Life January 2014

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Jack Straw MP gives Public Policy Lecture Page 2

Art and Design launches new base Page 9

StEPs projects get green light Page 10

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January 2014

Training Colleges’ legacy celebrated PAGE 7

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Bringing CSI to Luton A

MOCK crime scene lab, offering students hands-on experience of gathering evidence, has been opened by former Crimewatch presenter Nick Ross, pictured.

A 'normal' flat in Luton town centre will now be the scene of hundreds of ‘crimes’ every week, following its transformation into the University’s new Scene of Crime Laboratory.

Forensic Science students will benefit from working in three crime scene rooms (a dining, living and bedroom) at the Cumberland Street building – set up as if they have been the location of various offences.

Facilities to record fluids, fingerprints and footprints, as well as the ability to take swabs of DNA, are inside the building.

There are also cameras in each room which the students can use to analyse their work, or to watch a mock crime ‘in action’.

Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell said this specialist lab provides students with essential hands-on experience, and will enable them to tackle real-life scenarios prior to leaving university.

“Such transferable skills are essential for a career in forensic science and will support our desire to keep employability levels at the University as one of the highest in the country,” he added.

Nick Ross, who presented BBC’s

Crimewatch for 23 years, established the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science at University College London and has recently published his book Crime: How to solve it, and why so much of what we're told is wrong.

Mr Ross said he was impressed with the “pioneering” facility.

“These rooms may look basic, but this is

genuinely what scenes of crime look like a lot of the time.

“Although forensic science has become very popular in British universities there are very few with anything like this, so therefore a lot of it is academic theory based. But here it’ll be great as the students can get really hands-on.”

Jack Straw recalls career FORMER cabinet minister, Jack Straw MP, recalled his 34-year political career during the most recent of the Vice Chancellor’s Public Policy Lecture series.

Of the many issues covered by the former Foreign and Home Secretary included the Labour Government’s decisions to go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jack Straw also reflected on his unusual appointment as Foreign Secretary in 2001.

It followed a period in which he stood down as Home Secretary, suggested swapping jobs with John Prescott (who was then heading the Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions), drove through the night on Election Day from Blackburn,

just to meet Tony Blair the next day to be told he couldn’t have Mr Prescott’s job, but in fact he was to be Foreign Secretary.

Reflecting on the event, Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell, said: “Jack Straw’s commitment to parliament and to parliamentary democracy has been unquestionable. I know of no other minister who has gained such respect as a parliamentarian, from right across the political divide. He has made a massive contribution to British politics.”

The next Public Policy Lecture is broadcaster, barrister and Labour peer Baroness Helena Kennedy (27 January).

Communications Team contacts

Nick Sheppard Head of Communications & Events Nick.Sheppard@beds.ac.uk

Simon Wesson Communications Assistant simon.wesson@beds.ac.uk

Now based at The Atrium, Park Street West, Luton.

Kevin Cunningham Communications Officer kevin.cunningham@beds.ac.uk

Nick Hamilton-Brain Communications Administrator Nickolas.Hamilton-Brain@beds.ac.uk

02 Life – January 2014

Paddy Day Communications Assistant Patrick.Day@beds.ac.uk

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Researcher shortlisted

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RESEARCHER, who has been campaigning to help sexually abused young girls, was shortlisted at the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards.

Carlene Firmin, who was the youngest black woman to receive an MBE, three years ago, was nominated for the Women's Warrior at the starstudded exclusive awards, which were held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Among Carlene’s many achievements, she established and leads the MsUnderstood Programme, which aims to improve local and national responses to young people’s experiences of gender inequality.

Carlene advised the Office of the Children’s Commissioner on their widely-publicised report into gang-related sexual violence, which was backed

by University of Bedfordshire research. And recently she gave evidence to a parliamentary group.

Carlene, who can be found on Twitter on @carlenefirmin, is also writing a PhD at the University about tackling child peer-on-peer abuse.

As well as leading to her nomination for the

Carlene Firmin

Cosmopolitan award, Carlene’s campaigns to protect girl victims of child-on-child abuse, and her work with women attached to gangs, has been widely featured recently in the London Evening Standard and the Daily Mail.

But, for Carlene, the “real highlight” to being nominated was the attention it brought to the issue.

She said: “It is wonderful to be nominated for awards such as these, and it is something which I didn’t expect at all. However, what is most important is raising awareness of what is actually going on out there.

The nomination has helped to ensure the issue receives lots of high-profile media coverage.”

