Northumbria University News - Autumn 2023 by Northumbria University

#TakeOnTomorrow

Autumn 2023 • northumbria.ac.uk

Issue 30

AI FUNDING ANNOUCEMENT

UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITIES

CULTURE OF COLLABORATION

Northumbria to train the next generation of AI researchers and innovators Discover more on page 5

Northumbria welcomes Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Gillian Keegan Find out more about her visit on page 7

Professor Matt Baillie Smith on his new role as Dean of Research Culture Read all about it on page 11

Prepare for lift off Northumbria is set for UK’s first university-led multi-satellite space mission. A £5 million award from the UK Space Agency will see Northumbria University’s vision to build a new satellite communication system become a reality. A team of researchers and industry partners have been working on a prototype for for a new laser-based CubeSat system, which has the potential to transform the satellite communications industry. Satellites currently

use radio frequencies to transmit data, but this technology has limited capacity and can easily be disrupted. Lasers can transmit 1,000 times more data per second than radio frequency and importantly, much more securely. As a result Northumbria’s laserbased device could potentially become the predominant communications mechanism for satellites in future.

Northumbria is working in partnership with Durham University, satellite communications specialists e2E, manufacturing company SMS Electronics Limited and global aerospace company Lockheed Martin on the project, which has already received over £1 million from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme to fund earlier phases of the research.

The £5 million award from the UK Space Agency will enable the consortium to design, test and build the first CubeSat with laser optical communications technology. Their goal is to develop the world’s first commercially available laser-based satellite communication system. Solar physicist Dr Eamon Scullion, an Associate Professor at Northumbria, is leading the project and

“ WITH OUR NEW TECHNOLOGY, WE ARE NOT ONLY BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SATELLITES IN LOW EARTH ORBIT, BUT WE ARE BRIDGING AN EVEN BIGGER GAP BETWEEN ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRY.” DR EAMON SCULLION explained that previous funding from the UK Space Agency allowed the team to develop a prototype device, which they aim to launch into space in 2025. Continues on page 2.

NEWS

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

IN THIS EDITION AUTUMN 2023

NEWS Design School makes it in New York, page 13

Developing the advanced materials of tomorrow, page 19

Nursing leader celebrated with prestigious award page 20

SUSTAINABILITY

HEALTH

Clear-out collaboration leaves Newcastle happy, page 25

Wellbeing space secures NHS funding, page 32

SOCIETY

JUSTICE AND SECURITY

Navigating the complexities of homelessness, page 29

Keeping firefighters safe in the line of duty, page 36

SPORT Special Olympics bring lifechanging memories, page 39

Keep up to date with the latest news from Northumbria University at www.northumbria.ac.uk/news

Prepare for lift off continued “We are now ready to follow a rigorous technology-readiness process to build and test a pair of flight-ready, payload-integrated CubeSats that are not only ready for launch into space in 2025 but will also be ready for sale as the UK’s first commercially available laser communication device for small satellites,” he said. “With our new technology, we are not only bridging the gap between satellites in low Earth orbit, but we are bridging an even bigger gap

between academic research and development and industry.” Professor Andy Long, ViceChancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: “This important announcement from the UK Space Agency recognises the real excellence around space research at Northumbria and reinforces the aims of the University and the wider North East region to be a leader in the global space economy. This is a hugely exciting prospect which puts

world-leading research into transformative technologies from Northumbria University one step closer to going into orbit.” “Northumbria has some of the best and brightest talent for space and will be instrumental to the future of UK’s space sector,” added Nik Smith, Lockheed Martin’s Regional Director for UK and Europe.

“As we plan for that future, we believe there is significant export market potential for this kind of technology.” Northumbria’s solar and space researchers work with partners including NASA, the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency and the UK Met Office to understand the physics

of the Sun, space weather and all aspects of the solar-terrestrial connection. The team is also working to improve satellite technologies, and, through the University’s state-of-the-art Northumbria Space Technology Laboratory, will help train the nextgeneration of space-related engineers and instrument teams. Click the QR code to discover more about the Solar and Space Physics area of research excellence at Northumbria.

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Another top ranking for Northumbria Northumbria University is enjoying new successes in national league table rankings and now features in the UK top 40 in two major national university league tables, among other accolades. Northumbria has climbed eight places in The Guardian University Guide to rank 38th and seven places to rank 36th in the Complete University Guide. In addition, Northumbria was ranked 14th in England for ‘Value Added’ in The Guardian’s Guide. Value Added is an analysis of the final degree classification students achieve based on their entry qualifications meaning Northumbria students are clearly being well supported to achieve strong degree outcomes. And, after winning the UK University of the Year 2022 in the Times Higher Education Awards, Northumbria was named both Research University of the Year and the Modern University of the Year in a new university guide published by the Daily Mail. The titles were awarded to Northumbria in recognition of the University’s allround excellence and its performance as a leading research-intensive

university. Editor of the Daily Mail University Guide, Alastair McCall, described Northumbria as “a serial disruptor and a long-standing high performer” before going on to say that “Northumbria… took on the long-established, research-intensive Russell Group at their own game. And smashed it.” He praised the University, saying: “The fact that three-quarters of graduates gain highly-skilled jobs when half the intake are the first in their immediate family to go to university shows the transformative impact the university has for its students and its enduring value to the regional economy to which many of its graduates contribute by remaining in the North East. Students, businesses, academia – all are served with distinction by this top-flight institution.” Professor Andy Long, ViceChancellor and Chief Executive

of Northumbria University, said: “Northumbria University has a unique position in the sector as a research-intensive university which maintains a clear social mobility mission, unlocking potential and changing lives. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be named as the Mail’s first ever Research University of the Year and Modern University of the Year within our period of being Times Higher Education’s UK University of the Year. These awards are emblematic of the type of pioneering university we are; how much we are challenging the status quo; and how we are making people sit up and take notice.” Many of Northumbria’s subject areas have also been rated among the very best in the country. The Times Good University Guide ranked 13 of Northumbria’s subjects in the UK top 20, with Chemistry and

Physiotherapy in third and fourth position respectively. The Guardian ranked 12 subjects in the top 20, with Interior Design and Film Production & Photography ranking in second place and Children’s Nursing ranked third, while the Complete University Guide listed 10 of the University’s subject areas in the top 20. Northumbria was ranked third for subjects relating to Tourism, Transport and Travel, and fourth for both Information Technology & Systems and Forensic Science. Anyone interested in finding out more about studying at Northumbria can register to attend the University’s upcoming open days by visiting the website.

“ NORTHUMBRIA… TOOK ON THE LONG-ESTABLISHED, RESEARCH-INTENSIVE RUSSELL GROUP AT THEIR OWN GAME. AND SMASHED IT.” ALASTAIR MCCALL, EDITOR, DAILY MAIL UNIVERSITY GUIDE

2nd in UK:

3rd in UK:

4th in UK:

Source:

Interior Design* and Film Production & Photography*

Chemistry* Children’s Nursing** Tourism, Travel and Transport***

Physiotherapy* Information Technology & Systems*** and Forensic Science***

* The Times ** The Guardian *** Complete University Guide

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Unlocking potential through sport

Staff and alumni from Northumbria University about to embark on a four-day cycling challenge from London to Newcastle

More than £2.5m has been raised for a fund that will provide life-changing opportunities for those who would not otherwise be able to access higher education. The impressive sum has been raised for Northumbria University’s Higher Education Without Barriers Fund, which launched in January 2022, to help enable motivated students from all backgrounds to access and succeed at Northumbria. Northumbria’s Higher Education Without Barriers sport programme uses sport as a tool to engage and inspire people in schools and local communities to study at Northumbria. Recognising the power of sport as a driver for social change, the University organised three sport-related events to raise awareness and money for the Higher Education Without Barriers Fund. A courageous 13-strong team of alumni and staff from the University took part in sponsored bike ride cycling 300 miles over four days from Northumbria’s London campus

to the University’s Newcastle city campus. Dr Craig Hodgson, Senior Research Assistant in Chemistry at Northumbria University, was part of the team cycling the epic journey between both campuses. He said: “I wanted to get involved in this event because I came to Northumbria nearly 10 years ago now on a foundation year when I received a bursary myself. I’m a keen cyclist, so I thought it was a really good opportunity to give something back and help raise awareness of the Fund. University

shouldn’t just be for part of the population; it should be for everyone who can come here and succeed.” The cyclists ended their mammoth journey at a sport fundraising dinner at dinner at St James’ Park, Newcastle, which was attended by more than 300 guests, and included an online charity auction. Finally, during the month of October, Northumbria’s students, alumni, staff and business partners signed up to cycling between 30 and 300 miles in their own time to raise money for the Fund. Miles could be

Professor Andy Long, and Chair of the Board of Governors Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods, take to the exercise bikes to raise money for the Higher Education Without Barriers Fund clocked up by cycling outside, taking spin classes or cycling indoors on an exercise bike. Professor Andy Long, ViceChancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: “I applaud all those who have supported or taken part in these activities. Whether it was cycling the 300 miles from London to Newcastle, braving spinning classes, or giving generously at our fundraising dinner: this has been a real collective effort and hugely successful. Everyone with the potential to go to university should have the opportunity to achieve their goal. Through the Higher Education Without Barriers Fund, we are providing

a range of financial initiatives, mental health and wellbeing services, and community-based projects to make participation and progression in higher education more achievable for academically talented students, regardless of their social or economic circumstances.” For more information about Higher Education Without Barriers or to contribute towards the Fund, click the QR code.

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL

#TakeOnTomorrow

Creating the next generation of AI innovators A record funding boost will enhance Northumbria’s global reputation for AI research and teaching. Northumbria University has been named as one of 12 new Centres for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence. The centres are part of a major £118m funding announcement by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and will train the next generation of AI researchers and innovators, bringing major benefits to the UK economy. The UKRI funding includes up to £9 million for Northumbria, making it one of the largest single awards the University has ever received. The Centre will be known as the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Citizen-Centred Artificial Intelligence. Led by a multi-disciplinary team of academics from across the University it will focus on the inclusion of citizens in the design and evaluation of AI – helping to ensure the technology works for everyone. Announcing the funding at the end of October, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelan said: “The UK is at

the very front of the global race to turn AI’s awesome potential into a giant leap forward for people’s quality of life and productivity at work, all while ensuring this technology works safely, ethically and responsibly. At the same time, we are taking the first steps to put the power of this technology to work, for good, across Government and society.” Director of the Northumbria Centre, Professor Shaun Lawson, said the Centre’s main goal will be to make AI work for all citizens, as well as government and businesses, by embedding citizen engagement in the design, evaluation and governance of AI systems. He explained: “We will teach our students to design AI products, systems and services that connect citizens and their data to government, industry and other organisations in ways that prioritise peoples’ thoughts, needs, rights, and aspirations. The Centre will take the fundamental position

that only through inclusion of citizens in the design and evaluation of AI can the UK’s ambitions for a society - and economy - that fully embraces AI be achieved.” Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at Northumbria, added: “The significance of this announcement cannot be overstated. It further enhances the University’s international reputation for excellence and reflects the depth of crossdisciplinary collaboration and expertise we have in key areas where the UK is seeking to lead the world. The Centre’s focus on citizen-centred AI also aligns closely with our mission to promote social mobility and inclusivity, unlocking potential for all through our research and teaching. Having such an important Centre for Doctoral Training on our campus right here in the heart of Newcastle will help attract new talent and investment into the region, reinforcing Northumbria’s place and role as an anchor

“ THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CANNOT BE OVERSTATED. IT FURTHER ENHANCES THE UNIVERSITY’S INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE AND REFLECTS THE DEPTH OF CROSSDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION AND EXPERTISE WE HAVE IN KEY AREAS WHERE THE UK IS SEEKING TO LEAD THE WORLD.” PROFESSOR ANDY LONG

institution in the North East.” Echoing these views on the regional impact of the new centre, Cllr Nick Kemp, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “It is fantastic recognition of the leading research undertaken at Northumbria University and further cements our city as a leading player in this ever-growing area. The historic devolution deal the North East has agreed with Government is set to have AI, and the ethics of its use, as an early priority when the new combined authority comes into effect, and this funding for Northumbria University will enhance Newcastle’s position as a city working to ensure AI works for everyone. AI has the power to be truly

transformative and I’m incredibly proud to see our city playing such an important role in its development.” Among a select group of universities to receive funding from UKRI, which includes Oxford University and Imperial College London, Northumbria’s first cohort of students will join the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in CitizenCentred Artificial Intelligence in September 2024. Click the QR code to find out more about the new UKRI Centres for Doctoral Training in artificial intelligence.

NEWS

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

£2m expansion of nursing test centre

DR JANE GREAVES, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND STRATEGIC LEAD FOR COMPETENCE TEST CENTRE WITH HEAD OF THE CENTRE, NORMAN FRANKLIN

A national nurse testing centre at Northumbria University has doubled in size to help speed up the process of bringing more nurses to the NHS frontline. In partnership with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Northumbria University opened a Competence Test Centre in March 2022 to provide the Objective Structured Clinical Examination, known as OSCE, for up to 7,000 nursing candidates per year. The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is the practical part of the Test of Competence that all nurses, midwives and nursing associates must take before they can be registered to practice. All overseastraining nurses and UK nurses returning after a career break are assessed on how well they care for and communicate with patients and must pass the exam before they are permitted to work. By the end of 2022,

Northumbria University was delivering 45 OCSE exams per day at its test centre, which is based at the Coach Lane Campus in Newcastle. As a result of this success alongside the urgent need to recruit more than 100,000 nurses to the NHS, the Nursing and Midwifery Council asked the University if it could expand its current provision and offer more exams. In January, Northumbria began a major £2 million project to expand the centre and increase its capacity, which has led to the creation of more than 50 additional jobs and the extensive renovation of existing teaching, office and social spaces. The Competence Test Centre has now doubled in size from 15 to 30 testing bays The centre already employed

more than 120 examiners, technicians, administrators and actors who play the role of patients in the exams. These numbers have now seen a significant boost to ensure the centre runs efficiently at the increased capacity and that exams continue to meet the stringent national standards. Jack Bland, Head of Testing Services at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), said: “Internationally educated nursing and midwifery professionals make a vital contribution to people’s health and wellbeing across the UK. This expansion will ensure even more professionals join our register quickly and safely, so they can provide the highquality care everyone has the right to expect.”

“ INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED NURSING AND MIDWIFERY PROFESSIONALS MAKE A VITAL CONTRIBUTION TO PEOPLE’S HEALTH AND WELLBEING ACROSS THE UK. THIS EXPANSION WILL ENSURE EVEN MORE PROFESSIONALS JOIN OUR REGISTER QUICKLY AND SAFELY….” JACK BLAND. HEAD OF TESTING SERVICES AT THE NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL (NMC).

Dr Jane Greaves, Associate Professor and strategic lead for the centre, added: “This is a high stakes exam for the candidates who understandably find the test very stressful. At Northumbria we recognise this and have ensured that our candidate experience is as positive and supportive as possible. Our test centre and University aim is to ensure that our candidates have the best chance of success so that they can join the NHS workforce as safe and effective nurse professionals.” As each testing bay is now used to deliver three exams per day, Northumbria University will be able to offer up to 22,000 OSCE exams per year by the end of 2023. Candidates sitting the OSCE examination

mainly come from NHS Trusts or hospitals, care providers and international nursing recruitment agencies, however, some candidates opt to sit the exam independently to prepare themselves to enter the workplace. Northumbria’s centre has already provided a welcome boost to the North East economy, with thousands of candidates travelling to Newcastle from all over the UK to sit their exams. Click the QR code to discover more about Northumbria’s OSCE Centre or booking an exam.

