#swanseauniversity — Public Fediverse posts

Teen destined for Rolls-Royce as school celebrates A-level success

John Kyrle High School is celebrating another successful year of A-level and Level 3 results, with students outperforming…
#EuropeSays #Britain #Europe #EU #Rolls-Royce #BrightonUniversity #BristolUniversity #JohnKyrleHighSchool #MollyWhite #SwanseaUniversity
https://www.europesays.com/britain/103407/

https://www.europesays.com/britain/103407/ Teen destined for Rolls-Royce as school celebrates A-level success #BrightonUniversity #BristolUniversity #JohnKyrleHighSchool #MollyWhite #RollsRoyce #SwanseaUniversity

Blazes burning with the intensity of ‘atomic bombs’: Europe enters a new era of mega fires

The vast blazes ripping through southwestern France burned so intensely they created a powerful, fire-generated thunderstorm. This rare…
#NewsBeep #News #Headlines #Europe #EuropeanUnion #Fireseason #France #FranceandSpain #SanMartindeValdeiglesias #StefanDoerr #SwanseaUniversity #VíctorRescodeDios #World
https://www.newsbeep.com/669466/

GOWERTON: ‘I like to think my father would be proud’ — Oxford beckons for graduate who lost dad during A-Levels

Jonathan Phillips was on course for Oxbridge when his father died during the week his A-Level exams began.

He missed several papers. The university place he had worked towards disappeared.

Ten years on, the 28-year-old from Gowerton has graduated from Swansea University with First-class honours in Mathematics and Computer Science — and starts a master’s at Oxford this autumn.

As a teenager, Jonathan appeared destined for a top university. Then, during his second year of college, his father became seriously ill.

His father died during the week Jonathan’s A-Level exams began, causing him to miss several papers at the most pivotal moment of his education.

Determined to improve his grades, he repeated the year — while working, and while helping to support his younger sister Joanne, who was preparing for her GCSEs at the time.

“Having someone depending on me was a strong motivator to keep moving forward,” he said. “Knowing my younger sister relied on me gave me a sense of responsibility and purpose during a tough period.”

Balancing work, family responsibilities and study proved challenging, and the university path he had once envisioned for himself became increasingly difficult to pursue.

Six years later he enrolled at Swansea as a mature student.

“Having been independent for so long, and returning to education after several years away, I came to Swansea University with a clear purpose and a high degree of motivation,” he said.

“I wanted to make up for what had not materialised years earlier.”

It was during his first year at Swansea that Jonathan began to realise he was still capable of achieving the results he had once worked towards.

“Receiving exam results that genuinely reflected the effort I had put in was incredibly gratifying and reassured me that returning to study had been the right decision.”

Supported by staff across the university, including his lecturer and former academic tutor Professor Dmitri Finkelshtein, Jonathan flourished.

“Jonathan is one of the most talented students I have taught — intellectually curious, with genuinely wide-ranging interests both within mathematics and beyond,” Professor Finkelshtein said.

“What stood out to me was the maturity and depth he brought to his questions and his thinking, always approaching problems from unexpected perspectives. A first-class degree is exactly what I’d expect of him, and Oxford is gaining an exceptional student.”

Jonathan will begin an MSc in Mathematical and Computational Finance at Oxford this autumn.

“When I arrived at Swansea University, I wondered whether that original dream of studying at Oxford might still be achievable,” he said.

“To see it finally come to fruition, even if delayed, is incredibly exciting.”

Jonathan said he often thinks about what this moment would have meant to his father.

“When I was in college, I was on track for Oxbridge, but my A-Level results and family responsibilities made that impossible at the time.

“Completing my degree and preparing to begin the next stage of my studies is something I am incredibly proud of.

“I like to think that my father would be proud of me too, not only for my academic success, but for not giving up. It’s just a shame that he never had the opportunity to see me graduate.”

As he prepares for the future, Jonathan hopes his experience will encourage others whose lives have been disrupted by difficult circumstances.

“Even when life presents significant challenges, those difficulties are often temporary. Circumstances can change, and there is always the possibility of a brighter future.

“By persevering and continuing to do what needs to be done, it is possible to achieve things that once seemed like distant dreams.”

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SWANSEA: ‘Honour of my life’ — standing ovation as Kev Johns awarded honorary doctorate

Kev Johns brought Swansea Arena to its feet on Thursday, as the city’s best-loved entertainer was made an honorary doctor — with the therapists who helped him walk and talk again watching from the audience.

Swansea University awarded Kev Johns MBE an Honorary Doctor of Letters at its graduation ceremony, celebrating alongside hundreds of new graduates.

His speech left few dry eyes in the house. “Sharing the stage with you today has been the honour of my life,” he told the graduates. “Whatever I have done in the past, and whatever I will do in the future, nothing will match today — because you people are the best.”

The physiotherapists and speech therapists who supported his recovery were in the audience to hear him thank them, and the Arena answered his address with a standing ovation.

Kev has fought illness in public before: in 2023 he thanked the NHS after cancer treatment, vowing to make the show go on. He has been diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer — and in February came a stroke, announced by Swansea City as the club wished “our very own Kev Johns” all the best, prompting tributes from fans who called him the voice of the stadium and part of the fabric of the city.

Friends rallied round. A fundraiser launched to support Kev and his wife Rosie — by his side “day and night” — while he was unable to work carried a promise Swansea has watched him keep: “We want Kev back doing what Kev does best — and he absolutely will be.”

By May he was back, cutting the ribbon at the new CK Foodstores in Bynea in an emotional first public appearance. Earlier this month came more welcome news: he will be part of the Grand’s panto this Christmas after all — returning virtually as the Dame in the Mirror in Snow White, a specially created digital role he called “the next best thing” to being on stage.

Reflecting after the ceremony, Kev said he had never been so proud of anything in his life, and that watching the young people collect their degrees and start their journey “was amazing”.

The university holds a personal place in his recovery too. “I’ve had cancer, and I’ve had a stroke, and so many of the wonderful nurses and people that have looked after me have trained at Swansea University,” he said, pointing to the university’s reach into Swansea life — from Technocamps to its connection with the Swans and the Taliesin theatre, where he has performed many times.

Born in Swansea in 1961 and raised in Plasmarl, Kev started out as a children’s entertainer and comedian — Clown Kev, to those with long memories.

He is best known for more than 30 years as the Grand’s panto dame, a run stretching back to 1992 — at the theatre he grew up watching panto in, which he has said still makes stepping out there feel like a dream come true.

The dame’s trade has its rules, fiercely kept: a make-up kit he says is bigger than his wife and daughters’ put together, and a firm belief that “you can’t be a Welsh dame unless you enjoy cockles and lava bread”. His stage maxim has carried him through three decades: “It might be your last show of the season, but for the audience, it’s their first.”

At Swansea City he is woven into matchday itself, serving as both club chaplain and the stadium announcer whose voice supporters know by heart — drawing on his ministerial background to provide pastoral support and represent the club at community and remembrance events.

His broadcasting years at The Wave and Swansea Sound made him a fixture of the city’s airwaves along the way.

The honours have stacked up: an MBE in 2013 for services to charity, and in 2022 the Honorary Freedom of the City of Swansea.

The university said the doctorate recognises his outstanding contribution to Welsh entertainment and community life, and his dedication to the city.

Swansea still gets to see him in a dress this year, just as he promised — beaming from the magic mirror when Snow White opens at the Grand this Christmas.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

‘Swansea still gets to see me in a dress this year’ — Kev Johns returns to Grand panto as the Dame in the Mirror
The digital role keeping Kev in this Christmas’s Snow White.

Kev Johns makes emotional first public appearance since stroke
The moment Swansea had been waiting for, at the opening of CK Foodstores in Bynea.

Kev Johns on life as Swansea’s panto dame — 30 years of sparkle at the Grand
Three decades of quick changes, cockles and lava bread.

SWANSEA: City rallies for ‘our Kev’ as fundraiser launched after stroke
How friends and fans backed Kev and Rosie through his recovery.

SWANSEA: Green Flag flies over the university for a ninth year — as its grounds join Wales’ most exclusive heritage list

The Green Flag is flying over Swansea University‘s campuses for a ninth consecutive year.

The university’s grounds at Singleton Park and the Bay campus are among 93 sites across Wales to secure full Green Flag Award status this year — in a record year that saw 330 parks and green spaces honoured nationwide.

The university also holds the supplementary Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Cadw, for its work preserving and promoting the history of its grounds — one of just 14 sites in Wales to have it.

That puts the university in select regional company. Bryngarw Country Park earned the accreditation this year, and two of the 14 are in Neath Port Talbot, including the Gnoll’s first-ever heritage award — meaning more than a quarter of Wales’ heritage-accredited green spaces are now in this corner of the country.

Judges who visited both campuses ruled the grounds were not only safe, well-maintained and clean, but welcoming places.

The Green Flag is the national benchmark for parks and green spaces, judged on upkeep, environmental management and community involvement — with the scheme marking its 30th year in 2026.

Open to everyone

Both campuses are open sites, with the public welcome to enjoy the green spaces alongside staff and students.

