Environment Platform Wales Activity Summary (2022-2024)
SBRI Agri-food Technology Innovation Funding Competition
The SBRI Centre are excited to announce that they have launched a new SBRI/Contracts for Innovation Funding Competition for the future development of the Food and Drink Industry in Wales. This challenge is open to any business, third sector or academic organisation who can develop innovation within the agricultural and food sectors, incorporating new technologies…
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs recruitment competition
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a recruitment competition last week to appoint a Chair and up to 9 Members to its new High-Level Science Advisory Group (HLSAG). The competition will close on 22nd August 2024 and interviews are scheduled for October 2024, with appointments…
Insights Wales 2024-25: Call for presentations
Environment Platform Wales are planning a fourth series of ‘Insights Wales – Cipolwg Cymru‘ talks. Insights Wales provides a platform to showcase the research taking place throughout Wales and the requirements for research and evidence to support environmental policy decisions by Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales. The webinars are…
1 in 5 Research Challenge
1in5 is a framework to allow the academic community to focus some of its collective brainpower on climate, biodiversity and sustainability. A recent study reported that the majority of academics are concerned about climate change and want to be able to do something. Other studies have shown that large numbers of…
Environment Platform Wales Spring 2024 Newsletter out now
The Institute of Water
IWater is a professional body that supports the careers of people in the UK water sector with events, mentoring, registrations and publications. The Welsh Area of the Institute of Water aims to support the careers of people working in all professions and at all levels across the water industry in Wales, by offering a…
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
Environment and Peace – Questions that Need Answers
Managing Wales’ flood risk – NRW launches new mini podcast series
How could art and science work together to both show the importance of rivers to human health and wellbeing and enable rivers to find a voice?
Nuala Anne Dunn is in the early days of PhD research at Aberystwyth University School of Art. She is looking at ways in which art and science could work together to both show the importance of rivers to human health and well being and enable rivers to find a voice.She is keen to find a partnership with a scientist or an organisation that would be mutually beneficial, exploring ways that understanding of issues can be expressed and disseminated/shared.
EPW Newsletter | Out now
Read our Newsletter at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/epw-newsletter-summer-2023-edition-environment-platform-wales It has been a busy couple of months for us, culminating in the Better Water Quality for Wales Conference in June 2023. This newsletter will highlight our achievements over the last few months and share updates for the 2023-24 period.
Environmental Opportunities
Environment Platform Wales have a range of upcoming opportunities and events for our university partners (including undergraduates, postgraduates, postdocs, academics). Careers Fairs If you are studying at one of our Welsh partner universities, you will be able to find the Environment Platform Wales stand at your upcoming careers day from…
Welsh Marine Evidence Conference 2024
Become a Partner
Better Water Quality for Wales Conference 2023: Recordings now available to view
British Ecological Society-Natural Resources Wales Policy Fellowship
Welsh Government University Program – Planet
Wales as a global leader for road safety and sustainable transport
UN Global Road Safety Week 2023 The theme of this years UN Global Road Safety week is Sustainable Transport. When safe, walking and cycling can contribute to making people healthier, cities sustainable and societies equitable. Did you know that of the 1.3 million people killed on the road each year,…
Reservoir Research Event
From 18th – 20th April, Environment Platform Wales welcomed #ReservoirResearch academics and professionals from across Wales, the UK and Europe to exchange knowledge and ideas on reservoir water management. The event was a great success with informative and interesting presentations, a field trip to Llandegfedd Reservoir including a boat trip…
NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellowships call
Spring 2023 Newsletter out now!
