UniLife Vol 11: Issue 3 (2 December 2013)

2 December 2013 Issue 3 Volume 11

unilife The free magazine for The University of Manchester

The many ways we’re making a difference

Message from the President

Social responsibility, perhaps most simply described as ‘making a difference to society’ was adopted as the third goal of the University in 2010.

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Professional Support Services (PSS) and our cultural institutions have a lead for Goal 3 and we also work closely on this with our Students’ Union.

The University’s other two goals - of world class research and outstanding learning and student experience - might be characterised by the question “What are we good at?”

In contrast, social responsibility can be characterised by a different question: “What are we good for?”

hen I took over as President and Vice-Chancellor in July of that same year, I chose to take the lead on this activity, which I hope demonstrates the importance of social responsibility to me personally and to our University.

We make a huge contribution to society, through our research, our education and thanks to a wide range of remarkable activities undertaken by our staff, students and alumni, both individually and collectively.

I am directly supported in ensuring that ‘Goal 3,’ as it is often known, is as effective as our research and education goals, by Professor Aneez Esmail, Associate Vice-President and Julian Skyrme, Director of Social Responsibility. In addition, each Faculty, our

By having social responsibility as one of our three main goals, it is our aim to ensure that our activities are robust, focussed and effective, and are subject to the same level of scrutiny and assessment as our research and education.

Hence, last year we initiated a review of our activities in this area and conducted a major consultation. Our review identified 72 different activities across the University. This reflects the huge commitment to the agenda as evidenced in our recent Staff Survey, where 98% of colleagues said they supported this goal.

There were three main outcomes of this process focusing on priorities, programmes and resources.

Firstly, we agreed to become more focused on a smaller number of social responsibility priorities.

To make a real difference we agreed, in consensus with Faculties, the PSS, our Students’ Union and Library and cultural institutions to focus on five core priorities: • Research with impact: highlighting key aspects of our research where we are making the most positive contributions to society through addressing some of the major 21st century challenges; • Socially-responsible graduates: supporting our graduates to exercise ethical, social and environmental responsibility; • Engaging our communities: ensuring our events and activities harness our knowledge, resources and cultural attractions for the benefit of our communities and the wider society; • Responsible processes: focussing on how our different policies and processes aim to balance efficiency with opportunities to create social and environmental benefit; • Environmental sustainability: ensuring our research, teaching and activities are guided by our commitment to environmental sustainability.

Secondly, we undertook a major consultation with staff, students and our local community to agree a small number of ‘signature programmes’ which would make tangible what social responsibility means for The University of Manchester and against which our progress can be measured. The agreed signature programmes, which will be refreshed periodically, are: • Addressing inequalities: will highlight and bring together some of our most significant research that addresses issues of equality and

At a Simon and Hallsworth Fellows poster event at the Manchester Museum

Contact us News and story ideas Mikaela Sitford tel 0161 275 2112 email uninews@manchester.ac.uk www.manchester.ac.uk/staffnet/news Deadline 15 January 2014 Events and listings information Philippa Adshead tel 0161 275 2922 email unievents@manchester.ac.uk Deadline 15 January 2014 Ads Suzanne Ross tel 0161 275 2922 email uniads@manchester.ac.uk Deadline 15 January 2014 Next issue 3 February 2014

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News Frogs and their friends celebrate fifty fascinating years

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Teaching, Learning and Students Playing host to a future curator

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At the MCRC topping out with Director of MCRC Professor Nic Jones,. The Christie Chief Executive Caroline Shaw and Chief Executive Officer of CRUK Dr Harpal Kumar

fairness. It will include our research on health, poverty, class, diversity, education, natural resources, conflict and climate change; • Ethical grand challenges programme: will provide every undergraduate with the opportunity to confront key ‘ethical grand challenges’ through a programme that encompasses three core themes: sustainability, social justice and workplace ethics; • School governors initiative: will contribute to the leadership and improvement of state schools by engaging staff and alumni in the largest growth of school governors in the UK by 2014/15; • Cultural access programme: will engage the least advantaged schools locally by widening access to the cultural institutions of the University, including the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Manchester Museum, Whitworth Art Gallery and The John Rylands Library; • ‘Manchester Works’ programme: through our leadership of ‘The Works’ in Moss Side and Ardwick, we will work with partners to support

local unemployed people back into work by 2014/15 in communities with some of the highest levels of unemployment in the UK; • Staff steps to sustainability programme: will ensure all members of staff are empowered with the knowledge and resources to enhance their positive environmental actions in the workplace through opportunities to engage in a programme of carbon and natural resource literacy by 2017/18.

