DMYou Issue 33 by Alex Ford

dec 2010 / issue 33

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dmyou first for dmu news

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Season’s greetings from your chaplains at DMU

e’d like to take this opportunity to extend our best wishes to all staff and students. This is a time of special religious meaning and reflection. It is a time to celebrate. It is a time to wish each other well, to be with our families and dearest friends, to make plans and share our hopes for the coming year, and to appreciate our many privileges. Whether you’ll be celebrating one of the major religious festivals or not, we hope you’ll find time to reflect on the light and life, hope and joy that you experience, and on work well done throughout the year. We wish you a relaxing and rewarding holiday and pray for peace for you, your family and friends as you enjoy time together and a well-earned break from work and study.

Survey responses help charity In this month’s issue... pg 3

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Awards for transforming campus dmu scoops multiple accolades for new Hugh Aston building.

Needlework becomes art form former dmu student nominated for national showcase

DMU launches pilot partnership collaboration between DMU and Russian institute to improve safety for aviators

Foxes link kicks off

pg 10 letter of collaboration signed between university and LCFC

editor julia breen staff writers / editorial assistants nicola godwin emily taylor contributors victoria burton jo griffin lyn heath-harvey jo hughes chris johnston elizabeth mattock photography mark barnett jim boulton julia breens nigel essex hollisphotography.com e-mail news@dmu.ac.uk website www.dmu.ac.uk intranet http://intranet.dmu.ac.uk 2

hanks to those who completed the Staff Opinion Survey in November. Your input is invaluable in bringing about positive change at the university. The anonymous survey will help inform the Executive Board about what really matters to you, what’s working well and what we could do better to help shape the future of the university. The results are being analysed by an independent team based at the University of Bristol and will be reported back to the Executive Board in January to identify areas where we are performing well and areas where more work is needed, allowing us to compare ourselves against other HE institutions for the first time. DMU’s Board is committed to acting on the results of the survey to identify changes that can improve staff satisfaction. The results will be reported back directly to staff by the University of Bristol at briefing sessions across campus during February 2011. The findings will form the basis of an action plan for change and establish a benchmark for future staff surveys to enable us

to measure change over time. Professor Dominic Shellard,Vice-Chancellor, said: “Thank you to all staff who participated in the survey. Feedback so far has been very encouraging and positive. The survey has been essential for us to gather information anonymously about the issues that affect staff, so that we can make informed decisions to improve the quality of working life for all employees. We are very keen to ensure DMU is an outstanding place to work.” The university committed to donate 50p to Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People for every completed questionnaire*. By taking part in the survey, you have helped to change the lives of seriously and terminally-ill young people and their families across the East Midlands. The survey was due to finish as issue 33 of dmyou went to press. Details on the response rate, amount raised for Rainbows and staff feedback will be included in a DMU Weekly Digest with a follow-up story in dmyou in the new year.

DMU’s ofﬁcial Christmas card features a design by footwear student Chelsea Lui. To order copies, contact Mary Barrett or Linda Humphreys in the External Relations Department at mbarrett@dmu.ac.uk or lhumphreys@dmu.ac.uk

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Foxes link kicks off DMU helps new LCFC player learn English

MU has forged a new link with Leicester City Football Club and kicked off the partnership by helping their new Japanese player learn English.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard and City’s Commercial Director, Paul Hunt, have signed a Letter of Collaboration strengthening ties between the university and the club. Yuki Abe joined City this summer and is having regular lessons with DMU’s Centre for English Language Learning. DMU was delighted to welcome him and his translator to the university for a visit. Yuki was introduced to visiting Japanese professor Masa Ishii and student Shin Achiwa, both from the International Centre for Sport History and Culture. Shin is studying the FIFA Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport and, coincidentally, is the same age and from the same home town as Yuki, who plays for his country’s national team and is a sporting celebrity in Japan. Shin, 29, from Ichikawa, Chiba, said: “It was really great to meet and chat with Yuki Abe and it felt like I had known him for a long time.” From left to right: Sven-Göran Eriksson, former manager of the England national team and current manager of Leicester City F.C;Yuki Abe, and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Shellard.

