Dialogue Magazine - Issue 21

Also in this issue:

Thank you, Bill / Page 04

Spotlight on...

LUMIERE

the Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Spectacular imagery from November’s light festival

/ Page 08

/ Page 12

Dialogue 21 | Jan / Feb 2012

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Welcome

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Our UNESCO World Heritage Site has been celebrating the 25th anniversary of its designation.

For its 25th anniversary as a WHS, the University is revitalising the Castle, Palace Green and its Library and surrounding buildings, ensuring that the thousand year traditions of scholarship continue to flourish into the future. Palace Green Library is being developed as a place of international scholarship, with improved public access to the unique treasures of which we are custodians for the nation, indeed the world. The Lindisfarne Gospel Book, perhaps the most important work of art of the first millennium which was made nearby, will be displayed there in 2013.

We are enabling more events for the City on the WHS, not just major civic events such as Remembrance Day Parades and the recent Enthronement of the new Bishop of Durham, but the first Durham Food festival and the annual Christmas Fair. The new Interpretation Centre in the almshouse on Owengate not only helps make the WHS accessible to the public, but also houses the Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies (IMRS; featured on page 08) and Durham Student Theatre.

I should end by congratulating DST on their outstanding and original performances in Castle and Cathedral on the anniversary weekend which brought the WHS site to life and demonstrated, the value of the WHS to the University, and vice versa.

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Progress on Gateway 04 Bill Bryson, 03

A retrospective

Research highlights 08 Spotlight on...

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The Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Durham WHS 25th

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With all best wishes,

Anniversary Celebrations

Pre-application Open

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Days in Durham City

LUMIERE 13 Event Durham 14 HR news 15 CIS news 16 Greenspace 18 Other news 19 Sport 20 What’s On 12

EDITOR: Rebecca Grundy, Corporate Communications Officer.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS: Rebecca Turnbull and ZoĂŤ Thomas, Marketing Co-ordinators.

CONTRIBUTIONS: Karen Barrie, Human Resources; Sharon Battersby, Computing and Information Services; Tara Duncan, Greenspace; Sylvie Gambaudo, CSGS; Louise Hughes, Communications Office; Stina Maynard, Event Durham; Jo Phoenix, CSGS; Nicky Sawicki, Communications Office; Quentin Sloper, Team Durham; Claire Smiles-Harrison, Student Recruitment and Admissions; Ian Tubman, Estates & Buildings

Chris Higgins, Vice-Chancellor and Warden

DESIGN: warmdesign.co.uk PRINT: hpm.uk.com

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Update

PROGRESS ON THE G A T E WAY P R O G R A M M E

Find out more...

If you have a query that your Move Coordinator is unable to help with, contact Ian Tubman on ext: 46272

Good progress is being made on all aspects of the Gateway Programme. Over last summer, refurbishment of the Mountjoy Centre was completed and staff are now occupying their new work areas.

Upgrades to the car parks took place as part of the University’s Green Travel Plan and car park upgrades at Palace Green will be undertaken in the coming months. Phase 4 of the Science Site Environmental Improvement Works is nearing completion, with the remainder to be completed by summer 2012.

Level 2 of the Main Library was refurbished on programme and is now open. At around 75% complete, the new Library extension is developing well and is due to be completed in April 2012.

The Palatine Centre and Law School are progressing well and are expected to be completed on time. Space planning for the interior areas has been progressing well and is ongoing.

Estates and Buildings continue to offer staff moving to the building the chance to attend site and view the building, and any

staff wishing to do so should check with their section head in the first instance.

For the relocation of departments, we have appointed MovePlan Ltd, a relocation management consultancy, as our Move Managers. MovePlan are experienced in managing relocations in a number of sectors within the UK, Ireland and the USA and have overseen projects with the universities of Strathclyde and Aberdeen.

Move Coordinators have been appointed to represent staff who are moving to the Palatine Centre and the Law School, and at the end of last term they attended a start-up meeting with Neil Brown, MovePlan’s Project Manager, who is our point of contact throughout the moves. Regular meetings with the Move Coordinators will continue between now and the start of the

physical move in the summer.

The Relocation Team – a steering group looking at the relocation aspect of the project, consists of MovePlan and selected members from the University, including representatives from Senior Management, The Law School, Estates, CIS and Communications. The main focus of planning is currently around the move schedule, with all staff being consulted to establish suitable move dates for their area, in order to minimise any disruption to their normal day-to-day operations.

A number of communication channels will be set up for staff involved with the move, and for general progress updates leading towards the completion of the project. A ‘frequently asked questions’ list is also being produced, and will be communicated to staff who are moving in due course.

A retrospective

THANK YO U , BILL

Bill would receive many and varied invitations to engage in life in – and outside – of Durham University.

Although he found it very hard to say no to people, he reluctantly acknowledged that if he agreed to do everything, he would have been in Durham and Stockton – or representing the University around the world – 365 days a year. His time was divided between his role as chancellor, his continuing career as a best-selling writer, his presidency of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, his involvement with the Royal Society and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and most importantly of all, his family life.

