SPACE April 2014

SPace

Bath Spa University’s monthly magazine APRIL 2014

London Streets App TEACHING AWARDS 2014

Letter to an Unknown Soldier

FEATURES 10

Spotlight on...

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My student experience...

Gloria Azubuike, BA (Hons) English Literature

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New student internships

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The past and present of London streets

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Teaching awards 2014

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Sara Gallagher, Student Support Manager

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Alumni News

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NEWS 6

Update from the Vice-Chancellor

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In the News

8 Newton Park campus development update

18 Helping teachers understand Attachment Awareness

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Equality Forum 2014

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New student internships

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Spotlight on… Sara Gallagher, Student Support Manager

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Visit from Principal of Mufulira College of Education in Zambia

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Talking Point… Are students on traditional degree courses struggling to find work experience?

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Alumni News

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British Council student photo competition success

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My student experience… Gloria Azubuike, 30 Enterprise and Local Partnerships BA (Hons) English Literature update

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SPACE magazine is published every month and is aimed at staff and students of Bath Spa University. SPACE welcomes contributions from all members of the Bath Spa community.

Want to get involved? Contact Jane Wakefield – j.wakefield@bathspa.ac.uk Editor Jane Wakefield

Features Writer Rob Breckon

Design and Layout Lorna Leigh Harrington

Contributors Natasha Dattani Gloria Azubuike Tom Davidson Kate James David Bailey (photography)

Front cover Kumar Pushpam’s award winning postcard

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32 Environmental Focus 36

Teaching Awards 2014

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What’s on

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Archive update

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Staff News

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Professor Christina Slade, Vice-Chancellor

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Update from the Vice-Chancellor Over three years in the making, Commons opened its doors in April with staff moving into

their new offices. Teaching in Commons will take place from the start of the summer term and exams will also be held in the building. My thanks goes out to everyone who has played a part in shaping this huge project. I hope that many of you can join us on the 5 June for the official opening ceremony. I encourage you all to take the opportunity to visit the building and explore the facilities.

The University’s Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Institutional Review report has now been published. It is great to see that we have been praised for our work in areas of employability and responding to student survey feedback.

The Professorial Lecture Series continues in the summer term and I hope to see many of you at one of the events. On the 14 May, Tessa Hadley will be reading a brand new short story, the first of the lectures to take place in Commons. In June we have a special guest lecture from Professor Liz Coleman from Bennington College in Boston, USA. The lecture, Thought, Action and Passion: the Power and Obligations of Liberal Education, is an open lecture as part of the Global Academy of Liberal Arts launch. To see all of the listings for forthcoming lectures visit www.bathspa.ac.uk/pls Finally, it is pleasing to see that the number of student contributors to SPACE has grown over recent months. In this issue we have articles from three students. If you are interested in writing for SPACE please contact Jane Wakefield j.wakefield@bathspa.ac.uk

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Newton park campus development update Commons

Commons: The building is now open! Come along and take a look inside Commons, explore the learning commons and quiet study areas, try out a pod and wonder at the media wall. Staff from the Department of Business and Management and the School of Humanities and Cultural Industries have now moved into Commons and are based on the second floor. The fit-out of the digital studio and editing suites is continuing and is due to be finished by September. The building will be officially opened at a special event on 5 June

Residential development: The continued good weather has allowed

Miller to make good progress on the residential accommodation. The interior fit-out of some blocks has started and work has begun on some of the external landscaping. Two Bath Spa students are currently undertaking work experience with the contractors Miller one day a week to visit the site and learn more about the construction and building management processes.

You can follow the progress of the residential accommodation development via a webcam which is available here If you have any questions or queries about the developments, please email the team npdevelopment@bathspa.ac.uk 88

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Equality Forum 2014 Bath Spa University and the University of Bath are again hosting a joint Equality Forum. The

theme this year is ‘Finding Common Ground’ and over the course of the day there will be a number of opportunities to discuss a range of equality and diversity issues, including women in leadership, raising cultural awareness, mental health, access and inclusion.

Professor Terry Threadgold, formerly Professor of Communication and Cultural Studies and Pro Vice-Chancellor Staff and Diversity at Cardiff University will deliver the keynote lecture and speak about the reasons for the continued underrepresentation of women in various areas of academic life, and highlight some positive lessons for the future. The full programme for the day is available here

All students and staff are welcome, as well as local employers and community groups. To book a place, please email hrcontact@bathspa.ac.uk

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spotlight ON...

Sara Gallagher, Student Support Manager Sara Gallagher has worked within student

support and welfare at Bath Spa University for over 12 years. As Student Support Manager Sara leads a friendly and caring team of professional staff who deliver an all year round service to students who may require advice and guidance for a variety of different reasons.

spotlight on...

Sara explained: “One of our core functions is the implementation of support packages for disabled students and applicants and to ensure the University is as an accessible environment as it can be, both in the literal and virtual sense.

“We also provide advice and guidance to students on a daily basis in a wide range of areas such as finances, emergency loan/ access to learning fund applications, learning support, dyslexia assessment and practical help, medical appointments, disability matters, mental health, eating disorders, counselling, referrals to other Departments, support for care leavers, Peer Mentor Scheme, work-life balance, time management, motivation and general advice and guidance.”

Sara has seen a number of changes over the years she has worked in Student Support: “Across all universities there has been a huge increase in students presenting with mental health related matters, from 10

long-term diagnosis through to stress and anxiety-related problems. There seems to be a growing recognition of the many different issues individuals can be faced with.

“Higher Education and the role of student support services has changed significantly during my time at Bath Spa. There has been a major culture shift in terms of student support and the ongoing professionalisation of such services. No longer are support services regarded as the ‘fluffy’ add-ons…well I hope not!”

“The value of what we do, not only to the individual, but also to the institution can be critical especially with student experience and student satisfaction such huge parts of university life.”