It is hoped that the collaboration with City will also result in discounted match tickets for international students and an internship for a DMU student to work for the club. DMU is also offering its sports history expertise to boost the excellent work already being done at the club to make its rich heritage more fully available to the fans. Professor Shellard said: “Leicester City is a football club with a long tradition and a special place in the hearts of its fans. As a keen football fan myself, I am excited to be bringing De Montfort University in to a closer association with the club and contribute to its future success. “We are committed to supporting cultural life wherever we can; to help transform individual lives or make a difference to organisations. Collaborating through partnerships like this means DMU can use its excellence in teaching, learning and research to benefit the wider community.” Leicester City Commercial Director, Paul Hunt, said: “I am delighted we have reached this agreement with such a renowned local education provider. In the short-term, the link-up with De Montfort University is sure to be of great benefit to Yuki Abe as he continues to settle into English football.” “Looking into the future, I can see the partnership between Leicester City and DMU developing further as both organisations continue to broaden their international horizons, reach extended audiences and improve links locally.” 3

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dmyou news

Study shows man’s best friend has impact on emotional health

leven excited Labradors were let loose around the grounds of DMU to help with a lecture. Students got to make a fuss of the dogs as well as watch them play games of fetch under the watchful eye of dog trainer Phil Garton during the innovative lesson in social work. They were used to show the benefits dogs can have on people’s physical and emotional health – there is scientific evidence that a person’s blood pressure drops and that their body releases endorphins when stroking dogs. Students were also able to talk about how many of the lessons from working with animals are transferable to the work they will be doing with families. The sessions were led by Dr Hellmuth Weich, senior lecturer in social work, who brought along his Labrador Boesman, and Dr Jason Wood, head of research in youth and community, who brought along his Labrador Henry.

Working paper series advises government DMU’s Public Policy Department has launched a Policy Impact Working Paper Series to explore and analyse government policy initiatives and a wide range of problems and solutions. The first paper in the series has been produced by the Public Policy Department’s Local Government Research Unit (LGRU). Aspects of the Coalition Government’s Political Reform Agenda:Voter Registration and Electoral Boundaries has been jointly prepared with Sheffield University. The paper explores the Coalition Government’s plans to speed up the move to individual electoral registration to equalise Parliamentary constituencies. The paper has been made available to all MPs and Lords. Professor Colin Copus, Professor of Local Politics in the LGRU, said: “The Public Policy department’s first paper addresses an important agenda and provides key analysis and a review of the Government’s electoral reform policy.”

The Student Voice A conference hosted by DMU explored key issues relating to teaching and learning that are of relevance to the study of Politics. The conference, The Student Voice: Teaching Politics and IR in the New Millennium, included a keynote speech from Professor John Ishiyama of the University of North Texas providing an overview of the assessment plans of some 70 political science departments in the US. Assessment and feedback were key themes, with papers ranging from an examination of assessment methods in UK politics departments to the use of electronic feedback. This was the third conference organised by the PSA Teaching and Learning Specialist Group and was the best attended so far, with more than 30 academics discussing a wide range of issues relating to the discipline. The conference was organised by Alasdair Blair and Samantha McGinty, with the financial support of the PSA and the Higher Education Academy National Teaching Fellowship scheme. 4

Students look on as trainer Phil Garton commands his labrador, Henry, to sit.

Staff Health & Wellbeing Day 2010

he first staff Health & Wellbeing Day in November was a huge success. More than 300 members of staff escaped their busy schedules to find out how to ease the pressures of working life and kick-start a healthier lifestyle. Free activities and a chance to win prizes were on offer in the Campus Centre to promote health and wellbeing. Activities included free massages and blood pressure and cholesterol checks, which proved popular. Staff were able to create their own cycle-powered fresh smoothies and get advice on university initiatives such as sustainable transport, stress awareness, sports and fitness, training and development, mental wellbeing, Fairtrade, trade unions, green travel and campus development. External exhibitors included: Ashleigh Physiotherapy Clinic; 5 Minute Angels masseurs; the British Heart Foundation; Cancer Information Centre; Change4life; Chartwells Catering; Epilepsy Action; Eyecare International; Leicestershire Primary

Care Trust; Stop Smoking; the Migraine Trust; Money Made Clear; Posturite; PROSTaid, a charity to combat prostate cancer; and Recourse, the employee support network. Mike Haynes-Coote, Head of Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing, said: “Thanks to all the staff that attended and helped organise the event and made it such a success, as well as the student union for providing the venue. We treat our staff’s health and wellbeing with the highest importance and are hoping to build on the success of the event and run it on an annual basis.” Congratulations to the winners of the prize draw – Anne-Marie Ives, Jaki Sharp, Mark Davies, Nigel Gregory, Rachel Keeling, Sally Thomas, Michael Costell, Amy Wareing, Sally Lloyd, Jo Swatland and Alison Levey. The Occupational Health, Safety & Wellbeing Department welcomes your feedback and ideas for future events, please email has@dmu.ac.uk