Professor Jenny Pearce, Director of the University International Centre: researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking, added: “Carlene has done, and is doing excellent work leading initiatives to improve awareness of peer-onpeer abuse and to create ways of supporting young people away from the violence they experience. Carlene leads by example and is an inspiration to young people and professional colleagues alike.”

Alexandra Barat-Abrams

Award surprise for Alexandra

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HE Association for Tourism in Higher Education has announced Alexandra Barat-Abrams as the Best Postgraduate Student of Tourism 2013.

Alexandra, who is a Coordinator for MSc Business & Management Courses, achieved a distinction in her Masters (MSc) in Tourism and Events Management at Bedfordshire, in which she looked into the significance of dance (specifically salsa) in tourism.

Alexandra, who originates from Hungary, said it was a “big surprise” to be recognised.

“Completing a Masters while in full-time work with the

University was very hard work.

I would often be up all night studying to ensure I could achieve the best result possible. I think my husband was glad when I finally completed it, as I have been studying on various different courses since 2004!

“However, throughout I never expected a distinction and I was delighted when all my efforts had paid off. To then be given such an honour by the Association was very humbling.”

Alexandra was announced as the Best Postgraduate student at a ceremony marking 20 years of the Association at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge.

Free HIV Screening available at Luton campus

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REE HIV screening will be available to all students every Wednesday during term time until May 2014.

Student Support and the Students’ Union are working with Luton Borough Council, the NHS, Community Health Services

and local charities to support the 25th anniversary of World AIDS Day. The confidential testing clinic is open between 5pm-7pm, in room G225, Luton Campus Centre. l For more information email gillian.malins@beds.ac.uk

Life – January 2014 03

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Media perfomance

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Lecturers’ BAFTA role A

SENIOR lecturer at the University helped choose the winner of the Best TV Presenter at the BAFTA Children’s Awards.

Dr Kathryn Wolfe, Television Production Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in Media Performance, was part of the ‘jury’ which selected Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes of Sam and Mark’s Big Friday Windup for the prize – announced by Myleene Klass at London’s Hilton Park Lane, and hosted by Jake Humphrey.

Other members on the TV Presenter jury included children’s presenters Dave Benson Phillips, Michael Absalom, and Children’s TV Producers Peter Wyles, Steve Cannon and Kaz Margrie.

“Our jury role was to reduce the shortlist of 11 Children’s TV Presenters to four nominations,

and then a secret vote to choose the winner,” said Kathryn, whose director credits include BBC’s Tweenies, Teletubbies, Record Breakers, Jackanory and Playschool, as well as Fun Factory for Sky and pre-school programmes for The Children’s Channel.

The jury spent hours analysing performances and shows, debating and assessing. Their votes were kept a secret until the ceremony, so even Dr Wolfe didn’t know who won until the golden envelope was opened.

“It was a rigorous and difficult process, but great fun too. I was very honoured to be part of the process,” said Dr Wolfe, who was also on a panel at an event for women in media.

Organised by Sound Women – a national organisation to help promote women in radio and

Dr Kathryn Wolfe Photo: BAFTA/ Richard Kendal

audio jobs – the evening at BBC New Broadcasting House was aimed to help women apply for, and be successful at, industry and indie awards.

Currently, women make up more than half of the population,

but aren’t equally represented in the audio industries in terms of employability and accolade.

According to Sound Women’s research (in conjunction with Creative Skillset), only one in five solo voices on-air are female.

Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes, with Myleene Klass.

Photo: BAFTA/Richard Kendal

Mentorn return for student Q&A 04 Life – January 2014

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HE TV production company which brought Freshers to our screens were back at the University last month as they held a Q&A with Broadcast Journalism students.

Mentorn Media’s Director of Factual, Tayte Simpson, and Freshers Series Producer, Paul Durgan, were put to the test by the students who asked the experts about why they chose Bedfordshire –

above other universities – for the documentary.

The students were also keen to find out more about the other programmes Mentorn make (such as Question Time), how they market to different audiences, and how Mentorn gets its programmes commissioned and on screen.

Tayte said he was delighted to return back to the University and to meet more students.

“Bedfordshire were so good to us while we were filming, so it is really great to return and give something back to the students.”

Dr Paul Rowinksi, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, added: “The students benefitted a great deal from the visit.

They seemed particularly interested in hearing how the commissioning process works, and how much you actually have to do to get a programme on air.”

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Media performance

Academics and students given ‘The 3rd Degree’

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VER wondered who is more intelligent at Bedfordshire, the academics or the students?

Well Radio 4’s The 3rd Degree Show, the light-hearted quiz show which travels to institutions across the country on the quest of discovering that very answer, was in Bedford last month to find out.

