Dialogue Magazine - Issue 23

NEWS FOR DURHAM UNIVERSITY STAFF AND STUDENTS | MAY / JUNE 2012 | ISSUE 23

Also in this issue: Meet our three representatives of Durham University sport, chosen to carry the Olympic Torch across County Durham.

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Spotlight on CARD Find out about the Centre for Academic and Researcher Development. / Page 8

10 Years of Science Outreach From humble beginnings to its current region-wide form. / Page 10

Dialogue 23 | May / June 2012

Dear Colleague, The University strategy is straightforward – excellence in research and excellence in education, with a global outlook. More specifically, we aim to link research and education in new ways and to be an international exemplar of research-led education.

Traditionally, staff development in learning and teaching has been well supported, particularly during probationary years.

Over the past three years, under Tom McLeish’s (PVC Research) leadership, we have been gearing up to ensure that earlycareer researchers are given equal support in developing research skills (eg grant writing and postgraduate supervision).

Whilst we already offer leadership courses for more junior academics, the need to support the development for more senior academics in a rapidly changing research and educational environment has also been recognised.

The Centre for Academic and Research Development (CARD), featured on page 8, has brought together a range of training and development activities in both research and teaching, consistent with our focus on leadership in research-led teaching. There are opportunities for academics at all stages of their careers to enhance their skills and expertise; we invite everyone to take a good look at what is on offer for them.

In this issue we also look at the impact of our research and teaching excellence through Science Outreach; a programme which engages school children, their teachers and the wider community in the North East and beyond.

With all best wishes,

Chris Higgins, Vice-Chancellor and Warden

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Gateway update 04 Research highlights 06 Girl Power 03

Meet our Olympic torchbearers

Spotlight on...

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The Centre for Academic and Researcher Development

Event Durham,

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Retail and Catering

HR news 15 CIS news 16 News in brief 14

Including Congregation news and news on library developments

Careers, Employability

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10 years of

and Enterprise Centre Student Experience Survey Win an iPAD!

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Science Outreach

12 REF: a personal view

Insight from Val Wooff, REF Manager

Greenspace 20 Under investigation

What’s On

EDITOR: Rebecca Grundy, Corporate Communications Officer.

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

CONTRIBUTIONS: Caroline Hall, Human Resources; Sharon Battersby, Computing and Information Services; Tara Duncan, Greenspace; Carolyn Gaw, Library; Jennifer Barthel, Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre; Stina Maynard, Event Durham; Media Relations Team, Communications Office; Stan Taylor, Centre for Academic and Researcher Development; Pete Edwards, Science Outreach; Ian Tubman, Estates & Buildings; Val Wooff, Research Office.

DESIGN: wearewarm.com PRINT: hpm.uk.com

Front cover: Our trio of Olympic torchbearers, from left to right, Naomi Hoogesteger, Steph Elliott & Kira Roberts

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Update

G A T E WAY U P D A T E

Gateway FAQs...

Since the report in the last issue of Dialogue, the Library Extension has been completed and building work at the Palatine Centre and Law School has moved forward considerably (see page 17).

The raised access flooring is complete and glazing has been installed to the boardroom and the main entrance area on both levels.

The curtain walling is nearing completion and internal partition walling continues to progress well. External landscaping has now commenced and floor boxes and grills have been installed to the latest furniture layouts.

Planning for the staff moves in to the new building continues to progress well. Moves begin mid August and will be completed in four phases. Move dates have now been communicated to all Heads of Department and departmental Move Coordinators.

visit www.durham. ac.uk/durham.project/ gateway/faqs

Details of who will be sitting where within the new building have been finalised.

MovePlan and the Move Coordinators have also completed walk-rounds of their departments.

This contractor will be a specialist commercial mover who will be experienced in all types of office relocations, including file packing/ unpacking and IT equipment relocation.

The next phase in the planning process will see departmental storage being agreed.

MovePlan will be working closely with Move Coordinators to advise the number and type of storage cabinets allocated to their department and to provide guidance on the type of file media that can be accommodated in each type of storage unit.

Part of this process will be that short-listed contractors will have the opportunity to carry out an on-site survey around offices and areas that are moving in order to quantify what’s being relocated. When final details are confirmed for this, Move Coordinators will be advised in advance, but there should be very little, if any, disruption in staff areas when these walk rounds take place.

A removal contractor will soon be appointed to carry out the physical moves.

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1. Boardroom and Harvard Style Lecture Theatre below. 2. Glazing to Pod. 3. Aerial view of Gateway site. 4. Aerial view of Library extension and west end of the Palatine Centre.

