King's College London newsletter
College Visitor comes to K-ng's The College's official Visitor, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, spent the afternoon of Thursday 13 February at King's. It was Dr Carey's first attendance at King's as Visitor, but he is no stranger to the College, having graduated here as a Bachelor of Divinity in 1962. Or and Mrs Carey spent nearly four hours in King's: meeting staff, participating in a service in the Chapel and attending a reception in the Great Hall, before seeing various aspects of the work of the College. The Chapel was packed to hear Dr Carey's addre s. Hi main theme was the role of a univer ity as 'one of the means by which society tran cends itself', and this role was fulfilled, he said, firstly by extending the boundaries of what we know.' ew knowledge is often greeted by fear... Universities should be an irritant, the grit in the oyster that may become a pearl.' Secondly, a university is concerned with educating the next generation, and thirdly: 'it analyses the past afresh: revising its judge ments, changing its mind, discerning what has ceased to have the claim of truth and recognising blind alleys for what they
The Archbishop is greeted by the Principal on his arrival
Or Carey signing the Chapel Register ofServices with College Chaplain Philip Chester
Dr and Mrs Carey with John Annan, the producer of 'Guys and Dolls' which opens on 25 March and runs until 29 March. (Contact the Students' Union for details 836 7132.)
Dr Vanessa Davies shows the Archbishop the equipment in the Language and Communication Centre
lectures as 'that mysterious proces whereby the notes of the professor are transmitted to the notebook of the student without going through the minds of either': a situation that, he knew, was not the case at King's.
during the reception that followed they were introduced to representatives of all Schools of the College. After lunch they visited the Theology Department before going to the clson Mandela Hall to meet Student Union officers and see a rehearsal of the student production of Guys and Dolls. The final part of their visit was to the Language and Communication Centre.
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The e roles had a parallel, Or Carey said, in the life of the Church. He had always seen his own task as 'not only conveying the doctrines, history and traditions of Chri tianity but also kindling that freedom of thought and spirit of enquiry which may lead to true knowledge and conviction.' He advised students to take advantage of the opportuni ies King's offered to study the ethical or theological dimensions of almost any subject; and he ended by referring to a whimsical description of
Before the service the Archbishop and Mrs Carey had met senior staff of the College, the Dean and the College Chaplain. and
ROYAL SOCIETY GRANTS
GLAXO PRIZE
Guest Research Fellows The object of this scheme is to assist outstanding leaders in scientific research in the UK to invite scientists of proven ability, normally resident overseas, to come and work with them for periods of between four months and one year. Emphasis in selection will be on the abilities and field of research of the applicant working in the UK and on the special contributions to the applicant's research which would be provided by the visitor, and which are not available in the UK. Applicants must be working in departments of science (including agriculture, medicine, mathematics, engineering and technology) in universities or research institutions in the UK. Direct applications from intending guests overseas are not acceptable. Applications should be made on forms obtained from the Executive Secretary (LUM), The Royal Society, 6 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y SAG, and returned by 30 April 1992.
Grants in support of public understanding of science Grants are available for new or continuing activities or initiatives directly concerned with the promotion of the public understanding of science. Over one
hundred grants have already been awarded for an exciting range of projects, such as science in theatre, dance and art; enhancing displays, travelling shows and open days. Applicants are asked to show clearly how their proposal relates to the public understanding of science and will be required to submit a brief written repon after the event on how the grant was used. All applicants must be resident in the UK. The maximum sum available for an individual grant is ÂŁ3000, and the closing dates for applications are 31 March and 31 October each year; late applications will be considered at the next round. Application forms are available from Dr Alison Evans (at the above address), tel: 071-839 5561 ext 219.
Massive uptake of 'European Studies'
ichael Hurley, a B c (Hons) Pharmacology graduate from King' , ha been awarded a scholarship to study the role of dopamine D-3 receptors in the brain. Michael will undenake the research in the Pharmacology Group at Chelsea under the supervision of Professor P Jenner. The award was onc of only seven made to students in all branches of science in the UK.
Michael is pictured here receiving his award from Dr Barry Price, Director of Research, Glaxo. The ceremony at the Westbury Hotel was honoured by the presence of Professor Dorothy Hodgkin.
Czech Visitors to King's In February the English Language Unit was host to 14 Czech and Slovak university lecturers under the auspices of the British Council 'Link Scheme'. The Unit provided an intensive three-week course in British Studies. The course participants represented Charles University in Prague, and the universities of Bratislava, Prsov and Olumouc. The Czech and Slovak visitors received lectures from members of the English Language Unit, and of the departments of English and Centre for Educational Studies. The course also gave them the opportunity to meet practising novelists, playwrights, social worker etc and to visit places of cultural interest, museums, theatres and libraries where they carried out individual research.
The new BA in European Studies, which King's has developed in collaboration with LSE, will start in October 1992. But although the new degree was advenised for the first time this year, and the minimum standard for admission is a very high one (ABB grades), the response from well-qualified candidates has been overwhelming. For 16 places, there have so far been 180 applicants, of whom 65 will have been interviewed by the end of this term. Twenty-four offers have already been made for 1992, and six for 1993.
its combination of language, politics, institutions and modern history, in the context of Europe and an individual country (France or Germany) on a highly structured basis. But it is unusual, in the first year of even a successful new degree, for applications to be so high. Part of the explanation must be a concentrated publicity campaign, which involved not only articles in King's News and circulation of details via UCCA, but also targeted missives sent to the head-teachers of many of the country's leading schools.
