Summer 2010 e-newsletter

Speaker with Star qualities launches Glyndŵr University’s Public Lecture Series

A lecture outlining how we are all made of the same stuff as stars given by eminent astrophysicist Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, launched Glyndŵr University’s Public Lecture programme for 2010.  Dame Jocelyn, who was one of the discoverers of the first radio pulsars, gave the lecture entitled “You Are Made of Star Stuff” on Tuesday, June 29th at 7:30pm at the Plas Coch Campus in Wrexham.

Glyndŵr University Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Scott explained: “The Public Lecture Programme is such a vital part of the University and what we have to offer to the wider community.  The lectures are free and our aim is to bring leading research and thinking to the wider community for discussion and debate.

“We are delighted that this year’s Programme was launched by such a prominent scientist and such a fascinating subject.”

Full details of this year’s Glyndŵr University Public Lecture Series can be found here.

To give you a flavour, the 2010 Programme includes talks from Johnny Ball who explores the most famous scientific discoveries, Professor Jeff Forshaw exploring the real meaning behind one of the best known equations E=MC2 as well as an intriguing insight into the life of wolves from Shaun Ellis who has lived among them as one of their own.

Although the events are free to attend, advanced booking is essential, which can be done by contacting the Alumni Office at alumni@glyndwr.ac.uk.

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Johnny Ball kicks off Wrexham Science Festival 2010 at Glyndŵr University

This year, Glyndŵr University is once again hosting Wrexham Science Festival from July 1 - 10.  The ten day science extravaganza was kicked off with a public lecture by TV presenter and science expert Johnny Ball.  His lecture – Past Imperfect, Future Fantastic – looked at the history of science and in particular some of the most famous scientific discoveries of all time.

This year’s Festival has featured over 50 public lectures given by some of our own academic staff as well as a variety of invited speakers covering a huge range of topics based on the event’s four themes – Earth and the Universe, Animal World, Human Mind and Body and Bright Sparks.

Other events include a talk on wolf behaviour from Shaun Ellis, star of Channel Five documentary The Wolfman, and also a presentation based on the groundbreaking book Why Does E=MC² by Professor Jeff Forshaw.  Professor Forshaw was co-author of the book with Professor Brian Cox, which considers the real meaning behind the iconic sequences which make up Einstein’s famous equation.

Other highlights of the programme have been a preview of a new solar car being constructed here at Glyndŵr University and still to come is an insight into the University’s involvement with a project to build optical mirrors for the world’s largest telescope which, when completed, will be the size of Wembley Stadium.

Drug use has been the focus of several talks, covering the prison drug market, a look at how more and more educated people are becoming addicted to over-the-counter medications from their local pharmacy and the impact of drug use on Britain’s young people.

Once again the Festival included the family event Scientriffic which was filled with hands-on science experiments, live science demonstrations, fascinating science shows and informative science exhibitions to introduce new ideas and to challenge thinking about science.

With the exception of Scientriffic*, events and public lectures are free to attend, but spaces for the remaining events are limited and seats must be booked online in advance or by calling 01978 293466.

Full details about Wrexham Science Festival 2010 can be found at www.wrexhamsf.com where you can also download a copy of the complete programme.  You can also follow the Festival online on Facebook and Twitter  at @wrexhamscifest to make sure you’re kept fully up to date with developments and to interact with like minded Festival goers.

* Ticket prices for Scientriffic are:
Adult: on the day £7; in advance £6
Children: on the day £5; in advance £4
Family (2 adults 2 children): on the day £20; in advance £15
Groups (10+): on the day £4 per person; in advance £3 per person

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Researchers offer sterilising solution at a micro price

Researchers at Glyndŵr University have developed technology for producing a portable device for sterilising medical equipment – using a £40 microwave oven.

The everyday kitchen device has been used to deliver a low cost, chemical-free solution to killing harmful bacteria on medical tools used in GP, dentists and veterinary surgeries.

The research has been led by Dr Andy Wright, Senior Research Scientist at Glyndŵr University.

