News Archive: April 2016

EuroVisions How others have viewed Wales

Have you ever wondered how others see us? A new public exhibition, drawing on research at Bangor University’s School of Modern Languages and Cultures, looks at how European visitors – including explorers, tourists and refugees – have viewed Wales since the mid-eighteenth century. The exhibition at Bangor’s new Storiel is called EuroVisions: Wales through the Eyes of European Visitors, 1750-2015 and runs from April to 2 July.

Publication date: 29 April 2016

Revealing what lies beneath...

Have you ever looked out to sea from somewhere on the Welsh coast and wondered how that view would seem if the water was somehow magically taken away? Well, thanks to recent results from a Bangor University project called SEACAMS, part financed through the Welsh European Funding Office, this has become a reality for some iconic coastal locations across Wales.

Publication date: 28 April 2016

Major Festival of Behaviour Change announced

Behaviour change is widely recognised as an essential tool for public services and organisations responding to the considerable contemporary social and demographic changes we are experiencing in Wales, and beyond. A major Festival of Behaviour Change (#BehFest16) running for two weeks between 9-20 May at Bangor University, will showcase the latest thinking in applied behaviour change science, to individuals and organizations interested in learning about, designing, and implementing some of these behaviour change techniques for the benefit of their organisations or of the public at large.

Publication date: 27 April 2016

Celebrating Anglesey at the Houses of Parliament

Dr Edward Jones, Lecturer in Economics, recently attended a special event to celebrate the economic, social and cultural life of Anglesey, the ‘Mother of Wales’.

Publication date: 27 April 2016

Study Visit Ireland 2016

Lifelong Learning's community development students travel Ireland exploring the impact of austerity on communities and ways of responding to this crash.

Publication date: 27 April 2016

The truth about the links between military service and crime

This article by Leanne K Simpson , PhD Candidate, School of Psychology | Institute for the Psychology of Elite Performance, Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article . The transition back to civilian life is a challenging period for military personnel – particularly when coupled with one or more of the well-publicised problems faced by veterans , including mental health issues, skills translation and the stigma surrounding military service. In addition, there are several myths regarding the apparently inevitable transition from military service to a life of crime. These are, at best, unhelpful.

Publication date: 27 April 2016

Staff and students are queueing up to join Sign Language courses

Staff and students at Bangor University are queueing up to join Sign Language courses provided at the University. Through the University’s Widening Access Centre, the decision was made to provide a number of Deaf Awareness and 10 week Introduction to Sign language courses to staff and students.

Publication date: 26 April 2016

Free Concerts at the University this May

The Performance Department will open its doors to the public throughout May in a series of free concerts. The hard work of our visiting lecturers and students can be heard in a series of recitals featuring works by Franck, Beethoven, Messiaen, Debussy, Lizst, Bach and much more.

Publication date: 26 April 2016

"How does the HMRC affect the financial hardship of claimants? A critical discourse analysis of power asymmetries in the UK tax credits system"

"How does the HMRC affect the financial hardship of claimants? A critical discourse analysis of power asymmetries in the UK tax credits system" - a guest seminar by Sara Closs-Davies, Koen Bartels & Doris Merkl-Davies, Bangor Business School

Publication date: 25 April 2016

Health student improving the lives of vulnerable people through Art Therapy

A project carried out by a Bangor University student nurse is thought to be the first in carrying out art therapy.

Publication date: 25 April 2016

Bangor University signs 10-year partnership agreement with Oxford International

Bangor University has signed a new partnership with Oxford International Education , a unique accredited education provider, a world leader in education in the UK and Canada. The partnership will launch Bangor International College (BIC), an embedded college on the university campus, which will teach the first stages of a range of integrated and incorporated undergraduate and postgraduate degrees for international students at the university.

Publication date: 25 April 2016

Bangor University Opera - Dido and Aeneas

Early Music Bangor, conducted by Chris Collins and the Director of Bangor University Opera Marian Bryfdir join forces to bring Purcell’ s iconic opera to life for two performances in May.