For all the visitors this was the first opportunity to extend their knowledge of their own subject since the Velvet Revolution of 1989. Before that time British Studies was frowned upon by the Communist authorities in Czechoslovakia and had to be taught clandestinely or only in terms of approved stereotypes.
What can explain this success? The degree course itself is clearly very attractive, with
Professor R M Griffiths Departmen t of French
TonyThorne Director of the English Language Unit
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CHILDREN LEARN HOW TO RUN BRITISH GAS Over the last Ive years a team of re earchers rom the Centre or Educational tudie, led b . Deryn a on, has been developin a serie of computer-a isted learnin pac a e called etwork for the ation or u e by children in the c1as room. ith the e packa es children can see just what it i like running a large company such a Briti h Gas. U in the unusual technique of pictOrial design, the eries pre ents design, planning and problem solving la ks in imulated contexts.
rn academic terms the group's work is a positive example of a university department working directly with industry to produce innovative and practical curriculum materials - pupils using the package will be able to atisfy certain demands of the ational Curriculum. There are three package in the erie Delwermg a Service, Consulting the Community and Working Under Pressure. The first looks at the organisation of a local Briti h Gas service centre: pupils are given the chance to take a customer' call as a telephone operator, relay a message to the service engineer as a radio controller, and mend the gas appliance as a service engineer. The second package sets pupils the task of gaining planning permission for a major gas installation: they learn how a business ets out to handle its relationship with the whole
community through the work of the Environmental Plancing Department, as well as learning how to manage a bud et over a period of a year.
Head of Strategic Defence Initiative Organisation visits King's
The third simulates the work of the Engineering Planning Department which plans high pressure pipelines for the national ga transmission system: pupils become pipeline engineer, u ing software to help them design pipelines which will sati fy a range of demands as efficiently as possible, taking into account capital and running costs. The team's research involved them actually going our in the field to work closely with British Gas - visiting the site of a new onshore gas terminal at Barrow-in-Furness, working with planning engineer at the London Gas Research tation, and going out with service engineers on a call. The research has significance for the British software industry. Software development of this kind is on the decline in this country due to lack of investment and therefore it is encouraging that King's is continuing work in this area. As a postscript, we have heard that British Gas are using the Delivering a Service package as a training aid for their new engineers and Consulting the Community as an introduction for new planners!
Ambassador Cooper, the first civilian to be appomted as Head of the StrategIc Defence Initiative Organisation, chose to visit Kmg's on a recent trip to London. He is photographed here with Mike Clarke, Executive Director of the Centre for Defence Studies.
Ambassador Henry F Cooper, Head of the Strategic Defence Initiative Organisation (SOlO) spoke on the pros and cons of space-based defence in a post cold war world at a recent conference held by the Centre for Defence Studies at King's College London. His me sage was that the US is going ahead with the development of a GPALS system (General Protection Against Limited Stikes), and that they would be happy to involve the Russians in the project, despite envisaged difficulties. The first site planned for this space based defence programme is likely to be in Grand Forks USA, and the estimated cost for the development of the first phase of the project in 1996 was given as 546 billion. He explained some of the ways in which the GPALS system planned to use the technology of 'brilliant pebbles' - a mass of tiny satellites that could be directed individually to pepper a target in space.
Deryn Watson, Senior Lecturer, CES, with Paul Black, Professor ofScience Education, CES (right) and Geoff Henderson, Information Planning Manager, British Gas at the launch of the 'Network for the Nation' package which took place at the Barbican last month.
His proposals were closely questioned by an audience of scientific and political analysts from the University of London.
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INSET day for teachers The Schools and Colleges Liaison Office held an' Academic Update' in-service training day at the College on 25 ovember for teachers from secondary schools. The thinking behind the day was that King's benefits greatly from such contacts with subject teachers because they raise the College's profile with a group that has been shown to be significant in influencing pupils' choice of higher education. The day was attended by 120 teachers from 29 schools, but was rather dominated by teachers from two schools Uewish Free School and Chelmsford County High School for Girls) who obviously realised that King's had a lot to offer! Twenty-four King's departments were visited by one or more teachers. who had previously been asked by most departments to specify the A' level topics they wanted to cover in their discussions. The teachers' evaluation of the day was very favourable (see below). Of the 16 King's departments who responded. 13 thought the event very useful or useful. and three not useful: in general. they felt that the day was hard work but worthwhile. The Schools and Colleges Liaison Committee discussed the reports of the Day at its meeting earlier this month, and decided that, rather than setting up an annual I SET day of this type, an enhanced annual programme of departmental and subject-group one- and two-day workshops should be established, modelled on the very successful workshops presently organised for teachers by some departments and Schools of the College. This can be centrally marketed, and because of the central organization, participants will have the opportunity to gain a wider appreciation of the College. In the longer term, consideration will be given to linking the workshops into the Lower Sixth Summer Schools that the University of London is encouraging King's to offer from 1993. Workshops will be grouped over a few days so that the Schools and Colleges Liaison Office can offer a central programme of welcome, lunch and tea, and evaluation, on each of the days. Participants will be charged a small fee to cover hospitality. but departments with sponsorship will. of course. be able to continue to use this advantageously.
Teacher evaluations ot the 'Academic Update' day. 25 November 1991
Summary of respon es to 'Academic Update' questionnaire
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Numberofttach~rvisilOrs umber or respond..,,, I RATI G OF THE DAY
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V.ry Ust'ful us.rul
V.ry poo<
-'-
jI -'I
Poor -.