Obviously his time was extremely precious, but every year he tried to fit in at least two trips to Durham, in addition to his two weeks of congregation duties. He also participated in events in London and abroad, incorporating attendance at alumni events into his book tour schedule, thus giving alumni around the world an opportunity to meet him.

It was a surprise to discover that Bill was not particularly comfortable in the role of after dinner speaker. Although his speeches were always entertaining, witty and delivered with his trademark selfdepreciating style, he was actually much happier in the role of listener – commenting that he was far more comfortable with the written word than the spoken. The clamour for him to address and inspire students, staff, alumni and visitors never waned, however.

He loved meeting students and staff informally – especially if it could involve his favourite pastime – litter picking – but he also enjoyed a quiet drink in college bars and the front row seat at the rehearsal of the Hatfield College annual Fashion Show which was an experience of such vibrancy and abandon that he would often cite it as an exemplar of University life for him.

However, no matter what kind of situation he found himself in, he had an uncanny knack of putting people at ease – usually by employing his sense of humour – and as a result, was greeted with genuine warmth and affection wherever he went.

A recent article in the Times Higher Education, on the subject of chancellors stated: “...chancellors give their time without recompense in the service of their university, and many show real dedication.

They act as ambassadors and advocates for their institutions – using their experience and networks to open doors, or using their status to help raise awareness of important challenges for the sector.”

This describes Bill perfectly. During his six year tenure as Chancellor Bill enjoyed the hospitality of all of the colleges – often staying overnight – and managed to visit most of the University’s departments.

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Despite his claims that he “wasn’t an academic” he was enormously interested in the research being carried out here and loved to don safety glasses and a hard hat so he could get close to the action.

In 2010, through Bill’s close association with the Royal Society, Durham and our Institute of Advanced Study (IAS), he was chosen to host an event to celebrate their 350th Anniversary. The event, held in the Gala Theatre saw the launch of the book, Seeing Further: 350 Years of the Royal Society and Scientific Endeavour, edited by Bill. The theme of the event was Science meets Culture and was used as a vehicle for engaging not only the academic and student communities but also the Durham public and local schools about science.

Bill wasn’t just interested in the academic side of University life, his passion was spending time with the students. He was the proud patron of many societies and student groups including the Botanic Garden, DUCK and SCA. He acted as Question Master in Queen’s campus’ University Challenge Event, attended the oSCArs, posed for a student calendar, organised and took part in litter picks and had numerous photos taken wearing a variety of college/team branded sweatshirts and baseball caps.

And who can forget the Russell Crowe connection? Thanks to the advent of twitter, one tweet from Russell Crowe concerning a throw away remark made by Bill a couple of years previously over a curry, resulted in an exciting and occasionally surreal opportunity for our students.

The Hollywood superstar arrived last June to give an acting master class to a group of students from Durham Student Theatre.

This was followed by an evening event held in the Assembly Rooms which saw Bill asking Russell Crowe a variety of questions, submitted by the student audience, about all aspects of his life.

Contributing numerous forewords and snippets of incisive and compelling texts to promote the University to prospective students, benefactors and visitors, Bill was an accessible and visible Chancellor, but above all, he was a wonderful friend to many.

Thank you, Bill.

Research highlights

Three quarters of patients with cancer referred within one month Three quarters of patients with symptoms of cancer in England are assessed, investigated and referred within a month of presenting to their GP.

The research, led by Professor Greg Rubin from the School of Medicine and Health, examined intervals in the diagnostic pathway, looking at the primary care interval - defined as the time between first presentation and date of referral, and the referral interval - the period between referral and the date the patient first attended secondary care.

The report - the first and largest of its kind - found that: • Three quarters (73.2%) of patients visiting their GP were referred to a specialist after only one or two consultations.

• Nearly 60% of all patients referred (57.1%) attended secondary care within two weeks.

The report also looked at use of investigations, and found that some cancer patients, including those with brain, ovary, pancreas, liver and kidney cancer, were more likely to have benefited from better primary care access to diagnostics including chest X-rays, non-obstetric ultrasounds, GI endoscopies and brain MRIs. Overall, rapid access to investigations would have altered the GP’s management of the patient in six per cent of cases.

COVERAGE INCLUDES: Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Sky News, Daily Mail, GP magazine, Yorkshire Post, Northern Echo.

Cannibal expert’s gruesome recipes

Cellular repair could reduce premature ageing Researchers have identified a potential drug therapy for a premature ageing disease that affects children causing them to age up to eight times as fast as the usual rate.

The study is the first to outline how to limit and repair DNA damage defects in cells and could provide a model for understanding processes that cause us to age.

The findings could have significant benefits, such as reducing degeneration of some tissues in older age, and could assist health management in countries, including the UK, where average life expectancy is extending, according to the researchers.

