news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
May 2011
A royal opening HRH The Duke of Gloucester to officially open City Campus p.4-5
In this issue:
Award Winning City Campus artwork wins National Art Award p.10
Bribery & Corruption Workshop will explore bribery in UK Business p.14
Business Pitch to Hockey Pitch Staff feature: Mark Richardson p.15
feature
Vice Chancellor Calls on Government to Halt Reduction in Student Nurses Professor David Green has written to the Secretary of State for Health and the Chief Executive of NHS West Midlands in a bid to overturn a cut in student nursing numbers across the region. NHS West Midlands, the Strategic Health Authority, has made a 17.5% cut to commissions for 2011/12, which makes up two thirds of the national cut of 3.5%. Professor Green said in his letter to Ian Cumming OBE, Chief Executive of NHS West Midlands: “This cut, applying across all universities, and all branches of nursing, is most serious and is likely to have a significant impact on the future security of the nursing workforce and hence the quality of patient care. “This cut will lead to significant and entirely predictable shortages in the years ahead. It will make it more difficult for nursing to respond to the pressures created by an ageing population.” The cuts come in the wake of the Stafford Hospital enquiry. Professor Green said: “At a time when it is essential to improve and, in some cases, to re-establish public confidence in the quality of nursing in the West Midlands, such cuts will make the situation significantly more difficult.”
The total reduction in commissioned places in the West Midlands is 457, with an 18% cut in Adult Nursing, 15% in Child Nursing, 17% in Mental Health, and 15% in Learning Disabilities. The cut is being made despite the major review, commissioned by the Department for Health, in March of nursing numbers. In a statement to the Nursing Times, NHS West Midlands said it was commissioning training places based on long term workforce plans using detailed projections made by NHS organisations around the level of staffing required to meet future demand of local health services. However, Professor Green called this “deeply unconvincing” as there is no publicly available information showing that there is a need for a drop in the nursing workforce. On the contrary, it is widely accepted that there will be a greater need for nursing in future. Currently, there are shortages in many areas including dementia nursing, theatre nursing, school nursing and specialist child nursing. This year’s consultation with the Strategic Health Authority revolved around their desire to cut 14% from the Multi-Professional Education and Training Budget which covers nursing. Professor Green said: “University of Worcester nursing graduates have 100% employment rate. They are being snapped up by employers in the NHS, private health care providers and the armed forces. If we cut the number of nurses being trained
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today then the NHS will be forced to go back to recruiting trained nurses from abroad tomorrow.” Professor Green said: “Earlier this year West Midlands Strategic Health Authority reversed a decision to cut 16% of all midwifery training places, on the personal order of the Secretary of State Andrew Lansley, following pressure from the Royal College of Midwives and Universities. We hope that the Secretary of State will again intervene to save the education of the Country’s future nurses whom an NHS spokeswoman described this month as “the backbone of the NHS”.” Applications to study nursing at the University of Worcester have more than doubled over the past two years and, for some branches, there are now well over 10 applicants per place. The most recent annual Nursing and Midwifery Council inspection of nursing at Worcester gave the University and its NHS partners in Herefordshire and Worcestershire the highest rating possible and commended the University for its “close and effective partnership working” with local hospitals, practices and health care providers.
COVER STORY wELCOME
contents FEATURE UW Vice Chancellor Calls on Government to Halt Reduction in Student Nurses 2
COVER STORY
welcome W
elcome to the May issue of News & Views, featuring a roundup of news, launches and milestones from the past month at the University of Worcester.
240 years ago a plot of land was purchased on Castle Street for the Worcester Royal Infirmary to solve the increasing problem of limited beds at the earlier Silver Street Infirmary. Later this month the University’s Chancellor, The Duke of Gloucester will officially open City Campus, marking its revival to Worcestershire’s city landscape.
The official opening is just one of many events taking place this month. Various conferences, lectures and exhibitions are taking place from St John’s, to the Garage to City Campus. Along the way the University will be working closely with some of our local partners including Worcester Cathedral to many of Worcestershire’s finest sporting clubs and groups at the fourth Learning Through Sports event. If you have an event you would like featured, please let us know. Please keep in touch by sending your news to newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
HOOK-A-DUCK FOR WORCESTER SNOEZELEN A spring fete is being held at the University of Worcester in May to raise money for a local charity. The University’s Community Development Workers are hosting the event in aid of the University’s Charity of the Year, Worcester Snoezelen. The event will be held on Friday, May 13 from midday onwards, in the area outside the Chandler Halls of Residence, at St John’s Campus. There will be various activities such as a cake decorating competition, a guess how many sweets are in the jar contest, guess the name of the teddy, hook a duck and a raffle/ tombola.
