news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
March 2013
A Decade at Worcester Vice Chancellor Reflects on 10 Years at Worcester p.4-7
In this issue:
The Francis Report Head of Institute of Health & Society Comments on Report p.2
Guardian Award University Scoops National Award p.8
Top Flight Cricketing Graduates Start Careers in Cricket Coaching p.16
FEATURE
HEAD OF THE INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND SOCIETY COMMENTS ON THE FRANCIS REPORT Compassion and openness are at the heart of good patient care but new laws to force candour must be carefully thought through, warns one of Britain’s top nurses.
The Francis report into the Stafford Hospital scandal recommends a new statutory obligation on doctors and nurses for a duty of candour so they are open with patients about mistakes. Welcoming the report, Dr Jan Quallington, Head of the University’s Institute of Health and Society, said openness was essential but creating an environment where candour was promoted from top to bottom would be more effective than the threat of legal action. “It is essential that people are able to raise and discuss things they see going wrong and that student nurses are equipped to question practice and challenge the sub-standard,” she said. “But the way to encourage this openness needs to be carefully thought through. At Trust level a legal duty of candour could be very difficult because of potential litigation. A legal duty of candour could also expose professionals to frivolous and opportunist legal claims. It is important that people are held properly accountable, but most important of all is that poor care is tackled quickly so that patients do not suffer.” Speaking after the launch of the final report by Robert Francis QC into the poor treatment at Stafford Hospital which contributed to the deaths of up to 1,200 patients, Dr Quallington said she particularly welcomed his call for an increased focus on compassion in the recruitment, training and education of nurses and the introduction of an aptitude test.
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Worcester, which received a 100 per cent student satisfaction rating for its nursing degree and was ranked top in the UK in last year’s National Student Survey, has already embedded aptitude tests into its recruitment process. “Our applicants have the opportunity to take part in simulated nursing duties, such as feeding and washing and are expected to discuss controversial issues with others,” Dr Quallington said. “They are observed not only by academic staff but by practising nurses and patients. We are looking for qualities such as kindness, common sense, emotional intelligence and compassion for others.” Dr Quallington, who was a nurse for 30 years, added: “I am very reassured by the report because it puts the patient back at the heart of care and will increase the strength of the nursing voice with a focus on nurse leadership at ward level. Regular updating of nurses is also absolutely essential as the demands on the profession change and become more complex. I particularly welcome the recommendation that there be a new status of registered nurse for the care of older patients who often have different needs.”
COVER STORY wELCOME Clockwise from top left: County Cricket Coaches pg. 16 A Decade at Worcester pg. 4 Guardian Award pg. 8 Madagascan Adventure pg. 15 Scooping Award for Contribution to Local Community pg. 8
contents FEATURE Comment on The Francis Report 2
March 2013
W
COVER STORY David’s Decade
news
elcome to the March issue of News & Views, featuring a round-up of news, updates and milestones from the past month at the University of Worcester.
above all the reputation of Worcester has grown immeasurably. This issue of News and Views interviews David, who shares some of his own highlights and looks to where the University of Worcester will go in the future.
In 2003 University College Worcester with some 5,000 students welcomed a new Principal, Professor David Green. Fast forward ten years and the full status University of Worcester has gone from strength to strength. Applications to study at Worcester have more than trebled as has University income. New facilities have been developed, but
Please keep sending your news to us at newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
RECORD AMOUNT RAISED AT ANNUAL CHARITY QUIZ A charity quiz night at the University of Worcester raised more than £1,200 for Acorn’s Children’s Hospice. The annual staff quiz saw 42 teams go head-to-head in a 10 round battle of the minds. The winning team was made up of staff from the University’s Institute of Science and the Environment. Quizmaster Chris Dunn said: “I am delighted to report that we raised an all
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time record of £1,261.80. This is a fantastic effort and I would like to thank everyone who helped make it such a success.” Acorn’s Children’s Hospice was nominated as the University’s Charity of the Year for 2012/13, with a number of events taking place throughout the academic year to support the charity’s work.
Quiz Night Success 3 The Guardian Award 8 Emergency Care at a Tough Guy Event 9 FA Scholarship 9 Wheelchair Basketball Coaching Session 9 Views Sought on University Park 10 Role of Church in Some of the World’s Biggest Conflicts 10 Cecil Duckworth at The Hive 11 Spiders Cast in New Light in Web Tale 11 Issues of Body Size Book 12 Birth and Baby Sessions at The Hive 12 Putting Research into Practice: Malawi Revisited 13 Finance Office 13 Photograph Captures Journey of the Mind and Body 13 Juneau Projects Make Music in Worcester 14 Student Homes to Become More Energy Efficient 14 Madagascan Adventure 15 Finnish American Football Player Receives Scholarship 15 Special Constable to Receive Scholarship 15 County Cricket in Safe Hands 16 Getting Lost for Charity 16 Reconstructing the Past 17 Birthday Celebrations 17
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Worcester: 10 Years On Decade of Achievements for the University of Worcester Ten years ago, the University of Worcester operated from a single site with less than 5,000 students and was struggling to attract both funding and applications. Its annual income was £19m and the deficit forecast for that year stood at £750,000. In fact, it wasn’t even a university back then as it grappled with its status as a University College. But in the past decade, not only has Worcester gained that all important university status, but the institution has changed beyond recognition – save for its friendly atmosphere, something which has always been synonymous with Worcester. It now has more than 10,000 students, more than 1,000 members of staff, and an income of over £70m. That change has come with the leadership of Professor David Green, who is celebrating 10 years at the University of Worcester at the same time as a new Strategic Plan is launched for the University for the next five years. It is the third Strategic Plan under his leadership, and possibly the most ambitious yet – being a university of choice is good, but not enough anymore. 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. When David joined the University in 2003 it was hidden away in St John’s with very little noticeable presence in the City. Since then David, who in 2006 was awarded the Pride of Worcestershire Award, has led the physical, academic and reputational expansion and development of the University in a bid to provide a better quality of higher education offer, as well as injecting new life and vitality into the City. “One of the things that has remained unchanging and delightful is the friendliness of the staff and students at
David and John Yelland, former Chair of Governors, celebrate gaining University status in 2005
Worcester,” he said. “I consider myself very fortunate to work here with such wonderful, highly professional colleagues.
