News Archive: June 2017

European Powerlifting Champion awarded Llew Rees Memorial Prize

Bangor University has awarded its annual highest sporting award, the Llew Rees Memorial Prize, to the 2017 European Powerlifting Champion. Chrystal Williams, 21, from Bolton has been awarded the prize as she has made the greatest contribution to raising the profile of Bangor University sport by her personal achievement at international level.

Publication date: 30 June 2017

Voices of Women from The Mabinogi: a Welsh-American creative response

The medieval Welsh tales of the Mabinogi continue to fascinate students of literature in Wales and throughout the world. The extensive body of scholarship concerning the tales continues to grow and their ability to stimulate creative responses among poets and writers is also as strong as ever.

Publication date: 30 June 2017

Are people ‘rolling the dice’ when it comes to food safety?

A new study, conducted by a team of UK based researchers involving The University of Manchester, Bangor University and the University of Liverpool, known as the ENIGMA Project, has revealed the levels of bad behaviours in UK kitchens which increase the public’s risk of getting food poisoning.

Publication date: 29 June 2017

Alzheimer's Society commits almost £2million to revolutionise dementia care research

Alzheimer’s Society has announced on 20th June that it has committed almost £2million to a group of UK Universities and organisations, including Bangor University and led by the University of Exeter, as part of its biggest-ever single investment in dementia care research.

Publication date: 29 June 2017

Artists and architects think differently compared to other people

Architects, painters and sculptors conceive of spaces in different ways from other people and from each other, finds a new study by University College London and Bangor University researchers. When asked to talk about images of places, painters are more likely to describe the depicted space as a two-dimensional image, while architects are more likely to focus on paths and the boundaries of the space.

Publication date: 28 June 2017

Tech firms want to detect your emotions and expressions, but people don't like it

As revealed in a patent filing , Facebook is interested in using webcams and smartphone cameras to read our emotions, and track expressions and reactions . The idea is that by understanding emotional behaviour, Facebook can show us more of what we react positively to in our Facebook news feeds and less of what we do not – whether that’s friends’ holiday photos, or advertisements. This might appear innocuous, but consider some of the detail. In addition to smiles, joy, amazement, surprise, humour and excitement, the patent also lists negative emotions. Possibly being read for signs of disappointment, confusion, indifference, boredom, anger, pain and depression is neither innocent, nor fun. This article by Andrew McStay , Reader in Advertising and Digital Media, School of Creative Studies & Media Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 27 June 2017

The ATM at 50: how a hole in the wall changed the world

Next time you withdraw money from a hole in the wall, consider singing a rendition of happy birthday. For on June 27, the Automated Teller Machine (or ATM) celebrates its half century. Fifty years ago, the first cash machine was put to work at the Enfield branch of Barclays Bank in London. Two days later, a Swedish device known as the Bankomat was in operation in Uppsala . And a couple of weeks after that, another one built by Chubb and Smith Industries was inaugurated in London by Westminster Bank (today part of RBS Group) . This article by Bernardo Batiz-Lazo , Professor of Business History and Bank Management, Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 26 June 2017

Welsh schools teach pupils to be bilingual, not restrict their education

Being a Welsh-English bilingual isn’t easy. For one thing, you hear that encouraging others to learn your language is detrimental both to their education and wellbeing . For another, to speak a minority language such as Welsh you need to constantly make the effort to be exposed to it and maintain your bilingualism. This article by Peredur Webb-Davies , Senior Lecturer in Welsh Linguistics , Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation .

Publication date: 23 June 2017

Confidence can be a bad thing – here's why

Have you ever felt 100% confident in your ability to complete a task, and then failed miserably? After losing in the first round at Queen’s Club for the first time since 2012, world number one tennis player, Andy Murray, hinted that “overconfidence” might have been his downfall. Reflecting on his early exit, Murray said : “Winning a tournament is great and you feel good afterwards, but you can also sometimes think that your game is in a good place and maybe become a little bit more relaxed in that week beforehand.” This article by Stuart Beattie , Lecturer of Psychology, Bangor University and Tim Woodman , Professor and Head of the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences , Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 23 June 2017

How operational deployment affects soldiers' children

So many of us have seen delightful videos of friends and family welcoming their loved ones home from an operational tour of duty. The moment they are reunited is heartwarming, full of joy and tears – but, for military personnel who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan post 9/11, their time away came with unprecedented levels of stress for their whole family. Military personnel faced longer and more numerous deployments, with short intervals in between. The impact of operational deployments on military personnel’s mental health is well reported. Far less is known, however, about how deployment affects military families, particularly those with young children. 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 .

Publication date: 23 June 2017

9bach and friends to perform at Pontio during Eisteddfod week

As the date of the National Eisteddfod, taking place this year on Anglesey, fast approaches Pontio have announced that 9bach and friends will return to Theatr Bryn Terfel to perform LLECHI, the brand new visual, musical and aerial collaboration inspired by the slate quarry and the story of Bethesda on Monday 7th and Wednesday 9th August 8pm.

Publication date: 22 June 2017

Bangor University rated Gold

Bangor University has been awarded the Gold standard in the UK Government’s new Teaching Excellence Framework, and is the only University in Wales to achieve this standard. The framework assesses universities against a range of criteria and is part of the UK government’s plans for raising standards in higher education. It also gives students more information so that they can make the most informed decisions when deciding which university to attend.

Publication date: 22 June 2017

Local schools to tell Bangor’s ‘Lost Stories’ in circus procession

Five local schools will be joining in a colourful procession through Bangor High Street at 1pm on Thursday 20 July as Pontio kicks off its biennial 9 day circus extravaganza.

