news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
June 2013
In this issue:
Netball Superleague Finals Arena Hosts National Finals p.7
The Infirmary Official Opening of the Medical Museum’s Permanent Exhibition p.10
Grant Winners Bike Loan Scheme Awarded £10,000 Grant p.16
The University of Worcester Arena The University of Worcester’s State-of-the-Art Arena Opens p.4
FEATURE
Wheelchair Football Team Captain Receives Scholarship An experienced wheelchair football player has been awarded £1,000 from the University of Worcester’s Scholarship Panel towards competing in the 2013 European Championships Chris Gordon, who is the Captain of Sporting Club Albion (West Bromwich Albion’s Wheelchair Football team), is part of the current England Wheelchair Football National Team and will take part in the 2013 European Championships in Paris at the end of June. Chris said: “I am very honoured and extremely grateful to have been awarded a University Scholarship to help me fulfil my ambition of competing in the Champions’ League. The Scholarship has allowed me to cover my travel and accommodation costs, as well as make necessary improvements to my playing chair. In preparation for the tournament I have been able to purchase a new playing attachment, which I would have struggled to purchase myself without help from the University. “I’m confident that we have a real chance; we are competing against some of the best teams throughout Europe, but I’m hoping we will come back with the Champions’ League Trophy.” The 22-year-old, from Stourbridge, who is completing his Sports Business Management degree at the University of Worcester, has been playing the sport for six years.
Chris has taken part in a range of National and International competitions, including the Wheelchair Football Association National League, the 2010 European Champions League, and the 2011 World Cup, where Chris was part of the National Team that finished second. The talented player holds five international caps, scoring four goals and has been named Regional Player of the Season on two occasions. Looking to the future, Chris would like to work with the Wheelchair Football Association and help develop the sport further at a national level. He said: “Wheelchair football has developed dramatically during the six years I have been involved and it’s continuing to gather momentum. The knowledge and experiences I have gained throughout the Sports Business Management degree, which I’m about to finish, has motivated me to play a significant role in helping the sport develop further. I hope to continue to coach at a grassroots level in order to be a role model for younger players looking to develop through the sport.”
OPEN DAY Our next Open Day will take place on Sunday 23 June, from 10am-3pm. If you would like further information about this event please contact Kim Thomas or Catherine North at events@worc.ac.uk
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COVER STORY wELCOME Clockwise from top left: Visit from the Bishop pg. 15 Bee Day pg. 13 Paramedic Students Become Casualties pg. 14 The Infirmary Museum pg. 10 and Youth Mentors Provide New Focus for Young People at The Hive pg. 8
contents FEATURE Wheelchair Football Team Captain Receives Scholarship
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COVER STORY Arena Ready for Action
news
June 2013
W
elcome to the June issue of News & Views, featuring a round-up of news, updates and milestones from the past month at the University of Worcester.
Elsewhere in this issue we feature some of the events that have already taken place in the new facility and await the arrival of competitors and supporters of the International Wheelchair Basketball tournament later this month.
In this issue we celebrate the opening of the University of Worcester Arena. From a neglected former fruit and vegetable market site to a state-of-the art sporting facility, the Arena stands as an impressive addition to Worcester’s landscape. With its multiple courts and retractable seating the Arena is able to host major indoor sporting events.
The University’s next Open Day takes place on Sunday 23 June. We look forward to welcoming many visitors to Worcester and showcasing our sites and teaching resources. Thank you for sending us your stories. Please keep sending news to us at newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
University shortlisted for national ‘thelma’ award The University of Worcester has been shortlisted for another national award connected with The Hive. The University is in the running for the Times Higher Education’s Leadership and Management Awards 2013, in the category of Outstanding Library Team. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 20th June. In February, the University won the Guardian University Award for Contribution to the Local Community.
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Anne Hannaford, Director of Information and Learning Services, said: “Our vision for The Hive has always been to create an inspiring space, which people enjoy visiting for many reasons: to study and learn; to find new and exciting books and historic objects; to find out information; and to get support and advice. We have worked alongside our partners at Worcestershire County Council to make this close connection between the University and the community.”
Open Day 2 ‘THELMA’ award 3 New Arena Hosts National Finals 6 International Wheelchair Basketball 6 Netball Superleague Finals 7 Backing from MP 7 Youth Mentors at The Hive 8 Lecturer is Animated About Digital Learning 8 Social Work Students Secure Scholarships 9 Fine Art Graduate Wins Competition 9 Professorial Lecture 9 The Infirmary Museum 10 Primary Partnership Conference for Headteachers 10 Portuguese Midwives Association Welcome Professor 11 Psychology of Student Journey 11 Informing the Future 12 Cowley Cowboys CD Launch 12 Bee Day 13 Vice Chancellor at Mayor’s Lecture 13 Paramedic Students Become Exercise Casualties 14 Blind Football Club do the Double 14 Worcester Award 14 A Visit from the Bishop 15 Physical Geographers Link With Local School 15 Bike Loan Scheme Awarded Grant 16 Lecturer’s Photograph Wins First Prize 16 Ecology Student’s Scholarship 17 University Highlighted in Prime Minister’s Report on Dementia 17 Worcester and West Brom Blind Football Clubs Combine 18 IHCA Seminar 18 Collaborative Article Scoops Top Award 18
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The University of Wo Ready for Action Last month the University of Worcester took ownership of the new £15million pound sports arena. This first-class facility will become a national centre of excellence for disability sport, designed to be fully inclusive and building on the work of the University across a host of sports, including wheelchair basketball and blind football. The 5,300m2 Arena, which is built on the site of the former fruit and vegetable market on Hylton Road, is capable of hosting major indoor sports events, with retractable seating provided for 2,000 people and excellent television infrastructure. Complementing the sports facilities already at the University’s St John’s Campus as well as those within the adjacent Riverside building, the Arena will be a central venue for coach education and sport science support for both local and professional clubs and athletes.
Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, said:
The Worcester Arena was one of only six national projects to receive funding from Sport England’s Iconic “Many people have worked really hard to Facilities Olympic legacy fund, with help to make this happen. We are thrilled a grant of £1.5m. The campaign with the outcome and are genuinely also attracted generous grants from excited about the sporting opportunities The Trustees of the Foundation for we will be creating for so many sporting Sport and the Arts (£250,000), generations in the future. The Arena England Basketball (£375,000), will really help to put Worcester on England Badminton (£200,000) the map as a sporting city and attract and Herefordshire philanthropist some great events to the region.” Clive Richards (£25,000). More than With its multiple courts, this £70,000 has also been raised from brand new development is capable individual, family and team donations. of holding three basketball tournaments at any one time. The University of Worcester Arena will become home to the Worcester Wolves Basketball Club.
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COVER STORY
orcester Arena
Students from the Institute of Sport & Exercise Science with Head of Institute Mick Donovan and Vice Chair of Governors, Tamar Thompson OBE
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NEWS
New Arena Hosts National Finals Spirit of the Games Brought Back to Life The spirit of the London 2012 Games was brought back to life when hundreds of schoolchildren descended on the brand new sports arena for two days of disability sport action.
On Wednesday 1st May, the Arena played host to the national finals of the 2013 British Wheelchair Basketball Inclusive Zone Basketball (IZB) Schools Competition. The following day, hundreds of schoolchildren came together for a Special Olympics Schools Sports Event. These two-day events were the first major sporting events hosted at the £15m facility since its completion last month. Mick Donovan, Head of the University’s Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, said: “What better way to start using this fantastic new facility than with hundreds of local schoolchildren keeping the legacy of the London 2012 Games going? We are thrilled to be hosting such events in what is sure to become an iconic facility, not only for Worcester, but the entire region.” Back in April, the University hosted the largest Regional Heat in the history of the IZB competition, overseeing a 50% increase in the number of teams from 2012.
Now the West Midlands Champions, Tudor Grange Academy, will join all the Regional Champions and University of Worcester students to battle it out for the coveted National trophy. Combining two of the London 2012 Games’ hottest sports – running and wheelchair basketballInclusive Zone Basketball enables players with a physical disability to represent their school and region alongside their non-disabled classmates in an action-packed, fast paced sport. The event has been organised by Senior Lecturers in Sports Coaching Science, David Mycock and Glyn Harding. “The London 2012 Games were hugely inspiring and many of these children will hopefully have seen some of these sports on TV but never had chance to play them themselves until now,” David said. “We hope to bring back the spirit of the Games and ensure that children continue to get involved in sport and we are delighted to be able to do that in this wonderful new arena,” added Glyn.
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International Wheelchair Basketball This June it is our great honour, as part of our established partnership with Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball, to welcome the national men’s teams from Canada, Germany, Spain and Great Britain to the University of Worcester Arena for an International Wheelchair Basketball tournament. The University of Worcester Arena will be home to the GB Men’s team as they prepare for the next Paralympics in Rio, the World Championships and two European Championship events. During the week of 10 June 2013 the Arena will host an international wheelchair basketball tournament featuring Great Britain, Spain, Germany and the Paralympic champions Canada. The final game of the series takes place between Great Britain and Canada at 8pm on Thursday 13 June (advised to be in your seats by 7.30pm) and we are expecting a large crowd to see two of the world’s best teams compete. With your support we can show the GB team that we are behind them as a University and a City as they strive to become the best in the world. University of Worcester staff are invited to attend the game and bring friends and family free of charge. Please email Clare Jenkins (c.jenkins@worc.ac.uk) to book tickets. There is no individual ticket allocation limit. Booking confirmation will be in the form of an email to be presented at the door on the evening of the event. Throughout the week there will be other games that you are welcome to attend, and you can simply turn up on the night to these for entry.
NEWS
Netball Superleague Finals The exciting Netball Superleague final that took place at the University of Worcester Arena on 25 May has been heralded a resounding success. The showpiece event of the English season, which saw Team Bath edge past Celtic Dragons 62-56, attracted a bumper crowd of 1,509 and was featured on Sky Sports. April White, the University of Worcester Arena project co-ordinator, said: “The event went really well and there was a great crowd. The netball itself was brilliant and it looked great inside the arena. “It was a big learning curve and there are a few things we can change, but on the whole, it was really good and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. “We got excellent feedback from the spectators, from England Netball and from the television crew and cameramen. The venue looked fantastic. “The capacity is 2,000, but we restricted ticket sales to 1,509, so there were probably around 1,600 people in there with staff, officials and TV crew. “We now have a Great Britain wheelchair basketball tournament coming up in June, as well as plenty of other smaller events.”
backing from mp Also offering his support, Worcester MP Robin Walker has praised the Arena and the contribution it will make to the City. Commenting on the impact to the region, he said: “I think this can become a national centre of excellence for disability sport, but I think it’s also going to be a really important regional facility. If it draws more people to Worcester and builds up the levels of interest in the City, that’ll be a good thing too. “The way the Arena has been designed, together with an emphasis on making it accessible to media, will bring not only national, but international disability sport to the City. Last year’s Paralympic Games showed that Britain can be a world leader in disability sport and I think that having a facility like the Arena will put Worcester at the heart of that.”
