News Archive: October 2019

Botswana is humanity's ancestral home, claims major study – well, actually …

A study claims the first humans lived in a wetland around what is now northern Botswana. A recent paper in the prestigious journal Nature claims to show that modern humans originated about 200,000 years ago in the region around northern Botswana . For a scientist like myself who studies human origins, this is exciting news. If correct, this paper would suggest that we finally know where our species comes from. But there are actually several reasons why I and some of my colleagues are not entirely convinced. In fact, there’s good reason to believe that our species doesn’t even have a single origin. This article by Isabelle Catherine Winder , Lecturer in Zoology, is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Publication date: 31 October 2019

Bangor University goes 100% renewable

Bangor University has announced that 100% of its electricity is now supplied from guaranteed renewable sources.

Publication date: 31 October 2019

Bangor University student crowned Junior British Hill Climb Champion 2019

First-year Sports Science student, Chris Mann, has been crowned the Junior British Hill Climb Champion 2019.

Publication date: 31 October 2019

The most decorated BSc Forestry graduates for a generation?

This July saw witnessed some of the best degree results for a generation from the BSc Forestry degrees at Bangor University . We celebrate the achievements of all our students, regardless of their degree class, here we highlight two graduates who deserved special mention.

Publication date: 31 October 2019

Bangor University Visits the Uzbek Banking Association

On the 17 th October, Bangor University visited the Uzbek Bankers Association in their impressive headquarters in Tashkent.

Publication date: 30 October 2019

‘Climate change: hope from despair?’ – public lecture at Bangor University by prominent scientist

Climate change will be the focus of a public lecture at Bangor University on Wednesday, 20 November. The speaker is Kevin Anderson, Professor of Energy and Climate Change at the University of Manchester. The lecture will take place at 5.30pm in the Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre of the Main Arts Building. Admission is free, and no tickets are required.

Publication date: 29 October 2019

Congratulations to over 300 Bangor University students graduating in Tashkent

We would like to congratulate the over 300 Bangor University students who have graduated in Tashkent last week.

Publication date: 29 October 2019

Increasing Ram productivity and fighting crime

A Science Park on Anglesey is fighting rural crime, using a specially developed Internet of Things (Iot) device. Bringing innovation together with existing IoT technology, a matchbox sized device has been created which can help fight sheep rustling, sheep worrying by dogs, and track ram mating patterns!

Publication date: 25 October 2019

Lab-grown mini brains: we can't dismiss the possibility that they could one day outsmart us

The cutting-edge method of growing clusters of cells that organise themselves into mini versions of human brains in the lab is gathering more and more attention. These “brain organoids”, made from stem cells, offer unparalleled insights into the human brain , which is notoriously difficult to study. This article by Guillaume Thierry , Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the School of Psychology is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Publication date: 25 October 2019

Time Travel, History and Fun – It’s all here at the Brambell Natural History Museum

If you’re looking for a spot of time travel and historical adventure, Brambell Natural History Museum, Bangor University has it covered this October Half Term as part of Welsh Museums Festival (26 October to 3 November). Brambell Natural History Museum, Bangor University will be open on Saturday, 2 nd November 11-1 as part of the Festival.

Publication date: 24 October 2019

Scientist and lecturer to exhibit in major national Wildlife art exhibition

An honorary lecturer at Bangor University balances her scientific interest in birds by expressing her fascination with them through her art. Rachel Taylor’s work has now been selected from over 600 submissions to appear alongside works by some of Britain’s leading wildlife artists. The exhibition will be on display at Mall Galleries between 24 October to 3 November 2019.

Publication date: 22 October 2019

M-SParc goes ‘on tour’

M-SParc , a Bangor University owned Science Park, was established to create well paid careers in the region, in the science and technology sectors. The sort of careers you don’t expect to find in Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy, paying well and offering opportunities to develop. A year and a half since opening its doors, the company has progressed so much, they’re going on tour!

Publication date: 21 October 2019

Film Festival to showcase new filmmakers’ short films

A film festival in partnership with Bangor University will host an afternoon showcasing new European short films by young film makers. The screenings by the Wicked Wales Film Festival and British Film Institute Future Shorts will take place at Pontio next Wednesday 23rd, 1pm-5pm. Screenings will include UK and international short films in documentary, fiction and animation. The event is open to both students and the public and free tickets are available here .

