University of Surrey Archives

How geometry expresses the Second Law of Thermodynamics

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A new thermodynamics approach based on a groundbreaking geometrical understanding of entropy.

Physicists have long struggled to explain how the inevitable increase in the universe’s entropy can be reconciled with the reversible laws of quantum mechanics. Now, Professor Chris Jeynes at the University of Surrey Ion Beam Centre, UK, believes he has found a solution in geometry. This new geometrical thermodynamics shows how the stability in time of structures as diverse as […]

Understanding teaching excellence in STEM subjects

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Alfred Thumser conducted a survey among bioscience students to identify what they classify as teaching excellence in STEM subjects, and identified key areas that students value in their education

STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering, maths – are undeniably important if we are to meet the needs of our increasingly globalised world. So knowing what encourages uptake of these subjects to the highest level is of the utmost importance. Good teaching might be an obvious answer, however we don’t fully understand what constitutes ‘teaching excellence’ in STEM subjects. Dr […]

Justice served? Discrimination in algorithmic risk assessment

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Algorithmic risk assessment plays a pivotal part in determining an offender’s future, but it isn’t without its flaws. Dr Melissa Hamilton of the University of Surrey puts these flaws under the spotlight, with particular focus on algorithmic fairness and gender bias in criminal justice decision making. In our burgeoning world of information technology, algorithms are at the heart of modern […]