Registrar and chief operating officer Niamh Lamond said the award “means such a great deal to all of us here at Swansea University”.

“These beautiful green spaces are at the heart of what makes both our campuses so unique,” she said. “The expertise of the talented Estates and Campus Services team who manage and develop them is appreciated by colleagues, students and the wider community who are all welcome to enjoy them.”

The awards, run in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy, are recognised in more than 20 countries.

Keep Wales Tidy chief executive Owen Derbyshire said green spaces “play a vital part in supporting the health and wellbeing of communities across Wales”, thanking the staff and volunteers behind them.

This year’s 330 awards across Wales are the most in the scheme’s history, spanning flagship parks, woodlands, historic sites and community-run spaces — from crematoriums to country parks, as this week’s wins across Bridgend and beyond showed.

A vote of confidence

The award follows the Singleton Park campus being named in the top 10 Green Flag sites in the whole of the UK — earning a People’s Choice award after the public cast almost 36,000 votes for their favourite green spaces, the university says.

The campuses’ flags fly in good local company: nine parks and green spaces kept their Green Flags in Swansea this year, alongside 13 volunteer-run community spaces — with the Botanical Gardens in Singleton Park marking its centenary.

The full list of winners is on the Keep Wales Tidy website.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

SWANSEA: Nine parks and green spaces named among the best in Wales — as Botanical Gardens marks its centenary
Swansea’s Green Flag winners for 2026, from Clyne Gardens to Cwmdonkin Park.

NEATH PORT TALBOT: Gnoll earns first-ever heritage award — as 15 parks and green spaces fly the Green Flag
Two of Wales’ 14 Green Heritage sites are in Neath Port Talbot.

BRIDGEND COUNTY: A crematorium’s 17-year streak leads seven Green Flag wins — as Bryngarw joins an exclusive heritage club
Coychurch Crematorium’s 17 consecutive years, and Bryngarw’s heritage first.

SWANSEA: A green jewel turns 100 — how Singleton’s Botanical Gardens grew from kitchen plot to city treasure
A century of the free, much-loved corner of Singleton Park.

SWANSEA: The poet and the oil giant — free exhibition reveals Dylan Thomas’s little-known journey through Iran

A little-known chapter in the life of Dylan Thomas — his journey through Iran for an oil giant — is the subject of a new free exhibition in Swansea.

Pouring Water on Troubled Oil: Dylan Thomas in Iran opened this week at the Dylan Thomas Centre, tracing the Swansea-born poet’s 1951 trip at a pivotal moment in the history of Britain and Iran.

Thomas was hired by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company — the firm now known as BP — to write a publicity film, travelling from Tehran to the oil city of Abadan, then home to the largest refinery in the world.

His visit came against a backdrop of growing industrial unrest and the Iranian oil nationalisation movement, which was challenging British control of one of the world’s most strategically important energy resources.

The exhibition takes its title from the poet’s own sarcastic verdict on the job, delivered in a letter — his role, he wrote, was to help “pour water on troubled oil”.

And the story leads straight back home: crude extracted and refined in Abadan was shipped to Swansea and processed at Llandarcy — Britain’s first oil refinery, less than ten miles from the poet’s birthplace.

Displays on the Atlantic Duchess tanker explosion in Swansea in 1951, alongside photographs of oil infrastructure and workers, reveal the human labour and risk that underpinned the industry on both sides of the connection.

The exhibition brings together rare archival documents, photographs, letters, notebooks and films — drawing on the National Library of Wales, BP Archives, the BBC Written Archives Centre, The National Archives and the Harry Ransom Center in Texas.

At its centre is filmmaker Nariman Massoumi’s 26-minute documentary, which reimagines the journey through archive images and Thomas’s own lyrical reflections — voiced by actor Michael Sheen.

There’s a premiere too: a rare film interview with the acclaimed Iranian writer and filmmaker Ebrahim Golestan, recorded in 2017 before his death in 2023, recalling his meeting with Thomas in Abadan.

Letters written to his wife Caitlin and literary friends reveal the poet’s impressions of Iran and the turbulence of his personal life — displayed alongside his Tehran notebook and a photograph of him resting at a remote roadside.

The archives also show how Thomas landed the job through his often-overlooked career as a film scriptwriter — with officials describing the commission as “one of the most important publicity projects ever undertaken” by the company, and the displays exposing the colonial assumptions built into it.

Thomas never completed the script — but the trip produced the BBC radio broadcast Persian Oil in April 1951, and annotated scripts in the exhibition reveal how producers cut his harrowing description of child destitution witnessed at a hospital.

The exhibition is co-curated by Massoumi and Jo Furber, the centre’s lead curator, and developed from the research behind Massoumi’s 2023 documentary of the same name.

The exhibition runs until 1 July 2027, with free entry — the centre is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm, in the Maritime Quarter, where the main Dylan Thomas exhibition was shortlisted for a national award last year.

For a writer the world knows through Cwmdonkin Park and Laugharne, it offers something new — a fresh angle on Wales’s most celebrated poet, and on how deeply Swansea’s own industrial story was bound up with oil.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Dylan Thomas Exhibition in running for national award
The centre’s family-friendly main exhibition shortlisted at the Kids in Museums Awards.

A green jewel turns 100 — how Singleton’s Botanical Gardens grew from kitchen plot to city treasure
Another slice of Swansea heritage, a century in the making.

Star-studded midsummer celebration of Welsh excellence at Swansea’s Copperworks Distillery
Welsh cultural stars gather at another landmark of the city’s industrial past.

SWANSEA: University researchers grab five of just 30 places on Wales’ future research leaders programme

Five Swansea University researchers have been selected for the 2026 Welsh Crucible — taking a sixth of the 30 places available across the whole of Wales.

The Welsh Crucible picks 30 researchers from across the country each year for a series of intensive residential skills labs, designed to sharpen research impact, spark collaboration across disciplines and build international careers.

The programme is open to early- and mid-career researchers from any discipline — science, engineering, medicine, the arts and social sciences — with at least three years’ research experience under their belts.

It is run by a consortium of Welsh universities, and modelled on the “Crucible” development programme created by innovation charity Nesta.

The Swansea five span a striking range — from unpaid carers and literature to community research and artificial intelligence.

Dr Maria Cheshire-Allen, a senior research fellow in social care, researches unpaid carers, older people and social justice, and holds two concurrent Health and Care Research Wales awards.

Dr Laura Seymour, a Wellcome Trust fellow and senior lecturer in English literature, studies how neurodivergent people engage with literature — and how books can support wellbeing and self-understanding.

Dr Charlotte Jones, a sociology lecturer, works at the crossroads of gender, sexuality, disability and medicine, including the pressures faced by academics whose research draws public backlash.

Dr Tom Avery works across south-west Wales for the university’s Local Challenges Research Office, building research collaborations between communities, policymakers and academics — with a focus on giving local people a voice in how their areas are run.

And Dr Yang Liu, a senior lecturer in computer science, researches cybersecurity and trustworthy AI — how to build artificial intelligence systems that protect privacy and can be relied on in the real world, from autonomous vehicles to connected devices.

Professor Siwan Davies, the university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for research, innovation and enterprise, said the selection reflected what the five could go on to achieve.

“We are immensely proud to see that five of our researchers have been selected for the Welsh Crucible programme. This reflects their outstanding talent, ambition and collaborative spirit, as well as their potential to be future leaders who will deliver meaningful impact for Wales and beyond,” she said.

The Welsh Crucible is funded by the university consortium together with Medr, Wales’ commission for tertiary education and research.

The recognition comes with the university’s research stock riding high — Swansea reached its best-ever position in the QS World University Rankings last year, at 292nd globally.

In the most recent national research assessment, 86% of the university’s research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

The selection also caps a run of research news for the university, whose scientists recently helped achieve a world-first hydrogen aero engine test with Rolls-Royce and easyJet.

Swansea was also chosen this year to host a Google DeepMind programme opening up AI research careers to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The five will join the rest of the 2026 cohort at the programme’s residential labs over the months ahead.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

University research helps power world-first hydrogen aero engine breakthrough
Swansea scientists’ role in the Rolls-Royce and easyJet milestone on the road to clean flight.

Swansea University to host Google DeepMind AI research programme
The fully funded scheme opening AI research careers to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Baglan’s former Miss Wales fronts S4C documentary built on Swansea University research
How one of the largest studies of its kind into incels reached the screen.

Transatlantic collaboration aims to help improve sun safety in Swansea primary schools
Swansea research shaping skin-cancer prevention in local classrooms.

SWANSEA: University team works to turn food waste into natural Vitamin C

Swansea University scientists are exploring whether food-processing waste could be turned into a natural source of Vitamin C.

The work is part of a project with BIOVIT, a Tenby-based nutrition start-up, backed by funding from the UK innovation agency Innovate UK.

The team is examining agricultural and food-processing waste to assess how much of its vitamins and minerals can be recovered.

BIOVIT says its early research found that up to 60% of the vitamins and minerals in fruit and vegetable material can be lost during processing — which the partners see as an opportunity for recovery.

Researchers from Swansea University’s Natural Products BioHUB are leading the scientific and extraction work alongside the company.

