Open House for Research - January 2026

In January, Dr Phoey Teh expertly chaired our Open House for Research event, featuring two engaging speakers from the Faculty of Arts, Computing, and Engineering.

Our first speaker was PhD student Viktoriia Iarova (Art), who presented “A study into the relationship between climate change and contemporary art practice.” Beginning their PhD in October 2024, Viktoriia described art as their chosen language for communicating the urgency of climate change. Drawing on exhibition experience in the UK and at New Designers London, they explored how artistic practice can unite communities and challenge misinformation around climate change.

Viktoriia’s research examines how artists adapt creative practices in response to climate change, with the aim of transforming communities. Attendance at the Design Talks conference in Reykjavik — bringing together designers, artists, and architects — provided valuable inspiration and opportunities for creative exchange. While in Iceland, Viktoriia was inspired by the natural landscape and later submitted two photographs to our Visualising Research Competition. Their work highlights how combining art with scientific understanding can create powerful climate messages.

Our second speaker was Dr Jason Woolley, Reader in Employability (Creative Media Technology), who reflected on findings from the study “Are we speaking the same language?” The project explored how employability language is understood across students, employers, businesses, and universities.

The Wales-wide research team analysed graduate attribute statements and job descriptions, using AI to create new job descriptions using explicit and implicit employability language. Survey responses from 112 students revealed a clear misalignment: while institutions tend to emphasise explicit language, many students, particularly neurodivergent students, found implicit terminology more challenging.

Jason concluded by noting that while significant progress was made in a short timeframe, more work remains. He also highlighted the benefits of a streamlined ethics approval process, with Wrexham University’s approval accepted across collaborating institutions. The findings are now being shared through informal teaching networks.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online for an engaging discussion. We look forward to welcoming you again at our next Open House for Research!