University of Essex

08/10/2026

Agricultural professionals can play an important role in supporting farmers experiencing poor mental health.

Agronomists, vets, contractors and land agents often build trusted relationships with farmers, becoming “accidental counsellors”. But researchers stress they should not replace trained mental health professionals.

07/10/2026

Researchers from Essex will present their work at NeurIPS 2026, one of the world’s most prestigious and competitive AI conferences, alongside leading universities and technology companies including Google, Microsoft and Meta.

The researchers will be sharing their new Hyper-DFS method that could make AI systems more efficient and adaptable, with potential applications including medical diagnosis.

07/10/2026

The University of Essex is all about building strong partnerships with businesses, charities, councils and policymakers, so we're really excited to be 12th in the UK for sharing our expertise to drive growth and positive change in our communities, according to the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework.

All this feeds back into our education and our research agenda, which means our students work with academics who are putting their research into action, and partners get to connect with leaders in their fields.

07/10/2026

That seaweed on the beach could be more than just a nuisance.

Seaweed plays an important role in healthy coastal ecosystems, but when huge amounts wash ashore and begin to rot, they can release toxic gases that pose risks to people and wildlife.

Dr Michael Steinke explores how rapid growth can be driven by nutrient pollution and warmer waters, with large-scale strandings also threatening marine life, fisheries, tourism and coastal communities.

06/10/2026

Essex poet Dr Holly Pester has been shortlisted for the 2026 T. S. Eliot Prize - the “world’s top poetry award” - for her collection Cafés.

Published by Fitzcarraldo Editions , the collection explores work, friendship, love, community and reflection through the café.

The prestigious prize celebrates the best new poetry collections published in the UK and Ireland, with the winner receiving £25,000.

06/10/2026

From cancer research to climate-resilient crops, discover the latest research from Essex.

Join over 40,000 subscribers to our Research at Essex newsletter and read the latest edition featuring a new £2.5m laboratory training the next generation of cancer scientists, Essex experts helping shape policy in Parliament and more.

Explore work tackling threats to press freedom and developing maize varieties that could help farmers produce more food with less water.

New £2.5m lab set to train cancer scientists of the future Student in BioStar-Lab The next generation of NHS scientists will train in a £2.

05/10/2026

Campus is back to its buzzing best. A big welcome to all our new students and those making their return to Essex.

We're kicking off another exciting Welcome Week with plenty on offer from our University of Essex Students' Union - Colchester, Essex Sport and the incredible Colchester community.

05/10/2026

Can we really form attachment bonds with AI?

Attachment is more than simply liking or spending time with someone. It involves seeking security and comfort from a relationship, particularly when we feel distressed.

Dr Pascal Vrtička explores what this could mean for our relationships with AI chatbots, and why humans have long formed bonds with non-human companions, from pets to treasured objects.

02/10/2026

The School of Life Sciences Graduate Forum has celebrated a special 25th anniversary, bringing together postgraduate researchers, academics and technical staff to share cutting-edge research and ideas.

A huge congratulations to Isabelle Firth and Russ Connelly, who organised this year’s landmark event, bringing together research from across the School and creating opportunities for students to connect with established researchers.

Here’s to the next 25 years of discovery, collaboration and scientific innovation.

02/10/2026

A bird attacking a butterfly will often find its beak snapping at thin air.

According to new research, that split-second miss isn't just bad luck. It's caused by a visual illusion from the butterfly's wings.

The new study – published in the journal Nature, by the University of Exeter and the University of Essex – provides the first evidence that a butterfly's flight and wing pattern work together to create powerful visual illusions that scramble a predator's sense of speed and direction, making them misdirect attacks.