offer. The University is now among the best in the country in a number of areas; coming top in the country in the recent National Student Survey (NSS) “When I was appointed it was clear that for Nursing, with a 100% satisfaction there was much to do to try and build rating and a 100% employment rate; Worcester’s academic and civic standing, Biology at Worcester ranked 7th in the and ensure that we became the best higher country in the NSS; teacher training education provider we could possibly rated ‘outstanding’ at all levels by be. I’m very proud of the achievements Ofsted; and the University has received of colleagues and students here and praise from government ministers delighted we are now winning so many for its disability sport provision. The well deserved national accolades.” University is considered among the very One of the most noticeable changes best in the areas of children’s literature has been the physical growth of the and illustration, dementia studies and University in recent years. The City Early Years education amongst others. Campus opened in 2010, in the same “Students coming here now have better year that new science laboratories and achievements pre-university and it’s new halls of residence were also opened. now highly competitive to become a In all, seven new buildings opened student at the University of Worcester that year. It was the start of a wave of in very many fields,” Professor Green developments, followed closely by the said. “Student retention at the University opening of the Riverside Building in 2011, is much improved and the majority of The Hive, which was opened by HM our graduates go on to do well despite The Queen in 2012 and the opening of the difficult economic climate. We the University Arena at Easter 2013. have genuinely become a university But despite the obvious physical of choice. That’s the single biggest growth, David says the single biggest change, but we are not finished yet.” change over the past decade has been the increased quality of education on
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COVER STORY
“I think the University can play a significant role on the national stage in terms of educational quality and philosophical outlook,” he added. “We are starting to see the potential of this through The Hive, which in the first six months had over half a million visitors, is always busy with people using the library and is full of children. I think we can do something similar with the Worcester Arena and create two great engines of opportunity and inclusion. The University exists to help people make the most of their potential.
University of Worcester Admissions (blue) against national average, 2005-2012
One of the achievements David is most proud of is that in 2010 the University featured in The Sunday Times 75 Best Places to Work in the Public Sector, an accolade awarded to just two other universities. He is also delighted that the University’s nursery is now rated outstanding by Ofsted. David moved to Worcester in January 2003 with his wife Cathy and their daughters, who were just two and one at the time. Cathy, an economist like David, re-trained as a midwife at the University, graduating in 2008 with First Class Honours. She now works in the maternity suite at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital and the award winning Serenity Birth Centre in Sandwell, located in one of the most deprived areas in the Country.
National Admissions
One big change in recent years is that members of staff at Worcester now feature regularly in the national media. David has led this development and has been frequently interviewed in all the national broadsheet newspapers and a number of tabloids, as well as featuring many times on regional and national television and radio.
2,000
600,000 500,000
1,500 400,000 1,000
300,000 200,000
500 100,000 0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
2011
2012
University of Worcester Admissions
2,500 700,000
“I would like us to extend our curriculum reach. In particular I think the University has a much bigger contribution to make in the field of human health.”
0
University of Worcester Admissions National University Admissions Source: UCAS January 2013
University of Worcester income, 2004-2012 £’000 80,000
“Worcester is a very good place to bring up a family and we have found the people here to be very welcoming and friendly,” he said. “So many people have been kind to Cathy, my daughters and myself and I am really grateful.”
70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 32,143
37,882
44,454
50,908
63,910
67,006
70,817
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
0
2004-05
10,000
29,463
The longest serving Principal at Worcester was Mr Edwin Peirson CBE, who served from 1951 to 1978. When asked if he was considering challenging Mr Peirson’s 27 year tenure as he looks to the next phase of developments, David laughed and said: “Mr Peirson was a truly outstanding educational and community leader. 27 years service was amazing. It is an honour to work here and I hope to continue contributing to the best of my ability for some time yet.” David will be giving the Mayor of Worcester’s Annual Lecture on April 24th at 6pm at The Guildhall, tackling the topic ‘From Austerity to Prosperity’.
