Professor Alan Thorpe, Chief Executiveof the Natural Environment ResearchCouncil said: “With changes in theglobal climate and increasing pressureson natural resources, our world isfacing some tough challenges in theyears ahead. The NERC researchcommunity is striving to provide theknowledge that will enable the

NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERFebruary 2008

Anew £7m centre of excellence forenvironmental science was officially

opened by the Prime Minister, GordonBrown on Friday 15 2008.

‘Environment Centre Wales’ brings togetherthe scientific expertise of NERC’s Centrefor Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) andBangor University. Housed in a new,purpose-built laboratory on the campus,the centre will allow CEH and Universitystaff to work together more closely toprovide a focal point for environmentalresearch and training in Wales.

Opening the Building, Prime MinisterGordon Brown said: “It’s a privilege to behere today... to pay tribute to a Universitythat started in 1884, now has ten thousandstudents, is expanding in so many differentareas and has made an urgent part of itswork one of the greatest challenges of ourtime; meeting the climate change challengeand trying to build a more environmentallysustainable country. You’re drawing on thetalents of people from across the country,continental Europe and beyond… I believethis is a fine example of how cooperation ina major area of research study should workin the future. I congratulate you on yourenterprise and innovation.”

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Merfyn Jonessaid: “This new £7 million projectrepresents the largest concentration ofscientists working on environmental issuesin Wales. With around 80 BangorUniversity scientists and 40 scientists fromCEH we are well placed to make a majorcontribution towards resolving some of thegreat environmental challenges facing theworld today.

“We are also proud to be associated withNERC in this venture, knowing thattogether we are providing world-classenvironmental science.”

Prime Minister Opens New ‘EnvironmentCentre Wales’

☛

The Right Honourable Gordon Brown, PrimeMinister, officially opening EnvironmentCentre Wales. Pictured with him are MrsBetty Williams MP, Professor Alan Thorpe,Chief Executive of the Natural EnvironmentResearch Council and Professor MerfynJones, Bangor University’s Vice-Chancellor.

The Environment Centre Wales building

I believe this is a fine exampleof how cooperation in a major areaof research study should work inthe future. I congratulate you onyour enterprise and innovation PM Gordon Brown

““

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New Arts and InnovationCentre in Bangor

The Wales Millenium Centre; a recent exampleof work by Capita Percy Thomas.Capita Percy Thomas have been

selected as Architects to produce afeasibility study into the new Arts andInnovation Centre that will replaceTheatr Gwynedd and the Students’Union building in Bangor.

Capita Percy Thomas are a companybased in Wales, well known for designingbuildings such as the award-winningWales Millennium Centre, ‘Artsdepot’ inLondon, the Yi Cheng InternationalTheatre in China, and the OpTICbuilding in St Asaph.

University Director of Estates, MikeGoodwin said: “The feasibility study willexamine the possibilities for the multi-million pound Centre in more detail andestablish the full cost of the project. Itwill also lead to a design concept beingdeveloped which we expect to be readyby the summer.”

The new building will be constructedon the site of Theatr Gwynedd and theStudents’ Union and could include notonly theatre space but also performance

workshops and other areas for use byprofessional performance artists, thelocal community and the University.The project also includes a newStudents’ Union together with Teachingand Social Learning areas that will beused by both the University and thelocal community together with spacefor student support services.The timescale for the new developmentwill see the current Theatr Gwyneddbuilding closing in the autumn of 2008.

During the period when the building isclosed, Theatr Gwynedd aims tocontinue their programme by using otherlocations not only in the Bangor area butalso on Ynys Môn. A wide range ofcommunity work will also be developed.Meri Huws, Pro Vice-Chancellor, said:“This has the potential to become one ofthe most exciting initiatives of its kind inWales, and we’re keen to hear what thelocal community would like to see in thenew development."

solutions needed to tackle thesechallenges. At the same time we areplaying our part in reducing our ownenvironmental footprint. This partnershipgoes some way to achieving these goals.The Environment Centre Wales not onlyprovides state-of-the-art laboratoryfacilities and equipment to do theresearch, but also benefits from a range offeatures that will reduce the building’senvironmental impact. I am delightedthat our vision for this centre is now areality.”