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news
Youth Mentors Provide New Focus for Young People at The Hive
A new initiative to help young people make better use of the resources at The Hive is proving successful with dozens of youngsters getting involved in recent weeks. A team of eight students from the University have been appointed to work as youth mentors in the building. The aim was to help young people focus and develop their interests, needs and aspirations into purposeful activity and engagement with the resources available at The Hive and in the local community. Since its launch in November last year, the initiative has seen a host of projects run for young people, including dance, ICT and video making, with dozens of young people getting involved and linking with partners such as the Worcester Community Trust and Worcester College of Technology.
team has made some excellent progress in developing relationships with young people, delivering oneoff events and establishing project work.” The youth mentors span a range of courses at the University; four of whom are studying Youth and Community Studies. They work all day on Saturdays, as well as Wednesday and Friday afternoons, with increased hours during school holidays. Scott Riches, a current student, said: “There was a culture where youths were using the building as a youth club and our role is to make them see that The Hive is a place of learning and to help them get the most out of it. We help them to discover new things, suggest activities they might want to get involved with, as well as generally going around talking to young people and trying to educate them about the purpose of the building.”
Kate Thackeray, Lecturer in Youth and Community Studies Student Julianne Cook said: at the University, who is leading “Behaviour has really improved in the scheme, said: “The team are The Hive since the launch of the focused on the purpose of The Hive scheme and we are continuously being a place for young people working to make sure everyone gets to meet in a shared public space the best out of this facility.” and to be engaged in purposeful The mentors are also working with activity that sits within the realms schools to educate their pupils of learning and the acquisition of about The Hive and its resources. knowledge. We are keen to promote to young people that The Hive is not a youth club but a place of learning.” She added: “Over the months that the project has been running, the 8 / June 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Lecturer is Animated About Digital Learning A senior education lecturer is using animation to creatively deliver training to future teachers. Dr John Keenan in the Institute of Education received £9,000 from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service which he used to create animated ‘How To’ videos to demonstrate to trainee teachers how simple it is to use digital media as a teaching tool. The use of animation for teaching has received positive feedback from pupils who have found it to be more engaging, and a good way of explaining difficult concepts and retaining information. Dr Keenan, who came up with the concept with colleagues at the University and at Halesowen College, said: “The idea emerged from collaborative thinking. In working together we came up with the idea of using animation in the style of world-renowned education expert, Sir Ken Robinson’s Changing Educational Paradigms. Sir Ken’s video is hugely popular and has received over 9 million YouTube views. “Our videos show how creating homemade animations using doodles is a great visual aid for teaching a lesson and can be easily and affordably done. There are all kinds of hang-ups about being able to draw, but we realised you don’t need to be an artist or technically minded to create one and they are hugely effective. Animation is a very useful tool for pupils to better understand a subject and it’s a great aid for those who find formal learning more challenging. “As lecturers we get plenty of feedback on our modules, but I have never seen so many positive comments for one aspect of my teaching as the doodles. They always get plenty of laughs, which is great when you’re trying to engage a class.” Dr Keenan has been asked to present his video at Falmouth University’s Pedare Conference in September. The conference will look at leading research in e-learning and visual thinking. Dr Keenan’s invitation to present at this conference follows the presentation of his animation video at the Association for Learning Development in Higher Education Conference held in March.
NEWS
Social Work Students Secure Scholarships Four Social Work students have been awarded £150 each from the University of Worcester’s Scholarship Panel to help fund a trip to Moscow. Rachel Gower and Jodie Ternan, who are studying for Masters degrees in Social Work, along with Blessing Onisha and Shavina Gurung, who are enrolled on a Masters Social Work and Community Studies programme, will participate in a conference held at the Moscow City Pedagogical University on 22 April. Rachel, aged 27, from Stourbridge, said: “We are pleased to be awarded the scholarship which we will use as a contribution towards the costs of getting to the conference.” The conference is part of the international partnership work between the University of Worcester’s Institute of Health & Society, the Moscow City Pedagogical University and the Centre for Psychological, Medical and Social Support in Dzerzhinsk, Russia. Blessing, aged 38 from Nigeria, said: “It is a privilege to be part of this partnership; having the opportunity to present at the conference, share our experiences concerning the delivery of welfare services in the UK with Social Work professionals in Russia and then take what we’ll learn back and integrate the positive aspects into our practice.” The group of students are going to the conference with Joy Gauci, Senior Lecturer in Applied Social Sciences at the University, who will present a paper on theoretical interventions in Social Work practice at the Social Work Faculty in Moscow. The University of Worcester recently hosted a seminar, ‘Understanding Cultural Aspects of Parental Distress and Contemporary Practice Responses – UK and Russian Perspectives’, which has been developed in Dzerzhinsk.
left to right: Shavina Gurung, Blessing Onisha, Joy Gauci, Ruth Jones, Rachel Gower and Jodie Ternan
This model of participatory practice will be visited during the trip to Moscow. Joy said: “The partnerships in Moscow and Dzerzhinsk provide rich opportunities for our students to gain understanding of the development of community practice in a very different sociopolitical culture of welfare. For students who have been awarded the scholarships, the trip allows an invaluable opportunity to see and engage first-hand. However, students on site in a range of welfare related subjects have also benefited from the richness of transcultural learning and practice debates as a result of the Russian partnerships. This is the fifth year of student participation in trips to Russia from the University, supported by the scholarship scheme.” Jodie, aged 27 from Birmingham, said: “We are all excited to present at the conference. It is interesting for us to get an insight into Social Work in a very different culture.”
Worcester Fine Art Graduate Wins Prestigious Competition A Fine Art graduate has won a prestigious New Art West Midlands prize. Stuart Layton, who graduated in November 2012 with a first-class degree in Fine Art Practice, won a runner-up prize of £500 and was one of four applicants who were awarded a bursary to exhibit their work in the Grand Union Art Gallery, Birmingham. The 40-year-old artist from Malvern said: “I am very pleased to have won the prize. It allowed my work to be seen by a large audience in a prestigious setting. I managed to meet and establish professional relationships with many key contacts within the region. I hope some of these will flourish in the future as they have potential to become major opportunities.” New Art West Midlands is led by Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in partnership with the Barber Institute of Fine Art at the University of Birmingham and Grand Union. Each year the competition showcases the best new art by emerging West Midlands graduates. Looking to the future, Stuart, who now combines lecturing and continuing his practice, plans to complete a Masters degree in Fine Art.