Traditionally, steam at high temperatures has been used to sterilise medical instruments before being used on patients.  However, with bacteria becoming more resistant to such treatments, aggressive chemicals have increasingly been used in recent years.

Now, researchers at the University’s Advanced Materials Unit have discovered that by attaching a vacuum vessel to a microwave oven, plasma discharges can be generated in the form of atomic oxygen and ozone – both aggressive gases highly effective in killing bacteria.

The system relies on the intense electric fields generated inside a microwave running at low power.

Dr Wright said that tests have shown the technology to be just as effective as existing steam-based methods of sterilisation, if not more - but at a fraction of the cost.  The device is capable of sterilizing equipment in five minutes or less with air.

He said: “The oven we chose is the simplest type commercially available and with the modifications we made the cost of the system comes to under £2000.  The most reliable sterilisation systems currently cost around £70,000, making this very cost-effective.

“The technology now exists for hospitals, surgeries and dentists to move away from steam-based sterilisation methods and take up a plasma-based approach that has been shown to be 100% effective against the most difficult pathogens.

"And as the cost is far less, it’s well suited for use in small doctor, dentist or veterinary surgeries.  Items such as small surgical instruments can be quickly sterilised prior to use.

“However, one of the main advantages is its small size and low weight.  It means it can also be used easily by military field hospitals when coupled with a small portable generator.  Instruments do not have to be sent away for treatment and the cost of using disposable items can be reduced.”

The technology for the system was developed out of the University’s basic research into nano-structured thin film materials, used to produce devices such as self-cleaning glass and hard coatings in engineering.

Research into thin films and their characterisation forms the core of the Advanced Materials Research Unit’s activities. The research laboratory is one of six materials science research centres at Glyndŵr University.

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Poet in Motion

Glyndŵr University Alumna Sophie McKeand has been chosen as the first poet-in-residence for the newly refurbished Llangollen Pavilion.

Sophie graduated in 2007 with a BA Honours in English Literature and is now a writer and is a founder member and editor of www.theabsurd.co.uk, an alternative culture magazine for north Wales.  She also describes herself as a community based performance poet.

“I am delighted to be working with Llangollen Pavilion to bring the spoken word genre to a wider audience," she said.

“People are often wary of poetry, having had a bad experience of it at school.  I love the classic poets, like Bryon, Shelley and Keats, but they’re not always taught in a very dynamic way in schools.

“I see my role as inspiring audiences to engage again with the spoken word and understand its power to entertain and enthral.”

Sophie began writing poetry and performing them while studying for her degree and her first performance was at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool which has a good reputation for supporting poets. 

From there she established herself as a guest poet and compère and now regularly performs across North Wales.

But it is not easy, Sophie added: “Opportunities for performance poets are few and far between here.  I find myself having to produce my own events in order to get poetry acknowledged on the arts scene.

“It’s a shame as there are so many talented poets locally but there just aren’t the events at which to perform.  I’m hoping that as Llangollen Pavilion’s Poet for 2010 I can increase the audience for poetry and work with community groups and other local poets to develop people’s enjoyment of the spoken word.”

Sophie recently welcomed guests at The Pavilion’s re-opening concert in May, where she welcomed and entertained guests on arrival.  Llangollen Pavilion’s communications officer, Elin Williams said: “We are delighted to welcome Sophie as the Pavilion’s poet for 2010. 

“Her appointment is part of a new chapter in the history of the venue as it seeks to reflect the wide range of talented artists and musicians in North Wales and offer them opportunities to perform in a local venue.”

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Graduate's Film Released Nationwide

On a quest to understand the growing popularity of tattoos, SJ Evans’  documentary ‘Tattoos: A Scarred History,’  features art on every body part.

Three years in the making, SJ said ‘To walk into HMV and see my film on the shelf next to blockbusters like Avatar was an amazing feeling I'll never forget.’

‘Tattoos: A Scarred History,’ explores the draw of the tattoo artist’s chair and tracks one woman’s search for a tattooist able to ink in her nipples following breast cancer surgery.  The cast list includes such familiar faces as Pete Postlethwaite, Joe Calzaghe and the late David Carradine, a coup SJ puts downs to pure cheek and persistence.  SJ counts his meeting with Carradine amongst his favourites, describing the actor as ‘a true gentleman and very charming.’