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Awards for transforming campus DMU scoops multiple accolades for new business & law facility

he university, which has spent £143 million modernising its buildings and surroundings, picked up the Leicester Mercury’s People’s Choice Award for Leicestershire Regeneration Champion of the Decade and Large Scheme of the Year for the Hugh Aston building. The accolades were given at this year’s ProCon Leicestershire property and construction awards in front of an audience of more than 500 at Leicester’s reknowned Walkers Stadium. During the last decade, the university has transformed the campus and created a gateway to the city centre.

The biggest project has been the construction of the Hugh Aston Building as well as the creation of two new public spaces, Magazine Square and Hawthorn Square. As part of the development, Leicester’s historic Magazine Gateway building, which previously stood in the middle of several lanes of traffic, was freed up, and demolition and filling in of the old pedestrian subways took place. Other projects include £5.6 million spent on refurbishing the former William Baker Factory, now known as The John Whitehead Building; £6 million spent on purchasing and refurbishing the old Gateway College site,

with another £2 million planned for future work; £3.9 million spent on creating the university’s Performance Arts Centre for Excellence (PACE) building and £6 million on new catering and students’ union facilities in the Campus Centre. Umesh Desai, Deputy Director of Estates at DMU, said: “The university is extremely delighted to be recognised for these prestigious awards. They acknowledge and reinforce the university’s commitment to invest in the Leicester campus by constructing high quality landmark buildings with state-ofthe-art facilities that will be enjoyed by staff and students for years to come.”

DMU celebrates Black History Month

n October, De Montfort University hosted an event to mark the celebration of Black History Month. The Black History Event, which took place over the course of four days, gave DMU staff the chance to learn about key figures and significant events in Black History for Africans over the past 2,000 years. An opening ceremony led by Vice-Chan-

cellor Professor Dominic Shellard and the Director of Human Resources, Ben Browne, began the event, followed by a performance by DMU’s Gospel Choir. An exhibition on African heritage in the Hugh Aston building showcased biographies, profiles and photography of Heroes in Black History. There was also a special exhibition display by the Ajani Women and

Girls Centre. Other highlights of Black History Week included a lecture led by Sonia Davies, Senior Lecturer in Education, on Obama, Britain and the Education of Black Identities and an arts and crafts exhibition in the Kimberlin Library displaying African artifacts on loan from Leicester City Council’s Museums and Galleries service. 5

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300+ visit science fair

Tessa Jowell visits DMU MP makes appearance at FIFA Master Programme

ore than 300 students from the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences attended the Science Careers Fair organised by the faculty’s Placement Unit in November. The event provided an opportunity for students studying Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic Science, Pharmacy, Forensic Science, Biomedical and Medical Science, to meet prospective employers and placement providers. Fifteen exhibitors, including representatives from pharmaceutical company Novartis, the British Toxicology Society, Reckitt Benckiser, who own brands such as Dettol, Finish and Vanish and The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, attended the fair. Michelle Hall, Placement Manager, said: “The fair provided an additional avenue for students to access placement opportunities, work experience and to inform their career prospects. It was also a great opportunity to showcase to organisations what DMU has to offer. “This is the first time we have run the event and it has exceeded all expectations. “Feedback has been extremely positive and we have already received requests for next year.” 6

he Rt Hon. Tessa Jowell MP was a guest speaker on DMU’s FIFA Master programme in November. Her lecture, A Day in the Life of a Minister for the Olympics, was part of the Internationalisation of Sport sub-module and provided the FIFA students with a unique opportunity to understand the political skills and knowledge needed in delivering a mega event such as London 2012. She said: “It is now less than two years until the eyes of four billion people will turn to the Olympic Stadium in East London for the opening ceremony. In Government we were determined that this would be an Olympics and Paralympics like no other.” James Panter, the FIFA Module Officer who organised the visit, said: “I am delighted Tessa Jowell, who

played a key role in bringing the Olympics to London, was able to meet the FIFA students. She discussed her experiences as the former government minister for the Olympics and the now shadow minister. It was a very enjoyable and informative session for the class.” DMU’s renowned International Centre for Sport History and Culture which runs the FIFA Masters, has celebrated the publication of a pivotal work on history of sport in Britain 21 years ago which is still a vital text for students today. When Professor Richard Holt, current Director of the Centre, wrote ‘Sport and the British’ it received a rapturous reception. Now it has been discussed in its own right at the annual Historians on Sport conference which was held at DMU in October.