The new centre brings together andbuilds on the strengths of the twoorganisations. It provides freshopportunities for research spanning theboundaries of terrestrial, freshwater andmarine sciences, to develop newapproaches to managing both the landand sea in a sustainable way.

Additional funding has been invested toensure this building demonstrates manyaspects of environmental and sustainableconstruction.

Dr Bridget Emmett, Head of the CEH siteat Bangor said: “This Centre is built withthe environment in mind. For example,photovoltaic panels have been installed togenerate electricity from sunlight,ground-source heat pumps air-conditionthe building using minimal energy and atlow cost, and a rainwater recovery systemis used to reduce dependency on mainswater supply.”

The design also addressed the needs andwishes of the people who work in thebuilding. Results from a staff surveyindicate that natural light, betterventilation, improved storage areas, modernequipment and an environment that wouldencourage interaction between the CEHand University staff were all importantfactors to be taken into consideration. Thefinal design was commended by the DesignCommission of Wales.

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown met, amongothers, PhD student Serinde van Wijk, fromthe Netherlands.

In November 2007 Professor Tony Bushell of the School ofModern Languages hosted an international conference at theInstitute of Germanic & Romance Studies in London. Taking as

their theme the title Beyond Vienna: Aspects of Provincial Austrialeading scholars in Austrian studies from Britain, Austria andCentral Europe discussed a wide range of topics shaping the re-emergence of an independent Austria after the Second World War,including the sensitive issue of denazification in provincial Austriaafter 1945, the struggle between the socialist and communist

parties for control of Austria’s trade union movement and theposition of the Slovene-speaking community in southern Austria.Also attending the event was the current Austrian ambassador toBritain, Her Excellency Dr Gabriele Matzner-Holzer, the formerBritish ambassador in Vienna Mr Robin O’Neill and the Directorof the Austrian Cultural Forum. Professor Bushell was delighted bythe large attendance the conference drew. Meanwhile the Austrianambassador has accepted an invitation to come and speak toBangor students in the near future.

Austrian Studies

In a keynote address to the UniversityCourt on 18 January, Deputy FirstMinister, Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, went

out of his way to emphasise theimportance of the University for theregion and for Wales as a whole. In awide-ranging speech – entitled “OurUniversity : Driver for 21st CenturyWales” – he congratulated the Universityon its pioneering work in promotingKnowledge Transfer Partnerships (theUniversity is currently ranked in the top 5universities in the UK for such activity),on its research activity, including thepartnership with Aberystwyth University,its work with businesses and its role inthe ‘Môn a Menai’ regeneration scheme inthe region.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, who was making hisfirst official visit since taking up theposition of Deputy First Minister in theLabour-Plaid Cymru CoalitionGovernment, also drew attention topossible new opportunities in the field ofhealth and medicine. He referred toproposals arising from the One Walesdocument which relate to the NHS Trusts,and pointed to an opportunity to enhancethe research status of the University bystrengthening links with the NHS. “Whatwe cannot afford to do”, he said “is standaside and be left behind in the progressbeing made in other parts of Wales.”

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Merfyn Jones,commented: “The Deputy First Minister ’s

speech contained important messages, andthe University will certainly be consideringvery carefully the possibilities for furtherstrengthening our work in the fields ofhealth and medicine.”

The University Court is a large assemblywhich is broadly representative of thecommunity in North Wales. It meetsannually, and other matters on theagenda on 18 January included a reviewof the last year by the Vice-Chancellor, areport on the University’s Accounts bythe Treasurer, and an account of studentactivities by Sam Burnett, the SUPresident. The Court meeting waschaired by the President, Lord Elis-Thomas AM.

DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER HIGHLIGHTSFUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Deputy First MinisterIeuan Wyn Jonesaddresses theUniversity's Courtmeeting.

3

4

LEADING THE WAY INNEUROSCIENCE

LEADING THE WAY INNEUROSCIENCE

4

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OFACCREDITED COURSES

Bangor University has been awardeda commemorative plaque to mark

the fact that the University'sElectronics courses have receivedcontinuous accreditation for a periodof 25 years. The plaque was awardedby the Institution of Engineering andTechnology (formerly the Institutionof Electrical Engineering).

During a visit to the Schools ofElectronic Engineering and ComputerSciences, Assembly Minister Jane Huttwas delighted to formally present theplaque and congratulate the School onthe award.