3,000
900,000 800,000
The introduction of scholarships
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Key physical developments at the University of Worcester in the past 10 years: 2010 City Campus, in the listed building of the former Worcester Royal Infirmary, opens to general acclaim, including new halls of residence and science labs. In all, seven new buildings open in a single year. 2011 Riverside Building opens and wins award for best retrofit building of the year in the UK. 2012 The Hive, Europe’s first joint university and public library, is opened by HM The Queen. 2013 The University of Worcester Arena, Britain’s first indoor sports arena to be specially designed for both disabled and able bodied athletes, opens. 2013 Work begins on the first phase of developments at University Park, a 47 acre site ear-marked for science, enterprise and health.
Some of David’s many achievements: clockwise: The development of the Worcester Arena. The 2,000-capacity sport facility will carry out research into disability sport education, training, coaching and coach education and will be home to the Worcester Wolves; putting the University of Worcester on the sporting map and promoting the award-winning Learning Through Sport programme with Lord Coe; and with HM The Queen at the opening of The Hive, Europe’s first University and public library
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COVER STORY
Some of the key achievements at the University of Worcester: 2005 University Title conferred by HM Privy Council at the first attempt. 2005 The growth of student applications begins, and by 2012 applications more than treble, growing seven times faster than the national average. 2007 HRH The Duke of Gloucester is appointed as the Founding Chancellor of the University of Worcester. 2008 First £1m annual surplus earned in the University’s history. 2008 University awarded ‘First Class Honours’ in the annual Green League, and awarded every year since. 2010 Research Degree Awarding Powers conferred by HM Privy Council, again at the first attempt. Well over 100 research degrees have been earned. 2010 The University is named as one of the best 75 places to work in the UK public sector by The Sunday Times. 2010 Teacher education at all levels found to be ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. 2011 The University is awarded the top grant increase in England by HEFCE. 2013 The University wins The Guardian University Award for Contribution to the Local Community, through its development of The Hive.
Recent academic developments at the University of Worcester include: 2009 Association for Dementia Studies created. 2011 The University becomes the national partner of the National Childbirth Trust. 2011 Dramatic improvement in student retention rates and academic achievements confirmed. 2011 The University wins one of just eight national contracts to provide Early Years education. 2012 Nursing at Worcester is ranked number one in the National Student Survey, with a 100% satisfaction rating.
left-right: David joins University College Worcester as Principal in 2003; More and more students have graduated from Worcester during David’s decade; David with the University of Worcester’s first Chancellor, HRH The Duke of Gloucester
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NEWS
University of Worcester Scoops National Newspaper Award The University of Worcester has won a Guardian University Award for Contribution to the Local Community.
This prestigious national award was conferred on the University in recognition of its outstanding innovation in creating the country’s first university and public library, The Hive. The Hive, which was opened by HM The Queen in July 2012, has attracted over 600,000 visitors since opening and has led to a doubling of book borrowing by members of the public. The University was named as the winner in the category during a ceremony in London, beating off stiff competition from universities throughout Britain. Vice Chancellor Professor David Green said: “This award is the latest in a line of national and international awards for a truly inspirational building dedicated to learning. “When we first set about developing Britain’s first university and public library we had a vision to create a building that would bring the community together and inspire many more people into discovering the joys of learning, study and creativity. By creating a new library, alongside an outstanding archive and community services in an imaginative partnership with the Worcestershire County Council we have put the University at the heart of the community. “The public benefit is immense and the students and staff of the University now enjoy a much bigger, better and more inclusive library with built in opportunities to volunteer and positively engage – particularly with children.”
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The £60m development is the first joint university and public library in the UK and is a joint project between the University and Worcestershire County Council, bringing the library services of the two together under one roof, along with the Council’s archive and archaeology service and customer contact centre. Anne Hannaford, Director of Information and Learning Services at the University, 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. Some people just enjoy sitting and reading, looking out across the wonderful views.” She added: “We have worked alongside our partners at Worcestershire County Council to make this close connection between the University and the community. The Hive has so much to offer in terms of sharing resources and expertise for the benefit of everyone.” Adrian Hardman, Leader of Worcestershire County Council, said: “We are delighted the University has received this prestigious award. The partnership and joint working towards a common goal between the University of Worcester and ourselves has allowed The Hive to flourish to become a superb building which the community and students can enjoy, learn and study together within. It is wonderful to see the University recognised in this way.”
NEWS
Emergency Care at a Tough Guy Event Twenty one Sports Therapy students from the University of Worcester ensured the smooth running of the “the safest most dangerous event in the world”. The students proved their outstanding skills as therapists at the Tough Guy event in Wolverhampton, where they delivered emergency aid and trauma management, as well as pre-event massage. The course consisted of icy lakes, 40ft obstacles, ditches full of fire and Caring for the tough guys underground tunnels. Hollie Taylor, Sports Therapy Lecturer, was appointed as head of medical provision at the event with over 5,000 competitors. She said: “The students had to manage a range of situations including varying degrees of hypothermia, fractures, sprains and blood injuries. This is a unique event where the students can use the breadth of their skills under the pressure of real life situations, with multiple causalities.” Dan Westacott, a competitor in the challenge, said: “The students proved to be an absolute lifesaver for me when hypothermia set in.”