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Northumbria welcomes Secretary of State for Education The Secretary of State for Education visited Northumbria University recently to discuss unlocking opportunities for young people in the region and to hear about groundbreaking research in areas of global significance. During a visit to Northumbria, the Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP heard about the strength of the University’s degree apprenticeship provision that supports skills growth in the workforce as well as thousands of students looking to develop their careers and professional expertise. Recognised as a leading degree apprenticeship training provider, Northumbria University was one of the first in the UK to offer the government-supported programmes. The University now works with around 400 different companies annually – large and small and across the public and private sector – to co-create and deliver tailored and practical degree apprenticeship programmes designed to meet specific business needs. Meeting some of the University’s current apprentices and business partners, Ms Keegan heard how the collective efforts of employers, apprentices and Northumbria University is having a hugely positive impact on people’s lives and the UK workforce. She also took a tour of some of the University’s worldclass facilities for research, learning and teaching, including its £7 million Computer and Information Sciences building and Student Central, a space designed to host award-winning student support services in one place

“ IT IS GREAT TO SEE UNIVERSITIES LIKE NORTHUMBRIA NURTURING OUR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TALENT, HELPING US MAINTAIN OUR STATUS AS A SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SUPERPOWER, WHILE ENSURING MORE PEOPLE ACROSS THE REGION GAIN THE SKILLS NEEDED FOR THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE.” NORTHUMBRIA’S VICE-CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR ANDY LONG MEETS THE RT HON GILLIAN KEEGAN

at the heart of Northumbria’s Newcastle City Campus. Meeting some of Northumbria’s staff and students, Ms Keegan learned about the University’s cuttingedge research in space and solar physics. Northumbria’s solar and space researchers work with partners including NASA, the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency and the UK Met Office to understand the physics of the Sun, space weather and all aspects of the solar-terrestrial connection. The team is also working to improve satellite technologies, and, through the University’s state-ofthe-art Northumbria Space Technology Laboratory, will help train the next-generation of space-related engineers and instrument teams, with plans

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION, RT HON GILLIAN KEEGAN MP

to develop a North East Space Skills and Technology Centre. She also attended a roundtable event bringing together ViceChancellors and Deputy ViceChancellors from all five North East Universities - Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside - to discuss unlocking opportunities for young people and drive innovation and economic growth in the region. Commenting on her visit, Ms Keegan, said: “I was blown away by the energy and enthusiasm of the staff, students, degree apprentices and employers I met at Northumbria University. “Students and apprentices studying here get the opportunity to work on some fantastic space and solar physics projects at the

University’s cutting edge research facility, gain valuable experience working alongside employers such as Lockheed Martin and NASA, and even operate their own small businesses. “It is great to see universities like Northumbria nurturing our science and technology talent, helping us maintain our status as a science and technology superpower, while ensuring more people across the region gain the skills needed for the jobs of the future.” Professor Andy Long, ViceChancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Education to Northumbria, and to host our regional university partners in an important discussion,

highlighting how universities are vital partners for the government to deliver on its key priorities for the country. Today’s conversations have reinforced how collaborations between leading businesses and higher education institutions can serve as a driver for regional growth and “levelling up”, provide opportunities for skills’ development within the labour market, and make a positive difference to people and communities in the North East and beyond.” Click the QR code to find out more about Degree Apprenticeships at Northumbria University.

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Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Inspiring a generation

Pictured are Jon Dutton OBE (below), Baroness Joanna Shields OBE (bottom left), and Sir Liam Donaldson (bottom right)

Northumbria University awarded honorary degrees to three inspirational individuals during its 2023 summer congregation ceremonies. Honorary degrees are awarded to people who have attained the very highest standards of scholarship or have demonstrated outstanding achievement or distinction worthy of national and international recognition in their academic or professional field. Those recognised received their degrees during Northumbria’s summer congregations, which saw more than 6,000 students celebrate their own achievements with their family and friends across 18 ceremonies, held over six days. Northumbria University graduate and former Chief Executive of the Rugby League World Cup, Jon Dutton OBE, was awarded a Doctor of Civil Law. Jon, who studied Sports Management, has 28 years of experience in the sports industry and was recently appointed the new CEO of British Cycling, the national governing body for the sport in Britain. Prior to this he was Chief Executive of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 and successfully led England’s bid to host the competition, which kicked off at St James’ Park in Newcastle last October. Jon was also Director of Projects and People for the Rugby Football League, and Chief Executive of Manchester Football Association, during which he had a secondment to UEFA. He has also served as Director of Readiness for the 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart and Special Events Coordinator of the PGA European Golf Tour. Also receiving an honorary degree from Northumbria was technology industry veteran, Baroness Joanna Shields OBE. Throughout her 38-year career, Baroness Shields

has been at the forefront of harnessing technology to drive social change, transforming the lives of people around the world through her global online initiatives. In 2014 she founded WePROTECT, a global alliance to stop the global crime of online child sexual abuse and exploitation. Initially hosted by the UK government, today the WePROTECT Global Alliance includes more than 100 countries, 92 civil society organisations and 65 private sector companies. Her dedication to making the online world a safer place earned Baroness Shields an OBE in 2014 for services to digital industries and voluntary service to young people. In the same year she was also made a Life Peer of the House of Lords. Since 2018, she has been Chief Executive Officer of BenevolentAI, a technology development company which uses artificial intelligence to

help scientists uncover new insights from medical data, enabling them to develop drugs for complex diseases. Recognised as an international champion of public health and health care quality and safety, Sir Liam Donaldson, was also awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Science this summer.

“ TO RECEIVE AN HONORARY DEGREE IS UNDOUBTEDLY A CAREER HIGHLIGHT AND SOMETHING I AM VERY PROUD OF.” JON DUTTON OBE

Sir Liam was the 15th Chief Medical Officer for England, and the United Kingdom’s Chief Medical Adviser for more than a decade, from 1998 to 2010. Throughout his time in this post, Sir Liam held critical responsibilities across the whole field of public health and health care. As the United Kingdom’s chief adviser on health issues, Sir Liam served six Health Secretaries and two Prime Ministers, producing landmark reports which helped to shape health policy and legislation on smokefree public places, stem cell research, clinical governance,

quality and safety of health care, infectious disease control, patient empowerment, poor clinical performance, medical regulation, and organ and tissue retention. During his tenure, Sir Liam also led the Government’s response to a number of health issues and emergencies including the SARS outbreak, the H1N1 influenza pandemic and the Harold Shipman investigation. Having initially trained as a surgeon, Teesside-born Sir Liam went on to retrain in public health and has since held a series of prestigious posts in academia, public health practice and senior

management, regionally, nationally and internationally. Sir Liam has served as member and Vice-Chairman of the World Health Organisation’s Executive Board and conceived of, founded, and led the World Alliance for Patient Safety, an initiative that has improved patient care on a global scale. Click the QR code to find out more about honorary degrees awarded by Northumbria.

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Double funding boost for life-changing research

DR PRASHANT AGRAWAL

DR JUNA SATHIAN

Two Northumbria University scientists have been awarded almost half a million pounds each to fund new research which could transform disease diagnosis and communications systems. Dr Juna Sathian and Dr Prashant Agrawal, from Northumbria’s Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering, have both been awarded New Investigator grants of just under £500,000 through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), enabling them to further their research over the coming years. Dr Sathian will use her funding to develop a new type of MASER (Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) device. The forerunner to Lasers, MASERs were first discovered in the 1950s, but there has been little development of the technology since then due to the complex and expensive conditions required to make them.

With their ability to detect and amplify extremely weak electromagnetic signals without adding additional noise, MASERs could have a wide variety of potential uses, including more sensitive airport body scanners, advanced quantum computer components, portable atomic clocks, and better radio astronomy devices for deep space exploration. However, until recently MASERs could only be produced in very cold conditions, in a vacuum, and within a high magnetic field, meaning they are only currently used in a few specialised applications. The EPSRC grant will enable Dr Sathian to develop a new type of room-temperature MASER which is powered by LEDs, meaning they could have more widespread use.

Speaking about the new project, Dr Sathian said: “MASERs have so much potential and could be used in lots of different ways to improve our everyday lives – from improving satellite communications to airport security. I’m delighted to be awarded this grant as it will allow me to take my research forward, with the aim of producing a MASER device which is cost-effective, safe and environmentally friendly. It will also firmly establish the UK, and Northumbria University in particular, as a real centre for research expertise in this area.” In addition to the EPSRC grant, Dr Sathian and the research team behind the development of the room-temperature MASER were recently awarded the Institute of Physics’ 2023 Michael Faraday

Medal and Prize for outstanding and sustained contributions to experimental physics. Dr Agrawal will use his EPSRC funding to develop a new technique for sorting micro-nano particles which could lead to an improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer, as well as developments in the food, energy, agricultural and cosmetics industries. Micro-nano particles can be found in a wide variety of products, including emulsions used in paint, agriculture, beauty products, and capsules for drug delivery and therapeutics. For all of these, the size of the particles used in the final product is crucial – for example, ensuring the medication inside a drug capsule is delivered to the correct part of the body, or ensuring an emulsion remains stable enough to give it an appropriate shelf life. The current technology for sorting particle size either allows for high precision but at a low volume, making the process accurate but very expensive; or at a higher volume but less accurate, making it cheaper but less successful. The new technology being developed by Dr Agrawal uses low frequency movements to change the flow of the particles, meaning their location can be controlled and changed. The process is less energy intensive than other methods currently used, meaning it is very cost effective and can be scaled-

up easily. In the case of cancer treatment, the process could be used to detect circulating tumour cells in blood samples, which can be an indicator that a cancer may be spreading. As well as isolating these cells, Dr Agrawal’s method could also be used to extract them so they can be used for personalised drug treatment for the patient. Over the next three years Dr Agrawal will work with two partner companies – a microparticle engineering specialist and a biomedical application startup – to test and develop his technology, with the goal of bringing it to market in future. The impact of this research could be significant, said Dr Agrawal. “This new method has the potential to transform how micro-nano particle sorting is carried out and this could have life-changing consequences, especially in the healthcare sector where timely and cost-effective diagnosis, and personalised drug treatment, makes such a difference to a patient’s longterm prognosis.” Click the QR code to find out more about research carried out in Northumbria University’s Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering.

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

The Conversation is a collaboration between news editors and academics to provide informed news analysis and commentary that’s free to read and republish. At Northumbria, our academics have been working with The Conversation to produce independent, quality current affairs journalism on some of the latest topics to hit the news.

CALLING ALL NORTHUMBRIA ACADEMICS! If you have a great idea for an article, please email media.communications@northumbria.ac.uk

HERE ARE SOME OF OUR TOP PICKS OF RECENTLY PUBLISHED ARTICLES

How Gdańsk is reclaiming its industrial waterfront

We’re talking about AI a lot right now – and it’s not a moment too soon

‘When you get status the struggle doesn’t end’: what it’s like to be a new refugee in the UK

A brief history of British lidos – and new hope for their return to glory

Offices: how bad will the property crunch be?

How reading ‘dark academia’ novels can help new students feel more at home at university

As ports and cities continue to separate, the challenge of what to do with central waterfronts has become apparent. Dr Jiayi Jin, Assistant Professor in Architecture at Northumbria, highlights successful attempts of waterfront regeneration projects in European post-industrial regions to help tackle challenges facing the UK’s coastal communities.

Dr Sarah Hughes, Assistant Professor in Human Geography, discusses the high levels of change and short notice periods that new refugees face in the UK, and explains why many new refugees are immediately thrust into another period of limbo that puts them at risk of poverty and homelessness.

There has been much talk about offices heading for the buffers. Dr Kevin Muldoon-Smith, Associate Professor in Real Estate Economics and Property Development, highlights the decline in office space usage and how this change will affect future ways of working.

Dr Kimberley Hardcastle, Assistant Professor in Marketing Operations and Systems, discusses the history of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and explains how the rapid development of the technology may lead to bigger issues if handled incorrectly.

After the announcement that the oldest outdoor swimming pool in the UK has made a comeback this year, Assistant Professor in Sport Management, Michael Wood, highlights the important role that outdoor pools have played in public health and leisure development and argues why they should be restored.

Settling into university as a new student can have its challenges. Professor Caron Gentry, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Arts, Design and Social Sciences, discusses the positive impact that dark academia can have on students who are anxious about starting a new life away from home.

Find out more about The Conversation, and keep up to date with articles by Northumbria academics, by visiting www.theconversation.com or our online newsroom at www.northumbria.ac.uk/news

FEATURE

#TakeOnTomorrow

ow has your career as a H researcher helped prepare you for your new role as Dean of Research Culture at the University?

THE BIG INTERVIEW PROFESSOR MATT BAILLIE SMITH As Northumbria University’s recently appointed Dean of Research Culture, Professor Matt Baillie Smith discusses his new role, the value of collaboration and his experiences of working with humanitarian organisations such as the Swedish Red Cross. ell us about your background T and your career at Northumbria to date. I’m a Professor of Global Development, Co-Director of the Centre for Global Development at Northumbria and a human geographer. I specialise in research on the challenges facing individuals and communities in the global South as they respond to issues like displacement and the climate emergency. In particular, I’m interested in volunteering, and its role in humanitarian crises and processes of change, how it is organised and the impacts it has on individuals and communities. This comes from an interest in the everyday things individuals and communities do to tackle the issues affecting them as well as others. I was born in Hertfordshire, grew up in Dorset, and studied

at Warwick and Cambridge universities. It was 2001 when I moved up to the North East from the Midlands, where I was working for a small development NGO (Non Governmental Organisation), to take a temporary post as a Lecturer at Northumbria. That temporary post became permanent and I’ve been here ever since. I feel very lucky because I have felt part of a community in this region in a way that I have never felt before. The North East is a brilliant place to live and work. Over the years, I’ve played lots of different roles institutionally, most recently leading one of the key areas of research focus for us as a University. Across all that time, what stands out to me is the strength of relationships and collaborations at the heart of delivering research at Northumbria. It’s brilliant.

During my career, I’ve been lucky enough to run a number of big projects internationally, often working with external partners including humanitarian organisations like the Swedish Red Cross and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). So, collaboration has always been at the heart of my own work in the same way that collaboration is very much front and centre of my new role as Dean of Research Culture. What my own experience has given me is an awareness that quality research is delivered by lots of different people, and not all of those people are always visible. Whether that’s partner NGOs, stakeholders, technicians, PhD students, early career researchers or colleagues who provide professional support, they all have their part to play. And when all of those parts come together, that’s what makes research work well, create real impact and become enjoyable. I say this because, as many people will encounter in their careers, I have at times found the academic environment to be competitive and brutal in different ways. You often have to listen to people really challenging your research, essentially telling you there were better ways of doing what you did, and this can genuinely hurt. This is a really important consideration for me in my new role – I think we can do more to make research less brutal for those undertaking it; make it more a thing for everyone involved to savour and enjoy. hat does research culture W mean to you? Why is it important? I’m really excited to have taken on the Dean of Research Culture role at Northumbria. Not only does research culture have a strong compliance element to it but, for me, it’s also fundamentally about who we are, the values we embody and the way that we work. This means recognising that how we do research is not separate to what results we get. Being more inclusive, open, and acknowledging and celebrating the diverse contributions of lots of people means tackling historic inequalities in the research ecosystem that have to date limited engagement in research activity. Currently, across the sector, it’s a narrow and complex set of criteria that are often used to assess the quality of research. This means we can miss brilliant things people

are doing beyond writing great research papers and leading large projects. We need to make sure the way we assess research quality doesn’t rely on measurements that may be convenient but oftentimes may miss valuable work. hat is your vision for the W continued development of research culture at Northumbria? I think research culture is based on many different, often complex, relationships and, due to its nature, is always going to be evolving as research grows, develops and changes. We have lots of great work to build on and a unique opportunity to do something different at Northumbria which complements our social mobility mission - to offer those with the ability, the opportunity to succeed, regardless of background. We’re developing a new Research Culture Committee, made up of staff from all areas across the University, to make sure we can draw together and optimise everything we already do really well and track our developing research culture. My hope is that we can build our research culture from the bottom up – bringing as many people together as possible to shape what we do in ways that reflect different disciplines and interests. I also hope we can put some markers in the ground about the distinctive ways we approach doing research inclusively and fairly at Northumbria. ow will building on the H University’s growing reputation for quality research help make a real difference in the world? Northumbria research already does amazing things, driven by its quality but also by the partnerships and relationships of all different forms and scales. It’s not just the high profile collaborations or projects that come with big investment that make the difference – researchers working in small groups or in partnership with community groups or arts organisations, for example, are making a real difference every day. I think a more relational approach is the foundation for making sure we create real impact – that means relationships internally, but also those with partners and collaborators, within and beyond universities. We already have a range of structures and initiatives that can help us with this. We have a growing number of interdisciplinary research themes at Northumbria bringing together expertise from across the University to help address our most pressing global challenges,

as well as new research groups and 23 new Vice Chancellors’ Fellows. These roles are a recruitment initiative opened up to researchers from across the world who are ready to become future leaders in their field. All of these crucial elements offer opportunities to build connections and collaborations, and provide real nurturing support across the research environment. inally, what would you like to say F to those who have recently joined the Northumbria community as a new student, member of staff or collaborator? Firstly, I would say welcome to the gang and we are so glad you chose to come and join us. I would also say, don’t just be a visitor, don’t be a bystander: get involved, take the opportunity to get stuck in and shape what we do and how we do it. For our students, research culture is not just about what academics do. If I think back to my time as an undergraduate, research was a sort of an ‘over there but not much to do with me’ thing. That isn’t to say my lecturers didn’t share it. But in a time with a less open research culture, it didn’t really feel like it was anything to do with us as students. Today we strive to embed the research we are driving into our students’ teaching and learning experience. A more open research culture ensures that students can recognise the amazing things our staff are working on is for them too; they can connect with it and see it as something that they can participate in to help prepare them for their working lives. Being open with partners and collaborators means building greater connections and networks for our students, providing chances for them to work with industry and policymakers, while supporting them to seize every opportunity as they pursue their future career.