DMU pioneers architecture scheme

he university has begun an initiative to partner student architects with leading industry professionals in a pioneering mentor scheme. More than 20 architects have now signed up to the program in conjunction with Leicestershire and Rutland Society of Architects. Participating firms include: B3 Architects; BRP Architects; Stephen George & Partners LLP; MAS Architecture Ltd; Walters Architects; Parkinson Dodson & Cheung; and The Drawing Room (Architects) Ltd. Each mentor supports six to eight students from DMU’s Leicester School of Architecture (LSA) and uses a special section of the hub to see their uploaded drawings and give professional advice to each student.

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Charles Frears to be sold off

he location of DMU’s nursing teaching will change in autumn 2011 when staff and students from Charles Frears will be transferred to the city centre in order to unite nursing and midwifery teaching on one campus. Work to prepare new facilities in both Bosworth House and the Hawthorn building is well underway. Umesh Desai, Deputy Director of Estates, said: “The refurbishment of Bosworth House is progressing well. New windows are being fitted and by Christmas the steel frame to the new lift and stair tower will be substantially completed. “Plans for the creation of new facilities in the Hawthorn building including the clinical skills, moving and handling and CPR training, have now been finalised. Detailed briefings for each area involved in the process are being established.” The university has decided to sell

Charles Frears campus following the transfer of teaching and Umesh said: “Appointment of the selling agents and solicitors is due to happen imminently. “The selling agent will prepare a marketing campaign for January 2011, which will include a sale brochure, press advertisements and a web page and there is also likely to be a sale board placed at the campus fronting on to London Road. “Depending upon the level of interest, the university will select a preferred bidder in the spring and enter into contracts for sale in April/May. The sale will not be completed until August/September 2011 when all activity has ceased at Charles Frears. “An outline plan and programme for migration from Charles Frears to the city campus has been produced and agreed in principle. Move dates and further details will be developed in the new year with all concerned.”

Creating a new vision for DMU

he university has been undergoing the exciting process of developing and articulating a new vision for the university through a series of Vision Cafés and an online consultation with staff, alumni, external partners, governors and honorands. Many of you suggested ideas and offered opinions at the Vision Cafés to help form our new vision, while many other staff gave online feedback. The vision will set out in bold and compelling terms what sort of university De Montfort will be in future years, and is the first important phase of developing our new Strategic Plan. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard said: “It’s been tremendous for me to see such commitment to DMU and encouraging that so many staff and university partners have actively engaged in the vision

consultations. It was also pleasing for the Executive Board that staff wanted to improve our early thoughts on the vision and express clearly what makes DMU distinctive, where the leadership should be ambitious and where our aspirations for the future should lie. “It was essential that we engaged with all of our colleagues to give them the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft vision statements. Thank you for your valuable input, which is playing a key part in defining and shaping De Montfort University.” The results of the Vision Cafés are currently being reviewed to inform the Executive Board as it prepares the final version of the Vision, which it anticipates finalising early in the new year.

DMU set to EQUIP De Montfort University is one of 10 HEIs that have been successful in bidding to be part of the Higher Education Academy Evidence-Informed Quality Improvement Programme, known nationally as EQUIP. The project is concerned with gathering and using students’ perceptions of outstanding teaching and exceptional learning and is chaired by Nick Allsopp, the Quality Improvement Manager in the Department of Academic Quality. The project builds on the outcomes of recent research, run through the APDU, which gathered and analysed views of academic staff on outstanding and exceptional learning. The project will run for a year and is supported by the HEA.The outcomes will be published and disseminated nationally by the HEA and will also help to stimulate debate within faculties and to form and adapt policy at an institutional level.

Money Week promotes ﬁnancial capability Students were given the chance to learn about fiscal responsibility as part of DMU’s annual Money Week. Money & Welfare and the Transitions Team put together a series of information stands and competitions for the event, which is part of DMU’s Money Doctor project. Scheduled within the first weeks of the new term, Money Week is timed to inform new students on the benefits of budgeting and remind all students how they can keep control of their expenditure.This year, the event included stands in faculty buildings with taste tests and competitions to raise awareness of spending money wisely.