Research highlights

New clinical trial could help make aspirin safer for patients A major clinical trial has been launched to investigate whether eliminating a common stomach bug could help to make taking aspirin safer in some patients.

The research, to be carried out by Professor Greg Rubin at the School of Medicine and Health, will look at wiping out the bacterium Helicobacter pylori in the gut of patients taking up to 325mg of aspirin a day, which could reduce their chances of developing a stomach ulcer and dangerous associated bleeding - a complication which kills thousands of people every year.

One of the largest of its kind, it is estimated that the study will recruit in the region of 10,000 aspirin patients found to be infected with H. pylori.

Professor Greg Rubin said: “Aspirin is a valuable and widely used drug, but it can have serious side-effects.

In fact, aspirin is so widely used that it has become the most common cause of ulcer bleeding.

This study will answer an important question about how we can make it a safer drug to take.”

COVERAGE INCLUDES: BBC Look North, BBC Radio Newcastle, Northern Echo, Sunderland Echo, Evening Chronicle.

Right: Professor Greg Rubin.

Spectacularly bright object caused by “normal” black hole A spectacularly bright object recently spotted in one of the Milky Way’s neighbouring galaxies is the result of a “normal” stellar black hole, according to astronomers.

An international team of scientists, led

by Dr Matt Middleton from the Department of Physics, analysed the Ultraluminous X-ray Source (ULX) which was originally discovered in the Andromeda galaxy by NASA’s Chandra X-ray observatory.

Many ULXs are too far away for astronomers to study, but the relatively close proximity of Andromeda to the Milky Way - around 2.5 million light years - gave the team opportunity to study the phenomenon.

The researchers say their study could begin to answer the question about what causes ULXs.

Dr Middleton, said: “ULX sources are still pretty exotic. But our work shows that at least some are linked to the normal black holes left behind after the death of massive stars, objects that are found throughout the Universe, and the way that they drag in surrounding material.

The ULX in Andromeda flared up because of the black hole’s voracious appetite for new material.”

COVERAGE INCLUDES: Astronews US, The Astronomers News, MSN News, Sciencedaily, The Journal, Northern Echo.

Right: The Andromeda Galaxy, with (inset) the newly discovered ULX highlighted. Image © MPE.

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WORLD PREMIERE OF TREASURED COMPOSER’S VIOLIN CONCERTO Durham University Orchestral Society performed the world premiere of a work by one of Britain’s most treasured classical composers in March 2012.

The Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford was performed by the Durham University Chamber Orchestra in Durham Cathedral and was orchestrated

by Professor Jeremy Dibble from the Department of Music.

Stanford, who died in 1924 at the age of 75 composed many pieces of classical music and only left the work in an unpublished version for violin and piano in 1918. He was made an honorary Doctor of Civil Law at the University in 1894 and was the subject of an extensive biography by Professor Dibble in 2002 reflecting a specialism at Durham for 19th and 20th Century British and Irish music.

Professor Dibble, who is an expert on Stanford, said: “It is a substantial work and completely unknown within the repertoire of British violin concertos. In the tradition of the late 19th Century virtuoso violin concerto, notably of Brahms and Bruch, the work is full of rich and memorable tunes, the slow movement in particular reflecting Stanford’s Irish heritage with its mimicking of Irish traditional melody.

My hope is that this new version will be commercially recorded later since it certainly deserves to be better known by violinists, orchestras and audiences.”

COVERAGE INCLUDES: Evening Chronicle, The Journal, Sunderland Echo, Durham Times Right: Professor Jeremy Dibble.

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

The Olympics

Meet our Olympic torchbearers On Sunday 17th June, three of Durham’s students, Steph Elliott, Naomi Hoogesteger and Kira Roberts will be carrying the Olympic Torch through County Durham as part of the 70 day Olympic Torch Relay across the UK. These three athletes represent the quality of sport at Durham as women’s sport at the University is ranked 2nd in the British Universities and Colleges Sport league table beating competitors such as Leeds Met and Bath universities.

They have all represented Great Britain in their respective sports of hockey, rowing and fencing.

The stretch...

If you would like to cheer our students on, Steph is covering a stretch in Peterlee, Kira in Sherburn and Naomi in Durham City.

Steph Elliott is an England U21 hockey player and is currently doing an undergraduate degree in Sport. She is honoured to be carrying the torch and said: “Throughout my time at Durham, not once did I think I would be captaining the University side, playing for England U21s or carrying the Olympic Torch. It’s down to the help of everyone around me, my family, friends and coach, who have really pushed me to achieve these things.

