news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
May 2013
Peirson Study and Guidance Centre A Royal Opening p.4
In this issue:
An Indian Partnership Deputy Vice Chancellor Visits India p.2
Record Breaking Champions Men’s Basketball Team Take Title p.6
Gold Award Students’ Union Receive Gold Award for Sustainability p.17
FEATURE
An Indian Partnership New Partnership Opportunities with India’s Top Rated Schools Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Ros Foskett visited the Indus Trust at the end of March to discuss the prospective development of new partnership programmes in Education. During her time in India, Professor Foskett visited one of the country’s top rated schools – Indus International School in Bangalore, which is also the headquarters of Indus Trust. She met with the school’s staff and some of the 1200 enrolled students aged 6-18. The curriculum of Indus International Schools is underpinned by three key elements: developing leadership qualities, information technology and sustainability. As a result the Indus schools attract the children of Indian business people and the employees of large international companies. As part of Professor Foskett’s tour, she also visited one of the Indus Community Schools, which takes 450 children from the poorest communities and delivers a full range of curriculum and extra-curricular activities. Joined by a group of students, Professor Foskett planted a tree with a commemorative plaque to mark her visit. The programme of her trip included a tour of the Indus Early Years School in Whitefield, Bangalore. There Professor Foskett met Lee Woods, who is the Head Teacher and was given a tour of the school. Later, she attended a tour of the Indus Training and Research Institute, which is responsible for delivering the teacher training and CPD. During her meeting with the Indus Schools’ CEO, Lt General Arjun Ray, his senior colleagues and the Principal at the Indus International School, Mrs Rao, future partnership directions between the University of Worcester and Indus were mapped out. These include the possibility of developing an Early Years route leading to a postgraduate qualification, as well as establishing student volunteering opportunities in all disciplines relevant to the school curriculum. Professor Foskett said:
“The opportunity to work with Indus International Schools and the Community Schools fits well with the University of Worcester’s fundamental principles of widening participation and opportunity. I hope we will be able to develop this partnership successfully.”
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COVER STORY wELCOME Clockwise from top left: Winning Bronze for England pg. 15 Basketball Champions pg. 6 Bird Ringing Project pg. 16 Beeline Winners pg. 11 and WBS Annual Lecture pg. 13
contents FEATURE An Indian Partnership
2
COVER STORY Peirson Study and Guidance Centre 4
news
May 2013
W
elcome to the May issue of News & Views, featuring a round-up of news, updates and milestones from the past month at the University of Worcester. Spring is the season for new beginnings and revitalisation. Nowhere has this been more apparent than the transformation of the former Peirson Library into the new Peirson Study and Guidance Centre. Our cover story this month reviews the royal opening and showcases some of the new features and technology housed in the Centre.
In this issue we congratulate the men’s basketball team who have won the British Universities and Colleges Sports championship title for a record seventh time in nine years. There are many other achievements recognised in this issue including the launch of new courses, competition success, scholarship awards and sporting triumph. Thank you for sending us your stories. Please keep sending news to us at newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
University Forges New Links with Real Madrid Basketball Club The University and Worcester Wolves Basketball Club are forging a new link with one of Spain’s top basketball clubs. The Director of Basketball Development at Real Madrid paid a one-day visit to the University, viewing our new Arena as a potential training camp. Alberto Angulo heard about the venue from the University’s Spanish visiting academic Dr Alejandro Vaquera, who is one of Europe’s leading basketball strength coaches and is also Head of Sport at Leon University.
Mr Angulo will be taking a report of his Worcester visit back to Madrid and he appeared to be very positive about the new University of Worcester Arena, stating: “This is an excellent sports venue and with the great living facilities and accommodation at the University, together with the beautiful city, this is certainly something we would be interested in learning more about as we consider bringing some of our teams here in the future.”
Real Madrid Basketball Club 3 Record Breaking Champions 6 Staff News 6 National Women’s Basketball Programme Launched 7 Helping the Baby Boomers 7 NUS Vice President Visit 7 Mathematics Conference Explores New National Curriculum 8 Professor Wins Prestigious Wound Care Award 8 Can We Sustain Fresh Water Abstraction? 9 Nurse Education Shortlisted for Provider of the Year 10 Education for All – An Equal World? 10 Author Makes a Beeline 11 Prizes for Beeline WInners 11 Engagement of Women in Cycling Research 11 Entrepreneurial Inspiration 12 Basketball Player Receives Scholarship 12 Athlete Secures Scholarship 12 Leading the Way in Apple Research 13 WBS Annual Lecture 13 RE in Schools Defined by Secular Pressure Groups 14 Media Played Pivotal Role in Empowering Women 14 Students Win Bronze Medals 15 Lecturer Sparks Parliamentary Debate 15 Accommodation for Birds 16 Stalking Highlighted at Conference 16 Huntercombe Group Work With Student Nurses 17 SU Win Gold Award 17 Sustainability Conference 18 National Trust Partnership 18 Educating New Computer Science Teachers 18
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / May 2013 / 3
A Royal Opening
HRH The Duke of Gloucester Opens University Study and Guidance Centre Following the opening of The Hive by Her Majesty The Queen last year, the University of Worcester’s transformed former library was officially opened by the Queen’s Cousin, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO last month. Named after Edwin Peirson CBE, who served as Worcester College’s Principal from 1951 until 1978, the Peirson building hosted the University’s library for nearly 40 years. After the opening of The Hive, the country’s first joint university and public library, the Peirson building has been refurbished and transformed into a dedicated Study and Guidance Centre. It provides nearly 400 places for group and silent study, as well as two computer suites for teaching. The
Centre is also the hub for all of the University’s student services, including careers guidance, financial advice, earn as you learn opportunities, counselling and accommodation queries. Professor David Green said: “We are delighted that our Chancellor, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, opened this excellent facility. Our students now have more spaces at which to study than ever before. At the St John’s Campus we have the Peirson Study and Guidance Centre, at the City Campus we have The Hive and next to the University Arena we have the excellent learning facilities of the Riverside building. “The Peirson Study and Guidance Centre is proving very popular with our students and is a real centre for learning.”