Publication date: 18 October 2019

Wales could save billions of pounds a year through investing in a healthier workforce

A new report by the Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation ( CHEME ), Bangor University has brought together evidence of the economic arguments for investing in the health and wellbeing of the workforce in Wales.

Publication date: 17 October 2019

Bangor University unveil new 3G pitch at Treborth

A new state-of-the-art 3G pitch built to replace two grass sites that were often waterlogged was opened recently (16 October) in the presence of Bangor University staff, Athletic Union clubs and representatives of local teams and national bodies.

Publication date: 17 October 2019

£4m boost for 5G research in Wales

Wales is set to become a global leader in 5G technology following the announcement of a new Digital Centre of Excellence, supported by nearly £4m EU funds. The Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Centre of Excellence at Bangor University will provide highly specialised research into digital communication systems like mobile phones, WiFi hubs and modern manufacturing lines. Improvements in DSP are a cost-effective way of speeding up networks, dramatically improving the way that mobile phones, devices and network architecture work.

Publication date: 17 October 2019

Researchers invent device that generates light from the cold night sky – here's what it means for millions living off grid

More than 1.7 billion people worldwide still don’t have a reliable electricity connection. For many of them, solar power is their potential energy saviour – at least when the sun is shining. This article y Jeff Kettle , ‎Lecturer in Electronic Engineering,is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Publication date: 16 October 2019

Henry VIII’s marital troubles may have influenced other splits, newly-discovered documents show

Newly-discovered documents show Henry VIII’s legendary marital troubles may have led to other copy-cat splits around the country. The extraordinary story of a teenager who flip-flopped between two wives in a similar way – and at the same time - as the monarch was trying to change his spouse suggests other couples were watching and being influenced by the impact the King’s case had on the law.

Publication date: 15 October 2019

Celebrating staff and student success on Shwmae Su’mae Day 2019

With Shwmae Su’mae Day now an annual celebration in numerous institutions across Wales, members of University staff who have been following Welsh language courses received certificates for their efforts today (October 15). Shwmae Su’mae Day aims to promote the use of Welsh by encouraging everyone to start a conversation with a greeting in the language. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the numerous achievements of our staff and students who have either actively learned the language or increased their proficiency in Welsh.

Publication date: 15 October 2019

Airbus, Bangor University and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai start new skills partnership

Three Degree Apprentices at Airbus started the new Applied Data Science programme with Bangor University and delivery partner, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai (GLLM) recently.

Publication date: 14 October 2019

Bangor Student competes for Bryn Terfel Scholarship

A Bangor University student is competing for the Bryn Terfel Scholarship 2019. Cai Fôn Davies, 19, from Bangor, as second year Welsh and History student, will take part in the competition on Friday, 11 October at Barry Memorial Hall.

Publication date: 11 October 2019

When did the people of Wales become Welsh?

It’s Rugby World Cup season, which means that expressions of Welsh identity are broadcast on the big screen for the world to see. But, amidst the singing of the anthem, the dragons and the daffodils, do you ever wonder when people began to consider themselves as Welsh, and their country Wales? Most historians agree that a sense of Welsh identity was in existence by the twelfth century, but we don’t yet know when exactly this developed and why. Medieval historian Dr Rebecca Thomas thinks that suggestions of a Welsh identity can be found as early as the ninth century.

Publication date: 11 October 2019

32 Bangor University students reach the summit of Kilimanjaro in aid of Mind

After a year of bonding and training, a group of 32 Bangor University students summited Mount Kilimanjaro together just after sunrise on the 9th September. This arduous trek up Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 metres above sea level was in aid of the mental health charity Mind , and the team have so far raised nearly £100,000.

Publication date: 10 October 2019

Bangor University receives two Athena SWAN awards - first for Bangor Business School

Bangor University is delighted to announce that two recent Athena SWAN applications from the Bangor Business Schoo l and the School of Psychology have been successful. The Bangor Business School is the first School from the College of Arts, Humanities & Business to hold an award. The School of Psychology has held a Bronze award since 2016 and was successful in renewing this award. These awards recognise the University’s and Schools’ ongoing commitment to gender equality for staff and students.