I can’t believe that I was even considered to carry the Olympic Torch, but I’ll hopefully manage it without any embarrassment!”

Naomi Hoogesteger combines part-time postgraduate study with a teaching post in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. Last year she broke the world record for the fastest Atlantic rowing crossing as the only female crew member. She completed the crossing in 31 days and 23 hours, raising over £40,000 for charities along the way. She said: “Although I am a firm believer that true inspiration to achieve must come from within, the support that I have received during my time at Durham, and in particular from my academic department and St Chad’s College, is unparalleled. Along the various sporting paths that I have taken, I have come to realise that having such a rock to rely upon is of utmost importance in order to achieve ambitions and dreams.”

She is already planning her next challenge to canoe down the Amazon River in the summer of 2014 to set another world record.

Kira Roberts is currently doing a Masters degree in

English Literary Studies and is a top five British Fencer.

In 2010 she won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and at the British Universities and College Sport Championships. She dreams of being placed amongst the top fencers in the world and competing in Rio Olympics in 2016. Carrying the torch means a great deal to her: “It represents the hope, support and passion that has led me so far in my fencing and will continue to lead me on.

Carrying the torch will give me the opportunity to show all of those who have helped me, believed in me and continually supported me that they were not mistaken in doing so!”

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OLYMPIC TORCH COMES TO DURHAM UNIVERSITY On Saturday 16th June, the Olympic Torch will stay overnight on the University’s Racecourse (pictured below).

To celebrate this momentous occasion, a huge free early evening event will take place on the Racecourse with music and entertainment for the whole family.

We will keep you posted with more details via Dialogue Signposts. www.durham.ac.uk/dialogue/signposts

Also running with the torch through the County in the Hartlepool area is alumnus Dave Miller (Bede College, 1971-74).

In recent years Dave has been College Tutor and President of the Senior Common Room at the College of St Hild and St Bede and was President of Durham University Hockey Club 1996-2010.

Members of the club nominated him in grateful thanks for his commitment to training and working with potential international players over so many years.

Find out the Torch route online You can find a street by street guide to the entire route of the Olympic Torch by visiting: www.london2012.com

Spotlight on...

In May 2011 the Graduate Training Team and the Academic Staff Development Office came together to form the Centre for Academic and Researcher Development (CARD).

The aim of the CARD is to provide high quality and evidence-based professional development which is relevant to the needs of researchers and academic staff and is at the forefront of national and international practice.

Our key objectives include:

Supporting high quality and research-led education by: • p roviding initial and continuing professional development for early career researchers and part-time staff beginning their teaching careers; • p roviding opportunities for experienced staff to undertake continuing professional development in teaching, supporting student learning, and assessment; • s upporting innovation in learning and teaching and rewarding excellence; • d isseminating good practice in learning and teaching internally and externally.

Enhancing research by: • p roviding opportunities for early career researchers to acquire the knowledge and skills to effectively manage their research projects and as far as possible complete them on time; • p roviding opportunities for researchers and academics to write successful research grant applications;

• p roviding opportunities for researchers and academics to develop their skills in writing for publication.

Enhancing enterprise and entrepreneurial education by:

Enhancing the student experience by:

• c ontributing to formal courses in entrepreneurship for early career researchers and academic staff.

• p roviding opportunities for researchers and academic staff to be aware of issues relating to diversity and supporting them to respond appropriately; • p roviding opportunities for early career researchers to enhance their personal effectiveness; • p roviding opportunities for researchers and academics to reflect upon and develop pastoral aspects of their roles.

Enhancing employability by: • p roviding opportunities for early career researchers to develop employment -related skills and aptitudes; • p roviding opportunities for academic staff to develop ways of enhancing the employability of their students.

Supporting internationalisation by: • p roviding an induction programme for international research students; • p roviding opportunities for international postgraduate students to enhance their research and writing skills; • p roviding opportunities to support researchers and academic staff to pursue the internationalisation of the curriculum and teaching, learning and assessment.

In pursuing these objectives, the CARD team works closely with; academic departments; the Academic Support Office; the Centre for Employability, Enterprise, and Careers (CEEC); the Centre for Learning, Teaching and Research in Higher Education; the Colleges Division; Computing and Information Services (CIS); the Communications Office; the Counselling Service; the English Language Centre; the Deputy Heads of Faculties; Durham Business and Information Services; the Library; the Training Team in Human Resources; the International Office; the Learning Technology Team in CIS; the Research Office; and the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office.

DID YOU KNOW? On its own or in collaboration with partners, CARD organises around 400 development events per year providing an annual total of approximately 10,000 training places.