We have invested in the team that Julian leads, which is coordinating our governance, planning, reporting, communication and engagement activities for social responsibility with representatives from across the University.

Our new priorities and programmes are formally launched in this edition of UniLife, where you can read more about social responsibility in other sections and in our accompanying ‘Making a Difference’ publication. We also launched our new strategy, this publication, a short film and an impact report of our work at an event with local stakeholders.

To build awareness and engagement in advance of the launch, we have been highlighting the wide variety of ways that staff, students and alumni are ‘making a difference’ to society - highlighted by a campaign across campus where stories were highlighted in hundreds of purple circles. This encouraged many more staff, students and alumni to share stories of the impressive ways that they are contributing to society on our ‘Make a Difference’ blog.

So in answering the question “What are we good for?” our social responsibility goal will seek to apply focus and measurement to the real and significant difference we can make to our local communities and to wider society.

Professor Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor To download a copy of the Making a Difference publication, read our impact report ‘Measuring the Difference’ and find out how you can engage with the social responsibility goal of the University, visit: www.manchester.ac.uk/socialresponsibility

Contents 2 4 9 10 12 14 16 18 20

Research Former missile-tracking telescope helps reveal fate of young star

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Feature Working hard for the greater good

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Message from the President News Feature: Research Impact Teaching, Learning and Students Research Feature: Social Responsibility Feature: Engagement What’s On Making a Difference

Front cover: Becky Burns, Head of Gardens and Interpretation at Jodrell Bank Photo Mark Waugh

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News

Cancer survivors and relatives celebrate the MCRC topping out

Hands-up for groundbreaking cancer research

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ancer survivors and those who have lost loved ones to the disease will leave a lasting impression on the new £28.5 million Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC).

Their handprints will be included in the design of the windows of the new building which is due for completion in summer 2014.

The centre, which is being built in Withington funded by the University, Cancer Research UK and The Christie, is set to revolutionise cancer treatment in the North West.

The handprints were completed on the same day as a topping out ceremony held on the building site of the new centre.

University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Nancy Rothwell, Christie Chief Executive Caroline Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of CRUK Dr Harpal Kumar and Director of MCRC Professor Nic Jones helped to attach the last piece of steel onto roof.

Staff and sponsors were also given a tour of the new building to view the progress.

Professor Jones, said: “The new research centre will make a massive difference to changing the lives of future generations affected by the disease.

“Manchester has such an amazing legacy in cancer research. But the new centre will really put the city on the world map for helping to save lives.”

The “More Tomorrows” fundraising campaign will raise the remaining £6 million needed to complete the new research centre, which will be the largest of its kind in Europe.

Rani’s new life… through a lens

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his picture, which won the public vote for the Images of Research 2013 competition, tells a bigger story.

It is ‘Small loans, big dreams: fighting poverty, one loan at a time’ by Asad Ghalib, who researches international development, at the School of Environment, Education and Development.

Asad said: “The photo shows Rani Begum, who runs a small business of rearing goats and chicken at home in a remote rural area in South Pakistan.

“She was introduced by a local community-support officer to a women’s self-help group and with a small loan, she bought a goat. Today, four years into the programme, she owns six goats and twelve chickens and looks forward to buying a cow.

“My study examines whether access to microfinance reduces social and economic poverty, and if so, to what extent and across which dimensions of wellbeing.”

The first runner up was ‘Scientific Research: A Real Bed of Roses’ by David J Lewis; the two runners up were ‘Metamorphosis revealed: time-lapse three-dimensional imaging inside a living chrysalis’ by Tristan Lowe and ‘Counting Copper Wishes’ by Ceri Houlbrook; and highly commended was ‘5,000 years of weather’ by Colin Richards.

You can see all the images at: www.manchesterimagesofresearch.co.uk/winners/

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Rani Begum in ‘Small loans, big dreams: fighting poverty one loan at a time’

Leading lights of science put on show for festival

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© Photo by Albert Harlingue / REX

low-in-the-dark chemicals, dinosaurs and nanotechnology were among the hands-on science activities showcased by the University at an event for the Manchester Science Festival.