Confidentiality is at the forefront of the service Sara and her team provide. There are many aspects of the job that she enjoys, but a number of things she would also change if

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given the chance, as she explains: “Our team has grown significantly during my time here and I believe the importance of the work we do is recognised by students, as well as staff and senior managers alike.

“I get a huge amount of satisfaction out of my job and often reflect on how privileged I am to be able to offer to help someone who may be in a huge amount of distress or hardship. What we do isn’t necessarily about fixing things, but more about enabling a student to complete their degree and graduate. Our role is about making this opportunity as accessible and flexible as possible to the individual needs of each student.”

Following a suggestion from the ViceChancellor’s Office, Sara has been working with Emma Weskin, Vice-President Welfare of the Students’ Union to organise a week of activities under the banner of ‘Stamp out Stress: Bath Spa says relax!’

Sara explains: “We appreciate that during the final assessment period our students are under a lot of pressure and may experience feelings of stress. We recognise this and hopefully have planned a range of events and activities that may help.

long Stress to Success workshops run by an emotional support practitioner who will provide attendees with stress reducing techniques to take away with them. The event will also feature head and neck massage therapists at both the Newton Park and Sion Hill libraries providing free 15 minute treatments, mini health MOT’s for those who would like to have their cholesterol, BMI, and weight checked, financial health-checks, graduate job searching workshops, top tips and other giveaways.

“On the Thursday there will be a mini farm outside the Library at Newton Park. We hope that everyone will take the opportunity to come and see and pet the animals that will be there, including lambs, duckling, rabbits and a pony!

It’s proven that having contact with animals can reduce stress levels and we wanted to do something that would make people smile!”

The Stamp out Stress series of events has now been confirmed and will take place from Monday 12 to Friday 16 May. More information is available at http://thehub.bathspa.ac.uk/ stampoutstress.

“We have a wide range of events including hour-

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talking point Are students on traditional degree courses struggling to find work experience? By Natasha Dattani

I am currently counting down the days to impending doom! No more will I be able to tick the box ‘student’, instead I will subsume to the category of ‘un-employed’.

At 18 years old, naïve and studying at a well-established school in Singapore, I was pressurised into choosing a course to study at university. I didn’t know what I wanted to be, or who I wanted to be for that matter, all I knew was that university was the next rite of passage. So here I am three years later and I still don’t know exactly what I want to do, but I like to think I now know myself a little better. English Literature at Bath Spa allows you to study a range of subjects from Philosophy, to Psychology, to Gothic Literature and there’s even an Environmental Crisis module. So I followed my instinct and opted for English Literature, a traditional subject that holds credibility and validity, or so I thought.

Since the Christmas break I have been applying for internships and various types of work experience in the fashion industry. Sending application forms and CVs has become a

talking point

monotonous and tiresome task, and some of my phone calls have been so brief, I haven’t been able to use my desperate line of “I am willing to work for free”. The HR manager at one company told me that my application would only be looked at if I had a ‘fashion related degree’; it was for a personal assistant job. Exasperated with the responses, I am now questioning why my degree is confining me to follow a certain career path.

In my experience students on a specialised degree course, such as fashion merchandising, are perceived by employers as having the commitment and dedication to a specific career path.

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Specialised degrees are often structured in such a way that they give students an advantage when trying to secure work experience and ensure their CV is tailored to the industry of their choice.

Although specialised degrees are great for people who know exactly what career path they want to follow, traditional subjects should not be disregarded. Subjects such as English Literature or Philosophy require students to understand the root of the subject. Learning the history and background allows you to explore the subject from different angles. You discover your strengths and weaknesses and are not restricted to a particular profession when you graduate.

An internship should act in a similar way by providing room for exploration and an opportunity for people to test a work environment to see they really want to work in that industry. My time at university has taught me to write essays, reviews and blog posts and create websites. It is clear that as society has changed, the traditional subjects have adapted their method of learning to make students more diverse and adaptable in the work force. Personally, I don’t see why my application should be over-looked. The subject I study is diverse, which could offer a fresh perspective.

Fundamentally, my degree has taught me to analyse fiction and non-fiction writing, to structure my work to a high academic standard and to be meticulous. All attributes that are necessary in any job, whether it is fashion focused or not. I see no reason why traditional subjects should be automatically disregarded by particular application processes because they have taught a breadth of skills and not specific ones that only relate to one industry.

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my student experience...

Gloria Azubuike, BA (Hons) English Literature

I can remember Freshers’ Week like it was

my student experience

yesterday, in fact, I can remember the first day I decided I wanted to spend the next three years of my life at Bath Spa. Since then it has been a rollercoaster ride of activities, events and assignments (and a landslide of essays!).

I’ve made some lifelong friends and in the two years since I came to Bath Spa, I’ve learnt so many useful life lessons. One of the first things that struck me about Bath Spa was how much of a community it is. There’s a family spirit not only on campus, but in the heart of every fellow Bath Spa student I come across.

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During Freshers’ Week, as I’m sure most people did, I signed up for more societies than I ended up going to, but the ones I did attend, I enjoyed thoroughly. Concert Orchestra was one of these, and although I only went to it in my first year, I had a great time. It provided a good break from the stress of work and also acted as a fun social activity. As well as all the different societies, the Students’ Union held a few fun nights through the year. I particularly liked the 80s and 90s nights because of all the old school vibes!

When it comes to my degree, studying English Literature was definitely the right choice for me and it will always be my favourite subject.

I found managing my reading list difficult at first, but I learnt to read more during the holidays in preparation for the next term.

Despite the onslaught of essays and intense workload, having the opportunity to study a subject like English Literature at Bath Spa 14 14

Gloria Azubuike.

has enriched my passion for it and the Newton Park campus acts as a muse for creativity.

At first I struggled with my time management and left assignments until the last minute and too close to the deadline, but I have managed to overcome that. I found that creating a timetable and setting personal deadlines really helped. Another struggle was the lack of time I had for recreational activities and reading.