Life Long Learning recognition for DMU De Montfort University has been identified in the latest best practice guide by the Life Long Learning Network. The guide, In Practice: Developing Progression Agreements, aims to share best practice used by partner colleges and universities to enable progression for vocational learners. The publication details the work that DMU’s Transitions team has been doing with staff in Health and Life Sciences in partnership with Regent College; and the work of the university’s Media department in association with Leicester College. Visit www.le.ac.uk/ssclln to find out more about the Life Long Learning Network. 7

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Appointments to stimulate innovation DMU has appointed two academics to work as business fellows in order to promote business interaction related to research. Dr Eric Goodyer, Principal Lecturer in the Faculty of Technology, and Dr Andrew Wright, Senior Research Fellow in the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, will work with the London Technology Network (LTN) for half a day a week. LTN has the broad mission to promote innovation and maximise the UK’s science, engineering and technology base. The business fellows will be trained by LTN to: • Identify solutions for industrial research and development needs • Help stimulate commercial activity and knowledge transfer • Enhance research activity through business engagement Professor Phil Moore, DMU’s Director of Research, said: “The scheme generated significant interest and a number of excellent applications were received so congratulations to Dr Goodyer and Dr Wright on their appointments. “This is the first time DMU has participated in a scheme of this kind and I am anticipating that it will produce really positive outcomes in terms of enhancing our interaction with business.”

Muslim women’s experience of partition A historian is uncovering the hidden voices of Muslim women caught up in the partition of the Punjab, India, in 1947. Dr Pippa Virdee, Senior Lecturer in Modern South Asian History at DMU, gave a talk in September at the National Archives, Kew, London, and has been researching the stories of women not given a voice. “The history of women during this period is often left out of the official documentation, yet they offer a different lens through which we can understand this complex and traumatic period,” said Dr Virdee. Using first hand accounts from women in Pakistan Punjab, Dr Virdee has been studying how these women, often sheltered from private and public spaces, created their own space during the 1940s in Punjab. The National Archives is the Government’s archive for the United Kingdom, and holds more than 1,000 years of the nation’s records for public use. 8

Lecturer launches osteopathy awareness campaign

riminology lecturer Jenny Ardley is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of osteopathy after it relieved her baby of severe colic. Daniel had a very difficult birth and, after developing the condition, would scream in pain for up to seven hours a day. Jenny and husband Jonathan tried everything, including changing food and medications, and consulted doctors and paediatricians, but nothing worked. After extensive internet research, they decided to try osteopathy, which focuses on the musculoskeletal system’s role in

keeping the body healthy. Jenny said: “When Daniel developed severe colic his body would go rigid - there was nothing we could do to console him. “I am so glad we decided to try osteopathy, the results have been remarkable. Since the very first treatment when Daniel was about six weeks old, his tummy is much better and, although it is no overnight cure, he is in much less pain.” Jenny wants to raise awareness of osteopathy among health professionals and parents and is raising money for The Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy. Jenny recently met with Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard, who offered Jenny his full support. Professor Shellard said: “It was very interesting to meet with Jenny and hear about the great work she has been doing and her plans to raise awareness of this treatment. “It is great to see members of staff getting involved in projects that could make a difference to people’s lives and I wish her every success.” The campaign is backed by Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan and Jenny is seeking help from staff and students in the School of Nursing & Midwifery.

Computer ethics pioneer retires

leading computer expert has retired from the University after 27 years. Professor Simon Rogerson, who was Director of the Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility, joined Leicester Polytechnic in 1983 after working in the computer industry for 11 years. In recognition of his exceptional achievements, he has been made an Emeritus Professor, meaning he will still be involved in research and will give a number of special lectures each year. Professor Rogerson has been a leading light in the field of the impact of computing on society and has spoken to international audiences about the way technology changes our world. He was Europe’s first Professor of Computer Ethics and has received countless awards and commendations for his work, including the international ACM SIGCAS 2005 ‘Making a Difference’ Award and was named one of the world’s top computer

ethics experts at the World Technology Awards in 2003. Professor Rogerson said: “When I joined the computer industry in 1972 it was the era of mainframe computers used for data processing and scientific computing. Air conditioned rooms the size of small sports halls housed state of the art computers which had far less processing power and storage capacity than today’s latest iPhone! Storage was a major barrier to expanding computing. Today it is a non-issue thanks to flash memory.” Professor Rogerson conceived the highly successful ETHICOMP international conference series in 1995 along with Professor Terry Bynum of Southern Connecticut State University in the US which has allowed thousands of computing professionals to discuss the critical ethical issues of the day. The most recent ETHICOMP was held in April this year in Tarragona, Spain.