The first results of the 18-month study are published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics. The results suggest that administration of NAC in combination with currently used drugs might improve the health of children with progeria.

COVERAGE INCLUDES: The Independent, The Mirror, The Sun, Daily Mail, Glasgow Herald, Northern Ireland News, BBC Radio Newcastle, The Journal and Sunderland Echo.

Cannibal and vampire expert Dr Richard Sugg appeared alongside Tony Robinson in a Channel 4 series on gods and monsters.

Dr Sugg, a lecturer in the Department of English Studies, was seen recreating cannibal recipes using a free-range pig, and discussing who used these medicines and the logic behind them.

Featuring dramatic reconstructions, the series examines our fascination with and terror of dead bodies.

Dr Sugg’s medical history research has revealed that European royalty and eminent scholars swallowed parts of the human body as medicine, including its flesh, blood and bones, right up until the 18th Century.

COVERAGE INCLUDES: Channel 4 (‘Tony Robinson’s Gods and Monsters’), BBC Radio Tees, The Journal, Northern Echo and Sunderland Echo.

Go to... ...www.durham.ac.uk/ communications.office/ media.relations/mediaguide and click on ‘Join Media Guide’ to join our searchable database of experts.

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The launch of the Centre for Sex, Gender and Sexualities Durham University’s newest research centre was officially launched at two sister events in London on the 14th November and in Durham on the 17th November in which celebrated queer theorist Prof Kathryn Bond Stockton, University of Utah gave what was called by one of the Durham audience “the very essence of a public lecture, erudite, informative, thought provoking and intellectually robust”.

More than 400 people attended the two events, including notable alumni, key research stakeholders from across corporations and public services and in excess of 200 students from across our three faculties. Prof Stockton’s lecture gave the audience an introduction to Queer Theory before demonstrating its analytical power.

Using a range of examples from literature, history and contemporary social life, Prof Stockton captivated the audience with her analysis of the concept and construction of a ‘gay child’, whilst all the time pushing forward a powerful critique of linear understandings of development and aging.

Each lecture was followed by a Question and Answer session in which the audience raised a range of relevant and important topics and themes for research, including what sexual wellbeing for young people can mean in contemporary societies, the connections between religiosity and sexualities and homophobic bullying in schools.

Director of the Centre, Prof Jo Phoenix, said of launch “the support for the Centre has exceeded any of our expectations. Emails from alumni and current students and staff have been flooding in, congratulating Durham for taking the progressive step in establishing this Centre.

We have had enquiries from students asking if the Centre runs Masters programmes or has PGR scholarships attached, showing that there is a clear intellectual curiosity and demand for knowledge about gender and sexualities which is not currently being fulfilled.”

The Centre for Sex, Gender and Sexualities was formed from the Gender and Sexuality Research Network and is made up of academics from across all three Faculties.

Its vision is to provide an intellectual hub for studying the various ways that sex, gender and sexualities shape, inform and influence human existence. Operating without intellectual borders, the Centre explores how artistic, social scientific, philosophical, historical and scientific insights shape and regulate issues of equality and diversity across the domains of sex, gender and sexualities.

Deputy Director, Dr Sylvie Gambaudo, said “we have an ambitious programme of work for the next two years. We want to establish a regular annual lecture, and we will be exploring with our colleagues the possibility of having a summer school devoted to sex, gender and sexualities and are actively working towards setting up a Masters programme. We are establishing the Centre’s first set of research priorities, as it is clear that there is a demand for better research in areas such as youth sexuality and the impact of medical advances in relation to transgendered individuals”.

Bottom left, Dr Sylvie Gambaudo, Prof Kathryn Bond Stockton, Prof Jo Phoenix and Richard Roberts (alumnus).

Find out more... www.durham.ac.uk/csgs or email JPhoenix.csgs@durham.ac.uk View the Durham launch online: www.youtube.com/ csgsatdurhamuni

Spotlight on...

T H E I N S T I T U T E O F M E D I E VA L AN D RE NAI S SANCE STU DI E S Despite what its name might suggest, the Institute of Medieval and Renaissance Studies (IMRS for short) is one of Durham University’s newest research institutes.

The Institute gained its current status as recently as 2010, but can, however, look back on more than a decade of lively activity in its former guise as the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, which was founded in 1998.

Building on a thriving programme of research seminars and international conferences, the new Institute aims to shape both the scholarly disciplines of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and public awareness of the medieval and early modern periods.

With forty-five research-active members drawn from all three faculties and some twelve departments (English Studies, History, Modern Languages and Cultures, Archaeology, Classics and Ancient History, Theology and Religion, Philosophy, Music, Anthropology, Geography, Physics, and the University Library), the Institute fosters world-leading research across and between these disciplines, as well as hosting a flourishing community of taught and research postgraduate students.