It also hosts a number of e-learning packages which can be accessed on demand.

Find out more... visit: www.durham.ac.uk/ academic.office/card

Front, left to right: Catherine Laidlaw, Eleanor Loughlin, Carolyn McAlhone. Rear, left to right: Lowry McComb & Stan Taylor.

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HEA and UKCISA pilot projects supporting internationalisation award

THE TEAM The CARD team is: Mrs Catherine Laidlaw Programme Administrator (Academic Development) Ext. 46109 c.a.laidlaw@durham.ac.uk Dr Eleanor Loughlin Academic and Researcher Development Officer Ext. 44678 eleanor.loughlin@durham.ac.uk Ms Carolyn McAlhone Programme Administrator (Researcher Development) Ext. 44576 carolyn.mcalhone@durham.ac.uk Dr Lowry McComb Director of Researcher Development Ext. 44581 t.j.l.mccomb@durham.ac.uk Dr Stan Taylor Director of CARD Ext. 46525 stan.taylor@durham.ac.uk

Please note that researcher development is also supported by; Dr David Heading (CIS); Mrs June Kay (CEEC); Mrs Christine Purcell (Library); Ms Janet Lavery and Ms Elaine Tan (Learning Technology Team, CIS); and Dr Nick Vivyan (School of Government and International Affairs).

Congratulations to Simon Rees and Megan Bruce (Foundation Centre) for obtaining a HEA and UKCISA pilot project award to develop a Foundation Corpus (FOCUS) for International Students studying STEM subjects.

The corpus will consist of a collection of texts and other subject specific content to develop international students understanding of and confidence in the use of technical and subject specific language. This resource will then be utilised in teaching sessions and their impact on student discourse assessed.

Agents’ Conference Durham’s International Office recently hosted nine top performing educational agents from around the globe for their first agents’ conference. Representatives attended from countries as far and wide as the Americas to Vietnam.

The aim of the conference was to provide delegates with a greater insight into Durham, its University and the ‘Durham Difference’.

Activities included briefings and presentations from key University staff and visits to colleges and departments, both in Durham City and at Queen’s Campus.

University staff with conference delegates in the courtyard of Durham Castle.

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Dialogue 23 | May / June 2012

TEIKYO UNIVERSITY MATRICULATION Professor Graham Towl, Deputy Warden, represented Durham University recently at the budokan in Tokyo where the matriculation ceremony took place for students of Teikyo University.

He delivered a presentation at the medical school drawing upon his EPSRC funded research on ‘risk and resilience’ along with empirical data from his research into suicide in prisons. Mr and Dr Okinaga the President and Vice-President of Teikyo University will be visiting Durham University in July at a medical conference with international speakers. Professor Towl commented that, “It was an honour to be part of the Teikyo matriculation ceremony in Tokyo and to share research findings with colleagues from Harvard and Teikyo, I very much look forward to welcoming Mr and Dr Okinaga to Durham.”

REF: a personal view Managing ‘REF’, or the Research Excellence Framework 2014, is certainly a challenge. In February, I moved to the Research Office having worked in the University for 10 years. I was leaving my comfort zone to tackle something many people would want to avoid.

It’s that time in the HE cycle when HEFCEs attention turns to assessing research quality with all the implications to funding and reputation it brings.

Some of you may remember RAE2008, and possibly previous exercises of the same ilk.

HEFCE requires at least two impact case studies for each of their specified units of assessment. The number of case studies needed will be driven by the number of staff we include in the REF submission, so we may need up to 100 examples of impact!

What is REF?

Impact is a really enjoyable part of my role. Talking to enthusiastic researchers about their own work and teasing out what aspects of it have changed society, the economy, government policy or other areas of our lives is a pleasure.

REF is a quantitative and qualitative data collection exercise which includes information on research active staff, their research outputs (eg published papers, books, etc), research income, PhD completions, research culture (environment) and impact. This information is collated by each participating university by the end of 2013. It is then assessed by specially convened panels of experts, and HEFCE will announce the results a year or so later.

What does it mean for Durham?

REF is a competition. Past RAE results influenced our funding levels and our position in league tables. REF will be no different and as we move into the Russell Group and into an ever more competitive world for universities these things matter if we want to attract research funding and high calibre students from the UK and overseas and maintain our research intensive status.

There are several differences between REF and RAE. By far the biggest is the emphasis on describing the impact (public benefit) of research carried out in Durham in the last 20 years. Little did our academic staff working in the 1990s expect that the impact of their research might be measured 15 to 20 years in the future.

Six months in, the pressure is on, deadlines loom between now and the end of 2013, but I’d rather be busy than bored any day.