Aimed to cultivate the next generation of Radio 4 listeners whilst delighting the current ones, the show of course meets the most stringent Radio 4 standards of academic rigour – but with lots of facts and jokes thrown in for good measure.

And last month it was the chance for the ‘very best’ at the Bedford campus to be put in front of quizmaster – comedian Steve Punt, best known as presenter of satirical news programme The Now Show.

The daring teams up for the challenge at Bedford campus’ Theatre were Dr Andrew Mitchell, Dr Daniel Bye and Professor Gail Kinman for the academics (pictured below, seated), and Michael Jenkins, John Whitney and Mohammed Khaled who represented the students (pictured, standing alongside Steve Punt).And it’s fair to say both

found themselves flummoxed at times, as witty Punt delivered seven rounds of cunningly devised questions to test knowledge on current affairs, history, languages and science.

Somewhat surprisingly the audience, who were kept laughing

by Punt throughout, appeared slightly in favour of the academics (perhaps keeping in mind those who actually mark their work!).

There was much jocularity when the students provided some bizarre answers to questions about Norse Gods in the first round; however it was during the fifth round, ‘Highbrow & Lowbrow’,

where both teams really found themselves in a spot of bother.

And there was uproar when Dr Mitchell, Head of Department, for Sport Science and Physical Activity, was presented with the unenviable task of naming a piece of early 1900’s Spanish music, which in fact turned out to be the tune Nokia use for their ringtones!

If you weren’t a member of the audience at the recording, you’ll have to tune into Radio 4 during the Spring (exact show timing will be announced on www.bbc. co.uk/radio4) to find out who won … you may be in for a surprise, but without doubt a few laughs!

Academic and student panels with Steve Punt

Freshers back on camera

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TARS from ITV2’s Freshers had their Christmas knowledge put to the test as they filled the panel of a quiz show put on by TV production students.

Forrest, Max, Bayleigh and Summer – four of the stars from last autumn’s hit show about newbies at the University – were back in front of the camera; this time for Quizmas, the end of year

production put on by third-year undergraduates, pictured.

Stand-up comedian Danny Steele – who has a varied career on stage, radio and on-screen – was the presenter for Quizmas, while Media Performance students Connor Cooledge and Jade Crathorne led the two teams.

On Connor’s side were Max and Bailey. The trio caused great

laughter from the audience when they thought Asia may be in Eastern Europe during the ‘general Christmas knowledge’ round when they were asked ‘where in Eastern Europe is it thought to be lucky to see a spider’s web?’ The answer in fact was Ukraine.

The next few rounds included the ‘worst Christmas presents received’, and ‘Christmas confessions’, where Summer admitted to inviting a complete stranger, who was alone for

Christmas, to her house for Christmas lunch!

The show, which ended with a quick-fire round, was recorded ‘as live’ and was shown the next day on the University’s digital signage screens.

Kathryn Wolfe, who has seen many alumni go on to work on prime-time live TV shows such as Dancing on Ice, Big Brother and X Factor, said: “Students learn skills of time management and working to a deadline.

“No matter how much rehearsal is done beforehand the dynamics change once the real audience, host and panellists are taking part. The skill here is to be able to think on your feet and follow the action. I am delighted to say the third years did this very well.”

For those who do not know the winner and want to watch Quizmas visit: http://new.livestream.com/ accounts/1768895/quizmas , www. facebook.com/quizmas , or www. twitter.com/QuizmasShow

Life – January 2014 05

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Research

Research shows that music can aid teaching

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USIC should be introduced into the Iranian curriculum according to research which has further confirmed that children’s IQs can be significantly increased with such teaching.

Dr Hossein Kaviani, Who works in the University’s Department for Psychology, helped form a study which demonstrated that – on average – within 13 weeks schoolchildren’s IQs increased by five points with the introduction of basic music lessons, which include clapping and keeping to a rhythm.

The research was taken out in Tehran, Iran, Dr Kaviani’s homeland, where currently there is no music teaching in the official educational system – something which the Reader in Clinical Psychology believes needs to be addressed.

“After receiving permission from the parents, we took 60 five and six-year-old preschool children from Tehran, and randomly split them into two groups – one which would receive music lessons, another which wouldn’t.

“We ensured all those selected had never received any musical training. We gave both groups a Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale IQ test before the teaching and then again after. What we noticed was there was a significant increase in the IQ of the children receiving the music lessons, and they achieved especially higher marks in terms of short-term memory, and verbal reasoning.”

The study was compiled alongside researchers from the Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, Washington University School, USA, and the Family Service, Toronto, Canada.

