News in brief
Catch up on the latest news from across the University community.
Breathtaking sun sculpture at The Exchange
A beautiful, illuminated sculpture of the sun has taken up residence this spring at The Exchange, the University’s venue in the centre of Birmingham.
Designed by acclaimed British artist Luke Jerram, Helios was made using high-resolution solar imagery, revealing astonishing details of the sun’s surface. Illuminated from within, it casts a golden glow from where it hangs, high in the Exchange’s central Banking Hall.
Luke said: ‘I'm thrilled the University of Birmingham has acquired the artwork. It is very dangerous to look at the Sun directly as it can damage our eyesight, so Helios provides a safe opportunity for the public to get up close to and inspect its extraordinarily detailed surface.’
A specially created surround sound composition accompanies the installation, and a new exhibition showcases Birmingham research into how our closest star impacts us in space, our environment and in our homes.
Helios will be on display at The Exchange until November 2026.
New partnership announced with Birmingham Royal Ballet
The University of Birmingham and Birmingham Royal Ballet have announced a new strategic partnership, formalising more than two decades of collaboration between two of the city’s leading civic institutions.
The partnership applies the rigour of sports science and health research to ballet. Working closely with Birmingham Royal Ballet’s specialist Jerwood Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Dance Injuries, University academics re exploring dancer wellbeing, including research into safeguarding, bone health, nutrition and mental resilience. Insights gained from this work are relevant beyond the studio, informing wider public health and wellbeing.
Carlos Acosta CBE (DUniv, 2025), Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, said: ‘Collaboration has always been central to how Birmingham Royal Ballet works - with artists, audiences and the city we call home. We have always enjoyed a vibrant relationship with the University of Birmingham, and this partnership allows us to build and expand on that foundation.’
World-leading rare earth magnet recycling facility launches
The University of Birmingham has launched a new facility for separating and recycling rare earth magnets that will help to reduce the UK’s reliance on imports of rare earth metals, alloys, and magnets.
Rare earth magnets are amongst the key ‘critical minerals’ that are integral to modern life. They form a core building block in technologies such as wind turbines, electric vehicles, medical equipment, pumps, robotics, and electronics. Demand for these minerals will only increase as the adoption of low-carbon technologies accelerates and they are fundamental to the UK’s modern industrial strategy.
Opened by Chris McDonald MP, Minister for Industry in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Business and Trade, the facility, based at Tyseley Energy Park, uses a groundbreaking hydrogen-based process developed by researchers at the University.
Mr McDonald said: ‘This new facility is great news for the West Midlands. It will help create hundreds of well-paid local jobs and is testament to our world-leading expertise in rare earth recycling.’
‘Brum Buddies’ group helps chest and lung surgery patients
A new patient-led support initiative, Brum Buddies, has launched to help people aged 50 and over recover after major chest or lung surgery.
The group - developed through a collaboration between the University of Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham, and Age UK Birmingham - provides a welcoming space for conversation, connection, and mutual support.
Meeting both online and in person, Brum Buddies offers a friendly environment where patients can share their stories, exchange recovery tips, and find encouragement from others who have experienced similar challenges. Sessions are free of charge, with fortnightly in-person meet-ups complete with tea, coffee, and conversation.
Explaining the need for the group, Ali Mazaheri, Professor of Translational Neuroscience at the University said: ‘During one of our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement meetings, I overheard older patients exchanging recovery tips - practical, heartfelt advice you’d never find in a leaflet. That moment inspired a support group where lived experience leads the conversation.’
A gift of words
A poem, 'The Future in 125 Directions', was written as a gift to the University by Dr Afra Atiq to mark the University’s 125th anniversary.
Her words, performed by Dr Afra Atiq during the University of Birmingham Dubai campus 125 celebrations, offer a thoughtful and imaginative reflection on learning, curiosity, and the diverse pathways shaped within the University of Birmingham community.
You can listen to Dr Atiq performing the poem below.