Val Wooff REF Manager

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Event Durham, Retail & Catering

Catering The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) held its annual competition in Blackpool last month and our catering team members didn’t let us down. This is a national two day event that is open to food service staff and chefs, and is an excellent opportunity for our catering team to show off their skills!

Congratulations go to: Joe Smith, Food Service Assistant from St Aidan’s College, won a Bronze award for Food Service.

Diane Walker, Food & Beverage Services Manager, St Aidan’s and Tracy Butterfield, Community Food Service Manager, who made the finals in Food Service.

The Chefs Team: Robbie Cummins, Head Chef, St Hild and St Bede; Richie Metcalfe, Head Chef, University College; Steven Smith, Community Head Chef, Business School & Retail, who won the Gold award for the best fish dish, beating 17 other teams!

The Chefs Team mentors were: Dave Walker, Community Executive Chef and Michael Thorne, University Development Chef.

Many of the teams that attend this event are seasoned competitors and it’s a fantastic achievement for our team members to make the finals, let alone win an award. In addition, we were the only University to win awards in Food Service as well as Food Production.

“I’m absolutely delighted for everyone involved and thanks go to the wider catering teams for supporting the operation in their absence” Shona Millar, University Catering.

Event Durham This Easter, Durham University has continued to host key conferences, with delegates attending from across the globe.

A small selection of the events that were looked after by the Event Management team from Event Durham, include: Powder Diffraction and Rietveld Refinement School 2012, Department of Chemistry EHBEA 2012, Department of Anthropology

European Shale Gas Conference, Department of Earth Sciences EUG Conference 2012, Student Planning and Assessment Event Durham offers a complete Conference and Event Management Service which provides you with the essential support for all of your conference arrangements.

You provide the conference content and

Retail The Retail Office Needs You! The University Retail Office is currently looking for volunteers to carry out mystery shop evaluations at their outlets.

As a thank you for your feedback you can choose to receive either a £5 YUM gift voucher which can be redeemed in any YUM café, or a £10 merchandise voucher to use on the University’s online shop.

If you have strong feelings about customer service, presentation and product ranges then you could be perfect for this role.

Please contact the Retail Office on shop@durham.ac.uk or ext. 42893 for further information or to sign up.

the Event Management Team will provide the extensive knowledge of the facilities and accommodation available here at the University. The team will ensure that all of the necessary features of your event have been arranged to your exact requirements.

If you need any assistance in organising a conference please contact Stina Maynard on ext. 42883 or email: stina.maynard@ durham.ac.uk.

HR news...

Academic recruitment The University recently embarked on an extensive academic recruitment campaign encompassing all three faculties.

The advertisement placed in the national and international press can be seen here:

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CIS news...

eduroam: now available at Durham Easy internet access when visiting other universities.

It is provided via JANET, the UK’s education and research network (who facilitate our links to the Internet and wider academic community) and allows staff, researchers and students from participating institutions, to gain wireless access to the Internet whilst visiting other member institutions, with their ‘home’ university username and password. ‘eduroam’ is available to members in over 40 countries, so visitors can use it here in Durham and you can use it in member sites in the UK and further afield. It’s free and totally secure: ‘eduroam’ uses encrypted connection and authentication standards offering a much higher level of security than most commercial hotspots so you can feel comfortable supplying your access details. If you use ‘eduroam’ it means that you only need one username and password to get online rather than having to set up guest access when you travel to other member institutions.

It’s easy to use, you just need to configure or set up your laptop or mobile device before you travel, according to the relevant operating system it uses (eg Windows, Mac or Linux) and you’ll find instructions at: www.durham.ac.uk/cis/network/eduroam If you’re using it for the first time, it is essential to test it here in Durham on our wireless network to confirm it’s working properly and having set up access, you will be able to obtain Internet connectivity at any participating university with your login details.

To start using ‘eduroam’: • V isit www.durham.ac.uk/cis/network/ eduroam and configure your device so it’s ready to access the service before you travel; • C onnect to your host’s wireless network with the SSID (the name of the wireless network) ‘eduroam’; • W hen requested, enter your Durham user name in the format abcd12@ durham.ac.uk or abcd12@dur.ac.uk and then your password – please note it is not your email address but your user name followed by ‘@durham.ac.uk’.

This information is encrypted and will be safe; • Y ou will be connected to the wireless network of the host institution without needing to configure your machine to their specific settings or having to organise a temporary access id; • I f you experience any problems, you should contact the Durham IT Service Desk on 0191 334 1515 for advice, rather than the local helpdesk.