Transforming Land use for Net Zero, Nature and People (LUNZ)
UK Research and Innovation, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Devolved Administrations announced yesterday the launch of a new, interdisciplinary and co-developed research programme entitled ‘Transforming Land use for Net Zero, Nature and People (LUNZ)’. Apply for funding to establish…
Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment – Scientific Expert Member Vacancy
Natural Resources Wales Ecology Data Specialist Vacancy
Natural Resources Wales are recruiting an Ecology Data Specialist. The closing date for applications is 11 April 2023. We are looking for someone to manage the data we collect for ecological work in NRW. In this technical specialist role, you will manage and develop the administration of terrestrial and marine…
Marine and Coastal Evidence Needs
Natural Resources Wales are seeking evidence for a series of high priority Marine and Coastal questions. By aligning your research interests with the evidence needs of NRW, you could provide important evidence to support those regulating and managing the Welsh coastal and marine environment. Environment Platform Wales are looking to…
Find Your Future in an Environmental Career
Many thanks to our panelists for an excellent and inspiring panel discussion. A recording of this event is now available on our student careers hub. Join us on Thursday 9th March for our second ‘Find Your Future in an Environmental Career’ event, in partnership with Cardiff University Student Futures. This…
Better Water Quality for Wales Conference – Call for Presentations
Join us for Professional Institute Talks
Join us for a series of talks about environmental professional institutes. This is a fantastic opportunity to find out how membership to a professional institute could help shape your career. Through February and March, we will be joined by representatives from CIWEM, the ICF and IFM. Our panelists will talk…
Join us for Planet Labs – Satellite Sessions
Pontio Teg tuag at Sero Net Cymru: Cais am DystioLaeth / Just Transition to Net Zero Wales: Call for Evidence
Insights Wales-Cipolwg Cymru- proving a hit!
Environment Platform Wales at the All Wales Career Fair 2021
Environment Platform Wales will once again partner with all Welsh Universities and a host of other private and public sector organisations at the All Wales Careers Fair 2021. Hosted in tandem with GTI and Target Connect, it’s an opportunity for Welsh graduates and students to meet with employers, receive career-boosting advice and ideas for potential new and unexpected career paths. Join us!
EP Wales September 2021 News Update
Environment Platform Wales: what can be done about Welsh coal tips?
Coal tip management is justifiably a highly emotive subject in Wales following the Aberfan tragedy in October 1966. While some historical reclamation work has been undertaken over the past 50 years, the demise of the coal industry has left a legacy of disused tips with no legal obligations placed on their owners. Now EP Wales is hosting an event to ask what can be done about Coal Tip Safety in Wales. Join us live on Zoom on 20th Sept to find out more.
New Environment Platform Wales Director: Andrew Schofield
Meet the new Director of Environment Platform Wales: Andy Schofield who joins the team following a career in fisheries, conservation, land management and water quality. His appointment follows two years managing the GW4 Water Security Alliance. Read more about him here, including his hopes for the platform, his passion for Bridgend Hockey Club…and Finn, his rather energetic Labrador!
Guest blog – Amber Rochette, Sustainable Fashion Week: “New fashion habits that don’t harm people or planet”
New role at National Museum Wales for EP Wales Director Dr. Jenny Geroni
EP Wales Director Dr Jennifer Geroni has this month served her last week as EPW Director, after almost three years leading the platform and its membership community. Jenny helped to formulate and deliver EP Wales’ thematic conferences and supported community members to collaborate on funding bids and a number of workshops, consultation events and sandpits at membership institutions….
Green pastures and new adventures for Prof. Kathryn Monk
Happy International Women’s Day 2021 | Environmental voices, emerging talent and HERstories
Interview with Brian Royson Mayne, CIWM
EP Wales caught up with Brian Royson Mayne, Chair of the Chartered Institute for Wastes Management, Wales ahead of his appearance at the All Wales Virtual Careers Fair. Brian reveals all about the CIWM, his ‘plan B’ dream career, what’s helped him through lockdown this last year…and his enthusiasm for extremely spicy chili peppers.
EP Wales speakers at All Wales Virtual Careers Fair: ‘never stop learning’
Speaking ahead of the first ‘All Wales Virtual Careers Fair’ on Monday March 1st, science communicator/presenter Huw James and Forbes Under 30 finalist Jessica Leigh Jones MBE have underlined how students emerging into the job market can gain a competative advantage by blending career passions, being agile and viewing their future careers as ‘jungle gyms’ rather than traditional career ladders.
