News Archive: July 2017

SHES Graduate Excels in the Bangor Employability Award

Graduate Jordan Thomas has achieved a fantastic 1,270 points in his Bangor Employability Award whilst studying a BSc Sport, Health and PE degree with us.

Publication date: 28 July 2017

Sophie presents at a conference

Two years ago Dr Sophie Williams, a conservation scientist with Bangor University, fell ill with Japanese Encephalitis while on fieldwork in China. She suffered severe brain injury, was in a coma for six weeks and still relies on a wheel chair and artificial ventilation. However Sophie has been determined to get back to her great passions: science and plant conservation. This week she has defied the odds and returned to the global conservation stage by presenting her research at the International Congress of Conservation Biology.

Publication date: 25 July 2017

A Jam-packed Week for Bangor University’s School of Welsh during the Anglesey National Eisteddfod

A lecturer from Bangor University’s School of Welsh has been invited to author the main theatrical offering during this year’s Anglesey National Eisteddfod. The verbatim drama Hollti has been written by Dr Manon Wyn Wiliams , a lecturer in Drama and Scriptwriting with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, and will be staged by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru from 8-11 August at Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern, not far from the Eisteddfod venue.

Publication date: 24 July 2017

New Training body to support £20BN UK Agri-food industry

A new industry-level food training body will tackle key questions facing the future of farming and the food business. The AgriFood Training Partnership (AFTP) will combine the complimentary skills and knowledge of six university partners who are internationally recognised leaders in agri-food research and training. The partnership will offer more than 150 courses and workshops in all areas of agricultural production, environmental protection and food manufacture, with related scientific research and development, business and transferable skills. These include online distance learning provided by Aberystwyth and Bangor universities.

Publication date: 24 July 2017

Ocean Sciences enjoy new links with oceanographers in China

The Vice-Chancellor Professor John G. Hughes has welcomed a delegation of Physical Oceanographers from Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China, on a visit to Marine Centre Wales, recently.

Publication date: 24 July 2017

Bangor University welcomes opportunity to work with nuclear training providers

Bangor University has welcomed Horizon Nuclear Power’s recent announcement of a partnership with Tecnatom, a global nuclear training services provider, as it looks to grow the future operational workforce for its Wylfa Newydd nuclear new-build project on Anglesey, North Wales.

Publication date: 21 July 2017

Alumnus of the Year 2017

Every year Bangor University’s Alumni Advisory Board considers candidates and advises the University on an Alumnus of the Year award. The award recognises outstanding achievement by a Bangor graduate in his/her chosen field, particularly highlighting those who retain an active association with the University after graduation. Bangor University was proud to present Ray Footman with 2017’s Alumnus of the Year award during graduation week.

Publication date: 21 July 2017

Reaching out to reduce self-harm and suicide

While self-harm and suicide in European and American populations are well researched and the risk factors understood, much less is known about these behaviours in South Asia, where rates are very high. Bangor University’s Centre for Mental Health and Society has been awarded a prestigious Research Council UK Global Challenges Research Fund grant to work with colleagues in India and Pakistan to address these issues. The project will be equipping local researchers with the skills they need to develop long-term programmes to reduce death, disability and distress. The Capability Grant award is a key component in the UK Aid strategy to grow both the research base in the UK and strengthen capacity overseas. The aim is to address research challenges which respond to the expressed needs of developing countries.

Publication date: 21 July 2017

Want to develop 'grit'? Take up surfing

My friend, Joe Weghofer, is a keen surfer, so when he was told he’d never walk again, following a 20ft spine-shattering fall, it was just about the worst news he could have received. Yet, a month later, Joe managed to stand. A further month, and he was walking. Several years on, he is back in the water, a board beneath his feet. Joe has what people in the field of positive psychology call “grit”, and I believe surfing helped him develop this trait. This article by Rhi Willmot , PhD Researcher in Behavioural and Positive Psychology, Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 20 July 2017

Honorary Fellowships awarded for services to Business

Two individuals who have made lifetime contributions to business joined Bangor Business School’s graduating postgraduate students on Tuesday to be recognised for their work through the award of Honorary Fellowships.