Publication date: 10 October 2019

Bangor Professor appointed President Elect of the Incorporated Society of Musicians

Prof Chris Collins, Head of Bangor University’s School of Music & Media , has been elected President Elect of the Incorporated Society of Musicians . He will be acting as a member of the Society’s presidential trio until April 2020, when he steps into the role of President. Prof Collins follows in the footsteps of another leading musician and Head of School, as composer Professor William Mathias undertook the same role in 1989-90.

Publication date: 10 October 2019

Creative student records charity record

Aly Shields, a mature Bangor University student and carer from Llandudno, has launched a record in aid of P ANS PANDAS UK, a charity which raise awareness of little known and understood conditions which often lead to miss-diagnosis for the people concerned, and which supports them and their families. Aly’s song Warriors is available on iTunes and Google Play for around £1 ($1.29). Search for Warriors and PANS PANDAS UK.

Publication date: 9 October 2019

PGCE ODA group run 2 days’ worth of activities

Each year our PGCE ODA group run 2 days’ worth of activities for the two older classes from Pendalar - Dosbarth Foryd and Dosbarth Menai.

Publication date: 8 October 2019

Funding Boost for Cancer Research in North Wales

This summer, Cancer Research Wales, has pledged almost £500,000 for a series of new cancer projects in North Wales, bringing the total money spent over the last 5 years for cancer research in the area to almost £3M.

Publication date: 8 October 2019

Relocating China’s pig industry could have unintended consequences

Writing in Nature Sustainability (30/9/19) an international group of agriculture and environmental scientists warn that the Chinese Government’s desire to relocate its pig industry from the South, in order to protect water quality could have unintended detrimental consequences. In 2015 the Chinese Government banned livestock production in some regions to control surface water pollution near vulnerable water bodies. This has reduced the availability of pork at a period when consumption is forecast to increase from 690 to 1,000 million head per year between 2018-50.

Publication date: 8 October 2019

University’s U-Boat research featured in Drain the Oceans

Research by Bangor University is to feature in the Drain the Oceans series on National Geographic Channel on Monday 7 October 8-9.00pm. Monday’s programme outlines the development of U-Boats, and how they changed the shape of naval warfare. The introduction of the world's first stealth weapon forced Allied forces to adopt new tactics to fight back. Highlighted in the programme is work carried out by Bangor University’s School of Ocean Science ’s research vessel the Prince Madog , which has surveyed numerous shipwreck sites in the Irish Sea as part of a joint research project with the Royal Commission on Ancient & Historic Monuments in Wales‘s Heritage Lottery funded project: Commemorating the Forgotten U-boat War around the Welsh Coast, 1914-18.

Publication date: 4 October 2019

Bangor University Open Days to empower the next generation of scientists

The College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at Bangor University is aiming to set the record straight on the so-called ‘snowflake’ generation by putting out a call for students determined to make a difference to the world’s problems. A recent survey* revealed 85% of young people, far from being the over-sensitive souls portrayed in the media, feel empowered to tackle issues like global warming, rising sea levels and widespread pollution.

Publication date: 4 October 2019

EMPYRE Project of Youth Work in Europe

The School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences has become a partner in the Erasmus EMPYRE project on youth work in Europe. With other EU wide HEIs and partner charity organisations in four countries, the project explores, collects and develops successful youth work practices used to empower young people in Europe.

Publication date: 4 October 2019

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists honour three researchers from Bangor University

In a special award ceremony hosted by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) at Nottingham during their annual conference this year, Delyth Prys, Dewi Bryn Jones a Stefan Ghazzali from the Language Technologies Unit , Canolfan Bedwyr, were presented with a Giving Voice Award. The three, through their Lleisiwr project, funded by the Welsh Government, had developed software to create personalized synthetic voices to help patients about to lose their own voices. The project enabled voice banking in Welsh and English so that a digital version of the voices could be built.

Publication date: 2 October 2019

First students start at the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning & Advanced Computing

We welcome the first students onto the UKRI funded Centre for Doctorial Training (CDT) in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Advanced Computing . The UK Research and Innovation funded Centre is a collaboration between Swansea, Cardiff, Aberystwyth, Bristol and Bangor Universities.

Publication date: 2 October 2019