Publication date: 25 April 2016

Bangor University announces Honorary Fellows for 2016

The highest-ranked female in the British Armed forces, an international rugby referee and an opera singer are among those receiving Honorary Fellowships at Bangor University (11-15 July). Major General Susan Ridge, Director General Army Legal Services, was appointed to the rank in 2015, becoming the highest ranking female within the British Armed Forces. She is in charge of 130 lawyers. Susan Ridge graduated from Bangor University with a History degree in 1984. She is to receive an Honorary Fellowship for services to Law. Nigel Owens, widely regarded as one of the best rugby referees in the world, is to be honoured for his services to rugby. Elin Manahan-Thomas, the leading British soprano of her generation will also receive an Honorary Fellowship for her services to music. These three individuals are among 14 new Honorary Fellowships awarded to individuals who have made an important contribution in their chosen fields, whether in industry, business, public life or the arts. Each will join the University’s own graduating students during one of the degree ceremonies taking place 11-15 July, to receive their award.

Publication date: 25 April 2016

Children join in Dementia & Imagination- Lost in Art project

School children in Denbighshire worked alongside an art group for people living with dementia to create a large scale piece of art which responded to questions around involving and including people living with dementia in our society. Year 6 children from Clawdd Offa Primary School, Prestatyn, joined with group members from Denbighshire County Council (DCC) Art Service’s ‘Lost in Art’ programme to explore questions on creating inclusive and supportive communities for people living with dementia within our own communities. The children also took part in a Dementia Friends awareness session before the workshop to learn more about the illness.

Publication date: 22 April 2016

Bangor University’s Peer Guides thanked as one receives Award

Around 500 Bangor University students have been congratulated and awarded certificates in thanks for the vital role they have been playing in supporting their fellow students. Bangor University runs one of the oldest and largest ‘Peer Guiding Schemes ’ in any UK university. The trained ‘Peer Guides’ play a vital role in assisting new students to settle in to university life, helping with everything from the practicalities of moving in and finding their way around university, to assisting in supporting students in adapting to university life and signposting them to further information and support when necessary.

Publication date: 21 April 2016

Plaque to commemorate poet, Tony Conran

Tony Conran's achievement as a writer has been commemorated by the erection of a Plaque in the Main Library at Bangor University. A short ceremony was held in the Library recently when poems to two of his past friends and colleagues who were inspirational to him – the late Professor John Danby and the late Professor Bedwyr Lewis Jones - were read by Dyfan Roberts and John Griffiths, members of the Conran Poetry Chorus.

Publication date: 21 April 2016

Bangor Academics elected Fellows of the Learned Society of Wales

Seven Bangor University academics have been elected Fellows of the Learned Society of Wales .

Publication date: 20 April 2016

How jobs figures mask bogus self-employment in the shadow economy

The UK has posted disappointing jobs data. Unemployment rose slightly for the first time in seven months, by 21,000 to 1.7m. It is still at a respectable rate of 5.1% and employment remains very high at 74.1%. But the figures need unpicking to identify the problems that lie beneath the surface of the country’s economy, despite months of positive headlines . This article by Tony Dobbins , Professor of Employment Studies, Bangor University ; Alexandra Plows , Research Fellow, Bangor University , and Howard Davis , Professor of Social Theory & Institutions, Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 20 April 2016

Chwarae Teg Employer of the Year Award

Bangor University has been awarded the ‘Employer of the Year’ (public sector) category in the Chwarae Teg ‘ Womenspire ’ awards. This new awards scheme recognises the remarkable contribution made by women across Welsh society and aims to inspire future generations of women to achieve and prosper. Categories reflect a wide variety of activities and encourage applications from women of all ages and across all walks of life who are proud of what they are achieving – whether it’s in their private or professional lives or in the wider community. Also nominated for the Employer of the Year award were the South Wales Police, DVLA, and Traveline Cymru.

Publication date: 19 April 2016

Megan reaches the Welsh Learners' Medal’s final round!

It was a great pleasure to hear that Megan Elias, a second year student at the School of Welsh, Bangor University, had reached the final round of the Welsh Learners' Medal at the Urdd National Eisteddfod this year

Publication date: 19 April 2016

Why does the growth of food banks matter?

This article by Dave Beck , PhD Researcher at the School of Social Sciences was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article . In the last 50 years, we have observed a number of subtle, yet substantial revolutions in the way we approach our choices over food. One of the earliest revolutions saw us shift from shopping little and often with local producers – and investing in the local economy – to being swayed by the “stack ‘em high, sell 'em cheap” rhetoric, sold by supermarkets and the international economy.

Publication date: 19 April 2016

Bangor University Wins UK Award

Bangor University has received a prestigious Award at an event in London, as a direct result of rave reviews by the University’s own students. Having been nominated in seven out of ten categories for the Whatuni Student Choice Awards for 2016 including one for overall University of the Year, Bangor University won the Award for Best University Accommodation .