Aside from all the books I read as part of my course, I still like to settle down with an offcourse novel, but I found myself putting that on hold until the holidays.

So far I’ve been having a great experience at university and even though it feels like time is flying by, I am really looking forward to my third year. When it comes to plans for the future, I have not fully decided what I would like to do as there are many career paths I am interested in. I’m considering studying a Masters’ degree in either creative writing or something theatre related because of my passion for theatre and writing. I know I would also enjoy a career involving media or publishing so I will see where my journey through Bath Spa takes me!

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QAA report We are pleased to report that following a recent review, the University has successfully

retained the prestigious QAA Quality Mark. The QAA is responsible for reviewing all universities in England and Northern Ireland and the review process involves a thorough evaluation of educational provision.

A report of the QAA’s finding was recently published and highlights certain key areas on which the University was reviewed including academic standards, enhancement and quality of student learning opportunities and information about learning opportunities.

A number of areas at Bath Spa were identified as good practice by the QAA review team:

• The University’s approach to employability, including the professional practice opportunities available to students,

• Good use of external advisors for course approval and periodic review processes,

• The extensive feedback given to students on subject specific matters following the annual National Student Survey and the University’s internal survey.

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IN THE news

Detail of memorial at Paddington Station by Charles Jagger.

Letter to an Unknown Soldier Letter to an Unknown Soldier is a new kind

of war memorial; one made only of words, and by thousands of people. It is a national participation project to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1 and is being co-directed by Kate Pullinger, Professor of Creative Writing and Digital Media at Bath Spa and Neil Bartlett a novelist and theatre director.

The project is inspired by the famous Charles Jagger war memorial on Platform One of Paddington Station which features a bronze soldier - large as life, dressed in full trench uniform and reading a letter from home. In the 37 days leading up to the anniversary of the declaration of war, members of the public are invited to write him that letter, telling him what they feel and think as the anniversary approaches - and then to send it to a specially created website. As they arrive, all of the letters will be published online to be read by everyone. Thereafter the letters will be added to the British Library web archive, where they will be kept in perpetuity for generations to come.

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50 writers from England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland have already pledged to write letters to the soldier. These 50 include writers as distinguished and different as Alan Hollinghurst, Andrew Motion, Bonnie Greer, Caryl Churchill, Daljit Nagra, David Almond, Deborah Levy, Esther Freud, Geoff Dyer, Glenn Patterson, Kamila Shamsie, Liz Lochhead, Malorie Blackman, Owen Sheers, Sebastian Faulks, Sheila Hancock and Stephen Fry. Also already signed up to sit down and write are a choir in Derbyshire, writing groups in Londonderry, prisoners in Buckinghamshire, nurses in Hull, senior citizens at the Empire CafĂŠ in Glasgow, local historians in Monmouthshire, ex-service men and women in Plymouth and over four hundred secondary school students from a London school.

The Letter to an Unknown Soldier website goes live on the morning of 28 June, but you can visit it now to find out more, and to see some of those 50 letters: http://www.1418now.org.uk/ letter/

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Share your favourite memories of Bath online

Media Communications students in front of The Royal Crescent, Bath.

A group of Media Communications students are inviting members of the public to share their

stories, memories and experiences of Bath as part of an online sharing experience. ‘We are Bath’ is an online platform and interactive map that will create a collage of the community’s memories.

Residents are invited to submit their story in 200 words or less, attach a picture and answer these three simple questions:

1. Where is your favourite place in Bath?

2. Why is that your favourite place?

3. What memories does it hold for you?

Once a submission has been uploaded it will join other memories to form an online interactive map which visitors to the website can browse and share.

Explaining where the idea came from third year Media Communications student, Laura Davies said: “We were inspired by the existing community media projects that are currently out there and wanted to create something that would tell the story of the residents of Bath, in a visually exciting and interactive way.”

The website is now open and can be accessed at http://wearebath.wix.com/wearebath. The closing date for submissions is Monday 15 May. The project and its contents will be showcased later this year at the Museum of Bath at Work.

A video featuring the creators of ‘We are Bath’ as well as various contributions from residents in Bath, can be viewed at https://www.dropbox.com/s/ynihezlekh8viu2/We%20Are%20Bath.mp4 More information is also available via the project’s Twitter account - https://twitter.com/ WeAreBath2014 and Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/WeAreBath

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Helping teachers understand Attachment Awareness The School of Education in partnership with

Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Council has produced a programme of research and training materials about Attachment Awareness which are designed to help teachers and governors understand how failure to form secure attachments with adults at an early age can affect children throughout their education.

The materials were launched on Friday 21 March at the National Virtual Headteachers’ Conference in Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. The materials were commissioned by the National College for Training and Leadership and have been endorsed by the Minister for Children Edward Timpson.

Dr Kate Reynolds, Dean of the School of Education said: “It’s vital that all teachers have a practical understanding of attachment issues experienced by children who have suffered neglect. If these problems are not recognised and dealt with they can cause exclusion, underachievement and in the worst case, wasted lives. This resource is based on leading academic insight and authority, extensive research and direct experience, and should go

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some way in helping teachers support their most vulnerable students.”

The team that developed the materials was led

by Dr Janet Rose and Richard Parker of the Centre for Education Policy in Practice at Bath Spa, with Mike Gorman and Julia McDonald of B&NES and Louise Gilbert, a research associate at Bath Spa, along with the assistance of Rosemary Heald, one of the University’s governors.

Richard Parker explained: “As the Virtual School Head role becomes statutory, subject to the passage of the Children and Families’ Bill, it will be even more important that schools and local authorities alike understand the issues faced by children with attachment issues and how they can be addressed for everyone’s benefit.”

The School of Education is currently planning to develop a research database on attachment in schools and is working with the Universities Council on the Education of Teachers to integrate attachment awareness into initial teacher education programmes.