The aim is to offer a sustainable, natural alternative to the synthetic Vitamin C widely used in supplements and fortified foods.

If it works, the partners say the process could show how food waste can be converted into high-value nutritional ingredients, opening up new opportunities for greener manufacturing in Wales.

The project follows recent recognition for BIOVIT’s “Circular Vitamin C” concept, which won two prizes — including the overall Innovation of the Year award — at the IFE Manufacturing Ingredients Awards in March.

Dr Farooq Shah, director of the Natural Products BioHUB at Swansea University, said the team was taking something usually seen as waste and exploring whether it could become part of the solution.

He said combining the company’s commercial ambition with the university’s expertise in natural products, green chemistry and biotechnology could help turn food-processing waste into high-value ingredients.

“It is a strong example of how university–SME collaboration can support circular manufacturing, strengthen regional supply chains and help position Wales at the forefront of the green economy,” he said.

Ky Wright, founder and chief executive of BIOVIT, said the company wanted to improve people’s health using natural vitamins and minerals.

“Most supplements and fortified foods still rely on artificial vitamins, often produced through synthetic processes. We believe there is a better way,” he said.

He said working with Swansea University gave the firm access to the research expertise needed to develop natural Vitamin C from fruit-processing waste.

Professor Chedly Tizaoui, professor of chemical engineering at Swansea University, said the project paired a real scientific challenge with commercial relevance.

He said the goal was to establish a reliable, scalable route to natural Vitamin C drawn from fruit-processing residues.

The project is supported through Innovate UK’s Launchpad scheme for net zero industry in south-west Wales, and aligns with UK and Welsh Government ambitions on net zero and the circular economy.

It is the latest research tie-up for the university, which recently saw a Swansea firm win a grant to develop an eco-friendly way of tackling slugs.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea firm wins £650k grant to develop eco-friendly slug killer
Another Swansea University-linked green science project.

Wool Insulation Wales venture secures £300k boost
A Welsh sustainable-materials start-up scales up.

Swansea scientists develop new method to detect viruses in a pinprick
Innovate UK-backed research at Swansea University.

EGYPT IN SWANSEA: A 2,000-year-old ‘magic’ stone that warded off crocodiles is now on show in the city

A free summer exhibition pairing an ancient Egyptian treasure with artwork by Swansea schoolchildren is now open to the public.

Ancient Egypt: magic and medicine has opened at Swansea University’s Egypt Centre, where it will run until 20 September.

At its heart is a cippus — a hieroglyph-inscribed stone, more than 2,000 years old, on loan from the British Museum.

To the ancient Egyptians, the cippus was a magical object, believed to shield people from dangers such as lions and crocodiles.

The protection came from spells carved into the stone, with the god Horus shown overpowering the threats and the face of the household-protector deity Bes above him.

Around it sits a burst of colour from much younger hands: brightly painted masks, collages, models and a full-sized sarcophagus made by pupils at Terrace Road and St Helen’s primary schools.

The children’s work earned its place beside the treasure through months of sessions with curators, after the schools were chosen to help bring the loan to the city.

The project is part of the British Museum in Your Classroom programme, which puts real ancient objects in front of children who might never otherwise encounter one.

Its high point came when the cippus itself travelled to both schools, letting pupils meet the 2,000-year-old object face to face.

Egypt Centre curator Dr Ken Griffin, whose own fascination with Egyptology started with a childhood museum trip, said the pupils’ enthusiasm had produced some wonderful art.

“We are so lucky to have been able to work with the British Museum on this project and to welcome this remarkable ancient Egyptian cippus to Swansea,” he said.

Teacher Tim Sudbury, from St Helen’s Primary, said the pride had been visible when the stone was displayed alongside the children’s creations.

“When the cippus visited our school and was displayed alongside their work you could see the sense of pride in the faces of the pupils and their parents,” he said.

He said the project had left the children far more curious about the ancient world.

John Stokes, head of national programmes at the British Museum, said the aim was to instil the wonder of meeting an ancient object first-hand and to inspire “a new generation of museumgoers.”

Visitors to the exhibition can also see the Egypt Centre’s own pieces, among them a 3,200-year-old ostracon — a limestone fragment once used to write a letter.

The centre, on Swansea University’s Singleton Park campus, holds thousands of Egyptian artefacts and is free to visit year-round.

For families looking for something to do over the summer, the exhibition offers a rare chance to see a British Museum object up close in Swansea.

Ancient Egypt: magic and medicine is open from 10am to 6pm, Tuesday to Saturday, until 20 September. Entry is free.

The launch was attended by schools, university staff, volunteers and Swansea West MP Torsten Bell, alongside some of the young artists whose work is now on show.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Pupils help bring a 2,500-year-old treasure to the city
How Swansea children chose the British Museum loan now on show.

Coffin returns to the Egypt Centre after 26-year restoration
An ancient Egyptian coffin brought back to life in Swansea.

Volunteers Make a Splash As University Project Helps Spread Positive Messages at Skatepark

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.goodnewspost.co.uk/volunteers-make-a-splash-as-university-project-helps-spread-positive-messages-at-skatepark/

Volunteers Make a Splash As University Project Helps Spread Positive Messages at Skatepark

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Volunteers Make a Splash As University Project Helps Spread Positive Messages at Skatepark

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.goodnewspost.co.uk/volunteers-make-a-splash-as-university-project-helps-spread-positive-messages-at-skatepark/

Volunteers Make a Splash As University Project Helps Spread Positive Messages at Skatepark

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.goodnewspost.co.uk/volunteers-make-a-splash-as-university-project-helps-spread-positive-messages-at-skatepark/

Volunteers Make a Splash As University Project Helps Spread Positive Messages at Skatepark

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.goodnewspost.co.uk/volunteers-make-a-splash-as-university-project-helps-spread-positive-messages-at-skatepark/

SWANSEA: Pupils help bring a 2,500-year-old treasure to the city as their own Egypt work goes on show

Children from two Swansea primary schools have helped bring a 2,500-year-old Egyptian treasure to the city — and their own work is now on display beside it.

Pupils at Terrace Road and St Helen’s primary schools took part in the first Welsh “British Museum in your classroom” scheme, which brings world-class artefacts and learning directly into schools.

As part of the project, the children helped choose an ancient cippus — a carved Egyptian healing statue — from the British Museum‘s collection.

The 2,500-year-old artefact was taken into their classrooms before going on display at Swansea University’s Egypt Centre.

The pupils then created their own array of work exploring ancient healing, belief and everyday life in Egypt, including building their own sarcophagus and producing artwork.

Much of it is now on show as part of the centre’s summer exhibition, Ancient Egypt: Magic and Medicine, sitting alongside the British Museum loan.

Swansea West MP Torsten Bell, who opened the exhibition, said he had been struck by what the schools produced.

“I have been completely blown away by the imagination and hard work of these two wonderful schools,” he said.

He said seeing the children’s work displayed alongside a statue that had travelled from ancient Egypt via the British Museum was something they should be proud of.

He encouraged local families, residents and visitors to head to the Egypt Centre over the summer to see the exhibition for themselves.

The project is the latest chapter for a centre that has had a busy couple of years.

It reopened in April after a major revamp, including a transformed House of Death gallery with staff and supporters’ names inscribed in hieroglyphs on the ceiling.

That followed a £300,000 Welsh Government funding boost to improve its facilities and let visitors experience the sounds and smells of ancient Egypt.

The Ancient Egypt: Magic and Medicine exhibition runs until 20 September, open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Egypt Centre reopens after major revamp
Inside the transformed museum, with hieroglyphs on the ceiling.

Egypt Centre wins major funding boost
The £300,000 that helped bring ancient Egypt’s sights and smells to life.

MUMBLES: Skaters, families and even the local PCSOs grab spray cans to give skatepark a colourful makeover

Mumbles skatepark has been given a burst of colour, after skaters, their families and even the local PCSOs picked up spray cans to create a set of community murals.

The artworks are the latest project by Flip the Streets, the community initiative founded by Swansea University’s Professor Lella Nouri.

The scheme works with young people and their communities to create artworks that represent their values in the spaces they use — and to stand visibly against hate of all kinds.

For the Mumbles project, Professor Nouri and her team ran two workshops, asking skatepark users what it meant to them to belong to the skate community and how they might capture that in art.

Their ideas were turned into two murals by Fresh Creative CIC.

One features a bright yellow submarine, reflecting the many sea-themed suggestions, while the other is a giant “Mumbles” sign built around a spray-can character dreamed up by one of the users.

A scooter and a skateboard were worked in too, a nod to the mix of people the skatepark draws.

Everyone who took part in the workshops then joined a special mural day to bring the designs to life, alongside staff and volunteers from Mumbles Community Council.

Around 40 people ended up having a hand in the finished artworks.

Among them were two local police community support officers, who swapped their usual patrol for a pair of spray cans and added their own touches to the submarine.

Professor Nouri, from the university’s School of Social Sciences, said it had been a fantastic day.

“This was a brilliant example of what Flip the Streets is all about — bringing people together to celebrate the places that matter to them and giving young people and local communities a visible voice in shaping those spaces,” she said.

