A message from the Head of Development and Alumni Relations
Greetings from Bangor! I’m so pleased to share reports on the many ways that our alumni have given back to the University this month. Being able to draw on your achievements and expertise gives a massive boost to our students’ experience at the University and their employability. It’s always great to welcome alumni back who still feel such a connection to Bangor University and want to support our students, and we’re so grateful to those who volunteer to give their time to us. If you’d be interested in helping, please do get in touch with us at alumni@bangor.ac.uk.
Many of you also choose to give back to the University by making a donation to the Bangor Fund. The Spring 2026 telethon is underway and our student callers are enjoying speaking to our alumni and finding out about their time here at the University. You can read more about the Bangor Fund and how your kind donations support our students here.
Best wishes,
Emma Marshall
Head of Development and Alumni Relations
BANGOR UNIVERSITY NEWS
Distinguished Alumni Lecture
Dr Rebecca Heaton (Forestry, 1993) gave a public lecture on "Will Business Solve the Environmental Crisis for Us?" as part of our Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series last month.
Recently appointed as Forestry Commissioner of the Forestry Commission, Rebecca is an expert in climate change, sustainability, and the role of land use in the transition to a low carbon future. In her lecture Rebecca spoke about the planet’s environmental in relation to the business world. Thank you to Rebecca for a fascinating talk which certainly provided food for thought!
Alumnus shares his experience with International Media and Management Students
It was a pleasure to welcome alumnus Emyr Afan OBE (Welsh and History, 1985) back to Bangor recently to give a Guest Masterclass to MSc students studying International Media and Management.
Emyr (above, right), CEO of Welsh media production company Afanti, is a Bafta award-winning TV executive producer, multi-camera director and ideas creative. In 1995, he co-founded Afanti Media (formerly Avanti Media) and, as Chief Executive Officer, he has built one of the longest-standing and most successful TV production companies in Wales, with the largest fleet of outside broadcast facilities in the principality.
In the session, Emyr reflected on his 40 years’ experience in the field to start a discussion with our students on the media today and its future.
As with many of our alumni, Emyr has personal connections to the University too - his parents also studied and met here at Bangor University and Emyr himself met his wife Mair who was studying in the Music Department. Emyr also currently sit on the University’s Alumni Advisory Board.
Thank you so much to Emyr for giving his time and sharing his expertise.
Alumni-Student Partnerships in Practice: Mock interviews
Last month, alumni Mark Rigby (Agriculture, 1979) and Dr. Britta Taylor (Cancer Biology, 2013) – both members of the Bangor University’s Alumni Advisory Board - gave their time deliver a series of mock interviews for students at the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences (SENS).
Over three days, undergraduate and postgraduate students were given the fantastic opportunity to develop and refine their interview skills, simulating real-world recruitment scenarios. Students then received tailored, constructive feedback from the experienced interviewers, enabling them to reflect on their performance, build confidence, and further develop their professional communication.
This is the second year that Mark has supported this initiative. Mark said “It was great to see so many students putting themselves forward, wanting to learn to help improve their employability chances after university….in a number of cases it was amazing and very rewarding to see them take themselves out of their comfort zone, for what I’m sure will be a great boost to their personal positivity and how they are better able to present themselves for potential employers”.
The initiative not only enhanced students’ preparedness for graduate recruitment processes but also reinforced the value of alumni engagement in supporting current learners. Thank you to Mark and Britta for supporting our students’ employability in such a practical way!
Alumnus helps University mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week
In March, Bangor University celebrated neurodiversity with a vibrant programme of activities designed to raise awareness, encourage understanding, and provide practical support for neurodiverse students and staff. Led by the Bangor University Staff Neurodiversity Network, the week-long programme invited the entire University community to learn more about neurodiversity, connect with others, and explore ways to create a more inclusive learning and working environment.
To start of the week, Bangor University alumnus Prof. Edmund Barke (Psychology, 1984), Professor of Developmental Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience at King’s College London, led a lecture entitled “What Neurodivergent People Can Bring to Science”. Edmund is a developmental psychologist who studies the causes, course and developmental consequences of mental health and neuro-developmental conditions and is one of the most highly cited and influential developmental scientists of his generation. Motivated by his own childhood experience of neurodivergence (combined hyperkinetic syndrome and dyslexia), he has devoted his research career to improving the life chances of young people, especially those with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as ADHD.
Edmund’s engaging and thought-provoking session discussed how neurodivergent people are making a significant impact on scientific research. We were very lucky to have such a renowned expert in the field give up his time to take part in Neurodiversity Celebration Week – thank you very much Edmund!
ROSTRA Alumni perform Shakespeare's Twelfth Night in 48 hours
Rostra is the oldest amateur drama student society at Bangor University. A reunion of the Rostra Old Guard is held annually to give alumni the chance to catch up reunite with old friends and make new friendships with plenty of nostalgia and sightseeing in the mix.
For over a decade, the reunion has coincided with the 48 Hour Shakespeare Project, where Rostra alumni and current members of the society are given just 48 hours to cast, rehearse and perform a Shakespearean play - all to raise money for charities close to members’ hearts.
Read alumnus Tim Cloke’s (Modern & Contemporary History, 2007) report of the weekend here.
New Will Writing Service Available to Alumni
Bangor University has launched a new exclusive Managed Will Service for alumni, delivered in partnership with Kennedy Burchill. The service provides friendly, expert support to help alumni plan for the future with confidence and is available at a specially discounted rate.