Entitled, ‘Can music lessons increase the performance of preschool children in IQ tests?’, it was unique to other such research done to-date as the children learnt from Carl Orff’s influential approach to music education.

Orff’s work focussed on teaching children the very basics of music such as clapping, singing and keeping rhythm.

The children – matched for sex, age and mother’s educational level – were given thirteen 75-minute weekly lessons.

The results support studies that found similar skills enhancements in preschool children, despite the vast differences in the setting in which the other studies were held.

06 Life – January 2014

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Acclaim for University research into child sexual exploitation The International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence and Trafficking at the University received worldwide attention late last year, as the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) used the Centre’s research to help inform its Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups.

The media coverage followed days after the University received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, the most prestigious award in higher and further education, for its research into child sexual exploitation.

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EXUAL violence towards children and young people living in gang-affected areas is often seen as normal and inevitable, according to ground-breaking research carried out by the University.

The study into gang-associated sexual violence towards, and exploitation of, young people in England highlighted significant levels of sexual victimisation within gang environments, and that for some children and young people, sexual violence – rape – is a simple fact of everyday life.

Carried out between 2011 and 2013 across six sites in England, the research was conducted with 188 young people, half of whom were under 18, and 76 professionals.

A range of ethnicities were represented and there was an approximate equal gender split.

Results highlighted sexual violence is used in gang-affected neighbourhoods as a form of punishment, retribution and initiation.

Not only are the girls involved harmed, but they are frequently blamed for it. Nearly half the interviewees said victims ‘deserved it’ or ‘asked for it’. Young women already identified as being sexually active were viewed as having less right to withhold consent.

Incidents are not being reported for fear of retribution – either due to enhanced violence and/or because they do not trust adults to improve the situation.

Professor Jenny Pearce, who led the research, said: “When we think of gang violence, we now must not only think of guns and knives, but sex and the sexual exploitation of young women too.”

Professor Pearce recommends gang-

related sexual exploitation needs to be linked with child protection, and gun and knife and gang prevention interventions.

Introducing whole school approaches to preventing sexualised bullying, with outreach by detached workers in gang affected neighbourhoods.

OCC Deputy Children’s Commissioner for England and Chief Executive Sue Berelowitz said the “extraordinary” research highlights the “appalling” sexual and psychological violence occurring in gangaffected neighbourhoods.

She added: “This report is dedicated to all the young people who gave their time and shared their life stories. Despair is not an option because giving up on our young people is not an option.”

“When we think of gang violence, we now must not only think of guns and knives, but sex and the sexual exploitation of young women too.”

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News DVD launch event

Soldiers recuperating in the Colleges’ gardens in World War II

DVD documents wartime efforts T

HE story of how students and teachers at Bedford Physical Training College – a forerunner of the University’s Bedford campus – contributed towards the nation’s efforts during two world wars is the focus of a DVD. Bedford Physical Training College during World Wars One and Two, was released last month at an “incredible” event attended by more than 200 people.

The DVD, which was premiered to the guests – including representatives from local museums, councillors, alumni and the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry – at the Bedford campus Theatrebased event, brings to life just how influential Bedford and this all-female college was during war time.

Exclusive footage shows students Injured soldiers at Kempston War Hospital in 1915

– who qualified as physiotherapists as well as PT teachers – from the former Lansdowne Road campus, treating injured soldiers, helping out in the community, digging trenches, providing front-line help with promoting good health and combating illness… and even washing the Dunkirk soldiers’ socks - while continuing with their rigorous studies!

The arrival of 30,000 Highland soldiers in Bedford in 1914 is shown too, as well as interwar footage, and dance performances by PT students (taught by modern dance pioneer Rudolf Laban who fled Nazi Germany).

Backed by a £10,000 Heritage Lottery Fund award, the documentary runs in chronological order and shows Students training for how the college the Festival of Youth was started in in 1937

1903 by Margaret Stansfield, before it turned co-educational in 1976 and eventually became part of the University in 2006.

Featuring interviews with alumni, archive photographs and film, re-enactments, as well as audio clips, it is the culmination of a year-long project led by the University’s Archive Director Stephanie Daniels and a community team who have been writing, researching and hunting through the historical items in the Archive.

Thanking her “great” team – including Nigel Brittain, Jenni Mills and alumnae Anita Tedder – Stephanie said she hoped the piece provided “an accurate story worthy of those who feature in it, which is not only about the college but about the

community too”.

Remarking on the launch event Mrs Tedder said it went “far beyond our expectations”.