SJ and business-partner-turned fiancée Sousila Pillay, were at a car-boot sale when the idea for the film struck.  ‘We noticed a string of people walking past us who all had tattoos.  It made us realise how popular they had become after being such a taboo. It just snowballed from there really,’ he said.

Citing a busy schedule and a penchant for perfection, SJ and Sousila didn’t attend the film’s USA or UK premier.  When determined SJ realises his dream of winning a BAFTA, let’s hope he makes it to the ceremony.

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Welsh songstress woos audience

Glyndŵr University has seen a wealth of talent perform on campus over the last few months, not least Cardiff-born singer-songwriter Cerys Matthews.

The former Catatonia lead singer came to the University’s William Aston Hall during her sell-out Don’t Look Down tour, showcasing songs – in both English and Welsh – from her acclaimed recent albums Don’t Look Down and Paid Edrych i Lawr.

The night was a sell out and she treated the audience to a range of songs from her solo albums, performed by her and two fellow musicians, as well as offering a glimpse of things to come with songs from her forthcoming album Tir, which is due for release at the end of June 2010.  She also delighted the rapt audience with a solo version of the Catatonia classic Mulder and Scully.

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 Cyclist inspires us to seek adventure on our doorstep

Another recent highlight was a talk given by adventurer Alistair Humphreys who at 24 left the UK to cycle around the world.  Packing nothing than the bare essentials, his amazing journey covered the Earth’s three great land masses and took more than four years to complete and has been described by Sir Ranulph Fiennes as “the first great adventure of the new Millennium”.  During his talk he described how this self-funded journey succeeded through the kindness of strangers and incredible determination.

But as well as his this remarkable expedition he talked about some of his underlying beliefs, not least that adventure can be found by exploring your own doorstep which he demonstrated with his more recent circumnavigation of the M25!  The eight day microadventure saw Alistair and fellow adventurer Ron Lilwall walking a lap of the 118-mile orbital route, sticking as closely to the motorway as possible through housing estates, across wasteland and through hedges during what turned out to be the coldest week of the worst winter in 30 years.

Coupled with photographs from all his adventures, Alistair Humphreys’ own brand of story telling and enthusiasm for life and people made for an inspiring evening.

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Alumni celebrate student talent

Glyndŵr University Alumni joined final year Art & Design students who were showcasing their work at this year’s Final Year Art Show at the North Wales School of Art and Design at the University’s Regent Street Campus.

The Show – entitled Blue Sky Thinking – was launched on June 4th with a Private View of the exhibition for Alumni and friends of the University opened by alumnus Maurice Cockrill, RA PCRA, renowned artist and Keeper of the Royal Academy Schools.

The Final Year Art Show is a highlight in the Art and Design School’s calendar and is a fitting celebration of the hard work, talent and achievement of our students.

As in past years there is a broad range of media displayed this year including painting and drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, design and creative media work, glass, video and installation – certain to inspire art lovers and anyone with an interest in any art and design discipline.

“Graduates from this show can now expect to look forward to building a career in their chosen field thanks to the support they have received at Glyndŵr University” explained John McClenaghen, Senior Lecturer in Fine Art.

“By the time they leave, Glyndŵr students know what it means to be a professional artist; we believe it’s important to equip our students with the professional skills they need to make their way in a competitive world.”

Glyndŵr University Fine Art Alumni have secured research funding and employment within high profile art galleries such as Tate Liverpool.  Others have won studentships as well as a range of prizes in open exhibitions or progressed to post graduate study while others have entered the teaching profession at all levels from primary to Further and Higher Education.

And Glyndŵr University continues its support of the creative industries not least highlighted by the construction of the new £2.4 million Creative Industries Building on our main campus at Plas Coch, Wrexham.  Due to open later this year, the building will be a home for Art & Design, Computing, Humanities and Theatre and Performance students as well as being a fantastic facility for Wrexham, hosing top rate TV and radio studios.

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