Visitors to Durham from participating universities will be able to use ‘eduroam’ to access the Internet via our wireless network. They will need to ensure they have set up their machine before coming here, and their own IT support service will need to provide details to help them and support them if they experience any problems.

Further information which includes configuration and connection instructions as well as links to details of participating organisations both in the UK and further afield can be found at www.durham.ac.uk/cis/network/eduroam

Find out more... visit www.durham.ac.uk/ cis/network/eduroam

News in brief

Queen’s Award for Durham University academic A Durham University academic has been awarded The Queen’s Award For Enterprise Promotion, the UK’s highest accolade for business success, for his work in promoting enterprise and business in the North East.

The award to Professor Brian Tanner, Professor of Physics & Dean of Knowledge Transfer at Durham University, recognises his involvement in enterprise promotion over 30 years, nationally and internationally.

CONGREGATION All staff are invited to attend Summer Congregation 2012.

Come along to witness the ceremony or get involved in guiding students and guests at this fantastic celebration.

Remember to use the online form to register to marshal (deadline 31st May), join the Academic Procession or request a ticket/s (deadline 8th June).

Further information is available at: www.durham.ac.uk/ceremonies/ congregation/staff

Honorary Awards All staff are invited to submit nominations for honorary awards.

Would your department like to recognise and enhance links with a leader in your field or are you aware of a local person who has achieved great things eg Sir Thomas Allen former honorary DMus and now Chancellor? The closing date is 28th September 2012 so there is plenty of time to get your thinking caps on.

Further information is published at: www.durham.ac.uk/ceremonies/honorary

Installation of Sir Thomas Allen A special Congregation to celebrate the installation of Sir Thomas Allen as the 12th Chancellor of Durham University will take place on Tuesday 26th June at 10.30am in Durham Cathedral.

This will be a festive occasion and a great opportunity for staff and students, as well as members of the public, to come together to welcome Sir Thomas.

Both staff and students can apply to attend this formal ceremony to celebrate the installation of the Chancellor by registering at www.durham.ac.uk/ conference.booking/details/id=117 from Friday 25th May. Places will be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis and the online form will close when the list is full.

Any staff wishing to volunteer as marshals must sign up before 31st May at www.durham.ac.uk/ceremonies/ congregation/marshals

17

Find out more... about exhibitions at Palace Green Library, go to www.durham. ac.uk/library/ asc/exhibitions

Palace Green is changing... just as it did in 1669 under Bishop John Cosin.

Over the last two years, the stunning library founded by Cosin has been painstakingly restored as part of a major conservation project. It will open for viewing from summer 2012. To celebrate this event, a new exhibition outlining Cosin’s remarkable achievements will be shown in Palace Green Library’s new Dunelm Gallery.

Portrait of John Cosin

The Main Library’s four-storey East Wing extension opened on Monday 23rd April, providing 500 additional study spaces and a range of group and individual study areas.

This is the first completed section of the Gateway development on Stockton Road and was made available for use prior to the University examination period.

Although construction work is complete and the East Wing has opened for use there is

Cosin was a prominent figure in the seventeenth century; an ally of King Charles I, he was exiled during the Civil War. After the restoration of the monarchy, he was appointed Bishop of Durham by Charles II, a position that held considerable power.

still work to be done (as detailed in Dialogue issue 22, p8). However, this is not scheduled to start until later on in June to avoid disrupting students revising for their exams.

Jon Purcell, Librarian, said: “We are excited to announce the opening of the Main Library’s East Wing. The completed extension has been beautifully designed to create a light and spacious study

In Durham he embarked on major construction and restoration projects, including the building of his library on Palace Green. As a lifelong book-collector, books from Cosin’s collection are still housed in his library on Palace Green.

The exhibition will celebrate Cosin’s life and achievements through the difficult years of the English Civil War and into the Restoration period when as Bishop of Durham the changes he made to the city can be seen over 300 years later.

The exhibition is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am to 4.45pm from 30th June – 31st December 2012.

environment. The new facilities, including better provision for students to use their own laptops and a range of group and individual study areas, mean that students will have more choice and flexibility when studying at the Main Library.”

For more information about the East Wing, visit: www.durham.ac.uk/library/ developments

News in brief

Have you thought about employing a Durham student over the summer?

Or can you offer a work shadowing opportunity?

Lots of our students would like the opportunity to work at the University over the summer. It’s a great way for you to get help with those projects that you never get round to and a perfect opportunity for students to gain valuable experience and skills to add to their CV. From data entry and filing, research and evaluation, through to larger scale projects, the Student Employment Service can help you to advertise your vacancy and find the right student.