“ NORTHUMBRIA RESEARCH ALREADY DOES AMAZING THINGS, DRIVEN BY ITS QUALITY BUT ALSO BY THE PARTNERSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS OF ALL DIFFERENT FORMS AND SCALES.”

Click the QR code to discover more about research at Northumbria.

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Art conservation experts at Northumbria have revealed age old surprises lying behind a portrait belonging to one of the North East’s most famous aristocratic families. Hinting at a colourful past, the longlost secrets of the Delaval portrait was the focus of a BBC documentary. In 1771, Newcastle-born artist William Bell created six striking portraits of members of the eccentric Delaval family. The canvases, which have entranced art-lovers for generations, now hang in the Long Gallery at the historic Seaton Delaval Hall. Among the series is a remarkable painting of sisters Frances and Sarah Delaval. It was recently brought back to life thanks to the advice and expertise of art conservationists at Northumbria University as part of extensive renovations at the historic hall - the centuries-old family home of the Delaval and then Astley families. A technical analysis of the portrait, carried out by Northumbria’s Assistant Professor of Art Conservation, Nicky Grimaldi, and former Art Conservation master’s student, Reuben Ruxton, revealed a rich history of artistic methods along with evidence suggesting the family’s colourful lifestyle could be behind damage to the precious painting. Using infrared, ultraviolet and X-ray technology, the experts peered beneath the artwork’s surface to reveal new insights into Bell’s style, discovering that he had used the 18th century technique of ‘deadcolouring’, where washes of different colours were applied in varying thicknesses. Their investigations also uncovered two extraneous feet, appearing as a result of ‘pentimenti’ the process by which images purposefully obscured by the artist in the process of their work, become more visible over time, revealing early stages of the work that were not meant

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Surprising secrets of Delaval sisters’ portrait revealed

L-R, EMMA THOMAS, GENERAL MANAGER, SEATON DELAVAL HALL; AND NICKY GRIMALDI, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ART CONSERVATION, NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY

to appear in the final version. Nicky said: “In this case, the artist would not have intended extra feet to be seen, but as oil paint tends to become more transparent over time, alterations like this are revealed.” Evidence suggesting the painting could have been damaged as a result of festivities at Seaton Delaval was also found. The academics believe a small, previously repaired hole, could have been caused by a rogue champagne cork, which is a theory fitting of the Delaval family’s notoriously lively lifestyle.

The academics’ findings were captured by the BBC as part of the Hidden Treasures of the National Trust documentary series which follows conservators and other experts working on historic properties across the UK. The BBC’s Alistair Pegg said the corporation wanted to showcase the often unseen work taking place to care for the Trust’s houses, gardens and other treasures. Jo Moody, Cultural Heritage Curator for the National Trust in the North, which now owns Seaton Delaval Hall, said: “To

“ THE ARTIST WOULD NOT HAVE INTENDED EXTRA FEET TO BE SEEN, BUT AS OIL PAINT TENDS TO BECOME MORE TRANSPARENT OVER TIME, ALTERATIONS LIKE THIS ARE REVEALED.” NICKY GRIMALDI

be able to shine a light on the intricate and often costly work that goes into conserving these special objects is amazing.” As a result of the academics’ work, the portrait of Frances and Sarah Delaval will be retouched in an effort to return it to its former glory. The renovation project is the latest in a series of collaborations between Northumbria University and the National Trust at Seaton Delaval Hall. A similar venture in 2019 saw Nicky Grimaldi and a group of students analyse a WWII era inscription discovered on the wall of the Hall’s old

kitchen following the removal of several layers of paint. She said the partnership work gave students the opportunity to benefit from an “incredible” support network and to understand the standards and knowledge expected of art conservators. Click the QR code to find out more about studying Conservation of Fine Art at Northumbria.

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NEW YORK CITY. PHOTO BY JEREMY EDWARDS, GETTY IMAGES

Northumbria Designer in Residence Joe Smith (right) greeting a visitor at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York

Design School makes it in New York Northumbria University has won a highly prestigious international award for the work of its globally renowned Design School. A team from the University recently travelled to New York to take part in the highly anticipated International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) – a showcase event for contemporary design held annually at the Javits Center. Exhibiting alongside some of the world’s leading design schools, Northumbria was named the Best Design School at the show for its Tools for Everyday Life project. Faculty designers in residence, recent graduates of the University’s 3D Design Programme, and academic staff, worked together to deliver the Tools for Everyday Life project which aims to create tools that treat people not as passive witnesses of design, but as skilled operators of rewarding products. Judges at the event

commented on the way in which Northumbria’s academic staff worked alongside recent graduates and praised the strength of the curation of the University’s presentation. Senior Northumbria School of Design lecturer Rickard Whittingham said winning was a surprise – but a pleasant one. He explained: “Our starting point was to view people as skilled practitioners and everyday life as skilled activity. Designing products as ‘tools’ engages a craftsman’s understanding of materials and processes in both the making and use of things. We are inspired by how good tools provide a model for how products both enable and reward skill development. Good tools meaningfully connect their operators with tasks.

“As one of just two UK universities attending the ICFF, we were exhibiting alongside top design schools from across the world, which was an ideal platform for us to promote Northumbria’s brand of industry-facing design education on the global stage. But just as importantly we went to meet up with other design schools and to share ideas with academic colleagues and other students to see what exciting things are happening in the industry.” He continued: “Our intention was also to profile raise and to help our recent graduates have those conversations with industry experts and contacts that can really support their careers. We were confident we had a strong collection of work, but you don’t always know what the judges are looking for and we were up against some of the premier courses and design schools anywhere in the world.

“ AS ONE OF JUST TWO UK UNIVERSITIES ATTENDING THE ICFF, WE WERE EXHIBITING ALONGSIDE TOP DESIGN SCHOOLS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD.” RICKARD WHITTINGHAM

Winning certainly helps keep Northumbria’s name right up there with the best.” The Best Design School award was sponsored by the Italian-based international homeware brand Alessi, with its chairman and globallyacclaimed designer Alberto Alessi providing a foreword on the importance of creative design.

Rickard added: “Alessi is a big name in the industry and to have this recognition from a designer so well regarded means a great deal.” Click the QR code to read more about Northumbria School of Design.

14 NEWS

Making waves in mathematics Experts in a newly emerging field of mathematics will meet in Newcastle upon Tyne next year after Northumbria University was awarded funding for a month-long programme of activities.

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Data science event brings together industry experts L-R: NUDATA PHD STUDENT, LUKE MCMULLAN WITH DR JASON BYRNE OF HALEON

L-R: Event organisers Professor Gennady El of Northumbria University, Dr Magda Carr of Newcastle University, and Dr Matteo Sommacal and Dr Antonio Moro of Northumbria University Academics from Northumbria, in partnership with Newcastle University, will host a prestigious Isaac Newton Institute Satellite Programme event in August 2024, focusing on the theme of ‘Emergent Phenomena in Nonlinear Dispersive Waves’. The programme will be funded and supported by the Isaac Newton Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge – an international visitor research institute which runs research programmes on selected mathematical themes, attracting leading scientists from around the world. The satellite programme aims to highlight the work of researchers who are pushing the boundaries of their field. It brings together communities to collaborate, exchange ideas, and network, while at the same time shining a light on individual universities around the UK. The announcement of the Newcastle event follows a six-month-long programme, organised by members of Northumbria University’s Mathematics of Complex and Nonlinear Phenomena research group, which took place at the Isaac Newton Institute in 2022. It was the success of this event, and the resulting scientific discoveries and academic connections, which led to Northumbria being awarded funding for the satellite programme. The event next year will be led by Northumbria’s Professor Gennady El, who explains: “Between Northumbria and Newcastle universities we have probably the greatest concentration of research strength in this area, both in the UK and around the world, and we are looking forward to welcoming experts from across the globe to our city to share and build on that knowledge even further.” Inclusivity will be a key aim for the month-long programme, with a special event dedicated to the research of women working in this particular field of mathematics. There will also be outreach activities taking place which will engage with the general public and young people, including a public lecture held at Newcastle’s historic Lit and Phil library. Click the QR code to find out more about the event.

“ TOGETHER WITH OUR TALENTED PHD STUDENTS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS WE ARE RIGHT AT THE FOREFRONT OF NEW INNOVATIONS IN THIS AREA OF RESEARCH.” PROFESSOR JAMES MCLAUGHLIN

The North East’s specialist data-intensive science training centre reached a major milestone earlier this year after bringing together the next generation of data scientists and employers from across the UK. NUdata is a £1.3 million Centre for Doctoral Training, jointly run by Northumbria and Newcastle universities and part-funded by the UK Government through the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The Centre, which opened last year, connects world-leading researchers from both universities with PhD students with a passion for big data, and organisations across the UK looking to invest in and build on their data science expertise. Earlier this year NUdata held its first industry event, with organisations including the BBC, the Met Office and the National Audit Office attending to find out how they can work with staff and students to incorporate data science into their day-to-day activity. One of the organisations involved was Haleon, a leading consumer health company, which manufactures

products such as Sensodyne toothpaste, Panadol painkillers and Centrum vitamins. Dr Jason Byrne is a Senior Data Scientist within Haleon’s data science team and believes bringing together commercial and academic expertise is beneficial for all involved. As he explained: “Academia and industry can often be siloed from each other, but through NUdata we are able to work together, applying the latest research to real-life scenarios.” Luke McMullan is among NUdata’s first cohort of PhD students. He will spend six months of his four-year doctorate on an industrial placement, with the NUdata event providing a first opportunity to meet with the organisations he may work with in the future. He said: “Events such as this give us the opportunity to meet with people from organisations using

data science and to find out more about how we can apply our skills out there in the real world.” Professor of Mathematics and Physics James McLaughlin led the bid to create NUdata and added: “This was the first industry event held as part of the NUdata project and there was a real feeling of excitement about the future possibilities this partnership represents. Together with our talented PhD students and industry partners we are right at the forefront of new innovations in this area of research.” Click the QR code to find out more about the NUdata STFC Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science.

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Northumbria University and St. George’s University expand collaboration L-R: Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University and Dr Richard Liebowitz, Vice-Chancellor of St. George’s University

Northumbria University and St George’s University based in Grenada have renewed their commitment to deliver exceptional medical education to students worldwide. The St. George’s UniversityNorthumbria University medical education programme was established in 2007 to create a pathway for highly qualified international students to pursue medical education. Bringing together Northumbria’s well-established excellence in healthcare education and St. George’s University’s (SGU) reputation as an innovative medical school, the programme was designed to develop knowledge, clinical skills and research interests. In addition, the programme also gives students the opportunity to experience two different healthcare systems and enable them to pursue practising medicine across many specialties with a global perspective. Going from strength to strength, the programme has grown significantly since its inception, leading to the development of a new Medical Degree Pathway to provide access to the SGU Doctor of Medicine degree for a wider range of students. The original four-year Medical Degree programme offered through the collaborative relationship between the two institutions was previously only open to graduates with a relevant bachelor’s degree. Under the new 10-year agreement, students can now access the programme through multiple entry points and follow numerous study routes to qualifying.

“ THIS IS A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO WELCOME MORE STUDENTS FROM A WIDER RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL BACKGROUNDS TO NORTHUMBRIA.” PROFESSOR ANDY LONG

The additional entry points allow students with High School level qualifications to achieve the same Medical Degree through one or two years of additional study. Students will begin their studies at Northumbria and complete one, two or three years of study, dependent upon their enrolment in either the four-year Doctor of Medicine, or the five or six-year Medical Degree Pathway. They then travel to The Caribbean to complete one year of study in Principles of Clinical Medicine at SGU’s main campus in Grenada before undertaking two years of clinical rotations in the USA or UK.

Another key feature of the relationship is the ‘dual degree’ opportunity. Students studying in Newcastle may achieve both a Doctor of Medicine Degree from SGU as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Sciences (BMedSci) from Northumbria. Professor Andy Long, ViceChancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with St George’s University, and we are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with them to offer exceptional medical education through additional pathways. “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to welcome more students from a wider range of

educational and international backgrounds to Northumbria. Together, we have created a unique educational experience that takes advantage of our collective strengths in a way that ensures our students are equipped with the tools they need to provide outstanding care to patients around the world.” This year the two institutions celebrated the 2,000th student joining Northumbria as part of the SGU programme. The new agreement will help the next 2,000 students benefit from this unique study option over the next 10 years. Dr Richard Liebowitz, ViceChancellor of St. George’s

University, said: “The relationship between SGU and Northumbria is now in its 16th year. The new agreement provides the platform for the next 10 years of our relationship and reflects the commitment of both universities to delivering an education that is truly global in nature and provides future doctors with a comprehensive education that prepares them for successful careers in medicine.” To find out more about the Medical Degree Pathway, click the QR code.

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Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Report champions career education in primary schools

“ WE WOULD LIKE CHILDREN IN ALL SCHOOLS TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS HIGH-QUALITY CAREERRELATED LEARNING FROM AN EARLY AGE.” DR CAROL DAVENPORT

A report prepared by academics at Northumbria University calling for a nationwide approach to providing careers education in primary schools has received support from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP). Under current statutory guidance, only schools catering for pupils aged 11 to 14 and above, need to offer careers education and guidance. However, research has shown that children as young as three or four already have an understanding of employment and can begin to form ideas about their futures when they are as young as five or six. Researchers from NUSTEM – a group formed by Northumbria University to increase the diversity of people working in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) careers, joined forces with the North East LEP - a public, private and education

sector partnership responsible for promoting and developing economic growth in the North East region. Together, they have developed the report which outlines a need and willingness to provide career-related learning in primary schools using data provided by a range of teaching staff which includes headteachers and a survey of over 2,000 primary school teachers in England. Researchers found that only nine per cent of primary teachers rated their knowledge to deliver career-related learning as ‘good’ or ‘better’. Meanwhile,

almost half of teachers surveyed said they would value a toolkit for career-related learning and 100 per cent agreed that schools should help break down gender stereotypes relating to careers. Director of NUSTEM, Dr Carol Davenport explained: “The report tells us that there is an appetite to run career-related learning in primary schools. “We would like children in all schools to be able to access highquality career-related learning from an early age. Our report suggests that a structure is needed to help primary schools do this better and provide consistent learning across the curriculum.” The North East LEP have developed several pilots in recent years which focus on careers-based learning in

primary schools. Their recent pilot The Good Career Guidance Benchmark Pilot, was delivered in partnership with the Gatsby Foundation and 70 secondary schools and colleges from across the region. Following the pilot, the North East LEP has gone on to expand the number of primary schools it supports to deliver careers education and guidance from 70 to 100. It has also delivered a project with feeder schools to support pupils’ transition from primary to secondary education. Matt Joyce, Regional Lead for North East Ambition at the North East LEP, said: “We know from our two-year pilot, and continuing project work, that there is an appetite here in the North East and in other areas of the UK for delivering careers

related learning in primary schools. “We also know the positive impact on school staff and pupils of using our adapted set of Benchmarks as a framework to support schools to design and deliver a high quality, ageappropriate careers programme. This research adds weight to the increasing evidence base that this work needs to be extended, so that we can start sowing the seeds of ambition nationally.”

Much of NUSTEM’s work is delivered through outreach activities at a number of partner schools – currently more than 30 primary schools and 10 secondary schools.