"This tremendous achievement istestimony to the quality of ourcourses and has only been possible as aresult of major contributions over

many years from everyone in DeanStreet including academics,researchers, support staff and

students," said Prof. Paul Spencer,Head of School of ElectronicEngineering.

If you (or a member of your team) are new tomanagement or are looking to move into a

managerial post, the ILM Level 3 Award in firstline management is an excellent opportunityto develop your career. The Award (free toUniversity staff) allows participants toenhance understanding of managerial issuesand to develop managerial skills.

Centred on a varied and practical-basedassessment programme, the Award looks athow to develop practical techniques to tacklemanagerial problems, how to communicateeffectively and how to gather and interpretinformation to make decisions. Participantslearn these skills and techniques through avariety of learning experiences including web-based learning, group tasks and a short project.

The course has been run successfully at theUniversity for four years. Catherine Hughesfrom Human Resources was one of the firstparticipants. She believes that the course hasprovided her with a firm theoreticalunderstanding of management issues,confidence in indentifying and applying herskills and a qualification that gives her evidenceof her management abilities – a crucial factorwhen considering professional development.

Catherine said ‘I have reaped the benefits ofgreater self awareness and reviewed mycommunication with colleagues and themethods I used to develop trust and support.

Specific skills and knowledge gained on thecourse and transferred to my current rolerelate to managing performance, settingSMART objectives and disseminating re-negotiated work plans to minimiseproblems.’ She also comments that thecourse gave her the opportunity to develop anetwork of colleagues in the University,which has benefited her professionally.

Participants have appreciated the way inwhich the course fits easily into theirschedule. The course is held at theUniversity’s main site on six days over a

three-month period. To enrol on theprogramme or to request furtherinformation, please contacthyfforddi@bangor.ac.uk.

In addition to the Award programme, theUniversity also offers the Certificateprogramme in Management (ILM Level 3)free to University staff. This is a morecomprehensive programme and participantsare required to attend training for one day aweek over a 12 month period. Again, theaddress to contact for more information ishyfforddi@bangor.ac.uk.

Developing New Managers

Managers who have followd the course recently: back left-right: Graham Ormondroyd, BC;Sian Philips, IMSCAR; Christine Parry, SENR; Gwyn Williams, Library Services; DenisWilliams, Chemistry, Emyr Wynne Humphreys, Academic Registry; Tracey Parry, Chemistry;Heather Callow, SoLL (middle); Front left-right: Isobel Terry, Coleg Landrillo tutor; JulieAbberley, Estates; Claire Chapman, SoLL; Annemarie Marsden, SoLL.

Presenting the Plaque with Minister Jane Hutt was Ken Newis of the Institute of Engineering &Technology, and receiving the plaque was Prof. Paul Spencer, Head of the School of Electronic

5

Wales' world-class neuroscience research has been placed even more firmlyon an international stage with the launch of the Wales Institute of

Cognitive Neuroscience (WICN) at the National Assembly Senedd Building inCardiff at the end of 2007.

This is the latest in a series of major collaborative ventures between highereducation establishments in Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government hasinvested over £5 million to establish the new multi-centre Institute, bringingtogether existing world-renowned expertise in psychology at Bangor, Cardiffand Swansea universities.

Caption: What else do you need to launch a Centre of study in Neuroscienceother than a large brain? At the Assembly Launch are (l-r): Dr. Oliver Turnbull,Head of Psychology, Bangor University; Prof. Adrian Burgess, Head ofPsychology, Swansea University; Jane Hutt, Welsh Assembly Minister forChildren, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills; Prof. Dylan Jones, Head ofPsychology, Cardiff University

LEADING THE WAY INNEUROSCIENCE

LEADING THE WAY INNEUROSCIENCE

Four Assembly Members from the WelshAssembly Enterprise and LearningCommittee visited the School of

Psychology and the Dyslexia Unit inJanuary as part of an all-Wales investigationinto approaches for teaching dyslexiclearners.