Publication date: 22 June 2017

M-SParc’s Emily wins Womenspire award

The Project Administrator for M-SParc , the Bangor University owned Menai Science Park, has won a Chwarae Teg Womenspire Award .

Publication date: 22 June 2017

£1.8m funding for major new study into management of bleeding after childbirth

£1.8m funding from the UK National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) has been awarded to run a large study into the drug treatment of bleeding after childbirth (COPE).

Publication date: 21 June 2017

Bangor science project wins EU award

BREAD4PLA, a green science and technology project in which Bangor University’s research played a significant role, has been awarded one of the two ''Green Awards'' as one of the best LIFE Environment Projects of the last 25 years.

Publication date: 19 June 2017

Young designers get opportunity to exhibit their work

In a new initiative, Bangor University has offered local Schools the opportunity to showcase work by their best designers in a dedicated Design and Technology exhibition.

Publication date: 16 June 2017

Bangor University launches Confucius Classrooms

The Confucius Institute at Bangor University celebrated the official launch of its five new Confucius Classrooms this week with representatives of Bangor University, Welsh Government and the Chinese Embassy in attendance alongside local schoolchildren.

Publication date: 16 June 2017

M-SParc’s Emily shortlisted for Womenspire award

The Project Administrator for M-SParc , the Bangor University owned Menai Science Park, has been short-listed for a Chwarae Teg Womenspire Award .

Publication date: 16 June 2017

E-tree with solar leaves heads to Glastonbury

Glastonbury festival-goers will be able to see an e-tree as part of a ‘Hidden wonders of the Woodland’ themed stand at the world-famous festival. The e-tree, produced by Dr Andy Smith Senior Lecturer in Forestry at Bangor University in conjunction with Nigel Fisher, Conservator of Wytham Woods, and his team at Oxford University, will be part of the ‘Sex & Bugs & Rock 'n Roll’ road show dreamed up by researchers at Lancaster University and championed by the British Ecological Society as a way of bringing science to the public.

Publication date: 15 June 2017

Two prestigious RCBC awards for Bangor’s Institute for Health and Medical Research

BIHMR is delighted that Robert Goldsmith, NHS Physiotherapist based in Cardiff, and Patricia Masterson-Algar, a rehabilitation postgraduate researcher in Bangor University’s School of Healthcare Sciences , have both been successful in attracting Welsh Government RCBC Wales funding aimed at increasing collaboration and research capacity in nursing, midwifery and the allied health professions across Wales.

Publication date: 14 June 2017

Dotty about Dot!

A Bangor University student’s music video heads for viral fame; at the time of writing, ‘ Everybody Dances to Techno’ by Dot has had over 43,953 views on YouTube, with comments and messages of support from far afield.

Publication date: 13 June 2017

'Facts are not truth': Hilary Mantel goes on the record about historical fiction

In a recent talk at the Hay literary festival, Cambridge historian and biographer John Guy said he had seen an increasing number of prospective students citing Hilary Mantel’s Booker Prize-winning historical novels, Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies, as supporting evidence for their knowledge of Tudor history. This article by Michael Durrant , Lecturer in Early Modern Literature, School of English Literature,was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 13 June 2017

Supporting the reds!

Bangor University’s School of Environment, Natural Resources & Geography and School of Biological Sciences are working with partners to support the reintroduction of red squirrels to the Ogwen Vally in nearby Bethesda, Gwynedd.

Publication date: 12 June 2017

European tourists to Wales to have new window on the past

European tourists visiting Wales will be able to read historical accounts of visits to Wales through the ages via a new portal to be completed next year.

Publication date: 12 June 2017

North Wales Food & Drink Goes Green with Cynnal Cymru

People from the growing food and drink sector in north Wales, which is an important and expanding sector of the local economy, will gather together on Wednesday 5 July 2017 at Bangor University for Cynnal Cymru’s first all-day ‘shared learning and networking event’.

Publication date: 8 June 2017

Bangor Law School highest in Wales

Bangor Law School is the highest positioned law school in Wales, according to the latest university league tables published by The Guardian University Guide for 2018. The School has risen to 23rd position in the UK, out of the 98 institutions included in the rankings.

Publication date: 7 June 2017

Social Policy makes UK top 10 in two areas of latest Guardian league tables

Social Policy at Bangor University has been ranked within the UK top 10 in two areas in the latest Guardian University Guide.

Publication date: 7 June 2017

Students congratulated on a successful Eisteddfod

Students from the University have been congratulated for their active and very successful participation in this year’s recent Urdd Eisteddfod.

Publication date: 7 June 2017

Make a date to discover the world of farming at Henfaes Research Centre

On Sunday 11th June 2017 Henfaes Research Centre (Bangor University’s farm) near Abergwyngregyn ( LL33 0LB) is opening its gates to visitors for LEAF Open Farm Sunday to showcase the fascinating world of agricultural research alongside commercial sheep farming.

Publication date: 6 June 2017

Volunteer network to blitz shores around the UK this summer

A series of special events next month will see members of the public join together in building a more accurate picture of the diversity of marine life around the UK’s coastline. Scientists are working with a trained army of ‘citizen scientists’ during the upcoming ‘CoCoast Unite’ weekend, taking place between World Ocean’s Day Thursday 8 June – Sunday 11 June at locations across the UK. This call to arms will gather vital information about the variety and abundance of intertidal species living on our rocky seashores. Moelfre beach is just one of the locations across north Wales and the UK where members of the public will be taking part in a ‘citizen science’ project to build a more accurate picture of the diversity of marine life around the UK’s coastline.

Publication date: 5 June 2017

Funding boost for language mentoring project

A project to raise the profile of modern foreign languages has received extended funding from Welsh Government to reach pupils in rural parts of Wales.

Publication date: 2 June 2017