NUSTEM is award-winning. Its STEM Person of the Week initiative, which introduces diverse role models in the STEM sector to primary school children, won an Educate North Award this year.

Click the QR code to read the full Career-related learning in primary schools - a snapshot of current practice report by NUSTEM and North East LEP.

ABOUT NUSTEM S

Pronounced N. U. STEM, the group demonstrates Northumbria University’s commitment to increasing the diversity of people pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

Staff work with children, families and teachers to encourage young people with an interest in science to have the confidence to consider a career in STEM.

NUSTEM is based in Northumbria’s Think Lab, within the Faculty of Engineering and Environment in the heart of Newcastle City Centre. Think Lab provides a dedicated space which can be used by local schools to offer a taste of university life.

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Antarctic ‘collapse’ could still be delayed A global ‘tipping point’ that would lead to the irreversible collapse of ice sheets in Antarctica has not yet been crossed, according to new research from Northumbria University. Antarctica’s ice masses store enough water to raise global sea levels by several metres. Despite concerns that the West Antarctic ice sheet might already be destabilised and ‘past the point of no return’, new research gives hope that the ongoing ice loss can be reduced if urgent action is taken. In two collaborative papers published in The Cryosphere journal, researchers examined, for the first time, whether the Antarctic ice sheet has already reached a tipping point towards permanent unstoppable retreat which would lead to its collapse. The study – carried out by researchers at Northumbria University and several institutions across Europe – looked for signs of irreversible retreat of the Antarctic ice sheet in its present form. It found no evidence that it has already reached its tipping point. “The implications are profound,” says Dr Emily Hill, Research Fellow at Northumbria University, and co-author of the Report. “We used three different

numerical models which all showed that we have not yet crossed a tipping point that leads to irreversible ice loss in Antarctica. Using several models makes our findings even more convincing, and it is reassuring to know that we haven’t yet passed the point of no return.” Authors of the study say whilst ice loss in Antarctica will continue in the future, these results give some hope that it might still be possible to avoid or delay crossing the tipping point. After running hypothetical simulations to investigate how the ice sheet might evolve if current climate conditions stay as they are, the researchers found that an irreversible collapse of some marine regions of West Antarctica’s ice sheet is possible in the future. One of their models shows that under current conditions the earliest that this could happen is within 300-500 years. The research forms part of a major £4 million EU-funded study on Tipping Points in

Antarctic Climate Components (TiPACCs) bringing together experts from the UK, Norway, Germany and France to investigate the likelihood of abrupt changes in the movement of ice in the Antarctic region. Northumbria University is home to one of the world’s leading groups in the studies of the interactions between ice sheets and oceans. The team of researchers are working to explore the future of ice sheets and glaciers worldwide in a warming world. This involves understanding the causes of ongoing changes in Antarctica, Greenland and alpine areas, as well as assessing future changes and resulting impacts on human environments globally.

Click the QR code to find out more about the TiPACCs study.

WEST ANTARCTIC ICE LOSS. PHOTO CREDIT TIPPACCS

“ USING SEVERAL MODELS MAKES OUR FINDINGS EVEN MORE CONVINCING, AND IT IS REASSURING TO KNOW THAT WE HAVEN’T YET PASSED THE POINT OF NO RETURN.” DR EMILY HILL

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Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

WHAT THE FIGURES SAY Researchers have modelled the knock-on effects of a Basic Income for the economy and public health.

ECONOMIC IMPACT: A Basic Income scheme of

£75 per week or £3,900 “ THE FINDINGS OF THIS REPORT ARE CLEAR: THERE IS NO OBVIOUS ALTERNATIVE TO BASIC INCOME THAT HAS THE SAME MULTIPURPOSE IMPACT ACROSS SOCIETY.” PROFESSOR MATTHEW JOHNSON

a year would reduce child poverty to the lowest level since comparable records began in 1961. Child and pensioner poverty down by RESEARCH LED BY NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY SUGGESTS HUGE NHS SAVINGS COULD BE ACHIEVED IF A BASIC INCOME SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN ENGLAND

A Basic Income could save the NHS billions Groundbreaking research led by Northumbria University and funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) has uncovered that a Basic Income scheme could potentially save the NHS tens of billions of pounds. Researchers at the universities of Northumbria, York, Bath and Strathclyde, in collaboration with the think tanks Compass and Autonomy, have presented new evidence on the impact that a regular and unconditional cash payment to all individuals in Britain could play in relieving the growing pressure on health services. In a new report called Treating causes not symptoms: Basic Income as a public health measure, a range of economic and health modelling, public opinion surveys and community consultation is used to present an all-round picture of the impact a Basic Income scheme could have on reducing poverty and inequality, enhancing economic security and improving overall wellbeing. The findings suggest even a modest Basic Income of £75 per week, or £3,900 a year, would reduce child poverty to the

lowest level since comparable records began in 1961. This could be enough to prevent or postpone between 125,000 and one million cases of depressive disorders, amounting to huge savings in mental healthcare services. According to new polling, the report also found that the British public prefers a more generous Basic Income scheme that significantly reduces poverty and inequality and improves physical and mental health. Unlike most welfare systems, Basic Income schemes are not meanstested, based on additional needs or circumstances. While there may be instances where payments could be withdrawn, for example due to serious criminal behaviour, for the majority of people it would be

unconditional and paid forever. Professor of Public Policy at Northumbria University, Matthew Johnson, leads the research team. He explained: “The findings of this report are clear: there is no obvious alternative to Basic Income that has the same multipurpose impact across society. These first indications of public health impact are debate shifting, while evidence on British public opinion present clear pathways to funding through wealth, carbon and corporation tax increases.” Dr Jonathan Coates is a GP in Newcastle and NIHR InPractice Fellow at Durham University. He added: “As a GP, I increasingly find that my patients are in financially precarious positions, regardless

of whether they are in work or on benefits, and this has a clear impact on their physical and mental health. Basic Income represents an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of previous bold interventions to address the causes, not the symptoms, of illness.” The new report follows proposals from the research team for a two-year Basic Income pilot in England based on extensive community consultation in the areas of Jarrow in South Tyneside and East Finchley in North London.

Click the QR code to discover more about the Health Case for a Basic Income project.

at least 60% each

Working age poverty down by between

29% and 75%

depending on the value of the scheme.

PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT: Between

125,000 and 1 million cases of depressive disorders could be prevented or postponed. Between

120,000 and 1.04 million cases of clinically significant physical health symptoms could be prevented or postponed. Between

130,000 and 655,000 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) could be gained, valued at between £3.9 billion and £19.7 billion.

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The Wolfson Foundation has awarded £1 million to Northumbria – the largest philanthropic award the University has received to date – to support the expansion of engineering and surface science research facilities. Centred around the University’s existing Materials Characterisation Suite, the investment forms a key part of a £3 million package which will transform and upgrade laboratory facilities at City Campus in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, dedicated to the analysis and development of materials used in the renewable energy, healthcare, biomaterials and engineering sectors. The Materials Characterisation Suite is used to progress research in a number of key areas of world-leading research undertaken at Northumbria, including thin film photovoltaic technologies for terrestrial and space applications, and coatings for more durable medical implants and prosthetics. The funding, which will go towards new state-of-the art equipment to support this scientific research, will allow high-resolution nano and microscopic imaging, and sensitive three-dimensional chemical mapping across longer ranges and parameters than is currently achievable. The new technology will complement other facilities available within the region’s universities while providing a unique concentration of advanced equipment available in one location. The facility will support the research of more than 100 academic staff and students annually. The specific equipment funded by the award includes a focused ion beam scanning electron microscope used for the preparation and high-resolution imaging of samples, and a secondary ion mass spectrometer to probe the chemical information of materials. The Wolfson Foundation is an independent grant-making charity with an emphasis on education and research

Developing the advanced materials of tomorrow

L-R: PROFESSOR GUILLAUME ZOPPI AND PROFESSOR JOHN WOODWARD

“ NORTHUMBRIA IS PUTTING IN PLACE AN IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF EQUIPMENT TO HELP DESIGN THE ADVANCED MATERIALS OF TOMORROW – MATERIALS WHICH CAN DRIVE INNOVATION IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY, CARBON CAPTURE AND HEALTHCARE, AMONG OTHER FIELDS.” PAUL RAMSBOTTOM, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE WOLFSON FOUNDATION

providing funding for projects across the UK. Guillaume Zoppi, a Professor of Physics from Northumbria’s Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering, who specialises in researching photovoltaic materials used to absorb sunlight and generate electricity, led the funding proposal. “This investment will allow us to upgrade or replace a number of key pieces of technology which will not only be crucial to engineering research but will also have varied and important applications for our specialists in geography and environmental studies, health and life sciences, and many others,” he explained. “This is an important development in our research journey and will open up further opportunities for

collaborations to ensure we can continue developing solutions for the future.” The boost to research facilities follows a multi-million pound investment in Northumbria’s Thin Film Laboratory, Microelectronics and Communications Laboratory and the Power Electronics and Space Laboratories in recent years. Professor Andy Long, ViceChancellor and Chief Executive, said: “Over the last decade, Northumbria University has transformed into a researchintensive university with a focus on changing lives and unlocking potential for all. Northumbria’s success was borne out in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 where the University recorded the biggest rise in research power of any UK university for the second time, moving up 27 places to 23rd.

“This award from the Wolfson Foundation will help us build on our success even further and cement the University’s global reputation as a centre for research excellence.” Much of the engineering and materials research at Northumbria takes place within the Faculty of Engineering and Environment. Professor John Woodward, Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor added: “We are excited that the Wolfson Foundation has been able to support the development of this important new resource for the North East of England at Northumbria. “This is a significant award – the biggest philanthropic grant the University has received to date – which will provide transformational capacity in research facilities for all academics working on materials science.”

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said the charity was delighted to give the award to the University. “Northumbria is putting in place an impressive range of equipment to help design the advanced materials of tomorrow – materials which can drive innovation in energy efficiency, carbon capture and healthcare, among other fields,” he said. “We are delighted to make our first capital award to the University to underpin high quality research with potential benefits both for the region and well beyond.” Click the QR code to discover more about the areas of research excellence at Northumbria.

20 NEWS

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Nursing leader celebrated with prestigious award

KAREN HAGGERTY

Northumbria’s Professor Paul Gill was named one of the leading nurses in Wales at the 2023 Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales Nurse of the Year Awards. Shortly after being appointed as Northumbria University’s Deputy Head of the Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Professor Gill was presented with the Supporting Improvement Through Research award in recognition of his significant contribution as a nursing leader in the field of research and clinical practice. Judges praised him for putting patients and their families at the forefront of his research and commended his work on a groundbreaking long Covid study. They also highlighted a study he led that found habitual, recreational use of ketamine was causing bladder damage, with sufferers often misdiagnosed due to reluctance to disclose their use of the drug. Professor Gill said the award was a welcome

confirmation of his work making a real difference to people, describing it as a “big achievement” as he explained how much it meant to him to be able to celebrate the win with his mother, who lives with dementia. He added: “Seeing that my research has helped to make the lives of patients and their families better, is important to me.” While the award was given in recognition of work carried out in a former role at Cardiff University, Professor Gill is now based at Northumbria, where he is progressing his award-winning research. Click the QR code for more information about healthcare courses at Northumbria.

“ SEEING THAT MY RESEARCH HAS HELPED TO MAKE THE LIVES OF PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES BETTER, IS IMPORTANT TO ME.” PROFESSOR PAUL GILL

PROFESSOR PAUL GILL (CENTRE) ALONGSIDE PROFESSOR DANIEL KELLY OBE, FRCN, ROYAL COLLEGE OF NURSING CHAIR OF NURSING RESEARCH, CARDIFF UNIVERSITY – AWARD SPONSOR (LEFT), AND HELEN WHYLEY, DIRECTOR, RCN WALES (RIGHT)

Technician wins acclaimed prize An inspirational technician from Northumbria University has achieved national recognition at this year’s Papin Prizes for her contribution to teaching. Applied Sciences Senior Technician Karen Haggerty was recognised for creating a series of visual step-by-step guides to help students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder better understand how to complete their practical-based lab work. Feedback was so positive that Karen’s storyboard concept is now being offered to other students who may struggle with lab work, including those whose first language isn’t English. The Papin Prizes are among the most highlyregarded for technicians in the Higher Education sector, recognising the varied and valuable role they play in research and teaching. This year’s event, which was sponsored by UK Research and Innovation, included 357 nominations across 11 categories. Commenting on Karen’s achievement, Faculty Technical Support Manager Brian McMahon said the highly prestigious prize was well

deserved. He added: “The labbased practicals can be difficult and stressful for some students, and it is noticeable just how many are now using Karen’s storyboards and how much more confident they are as a result. This additional learning resource really complements the existing material and has benefited a wide range of learners across multiple programmes.” Professor Louise Bracken, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, said: “The contribution our technicians make to research and teaching is a fundamental part of Northumbria’s success, and essential to the learning experience of our students and the undertaking of quality research. “We actually had three Northumbria technicians shortlisted this year and they were all truly inspirational. Well done to each of them on their achievement, and a special congratulations to Karen for

winning the contribution to teaching category.” Based in Northumbria’s Industrial Design team, Johnny Hayes was shortlisted for his environmental work and contributions to the Flipflopi Project, a sailing boat made from 100% recycled plastics including 30,000 discarded flip flops, that is travelling the world to encourage greater sustainability. Senior Technician Denise Crawford was part of the University team producing PPE clothing during Covid-19 when she received news that her grandson was suffering from a brain tumour. Denise started altering his T-shirts to make him more comfortable during treatment and to help the nurses access feedlines implanted in his chest. Seeing the benefits, she soon began altering clothing for other children in hospital. Denise was shortlisted in the community outreach category of the Papin Prizes in recognition of her innovation and kindness.

Click the QR code to read more about Applied Sciences at Northumbria.

NEWS

#TakeOnTomorrow

Pioneering internship programme launched at Northumbria Newcastle City Learning, run by Newcastle City Council, has teamed up with Northumbria University, Sodexo and national charity DFN Project SEARCH to form a collaborative partnership, providing young people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum conditions, vital work-based learning opportunities. The internship programme will feature a combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on skills training - helping those involved secure competitive employment. Through the partnership – the first of its kind in the North East – Northumbria will provide supported work placements across different business areas of the University, as well as its Sodexo-managed student accommodation. The students will complete their placement as part of a full-time study programme, facilitated by City Learning. This local programme comes after DFN Project SEARCH, a national charity, launched a new employability campaign #InclusionRevolution, which aims to support 10,000 young adults aged between 18 and 25, who have a learning disability and/or autism, into paid employment by 2030. The initiative highlights the shocking reality that only 5% of people with learning disabilities in England secure paid employment, compared to 80% of their peers. This means an astonishing 95% will be forced to live a lifetime on benefits.

NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY, NEWCASTLE CITY LEARNING, DFN PROJECT SEARCH AND SODEXO WELCOME TALENTED YOUNG ADULTS AS THEY EMBARK ON A SUPPORTED INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

DFN Project SEARCH is a national ‘transition to work’ programme for students with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum conditions. They work in partnership across the public, private and voluntary sectors to create supported employment internships. Available for these young people to undertake during their last year of education, the programme helps them to positively transition from education to the world of work. Northumbria has long been a supporter of initiatives aimed at recognising the experiences of disabled colleagues and improving accessibility within the workplace. The University has been a member of the Disability Confident Scheme for a number of years and in June 2023 was awarded Disability

Confident Leader status Level 3 – the highest level of award within the scheme. Disability Confident is a government scheme which provides a framework to support organisations in developing a disability inclusive culture that recognises the talent of disabled people. Professor Andy Long, ViceChancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: “Northumbria has a long history of successful partnership working in the North East to boost social mobility. DFN Project SEARCH provides Northumbria with a unique opportunity to make a difference to employability outcomes for young people in the region who typically would not be reached through our higher education offer.

“ DFN PROJECT SEARCH PROVIDES NORTHUMBRIA WITH A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO EMPLOYABILITY OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE REGION WHO TYPICALLY WOULD NOT BE REACHED THROUGH OUR HIGHER EDUCATION OFFER.” PROFESSOR ANDY LONG

I’m delighted that we are able to offer this opportunity, and I look forward to welcoming the students onto campus and seeing them flourish”. Cllr Lesley Storey, Cabinet Member for a Growing City, Newcastle City Council said: “It is fantastic that we have been able to form this partnership to give more young people the opportunity to gain valuable work-based learning

with the aim of securing paid employment. This project demonstrates our commitment to supporting all of the city’s young people ensuring they have access to the support they need to fulfil their potential.” Click the QR code to learn more about DFN Project SEARCH.