“The energy on the mural day was fantastic, with skaters, families, volunteers and PCSOs all contributing to something positive, colourful and lasting.”

She added: “These murals reflect the creativity, pride and sense of belonging that already exists in the skatepark community, and we hope they will help make the space feel even more welcoming for everyone who uses it.”

Flip the Streets was launched in 2023, first with funding from Race Council Cymru and now through Swansea Council’s Community Safety Partnership.

Since then it has helped transform spots in Clase, Gorseinon, Manselton and the city centre, with eye-catching murals taking the place of hateful graffiti and vandalism.

The Mumbles murals are now in place for skatepark users to enjoy.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Gorseinon youth group tackle hate graffiti
An earlier Flip the Streets project, helping a youth group reclaim their community centre.

Swansea youngsters send a message with graffiti art
Teens brightened a corner of the city centre with a positive mural.

HONOURS: The Swansea professor changing how we talk about suicide — from the Senedd to EastEnders

A Swansea University professor whose work has changed how Britain understands and prevents suicide has been appointed OBE in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours.

Prof Ann John of Swansea University Medical School is recognised for services to suicide prevention and digital innovation — the most senior honour on this year’s local list, which is led by a poignant MBE for the late Swansea councillor Robert Francis-Davies.

“I am deeply honoured and delighted to receive this award,” she said. “It reflects the importance of suicide prevention and the power of digital innovation, research and collaboration to make a real difference to people’s lives.

“I have been privileged to work with exceptional colleagues, partners and communities, and I share this honour with everyone who has contributed to that work over many years.”

A former GP, Prof John is a world-leading expert in suicide prevention, self-harm research and mental health data science.

She is principal investigator and co-director of DATAMIND, the Health Data Research UK hub for mental health informatics research — and director of the National Centre for Suicide Prevention and Self-harm Research, which advises the Welsh Government.

Her research has advanced understanding of the causes and risk factors linked to suicide and self-harm — challenging long-held assumptions and widening the focus beyond specialist psychiatry into primary care and community settings.

That work has helped shape national policy, informed frontline practice — and improved the way suicide is reported in the media.

It has also reached millions of living rooms: Prof John has contributed to major TV productions including EastEnders, Coronation Street and the BBC’s This Is Going to Hurt, helping to ensure the responsible portrayal of suicidal behaviours on screen.

By bringing research findings to the public and to organisations across health and education, the university says she has helped increase awareness and reduce stigma around mental health and self-harm.

She also plays a leading role in advancing secure, privacy-preserving access to mental health data for research — working with NHS partners, policymakers, researchers and people with lived experience to ensure data-driven innovation delivers real benefits for patients and communities.

The OBE caps a remarkable year: earlier in 2026, Prof John was elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences in recognition of her outstanding contribution to medical science.

She will receive her insignia at an investiture later this year.

She is among 84 people from Wales recognised in this year’s list — and Welsh expertise in the field is recognised twice over, with consultant psychiatrist Alys Cole-King also appointed MBE for services to suicide prevention.

If you are struggling or need someone to talk to, the Samaritans are available day or night, free, on 116 123, or by email at [email protected].

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https://www.europesays.com/britain/57844/ SWANSEA: University research helps power world-first hydrogen aero engine breakthrough #aviation #easyJet #hydrogen #RollsRoyce #SwanseaUniversity

SWANSEA: University research helps power world-first hydrogen aero engine breakthrough

Researchers at Swansea University have helped achieve a world-first in aviation — an aero engine running at full take-off power on nothing but hydrogen.

The milestone caps a four-year international programme led by Rolls-Royce and easyJet to prove that hydrogen can work as a clean aviation fuel.

It is being hailed as a significant step towards zero-carbon flight, with hydrogen producing no carbon emissions when burned.

Swansea’s role was to crack one of the trickiest parts of the problem — how engine materials cope with the extreme conditions hydrogen demands.

The university’s Institute of Structural Materials built entirely new testing facilities to do it, working in two areas the research group had never explored before.

The first involved cryogenic temperatures — the intense cold at which hydrogen is stored as a liquid.

The second recreated high-pressure hydrogen environments, replicating the punishing conditions inside a working engine.

The facilities were developed alongside the university’s Steel and Metals Institute, and generated the materials data needed to design the engines safely.

Professor Mark Whittaker, who directs the Institute of Structural Materials and the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre at Swansea, said the work had drawn on the university’s particular expertise.

He said the institute was an internationally recognised centre for testing materials in high-temperature environments, while its sister institute brought experience of working with difficult industrial gases such as hydrogen.

Together, he said, they had created “truly unique facilities” that generated extensive data to support the development of hydrogen-based engines.

He said the close relationship with Rolls-Royce meant laboratory testing could directly inform how materials behave inside a real hydrogen-fuelled engine.

The engine itself was tested at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in the United States, the culmination of a programme designed to prove the technology step by step.

Louise Gale, a materials specialist at Rolls-Royce, said Swansea had been “a clear choice” as a partner, building on many previous collaborations.

She said developing hydrogen-fuelled engines required new ways of testing how materials behave, and that the capability built at Swansea had produced key data for component design and safety.

The work adds to a growing hydrogen sector across south-west Wales, where a £50m green hydrogen project at Milford Haven is among the schemes aiming to turn the region into a clean-energy hub.

The programme also forms part of a wider industry push towards cleaner aviation, with easyJet among the airlines aiming to reach net zero by 2050.

It builds, too, on Swansea’s standing in aerospace research, a field the university has invested in heavily in recent years.

A hydrogen-powered passenger flight remains some way off, but the test marks a significant milestone on the road to proving the technology can work.

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Early Life Diet Linked to Adolescent Intelligence

Summary: A new study has synthesized decades of research to evaluate how dietary patterns shape cognitive performance and…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Health #braindevelopment #brainresearch #cognition #developmentalneuroscience #Diet #Intelligence #neurobiology #neurodevelopment #Neuroscience #Nutrition #SwanseaUniversity
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/689328/

Early Life Diet Linked to Adolescent Intelligence

Summary: A new study has synthesized decades of research to evaluate how dietary patterns shape cognitive performance and…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Health #braindevelopment #brainresearch #cognition #developmentalneuroscience #Diet #Intelligence #neurobiology #neurodevelopment #Neuroscience #Nutrition #SwanseaUniversity
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/689328/

https://www.europesays.com/uk/1009663/ Early Life Diet Linked to Adolescent Intelligence #BrainDevelopment #BrainResearch #cognition #DevelopmentalNeuroscience #diet #Health #Intelligence #neurobiology #neurodevelopment #Neuroscience #Nutrition #SwanseaUniversity #UK #UnitedKingdom

https://www.europesays.com/britain/54624/ GOWER: Cave art found on the Gower coast confirmed as the oldest in Britain #archaeology #art #BaconHole #Britain #CavePaintings #Gower #NationalTrust #SwanseaUniversity

GOWER: Cave art found on the Gower coast confirmed as the oldest in Britain

A series of painted marks in a cave on the Gower coast has been confirmed as the oldest known cave art in Britain.

Researchers say the distinct stripes inside Bacon Hole cave, which overlooks the Bristol Channel, were created by human hands around 17,100 years ago.

The cave, cared for by the National Trust in Wales, has long been one of the country’s most significant “bone caves”, named for the ancient animal bones found there.

The painted panel itself was first noted in 1912, but for most of the 20th century it was written off as natural staining rather than the work of people.

New scientific analysis has now overturned that view, confirming the marks as genuine Palaeolithic cave painting.

The findings place Bacon Hole, already a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, among the most important prehistoric sites in Europe.

The art was made using red iron oxide, a naturally occurring mineral also known as haematite.

An international team carried out the renewed investigation between 2022 and 2024, led by the First Art team from the University of Coimbra in Portugal.

Researchers from Swansea University were involved, alongside colleagues from Southampton, Liverpool and Nanjing Normal University in China.

The team used high-resolution digital photography, uranium-series dating and Raman spectroscopy to examine the age and make-up of the pigments.

All the painted surfaces in the cave were re-examined, confirming the pigment had been deliberately applied by human fingers in lines, dots and splashes.

Dr George Nash, an archaeologist at the University of Liverpool who led the research, said the discovery rewrote what was known about the lives of early Welsh ancestors.

He said the artwork predated all previously identified rock art sites in north-western Europe by at least 1,500 years, making it a find of international significance.

David Thomas, archaeologist for National Trust Cymru, said it was profoundly moving to imagine people standing in the cave more than 17,000 years ago and making their marks on the rock.

He said the trust was grateful to the research team for revealing a hidden chapter of the past on Gower.

The trust has installed a protective metal grille at the cave entrance to safeguard both the fragile archaeology and a rare population of roosting bats.

Because of the cave’s precarious position on the coastal cliffs, it is not safe for the public to visit.

The research was supported by the National Trust and the Bradshaw Foundation, and the full scientific report has now been published.

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SWANSEA: Student died while suffering delusional beliefs caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, inquest finds

Georgina Owen, 21, of Saffron Walden in Essex, died on 21 September 2019 — two days after she had been due to return to Swansea University to begin a new academic year. She had been studying geography at the university since 2017.