Publication date: 20 July 2017

Globally significant work by Bangor graduate to be put to the test

A new global policy, initiated by a Bangor University graduate will be put to the test for the first time, now that a huge iceberg, estimated to be more than a quarter of the size of Wales, has broken free from Antarctica.

Publication date: 19 July 2017

One social hour a week in dementia care improves lives and saves money

Person-centred activities combined with just one hour a week of social interaction can improve quality of life and reduce agitation for people with dementia living in care homes, while saving money. The findings from a large-scale trial were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2017 (AAIC) recently. The research was led by the University of Exeter, King’s College London and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, with participation from Bangor University, and was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Publication date: 19 July 2017

People with dementia benefit from goal-oriented therapy

Ninety people who are living with dementia and their carers from across north Wales, have contributed to new research findings which have shown that personalised cognitive rehabilitation therapy can help people with early stage dementia to significantly improve their ability to engage in important everyday activities and tasks. The large-scale trial presented at the international Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2017 on Tuesday July 18, found that cognitive rehabilitation leads to people seeing satisfying progress in areas that enable them to maintain their functioning and independence.

Publication date: 18 July 2017

Quantifying the environmental cost of fishing on the seabed

Trawling contributes 20% of the global landings of fish caught at sea, hence it is an essential means of providing food for millions of people. Bottom trawling is used to catch fish and shellfish that live in or near the seabed. Despite its importance, bottom trawling causes variable amounts of physical and biological change to seabed habitats, and can induce structural and functional changes in seabed communities. Understanding the ecosystem consequences of trawling is important so that we can reduce negative impacts on the seabed through appropriate management measures.

Publication date: 18 July 2017

Chris Coleman visits Bangor University to receive Honour

Chis Coleman, Wales’ national football team manager joins Bangor Business School graduating students to receive an Honorary Fellowship, marking Wales’ outstanding achievement at Euro 2016, when the national team reached the semi-finals in an historic and memorable campaign.

Publication date: 17 July 2017

Dr Clair Doloriert receives Fellowship in recognition of teaching excellence

Congratulations to Dr Clair Doloriert, Lecturer in Management and Organisation, who is to be awarded a Teaching Fellowship by Bangor University in recognition of her excellence in teaching.

Publication date: 17 July 2017

A week of graduation celebration at Bangor University

Publication date: 17 July 2017

An innovative project to create an educative package about community energy in Wales

A brand new educative resource about community energy was trialled amongst pupils in Dyffryn Ogwen Secondary School, Bethesda on Wednesday the 12th of July. The cartoon novel ‘Tick-Tock: A graphic novel about energy, ownership and community’ was developed by Sioned Hâf and Angharad Penrhyn Jones, as a part of an initiative to raise awareness of the community energy sector in Wales. This online graphic novel follows in the footsteps of Gwenno, the main character of the story, as she questions the present energy system and discovers the potential of community energy in contributing towards her villages’ long-term future sustainability.

Publication date: 13 July 2017

Irish Ambassador visits Bangor University

Bangor University hosted Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK recently and showcased some of the ongoing research collaborations between Bangor and Irish partner institutions.

Publication date: 13 July 2017

Sir Bryn Terfel & Hannah Stone to perform at Pontio, Bangor

We are very pleased to announce that Sir Bryn Terfel will perform for the first time at Theatr Bryn Terfel, Pontio to launch the Wales International Harp Festival IV (April 1-7 2018) on the day that Festival President, Dr Osian Ellis CBE, celebrates his 90th birthday Thursday, February 8th 2018 at 7.30pm.

Publication date: 13 July 2017

Higher use of general health care services throughout adult life linked with traumatic childhoods

Experiencing physical, sexual or emotional abuse as a child, or other stresses such as living in a household affected by domestic violence, substance abuse or mental illness, can lead to higher levels of health service use throughout adulthood. A research paper in the Journal of Health Service Research & Policy provides, for the first time, the statistical evidence showing that, regardless of socio-economic class or other demographics, people who have adverse childhood experiences use more health and medical services through their lifetime.

