HeSaS happenings - Home

HeSaS @ South Africa

2009-07-09T10:22:00Z

The 24th ICN Quadrennial Congress in Durban must be one of the biggest I have attended, held over five days, with around 5000 delegates from 93 countries. The Opening Ceremony was quite a spectacle, with many delegates attending in national costume, and with a key address from South Africa Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. There was clearly great affection for this man, who at the end of his speech, enjoyed some spontaneous and harmonious singing of ‘God bless him’ rather than the more sedate standing ovation the Brits might offer. For me though, and many other delegates, the highlight of the evening was the singing from the South African delegates before the ceremony began. This was an extraordinary and moving experience, as someone ‘in the crowd’ would start a song, to be taken up by 100s of others across the huge hall, dancing and clapping in time where they stood. Wonderful!

Although our Glamorgan/HeSaS marketing material was late arriving to our stand (with some rather dubious requests for extra payments) most of the booklets, and all of the pens, were taken before the close of the conference. There was a good deal of interest in what we had to offer and we were pleased that so many people had heard of Wales! One South African nurse who came to speak to us had worked at Llandough hospital for a while – possibly until the weather drove her back home. Of course it is winter in South Africa, so Emma and I had to endure temperatures of around 25^oC – and darkness falling by 5pm.

Glamorgan and Cardiff Host a Young Peoples’ Chemistry Conference

2009-07-08T09:21:00Z

On Tuesday, 30th June, the universities of Glamorgan and Cardiff hosted a conference aimed at encouraging young people to think about careers in chemistry. The conference, sponsored by funding from Royal Society of Chemistry on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government, was situated in Cardiff University. Over 350 schoolchildren attended a series of lively lecture, demonstrations and interactive presentations. Apart from contributions from Cardiff and Glamorgan, major employers were present including: Chevron, G E Healthcare and BOC. Drs Paul Jones, Wynne Evans, Suzy Kean and Wilf Hall represented Glamorgan with contributions entitled “Chemistry fighting Crime”; “Chemical Senses – Smells!” and “Hydrogen – the fuel of the future?” Posters indicating the latest chemical research at Glamorgan were also on display.

The students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were presented with a bag of gifts from the contributors to take home. It is hoped that funding will be available to stage a similar event next year and Glamorgan will get an opportunity to showcase the new laboratories on the Glyntaff site.

Wilf Hall, Wynne Evans and Suzy Kean

Wilf Hall, Suzy Kean and Paul Jones by the Chemical Senses workshop.

Biology Professor Appointed to BBSRC Panel of Experts

2009-01-16T10:21:00Z

Professor Denis Murphy (lead for Biological Sciences Research Unit, HeSaS), has been invited to join the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Panel of Experts. Expert members may be asked to attend any of the four new BBSRC grant review Committees, depending on the expertise required, and may also contribute to other areas of BBSRC activity.

This appointment is for one year in the first instance, with the expectation to serve a total of three years. The first meeting date for the new Committees has been confirmed as the 12-13 May 2009.

Professor Murphy commented, “As well as being an important recognition of our growing research profile post RAE, this position will give me an important insight into research council funding policy, and any colleagues who are applying for BBSRC grants are especially welcome to contact me in advance for advice. “

Congratulations to Professor Murphy on his new appointment.

Researchers from Wales lead successful bid for £4 million Department of Health Contract

2008-12-05T12:38:00Z

Researchers from South East Wales Trials Unit in the School of Medicine, Cardiff University in collaboration with Professor Joyce Kenkre at the University of Glamorgan were successful in gaining a £4 million bid to evaluate the Family Nurse Partnership programme in England. The collaboration involves colleagues from the University of York, University of Bristol as well as other schools in Cardiff University.

The Family Nurse Partnership is a structured preventative programme that is offered to vulnerable young teenagers from early pregnancy until the child is two years old. The programme is delivered by specially trained nurses/midwives drawn mainly from health visiting and midwifery professions. The programme has recently undergone a formative evaluation, and the new ‘Building Blocks’ study will involve 18 trial sites in England recruiting more than 2000 participants under the age of 20 into a randomised controlled trial.