The Festival, now in its seventh year, is organised by MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester) in partnership with Siemens.

University researchers invited visitors to play, create and experiment with science through surprising installations, immersive science experiences and hands-on experiments in more than 100 events for all ages at venues throughout Greater Manchester.

Niels Bohr

100 years of quantum atom discovery

‘Science Spectacular’, held at the Whitworth Hall and Manchester Museum, saw visitors finding out how to make graphene, using laser scanning to study dinosaurs and learning about the secrets of meteorites and the mysteries of the skin, as well as about diseases associated with worms and what’s inside a nuclear reactor.

The centenary of the discovery of the quantum atom by Niels Bohr was celebrated at the University with an event organised by the Institute of Physics.

The Danish physicist and philosopher conducted postdoctoral work at the Victoria University of Manchester following an invite from Ernest Rutherford.

A youngster enjoys the Manchester Science Festival

Bohr won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922 for his work.

Manchester academics help Philippines typhoon victims

Imaging techniques win Royal award

In addition, PhD student Christine Cassar assessed the devastated province of Leyte for Disaster Aid International, urging the world not to forget areas equally affected by the disaster but off the media radar.

More than 11 million people have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded on land, which hit the Philippines last month.

Tony, Professor of International Emergency Medicine in the University’s Humanitarian Conflict Response Institute and the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre lead for Global Health, has been leading British medical response teams in disaster zones since 1988.

Devastation in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan

His team was deployed by the Department for International Development as part of the British Government’s £10 million relief efforts for the disaster.

Christine Cassar, taking a PhD in Humanitarianism and Conflict response, reported: “In Leyte, everything is utterly destroyed. In Ormoc 97% of houses are

© Photo by George Calvelo / NurPhoto / REX

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rofessor Tony Redmond has been leading the UK medical mission to help recovery efforts in typhoon-hit areas of the Philippines, with colleague Dr Amy Hughes on his team

The University’s world-leading imaging techniques have been honoured with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize – one of the most prestigious awards in higher education.

Our work in imaging techniques to support research and skills in advanced materials and manufacturing was selected as an outstanding example of how excellence and impact can benefit the institution, industry and society as a whole.

The safe and cost-effective introduction and use of advanced engineering materials is critical to the international competitiveness of the UK’s industrial companies and the security of society in key areas such as energy, medicine and manufacturing.

completely destroyed, the rest are severely damaged; there is no aid coming in despite many rumour of it being on its way.

Manchester is at the forefront in developing new techniques for the 3D imaging of structures and defects in materials, and the mapping of residual stresses using X-rays and neutron beams.

“There needs to be a lot more in the way of coordination of aid efforts as a concerted effort between aid agencies – local, national and international – and local government.”

The announcement was made at a ceremony at St James’s Palace attended by the Dean and Vice-President for the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Professor Colin Bailey, last month.

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News AMEC-Dalton partnership announced The University‘s Dalton Nuclear Institute has extended its relationship with AMEC, the international engineering, project management and consultancy company.

The partnership with AMEC’s nuclear business in Knutsford will see both organisations working together on key initiatives in the nuclear sector, developing innovative research and development projects and offering a wide range of services to customers across the globe.

Nick Rees and Ed Curtis aboard their boat

Oar-some duo reach fundraising milestone

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anchester alumnus Nick Rees and his best friend Ed Curtis have raised more than £160,000 ahead of their gruelling challenge to row across the Atlantic this month.

The duo will row from the Canary Islands to Antigua, a journey of almost 3,000 miles, in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge which starts today. Considered to be the world’s toughest rowing race, they will row unsupported and self-sufficiently.

Their inspiration is Nick’s wife Ellen, also a Manchester graduate, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 aged just 33.

University and Unilever join forces The University has committed to a long-term partnership with Unilever, one of the world’s largest companies.

The strategic relationship will make Manchester a key partner for Unilever’s research collaborations in a number of specific fields of science.

Unilever will support the University to carry out research across all four of its Faculties in areas covering sustainable consumption, process engineering, biophysics and systems biology, as well as aspects of inflammation, toxicology and hair biology.