An inquest conducted in writing on Monday, presided over by Cambridgeshire area coroner Elizabeth Gray, found that Miss Owen had been suffering delusional beliefs brought about by a vitamin B12 deficiency — and that the deficiency had developed as a direct result of her vegan diet, which she had followed since 2016 out of environmental concern.

The coroner found that Miss Owen’s family had noted in August 2019 that she had not been taking her B12 supplements for at least six months. Her family also reported that she had shown unusual and erratic behaviour in the period before her death, and provided diaries which they said demonstrated a deterioration in her mental health.

A psychiatrist who reviewed the case concluded that Miss Owen’s diary entries alone did not provide evidence that she had been planning to end her life. However, the psychiatrist found that a final note she left did show evidence of a possible mental illness and that, on the balance of probabilities, she had been experiencing delusions at the time she wrote it.

The psychiatrist noted that psychiatric manifestations caused by vitamin B12 deficiency are a recognised medical phenomenon. An expert report prepared for the inquest also concluded that vague signs of cognitive impairment, anxiety, difficulty with simple decision-making and fatigue — as described by her family in the period before her death — suggested a gradually developing psychiatric disorder.

Swansea University described Miss Owen as “vibrant, full of enthusiasm, passionate and well-liked by her peers and lecturers.” She had made plans to go surfing in the days following her return to university.

Vitamin B12 is found naturally in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products, and is not present in most plant-based foods. People following vegan diets are advised to take a reliable B12 supplement or eat B12-fortified foods regularly.

The NHS advises that a B12 deficiency can cause a range of symptoms including extreme tiredness, muscle weakness, problems with vision and memory — and psychological problems ranging from mild depression or anxiety to confusion and, in serious cases, dementia.

If you are struggling, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call free on 116 123, email [email protected] or visit samaritans.org.

SWANSEA: American poet wins £20,000 Dylan Thomas Prize with debut collection described as ‘an antidote to our tricky times’

An American poet has won the world’s largest literary prize for young writers, taking home £20,000 at a ceremony at Swansea University on International Dylan Thomas Day.

Sasha Debevec-McKenney, 35, was announced as the winner of the 2026 Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize for Joy Is My Middle Name, her debut poetry collection published by Fitzcarraldo Editions in July 2025. The judges reached a unanimous decision.

The collection navigates sex, race, womanhood, addiction, sobriety, consumerism and pop culture — charting what the author describes as the journey of crawling through your twenties and emerging into your thirties.

Irenosen Okojie, chair of judges, said the panel was unanimous in its enthusiasm for the book.

“Incredible. An exuberant, blistering collection full of life, humour and ideas,” she said. “Debevec-McKenney is a ferociously gifted talent. The book is remarkable in the way it galvanises the reader with a sense of intimacy that is authentic and a voice that feels like an antidote to our tricky times.”

The judges praised Debevec-McKenney for condensing huge ideas into something that is “truly a joy to read” — describing the collection as energising, exuberant and robust.

Debevec-McKenney said the win felt completely unbelievable.

“I really love writing poems, it makes life worth living,” she said. “Every emotion I’ve ever had, there’s a poem for it. To get this prize feels completely unbelievable. I’m really honoured.”

International Dylan Thomas Day is observed on 14 May each year — the anniversary of the first public reading of his radio play Under Milk Wood, which took place in New York in 1953. Literature Wales organises events to mark the day, funded by the Welsh Government in consultation with the Thomas family and Dylan Thomas estate. The prize ceremony at Swansea University’s Great Hall has become one of the centrepieces of the annual celebration.

The prize is limited to writers aged 39 or under — a deliberate echo of Thomas’s own lifespan. Thomas achieved all of his celebrated work before his death at the age of 39 in 1953. Previous winners of the prize include Patricia Lockwood, Raven Leilani, Caleb Azumah Nelson and Max Porter — names who have since become significant figures in contemporary literature.

The prize is named after Swansea’s most celebrated poet and writer, and invokes his 39 years of creativity and productivity. It aims to support the writers of today and nurture the talents of tomorrow in his memory.

The six other shortlisted titles were To Rest Our Minds and Bodies by Harriet Armstrong, We Pretty Pieces of Flesh by Colwill Brown, Under the Blue by Suzannah V. Evans, Open, Heaven by Seán Hewitt, and Borderline Fiction by Derek Owusu.

The six shortlisted authors appeared together the evening before the winner announcement at a celebration event at the British Library in London, before travelling to Swansea for the ceremony. The event was opened by Dr Elaine Canning, Director of the Dylan Thomas Prize, and featured a live performance by Côr Y Boro — Borough Welsh Choir.

Previous winners of the prize have included writers who have gone on to significant international recognition, making it one of the most coveted early-career accolades in world literature.

Joy Is My Middle Name is available now through Fitzcarraldo Editions and major booksellers.

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SENEDD ELECTION: Two-thirds of Welsh voters don’t understand the new voting system — with just days to go until polls open

With just six days until Wales goes to the polls in the most significant Senedd election in the country’s history, new research from Aberystwyth and Swansea universities reveals that two-thirds of voters don’t understand the new voting system they’ll be using.

The Welsh Election Study 2026, based on survey responses from 10,000 people across Wales, found that 88% of respondents were either incorrect or simply didn’t know how the new closed list electoral system works – with barely one in ten understanding it correctly.

The findings are particularly striking given that the election on 7 May will be the first time Welsh voters use the new system, which sees Wales divided into 16 larger constituencies each returning six Members of the Senedd. Instead of splitting their vote between a constituency representative and a regional list as in previous elections, voters will cast a single vote for a party or independent candidate – with seats allocated proportionally.

Our own coverage has shown that the new system could produce a dramatically different result from any previous Senedd election, with polling putting Plaid Cymru and Reform UK neck and neck and Labour facing a historic collapse.

The study also found widespread confusion about which level of government is responsible for key policy areas. Around half of respondents were either incorrect or unaware that the Senedd controls the NHS, agriculture and economic development. Only 40% knew that policing remains a reserved matter for the UK Government.

The generational gap in political knowledge was stark. Only 28% of respondents aged 16 to 25 knew that the Welsh Government is responsible for the NHS – compared with nearly 63% of those aged 65 and over. This is the first Senedd election in which 16 and 17-year-olds have been able to vote, making the finding particularly significant.

Despite the knowledge gaps, the survey found that most people in Wales were genuinely interested in politics. Around 59% said they were fairly or very interested in the forthcoming Senedd election – though that interest has not translated into a clear understanding of how their vote will work.

Trust in government was low across the board. More than two-thirds of respondents reported limited or no trust in the UK Government, and almost half said the same about the Welsh Government. More than 60% felt they had no influence over UK Government decisions, with slightly better but still pessimistic figures for Wales and local government.

When asked to describe the upcoming Senedd election in one word, 83% of respondents chose words expressing negative emotions – with disappointment, frustration and worry the most common themes.

Dr Anwen Elias from Aberystwyth University, who co-leads the study, said the findings raised important questions about democratic participation. “These findings provide an important insight into how people in Wales understand and engage with politics at a crucial moment ahead of the Senedd election. They highlight gaps in awareness of major electoral reforms and raise important questions about democratic participation, trust in government, and how well-informed people feel when making political decisions,” she said.

Dr Bettina Petersohn from Swansea University added that despite the low knowledge base, voters remained engaged. “The responses show that people have generally positive attitudes towards key democratic processes in Wales, are interested in the upcoming election, with a majority thinking that it makes a difference who will win the Senedd election,” she said. “At the same time, the level of knowledge about the new electoral system was low at the start of the electoral campaign.”

The Welsh Election Study 2026 is a four-year research project funded by UKRI’s Economic and Social Research Council, bringing together researchers from Aberystwyth University and Swansea University in partnership with WISERD. The survey was conducted by Ipsos UK with a representative sample of 10,001 adults aged 16 and over, between 26 February and 7 April 2026.

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Swansea University unveils memorial sculpture honouring “silent teachers” of medical science

Their generosity provides an extraordinary resource for hands-on learning, giving medical students and healthcare professionals a deeper understanding of human anatomy and the complexities of disease.

Swansea University makes extensive use of donated human tissue for anatomy teaching, not only for medical students, but across a wide range of programmes, including Neuroscience, Applied Medical Science, Psychology, Medical Pharmacy, and Osteopathy.

The sculpture is the culmination of a three-year initiative, The Body Donor Memorial Project, led by Dr Marcela Bezdickova, Associate Professor in Anatomy at Swansea University Medical School. The project was supported by medical students, who launched a dedicated fundraiser to support the creation of this lasting tribute.

Speaking about the project, Dr Bezdickova said:

“Body donors provide our students with invaluable exposure to real human anatomy – the very material they will work with in their future professions. Often referred to as their ‘first patients’ or ‘silent teachers,’ they remain the gold standard for anatomical education, offering a level of detail and individuality that synthetic models simply cannot replicate.