Good
CONTI UE DIALOGUE!
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0-'-'
Yes WELCOME
We have also been fortunate to have the assistance of a group of MSc Food Science and Management students, with their tutor Richard Speed, who have conducted a survey of sixth formers' attitudes to various university logos (including the King's crest). This research has proved most interesting perhaps not surprisingly it revealed that most sixth formers were unable to identify the King's crest without the wording underneath. Wc have also conducted a small survey of careers advisers to find out their views of our current identity. A Corporate Visual Identity Advisory Group has been formed to select and oversee the work of a designer. Its members are: Professor Barry He (Chairman), School of Humanitie ; Jenny Briggs, School of Medicine and Dentistry; Professor Simon Howell, School of Life Sciences; John Muir, Vice Principal, External Relations; Brian Salter, Academic Registrar; Chris Kenyon Jones. Director of Public Relations and Christine Jarnieson, Publications Officer.
No perceived benefit at useful
ORGANIZATION
Work is progressing on the development of a new visual identity for King's (see Comment. 056). We have now completed the first part of this exercise - a series of interviews with a cross section of King's staff to canvass their opinion of the current identity and to elicit their views on what a new identity should achieve. This research has been enormously helpful for us in shaping the brief for the designer who will be appointed to develop the new identity. However, if you feel that you would still like to comment on any aspect of the identity that affects you in particular plea e do contact us in the Pre sand Publications Office.
Poor I_ _ _ Good
Excellent
ACADEMIC CO TENT 0 ......
at useful _ _ _ V.ry Ust'ful useful
T ~===;~~~ 20
4
__
40
_ 60 80 umblor of respondents
100
120
140
We will keep staff informed about the work of this Group over the next few months. In the meantime please note that the new identity will be launched at the beginning of September so you should bear this in mind when ordering new stocks of stationery or commissioning publications.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR King's and the homeless
Dear Editor,
Dear Editor,
I have just received Comment or January and am thankful that 1r Do -le ha the courage to send in her ver e about our Baglady. I spent a rni erable Chri tmas thinking of her with her lost doorwa - why did King's have to block it up? Oh, yes I know there were reasons having queried it so much while it wa being done but it was cruel. 0 matter what her circumstances nor the excellent work of the social service, she chose to live there and we removed the one thing she had in the world to call a home. I felt ashamed and I still do. Unblock it and let her have it back - please.
I am one 0 the man people who pas the Baglad on my way into King's, wondering who she i ,how he came to be living a he doe, and whether she has any relatives or friend who may be trunking where she is and i she is still alive. I have also come to reaLi e that she must prefer to Live as she does and that for her to live in a flat or a ho tel would be too confining after all these year. She is obviously a very tough old lady to have survived some of the harsh winters we have had over the past few years, and al 0 to have urvived breathing in all the fumes from the relentless tream of traffic which passes along the Strand night and day. However, it is reassuring and heartwarming to know that someone is keeping an eye on her needs and health.
Lesley Harding Department of Theology
The story of King's ometime last year we had sandwiche left over from a staff meeting, so I decided to offer them to her. I felt slightly ridiculous in front of a crowd of people at the bus stop, as I knocked on her umbrella to say 'Excuse me, would you like these~ sandwiches?'. She very graciously accepted. Jean Murphy Department of War Studies
Dear Editor, Thank you for publishing Marjorie Doyle's poem about the Baglady: I blushed - as one of those whose thoughts have included 'offending the eye'. But the 'indictment' is more than just 'these modern times' The problem of homelessness is man-made. omething can be done. For a start, I hope Marjorie will send a copy of her poem to the Department of Environment. Wrule on the subject of King's frontage: whose idea was the Union Jack? Why not our own College flag? Jinty elson Department of History We are looking aJ. the flag as part ofthe CorporaJ.e Visual I dentit.y Project (see page 4). Editor
Dear Editor, As one who reads Comment fairly regularly I am disappointed there seems to have been no mention of the Story of King's College Hospital and its Medical School which was published by Farrand Press under the direction of the Medical School. This book was written as an adjunct to the recent 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Hospital by the School of Medicine of King's College. In your ovember issue there was a list of King's books, and I am sad to think that The Story of King's was not considered worthy of inclusion: the Hospital and Clinical Medical School have recently returned to their parents, who they separated from early thi century, and I had hoped that trus revised rustory would be of interest to the pre ent students and staff of the School of Medicine and Dentistry and indeed to some other Schools. Dr Vernon F Hall, FKC We would be glad to include details of King's books in future editions of Comment. If readers know ofany that would be of interest to fellow staffplease keep us informed. Editor.
A radio station for King's? Dear Editor, Ha the decline 0 intellectual di cu ion on televi ion created an opportunity or Kin's? Kin's radio tation with a ran e of 25 mile would reach 2 million people. Much 0 it output would have to be rented material of everyday utility to a wide public. But it could include, for example, the best public offering of our Centres for Philosophical, Hellenic and Medieval Studies, discussions by our scientists, and interviews of leading cultural and intellectual figures. If it was done well, it would both be a service of value in itself and create the kind of sympathy and interest that the universities need in a ho tile climate. What would it cost to create a tudio, obtain a frequency and operate it? Students would learn a great deal of value in the proces . Richard orabji Director, Centre for Philosophical Studies
Letter from the Baileys Mr and Mrs Bailey, parents of Mark Bailey, who used to work at Kensington but now suffers from multiple sclerosis, have written to thank those who sent Mark cards at Christmas. He enjoys receiving these and reading Comment, as trus helps rum keep in touch with King's. Mark sends his good wishes to all at the College.