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

AWARD WINS

REVEAL

TALENTS

It’s been a summer of successes for students and graduates at Northumbria University with a string of national award wins and nominations putting the spotlight firmly on creative thinking and making skills. The final year of many study programmes includes a chance for students to showcase their portfolio of work at degree shows staged in the build up to graduation. This often results in awards, meaning students complete their degree with additional recognition of their work from industry experts. Northumbria’s graduate degree shows, known as REVEAL, have become a major highlight in the North East’s cultural calendar, providing a platform for family, friends and members of the public to see the work of graduating students. Graduating students from Fine Art, Architecture, Design, Fashion, Film and TV, and Computer and Information Sciences all took part in REVEAL during May and June this year with programmes of study from Humanities, Social Sciences and Music involved for the first time. As well as the chance to see work up close and in-person at the University’s Newcastle City Campus, many students also took part in an online REVEAL show.

Fine Art students were given the opportunity to stage a multi-site exhibition for the first time which included gallery space at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, as well as spaces across the University. For more than a decade, Baltic and Northumbria have worked together with a shared vision to support and develop creative talent, invite public engagement, and enhance the region’s reputation for artistic excellence through BxNU Institute – a base for worldclass teaching and mentorship in contemporary art practice and research. Sarah Munro, Baltic Director, said: “The strength of our ongoing partnership with Northumbria University means we can jointly support and develop artistic practice at critical stages in the lives of artists. We’re delighted to give a platform to the work created by a bright young generation of artists, embarking on their careers, and excited to present it with the same technical care and attention as Baltic’s exhibitions by established international artists.”

FINE ART GRADUATE SOPHIE BASS EXHIBITED HER WORK AT BALTIC AND NORTHUMBRIA’S CITY CAMPUS DURING REVEAL

TAKING TO THE CATWALK As well as staging catwalk shows in Northumbria’s School of Design as part of REVEAL, students and staff from the University’s three fashion programmes travelled to London in June for Graduate Fashion Week, returning with a string of accolades. In total, 20 Northumbria students were featured on the Graduate Fashion Week awards shortlist. Aimee Mann won the creative pattern cutting award for her eye-catching dress made from hand-dyed silk chiffon which began life as a corset. Amy Clunes

won the Hilary Alexander Sustainable Trailblazer Award for a collection based around upcycling deadstock from occasionwear lines. Garments created for children, which included an embroidered jacket with detachable sleeves and a tiered dress with vibrant screen-printed patterns, won Rebecca Frost the Childrenswear Award. Meanwhile, Meg Fletcher was selected as winner of the Catwalk and Fashion Presentation Award for the Northumbria catwalk show and Kira Banks was given the highly

commended title. Kira was also selected by expert judges from the industry as one of the winners of the Kornit Printed Textiles Competition for her outwear garments featuring a striking print she calls the ‘Future of Antarctica’. Head of Fashion at Northumbria, Professor Anne Peirson-Smith, said: “This year’s Graduate Fashion Week was another amazing showcase of Northumbria talent and one that our students, academic and technical staff can be exceptionally proud of.”

FEATURE

#TakeOnTomorrow

NEW BLOOD

ADAM CSELOTEI, WON INDUSTRY RECOGNITION THROUGH A PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARD WIN AT THE D&AD (DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION) NEW BLOOD AWARDS

FASHION GRADUATES MEG FLETCHER, AIMEE MANN, KIRA BANKS AND AMY CLUNES ALL ENJOYED SUCCESS AT GRADUATE FASHION WEEK 2023

HELEN WAT WON THE NEW TERRITORY AWARD AT NEW DESIGNERS 2023 AND RECOGNITION FROM THE RSA. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK COCKSEDGE

Talented Animation graduate, Adam Cselotei, won industry recognition through a prestigious national award win at the D&AD (Design and Art Direction) New Blood awards for his work. IMAX is the Future is a conceptual science fiction-themed piece of work which explores cinematic experience through 3D animation techniques.

The New Blood Awards are open to advertising, design, digital and marketing students and recent graduates worldwide, and are famous for D&AD Pencils which are presented to winners. They provide an opportunity for students and graduates to land a job in the creative industries by supporting them to build the contacts they need to pursue their chosen career.

DESIGN FOR THE FUTURE

FRED DUNBAR WAS RECOGNISED WITH THE TOM FAULKNER AWARD FOR BEST FURNITURE DESIGN AND THE LONDON DESIGN FAIR EMERGING TALENT AWARD AT NEW DESIGNERS 2023. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK COCKSEDGE

HENRY DAVISON WON THE DESIGN COUNCIL’S DESIGN FOR PLANET AWARD AT NEW DESIGNERS 2023. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK COCKSEDGE

Northumbria School of Design excelled once again in London at New Designers 2023, which recognises rising stars whose unique work highlights key social themes such as sustainability, mental health and diversity. The collective efforts of students and graduates studying Industrial Designfocused programmes meant Northumbria was the most successful exhibiting university at this year’s event. Fred Dunbar was awarded the Tom Faulkner Award for Best Furniture Design and the London Design Fair Emerging Talent Award for a chair, stool and bowls he created. Henry Davison was recognised by the Design Council and won their Design for Planet Award for making environmentally friendly furniture out of seaweed. Helen Wat won the New Territory Award for her Cha Table, a fusion of eastern design and western timber inspired by Chinese tea. Gruff Jones was winner of the DCA Futures Award, which champions sustainable design concepts that mix the physical environment with

the digital world. His winning Terra-nova innovation is an experimental set of three smart home devices – a thermostat, smart assistant and light controller – which take inspiration from the material properties of terracotta. Both Helen and Gruff were among six students and graduates from Northumbria also recognised by the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) for their design and innovation. Dr Heather Robson, Head of Northumbria School of Design, said: “I am so privileged and proud to have been able to watch this work in progress. Everything we teach and deliver is through live projects so that our students can encounter and address real challenges on their journey to the responsible, creative critical designers the world needs.” Click the QR code to visit Northumbria’s REVEAL online degree shows for 2023.

24 NEWS

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Environmentalists recognised by Academy Two environmental experts from Northumbria University are among 47 leading social scientists to be elected to the Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences. Professor Alister Scott, of Northumbria’s Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, and Professor Gitanjali Nain Gill, of Northumbria Law School, have both been elected as Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences in recognition of the impact their research has had within industry, policy, and higher education. As an expert in sustainable land use, Professor Scott was nominated for a Fellowship by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) in recognition of his work finding new ways to improve policy and decision making across built and natural environments. Over the last decade his innovative approach has led to greater public engagement with, and understanding of, the impact of planning on the environment. Speaking about his election, Professor Scott said: “I was delighted to be accepted as a fellow of the Academy and I hope I can use my skills to help champion the social sciences that are increasingly needed to plan and manage our built and natural environments.” Professor Gitanjali Nain Gill is a Professor of Environmental Law specialising in climate change, access to environmental justice, land rights, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. She has received global

recognition for her research into India’s National Green Tribunal. In 2013 she was awarded a British Academy Grant to examine the work of the Tribunal and in December this year will conduct a research-led course on environmental justice at the National Law University, in Lucknow, India. Speaking about her election, Professor Gill said: “A changing world, not by choice but by necessity, simultaneously creates the space to broadcast a fresh message that social science offers a pathway to embedding equity and justice into human and societal development that improves and strengthens social cohesions, thereby promoting a sustainable society.” The Academy of Social Sciences Fellowship comprises over 1,500 leading social scientists from academia, the public, private and third sectors. All Academy Fellows are selected through an independent peer review which recognises their excellence and impact, including their wider contributions to social sciences for public benefit. Click the QR code to find out more about the work of Professor Scott and Professor Gill.

£1m boost for medical research Two renowned biomedical researchers from Northumbria University have been awarded £1 million to undertake world-leading research into diseases such as prostate cancer and mitochondrial disease. Professor Emile R. Chimusa and Professor Simon Johnson have received funding through the Academy of Medical Sciences Professorship Scheme, which aims to attract and retain talent from across the globe by supporting biomedical and healthcare researchers who have moved to the UK during the initial years of a Professorship. Professor Chimusa, who recently moved to Northumbria from the University of Cape Town, will use the funding to establish his bioinformatics and computational biology research programme at Northumbria University. Meanwhile Professor Johnson, who has joined Northumbria from the University of Washington and the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, will continue his research into genetic mitochondrial disease, in particular Leigh Syndrome. Professor Chimusa uses novel approaches in artificial

intelligence (AI) to study genes, and in particular how certain groups in society are susceptible to diseases such as prostate cancer. He plans to use his grant to establish a new interdisciplinary research team of experts in artificial intelligence and statistical genetics, as well as wider health and clinical researchers. He said: “I’m honoured to join the other Academy of Medical Sciences Professorship awardees and be the first Black African to receive this prestigious award. This funding will help me to make a step-change in disease-risk prediction, using AI, and will lead, in just one example, to an improved risk prediction of prostate cancer in diverse ethnic groups. I’m excited to combine the UK’s network with my existing African networks to deliver these benefits for patients.”

Professor Johnson’s research specialises in the pathology and physiology of genetic mitochondrial disease, looking at ways that treatment can be best targeted. He has focused particularly on Leigh Syndrome, a severe neurological disorder developing in infancy that affects the central nervous system and leads to progressive loss of mental and movement abilities. He said: “The funds will allow me to continue uncovering the role of mitochondria in health and disease, to understand how mitochondrial diseases develop. These are a large group of disorders with a wide range of symptoms, and the mechanisms for disease are currently poorly understood. I hope that my line of research will lead to treatments for these life-threatening diseases.” The Academy of Medical Sciences Professorship Scheme was established in 2019 and since then fewer than 20 awards have been made. This is only the second time that two awards have been made to the same university. Click the QR code to find out more about the Academy of Medical Sciences Professorship Scheme.

#TakeOnTomorrow

Clear-out collaboration leaves Newcastle happy

A collaboration between the city’s universities and the council has helped students play a positive role in the local community by keeping Newcastle clean and supporting charity. Leave Newcastle Happy is a city-wide clean-up and recycling initiative specially designed to help students moving out of their accommodation to dispose of their unwanted goods as well as raise funds for the British Heart Foundation. Funded by Northumbria and Newcastle universities and their respective Students’ Unions, the annual campaign is organised in partnership with Newcastle City Council. This year, students who were moving out of their term-time accommodation were encouraged to plan ahead and dispose of their unwanted items responsibly by organising them into household waste, electronic items such as mobile phones and calculators, and electrical items including

hairdryers and toasters, which could all be recycled. Items that could be reused and were in good condition could be taken to British Heart Foundation donation banks and shops across the city, helping to raise funds for research into heart and circulatory diseases. For items that could not be reused or recycled, household waste skips were placed in 12 student neighbourhoods within Heaton and Jesmond during the first three weeks of June. More than 10 tonnes of waste was collected, helping to prevent potential fly tipping and overflow of communal bins. Councillor Jane Byrne, Newcastle City Council Cabinet member, said: “It was great to see the skips being used, reducing

the pressure on our communal bins and keeping back lanes clean and tidy. It’s incredibly important that we all work together to keep our city green and clean and I would like to thank all the students who supported this brilliant campaign.” Newcastle City Council worked with the UK-wide Recycle Your Electricals campaign, local businesses and both universities to install recycling points for electronic and electrical waste and divert it from normal recycling bins, where it is often mistakenly placed. The multiple points provided easier access for students and a total of 250kg worth of electrical items were recycled. Nerius Shah, President of Northumbria University’s

Students’ Union said: “Sustainability is one of our key goals as a Union and it’s great to see that we have been able to spread awareness of the importance of recycling and donating unwanted items. “I would like to thank everyone who helped to make the campaign a success, especially the students who supported the campaign. I am proud of what we achieved together, and I look forward to making the campaign even bigger and better in 2024.” Shah Yaseen Ali, President of Newcastle University’s Students’ Union added: “We are delighted that the campaign has been a great success again this year and that students at both universities came out in force to use the skips and donation points located

throughout Jesmond and Heaton. In doing so, we not only helped keep our communities clean and tidy but also raised much-needed funds for the British Heart Foundation. “This was also another fantastic opportunity for us to work with our partners at Northumbria University, their Students’ Union and Newcastle City Council and we join with them in thanking all our students for their support and participation. We look forward to collaborating again in 2024.” Click the QR code to find out more about Northumbria University’s work to support environmental sustainability.

FIVE FACTS AND FIGURES

Household waste skips placed in 12 neighbourhoods.

Over 10 tonnes of waste collected in three weeks

250kg worth of electrical items were recycled

Last year Northumbria University students donated

Equated to 17.6 tonnes

to the British Heart Foundation the largest donation of all Newcastle organisations that took part.

being diverted from landfill, the equivalent of 103,642kg CO2 emissions

Over 2,000 bags

Donations raised nearly

£31,000 for the charity

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Fashion’s dirty laundry aired in new study

The textile industry’s impact on the environment is often described as fashion’s dirty secret, but the true scale of the problem is yet to be fully understood. To shed more light on the issue, experts from Northumbria University are working on a project to improve the way the sector’s environmental impact is measured. Sustainability is trending amongst fashionistas who are increasingly more aware of how fast fashion and the textile industry can have a negative impact on the world around them. However, most people remain unaware of just how significant that impact is. Globally, a fifth of wastewater and eight per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the fashion and textile sector, which uses more energy than both aviation and shipping combined. But despite these shocking figures experts say most consumers remain in the dark about the impact of the clothes they buy. New research spearheaded by Northumbria University academics suggests the problem is exacerbated by the lack of a collective approach to measuring and assessing the sustainability of the fashion industry. Led by Northumbria’s Dr Alana James, the project IMPACT+: Environmental Index Measures Promoting Assessment and Circular

Transparency in Fashion aims to shed a light on the issue by bringing together academics, consumers, manufacturers and global brands - including ASOS, Montane and Barbour – to examine how the environmental impact of fashion is measured and assessed. Forming part of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) wider programme aimed at transforming the fashion and textiles sector, the project has been awarded almost £2 million of funding through a joint programme between the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and the UK’s national innovation agency, Innovate UK. Currently there is no mandatory requirement to measure environmental impact, with the assessment process operating on an opt-in basis and largely reliant on the selfreporting of data. Highlighting the need to “dig deeper” to uncover the true

extent of the problem, Dr James said: “The complexity of the global supply chain means that tracing a product from start to finish is challenging and results in a lot of average measurements being used when reporting. “We also need to start thinking beyond the carbon footprint of a garment and look at factors such as how microfibres from clothes are shed and the impact this has on the health of our oceans, rivers, soil and air quality.” Over the next two years the group – which also includes representatives from sustainable clothing companies, campaign groups and Newcastle City Council – will share their expertise and work together to gain a better understanding of how the environmental impact of fashion garments is currently measured. With the benefit of input from the wider group, Dr James will combine her research with that of fellow Northumbria colleagues, as well as academics from King’s College London

PICTURED FROM L-R ARE MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT TEAM – DR TOM STANTON, OF LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY; AND DR KELLY SHERIDAN, PROFESSOR ANNE PEIRSONSMITH, DR MIRANDA PRENDERGAST-MILLER, AND DR ALANA JAMES OF NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY

“ WE NEED TO START THINKING BEYOND THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF A GARMENT AND LOOK AT FACTORS SUCH AS HOW MICROFIBRES FROM CLOTHES ARE SHED AND THE IMPACT THIS HAS ON THE HEALTH OF OUR OCEANS, RIVERS, SOIL AND AIR QUALITY.” DR ALANA JAMES and Loughborough University, who will bring their expertise in water, air and soil pollution, forensic science, design and big data. Dr James said: “We hope to combine our knowledge to establish a meaningful network and a lasting legacy which will lead to changes in how the fashion industry measures its impact on the environment. “This will lead to much greater transparency, allowing consumers to make more informed decisions about where they spend their money.”

Professor Louise Bracken, Northumbria’s Pro ViceChancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange) said the project is a perfect example of bringing together partners with a diversity of backgrounds and expertise, to “pave the way for real change”. Click the QR code to discover more about the project funding from UKRI.