The work of the students was highlyvalued and appreciated by the events’ organisers and individual competitors. Francesca Wicker, a third-year Sports Therapy student at the University, said: “I love the trauma management side of the course. The possibility to put what I have been taught into action was great.” Hollie Taylor added: “This is the third consecutive year that the University of Worcester has covered this event. With the amount of positive feedback from the organisers, competitors and the students I am sure we will be covering this event for many more years to come.”
Football Association Scholarship Gives Boost to Student’s Professional Development A young football coach has received a national Football Association Coaching Scholarship as a reward for her talent and commitment to the sport. Lauren Tidman, a PGCE Primary Education student, said the prestigious award would boost her professional development and employability. She was chosen as one Lauren Tidman of the six selected young coaches in the region after her hard work in training a number of local teams caught the attention of the programme panel. The 21-year-old, from St. George’s, Telford, who started her coaching practice at the age of 16, said: “I feel very lucky to be selected for the scholarship. It is a great bonus to all of my hard work and it feels great to know that you have the support to develop your skills professionally in the area you are good at.” To add to her expertise, she will take part in an FA Module 2 Youth Award course which has a particular focus on developing practice sessions, which are tailored according to the age, ability and experience of the young players. Lauren, who completed her Sports Coaching Science undergraduate degree at the University, started playing football at the age of 11. Looking to the future, Lauren said: “When I complete my PGCE and FA qualifications, I want to become a Physical Education co-ordinator in a primary school. I really enjoy working with children and I believe I can make a difference.”
LEADING INTERNATIONAL WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL COACH DELIVERS COACHING SESSION On 1 March Margaret Stran, the former Assistant Coach of the USA’s national wheelchair basketball team, delivered a practical coaching session to local coaches. The free session was hosted jointly by the University and the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association. The University of Worcester is the West Midlands, regional centre for wheelchair basketball, taking the lead in hosting training and coaching sessions, running regional tournaments, raising awareness and disseminating good practice, and developing young players. Mick Donovan, Head of the University’s Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, said: “The University has developed a great relationship with the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association and we will be playing a major role in supporting them at all levels in the future.”
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SCHOLARSHIPS
Views Sought on New Enterprise and Technology Centre Businesses, individuals, students and staff are invited to give their views on how a proposed new enterprise and technology centre, to be based at the University of Worcester’s new development at the former Grove Farm site, can best work for them.
University Park, off Bromyard Road, is planned as a Health and Wellbeing, Science and Enterprise Park, Ariel view of University Park the first phase of which will see a new doctor’s surgery developed on the site. As part of the development, steps are being taken to bring forward an Enterprise and Technology Centre, which would serve as a hub for those thinking about setting up a business, those wanting to collaborate with business and indeed businesses themselves. The focus is to create a place where ideas can be explored with others and support secured. Dr Martin Doughty, Pro Vice Chancellor (Capital Developments) at the University, said: “The University has a huge role to play in the business community and works closely with many established businesses, as well as offering support to new and up-coming businesses. This development would extend that work and provide a useful hub for the City and the Region.” The University has launched a questionnaire to help inform what the Centre should contain and how it might best operate for the community it wants to serve. Consideration needs to be given to the nature of accommodation that will be most suitable, the activities and services that the University can help deliver to support individuals and businesses aspiring to either set up or grow businesses, and the way in which use of space might best be facilitated. Dr Doughty said: “Some people might want to occupy floor space but others may simply want to visit from time to time, and have ‘virtual access’ to support facilities. Meeting rooms and seminar space might be helpful to provide. “We want to hear what existing businesses might want, or those individuals looking to start a new business, plus our own students and staff. Do people want a networking space to meet other business people? Or do they want individual workshops and offices?
“We are open to ideas to help support business in the region and the first step is to listen to what people want.” People can take part in the survey, which should take no longer than 10 minutes, at www.surveymonkey.com/s/worcesterunipark
10 / March 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
New Book Explores Role of Church in Some of the World’s Biggest Conflicts Religion has often played a role in conflicts around the world – no matter what your beliefs. And no more so than during the Twentieth Century when war raged across Europe, and beyond. A new book, co-edited by two expert historians of religion - Dr Stephen Parker of the University of Worcester and Professor Tom Lawson of the University of Winchester explores the links between war and religion; from the throngs of men who gathered to hear the Bishop of London preach recruiting sermons during the First World War, to the attention paid to Archbishop Williams’ words of conscience on Iraq. God and War: The Church of England and Armed Conflict in the Twentieth Century examines some important questions about the changing relationship between the Church and people living through difficult times. “The book discusses the Church of England and its place in society; the relationship between the Church and politics; and explores how what the Church says at times of conflict can have an impact on people’s views,” said Dr Parker. “We try to be as impartial as possible but it’s hard not to conclude that the Church did have a voice in terms of conflict.” The book explores the views and accounts of Anglican clerics on the issue of warfare and international conflict across the century, the authors explore the church’s stance on the causes, morality and conduct of warfare, issues of pacifism, obliteration bombing, nuclear possession and deterrence, retribution, forgiveness and reconciliation, and the spiritual opportunities presented by conflict. The book is aimed at church and religious historians, as well as political historians and is published by Ashgate.