Publication date: 12 July 2017

Ocean Mixing Experts head for Bangor

Experts in Ocean Mixing from across the planet are heading to the Marine Centre Wales at Bangor University for an International workshop on “Ocean Mixing” (11th – 13th July). The scientists from as far afield as the US, China and Russia, as well as continental Europe and the UK, will be discussing global efforts to improve understanding of the processes which stir up the oceans and how those processes should be represented in weather and climate forecast models.

Publication date: 11 July 2017

Artists and architects think differently to everyone else – you only have to hear them talk

How often have you thought that somebody talks just like an accountant, or a lawyer, or a teacher? In the case of artists, this goes a long way back. Artists have long been seen as unusual – people with a different way of perceiving reality. Famously, the French architect Le Corbusier argued in 1946 that painters, sculptors and architects are equipped with a “feeling of space” in a very fundamental sense. This article by Thora Tenbrink , Reader in Cognitive Linguistics, Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 11 July 2017

Archaeological ‘dig’ opens to the public for British Festival of Archaeology

Members of the public are being invited to visit an archaeological excavation of a settlement unique to North West Wales, near Rhiw on the Llŷn peninsula this week-end (15-16 July). Led by Prof Raimund Karl, Dr Kate Waddington, and Katharina Möller of Bangor University’s School of History and Archaeology , archaeologists, students and volunteers have been excavating ‘The Meillionydd Project’ ( http://meillionydd.bangor.ac.uk /) since 2010, and are taking part the Council for British Archaeology’s Festival of Archaeology ( www.archaeologyfestival.org.uk ).

Publication date: 11 July 2017

How we're using ancient DNA to solve the mystery of the missing last great auk skins

On a small island off the coast of Iceland, 173 years ago, a sequence of tragic events took place that would lead to the loss of an iconic bird: the great auk . This article by Jessica Emma Thomas , PhD Researcher, Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 10 July 2017

‘Golden thread’ should be sought to support region’s economy

One of the main thrusts of a new scoping report on the north Wales economy suggests that regional stakeholders are seeking to ensure that a 'golden thread' runs through the supply chain to enable local small firms to benefit from incoming economic opportunities. The report also identifies that Welsh Government have the opportunity, through the potential for devolved powers on procurement rules, to ensure quality jobs and good terms and conditions for workers on inward investment projects.

Publication date: 7 July 2017

Bangor joins global Microsoft trial

The student centered and initiative approach to teaching that has resulted in Bangor University being awarded the gold medal for teaching, is typified by a new project. The University’s School of Education is working with Microsoft, to empower trainee teachers to become 21st century digital citizens. Bangor is the only University in Wales, and one of three in the UK, to pilot using Microsoft Education material within a course

Publication date: 6 July 2017

Howszat!- Bangor & the ECB expand their ground breaking cricket training program

As the cricket season builds up steam Bangor University’s School of Sports, Health & Exercise Sciences , in collaboration with the English and Wales Cricket Board , is launching a new training programme that is the first of its kind.

Publication date: 3 July 2017

Chefs and home cooks are rolling the dice on food safety

Encouraging anyone to honestly answer an embarrassing question is no easy task – not least when it might affect their job. For our new research project , we wanted to know whether chefs in a range of restaurants and eateries, from fast food venues and local cafes to famous city bistros and award-winning restaurants, were undertaking “unsafe” food practices. This article by Paul Cross , Senior Lecturer in the Environment, School of Environment, Natural Resources & Geography Bangor University and Dan Rigby , Professor, Environmental Economics, University of Manchester was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 3 July 2017

Brexit's impact on farming policy will take Britain back to the 1920s – but that's not necessarily a bad thing

Not much regarding Brexit is clear. But one thing we do know is that the UK’s decision to leave the EU has triggered proposals to implement the most significant changes to agricultural policy since it joined the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 1973. This article by David Arnott , PhD Researcher at the School of Environment, Natural Resources & Geography Bangor University was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 3 July 2017

Professor Appointed to Welsh Language Partnership Council

Professor Enlli Thomas, Head of the School of Education has been appointed a member of the new Welsh Language Partnership Council by Alun Davies, Welsh Government Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language. The Council was established under Section 149 of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 and its primary role is to give advice and make representations to the Welsh Ministers in relation to Welsh Language matters. The period of the first Welsh language Partnership Council came to an end on 31 March 2017.

Publication date: 3 July 2017