#TakeOnTomorrow

Are you sitting comfortably? A 200-year-old oak tree which once lined the Long Walk at the National Trust’s Gibside estate in the North East has been transformed into a storytelling chair which is now at the heart of a pioneering project supporting women in the criminal justice system to move forward into a new chapter of their lives. The Story Chair programme is a creative collaboration between social justice charity, Changing Lives, and Northumbria University and is supported by the North East Probation Service. It brings together a number of well-known arts and cultural organisations, including the National Trust and Newcastle Cathedral, to question how visiting such venues feels for women with experience of the criminal justice system and how the spaces could be made more welcoming for those who might not feel represented there. And what of the tree? The oak, which fell during Storm Arwen in February 2022, has been used to craft an imaginative chair which represents the vision of women involved with the programme – a desire to re-think their story and avoid re-offending. Assistant Professor Dr Angelika Strohmayer, from Northumbria’s School of Design, co-designed the Story Chair programme with Dawn Harrison, Service Manager for Criminal Justice in Northumbria for Changing Lives. It involves a series of creative workshops designed to explore storytelling techniques and develop crafting skills, while allowing time and space for difficult conversations about the past to take place.

WITH THE STORY CHAIR ARE ANDREW WEATHERHEAD AND PEARL SADDINGTON FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST, DAWN HARRISON FROM CHANGING LIVES, JON CANESSA FROM NEWCASTLE CATHEDRAL, DR ANGELIKA STROHMAYER FROM NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY AND FURNITURE MAKER, NICK JAMES

The programme has already supported more than 50 women from across the North East to explore their own stories and take control of their futures. Dr Strohmayer explained: “This project is about supporting women with experience of the criminal justice system to feel able to discuss, accept and move on from one part of their lives, while empowering them to use their lived experience to inform more inclusive policies for the arts and cultural venues at the heart of communities.”

Dawn added: “The crypt within Newcastle Cathedral plays an integral part in the journey as it’s where the Story Chair programme was born. Historically a small room which would have been used for people to come and say goodbye to the dead, the women were particularly taken with the idea of having a space to leave something behind, such as an old narrative which was no longer relevant or useful.” The Story Chair itself was constructed by North East furniture maker, Nick James, who worked alongside the women involved with the project to develop ideas for its shape, look and feel. It was officially unveiled for the first time at a launch event held

at Newcastle Cathedral in September before the chair moved to Seaton Delaval Hall in October as part of a tour of cultural venues. During November, the chair will return to Gibside where the tree it is made from once stood. Another part of the Story Chair legacy is a tool kit for organisations working within the criminal justice system and in the arts and cultural sector. Dr Strohmayer explained: “It would be wonderful to see arts and cultural venues embracing the suggestions in our tool kit to make their venues as welcoming as possible for everyone, while also literally

showing their support by making space to host the Story Chair on its travels.” The project has been supported by funding from The British Academy – the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences – and was chosen to be presented at their Summer Showcase held in London at the end of June. Click the QR code to watch a short video all about the Story Chair project.

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Film industry needs to revamp roles for men, academics say The representation of women is improving, but film, TV and stage roles still conform too closely to gender norms, new research suggests. How audiences perceive and identify with the gender traits of characters on stage and screen has been well researched – but until recently nobody had questioned how those behind the roles feel about acting out gender stereotypes. In new research conducted by Northumbria and Durham universities, hundreds of actors were questioned about their experiences, with academics concluding that men struggled more than women to identify with their characters’ gender traits – and were expected to portray stereotypical gender roles more often than their female counterparts. Led by Northumbria’s Dr Clare Cook and Professor Thomas Pollet and Durham’s Professor Jamie Callahan, the study saw male actors say they often found roles to be “overly masculine.” Female actors, however, tended to identify more closely with their characters. The academics believe the disparity could be linked to a relatively recent improvement in the representation of women. Dr Cook, from Northumbria’s Department of Psychology, explains:

“The female actors we surveyed felt their characters more closely resembled how they identified themselves as women, which is a really positive step forward and perhaps shows the positive impact that having more women working within the creative industries over the last few years is having.” Professor Callahan, of Durham’s Business School, added: “To come closer to gender equity, the entertainment industry needs to revamp the roles they create for men.” The study, published in the American Psychological Association’s journal, Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, found both men and women would prefer to portray characters that conform less to stereotypes – but Dr Cook believes there’s “still more work to do in ensuring the roles portrayed in the entertainment industry more accurately reflect society.”

Click the QR code to find out more about the study.

PICTURED FROM L-R: PROFESSOR THOMAS POLLET, PROFESSOR JAMIE CALLAHAN AND DR CLARE COOK

Social media anti-abuse tools being misused Moderating measures from social media platforms could be helping malicious users silence those they don’t agree with, according to research from Northumbria University. A new study argues that flagging and reporting tools are contributing to some problems online, rather than helping to resolve them. Tools introduced to crack down on social media abuse and hostility are being misused by those determined to ‘deplatform’ people they disagree with, according to a new report. Under increasing pressure to tackle online abuse, social media companies have introduced flagging and reporting tools that allow users to highlight problematic content and refer it to moderators – but research suggests the process also enables malicious users to ‘ban’ or censor those with opposing views. Dr Carolina Are, Innovation Fellow in Northumbria’s Department of Psychology, said the issue disproportionately

affects marginalised users including people of colour and those from LGBTQIA+ communities, as well as journalists, activists, poledancers and those posting nude images. Her research suggests deplatforming can lead to widespread disruption, hinder access to work and educational opportunities and cause estrangement from communities and networks – all of which can adversely impact mental health and wellbeing. Dr Are, who has personal experience of online abuse and de-platforming, says current legislation falls short of protecting those affected. As she explains: “Content moderation often fails to take the human experience into

account to prioritise speed and platform interests, lacking in the necessary empathy for users experiencing abuse, censorship, loss of livelihood and network, as well as emotional distress.” Her latest report – Codesigning platform governance policies – makes a series of recommendations aimed at tackling inequalities around ‘flagging’ and ‘deplatforming’ on social media. The recommendations, drafted following workshops with dozens of users, range from calls for a duty of care from social media platform owners, to compensation for users who social media companies fail to protect from abuse or censorship. Produced by the academic in collaboration with The World Wide Web Foundation and Superbloom, the report is being offered as a free resource for users and for platform workers. Click the QR code to read the full report.

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Breaking the ‘care ceiling’ A higher proportion of care leavers are studying at Northumbria than at almost any other university in the UK according to a report from the think tank Civitas.

Navigating the complexities of homelessness New research explores the experiences of women facing homelessness in the North East and their difficulties in accessing support.

Research shows just 14% of those in care nationally will go to university, compared to around half (47%) of those who didn’t grow up in the care system. Unstable childhoods, inconsistent care, a lack of tailored support when applying to university, and disrupted, negative experiences of school years are among the numerous factors contributing to the gap, which Civitas reported will take 107 years to close if efforts to change the situation don’t improve. While substantial barriers still stand in the way of reaching university for those growing up in the care system, Northumbria is committed to providing greater equity of access to higher education, unlocking opportunities for all students with potential and ability, irrespective of background. In Civitas’ report, Breaking the Care Ceiling, the University is commended for having a higher proportion of care experienced undergraduate students than almost any other UK institution, coming second only to the University of East London in the Civitas Care Leavers League Table. With one in every 50 undergraduate students at Northumbria having spent at least part of their childhood in care, it is also the university with the most care experienced undergraduate students in total. As well as having a wide range of support services available, Northumbria has partnered with The Unite Foundation to offer accommodation

scholarships to students who are care leavers or estranged from their families. The ‘Home at University: Widening Access and Participation’ pilot scheme is open to students applying for their first year of study covering accommodation and bills for up to three years. Northumbria is also part of the North East Raising Aspiration Partnership (NERAP), an awardwinning collaboration of the five universities in the North East of England, which as reported by Civitas, is the region with the highest proportion of care leavers in the country. The five universities - Northumbria, Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Teesside - work together to improve higher education progression in the region and to ensure that young people in the North East are fully supported to make informed decisions about their future. This year saw the partnership sign up to the Care Leaver Covenant, offering targeted events and training for care experienced students as well as those supporting them. It is hoped that the initiative will boost awareness and support young people to think more widely about their futures and how higher education can help them reach their goals. Find out more about Northumbria’s support schemes enabling equal and fair access to Higher Education.

After 10 years working for Crisis, a national charity for people experiencing homelessness, Joanne McGrath, a third year PhD student based at Northumbria University, drew on her knowledge to explore how issues such as substance misuse, domestic violence, child loss, trauma and poor mental health can all contribute to, and complicate, the issue of homelessness. For six months, Joanne worked with Gateshead-based Oasis Community Housing to conduct interviews with 20 women who had experience of being homeless, followed by workshops held at Joe’s Place in Gateshead, a drop-in service which supports vulnerable people in the area. Through the women’s stories, her research explores what is meant by ‘multiple exclusion’ and suggests ways of identifying those at risk of homelessness sooner to provide tailored support. “Multiple exclusion recognises the additional complexity of having more than one significant issue at any one time,” explained Joanne. “It looks at how many factors at play in a person’s life can collectively cause a bigger problem. Women dealing with problems such as homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence and poor mental health tend to be

less well served by services and often don’t have an opportunity to have their voices heard.” The most commonly reported form of homelessness was sofa surfing, which contributes to many women going “under the radar” while experiencing exploitation and a severe impact on their health in the long term. Another difficulty is when women who have had children taken into care are treated as single in terms of housing priority, subsequently limiting their chances of getting their children back. Professor Monique Lhussier, Joanne’s PhD supervisor and Director of Northumbria University’s flagship Centre for Health and Social Equity (CHASE), said: “This research is incredibly important in giving a voice to women whose stories are often discredited. A key difficulty is that services are, by nature, specific and siloed, but people’s lives are not. These issues interact with one another in a way that is not always predictable or reliable. They lead to sets of behaviours and experiences that would be best supported as a whole, rather than distinct ‘fixable’ entities.” A research paper, written by Joanne, Professor Lhussier, Dr Natalie Forster from Northumbria’s Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing,

and Dr Stephen Crossley from the Department of Sociology at Durham University, has already been published in the International Journal for Equity in Health. A second paper, focusing on the stigma of child removal, was also published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in June. It has also been brought to life on Maze, an illustrated presentation developed with arts-based researcher, Dr Carmen Byrne, to present the women’s stories and outline methods for support services to better facilitate change.

“ WOMEN DEALING WITH PROBLEMS SUCH AS HOMELESSNESS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND POOR MENTAL HEALTH TEND TO BE LESS WELL SERVED BY SERVICES AND OFTEN DON’T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD.” JOANNE MCGRATH

Click the QR code to visit Maze.

Pioneering Professor a role model for women

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

DANCERS ‘CHEEKY’ CHANDLER CONNELL AND ALEXANDER ABBOT PERFORM THE OTHER SIDE OF ME. PHOTO CREDIT: PAZ TASSONE

Visiting Professor Dr Marzia Bolpagni has been recognised for her work inspiring women to study and work within construction and engineering after winning and being shortlisted for a string of awards this year. Having joined Northumbria two years ago as part of the Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor Programme, Dr Bolpagni, who is Head of BIM International, has been supporting the teaching of students on the University’s Construction Project Management with BIM MSc programme. In recent months she has received several high-profile awards. In June she was awarded a Top 50 Women in Engineering Award by the Women’s Engineering Society. Known as the WE50s, the Awards celebrate women working and teaching in the engineering sector and aim to raise awareness of the skills shortage facing the male-dominated engineering industry. More recently, Dr Bolpagni was named winner of the Rising Star category at Design & Build UK’s Women in Construction Awards 2023, winner of the European Council on Computing in Construction’s EC3 Scherer Award 2023, and one of Women of the Future’s 50 Rising Stars in ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance). Speaking about why recognition for women in construction is important, Dr Bolpagni said: “In a male-dominated industry, recognising women is vital to encourage and inspire young girls to get involved and believe that this is a career they can succeed in. There is so much still to do to inspire girls to strive for their dreams, but we are definitely moving in the right direction.” Discussing Marzia’s WE50 award, a spokesperson from The Women’s Engineering Society said: “Dr Marzia Bolpagni has influenced European and UK standards with her groundbreaking work on AI, blockchain and cybersecurity in the construction industry.” In addition to her award wins, Dr Bolpagni was also a finalist in the Individual Researcher/Innovator category of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and European Electrotechnical Committee for Standardization (CENELEC)’s Standards+Innovation Awards 2023, as well as in the Women in Construction’s London Construction Awards 2023. Click the QR code to find out more about Northumbria’s Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering.

“ IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY, RECOGNISING WOMEN IS VITAL TO ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE YOUNG GIRLS TO GET INVOLVED AND BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A CAREER THEY CAN SUCCEED IN.” DR MARZIA BOLPAGNI

Dance collaboration debuts Down Under A dance performance depicting the experiences of Australia’s ‘stolen generations’ has won critical acclaim during its debut performance at The Darwin Festival. The Other Side of Me tells the true and tragic story of a young Aboriginal man who was taken from his mother as a child and brought up in South West England. He was one of thousands of Aboriginal children, described as the ‘stolen generation’, who were forcibly removed from their families as a result of Australian state and federal government policies between 1910 and the mid1970s. The performance – a cross-cultural collaboration between Northumbria University academics Dr Laura Fish and Liz Pavey, and choreographer Gary Lang, of Australia’s Northern Territory Dance Company – uses dance to explore the young man’s

journey and his process of rediscovery. Performed as a duet, two dancers represent the young man’s dual identities – the English side he knew and the Indigenous side from which he had been severed. The production premiered at the Darwin Festival in Australia this summer – winning praise from critics and audiences. As an Aboriginal man himself, Gary Lang’s practice combines contemporary, classical and traditional Aboriginal styles – creating a unique dance form described as Aboriginal Ballet. He has spent the last five years working with Associate Professor of Creative Writing Laura Fish, and Associate Professor of Dance Liz Pavey, to develop

The Other Side of Me. As Dr Fish explains: “Traditionally, dance has a very important place in the Indigenous cultures of Australia. We were thrilled to work in partnership with Gary Lang – his background as a dancer, teacher and choreographer means he is in a unique position to tell this story, which is of global significance and pertinence.” The performance is particularly relevant now following Australia’s recent Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, in which 60 percent of the population voted against the formation of a federal advisory body made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which would have represented the views of First Nations people from across Australia.

Click the QR code to find out more about The other Side of Me project.

#TakeOnTomorrow

THE NORTH EAST REGION ANALYTICAL SCIENCE COMMUNITY

A toxic triumph An innovative project led by academics from Northumbria University’s Applied Sciences Department has won a Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Inspirational Committee Award 2023. The awards celebrate the development and delivery of major initiatives that bring chemistry to the public. `Poisons in the Garden’ was a collaboration between Northumbria academics and staff from Alnwick Garden in Northumberland who came together to form a sevenstrong team named ‘The North East Region Analytical Science Community’. The team’s aim was to inspire the public on the role of plant poisons as part of an RSC Outreach project. Over one weekend in July 2022, people from different age groups ranging from school children to pensioners, took part in various activities at Alnwick Garden including video reels, word searches, colouring exercises, and a sensory garden experience. The annual RSC prizes recognise over 60 teams and individuals for their contributions to the chemical sciences and showcase the best cuttingedge work from the industry. “It’s fantastic that our project was recognised by the RSC,”

said John Dean, project lead and Professor of Analytical and Environmental Science at Northumbria University. “Focusing on poison is so interesting to anyone involved with chemistry, and thanks to the Alnwick Garden we were able to demonstrate and share our knowledge with the public. The team thoroughly enjoyed working with staff and volunteers at Alnwick Garden to deliver this chemical sciences event.” The Poison Garden, located in the Alnwick Garden, is home to more than 100 toxic, intoxicating, and narcotic plants which supported the delivery of the project organised by the team at Northumbria University. Click the QR code for more information about Northumbria’s chemistry research and innovation.