NEWS
University Hosts Successful Entrepreneur at The Hive One of Worcester’s most well-known entrepreneurs gave an inspiring talk about his life at a special event hosted by the University at The Hive. Cecil Duckworth OBE, Chairman of Worcester Warriors Rugby Club, entertained a packed studio before signing copies of his new book ‘Worcester Warrior’. Cecil is well known in Worcester and beyond as a very successful entrepreneur, environmentalist and philanthropist and earlier this year his autobiography was published. Cecil founded Worcester Engineering in 1962 after qualifying as a mechanical engineer in 1961. His gas-fired combination boiler revolutionised Britain’s central heating industry. The company became part of the Bosch group in 1992. Worcester, Bosch Group is now the largest
manufacturer of domestic central heating boilers in the United Kingdom. In 1993 Cecil became involved with Worcester Rugby Football Club, now known as Worcester Warriors. Cecil transformed the Club from a humble position in the Midland South Division to its current status as one of England’s twelve Premier League Clubs. Starting with financial and professional help to support a bid for lottery funds he made further continuing and substantial investment to develop rugby in the Worcester community. A convinced environmentalist, Cecil and his wife Beatrice created the Duckworth Trust which is “dedicated to the conservation, protection and enhancement of the natural and built environments for the people of Worcestershire.” The Trust has supported many worthwhile projects in
Cecil Duckworth OBE
Worcestershire including the vibrant environmental and community project at the former Pump House in Worcester. The University of Worcester awarded Cecil an honorary degree in 2004 in recognition of his many achievements and contribution to the City of Worcester and the wider community.
Spiders Cast in New Light in Web Tale
Marisa and Jane
Two alumni from have joined forces to produce a new illustrated children’s e-book aimed at portraying spiders in a more positive light. The idea for The Spider that Came in from the Cold came after Jane McGee took a group of her A-level Psychology students on a spider phobia workshop. “I was teaching phobias and wanted students to see an example of how
phobias can be treated in a real-world setting,” said Jane, who is Subject Leader for Psychology at Old Swinford Hospital School in Stourbridge. “I was amazed that students who were initially afraid of spiders all volunteered up to handle the Chilean Rose Tarantula at the end of the session. This shows that familiarity can reduce fears and even increase a liking of spiders.” Jane, who completed her PhD in 2011, said spiders were given a bad press in the UK, with many children’s stories and films portraying them as terrifying creatures, whereas, in other cultures, spiders are considered to be symbols of good fortune. “I thought it was time that things changed in the UK,” she said. “The majority of spiders are harmless; in fact, there is more chance of getting bitten by a cute kitten than a spider.” Jane decided to put pen to paper and author a story for children aged 5-7 years, in the hope it would encourage them to see spiders
in a more favourable light. The story features five main spider characters and is intended as the first in a series of children’s books, each focusing on one of the five characters. When it came to thinking about illustrating the book, Jane contacted University of Worcester Illustration lecturer Piet Grobler, who put her in contact with former student Marisa Lewis. Marisa, who studied her undergraduate and Master’s degrees at the University, is already making a name for herself in the world of children’s illustrations, having been commissioned to work on several projects already. “I was delighted to get involved in illustrating this book,” said Marisa. “I thought it was a really different idea to other projects I had worked on.” The Spider that Came in from the Cold is available online at http://alfiedog. com/products-page/dr-j-e-mcgee/
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ACADEMIC RESEARCH
Psychology Lecturer Explores the Issues of Body Size in New Book Ever caught somebody, or yourself, checking out the content of a ‘fat’ person’s supermarket trolley? Dr Irmgard Tischner, Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology at the University of Worcester, investigates what lies behind this behaviour and explores societal approaches to weight loss in her new book Fat Lives: A Feminist Psychological Exploration. The book not only looks at the higher pressures on women over men to lose weight and conform to being a certain size, but it also looks at the reductionist, body weight-focused approach to health, predominant in contemporary society. Discussing the recently published book and her research, Irmgard said: “Not everyone who is overweight is necessarily unhealthy, and being slim does not always equate to being healthy either. Health is so much more complex than just our weight on a bathroom scale, but in our society, losing weight to improve health is promoted over being healthy. We believe we can read a person’s health and lifestyle from their size, which leads to the discrimination of large individuals, branding them ‘health-offenders’.” She continued: “Every January, weight loss promises are on the cover of most magazines, and women are the prime target of these weight loss directives. Popular media also encourages men to lose weight but, in relation to body size and appearance, the pressure still seems greater on women. “The gendering of fat is of further interest as the war on obesity seemingly targets both women and men. We are all held
responsible for our own health and well-being, and health is equated with body size by health professionals, the media and the general public alike.
The notions that fat is unhealthy and being slim and weight loss are inherently good have become so ingrained in society that the equation of ‘being healthy’ with ‘losing weight’ or ‘maintaining a low body weight’ is universal and goes largely unquestioned.” Within the context of the current ‘obesity debate’, Fat Lives investigates the embodied experience of ‘being large’ from a critical psychological perspective. The book is available directly from the publisher http:// www.psypress.com/books/ details/9780415680943/ or various on-line and high street book sellers. Irmgard hopes to do further studies into issues around body size, body management practices and how we experience these.