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Peirson Study and Guidance Centre at a glance: •
396 study spaces (including 42 silent study spaces)
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212 student access PCs
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A new suite with 40 student access iMacs
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Two new flexible teaching spaces (each with capacity for 20 students)
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ICT help desk
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Print and copy facilities
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6 individual study rooms
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2 group study areas with large screens
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1 meeting room (capacity 12 people)
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Wi-Fi access
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Media equipment loans
COVER STORY
Firstpoint Firstpoint is the new home for the Student Enquiry and the Student Records desks, as well as most of the Student Services team and programme advisers. Firstpoint’s advisers aim to handle the majority of enquiries themselves but can also call upon specialist advisers from the Student Services, Accommodation Services and others. Firstpoint advisers can also make appointments with specialists such as counsellors and mental health advisers. Confidential and semi-confidential consulting spaces are available, so you can discuss more sensitive issues in confidence. Peirson also hosts the Careers and Study Skills Zone where students can get information, advice and guidance to help them develop their language skills, study skills, develop their career plans, organise their study abroad and find details of part-time job vacancies and earn as you learn opportunities which will enhance their employability.
The Duke tours the newly refurbished Peirson Study and Guidance Centre, including the specialist radio broadcasting studio housed in the building. Below right: Wendy Logan and Diana Barker, daughters of former Principal Ned Peirson, after whom the building is named.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / May 2013 / 5
NEWS
Record Breaking
Champions University’s Men’s Basketball Team Takes Championship Title Again The University of Worcester’s men’s basketball team has won the British Universities and Colleges Sports championship title for a record seventh time in nine years. The team won in the final game against Leeds Metropolitan University on Wednesday with a 71-62 score. This is the third Championship in succession under the coaching of the University’s Director of Basketball Paul James and his assistant Alex Radu. Paul is also head coach of England men’s and BBL side, Worcester Wolves. Paul said: “This third win in a row in the final of BUCS competition demonstrates once more the quality of the basketball programme we have here at the University of Worcester and confirms the fact that our University provides the best opportunity in the country to play basketball at the highest level and to study at the same time.” Basketball plays a significant role in the University’s sport-related educational outreach work and has been an integral part of the University’s highly successful ‘Learning Through Sport’ outreach programme for children.
l-r: Alex Radu, Stan Ocitti and Paul James
Mick Donovan, Head of the University’s Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, said: “We are thrilled. This is testimony to the great commitment of coaching staff and student athletes. The most significant factor is that we have created a sustainable university programme and have raised the bar in university sport, which shows that the partnership with our BBL club, the Worcester Wolves, is successful.” Stan Ocitti, who also plays for the Worcester Wolves and is on an MBA course at the University, was voted the most valuable player in the final.
STAFF NEWS Congratulations are due to two members of staff who have recently been appointed to new posts within the University.
Debbie Hodson is now Head of Academic Quality; Debbie
has been the deputy since she joined the University in 2006.
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The University also runs the European MSc in Basketball Coaching in partnerships with Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education and the Lithuanian Basketball Federation endorsed by FIBA Europe. Each year around 100 students apply from around the world for the basketball bursaries and the scholarships at the university, of which only a handful are awarded.
Hilary Woodward is now Deputy Director of Personnel;
Hilary has been a Personnel Adviser here since she joined us in 2005. We wish them both well in their new roles and look forward to working with them.
NEWS
National Women’s Basketball Programme Launched A national league women’s basketball programme is being launched, as a partnership between the University of Worcester and Worcester Wolves Basketball Club, mirroring the success of the men’s squad. Following the success of the University’s men’s basketball team and the Worcester Wolves, the University is now introducing a women’s programme and will be considering applications from female players for scholarships and bursaries for those hoping to study and play. The Wolves will also be hoping to attract the best players in the region who may not necessarily want to study but want to be part of the programme, which will be based at the University’s new Arena. The Arena has already been hailed as one of the finest basketball facilities in the country and the three courts add to the existing two courts that exist at St John’s Campus sports centre. Head of the University’s Institute of Sport & Exercise, Mick Donovan, who is also the co-founder of the Wolves, said: “We have created a great model that enables talented athletes to combine study with fulfilling their potential and playing ambitions. Significantly, the student athletes will also have the opportunity to develop coaching qualifications and get paid for working with youngsters in schools that will hopefully inspire the next generation of female players.”
Director of Basketball Paul James is equally excited about the new initiative. “We have the foundations and support mechanisms to develop an excellent female programme here in Worcester that we anticipate will be on a par with the men’s in the next three years,” he said. “We are eager to hear from any players who are interested in getting involved in the programme, whatever their current current playing level and we hope to be announcing dates for trials in the next few weeks.”
NUS Vice President Visit NUS Vice President (Higher Education) Rachel Wenstone described the University of Worcester as one of the most “public facing” universities she has come across. During a recent visit, Rachel visited The Hive and the new University of Worcester Arena. She also heard about the many projects the University is involved in which benefit the community. “The big project for the NUS this year is about post 16 and tertiary education and what it should look like, along with the public value of universities,” she said. “The Hive and the sports facilities at the University of Worcester are key examples of this. I’m quite blown away by it. “The work of Worcester Students’ Union, to recruit over 400 Student Academic Representatives (StARS) is also fantastic. The University is keeping academia at its core and making students feel a part of it. It’s one of the best examples I have seen.” Rachel was shown around by Worcester Students’ Union Vice President Sam Uppal. “We were delighted to welcome Rachel to Worcester,” Sam said. “There are many fantastic things going on here to bring higher education to the masses and provide great benefits educationally and socially to individuals and the community as a whole.”
