The pioneering work of an Aberystwyth University computer scientists in promoting the role of women in computing will be acknowledged at a special ceremony in London today, Monday 8 October.

Dr Hannah Dee is one of eleven leading female mathematicians and computer scientists to be recognised at the second Suffrage Science Awards for Mathematics and Computing which take place at the British Library.

The awards celebrate women in science and encourage others to enter science and reach senior leadership roles.

This year’s recipients have been chosen by the previous award holders for their scientific achievements and ability to inspire others.

Dr Dee and her fellow recipients will be presented with items of jewellery inspired by the Suffrage movement, which are passed on as heirlooms from one female scientist to the next.

Dr Dee was nominated for the award by Professor Carron Shankland from the University of Stirling.

Professor Shankland said: “10 years ago Hannah started the BCSWomen Lovelace colloquium to provide a forum for female undergraduate students in computing to showcase their ideas and network with each other and prospective employers. The Lovelace is now well-established as the top undergraduate conference in our field with 200 attendees in 2018. Hannah also connects with primary and secondary school students to enthuse them about the creative side of computing through the award-winning Aberystwyth Robotics Club.”

In July 2018 Dr Dee was inducted into Computer Weekly’s Most Influential Women in UK IT Hall of Fame.

A hundred years after the first women in Britain got the vote, women still only make up 23% of those working in core science, technology, engineering and mathematics occupations in the UK.

Solving the pipeline issue is a long-term challenge for maths and computing with female students making up only 15% of undergraduate computer science students and 37% of mathematical sciences students in 2016/17, compared to 61% of Biological Sciences students.  

Alongside the awards former BBC journalist Susan Watts will lead a discussion about the most striking positive developments and ongoing challenges faced by women in maths and computing.

The Suffrage Science scheme was initiated by Professor Dame Amanda Fisher, Director of the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (MRC LMS) in 2011. 

Professor Dame Fisher said: “The creation of the Maths and Computing Suffrage Sciences Awards in 2016 recognised the increasing importance of mathematics and computing to the life sciences. As in all branches of the awards their purpose is to celebrate female scientists, their scientific achievements and ability to inspire others. This is especially important in maths and computing where female students studying these subjects are still in the minority. We are delighted to welcome this year’s awardees into the growing Suffrage Science community and look forward to supporting them to inspire the next generation.” 

The 2018 award winners are:
Dr Hannah Dee, Aberystwyth University 
Dr Ruth Keogh, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Dr Tereza Neocleous,University of Glasgow
Dr Nina Snaith, University of Bristol
Dr Daniela De Angelis MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge
Dr Eugenie Hunsicker, Loughborough University
Professor Sally Fincher, University of Kent
Professor Julie McCann, Imperial College London
Professor Jane Hillston, University of Edinburgh
Professor Ursula Martin, University of Oxford
Dr Vicky Neale, University of Oxford.

Photo: Dr Hannah Dee

Links:
Suffrage Science
http://www.suffragescience.org/

Aberystwyth computer scientist enters IT Hall of Fame
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2018/07/title-215126-en.html

It’s Get It Loud in Libraries Week, and staff at Carmarthenshire’s libraries are not keeping quiet about all the activities they’ve got planned.

Librarians across the UK will be making some noise to get people in through their doors and enjoying a host of entertainment, and here in Carmarthenshire there’s plenty on offer.

Llanelli Library

• Tuesday October 9, 10.15am to 11.15am – Storytime for pre-school children with lots of noise
• Tuesday October 9, 1.30pm to 2.30pm – Cymraeg i Blant with singing and musical instruments
• Tuesday October 9, 5pm to 6pm – Singing with Tenovus Choir
• Sunday October 14, 4pm – Exclusive live music gig with the Estrons

Ammanford Library

• Monday October 8, 10.15am – Twmpath session with folk group Jac Y Do and pupils from year five Ysgol Cymraeg Rhydaman

Carmarthen Library

• Monday October 8, 1pm to 1.45pm – Welsh story and rhyme session for pre-school children
• Wednesday October 10, 1.30pm – Jamboree with Siani Sionc

Pembrey Library

• Tuesday October 9, 3.45pm – Singing with Pembrey School Choir

St Clears

• Friday October 12, 10am – Stori a Chan (story and song)

Whitland

• Tuesday October 9, 10am – Menter Stori a Chan (story and song)

Scarlets club captain Ken Owens returns to action this weekend against regional rivals Ospreys in the first Welsh derby of the season.
 
Owens will lead the Scarlets out at Parc y Scarlets in the first Guinness PRO14 derby as the West Wales clubs go head-to-head for the first time this season. 
 
Both Scarlets and Ospreys are second in their respective Conferences with both vying for a victory to finish off the opening block of Guinness PRO14 fixtures on a positive note ahead of the opening rounds of the European campaign. 
 
Head Coach Wayne Pivac has named a strong side for the derby clash with an all-international backline, including a welcome return to action for Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Prydie, Hadleigh Parkes and Gareth Davies who were rested for last weekend’s clash against Southern Kings. 
 