Importantly, the service is offered with complete freedom of choice. Alumni are under no obligation to include Bangor University in their will, and the service is designed simply to make professional will writing more accessible to members of the Bangor University community.
In recent years, the University has seen more alumni and friends choosing to remember Bangor in their wills, support that helps future generations of students benefit from exceptional opportunities and enables Bangor to continue driving ground-breaking research. However, such gifts are entirely voluntary, and the will writing service is open to all alumni regardless of their wishes.
“We’re pleased to offer this new service to our alumni community,” said Persida Chung, Development Officer. “Planning ahead is a personal decision, and our priority is to ensure alumni receive trusted, expert support. Whether or not individuals choose to include Bangor University in their will, we are committed to provide a service that brings peace of mind and reflects our lifelong commitment to our alumni.”
Alumni are invited to learn more about the service and explore how it can support them in making informed, confident decisions about the future.
Find out more about the impact of a legacy to Bangor University.
UPCOMING EVENTS - YOU'RE INVITED
John Shrigley Psychology of Arts Seminar Series
The School of Psychology are thrilled to announce the commencement of the John Shrigley Psychology of Arts Seminar Series; an annual seminar series devoted to research in the Psychology of Art and closely-related subjects. This valuable series has been made possible as a result of a generous bequest to the University by Psychology 1974 alumnus John Shrigley.
To start the series, we will be hosting a public lecture on Thursday, May 28th, 6-7pm in the Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre at Bangor University. Our inaugural speaker will be Dr Rebecca Chamberlain from Goldsmiths University of London. Dr Chamberlain's research focuses on the psychology and neuroscience of the production and perception of visual art. She is particularly interested in the mechanisms by which artists acquire their expertise, and the impact of engagement with the visual arts can have on education and mental health.
If you would like to attend the event, please register your attendance here.
"May the Fourth be with you" Concert
Monday, 4 May 2026
6.00 - 8.30pm
Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor University
Join Bangor University Symphony Orchestra and Bangor Music Society Ensembles for a special Bank Holiday concert featuring music from Star Wars - John Williams.
Whether you are a Droid or a Jedi this concert is not to be missed.
Film music from Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean will also be performed.
Tickets
- Standard - £15
- Over 60 - £10
- Children and Students - £5
Click here to purchase your tickets.
Ar Geinioga' - A new drama about Sir Harry Reichel
Ar Geinioga’, a one-man drama telling the story of the founding of Bangor University through the eyes of the University’s first principal, Sir Harry Reichel, will be performed in the Council Chamber next month before touring other venues in June.
Supported by the Bangor Fund, Ar Geinioga’ was written by playwright Dr Manon Williams, herself a Bangor alumna and current drama lecturer in the School of Welsh. The show is produced by Theatr Bara Caws and Welsh actor Llion Williams, an Honorary Fellow of the University, will portray Harry Reichel.
Reichel became principal of the University College of North Wales in 1884 at just 27 years old. He remained in the role until 1927, when he was 71. The drama tells the turbulent story of the University’s founding and how Reichel successfully guided the University through several challenges, ensuring its growth and development.
Performances will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th, and Thursday 28th May in the Council Chamber of the Main University Building and tickets cost £16.50 each. Please note this is a Welsh language production.
School of Ocean Sciences Newsletter
The School of Ocean Sciences are working on the next edition of their newsletter, The Bridge.
If you’re an SOS alumnus and have any career updates, reports of your achievements or a short profile of your company that you'd like to share, please email your contributions, with print quality photos if possible, to alumni@bangor.ac.uk by Friday, 22 May.
Grow your Skills with Bangor's Micro-Credentials
If you're looking to develop professionally, meet CPD requirements, or simply learn something new, Bangor’s micro-credentials are worth a look.
These short, credit-bearing courses span a range of subject areas. Some are delivered online to fit around busy lives, while others are offered on campus or in hybrid formats. The majority are taught at Level 7 (Master’s level), providing a flexible way to re-engage with higher education or take a first step towards further postgraduate study.
To see what’s currently available, visit our micro-credentials page or e-mail shortcourses@bangor.ac.uk
UKRI Doctoral Focal Award to launch £24m nuclear skills programme
Bangor University has been awarded one of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Doctoral Focal Awards in Nuclear Skills, securing funding to establish the Programme for Accelerating Nuclear Development and Applications (PANDA).
The £9 million awarded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Ministry of Defence and UKRI will be matched by support from major nuclear organisations, including Rolls-Royce Submarines, the UK Atomic Energy Authority and TWI, to deliver a £24 million programme training up to 100 PhD students.
£25m boost for Anglesey Freeport
Bangor University has welcomed an announcement of a £25 million investment to accelerate the development of Anglesey Freeport, including support for the next major phase of growth at the University’s Science Park (M‑SParc). The investment follows the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Welsh Government, UK Government, Isle of Anglesey County Council and Stena Line UK, and unlocks the first tranche of seed capital for seven projects that will strengthen infrastructure, stimulate economic growth and create new jobs across North Wales.
Canolfan Bedwyr recognised at Creative North Awards
The University has recently been recognised at the Creative North Awards, an annual event that showcases excellence across the Creative-Digital sector in North Wales and highlights innovation, collaboration and the growing impact of creative industries across the region.