The study which was funded by the Department of Health is due to run until 2013 and will demonstrate whether the programme is effective in improving the health and well being of both the child and the mother during pregnancy, at birth and in early childhood in comparison to standard universal services. The cost of the programme will also be assessed in relation to the benefits that it produces. Professor Joyce Kenkre leads for stakeholder and ethics workstream.

SERC Professor invited to give keynote speech in Japan

2008-11-25T11:43:00Z

News came through last week that Professor Alan Guwy, leader of the Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC) has been invited by the Hydrogen Energy Systems Society of Japan (HESS) to present a keynote speech at this year Hydrogen Energy Systems Society Conference. This will be the 28th year this conference has run and is one of most important hydrogen events in the Japanese calendar with significance worldwide. Japan is the biggest investor in Hydrogen research and development with solid plans for 20,000 hydrogen refuelling stations to be built across Japan by the year 2020.

Professor Guwy’s presentation will focus mainly on the biohydrogen research that is currently taking place in the UK, of which SERC is one the leading centres. Professor Guwy will also give the delegates an update on the Hydrogen Centre, as well as the £6.3 million project “Cymru H2 Wales” that has been submitted through the research and innovation strand of the EU Convergence Funding Programme.

Professor Guwy commented, “Whilst I am out in Japan, Yoko Kobori the R&D Project Executive for International Business Wales in Japan has offered to arrange a programme of visits with key stakeholders in Japan. I hope to develop further links with leading groups in Japan in the area of hydrogen and the H2Centre (at Baglan) gives us an excellent platform for attracting investment from Japanese companies to facilitate collaboration. We already have very strong links with leading research groups in Japan which have been built over a number of years. In 1998 we had a post doc exchange which led to EPSRC funding and we have recently had one of Professor Tanisho’s PhD students working over here with us, he worked in our SERC lab for several months on novel aspects of the monitoring of biohydrogen systems. “

Worms, waste, wounds, and other worlds – the HeSaS Doctoral Day

2008-11-21T16:47:00Z

Postgraduate research students yesterday presented their latest findings and thoughts on their projects at the HeSaS Annual Doctoral Day. With a good turnout of over 30 staff and students, the day offered a programme of talks and some lively questioning. There was a diverse range of topics, from the role of science fiction in communicating science, to community pharmacy, assessment of lung function and geography and genetics. The carefully planned programme just after lunch included talks on sewage, pressure ulcer care (with some excellent graphic images of wounds) and the use of worms as sentinels for pollution. I was just glad lunch wasn’t spaghetti…

In all, an enjoyable day, and a chance for students to gain experience in presenting their work.

Chemistry for Our Future Wales 2008-9

2008-11-17T15:45:00Z

Glamorgan University has secured a bid of over £15 000 from HEFCW to produce a learning package for AS/A level chemistry students in Wales. The learning package will be available to all schools in Wales and will be enhanced by giving local schools an option to visit our Baglan Bay Hydrogen Centre and/or a school visit by an academic member of the chemistry section.

Dr Wynne Evans commented, “The material developed in Glamorgan will address some of the new changes to the WJEC syllabus concerned with fuel cells and themodynamics. “

The HEFCW funding, administered by the Royal Society of Chemistry, has been distributed between Glamorgan, Bangor and Cardiff Universities. Although each university is responsible for its named project(s), it is envisaged that all will collaborate and exchange expertise. The principal aims of the project are to promote chemical sciences as a stimulating and profitable career route and to widen and significantly increase participation in HE chemical sciences courses for target groups that are currently under-represented.

Three degree awards receive professional accreditation from Forensic Science Society

2008-11-11T16:38:00Z

Congratulations are in order for the Division of Chemistry and Forensic Science, who have received professional accreditation from the Forensic Science Society for three of their degree awards.

The BSc (Hons) Forensic Science, BSc (Hons) Forensic Chemistry and BSc (Hons) Forensic Biology awards have been fully accredited in all three accreditation component standards, these are, crime scene investigation, laboratory analysis, and interpretation, evaluation and presentation of evidence.