Publication date: 15 April 2016

Ambergris: how to tell if you've struck gold with 'whale vomit' or stumbled upon sewage

This article by Vera Thoss, Lecturer in Chemistry, was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. When walking along the beach, some objects might seem unusual because they are neither pebble nor shell nor seaweed. They can be covered with a soft white layer that looks a bit like cotton wool. They may appear hard or waxy, and sometimes have objects trapped within. And a smell that has been described as “a cross between squid and farmyard manure”. Dogs with their keen sense of smell often find these objects first.

Publication date: 15 April 2016

What prairie dogs tell us about the effects of noise pollution

This article by Dr Graeme Shannon , Lecturer in Zoology at the School of Biological Science was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 14 April 2016

University Council Seeks New Members

Applications and declarations of interest are invited from individuals who can make a contribution to the work of the Council, Bangor University’s governing body. The University also seeks to appoint co-opted members to its Finance & Resources Committee and its Audit & Risk Committee.

Publication date: 13 April 2016

We need to change what people think modern slavery is

This article by Dr Fay Short & Dr Tracey Lloyd who are both Senior Lecturers at the School of Psychology was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 13 April 2016

Open Day at Brambell Natural History Museum, Bangor University with the Herpetological Society

Bangor University’s Natural History collections housed at Brambell Building will be open to the public on Saturday 16 th April between 11am and 3pm. This will be an opportunity to visit the University’s Natural History Museum, which is not usually accessible to the public, to learn more about the animals and plants on display. There will be a chance to ask questions of the available volunteers, and there will be an activities corner for children of all ages.

Publication date: 12 April 2016

Bangor lecturer elected to the International Committee of the Chartered Association of Business Schools

Professor Santiago Carbo-Valverde, Professor of Economics and Finance, has been elected as a member of the International Committee of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS).

Publication date: 12 April 2016

‘Welsh out of School? Factors Influencing School Pupils’ Social Use of Welsh and Implications for Other Minority Languages – Some Initial Findings’ - Siôn Aled Owen

‘Welsh out of School? Factors Influencing School Pupils’ Social Use of Welsh and Implications for Other Minority Languages – Some Initial Findings’: a guest lecture by Siôn Aled Owen, School of Education

Publication date: 12 April 2016

Dr Edward Jones discusses Welsh economic issues on BBC Cymru

Dr Edward Jones recently gave two interviews to BBC Cymru on current economic and finance issues.

Publication date: 11 April 2016

Chartered Institute of Housing validates undergraduate module

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has validated the third year Social Sciences’ module SXP3210 Issues in Housing. This will bring benefits to students who are thinking of a housing career or further study in housing. The benefits include partial credit towards CIH Chartered membership.

Publication date: 6 April 2016

Bangor University partnership nominated for Award

Horizon Nuclear Power are shortlisted for a prestigious Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services Award. The short-listing is for the collaboration and strategic engagement between the company and Bangor University, assisted by other partners such as National Skills Academy for Nuclear, Nuclear Graduates Programme and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board. The partnership aims to raise the profile of the Nuclear Industry, and the opportunities it offers to graduates, amongst staff and students at the University.

Publication date: 5 April 2016

The vision of a new North Wales coast to harness power, protect the shoreline and boost tourism

Just imagine a major wall off the North Wales coast stretching from Llandudno, out to sea and then back to land near Prestatyn: sailing dinghies and wind surfers enjoying the calm waters within, thriving tourism, and support industries and local communities alleviated from the threat of coastal flooding.

Publication date: 4 April 2016

Forum Theatre and Community Development

Using forum theatre to engage in community change

Publication date: 4 April 2016

Eight myths about women on the military frontline – and why we shouldn't believe them

This article by Leanne K Simpson , PhD Student, School of Psychology | Institute for the Psychology of Elite Performance, Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article . Although women have proven themselves capable in frontline combat situations – most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan – sceptics argue that this does not demonstrate they are capable of the dirty, exhausting, terrifying and chaotic job that is offensive close combat. Many myths, based on stereotype and perpetuated by a minority of “old and bold” military personnel, are historically unfounded . However, the findings do not seem to be filtering though – and popular opinion still believes that women are incapable of serving in ground close combat roles . It is time to put these myths to bed once and for all:

Publication date: 1 April 2016

Archive of the month

Publication date: 1 April 2016