News Archive: May 2017

Entrepreneurial graduate through to Santander regional semi-finals

A Bangor University PhD graduate and entrepreneur has reached the Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards 2017 regional semi-finals.

Publication date: 26 May 2017

A series of tours of Bangor University’s art and ceramic collections

Guided tours of Bangor University’s Art and Ceramic Collections will be held between June and September. The aim is to raise awareness of these important collections, with highlights including a mural by Edward Povey in Powis Hall, art and ceramics in the University’s Council Chamber Corridor and a chance to see and learn about works of arts by other renowned artists such as Kyffin Williams, Brenda Chamberlain, Peter Prendergast and Frederick William Hayes

Publication date: 26 May 2017

New extreme micro-organisms found in Siberian soda lake

Professor Peter Golyshin of the School of Biological Sciences , and expert in environmental genomics of microorganisms is the only UK author and participant in research which has discovered a new class of micro-organisms (archaea) that live in the extreme environment of a Siberian alkaline soda lake. What makes this discovery ground-breaking is that these micro-organisms can convert organic material directly into methane under such extreme conditions.

Publication date: 26 May 2017

Happy 100th birthday, Mr President: how JFK's image and legacy have endured

This article by Gregory Frame , Lecturer in Film Studies, School of Creative Industries & Media , Bangor University , was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article . John F Kennedy was born 100 years ago on May 29, 1917. While the achievements of his presidency and the content of his character have been subjects of contestation among historians and political commentators since the 1970s, there is little question regarding the enduring power of his image. As the youngest man to win election to the presidency, entering the White House with a beautiful wife and young children in tow, he projected the promise of a new era in American politics and society.

Publication date: 26 May 2017

Final four announced for Eisteddfod Welsh Learner of the Year!

It was a great pleasure to hear that Hugh, Emma, Richard a Daniela , who attended Welsh for Adults classes at Bangor University, had reached the final round of the Welsh Learner of the Year at the Anglesey National Eisteddfod this year. Emma also works at the University in The Management Centre.

Publication date: 25 May 2017

Leading design ‘fixer’ among those at Bangor Design Conference

An innovative and inspirational Product Design Conference will bring some of the best leaders and thinkers in the field of Design and Manufacturing together at Bangor University on June 7th 2017. The conference, which is organised by the University’s School of Education and is in its third year, will include talks by award winning product design engineer Jude Pullen from the BBC series ‘ The Big Life Fix ’ and Fred Manson (International company, Thomas Hetherwicks). Also, sharing their experiences at the conference will be Bangor University design graduates, Ed Beardsley and Hugh Smith, who are both currently working in the industry. The conference will conclude with the official opening of the Degree Show which will showcase the work of current Bangor design students.

Publication date: 24 May 2017

Pupils fascinated at hands-on practical Chemistry Festival

A team of young chemists from Bishop Herber High School in Cheshire won first prize at the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry, held at Bangor University’s School of Chemistry recently.

Publication date: 22 May 2017

Teaching students to survive a zombie apocalypse with psychology

In this article originally published on The Conversation , John A Parkinson , Professor in Behavioural Neuroscience, and Rebecca Sharp , Senior Lecturer in Psychology, both of the School of Psychology , describe hhow and why they 'gamified' an undergraduate course in behavioural psychology. Read the original article .

Publication date: 22 May 2017

College of Arts & Humanities Fee Waiver Scheme 2017/18

The College of Arts and Humanities is pleased to announce a PhD Fee Waiver Scheme for 2017/18.

Publication date: 22 May 2017

Bangor University assists development of 'dementia-friendly' church groups

Five groups of churches across North and Mid Wales have been allocated funding to develop dementia-friendly community projects and work towards becoming “dementia friendly”. The funding comes from Bangor University’s ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA)* and has been awarded to Professor Bob Woods and Revd Dr Bob Friedrich. It follows a conference at Llangollen Pavilion where 78 delegates from Welsh churches gathered to hear how to create Dementia Friendly Churches.

Publication date: 19 May 2017

How ABA can help people living with dementia

Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) focuses on the application of principles of numerous behaviours in order to improve quality of peoples’ lives. This clinical practice is mainly associated with autism, however through its growing interest; it has been noted to be beneficial towards individuals living with dementia.

Publication date: 18 May 2017

Bangor University Students became ‘Dementia Friends’ in the run up to Dementia Awareness week

On Monday 8 th Bangor University School of Healthcare Sciences invited Theresa Davies to deliver a Dementia Friends session for a class of nurses in Wrexham.

Publication date: 18 May 2017

Bangor to host UK's first 'popular' digital fiction writing competition prize night

The first ever UK competition to find the best new examples of popular digital fiction will award its winners on Thursday 25 May 2017 at Bangor University.

Publication date: 15 May 2017

Urgency scientific expedition to assess climate induced death of coral reefs

A team of scientists led by a Bangor University professor have recently returned from a scientific expedition to the remote and largely uninhabited Chagos Archipelago in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).