Current highlighted activities include, as part of the Institute’s work on Historic Urban Landscapes, a leading role in the development of a new research strategy for the Durham World Heritage Site and the fostering of public engagement with Durham Cathedral and Castle. History of the Book activities, which are led by Professor Richard Gameson (History), include an annual lecture and, in the current session, intensive preparations for the public display of the Lindisfarne Gospels in 2013.

The Institute’s ‘Ordered Universe’ project brings together researchers from the faculties of Arts and Humanities and Science in order to explore the interface between medieval and modern science; and the IMRS has recently co-hosted a Levehulme Visiting Professorship as part of another on-going project on Renaissance Diplomacy.

With its combination of historically important and much loved medieval and early modern architecture, its unparalleled collections of medieval manuscripts and early printed books in the Palace Green and Cathedral libraries, and its concentration of leading scholars, Durham is already a compelling place to ‘do’ medieval and Renaissance studies.

The IMRS is led by an Executive Director, Professor David Cowling (Modern Languages and Cultures), and three Co-Directors, Dr Giles Gasper (History), Dr Sarah Semple (Archaeology) and Dr Neil Cartlidge (English Studies). The directors work closely with Durham’s Medieval and Early Modern Student Association, which brings together taught and research postgraduates from across the disciplines represented within the Institute, and with the Director of the University’s MA in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Dr Kathryn Banks (Modern Languages and Cultures).

Institute status has brought with it some further very welcome developments in the form of an Institute administrator and a move into dedicated space on the first floor of the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre in Owengate, which has placed us right at the heart of Durham’s unique historic urban landscape.

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Durham World Heritage Site 25th anniversary celebrations Find out more...

Durham World Heritage Site (WHS) was inscribed by UNESCO in 1986 in recognition of its Outstanding Universal Value and comprises Durham Cathedral and Castle, and the buildings between them.

Left:

...visit www.durham.ac.uk/ imrs, or contact Jacky Pankhurst: administrator. imrs@durham.ac.uk or visit us at the World Heritage Site.

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In November 2011 a wonderful series of public events were held to mark the 25th anniversary of the WHS, including cultural activities, ‘show and tell’ sessions, talks, tours, and re-enactments.

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Musical performances included the world famous Polish Radio Choir performing the works of the contemporary classical composer Henryk Gorecki, Durham Polyphony and His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts presenting a selection of Medieval and Renaissance music, and Evensong in the Cathedral sung by the Cathedral Choir with a repertoire of Durham music, both historic and contemporary.

Durham Student Theatre (DST) performed two specially-created pieces of drama – “The (almost) Complete History of Durham” – an alternative telling of the history of Durham, performed in the Cathedral’s spectacular Galilee Chapel, and “The Black Staircase,” a darker story about some of the more elusive inhabitants of Durham Castle, a promenade piece performed in that building.

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Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the WHS, a Visitor Centre was opened in the refurbished 19th Century almshouse on Owengate. This is a free facility, which provides visitors with an overview of the World Heritage Site, including information about what it means to be a World Heritage Site, what makes Durham significant, and what there is to see and do in Durham.

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Below, DST performance of “The (almost) Complete History of Durham” in the Galilee Chapel.

Find out more... ...visit www.durham worldheritagesite .com

Dialogue 21 | Jan / Feb 2012

Pre-application open days 2011 a campus wide success A wide range of staff from across the University were involved in the planning and delivery of the Durham City campus wide pre-application open days held in the summer of 2011.

Co-ordinated by the Access and Student Recruitment team, this combined effort ensured the inaugural events were a big success. A well deserved ‘Congratulations’ to all involved.

most especially the increase in fees from 2012, demand that all applicant experiences meet specific priorities and are delivered to the highest of standards.

The decision to embark on campus wide events at Durham City was taken in response to the need to effectively meet a number of objectives. Specifically, allowing visitors to view all the functions of the University, whilst simultaneously bringing the University inline with its competitors and, not least, to ensure we continue to meet potential applicants’ expectations.

Amidst glorious sunshine the City swelled with more than 8,000 visitors attending across the two days, creating an atmosphere of engagement and excitement. Almost 90% of visitors reported that this was their first visit to the University and, perhaps more significantly, 77% of these visitors said their impression of Durham University had improved as a result of their open day experience.

Presenting the University in its broadest sense with all the uniqueness and diversity it offers is a challenge; as is the need to meet ever increasing demands from potential applicants and their parents.

Ongoing changes facing Higher Education,

Visitors were able to experience scheduled College and Departmental sessions, alongside presentations, tours and visits to academic, sporting, social, residential and support facilities. A well documented concern is the ongoing confusion many

applicants have regarding Durham’s collegiate structure. Pleasingly, almost 93% of visitors indicated they understood how the collegiate system works in the post-event evaluation. Alongside this, just over 81% of visitors indicated they were impressed by the Departments they visited.

It is clear that high benchmarks have been set for future events.

Impressive feedback was received across the board, however, as with all innovative activity there has been a learning curve across some elements. Claire SmilesHarrison has been appointed to the Access and Student Recruitment team with a remit covering the development of a visitor experience strategy. This dedicated resource will enable significant developments and will present opportunities to build on the success of the 2011 events.