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Needlework becomes art form Former artist-in-residence nominated for prestigious art prize

oung artist and embroiderer Kirsty Whitlock, (pictured) who began her career after completing DMU’s Design Crafts degree with first class honours, has been selected for a national showcase of exceptional talent.

Kirsty studied at the university until summer 2009 and spent a further year on campus as Artist in Residence.

She was picked to take part in UK Young Artists (UKYA01), a new national event taking place every two years in the East Midlands to showcase exceptional talent from around the UK. Working as a designer using recycled and reclaimed materials combined with embroidery techniques, Kirsty challenges Britain’s ‘throwaway culture’ with her art. The event held in Derby in October, hosted Kirsty’s work and that of 74 other artistic individuals from as far afield as Inverness to Penzance, County Down to East Lothian. Kirsty said: “I want to push the boundaries of embroidery and change preconceptions that textiles are boring and old fashioned as well as focusing on our modern ‘disposable lifestyle’. “I want my work to surprise and inspire and I’m thrilled that my ideas, which start from news headlines and documentaries and reflect on consumerism and current affairs, are getting recognition.” The event was a partnership between Nottingham Trent University, the University of Derby, De Montfort University and Loughborough University, with support from Arts Council England. Derby, Nottingham and Leicester will take it in turns to host UKYA every two years. It aims to provide vital support to young artists and emerging creative networks. 9

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Commonwealth scholarship awarded A student from Ghana has beat off hundreds of competitors seeking DMU’s Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. Yaa Ackor was chosen for the newly introduced Department for International Development’s Shared Scholarship scheme. Co-financed by the UK government and the university, the scholarship aims to equip a talented student from a developing Commonwealth country with the skills and knowledge needed to support their home-country’s national development. Yaa is studying the MSc International Business and Corporate Governance postgraduate course. She said: “When looking for a university, I wanted to choose the best school for what I wanted to do, and I had heard that De Montfort University has one of the leading business schools in the UK.”

Graduate work displayed in Leicester gallery

VC shortlisted for Twitter award

ice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard has been nominated for a prize rewarding the innovative use of the micro-blogging site Twitter. He has been shortlisted for the Best Use of Twitter at the SomeComms awards, taking place in Manchester on 9 December. Other nominees include Liverpool Football Club, Keep Britain Tidy, Monmouthshire County Council, Manchester Airport and Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. Professor Shellard has ben tweeting since June this year when he took up his new role at DMU. He wanted to communicate rapidly and directly with students, staff and members of the public, allowing them to learn more about his role and to share his enthusiasm and passion for DMU and for HE. He said: “I am very keen to find as many ways as possible to have a two-way communication with DMU’s staff and students.

Follow Professor Dominic Shellard on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dmuvc or by scanning the barcode with your smartphone

Recession impact investigated

Photographs inspired by caring for a loved one with a painful nerve condition were among those on display at an exhibition of DMU graduates work. Recent graduates of DMU’s Photography masters course exhibited their thoughtprovoking work at Leicester’s Pedestrian Arts Centre in October. The photographs included a collection by MA graduate David Atterbury called Living with the chronic pain of others. His photographs tell the personal story of living with the day to day suffering of his wife who has fibromyalgia. “My photographs try to convey something of the experience of how your life suddenly comes to a complete standstill when your partner is struck down with a debilitating disease,” said David, who is an IT systems engineer for DMU as well as studying part-time. Collections by 11 other of the graduates on a wide range of themes were also on display.

“Twitter allows me to consult, commend and observe and staff can message me back directly and easily. It is a perfect complement to traditional forms of engagement and helps keep me regularly informed about what colleagues are thinking.” During his address at the November graduation ceremonies, Professor Shellard spoke about his use of Twitter and offered a copy of his book William Shakespeare part of the British Library Writer’s Live Series - to whoever sent him a tweet first. Jamie Martin, an Engineering student, was the first to do so and has been sent a copy of the book as his prize.

new book by leading experts at De Montfort University which examines the recession’s impact on public services has been published by Policy Press. The book - ‘From Recession to Renewal: The impact of the financial crisis on public services and local government’ - also includes a foreword by former London Mayor Ken Livingstone. Edited by Dr Joanna Richardson and cowritten with leading academics in the field of local governance, finance, systems thinking and politics, this topical book examines and debates the challenges posed on a local, European and global level. It discusses the importance of balancing the fiscal need for smaller public expenditure with a social need for strong governance and protection

of the most vulnerable in UK society. Dr Richardson said: “This is a timely publication which should provide a framework for politicians, practitioners and academics to think about the consequences of the financial crisis, and the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2010 on public services and local governance.” Dr Joanna Richardson is a Principal Lecturer based in the Centre for Comparative Housing Research at DMU’s Leicester Business School. She leads the Chartered Institute of Housing Professional Diploma and MSc in Housing Studies courses. ‘From Recession to Renewal: The impact of the financial crisis on public services and local government’ is published by Policy Press.