12 / March 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Everything you wanted to know about babies... Come and find out at The Hive! Whether you are expecting a baby, have a new baby in the family, help to care for a baby, or are simply fascinated by babies, this session is for you. • • • • •
What are babies learning in the womb? Is there a parenting hormone? How do new babies learn about relationships? Should babies be left to cry? How does a baby become a ‘schoolready’ three year old? These and lots of other questions will be discussed during the session. The sessions will be run by Dr Mary Nolan, from the University of Worcester, who has many years of experience of working with families and babies on birth and parenting skills. Come for an hour and meet other parents, carers and families. Make new friends at the same time as finding out ‘everything you wanted to know about babies’ Sign up for one session, only £1.00. The sessions, from 10.30-11.30am, will run on the following dates, so you have plenty of chances to be there! Tuesday 16 April Tuesday 23 April Tuesday 30 April Tuesday 7 May Tuesday 14 May Tuesday 21 May Call 01905 855141 to book a session.
NEWS
Putting Research into Practice: Malawi Revisited Geographer Dr Alan Dixon has once again been visiting Malawi as part of his on-going work with two NGOs - Self Help Africa and Wetland Action. In December, Alan and a colleague from the University of Huddersfield were invited to run a training workshop for members of the UK Aid, Irish Aid and Norwegian government funded consortium ‘Developing Innovative Solutions with Communities to Overcome Vulnerability through Enhanced Resilience’ (DISCOVER), headed by Hereford-based charity Concern Universal. The workshop, held in the town of Kasungu in central Malawi, introduced participants from various local NGOs to the Functional Landscape Approach (FLA) – a micro-catchment management approach that aims to sustain ecosystem services alongside livelihood development opportunities for poor people living in remote rural areas. Alan said: “The workshop provided a great opportunity to share and discuss the results of the research we’ve been doing over the last few years, and it’s encouraging to think that some of our findings and recommendations are being implemented to support livelihood capacity building within these communities.” Following the workshop, Alan went on to visit several field sites in the north of the country, where there are plans to implement the FLA with local farming communities.
FINANCE OFFICE Each day between 11am and 12 noon, when the Finance Office is open for the collection of petty cash etc; the front door (opposite main reception) will be unlocked for the hour (closed but unlocked). Please use the door, 11am – 12pm, in order that we can serve you easier face to face. Hopefully, you will find this preferable to knocking the side door, only for us to have to close it whilst we locate your documents, as it remains a secure cash office!
Above: two of the sites near Karonga in Northern Malawi where the Functional Landscape Approach will be implemented
Photograph Captures
Journey of the Mind and Body A Shropshire student who captured an inspiring photo of a recent train journey has won a competition at the University of Worcester. Katy Ikin’s photograph was selected as the winner of Katy Ilkin’s winning photo: ‘an adventure on board a train’ a competition run by the University’s Community Development Workers to promote won a £30 voucher of her choice and mental health awareness. will have her winning photograph The photograph, cleverly sectioned, displayed in the University’s new depicts “an adventure on board a train.” Peirson Study & Guidance Centre for Twenty-year-old Katy, who is in her all staff, students and visitors to view. third year of an English Literature University Community Development degree at the University, said: “I really Worker Siya Mngaza said: “We really enjoy photography in my spare time loved Katy’s photograph as it spoke and so when I saw the competition on many levels about mental health advertised I decided to give it a go. and the journeys people go on. “It was themed around mental health, “The competition was really successful, and I thought, whenever I am stressed with lots of entries, and was part I like to go on an adventure, so I tried of a wider campaign we ran for to capture this with my image.” students across the University.” Katy, from Whitchurch, Shropshire,
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / March 2013 / 13
NEWS
Juneau Projects Student Homes to Become Make Music in Worcester
Top: ‘Vesta’ Bottom ‘Palas’ Images courtesy of the artists and Ceri Hand Gallery
Acclaimed artist-duo Juneau Projects are to create an album of songs for people to download at locations in Worcester. The project is one of five Turning Point West Midlands (TPWM) artist-residencies awarded to institutions in the region. The Worcester residency is being led by the University of Worcester, working in partnership with Movement Gallery and Worcester City Art Gallery. Juneau Projects will research and develop their work in Worcester over the coming months. Building on their long-term project of collaborative music making, they will produce a short album of songs downloadable for free at ‘shrines’ that the artists will make and install in city centre venues. The ‘shrines’ will relate to the venues in which they are housed. After a period of on-site research in February and March, they plan to write and record a song for each venue, collaborating on the songwriting and recording process with each venue’s users. Juneau Projects will present the outcomes of their work in May, when Worcester residents and visitors will be invited to visit the venues and gather all the tracks that have been produced. They hope that experience of collecting the songs will offer an antidote to the ever increasing speed of the worldwide web. The TPWM award was made in response to the partners’ proposal to “present the city as a temporary site for artists’ intervention, production and discourse in a manner that is open-ended, non-prescriptive and generates a discursive and intellectually stimulating period of engagement.”
