News Archive: March 2017

First-time Writing Bursary for School of Welsh Student

Congratulations to Gareth Evans-Jones, a PhD student in the School of Welsh, on winning a First-time Writing Bursary supported by Literature Wales.

Publication date: 30 March 2017

One World on show in Bangor

Flavours of world cultural traditions were on display to over 400 students, staff and members of the community who came to Bangor University’s annual celebration of diversity and talent. The One World Gala saw twenty acts representing many corners of the globe, performed by individual students and student Clubs and Societies and invited local groups, perform acts ranging from Tongan songs to Ghanaian drumming, Welsh folk singing to Japanese martial arts.

Publication date: 30 March 2017

Jack Rooke: Good Grief at Pontio

Jack Rooke’s critically acclaimed debut hour Good Grief kicks off Soho Theatre’s 2017 touring programme as they continue to bring the best work from London’s most vibrant venue for new theatre, comedy and cabaret to the rest of the UK. The tour will visit Pontio Bangor’s theatre studio on 29 April at 7.30pm.

Publication date: 30 March 2017

Learning disability nursing student volunteering in Ghana

On 28 th of August, 2017 Iola Mair Morris a second year Learning Disability nursing student will be going to Ghana to volunteer for two weeks. The project cares for people and children with learning disability providing opportunities to volunteer in hospitals, orphanages and schools.

Publication date: 30 March 2017

How football’s richest clubs fail to pay staff a real living wage

This article by Tony Dobbins , Bangor University Byusiness School and Peter Prowse , Sheffield Hallam University , was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article . English football’s top flight, the Premier League, dominates the sporting world’s league tables for revenue. Star players, managers and executives command lucrative wages . Thanks to the biggest TV deal in world football, the 20 Premier League clubs share £10.4 billion between them.

Publication date: 30 March 2017

Bangor University’s Santander Entrepreneurship Pitchers

Three Bangor University students are have been selected to represent the University in the regional finals of the Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards competition. Having competed against over thirty entries to be selected as the final shortlist of six student projects, PhD graduate Ned Hartfiel and Psychology Masters students Alex Bailey and Daniel Pascoe were awarded a cheque for £200 for their entries, and will be eligible for business support through B-Enterprising at the University’s Careers & Employability Service.

Publication date: 30 March 2017

Cooperation and how to nurture it key theme of Soapbox Science talk

Bangor Psychology PhD student Pippa Beston will be travelling to Swansea to take part in the Soapbox Science event on 8th July. She is following a considerable tradition of Bangor’s School of Psychology taking part in this event with previous participants including Prof. Emily Cross and Dr Kami Koldewyn.

Publication date: 29 March 2017

Bangor Academic backs Young Parents.

From headlines on pre-teen fathers to pervasive beliefs about benefit and housing claims, young parenthood has come to be seen as a risk for society. A recent Bangor research study on the ‘Rhieni Ifanc Ni’ project run by GISDA across North West Wales, challenges those views. The Rhieni Ifanc Ni project provided individual support to over 100 parents aged under 25, most of whom were mothers. Its primary aim was to build parents’ resilience. Aspects of this included promoting economic inclusion through supporting parents to gain relevant qualifications, supporting family and co-parent relationships and enabling parents to form networks with other parents. Bangor University undertook a year-long study of parents’ experiences of ‘building resilience’. The study was led by Dr. Myfanwy Davies and was undertaken by Karen Wyn Jones and Elin Williams in the School of Social Sciences .

Publication date: 29 March 2017

National Assembly for Wales pilots Academic Fellowships with Bangor University

Two Bangor University academics are to share their expertise to enable Assembly Members to develop policy and practice for the benefit of the people of Wales. Dr Alexandra Plows of Bangor University’s School of Social Sciences and Dr Catrin Hedd Jones of the School of Healthcare Sciences will spend time working on specific projects alongside the Assembly’s Research Service under new Academic Fellowships being piloted by the National Assembly for Wales.

Publication date: 29 March 2017

Britons see volunteering as a hobby or a way to network rather than a chore

Despite the UK being named Europe’s most generous country last year, new data from the Office for National statistics has shown that volunteering for charities and other organisations in the country declined by 7% in the three years to 2015. Furthermore, over the past decade there has been a 15.4% fall in the total number of regular hours dedicated to volunteering, dropping from to 2.28 billion from 1.93 billion hours. This, according to the Office for National Statistics, resulted in a loss of more than £1 billion between 2012 and 2015. This downturn doesn’t show the whole picture, however: the ONS also found that more young people are getting involved with volunteering initiatives. And that though the amount of time spent volunteering has declined, more people are signing up to volunteer. This article by Stephanie Jones , PhD student of sociology, studying civil society, volunteering and participation, at the School of Social Sciences Bangor University , was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 24 March 2017

Prof. Emily Cross at the European Research Council’s 10 Year Celebrations

Professor Emily Cross of Bangor University’s School of Psychology was invited to talk at the European Research Council’s 10 Year Celebrations Conference recently, where she shared the stage with some of Europe’s most eminent researchers.