Campus competition winner Andrew Tatham, curator of maps in the library, scored 100% and won the recent social club competition (featured in the December issue of Comment). The correct answers were as follows: Picture 1 Embankment Library, Strand 2 orfolk Building, Strand 3 Front Entrance, Cornwall House 4 Main Building, Kensington 5 Main Building, Drury Lane 6 Main Building, Strand 7 Outside Main Building, Manresa Road 8 Old Chelsea Library, Manresa Road 9 Main Building, Kensington
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KING'S COLLEGE MEMORABILIA The range of College memorabilia available from the Alumnus Office has proved extremely popular with staff. So if you are looking for a leaving gift, a special memento for an important visitor, a token of appreciation for a guest speaker or an overseas host, look no further: we have items to suit most tastes - and budgets! Dartington Crystal- a range of quality, handmade glassware bearing the College crest. Items currently in stock include decanters, champagne flutes, wine glasses, Irish coffee glasses, beer glasses, tankards, whisky tumblers, candlelamps and vases. Prices range between £15 and £45. We do not usually mail crystal from our stock, but we can place special orders with Dartington who can arrange delivery to de tinations in the UK and overseas. Carriage costs, which can be considerable, include insurance. We can also place special orders for additional engraving, but please note that we have to give Dartington at least three to four weeks' notice. Contact the Alumnus Office for further details and a price list. King's College Port - vintage character, not for keeping but very pleasant. Price £9.80 per bottle, or £112 for a case (12 bottles). Please note that whole cases must be ordered in advance. We can arrange delivery to anywhere in the UK at no extra cost. Wellington prints - fine reproductions of the cartoons which depict the famous duel between the Iron Duke and the Earl of Winchilsea over the founding of the College. The prints come with an account of the Duel, and are available mounted (£ 18 per pair, or £10 each) and unmounted (£10 per pair, or £5 each). Postage and packing is extra. Carols in Advent - highly acclaimed recording by the King's College Singers. Tapes £5.00, COs £9.00. Postage and packing extra. Greetings cards - white cards with an elegant representation of the College crest
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Dear Colleagues, Through Comment, and a little later than I had intended, I wish to thank everyone who helped to make the reception on 16 December such a memorable occasion for me. I know, very wel~ the work and worry that is behind the scenes in arranging uch events, and I wish to thank both Gerry Hughes and Laura for all their efforts, together with Peter Hoffman and his staff, to Bob Redmond for his terling work behind the drinks table - and to George Sewell, who was 'volunteered' for video dutie . Travelling in London was more than usually difficult that day, as bomb incidents had closed the entire tube network, so I very much appreciate the efforts of all those who tried to get to the party. In the circumstances, a surprising number were successful, and it was truly a pleasure to see so many dear past and present faces, bringing back so many memories. In particular, I wish to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to my leaving presents. I was really astonished at the number, and the world-wide origin, of the signatures on the card, all wishing me well in this new episode in my life. The King's decanter has pride of place, and your amazing generosity ha enabled me to purchase a long-desired gift of a video camcorder, which will, of course, be a source of making many more memories for me. After nearly 42 years of working at the College, it is still a little unreal not to be travelling to work at the moment, but I started this new phase in a new year, and my sincere wishes for health and happiness are with all of you for 1992 and beyond. I wish King's College and all of you every success for the future, and my special thoughts and thanks go to Elspeth and Richard, Joan and Jean, April and Dawn in the King's Campus Vacation Bureau. I hope the Bureau's phones keep ringing, and their charts keep bursting, and I thank each and every one of them. Best wishes and thank you. Joan Fennell
SENIOR COMMON ROOM AGM The Annual General Meeting of the Senior Common Room will be held on Thursday 12 March, at 13.15 in the Lower Common Room. The agenda will be posted on the Common Room notice boards. ominations for the replacement of the seven vacancies on the Committee may be made at the meeting (preferably with the prior agreement of the nominee) - self-nomination will be elcome. This meeting will discuss issues important to the future of the Senior Common Room and the Committee would be grateful if all members who are able to do so would make an effort to attend. Michael Dockrill, Chairman
in crimson on the front, and a brief explanation of the crest on the back. The inside is blank. Price 35p each or £3 for 10. Postage and packing extra. College Chapel postcard - photograph of Chapel interior, 20p each. For further information about any of the above items, please contact Caroline Bartholomew or Pat Gray in the Alumnus Office. We are situated in Room MB10 at Cornwall House, exts 305213053.
