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A message from the Head of Development and Alumni Relations
We're so pleased to be ending the year on a high note by celebrating our new graduates' achievements during our Winter degree ceremonies this week. We wish our new alumni all the best in their future endeavours.
As the year draws to a close, I’d like to take this opportunity to say how grateful we are for our incredible network of Bangor alumni spread across the globe who continue to inspire and support Bangor University. Your experiences, achievements, and continued support make our community vibrant and strong and we thank you for keeping Bangor close to your heart, no matter where life has taken you.
From all of us at Bangor University, we send our warmest wishes for a joyful festive season and a bright, fulfilling year ahead.
Best wishes,
Emma Marshall
Head of Development and Alumni Relations
BANGOR UNIVERSITY NEWS
Honorary Degrees December 2025
Alongside new alumni receiving their degrees during this week’s graduation ceremonies, four individuals were awarded honorary degrees for their contribution to public life.
An Honorary Degree is one of Bangor University’s most prestigious accolades, bestowed on individuals who have made a notable impact in their academic discipline and/or a sustained contribution to the life of the University, locally, nationally or internationally.
Two of those who received honorary degrees are Bangor graduates; Paralympic rower Benjamin Pritchard PLY (Law, 2013), who was honoured for his extraordinary sporting achievements and inspirational journey, and Dr Leanne Cullen-Unsworth (Environmental Protection, 2001), a Marine scientist and conservation leader who has been recognised for her pioneering work in seagrass conservation and sustainability. Also honoured were Mr David Jones FRCS, RCS Ed (Orth), Orthopaedic surgeon and medical leader, and Judith Batchelar OBE, who was awarded for her contribution to scholarship, innovation and leadership in food, farming and sustainability.
Alumni donations support 15 new student-focused projects
The Development and Alumni Relations Office has awarded grants to 15 student-focused projects and initiatives for the 2025–26 academic year from the Bangor Fund. These initiatives aim to add value to the student experience, reflecting creativity, ambition, and collaboration across the University.
Thanks to alumni donations to the Bangor Fund, projects supported this year include travel bursaries, employability activities, Welsh-language immersion education and well-being initiatives.
International alumni careers stories needed
Calling our international alumni!
Bangor University is proud of the achievements of our international alumni and we'd love to highlight your career paths to help us to inspire new students to study at Bangor. Hearing your real-life experiences is incredibly valuable and inspiring for our current and prospective international students.
We’d love to work with international alumni who would be happy to share their experiences of studying here and their career journeys, including how they found their job and any challenges faced. This support could be through providing an alumni profile for our website, meeting prospective students at in-person or online events and / or taking part in employability activities arranged by the University.
We’re particularly keen to hear from alumni who received UK visa sponsorship to support their studies or to gain employment.
If you’re interested in working with your alma mater in this way, please fill in this form and we will be in touch to discuss further details. You’re welcome to email alumni@bangor.ac.uk if you have any queries.
You're invited: Holocaust Memorial Day Service
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
10.30 - 11.30am
Powis Hall, Main Arts Building, College Road, Bangor, LL57 2DG
A service to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 will be held at Bangor University. The service will feature music and readings from local schools, members of the local community and council, the Students' Union, The Chaplaincy Team, and University Staff.
The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2026, 'Bridging Generations', is a call-to-action. Bridging Generations highlights the crucial role of the next generation in preserving the memory of the Holocaust and carrying it forward. It highlights the power of intergenerational dialogue, of listening to those who came before us and of sharing those stories with those who come after. In doing so, we don’t just preserve memory, we connect it to the present. Generations invites us to honour each life, and honour those who left no family to carry their legacy.
This a free event, but please register your attendance in advance here.
You're invited: UMCB 50 Dafydd Meirion Roberts: Memories through Music
Celebrating 50 Years of UMCB : Dafydd Meirion Roberts
College Days - Memories Through Music
17 January 2026, 2pm - 3.30pm
Storiel, Ffordd Gwynedd, Bangor, LL57 1DT
With the folk band 'Ar Log' celebrating half a century since its founding in 1976, it is a privilege to welcome Dafydd Meirion Roberts to share his memories through the music whilst a student at Bangor University. This celebration coincides with the establishment of the Bangor Welsh Students' Union (UMCB) the same year.
The talk will be an opportunity to hear Dafydd's recollections of his contribution to the vibrant culture of Welsh music while he was a student. This musical journey began with Dafydd joining his brother Gwyndaf in the innovative heavy Christian rock band, 'Yr Atgyfodiad', playing the flute. Following this, he joined the group Brân, alongside John Gwyn, Nest Howells, and his brother Gwyndaf. While a student, Dafydd played in one of recently opened Theatr Gwynedd's first touring shows,' Harping Around'.
The discussion will also cover Dafydd's contribution, as a student, to the campaign for language status at the University, before forming the popular folk band 'Ar Log'.
The event is free, but please register your attendance in advance here.
Pontio: BULK (15) + Q&A session with director Ben Wheatley
Saturday 31 January, 2.30pm
Sinema Pontio
Ben Wheatley stands as one of Britain’s finest filmmakers of the 21st century, moving fluidly from his indie beginnings with modern classics like Kill List and Sightseers to the wider recognition of High-Rise and even The Meg 2. Between his studio projects, Wheatley consistently returns to the raw, inventive energy of independent filmmaking, and his latest creation, Bulk, is both an inspiration and a heartfelt homage to the DIY ethos.