“Our students benefit so enormously from this generosity that we felt strongly there should be a permanent way to commemorate them. We hope this beautifully striking memorial honours their remarkable gift and offers a dedicated space for reflection on the profound impact they have on future generations of healthcare professionals.”

Located in front of the Grove Building, home to the university’s anatomy laboratories, the six-foot sculpture stands on a Pennant stone base. It was created by prominent Carmarthenshire-based sculptor Lee Odishow, widely recognised for his design of the Welsh Dragon Memorial in Flanders.

The design centres around a stainless-steel ribbon representing the donors. Interlocking loops within the ribbon symbolize the head and the heart, humanizing the tribute while moving away from a literal anatomical representation.

Cast in bronze and finished in a traditional vert de gris green, the forearms that cradle the heart represent both the magnanimity of the donor and the gratitude felt by students and researchers. Notably, the sculpture features both feminine and masculine arms, intentionally challenging the historical ‘male-default’ representation in medical education.

Hope Vaughan-Hughes, a second year Graduate Entry Medicine Programme student, said:

“Learning and gaining experience from our donors is a privilege that stays with us forever. This sculpture finally gives us a place to thank the people who gave so much to our education before we even met our first living patients.”

Dr Bezdickova added:

“On behalf of The Body Donor Memorial Project, I would like to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who contributed to our fundraising effort; it is because of their generosity that we now have this beautiful permanent space for reflection.”

https://www.europesays.com/uk/911543/ Welsh Varsity 2026 live updates as thousands of students descend on Cardiff #Britain #Cardiff #CardiffUniversity #GreatBritain #Swansea #SwanseaUniversity #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales #WelshVarsity

Worm researcher from Llanelli wins £110,000 scholarship to study how medicines pollute our rivers

A Llanelli student has won a scholarship worth more than £110,000 to fund his PhD at Swansea University — and the research he’ll be doing is more surprising than you might expect.

Ben Williams will spend the next few years studying what happens to worms when medicines get into rivers and waterways. It’s a growing environmental concern: when people take medication, traces of those drugs pass through the body and into the water system, where they can affect wildlife in ways scientists are still working to understand.

The problem is more widespread than many people realise. Painkillers, antidepressants, antibiotics and hormones from contraceptive pills have all been detected in rivers across the UK. While the concentrations are often low, researchers are increasingly concerned about the long-term effects on aquatic life — and ultimately on the water we drink.

Ben’s work will focus on a small worm species used widely in environmental research, chosen because it responds clearly to changes in water quality and gives scientists a reliable way to measure the impact of chemical contamination.

Ben, who grew up in Llanelli and completed both his undergraduate and masters degrees at Swansea, is one of just four people in the country to win the newly launched Sir David Jack PhD Scholarship, run by the British Pharmacological Society. The award is named after the late Sir David Jack, a pioneering scientist who developed some of the most widely used asthma medications in the world.

The Sir David Jack scholarship was made possible by a donation from Sir David’s family, and forms the first of 40 PhD projects the Society plans to fund over the next decade with the aim of supporting the next generation of researchers in the field.

The scholarship covers Ben’s tuition fees, up to £10,000 a year in research costs, a living stipend and funding to attend scientific conferences — adding up to around £110,000 in total. He starts his PhD in October.

Ben said: “It is a phenomenal academic and personal honour to be awarded this scholarship in its inaugural year. I would like to thank the Society for seeing something in me and providing the opportunity to further myself as an independent researcher.”

He also thanked his supervisors at Swansea for their support: “The continued support and wealth of knowledge that has been provided has enabled me to be here today.”

His PhD will be carried out within Swansea University’s Worm Integrative Research Lab — known as SWIRL — with support from supervisors Dr Aidan Seeley, Professor Martin Clift and Dr Sophie Reed.

Dr Seeley, who leads the lab and runs Swansea’s Medical Pharmacology degree programmes, said: “This is a fantastic result for Ben, the supervisory team, SWIRL and for the Medical School. It really does demonstrate the calibre of students that we produce here in Swansea.”

For Ben, the scholarship is the culmination of years of work building towards a career in research — and a sign that science rooted in practical, real-world questions is attracting serious investment. Environmental pharmacology is a relatively young field, and Swansea’s SWIRL lab is positioning itself at the forefront of it.

More information about studying Medical Pharmacology at Swansea University is available at swansea.ac.uk.

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SWANSEA: Egypt Centre reopens after major revamp — with staff names written in hieroglyphs on the ceiling

The museum, based on the university’s Singleton Park campus, closed its doors six months ago to undergo the renovation. Visitors returning to the House of Death gallery — home to some of the centre’s most celebrated ancient Egyptian artefacts — will find a transformed space with immersive tomb scenes painted along the walls, new information panels, modernised display cases and a series of discovery drawers giving visitors closer access to the collection than ever before.

Around 650 objects are now on display in the gallery, including 250 in the new drawers, which allow visitors to uncover items from the collection at close range.

Curator Dr Ken Griffin oversaw the entire project, including the painstaking task of arranging the display of each object. He said the refurbishment was driven by a desire to deepen the connection between the museum and its community.

“Looking up at the ceiling — where the names of our staff, volunteers, and even pets are inscribed in hieroglyphs — reminds us that while this gallery explores the ancient past, it is a living space built for the future of our community,” Dr Griffin said.

The vaulted ceiling is the centrepiece of the revamped gallery. Alongside the staff and volunteer names, a separate section is dedicated to members of the public who helped support the refurbishment financially.

Dr Griffin added: “We are thrilled to be able to welcome the public and local schools back. The new layout, with its vibrant tomb scenes and clever discovery drawers, allows us to showcase more of our collection than ever before. Thanks to the generous support of the Welsh Government’s Cultural Transformation Capital Grant Programme, the Wolfson Foundation, and the Garfield Weston Foundation, we have transformed the space from a gallery into a truly immersive journey.”

The refurbishment has been designed with school visits in mind, with the new layout aligned to the curriculum and the tactile discovery drawers offering a hands-on learning experience for younger visitors.

Dulcie Engel, who has volunteered at the centre for almost 12 years, was among the first to see the new gallery. “The first impression is one of spaciousness,” she said. “The lighting in the cases and new labels are truly visitor friendly. And I love the ceiling of night stars and cartouches, which includes my name!”

She added: “The murals of tomb paintings set the scene as soon as the doors open. I think everybody will be blown away by this transformation.”

The Egypt Centre is one of the leading Egyptology museums in the UK, holding a collection of around 6,000 objects spanning thousands of years of ancient Egyptian history. It is free to visit and open to the public on the Singleton Park campus.

Further information is available at egypt.swansea.ac.uk.

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SWANSEA: Nearly £10m of public money spent training paramedics who are now being told to look for work abroad

Paramedic students at Swansea University have been told they face no job prospects in Wales this year after the Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed a complete freeze on hiring newly qualified paramedics — with some students advised to seek work as far away as Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Around 61 of the 67 students expected to graduate with paramedic science degrees this summer are based at Swansea University, with the remaining six at Wrexham University. Their training has been heavily subsidised by Healthcare Education and Improvement Wales, part of NHS Wales, with the cost per student estimated at around £150,000 — meaning the public bill for this year’s cohort runs to approximately £10 million.

Despite that investment, the Welsh Ambulance Service has told students there will be no newly qualified paramedic posts available to them in Wales this year, citing what it described as “financial and operational issues.”

One Swansea University student — who asked not to be named for fear of affecting his future employment — told the BBC he had been ringing ambulance services across the UK but found very few posts anywhere. He said he was hoping a paramedic job might be available for him in Canada.

Another student, Alice — not her real name — said she was devastated. “It’s an amazing career, it’s so unfortunate that we don’t have the opportunity to join it anymore,” she said.

A third, Alex — also not their real name — said they had fully intended to stay in Wales after qualifying. “I had full intention of working in Wales and serving the Welsh communities. None of us will have the opportunity to serve anywhere in Wales as a paramedic,” they said.

One student described the situation as “crazy and shortsighted.” Their training has included months of placements, sometimes more than 100 miles from home, across different parts of Wales.

As Swansea Bay News previously reported, this is not the first time the recruitment pipeline has broken down. Last year, only around 20 of 67 graduates were initially offered newly qualified paramedic posts, with some pushed into lower-banded Emergency Medical Technician roles instead. This year, the situation has deteriorated further — there are no paramedic posts at all.

Students also told the BBC that a pattern of “retire and return” — schemes that allow experienced paramedics to retire, access their pensions, and then be re-employed — has contributed to the workforce pressures blocking new entrants. A re-grading process within the service has also been cited as a factor.

Despite the bursary agreement that would normally require students to remain in Wales after qualifying, Healthcare Education and Improvement Wales has now released this year’s cohort from that obligation, effectively telling them they are free to seek work wherever they can find it.

Carl Kneeshaw, speaking for the Welsh Ambulance Service, acknowledged the impact on students. “We know this will be deeply disappointing for those hoping to start their careers with us, especially after the time, effort and commitment they have invested in their training,” he said. The service said it would encourage graduates to consider Emergency Medical Technician roles — which it expected to recruit to during 2026 — or posts with other ambulance services across the UK.