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New student internships

Two new exciting publishing internship programmes have recently been announced with Amber

Books and Parragon. London-based international book publisher Amber Books has agreed to offer five paid graduate internships whilst Parragon, the largest illustrated non-fiction publisher in the world, has maintained its close relationship with the University by extending its graduate scheme for a third year.

The University works with over 460 local employers who advertise over 2,400 part-time job opportunities every year. This year over 500 students at Bath Spa have already secured industry work placements.

Parragon’s three-month, fully-paid internship scheme aims to integrate students within the work place to encourage commitment, responsibility and appropriate attitudes and work ethics that are vital in professional working environments.

Publishing Course Leader, Katharine Reeve, said: “These internships are an amazing opportunity for our graduates to gain high-quality experience of working in a publishing house, where activities can be tailored to each graduate’s area of interest. Previous interns have gone on to a variety of roles in editorial, digital and marketing.”

Gemma Bailey, HR Officer at Parragon Books added: “We’re delighted to be running our graduate scheme again in 2014 after such success in 2012 and 2013. We have had some really fantastic graduates join the business in a variety of roles, and the quality of Bath Spa’s publishing students is excellent. We have always received really great feedback from all of our managers and we always look forward to welcoming new graduates from the University.”

A short film about the Parragon internship can be seen at http://vimeo.com/56914888 SPACE APRIL 20142013 SPACE NOVEMBER

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Anti-bullYing training event for local schools On 24 March the School of Education hosted a special event organised by Bath and North East

Somerset Council for local schools about anti-bullying training. The event was part of a nationwide initiative funded by the Department for Education.

17 delegates attended from local schools and dioceses and were welcomed by Dr Kate Reynolds, Dean of the School of Education who told them: “It is important that we promote children’s learning and especially the learning of the most vulnerable children in our schools. We at Bath Spa are proud of the work we have done, alongside all our partners, in supporting children from BME communities, those in care, those from service families, LGBT young people, those with dyslexia, those with special needs and disabilities.

“However, if we are to make a real difference to the lives and educational careers of those children, we need to understand their school experience to make it better. This is why this anti-bullying session is so important.”

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Tutoring programme The second phase of a secondary school tutoring programme run by Bath Spa University and the University of Bath recently got underway. This tutoring programme was successfully piloted in March 2013 and is an excellent example of how both universities in Bath are working together to widen participation amongst local under-represented groups.

Bath Spa students provide tutoring in English, Geography and History whilst the University of Bath tutors cover Maths, Science and Modern Foreign Languages subjects. Student Tutors from both universities are current undergraduates specifically recruited from within the specified subject disciplines.

Both universities are working with seven local schools (Bath Community Academy, Broadlands Academy, Hayesfield Girls’ School, Ralph Allen School, Somervale School, St Mark’s School, Writhlington Academy) whilst the University of Bath is also providing tutoring for an additional seven schools: Churchfields Academy, City Academy Bristol, Clarendon Academy, Dorcan Academy, Frome Community College, The John of Gaunt School and Yate International Academy.

Commenting on the tutoring at St Mark’s School, Learning Adviser Denny Lever said: “When tutors are there consistently, a good relationship is formed and our students respond well. They enjoy the contact with the university students and as a result have a greater focus. It is hoped that as a result of this additional support, the students’ attainment levels will increase as well as their educational and career aspirations.”

Bath Spa currently has 19 tutors working in 38 lessons each week in English, History and Geography subjects. The University of Bath has 38 tutors in schools, working in 67 lessons each week in three subject areas (Maths, Science and Languages).

Bath Spa University History student Zoe Chubb provided tutoring to pupils in Writhlington School and added: “The tutor scheme has been a great opportunity to work with the pupils and make a difference to their learning and development. Having a university student in their class has given them an insight into higher education and many of them are now considering it as a future option.”

Sally Griffin, Widening Participation and Access Manager for Bath Spa University concluded: “The final testament of this tutoring programme will be the results which the pupils achieve in their GCSE examinations this summer. We will be closely monitoring the pupils’ progress together with the schools as we are very keen to understand the impact of this programme upon examination results.”

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The past and present of London’s streets Screenshot of the app.

Researchers led by Dr Jerry Fishenden have created a new interactive app that explores the

historic origins of London’s streets. ‘London Streets’ is an immersive and interactive iOS and Android app that takes users on a journey through the old streets of London, their origins and history.

Developed at Bath Spa’s Centre for Creative Computing, this mobile app gives users an interactive experience of how these streets have developed over many centuries and the people, events and buildings that have shaped the growth of this modern city.

The app includes historic maps and images of over 40 streets which can be viewed by tapping images to view them full screen, pinching the screen to zoom in and out of images, swiping sideways to reveal more images as well as the use of a unique lens able to ‘see through time’.

The app features a range of multimedia and interactive content including over 100 historic and contemporary images; three historical maps from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries; original sounds and music; three Victorian-style inventions including an 22 22

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early CCTV system; and a panoramic view of London from 1616.

Dr Jerry Fishenden is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Creative Computing and the app builds on his research into ‘palimpsests of time’. These ‘palimpsests’ or historic layers of the same place over time, help to reveal how places looked and sounded in the past. This research has identified more evocative ways for users to explore content using new and original computational techniques.

Dr Fishenden said: “This app brings together years of research into developing more engaging ways for users to enjoy and interact with historic content. When users explore details about Fleet Street, for example, they will be able to use a ‘time lens’ that reveals how the nearby Old Curiosity Shop looked in the past. Feedback from early users of the app is helping shape and improve future updates.”

Screenshots of the app showing The team at the Centre for Creative historical view (top) and modern Computing is now planning to create a day view (bottom). similar app for Beijing. PhD student Sicong Ma will be leading on the development of this project in collaboration with Beijing Union University Tourism College.