University Helps Baby Boomers Conquer Internet Fear Students are working with the U3A, University of the Third Age, to help members learn how to use Skype, Facebook and connect with family and friends overseas and here in the UK. It’s having a huge impact on the lives of many users, with one saying she was now able to keep in touch with family in New Zealand. Rosemary Exon, Worcester member of the University of the Third Age,
said: “I didn’t want to get left behind and not understand computers. I can email but I wanted to know how to do the little extras like using Skype to stay in touch with my cousin in New Zealand” Brenda Silverwood was bought a computer by her daughter but wasn’t sure how to use the internet: “For years I was scared of using broadband. Then I heard about the U3A course and
thought I would join up and finally learn how to go online!” Odette Fielding, Riverside Administrator at the University facilitates the class and organises students to help members navigate their way around the internet. Odette said: “It’s a great opportunity for members to learn how to keep in touch online as well as socialise with new people. We provide tea and coffee after the sessions
so everyone can mix and discuss what they’ve learnt.” Annees Yakuoob is studying Web Development at the University of Worcester and decided to volunteer to help on the class. “It’s been a great way to further my skills and gain some more experience and the people I’m working with on the course are really nice.”
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news
Mathematics Conference Explores New National Curriculum Trainee teachers, senior managers and educators gathered at the University of Worcester for a conference exploring the new National Curriculum proposals for mathematics. The new curriculum, which has been criticised by the charity National Numeracy, is due to be introduced in schools next year. The conference at the University gave teachers, managers and trainee teachers the chance to debate the changes and get to grips with new strategies. Speakers included a representative from Ofsted, an author and educators. Organiser Pinky Jain, who is leading the new PGCE Primary Mathematics Subject Specialist course at the University of Worcester, said: “The conference was an excellent way for all those in mathematics teaching to share ideas and explore the new challenges in the new curriculum.”
The University of Worcester is one of only a handful of universities in the country to be awarded places to train primary mathematics subject specialists, as part of a new government drive.
8 / May 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Professor Wins Prestigious Wound Care Award
l-r: Charlotte Taylor (Research Assistant), Felicity South (Research Assistant), Professor Dominic Upton, Abbye Andrews (Research Assistant) and Dr Penney Upton
A team of psychology researchers, led by a University of Worcester Professor, have won a national award for their contribution to wound care research. Professor Dominic Upton received the Patient Experience Award at the inaugural Journal of Wound Care Awards held in London last month. The event was an international affair with nominations and entrants from more than 10 countries worldwide, including Canada, Denmark, Japan and the USA. The awards were created to recognise innovation and excellence in wound care, and highlight the great contribution that nurses, clinicians, scientists, researchers and academics make to the development of wound care research and practice. “I am delighted to accept this award,” Professor Upton said. “The awards provide an excellent opportunity to showcase excellence in wound care research and I am thrilled that our contribution to improving patient experience has been recognised. I must also extend my thanks to colleagues for their hard work and commitment to our research over a number of years.” Professor Upton and his team have completed numerous studies into the psychological impact of chronic wounds on patients, in terms of both short-term and long-term effects. Their research has also focused on patients’ experiences of wound care with a view to considering ways in which treatment and practice can be improved, not only for healing and treatment outcomes but also for patient well-being. Research findings have been disseminated widely, both nationally and internationally, through peer-reviewed journals, books and conference presentations. Professor Upton added: “Our work has important implications for medical and nursing practice. We hope that our research will raise awareness of the importance of psychological factors with wound healing. Most importantly, we hope that it will inform the practice of wound practitioners in both assessment and treatment of patients, and that this will lead to improvements in the quality of life of those living with a chronic wound.”
academic research
Can We Sustain Fresh Water Abstraction? Research by the University of Worcester and the Environment Agency is investigating whether England and Wales can continue to maintain its current level of fresh water abstraction for homes, agriculture and businesses. In the 1960s abstraction licensing was put in place to regulate water abstraction from rivers, streams and groundwaters. There is now a growing concern that owing to current and potential future changes in water availability, some licensed abstractions might no longer remain sustainable. Megan Klaar, Hydroecology researcher, funded by the University of Worcester and the Environment Agency, said: “When the licensing abstraction was put in place in the 1960s water availability was less of an issue but over time this surplus has decreased. “The research we are undertaking is very important in helping to inform the future direction the English and Welsh Governments should take on reforms to licensing and the management of water abstraction. “Some rivers are more sensitive to water abstraction than others, which can mean increased river pollution because of shortages in water supply and damage to fisheries and wildlife habitats as well as the loss of rivers and streams.”
Dr Ian Maddock, lecturer at the University of Worcester and expert in hydroecology, added: “As part of the research we are assessing the geology and shape of river beds to see how they respond to future changes in the environment and unsustainable abstraction.” The current system of abstraction licensing is not flexible enough to respond to future pressures such as climate change and population growth. Abstraction charges do not reflect water availability or encourage efficient use of water and the system creates barriers to the efficient sharing of water. Dr Maddock continued: “Any reform of abstraction licensing will look to take a fairer and more sustainable approach, for both the environment and the abstractor. The sensitivity of each river will be an important factor in helping to inform this.” The research will be completed by March 2014 and will help the Environment Agency to make a scientifically informed decision in determining how much water should be protected from abstraction to ensure that the plants, animals and environments which rely on river and groundwater are not damaged.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / May 2013 / 9
news
Worcester Shortlisted for Nurse Education Provider of the Year we have earned the reputation as one of the very best educators of nurses in the country. Our nursing students are very carefully selected for their ability to become outstanding caring, compassionate professionals.” Robert Dudley, Head of Nursing, Midwifery, and Paramedic Science at the University, added: The University of Worcester was shortlisted for Nurse Education Provider of the Year by the Nursing Times, the country’s leading specialist nursing newspaper. The University, which is currently ranked number one in the UK for nursing in the National Student Survey, after receiving a 100% satisfaction score, was one of just five universities from more than 70 eligible to be shortlisted as the pre-registration Nurse Education Provider of the Year. Professor David Green said: “Thanks to the outstanding work of the University’s specialist nursing staff, together with our partners in the Health Trusts in Herefordshire and Worcestershire,
“We are delighted to have been shortlisted. This is a tribute to our students and graduates, their mentors in the placement and practice settings and to my colleagues. We are deeply committed to preparing compassionate, well educated nurses of the future.” Worcester’s project, Sustaining Excellence – Preparing the Nurses of Tomorrow, draws together a wealth of experience and skills from practice and academia to provide the best training for nurses.