In addition to receiving the accreditation, the courses also received five commendations:-

• The small group size for laboratory classes and the requirement for a minimal 80% attendance are excellent in providing students with high quality practical training opportunities.

• The resource support provided by the University is commendable, particularly with respect to specialist equipment provision.

• The balance of the associated teaching staff in terms of academic, professional and practitioner experience is excellent as is the extensive, relevant staff development.

• The programmes offer an excellent range of crime scenes, crime scenarios and the use of forensic evidence throughout.

• The programmes offer strong underpinnings in science disciplines which is important to ensure continued good employability for the students.

Glamorgan is now one of a small handful of universities which has both Forensic Science Society accreditation and professional recognition for its Forensic Science and Forensic Chemistry courses by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Professor invited to advise Food and Agriculture Organisation as an expert on crop biotechnology.

2008-11-11T14:15:00Z

Professor Denis Murphy (Leader of Biological Sciences Research Unit, HESAS) has recently been invited to advise the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) as an expert on crop biotechnology.

The developing world is currently facing a serious and urgent food crisis resulting from soaring food prices and climate change. The challenges posed by hunger and poverty are particularly difficult for the rural poor, who make up an estimated 75% of the world’s 923 million hungry people. There are no easy solutions to these challenges. However, since agriculture has a direct impact on the rural economy, investment in agriculture is vital and must be at the heart of any strategy for the alleviation of hunger and poverty.

Prof Murphy’s first task will be provide input on ‘options from biotechnologies to face the food crisis and climate change in developing countries’ at a meeting to be held in late November 2008 at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

This meeting is planned to lay the groundwork for a major international conference to be held in 2009. About 500-600 scientists, development workers, policy-makers, trade experts, innovation-system experts, end-users of technology including farmers and consumers, representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations as well as the private sector, donors and agencies for technology transfer would be expected to attend this open conference, including 150 invited participants from developing countries.

Professor Murphy has recently published a book that highlights many of these issues and the potential role of biotechnology in addressing crop improvement. The book titled; “Plant Breeding and Biotechnology: Societal Context and the Future of Agriculture”, is published by Cambridge University Press, UK .

Information about the book can be found here and here

Professor Murphy is also Chair of the Biology Advisory Committee of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and an advisor to the UK government and EU Parliament

Four Doctors Fly the Tardis

2008-11-11T12:03:00Z

Drs Paul Jones, Wynne Evans, Sally Lark and Claire McVeigh of the Department of Sport and Science, were invited to the Torchwood Hub on Sunday 9th November, where Captain Jack Harkness (aka John Barrowman) gave them a tour of the facilities. Claire McVeigh provided Captain Jack with an expert’s opinion during the course of an alien autopsy. The Tardis was temporarily parked in the Hub, and all four were invited to fly the machine during a short trip. After encountering (and running away from) Daleks, Cybermen and Scarecrows, they returned safely to Upper Boat one minute after they had departed. Thanks to BBC Wales.

Team plus J Barrowman

Team in the Tardis

Dr McVeigh and the alien autopsy

Dean 'extraordinarily proud' of SERC showcase

2008-10-12T16:57:00Z

I was extremely pleased to attend the launch of the new Hydrogen Research Centre at Baglan this Thursday (October 9th). The First Minister, Welsh Assembly Government, Rhodri Morgan opened the centre. Lord Morris, the Chancellor and the Chairman of the Board of Governors were present. There was a great deal of media coverage in both the newspapers and on television. The photograph of John Maddy in yesterday’s Western Mail will I think end up as something of a “pin up”. John Maddy gave a number of interviews during the day both on radio and TV and he was outstanding.

During the event our guests were able to inspect the hydrogen fuelled Bus and to drive in the hydrogen fuelled car which was provided by Nissan.

The event went smoothly and came across I think as very professional. What impressed me most was the calibre of our scientists who were showcased. It became apparent to everyone that the academics who work in SERC are world leaders. The First Minister commented to me afterwards how impressed he was.