Pictured above: Professor Luke Georghiou and Vice President of Research and Development at Unilever Dr Cameron Jones.

To follow their progress or sponsor the duo, please visit: http://breakthroughatlantic.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/#!/Breakthroughatlantic

Policy @ Manchester Week

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ver 700 people enjoyed a range of debates during Manchester Policy Week, which saw 14 successful events run over five days.

Several events attracted big audiences, including a ‘Battle of the Thinktanks’ on the future of government, Ivan Lewis MP outlining Labour’s international development strategy and the launch of a major report calling for changes to the Government’s domestic violence strategy.

The Policy@Manchester team produced a total of 419 Live Tweets from events, which allowed dozens of people across the UK and further afield to joining the debates online.

Mr Lewis commented: “It’s great to see this innovative idea of having a series of events which demonstrate the contribution that The University of Manchester makes to the development of public policy.”

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Professor Colin Talbot, Director of Policy@Manchester, said: “It was very encouraging to see so many academic colleagues getting involved, along with decision makers and policy players from Manchester and further afield.

“The week has really helped demonstrate the breadth of our

expertise across a number of public policy areas.”

Reports from events and audio recordings are available at www.manchester.ac.uk/policy Pictured above: Psychologist and former star basketball player John Amaechi OBE (front) in discussion.

Staff Survey strikes gold The Staff Survey team took the Gold award in the CIPR PRide Awards for the North West for the campaign to encourage staff to complete the Staff Survey earlier this year.

The campaign resulted in 71% of eligible staff taking part – a massive increase on the 23% who took part in the survey in 2010.

The work was carried out by the Communications and Marketing Division, working in conjunction with the Staff Survey Steering Group.

A youngster meets a red-eyed tree frog

Frogs and their friends celebrate fifty fascinating years

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onservation campaigner Lee Durrel, widow of author and conservationist Gerald Durrel, marked the 50th anniversary of the Manchester Museum Vivarium by reopening it following a complete re-interpretation of the ‘Live Animals’ gallery.

The Museum is one of the very few that boasts a comprehensive collection of live reptiles on display and which also plays a leading role in the conservation of some of the world’s most endangered amphibians.

It is home to many species of frogs, reptiles and lizards from South America, Australia and Madagascar, allowing visitors to experience the thrill of a first-hand encounter with some of the rarest creatures on the planet.

And now visitors will find better displays and enhanced interpretation, and be able to see more of the important conservation work that usually takes place behind the scenes.

For example, the Museum is part of a consortium of institutions worldwide that are carrying out essential work in Europe and Costa Rica in an effort to save the very rare Lemur Leaf Frog (Agalychnis lemur).

Andrew Gray, Curator of Herpetology, said: “Many amphibians worldwide are under the threat of extinction due to factors such as habitat loss and a changing climate. Our everyday actions have a direct effect on these creatures, their habitats, and indeed our own species.

“We are doing our best to help visitors to the new Vivarium understand that these animals and the places they live are special and need our support.”

The redevelopment of Manchester Museum’s Vivarium is supported by the Oglesby Charitable Trust, St Modwen Environmental Trust and The Foyle Foundation.

To find out more visit: http://frogblogmanchester.com/

Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer Will Spinks said: “I’d like to congratulate our team for all their efforts, which were both creative and energetic, and their well-deserved win.”

To find out more visit: www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/ staff-survey/

£100 million for environmental science training The University is to share in £100 million of new investment in 15 Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) for environmental science PhD students.

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) funding will support 1,200 PhD students across the 15 partnerships, meaning at least 240 new students will begin training every year for five years.

Our world beating initiative with schools

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he University has won both a national and international social responsibility award for its initiative to increase the number of staff engaged in supporting local state schools through the School Governors programme.

Manchester was shortlisted for two different categories, Social Responsibility and Facilities and Services, as part of the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EUAC) Green Gown Awards.

Our School Governors programme won both National and International Best Social Responsibility category.

Director of Social Responsibility Julian Skyrme said: “I want to commend Alison Gregory and Stephanie Lee in the Directorate for the Student Experience, who have done a huge amount of work in making this programme a success, and also the University's partners SGOSS Governors for Schools, who deliver such an effective service to the University.”