PUBLIC LECTURES onday 2 March, 17.00 Popular themes in English medievaL bibLe zllustrations Professor C M Kauffmann, Director, Courtauld In titute of Art ew Theatre, Strand
Tuesday 3 March, 17.30 FD Mattrice as interpreter ofthe OLd Testament Professor] W Rogerson, University of Sheffield Room 3B20
Thursday, 12 March, 18.00 The mythologicaL landscape of Yannis Ritsos 1963-1969 Profe or Edmund Keeley, Princeton University ew Theatre, Strand
The Adam Lecture Tuesday, 17 March, 17.30 The obsession with pttrgatory in modern Western Literature Claude Vigee, poet and critic Great Hall
Inaugural Lecture Monday, 16 March, 16.30 The art ofsLeeping Profe sor David Parkes, Professor of Clinical eurology, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry Main Lecture Theatre, Medical School
Centre for Philosophical Studies - The Cook Lectures on Values, Education and Culture The la t two lectures in the series are to be given by Professor Anthony O'Hear on Tuesdays in the Council Room, Strand at 17.00. 3 March Education, vaLue and the sense ofawe 10 March Pursuit of exceLlence: an educationaL vaLue
The British Institute of Human Rights Tuesday, 3 March 13.00-14.00 Press Freedom: Liberty or Licence? Mr Loui Blom-Cooper QC, author and broadcaster, former chairman of the Press CounciL ew Theatre, trand, admission free
SEMINARS Physiology and Vascular Biology emmars These take place in the Physiology Lecture Theatre at Kensington on Wednesdays between 16.30 and 17.3
Issues in Medical Ethics A lecture held in conjunction with the King's College London Centre of Medical Law and Ethics and the Centre for Philosophical Studies.
4 March A rurial chemoreceptors: some questions remammg Professor Alan Howe, King's College London
Thursday, 5 March, 15.30-17.30 Concepts of therapeutic argument in ancient philosophy Professor Martha ussbaum, Brown University Committee Room
11 March Properties of the small conductance chloride channel encoded by the cystic fibrosis gene Dr Barry Argent, ewcastle University
Centre of Medical Law and Ethics Held in Room IB06 from 13.00 to 14.00 Monday, 2 March Managed competition in the NHS.路 progress and prospects Dr Chris Ham, Fellow in Health Policy and Management, King's Fund College Monday, 9 March The law and assisted conception Mrs Flora Goldhill, Chief Executive, Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority
OM apologies to the Centre of MedicaL Law and Ethics for omitting their details in the January edition of Comment
Centre for Construction Law and Management - The Mi hael Brown Foundation Inaugural Lecture Thursday, 5 March, 18.00 Construction Law - a multi-disciplinary approach Professor Hugh Beale, Chairman of the School of Law in the University of Warwick Great Hall The Foundation was set up with the generous support of Mr Bill Brown, in memory of his son, Michael Brown, a civil engineering graduate of King's who died of cancer at the age of 26.
18 March The relationship between arginine uptake and nitric oxide production Richard Bogie, King's College London
Geography Research Seminar Series Held on Tuesdays at 17.00 in Room 102, orfolk Building 3 March The importance of regionalism in understanding nationaListic aspirations in the former Soviet Union Dr Tamara Dragadze, Department of Social Sciences, School of Slavonic and East European Studies 10 March Soil erosion in Nepal Adam Cunis and Rob Collins, King's College London 17 March Landslides on the southern coast ofEngland Maia Ibsen, King's College London Case study of the f sle of Wight Karla PooneD, King's College London 24 March The making ofa market: methods of property research in Germany's new federaL states Andreas Goldner, King's College London Territorial coherence vs incoherence and the meanings ofspace in the social relations of manufactun'ng industry transformation in the former GDR ick Marshall, King'S College London
Held on Wednesdays in Room 3/8, 4th Floor Cornwall House Annexe, from 16. - 17. 3 arch Polides for elderly people in the European community Anne Jamieson, Lecturer in Social Gerontology, Birkbeck College 17 March Researching pensioners' incomes Peter Weir, Research Associate, Age Concern Institute of Gerontology, King's College London
Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department Research Seminars Held on Thursdays, 13.00 in Room IIA, Strand 5 March, Polarisation coupling in highly birefringent optical fibres Usman Ahmed, Physical Electronics Research Group, King's College London 12 March Indoor radio communications Rob Haines, Communications Research Group, King's College London 19 March Remote plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition ofsilicon nitride for integrated circuits Patrick Dainty, Physical Electronics Research Group, King's College London 26 March High predsion band pass filters using the OTA-C approach in GaAs MESFET technology Dr John Taylor, University College London For more information contact Dr Ian Robertson, ext 2523
Research Seminars for the Centre for Neural etworks Held on Wednesdays in Room 27C, Strand. 4 March, 14.00 Can network models help us understand the hippocampal organisation? Dr AlIesandro Treves, University of Oxford
11 March 13. (with coffee & sandwiches) Presentation by the Computer Science Department Dr T Ludermir, King's College London 18 March, 14. etwork desIgn strategies for opcimal architeetures: the CLS procedure Dr P Refene , Depanment of Computer Science, Univer ity College London
Randall Seminars at Drury Lane Held on Mondays in the Lecture Theatre, 26-29 Drury Lane, at 16.15 (with tea at 16.00) 2 March Growth factors and myelination Bill Richardson, University College London 9 March Gene targeting in stem cells: manipulating the mouse genome Bill Colledge, Wellcome/CRC Institute, Cambridge 23 March Microtubules. MAPs and motor proteins Howard Stebbings, Department of Biological Sciences, Exeter University
Medieval German Study Group Tuesday, 10 March, 18.00 Stricker's elusive Amis Mr Grahame Whitehead, University of Cambridge Room GaS, Strand building Colleagues, postgraduate students and advanced undergraduate students are welcome.
CONFERENCES The Centre for Advanced Biblical Studies is holding an international conference on New Directions for Biblical Studies from Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April. The main speakers include: Dr Mark Brett, Lincoln Theological College; Professor Phyllis Trible, Union Theological Seminary, ew York; Professor Francis Young, Birmingham University; Dr Stephen Banon, Durham University; Dr Werner Jeanrond, Trinity College Dublin, and Dr Francis Watson and Mr Richard Coggins from King's College London.