With a 100% employment record, the University provides nursing students with demanding, high quality courses combined with a supportive, modern and values-led learning environment. This results in educational excellence, according to the regular reports, reviews and inspections of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Strategic Health Authority and the annual National Student Survey. Penny Venables, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to hear that the University of Worcester has been shortlisted for the Student Nursing Times Award. “The Sustaining Excellence – Preparing the Nurses of Tomorrow project is exciting and deserves this recognition. We are always extremely proud of our partnership with the University of Worcester and the work we do to train the high quality nursing workforce for the future.”
Education for All – An Equal World? A conference examining the significance of education in international development was held at St John’s Campus on Saturday 9 March. The conference, organised by the Institute of Science & the Environment in conjunction with Beacons Development Education Centre, was attended by students from across all institutes within the University, as well as University staff, Beacons volunteers and interested members of the public. Entitled ‘Education for All: An Equal World?’, the conference examined the issue of unequal access to education throughout the developing world, and in particular, how gaps in education provision and enrolment are being addressed through various development initiatives. Following an opening address from Professor Lalage Bown OBE on the challenges facing universal education, the Institute of Education’s Gareth Dart discussed his experiences of supporting teacher education in Zambia through the
use of TESSA (Teacher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa) materials. Other speakers included Sophia Ireland from Oxfam UK, who reported on the ‘Send My Friend to School’ campaign; Geoff Rutherford, Head of The Wyche School in Malvern, who has a long-standing link with Gofu Juu School in Tanzania; and David Gordon, chairman of The Book Bus Foundation, a British charity Conference participants dedicated to improving child literacy in the developing world. MP Robin Walker also attended the conference, Dr Alan Dixon, Geography Lecturer and and once again showed his support for co-organiser of the conference, said, the work of Beacons and the University “There was a general feeling that this was in promoting awareness of international our best conference yet. We had some development issues. excellent speakers who stimulated a lot of debate, and it was great to see so many Afternoon workshop sessions explored of our students actively contributing to these and a range of other issues, and discussion. I think everyone came away throughout the day participants were feeling quite empowered by what they able to view Geography students’ poster had heard.” presentations that highlighted the ways in which education is central to a range of development issues.
10 / May 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
NEWS
Award-Winning Children’s Author Makes a Beeline to Worcester An award-winning author made a beeline to Worcester last month as part of the popular children’s storytelling festival. Kevin Crossley-Holland, known for his book ‘The Seeing Stone’, which won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the Smarties Prize Bronze Medal and the Tir na n-Og Award, came to the city to help kick-off the popular Beeline Children’s Storytelling Festival. He will also be returning in October as part of a month of activities. Mr Crossley-Holland has been announced as one of four top authors, illustrators and storytellers who will be at this year’s Beeline Festival, which is now in its eighth year.
Professor Jean Webb, Director of the International Forum for Research in Children’s Literature, said: “I have worked with Kevin before and he is an excellent speaker. He is not just a children’s author, but also an historian and Medieval scholar. He talked to us about his Arthurian trilogy but also more widely on writing historical fiction. We look forward to seeing him again in October.” Also confirmed for the Beeline Festival will be Jane Ray, an illustrator of children’s books, who has won the Smarties Prize, along with storyteller Michael Kerins; and children’s writer Chris Wormell.
Prizes for Beeline’s Biggest Fans Ten lucky winners who attended the Beeline Festival last year received special prizes at The Hive. Prizes included signed books by Britain’s best children’s authors including Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Morris Gleitzman and Michael Rosen. One of the winners is now the lucky owner of a Tom Gates illustration by Liz Pichon. Winners’ families, friends and teachers attended the event, providing the opportunity for the keenest Beeline fans to visit The Hive and explore the rich collection of children’s literature. Steve Boffy, Beeline’s Festival manager, said: “The enthusiasm at the event was amazing. All children are on board with us for the next festival in October. We are delighted to hear that they loved the events they attended and can’t wait to see what we have in line for this year.”
Research Explores Engagement of Women in Cycling Following the success of Great Britain’s Olympic cyclists, a new piece of research will look at women’s engagement with the sport. Gold medallists Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish have catapulted women’s cycling into the limelight. Yet the sport is still largely male dominated, according to PhD Psychology student Danielle Stephens. “I am very passionate about this research, not only because I am a road cyclist, but because sport in general is male dominated and I want to explore what it is that deters women from cycling, both as recreation and competitively” she said. “Is there something particular in the culture that puts them off, or is it the domestic duties and the lack of time, bearing in mind that household dynamics have already changed?” Danielle is carrying out her research at the University of Worcester and will be exploring the motivational factors and differences in these
between men and women. The research project is one of the first to consider the social aspects of the sport, exploring what challenges women’s participation. “So far the first stage has been successful – I have managed to collect 360 responses from men and women from all around the country who are practising cycling as part of their leisure time or competitively,” she said. will actively join different cycling sports clubs and observe the environment, including conducting focus groups and interviews with both men and women.