There will also be ice cream and hot food as well as Trade Nepal and Zaytoun selling Fair Trade goods and Smartwater kits sold by a member of the St John’s Neighbourhood Watch. The Worcester Snoezelen is an independent charity which provides a multi-sensory environment to offer leisure and therapy facilities. People of any age who have physical, sensory or learning disabilities can benefit of the Snoezelen Centre. More than 450 people regularly use their facilities, including multisensory rooms, hydrotherapy, accessible music making, soft play areas, creative art opportunities and a sensory garden.
Royal Opening for City Campus 4
news Hook-a-duck for Worcester Snoezelen 3 Shakespearean Scholar to Deliver Lecture 6 Former England Rugby Coach to Headline Coaching Summit 6 Fee Level for 2012 Announcement 7 Students’ Surprise Meeting with Exiled Journalist 8 Worcester Sports Psychologist Helps RAF Team 8 Trainee Teachers Keep Children Safe Online 9 New Online Journal for Student-led Research in Sport 9 Children’s Work Wins National Art Award 10 Kenya-bound 10 PhD Student Establishes Crystal Healing Business 11 Awards for Commitment to Design and Technology 11 Student Development Activities 11 Art Students Host Final Year Degree Show 12 ABS Meeting 12 Worcester Lecturers Nominated for National Award 13 The Worcester Lecture 13 GB Visually Impaired Football Team 13 Launch of Security Certification Scheme 14 Childhood Legends Brought to Life 14 Bribery and Corruption Workshop 14
sTAFF FEATURE From the boardroom to the hockey pitch: Mark Richardson 15
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COVER STORY
Royal Opening for University of Worcester’s HRH the Duke of Gloucester will officially open the University of Worcester’s City Campus later this month. The former Worcester Royal Infirmary has been carefully and thoughtfully restored and converted to modern educational use. The main infirmary building has been named after Sir Charles Hastings, who founded the British Medical Association in 1832 in the boardroom. It houses bright new teaching spaces, computer labs, and conference facilities. From later this year the building will host a permanent exhibition and educational centre celebrating Worcester’s medical past.
The University’s Chancellor HRH The Duke of Gloucester, will perform the official opening ceremony at 3.30pm on Thursday, May 12 before he attends the annual Worcester Lecture at the Cathedral later that evening. University of Worcester Vice Chancellor, Professor David Green, said: “These buildings are an important part of the history of Worcester and the very place where the British Medical Association was founded. They have been sympathetically restored so that they can once again play a part in the lives of the City residents.”
Mulberry House, which once served as a doctors’ residence has been painstakingly restored and converted into office space for Worcester Business School, business and regional development and widening participation staff. The first phase of the City Campus also includes two high quality student halls of residence and a cafeteria open to all. The historic Jenny Lind Chapel has been fully restored and will soon be graced by a new stained glass window funded by the Nurses’ League, which will commemorate the work of the nurses at the Royal Infirmary over so many years. A new feature in the restored buildings is the McClelland Health and Wellbeing Centre, which is named after Miss Mary Jane McClelland, the matron who established the nurses’ library at the Worcester Royal Infirmary. The Centre is already providing a variety of classes and therapies to improve physical and mental wellbeing.
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NEWS
Shakespearean Scholar to Deliver Second Worcester Lecture A distinguished Shakespearean scholar is to deliver the second annual Worcester Lecture. The Worcester Lectures are a partnership between Worcester Cathedral and the University of Worcester, which serve to heighten Worcester’s cultural heritage. Professor Michael Dobson’s lecture, titled ‘The public good and the voluntary sector: Shakespeare and Professor Michael Dobson the ethics of civic life’, will take place in Worcester Cathedral on Thursday, May 12 at 6pm. The University’s Chancellor, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, will be in attendance at the lecture. Professor Dobson is a distinguished Shakespearean scholar and acclaimed lecturer. Presently, he is Professor of Shakespeare Studies at Birkbeck College in the University of London. He has recently been appointed Director-elect of the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon and Professor of Shakespeare Studies at the University of Birmingham from September 1.
The Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester, said: “The Worcester Cathedral Chapter is delighted to be hosting the second of the joint University-Cathedral lectures, which is one of the many ways in which together we help Worcester to be a ‘first-rank University and Cathedral City’.” Professor Dobson was formerly Professor of Renaissance Drama at Roehampton University. He has also taught at Oxford, Harvard, Northwestern and Illinois Universities and has held visiting fellowships at UCLA and Peking University. Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor of the University of Worcester, said: “Professor Dobson is a very distinguished scholar. This promises to be a most interesting and enlightening lecture. We are delighted that the annual Worcester Lecture series is attracting such high-profile cultural talent.” Professor Dobson’s most recent publication, is “Shakespeare and Amateur Performance: A Cultural History”. His lecture will draw on the research he undertook for this work. Professor Dobson comments regularly on Shakespearean performance for the BBC and writes programme notes for the RSC, the Old Vic, and Shakepeare’s Globe in London.
Former England Rugby Coach Headlines at Coaching Summit Mr Ashton, who took his team to the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final in South Africa, gave a presention on the coach’s role in developing players and athletes.
Steve Brewster, Partnership Director for Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: “There are many coaches in the region at all different levels that are extremely enthusiastic about developing their team as well as their own personal skills.
The event, jointly co-ordinated by the Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire and the University of “As a region we have produced some Worcester, took place on Sunday 8th May at the University’s St John’s Campus. outstanding athletes and our sporting achievements have progressed Both coaches and aspiring coaches significantly in recent years. This can be were invited to attend the Summit and attributed to good grass root coaching. get expert advice from ex-professional The Summit’s aim was to help our local footballers, qualified physiotherapists coaches with the most up to date and and senior sports lecturers. contemporary coaching knowledge in The Summit covered a range of order to create the best environment subjects including Injury Prevention, for participants to be involved in sport.” Coaching in Education and the The Coaching Summit also supported Development of Players. the University’s Worcester Arena Fundraising Campaign. Set to open its doors in 2012, the 2,000 seated arena will be an ambitious new venue for
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sports enthusiasts of all ages and abilities bringing sporting opportunities to the community, local clubs and students.
Brian Ashton
FEATURE
University of Worcester Announces Proposed Fee Level for 2012 Britain’s fastest growing university has announced its top fee in 2012 will be £8,100. Applications to the University of Worcester have more than tripled in the last seven years, seven times faster than the national average increase over the same period.
The University currently tops the West Midlands’ universities league table for graduate employment and is sixth nationally. The decision to increase fees comes as a result of significant cuts in university funding from the government, which the University of Worcester campaigned vigorously against. Vice Chancellor, Professor David Green, said: “The University has chosen to charge the lowest possible fee in the new situation where government support for university teaching has been almost entirely withdrawn. There has been much consultation to ensure that we are as fair as we can be to students, while enabling the University to balance the books and continue its carefully managed programme of improvement to educational facilities for students.” Fees for most foundation degrees, run in partnership with further education colleges, will be set at
£6,000. This will take the average fee at the University to £7,643.
The University of Worcester has a first class record of inclusion and widening participation and has pledged to continue this. The
University will also continue to develop its unique earn as you learn scheme giving students the chance to gain vital work experience relevant to their studies.
Students starting at the University of Worcester in 2012 will be the only students in the Country to benefit from Britain’s first public and university library, which is currently under construction. This £60m development is situated adjacent to the University’s new City Campus, which houses business and computing, in the buildings of the historic former Worcester Royal Infirmary, where the British Medical Association was founded in 1832. Students also have access to outstanding new fine art and digital media facilities, new science laboratories and from September 2011 new sports and performance facilities. The University is also campaigning to create a new sports arena for the City, with special focus on disability sport, for which the University excels.
Professor Green said: “The University of Worcester has an excellent reputation for high quality education overall. Our teaching, nursing and midwifery are among the best in Britain with outstanding reports from Ofsted and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
“Our staff are high achieving and focussed on providing excellent education. We were one of only three universities to make it into the Sunday Times’ 75 Best Places to Work in the Public Sector.” Professor Green added: “Higher education remains one of the best investments that can be made. On average graduates earn more, and live longer and healthier lives. The new scheme ensures that repayments will be affordable. Payments only begin after completion of the course and when earnings exceed £21,000 a year. For example, a graduate earning £25,000 a year will repay approximately £30 a month.” The University’s fees level is subject to the approval of an access agreement by the Office for Fair Access (OFFA).