L ElKCL Geographical Association Sixth Form Conference The Geographical Association of the London School of Economics and King's College London are holding their Sixth Form Conference at LSE from 9. until 15.15, on 23 and 24 arch. On each day three lecturers, speciali t 10 their ield, have been invited to talk on various A level topics and a Chief Examiner will be discussing exam technique and preparation methods. The cost per person per day is ÂŁ5 or ÂŁ8 for both days. Friday, 20 March, 10.3 ,Council Room Saturday, 21 March, 1 .0 ,Institute of Classical Studies Warfare: the moral debate from Cicero to Saddam A conference convened by Professor Richard orabji of King's College London and the Institute of Classical Studies and Professor Roben 0' eill of All Souls' College Oxford. Held in conjunction with the Centre for Defence Studies.
The Centre for Hellenic Studies Monday 9 March, 16.00-19.30 Contemporary Greek fiction in translation; a celebration (in association with Kedros Publishers (Athens) and the Hellenic Foundation (London)) Great Hall There will be a reception following the meeting AKC Examinations Friday 20 March, 14.00 A KC Examination for Theologians Saturday 21 March, 10.00 A KC Examination for General Students
Rogate Study Centre Short Course 21-22 March Small is beautiful- an introduction to microscopy Pauline Taylor, in collaboration with the Centre for Extra Mural Studies, Birkbeck College Please contact Anne Finlay, Rogate Study Centre, The Red House, Nr Petersfield GV]] 7DL. Tel: 0730821621 for more information.
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COLLOQUIA The Aphrodisias Excavations Fourth International Colloquium Saturday, 14 March, 10.00 -17.30 Great Hall
Institute of Advanced Musical Studies Held on Wednesdays at 17.00 in Room Gal, Department of Music, 152-3 Strand 4 March When is a sacred cantata not a sacred opera or an oratorio OHia? a guide for distinguishing between Italian sacred poeticmusical genres Carolyn Gianturco Universita degli Smdi di Pisa 11 March Adomo's interpretation of Mahler Michael Fend, University of Paris
Department of Computing Held on Wednesdays at 13.15 in Room 3D, Strand Building 4 March Fully dynamic dictionary matching Kunsoo Park, King's College London 11 March Low level computational topology Colin O'DunJaing, Trinity College Dublin 18 March Implementing PRAM algorithms on distributed memory machines Alan Gibbons, University of Warwick
CONCERT DIARY Department of Music Thursday, 27 .February, 13.05 Ying Hwee Chua and Valerie Koh: music for violin and piano by Brahms and other composers Room Gal, Strand Tuesday, 3 March, 13.05 Simon Morris, cello and Steven Browne: piano music by Brahms and Faurc~ Room Gal, Strand Thursday,S March, 13.05 Dvorak: Serenade for strings; possibly also solo items for violin and cello Great Hall
Monday, 9 March, 13.05 Derick Kane, euphonium, and Lik Ling Chua, piano: to include music by Gordon Jacob and Leonard Bernstein Room Gal, Strand Tuesday, 10 March, 13.05 Philip Riordan, oboe; Sharon Choa and Deborah Hirsch, violins: to include music by Brinen Thursday, 12 March, 13.05 Jonathan Leathwood guitar music by Ohara and J S Bach Room Gal, Strand Monday, 16 March, 19.30 Joseph Haydn: Cello Concerto in C major (soloist: Simon Morris) Symphony No 4 by Brahms and La Creation du Monde by Milhaud King's College London Orchestra Great Hall Tuesday, 17 March, 13.10 Year 2 Composition Showcase Room Gal, Strand Admission to all concerts is free
Classics Department Greek Play Aristophanes' Acharnians is: • the first anti-war play • an amazing spectacle, full of rich pageant of song, movement and comic routines • full of risque humour • about an Athenian who made a oneman peace with Sparta • the earliest Greek comedy we possess • enjoyable whether you know Greek or not 18 - 21 March at 19.30 with matinee shows at 14.00 on 18 and 20. Held in the New Theatre, price £4. Call 873 2399 (24-hour service) for more information.
Live broadcast from the Chapel The Radio Four Daily Service will be broadcast Live from the Chapel on Monday 9 March at 10.00. Besides the Choir singing Durufle's Notre Pere and Rachmaninov's Bogoroditse Dyevo, the service will include hymns for congregational participation, so everyone is welcome to come and help swell the sound! The congregation should be there by 9.45, as the Chapel doors will be locked shortly before the service begins. The service will last about IS or 20 minutes.
SMALL ADS FlatIHouse needed Visiting Professor requires 2/3 bedroom accommodation within half an hour's travelling distance of the Kensington Campus, from I April to 31 August. Model tenant, Australian resident, widower with grown up family. Please contact Professor Bradbeer, Division of Biosphere Sciences on ext4321. House to let 3 bedroom family house to let. Near Fulham Broadway tube station, pubs, wine bars and restaurants, supermarkets and street market in the North End Road. Contact Christina Keen on ext 2689 for more information and viewing. Superior maisonette for rent in London E3 Five minutes walk from the underground, this two bedroomed maisonette with sitting room, kitchen/diner and central heating, TV and telephone is ideal for a family. The rent is £450 per calendar month. Please telephone 0522 529468 for more details. Flat to let Two bedroom, two storey maisonette with garden in the CamberwellJPeckham area. Near to buses, train and tube. Available I April 1992, possibly earlier. Please telephone Mrs Fortin on 928 8989 ext 2381 or leave a message on 7085123 (evenings). Notice from the Computing Centre We regret that due to the increased handling charges the cost of minitab statistical software packages will increase from £55 to £60 at the end of March.