The Assembly group learnt about researchinto dyslexia and related areas of languagedevelopment. Dr Marie-Josephe Tainturierreported on work by members of theSchool's language and cognition group andexplained the advanced facilities for researchnow available in the School. Professor

Ginny Gathercole described how she andcolleagues developed a Welsh receptivevocabulary test for children from differentlanguage backgrounds (Welsh,Welsh/English, English) and Dr EnlliThomas (School of Education and Centrefor Bilingualism) looked at an investigationinto how children’s spelling errors in Welshcould be used in the identification ofdyslexia. The Group then saw how theDyslexia Unit's teaching and assessmentwork was carried out.

"Throughout the morning, the importanceof interaction between research and practice

was emphasised and possibilities fordevelopment were discussed. The Assemblygroup seemed particularly interested in howdyslexia affects children learning in Welshand bilingual environments" said AnneCooke of the Unit. "Unit staff wereespecially pleased to point out thecontribution to teaching resources made byWelsh members of the teaching team, thelatest being a set of recently published booksfor young readers. These, and numerousEnglish publications, show that Bangor'sDyslexia Unit is a leading centre in the UKfor dyslexia research and practice," sheadded.

Dyslexia work highlighted

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6

In the coming days and weeks moststaff, with the exception of those that

are on professorial or senioradministrative grades (academic relatedgrade 6), will receive a draft role profilefrom Human Resources with someexplanatory information. A role profile isnot a job description and has beendeveloped as part of the HERA exerciseas a mechanism for grouping stafftogether that perform different roles thatare viewed to be of a similar job weight.In other words staff roles that aredeemed to be of equal value andconsequently should receive equal pay.The role profiles are still in draft formatand this is your opportunity to considerthem carefully and if necessary talk toHR if you have any technical queries andwith your head of college, school ordepartment.

At this stage salary grades have not beenallocated to role profiles. This is becauseit was agreed with the Trades Unionsthat staff should be consulted on roleprofiles prior to implementation.

One of the issues is how will this affectpay. The University has decided that no

one will receive less pay uponimplementation of a new pay & gradingstructure. For the small number of staffthat may be assigned to a lower salarygrade than present a four year payprotection period has been agreed as wellas a formal appeals process. Some staffwill be allocated to a higher salary gradeand they will benefit from an immediaterise in pay as they will move straight onto their new grade. It is likely that moststaff will move to a salary grade that isconsistent with their current pay and forthese staff it has been agreed that theywill move to a point on their new salarygrade that either matches their currentsalary or increases it.

It is envisaged that the trades unionswill ballot their members on acceptanceof the pay modernisation proposals inApril or May 2008. Providing satisfactoryprogress can be made in the comingmonths, the University has agreed tobackdate the new pay arrangements toAugust 2007.

If you have further queries please do nothesitate to contact Tract Hibbert orLouise Shipton in Human Resources.

FRAMEWORKAGREEMENT

Dr Lowri Angharad Hughes hasbeen appointed as the

University’s Welsh LanguageDevelopment Officer. She joins thespecialist team at Canolfan Bedwyr,which works with Academic Schoolsand Departments to develop Welsh-language capacity. Having completedher D.Phil in the area of culturalstrategy at the University of Oxford,where she also held the post ofLector for five years, Dr Hughes willbring a wealth of experience to bearin her work at Bangor University.Specifically, Lowri will beresponsible for assisting staff andstudents in responding to thecultural and linguistic needs of theircollaborators, customers and futureemployers as well as to therequirements of the University’sLanguage Scheme. She is able toassist staff and students on anindividual, departmental andcorporate level and can also directthem to other Welsh languageservices. If you would like to discussquestions related to the Welshlanguage, please contact Lowri byphone on extension 8697 or byemail at l.a.hughes@bangor.ac.uk.

WELSHLANGUAGE

DEVELOPMENTPOST

DID YOU KNOW?Modern notions of animal welfare are closely connected with Bangor. ProfessorRogers Brambell, Lloyd Roberts Professor and Head of what was then theDepartment of Zoology at the University led a government commissioned review(the ‘Brambell Committee’) which inquired into the conditions in intensivesystems of livestock husbandry in 1965. The Committee’s report, led the UKgovernment to establish the Farm Animal Advisory Committee in 1967, later theFarm Animal Welfare Council. The Committee’s first guidelines recommendedthat animals require the freedoms ‘to turn around, to groom themselves, to getup, to lie down and to stretch their limbs’. These have since been elaborated tobecome known as the ‘Five Freedoms’ of animal welfare.