• Watch our School Governors Initiative video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMA8LXLrrsE

(left to right) BBC presenter Professor Iain Stewart with Stephanie Lee, Julian Skyrme, Alison Gregory, Luke Dickinson from SGOSS, Governors for Schools, and NUS Vice-President Dom Anderson.

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News

A bone coral installation from the exhibition

Treasure from under the sea

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visually spectacular temporary exhibition linking historic and contemporary art, new commissions and natural history specimens can be seen at the Museum.

‘Coral: Something Rich and Strange’ explores the enduring fascination with coral as a material and inspiration for artists, cultures and societies, from antiquity to the present day.

The displays will include a plethora of fascinating and beautiful objects, telling a story about biodiversity and the importance of marine environments and bringing to our attention coral’s fascinating natural, scientific characteristics; the diversity of its shapes and patterns; its uses in different cultures and contexts; and the urgency of marine habitat protection.

Curator Dr Marion Endt-Jones, British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow in Art History and Visual Studies at the University, said: “The exhibition hopes to illustrate what rich and diverse cultural tradition we put at risk by polluting, overfishing and acidifying the world’s oceans.”

‘Coral: Something Rich and Strange’ (#MMCoral), supported by Arts Council England and The Granada Foundation, runs from 29 November to 16 March 2014.

Project officer Yin Tun (front) discusses the library with colleagues

New chapter for Myanmar

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tudents, teachers and researchers in Myanmar (formerly Burma) are now able to access vital educational resources thanks to a groundbreaking project led by Mimas.

The eTekkatho library, set up using leading-edge technology, contains a treasure trove of world-class academic resources including online text books, datasets and research papers.

The free online resource was developed and hosted by Mimas working closely with a network of leading Myanmar universities.

It contains just over 900 resources so far, covering subjects such as community forestry, earthquake maps and reference data from the World Bank, though the team hope that the number will expand substantially.

There will also be self-contained mirror versions of the e-library at six of the partner universities, and there is a mirror site of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) OpenCourseWare, which contains over 2,000 undergraduate and postgraduate MIT courses.

As well as the Myanmar community, it may also benefit university academics in other developing countries where IT infrastructures are fragile.

Max Ernst, Antidiluvian Landscape, 1967.

University of Edinburgh Art Collection.

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Project officer Yin Tun said, “The aim of eTekkatho is to help young people in Myanmar achieve their educational aspirations and so move our country forward.”

Feature

Cutting drugs costs for NHS patients The Research Excellence Framework – the new system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions – asks us to show the impact that our research has on the world. Here UniLife looks at how our researchers really are changing the world…

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ur researchers have helped cut the cost of prescription drugs for thousands of NHS patients.

Work by the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science has led to a key policy change on how people pay for medicines.

In the past they could only ‘cap’ their annual charges by buying a pre-payment certificate, currently £104, with one lump sum.

Under the new rules, they can take advantage of the scheme in a more affordable way – by paying in monthly instalments.

“It means people can budget for their year’s prescriptions without having to find all the money upfront,” says Senior Lecturer Dr Ellen Schafheutle.

Dr Ellen Schafheutle

“It puts a protective mechanism in place for those who are struggling financially.”

Dr Schafheutle and colleagues, Professors Peter Noyce and Karen Hassell, have been at the forefront of UK research into access to medicines and the impact of prescription charges.

Together they have spent over ten years exploring how charging can influence patients’ behaviour and affect National Health Service resources. They also led a Europe-wide study into how other countries tackle the problem.

In 2006, and again in 2009, they submitted written and oral evidence to Parliament, making recommendations backed up by a decade of quantitative and qualitative research.

“While prescriptions are now free in Scotland and Wales, around half the population of England still has to pay £7.85 for every item,” said Dr Schafheutle.

“It’s a complex issue but charging can be a false economy if it deters the essential use of drugs.

Patients who end up in hospital can cost the NHS much more.”

Following the researchers’ evidence the government introduced a new monthly direct-debit scheme and also launched a three-month certificate, replacing the existing four month one, to deal with shorterterm problems.

“It was a key policy change which made pre-payment certificates accessible to many more people,” said Dr Schafheutle. “It was our research that helped inform that policy.”

A meeting with... Professor Aneez Esmail What’s the best part of your job?

