Stories from Cardiff University

We bring people together to accomplish more than we could ever accomplish alone.

Dive into our stories to find out more about studying, working, and researching with us.

Cardiff Racing FSUK Formula Student red racing car on track

Powering Cardiff Racing’s electric future

Bringing engineering expertise to the electric grid: Cardiff Racing enters a bold new era as it prepares to debut its first EV at Silverstone.

A female rugby player wearing a red jersey holds a white ball after catching it at a lineout.

Tackling the gender gap in sport research

Our researchers and rugby athletes are generating the first insights on the effects of head impacts in women’s contact sports.

Cardiff Connect March 2026

The March edition of Cardiff Connect – the University's monthly alumni e-newsletter.

A group of young students sat down talking

Making a career in law accessible

For many young people, a university degree – let alone a career in law – can feel out of reach. Too often, the profession is perceived as exclusive, expensive, or reserved for those with family connections. The Sutton Trust is working to change that.

Ask the expert: Navigating the university application journey

Iwan Hopkins (BA 2009) shares how families can best support young people applying and preparing for university.

Sketching a language

As a professional illustrator, part-time teacher, and the creative mind behind Sketchy Welsh, Josh Morgan (BA 2011) is giving the Welsh language a unique artistic voice.

Putting Welsh music on the global stage

David John Roche (BMus 2012) is a musician and composer from Tredegar in south Wales who has built an international career showcasing music shaped by where he grew up.

A legacy of opportunity

Alumna Audrey Long (BSc 1987) remembers her Cardiff days with immense fondness and credits much of her success since graduating to the support she received from peers and lecturers during her degree.

Turning his passion into their potential

A bursary at Cardiff University is supporting the next generation of doctors in memory of a distinguished surgeon and rugby legend.

Changing the future of kidney disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects more than 10% of adults worldwide – it’s hard to detect and diagnose until its later stage, known as kidney failure.

Building a greener future through environmental impact assessment

From Environmental Geography to major projects, shaping a career with real impact in environmental consulting.

Fostering commercial collaboration at the Business Innovation Centres

Our commercial offices, labs, and co-working spaces help businesses to innovate, scale, and succeed.

Exploring human behaviour at the Social Science Research Park

We are a community driven by expertise, creativity, curiosity, and entrepreneurship.  

Preserving human biosamples at the Cardiff University Biobank

Sourcing, storing, and supplying quality human biosamples for commercial and academic research .

Better brain health with the Brain Research Imaging Centre

Bringing together world-leading expertise in brain imaging, mapping, and stimulation to better understand the causes of neurological and psychiatric conditions. 

Supporting life science research with Central Biotechnology Services

Providing certified life sciences services to businesses and the research community.

How live event marketing helped build confidence and career skills

Arianwen gained hands-on experience in live event marketing with Depot Cardiff.

Building a sustainable future through action and innovation

"My time as a Student Futures Assistant truly nurtured my passion for sustainability and environmental advocacy."

Providing advanced imaging technologies with the Bioimaging Research Hub

Concept to completion application support across light microscopy for researchers and external partners.

Investigating human movement at the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Facility

A world-leading centre for the study of human biomechanics and musculoskeletal health.

Building a business with the Enterprise Team

After joining the Enterprise pathway and working closely with the Enterprise Team, Lucy's budding business idea flourishes.

Cardiff Connect - February 2026

The February 2026 edition of Cardiff Connect.

Creating atomic-scale imagery with electron microscopy facilities 

Seeing the unseeable with detectors for elemental mapping through both energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy.

Grow your school

Enabling primary school children in Wales to enjoy the wellbeing and educational benefits of gardening.

Extending the frontiers of brain research worldwide

Our researchers are using their expertise to democratise research-grade neuroimaging, enabling scientists in low-income settings to investigate the brain with unprecedented detail.

Building next-generation technologies with the Institute for Compound Semiconductors

Powering the technology of the future in our purpose-built cleanroom facility.

Creating a more sustainable world through work

Eve works at Waterhaul, a Cornish company turning end-of-life fishing gear into recycled, traceable marine plastic products.

Shaping the future, one career at a time

After completing a master’s in Sustainability, Charlotte is now working at the heart of the UK’s energy transition.

Preventing violence and making our communities safer

Our researchers are transforming how we prevent serious violence by shaping safety in the night-time economy, improving hospital-based interventions, and tackling hidden inequalities that affect who is harmed, and who gets help.

Treating neurodegenerative diseases at their source

Our Advanced Neurotherapies Centre is pioneering gene, RNA and cell therapies for Huntington’s and Parkinson’s – delivering precision treatment into the brain and offering real hope to patients and families.

Strengthening impartial political journalism

We are reshaping political journalism, working with major broadcasters, regulators, and audiences to challenge misinformation and build trusted, accountable news.