EP Wales February 2021 News update
All Wales Virtual Careers Fair – exhibitors and grads/students wanted! Environment Platform Wales has been working with other Welsh University Careers Services and UK’s student employability experts GTi group to deliver an ‘All Wales Virtual Careers Fair’ on March 1st (10am-3pm) and bookings for this event are open for employers and students. It’s a great way…
Green shoots and new horizons at the All-Wales Virtual Careers Fair
Large-scale Welsh businesses, micro-employers and organisations are being encouraged to join the first pan-Wales careers fair which is being co-produced by all Welsh universities and HEIs. Working together for the first time in partnership with GTI, the virtual fair will promote a range of opportunities, graduate schemes and pathways into employment open to students and graduates.
EP Wales December 2020 News Update
#WelshUplands2020 washup: post-conference feedback report
Environment Platform Wales unveils new ‘Curious Minds’ Careers-focused podcast
As part of our work to support the next generation of environmental professionals in Wales, Environment Platform Wales (EP Wales) is producing a series of bite-sized talks focused on careers and skills development. The guest podcast series feature early career environmental professionals from across the public, private and third sectors. Review the shows and enter a draw to win a £50 Amazon voucher in time for Christmas.
Living Wales – Live!
In:conversation Episode 6 – International Year of Plant Health
Register your interest to join us on Feb 16th 2021 for another live webinar marking International Year of Plant Health. Plants are the source of the oxygen we breathe, the food we eat, and ultimately of all life on earth. Despite their importance, we do not pay enough attention to keeping them healthy. The United Nations declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH). The event was intended to be a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, original programmes and partner events were postponed or cancelled, but EP Wales is shining a light on this important work and bringing some important discussion to the table through a Welsh lens.
‘Are we ready for climate change?’ webinar for Wales Climate Week
Environment Platform Wales hosted a special ‘In:conversation’ webinar as part of Welsh Gvernment’s Wales Climate Week fringe programme. We welcomed special guest panellists from Cardiff University, University of Hull and Welsh Water to talk through their respective research areas before touching on both adaptations, mitigation, food standards, the circular economy and re-framing the climate debate using cultural learnings. Watch the panellists on catch up here.
10 things we learnt at Environment Evidence 2020 – Resilience in the Welsh Uplands
Past Event
Upcoming Event
EP Wales October News Update 2020
Nick Thomas: A Tale of Three Moors
Michael Sheen joins the call to protect Welsh Upland Areas
Mariecia Fraser: alpacas, Aberystwyth and me
Ahead of the ‘Resilience in the Welsh Uplands – an evidence perspective’ conference 14-18th September we catch up with Aberystwyth’s Reader in Upland Agroecosystems. Meet long-term collaborator, EP Wales steering committee member and Aberystwyth IBERS staff member Mariecia Fraser, who shares the highlights of her work with Pwllpeiran Upland Research Centre, her future hopes for the Welsh uplands and the wonders of mixed grazing.
Weathering the storm: John Richards on flying the flag for Welsh meat
Future is bright for NERC COVID-19 Recovery Hackathon winners
Students from Cardiff University are celebrating following their successful submission to NERC’s COVID-19 Recovery Hackathon. The Hackathon called for environmental researchers, health and social science experts and data specialists to join an urgent sprint earlier this summer. Joshua Moore, Lucy Henley and Timothy Ostler from Cardiff’s prestigious School of Mathematics won the competition, we catch up with them to ask about their work and plans for the future.