Held at the Bedford campus Theatre, the day included performances from pianist and singer, Maria King, as well as Second Year trainee PE teachers, who put on a dance inspired by the poem ‘Highland Fling’ – written by a member of the Creative Writing group at the Retirement Centre in Bedford – (as pictured), while bagpipers greeted guests at the door.

Some 100 copies of the DVD were sold, which made £500 to go to the three associated charities, the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, the Royal British Legion and the Martyn Bennett Trust. l For a copy of the DVD, email stephanie.daniels@beds.ac.uk

Highland fling inspired dance

Life – January 2014 07

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News

Uni events calendar available A NEW online event calendar, which enables staff to add their own departmental and faculty events, is now available at the University.

It’s accessible via the www.beds.ac.uk homepage and features easily accessible event listing including: key event information and pictures, social media share options and reminder notifications.

All events are displayed in chronological order and are filterable by various categories such as department, date or venue. There’s also a keyword search facility and a calendar picker to filter by date.

Upcoming events l Baroness Helena Kennedy, Vice Chancellor’s Public Policy Lecture, Monday, 27 January, G101, Luton Campus Centre, 11am–1pm.

EVERYONE WELCOME This lecture series provides access to high profile public intellectuals and policy makers who are world experts in their field. Baroness Helena Kennedy, one of Britain’s most distinguished lawyers, will be the first speaker of 2014.

For more information on the PPL series and tickets visit www.beds.ac.uk/ aboutus/vcprofile/lectures l Lord Andrew Adonis, Vice Chancellor’s Public Policy Lecture, Thursday, 27 February, G101, Luton Campus Centre, 5.30pm-7pm.

EVERYONE WELCOME Former Minister for Schools and then Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis is now a leading reformer and is trustee of Teach First and Chair of the Frontline programme, which recruits outstanding graduates into social work.

Bedfordshire is the lead academic partner in this programme – backed by all main political parties – and Andrew will discuss this, and his approach to meeting the big public policy challenges.

For tickets visit www.beds.ac.uk/ aboutus/vcprofile/lectures. l IPostgraduate and Part-time study virtual open day Wednesday, 5 February, 12noon–5pm This virtual open day enables you to view the campus online, speak with experts and discover more about courses.

For more information visit www.beds. ac.uk/pgopendays l Further events can be found on www.beds.ac.uk

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Business School staff honoured

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BUSINESS Systems Senior Lecturer has been awarded Outstanding Reviewer 2013 by the Emerald Literati Network for “his excellent journal reviewing works”.

Dr Qile He (Horace) was presented with the award at the British Academy of Management (a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to developing academic management researchers) annual conference, at which he was also nominated as a co-chair of a Special Interest Group.

His nomination for the role marked his “contributions and his continued enthusiasm to contribute” to the Inter-organizational Collaboration group which meets to enable collaboration and communication with business colleagues.

l Fellow Business School staff Dr Faten Samar Baddar, Sarah Jones, Jean Wei, Dr Kathlyn Wilson and Dr Pauline Loewenberger have gained Academic Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) – a prestigious qualification in the field of Human Resource management.

The membership provides opportunities for networking within the industry, forming research links, and access to business organisations, as well as the latest practical knowledge in the field.

It will help them to fulfil the Business School’s vision to be leaders of practice-led management education.

Award winning research ‘can improve students’ experience’

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WARD-WINNING research has identified how ‘Big Data’ can monitor and enhance how universites engage with students.

The University’s Student Engagement System will enable universites to gauge students’ engagement activity and spot a drop in engagement levels before it becomes significant, allowing early intervention.

The research, which consists of two consecutive projects (led by the University’s Professor of Information Systems, Yanqing Duan and Dr Vincent Ong), recently won the Best Paper Award in the Information and

Communication Technologies category at the Emerging Research Paradigm in Business and Social Science in Dubai.

Professor Duan said: “I feel the universites research has the opportunity to raise awareness amongst the higher education community about the potential value of ‘Big Data’, which can improve the student experience.”

Professor Duan added that she hopes to see more research in developing and implementing Business Intelligence (as used in this research), and data analytics, tools for institutions to gain data-based insights and make better informed decisions.

Spooky goings on at PG Centre

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HOST-LIKE’ images of humans mysteriously falling over have been seen on the outside of the Postgraduate and Continuing Professional Development Centre.

But do not fear, the University’s newest building is not being haunted… yet! (despite it being on the site of a 700 year old castle) … for it is simply art technology on show.

‘Trip Hazard’ by artist Nic Sandiland has a sensor that picks up anyone who walks past a site near the entrance of the Centre

and then pops up with a series of videos of people falling over in choreographed comedy ‘pratfalls’ reminiscent of a silent movie, accompanied by the sound of crashing cymbals.