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NEWS
Students’ Surprise Meeting with Exiled Journalist An exiled video journalist from Burma gave University of Worcester students a disturbing insight into undercover reporting from a military regime. The journalist, known by his first name, Joshua, to protect his identity, made a surprise visit to the showing of a cutting edge documentary about the work of the reporting team he founded. The film, Burma Video Journalists, shown at Worcester’s Odeon, documents how in 2007 secret video footage was recorded of barbaric clampdowns by the Generals in charge of the country. Joshua, founder of the Burma VJ group
The atrocities, reported on the BBC and CNN, included images of monks and ordinary civilians being arrested, attacked and killed. Joshua told the students, studying Journalism, Politics and Media, that he was driven to capture events on film at the age of eight after 30,000 people had been massacred for protesting. “I thought this will not happen again if I take my camera onto the streets and record it,” he said. But he said his team had “paid the price” as many were jailed for up to 65 years and he had his passport confiscated and can’t return to Burma. Journalism student James Jeffrey said: “For me the film alone reinforced how important journalism can be and how it can change lives. I have been a part of an Amnesty International group at my sixth form college, but I have never met anyone involved with or related to the people I was writing to help. It was incredible to see how much this man had gone through, what he was doing for his country, friends and family and to have the chance to ask him questions in person.”
Worcester Sports Psychologist Helps RAF Team to Beat Army at Basketball A
sports psychologist from the University of Worcester was drafted in to help the RAF’s ladies’ basketball team overcome their competitors and win a major competition. Three days before the team were due to play against their counterparts from the Army and Navy, Dr Paul Castle was called upon to offer some specialist advice. “Historically, the squad had lost to the Army for the previous six years,” Paul said. “I designed a workshop and worked with the team for the morning where, collectively, we worked through some applied sport psychology techniques to instil and retain a sense of mental focus during the competition.” The team contacted the University in the hope that some psychology coaching could help them to over-come their block when it came to playing against the Army. Paul said: “I am pleased that they made full use of the expertise available to achieve the objective, emerging as winners of the competition, but more importantly for beating the Army.” The team is due to play in a competition in New Zealand in June, using the skills they learned with Paul. Team Manager Flying Officer Claire Birney said: “Having lost the Inter-Services Basketball competition to the Army for the last six years, as a team we were keen to get some guidance on methods to mentally prepare for the competition. “Dr Paul Castle came along to our training camp and held a two hour long workshop which allowed the girls to discuss mental preparation techniques and how to channel nerves and pressure before and during a game. The session was very well received and the players all found it extremely insightful. Their new found mental attitude, in addition to hard work and commitment, culminated in a richly deserved victory at the weekend.”
Using satellite the material was send out of the country, edited and then broadcast around the world and back onto Burmese TV screens via a pro democratic channel. The free film viewing was organised by the Co-operative which is campaigning for the release of political prisoners, including the five people in the film.
Joshua meeting Journalism, Politics and Media students
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RAF Ladies Basketball Team
NEWS
Trainee Teachers Keep Children Safe Online T
rainee teachers at the University of Worcester are being taught how to keep children safe online thanks to two new schemes.
More than 200 Primary Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students have undergone special training to ensure they are prepared to educate children in how to minimise risks to their personal safety when using online technology. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) training was delivered by staff at the University who are CEOP Ambassadors. Moira Savage, Senior Lecturer in Primary ITT and e-learning Coordinator in the Institute of Education, said: “We received funding from the Training and Development Agency (TDA) for members of staff in Education to train as CEOP Ambassadors. This meant that we could then pass this knowledge on to our students and ensure that they are fully equipped to start their careers. “Online safety is a big thing for teachers in today’s society and knowing how to spot the signs of children at risk and how to deal with it, is really important.” The University currently has seven trained CEOP Ambassadors, with a further five undergoing training this year. As well as funding for the CEOP training, the University also received funding from the TDA to participate in the European Pedagogical ICT (EPCIT) Licence. This saw 15 members of staff and 30 Primary trainee teachers undergo special e-safety training and become certified providers, with the University significantly being awarded EPICT’s Esafety Aware status as a result. Professor Chris Robertson, Head of the Institute of Education, said: “Ensuring that our trainees are fully equipped to deal with online safety for children and young people inside and outside school is increasingly very important and gives our University of Worcester trainee teachers an added advantage in the jobs market. We fully intend to continue this training in the future.”
New Online Journal for Student-led Research in Sport, Exercise and Physical Education A new online journal is being launched to give sport, exercise and physical education students around the world an outlet for their research.
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he Graduate Journal of Sport, Exercise & Physical Education Research (GJSEPER) was the idea of Professor Derek Peters, Dr Gyozo Molnar and Professor Ken Hardman at the University of Worcester, who will act as the Editorial Board for the resource. It will be the first online free-access research journal in the field to solely publish student-led research. Professor Peters said: “A lot of research that students produce is outstanding, but for one reason or another it doesn’t make it into the top ranked journals around the world, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not high quality research”.
“There is some excellent research being carried out by undergraduate and postgraduate students around the world in the broadest areas associated with sport, exercise and physical education and we wanted to create an outlet for this.”
