Latest news with #SwanseaUniversity
Business News Wales
a day ago
- Science
- Business News Wales
Technocamps Wins at SheCanCode STEM Educator Awards
Technocamps, Swansea University's flagship STEM outreach programme, is celebrating a double win at the SheCanCode STEM Educator Awards, taking home top honours in Not-For-Profits in STEM Education and STEM Role Model. The awards recognise Technocamps' dedication to making STEM education more inclusive and inspiring more women and girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Technocamps is a pan-Wales schools, community and industry outreach programme based at Swansea University but with a hub in every university across Wales. Funded by the Welsh Government, Technocamps' impact extends beyond the classroom, creating pathways for learners at every stage—from students exploring STEM for the first time to professionals looking to advance their skills. Central to this mission is engaging young people who might otherwise disengage from STEM, particularly girls. It is widely recognised that girls are underrepresented in STEM industries, and Technocamps works to redress the balance through its GiST Cymru programme. In collaboration with a variety of external partners, the GiST Cymru programme offers diverse and engaging activities, ensuring that girls have access to inspiring role models and hands-on STEM experiences. They are proud to have supported workshops for organisations including CyberFirst and Motorsport UK. Technocamps also hosts an annual International Women's Day Gala, a flagship event which celebrates the achievements of women in STEM across Wales and beyond, inspiring and empowering future generations. This event brings together over 200 guests from across Wales and beyond to celebrate women's contributions and progress, becoming a beloved feature on the Welsh social calendar that offers a powerful platform to highlight achievements, share inspiring stories, and build a supportive community dedicated to advancing gender equality in STEM. Professor Faron Moller, Director of Technocamps, said: 'Technocamps embraces the role that universities, by working together, can play in championing inclusion in STEM at a national level. I am grateful that our efforts over the last 20 years have been recognised at the SheCanCode STEM Educator Awards.' Luke Clement, Operations Manager at Technocamps, added: 'We're incredibly grateful to everyone who voted and supported us—your encouragement helps us continue paving the way for a more inclusive and inspiring future for women in STEM. We're especially thrilled to see the tireless dedication and legacy of our Patron, Beti Williams, celebrated.' Beti, recipient of the STEM Role Model Award, said: 'I am honoured to receive this award, and I am delighted that the work of the Technocamps team throughout Wales has also been acknowledged.'
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Uni course aims to tackle violence against women
A new university course, the first of its kind in Wales, will use virtual reality in an effort to tackle violence against women. VR headsets are one project which will be developed by Swansea University's masters in gender, power and violence, which starts in September. It is estimated about 3,000 crimes of violence against women and girls are recorded in Wales and England each day. Johanna Robinson, Wales' national adviser on violence against women and girls, welcomed the course, adding: "The dynamics of abuse are layered and complex and it is vitally important that people working with victims and survivors are fully informed." The National Police Chiefs Council have declared violence against women and girls a "national emergency" while the World Health Organization called it a global public health pandemic. Senior lecturer Kelly Buckley, one of those behind the course's creation, said public conversation on the issue had "never been louder" and the university hoped to ensure "we use knowledge and evidence and theory and data to make sure we're responding in the right way". Woman, 31, made will fearing husband would kill her Concerns women's equality is 'going backwards' Millions more counted as domestic abuse victims as definition widens It is hoped the VR headsets project on the course could be used by student police officers during training. By hearing a victim's story in this way, the idea is it would make them conscious about subtleties such as body language and how they respond, which can influence a survivor's willingness to talk openly. Megan Salter, who helped develop the project, said VR did a "really good job" of allowing trainees to experience "what it might be like to respond to a domestic violence case but in a safe environment". The 21-year-old post-graduate student has been working with trainee police officers on the VR tool to ensure responses to victims are conducive to tackling the problem. VR scenarios have all been created based on experiences and input from survivors of abuse or assault. "It helps people notice things that they wouldn't want to happen, both from the victim's point of view and the police officers," added Ms Salter. Swansea University has worked with Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre, Dyfed-Powys Police and Aberystwyth University to create the headsets that will be developed on the new degree. Ms Buckley wants students on the course to help develop projects that have practical applications and real-world impact. The UK government has pledged to halve incidents of violence against women and girls within a decade and was one of Labour's top general election pledges. Ms Robinson, the Welsh government's national advisor, said: "The virtual reality tool is an excellent way of raising awareness and understanding." Susie Hay is head of research and evaluation at Safe Lives and works with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse. "There is a tapestry with lots of different threads which enable us to work towards ending domestic and sexual violence," she said. "This course is one really valuable thread in that space, however looking at that whole picture also feels really important." Although the number of graduates will initially be small she thinks the effects will be felt across the country through a "radiating impact".