This temporary installation was initiated by Professor Helen Bailey as part of a programme of arts and culture across the University.

She said: “This deceptively simple artwork animates public spaces with an engaging wit so we were delighted to bring it to the University of Bedfordshire.”

The ‘ghostly’ PG Centre

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Inside the new Art and Design building

Uni’s new Art and Design facility unveiled

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HE University’s new Art and Design building was described as a “major catalyst in the economic regeneration of Luton” at its official opening last month.

Situated on Guildford Street in Luton, the former Alexon building has been transformed into a state-of-the-art teaching block which will become the home of art and design in the town centre.

The new Art and Design building boasts: lA digital studio with laser cutters, 3D printers and A1 paper colour printers l£ 100,000 worth of state-of-art fashion equipment lW orkshop areas in print; bookbinding; stop motion and bluescreen lA 1,000 sq ft photographic studio and darkroom facilities l Open plan studios lD edicated studio spaces for Fine Art students lD edicated studio space for Arts postgraduate students and PhD supervision Currently based on the ground floor, the building is presently home to the Fashion Design and Advertising Design teams, and the Department’s postgraduate students. However, an ongoing refurbishment programme

will welcome the rest of the Art and Design Department.

Colin Davies, Head of the Department, said he is delighted with the move from the existing Park Square location and was looking forward to seeing the facility continuing to produce industry-standard art and design graduates.

“It is this route from education-to-workplace that drives art and design at the University.

“We see the creative arts as a major catalyst in the economic regeneration of Luton and the surrounding area – our alumni are already opening gallery spaces in Hightown, starting fashion companies and other entrepreneurial enterprises.”

The building, which is already working with Luton-based teaching artists while many students take placements in local industry, was unveiled with an event, featuring an undergraduate and postgraduate exhibition, in front of industry leaders, as well as Bedfordshire students and staff.

Vice Chancellor, Bill Rammell, added the facility will be “fundamentally important to the UK’s economic future”, adding art and design experts are “the UK’s calling cards around the world”. l For further information visit www.wecreatetogether.net

Life – January 2014 09

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NSS participants rewarded for response increase Education lecturer

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ASH and iPads have been rewarded to graduates who completed this year’s National Student Survey (NSS).

Ten iPads and 30 £100 cash prizes were awarded to randomly-selected Bedfordshire graduates, from more than 3,000 students who took part. All participants were automatically entered into the prize draw when they completed the NSS survey.

A special ceremony at the Students’ Union Lounge at the Luton Campus Centre saw Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Mary Malcolm congratulate the winners as she presented the

prizes.

Highlighting the important role the graduates had played by completing the survey, Professor Malcolm said: “We greatly value student feedback here at the University of Bedfordshire.

“The NSS is an opportunity for students to give valuable feedback on their experiences while at the University.

“I would like to thank you all for taking the time to complete the survey this year and I was delighted with the response rate achieved, which increased by 6.2 per cent from the previous year to 72.8 per cent – our highest ever

response rate since the NSS was launched in 2005.”

From 13 January 2014, thirdyear students will again be invited to take part in the NSS, which takes less than 10 minutes to complete. It will be totally anonymous and is THE opportunity for you to make your voice heard.

The NSS results contribute to the official league table rankings for Universities in the UK, so students’ opinion really can make a difference.

l To find out more and take part visit www.thestudentsurvey.com

University StEPs into launching crèche A

BAND Practice room is being funded thanks to the proposals put forward by students and staff.

Some £119,270 of the Vice Chancellor’s Student Experience Fund has been approved in principle for seven projects (including the band practice room) following submissions to the Student Experience Projects (StEPs).

The StEPs project encourages anyone at the University to put forward proposals to enhance students’ experience.

Along with the band practice room there will be: l A piano in Luton and Bedford social spaces to encourage impromptu performances. l A specific Professional Academic Development (PAD) centre for the Art and Design Department’s students (ARTPAD), to support the development of industry specific language. l Electronic tablets for adult nursing students, to increase e-learning and address the theorypractice gap. l Technology brought in to the Sports Therapy department to improve the assessment processes – offering students: quicker and clearer feedback, and academics: enhanced assessment methods. l A progressive series of Fashion shows for each year of undergraduate students. l A feasibility study to look into introducing a crèche for postgraduate and mature students at Luton campus.

Amanda Krebs, Assistant Director for Student Experience said: “There have been some really great ideas submitted from the first round, which made panel deliberations really tough.

10 Life – January 2014

charts new horizons with book launch

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HY courses in further and adult education are still important to society as a whole is the focus of a book by a senior lecturer at the University.