Leading Expert in Allergies Delivers Inaugural Professorial Lecture Professor Stephen O’Hickey, who currently leads the allergy service at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and is a Consultant Physician in Respiratory and General Medicine, delivered his Inaugural Professorial Lecture last month at the University of Worcester. In his lecture, entitled From Anaphylaxis to Immunotherapy: A History of Allergy, Professor O’Hickey discussed what is recognised as an “allergy epidemic.” The impact of this epidemic is visible to all, but the cause is uncertain. His lecture traced our early understanding of the causes of Allergic Rhinitis, the searches for a cure and how initial optimism was curtailed by a national embargo on allergy therapy. Professor O’Hickey concluded the lecture by reviewing the progress of our understanding of this significant challenge and considered what the future holds. Professor O’Hickey was recently appointed a Professor at the University, working closely with colleagues from the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit.
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The Infirmary Museum’s official opening President of British Medical Association Opens New Museum at the University of Worcester. The President of the British Medical Association returned to the organisation’s founding place to officially open the new museum. The BMA was founded in the boardroom of the former Worcester Royal Infirmary (WRI) by Sir Charles Hastings in 1832. The building has since been transformed in the University of Worcester’s City Campus. Two years ago the University was awarded £537,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to create a new medical museum in the City Campus to celebrate the building’s history and the stories of all those who worked at the former hospital. Professor The Baroness Hollins, President of the BMA, formally opened the museum during a special ceremony on Friday 26 April. Baroness Hollins is Professor of the Psychiatry of Learning Disability at St George’s, University of London and a crossbench life peer in the House of Lords since October 2010. She was President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists from 2005 to 2008 and was appointed President of the British Medical Association in 2012. Professor David Green, said: “We are delighted to provide the home for the new Infirmary Museum. This brilliant museum brings the distinguished history of the patients, nurses and doctors at the former Worcester Royal Infirmary to life in a marvellous way. It will provide inspiration and insight to thousands of children every
year and tackles fascinating historical and medical questions in a profoundly modern way.” Museum Curator Catriona Smellie added: “We were thrilled that Baroness Hollins was able to formally open this museum on the site where the BMA was founded over 180 years ago. We were delighted to show her around not only the exhibition, but also the whole building to show how it has been sympathetically restored.” The Infirmary is a permanent, interactive exhibition, exploring the history of the former Infirmary through Worcester’s medical collections and oral testimonies of medical and health professionals. The museum is the result of a partnership between the University and Charles Hastings Education Centre, a medical education charity located at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. The museum has been proving popular
with local people and schoolchildren with hundreds of people having visited since it opened to the public in August 2012.
Primary Partnership Conference for Headteachers On 18 April 2013, the Institute of Education’s Primary Partnership of schools hosted the first annual conference for headteachers. The event, held at the Riverside building, gave Partnership school leaders within the region an opportunity to hear about and discuss developments in education provision for trainee teachers, as well as new ideas and information from the Primary Partnership.
Presentations focused on national changes to provision of ITT, such as the new PGCE placement pattern for 2013 and the introduction of School Direct, a new school-based training route. In addition, established practitioners from within the Partnership talked to delegates about their experience of working in school clusters and how having a critical mass of trainees within their schools had been beneficial to
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staff, trainees and pupils. The afternoon session was led by Tom Whittingham, the Head of External Developments in the Institute of Education. Tom gave an inspiring presentation on the challenges created by the current educational context and the significance of partnerships within this changing landscape.
NEWS
Portuguese Midwives Association Welcome Worcester Professor
Professor Mary Nolan was recently invited by Rosália Marques of the Portuguese Midwives’ Association to be the keynote speaker at its 16th annual conference.
The conference was held in Aveiro, a pretty holiday resort 160 miles north of Lisbon, and famous for its circular bridge and houses decorated with multi-coloured tiles. The conference focused primarily on pathologies of pregnancy and the medical management of complex labours, reflecting the role of the Portuguese midwife as primarily an obstetric nurse. Several speakers, however, addressed normal birth and a workshop encouraged midwives to use their skills to the full to help women experience an uninterfered with labour. Rosália Marques felt that
there was a strong role for antenatal education to play in promoting normal birth and it was with this in mind that she invited Professor Nolan to speak about the latest developments in education and support for parents across the transition to parenthood. While the majority of the 100 strong audience were not fluent in English, nearly all could understand it sufficiently well to enable them to enjoy the presentation and to be ready with some excellent questions at the end. They were especially interested in a broad agenda for antenatal education to include helping
mothers and fathers protect their mental health and their relationship with each other in the face of the challenges of early parenthood, as well as preparing them for labour and birth. The midwives were very interested in the UK model of birth centres and several expressed a keen interest in coming to visit. There are no birth centres in Worcestershire at present, but much effort is being put into establishing one or even two such units and it should be possible for overseas colleagues to see midwifeled maternity care in the county in the near future.
Researchers Explore Psychology of Student Journey Psychology has long been a popular subject choice for A-level students but how those students choose to continue the subject at degree level is the topic of a new piece of research. Researchers and students at the University of Worcester are exploring the transitions from pre-tertiary to higher education in psychology as part of a wider project funded by the British Psychological Society and the Higher Education Academy. Their initial findings were presented at a special symposium at the Society’s Annual Conference in Harrogate in April. Dr Tim Jones, Programme Lead for Psychology at Worcester and Chair of the Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers in Psychology (DART-P), said: “The transition from pre-tertiary to higher education is a critical process in the educational journey, and understanding the challenges and expectations faced by students will enable us to better prepare our students in this journey. “I was delighted to be able to fund attendance for two University of Worcester students to take part in
the symposium at the annual conference, and to work with them on this important project.” The British Psychological Society and the Higher Education Academy both recognise the need for a better understanding of the expectations, concerns, and aspirations faced by students continuing their educational journey in Psychology. DART-P funded attendance for four first year undergraduate students to participate in the symposium. Students from the University of Worcester and Bournemouth University were invited to participate in order to provide a range of lived experiences. The students have now been invited to publish their experiences of working alongside the Division, their attendance at the annual conference, and how this has aided their educational journey in a special edition of Psychology Teaching Review entitled ‘Transitions: Journeys through an education in Psychology’.
face many challenges in making the transition from pre-university to university Psychology education, and it’s crucial that we better understand their journeys in order to improve their learning experience, retention and success. This important work will facilitate this process and contribute to the much-needed dialogue between the sectors.”