“ FOCUSING ON POISON IS SO INTERESTING TO ANYONE INVOLVED WITH CHEMISTRY, AND WITH THANKS TO THE ALNWICK GARDEN WE WERE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE AND SHARE OUR KNOWLEDGE WITH THE PUBLIC.” PROFESSOR JOHN DEAN

Tackling loneliness in ambulance service frequent callers Experts from Northumbria University are working with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) to inform new guidance for ambulance trusts dealing with frequent 999 calls from patients who may be experiencing loneliness and social isolation. There are many reasons why people chose to make regular 999 calls to request an ambulance, including complex mental and physical health issues, and social issues. In a bid to improve the support for such callers, and find solutions to the problem, researchers from Northumbria’s Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing are working with NEAS to interview people who call frequently, as well as frontline paramedics, health advisors and senior clinical advisors. The study is being led by Northumbria’s Dr Tracy Collins, an occupational therapy expert, with support from Dr Jason Scott, a Chartered Psychologist and national academic lead for the Frequent Caller National Network (FreCaNN), and Senior Research Assistant Lisa Moseley, who comes from a career in social work. The project has received funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria’s Targeting Health Needs award. Speaking about the need for

the research, Dr Collins said: “It became clear from our conversations with colleagues and practitioners that people who frequently call ambulance trusts often have social needs in addition to medical needs. We’re keen to know more about individual experiences and allow those people who do self-identify as being lonely and socially isolated to have their voices heard. We need to begin to understand their unmet needs so we can begin to make recommendations for alternative routes of support.” Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, only people who self-identify as lonely and socially isolated are being interviewed using open questions which gather information anonymously on their circumstances, social circles and community support networks. Director of Paramedicine at North East Ambulance Service, Andrew Hodge, added: “We work closely with other agencies to ensure that patients have access to a range of services that may be able to support them. Working with the University on this project, we hope to understand our patients better so that we can

offer greater support to them where needed.” Northumbria recently announced plans for a new Centre for Health and Social Equity (CHASE), which will develop and harness the University’s research,

education and knowledge exchange expertise to help meet the health and social needs of multiple stakeholders and communities in the city, region and beyond.

Click the QR code to find out more about CHASE.

Addressing health and social inequalities

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Wellbeing space secures NHS funding

Northumbria University is part of a groundbreaking £4.2m digital health Hub for the North East and North Cumbria (NENC).

The Northern Health Futures (NortHFutures) hub will aim to create a world-leading healthcare, technology, research and innovation ecosystem by supporting inclusive digital skills’ training, responsible health-tech design and development, networking, and entrepreneurship. The three-year project is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). It will look to address unmet health needs in the NENC including health and nutrition for children and young people; mental health and wellbeing; and wider application of virtual and augmented reality in training and delivery of clinical care. The Hub will combine the complementary strengths and resources of over 50 partners: six universities – Newcastle, Cumbria, Durham, Northumbria, Sunderland, and Teesside; seven NHS Trusts; regional, national and global industry partners; health and care providers; local authorities; innovation accelerators; as well as voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations. Through an integrated, regional approach to unite the consortium, the aspiration is for NortHFutures to establish global leadership in digital health, drawing upon world-leading expertise and research excellence in data science and data analytics, biomedical science, nursing and allied health, medical device engineering and diagnostics, digital business, and human-centred design that involves end users of the innovations. NortHFutures is one of five Digital Health Hubs to be funded across the UK as part of a £16.5m EPSRC pilot scheme. Professor Rob Wilson, from Northumbria University’s Newcastle Business School, said: “In a challenging health and social care landscape the ESPRC funded hub offers a fantastic opportunity to innovate the relationships between business, academia and service delivery for the benefits of staff, carers and patients.” Click the QR code to find out more about the hub.

DR TOR ALEXANDER BRUCE AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR BARRY HILL IN THE WISE ROOM

“ THIS PROJECT IS PIONEERING IN ITS NATURE. WE’RE EXCITED TO BE DEVELOPING WHAT COULD BE THE FIRST EXPERIENTIAL SYSTEM OF ITS KIND— POSSIBLY ON A NATIONAL SCALE—WHICH ALLOWS STUDENTS TO ENGAGE DIRECTLY AND MEANINGFULLY WITH THEIR WELLBEING SUPPORT NETWORK.” ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR BARRY HILL

An academic team from Northumbria University secured £40,000 of NHS England funding to support the creation of an immersive wellbeing space for students – an initiative which could be rolled out nationwide. The Wellbeing in Student Education, or WISE Room, was designed by Associate Professor Barry Hill and Dr Tor Alexander Bruce, who between them have extensive experience of immersive digital environments, trauma, and nursing. The pioneering project, which provides a space for Northumbria students to learn about everything from nutrition to specific wellbeing medicines in a calm, interactive environment, is supported by Dr Deborah Flynn and Assistant Professor Dominique Simpson, from the University’s Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health. Based at the University’s Coach Lane Campus in Newcastle, the WISE Room contains auditory experiences, videos and images, and incorporates advanced features using Artificial

Intelligence (AI). It is also a multitechnology platform where students can interact from inside the room, or remotely using their phones, laptops or in certain rooms via a headmounted device. “The University already offers a range of pastoral support for students and staff, but the WISE Room adds a different dimension where students can engage experientially with their surroundings,” said Dr Bruce. “This draws on theory from embodied and enactive cognition, whereby people make sense of their environment by engaging with it.” Associate Professor Hill explained: “Although our primary objective was to design a system to lower attrition rates among undergraduate students in our Nursing, Midwifery

and Health Programmes, the initiative has now flourished into a robust, interdepartmental research project, characterised by substantial collaboration among students, staff and external partners. “This project is pioneering in its nature. We’re excited to be developing what could be the first experiential system of its kind— possibly on a national scale—which allows students to engage directly and meaningfully with their wellbeing support network.”

Click the QR code for more information about facilities and study options for healthcare courses at Northumbria.

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New report reveals lifelong impacts of military ‘gay ban’ Left: LGBT+ veterans after their first ever march past the Cenotaph in 2021

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE ‘LOST AND FOUND’ REPORT:

82% of respondents were subjected to intrusive investigations.

72% felt ‘vilified or treated like a criminal’

65%

Research carried out by Northumbria University on behalf of specialist LGBT+ military charity Fighting with Pride (FWP) has found that thousands of ex-service people are paying the price, both mentally and economically, of the Armed Forces’ discrimination against homosexual personnel. The study, which resulted in a report entitled Lost and Found, was carried out by Northumbria’s Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families Research. Published in June 2023, the report was the first academic study of its kind, involving interviews and surveys with over 100 veterans with first-hand experience of the military’s ‘gay ban’ which was only lifted in January 2000. Key findings revealed that 74 per cent of dismissed LGBT+ veterans had seen their finances impacted, while 86 per cent felt their dismissal for sexual orientation or gender identity from the Armed Forces had affected their mental health. The report revealed ongoing poverty, homelessness, and poor mental and physical health. An

underlying sense of stigma and shame has also contributed to loneliness and isolation. FWP estimates that between 2,000 and 5,000 veterans have felt a lifelong impact as a consequence of the ‘gay ban’ policy. While homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967 in wider society, personnel in the Armed Forces who were ‘found out’ or identified as gay faced dismissal; loss of pension; criminalisation; imprisonment and intrusive investigations. Craig Jones MBE (former Royal Navy officer), Executive Chair, and Caroline Paige (former RAF officer), Chief Executive of Fighting With Pride said: “Veterans have been left without a home or job, many robbed of family by being ‘outed’. In the worst cases, those found to be gay were dismissed after

harrowing investigations by the Military Police, some were even subjected to forced ‘treatments’ in military hospitals.” Dr Gill McGill, Principal Investigator of the study and Co-Director of the Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families Research, Northumbria University, said: “Over the last two years, the research team has developed a true insight into the impact of the ‘gay ban’ on LGBT+ veterans – a humbling experience. We hope that the voices of all participants who gave their time to the research project are loud and clear in the final report”. The Lost and Found report, together with the wider research carried out by Northumbria’s Northern Hub for Veterans and Military

Families Research was recently acknowledged in the LGBT Veterans’ Independent Review, published in May 2003. The review was an independent governmentcommissioned report, led by senior judge Lord Etherton KC and examined the effects of the historic ban upon LGBT+ veterans and personnel who served between 1967 and 2000. Citing Northumbria’s research, Lord Etherton’s report makes recommendations to the Government as to what might be done now to acknowledge that the policy was wrong and unjust and, in many cases, has had life-long adverse consequences for those affected. Shortly after the publication of the Review, the Government issued a formal apology to all those who were affected and

of LGBT+ veterans surveyed said it affected their employment and careers

56% said it had impacted having a place to live

84.4% of survey respondents reported being lonely

mistreated in the enactment of the ban. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made an historic statement in the House of Commons which acknowledged that that ban was “an appalling failure of the British State, decades behind the law of this land.” Click the QR code to read the full report, ‘Lost and Found: The LGBT+ Veteran Community and the Impacts of the Gay Ban’.

Graduate entrepreneurs are top employers Northumbria University has been ranked sixth nationally for graduate start-ups according to the latest Higher Education Business and Communities Interaction (HEBCIS) survey.

Data from the latest HEBCIS survey shows start-up businesses established by Northumbria graduates had an estimated turnover of more than £102.5 million over the 2021/22 survey period. The survey also revealed there were 1,172 jobs created by these enterprises, the highest number of any North East university. With a strong track-record of supporting graduate enterprise, this latest HEBCIS report underpins Northumbria’s growing reputation for entrepreneurial success. Services such as the University’s Student and Graduate Enterprise team provide a range of support for budding businesses, including entrepreneurial skills training, co-working spaces, workshops and mentoring. They also offer specialist advice in areas such as intellectual property, legal, marketing, sales, business growth and finance. Northumbria has now been in the top 10 of UK Higher Education institutions for graduate start-ups based on estimated turnover for the last 14 consecutive years – ranking first in five of those years. Professor Graham Wynn, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education at Northumbria, said: “These fantastic results showcase the enterprise talent, innovation and drive of Northumbria students and graduate entrepreneurs. They also highlight Northumbria’s focus on entrepreneurial learning and teaching, and support for student startup businesses. Our graduates are building successful businesses, creating high value jobs and contributing significantly to the regional economy.” Since 2003 Northumbria has supported the creation of almost 500 graduate businesses. Many of these businesses are based in the North East and are trading nationally and internationally. Click the QR code to find out more about how Northumbria supports enterprises.

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Quenching the thirst for sustainability CALLUM MATHER, NORTHUMBRIA GRADUATE AND FOUNDER OF EVERDURANCE

Self-confessed eco enthusiast, Callum Mather is a Marketing Management graduate from Northumbria University who, with help from Northumbria’s Student and Graduate Enterprise team and Incubator Hub, has launched Everdurance. Concerned by the volume of plastic water bottles he saw discarded during a marathon, Callum was determined to find a way to tackle the single-use plastic problem in the UK. He recognised that offering solutions to help all businesses meet their sustainability goals would be a good place to start and decided to launch Everdurance, bringing planet-conscious cartons to companies across the UK. Everdurance supplies spring water and flavoured drinks in cartons that are 100% recyclable and sourced from FSC certified forests. It uses blockchain technology from AWARE – a third party organisation which tracks and validates the impact of sustainable textiles from origin to consumer, so customers can be confident with the supply chain. “Managing our carbon footprint was a priority for us as we wanted

to ensure the whole business operated in an environmentally friendly way,” Callum said. “We have extensively reviewed our supply chain to cut down any unnecessary stops and have agreed larger but less frequent deliveries with our stockists.” Everdurance is now working with businesses across the North East to provide them with sustainable alternatives. They recently partnered with the Great North Museum: Hancock and Discovery Museum which have switched to water cartons as part of their commitment to sustainability. Keith Merrin, Director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, the organisation that manages the Great North Museum: Hancock and Discovery Museum, said: “We’re committed to reducing the carbon footprint of the museums and raising awareness amongst our visitors about environmental

issues. Stocking Everdurance drinks in our cafés is one small step we have taken to being more environmentally responsible.” Northumbria’s Incubator Hub is a purpose-built office space providing state-of-the-art technology and connectivity, and a range of financial, legal and marketing support to start-ups. It provides high-quality support for student and graduate entrepreneurs, giving them the best possible opportunity to establish and grow thriving businesses. Callum, who has been a user of the Incubator Hub since its inception, said: “I’m the biggest cheerleader of the Incubator. It has been great for us as an environment-conscious business, as we share energy consumption with many other businesses who operate from the office. It’s a really supportive, collaborative environment full of entrepreneurs who are there to help each other navigate the business world.” Click the QR code to find out more about Northumbria’s Incubator Hub.

#TakeOnTomorrow

New partnership to strengthen region’s economy DESIGN ENGINEER SAQIB ALI AND PROFESSOR STERGHIOS MOSCHOS

Northumbria has joined forces with three other North East universities to launch a new partnership which will provide support to businesses and academic start-ups in the region. Together with Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland universities, Northumbria has formed the Innovating Together — Universities in the North East (In-TUNE) partnership. Over the next two years In-TUNE will support ambitious businesses in the region, including academic entrepreneurs, to establish start-ups, innovate and grow. Between them, the four universities have received £4.75 million from Durham County Council and North of Tyne Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. One of the key objectives of the fund is to boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector, especially in those places where they are lagging, and this is what In-TUNE aims to achieve. The partnership will bring together, and expand on, two existing initiatives in the region –the Northern Accelerator and Arrow programmes. Northern Accelerator is led by Durham University in collaboration with Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, Teesside and York Universities, and supports the commercialisation of research

to create real-world impact. To date, 47 spinout businesses have been created with support from the programme, and it is estimated that Northern Accelerator will have added an additional £140 million to the value of the North East economy by 2030. At Northumbria, Northern Accelerator has supported the spinout company PulmoBioMed Ltd which, led by Professor Sterghios Moschos, has developed a device which can retrieve samples from the deep lung, entirely non-invasively. The device, known as PBMHALE™, could revolutionise the early diagnosis and speed of treatment for patients suffering from a range of conditions, including asthma and lung cancer. Arrow, a business support programme, originally established by Newcastle University, helps regional SMEs grow their businesses by connecting them with innovation experts. In-TUNE will drive the expansion of Arrow across the region, with organisations in County Durham and North of Tyne Combined Authority now able to access innovation support

from all four North East universities to develop new products and processes. An independent review forecasts that within the next three years the initial phase of Arrow will have helped regional SMEs to create 143 new jobs, develop 53 new products or services, increase private investment by £2.6 million and increase turnover by £16.9 million. Jenny Taylor, Director of Economic Development at Northumbria University, said: “In-TUNE builds on significant historical delivery across the regional partner universities and further embeds our collaborative approach to driving economic growth in the region, by helping businesses to create innovative products and services and supporting the creation of new high-quality jobs here in the North East.”

Click the QR code to find out how groundbreaking research at Northumbria is leading to new discoveries and technologies.

“ IN-TUNE BUILDS ON SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL DELIVERY ACROSS THE REGIONAL PARTNER UNIVERSITIES AND FURTHER EMBEDS OUR COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE REGION.” JENNY TAYLOR, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY

Northumbria businesswomen support local economy Female entrepreneurs from Northumbria University are growing their businesses with the support of the University and The Susan Dobson Memorial Fund. A share of funding worth over £60,000 will be awarded to the businesswomen as a result of the programme. The new three-month accelerator programme launched at Northumbria University, has been developed with The Susan Dobson Memorial Fund - a charity which recognises and supports women’s entrepreneurial achievements in the North East for the benefit of the regional economy. The programme will run over the next four years, helping student and graduate entrepreneurs navigate the

business world through a series of workshops, as well as giving them opportunities to network with other businesswomen and receive one-to-one mentoring. The first cohort of eight entrepreneurs were recently selected to join the programme and have been awarded an initial share of £15,000, which will be repeated each year the programme runs. Among the entrepreneurs to receive funding was Psychology graduate Imogen

Russell, founder of The Little Sleep Company, which offers expert baby sleep support for parents and carers across the UK. “The funding I have received has been amazing in helping to develop our offering to the community,” Imogen explained. “It has allowed me to invest in a new member of staff, as well as camera equipment to improve the production quality of our content. All of this has contributed to The Little Sleep

Company closing a truly exciting contract with an international retail baby brand.” Graham Baty, Head of Enterprise Development at Northumbria, said: “The accelerator programme with The Susan Dobson Memorial Fund is a great opportunity for our increasingly successful entrepreneurs. At Northumbria, we provide a range of services, including mentoring from industry experts to get start-ups

to the point of trading – and we continue to support these businesses in the early years of trading. I’m excited to see how these businesses grow and the opportunities for other female founders in the future.” Click the QR code to find out how business can support students and graduates.