BBC News
25-05-2025
- BBC News
Virtual reality plan to help trainee police tackle violence
A new university course, the first of its kind in Wales, will use virtual reality in an effort to tackle violence against women. VR headsets are one project which will be developed by Swansea University's masters in gender, power and violence, which starts in is estimated about 3,000 crimes of violence against women and girls are recorded in Wales and England each Robinson, Wales' national adviser on violence against women and girls, welcomed the course, adding: "The dynamics of abuse are layered and complex and it is vitally important that people working with victims and survivors are fully informed." The National Police Chiefs Council have declared violence against women and girls a "national emergency" while the World Health Organization called it a global public health lecturer Kelly Buckley, one of those behind the course's creation, said public conversation on the issue had "never been louder" and the university hoped to ensure "we use knowledge and evidence and theory and data to make sure we're responding in the right way". It is hoped the VR headsets project on the course could be used by student police officers during hearing a victim's story in this way, the idea is it would make them conscious about subtleties such as body language and how they respond, which can influence a survivor's willingness to talk Salter, who helped develop the project, said VR did a "really good job" of allowing trainees to experience "what it might be like to respond to a domestic violence case but in a safe environment".The 21-year-old post-graduate student has been working with trainee police officers on the VR tool to ensure responses to victims are conducive to tackling the problem. VR scenarios have all been created based on experiences and input from survivors of abuse or assault."It helps people notice things that they wouldn't want to happen, both from the victim's point of view and the police officers," added Ms University has worked with Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre, Dyfed-Powys Police and Aberystwyth University to create the headsets that will be developed on the new degree. Ms Buckley wants students on the course to help develop projects that have practical applications and real-world UK government has pledged to halve incidents of violence against women and girls within a decade and was one of Labour's top general election Robinson, the Welsh government's national advisor, said: "The virtual reality tool is an excellent way of raising awareness and understanding." Susie Hay is head of research and evaluation at Safe Lives and works with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse."There is a tapestry with lots of different threads which enable us to work towards ending domestic and sexual violence," she said. "This course is one really valuable thread in that space, however looking at that whole picture also feels really important."Although the number of graduates will initially be small she thinks the effects will be felt across the country through a "radiating impact".
Business News Wales
21-05-2025
- Health
- Business News Wales
Swansea-Led Project 'Could Transform Clot Treatment'
Researchers are developing a cutting-edge blood test that measures clot formation and breakdown from a single sample, which has the potential to improve patient treatment and reduce pressure on the NHS. Led by Professor Karl Hawkins, alongside colleagues from Swansea University and NHS clinicians, the £1.2 million project is being funded by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Using rheology—the study of how materials flow and deform—the team is investigating how blood clots respond to stress, an innovative approach that led to the discovery of a key biomarker, paving the way for a next-generation blood test. The test measures the changes in rheology during the clotting process to accurately track a clot's lifespan—from formation to breakdown—at a level of insight that current methods cannot achieve. Professor Hawkins, Swansea University Medical School, said: 'By developing advanced rheometric techniques to analyse blood clot behaviour, we can now help create and assess new treatments in a way no other test can, opening the door to better treatment strategies.' By applying microfluidic technology, researchers can track clot breakdown in real time across vessels of different sizes, offering critical insights for safer, more effective treatments. Dr Francesco Del Giudice, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Head of the Rheological Microfluidic Laboratory, part of the Complex Fluids Research Group at Swansea University, said: 'Microfluidics provide unparalleled insights into clot breakdown processes, offering a comprehensive analysis with real-world clinical applications.' Dr Daniel Curtis, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Lead of the Advanced Rheometry Laboratory, part of the Complex Fluids Research Group at Swansea University, added: 'This project is a really exciting opportunity to develop new rheometric techniques that will not only support healthcare research but also change the way we study other materials that evolve over time. 'It's also fantastic to be collaborating with the team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) once again, who will be working with us to refine techniques for monitoring how blood clots and other time-dependent materials form and break down.' The project is part of a £80 million UKRI (EPSRC) initiative, aimed at boosting fundamental research and discovery science, paving the way for clinical applications that could directly improve patient care. Blood clot-related conditions, including strokes, heart attacks, and deep vein thrombosis, are a major cause of death and disability worldwide, with thousands of hospital admissions each year. Dr Suresh Pillai, Senior Lecturer in Emergency Medicine at Swansea University and Honorary Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine at Morriston Hospital, Swansea Bay University Health Board, said: 'Blood clot-associated diseases are causing an increasingly significant burden on the NHS. Treatments for these conditions are evolving, but some current treatments carry a risk of complications, such as bleeding. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop accurate tests to assess patient responses to new therapeutic interventions.' Professor Owen Guy, Head of Swansea University's Department of Chemistry, added: 'This is a fantastic example of how Swansea's multidisciplinary and internationally collaborative research approach is contributing to novel clot-related technology. The project is targeted towards providing future health impact for NHS patients.'
Business News Wales
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Business News Wales
Charity Spots Still Open for Sold-Out Swansea Half Marathon
The Swansea University Swansea Half Marathon returns on Sunday 8th June, and the event has completely sold out. Thousands of runners will descend on the city to take on the fast, flat, and scenic course, but for those who missed out on a spot, there's still time to be part of the race day atmosphere. Organisers have announced that places are still available through official charity partners, offering runners the chance to take part while making a real difference in the lives of others. This year's headline charity is Shelter Cymru, who work hard to tackle homelessness and defend the right to a safe and secure home. Participants can also choose to run for Maggie's Cancer Care, who offer invaluable support for those living with cancer, or Morgan's Army, dedicated to support children and their families affected by cancer in Wales. 'Charity runners are the heart of our event,' says Tash Smith, Managing Director at Front Runner Events. 'By running for one of our partner charities, participants not only experience the electric race day atmosphere, but also help raise vital funds that have a lasting impact across Wales.'