Citizenship and Democracy in Further and Adult Education looks at how democracy, justice and citizenship play a role in vocational and adult courses today.

Neil Hopkins, Senior Lecturer in Education, explores an area currently neglected within educational and philosophical literature.

Dr Hopkins, who joined the University last year following a career teaching in further education colleges, looks at why citizenship education is an important subject in further and adult education, and why democratic colleges are needed to support citizenship education.

The academic book, published by Springer, investigates the historical and philosophical roots of further and adult education – focusing on how the ethical aspects of vocational subjects such as carpentry were so important down the years, compared to how they are valued now – and identifies how the adoption of citizenship education can enrich vocational studies.

For more on the book, and to purchase hardback, paperback and e-book versions, visit www.springer.com

Ivor continues journalists’ safety fight

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“It is not too late to get your voice heard, the STEPs fund is open to all students and staff, so download the project proposal form now at www.beds.ac.uk/steps or email studentexperience@beds.ac.uk.”

There are three types of projects covered by STEPs: l Small Steps: Little Changes, Big Differences (open to individual members of the University, small-scale, rapid enhancements requiring a small amount of funding) l Steps on Course (open to course teams consisting of staff and students bidding and delivering course enhancements together) l Step Change (University-wide enhancement of the student experience through large-scale projects with enhanced project management) The next projects submission deadline is Monday, 13 January 2014.

ROFESSOR of Media and Political Communication, Ivor Gaber has been re-appointed to represent the UK on a body which battles for the safety of journalists internationally.

Professor Gaber was first elected to the Intergovernmental Council of UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication – which also monitors freedom of expression worldwide – four years ago.

In that time, working closely with the UK Government, the Council has achieved a major breakthrough in getting the UN system to take the issue of the safety of reporters and the impunity of governments, far more seriously.

There is now a UN Plan of Action being implemented and currently the Plan is being trialled in Nepal, Tunisia and Sudan.

“The killing of journalists is a major impediment to freedom of expression - in 2013 alone 57 where killed in Syria and every year the death toll runs between 100 and 200,” said Professor Gaber, who is continuing the fight for change.

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Uni gears up for Fairtrade Fortnight

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Trevor and Ayesha join in graduates’ joy

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MONG the hundreds of graduates celebrating at November’s ceremonies at St Mary’s Church in Luton, were University staff members, Trevor Sinclair and Ayesha Hafiz, pictured.

Trevor, Access Partnership Lead Officer at the University, graduated with a Masters in Education with Commendation, while Ayesha gained a Distinction in MA International Journalism.

“I am very pleased and proud,” said Trevor, who joined the University in 2005.

“I am a late returner to education and first in the family to actually go to University. It’s a great achievement for my Mum – unfortunately my late Dad’s not here but he would have been proud.”

Trevor has been studying over the past four years

on a part-time basis, alongside his role as Access Partnership Lead Officer.

Creative Arts, Technology and Science Faculty Marketing Assistant, Ayesha is similarly as busy, but this isn’t stopping the 24-year-old eyeing further study.

“I am going to apply for a PhD next year. I would love to go into teaching at some point and I have a particular area of interest that I would like to research, which is exploring the role the British media has played in regards to the integration of Muslims in Britain.”

The first Graduation Ceremonies of 2014 are on 3-4 April at Luton, with further details to be announced closer to the date.

Bedfordshire and Foreign Trade University Vietnam to extend partnership agreement

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OREIGN Trade University (FTU) postgraduate MSc Finance and Business Management students will have the chance to study part of their Masters course at the University from September 2014.

Bedfordshire has been working in partnership with the Vietnamese University, FTU, since 2008 – enabling FTU students with the option to study the final year of their

(BA) Business Studies Degree here.

The new agreement offers 25 FTU students the option to complete two semesters of the Bedfordshire Masters course at FTU, with the middle semester spent at the University.

Vice Chancellor, Bill Rammell, visited Vietnam along with the Director of Transnational Education, Alan Murphy, to finalise the agreement.

He said: “Our partnership with the FTU has been incredibly successful and I’m delighted that we’re extending our links with this institution.

“Bedfordshire currently has 40 FTU (BA) Business Studies students at the University and that number is set to increase to 65 in September 2014, so it’s a natural progression to extend the offer to postgraduate students.”

INE tasting evenings, movie nights, and a fashion show will form part of the events marking Fairtrade Fortnight as it returns to the University.

Running from 24 February to 9 March, a series of special events are being finalised as Life goes to press, however it will also include a Fairtrade breakfast and lunch, a ‘Be a producer for the day’ – experiencing what it is like to grow your own food, and a Go Bananas day! – banana themed food for sale.