It will be an expert-reviewed journal with submissions only eligible if the first named author is (or has recently been) a student. The first issue will be published in Autumn 2011. For more information please visit www.worc.ac.uk/gjseper
Professor Derek Peters
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NEWS
Children’s Work Exploring Past, Present and Future of University’s City Campus
Wins National Art Award
More than 200 children from St Barnabas and St George’s CE primary schools took part in the project, called Making Your Mark on the Future, in which they worked with professional artists. The project has now won a Drawing Inspiration Award from The Campaign for Drawing’s Big Draw campaign. Commissioned by the University of Worcester, local artists Alison Ogle and Petr Horacek spent time in the schools helping the children to produce a series of work celebrating the re-birth of the former Worcester Royal Infirmary. The children explored the history of the Castle Street buildings and their transformation into a second campus for the University. Steve Boffy, arts co-ordinator at the University, said: “We are delighted that the project has won a national award. It is a real testament to the hard work of the children, teachers and artists who all took part. They did a fantastic job. “We wanted to get the children thinking more widely about education and university and the life journeys they can make. They explored where they want their own lives to go in the
future and different aspects of their families’ pasts.” The children created pictures and stories, which were used to produce a series of banners. The schools project was part of a number of arts projects to celebrate the history of the former Worcester Royal Infirmary and its future as part of the University. In November the dance development agency
for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, performed a unique piece of live dance at the City Campus. The University also commissioned Vamos Theatre company to create a piece of drama last year, which drew on former nurses’ recollections of their time working there. The art project has been supported by The Elmley Foundation and Worcestershire County Council.
STUDENT TO TEACH YOUNGSTERS IN KENYA T wenty-four year-old Ian Widdows, from Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, will join 30 volunteers to teach children in Nakuru. The trip, which departs on June 5, has been organised by Oxford United Football Club.
Ian said: “I saw the opportunity and thought it was brilliant. It was something I’d always wanted to do and I don’t think I’ll ever get a chance like this again.” Ian aims to raise over £2,000 for the project which will support Oxford United Youth Community Sports Trust and Kenyan Adventure’s 2011 community development pledge. He added: “I always wanted to help others with fewer opportunities than I had, it’s one of the reasons that I chose to do coaching.” As part of the fundraising efforts Ian has already organised a local pub quiz and is planning a sixty miles sponsored walk with other members of the team.
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The University of Worcester’s Scholarship Panel awarded Ian £800 to contribute towards the expedition which will be help build houses, buy school equipment and provide clean drinking water to communities in Kenya.
Ian will be required to create his own lesson plans for the children aged four to 12 years old. He will be teaching maths, English, art and music. He said: “It’s quite scary seeing that I have to plan my own lessons but I see it as a challenge.”
Ian Widdows
The University’s Scholarship Panel awards grants of up to £1,000 towards volunteering, sports and course related activities.
NEWS
PhD Student Establishes Crystal Healing Business
A
s well as academic degrees in English Literature, Psychology and an MSc in Work Psychology and Business, Marie Dunnion, from Kings Heath, Birmingham, has a Diploma in Crystal Therapy and a qualification in Anatomy and Physiology. She is also qualified in both Reiki I and II. Marie, who is currently researching unethical behaviour in the workplace for her PhD, set up Emerald City Healing through the SPEED (Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education) programme.