Publication date: 12 May 2017

Bangor University Students Release New Books

Bangor University’s School of Creative Studies and Media are pleased to announce the publication dates for two anthologies – Blue Pencils and SCSM’s Media Medley. Four students in the School of Creative Studies and Media (SCSM) have been working together for the past four months to produce and publish an anthology of short, original fiction.

Publication date: 12 May 2017

Bangor University Alumnus honoured with top geographical prize

The Royal Geographical Society has awarded one of its Royal Medals to a Bangor University Alumnus for his work in agricultural development.

Publication date: 12 May 2017

BAFTA Cymru and Pontio to host special preview of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

BAFTA Cymru and Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre in Bangor, North Wales are proud to announce a very special preview screening of the highly anticipated new epic film KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD at Pontio’s Cinema at 8pm on Sunday 14 May.

Publication date: 11 May 2017

Student Led Teaching Awards 2017

The sixth annual Student Led Teaching Awards ceremony was held recently and celebrated the high standard of teaching and pastoral support in Bangor University.

Publication date: 11 May 2017

Associate Member of The Colclough Centre Invited to Celebration of Best Selling Author's Career

Publication date: 10 May 2017

‘Hey Punk, Sort your Junk’ - end of year campaign to dispose of waste

Bangor Students’ Union and Bangor University are currently working in partnership with Gwynedd Council to reduce waste on the streets in those areas of the city where students live during the last few weeks of term with the ‘Hey Punk, Sort your Junk’ campaign.

Publication date: 9 May 2017

New Professorship embodies partnership working between University and Health Board

Debbie Roberts feels that she is in prime position to have an impact on nurse education, and to influence patient care, having taken up the Foundation of Nursing Studies Chair in Practice Learning, at Bangor University’s School of Healthcare Sciences . Her appointment to her unique role, supported by the Foundation of Nursing Studies ( FoNS ), straddles both clinical practice and learning. She is able to work with Bangor University’s students and with qualified nurses and other health professionals at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Her focus is to enhance and develop learning environments for the student nurses at Bangor University’s School of Healthcare Sciences and to support continuing professional development within the NHS across north Wales.

Publication date: 9 May 2017

Mr Gwilym Owen appointed as Under Sheriff of Gwynedd

Mr Gwilym Owen, Lecturer in Law, has been appointed as the next Under Sheriff of Gwynedd – a role in which he will serve as a vital link between the new county High Sheriff and the Judges’ clerks.

Publication date: 9 May 2017

Bangor Awards Catherine Peer Guide of the Year 2017

Bangor University Peer Guides 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: 8 May 2017

Top 10 in the UK for Social Policy

Bangor University has been ranked as 8th in the UK – and top in Wales – for Social Policy, according to the latest subject league tables published by the Complete University Guide.

Publication date: 5 May 2017

Affluent countries contribute less to wildlife conservation than the rest of the world

Some countries are more committed to conservation than others, a new Bangor University research collaboration has found. In partnership with Panthera, the only organisation dedicated to protecting wild cats, researchers from Bangor University assessed how much, or little, individual countries contribute to protecting the world’s wildlife. By comparison to the more affluent, developed world, biodiversity is a higher priority in poorer areas such as Africa, whose countries contribute more to conservation than any other region.

Publication date: 5 May 2017

Can environmental documentaries make waves?

Trump’s first 100 days in office were, among other things, marked by a climate march in Washington DC that attracted tens of thousands of demonstrators. No surprises there. Since the beginning of his mandate in January, Trump has signed orders to roll back the number of federally protected waterways, restart the construction of contentious oil pipeline, and cut the budget from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Among the various orders and memoranda, the one signed to overhaul Obama’s Clean Power Plan is probably the most remarkable, along with promoting coal extractions all over the US. This article by Michela Cortese , Associate Lecturer, School of Creative Studies & Media , Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 5 May 2017

Honouring lifetime contributions

( U pdated 5/5: see end ) Individuals who have made a lifetime’s contribution to the arts, sciences and business in fields as varied as poetry, international shipping and zoology join Bangor University’s graduating students to be rewarded for their work. Twelve individuals will receive Honorary Fellowships as a mark of recognition of their significant contribution in their chosen fields during the University’s annual degree ceremonies (17-21 July).

Publication date: 4 May 2017

Is talking to yourself a sign of mental illness? An expert delivers her verdict

Being caught talking to yourself, especially if using your own name in the conversation, is beyond embarrassing. And it’s no wonder – it makes you look like you are hallucinating. Clearly, this is because the entire purpose of talking aloud is to communicate with others. But given that so many of us do talk to ourselves, could it be normal after all – or perhaps even healthy? This article by Paloma Mari-Beffa , Senior Lecturer in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Psychology, Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 3 May 2017