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The National Student Survey (NSS) is an opportunity for final year undergraduates to feedback on their experience.

The results are used by those about to enter higher education to inform their choice of institution and course. As an institution we must achieve a threshold of both a 50% response rate and responses from a minimum of 23 students for each subject area in order for our results to be published.

We would like to invite final year undergraduate students to take this opportunity to have their say about our University and ask staff to encourage their students to complete the survey.

The survey can be completed online from Monday 23 January until Monday 30 April 2012 at www.thestudentsurvey.com

So what’s in store for 2012?

Pre-application open days will be promoted as the primary visitor experience for those considering Durham University. Alongside this, complementary recruitment activities such as post-application open days and campus tours will be undergoing some revisions to enhance the menu of events within the student recruitment cycle.

Pre-application open days at Durham City will increase in capacity and the number of events will increase to total three; bringing Durham City in line with Queen’s Campus, Stockton provision.

Priority will focus on increasing capacity without losing the personalised approach. Improving the online booking system and on the day event management will be a major area of work, as will the development of multimedia visitor and staff communications. Improvements across student recruitment and training will be a major undertaking alongside improvements to event signage.

To increase the atmosphere and provide a venue for advice on all aspects of the University, an Information Market Place will be offered within the Students’ Union, which will be especially important for those lacking time or opportunity to undertake scheduled sessions.

Students are the life blood of the University, and their experience with us before, during and after their studies is under increasing scrutiny. It is envisaged that pre-application open days develop into a true University wide event, where we are able to show our strengths in the best possible light, ensuring the brightest students from a diversity of backgrounds are recruited to become the future of our University.

Find out more... ...including 2012 open days visit www.durham .ac.uk/study/visit or contact Claire SmilesHarrison on ext: 49244

Have your say... ...complete the survey at www.thestudent survey.com

Dialogue 21 | Jan / Feb 2012

LUMIERE 2011 took place over four nights in November and quickly established itself as the largest light festival in the UK. Visitors from all over came to see the 35 different art installations spread all over Durham City, cementing Durham’s place as a cultural visitor destination. If you didn’t get chance to go along, here is just a selection of highlights from this fantastic event.

Top left and right Spirit

by Compagnie Carabosse.

Below left, Le Voyageurs by Cédric Le Borgne. Below right, Splash by Peter Lewis.

Bottom, I Love Durham by Jacques Rival. All images © Matthew Andrews.

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Event Durham, Retail & Catering

The annual Venuemasters Conference and AGM Staff from Event Durham attended the annual Venuemasters Conference and AGM in November at Edinburgh First University.

have now shared with the rest of the Event Durham team. It also provided a great networking opportunity with colleagues from other member venues.”

The event was attended by over 100 delegates from 50 different academic venues. The theme for this year’s conferences was “First impression to last impression, how the customer experience can help grow your business”. Keynote speakers included Geoff Ramm, who gave an inspirational presentation on the greatest level of customer service, and Michelle Mone (OBE), one of the UK’s top three female entrepreneurs.

Rebecca Bell, Customer Relations Agent said of the event, “It was a fantastic opportunity to learn from different speakers, gaining ideas on creating a lasting impression that we

Event Feedback “Thank you once again for all your efforts to ensure that the dinner at St Aidan’s was a success and for your patience in dealing with the inevitable last minute changes. The high quality of the food was commented on by quite a few people and the occasion was much enjoyed by everybody. Please do let the rest of the team know.”

Mrs Krysia Johnson, Administrator, IHRR, Department of Geography.

Top: Rebecca Bell (ED), Michelle Mone & Georgia Lee (ED). Bottom: Conference Roehampton, Event Durham, Event Exeter, Trafalgar Events, Queen Mary University, Autonoma of Barcelona.

“Lunch in the Senate Room (Durham Castle) was a wonderful start to Founders and Benefactors Day. The food was delicious.

Margaret and I met up again with Lucy and Louise from Event Durham... they masterminded two superb events for us this year.”

Extract from the letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor from the High Sheriff of the County Palatine of Durham, Roger Howell.

Retail Due to popular demand, the Retail Office is pleased to introduce their new range of Durham University baby and childrenswear made from the softest cotton and available in a variety of colours.

Visit www.durham.ac.uk/shop to view the full range of official Durham University merchandise, including our recently launched new Fairtrade clothing collection and our ever improving gift range. Remember to check back regularly as new products are being added daily.

HR news...

(l-r) Rob Brydon, Mark Crabtree, Ewart Wooldridge and Joanne Race. © Charles Fox.

Members of the HR Team were delighted to represent Durham University at the seventh THE Higher Education Awards in November. Our Strategy Academy won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Leadership Development.

It was described by the judges as having ‘all the key features of a high-quality progressive and sustainable leadership development programme’. Its use of ‘real-time’ challenges and a pan-University approach, where participants cut across academic, professional and departmental boundaries, was commended.