The Fortnight is being run in partnership with Beds SU, The Green Society, Green Hub, Tree House and SeedBeds chaplaincies, Aramark, Putteridge Bury Conference Centre and Campus Living Villages.

Bedfordshire was accredited Fairtrade University Status in 2012 and there is an increasing range of Fairtrade products on sale across catering outlets – including bananas, sugar, tea and coffee.

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

Andrea Thorogood, Beds SU and University of Bedfordshire Fairtrade Steering Group Coordinator, said: “We’re working hard to get the message out about what Fairtrade is and what it means at the University.

Fairtrade Fortnight will be a great opportunity to spotlight the cause and champion its benefits.

“This year’s University campaign focuses on the Fairtrade banana and why it is so important to many farmers and their families across the world.” l If you would like to take part, volunteer, or just find out more about Fairtrade email andrea. thorogood@beds.ac.uk

Life – January 2014 11

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Elite sports students presented with Platinum Scholarships Teams on W ORLD-CLASS sporting students and sports coaches have been presented with scholarships to help them progress with their sporting careers outside of their studies.

The University’s Platinum Performance, Coach and Officials Sport Scholarships are awarded to students who compete, coach or officiate in sport nationally or internationally, as well as those selected to take part in a national sports development programme.

The 18 recipients received an initial £500 bursary, with a further £500 to follow in March, as well as membership of the University’s Body Hub Strength and Conditioning Unit, at the Alexander Sports Centre, and Sports Science Support, at the Bedford campus.

A range of sports from bobsleigh, Olympic standard weightlifting and korfball, were represented at the ceremony at Bedford campus’ Pub in the Hub. Korfballer Stanley Dunne, 20, a second-year Sport and Exercise Science student, said the bursary will help him “enormously” as he continues his “largely self-funded”

Stanley Dunne and Dr Andrew Mitchell

career for South London-based club Trojans.

Stanley, who has been playing the eight-a-side mixed-gender sport for three years and has already represented England Under 21s, is planning on setting a team up at the University.

Third year Biomedical student David Greig, who holds the UK Athletics Level Three Coaching Award, said his scholarship will enable him to work with athletes on a regular basis.

David says his role as a coach has been “really varied” as he has

worked with numerous teenage athletes, is involved at Bedford Athletics Club, and has assisted Luton-based coach, Jane Dixon, with training Women’s 400m IAAF World Youth Champion, Sabrina Bakare.

Dr Andrew Mitchell, Head of Department for Sport Science and Physical Activity, presented the scholarships and said he was delighted to be in the company of “so many talented” athletes and coaches.

“We want to do all we can to assist their careers,” he added.

Rugby and Netball teams ‘bare all’

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he University’s sporty students went on a winning ‘streak’ recently bearing all for a nude calendar to raise funds for this year’s Raise and Give (RaG) charities.

Cleverly placed rugby balls, rackets, hockey sticks and the like were used to cover

the modesty of some of the teams who represent the Bedfordshire Bulls at British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) events.

Joining the hockey mens and womens, rugby mens and womens, football mens and womens, netball and racket

sports students for the photo shoot (pictures were taken

by Graphic Design student Lila Kozdra) are the Bulls Cheerleaders who also feature in the calendar. l To purchase the £5 calendar visit the Beds SU offices.

course for success at mid-season stage

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NUMBER of the University’s sports teams are well placed for promotion from their respective British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues as we enter 2014.

The Badminton Men’s 1st are currently unbeaten in their 2013/14 campaign and sit top of the Midlands 2B table, having won five of their seven fixtures.

They are also into the last 16 of the Midlands Conference Cup, after thrashing Nottingham Trent 3rd 7-1.

The Rugby Union Women’s 1st are on top form, with five wins and just one defeat from their six outings this term, leaving them well placed to catch 1A table-toppers Cambridge 1st. Like the Badminton Men’s side, the Rugby girls have advanced to the last 16 of the Cup. The Men’s Rugby Union 3rd are also enjoying an encouraging season. Despite being knocked out of the first round of the Cup, the Bedfordbased team lies joint top in 4B, thanks to gaining nine points from a possible 12 this season.

The 6th’s are flying the flag for our football teams, who are just two points behind 5D leaders Anglia Ruskin 2nd due to a good run of form, including a 15-2 win over Leicester 4th.

To keep a track on how the rest of the University’s teams are getting on this year visit www.bucs.org.uk and search ‘Bedfordshire’. l To partake in a sport visit www.bedssu.co.uk/sport

Life – January 2014 12