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Keeping firefighters safe in the line of duty A Northumbria academic is collaborating with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service to investigate the rising number of attacks on fire service personnel by members of the public. The research by Dr Colin Richardson, Assistant Professor in Business Information Systems at Northumbria’s Newcastle Business School, explores why the number of attacks on fire service personnel attending call outs is rising sharply. Home Office figures show there are currently around 1,000 attacks a year across the UK – but this is continuing to grow at an alarming rate of approximately 12% a year. As part of Dr Richardson’s research, a conference was held with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service to discuss emerging insights and provide attendees with an action plan as an outcome of the findings. Opportunities to develop further research collaboration and knowledge exchange in the areas of strategy, policy and use of technology and dynamic risk management systems were also explored. Dr Richardson said the conference was very successful, adding: “The research aims to understand this peculiar phenomenon in greater detail, working with the emergency services, highlighting opportunities to reduce risk through identifying potential causes of hostility and educate through engagement with local communities. These opportunities include utilising rich data and innovative technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to protect front

“ DR RICHARDSON’S COLLABORATION WITH COUNTY DURHAM AND DARLINGTON FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE SHOWS THE REAL BREADTH OF THE WORK THAT NEWCASTLE BUSINESS SCHOOL DOES AND THE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION IT MAKES TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.” PROFESSOR ROBERT MACINTOSH

Dr Colin Richardson, front, with L-R Juliet Kele (Northumbria University), Sarah Nattress (Director of Emergency Response), Justin Parry (Group Manager of Emergency Response), and Paul Cummings (Group Manager for Training) line personnel from hostile encounters while also reducing risks for the public. “The outcomes of the day will further assist us to build on existing knowledge, helping to establish novel and innovative techniques using technology to drive data-driven decision making and dynamic risk

assessment models in realtime. A very big thank you to all that were involved with the day and making it a success.” Professor Robert MacIntosh, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Business and Law at Northumbria, added: “Dr Richardson’s collaboration with County Durham and

Darlington Fire and Rescue Service shows the real breadth of the work that Newcastle Business School does and the positive contribution it makes to our local communities. Our expertise and our interests go far beyond big business and our approach across the public, private and charitable sectors

is to do research which has real impact and acts as a force for good.” Click the QR code to find out more about working with Newcastle Business School.

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Law students praised by judges Student report examines declining police trust L-R CLAIRE BRISSENDEN, TRINITY CHAMBERS WITH NORTHUMBRIA’S KAYLIEGH RICHARDSON, CALLUM THOMSON, MICHELLE COSHERIL, LYNDSEY BENGTSSON, KATHRYN MCGEARY, LISA CALLUM AND ELISABETH GRIFFITHS

“ WINNING THE PRO BONO/COMMUNITY INITIATIVE CATEGORY AT THE NORTHERN LAW AWARDS IS A SUPERB ACHIEVEMENT AND RECOGNISES THE FANTASTIC WORK OF THE STAFF AND STUDENTS.” KAYLIEGH RICHARDSON

Northumbria University’s Student Law Office has been recognised for the free legal advice and support it provides, winning the Pro Bono Community Initiative category in the highly anticipated Northern Law Awards 2023. The Northern Law Awards celebrate the great wealth of legal talent and success within the region and are regarded as the top law event for all those practising and working in the legal industry in the North of England. Northumbria’s Student Law Office is known for its pioneering approach; providing law students with an opportunity to gain valuable career experience by undertaking free legal work under professional supervision to help real clients within the local community. Without the Student Law Office many of these clients would have no other source of legal help or access to justice. The Student Law Office has managed more than 7,000 enquiries, represented more than 3,000 clients and secured over £1.6 million on their behalf since 2005. It was praised by the judges for being a “highly

engaged team offering real support to the community in all aspects of legal advice.” Northumbria Law School’s Kayliegh Richardson, CoDirector of the Student Law Office, said that winning the award was recognition of the work undertaken by all working within the team. “Winning the Pro Bono/Community Initiative category at the Northern Law Awards is a superb achievement and recognises the fantastic work of the staff and students in the provision of legal advice and assistance to the North East community – and facilitating access to justice,” she said. “We are proud of the exceptional results our students achieve and the positive difference they make for members of the public, businesses and community groups.” Professor Robert MacIntosh, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Business and Law at Northumbria, said that the

Student Law Office is a “worldleading law clinic” with the award demonstrating the social and economic contribution Northumbria makes to individuals and the region. “The Student Law Office showcases one of Northumbria’s signature strengths in providing our students with hands-on legal practice experience, enriching both their learning experience whilst at university and their employment prospects when they are ready to leave,” he said. “I congratulate our colleagues and students on their success and we are already looking at ways to expand the scope and impact of this great service.” Click the QR code to read more about Northumbria Law School.

A new government briefing has been published following a collaboration between a Northumbria University student and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). A four-page briefing entitled Trust in the Police, written by Northumbria University public health PhD student Richard Brown, has outlined a significant decline in public trust of policing across England and Wales in recent years. However, his research also highlights the importance of community engagement for police forces looking to rebuild their relationship with the public following recent trustbreaking incidents such as the jailing of multiple rapist and former Met PC, David Carrick. Richard’s research was carried out as part of a 13-week POST fellowship. He found that confidence in the police has declined by around 10% since 2017, and this was affected by both individual and group experiences, as well as police conduct and performance, and media coverage, with perceptions of fairness being the key consideration of a force’s effectiveness. Meanwhile, factors that increased public trust in policing included the quality of interactions and the levels of community policing, which focused on local concerns. This can include community partnerships between police forces and local organisations, schools, businesses, and community leaders to address specific issues affecting members of the public.

Increased police visibility through foot patrols and planned community meetings can also re-establish personal connections between officers and the local community. Speaking about his research, Richard said: “Community policing has been in decline since around 2010, and the research confirms this is an area that improves levels of trust and confidence. “Without personal interaction with the police, opinions are formed as a result of what people watch or read. In the past, traditional media has played a major part in this – now social media is increasingly impacting. “More widely, this also means that the actions of the Met impacts upon all police forces simply because they dominate policing coverage. The same can even be said of policing on an international basis.” It’s expected that the Trust in the Police report will be used by the Home Affairs Committee as well as individual MPs and Police Commissioners from across England and Wales.

Click the QR code to read the full report.

38 Northumbria University’s Jiu Jitsu club recently staged a series of controlled assaults to help forensic researchers track fibre transfers. Identifying the number of fibres transferred between victim and suspect can be essential for the interpretation of forensic evidence in many criminal cases, including assault. However, until Northumbria’s martial artists and academics combined their skills recently, researchers had never before used real people to help them track the extent of fibre transfer during physical assaults. In order to address this gap in forensic knowledge, researchers from Northumbria University and King’s College London worked with members of Northumbria’s Jiu Jitsu club to stage a series of simulated assaults. Their research uncovered findings suggesting that the extent of fibre transfer in real-life situations could be significantly greater than previously anticipated. There was no shortage of volunteers to play either victim or aggressor in four simulated assaults, which varied low to high intensity activities over different time periods. Results showed between 1,000 and 44,000 fibres were subsequently cross-transferred between participants’ garments, with notable differences between the four scenarios. Dr Kelly Sheridan, Assistant Professor of Forensic Science in Northumbria’s Department of Applied Sciences, said the quantity of fibres transferred was far greater than suggested in the previous available studies, which were conducted without the benefit of simulated physical assaults involving real people. Dr Sheridan believes the findings, recently published in the academic journal Science & Justice, will inform the evaluation of fibre evidence in future assault cases and fill a significant forensic knowledge gap. While the earlier studies considered how variables like time and pressure impact on the number of fibres transferred during physical contact, the extent of transfer in uncontrolled scenarios is largely unknown. Dr Sheridan

Northumbria University NEWS • Autumn 2023

Jiu Jitsu club fights to advance forensic research

MEMBERS OF NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY JIU JITSU CLUB STAGED PHYSICAL ASSAULTS TO HELP ADVANCE FORENSIC RESEARCH

said: “The importance of this research is that many experimental studies in forensic science are often a far cry from real-life situations, and we wanted to address that in this study. We wanted to investigate the extent of fibre transfer during different types of physical assaults using real people for the first time.” Dr David Chalton, Northumbria’s Lead Coach for Jiu Jitsu, has taught the martial art at the University for almost 20 years. “Members were really keen to contribute and apply their training for a purpose beyond their own personal and club development. Our style of Jiu Jitsu covers striking, throwing and to a lesser extent ground-

fighting. We focus on a selfdefence approach, so the situations Dr Sheridan wanted to simulate were quite straight forward and familiar for us,” Dr Chalton explained. Independent forensic science consultant Dr Ray Palmer, also an Associate Lecturer at Northumbria, worked with Dr Sheridan to develop the research concept, while the methodology was progressed by a research team including final year Forensic Science students. Dr Palmer said the study will be of “great value” to forensic scientists who provide expert testimony in court adding: “The methodology provides a more robust assessment of the effects caused by actual

“ THE METHODOLOGY PROVIDES A MORE ROBUST ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS CAUSED BY ACTUAL PHYSICAL ASSAULT SCENARIOS, THAN ANY EXISTING SIMILAR STUDY AVAILABLE TO FORENSIC PRACTITIONERS.” DR RAY PALMER physical assault scenarios, than any existing similar study available to forensic practitioners.” Also working on the project was Dr Matteo Gallidabino, Assistant Professor in Forensic Chemistry at - King’s College London. Highlighting the importance of the consideration of transfer mechanisms of materials in the assessment of forensic findings he said the outcome of criminal cases can often come down to understanding the differences between scenarios.

Dr Gallidabino added: “After speaking with Dr Sheridan, we both felt there was something more we could offer to inform this area of research by using a simulation-based approach.” Click the QR code to find out more about the research, published in the official journal of The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, Science & Justice.

SPORT

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Special Olympics bring life-changing memories After volunteering as medical officer for Team Special Olympics Great Britain at the Berlin games, Dr Daniel Monk is urging others to support the organisation throughout the year.

NORTHUMBRIA’S INVOLVEMENT FACILITATES THE ORGANISATION OF NEW PRE-SEASON WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT

Aiming high for Women’s Rugby Northumbria’s women’s rugby team have taken an exciting step forward after officially joining the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Women’s Rugby League. As the national governing body for Higher Education sport in the UK, BUCS aims to deliver exceptional student sporting experiences that inspire, develop and unite. Students from Northumbria compete at BUCS level across a wide variety of sports, from American Football and Badminton, to Judo and Water Polo. The University’s Men’s Rugy League team has enjoyed fantastic success in BUCS competitions in recent years and attention is now being turned to the formation of a new women’s team, who hope to find their own success in the BUCS Women’s National Rugby League’s 2024/25 season. Made up of talented athletes from other Northumbria sports

teams, the Women’s Rugby League team will play in several matches organised by BUCS as part of a new Women’s University Winter League over the coming months. They hope this will then encourage more aspiring students to get involved. Katie Richardson, the new president of Women’s Rugby League at Northumbria will be working alongside Jason Payne, the Head of Rugby League. They hope to replicate the success of Northumbria’s Men’s Rugby League team who have held the national championship title for the last five years. Speaking on the formation of the new team, Katie said: “Having the opportunity to create a Women’s Rugby League team at the University has been amazing, and I could have

only dreamed about how successful it has become in just a few short weeks. This year is going to be a great one for the team and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we are capable of.” Daryl Dixon, Head of Sport at Northumbria said: “It has been fantastic to see the demand for a Women’s Rugby League team from our students and I am excited to see them compete in the Women’s University Winter League later this year. “The support from the Rugby Football League and BUCS to aid the development of a women’s team has been great and I have no doubt our women’s team can be as successful as the men’s team.” Click the QR code to find out more about Rugby League at Northumbria.

DR DANIEL MONK PICTURED WITH TEAM SPECIAL OLYMPICS GREAT BRITAIN In June, Berlin’s historic Olympiastadion was packed to the rafters as thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities showcased their remarkable sporting abilities in front of cheering crowds. As lead medical officer for Team Special Olympics GB, Northumbria University’s Dr Daniel Monk was there throughout, managing the health and wellbeing of the team and waiting in the wings in case of injury. The experience, he says, was “exhausting and fullon” but left him with memories that will last a lifetime. He added: “This is a group of individuals often overlooked by society and all were in their element being the focus of the event, and rightly so because their sporting achievements are phenomenal. I’ve never seen so many smiling faces, so proud and pleased to be out there representing Great Britain, achieving their best and changing their lives.” Dr Monk, a registered nurse and Assistant Professor at Northumbria, left the Games inspired and determined to encourage others to volunteer ahead of the next event. He said: “I’m urging everyone to get involved in whatever way they can, there are so many opportunities to do so. “For me, it’s been a reminder of what is and isn’t important in life. With all they have going against them in society, those athletes went out there and achieved their best, and the crowd just went bonkers to see it. They are incredible Special Olympic athletes and among the best in the world.” The Special Olympics World Games are held every two years, alternating with Summer and Winter Games. The next Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held in March 2025 in Torino, Italy. Click the QR code to find out more about how to volunteer to support Team Special Olympics GB.

Autumn 2023 • northumbria.ac.uk

Issue 30

“ OUR RESEARCH GIVES A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF FEMALE PHYSIOLOGY RATHER THAN SIMPLY TREATING WOMEN AS SMALLER MEN.” PROFESSOR GLYN HOWATSON NORTHUMBRIA’S WOMEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM IN ACTION

Powering the performance of football The success of England’s Lionesses after reaching the final of the World Cup earlier this year and winning last year’s European Women’s Football Championship, has inspired a new interest in the women’s game.

Yet, while more and more girls and women are playing the sport and media coverage of elite women’s football is growing, there remains a significant gulf between the men and women’s game. The amount of physiological research conducted on female football players, compared to male players, is sparce. Even though research on female football players has increased over the past decade, there is still a lack of studies on how certain factors affect their performance on the pitch. However, research at Northumbria University is going a long way towards bridging that gap. The Football Association (FA) has used research led by academics from Northumbria’s Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Department to prepare female players for the most recent European and World Cup tournaments.

Professor Glyn Howatson, who is a consultant physiologist to the FA and joined the Lionesses for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, describes the role Northumbria University plays in women’s football. “Our research gives a greater understanding of female physiology rather than simply treating women as smaller men,” he says. “The success of the Lionesses at Euro 2022 was phenomenal. They were in great condition and able to play many games in short succession. We are very proud to have played a part in that story by informing their preparation for the tournament. As well as working with the women’s national squad, we also have a research collaboration with Newcastle United’s women’s team to continually improve our understanding of how female physiology affects performance.”

Northumbria’s growing research contribution to women’s football is also mirrored in other areas of sport. Students, staff and elite sports partners of Northumbria’s Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation benefit from both world-leading research and strong international networks. “We’ve been driving our research forwards over the past decade to have wide-reaching impact on our society,” says Professor Nick Caplan, who heads up the Department. “The University is ranked fifth for research power in the UK for sport, conducting groundbreaking research while working alongside football clubs, the FA, UEFA, FIFA and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL) to support both the women’s and men’s games. We look at a broad spectrum of disciplines, including physiology, nutrition,

strength and conditioning, and coach education. We use our findings to inform practice across the game from grassroots to international players, as well as exploring the role of physical activity through football to promote health and wellbeing. Research enriches our education as our students learn from the best in the field.” Northumbria also works with Newcastle United Football Club to understand progression of academy players into the senior squad, examining the potential of athletes to perform at elite level while gaining a university qualification. The University’s partnership with the i2i International Soccer Academy sees students from America enrol on a sport or businessrelated degree at Northumbria while receiving UEFA-qualified training each day. Students complete work placements,

enabling them to apply their learning at a top level. “We have students who will be placed in elite environments, including Newcastle United and Sunderland Athletic football clubs, where they can be involved with nutrition and performance analysis,” explains Professor Caplan. “Many have gone on to work for professional clubs and the England team. A key aim is to use our links and relationships with professional sport to support our students to become highly employable graduates. Click the QR code to discover more about Northumbria’s Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Department.