Dr Julie Hulme, Discipline Lead for Psychology at the HEA, said: “Students
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NEWS
INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP EVENT – ‘INFORMING THE FUTURE’ Educationalists from across the region came together at the University of Worcester to discuss the ever-changing educational landscape and consider new ways of working. The event, hosted by the University’s Institute of Education, was entitled ‘Informing the Future’, and involved a number of the University’s partner schools, academies, early years settings, and FE colleges. The event also saw a number of organisations receive a special Partnership Award from the University. Ann Jordan, Acting Head of the University’s Institute of Education, said: “Our partnerships are a much valued and essential part of our work. The Partnership Award signifies our intention to continue working together to develop and support regional, national and international networks to promote excellence in education.” Twenty seven educational organisations were presented with the Partnership Award at this event, including the Taunton Learning Partnership, who demonstrated a model for collaborative school improvement, which has been developed in conjunction with and supported by the Institute of Education.
Tom Whittingham – IoE Head of External Development Janet Murray – IoE Head of Partnership Development Maggie Farrar, Executive Director of the National College for Teaching and Leadership Ann Jordan – Acting Head of Institute, IoE Associate Head, Quality Enhancement (Chair) David Flint – IoE Associate Head & Head of Centre for Primary ITE Dr Karen Hanson – Head of Centre for Early Childhood Alison Winson – Head of Centre for Secondary & Post-Compulsory Education Dr Richard Woolley – Head of Centre for Education & Inclusion
Successful partnership is defined by the values and principles upheld by the Institute of Education and its partners to work collaboratively to make a real difference to children, young people and their families by training and developing the very best professionals to work with the next generation.
The event was attended by Maggie Farrar, Executive Director of the National College for Teaching and Leadership, who said:
“This is a great example of collegiality, honesty and commitment to work together for the good of children and young people.”
Cowley Cowboys CD Launch ‘Sons of Rest’ The Cowley Cowboys country rock band feature University staff members, Peter Unwin and Clive Kennard, together with Institute of Education alumni, Liz Pearman. The band’s second CD which takes its title from the Birmingham based “Sons of Rest” social and recreation movement for “industrial veterans” that began in Handsworth in 1927 is also a nod to Peter’s twin boys who are rather nocturnal in habit. The song’s content reflects on the war veterans who made up the original Sons of Rest and looks ahead to the type of world that might lay ahead for the twins. The cover of the CD is taken outside the still functioning “Sons of Rest” clubhouse in Cripplegate Park, Worcester. The Cowley Cowboys refer to their music as ‘Briticana’, influenced by Americana (Bob Dylan / Johnny Cash/ Steve Earle) but set within the British context. Their hills are the Malvern Hills rather than the Black Hills of Dakota and their Route 66 is the A4103. The A4103 provided the setting for the album track entitled ‘That Old House’, an old black and white farm cottage that steadily crumbled along with the singer’s marriage while ‘Majestic Theatre’ Sons of Rest was inspired by the faded grandeur of Cradley Heath’s art deco Majestic Theatre. ‘Murphy City’ was inspired by a lecture given by Dave Storey from the Institute of Science and the Environment which referred to this rather incongruously named very small settlement near Duluth, Minnesota. ‘Handcuffed and Bleeding’ came from the Institute of Health & Society’s commitment to combatting domestic violence and tells the same old sad story from the perpetrator’s perspective. The CD was launched at Malvern’s newest music venue, the Re-con Club, on Friday May 31st. ‘Sons of Rest’ is available on iTunes and Rise Records, Worcester.