14 / March 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
More Energy Efficient as Part of New Project
The University of Worcester is taking part in a new innovative project under the Green Deal scheme aiming to make 50 student houses more energy efficient. The project is one of 40 successful projects funded by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), sharing a total funding of £10 million. In recognition of its excellence in sustainability, the University is one of the key partners in the project, along with Worcestershire A greener campus: Staff and students at the recent ‘Go Green Week’ County Council and Worcester City Council, Encraft Ltd and Act on Energy advice centre. The project aims to empower students to improve living conditions for themselves and future tenants by providing practical skills and knowledge in energy efficiency from industry experts and to make it easy for eligible homes to get access to Green Deal improvements. Students from the University are planning to carry out 250 preassessment surveys and collect data from their own and fellow student properties via an online tool specifically designed for this project. Based on the results, 150 full home surveys are expected to happen, which will potentially lead to 50 houses being put forward for potential upgrading. Landlords and students will receive home energy advice in the first two stages. Katy Boom, Director of Environmental Sustainability at the University, said: “All of the partners are very excited about this pilot project; it is a great opportunity for us to help pull students out of fuel poverty and help with keeping Worcestershire at the leading edge of environmental sustainability, whilst learning innovative ways to make Green Deal work locally. “The students, who are taking part in the project, will develop skills which will improve their employability and awareness whilst improving their standards of accommodation. This innovative project is designed in such way so that it can be easily replicated in other university towns.” Cllr Anthony Blagg, County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste Management, said: “We’re very pleased to be part of this fantastic project, which will help students save cash, whilst at the same time also help the environment. Research has shown that the typical home in this country loses around a third of the heat produced in a house through its roof, windows and walls meaning for every £3 spent on energy around £1 is wasted. Projects like this are aiming to increase awareness and put in place things that can change this, which can only be a good thing.” Worcestershire County Council (WCC) has been working with all district councils and local partners over the last five months to develop the Worcestershire Councils Green Deal Delivery Plan. When the final report is delivered, WCC will select the most appropriate Green Deal Delivery model for the County, ensuring the long-term legacy of the project.
COVER STORY SCHOLARSHIPS
Special Constable to Receive Scholarship
Madagascan Adventure Three first-year teaching students have been awarded £700 each from the University’s Scholarship Panel to take a trip of a lifetime and gain teaching experience on the small Indian Ocean island of Madagascar. Lisa Gorton, aged 19 from Wakefield, Claire Tilney, aged 19 from Swindon and Rebecca Long, aged 18 from Warwick, inspired by the stories of their fellow secondyear students on the Primary Initial Teacher Education course, decided to volunteer for the Access Madagascar Initiative. “The scholarship made the difference of whether we could afford to go. It is going to be a huge help to cover all of our travelling, accommodation, and food costs, as well as a donation to the charity,” they said.
Madagascar bound (l-r: Rebecca, Claire and Lisa)
Lisa, Rebecca and Claire will spend four weeks from July to August volunteering in Madagascar. As part of the experience they will have to plan and teach their own classes, boosting their employability.
NATIONAL FINNISH AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAYER SECURES SCHOLARSHIP a number of awards, including the Allstars Defensive Unit Award from the Maple League and Rookie of the Year award from the Vantaan Taft Finnish team, just after his first season. He said:
Okko Outinen
“It feels great to be awarded a scholarship for something that you are good at doing in your spare time.”
An American Football player, who plays for the national team of Finland, has been awarded £250 from the University’s Scholarship Panel.
I am very grateful that the University is supporting me with this scholarship, which I will use to buy a new helmet for better protection.”
Okko Outinen, whose hometown is Helsinki, is a secondyear Environmental Science student at the University.
Okko is juggling his studies with playing for three teams – the National American Football team of Finland, Vantaan Taft and the University of Worcester team.
The 23-year-old sports talent has been playing the sport professionally for three years now and has received
A student who is training to become a Special Constable with West Mercia Police has been awarded £200 from the University’s Scholarship Panel. Alex Powell, a second-year Physical Geography student at the University, decided to take on the role to improve his employability. The 20-year-old, who plans to follow his passion for teaching when he graduates, said: “I decided to do it because I want to make myself a more diverse graduate with a broader range of skills and experience, before I go into teaching.” Alex, from Kidderminster, expects to be out on the streets from April this year. He is combining his volunteering for the Police with a work placement at a local school. “It is costly for me to travel to the Police training sessions, as I don’t have a car and rely on lifts,” Alex said. “West Mercia Police funds two journeys to the training. This scholarship will help me pay for the other journeys as well as other expenses.” Students can apply to the scholarship scheme at two points in the year (1 December and 1 March) for up to £1,000 towards voluntary work or activities, to pursue a particular interest, such as music or arts, or towards course-related activities.
Alex Powell
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER 2009 / 15 newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / March 2013 / 15
NEWS
County Cricket in Safe Hands with University Student and Graduate
Adventurous Students ‘get lost’ for Local Charities Jon Hancock and Katie Blunt
A Sports Coaching graduate and a current student, both from the University of Worcester, have started their professional careers with the Worcestershire County Cricket Board. Jon Hancock and Katie Blunt have been appointed as Cricket Development Coaches for the Board. As part of their roles, they will create and deliver cricket coaching programmes to primary and secondary schools. Katie, who is a third-year Sports Coaching Science Development student at the University, is responsible for programmes in the East district. She said: “When they called me to say that I got the job I was totally over the moon. I have always wanted to get into coaching professionally, as I want to do something that can provide the same opportunities to children that I had when I was younger.” The 20-year-old from Stourbridge, and current Worcestershire Young Coach of the Year, started coaching at the age of 16, having practiced the sport from the age of seven. Following her time at Worcester she plans to specialise in disability sport coaching in the future. Jon, who recently completed his Master’s degree in Sports Coaching, is responsible for the South of the County. He said: “The course at the University of Worcester is very challenging. Everything that I learnt during my time here, from life skills to specialist knowledge, I have put into practice for my new role.