The Welsh Government said it was “working closely” with the ambulance service, Healthcare Education and Improvement Wales and the universities to address the challenges and support graduates. A Welsh Labour spokesperson said the party was “committed to ensuring the NHS in Wales has the staff it needs now and in the future.”

That response drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, called it “a staggering waste of both talent and taxpayers’ money” at a time when ambulance response times remain far too long and patients are waiting in pain. Dr Gwyn Williams, Plaid Cymru’s candidate for Gŵyr Abertawe, pointed to the estimated £150,000 cost per student and said the situation amounted to “almost £10m being written off.”

The Welsh Conservatives described it as “a clear failure of workforce planning” that was “completely unacceptable.”

Swansea University said it had been made aware of the situation and its immediate focus was on supporting affected students. A university spokesperson said it was “liaising closely” with the ambulance service and Healthcare Education and Improvement Wales to understand the impact and explore any possible alternative solutions.

The freeze comes as NHS Wales continues to face serious pressure across emergency services. As Swansea Bay News has reported, Welsh A&E departments have been linked to nearly 1,000 deaths connected to excessive waiting times — with ambulance response times a key factor in the delays that lead to patients deteriorating before reaching hospital care.

For the students approaching the end of three years of demanding clinical training, the human cost of the situation is clear. They trained to serve Welsh communities in some of the most pressured and critical moments of people’s lives. For now, Wales is turning them away.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Welsh Government under pressure over paramedic recruitment shortfall
Last year’s warning that this was coming — when only 20 of 67 graduates were offered posts. This year, the number is zero.

A&E crisis: Nearly 1,000 deaths in Wales linked to 12-hour waits as calls grow for urgent action
The wider emergency care crisis that makes turning away newly qualified paramedics even harder to justify.

SWANSEA: Final-year nursing student shortlisted for national award for her dedication to patients with learning disabilities

A Swansea nursing student has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award that recognises the very best in student nursing — and she hopes her nomination can help put the spotlight on a specialism that she says changes lives every day.

Ellesse Mathias, who is in her final year at Swansea University, has been named as a finalist in the Learning Disabilities category at this year’s Student Nursing Times Awards. The awards recognise outstanding students, educators and organisations across nursing and midwifery in the UK, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on April 24.

Ellesse, who is from Swansea, said she was “shocked and humbled” to have been shortlisted. “It means a great deal to know that others have recognised my passion for supporting people with learning disabilities and advocating for them across education and practice,” she said.

She described choosing learning disability nursing as both a personal and a professional decision, drawn to a specialism that she says sits at the heart of what healthcare should be about. “I am passionate about ensuring that every individual, regardless of ability or complexity of need, is able to live a meaningful and valued life,” she said.

Learning disability nursing is one of the four branches of nursing in the UK but is frequently less understood by the public than other areas of the profession. Nurses working in the specialism support individuals across a huge range of settings — from community care to hospitals — often over long periods of time, building deep knowledge of the people they work with.

Ellesse says it is that depth of relationship that makes the role so rewarding. “I enjoy the uniqueness of the role — being able to build genuine relationships, problem-solve creatively, and really get to know the people I support,” she said. “Often, you develop such a strong understanding that you can anticipate needs before they are even expressed, which is incredibly rewarding.”

Having nearly completed her degree, Ellesse is now preparing to start her first nursing post at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant. She has set her sights firmly on using her career to drive change beyond the ward.

“My ambition is to influence practice at both a clinical and wider system level, ensuring there is greater understanding, advocacy, and inclusion for individuals with learning disabilities,” she said.

She added that she hoped her shortlisting would help raise the profile of the specialism itself. “I hope this opportunity allows me to further highlight the unique and essential role of learning disability nurses — not only within the workforce, but in the lives of the individuals and families we support.”

It is a role that touches a significant number of people. According to NHS estimates, around 1.5 million people in England have a learning disability, with many more across Wales, and people with learning disabilities face significant health inequalities compared to the wider population. Learning disability nurses are central to addressing those inequalities — supporting people to access healthcare, manage complex needs, and live as independently as possible.

Ellesse’s ambitions stretch beyond clinical practice. She said she hoped to continue shaping services, supporting future students, and “strengthening the role of learning disability nursing across all areas of healthcare” as her career progresses.

The Student Nursing Times Awards ceremony takes place in London on Friday, April 24.

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‘Rise up and show up’: Carmarthen student’s courage earns top learning award
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SPORTS HUB SHAKE-UP! Major changes approved at Swansea’s Sketty Lane site as £150m superhub vision gathers pace

The move will see facilities across Swansea Bay Sports Park — including council-run playing fields, university-operated pitches and athletics facilities, and the partnership-run Wales National Pool — brought together under a single operator for the first time.

It’s a significant shift for a site that’s currently managed by a mix of organisations, and comes as plans gather pace for a £150m sports and health “superhub” in the area.

Council leader Rob Stewart said the aim is to secure the long-term future of the facilities while improving standards for everyone who uses them.

“Swansea is a sporting city and we want to ensure that community facilities continue to be available to all — and to be run to the highest possible standards.”

Under the plans, a new not-for-profit company — led by senior figures from the council and Swansea University — will oversee the site, with a professional operator appointed to run day-to-day services.

Cabinet member Andrew Stevens said the current set-up simply isn’t working as well as it could.

“Having different management obligations and teams across a single site isn’t 100% efficient and now resources will be better directed to improving the facilities.

“A new single operating model for the facilities that comprise much of the Swansea Bay Sports Park next to our fantastic coastline will help us achieve that.”

The shake-up is closely linked to wider ambitions for the Sketty Lane site, where plans have already been unveiled for a major new National Institute for Sport and Health — part of a long-term vision to create a regional hub for sport, wellbeing and research.

Despite the changes, the council says no jobs will be lost, with a new operator expected to be in place later this year following a competitive tender process.

The decision does not affect Swansea Tennis Club, which will continue to operate independently.

The decision also comes at a time of growing uncertainty for sport in the surrounding area — particularly at nearby St Helen’s, where long-term plans for the Ospreys’ return have been overshadowed by ongoing upheaval in Welsh rugby.

Proposals being explored by the Welsh Rugby Union have raised fears the region could even disappear from the professional game — prompting political pressure, fan backlash and calls for urgent clarity.

With major investment plans already approved for the historic ground, the lack of certainty has left questions hanging over how the wider sporting picture in Swansea will evolve.

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£150m sports and health superhub planned for Sketty Lane
A landmark project set to transform elite and community sport in Swansea.

Council leader welcomes St Helen’s redevelopment approval
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Planning approved for Ospreys’ St Helen’s revamp
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SWANSEA: City’s university joins £65m national mission to overhaul UK nuclear power

The Swansea institution will be a key partner in the new DRIVERS (Developing Researchers with an Interdisciplinary Vision for Engineering Reactor Systems) initiative.

The project brings together experts from Swansea University, Imperial College London, Bangor University, the University of Bristol, and the University of Manchester.

The UK Government says the funding, delivered by UK Research and Innovation, will train a new generation of scientists to secure Britain’s energy future.

Swansea’s specialists will focus on critical areas including reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, and the structural integrity of advanced reactor components.

The team will also develop innovative digital tools designed to accelerate the design and operation of future nuclear reactors.

It comes as the government announces a total overhaul of the nuclear planning system to build new infrastructure faster and cheaper.

The move is part of a wider mission to end Britain’s dependence on “volatile” foreign fossil fuel markets and deliver homegrown power.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “We need to go further and faster to build the clean energy we need to get off volatile fossil fuel markets.”

The DRIVERS programme is one of seven research initiatives backed by the new funding, which will be matched by industry partners.

Across the UK, more than 500 doctoral students will be trained to support the clean energy mission and the national nuclear deterrent.

The government believes the “clean energy superpower” mission will support tens of thousands of skilled jobs nationwide by 2030.

Swansea University’s involvement ensures the city plays a part in research of “critical importance” to national security.

It follows other major local developments, such as the £130k permanent Covid memorial planned for the seafront.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves added: “To build national resilience, drive energy security and deliver economic growth, we need nuclear.”

“We’re overhauling the system, getting rid of duplicative or overly complex guidance that has been holding back our nuclear ambitions.”

The investment is expected to support 65,000 highly skilled, well-paid jobs across the sector over the next decade.

FANTASY FOOTBALL? Politics experts launch ‘game-changing’ Senedd election platform

The innovative new website, dubbed ‘Horse Race Politics‘, brings the excitement of fantasy sports to the world of Welsh politics, offering a fresh way for voters to engage with the upcoming vote.

As Wales prepares for a massive shake-up of its political landscape in May 2026, the bilingual platform invites users to join a forecasting league and compete for trophies. This follows the chancellor and first minister’s meeting with communities facing change across the region.

Participants can predict party seat shares, potential coalitions, and overall election outcomes, all while tracking their performance against other armchair analysts.

The free-to-play platform is open to everyone and uses crowd-sourced predictions to provide a real-time look at how the election is shaping up as events unfold.

The 2026 election on May 7 is set to be the biggest change to the Senedd in 25 years, with a new voting system and the number of Members increasing from 60 to 96. This major shift has already prompted calls from Llanelli politicians and others for alternative proposals to protect local interests.