The Explore programme gives students the opportunity to ‘explore’ a career area that they are interested in working in.

For more information please contact Jennifer Barthel on ext. 41429 or email ses@durham.ac.uk

The intention is to provide a short work shadowing opportunity for two weeks in June to give students the chance to see what it is like to work in a particular area such as Marketing, Event Management, a Research Lab etc.

If you feel that you could provide a short two week project for a first or penultimate year student please contact the Placement Officer, Victoria Cawkwell on ext. 41406 or email victoria.cawkwell@durham.ac.uk

The Durham Student Experience Survey is now underway and all students have until 22nd June to submit their feedback on life at Durham.

The survey is a joint project between the University and DSU asking students to share their views on all the aspects of extra-curricular activity that make up the student experience. The aim of the project is to help the University identify how it can continue to improve what it offers to students outside of their academic studies.

Student responses to the survey are strictly confidential, so answers and opinions can be as honest as possible.

In order to gather as much feedback as possible, everyone who completes the survey will automatically be entered into a prize draw with the chance to win an iPad. There will also be prizes of £500 to the college with the highest percentage of submissions and a further £200 to the runner up college.

Results will be available in real time on the website, so students can monitor response rates college by college.

Academic and support staff are being encouraged to remind students to complete the online survey.

Initial findings of the survey will be announced on the website during the Michaelmas Term, Autumn 2012 and then regularly updated so students can see how their input can influence change. www.durham.ac.uk/student.survey

19

Greenspace...

BEAT THE BASELOAD A new Greenspace campaign A report created over the Christmas vacation showed the excellent work that is being done around the University Estate to switch off equipment that is not needed.

However, it also highlighted that we still have a long way to go before we can say we have eliminated all electrical ‘wastage’. Our baseload (the amount of equipment left on all of the time) is still very high so we need all staff and students to work to reduce this. To achieve this we have launched our ‘Beat the Baseload’ campaign which relies on you looking around your building to see what equipment is always left on by default, but could actually be switched off on evenings and weekends.

Greenspace have created a red, amber, green sticker system to allow people to see what can and can’t be switched off (Green - Yes, switch me off; Amber - Ask before switching me off; Red - No, do not switch me off). These stickers can be used on plugs (if they can be seen and accessed easily), appliances, office equipment and any other machines/equipment. Your staff Environment Champion has been asked to request these for your Department/College. If you don’t see any stickers in your building then please check with your Environment Champion that these have been ordered from Greenspace. It is also a good idea to have a designated person to switch off non-essential items at the end of the working day.

FREE TRAVEL Bus service benefits for staff Colleagues are reminded that they can travel free on the inter-campus Arriva X1 Bus Service between Durham and Stockton by showing a valid campus card.

A bus service is also available during peak times for staff and students to travel to the Science Site (Mountjoy) from either the Railway Station or Durham Bus Station. There is a nominal fee to use this service. For those staff working for the Business School and who are now based in Ushaw College in Ushaw Moor, a new circular bus service is now available from Durham Bus Station, via South Road to Ushaw College free of charge for duration of the move.

Staff who travel regularly on Arriva bus services into Durham and into Stockton can now join the Employee Travel Club which has been set up between the University and Arriva. The benefits of joining the scheme means that staff can spread the cost of a season ticket over the year by paying by Direct Debit instead of paying in one lump sum.

For more details and timetables for these service and schemes, please visit www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/travel

Fairtrade fortnight Fairtrade Fortnight ran from the 27th February to the 11th March.

A wide variety of over 30 events were held across the University in support of Fairtrade. These included Fairtrade Formals, Fairtrade tea-breaks, a Fairtrade debate and Fairtrade samplings. All events experienced a positive turnout and raised awareness of Fairtrade amongst staff and students. Many thanks to everyone who planned, promoted and took part in an event. Don’t forget we run Fairtrade events all year, not just in Fairtrade Fortnight.

To find out more about why and how the University is Fairtade accredited visit the Greenspace website at www. durham.ac.uk/greenspace/fairtrade

Environment Champion training event A training, awareness and networking session was held for the Environment Champions on the 29th February.

During this session the ‘Beat the Baseload’ campaign was launched and examples of good work were discussed in order to promote the sharing of best practice.

The presentation can be viewed on the Greenspace website: www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/ policies/environmentchampions

Find out more... about how you can get involved, visit: www.durham.ac.uk/ greenspace

Dialogue 23 | May / June 2012

Under investigation Prof David Harper Have you got any pets?

Principal of Van Mildert College When was the last time you laughed and why?