Improving river health and resilience

Our researchers are transforming how we manage rivers, from nature-based flood defences and ‘invisible’ plastic detection to physics-guided AI that supports climate-resilient water management, worldwide.

Shaping the Living Wage movement

Our long-term research programme on the Living Wage is shaping national strategy, informing public policy, and improving wages and working conditions for hundreds of thousands across the UK.

Reimagining homes for future living

Researchers at Cardiff University are redefining how homes are designed, transformed and lived in – advancing low-carbon technologies, bio-based materials and co-designed spaces that improve wellbeing and create healthier homes for future generations.

A man in a red, long-sleeve top, light-blue jeans, and a navy baseball cap, is leaning over to pick yellow peppers from their plants with his right arm outstretched. The man is surrounded by tall, green pepper plants and is carrying three yellow peppers in his left arm.

Revealing the hidden links between climate and diet

Through advanced data analysis and global food-system modelling, we’re informing the choices that will shape health for generations.

Unlocking the secrets of the universe

Scientists at Cardiff University are leading breakthroughs in gravitational-wave research, from frontier tests of black-hole physics to advances in quantum technologies.

Exploring ecocriticism through Japanese disaster narratives

PhD student Emily Bush is exploring ecocritical perspectives in media about historical Japanese disasters.

A golden milestone for clinical psychology training in Wales

We look back at 50 years of clinical psychology training at Cardiff University, and speak to staff and students both past and present.

Driving change for people and the planet

From graduate to Sustainability Consultant – meet Lily and see how she’s building a career with impact.

Building a greener tomorrow, one graduate at a time

After completing her MSc in 2021, Deborah now leads work that’s helping one of the UK’s largest utilities move towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.

Treating cancer with Salmonella

Alex is developing bacteria to reveal cancerous tumours and activate the immune system in order to treat and remove cancer.

Silencing the messenger in Huntington’s disease

Fundraisers and donors support neuroscience and mental health researchers as they seek to improve diagnoses and treatments for a wide range of neurological conditions.

Giving a new focus to MND research

Fundraisers and donors to neuroscience and mental health are enabling Cardiff University researchers to study otherwise overlooked facets of disease.

Silhouette of child holding hands with adults

Adopting together with St. David’s Children Society

A partnership which places children who wait the longest for adoption in Wales.

Data Nation Accelerator: investors in data science and technology

Driving new levels of co-creation between business and the public sector across Wales, harnessing the power of diverse data assets to create meaningful outcomes.

Changing the future of public service delivery with Infuse

The Innovative Future Services initiative aims to help public sector workers develop skills so they can support communities, accelerate decarbonisation and improve the health and well-being of citizens in Wales.

Supporting energy service innovation with Centrica

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership focusing on enabling a global energy and services company to deliver and support innovation.

Participants get hands-on during the modules

Enhancing medical knowledge with Legal and General

Our ongoing partnership with Legal and General Assurance Society (L&G) has delivered medical training for medical underwriters and claims assessors.

Protecting endangered species with Sabah Wildlife Department

A decade-strong partnership preserving the wildlife and habitat of the Kinabatangan floodplain – the largest wetland in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.

MedaPhor: trailblazers in ultrasound training

Spin-out company produces innovative training products for postgraduate medical professionals across the world.

Tackling global cyber security with Airbus

Pioneering collaboration has led to the Airbus Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Analytics – the first centre of its kind in Europe.

30(ish) Awards 2025

Read the stories of the 30(ish) winners who make up our final 2025 list of change-makers, innovators, and rule-breakers from the Cardiff University alumni community.

Mid-shot man with cap looking into camera

Changing lives with archaeology

Community in Cardiff learns about its past while building a better future.

Transforming genomic testing with Public Health Wales

A partnership to tackle viruses in Wales, including HIV, by applying faster DNA sequencing to mass patient testing, tracking, and mapping.

Cardiff and Vale Health Board: experts in clinical innovation

A Clinical Innovation Partnership for better patient healthcare and wealth creation in Wales.

National Museum in Cardiff under blue skies

Redefining heritage with Amgueddfa Cymru

A strategic partnership committed to developing regional, national and international heritage to create social and economic impact.

Creating opportunity with the Office for National Statistics

A strategic partnership for developing skills, career pathways and creating graduate opportunities.

Celebrating 10 years of our giving community

2025 marks 10 years of Cylch Caerdydd – our global community of supporters who are connected by their vision to create long-lasting, meaningful change.

Joining forces: combining expertise to stop cancer growth

Loren and Saul are two early-career researchers bringing their skills and experience together to develop a new treatment for Glioblastoma.

Siemens Healthineers: partners in precision diagnostics

A strategic partnership focusing on developing advanced medical technologies, ten years and counting.