There are so many positive features I could comment on. Maybe it’s sufficient to say that I was extraordinarily proud to be associated with SERC and its achievements. I am sure that Dennis and Freda [Professors Dennis and Freda Hawkes] will be taking great satisfaction from seeing what is their lifetime’s work progress so well under a new generation of scientists.

My most impressive achievements of the day were to keep Alan Guwy to time when escorting the First Minister through the laboratories and something to do with the curtains (you had to be there)!

Sue Ball and her team worked very hard to pull off all the arrangements and I would like to thank them. If I left anyone out I do apologise. Let me know and I will rectify it. Congratulations to everyone involved.

Posted on behalf of the Dean.

HeSaS happenings - the Faculty blog that leaps over rivers and roads

2008-10-12T12:16:00Z

Now as a really quite well established Faculty, I thought it was about time we introduced a Faculty blog, where staff can share their comments on news, events and other noteworthy ‘happenings’ likely to be of interest across the Faculty, and anyone else who stumbles across the pages.

In the first year of the formation of the Faculty, there was much talk about ‘synergy’ – but to underpin that, we have had to develop more of a sense of a shared community. Currently separated physically by a river (Taf) and a major road (A470) we rely on a combination of ICT and old-fashioned goodwill for colleagues to be prepared to jog between campuses (largely the sports & science people) or to drive (er… the health people) to support events such as the Research Units Fayre, seminars and other meetings. I hope this blog will play its part in supporting the exchange of news and views.

Dr Sandy Kirkman: All Things Considered

2007-06-27T22:15:20Z

Dr Sandy Kirkman joined a panel of guests on Roy Jenkins' discussion programme All Things Considered, this week on BBC Radio Wales (Sunday June 24th, repeated Wednesday June 27th). Along with the Archbishop of Cardiff, the Most Reverend Peter Smith, and Dr Ellie Lee (Pro Choice Forum), Sandy discussed the issue of abortion. On the 40th 'anniversary' of the Abortion Act, this is currently topical, with calls in parliament for a review of the Act. As both a midwife and a Christian, Sandy spoke with refreshing candour on this sensitive subject.

Diana De holds the lamp

2007-06-04T21:16:00Z

Last month Florence Nightingale Scholar Diana De, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Health, Sport and Science, took part in the traditional procession of the lamp at Westminster Abbey on the 9^th May. Diana was handed the symbolic ‘Lamp' before the altar, which she then passed on to another Scholar. This action represents the passing on of knowledge from one nurse to another. Diana said she felt honoured to have been chosen to take part in this prestigious ceremony and it had been a very proud moment in her nursing career surrounded by her family, friends, colleagues and students.

RCN International Research Conference: a blogger's view

2007-05-06T17:05:29Z

I've just returned from the RCN International Research Conference in Dundee - for various reasons the first time I've managed to attend this event. All in all, a very busy conference with the choice of concurrent sessions often running into double figures. This was frustrating at times, and I didn't always make the best choice with hindsight, however, I was pleased to note that genetics was given an airing on no less than four occasions - for further details visit the GPU blog.

One of the highlights of the conference was a keynote paper from Professor Patricia Benner (yes, the Patricia Benner), who presented some of the findings from a US national study of nursing education. She outlined the idea of a high level three-fold apprenticeship:

1. cognitive and conceptual training - how to think like a nurse;

2. skills-based training;

3. moral and ethical training.

She indicated that there is variable (and often inadequate) success with training in the first level, but more success with the second two levels. However she cautioned that nursing education in the US was ‘a disaster' and did not recommend it be emulated. She also critical of teaching ‘as entertainment' with its potential to trivialise the subject matter.

Prof Benner commented on the prejudice against using non-nurses to teach specialist subjects, although emphasised that the nursing application must be a strong focus. She stressed the challenge of developing curricula in natural sciences that are relevant to practice, and in particular highlighted the need for nurses to develop greater knowledge and understanding of genomics. I felt I bonded with her at that point...