A video overview of the app can be viewed at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YEeapsgye0&feature=youtu.be

The free London Streets app can now be downloaded from: • Apple’s App Store at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/london-streets/id834307566 • the Google Play Android store at

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.voetek.apps.London_Streets

• Amazon’s Android Appstore at

http://www.amazon.co.uk/VoeTek-London-Streets/dp/B00ITOV56W

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Visit from Principal of Mufulira College of Education in Zambia Mrs Grace Chilekwa, Principal of Mufulira

College of Education in Zambia visited the Newton Park campus in March to meet with colleagues from the School of Education as well as speak to students.

The School of Education has worked with Mrs Chilekwa and her College for the past ten years.

During that time over 100 Bath Spa School of Education undergraduate students taking the Education and International Development module have visited Zambia to study its education system. In May this year 19 students will be travelling to Zambia to learn about the latest educational developments in Zambia.

During her stay Mrs Chilekwa gave a lecture to a class of students on education in Zambia and met with different members of University staff including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christina Slade; Dean of the School of

Education, Dr Kate Reynolds; and Head of Research and Graduate Affairs in the School of Education, Professor Dan Davies.

Commenting on Mrs Chilekwa’s visit, Dr Reynolds said: “We were delighted to welcome Grace to Bath Spa. The relationship we have established between our two institutions has flourished and enabled our students and staff to gain valuable international experience.

This visit allowed us to explore the differences and similarities of our education systems and discuss opportunities for students from Mufulira College to visit Bath Spa next year.”

Mrs Chilekwa added: “The visit was very beneficial to me to help change the way we teach and enhance collaboration in research between Bath Spa University, the University of Zambia and UNZA and Mufulira College of Education in Zambia.”

L-R: Professor Dan Davies, Head of Applied Research and Consultancy Services, School of Education; Dr Kate Reynolds, Dean of School of Education, Mrs Grace Chilekwa, Principal of Mufulira College of Education; Mr Chilekwa.

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Alumni news Here is a small selection of recent alumni successes. We welcome alumni stories from all Schools. If you have a story to share, contact Ruth Russell at alumni@bathspa.ac.uk.

Rory Eliot (MA Songwriting 2010) Inevitably, there comes a time in a band’s career when it’s time to call it quits - some sooner than others and each for different reasons: a lack of funds, a dispute between members, or the simple act of growing up. Plush have reached this stage. After beginning informally in 1997, the band achieved mainstream success in 2001. Touring extensively, they became a household name and were on the up-and-up before tragedy struck. Guitarist Chas Smit was killed after a show while attempting to cross a road in Pietermaritzburg in September 2005.

Singer Rory Eliot describes this time as his darkest season - and the band took time off to grieve. Since then the group have worked on and off, still trying to pursue their collective goal, while chasing various independent projects. Fans were always grateful for a reunion tour, but nothing ever seemed to last. Eliot left for the UK in 2008 to complete his Masters’ degree in songwriting at Bath Spa University, returning the following year and initiating another revival.

Despite all this fluidity, Plush remained a solid unit, always delivering when it came to their music and performances.

ALUMNI NEWS

“Every member brings with him a new touch of madness,” Eliot says. “The essence of the band has always remained the same and I think it’s because our style of song and the messages behind them have attracted the same kind of people.” The band had built up a loyal fan base over 17 years, but the end is near. Plush recently announced their farewell tour, though fans based on past incidents of this sort - have questioned their sincerity. When asked if this is really the end, Eliot laughs, “Well, technically it is, as the last time was not the end at all as I left to go overseas and we weren’t sure when I would return. This is definitely the end - until the comeback tour.” Plush are saying goodbye to their long-standing fans with The Postcard Tour.

Eliot says, “Our fans have always maintained a demand for our music and gigs. Thanks to them, it’s been an incredible ride.”

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Nathan Filer (MA Creative Writing 2010) and Jason Hewitt (MA Creative Writing 2005) Congratulations to Nathan Filer and Jason Hewitt who have both been longlisted for the prestigious Desmond Elliot Prize 2014, awarded to firsttime British or Irish writers. Nathan also recently won the Costa Book of the Year 2013 for his debut novel The Shock of the Fall which has been met with critical acclaim. Jason is longlisted for his debut novel The Dynamite Room. The prize is presented in the name of celebrated publisher and literary agent Desmond Elliot and is aimed at helping up-and-coming novelists further their careers. The shortlist will be announced on 26 May, with the overall winner of the £10,000 prize revealed at a ceremony on 3 July.

ALUMNI NEWS

Emma Webb (BA Hons Music and Textile Design 2013) Emma Webb is about to launch her new singing school Vocademy in Bath. Emma, who completed her BA (Hons) Music in 2013, has trained as a singer from the age of seven and she said she could not wait to start training young singers: “I’m so very excited to run Vocademy in Bath. It’s a real passion of mine to teach young singers and create a fun environment so that they feel comfortable to try new things. I love to help singers get the most out of their talents.” Vocademy is an after-school club aimed at young singers aged seven to 18. It started in Brighton and has grown to include branches in Birmingham, Maidstone, Portsmouth and Southampton. The first term of the school will be running from Tuesday 29 April for nine weeks at Moorlands Junior School, in Chantry Mead Road. There will be classes for seven to 11 year olds from 4:30pm to 5:30pm, followed by 11 to 14 year olds from 5:30pm to 6:30pm and then finally 14 to 18 year olds from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. For more information go to www.vocademy. co.uk or read more here

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Scott Carpenter (BA Hons Drama Studies 2005) Scott Carpenter, a 30-year-old, a playwright and teacher who grew up and lives in Frome, has had his play The Huldra’s Song selected to be performed at The Lost Theatre in London as part of their 30th one-act play festival. Scott, who previously taught at Oakfield School in Frome, has cast himself and Jessica May Buxton (who has appeared in Emmerdale and Coronation Street) in lead roles alongside three children from his current school - King’s Park Academy in Melksham. The play is a dark fairy tale set in Norway in 1845 and is about a young girl, Andrine, whose mother dies in childbirth and so lives with her father, an alcoholic who blames her for her mother’s death. One day in the woods, Andrine meets a mysterious creature, who tries to convince the child that she would be much happier living in the river with her. Scott, a former pupil of Frome Community College, achieved a first-class drama degree at Bath Spa University and trained to teach in Frome. Read more here

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international UPDATE

Kumar’s postcard of Bath.