Professor Brambell was appointed to Bangor in 1930 and served as Head of Schoolfor 38 years. It was his wide interests that led to the establishment of the MarineStation at Menai Bridge, now the world renowned School of Ocean Sciences. Hisown interests lay in mammalian reproduction and later, immunology. Prior to hisdeath he published a major work on “The Transmission of Passive Immunity fromMother to Embryo.” He also oversaw the planning and completion of thelaboratories that now bear his name.

• The fist in an occasional series- please suggest items of interest to the Editor.

7

Did you know that approximately 65members of staff are currentlyundertaking Welsh classes run by the

School of Lifelong Learning? The majority oflearners are doing so on a voluntary basis andthe University encourages and supports theirefforts. Occasionally, when appointing newstaff, there is a need to ensure that they canspeak Welsh or are willing to learn so that theUniversity is able to provide a bilingual service.

Sarah Jackson was appointed as AssistantRegistrar in the Academic Registry four yearsago with a requirement that she leant Welsh.She has since been supported by theUniversity who have paid all course costs andalso allowed her time off to attend regularclasses. Sarah has since gone on to completethe ‘Intermediate Using Welsh Course’ and isstill keen to persist with her studies so hasenrolled on a further course.

Sarah acknowledges that she has room todevelop but by following the WLPAN coursefeels she has improved her confidence andnow attempts to read simple documents andto hold a conversation in Welsh. According toSarah her achievements are down to anumber of things: “The WLPAN course reallysuited me as it is very much a method of

learning by rote. The tutors that teach us areexceptional are an asset to the University andI acknowledged from the outset that I wouldnot learn over night and that I needed to beflexible due to work commitments”.

If you’re already learning did you know that alocal branch of Cyd exists within theUniversity. This is a support network forlearners. They are a social group that meetregularly and many fluent speakers attend sothat learners can practice their oral skills. Forfurther details or to join the group contact:

Dr Llinos Spencer , Bangor Cyd Secretaryl.spencer@bangor.ac.uk 01248 38 3171

Eileen Tilley, Bangor Cyd Chaire.f.tilley@bangor.ac.uk

For further details of Welsh Course for staffcontact Elwyn Hughes, Lifelong Learning onext 2259 or maybe you are a Welsh speakerbut would benefit from a refresher? If soplease contact Canolfan Bedwyr on ext 3293.

The University offer opportunities andsupport to learn Welsh – for work or socialreasons. Why not give it a go?

LearnerSucceeds SPORT MOVES UP

THE AGENDAA workshop for students and staffon 30 January has kick-started afundamental review of theUniversity’s sports facilities. TheUniversity is keen to develop anew Sports Strategy, and wishes tohear the views and aspirations ofboth staff and students on the roleof sport in campus life. A SteeringGroup has been established todevelop the strategy, and aquestionnaire is being devised forstaff and students. Any commentsshould be addressed tor.goggin@bangor.ac.uk

PUBLICAPPOINTMENTGeraint George, Director ofCountryside Management at theSchool of Environment & NaturalResources has been appointed as anew member of the Council of theCountryside Council for Wales.Geraint George is also a Member ofSnowdonia National ParkAuthority, Chair of SnowdoniaNational Park ConservationCommittee, a Member of ForestryCommission National Committeefor Wales and Chair of GwyneddEnvironmental Partnership.

GREGYNOG HALL The University of WalesConference Centre, Gregynog Hall,are offering a 20% discount ontheir current staff rate forconferences booked for August2008 and wish to draw yourattention to their updated website. They also have a self-cateringholiday let Garden Cottage whichcan sleep up to 12 people andwhich is available over Easter fromFriday 21st – Friday 28th Marchand Friday 28th March – Friday 4thApril for £650.00 a week or anycombination of dates for £100.00 anight. To view their fullconference facilities and up todate prices visit www.wales.ac.uk/gregynog For availability pleasecontact their Conference office on01686 650224.

In Brief

8

ARCTIC INSPIRES BEN'S LATEST CD

School of Ocean Sciences electronicstechnician, Ben Powell, composesambient electronic music, and has

been making music under the name'Mank' for the last ten years. A recentresearch trip to the Arctic Circleprovided opportunity and inspiration forBen to compose and create his eighthand latest CD, Isbjorn, which is availableto listen to or purchase via his websitehttp://www.mankymusic.co.uk/. He alsohas film from the voyage to accompanythe music.