Building strength, breaking barriers, and inspiring women in Pakistan

Roha Nadeem (MA 2022) is a sports presenter and broadcaster from Pakistan. She has built a high-profile career in an industry historically dominated by men.

One man’s dream, now a reality for Cardiff University students

100 years after James Mason’s birth, a bursary established in his name is giving Welsh STEM students the opportunity to thrive in their degrees and beyond.

Cardiff University has always been fuelled by books

To mark 50 years of the Arts and Social Studies Library, Sara Huws reflects on the history of our earliest collections and explores how our libraries have shaped, and been shaped by, the University community.

Navigating fencing and business

Costanza has been fencing more years than she hasn't. With the support at Cardiff University she has managed to achieve everything she wanted to do at the highest possible level.

Balancing pistol shooting and mechanical engineering

Coral aims to be the best in the world. Cardiff University has helped her excel in pistol shooting by providing the flexibility to study and train.

Combining cycling and medicine

Lewis wants to excel on the world stage and be the best doctor he can be. It shows with the right work life balance and support you can actually excel in both.

Blending surfing and physiotherapy

Ayesha is at home on the waves. The High Performance Programme at Cardiff University has helped her to excel at what she loves.

Images of Research competition winners 2025

Now in its 13th year, the Doctoral Academy’s annual competition challenges postgraduate research students to encapsulate their work through imagery.

From Pokémon to polar explorer

Polar explorer Prem Gill (BSc 2017) is passionate about outreach, climate change, and Antarctic seals.

“I’ve come full circle back to Cardiff”

Returning to Cardiff University to teach inspired Jo to leave a gift in her Will to provide financial support to Cardiff University students.

A legacy of care

Graham established the Christine Davis Memorial Prize. Each year, the prize is awarded to a student at the School of Pharmacy in recognition of their achievements.

Change minds through storytelling

Diksha’s ultimate mission is to empower founders and entrepreneurs to articulate their stories, connect with their audiences, and build enduring personal brands.

Prepare the next generation for the real world

Sagnik believes that what makes Cardiff special is that it attracts students from all over the world and gives them the tools to make their mark.

Untangling the mysteries of pretend play in parent-child interactions

PhD student Catherine Sheehan is researching the role of pretend play in children’s emotional development.

Cutting through the chaos

Professor Martin Innes’ research on disinformation explores its impact on democratic societies in the information age.

Change the world through physics

Kavetha believes that physics is all about uncovering the hidden details that explain the world around us, and is passionate about using science to make a difference.

Making maths more accessible to women

Erin has always been fascinated by how maths underpins everything around us, from technology to every day decisions.

Connecting cricket and business

Adam hopes to take forward the importance of listening to others, combining ideas and working hard to find the right solution in his future career.

Achieve great things

These budding entrepreneurs believe that ethical business is one of the key drivers of change in the world. They both hope to utilise effective resource management to make business work for a better world.

Improve mental health for all

Passionate about the mental health of young people, Georgina wants to put the experience and knowledge she’s gained during her time at Cardiff University into practice.

Creating a more connected world

Isabella hopes to utilise her linguistic skills to bridge gaps, create understanding and play her part in creating a more connected and empathic world.

Better understanding the world through literature

Oliver has always been passionate about stories and the way they shape our understanding of the world, so diving into literature was a natural path for him.

Breaking down barriers to education

Lindi believes that together we can create a better education system for young people, making a real difference in their lives, breaking down the barriers to education and making subjects like mathematics accessible to all.

Live more sustainably through architecture

Architecture graduate Rebecca has a passion for designing spaces that enhance our well-being and make our lives better.

Studying stem cells to better understand Dystonia

Laura Abram (Medicine 2023-) is looking into Dystonia, a neurological condition which causes uncontrollable muscle spasms and is estimated to affect 100,000 people in the UK.

Make technology work for everyone

Computer Science graduate Byron credits his enthusiasm for technology and how it shapes our world as the driving force for him choosing his degree path at Cardiff.

Impact Report 2023/24

Read more about the researchers and students that you’ve helped to support. Their stories highlight the work that’s being done to save and change lives in Wales and beyond, and prepare the next generation of students for life after Cardiff.

Revealing the anatomy of Welsh using MRI

Our research is helping Welsh learners overcome pronunciation difficulties that impact their confidence and ability to integrate into Welsh-speaking communities.

30(ish) Awards 2024

Read the stories of the 30(ish) winners who make up our final 2024 list of change-makers, innovators, and rule-breakers from the Cardiff University alumni community.

Because of You 2024

Read the stories of the students and researchers supported by gifts and volunteering this year.

Cheers to the Students’ Union at 50

In the heart of Cardiff stands a beacon of time, the Cardiff University Students' Union. Its bricks and mortar are a testament to half a century of laughter, camaraderie, and shared experiences.