The study will examine whether the motivations and needs of women and men are supported within the cycling club culture, what female cyclists’ experiences are within this, and the dominant discourses drawn upon in managing and positioning the female sporting body. It also looks into the barriers which discourage participation, specifically for women, within the cycling culture. In order to achieve its aims, in the second stage of the research Danielle
Looking forward to the end of the research in 2015, Danielle hopes that the findings will have implications on sporting and health policy reform, as well as health promotion strategies. If you are interested in participating in the research, please email Danielle Stephens at k.stephens@worc.ac.uk
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / May 2013 / 11
NEWS
Entrepreneurial Inspiration University of Worcester Business students and members of the general public got a flare of inspiration by Britain’s top entrepreneurs during the Virtual Enterprise Conference. The fourth Virtual Enterprise Conference, which took place in Birmingham on the 19-20 March, was streamed live at The Hive for everyone interested in setting up new businesses in Worcester. Worcester Business School students alongside budding entrepreneurs attended the talk to hear some of Britain’s top entrepreneurs’ stories of how they took their ideas and turned them into reality. Nick Holzherr, founder of food app Whisk, and Neil Crocker, founder of DizzyJam.com, a website helping musicians promote merchandise, were two of the speakers who shared their top tips for successful start-ups. The attendees had the chance to comment and ask questions in a specially designed interactive blog, allowing people from any part of the world to participate. Dr Basil Omar, Sessional Lecturer in Marketing and Global Business Strategy at the University of Worcester and a local co-ordinator for the Conference, said: “Our aim is to create and encourage a culture of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship here at the University. This conference was received very positively by our students as the subject was very close to their hearts and motivated them to go further with their own business ideas. “Considering the high competition in getting graduate positions, our students should be encouraged to set up a business on their own. I am glad that I managed to speak to some of them at the conference and share some of my rich experience in entrepreneurship.” Dr Omar hopes that some of Worcester’s graduates who faced challenges in opening a business will be able to participate in the next edition of the conference and share their experience with the University’s current students.
Professional Basketball Player Receives Scholarship An experienced basketball player has been awarded £750 from the University of Worcester’s Scholarship Panel. Harry Turner is currently playing for the Worcester Wolves and the University of Worcester first team. He has been playing the sport since the age of 12. The 19-year-old, who is in the first year of a Business Management degree at the University, has won a variety of awards including receiving the Sports Achiever Award three times from his high school and the Most Valuable Player award at the National Cup Final. “Luckily, I was awarded the scholarship and I will be able to play basketball and develop my skills further, which is a great opportunity for me,” said Harry. “It takes a huge weight off my parents’ and my shoulders, as I
Harry Turner
(photo credit Keith Hunt)
won’t have to worry about paying for my training, including new trainers and travelling costs.” The talented player from Milton Keynes has played for five teams in his basketball career. In March, Harry helped the University’s team win the British Universities & Colleges Sport championship title.
Talented Athlete Secures Scholarship A talented athlete with multiple championship titles has been awarded £500 from the University of Worcester’s Scholarship Panel. Ann Ika-Oqua, a first-year Sport & Exercise Psychology student at the University, holds 14 national and 30 regional titles in athletics. Her latest titles include a bronze medal at the National Amateur Athletics Association of England Championships and a bronze medal at the 2012 English Schools. The 400m runner, who is from Netherton, West Midlands, has been competing since the age of 12. The twice champion at the mini Olympics, UK school games, said she was looking forward to continuing her professional sports career and adding more titles to her collection of medals. “I love what I am doing, but it is very expensive to cover all the costs for equipment and training,” said the 19-year-old. “Thanks to the scholarship I will be able to pay for my training sessions and accommodation, buy new kits, without relying on my parents’ support. It is a huge help.” Ann has already begun her indoors season and has represented the University in the British Universities & Colleges Sport competition that took place in February. Ann Ika-Oqua
12 / May 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
COVER STORY NEWS
WBS Annual Lecture
Student Leading the Way in Apple Research
Director General of the Institute of Directors Delivered Worcester Business School Annual Lecture
A PhD student is researching more natural ways to help apples grow and flourish in the UK. Megan McKerchar’s research explores the affect that planting wildflowers in orchards will have on improving pollination of the fruit and helping pest regulation. The 24-year-old’s research will help farmers and producers produce better crops in a costeffective way. Megan, originally from County Clare in Ireland, has a background in Zoology, Biodiversity and Conservation, along with research into the changes in bee and wasp numbers. But her new project, which takes her to Kent’s apple yards, means she will be looking at pest management and pollination on a large scale – one of the first combined studies of this scale undertaken. “Previous studies have been with much smaller plots but mine will be using one hectare plots over 10 different sites,” she said. “This is also the first study to look at pest management and pollination on a one hectare scale.” Megan will be carrying out the research with the popular Braeburn and new Jazz varieties of apples. She will be exploring whether the use of wildflowers attracts native insects, including wild solitary bees which help pollinate the apples, and hover flies, earwigs and parasitoid wasps which naturally eat and regulate the pests which are detrimental to the crop, such as aphids and moths. She is using ten species of flowers, including Birdsfoot Trefoil, Oxeye Daisy and Greater Knapweed, which are currently being sown. She is now monitoring the inspects and the quality of the apples.