Barbara Jones: In search of the Snowdon Lily
As part of our Upland Voices project, we meet Barbara Jones, who has dedicated her life to monitoring and protecting the elusive Snowdon Lily. Only found on the steepest, most remote rocky outlets in Snowdonia – the alpine plant grows in only six locations. Facing freezing conditions, icy fingers and bruises is just part of the territory for Barabra, who leads the charge to montitor the plants at a number of microsites in Snowdonia. Despite being retired and the restrictions of Covid-19 on progress this year, Barabra is more determined than ever to bridge the communication gap between conservation and recreation.
UPLAND VOICES: A farmer’s tale of life on the Uplands
As part of our Upland voices project, Mid Wales beef and sheep farmer Hywel Morgan shares the story of his family farm ar Esgairllaethdy at the foot of the Black Mountains. In this article, he outlines his concerns and worries for the future of farming and what it’s like to be a farmer in Wales in 2020. In the run-up to our Resilience in the Welsh Uplands confererence in September, we’re shining a light on seldom-heard voices currently living and working in the Welsh Uplands. Why not get involved and share your story, too?
News update – summer news from Environment Platform Wales, August 2020
Rhondda-made: A tale of whinberries, huckleberries and Granny’s long lost chutney recipe
UPLAND VOICES: Powys Moorland Partnership
Environment Evidence 2020: Rapporteurs wanted
What’s New? | June 2020 News
Upland Voices – sharing the stories of Wales’ upland communities
Welsh Uplands Photography Competition – winners announced!
Funding Available! Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research.
Are you interested in undertaking research to support increasing biodiversity and healthy ecosystems in Wales? The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Evidence and Research Needs (BEERN) Programme welcomes applications for small research projects that will directly support our understanding, evidence and monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystems in Wales. Funding is available to…
What’s new? | May news update
Read more for our May news update from the team at Environment Platform Wales to find out about our fully digital conference exerience for Environment Evidence 2020 (Resilience in the Welsh uplands), how you submit a late abstract and get involved in the online event, about our Welsh Uplands photography competition & prizes as well as all latest news, information and opportunities for members and subscribers.
COVID 19 Research Funding Opportunities
The art of pivoting during a crisis: communicating in a pandemic
Photography Competition 2020
What’s new? | February News Update
What’s new | December news update
Living Wales: The satellite maps which could predict our future
We meet the Aberystwyth University research chair on a mission to change the way we see, understand and react to landscape-based data. The digital data bank could change the way we legislate for, build on and use the land around us. Environment Platform Wales caught up with the professor during a flying visit to Cardiff with his research team.
What’s new? EP Wales October news update
That’s a wrap! Looking back at the Marine Evidence Wales Conference 2019
Passionate about Marine: Kat Route-Stephens
As part of Environment Platform Wales’ first national conference specialising in Marine Evidence, we catch up with Kat Route-Stephens, Specialist Advisor to Natural Resources Wales on Marine Industries and Energy. We meet Kat to see what makes her tick and what she’ll be discussing at her session at the Marine Evidence (Wales) conference.
Interview with Dr Emma McKinley
What’s new? EP Wales August news update
Up close and personal with BBC’s Will Millard
Elizabeth Woodcock: A wild new way we can transform the way we manage our health – and the environment
Early career researcher support: Engaging with Policy Makers by Donna Szarun
UK Parliament and Welsh Government both use research and academic knowledge to inform scrutiny and legislation. Academics can help to ensure that the decisions that affect people’s lives are taken with the best available evidence, but it helps to know the way in. In June 2019, I supported Environment Platform…
10 things we’re looking forward to: Environment Evidence 2019
Biodiversity and ecosystem funding available
What makes me tick: Prof Iain Stewart
10 things that matter to the global speaker, UNESCO Geoscience Chair and BBC Presenter: making science documentaries, being an earth science champion and Scotland beating Wales (just once!) at the rugby. Chair of Geoscience communication – that’s not a title you hear every day. Is this what you set out…
We’re officially launching – come and join us!
It’s been a rollercoaster in terms of environmental news and developments over the last few weeks. In addition to building our small but fabulous team here at EPWales, we’ve had one eye on the news, too.