and having the opportunity to apply and blend this knowledge with my two degrees at the University, certainly gave me the edge to be successful in the interview process. “Before I came to Worcester, I always wanted to be a professional cricket player. I still want to be a cricket player, but the experience at the University of Worcester opened my eyes to coaching,” Jon added. Tom Hill, Cricket Development Director for the Worcestershire Cricket Board, said: “Both Katie and Jon are wonderful ambassadors for the University of Worcester. As a panel we were highly impressed by their knowledge, enthusiasm and vision for cricket development, as well as their readiness for the interview process. We are excited to have them on board.” He added: “With the recently launched cricket degree at the University, we look forward to supporting and working with these students to develop opportunities and the game in Worcestershire. As one of 39 County Cricket Boards nationally, when recruiting to the development team we always look for experience of working with County Cricket Boards and this is something of which we are keen to build on with the University of Worcester.”
“This job was the ideal opportunity that I have been searching for. Completing the ECB Level 2 award
16 / March 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
University of Worcester students took on a challenge to “get lost” in a bid to help raise funds for four local charities. The Worcester Students’ Union Raise and Give (RaG) committee held the “Lost” event to support Acorns Children’s Hospice, New Hope, Onside and Worcester Snoezelen. On Sunday, March 16th participants were blindfolded and driven outside Worcester in the morning, not knowing their final location. In small teams of 2 or 3 they raced to get back to Worcester, using just a map, a mobile phone and no money. The most eco-friendly team and the one that managed to collect the biggest donation received the challenge prizes. Eugeni Velinov, the elected parttime RaG officer, said: “All the money we raised on this event will go to our four charities, which we chose at the beginning of the academic year. After starting the committee six months ago we set out many long term goals and one of the most important ones was to bring the University and the community closer to each other. Also we hope that through this event the community will see the effort and support that students bring through raising money and awareness to the chosen charities.”
COVER STORY
Reconstructing the Past
History Fieldwork at the City Campus
As part of their first-year undergraduate programme, History students at the University of Worcester are currently focusing on the development of Worcester Royal Infirmary in the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Professor Suzanne Schwarz has worked with Carol Bowsher (Learning and Access Officer) and Catriona Smellie (Curator) to incorporate the rich history of the Infirmary into a first-year module as a way of developing students’ appreciation of the scope for historical research in the region. This approach involves developing students’ skills of historical analysis through a combination of fieldwork and the analysis of original documentary sources. As a result of this approach to teaching in 2011-2012, several History students are now planning to undertake further research on different forms of medical provision in Worcester and surrounding areas. This fieldwork at the Infirmary builds on an earlier fieldwork visit to Worcester Cathedral and the Cathedral Library. History students are pictured with Carol Bowsher and Suzanne Schwarz at the City Campus on Monday 18 March 2013.
Birthday Celebrations On 23 & 24 March Professor Claire Cochrane chaired a two-day celebration of the 100th birthday of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. In 1913 what is now known as the Old Rep was the first purpose-built British repertory theatre and, with an architectural design influenced by avant-garde theatres in Germany, was then the most radical playhouse in the country. Sir Barry Jackson, the man who founded and financed the Rep, used inherited wealth to exploit his life-long passion for theatre and over the next fifty years helped launch the careers of many celebrated actors including Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Paul Scofield and Derek Jacobi and, in 1945, the director Peter Brook. The ‘new’ much bigger Birmingham Repertory Theatre opened in 1971. Currently closed for major refurbishments as it is physically linked to Birmingham’s brand-new Central Library, the Rep is now one of the UK’s largest regional producing theatres. Claire Cochrane has a long list of publications on the history of the theatre including two books which
cover the century. As the REP100 Historical Advisor, she has worked with project leaders on identifying images and artefacts for an exhibition currently on display in the original building until 30 March and has helped to assemble the key speakers and panel members for the weekend event. Highlights on Saturday 23 March included a talk by John Harrison who was artistic director of the theatre in the early 1960s and who as a young actor worked with Peter Brook in Birmingham and in Stratford. There were also speakers on the Malvern Festival which Sir Barry Jackson founded in 1929 and on his work as Director of the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford-upon-Avon. The Rep’s current artistic director Roxana Silbert talked to leading stage designers about the task of re-imagining classical plays. On Sunday 24 Claire Cochrane began the day dedicated to ‘Drama Queens’ by interviewing Meera Syal, the wellknown British Asian actor and writer who is currently under commission to write a play for the Rep. Claire then chaired a panel dedicated to women
The Old Rep, Birmingham
playwrights, including Bryony Lavery and Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti. Other panels featured actresses such as Janet Suzman talking about their work and a panel of women in senior management roles including Kate Horton, currently Deputy Executive Director of the National Theatre and Vicky Heywood formerly Executive Director of the RSC.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / March 2013 / 17