Colleagues nominated for THEs

s dmyou went to press, university academics were waiting to hear if they had won prizes at the prestigious Times Higher Education Awards. Dr Eric Goodyer has been nominated for the Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology Award for his work developing a revolutionary satellite navigation system.

Professor Joan Taylor is shortlisted for the Research Project of the Year Award for her work developing the world’s first artificial pancreas. The awards ceremony was due to take place on Thursday 25 November at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Good luck to both Dr Goodyer and Professor Taylor.

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University joins forces with LOROS

Care Trust; Stop Smoking; the Migraine Trust; Money Made Clear; Posturite; PROSTaid, a charity to combat prostate cancer; and Recourse, the employee support network. Mike Haynes-Coote, Head of Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing, said: “Thanks to all the staff that attended and helped organise the event and made it such a success, as well as the student union for providing the venue. “We treat our staff’s health and wellbeing with the highest importance and are hoping to build on the success of the event by running it on an annual basis.” Congratulations to the winners of the prize draw – Anne-Marie Ives, Jaki Sharp, Mark Davies, Nigel Gregory, Rachel Keeling, Sally Thomas, Michael Costell, Amy Wareing, Sally Lloyd, Jo Swatland and Alison Levey. The Occupational Health, Safety & Wellbeing Department welcomes your feedback and ideas for future events, please email has@dmu.ac.uk

DMU launches pilot partnership

ilots will be better prepared for dangerous flight conditions thanks to new simulation research being created in association with DMU. The project, ‘Simulation of Upset Recovery in Aviation’ (SUPRA), is a multimillion pound international consortium. DMU leads the part of the project responsible for creating a mathematical model which will replicate hazardous situations as realistically as possible. The DMU team, together with colleagues at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute in Russia, will use extensive experimental data obtained from wind tunnels to develop the model. ‘Upset recovery’ refers to occurrences where dangerous conditions can result in a loss of control of the aircraft. The causes include pilot error, mechanical or electronic systems failure and severe turbulence. Professor Mikhail Goman, who is leading the model development, said: “Loss of control during flight remains a significant safety issue in civil aviation. “Exercising these conditions in the real world is unsafe, expensive and, if

performed in smaller aircraft, might not be representative of the situation in passenger airliners so simulation of these extreme conditions appears to be a viable option for pilot training.” TNO Defence, Security and Safety, based in the Netherlands, is leading the project, with the other partners being: the National Aerospace Laboratory in the Netherlands; AMST Systemtechnik in Austria; Boeing Research and Technology Europe, based in Spain; Gromov Flight Research Institute in Russia; Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute in Russia; CSTS Dinamika in Russia; and the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Germany. SUPRA is funded by €3.7 million from the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme.

Showing support for community cohesion DMU is among three universities which have signed a pledge to show their support for community cohesion in Leicester. As part of the on-going promotion of the Leicester and Leicestershire Community Cohesion Charter,Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard signed the charter pledge at a meeting with the Leader of Leicester City Council, councillor Veejay Patel, at the Town Hall in October. He was joined by Sir Robert Burgess, from the University of Leicester as well as Professor Shirley Pearce CBE, from Loughborough University. A community signing took place previously at the ‘We Are One Leicester’ event in the city where more than 1,500 members of the public signed the charter pledge. The charter cements the national and international reputation for diversity and harmony that Leicester has and reflects the commitment to developing the region as a thriving, multi-faith, multicultural and cohesive place to live, work and socialise. To pledge your support to the charter, visit: www.leicester.gov.uk/ communitycohesioncharter

