known to them, say our experts

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Breakfast change could help young people with Type 1 Diabetes

Findings could help children and young people with Type 1 Diabetes better manage blood glucose

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Health visitors help postnatal mothers stay smoke-free, study finds

A team tested BabyBreathe, a programme designed to help women who quit smoking before or during pregnancy stay smoke-free

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Stirling sport students contribute thousands of volunteer hours

More than 100 organisations were supported in the last year

Anne Broadhurst at Bailliefields Community Hub

University of Stirling named Scottish University of the Year and UK Sports University of the Year

Double recognition for Stirling in the Daily Mail University Guide 2027

News page banner with badges Scottish University of the Year and UK Sports University of the Year

Teachers trial mixed attainment reading after literacy project proves its benefits

The results are captured in an hour-long documentary being used as a learning tool for schools

row of children on floor reading books

Study reveals young people’s concerns over alcohol sponsorship in sport

Young people surveyed view alcohol sponsorship as contradictory to the healthy aspirations of sport

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RSE awards for two University of Stirling researchers

The projects are two of 61 that were selected at the spring 2026 Research Awards open call

The University of Stirling campus on a sunny summer day with ducks on Airthrey Loch

Graduates of partnership between Stirling and Chengdu University celebrate their achievements

Currently, more than 1,000 students are enrolled on Stirling College, Chengdu University programmes, and this figure is set to rise with increasing demand and the launch of two new Masters programmes.

Students graduating from Stirling College, Chengdu University partnership.

Shopping vouchers help new mothers stay smoke-free, Stirling study shows

The study is the first to show long-term benefits of offering financial incentives

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University of Stirling project will help shape Armed Forces welfare and wellbeing

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, will work in partnership with Stirling researchers to evaluate the impact of casework delivery in the Armed Forces community.

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Children need to use screens less to improve brain health, study shows

More time moving and sleeping also recommended by researchers

Two children working on tablets.

Design for dementia course wins national award for innovative teaching

The University of Stirling postgraduate course won the Innovative Use of Technology category in The Herald Higher Education Awards.

men and a woman on a stage at awards ceremony

Vaping disrupting Scottish schools, research shows

Study found impact on attendance, behaviour and staff workload

A person wearing a blue hat vaping

Prestigious award for Stirling nursing professor

Emeritus Professor of Nursing honoured by Royal College of Nursing Scotland

Professor Anne Whittaker

University of Stirling colleagues to start Stirling's Race for Life after cancer battles

Professor Jayne Donaldson and Cathy Gallagher will start the race on Sunday, May 3

Cathy Gallagher and Jayne Donaldson of the University of Stirling

Later bar opening hours linked to rise in alcohol-related ambulance call-outs

The study examined the impact of extending alcohol trading hours for licensed premises in Aberdeen and Glasgow

A row of metallic beer taps lined up at a bar with warm, ambient lighting.

Sport clubs became lifelines during public health crisis, research shows

Many groups transformed their role from sport providers into critical sources of social support

Playing football in the street

Second-hand smoke exposure down 96% since Scotland’s smoking ban, study shows

But workplace risk persists, as Scotland marks 20th anniversary of landmark legislation

Putting out a cigarette.

Music and movement programme boosts care home wellbeing, research finds

The evaluation took place in 78 care homes across Scotland

Stretching exercises in a group.

Esports viewing linked to wellbeing, Stirling study finds

Researchers surveyed 400 esports fans in South Korea

Celebrations amongst a group of eSports competitors.

Support needed for teaching climate and sustainability in Scotland, say experts

The report presents findings from a survey of all local authorities in Scotland

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Prisoners in Scotland face mental health and substance use crisis after release, research reveals

People released from prison in Scotland have eight times more ambulance contact for mental health and substance use

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School nurses could have greater mental health role, Stirling study finds

A mixed-methods study, led by the University of Stirling’s Dr Alison Hackett, is the most comprehensive examination of how school nurses support primary-school-aged children’s mental health

A nurse speaks to a primary school age child

Research deep dive is optimising elite swimming performance at Stirling

Olympic swimmers at the University of Stirling are benefiting from a major new research collaboration

Brad Hay, Holly McGill, Jack McMillan, Adham Sanoufi

Stirling experts warn tobacco industry interference persists as Scotland celebrates 20 years since smoking ban

The landmark smoke-free legislation came into effect on March 26, 2006, despite industry efforts to stop it

Putting out a cigarette.

Study reveals insidious impact of alcohol marketing on young people

Researchers have raised concerns about sports sponsorship strategies

Crowd of spectators cheering and holding up pom-poms from the stands of a large stadium during a game.

Emergency calls analysis reveals opportunities to save more lives

Prompt CPR increases survival chances fourfold

Performing CPR

Award-winning study into Scotland's most vulnerable children receives new funding

A new phase of research will track looked after children through adolescence and early adulthood.

teenage boy sitting at window

Major research project to transform dementia care in Kenya

Misconceptions, lack of dementia awareness and limited research mean people are stigmatised and overlooked

older black woman with two young boys

Public health students preparing for next pandemic

An immersive global health emergency simulation was held

Two medical professionals in full PPE, including gowns, masks, hairnets, and goggles, talking to each other in a hospital ward.

Inspirational nurses celebrated by University of Stirling students

An awards ceremony was held at Forth Valley Royal Hospital

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University of Stirling’s graduating nurses celebrate securing jobs

NHS Forth Valley has employed 116 nurses of the 179 who graduated from the University of Stirling last week

Graduating nurses who are going on to work at NHS Forth Valley

Stirling launches clinical trial to tackle street benzodiazepine use

Findings could help cut drug-related deaths

A close-up of a person pouring small round pills out of an amber prescription bottle into the palm of their hand.

Young people using unregulated nicotine pouches despite health risks, research finds

Nicotine pouches are small tobacco-free sachets which can be legally sold to under-18s in the UK

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Ambulance staff subjected to violence and harassment on alcohol-related callouts, study finds

Stronger regulation of late-night alcohol sales and marketing likely to help

Paramedics inside an ambulance attending to a patient, with one emergency worker seen from the back in the foreground.

Alcohol licensing overhaul could undermine accountability

UK Government has endorsed sweeping changes to the 2003 Licensing Act

A close-up of a full pint glass of ale with a foamy head sitting on a pub bar as a bartender works in the background.

Calls for every Scottish professional football club to offer psychological support for academy players

Dr Alban Dickson, a lecturer in Sport Psychology at the University of Stirling, believes aspiring footballers need greater support.

A young footballer looking distressed in the changing room

Leaders from FIFA, F1, SFA, SPFL and Glasgow 2026 to share expertise with Stirling students

The event is aimed at students who would like to forge a career in the highly competitive sports event industry

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Game-changing sport research centre launched

It will be co-led by Professor Anna Whittaker and Professor Stuart Galloway

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Malawi’s alcohol sachets ban is blueprint for public health advances

Research offers lessons for other countries

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Stirling academics appointed to REF 2029 sub-panels

The four will use their expertise in specific subject areas as part of the Research Excellence Framework in 2029.

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New research urges rethink of mental health support for elite athletes

Current approaches can be out of touch with lived realities, according to the study

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