Bristol’s name is known internationally for the groundbreaking research carried out at Bristol University. But what goes on in those laboratories? Delving into some labs is just one element of a project commissioned by the university to “capture some of its essence” in 52 short films.

The films, which will be used extensively on www.bristol.ac.uk, cover many aspects of university life, from lab technicians being asked to make “a Swiss roll of colon”, to schoolchildren visiting Bristol for a law summer school.

Aerospace engineers in the faculty of engineering are literally doing some blue sky thinking working on air-to-air refuelling for unmanned planes, while the Inside Arts festival brought the work of the arts faculty to a wider Bristol public.

“We wanted to avoid anything gimmicky; the quality of research and staff speak for themselves,” said Bristol University director of communications and marketing David Alder, as a few of the films received their premieres yesterday at the M Shed.

“Bristol has the most fabulous brand thanks to the students, the staff, the alumni and the city in which we are based. The University of Bristol brand is something that our graduates take with them for the rest of their lives.

“I genuinely believe that in Bristol, magical things happen.”

Here is just one of the videos. To view the others, visit the university’s YouTube page.