Latest posts

Unusual career paths and creative outlets – For Alumni, By Alumni

Posted on 17 November 2020 by Alumni team

James Orpwood (BSc 2002, PhD 2006) has gone from fisheries scientist to mountaineer, conquering tremendous heights and tackling a new career path. He’s also about to publish his first book, written during many lockdown hours as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. James describes his personal career journey and how he made the most out of his spare time…

Seven of Cardiff’s spookiest places

Posted on 27 October 2020 by Anna Garton

With its long and often gruesome history it’s not surprising Cardiff is home to some pretty creepy places. And as Halloween rolls around again, we thought we’d give a run down of some of the city’s most spooky sites! Visit as you dare - and of course as local lockdown rules permit!

Bake Off’s Beca on Cardiff, careers, and cooking

Posted on 26 October 2020 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Beca Lyne-Pirkis (BMus 2004) is a writer, broadcaster and Great British Bake-Off finalist whose career took off in a rather unexpected way. Beca describes her experience on the popular TV series and explains how she applied her music degree skills to other areas of her life. She also divulges some of her wild and wonderful memories as a student at Cardiff University.

Examined Life: Neville John (BMus 1957)

Posted on 21 October 2020 by Alumni team

Neville John (BMus 1957) was born in Tumble, Carmarthenshire and studied cello at Cardiff University. He led a successful career as a music teacher and composer following his studies and recently celebrated his 90th birthday. In this Examined Life, he reflects on his musical family, his fondest memories of Cardiff and the historical disaster that inspired him to compose.

Phillip Cooke (PhD 2008)

Posted on 19 October 2020 by Rhys Phillips

Dr Phillip Cooke Phillip Cooke (PhD 2008) studied at the School of Music and is now Head of Music at the Department of Music at the University of Aberdeen. He […]

The journey starts here – For Alumni, By Alumni

Posted on 12 October 2020 by Alumni team

Nadine Lock (BA 2001) has worked in Human Resources for over ten years in the Third Sector and Private Sector. She reflects on the journey facing the Class of 2020, and shares the things she wished she’d known as a new graduate.

#TeamCardiff’s virtual fundraisers: Nelson Selvaraj

Posted on 2 October 2020 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Nelson Selvaraj (MSc 2015) is a staff member and former student who has just completed an impressive Great North virtual run to raise money for research at Cardiff University. Here he explains what motivated him to take on this test of physical endurance and shares his words of wisdom for those considering doing the same.

It’s Freshers’ but not as we know it

Posted on 25 September 2020 by Anna Garton

Cardiff University has been working hard over the summer to prepare a safe and secure campus to welcome back students and staff. But for this year’s new student intake, their first few weeks will be an altogether different experience from their predecessors.

Cardiff University to provide a coronavirus (COVID-19) screening service for asymptomatic students and staff

Posted on 24 September 2020 by Alumni team

Cardiff University is implementing a number of innovative protective measures as the campus reopens, including the creation of a unique mass screening service for asymptomatic University students and staff

A quiet campus: Cardiff University in pictures

Posted on 23 September 2020 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

As we anticipate the return of Cardiff University’s students and staff for the new autumn term, the solitude surrounding these familiar buildings is slowly shifting.

Avoiding burnout by finding your ‘thing’ – For Alumni, by Alumni

Posted on 23 September 2020 by Alumni team

Gemma Clatworthy (BA 2007) discovered a passion for storytelling during her Ancient History studies at Cardiff University, but it wasn’t until a global pandemic and a country-wide lockdown that she learned about the stress-relieving power of focusing on something you love. Here, she shares her struggles with balancing a career, childcare and the unrealistic desire to be perfect, and how she narrowly avoided burnout by channelling her feelings into a creative pastime.

Meet the Researcher – Dr Sarah Lauder

Posted on 17 September 2020 by Alumni team

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and each year around 55,000 people are diagnosed in the UK alone. Ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we spoke to cancer researcher Sarah Lauder (BSc 2002, PhD 2007), a Research Associate at Cardiff University’s Gallimore Godkin Cancer Immunology Lab.

Giving young adults experiences that will stay with them for life

Posted on 17 September 2020 by Alumni team

Cardiff University’s Global Opportunities programme gives students the chance to volunteer, work and study abroad, and benefit from the experiences they would have otherwise missed out on. We spoke to Sammy Fagan (Chemistry 2018-) who spent summer 2019 teaching children in Tanzania.

New relationships, new funding, and a new approach towards assessing young children

Posted on 17 September 2020 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Cardiff University’s Neurodevelopment Assessment Unit is paving the way for the future of child behaviour assessments and providing much-needed support to families, schools and children. With the approval of a new UKRI COVID-19 grant, its valuable work continues within the context of the current pandemic.

Building a sustainable future for both the environment and the economy

Posted on 17 August 2020 by Anna Garton

Founder of award-winning start-up Ecoslurps, Gerwyn Holmes (BSc 2005), talks to us about reducing our reliance on single-use plastic, lessons learnt in business, the effects of COVID-19 and his advice for the Class of 2020.

Examined Life – Dino Willox (BA 1996, MA 1999, PhD 2003)

Posted on 17 August 2020 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Dino was a Cardiff University student three times over and has always championed diversity and inclusion in Higher Education. Here, they reflect on their career, reminisce about Cardiff, and offer some valuable insight.

Love food, hate waste – eating ethically and the impact of lockdown

Posted on 31 July 2020 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Lia Moutselou (Geography and Planning 2002-2005) works as a senior policy manager for a water consumer watchdog and is one of the four directors of Lia’s Kitchen, a community interest company. Lia’s worn many hats and has been a lecturer as well as a student at Cardiff University. Here she discusses food waste, the food industry, new recipes and the world, post-pandemic.

Dealing with controversial monuments in Estonia and beyond

Posted on 23 July 2020 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Federico Bellentani (PhD 2018) is a digital research manager for a Google Cloud partner based in Italy. His PhD research into controversial monuments has become increasingly relevant due to international protests and calls to remove statues. He discusses his findings from Estonia and his thoughts on dealing with controversial monuments across the globe.

Mercy Ships, the NHS, and healthcare systems across the globe – For Alumni, By Alumni

Posted on 16 July 2020 by Alumni team

Leo Cheng (LLM 2006) is an oral, maxillofacial, head and neck surgeon who has spent most of his life travelling the globe and helping those from the poorest areas by performing free surgery and providing much needed medical care. He has now turned his attention and efforts to COVID-19 and reflects on his experience so far with the NHS and his concerns for those without a national health system.

#TeamCardiff Q and A with Charlotte Arter

Posted on 1 July 2020 by Alumni team

Our #TeamCardiff Captain Hannah Sterritt caught up with international athlete Charlotte Arter for a fascinating question and answer session. Charlotte is the Welsh half marathon record holder, the female parkrun […]