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COVER STORY NEWS
Bee Day Primary Pupils to Explore Role of Bees at University of Worcester Event
Dozens of primary schoolchildren enjoyed a day exploring the role of bees and their importance to the planet during a special event at the University of Worcester last month. The educational project used a combination of storytelling, drama, games and science activities to investigate bees, their daily lives, and why they are so important to us. The event, titled ‘The Secret(ish) Life of Bees’, is part of the University’s annual Beeline Festival of Storytelling for Children, which stages a programme of activities each year in October. Last year’s Festival included visits from popular authors such as Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Rosen. The Secret(ish) Life of Bees is the University’s first joint science and art initiative aimed at primaryaged children, with input from several university departments including the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit (NPARU), who are the UK’s leading specialists in the field of pollen and airborne allergens. Steve Boffy, Arts Co-ordinator at the University said: “The Secret(ish) Life of Bees event saw resident university scientists giving presentations about how bees work and the amazing things they can do. Our professional storyteller, Sally Tonge, shared stories, myths and legends from around the world about bees. We used drama and games to find out more about this incredible insect. It’s was a great day for the children and a really fun and active way for them to learn.” The Beeline Festival sees events hosted throughout the year to encourage children to use stories and creative activities to learn more about the world. If you would like to find out more about the Beeline Festival visit www.worcester.ac.uk/beeline
Vice Chancellor Explores Vision for a Prosperous Future for Worcester at Mayor’s Lecture
The 2013 Annual Mayor’s Lecture held at the Guildhall saw the Vice Chancellor of the University of Worcester deliver a thoughtprovoking lecture, exploring the economic future of the City. From Austerity to Prosperity was the title of a talk given by Professor David Green, who is a Professor of Economics. During the lecture, Professor Green presented his vision for a prosperous future for Worcester and the dynamic action needed to secure it. His talk included the impact of the University upon the City and wider region, developing new skills, enhancing the workforce and generating new income. The Mayor’s Lecture is organised by Worcester Civic Society for the Mayor and is part of a tradition going back many years. It gives an opportunity to hear someone with a message to give – preferably one which is important to Worcester – develop a theme and encourage some debate. It is free and open to all members of the public. The occasion was also made special this year by the announcement that the University had signed up to become a corporate member of the Civic Society – the first since the re-launch of the scheme this year. In exchange the Civic Society purchased a brick inscribed with its name for the new University of Worcester Arena under the “Buy a Brick” scheme to show support for this outstanding sports facility which will bring money to the city in a way that Professor Green described in his lecture. Professor Green is marking his decade as the head of the University this year, during which time the institution has changed beyond all recognition. It now has more than 10,000 students, more than 1,000 members of staff, and an income of over £70m a year. Applications have more than trebled and the University now contributes more than £200m a year to the regional economy. The University has just launched its third Strategic Plan under his leadership, which is possibly the most ambitious yet. The new plan sets out four key objectives; to be an outstanding university at which to be a student; to be an outstanding university at which to be a member of staff; to be an outstanding university at which to study any particular subject; and to make an outstanding contribution to the community.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER 2009 / 13 newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / June 2013 / 13
NEWS
paramedic students become exercise casualties On Thursday 10 May ambulance, fire and police services from around the UK participated in the “most significant” mass casualty incident training exercise. The Amber 2 exercise was held at Swynnerton Training Camp in Staffordshire. Exercise Amber 2 was organised by the National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU). Paramedic students from the University of Worcester participated in the event by being some of the 130 ‘casualties’. Programme lead for the paramedic programmes, Sharon Hardwick, attended the event as an invited observer. She commented, “This was an excellent opportunity for our students to experience and take part in a major incident event. Being a casualty enables the student to follow a patient journey from the scene of the incident through to the casualty clearing station. This is not an opportunity that comes along often and we would like to thank West Midlands Ambulance Service for allowing the University of Worcester to be part of such a well run event.”
The Worcester Award This academic year saw a record number of students engage with the Worcester Award, an employability award aimed at helping students reflect on activities they do both in and outside of their academic studies and identify the key skills they possess. Students undertaking the award will take part in a range of activities drawn from four different areas aimed at improving different aspects of their employability. To complete the award they submit a written portfolio and undertake an interview with
Blind Football Club do the Double Worcester Blind Football Club is celebrating a double win, having been crowned champions of the national league for the fourth time and also taking home the Brian Aarons Memorial FA Cup. The team, which includes University of Worcester staff, students and graduates, only conceded one goal all season to secure their place at the top of the FA league. They then went on to win two dramatic penalty shoot-outs at the weekend, against West Midlands Centre of Excellence and Hereford RNC Bulls to take the Brian Aarons FA Cup. Head Coach David Mycock, who was also a coach for Great Britain blind football in last year’s Paralympics, and is a senior lecturer at the University, said: “It was a fantastic end to the season to take home the double. I’m so proud of the team and everyone involved. “Worcester has won the league four times in the last six years and has won the Cup twice in four years. We’ve also been runner-up twice, which is a huge achievement for any national level club.”
a panel including a local employer. Feedback from this year’s completers has been really positive, where we found those who engaged with the award found it beneficial to identify skills they possess that employers are looking for. The interview part is always well received as we simulate a proper interview environment, which helps prepare them for graduate level interviews. Moving forward I would like to expand the award and increase awareness and engagement. Therefore, if you could please mention the award to all your student groups it would be greatly appreciated.
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The team is made up of University of Worcester graduate Keryn Seal, along with University staff member Will Norman, New College Worcester student Fritz Bisau, plus Robin Williams, Dan James, Owen Bainbridge and Tom Buckley. Many of the players also represent their country at an international level and played in last year’s Paralympic Games, and are due to play for England in the Euros in Italy next month. David said: “In all, 40% of all players who have represented England and Great Britain at blind football, in the last 10 years, have come from the University of Worcesterbased team, which is a great achievement for all involved.”
I can send out a slide or promotional material that you could use if you wish. Also I am available to come and chat for 5 minutes at the beginning or during lectures, or during Worcester Weeks. Please contact me on j.whitehouse@worc. ac.uk for any materials, a further chat about the award or to invite me to come along and give a brief description of the award to students. Regards Jack Whitehouse Graduate Intern Employability www.worcester.ac.uk/worcesteraward
NEWS
A Visit from the Bishop
l-r : Revd Nick Kaleniuk, The Bishop of Dudley, the Right Reverend David Walker,, Professor David Green and Revd Dr Fiona Haworth
The Bishop of Dudley, the Right Reverend David Walker, visited the University of Worcester as part of his tour of the St John’s parishes. Accompanied by Revd Nick Kaleniuk, Associate Curate at St John in Bedwardine, and Revd Dr Fiona Haworth, the University Chaplain, the Bishop learnt more about how the chaplaincy and the churches support each other. As part of his visit, the Bishop met students from the Christian Union, Worcester Student Christian Movement and Environmental Science students, who discussed their experiences at the University. After a meeting with the Students’ Union Sabbaticals and Professor David Green, he was given a tour around the recently transformed Peirson Study and
Guidance Centre, on the University’s St John’s Campus, to learn more about the support available to students. As a result of his visit, new ways in which students can volunteer at St Clements church, to support the development of a new service, ‘Worship for Everyone’, will be discussed. Revd Dr Fiona Haworth said: “It was lovely to welcome the Bishop of Dudley to the University. He met with our students and learnt more about how they are contributing to the life of the local community through volunteering with the church. He had the opportunity to hear about the ways in which churches support the Christian Union and offer opportunities for the University to contribute to debating the wider issues of our time.”
