News: March 2014

BEACON wins prestigious European Commission RegioStars award

A prestigious European Commission RegioStars Award 2014 has been won by the BEACON Biorefining Centre of Excellence , an innovative Welsh research partnership dedicated to developing industrial products from plants to reduce reliance on fossil-based resources such as coal and gas.

Publication date: 31 March 2014

New research project addresses national priorities in combating the threat of tree diseases

New diseases are posing significant risks to tree health and plant biosecurity.UK Government Research Councils, DEFRA, Forestry Commission and Scottish Government, are together investing £7M to fund seven new projects to help address threats to UK forests, woods and trees. Bangor University is a partner in one of these projects in collaboration with the Universities of Stirling and Cambridge and the Forest Research agency. The project titled “Modelling economic impact and strategies to increase resilience against tree disease outbreaks” will address “the protection and enhancement of public benefits, including biodiversity and ecosystem services (…) building resilience in woodlands, and wider landscapes”, which are the key recommendations that have just been made by the House of Commons’ Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, specifically. It will also make a substantial contribution the Committee’s call for “long-term research and development work that focuses on preparation for future plant health threats in order to ensure an effective response in the UK”.

Publication date: 26 March 2014

The #nomakeupselfie phenomenon

A psychologist at Bangor University has been fascinated by the the #nomakeupselfie social media phenomenon seen on social media this week.

Publication date: 21 March 2014

Bangor Business School PhD Studentships for 2014 start

Bangor Business School invites applications from suitably qualified individuals wanting to pursue doctoral studies. We are offering a number of PhD Studentships for research projects across a range of disciplines. The PhD bursary provides a total annual allowance of £13,500 and Tuition Fees at the Home/EU rate.

Publication date: 18 March 2014

New research shows how nutrient management can improve farm profitability and agricultural impacts on the environment

Large increases in the price of fertiliser and pressure on the agricultural industry to reduce its contribution to water pollution mean that making best use of nutrients has never been more important. This was the focus of research conducted on farms across Conwy by scientists from the School of Environment, Natural Resources & Geography at Bangor University. The findings have just been published in a leading academic journal, “Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment”.

Publication date: 18 March 2014

When heat casts a healing spell over cancer

Thomas Turner, a recent Cancer Biology graduate from Bangor University, and Dr Thomas Caspari , a researcher based in the School of Biological Sciences at Bangor University published one of the first comprehensive reviews of using heat in cancer treatment in Open Biology , the Royal Society's fast, open access journal.

Publication date: 18 March 2014

Major Prize Award Shortlist for poet of disappearing sounds

An internationally renowned poet, whose work is already translated into 18 languages, has been shortlisted for a major poetry prize. is shortlisted for The Poetry Society's Ted Hughes Award for New Poetry .

Publication date: 17 March 2014

Could Orkney lead the way in generating low carbon electricity?

Marine renewable energy experts at Bangor University have published a new study which examines the potential of Orkney, in the north of Scotland, to generate low carbon electricity through tidal turbines.

Publication date: 17 March 2014

Law School’s ICPS gears up for annual Procurement Conference

Final preparations are underway for a major international conference organised by Bangor Law School’s Institute for Competition and Procurement Studies.

Publication date: 11 March 2014

Collaboration on Materials for Flexible Display Electronics Awarded ‘Outstanding’ by the Technology Strategy Board

SmartKem Ltd, a leading developer of high performance, organic semiconductor materials for flexible displays & electronics, and Bangor University are delighted to announce that a recent Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) has been awarded a grade of ‘Outstanding’ by the Technology Strategy Board .

Publication date: 10 March 2014

Open call for proposals for Research Development Groups

The All-Wales Academic Social Care Research Collaboration (ASCC) has an open call for proposals for Research Development Groups (RDGs). The purpose of the RDGs is to increase social care research capacity and outputs in Wales. RDG funds are available specifically to enable groups to write and submit bids for large scale research projects.

Publication date: 6 March 2014

Bangor Psychology to play major role in £1.1M MRC research relating to addiction and mania

The School of Psychology at Bangor University is to conduct research into new pharmacological treatment for psychiatric illnesses. Researchers at Bangor and Oxford Universities, and the University of British Columbia, have been funded by the Medical Research Council to evaluate the potential of a new drug to reduce the impulsive behaviours associated with alcohol and drug addictions, as well as mania.

Publication date: 6 March 2014

University partnership pays long-term benefits for innovative company

One of Wales’ innovative medical supplies companies can trace a period of exponential growth which saw the company turnover increase by 400% and grow from 5 to 65 employees, to a critical partnership with Bangor University.

Publication date: 4 March 2014

Research Funding Opportunities

The All-Wales Academic Social Care Research Collaboration Academy (ASCCA) is pleased to announce funding for two PhD Fellowships in Social Care to commence in 2014. Applications are invited from eligible social care practitioners, managers and educators.

Publication date: 3 March 2014