A self-cleaning product that could mean safer periods for all

Dr Jennifer Edwards (BSc 2003, PhD 2007) and Dr Michael Pascoe (PhD 2020) are developing a self-cleaning period product that could ensure safer periods for some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Helping postgraduate students to prosper

Mushtaq Karimjee (BSc 1971) founded the Fanaka Scholarship which supports students from his home country of Tanzania to complete a postgraduate degree at Cardiff University.

Ask the expert: Wills, inheritance tax, and estate planning

Alumna Laura Ikin (LLB 2006, PgDip 2007) shares her most frequently asked Wills, trusts, inheritance tax, and estate planning questions.

Curbing the spread of tuberculosis

Dr Tamas Barry (MBBCh 2020, PhD Medicine 2022-) is helping to improve tuberculosis diagnosis and care for future generations.

Giving future archaeology students the best opportunities

Julia Wise (BA 1986) is helping to ensure the next generation of archaeologists can study at Cardiff, free from the pressure of financial worries.

Welsh surgeon’s legacy lives on, empowering the next generation of Cardiff medical students

Dr John Thomas’ passion for medicine and for making education accessible inspired his family to establish the Dr John Thomas Bursary.

The Music alum inspiring the next generation of young artists 

Guy Verrall-Withers (BMus 2013) is introducing opera to new audiences and giving young artists a platform to succeed. 

Turning pain into purpose: a vision of accessible eyecare for all

Lucky Aziken (MSc 2023) is delivering affordable and sustainable eyecare services in Nigeria and Malawi.

Knowing what you want to be when you grow up – Bossing It

‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ A question that most of us are asked when we are younger, but while some fulfil their childhood aspirations, others may still be looking for their dream role deep into adulthood and that shouldn’t be a taboo! We spoke to some of our incredible alumni about this age-old question.

Being Human Festival 

Celebrating research with the public through the UK’s national festival of the humanities.

ESRC Festival of Social Science

Celebrating the outstanding impact of our social science research with the community 

Impact Report 2022/23

30(ish) Awards 2023

Read the stories of the 30(ish) winners who make up our final 2023 list of change-makers, innovators, and rule-breakers from the Cardiff University alumni community.

Changing the future of ICU patient care

Dr Samyakh Tukra (MEng 2017) is the founder and CEO of Third Eye Intelligence, which has developed a unique and powerful artificial intelligence (AI). The system gives Intensive Care Unit (ICU) clinicians an early warning of when a patient will develop organ failure.

Championing positive change to mental health in the Muslim community

Jamilla Hekmoun (MA 2018) is chair of the Muslim Mental Health Alliance (MMHA), and spent the pandemic working tirelessly to provide resources and support to the Muslim community. She also sits on the board of the Muslim Council of Wales and leads community engagement for SEF Cymru. We spoke to Jamilla about her time at Cardiff University and the important work she does in the community.

The Cardiff graduate ‘shooting for the stars’

Dr Jenifer Millard (MPhys 2016, PhD 2021) is a science communicator specialising in astronomy. Her work as host of the Awesome Astronomy podcast and talent for sharing her passion, has rocketed her career into TV and radio. We talked to her about her time at Cardiff and how a girl from Barry is inspiring the next generation of women in STEM.

The anonymous donation that changed the trajectory of a family’s life

David shares his father’s story and explains how an anonymous benefactor started their family’s journey to Cardiff University.

Improving our understanding of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Elle Mawson (Medicine 2021-) is a researcher in the Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute. Inspired by a family member’s struggle, her work is improving our understanding of what’s happening in the brains of patients with psychoses.

Inspiring the next generation of law students

Nneka Akudolu (LLB 2001, PgDip 2002, Hon 2023) was sworn in as a King’s Counsel in 2022, joining a select group of law practitioners appointed by the monarch. As a KC specialising in criminal law, Nneka works on the most serious cases that are dealt with in the Crown and Appellate courts, and is one of only seven Black female KCs in the UK.

Javi, wearing red doctoral robes, sits on a Cardiff street reading a letter

Javi’s Legacy

Javi Uceda Fernandez (PhD 2018) came to Cardiff University in the summer of 2013 on a placement to Professor Simon Jones’ laboratory at the Systems Immunity Research Institute. His incredible energy, constant positivity, and bright outlook meant he was a hugely popular member of the institute.

A man is rubbing the knuckles of his right hand.

Ask the expert: Arthritis

Around 10 million people in the UK struggle with arthritis which can impact mobility, quality of life and cause chronic pain. Professor Simon Jones, Co-Director of the Systems Immunity Research Institute at the School of Medicine, explains what causes arthritis and the ground-breaking research taking place in Cardiff.

The red brick front of Aberdare Hall viewed from behind some blossoming plants. The plants are in soft focus.