We set up the Academy last year after feedback from our previous leadership programmes showed that people had a

desire to learn and develop alongside colleagues from other parts of the University.

Each programme in the strategy is linked to a real issue being tackled by the University. Strategy Academy groups are ‘sponsored’ by UEC which means the outcomes can be put forward as real plans and actions for the future.

The Academy consists of five, one-day modules tackling change, creating vision, finding creative solutions, harnessing individual and team energy and engaging others. Joanne Race (Deputy HR Director) and Mark Crabtree (Assistant Director, Training and Development) were at the award ceremony to collect the award on

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

An enthusiastic team from HR spent the day volunteering at Calvert Trust, Kielder to help with their fundraising efforts.

Calvert Trust provides outdoor activities for people of all abilities and has won many awards, particularly for its work with people with disabilities. The centre also provides holidays for people with a wide range of disabilities visiting in groups, with families or individually.

Calvert Trust offers excellent volunteering opportunities for Durham University staff and students.

behalf of all those involved in setting up the Strategy Academy.

The latest Strategy Academy Programme starts this month. It is fully booked with all 17 places booked by members of staff from Academic and Professional Support Service departments.

“The Strategy Academy has all the key features of a high-quality progressive and sustainable leadership development programme.”

STAFF BENEFITS

If you would like to help this inspiring organisation find out more at www. calvert-trust.org.uk/kielder. To get involved, see the volunteering website at www.durham.ac.uk/volunteer.

A number of new offers from local businesses and services have been added to our staff discounts scheme recently. To find out more about these savings, go to:

(l-r) Kevin Ferguson, Caroline Bulman, Helen Symcox and Su Stinchcombe.

www.durham.ac.uk/ hr/benefitsplus/ staffdiscounts Most staff discounts are accessed by showing your Durham University campus card.

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CIS news...

Safeguarding your

information Each of us has a role to play in making sure that our working practices don’t put either the University’s data or our own at risk.

Find out more... ...ABOUT CIS, VISIT: www.durham.ac.uk/cis /security

Greenspace...

2011 Green Gown Award Sustainable Procurement Category Our entry titled “Leading the Way in Sustainable Food Procurement” highlighted the University’s unique approach to the management of its food contracts to cover all aspects of the University’s corporate and social responsibility policy.

Our Procurement Service and Catering Department have addressed: (1) social wellbeing and inclusion through healthy eating and the support of local charities (2) carbon reduction by significantly reducing deliveries (3) sourcing local products and banning air freight (4) supporting local suppliers, small medium enterprises and the local economy

(5) achieving significant financial savings to help manage food price rises. The judges said there is “evidence of grassroots thinking with impressive supplier engagement, [the] entry is an all encompassing project looking at the whole procurement process. Solid, demonstrative sustainable benefits evidenced and a stand out entry in the category.”

Good Egg Award Compassion in World Farming presented a Good Egg award to Durham University for their efforts and leadership in improving the welfare of farm animals.

This award is open to hospitals, educational institutions and local councils with Good Farm Animal Welfare.

Durham University’s Catering Department has transferred just under three quarters of a million eggs a year to free range and has lobbied it’s supplier to source free range pasteurised egg products.

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Carbon Management

Bus Service from Railway Station to Mountjoy

The Carbon Management Plan web pages now have an FAQ section and a projects page which shows you the status of our carbon reduction projects. Please remember that reducing the University’s Carbon Footprint is everybody’s responsibility so please do what you can to help achieve the 30% reduction target by 2014. www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/cmp/plan

The University has negotiated an arrangement with Durham County Council regarding the use of the Cathedral Bus service Monday to Friday during morning and afternoon rush hours, to provide a service to Mountjoy (Science Site). The initial agreement covers operation of the service until the end of September 2012.

The route for the Cathedral bus service – an electric bus – runs from Durham railway station via the bus station and New Elvet to Mountjoy (Science Site) and return. This arrangement allows for staff and students to use the service for £1 per single journey and £1.50 per return journey.

A full timetable is available on the University travel website at www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/travel/mountjoybusservice

Electric Pool Car Fairtrade Fortnight Fairtrade Fortnight is taking place between the 27th February and 11th March. This year’s campaign is all about ‘taking a step for Fairtrade’. This can be a simple step like swapping your coffee to Fairtrade coffee. Every step counts! As part of our campaign we will be giving you ideas on how to ‘take a step for Fairtrade’. Please take a look at the Greenspace website to see how you can support Fairtrade. www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/fairtrade Why is Fairtrade a good thing to do?

The growers are given an agreed price for their crop. Café Direct, our current brand of coffee, is the most generous when it comes to payment to growers. They guarantee 10% ahead of the market price to be paid to the farmer. Other prices affect the crop value, such as fuel, labour, utilities, etc., but the farmer always has a guaranteed 10% social premium, that contributes towards helping the community with education, medical facilities, infrastructure, etc.