“The good thing about the wildflowers we are researching is that they are common and so if this works, it will be cost-effective for farmers and growers to use,” she said. “It will also mean they don’t have to mow as much, so will mean less fuel and time required for orchard management.” The project is jointly funded by the University of Worcester, Fruition PO and Waitrose Plc. Megan said:
“I am really excited about this project. There is a lot of research ahead of me but I’m hopeful it will go well. I want to thank my sponsors who are helping me do this work and the support that the University is giving me while I am here. I am also so pleased to be working and living in Worcester, it’s a great city and I feel very comfortable here already.” Megan is currently writing a blog about her research, which can be found at www. applesandwildflowers.blogspot. co.uk
Local businesses, university academics and students had the opportunity to meet one of Britain’s leading business figures at an event hosted by the University of Worcester. Simon Walker, Director General of the Institute of Directors (IoD), visited the University on 5 March to discuss the role of business groups in influencing government at the annual Worcester Business School Lecture. Highlighting the importance of encouraging the development of private businesses to boost the country’s economic growth, a lively discussion of different business experiences and situations followed. As part of his day at the University, the ex-chief executive of the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association and his colleagues from the IoD also visited The Hive and the City Campus, where they met Worcester Business School students. Discussing how the IoD can help them develop their own business ideas, the students received valuable advice on how to progress in their professional careers. Simon said: “I have been hugely impressed by the University of Worcester’s commitment to the business sector. What’s most important is how we can inspire students to show them that starting a business is the most exciting thing you can do in life.” As part of his career, Simon has been Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing of Reuters and Communications Secretary to HM The Queen. His rich experience also includes being the Director of Corporate Affairs at British Airways and a special adviser in the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit at 10 Downing Street.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER 2009 / 13 newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / May 2013 / 13
ACADEMIC RESEARCH
Religious Education in schools defined by secular pressure groups Joint research paper by Education experts from the University of Worcester and the University of Exeter highlights the crucial role of Secularists and Humanists in the development of modern Religious Education in the 1960s and 1970s. The influence of faith groups and educators in the history of Religious Education has long been understood, but previously unacknowledged levels of influence by non-religious groups have now been revealed. The research, funded by the British Academy, was published in the journal History of Education. It outlines how premeditated attempts to marginalise Christianity from the life and curriculum of state-maintained schools were made by the National Secular Society and the British Humanist Association during the 1960s and 1970s. It also shows how many Christians and religious educators of the time actively cooperated with Humanist groups and invited discussions with Secularists. The Secularist and Humanist movements gained popularity in the 1960s. They focussed much of their attention on attempts to abolish or reform the requirement that all state-school pupils should participate in a daily act of worship and receive regular Religious Education, which was outlined in the 1944 Education Act. Whilst not sufficiently persuasive to change the law, they helped change the aim of Religious Education from Christian instruction seeking to make church members. This was during a period of rapid social and cultural change, including decreasing rates of Christian practice, mass immigration and permissive changes to legislation. These changes created a climate where many who belonged to the churches thought Religious Education, and perhaps even Christianity itself, were in need of defence.
In this context, the researchers found that Christians and Humanists entered into discussions about how Religious Education could be developed in such a way that it was suitable for pupils and teachers regardless of their religious or secular beliefs. As a consequence pupils began to be taught more widely about religions such as Hinduism and Islam. More controversially, Religious Education syllabuses also began to include non-religious philosophies such as Humanism and Communism. Moral education was also increasingly delivered separately from Christian teaching and worship. Whilst the churches may have been fearful of any changes to the legislation on Religious Education, the research suggests that Christians and religious educators were not press-ganged into co-operation with nonreligious groups. Rather, many of them deliberately liaised with non-religious groups, in particular Humanists. Dr Stephen Parker, Head of Postgraduate Studies and Research Student Co-ordinator of the Institute of Education atWorcester, said: “My ongoing research into the history of Religious Education is revealing some fascinating things about how Religious Education came to be as it is today. Examining the historical details may help us to plan for the subject’s future whatever shape that might take. We plan to discuss these issues in some detail at a forthcoming conference entitled ‘the Future of RE’ to be held at the University on 19 June.” For further information and to book for this event, please email Dr Stephen Parker at: s.parker@worc.ac.uk
14 / May 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Media Played Pivotal Role in Empowering Women A leading expert on women’s history has reflected on the pivotal role played by the media in empowering women. Professor Maggie Andrews said the media had, over the centuries, given women the power and the platform to become liberated. The topic is explored in a new book on the interrelationship of women’s history and media history, co-edited by Professor Andrews. “Media has been hugely important to women in the twentieth century,” she said. “Women have drawn upon the lexicon of media images of femininity to build a sense of who they are and who they could be. “The introduction of the radio into the homes in the 1920s, for example, changed women’s lives. It provided leisure, education and an engagement with the wider world to many housewives. As both radio and television are domestic mediums they have given women a voice and increasingly become an important space for discussion of women’s issues and a questioning of women’s roles. “Therefore media has played a vital role in twentieth century feminism – it is impossible to imagine the changing role of women in the last 100 years without the important role of the media in these changes.” In the chapters of Women and the Media: Feminism and Femininity in Britain, 1900 to the Present, Professor Andrews also takes a look at the role the media has played in the contested and changing social position of women in Britain since the Edwardian era, which has arguably been side-lined within Women’s History. “The Suffragettes in the Edwardian period were very media savvy,” said Professor Andrews. “Their campaigns, marches and civil unrest were always planned to get maximum media coverage. In the 1960s and 1970s magazines like Honey and Cosmopolitan gave feminism a voice. More recently the media has provided a range of feminist role modules of the latter twentieth century such as: Cagney and Lacey in the 1980s and more recently Kate Adie and Nigella Lawson.” Professor Maggie Andrews and Sallie McNamara, of Southampton Solent University, will complete the new book in June this year, which will be published and available in next year.
NEWS
University Students Land Bronze Medals at the Visually Impaired World Championships
Two students have returned from Japan with bronze medals after representing England at an international football competition. The students represented their country at the World Visually Impaired Football Championships in Sendai, Japan. They played against the host country, as well as Ukraine and Russia. Adam Lione, who is a first-year Journalism and Sports student at the University, was a member of the playing squad. He said:
“The tournament was an amazing experience. The best part of it was representing our country at an international championship, the excitement of hearing each player’s name and singing the national anthem.” The 19-year-old from Southminster, Essex, added: “I’m very proud to be able to say I have won a bronze medal for my
country. Although we had hoped and deserved to win gold, our bronze will help us progress for the next tournament.” Russell Wheldon, who is doing his Masters in Sports Coaching at the University, was the England Squad’s Performance Analyst. He said:
“I have been to a number of tournaments and this one was the best so far. The atmosphere in Japan was fantastic – such great people and culture. It is definitely a lovely place to win a bronze medal.” The 24-year-old, from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, added: “I was pleased when I was given the medal. We played really well and we deserved to win it. Meeting the Head of the International Blind Sports Federation and the Japanese mascots made the
Adam Lione and Russell Wheldon
experience even more exciting.” The team lost 2-1 to Russia, knocking them out of the chance to go for gold. Looking further into the future, the team will take part in the European Championships in June 2014.