Publication date: 24 March 2017

Bangor University’s satisfied students

Bangor University continues to rise in popularity among its students. The University has risen to 12th place in the UK and is the only university in Wales to make the top 15 in a new university experience survey ( Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2017 ).

Publication date: 23 March 2017

Bangor pioneering a new approach to training Counsellors

One in four adults experience mental health difficulties in any given year, and mental health issues account for the largest single cause of disability in the UK. The NHS has pledged to invest more than one billion pounds to transform mental health care across the UK. Bangor University is delighted to respond to this increased need for trained counsellors with the introduction of a Masters in Counselling. This exciting course provides a new opportunity for therapeutic training in North Wales and aims to create a new generation of counsellors to support those in need.

Publication date: 21 March 2017

 Bangor student nurse shortlisted for national award

The School of Healthcare Sciences is delighted to announce that Robson Sengwe (3 rd year student Nurse from Bangor University’s Wrexham Campus) has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Student Nursing Times 2017 award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs.

Publication date: 17 March 2017

Cabinet Secretary shown innovation at work during Bangor University visit

The Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams AM, visited Bangor University on Thursday (16 March), attending the North and Mid Wales Reaching Wider Partnership Conference as well as visiting the Students’ Union and Arloesi Pontio Innovation (API) spaces at the Pontio building.

Publication date: 17 March 2017

Sourcing sustainable Irish Sea mussels

When the UK’s largest exporting mussel fleet heads out to sea later this month, it will be in search of valuable seed mussels that they will then bring back to the Menai Strait to grow on before collection for export. If a new Irish Sea research project is successful, this may be one of the last times the fleet need to set out from Bangor’s Port Penrhyn to search for seed mussels.

Publication date: 17 March 2017

Scales and Tails

To coincide with Bangor University’s popular Bangor Science Festival, Storiel has launched its latest foyer display, on the theme reptiles. The display has been curated by Melissa Green, a zoology student volunteer.

Publication date: 16 March 2017

Can ‘lay carers’ help more at the end of life?

Most people in the UK who are dying would prefer to be looked after at home. Health care professionals try to enable this to happen. A new research project led by Bangor University is investigating one way to make this a reality for more people. Home care is usually provided by District Nurses, working with many other team members including general practitioners, hospice doctors and nurses, and Macmillan or Marie Curie services. Family members are taught how to care for their loved one, and generally call a District Nurse if there are difficult symptoms. As people get weaker in the last few weeks or days of life, they become unable to swallow. At this point, a syringe driver is set up to give medicines under the skin over 24 hours. While this often relieves most symptoms, some symptoms may break through and need extra doses of medication (called ‘breakthrough’ symptoms). Then, the family usually call in the district nurse who can give extra doses of medicine as injections. But, this can take a long time, often more than an hour. The wait can be distressing for the patient and their carers, who then feel powerless to help. Usually, family care would not include giving injections for these breakthrough symptoms, even though this is legal and practical. Bangor University is working with partners in Cardiff University and Gloucester NHS Trust, to research whether lay carer role extension to give these ‘as needed’ injections should be more widely adopted or not in the UK.

Publication date: 15 March 2017

Phosphorus is vital for life on Earth – and we're running low

Phosphorus is an essential element which is contained in many cellular compounds, such as DNA and the energy carrier ATP . All life needs phosphorus and agricultural yields are improved when phosphorus is added to growing plants and the diet of livestock. Consequently, it is used globally as a fertiliser – and plays an important role in meeting the world’s food requirements. This article by Vera Thoss , Lecturer in Chemistry at the School of Chemsitry was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 15 March 2017

Bangor University opens new Physical Activity for Health and Well-Being Centre labs

Bangor University has invested £1m in a new state-of-the-art facility, the newly-named (Canolfan PAWB Centre) at its internationally recognised School of Sport Health & Exercise Sciences . Two new exercise physiology laboratories, which research the functioning of the human body and a large new teaching laboratory will extend and complement the School’s existing teaching and research resources. These address the range of health benefits from exercise and physical activity and also investigate performance, sport and extreme environments.

Publication date: 14 March 2017

One Evening, One World

Bangor University will hold its annual One World Gala celebration of cultural diversity on Thursday 16th March. The concert will see students from all over the world, as well as members of local community, showcase their cultures by performing dance and music acts. Expect performances from India, China, Africa, Japan, and of course the UK and Wales!

Publication date: 14 March 2017

Student support recognised for third consecutive year

Congratulations to School Administrator Mrs Sioned Davies on receiving her third consecutive nomination for student support in the university’s annual Student Led Teaching Awards.

Publication date: 14 March 2017

Welsh Jobs Fair

The Welsh Jobsfair is an opportunity to meet employers from a variety of sectors who see Welsh language skills as important in the workplace.

Publication date: 14 March 2017

Harvard Students visits Bangor’s School of Welsh

Liam Anton Brannelly is currently spending this semester studying in Bangor as part of the PhD exchange scheme between the Department of Celtic Studies at Harvard University and Bangor University’s School of Welsh.

Publication date: 13 March 2017

Does a new era of bleaching beckon for Indian Ocean coral reefs?