Awards for Commitment to Design and Technology
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Marie Dunnion
“After doing the Diploma in Crystal Healing I started practising just as a hobby,” said the 31-year-old. “I was doing it every weekend and got to thinking that maybe I could turn it into a business. With the help of SPEED I have managed to get my website up and running and establish myself at a therapy centre, called Serene Mind & Body, in Coventry every Saturday.” Marie added: “As a crystal therapist and Reiki practitioner, I help people to progress on their unique healing journeys by listening to their story and tapping into what they really feel to help them move forward. Reiki is very popular but a lot of people don’t know much about crystal healing. Once people understand it they love the concept.” Marie is currently also training as an animal healer with the Healing Animals Organisation, combining her love for animals with her passion for healing. She said: “The long-term vision is to be able to practice crystal healing and animal healing on an international level and to bring these practices to the public and even into the workplace. “It’s great to have been given the opportunity to get my business off the ground and I’m feeling very positive about the future.” As part of the SPEED WM programme students are given access to business start-up training, Chamber of Commerce membership for 12 months, £3,000£8,000 to spend on setting up their own business, promotional package including logo design, access to business mentors, and much more. Howard Skerry, Head of Business Development at the University of Worcester, said: “The SPEED programme has been helpful to all kind of students from different countries, different disciplines and different experiences to help them understand what’s involved in setting up a business in the knowledge that help is always at hand.” To find out more about Marie and her business visit www.emeraldcityhealing.co.uk or email maried23@hotmail.com Alternatively you can find Marie on Facebook at facebook.com/emeraldcityhealing
ane Proctor, a technician within the Institute of Education, has received an award for Exceptional Support for Design and Technology, and Lisa Wishart a 2008/09 PGCE Secondary student picked up an Outstanding Newcomer Award. DATA is the recognised professional association which represents all those involved in design and technology education and associated subject areas. In nominating Jane colleagues acknowledged that she “consistently provides exceptional support to the whole design and technology community at the University of Worcester. This extends to teaching staff, undergraduate and post graduate students within the Institute of Education”. Jane said: “It came as a complete surprise and I am grateful to DATA for recognising my contribution.” After graduating from Worcester, Lisa taught at Haybridge High School in Stourbridge until last Christmas. She has now returned to her native Scotland and secured a teaching post north of the border. “I feel extremely proud and fortunate to have achieved such an award so early in my career,” said Lisa. “The Design and Technology Association does fantastic things for Food Technology and I was thrilled to attend the event with other professionals who have a similar passion for the subject.” In nominating Lisa her tutor, Susan Wood-Griffiths, acknowledged that: “Lisa was an exceptional trainee teacher. She came to Worcester from Scotland to do the course with a school background in Home Economics and a degree in Food, Nutrition and Health. “She applied to do the subject knowledge booster course to familiarise herself with the differences and similarities between Food Technology and Home Economics. This gave us our first glimpse of her enthusiasm for and commitment to the teacher training course she was due to embark upon. These characteristics were demonstrated throughout her training, and her bubbling enthusiasm motivated and inspired the pupils she taught.”
FOR YOUR STUDENTS: Student Development Activities From Monday 23 May to Friday 3 June Student Development activities will be held in room EE 1102. The sessions are designed to help students move on to the next stage of their academic or working careers. Subjects to be covered include improving academic skills, getting the right disability support, moving into private rented accommodation from halls of residence, preparing for job hunting and next steps for international students finishing their course. The full programme of activities can be found at https://secure.worc.ac.uk/cgi-bin/workshops/workshop.pl where students can also book their place on the sessions of their choice. Please encourage your students to make the most of this opportunity to enhance their skills.
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NEWS
Art Students Host Final Year Degree Show
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25th May 2011, 5:15pm to 8pm
inal year students at the University of Worcester are presenting progressive and Grand opening speeches at 6pm inspiring works in a double exhibition later this month. The Digital Arts Centre, St John’s Campus, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ Fine Art, Art & Design and Creative Digital You are invited to attend the Private View of COGITO ERGO SUM, Media students will showcase their work the degree show of work by graduating students in: to the public from Thursday, May 26 until Creative Digital Media, Graphic Design, Illustration, Sunday, May 29 from 10am to 4pm.
Digital Film Production & Animation
Please RSVP by 18th of May 2011 to rsvp@worc.ac.uk
by Rachel Blackwell
The Fine Art and Art & Design show, SHIFT.2011, will take place in the Garage complex on Hylton Road, while the Creative Digital Media show, COGITO ERGO SUM, will be held in the Digital Arts Centre and Cotswold Suite. Elliot Robinson, a Fine Art student, said: “There will be everything from paintings and prints, to ceramics, film and photography. It’s going to be a really fantastic show, with something for everyone.” The work of final year students presenting their show at the St John’s campus will encompass animation, illustration, photography, film and graphic design. Students have worked on projects in partnership with various clients such as Worcester City Council, English Heritage, The National Trust and Westons Cider.
Professor Antonia Payne, Head of the University’s Institute of Humanities & Creative Arts, said: “This year’s shows celebrate the work of our first graduates from a number of new Worcester courses, including Animation, Digital Film Production, Illustration, and Fine Art Practice, as well as the latest graduates from existing courses. They are testament to the growing ambition and achievements
of art and design students and staff at the University.” For more information about the COGITO ERGO SUM show, please visit the website www.cogitoergosum.co.uk or contact Mark Salmon at Finalshowmarketing@gmail.com
ABS Meeting A special meeting looking at Business Schools in Cathedral Cities - Strategies for the Future, was recently held at the University. The Association of Business Schools organised the event especially for university business schools which are located in non-metropolitan Cathedral cities. The one-day event, held at the City Campus, explored branding, student recruitment, the nature of the learning and teaching environment and campus, research and strategies for the future. Mark Richardson, Head of Worcester Business School, said: “It was a very useful meeting where we could share ideas and best practice with other business schools and build on the quality of our offering here at Worcester.” Business School representatives
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FEATURE
Worcester Lecturers Nominated for National Award Guide to Understanding Primary English Teaching Written by Worcester Lecturers Nominated for National Award An important and engaging book on teaching English in primary schools, penned by staff at the University of Worcester, has been shortlisted for a prestigious literary award.