Professor Matt Wall, co-founder of Horse Race Politics, has described the upcoming vote as the “most politically significant of the devolution era.” It comes at a time when Welsh Government demands for urgent UK action are intensifying.

“Horse Race Politics turns that complexity into something engaging and accessible,” Professor Wall has stated, aiming to make the election better understood by all.

Alongside the forecasting tools, the platform features social forums, a daily Welsh politics quiz, and access to expert commentary via a dedicated podcast and blog. This is part of a wider effort to increase engagement, similar to how Swansea-based research programmes are funding new studies into the region’s future.

Dr Louis Bromfield, the platform’s lead developer, has said the project was inspired by the massive popularity of sports-based fantasy leagues.

“We are creating a new way for people to engage with democracy, making prediction a more formal and fun experience,” Dr Bromfield has explained.

The project is funded by UK Research and Innovation and forms part of the wider 2026 Welsh Election Study led by Swansea University in collaboration with Aberystwyth University.

Max Boyce and local heroes celebrated at St David Awards

Welsh legend Max Boyce MBE and Wales’ most-capped footballer Jess Fishlock MBE were celebrated at the 2026 St David Awards, sharing the spotlight with a remarkable group of winners from communities across South West Wales.

Now in its 13th year, the awards celebrate the extraordinary achievements of people from all walks of life.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “It has been a privilege to honour all of this year’s winners who make me even more proud to be Welsh. They are an inspiration to us all.”

Here are the winners from the Swansea Bay region and beyond:

Young Person Award: Cian Evans

Cian Evans from Pontardawe received the Young Person Award for his incredible fundraising efforts in the face of unimaginable tragedy. After surviving a devastating car crash that killed his mother and unborn sister, Cian has raised thousands of pounds for the Wales Air Ambulance, which helped save his life. His resilience and determination have been described as an inspiration.

Bravery Award: The Teachers of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman

Liz Hopkin, Fiona Elias, and Darrel Campbell were jointly awarded the Bravery award for their heroic actions during the terrifying knife attack at the Carmarthenshire school in April 2024. The three staff members put themselves in harm’s way to protect pupils, with Liz Hopkin sustaining multiple stab wounds while continuing to act decisively.

Community Champion Award: Faith in Families

Swansea-based charity Faith in Families won the Community Champion award. The judges recognised their incredible work supporting some of the city’s most deprived neighbourhoods through their Community Cwtches and the launch of Cwtch Mawr, Wales’ first Multibank, which has distributed over a million essential items to families in need.

Innovation, Science and Technology Award: Professor Joanne Davies

Professor Joanne Davies, Head of Simulation at Swansea University, won the Innovation, Science and Technology award. Her work in transforming medical training in Wales through cutting-edge simulation was praised for improving patient safety and preparing clinicians for real-world pressures.

Public Service Award: Dr Tipswalo Day

Dr Tipswalo Day, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Glangwili General Hospital in Carmarthen, was awarded the Public Service award for her pioneering work to reduce stillbirths and birth-related brain injuries. She also founded Race Matters in Maternity, Wales’ first conference tackling inequalities in maternal care.

Other Winners

• Culture Award: Max Boyce MBE
• Sport Award: Jess Fishlock MBE
• Business Award: de Novo Solutions
• Environment Champion Award: Deorfa Cynrig Hatchery
• Volunteering Award: Brian Jones
• First Minister’s Special Award: Henry Engelhardt CBE and Diane Briere de l’Isle Engelhardt OBE

MOTORISTS WARNED: Three months of lane closures on Mumbles Road for gas pipe upgrade

Motorists are being warned to expect delays as a major gas pipe upgrade is set to begin on Mumbles Road next week, bringing with it three months of phased lane closures.

Wales & West Utilities will start work on 4 March to replace over 1,000 metres of gas pipes in the area, a project described as “vital to ensuring gas continues to flow safely and reliably to homes and businesses.”

The work, which is scheduled to finish in June, has been planned in conjunction with Swansea Council to minimise disruption. While access will be maintained at all times and traffic will still be able to travel in all directions, lane closures will be in place and motorists are advised to allow extra travel time.

Crucially, the project has been planned to avoid working on Mumbles Road itself during the busy Easter school holidays.

The work will be carried out in three phases:

•Phase 1: Mumbles Road at the junction with Sketty Lane (4 – 27 March)

•Phase 2: Mill Lane (30 March – 10 April)

•Phase 3: Mumbles Road at the junction of Mill Lane (13 April – 15 June)

Wales & West Utilities’ Adam Smith, who is managing the work, said the project was essential for the community.

“We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future,” he said.

“While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of this community. Whether it’s heating your home, making the family dinner, or having a hot bath, we understand how important it is for your gas supply to be safe and reliable and there when you need it.”

He added that the work would also ensure the network is ready to transport green gases in the future.

Swansea University to host prestigious Google DeepMind AI research programme

Swansea is one of several UK universities chosen to take part in the national scheme, which is supported by Founding Partners Google DeepMind and The Hg Foundation, alongside the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Delivered by the University’s Computer Science Department, the programme — running from 8 June to 31 July 2026 — will provide undergraduate students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds with hands-on experience at the forefront of AI research.

Participants will be based at Swansea’s £32.5 million Computational Foundry, a world-class research facility dedicated to computational and mathematical sciences.

Students selected for the programme will undertake a supervised research project in areas such as machine learning, robotics, and natural language processing. They will also receive weekly data science training, take part in a datathon challenge with Welsh industry partners, and present their findings at a final research conference.

To ensure the opportunity is fully accessible, participants will receive a £441 per week stipend, free on-campus accommodation, and covered travel costs.

Dr Megan Venn-Wycherley, Programme Co-Lead, said:

“Artificial Intelligence is transforming society, but access to research careers in AI remains uneven. The Research Ready Programme is about opening doors — giving talented students who may not have seen themselves as ‘researchers’ the opportunity to work alongside leading academics, build confidence, and see what a future in AI could look like.”

Eligible applicants must be UK residents in the penultimate year of (or have completed) an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related technical field, and meet at least one widening participation criterion.

An online information webinar will take place on 25 February 2026, and applications close on 15 March 2026.

Swansea University recently achieved its highest-ever ranking in the QS World University Rankings 2025, reaching 298th globally, and was named Welsh University of the Year 2025 by The Times and Sunday Times.

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Swansea University alumnus Marcus Wyatt shines at Winter Olympics

Wyatt, who studied Psychology at Swansea and once lit up the field as a wide receiver for the Swansea University Titans, finished fourth in the mixed skeleton event alongside teammate Freya Tarbit — narrowly missing out on a podium place but earning huge praise from across Team GB.

The University said it was “incredibly proud” of the 34‑year‑old, calling his journey from student athlete to Olympic contender “nothing short of inspiring”.

‘We push each other and make each other better’

Wyatt also competed in the men’s skeleton earlier in the Games, finishing ninth, while his long‑time teammate and roommate Matt Weston stormed to gold — becoming only the third British man in history to win an individual Winter Olympic title.

Despite his own disappointment, Wyatt said he was thrilled for Weston, describing their friendship and rivalry as central to their success.

“We work super close, we push each other and help make each other better,” he said. “It’s really cool that we can be experiencing these things together.”

Wyatt admitted he “wanted a lot more” from his own runs but said the margins in elite skeleton racing were incredibly tight.

Eyes now on mixed doubles

Wyatt’s Olympics are not over yet. He returns to the ice for the mixed doubles, where he and Tabby Stoecker have already won two World Cup events this season. Team GB believe they are genuine medal contenders.

Weston said his teammate is “raring to go” and backed the pair to challenge the world’s best.

From Swansea student to Olympic stage

Wyatt first arrived at Swansea University in 2014, balancing his Psychology degree with American football — helping the Titans secure the National Challenge Trophy that same year.

He later switched to skeleton and has since become one of Britain’s most consistent sliders, competing as part of the British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association.

Swansea University said it “couldn’t be prouder” of his achievements as he continues to make history on the world stage.

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In Wales, Yasmin Zaher Wins the £20,000 Dylan Thomas Prize

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In Wales, Yasmin Zaher Wins the £20,000 Dylan Thomas Prize

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Wales’ Dylan Thomas Prize Names Its 2025 Shortlist

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The post Wales’ Dylan Thomas Prize Names Its 2025 Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
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Wales’ Dylan Thomas Prize Names Its 2025 Shortlist

The six-title longlist for the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize is to be followed by an announcement of this year's winner on May 15.
The post Wales’ Dylan Thomas Prize Names Its 2025 Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2025/03/wales-dylan-thomas-prize-names-its-2025-shortlist/

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Wales’ Dylan Thomas Prize Names Its 2025 Shortlist

The six-title longlist for the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize is to be followed by an announcement of this year's winner on May 15.
The post Wales’ Dylan Thomas Prize Names Its 2025 Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2025/03/wales-dylan-thomas-prize-names-its-2025-shortlist/

#BookPrize #DylanThomasPrize #ShortStories #SwanseaUniversity #UnitedKingdom
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