In addition Café Direct re-invest a minimum of a third of their profits to the farming communities.

The University has joined a scheme to trial an electric car which is available for use by staff as a pool car until the middle of April 2012. The car has been provided by Simon Bailes, in conjunction with Future Transport Systems as part of the Switch EV trial (www.vehicletrial.switchev.co.uk).

The car is a Peugeot iOn and will preferably be used by small groups of staff going to external meetings and for use on University business.

To book the car, please contact Karen Dobson, Departmental Secretary, Estates and Buildings karen.dobson@durham.ac.uk ext: 46478 in the first instance and if Karen is not available please contact Pauline Edmondson green.travel@durham.ac.uk or on ext: 41030.

More information can be found on the University’s travel website at www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/travel

Spread the cost of an Annual Arriva Season Ticket!!

Durham University has joined Arriva’s Employer Travel Club (ETC) which means all staff who use Arriva bus services in the North East and who purchase an annual bus season ticket can spread the cost of payment over the year rather than pay a one off payment up front. By joining the scheme, two children can travel free with the season ticket holder – great for those shopping and leisure trips.

For more details, either visit the University’s Travel Information website at www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/travel/public or contact Pauline Edmondson at green.travel@durham.ac.uk or on ext: 41030.

Dialogue 21 | Jan / Feb 2012

Sustainable fish provides food for thought Students in all catered colleges now have the option to choose independently certified sustainable fish for the first time as part of their meals in colleges.

Jailbreak 2011, a great success At 8am on the 26th November, nearly 80 Durham students gathered at the court house, with no money and dressed as monkeys, priests, leprechauns and even Gandalf, to take part in Jailbreak 2011.

Fish has long been recommended for its health benefits and recent research even suggests that eating oily fish improves blood flow to the brain and performance during mental tasks, although this is still being debated by scientists.

The MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) says that by choosing certified sustainable fish, Durham students will be helping to transform the seafood market to a sustainable basis. Each of the eco-labelled options in the Durham colleges can be traced back to an independently certified, sustainable fishery.

Each of the certified fisheries has improved fish stocks and reduced the bycatch, or discards, says the MSC, which also claims that its programme has created improved knowledge of ecosystem impacts among fisheries and an expansion of environmentally protected areas.

Shona Millar, Head of University and Colleges Catering, said: “We are delighted to gain this certification, as it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to sustainable sourcing of wild fish.

It’s important to us, our students, staff and guests that we produce quality food which is sustainable and has demonstrable provenance.” (l-r) David Hynes, Francine do Nascimento and Charlotte Brice tuck in to a meal of sustainable fish in the dining hall at University College.

At the final chime of the Cathedral bell, they ran away as fast as possible to grab that first hitch with the aim of getting far away from Durham as possible in 36 hours.

hitch all the way to Frechen in Germany, but also hitched ALL the way back to Durham, arriving back on Wednesday 30th November. Now that is dedication!

The DUCK exec tracked all 36 teams on a constantly updating map, and as a spider web expanded from Durham across the UK and Europe, some great stories came filtering back.

The overall winners of Jailbreak 2011 managed to convince Air Asia to honour them with some free flights and ended up 6500 miles away in sunny Kuala Lumpur.

They stayed for two more days, and we don’t really blame them!

From a helpful and generous German couple heading homewards, to a Dutch trucker regaling the hitchhikers with 30 years worth of stories and a chain-smoking Strepsils addict from a Polish ski resort, the students certainly met some colourful characters on their travels. One team inadvertently walked through a nudist beach on the way to the southernmost point of the island in Gran Canarias whilst another group not only managed to

So, over 36 hours, between them our teams racked up a total of 20,707 miles travelling on countless trains, trucks, boats and aeroplanes. They raised £8,600 for charity, with more donations still coming in.

We have more hitchhiking events coming up over the next two terms – have a look on our website and get involved. www.duck.dsu.org.uk

19

Sport...

T H E P E R F E C T S TA R T Our form in our Wednesday league sports has been nothing short of spectacular with our women’s sides leading the way and achieving more wins at the highest level than any other university in Britain. The men are not far behind and only sit the wrong side of Loughborough.

Outside of Wednesday league sports our rowers, paddlers, cyclists and fives players have done us proud. Having had the best term in our history, we are currently sat second in the British University Sport League Table.

At the Wild Water Racing Championships the Canoe Club enjoyed great success, coming away with two individual gold medals, four individual silvers, one individual bronze and a team bronze.

The cyclists have had an equally impressive start to the year, picking up an individual silver in the men’s Hill Climb and an individual gold in the women’s equivalent. The women secured team gold whilst the men secured team silver.

Our rowers, recently situated in our new purpose built ergo gallery and tank, have started the year in typically impressive style, securing two golds, one silver and a bronze at the BUCS Small Boats Head.