British Council student photo competition success Congratulations to MA Creative Writing student Kumar Pushpam who was recently named runner up in the British Council student photo competition.

The British Council student photo competition challenged entrants to submit photographs to show students worldwide what UK student life has to offer. The competition received over 350 entries and Kumar won the second prize of ÂŁ25 in Visit Britain vouchers.

The winning photographs have been published on the Education UK website plus other British Council digital channels and publications. View the winning photos at http://www.educationuk.org/global/

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International update Visit from Higher Education Attaché to the French Embassy Dr Catherine Robert from the French Embassy was recently welcomed at the Newton Park

campus. During her visit Dr Robert met with numerous members of senior staff including Vice-Chancellor Professor Christina Slade; Professor Neil Sammells, Deputy Vice-Chancellor; Professor Rob Mears Dean of School of Society, Enterprise and Environment; Professor Steve May, Dean of School of Humanities and Cultural Industries; and Chris Ellicott - Registrar and Director of Student Services.

Dr Robert also enjoyed a tour of the new academic building ‘Commons’ and had afternoon tea with some of the University’s French students hosted by Jeremy White, Director of International Relations.

One of the reasons for Dr Robert’s visit was her interest in Bath Spa building further connections with French universities and this is something that is being taken forward as part of the University’s international strategy.

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Enterprise and Local Partnerships Portrait of a Graduate as a Job Seeker, by Tom Davidson

Enterprise & Local Partnerships

When I graduated in 2005 with a BA in Italian I only

had the vaguest idea of what I wanted to do. I knew, for instance, that I was interested in film and exploring jobs with children and young people. I also wanted to travel, but had no idea where I would go or what I would do. I remember spending a lot of time reading job adverts online and in newspapers, scratching my head and thinking, okay, so where to start? The whole process of searching for a job and not having a set structure to the week shook me up; I’d never been in a situation quite like it. After I finished my A-levels, I lived in the USA and volunteered at a children’s home. I always knew I’d come back to the UK and go to university. Graduating was much, much scarier.

Tom Davidson.

In my last year at university I talked to my personal tutor about my future and he said: “Look, make sure you find something that pays. You don’t want to find yourself unemployed.” Yup, I agree with that. One of my other lecturers said: “Remember to enjoy yourself. You’ll be working till you drop, so find something you really like.” Finally, I visited my careers service who told me: “Why not try out all the jobs you’re interested in? You won’t know until you try.” So, act first, reflect later.

After that I was having a drink along the harbourside in Bristol with a friend of mine, also a graduate. “So, how do you know what path to take?” I asked her. She said: “I don’t really. I know what I’m interested in, illustration. I’m going to build up my portfolio and send it out to people who I think will be interested. I’ll give it a try, anyway.” Give it a try. That’s just what I did.

I applied for a part-time job at a primary school and got it. I stayed there for about six months.

During that time I assisted in the classroom, played with the kids during break time, and made sure they didn’t make too much of a mess during lunch. I spoke to teachers about their job. One teacher told me: “The paperwork is crazy, but I love the work.” The Head was very encouraging: “You’d make a good teacher. Think about training routes.”

The children were hilarious and almost profound, frequently uttering one-liners such as “the soul and the spirit are sort of the same; the spirit is lighter,” or the ever so menacing and more mundane “the whole class is going to sit on you and never let you play!”

Despite the positivity generated by these encounters I wasn’t convinced teaching was for me. Or so I thought.

I discovered TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) through a friend and found a training

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course in the area. I signed up and completed the course in five weeks. Immediately after, I began a placement at a Skills for Life centre in Bristol, assisting teachers with English language delivery to settled refugees and asylum seekers. Again, I had some wonderful encounters with the staff and students. One student, with a beaming smile, spent an hour trying to get me over to his house to teach his entire extended family from Somalia, English. The organisation wasn’t too keen on us mixing with students outside of the classroom, so I declined. He was very surprised that I hadn’t given in to his arguments. I think he said he was a salesman back in Mogadishu, a man who sadly knew the English for shrapnel before the word for home. I met Ethiopians, Eritreans, Brazilians, and Eastern Europeans, all of them bursting with stories to tell and the drive to go places.

My experiences interning with the refugees and at the primary school made me realise that the one thing I wanted from work above all else was to help people achieve their personal goals. I suppose that, and to listen to people’s stories, to let them speak their truth.

Now almost nine years on, I’ve stayed within education, but not as a teacher. In recent years I’ve worked as a youth worker, volunteer manager and marketer of summer schools and camps.

There was a moment when I flirted with the idea of getting into the film business. I had the option of doing an internship in London, but it was unpaid.

There was no way I could have lived in London for three months on zero income. There was even

a moment when I returned to university, but left the course after the first term. I lost money and time. Mistakes occur. The moment passed and new things came into view.

In 2014, I’m happy in my role and I’ve continued to explore other interests unrelated to my job at Bath Spa. I’m in the process of setting up a digital storytelling blog and I’ve also started writing marketing material for charities and social enterprises. I will keep exploring and maybe one of my interests will turn into my main job in the future, or I may stick to education. Who knows what the future holds?