Owens is joined by fellow internationals Wyn Jones and Samson Lee in the front row with Will Boyde making a long awaited return from injury in the back row. 
 
Notable additions to the replacements bench also sees Josh Macleod return to action after sustaining a shoulder injury against Leinster in the second round of the competition. 
 
Looking ahead to the game Pivac said; “Ospreys are much improved on last year. They haven’t conceded a lot of tries, they’ve had a marked improvement defensively.
 
“They’ve got a strong forward pack, a lot of the game I guess will be centred around the collision area. We respect them. We know that regardless of what team goes on the teamsheet we’ll get a performance.
 
“We totally respect them, I love these games. It brings the best out of the players. National selection is just around the corner and every body wants to win these derby games. They know our game inside out, makes for an interesting encounter. We think that if we get enough quality ball we’ll hopefully be able to test them.”
 
Scarlets team to take on Ospreys at Parc y Scarlets, Saturday 6^thOctober, kick-off 15:00;
 
15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Ken Owens (c), 3 Samson Lee, 4 Jake Ball, 5 David Bulbring, 6 Ed Kennedy, 7 Will Boyde, 8 Blade Thomson
 
Replacements; 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Phil Price, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Tom Price, 20 Josh Macleod, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Angus O’Brien, 23 Paul Asquith

Work has been completed on a £1/4 million project to create a sea defence in Burry Port.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Flood Defence and Coastal Protection team has been monitoring the earth sculpture at Tywyn Bach in recent years, which has seen coastal erosion and the movement of the beach.

In line with the national coastal protection policy, the authority used funds from its capital works programme to plan and construct the coastal defence.

A block stone revetment has been constructed to protect the earth sculpture in an attempt to stabilise that section of the coastline. The works have been ongoing since April and were completed early September.

The Flood Defence and Coastal Protection Team, in partnership with the Millennium Coastal Path Rangers, will continue to monitor the coast in this part of the area.

Head of Waste and Environmental Services, Ainsley Williams, said: “This is the final phase of a five-year capital works programme that has seen coastal defences across the county constructed, upgraded and repaired.

“The coastline east of Burry Port harbour has seen dramatic changes in recent years, including the increased erosion of the foreshore. An appraisal of the coastline by our coastal engineering consultant highlighted that the promontory at the earth sculpture was the key controlling physical feature and its damage or loss could result in significant damage and or loss of the wider coastal line in that area.

“Following this, the decision was taken to use the capital monies to protect the promontory and to stabilise and protect the wider coastline in that area.”

By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants. The Money Matters column appears in the Pembrokeshire Herald, the Carmarthenshire Herald and the Llanelli Herald newspapers.

Britain’s markets watchdog is launching a study into how insurers charge for home and motor coverage – amid concerns that costs can be higher for long-standing customers than new ones.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said last week that the terms of reference for the market study would be published in a few weeks.

“The general insurance market study we have announced will help us examine the issues we have already identified in the market in more detail,” FCA Chief Executive Andrew Bailey said.

He was referring to concerns about higher prices for existing customers who renew their policies each year.

The watchdog has powers to change how markets operate in order to increase competition and ensure customers are treated fairly.

Past market studies have also led to enforcement action.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI), an industry body, said that earlier this year it became the first sector to take voluntary action to ensure that long-standing customers don’t lose out.

“This includes commitments from firms to review premiums charged to customers who have been with them for five years, and the industry publishing a report on progress within two years,” said Huw Evans, director general of the ABI.

“In a competitive free market, where three out of four people shop around, there is no easy fix available and these measures will take time to bed in.”

Meanwhile, telecoms and financial services companies face an investigation by Britain’s competition regulator after consumer body Citizens Advice complained that customers who do not switch providers were being “ripped off”.

Such customers were being overcharged 4.1 billion pounds a year, the charity said last week when it asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to tackle the issue.

“The practice of overcharging loyal customers is widespread and Citizens Advice has repeatedly warned that loyal consumers are being ripped off,” its Chief Executive Gillian Guy said.

Citizens Advice submitted a so-called super complaint, which the government defines as raising “any feature, or combination of features” of a market for goods or services which “appears to be significantly harming the interests of consumers”.

The CMA said it would consider the concerns raised and what should be done about them.

This will include engagement with relevant regulators such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Ofcom. It will publish a response within 90 days.

The competition regulator said possible outcomes included recommendations to change legislation, action by sectoral regulators and competition or consumer enforcement action.

Citizens Advice said its research had found that eight in 10 people were paying a significantly higher price, in at least one of the markets, for remaining with their existing supplier.

“As a result of this super-complaint, the CMA should come up with concrete measures to end this systematic scam,” Guy said.

The FCA said it was also looking at the savings and mortgages market.

UK Finance, which represents banks, said the industry has already made changes to improve competition in mortgages and savings markets, including helping longstanding borrowers switch to a better deal.