We at Sinema Pontio are delighted to welcome the man himself for a special screening of Bulk, followed by an in-person Q&A.
Bangor University retains first class award
Bangor University has once again been recognised for its exceptional commitment to sustainability, retaining its First-Class Award in the 2025/26 People and Planet University League. This marks the seventh consecutive year that the university has achieved this distinction.
Bangor is now ranked 25th out of 147 universities for its sustainability, in the UK-wide league table.
Notable achievements include 12th place nationally for Carbon Management and while specific rankings for Staff and Student Engagement and Staff and HR categories were not highlighted as sub-categories, Bangor continues to score highly in these areas too.
Bangor Student Advisor wins national Staff Member of the Year award
Congratulations to Dr Marcel Clusa, Student Advisor, who has been awarded Staff Member of the Year at the 2025 #WeAreInternational Awards. This outstanding national recognition reflects his impact on the international student experience at Bangor University.
Marcel was selected by judges for his deep, holistic and innovative approach to supporting international students. His work embodies a genuine commitment to ensuring every student feels supported, valued and empowered to thrive. As the first point of contact for complex immigration queries and critical welfare support, he combines technical expertise with empathy, care and emotional reassurance.
He also plays a pivotal role in welcoming international students to the UK. From coordinating airport arrivals and delivering orientation programmes to combat isolation and encourage cultural immersion, Marcel ensures that no student feels alone during their time at Bangor.
Huge congratulations to Marcel on his well-deserved recognition.
Bangor University ranked 7th in UK LGBTQ+ inclusion survey
The University has been ranked 7th in the UK for LGBTQ+ inclusion, according to a recent national survey published by Erobella, in collaboration with Pollfish.
More than 2,000 students aged 18–24 across 79 universities were surveyed, asking how LGBTQ+ friendly their campus feels. Bangor scored 7.5 out of 10, placing the University among the most inclusive institutions nationwide.
This recognition reflects Bangor’s ongoing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. The University’s approach is supported by policies such as the Student Harassment Policy and the Trans Student Equality Policy, alongside the work of the LGBTQ+ Network.
Professor Enlli Thomas, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, said, “We are incredibly proud to see Bangor recognised among the most LGBTQ+-inclusive universities in the UK. This ranking belongs to our whole community, and especially to the inspiring work of our LGBTQ+ Network, whose tireless efforts continue to improve visibility, equality and everyday experiences for our students and staff.”
Rising academic star wins award for PhD research on experience of deaf athletes
Dr Libby Steele, who completed her doctorate in Sport and Exercise Sciences at Bangor University’s School of Psychology and Sport Science, has won the Young STEM in Sport Award at the Community Sport and Recreation Awards: Youth Edition 2025.
Libby’s thesis focussed on the experience of deaf athletes and those who use British Sign Language (BSL) as their first language when competing in athletics. When competing alongside hearing athletes, deaf athletes are typically faced with variable starting systems, such lights, flags, and vibrating armbands, which are combined with a sound. The aim of this is to encourage inclusion. However, the study found that a lack of consistency with regards to technologies adopted has led to unequal opportunities for fast reaction times between deaf and hearing athletes.
Libby was crowned at a special celebration hosted by the Sport and Recreation Alliance at St James's Palace. She was presented with her trophy by Alliance President, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
Bangor University Legal Advice Clinic wins top Pro Bono award for Wales
Bangor University Legal Advice Clinic (BULAC) have won the Best Pro Bono contribution in Wales award in the LawWorks Annual Pro Bono Awards. They were also highly commended in the category of Best New Pro Bono Activity.
The annual awards celebrate the best legal pro bono activities undertaken by organisations and individuals and the positive impact they have had on those helped. BULAC provides free legal advice to the public, offering students practical legal experience under the supervision of qualified staff. This recognition highlights BULAC’s commitment to access to justice and its growing impact in the Welsh legal landscape.
Tracey Horton, Director of Bangor University Legal Advice Clinic, said, “We are thrilled to have won the award against some fierce competition. To have won after such a short period of time is a true honour. The popularity of BULAC is evidence of the great need for access to justice within North Wales and we hope to go from strength to strength.”
New research reveals severe impact of avian flu on southern elephant seals
A team of scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), including Dr Phil Hollyman from Bangor University, have documented the severe impact of avian influenza (HPAI) on southern elephant seals at South Georgia. The research reveals 47% decline in breeding female elephant seals at sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia following a devastating avian influenza outbreak.
The research, published in the journal Communications Biology, shows that the world’s largest population of southern elephant seals – which accounts for over half of the global population of breeding age – has suffered unprecedented losses following the arrival of the HPAI H5N1 strain of avian influenza at the remote sub-Antarctic island in late 2023.
Study reveals impact of deindustrialisation on mental health in Wales
A Bangor University study has shed new light on the stark legacy of deindustrialisation in Wales and its impact on the mental health of the population.
The paper by Dr Christopher Saville from the School of Psychology and Sports Science, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, found that residents of areas of Wales with greater mining extent reported worse mental health.
It also found that mental health outcomes differed between age groups, with the link strongest in generations who lived through the decline of the mining industry, and that the mental health consequences of deindustrialisation’s health affect women at least as much as men, despite mining being a male-dominated industry.