So, I offer this snippet or ‘portrait’ of me as a graduate job seeker in the hope that you’ll start to think about your next steps. You may twist and turn, do an about-turn, stall, go forwards, and sometimes backwards, but that’s okay. That’s just how you learn about yourself and your place in the world. Whether you have a career plan or not (and I strongly recommend you do make a plan however vague), I invite you to get in contact with the careers service to chat about your next steps.

Bath Spa Careers is running workshops for final year students on job seeking and career planning titled ‘Beyond Graduation.’ Log in to CareerHub to book your place this spring and summer. Make use of the support while you’re still a student.

We’re always pleased to hear from you.

Stay in touch Call: 01225 87 5525 Visit: Newton Park, LY.G02 Email: Ask a Question on CareerHub Web: www.bathspa.ac.uk/ careers

Careers workshop.

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Stay updated with regular news and jobs on our Facebook and Twitter 31

Environmental Focus Student Move Out Campaign The Student Move Out Campaign was launched in Green Week with events being held at

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

Newton Park, Sion Hill and Waterside Court. This joint initiative between Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES), University of Bath and Bath Spa University in conjunction with the Students Unions’, Unite and the Student Community Partnership, aims to divert as much waste as possible from landfill and re-direct valuable resources to local charities. As students return at the start of the summer term the BANES waste awareness team and staff from the Student Community Partnership aim to visit properties in areas with a high student population such as Oldfield Park, encouraging students to sort, recycle and donate goods. The teams will highlight drop-off locations and provide information about council run services, reminding students they can use the Midland Road recycling centre, provided they show their student ID. Further roadshows and events are being held on and off campus during the summer term, so as many students as possible living in Bath are made aware of the campaign. On campus the campaign will be supported by the Students’ Union, including the Halls of Residence Reps and staff from Student Housing and Domestic Services.

Items that students are encouraged to donate include non-perishable food, textiles, kitchen equipment and working electrical items. We’re still working on hosting a ‘Re-sale’ event during the moving-in period at the start of next academic year.

If you’d like any information, posters or leaflets about the Student Move Out Campaign please email environment@bathspa.ac.uk

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Green Week 2014 We would like to thank all the staff, students and guests who helped with a diverse range of

activities during Green Week at beginning of April. Events were held at the Newton Park and Sion Hill campuses alongside the ‘Big Green Discussion’ at the Guildhall for students at the University of Bath and Bath Spa University. You can see photos of some of the activities on our Facebook page.

The Dr Bike service proved popular with cyclists wanting a safety check at both Sion Hill and Newton Park campuses. Many people would love to cycle-to-work, but feel apprehensive about cycling to campus. BANES run subsidised cycle training for adults to increase their confidence cycling on the road, as well as a trial bike loan scheme. This is for residents of BANES and a similar scheme exists in Bristol, for further information contact environment@bathspa.ac.uk.

You can also find details on the alternative cycle route up to Newton Park Campus here Finally, we would like your feedback about Green Week to help plan for next year’s event. Anyone completing the feedback form will be entered into a draw to win either a meal for two with wine kindly donated from Acorn Restaurant in Bath or two cook books (one from Demuth’s and the other from Acorn Restaurant). The closing date for feedback is the 12 May and the survey can be found here A happy customer after a visit to Dr Bike.

Disco Soup outside The Refectory.

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A map of journey starting points.

Car 2 Spa ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

Car2Spa is a lift-share scheme specifically for Bath

Spa University staff and students. We would like to encourage more people to sign up to the scheme to help provide more potential matches. The map above shows starting points for journeys currently registered on Car2Spa travelling to Bath Spa University campuses.

There are two common car-sharing myths, the first that you need a car, you don’t! When you sign up to Car2Spa you can register yourself as just ‘seeking a lift’ and this will bring up a list of people traveling from your area. The second myth is that you need to share every day. You don’t. Once you’ve matched your journey you might decide just to share a lift once a week, or with different people – the choice is yours! You can work out savings from any lifts you do share here Sign up to Car2Spa and once you have registered your journey you can contact potential sharers through the website. We advise that you meet any potential sharer, before you give each other a lift for the first time in a public place such as the Refectory or Café Sion.

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Bath Spa Sustainability Online Website: http://www2.bathspa.ac.uk/services/environment Twitter: twitter.com/BSU_Green_Focus Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/BSU-Green-Focus Email: environment@bathspa.ac.uk

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Teaching Awards 2014 Thanks to everyone who nominated a lecturer or tutor for a Teaching Award 2014. We

received over 1,000 nominations and are in the process of giving out 50 mugs to the shortlisted candidates. We handed out the top awards at a celebration event on 1 April and the winners were (drum roll please): Best Feedback: Pamela Karantonis, Senior Lecturer in Voice, School of Music and Performing Arts.

Most Innovative Teacher: David Joseph, Senior Lecturer: Business and Management, School of Society, Enterprise and Environment.

Teacher of the Year 2014: Ian Gadd, Professor in English Literature, School of Humanities and Cultural Industries.

Thank you to Miller Construction for sponsoring this year’s awards.

David Joseph.

STUDENtS’ UNION

Pamela Karantonis.

Ian Gadd with some of the students who nominated him.

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What’s on

Charity Fashion Show Wed 14 May, Students’ Union, Newton Park A group of students led by Emily Thayne are planning a trip to Uganda in the summer to volunteer for four weeks in different community projects. They are holding a charity fashion show and silent auction to raise money to donate to the projects in Uganda and all are welcome.

Professorial Lecture Series 2014 First reading of a new short story and Q&A Professor Tessa Hadley, Wed 14 May, 5:00pm, Commons CM107/8, Newton Park. FREE Mortality and Memoir: Recalling what matters.