Lecturer Sparks Parliamentary Debate A University of Worcester lecturer sparked a House of Commons debate about the future of Design & Technology in the schools curriculum. Sue Wood-Griffiths, Senior Lecturer in Secondary Education: Design & Technology (D&T), approached Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff to raise her concerns about the future of the subject. Following her visit, Mr Luff made a speech in the House of Commons in March, sparking a debate on the draft D&T curriculum. The Government’s proposed new National Curriculum for Design and Technology draft had received a very critical reception from industrialists and academics for not addressing the exciting realities of modern engineering and also for placing too great an emphasis on cooking. In his speech Mr Luff said: “I am here today primarily because of a constituent, Sue Wood-Griffiths, a lecturer at the University of Worcester, who recently
came to see me in my constituency surgery to express her concerns. A phrase in the email that Sue sent me yesterday sums everything up nicely:
“We should acknowledge that we are educating children today for a world that they will live in in the future and not the one we used to live in.” He went on to say: “The two greatest avoidable threats to our prosperity and security are the deficit of science, technology, engineering and maths, (STEM) skill shortages. A good D&T Curriculum can make a major contribution to addressing this second issue. “However, as the minister will be aware, great concern about the draft
D&T curriculum is being expressed by academics and teachers. But this is no plea of simple self-interest from producer groups. Industry - the end user of the skills provided to our children at school - is deeply concerned too.” Ms Wood-Griffiths said: “I am really pleased that Mr Luff has taken this forward as a direct consequence of my meeting with him. Furthermore I was able to embrace the support of academics in other universities and colleagues in the subject association who deluged Mr Luff with information to prepare for the debate. He has presented a very robust case for the subject and for the need to review the current proposal for the curriculum.”
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / May 2013 / 15
news
New Accommodation – This Time for Birds More than 30 bird boxes have been installed at the University of Worcester as part of its commitment to the environment. B&Q (Malvern) has sponsored the scheme, donating 25 boxes suitable for house sparrows, great tits, blue tits, and nuthatches. In addition three starling nest boxes and nine boxes for robins and wrens have been installed. The boxes will be monitored annually by students Bird ringer David Coker with students studying from the University’s Conservation Ecology and Environmental Management Environmental and Conservation Society. It follows the installation of two bee hotels at the University’s St John’s Campus last year to help the country’s wild bee population. Dr Duncan Westbury, a Senior Lecturer at the University, said: “We are all aware that we should provide food and water for our garden birds throughout the year, but we also need to think about where these birds can nest. Increasing the survival of our adult birds by providing food and water only addresses one of the reasons for declines in our urban birds.
“Providing nest boxes that are correctly positioned will help safeguard our vulnerable bird species.” Following advice from John Daye at the RSPB, Dr Westbury instigated the bird box scheme on the St John’s Campus. Dr Westbury added: “Many bird species in the UK and across Europe have declined significantly since the 1970s and some of these key species can be found in urban gardens. However, there is an increasing trend for gardens to be kept tidier and weed free, along with lawns being replaced with low maintenance concrete, gravel or paving, which in turn reduces the availability of food for our garden birds. Suitable nesting sites have also been lost due to modern building design and construction. These factors amongst others are believed to have contributed to the decline of our once common birds such as starling and house sparrow.” As part of the initiative, this year sees the start of an annual ringing project of birds on the University’s St John’s Campus. Birds will be monitored by David Coker, a long-standing licensed bird ringer based in Ledbury, in conjunction with students at the University studying Conservation Ecology and Environmental Management. Mr Coker said: “As well as improving the environment on the campus for birds, the nest boxes will enable the students to collect data to be fed into the Integrated Population Monitoring programme of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), which provides key indicators on the welfare of the nation’s birds to government and conservation agencies.”
16 / May 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Stalking Highlighted at Special Conference When Tricia Bernal’s daughter was killed by a stalker in a London department store in 2005 her life was turned upside down. Twenty-two-year-old Clare was gunned down in Harvey Nichols where she worked as a beauty consultant. Her killer, Michael Pech, had been stalking her since the breakdown of a relationship. Mrs Bernal was welcomed to Worcester last month and spoke of this horrific experience during a special one day conference. Stalking: Know the Law; Use the Law was organised by Worcester lecturer Ruth Jones, in a bid to raise awareness about stalking and the law relating to it. The conference was aimed at professionals and students working and studying in the fields of domestic and sexual violence, social welfare, psychology, education and health. Ruth, the University’s Programme Lead for the Centre for the Study of Violence and Abuse, said: “We were grateful to Tricia Bernal, who spoke so courageously at our conference and gave a mother’s account of such a tragic case of stalking. “We hope that the conference left professionals with the chance to explore the law and get to know how best it can be used to prevent such incidences.” The conference also heard from Sam Taylor, who was stalked by her former partner and gave evidence of her case in Parliament at the Stalking Law Reform campaign, which led to a specific stalking law being introduced in England and Wales in November 2012. Other speakers at the event included Martin Lakeman, Strategic Co-ordinator for Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence for Worcestershire, Laura Richards, Criminal Behaviour Analyst and Advisor, and Detective Chief Inspector Paul Williamson.
COVER STORY NEWS
Student Nurses Receive Experience of Treating Patients With Eating Disorders The Huntercombe Group teams up with the University of Worcester to educate student nurses. Student nurses will receive handson experience in the treating and mentoring of patients with eating disorders thanks to a new partnership with The Huntercombe Group. Students will have the opportunity to spend time shadowing specialist clinicians and therapists, at the group’s Cotswold Spa Hospital. Working alongside these healthcare professionals, students will be given the opportunity to consolidate theoretical knowledge and practical application through valuable exposure to patients suffering from severe eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia.
as a beneficial placement to work and gain understanding of the independent sector. Staff members have attended mentorship training in preparation for their arrival, so the unit is ideally situated to host our new guests. “In return, this is a wonderful opportunity to ensure that we are helping to develop the nurses of the future. The treatment of eating disorders is extremely complex so it’s vital that students receive good quality training which isn’t just theoretical but also practical.” Robert Dudley, Head of Preregistration Nursing at Worcester, said: “We are delighted that our students have been given this opportunity to gain vital experience at the Huntercombe’s Cotswold Spa Hospital. Being able to apply their knowledge practically will be a huge benefit to their training and development.
