Latest University News

12 Months of Impact at M-SParc

Businesses located at M-SParc are leading the way in innovation and economic development. We look back over the year and the impact they have had. 

Since the Park opened in March 2018, the 24 businesses there have created 24 new jobs, six student placements, four graduate employment opportunities, and grown their company turnover for the benefit of the region. Positive news and a good head–start for an impactful 2019.

Publication date: 18 February 2019

From childcare to caring for our environment, three new Research Fellowships to feed into Assembly business

Bangor University is contributing three out of seven new research fellows, who are joining the National Assembly as part of a programme of shared knowledge between higher education institutions and the Welsh parliament.

The academics from the Schools of Law and Health Sciences and Natural Sciences will be sharing their expertise on vital issues that will feed directly into the work of the Assembly and its committees. This follows on from Bangor University’s participation in the successful pilot scheme. 

Publication date: 12 February 2019

Why the pine marten is not every red squirrel's best friend

Pine martens are returning to areas of the UK after an absence of nearly a century. Following releases in mid-Wales during 2015, reintroductions are proposed in north Wales and southern England for 2019

This article by Craig Shuttleworth, Honorary Visiting Research Fellow, Bangor University and Matt Hayward, Associate professor, University of Newcastle is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Publication date: 12 February 2019

UK Human Rights Act is at risk of repeal – here's why it should be protected

There have long been attempts to “scrap” the Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into UK law. But while none have gained traction to date, parliamentarians have recently raised concerns that the government could be wavering in its commitment to the act post-Brexit.

This article by Stephen Clear, Lecturer in Constitutional and Administrative Law, and Public Procurement, at the Law School is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Publication date: 12 February 2019

Developing health economics methods for evaluating dental health interventions as part of preventative public health

A seminar: “Developing a range of methods for economic evaluation of dental services: widening the perspective” organised by the Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation (CHEME) took place recently at Bangor University. Understanding that most dental caries is preventable, particularly in young children, means that the costs are also largely preventable. In the financial year of 2015 -2016, Public Health England reports the cost of tooth extraction topped £50.5 million in children aged 0 to 19 years.

Publication date: 11 February 2019

New research on meaningful short breaks for carers

Shared Care Scotland have recently commissioned the School of Health Sciences at Bangor University to complete a Scoping Review to better understand the research evidence into short breaks for carers (sometimes called respite care) and what this research tells us about the impact of short breaks for carers.

Publication date: 11 February 2019

Dragon seen in Bangor High Street!

As part of Chinese New Year celebrations, the annual Dragon’s Parade was held in Bangor on Saturday. Hand made in China, the 14 meters long dragon, together with dancers, drummers and pupils from Our Lady’s RC School Bangor paraded from Bangor Cathedral along the High Street to the Town Clock before returning to the Cathedral. The parade was followed by the Chinese Gala Performance within the Cathedral where a variety of performances were staged, including Chinese songs and instrumental pieces, various Chinese traditional dancing and a performance by the Bangor Taekwondo group.  

Publication date: 11 February 2019

Ysgol Bro Lleu pupils to feature in festival

Pupils will be using body percussion to create their own compositions at top festival in north Wales.

9 and 10 year old pupils from Ysgol Bro Lleu, Penygroes have been invited to take a significant part in an event at the Bangor Music Festival, which takes place in Pontio arts centre on 8 and 9 February.

Publication date: 8 February 2019

First identification of brain’s preparation for action

Neuroscientists at Bangor University and University College London (UCL) have for the first time, identified the processes which occur in our brains milliseconds before we undertake a series of movements, crucial for speech, handwriting, sports or playing a musical instrument. They have done so by measuring tiny magnetic fields outside the participants’ head and identifying unique patterns making up each sequence before it is executed. They identified differences between neural patterns which lead to a more skilled as opposed to a more error-prone execution.

Publication date: 7 February 2019

Ensuring access to Welsh Music for people living with dementia

Listening to your favourite music lifts your spirits, whatever your age. That's why Bangor University and Merched y Wawr are launching an appeal on the Welsh Day of Music, for people to get in touch and suggest their favourite Welsh language songs from all times.

The most popular suggestions will be collated to create a free digital CD and downloadable resource, which will be shared free of charge to care homes and dementia care homes to ensure that Welsh music is available to residents enjoy.

Publication date: 7 February 2019

Tours of Bangor University’s art and ceramic collections

Guided tours of Bangor University’s Art and Ceramic Collections will be held February to April. The aim is to raise awareness of these important collections, with highlights including a mural by Edward Povey in Powis Hall, art and ceramics in the University’s Council Chamber Corridor and a chance to see and learn about works of arts by other renowned artists such as Kyffin Williams, Brenda Chamberlain, Peter Prendergast and Frederick William Hayes.

Publication date: 5 February 2019

Bangor University professor curates Jewish History Month 2019

Bangor University professor, Dr. Nathan Abrams, has played a large hand in curating the programme for The Jewish Historical Society of England’s forthcoming Jewish History Month, March 2019.

The theme of this year's Jewish History Month is Big Screen Little Screen, Jews in British Cinema and Television.

Publication date: 4 February 2019

Royal reception for Ephraim and his research

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex showed particular interest in the work of Bangor University Masters student Dr Ephraim Kisangala, a Commonwealth Scholarship student from Uganda, who she met at a London reception recently.