You can find out more about money matters on the Clay Shaw Butler website (under our news for business section) – http://www.clayshawbutler.com/news/latest-news-for-business

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A new Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis for Wales will open at Aberystwyth University later this year, bringing together international expertise with the aim of eradicating the cattle disease.

The announcement was made by Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, at Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday 3 October 2018.

Lesley Griffiths said: “Bovine TB is the most pressing animal health challenge for Wales today.  It’s had a devastating impact on the national cattle herd and the farming community, while being a significant burden on public finances. 

“The Centre of Excellence could be a real ‘game changer’ in the fight against bovine TB and is part of our long-term aim of eradicating the disease for good.”

The new centre represents an investment of £3.6m and will be led by Professor Glyn Hewinson, a world-renowned expert on Bovine Tuberculosis. 

Professor Hewinson is currently Lead Scientist for Bovine TB at the Animal and Plant Health Agency and has led research into the disease for more than 20 years. 

Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University, said: “We are delighted to be establishing a Centre of Excellence for Bovine TB in Aberystwyth University with the support of Welsh Government. The economic and emotional cost of bovine TB to rural communities can be devastating and the appointment of Professor Hewinson, with his wealth of experience working in disease control, represents a highly significant investment as we seek new approaches to tackling this long-standing problem.”

The centre is backed by Sêr Cymru II, a programme aimed at growing and developing academic research expertise in Wales. It is funded by Welsh Government, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, participating Welsh Higher Education institutions and the European Regional Development Fund. 

Dr Christianne Glossop, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, added: “Professor Hewinson is a pioneer in the field of research into Bovine TB and will bring with him World-class expertise and leadership. He is held in the highest regard among his peers internationally and his appointment is a real statement of intent in our determination to tackle this disease.” 

Speaking about his appointment, Professor Hewinson said: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed to a Ser Cymru Research Chair at Aberystwyth University, leading a new Centre of Excellence for Bovine TB. The centre will explore fundamental aspects of Bovine TB science, supporting efforts to tackle this devastating disease, in collaboration with both Government and industry organisations.”

Professor Peter Halligan, Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales, commented: “Attracting new international talent to Wales to increase our already impressive scientific research and development capabilities is essential for Wales’ future economic prosperity and our ability to compete effectively across global marketplaces. I am very pleased to welcome Professor Hewinson, who will be the 12th world class research Chair brought to Wales as part of the Sêr Cymru programme.”  

Based within the University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), the new Centre of Excellence will be a hub for national and international research into Bovine TB.

The programme also aims to commercialise the products it develops, collaborating with industry on products such as new diagnostic tests and vaccines.

Bovine TB has a significant financial and social impact on farm businesses and the wider rural community.  The cost of fighting the disease is estimated to cost around £26m a year in Wales alone, through the TB control programme and compensation to keepers whose animals are slaughtered.

Photo: The world-renowned expert on Bovine Tuberculosis, Professor Glyn Hewinson, will lead the new centre at Aberystwyth University

Links:
Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/

International consortium to develop bovine TB test
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/news/archive/2018/july/title-215034-en.html

Notes:

The cost of the project is £3.6m and is funded as follows:
Aberystwyth University – £0.6m
Office of Chief Veterinary Officer – £1m
Welsh Government and European Regional Development Fund – £2m

Professor Glyn Hewinson
Professor Hewinson is one of three named OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) experts on bovine tuberculosis and is Chair of the Global Research Alliance for Bovine Tuberculosis (GRAbTB). He is a currently a member of a panel reviewing the 25-year Bovine TB Eradication Strategy for England chaired by Sir Charles Godfray.  

Professor Hewinson led the Mycobacterium bovisgenome sequencing project and is currently a member of Public Health England’s Strategic Oversight Group for the implementation of Whole Genome Sequencing of Pathogens into disease control and patient care.  

In collaboration with PHE and the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, he is leading the veterinary aspects of a ‘One Health’ Approach to combining Whole Genome Sequencing pipelines for Public Health and Veterinary pathogens at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).  

Professor Hewinson is expected to continue to collaborate with APHA, PHE and Oxford University to analyse M. bovisisolates obtained in Wales. 

International consortium to develop bovine TB test
Scientists at Aberystwyth University are already involved in developing a new test for bovine tuberculosis as part of an international consortium announced in July 2018.

Led by Professor Luis Muir at IBERS, the consortium is developing a rapid, high-accuracy point of care diagnostic test with an integrated, secure, cloud-based data system for the detection, management and control of bovine tuberculosis.

The other consortium partners are University College Dublin and four UK-based life sciences companies – Dynamic Extractions, Sona nanotech, ProTEM and Bond Digital Health Solutions.

The consortium will work together to develop a new, cost-effective, rapid and accurate point of use test for bovine TB that will allow the monitoring of farm animals, native wildlife populations, farm produce and the environment.

Data gathered from the tests will be integrated into databases, which will lead to more accurate epidemiology monitoring and the development of informed disease strategy.