Physical Geographers Link With Local School Community Partnership Project Aims to Improve Water Environment Students from Chantry High School have been working with local experts, including lecturers from the University of Worcester in a real life community project to explore the issues around water quality in the Shrawley Brook. The new scheme, led by Worcestershire County Council and the Environment Agency, breaks new ground in linking scientific fieldwork with schools from the county. The research is part of a wider project to explore solutions to the challenges created by the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) for improving water quality in brooks, rivers and lakes. Physical Geography lecturers, Dr Ian Maddock and Dr Tory Milner, provided their expertise and equipment to help pupils at Chantry High School take measurements of water chemicals, flow rates and collect macroinvertebrate samples. Dr Ian Maddock said of the findings: “Shrawley Brook is failing to meet WFD targets on its number of
macroinvertebrates, which are a key indication of good water quality. Erosion in some fields alongside the brook can cause soil from farmlands to run off into the water at times of heavy rain. This soil may contain fertiliser and pesticides that can pollute the silt settling out on the river bed and impact on macroinvertebrate habitat and fish spawning success. But practising alternative farming techniques and land management, called ‘water friendly farming’ or ‘catchment sensitive farming’, can reduce these impacts and improve the river environment.” Rupert Brakspear, Learning and Sustainability Officer, at Worcestershire County Council, said: “Through this project the pupils are not only learning about fieldwork processes that help assess the quality of the local environment, they are also learning how to engage with key stakeholders who can make a difference in their local community.” The pupils will be meeting with local farmers as well as other local
organisations who have already been taking a lead in linking the improvement of wildlife habitat and water quality at a future community event. Mr Brakspear added: “The aim of the project is to encourage greater local participation and achieve greater awareness and understanding about the EU Water Framework Directive, particularly around the opportunities it gives us to improve water quality, habitat for wildlife and quality of life for the community.” A community event will take place in the near future. Residents within the area will be invited to come along to support the event.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / June 2013 / 15
news
Bike Loan Scheme Awarded Grant University of Worcester Gets £10,000 Boost to Launch New Sustainability Scheme
Lecturer’s Photograph Wins First Prize Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Dr Peter Forster has won first prize in the first photography competition run by The Psychologist magazine. The Psychologist is published by the British Psychological Society and is the UK’s biggest selling psychology magazine. This year they ran their first photography competition. They asked for photographs that illustrated some aspect of psychology.
University of Worcester student Dragos Hrituleac, Marco Zappalorto, Development Manager at the Centre for Challenge Prizes at Nesta, Matt Smith, Sustainability Co-ordinator at the University of Worcester, and John Coleman, Online and Multimedia Communications Officer at the University of Worcester. Personal Space by Dr Peter Forster
The University of Worcester has secured funding to launch a new University-wide bike loan scheme in September. A grant of £10,134 has been awarded to the University by Nesta, an independent charity which aims to support people and organisations to implement innovative ideas. At the start of the next academic year, all University students and staff will be able to borrow a bike for a 48 hour period from two locations: St John’s Campus and City Campus. Members will be able to join the scheme at an annual cost of £20 and will be issued with a bike helmet. Following a successful year-long testing of the scheme, 35 additional bikes will be purchased, as well as an online platform set up for members to hire bikes. Katy Boom, Director of Environmental Sustainability at the University, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this substantial grant towards making our pilot scheme accessible to other organisations and to significantly expand our bike pool. Students and staff use the bikes to move quickly between our campuses and to commute. This simple scheme, where the hassle of bike maintenance is removed, is particularly attractive. It also gives people contemplating cycling a chance to have a go without any outlay. With the health and carbon savings it really is a winning scheme.” Marco Zappalorto, Development Manager at the Centre for Challenge Prizes at Nesta, said: “We are pleased to award this grant to the University of Worcester for the Workplace Cycle Challenge. We believe that the scheme they are setting up has a strong potential to be replicated in numerous universities and workplaces in the UK.”
16 / June 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Peter’s winning photo, entitled Personal Space was entered into the competition with the following supporting notes: “I took this picture in May 2010, close to where I lived in Tiwi, in the Northern Territory of Australia. The students were waiting for the bus to their school and the student on the right of the picture was at the front of the queue where the bus would stop. The same students waited here every school day and I never saw them speaking to each other. We use proxemics or personal space as part of managing the balance between being closed or open to others. Our personal space is influenced by many things including culture, gender, social status, whether or not we have an intact amygdala and this picture illustrates some interactions between some of these factors. Any psychologist who wants to work with Aboriginal Australians, for example, would do well to recognise the different uses of personal space as exemplified here, as well as related factors such as eye contact and not adopting an authoritarian stance. All were aware of my presence and their different use of eye contact towards an old, white male photographer, is also significant. I can’t say that I am a skilful user of proxemics but, as a well-travelled psychologist, I am at least aware of its power in becoming accepted in a new country and culture.”
COVER STORY NEWS
Ecology Student Receives Scholarship to Run a WWF Project A Conservation Ecology student is planning to cycle from Birmingham to Bucharest this summer to raise awareness of a number of WWF causes.
University, will be cycling over 1800 miles from Birmingham to Bucharest, Romania. The 20-year-old student, from Romania, said: “I am proud to be awarded the scholarship which will help me run the project. I am glad that the University supports students with activities they do alongside their studies.