Professor Gavin Cologne-Brookes, Wed 24 Jun, 5:00pm, Commons CM107/8, Newton Park. FREE More information about the Professorial Lecture Series is available here SPACE APRIL 20142013 SPACE NOVEMBER

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Bath Spa Live The Jungle Book Thurs 15, Fri 16 and Sat 17 May, 7:00pm, The Egg Theatre Rudyard Kipling’s magical tale of ‘man-cub’ Mowgli’s adventures in the jungle are brought to life in this all-singing, all-dancing production. With new adventures hidden behind every tree, you’ll meet Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther and many more, as our hero must decide whether he belongs in the world of men or the kingdom of animals. Just make sure you watch out for the terrible tiger, Shere Khan! The Jungle Book has been adapted for stage by Stuart Paterson and is presented by graduating students from Bath Spa University’s Acting and Theatre Production Programmes.

Tickets: Full price: £7.50, children and students: £6.50

Party In The City Fri 16 May, 6:30pm, Burdall’s Yard An evening of music ranging from jazz to madrigals. Part of Bath International Music Festival’s night of free events that brings the city to life with music, parades and dancing.

Tickets: FREE – booking not required

Open Space Fri 16 and Sat 17 May, 7:30pm, University Theatre Two evenings of exciting new contemporary dance that showcase the creativity of Bath Spa University students. The work is created and performed by dancers from all years and includes a newly commissioned group dance created by internationally renowned dance artist Marina Collard. This is a great opportunity to see the breadth of performance work that is generated by these talented young artists.

Tickets: Full Price: £10, Concessions: £8, Bath Spa students: £5. Free for Bath Spa Live members.

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Archive update The archive holds many images, some in better condition than others, and this includes a

number of formal photographs of College year groups, from Newton Park and the Domestic Science College.

In former times, these long photographs were taken with a camera which rotated from one side to the other, capturing the whole group over a number of seconds. The photos themselves could be purchased as a memento of the College experience. Many former students bring their group photos to show the Archive Team and sometimes they are so tightly rolled that it’s hard to unroll them without damage. Framing them, however, is a tricky business as they are so long and thin.

We have lots of these photographs in the Archive and one of these features the class of 1962/63, and a certain Anita Perella can be seen amongst the crowd. Anita (later Roddick) trained here as a teacher before going on to found The Body Shop. (She can be seen in the centre of the photo).

Many people may remember the old trick, in which someone at the far left could run to the far right, behind the standing lines of students, and thus appear twice in the same picture.

Digital technology may be quicker, but is it as much fun?

Follow the BSU Archive blog at http://bsuarchive.blogspot.co.uk/ Or on Twitter @BSUArchive 2 Class of 1962/63 featuring Anita Roddick (centre).

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STAFF NEWS Jon Brady retirement

On 27 March staff and students gathered in Commons to say

farewell to Jon Brady, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Operations who left the University after 25 years. Jon gave a farewell speech during which he recalled numerous fond memories of his time at Bath Spa. The Vice-Chancellor bade Jon farewell on behalf of the University and other staff who worked with Jon over the years, added their thoughts and memories. A highlight was a performance of a song, specially composed for Jon by Dean of the School of Music and Performing Arts, Joe Bennett.

In his time at Bath Spa, Jon played a major role in moving the institution from the then Bath College of Higher Education with just over 1,000 students to the vibrant, entrepreneurial and expanding University we work in today.

John Shirley-Quirk obituary

John Shirley-Quirk CBE (28 August 1931-7 April 2014) was one of the foremost bass-baritones

of his generation. He made his operatic debut in Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande at the Glyndebourne Festival in 1961, was a member of the English Opera Group from 1964 until 1976, and was a key figure in performing and recording the works of Benjamin Britten.

His première performances of Britten’s music included Canticle IV: Journey of the Magi andDeath in Venice. (He gave the first performances of roles in all of Britten’s last five operas). In 1977 the role of Lev in Sir Michael Tippett’s The Ice Break was again conceived for him and he gave its first performance at Covent Garden.

John appeared regularly with major orchestras and opera companies throughout the world, including La Scala in Milan and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He appeared with some of the twentieth century’s greatest conductors including Maria Giulini, Sir Georg Solti, Mstislav Rostropovich, Bernard Haitink, André Previn, Seiji Ozawa, Claudio Abbado and Pierre Boulez.

His numerous recordings include many of Britten’s works and Mahler’s Eighth Symphony under Solti on Decca, as well as the vocal works of Vaughan Williams under Sir David Willcocks with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge for EMI. In 1975, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

John taught at Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore for twenty years until he settled in Bath. From 2012 until his death he gave regular master-classes for vocal students at Bath Spa University. He will be much missed by students and staff – he was generous in his support of students and demanding in his expectations of them. His wry sense of humour was appreciated by all, to say nothing of his vast and remarkable performing experience. He was married to the cellist Teresa (Terry) Perez, who survives him and is General Manager of Bath Philharmonia.

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Starters and Leavers

In April we welcomed‌ Joseph Fort, Project Development Officer, School of Education Jo Hotchkiss, Applications Support Analyst, Planning Support Mark Davis, Early Shift Team Leader, Domestic and Portering Services Karol Gudel, Cleaner, Domestic and Portering Services Kai Ho, Deli Supervisor, Catering Theresa Barnes, Cleaner, Domestic and Portering Services Helen Young, Cleaner, Domestic and Portering Services Yaling Lin, General Cafe and Kitchen Assistant, Catering Simon Thomas, Cleaner, Domestic and Portering Services David Coast, Lecturer in History, School of Humanities and Cultural Industries Philip Lee, Evening Deli Assistant, Catering Lucinda Murray, Library Assistant, Library and Learning Services

We also said farewell to‌ Robert Cheyne, Course Leader: Enhancement Course in Physics, School of Education Robyn Blackmore, Account Administrator, Finance Rebecca Blake, Administrative Assistant, Student Services Caroline Armstrong, Payroll Assistant, Finance Neil Adams, Senior Lecturer: Secondary Science, School of Education Des Wyatt, Kitchen Porter/Driver, Catering Debbie Hillyerd, Part Time Lecturer, Bath School of Art and Design

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