Ephraim, a GP in Uganda who is studying Public Health and Health Promotion at Bangor University’s School of Healthcare Sciences, was invited to meet the Duchess of Sussex at an Association of  Commonwealth Universities event to announce the Duchess becoming  the Association’s Royal Patron.

Publication date: 1 February 2019

British Education Award for Mark

For the second year in succession, a Bangor graduate has won a British Education Award.

Mark Barrow, who graduated from Bangor University earlier this year, won the Wales Gradauate category of these increasingly prestigious awards, which celebrate individuals who have excelled within the UK education system.

Publication date: 1 February 2019

Prestigious early career award goes to PhD student

A Bangor University PhD student is the first female to be awarded an international prize for her outstanding work in the field of marine sedimentology.

Megan Baker was awarded the International Association of Sedimentologists RICHARD W. FAAS RESEARCH PRIZE and a cash award of €2000. The Faas prize is awarded every two years to an early career researcher. This is also the first time that this prize has been awarded to a PhD student.

Publication date: 30 January 2019

Financial incentives to attract new teachers extended

Staff at Bangor University’s School of Education and Human Development have welcomed Education Minister Kirsty Williams’ recent announcement that the existing financial incentives for teacher training is to be extended into the academic year 2019-20.

The incentives, of up to £20,000 per student, aim to attract the best graduates into teaching priority subjects such as maths, chemistry, physics, computer science and modern foreign languages.

Publication date: 29 January 2019

True cost of gambling underestimated, say new publications

The current focus on individual ‘problem gamblers’ fails to take into account the full health and social cost of gambling because it overlooks the wider impact on families, friends and communities, according to new work published today.

The joint work by Bangor University, Public Health Wales, Heather Wardle Research and Swansea University also shows that problem gambling rates are highest in the most deprived communities of Wales

Publication date: 29 January 2019

Sharing Welsh language technologies with the world

On 25 January, academic researchers, local developers and representatives from some of the digital sector’s most prominent companies met to discuss and share best practice in the field of language technologies, at the Technology and Welsh Language Conference 2019. This is the third annual conference held by the Language Technologies Unit at Canolfan Bedwyr, Bangor University’s Centre for Welsh Language Services, Research and Technology.

Publication date: 28 January 2019

Psychology PhD Student dances her PhD for international competition

Bangor University Psychology PhD student Kohinoor Darda has entered an international competition which allows her to explain what her PhD is about.

Publication date: 28 January 2019

Why people with anxiety and other mood disorders struggle to manage their emotions

Regulating our emotions is something we all do, every day of our lives. This psychological process means that we can manage how we feel and express emotions in the face of whatever situation may arise. But some people cannot regulate their emotions effectively, and so experience difficult and intense feelings, often partaking in behaviours such as self-harm, using alcohol, and over-eating to try to escape them.

There are several strategies that we use to regulate emotions – for example, reappraisal (changing how you feel about something) and attentional deployment (redirecting your attention away from something). Underlying neural systems in the brain’s prefrontal cortex are responsible for these strategies. However, dysfunction of these neural mechanisms can mean that a person is unable to manage their emotions effectively.

This article by Leanne Rowlands, PhD Researcher in Neuropsychology,  at the School of Psychology is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Publication date: 25 January 2019

Inspirational Bangor University tutor wins national tutor award

A Bangor University lecturer who reminds her students to phone their families has won a national award.

Human Geography lecturer Siân Pierce, who says she finds people “endlessly fascinating”, has picked up an Inspire! Tutor Award after watching thousands of her students graduate in her more than 20 years.

The awards celebrate the achievements of exceptional tutors and mentors in Wales who have shown outstanding passion and commitment to encourage, support and teach other adult learners to pursue their goals and transform their lives, whether it’s in their community or the workplace.

Publication date: 25 January 2019

Bangor University scientist receives honorary doctorate from Chilean university

Dr Shaun Russell, Director of Bangor University’s Treborth Botanic Garden, was awarded a ‘doctor honoris causa’ at a ceremony at the Universidad de Magallanes (UMAG)  recently.

UMAG is located in the city of Punta Arenas on the Straits of Magellan in southern Chile. Dr Russell has been conducting botanical research work in the region for the past 16 years. Tierra del Fuego is a global diversity hotspot for mosses and liverworts, which are classed as bryophytes and Dr Russell’s work on these small but ecologically important plants, contributed directly to the creation of the UNESCO “Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve” there in 2005.

Publication date: 24 January 2019

Bangor University to host UniBrass’ debut in Wales

For the first time in its history, UniBrass will be hosted in Wales at Bangor University on Saturday 2nd February 2019.

UniBrass, the University Brass Band Championships of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is being organised by current students and alumni of Bangor University supported by the UniBrass Foundation; a charity set up to aid the development of the contest and to encourage students to continue playing in brass bands through university.

Publication date: 23 January 2019

Almost half of all students studying a degree through the medium of Welsh, do so at Bangor University

Recent statistics have revealed that almost half of all students studying a degree through the medium of Welsh now do so at Bangor University. In addition, the largest number of lecturers teaching through the medium of Welsh is at Bangor University.

Publication date: 14 December 2018

Teaching Fellow awarded to President of MDIS

Bangor University has awarded a prestigious Teaching Fellowship to Dr Eric Kuan, President of the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) at a special ceremony.

Publication date: 14 December 2018