Dragos Hrituleac, who is in the second year of his degree at the University of Worcester, will be trying to bring people’s attention to the issues arising around the Danube sturgeon, the construction “I am keen on long, endurance rides of more than 400 hydropower plants where I can see and experience new in areas of conservation concern aspects of what surrounds us, and this in Romania, and legislation and includes everything from landscapes to Dragos Hrituleac designations for wetlands and river architectural structures of all sorts, new habitats. people and different ways of living.” He has been awarded £250 from the British Heart Foundation and KidsCan Dragos, who is a member of the University’s Scholarship Panel to support Foundation. Worcester St John’s Cycling Club, as well his bike ride, which starts in June. as the University Cycling Club, has been The students’ initiative can be supported actively cycling for four years now. As Aiming to help WWF to put pressure by visiting http://www.indiegogo.com/ part of his activities, he has taken part on local authorities and the Romanian projects/ride-for-life-ride-for-rivers in cross-country races in Romania, time government, Dragos and his friend trials as well as charitable rides for the Tiberiu, who is studying at Coventry
University Highlighted in Prime Minister’s Report on Dementia A highly successful dementia programme, designed and provided by the University of Worcester, has been highlighted in a national report from the Prime Minister. The Dementia Leadership Programme is included in the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia Annual Progress Report, which commits to deliver major improvements in dementia care in the UK by 2015. The report also makes several recommendations on educating and training nurses in dementia. Professor Dawn Brooker, Director of the University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies, said: “We are delighted that our Dementia Education Programme has received recognition within the Prime Minister’s report. The Programme is having a great impact on those who have undertaken the course.
It gives participants the skills and confidence to make real changes in the way people with dementia are cared for if they have to go into hospital for treatment. They can use their new knowledge and skills to teach others how to provide expert care for someone with dementia.” Worcestershire has the highest prevalence of dementia within the West Midlands (based on 2007/2008 NHS figures) and there are estimated to be 7,590 people with the condition in the county. The University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies Dementia Leadership Education Programme was developed with hospitals in the West Midlands, the South of England and Oxfordshire. It is planned to make this course available more widely across the UK. The programme, which uses a personcentred approach in caring for people
with dementia, gives nurses an in-depth understanding into the needs of both the patient and their families along with the skills to provide expert care. Professor Brooker adds: “Every nurse can make a difference to the care and treatment of patients with dementia. “People with dementia occupy about a quarter of hospital beds because they need treatment for serious physical health problems. They are a very vulnerable and highly dependent group of patients. If hospital staff do not understand the additional needs that having dementia means then these patients do not receive adequate care. “The Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia is a positive step forward in changing how we work with people living with dementia, together with their families and carers.”
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER 2009 / 17 newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / June 2013 / 17
NEWS
Worcester and West Bromwich Blind Football Clubs Combine to Represent England at International Tournament
Institute of Humanities and Creative Arts Seminar Presentation The last cross Institute seminar presentation will take place on Thursday 13 June. It’s a dynamic double-act with a paper from Nicoleta Cinpoes on ‘Hamlet or the Skeletons in the Cupboard’ and from Sharon Young on ‘Jane Barker’s Poetic Landscapes: The Convent and the Country House’. Time: 1-2pm; place EE1102. Everyone welcome.
Football Club, said: “Worcester Coaches and footballers from Blind Football Club was invited to Worcester and West Bromwich take part in the tournament after joined forces to represent winning both the FA National England at an international blind League and the FA Cup this season. football tournament, coming away with a Bronze medal. “Unfortunately the Worcester players could not attend, as most Coached by David Mycock, are also England players and University of Worcester Senior they were under an FA embargo Lecturer in Sports Coaching in readiness for the European Science, the squad was just one Championships in Italy in July. match away from taking Gold, Therefore, with support from but was beaten by the Brazil national squad, who won Gold at Sporting Club Albion, I took their players instead.” last year’s Paralympic Games. The team beat BSC Prague 2-0, The team was made up of blind AVOY MU Brno 2-1 and St. Pauli players from West Bromwich’s of Hamburg 1-0 but then lost to Sporting Club Albion, including University of Worcester graduate Stuttgart FC 2-0 before being beaten by ICB Bahia Brasil in the Lee Greatbatch, ex New College last game. Worcester students Simon Hill and Andy Briant, Mark Turnham David added: “It was a great trip and sighted goalkeeper Mark and a great effort all round as Evans, plus coaching staff from we only had four players who all Worcester Blind Football Club, played the full five games in two including University of Worcester days, which at this level was a students Russell Wheldon and challenge as many had not been Bogdan Micu. on an international trip since the Paralympics of Beijing in 2008. The tournament was held in the The guys gave everything at the Czech Republic with two teams end to secure a medal though. from the host nation, two teams The Worcester coaching staff from Germany, including one had a great cohesion to it and we made up of players from their all encountered one of the best national squad, and a team football trips we had ever been from Brazil, again made up of its on.” national squad. It was hosted by Masaryk University, which has If you are interested in getting close links with the University of involved in blind or visually Worcester. impaired football please contact David Mycock at d.mycock@ David Mycock, who is also worc.ac.uk Head Coach of Worcester Blind
Collaborative Article Scoops Top Award for University of Worcester Staff An article exploring how blind football training can be used to teach children about geography has earned three University of Worcester staff a top award. The article, published in Primary Geography, picked up the Best Journal Article award at the Geographical Association Awards for Excellence in Leading Geography. The award was presented at a ceremony in Derby by Dame Ellen MacArthur, who holds the record for fastest solo person to sail around the World. The article, Blind Futsal: The beautiful, geographical game, was a collaborative effort by staff members Stephen Pickering, Senior Lecturer in Education, David Mycock, Senior Lecturer in Sports Coaching Science and former Great Britain and England Blind Football coach, along with Will Norman, also from the University’s Institute of Sport and Exercise Science and current England and Great Britain blind footballer. The article investigates how some of the blind football training routines and the game itself can be used to teach children compass directions, bearings, space and scale. These lessons operate on an additional level, however, as they demonstrate how children can learn from people with disabilities. Stephen said: “We were thrilled to receive this award, which recognises the importance of geography within the curriculum, the importance of equality of opportunities and how we can learn from each other through our different strengths and abilities.”
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