"My main influences are nature andmaths, I love to go walking in themountains away from the crowds, Ifind that the tranquillity inspires me. Ialso love to use maths as a compositiontool, as the music is computer based, itis very easy to integrate patterns andnumbers into the composition. In thepast I have used fractals and tidal datafrom the Menai Straits as the basis formy music." "As well as typical 'Mank' tracks, Ithink the bleakness of the environmentis reflected on the album as well," saysBen. "The majority of this material was

recorded on board the ship - there wasalways the drone of the engines, thesound of the waves splashing againstthe bow, the shudder of the hull as weploughed through ice sheets -environmental noises which I thinkhave filtered through.

"Being on the ship limited theequipment I had access to. Instead of aMIDI (musical) keyboard attached to acomputer running through a set ofspeakers, this time I was armed onlywith a laptop and a pair of headphones.I used the laptop's keyboard as a virtualmusical keyboard to compose. Becauseof this, the melodies are simpler, and thetracks more atmospheric and dronebased- it's not the notes, it's the soundsbetween the notes that count," he says."As the work was all done through

headphones the album has a very insularsound, I think it would be a great listenon an ipod for a train journey."

Ben has been at the School of OceanSciences since 1998, his main role beingthe maintenance and deployment ofoceanographic scientific instruments.This involves a lot of work on boats ofvarious sizes from kayaks on rivers toicebreakers at the North Pole. Hespends a lot of time on board theUniversity's Research vessel, the PrinceMadog. "I think that spending so muchtime on boats has been a majorinfluence on my music," he adds.

Ben's musical influences would includeartists like Philip Glass, Biosphere,Harold Budd, Steve Reich, Brian Enoand The Boards of Canada.

Ben during his recent Arctic research trip.

Items for inclusion in the next edition of Newsletter should be sent to theEditor: Elinor Elis-Williams, Bangor University, e-mail: press@bangor.ac.ukNewsletter is published by the Corporate Communications & Marketing Department, Bangor University.

© Bangor University. Please contact the Editor for permission to reproduce any article. Updated Universitynews can be found at www.bangor.ac.uk/

9

Atouring Slavery Exhibition,'Everywhere in Chains' has received a

top UK Award. Initiated by the WelshAssembly Government and delivered byAmgueddfa Cymru - National MuseumWales, the National Library of Wales,and Bangor University's Archive &Manuscripts, the Exhibition wasselected by the Black HistoryFoundation for its' “outstandingcontribution to black heritage in Walesfor 2007”.

The Foundation selected the Everywherein Chains project because it particularlyattempted to make black heritage moreaccessible.

This exhibition commemorated thebicentenary of the Abolition of theSlave Trade Act of 1807 by looking atthe roles played by Wales in bothopposing and supporting transatlanticslavery during the three centuriesbefore. It also helped highlight issuessuch as human rights and fair trade, andexplained the legacies of slavery inmodern day music and popular culture.

University Archivist, Einion Thomas,represented Bangor on the ManagementBoard of the exhibition, which drew on

documents from the Penrhyn papers atthe University's Archive."The Penrhyn collection is of historicalimportance and international interest,"

said Einion Thomas. "I'm delighted thatthe Exhibition has received thisAward."

Professor John Simpson, of the School ofOcean Sciences is to receive the 2008 Fridtjof

Nansen Medal, awarded by the EuropeanGeosciences Union. Professor Simpson willreceive the Medal in April at the EuropeanGeophysical Union Assembly in Vienna, wherehe will also deliver the Nansen Lecture.

Professor Simpson has been instrumental indeveloping the discipline of shelf seaoceanography, drawing together physics,biology and chemistry to extend theunderstanding of the interactions that takeplace in the shallow seas around the continentssuch as the North Sea and Irish Sea. The Medal honoursProfessor Simpson for his outstanding contribution tounderstanding the physical processes that govern shelf and shelf-edge processes and applying this to the benefit of multi-disciplinary studies of motion and life on the ocean’s shelves.

The citation also mentions that he has taught severalhundred M.Sc. students and mentored almost 30PhDs, many of whom hold important posts inuniversities and laboratories around the world.