The work placement will contribute to the students’ overall training, with learning objectives “The nursing degree at Worcester set out beforehand by their was ranked number one in the university tutors. Students will country in the most recent become familiar with both the National Student Survey, with a psychological and also medicinal 100% satisfaction rating, which is treatment used when treating largely down to the quality of work patients with eating disorders. placements, such as this, that our They will also follow real life students can participate in. patient cases and learn more about the on-going issues both “We are determined that our doctors and patients face during student nurses graduate with this particular type of treatment. maximum experience across a range of areas, and this new Commenting on the forthcoming partnership is vital to that mission.” placements, Anne-Marie Willis, Hospital Manager for the In addition to the work Cotswold Spa Huntercombe placements, Anne-Marie will Hospital, said: “The collaboration also be delivering a talk to between the University of the students on recruitment Worcester and The Huntercombe opportunities at Cotswold Cotswold Spa Hospital is a brilliant Spa and within the wider way to strengthen connections Huntercombe Group. between the two institutions. “Students will receive a valuable hands-on learning experience whilst viewing the hospital
Students’ Union Picks up Gold Award for Sustainability
Paul Johnston and Kynton Swingle celebrate
Worcester Students’ Union has picked up a Gold Award at the National Union of Students’ Green Impact ceremony. The award recognises the Union’s commitment to sustainability and environmental practice. Green Impact Students’ Unions is a behavioural change programme delivered by the NUS which provides each Students’ Union with a bespoke workbook of criteria for staff to work through, helping to improve practice in areas such as energy, procurement, biodiversity and waste. Kynton Swingle, President of Worcester Students’ Union at the University of Worcester, said: “It is a tremendous honour to receive the Green Impact Gold Award for the first time. With the award recognising unions that place particular emphasis on being as environmental and ethical as possible when operating, it’s a fantastic achievement. “Over the last few years we have consistently received the Silver Award. However, from the hard work of the groups of students that ensure the Union has a strong environmental and ethical conscience, this year we have been able to make the step up to Gold.” The award was presented at a gala dinner with over 100 Students’ Unions competing against each other. Dannie Grufferty, NUS Vice President of Society and Citizenship, said: “It’s so important to congratulate Students’ Unions for their dedication to improving environmental practice, and it’s wonderful to see the standards being raised each year, thanks to the innovation and commitment displayed by countless staff and students.”
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NEWS
Educating New
The 2013 Research Focus Conference takes place on Friday 10 May 2013
Computer Science Teachers
The theme this year is:
Sustainability
A new breed of specialist Computer Science teachers are to be educated at the University of Worcester to tackle a new Government drive in the nation’s schools.
The one day event takes place at Riverside, Hylton Road, Worcester Open to all, free admission To book your place please email: research@worc.ac.uk
Students Commence Partnership with the National Trust Design students from the University of Worcester visited the National Trust’s Croome Court stately home to begin the first of many collaborative projects with the Trust. The partnership is part of the Heritage Lottery-funded Croome Redefined project and is being undertaken to repair and redefine Croome. The students had been briefed to take part in a two-day ‘Pressure Project’ at Croome, which will contribute to their degree course. The project aimed to give them the experience of the quick turnarounds common in the design industries that many are aiming to work in after graduation. As such they had 24 hours to create a set of ‘working prototype’ designs and concepts for Croome’s ‘storyboard’, to present at a Dragon’s Den-style panel at which the best piece of work was selected. Croome Redefined’s Project Manager Richard Higgs said of the collaboration:
“Our partnership is a brilliant start to Croome Redefined and we’re very proud that we have made such a strong connection with our local university.
The students were supervised throughout the project’s duration by a team of University design lecturers, including Senior Lecturer in Design, Helen Holmes. “This partnership is a fantastic opportunity for our students to get involved with a live project. The experience is invaluable and the pressure of working to a tight deadline and having one chance to present their concepts is a perfect introduction to the life of a ‘real’ creative,” she said. Design student Heather McGinty added: “I can’t imagine a better opportunity for a designer still studying for their degree than to have an opportunity to work with such an established company as the National Trust.” A team of second and third year students from the Pressure Project is now working on developing their ideas further in order to finalise the storyboard. The storyboard will be a web-based interactive local community and visitor hub for information and feedback on Croome Redefined.
The students from many different departments will form our Creative New Talent Teams and our first step was to invite them to start creating ideas for our storyboard.”
In early 2012, the Department for Education identified the introduction of Computer Science teaching into schools as an official goal, a move supported by technology giants Microsoft and Google. Computer Science differs from the previously taught Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in that it teaches pupils about the creation of new software, such as mobile apps, rather than merely teaching them how to use existing software. In response to this change in direction, the University has been awarded 20 new PGCE places in Computer Science by the Teaching Agency. The course commences in September 2013. The course will educate and develop specialist Computer Science teachers who can deliver the Government’s new Computer Science GCSE in schools. Dr Colin Price, Principal Lecturer in Computing in the University’s Business School, said: “During the early days of ICT, teachers were conscripted in from other disciplines often without additional training. This has resulted in many schools who are considering introducing Computer Science at GCSE level, struggling with a lack of qualified Computer Science teachers.” He added: “Computing as a discipline in schools is clearly changing with a focus on development of Computer Science thinking and skills. This will surely better prepare our youngsters for careers in computing as well as giving them a better understanding of the working and power of the ubiquitous computer-based devices which form a fundamental part of their lives.” Alison Winson, Head of Secondary PGCE at Worcester, said: “We are very excited that the University of Worcester, in conjunction with our partnership schools, will be at the forefront of training outstanding teachers to teach this new cutting edge subject in secondary schools.”
Students at Croome Court
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