Once again our Fives Club proved to be as good as any in Britain as they also came away with medals, this time a gold in the doubles and a bronze in the singles.

sitting comfortably at the top of the Northern Premiership. The men are also sat joint top of the Northern Premiership with Stirling.

Back to our Wednesday league sports where many clubs are performing at the very highest level. Men’s rugby union probably stands out with all four sides yet to lose a game and all sitting top of their leagues. Women’s rugby have also had a great return to the Premier League, currently sat in third position. In Hockey both the men and women have every chance of finishing the year as university champions with the men in particular setting the pace in the Northern Premier League. Both are battling hard in their respective National Leagues.

Women’s fencing have won all five of their fixtures and are sitting pretty at the top of the Northern Premier League – they are certainly a squad befitting the great new facility that is now at their disposal.

It was a tough term for the men but they have made it through to the Last Eight of the Championship and, hopefully, the new term will result in a change of fortune.

Recently granted Performance Centre status by the Tennis Foundation, the Tennis Club have been showing exactly why they have received this recognition on court with the women sat top of three of their four leagues and the first team

It’s hard to write an end of term report without focusing on lacrosse. Both first teams are defending champions and both went into Christmas undefeated. Special mention should absolutely go to our women’s second team who have not been defeated in four and a half years!

Ultimately it’s a marathon and not a sprint, but it would be hard to have asked for a better start to the year.

Dialogue 21 | Jan / Feb 2012

Under investigation

January

Lynsey Finnemore, Admissions and Events Officer, International Office Have you got any pets?

Two rescue dogs – Indie and Holly.

What are you reading at the moment?

UCAS application forms.

Finding the time to read for relaxation is a bit of luxury at the moment!

What would you like you epitaph to be?

What did you want to be when you were a child?

I wanted to be a vet so something went wrong somewhere.

Where will you be going for your next holiday?

We don’t plan that far ahead but we’ll probably go somewhere near family in the Cotswolds.

I wouldn’t want one.

What skill or talent would you most like to acquire?

Which historical figure would you most like to be?

The ability to be in two places at once.

There are many brave men and women I admire but not really anyone I’d like to be.

Give me a picture of your ideal day:

What was the first record you bought?

Any time spent with family and friends preferably involving food, laughter and wine.

I can’t remember but probably something extremely embarrassing like Bucks Fizz.

I promise my musical taste has improved.

What achievement are you most proud of?

On a scale of 1-10, how much do you care what other people think of you?

More than I should – probably 9.

What’s your greatest vice?

My family.

Red wine.

Any nicknames?

Not that I know of.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?

Working at local hotel during the summer when I was 16 – my friend Claire thought it would be a great way for us to earn some money but it was a nightmare!

What’s your favourite place in the world?

What’s your favourite film?

When was the last time you laughed and why?

I don’t have one but our son rules the TV so I’m starting to develop a real appreciation for Pixar animation.

My son makes me laugh every day with the wisdom only a three year old possesses.

An exhibition highlighting the range of Hokusai’s book illustrations, and examples of work by his contemporaries.

It includes some of the earliest books to be referred to as ‘manga’.

BACH @ Hatfield - Lunchtime Recitals 20th January, 1.10pm-1.45pm Michael Haynes (Newcastle Cathedral) Hatfield College Chapel The first in a series of eight weekly organ recitals by professional organists featuring the finest organ works by J. S. Bach on their 1883 Harrison & Harrison Organ. They are free to the public and will last around 35 minutes.

You can’t beat home.

February

What luxury item would you take to a desert island?

“Outrageously Modern!” Avant Garde magazines that shocked Britain 1884 - 1922 4th February – 20th May Palace Green Library

YSL Touche Éclat.

What’s your greatest indulgence?

Definitely shoes.

Pass the buck: Finally, who would you like to see in the hot-seat?

Professor Tim Clark, School of Economics, Finance and Business & Dean of Graduate School and Internationalisation.

What was your best subject?

I would say History or English.

Beyond the Great Wave - Hokusai, book illustration and the origins of manga Until 27th May 2012 Oriental Museum, Elvet Hill, Durham

Don’t forget to visit www.durham.ac.uk/dialogue

Explore this exhibition of late 19th century publishing, literary and art magazines that defied tradition and convention.

Family Activities for February Half Term 11th – 19th February The University Attractions (Oriental Museum, Old Fulling Mill, Palace Green Library and Botanic Garden) are all hosting children’s events and activities over the February half term holiday – see the What’s On Guide for details www.durham.ac.uk/whatson Durham Drama Festival 20th – 25th February Assembly Rooms, Theatre A highlight in the Durham Student Theatre Spring programme. For details of this and other shows visit www.durham.ac.uk/dst Musicon Festival of East Asian Music 28th & 29th February Music School, Palace Green & Durham Town Hall Building on the success of last year’s festival, which focused on stringed instruments, Musicon presents three concerts with the theme of “bamboo”.

For more information on University events, go to www.durham.ac.uk/whatson