Professor Simpson is one of only four UK academicsto receive this award in recent decades, (two ofwhom are Fellows of the Royal Society). ProfessorStephen Thorpe FRS, who was awarded the Medalin 2000, is an Honorary Professor at the School.

The Medal is named after Fridtjof Nansen, whosefirst major contribution to oceanography was thetranspolar expedition made by freezing the vessel,

"Fram", in the Arctic drift ice north of the New Siberian Islands in1893. He later became a diplomat and champion of internationaljustice through his work for the League of Nations. The Nansenpassport and his work for the hungry, the homeless and thevictims of world events led to his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Nansen Medal

Slavery Exhibition Wins Top UK Award

Prof. Simpson

A map of one of the Penrhyn Estatesin Jamaica, held at the Universityarchive

Everyone enjoyed asuccessful day Maes

Glas Sports Centre's 5-a-side Football Tournamentheld on Saturday 26January. Each team washighly competitive, withthe result that all the gameswere extremely close!

Competing were: • Maes Glas Maniacs- MaesGlas Sport Centre•Psychos-Psychology•Biology Babes- Biology•SBS -Biology•Chemistry Chargers-

Chemistry •and a team from SENR

The Semi-final between Maes Glas Maniacsand Biology Babes went to the wire, MaesGlas Maniacs needed to win or a draw toget to the final but were deprived only inthe closing seconds, with Biology Babesscoring at the last, to win a 2-1 defeat.They went on to play the Psychos- and bedefeated 2-1. So Tournament Winners werePsychos and Runners up: Biology Babes.The Female Player of the Tournament was

Jude Williams- Psychos and Male Player of the Tournament, NickCaswell- Biology Babes.

Last year's finalists, ChemistryChargers had a totally different teamthis year. SENR played well achievingclose scores in each game. SBS, thesecond team, played their best- but it'snot every school that can put forwardtwo teams is it?According to Maes Glas Sports

Development Officer and 'sports reporter',Iona Williams, "This was the third footballtournament and many of the same faceswere there, though it was nice to welcomenew participants, especially as each teamhad to have two women players."

Don't forget: Next staff Departmentaltournament- Basketball- April 19th. Formore information contact Iona Williams, email: pes205@bangor.ac.uk

SIX CONTEST FOOTBALL 5’s

FOOTBALL'S DREAM JOB?Here's someone who could show Cristiano

Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney or StevenGerrard the red card- if need be! Lee Evans, abookbinder at the University's Print Unit,Argraffdy Menai, is also one of threeinternational football referees in Wales.Lee referees in the Welsh Premier Leagueand has refereed matches in, the WorldCup qualifiers, UEFA Cup andChampions' League.

Lee was the fourth Welshman ever to become aninternational referee, andhas held the position fortwo years now. He beganrefereeing at 14 at thesuggestion of his father,a football coach: Hesays, "I admit that I wasa bit vocal towards

referees from the goalmouth and perhaps hefelt I should learn how difficult their task

was!" He's been refereeing on and off-between playing football, since. He'salso been working at the Universitysince he was 16.

Lee's last international game was lastNovember when he refereed in a

tournament between the Bosnian,Russian, Finnish and Azerbaijani

national teams. His nextfixtures are a tournament in

Romania at the end ofMarch and the Republicof Ireland versus Serbiain May.

As a referee, Lee has afitness test aroundthree times a year and

there's a lot of studying involved. In theWelsh Premier, his 'ref'ing skills are assessed ineach game. He started off in C class but hasworked his way through the ranks to be aninternational referee by assessment andrecommendation.

"My unforgettable moments are numerous;stepping out at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadiumwith the Brazilian Ronaldino by my side,refereeing a Scottish cup game, rubbingshoulders with Alex Ferguson and beingslapped on the back by Gerald Houllier,shopping in Belgium for sports socks withfellow officials Mark Whitby, Mike Dean andAdrian Casha only to discover they were'toddler size' when I got back to my room!"comments Lee.

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Winning team, The Psychos; back l-r: Sion Morris, Jude Williams, Ian Phillips, Charlie Pollock;front l-r: Dave Robinson, John Parkinson.

JudeWilliams

Nick Caswell