area of primary English literacy teaching, and this nomination and shortlist suggests that I was able to do just that.” The winner will be announced at the UKLA International Conference in Chester in July. Professor Webb, whose chapter is titled ‘Learning and Teaching Literacy Using Children’s Literature’, said: “This is an innovative work edited by Dr Cox. It is not at all usual for a section on children’s literature to be included in a text for teaching literacy, although literature is at the heart of why we teach literacy skills.”
The book, An Introduction to Primary English Teaching: Language, Literacy and Learning, was edited and co-authored by former lecturer Dr Robyn Cox, with chapters written by Professor Chris Robertson, Head of the Institute of Education, Professor Jean Webb, Director of the International Research Centre: Children’s Literature, Literacy and Creativity, and Dr Bob Fox, a senior lecturer in ICT who has recently retired from the University.
Professor Robertson added: “My chapter is called ‘Primary English Curriculum Perspectives’. It reflects on both the theory and changing practice in primary English teaching over the many years I have been both a practitioner and expert in the field of language and literacy.”
It has been shortlisted for the UK Literacy Association’s Author Award 2011, which is presented to a member of the Association whose text most effectively supports the teaching of literacy.
In a review of the book, Clare Dowdall, Professor at the University of Plymouth, described it as: “both comprehensive and accessible to trainee teachers”.
It must reflect current developments in literacy research and encourage teachers to be reflective, innovative, and creative.
She said: “This book will make a useful contribution to reading lists for both primary and early years students. The range of content is extensive and engaging, and will ensure that readers are equipped to develop their skills of reflection and analysis in relation to primary English, language and literacy issues, as well as to take on the practical challenges of literacy teaching and learning in educational settings.”
Dr Cox, now Associate Professor in Literacy Education at the Australian Catholic University, who wrote the two opening chapters, said: “Initial teacher education students need the best possible introduction to the field of primary English teaching. In shaping up this book I was aiming to do that; I wanted to bring accessible but strongly theoretical chapters to those first entering the important
The Worcester Lecture Thursday 12 May 2011, 6pm Worcester Cathedral “The public good and the voluntary sector: Shakespeare and the ethics of civic life” Professor Michael Dobson Birkbeck College, University of London This annual lecture, jointly sponsored by the University of Worcester and Worcester Cathedral, will explore the matter of ethics in public life.
GB Visually Impaired Football Team
Finish 4th in World Games Report from David Mycock, Coach of Great Britain Blind Paralympic Team
IBSA (International Blind Sport Association) 1-10 April 4th World Games held Antalya, Turkey For this tournament we represented England and we had graduate Lewis Skyers in goal. We beat Thailand 4-0, Germany 4-1, drew 0-0 with China, which meant we won our Group with 7 points. We were then drawn in the semi-final against the European champions, France. We lost in extra time with a deflected home goal. France progressed to the final and we had to play 3rd and 4th place play offs – we lost to China 3-0 and came 4th. The next tournament is the IBSA European championships in Ankara in September.
Admission free – by ticket only To reserve a place please call 01905 855141
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / MAY 2011 / 13
NEWS
Business Leaders Attend Launch of Security Certification Scheme
L
eaders of small and medium-sized businesses, IT professionals and representatives of government organisations took part in a special conference looking at data security.
following data breaches, where data controllers in the organisations in question are found to have been negligent in failing to implement guidance or codes of practice published by the ICO or others.
The event, held at the City Campus, saw the launch of the Information Assurance for SMEs (IASME) certification scheme.
Further information about the IASME process is available at www. iasme.co.uk and case studies relating to SMEs that have undertaken the IASME process will be published on the web site in the near future.