OBITUARY Professor George Temple, FRS, CBE
FRANZJOSEPH EXPEDITION A Geography Sludent reports on her summer's research in ew Zealand In late June 1991, the FranzJoseph Glacier Expedition left London for South Island, ew Zealand to spend six weeks studying environmental change at the Franz Joseph Glacier, Westland. After 18 months of work and worry, a vague idea conceived by geography tudents one evening in the bar had become an academically and financially viable venture. The Franz Joseph Glacier plunges 2,700m from amidst ew Zealand's highest peaks into the Waiho Valley. We first saw her by starlight, a bright tongue of ice tumbling from a glowing southern sky into a valley luxuriantly cloaked in rainforest. It is a landscape of contrast, a place of sculpted ice and tangled growth. The aim of the expedition was an investigation of sedimentology, glacial erosion and vegetation in the valley. Fieldwork was often carried out under appaUingly wet condjtions. However, 'providence is perverse' for the rain feeds the forest, fortifies the streams and forms the glacier. The expedition was a valuable experience of independent study and travel that has installed in me a love for a country I had so far only read about. We are extremely grateful to those members of the College and Geography Department whose support helped make the expedition possible. Paula Harding
iD
Another link with K..ing's before the war was evered by the death of George Temple on 3 January at the age of 90. He was appointed to the Chair in Appljed athematics in 1932 and held it for 21 years, until his translation to the Sedleian chair in Oxford, though he wa away at RAE in Farnborough from 1939 to 1945. He and his fellow professor, Jack Semple, had come to a hard-working department but one mainly devoted to its service teachjng to science and engineering courses. Perhaps this was why Temple, in interviewing me in 1950 for the most lowly form of life then known in the College, a temporary assistant lecturship, asked me if I were afrajd of engineers, as I would have to teach them. This was done with a twinkle in his eye which I afterward came to know well. I wanted the job very much and so I lied valiantly but perhaps un uccessfully, for though I wa appointed I was never a ked to be as good as my word. Temple and emple transformed the department in a remarkably short time so that, by the end of the war, it had become one of the leading research departments of the country and one of the happiest. Temple had graduated at Birkbeck and after his London PhD he gained an 1851 Exhibition Research Fellowship at Imperial College, working on relativity and quantum theory. Later, he carried rus fellowship to Cambridge to work under Eddington, although he never came fully under the influence of Eddington's later theories. The interest in algebra which this work had stimulated in Temple led him to further work on the symbolic representation of algebraic forms in papers published after he had taken the chair at King'S. I have the feeling that he would have liked to carry thi work further but his mathematics and his thought were always outgoing and the gathering storm clouds of the late thirties directed his attention to a field in which he could be of use - aerodynamics. His work at Farnborough during the war made him an acknowledged expert in the field and as well as helping in the practical everyday problems he was attracted to the specific difficulties of supersonic flight. He found in aerodynamics the same
mathematical difficultie that he had encountered in quantum mechanics (where the are associated with the delta function). He et about under tanding what was then the only acceptable (i highl obscure) olution of the e difficulties, Laurent chwarz' theory of distribution and he ucceeded in reformulating it in a way that could easily used by any applied mathematician in the form of 'generalised functions'. The department I joined in 195 under Temple had just acquired new quarters on floor E of the Chesham (then slightly more extensive than now in a southerly direction). Temple's undergraduate lectures were memorable. The best ones, delivered without notes on days on which he had cro sed Waterloo Bridge by him elf on the way to College, were exceptionally in piring to every member of the cia s. On the days when he met a coUeaugue at Waterloo Station on the way he provided the undergraduate with the opportunjty of eeing a mathematician at work re-creating the subject a he went along. Aerodynamics was still dominant on the applied side of the research. In one room there were numerous research students grinding out numerical results on the rather primitive mechanical calculators of the time. But each was quite clear on the circumstances that made his problem important and it was typical of all Temple's mathematics that he saw straight to the simplicity of the essentials and illuminated the details by that means. Courtesy, wit and kindness were the overwhelming aspects of his character, so that he was much loved by everyone. The breadth of hi mathematical knowledge was a constant surprise to me. He was able to give each and every member of the academic staff informed comment on and interest in his work. I was particularly lucky as I was at that time trying to understand and reformulate Eddington's theories and Temple's advice was invaluable to me. think it was interest and enthusiasm for his colleagues, work that made the department then such a very happy place. Professor C W Kilmister, formerly Head of the Department of Mathematics at King's and Fellow of the College
FIRE AT MANRESA ROAD The fir t day of the Lent term began on a ad note for the College with a large fire at anresa Road, Chel ea campu . It began in the early hour of Wednesda 15 January. Takin over 2 firefighters to bring it under contro~ it caused tens of thousand of pounds worth of damage to the building. The Ire began in one of the synthetic chemistry laboratories on the ground floor of the main building. It then spread to an adjacent research laboratory and to two laboratorie on the first floor. Inevitably, other parts of the building incurred water and smoke damage. The cau e of the fire was a faulty fridge - the heat exchanger heated the floorboards to such a degree that they ignited. The local fire brigade were quickly on the scene and considering the circumstances and potentially very hazardous conditions, did an excellent job. Their immediate concern on arrival was the flasks containing organic solvents exploding in the laboratory. Before an attempt could be made to start fighting the fire precise information about the amount of solvents and the type of chemicals present in the laboratory and their ability to react with water was needed. Fortunately, two academics were on the site at the time and were able to advise on the contents of the laboratory.
