Our Wales Conference Ambassadors represent a powerful network of experts who play an integral role in championing Wales as a destination for association conferences and knowledge exchange. Their expertise spans key research and innovation sectors, aligned to the REF (Research Excellence Framework) disciplines.
More information can be found in the REF disciplines below, including details on our Conference Ambassadors, their bios and perspectives on Wales, and the academic and business strengths in Wales that underpin each discipline.
Research Excellence Framework Disciplines
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Likewise, you’ll find a short overview of each Wales Conference Ambassador below, set within the key academic and industry specialisms that define Wales’ strengths.
Melinda Mulcahy
Super-Conscious Catalyst, Curiosity Expert, Founder of The World Curiosity Organization and Curious You
Social Sciences
Jonathan Fry
Lecturer in Business and Management, Aberystwyth University
Social Sciences
Professor Yingli Wang
Professor in Logistics and Operations Management, Pro Dean for Research, Impact and Innovation, Cardiff University
Social Sciences
Sofia Christidi
Marketing Lecturer, School of Business Management, University of South Wales
Social Sciences
Robert Lloyd Griffiths OBE
Wales Director, ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales)
Social Sciences
Professor Qingwei Wang
Head of Accounting and Finance, Professor of Finance, Cardiff University
Social Sciences
Dr Christine Zarges
Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, Aberystwyth University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Muneeb Ahmad
Senior Lecturer, Computer Science and Compound Semi Conductors, Swansea University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Otar Akanyeti
Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, Aberystwyth University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Professor Jianming Tang
Professor of Optical Communications and Director of the DSP Centre of Excellence, Bangor University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Phoebe (Phoey Lee Heard) Teh
Reader in Social Computing, Wrexham University, Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Ze Ji
Senior Lecturer of Robotics and Autonomous, Cardiff University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Sivagunalan Sivanathan
Senior Lecturer in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of South Wales
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Victor Romero Cano
Academic in School of Computer Science and Informatics, Cardiff University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Alberto Roldan Martinez
Senior Lecturer in Computational Chemistry and Catalysis, Cardiff University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Ashraf A Fahmy Abdo
Senior Lecturer of Robotics and Autonomous, Swansea University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Mobayode Akinsolu
Senior Reader in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Electronic Engineering, Wrexham University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Professor Nathan Abrams
Professor in Film, Creative Industries, Bangor University
Arts and Humanities
Dewi Gregory
Film Producer, Truth Department
Arts and Humanities
Michael Brown
Professor of Creative Industries, University of South Wales
Arts and Humanities
Richard Hebblewhite
Senior Lecturer in Games & Media, Director of Games Talent Wales
Arts and Humanities
Adam Amor
Director, Bufoon Media
Arts and Humanities
Professor Andrew Hiscock
Professor of Early Modern Literature / Dean of Postgraduate Research, Bangor University
Arts and Humanities
Dr Alfredo Cramerotti
Director, Mostyn and President, IKT International
Arts and Humanities
Emma Jane Marshman
Head of Games, Design and Animation, University of South Wales
Arts and Humanities
Professor Agustin Valera-Medina
Director Net Zero Innovation Institute, Cardiff University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Professor Wolfgang Maier
Professor of Earth Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Karina Marsden
Lecturer in Soil Science, Soil and Environmental Science, Bangor University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Pablo Orozco Ter Wengel
Senior Lecturer, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr David Sprake
Senior Lecturer, Subject Specialist in Renewable Energy, Zero Carbon and Climate Change, Wrexham University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Professor Matt Carnie
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Swansea University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Pan He
Senior Lecturer, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Professor Andrew King
Professor of Animal Behaviour, Swansea University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Professor Tariq Butt
Professor of Biosciences, Swansea University
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Professor Jeremy Tree
Professor of Psychology, Cardiff University
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Dr Nic Hooper
Lecturer of Psychology, School of Psychology, Cardiff University
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Dr Liba Sheeran
Reader, Director of Innovation and Impact, School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Dr Matthew Turner, FRCA
Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Gwent and Grange University Hospitals
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Dr Petros Mylonas BDS MMedEd PhD SFHEA
Clinical Lecturer and Speciality Training Registrar in Restorative Dentistry, Cardiff University
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Claire Parmenter
Director of Professional Practice (Hydra Research and Innovation Centre), University of South Wales
Social Sciences
Professor Martin Steggall
Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, University of South Wales
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Professor Paul Mullins
Professor of Neuroimaging, School of Human and Behavioural Sciences, Bangor University
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Dr Shubha Sreenivas
Senior Lecturer in Psychology (Biological), Wrexham University
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Professor Gibin Powathil
Professor of Mathematics, Mathematical and Computational Biology, Biomedical Modelling, Swansea University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Katie Webb
Professor of Medical Education and IHI Improvement Advisor, School of Medicine, Cardiff University
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Dr Beverley Pickard-Jones
Lecturer in Psychology, Bangor University
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Dr Biao Zeng
Lecturer in Psychology, University of South Wales
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Professor Mandy Robbins
Associate Dean (Research), Life Sciences, Wrexham University
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Professor Stephen Eales
Co-Director, Cardiff Hub for Astrophysics Research and Technology, Cardiff University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Tim Davis
Senior Lecturer, Cardiff Hub for Astrophysics Research and Technology, School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Allan Trow
Manager Dark Skies Wales and Former Senior Lecturer in Astronomy, University of Glamorgan
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Adil Mughal
Lecturer in Mathematical Modelling, Aberystwyth University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Joseph Lambert
Senior Lecturer in Translation Services, Cardiff University
Arts and Humanities
Professor Jonathan Gillard
Professor of Statistics and Data Science, Cardiff University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Nina Ruddle
Head of Public Policy Engagement, Wrexham University
Social Sciences
Dr Jessica Clapham
Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics and ELT Lead on the Professional Doctorate Programme, University of Wales Trinity St Davids
Arts and Humanities
Dr Gareth Carr
Senior Lecturer in the Built Environment, Wrexham University
Social Sciences
Dr Yvonne Ehrstein
Lecturer in Sociology, Aberystwyth University
Social Sciences
Professor Kelvin Leong
Professor of Financial Technology and Data Analytics, Wrexham University
Social Sciences
Professor Andrew King
Professor of Animal Behaviour, Swansea University
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Rebecca Scott
Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Cardiff University
Social Sciences
Dr Nalda Wainwright
Associate Professor and Director, Wales Academy for Health and Physical Literacy
Social Sciences
Deborah Jenkins
Lecturer of International Tourism & Events and International Hotel Management, University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD)
Social Sciences
Jacqui Jones
Programme Manager & Senior Lecturer in Events & International Tourism Management, University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD)
Social Sciences
Dr Janye Griffith-Parry
Academic Director of Hospitality and Tourism Management & Programme Manager for hospitality, international hotel management and tourism & University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD)
Social Sciences