Despite extensive media coverage, campaigns and scientists’ warnings, still the world is not fully aware of what coral bleaching is and why it is happening. Mention bleaching and some think that it is the death of the Great Barrier Reef’s coral , but the problem is much more widespread. This article by Ronan Roche , Research Fellow, Bangor University and John Turner , Professor & Dean of Postgraduate Research, Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 10 March 2017

Flag 13 March 2017

In common with many organisation across the UK, the University is flying the Commonwealth flag to mark Commonwealth Day.

Publication date: 10 March 2017

The ethical procurement of healthcare products

Bangor University School of Healthcare Sciences contributed to Fairtrade Fortnight with a seminar led by Lucy Bryning, a researcher from CHEME ( Centre for Health Economics and Medical Evaluation ) and Jude Field, a midwifery lecturer and member of the University Fairtrade Steering Group. The seminar focused on ethical concerns surrounding the manufacturing and NHS procurement of medical supplies, such as surgical instruments, textiles and examination gloves.

Publication date: 9 March 2017

Dr Prysor Williams receives Award for his outstanding contribution to science through the medium of Welsh

In a special celebration of Welsh medium higher education, a young Academic from Bangor University was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the field of science through the medium of Welsh.

Publication date: 9 March 2017

Recognition for Agriculture & Forestry at Bangor University in latest World University Rankings

The latest QS World University Rankings by subject have rated Bangor University in the top 100 universities in the World for Agriculture and Forestry, and 61st in the world for Employer Reputation.

Publication date: 9 March 2017

Drink a Glass of Water for World Kidney Day

World Kidney Day is an annual global awareness and education event, held on the second Thursday in March. Every year, countless local, national and international events are organised by kidney charities, health and social care professionals, patient groups and individuals who want to make a difference. Why not drink a glass of water and show your support on twitter # @ kidneydayUK

Publication date: 9 March 2017

Bangor University subjects join elite in world table

Newly published analysis of the latest influential QS World University Rankings, which saw Bangor University soar to 411th position worldwide, now provides further information on rankings for different subject areas among the world’s best universities. Six subjects and one subject area taught at Bangor University feature among the world’s elite universities in this year’s release of the QS World University Rankings by Subject, with Agriculture and Forestry appearing in the top 100 institutions worldwide who teach the subject and rising from among last year’s 200 top Universities.

Publication date: 8 March 2017

The Appliance of Science!

Bangor University’s Science Festival is back for its seventh year and welcomes everyone to explore and discuss science through talks hands-on activities exhibitions demonstrations - all free to attend.

Publication date: 7 March 2017

Uganda fails to fill its honey-pot

Despite the large economic potential for honey production, many beekeepers in Uganda fail to produce and market enough honey to make a living from it. Researchers comparing the household economies of marginal farmers in Uganda, have found that honey adds to the household income of many beekeepers yet this impact is still limited. Beehives were donated to poor households in the communities for them to improve their livelihoods given the lack of alternative income generating activities and the adverse effects of climate change on their traditional agricultural production.

Publication date: 7 March 2017

Pontio Innovation supports Bangor University alumnus to develop prosthetic for his son

A Bangor University alumnus has set up his own company to develop prosthetics for young children with support from Pontio Innovation . Two years ago, Sol Ryan, son of psychology alumnus Ben Ryan, needed emergency surgery at just 10 days old. Surgeons made the devastating decision to amputate Sol's left arm just below the elbow because of a blood clot.

Publication date: 6 March 2017

New €7m EU investment in Wales and Ireland’s fisheries industry

Around €5.5m of EU funds will support the Bluefish marine science partnership, which will investigate the effects of climate change in the Irish Sea on the sustainability of fish and shellfish. Led by Bangor University, in partnership with Irish and Welsh organisations, the project will assess how climate change is affecting the health of fish stocks, the migratory movement of commercial fish, and risks from new non-native species.

Publication date: 6 March 2017

From Geoffrey Chaucer to Jeff Sessions, misspeaking is when you lie about lying

When US attorney-general Jeff Sessions told his confirmation hearing he had not had any communication with any Russians during the presidential election campaign, only for it to turn out that he had twice met with the Russian ambassador to Washington, Sergey Kislyak, he was apparently “misspeaking”. So that’s ok then. But maybe not – while “misspeak” undoubtedly has the innocent connotation of “speaking incorrectly” or even “mispronouncing”, it is a sad reflection on contemporary life that whenever a politician uses a word, no matter how blameless the context might appear, people are less and less inclined to take the meaning of that word at face value. This article by John Olsson , Lecturer in Law and Criminology, Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 6 March 2017

Shiromini thanks everyone for their support

Following her return to Bangor, Shiromini Satkunarajah has thanked everyone for their support. She said: “I’d like to particularly thank Hywel Williams MP for everything he’s done, as well as Bangor University, fellow students and the Students’ Union, NUS, churches all around the world, the barrister and solicitors, family and friends, the wider public, media, pressure groups and other organisations who supported me in this difficult time.

Publication date: 3 March 2017

Bangor Uni on 10 Shortlists for Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2017

Staff and students will find out this evening whether they are to win any of the ten Awards for which the University has been shortlisted.

Publication date: 3 March 2017