Diversity is everyone’s business A unique network of organisations led by researchers at DMU and the University of Lancaster is collaborating to make diversity everyone’s business. Funding from the Economic and Social Research Council has been awarded to DMU’s Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) and the University of Lancaster to promote innovation and knowledge transfer in the field of ethnic minority entrepreneurship. The research project, named Facilitating Impact: Making entrepreneurship and diversity everyone’s business, builds on previous research by MEECOE (a consortium led by CREME), which involves partners Barclays Bank Plc, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Business in the Community and local and national policy makers. A series of activities that will directly benefit entrepreneurs from diverse communities such as small enterprises owned by ethnic minorities, women and young people will be piloted and real-time testing of novel approaches to supporting diverse businesses will be employed by the partner organisations. 11

dmyou 20:Q What is your name? David Naylor. What is your role at DMU Research & Commercial Development Administrator in the Faculty of Technology. How long have you been with us? I’ve been in this role for just over three months now, but I’m coming up to five years at DMU at the end of this year. Describe your average working day... As I’m new to the role, the average day since I started has involved plenty of knowledge acquisition; learning about the intricacies of research funding and costing, about our own research groups. As I develop into the role, the average day will settle down into a support role for all aspects of live projects. What interests you most about your work? As I have always been someone that has been fascinated by science and technology, I’m in an ideal position to dee what is being currently developed and over time it will be seeing these projects come to fruition. What do you do in your spare time? November is National Novel Writing Month, so all my spare time at the moment is taken up with that - the target is 50,000 words for the month, so there isn’t a great deal of time for planning. It’s simply a case of getting home and knuckling down until I’ve hit my target. Along with writing, be it stories, concepts or blogs, I have a huge passion for music (with varying degrees of obscurity), films, books, most sports and long meandering bike rides. Who would you like to see playing you if a film was made of your life, and why? John Cusack. And not because I have a propensity to wear all black, but the characters he tends to play always have several traits I can identify with. Although I must add that I’ve never owned a record shop or been a hitman. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? For a long while it was an astronaut. Then it was everything from an actor to a zookeeper. At one point after a visit to Plymouth, I had a secret obsession to be a lighthouse keeper. What was the first record you bought? Pixies - Doolittle.

What has been your most embarrassing moment? I was once in a band and I forgot the words during a song during a gig. To cover up for my forgetfulness, I pretended to cough to cover it up. I think I got away with it, but I felt so embarrassed. Tell us something about yourself not many people who work with you would know... I was runner up for the best bowling performance in school cricket during the summer of 1991 to Ian Botham’s son. What’s your favourite memory? Too many to choose from, but looking up at Vesuvius from Pompeii was certainly the most humbling. What achievement are you most proud of in your life? If I finish the aforementioned novel within this month, I think that is likely to top anything I’ve done so far. What keeps you awake at night? My brain. I’m never too far away from a notepad and pen because if I try to sleep on an idea it’ll be a jumbled mess in the morning. If you could only eat one type of food for the rest of your life what would it be? Szechuan King Prawn stir fry with noodles. If you were stranded on a desert island who would you most like to be stranded with? Ray Mears, because the chances of surviving would be greatly increased. I would have to rapidly change my opinion on coconut though. What has been your greatest extravagance? There havent been a great deal really, but paying £70 for a bottle of wine probably tops the very short list. What has been your greatest extravagance? There havent been a great deal really, but paying £70 for a bottle of wine probably tops the very short list. What would you never do? Skydiving. I have a tenuous link with planes as it is. What did you do on your last birthday? Pizza and Belgian beers. This is generally a standard pattern for birthdays. Who do you most admire and why? My grandfather. For a number of reasons really, but primarily because he cared for my grandmother for more than 30 years after she had had a stroke.

University Events Steve Cram MBE, former athlete Hugh Aston Building Wednesday 8 December, 6.00pm. Free A legend on the running track, and now a successful television presenter and journalist, Steve Cram’s sporting career, alongside Coe and Ovett, marked a period of unprecedented success in British athletics. NB This lecture is at full capacity with a waiting list. Listen back to Ken Livingstone, Adele Parks… and many more. The Autumn Distinguished Lecture Series is now halfway through and it has featured some fantastic speakers with many of the lectures being fully booked. If you missed out on any of the lectures or want to listen to them again visit: http://bit.ly/dlsaudio DMU Chaplaincy’s Christmas Carol Service Monday 13 December, 5.30pm. Free Staff, students and guests are invited for free mince pies, fruit juice and mulled wine ahead of the carol service which runs from 6.00 to 7.00pm in the Campus Centre. The Cathedral Choir and Emmanuel Apostolic Gospel Choir will both be performing. The address will be by Professor David Wilson with the service conducted by DMU’s Coordinating and Anglican Chaplain, Rev David Cundill.