Latest posts

Why Universities?

Posted on 17 December 2018 by Alumni team

Ever since Cardinal Newman sought to answer questions around the nature and purpose of a university nearly 200 years ago, the issue has continued to vex and, at times, enrage.

Game Changers: Karen Cooke (BMus 1996)

Posted on 13 December 2018 by Alumni team

Millicent Mackenzie was the first female professor at a UK university, in 1910. Her legacy as a game-changer continues to be embodied by modern Cardiff staff and alumni who are determined to change the world for the better in their own spheres.

Game Changers: Kellie Beirne (BA 1997, MSc 2003) – Cardiff Capital Region City Deal

Posted on 13 December 2018 by Alumni team

Kellie Beirne (BA 1997, MSc 2003) is Programme Director for the £1billion Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, improving the Welsh capital’s infrastructure.

The eye test that maps your brain

Posted on 27 November 2018 by Alumni team

Future Leaders in Neuroscience and Mental Health Research is an initiative providing seed-corn funding to early career researchers at Cardiff University. Donations to this cause are enabling Cardiff researchers like Dr Kathryn Peall to measure eye movements that will lead her to the part of the brain involved in a disorder called dystonia.

Seven things we learned from TEDxCardiffUniversity

Posted on 26 November 2018 by Jon Barnes (BA 2007)

The inaugural TEDxCardiffUniversity on The Power of Ideas brought home an all-alumni line-up sharing their thoughts and experiences on a variety of subjects: from nanoscience to the impact of physical environments on our mental health. Here, we look at seven things we learned from TEDxCardiffUniversity

Supporting students, developing research skills

Posted on 26 November 2018 by Alumni team

The Cardiff Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (CUROP) allows Cardiff students to ‘trial’ research before committing to pursue a Masters, PhD or a career in academia.

Welsh traditions with international flair

Posted on 23 November 2018 by Alumni team

For writer, broadcaster and Great British Bake Off finalist Beca Lyne-Pirkis (BMus 2004), the key to Cardiff’s success is in its diversity.

Gwyn ein byd – an explanation

Posted on 23 November 2018 by Alumni team

Poet and Cardiff University staff member, Osian Rhys Jones, provides some context for the poem he wrote exclusively for Cardiff Connect magazine, in the year that the National Eisteddfod was hosted in Cardiff Bay. Osian was awarded the Chair at the National Eisteddfod in Anglesey in 2017.

Callum Davies (BA 2013)

Posted on 22 November 2018 by Helen Martin

Callum Davies (BA 2013) studied French and Welsh and credits the School of Modern Languages with helping him secure his current role as a Player Liaison Officer for Cardiff City […]

A gift that will transform lives

Posted on 31 October 2018 by Alex Norton

In gifting £1.1m to fund a 550-seat auditorium space at the new Centre for Student Life, Welsh philanthropist Sir Stanley Thomas OBE (Hon 2011) will contribute to the student experience of those […]

Sir Harold Evans visits Two Central Square

Posted on 29 October 2018 by Alex Norton

It’s rare to find a journalistic CV as storied as that of Sir Harold Evans, which includes the breaking of the Thalidomide scandal, a bitter dispute with media magnate Rupert Murdoch and a working relationship with Donald Trump.

The sound of Sŵn: Naomi Saunders (BA 2015)

Posted on 29 October 2018 by Alumni team

Naomi Saunders is a musician and synth player for Cornish and Welsh language music act Gwenno, the headline act at the opening night of this year’s Sŵn Festival.

Emma Garnett (BA 2015)

Posted on 10 October 2018 by Helen Martin

Emma Garnett (BA 2015) is a Key Account Assistant for a railway technology business which has an annual turnover of £0.5 billion. Emma, who studied English Language and French, says […]

Why I run: John Chester

Posted on 6 October 2018 by Jon Barnes (BA 2007)

Professor John Chester is Cancer Research Theme Lead at Cardiff University. He tells us more about why he is lacing up his running shoes to take on the Cardiff Half Marathon for #TeamCardiff

Why I run: Adrian Harwood

Posted on 6 October 2018 by Jon Barnes (BA 2007)

Adrian Harwood is a co-director of the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute and #TeamCardiff runner. We spoke to him about why he runs, and why you should support neuroscience and mental health research with a donation to #TeamCardiff.

The life and times of Owain Glyn Dŵr

Posted on 28 September 2018 by Alumni team

Did you know that Owain Glyn Dŵr was the last Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales?

How offering an internship brought new perspective and enthusiasm

Posted on 28 September 2018 by Jon Barnes (BA 2007)

As current student Tanya Harrington's (Media, Journalism and Culture 2016-) internship with Cymorth Cymru came to an end, we caught up with the organisation’s Policy & External Affairs Manager Oliver Townsend (BSc 2011) about his experiences of offering workplace opportunity to the next generation of Cardiff alum.

If I knew then what I know now – alumni advice for our 2018 freshers

Posted on 28 September 2018 by Alex Norton

This week, 8,000 people became Cardiff students. That’s 8,000 seismic moments in life – and for those far from home and entering the strange hinterland of studenthood (with all its revelations and responsibilities) these first few days can be daunting.

Peak condition for race day – five top #TeamCardiff tips

Posted on 21 September 2018 by Jon Barnes (BA 2007)

For our #TeamCardiff runners, Cardiff Half Marathon is fast-approaching. We asked Charlotte Arter, Performance Sport Officer at Cardiff University, Great Britain international athlete, and British 10,000m champion 2018, for her five top tips for reaching the start line in peak condition.

Simon Blake OBE (BA 1995) – my message to the Class of 2018

Posted on 29 August 2018 by Jon Barnes (BA 2007)

In mid-July, chief executive of the National Union of Students Simon Blake OBE (BA 1995) spoke to graduands of the Schools of History, Archeology and Religion, and Physics and Astronomy. During his Graduation address, he touched upon his career journey, plans gone awry, and taking joy in the unexpected.