IASME is the product of a collaboration between the National Computing Centre (NCC), University of Worcester and Independent Consultants, funded initially through a Technology Strategy Board grant, and now operating on a fully commercial basis. Daniel Dresner, Head of Information Assurance Practice at the NCC, said: “The lack of information assurance in the commercial world is not just a problem for the SMEs themselves. The recent survey conducted by the University of Worcester reinforced research conducted elsewhere, showing that a security vulnerability in one link can create vulnerability right across the supply chain. Focussed attacks on the nation’s information infrastructure may already be moving from larger companies with dedicated resources for protection to poorly defended SMEs who provide quicker wins.” The Conference heard from Alastair Barter, Senior Policy Officer at the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), who reminded the audience that “the protection of personal information is now rated ahead of the NHS, National Security and Environmental Issues amongst the key public social concerns”. Data protection is viewed as an essential part of business activity, and financial penalties are now
Childhood Legends Brought to Life at the University of Worcester
Workshop will Explore Bribery and Corruption in UK Business Bribery and corruption will be the topic of a workshop to be run by the University’s Centre for Ethical Leadership later this month. The workshop, on May 27, is aimed at business leaders concerned with the ethical and legal implications of bribery and corruption.
A conference exploring the folklore of childhood took place at the University in April.
All UK organisations are covered by the Bribery Act 2010, which requires companies to demonstrate, not just that they haven’t been involved in bribery, but that they have procedures in place to prevent it.
The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Childlore and the Folklore of Childhood’. It saw presentations from a range of experts from both inside and outside the academy on such diverse topics as folk song, legend, traditions and beliefs, and popular culture.
Rob Sykes, Director of the Centre for Ethical Leadership, said: “The workshop aims to investigate corporate social responsibility, with particular focus on bribery and corruption, and develop awareness of ethical, legal and cultural issues.”
The Folklore Society, who held the weekend long conference, is a learned society devoted to the study of traditional culture in all its forms. It was founded in London in 1878 and was one of the first organisations established in the world for the study of folklore. The Folklore Society’s interest and expertise covers such topics as traditional music, song, dance and drama, narrative, arts and crafts, customs and belief, as well as popular religion, traditional and regional food, folk medicine, children’s folklore, traditional sayings, proverbs, rhymes and jingles. The Conference hosted over 20 renowned delegates from a wide cultural spectrum including UK, the United States, Lithuania and Greece.
14 / MAY 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Workshop participants will analyse a case study on bribery and corruption and interact with actors in related scenarios. It will be delivered by Mr Sykes, Dr Mike Bagshaw, from the University, and Ashley Callaghan, of Ashley Callaghan Training. A presentation on the implications of the Bribery Act 2010 will be followed by a question and answer session, with an opportunity to discuss the possible impact of the Act on organisations and consider appropriate responses. The University’s Centre for Ethical Leadership works with leaders to support them in making decisions that acknowledge and respect contested values in areas such as the environment, social justice and governance. If you would like to attend the Bribery and Corruption workshop please contact Cath McGourty on 01905 542234 or c.mcgourty@worc.ac.uk
COVERFEATURE STAFF STORY
This month we chat to the Head of Worcester Business School, Mark Richardson, who swaps the boardroom for the hockey pitch at weekends.
Learning Sporting Passion for Business Head: “Are you studying a joint degree in geography and hockey?” - the words of a professor to Mark during his student days, which sum up his passion for the sport. Since the age of 11 Mark has been a keen hockey player, religiously turning out every weekend to represent his school, college or town. “I was too little to play rugby and not quite good enough for football,” he recalls. “So I took up hockey and really enjoyed it.” After leaving school Mark went on to play for his home city of York and then while at Aberystwyth University played for the University team. “I remember one of my professors asking if I was studying for a Mark Richardson, Head of WBS joint degree in geography and hockey, because I spent all my time playing,” he said. “I remember we reached the semi-final of the UK universities outdoor competition and came first once and second once at indoor hockey.” Mark, who plays in right back, later played for Harbourne in Birmingham, York again, and has now been playing for Worcester Men’s Hockey Club, which plays at the University of Worcester, for almost 17 seasons. Over the years he has sustained a serious blow to the head and even had a tooth knocked out, but even this didn’t deter him from playing. “I’m getting a bit too old now so I play in the seconds and in the veterans teams,” he jokes. “We made it to the finals of the Hockey Association Plate, on April 17 and narrowly missed the title by losing 2:1 to Peterborough. Mark’s other passion in life is gardening. “I’ve only got a very small garden but I do enjoy pottering about in it. I particularly love Acers, Hostas and Primulas. Gardening and a good bottle of wine is what keeps me happy.” Before Mark’s academic career, he worked for Bass Brewery, during which time he became a qualified wine taster – despite his hatred for the red stuff! “I can tell the difference between Champagne and a sparkling wine just by looking at it,” he says with a wry smile.
Mark (back row second from left)
What do you get up to when you leave the Campus? Email Sally Jones with your interesting stories at s.jones@worc.ac.uk
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER / MAY2009 2011 / 15