Course Programme Please note that departments will be charged up to ÂŁ20.00 per participant for the courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Full costs will be levied, for both internal and external courses, when enrolled staff fail to attend without reasonable justification. All courses last one day, unless otherwise indicated. Please contact Janine Morton, ext 2760, regarding availability.
Effective Writing Thursday 4 June, 9.30-16.15 The cour e will include discussion and practical work on: the importance of clarity; getting started; some points of grammar; organising your writing; and finishing touche. It is designed for CR), CR4 and 0 charge for KCL staff. technical staff. Finance Seminars: A series of short seminars (two hours/one afternoon) on topics listed below are to be scheduled. Further details will be circulated.
Fireman and staff inspecting the damage The prompt action of the fire brigade certainly prevented a larger proportion of the building from being lost. Also, the fact that 90% of the inflammable chemicals and solvents in the room were in clo ed cabinets and did not explode or ignite meant that the fire was not more exten Ive. The fire brigade managed to get the most serious parts of the fire under control after 20 minute, but it took a further two hours to effect complete control. Due to the sterling efforts of the Estates Department, the site was in working order by the next day, thus only one teaching day wa 10 t. It is estimated that the damaged rooms will be rebuilt and operational by the end of July. There ha been some disruption to practical teaching in the Pharmacy Department, but this has not been extensive. There will be no adverse effects for the tudents starting or returning in October - in fact they will have a new laboratory for spectroscopic studies. I n terms of work lost, it is thought that the research being undertaken in the laboratories which have been destroyed will be set back by about four months. In the organic laboratory the work was funded by the Cancer Research Campaign and the British Technology Group. The investigations in progress were directed towards the development of new imaging agent and drugs for the treatment of thalas aemia. In the adjacent computer laboratory the work was directed towards the design of novel peptide pharmaceuticals.
Budgetry control, the principles; Calculation of overheads; College purchasing policy and procedures; Computer print-outs, an explanation; Financial management in general; Internal control; Petty cash, guidelines for handling; and Research grant costing.
Academic and Academically-related staff Managing Change Wednesday 6 May 9.30-17.00 Kathryn Redway is well known as a management trainer and regularly presents courses for the University of London. Recently, she presented a highly successful course for King's, Problem Solving and Creative Thinking. Managing Change will address issues which are now at the forefront of university activity nationwide. It is intended for heads of departments and senior managers with responsibilities for anticipating, initiating and planning for change. continued on page 12
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TRAINI G A
DEVELOPME continued Problem-based Learnjng 4-6 arch Tho e who practice problem-based learmn claim that it is particularly suited to let students perceive the relevance of their studies, to 0 ter true understanding rather than memorisation only, and to practice the application of their tudie in unfamiliar ituations - problem-solving. The wor hop considers the benefits and constraints of tNs method and how to implement it. Teaching tudy Skills - 24-26 June This workshop will look at the quality of students' learning and consider ways in which tNs might be improved. Course for Lecturers - September The Centre for Higher Education Studies has organised two workshops on teaching skills: 9-11 eptember- Introduction for new lecturers 14-18 September- For more experienced lecturers
We are currently finalmng lists of participants, but late applications are welcome.
Computing courses for nonacademic staff Friday6and2 March,9.3 -16.15 IBM ord 5. pecial Topics tyle sheets, tabulation, mail merge and how to create your own ruing ystem, piu many other tips and tricks! De igned for those who have mastered the ba ics of Word 5. Information Technology Workshops Half day sessions on various aspects of EXCEL covering: Basics - getting started; Using LOTUS 1-2-3/Symphony with EXCEL; Editing and formatting a worksheet; Analysing/organising worksheers; Dynamic data exchange; Using the database facilities; Creating graphs; Using acro
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Comment i the College's regular staff newsletter, is ued by the Pre and Publications Office (ext 32 2) three times a term, with special editions if required. Contributions are welcomed from any member of staff of the College. These may take the form of, for example, news of events or people, views on College matters, photos, items for sale. Please note, the Editor reserve the right to amend item as necessary. If po sible, please send your piece on an Apple Macintosh 3.5" Micro F10ppydi k, using Micro oft Word programme. Contributions for the next edition of Comment should be received by midday on Friday 13 March.
Secretarial staff Wednesday 11 March, 11.30-13.45 Development for Secretaries - an introductory seminar In anticipation of an in-house De'Velopment Course for Secretaries, we invite secretaries CR4 and CR5 to discuss the issue of professional development within their role as secretary at King's. We have invited a highly recommended consultant who specialises in secretarial development to meet us. She will consider the design of a course tailored to our needs in the light of discussions in the seminar. A sandwich lunch will be provided.
Technical staff seminars A full programme of seminars for technicians was covered in the January issue of Comment. 4 March - Pure Water Systems 1 April - Presentation Skills - Introduction to preparing data for public presentation. 8-9 April - Introduction to First Line Maintenance of Equipment 13 May - Care and Maintenance of pH Electrodes 3 June - Organisation of Teaching Laboratories 8 July - Total Management of Equipment
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