Yes, we have a border collie called Holly. It’s our second collie, A few minutes ago when intelligent and lively, enjoying life my wife Maureen read this. in Van Mildert and of course the What did you want to acres of nearby woodland. be when you were a child?

What are you reading Well, I guess I just wanted at the moment? to be older.

Christopher Isherwood’s Berlin Where will you be going Novels, a really fascinating for your next holiday? period in 20th Century history.

What would you like you epitaph to be?

‘In search of fossils, he left no stone unturned’.

Which historical figure would you most like to be?

I’ve always greatly admired fellow Scot, Sir Charles Lyell, arguable the founder of modern geology. He lived in an heroic era of our science, travelled the world researching his formidable three volume masterpiece ‘Principles of Geology’, parts of which were Charles Darwin’s constant companion on the voyage of the Beagle.

What was the first record you bought?

The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan, inspired by amateur productions at Walbottle Grammar School. I’ve just bought Richard Strauss’s Die Frau ohne Schatten, so I guess my musical tastes have broadened a bit over the past 40 years.

What achievement are you most proud of?

My election as Einstein Professor in the Chinese Academy of Sciences. A strange title for a palaeontologist but a milestone in my cooperation with colleagues in Nanjing over many years.

What was your best subject?

Chemistry, I enjoyed the experiments.

May What’s your favourite film?

Without doubt Carol Reed’s ‘The Third Man’. The cinematography and plot set in post war Vienna against a background of intrigue and skulduggery are magnificent.

Any nicknames?

Croatia, we have never visited this historic and scenic part of the Mediterranean.

TT (the terrible twin) based on my apparent similarity to my good friend Per Ahlberg, professor of palaeontology in Lund. Nicknames concocted by our spouses!

What skill or talent would you most like to acquire?

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

Play a musical instrument, even a tin whistle would do!

A summer job picking cucumbers. Long hours, poor pay and dreadful working conditions in spider-infested, hot greenhouses.

Give me a picture of your ideal day: Early breakfast looking out over Mildert Lake, complete and submit a manuscript before meeting with students and staff in College to discuss the excellent progress made with new and ongoing projects.

Lunch in College with visiting colleagues to discuss some new projects and grant applicants. Afternoon teaching in Earth Sciences, first year palaeontology with some cool fossils! Return to College, touch base with Maureen and join her for a formal dinner; talk to colleagues afterwards about some new outreach programmes. Final check of mails, a manuscript accepted as is, invited to join an expedition to the Caribbean.

Quite a day.

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

Depends very much if they are people I respect (5-10) otherwise probably 1-5.

What’s your greatest vice?

None I know of but I could be in denial.

What’s your favourite place in the world?

The fjord region of NE Greenland. I was fortunate to spend three field seasons in one of the most beautiful and remote parts of the planet, with really great geology.

Tell me a secret: I was Elton John’s chauffeur for a week, whilst a research student in Belfast. Not many people know that (they do now!).

What luxury item would you take to a desert island?

I’ve become very attached to my iPad but would probably need WiFi too!

What’s your greatest indulgence?

Good malt whiskies, particularly those from Islay and Campbeltown, not mentioning brands but you can guess.

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

Prof Carolyn Summerbell, Principal of John Snow College and Professor of Human Nutrition.

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

About Face 5th May - 24th June The Durham Light Infantry Museum The exhibition will feature a display of works by the surgeon artist Henry Tonks.

Other events in conjunction with the exhibition include: Wednesday 30th May ‘Portraiture and Suffering’, Ludmilla Jordanova, Professor of Modern History, Kings College, London.

Thursday 21st June ‘The Face of War: Figuring Empathy in Pat Barker’s Life Class’, Anne Whitehead, Newcastle University.

June Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Family Events 2nd – 5th June Oriental Museum, Old Fulling Mill, Palace Green Library & Botanic Garden A whole host of family activities are planned for the Jubilee Weekend.

Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ 12th – 16th June Crook Hall & Fellow’s Garden Durham Castle Castle Theatre Company perform this Shakespeare’s classic in wonderful outdoor settings around Durham, both matinee and evening performances.

Musicon/IAS Commission – Sound Installation by Trevor Wishart 13th June – 24th July Botanic Garden This interactive sound installation is an outcome of the IAS ‘Futures II’ project and will be available for the public to play in the Botanic Garden.

Made in China: Experiences and Exports 16th June – 16th September Oriental Museum The ‘Stories of the World’ exhibition is part of the Cultural Olympiad and will explore relations between Britain and China from 1500 to the present day.

For more information on University events, go to www.durham.ac.uk/whatson WARM/05/12/001