Working with a committed and enthusiastic team of people who really enjoy what they do.

Any challenges?

Just juggling all of the different things I do. I’m envious of my wife who is the best multi-tasker in the world.

How did you get to the role you have now?

Aneez, Professor of General Practice and Associate Vice-President for Social Responsibility, started at the University as a lecturer in General Practice in 1992. In addition to teaching, learning and research, he has lead responsibility for social responsibility working with the President Nancy Rothwell and a small team of Professional Support Services (PSS) staff to develop and implement the social responsibility agenda of the University. And he still works as a GP two days a week.

I was asked to take the lead in equality and diversity for the University in 2005 and as the role developed, the President created the role of Associate Vice-President for Social Responsibility to support her. Best career breakthrough was getting a Harkness fellowship in 1997 when I went to Harvard University for a year and being seconded to work as the clinical advisor to Dame Janet Smith, who chaired the Shipman enquiry from 2001-2005. I have loved working at the University – I have the most varied, intellectually stimulating and satisfying job I could ever wish for.

Any future projects coming up?

To make social responsibility something that all staff and students recognise as something unique in Manchester.

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests?

Karl Marx, Arthur Lewis, Subash Cahandra Bose (one of the leaders of the movement for Indian Independence) and Camila Vallejo who is a leader of Chile’s Communist Youth Party and about to be elected (I hope) to Chile’s parliament.

What would you say to your 16-year-old self now?

When you challenge and take risks make sure you don’t forget what your family may be going through.

Favourite book, film and TV programme?

Book: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth.

Film: My Big Fat Greek Wedding (my wife is Greek). TV: Any crime thriller, also Parade’s End and Sherlock Holmes – my daughter has a thing about Benedict Cumberbatch!

What is your earliest childhood memory?

Going with my family to a game resort in Uganda where I was brought up. The monkeys stole my food.

Any interesting hobbies?

I love cooking for my family – I’m a bit of a food obsessive.

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Teaching, Learning and Students

Playing host to a future curator

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anchester Museum has been playing host to trainee curator Anna Garnett as part of the British Museum’s Heritage Lottery Fund supported ‘Future Curators’ training programme.

Anna spent six months based at the British Museum and twelve months at Manchester, one of the British Museum’s partner institutions.

She described it as “so much more than a qualification” thanks to the wealth of experience she gained with the Museum’s Curator of Egypt and Sudan Dr Campbell Price and the friendliness of the Museum team.

During this time her practical, hands-on work experience included exhibition design and installation, conservation, audience participation and events organisation, and collections care and management.

Anna, whose specialism is Egypt and the Sudan, said: “The most rewarding part of the job is getting people excited about Egyptology – seeing the look of pride on people’s faces when they read the hieroglyphs on an object for the first time, or when they realise that a simple piece of broken pottery is much more interesting than initially meets the eye.”

Anna Garnett working in the Museum store, photo by Steve Devine

Manchester expands in online education The University has become the third UK university to join Coursera for the development and delivery of a number of massive open online courses (MOOCs).

The University is currently advertising courses including An Introduction to Population Health; Water Supply and Sanitation in Developing Countries; Our Earth: its Climate, History and Processes; and Global Health and Humanitarianism, with more expected to follow.

Manchester joins other new members such as the Netherlands’ Eindhoven Institute of Technology, the University of Lausanne and Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China.

Professor Richard Reece, Associate Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, said: “The development of these courses is an important step for Manchester. They will appeal to a broad audience from across the globe, and will form an important part of fulfilling our commitment to social responsibility.

“Signing up to any of these courses will be free to participants, and we expect that many thousands of people will take part. MOOCs are seen by some as the future of online education. While being based anywhere, the ability to be taught by and learn from the world’s best researchers and teachers should not be underestimated.

“Manchester is determined to produce some of the best and highest quality online courses to showcase our excellence in distance education.”

See: www.coursera.org/manchester

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Students in class in the new Simon Building lecture theatre

New lecture theatres provide major addition to teaching space

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he opening of three new lecture theatres – seating nearly 1,000 students – in the Simon Building marks the latest stage in a series of major developments in student study and teaching facilities on the University campus.

The Simon lecture theatres follow a series of improvements to our student study and teaching facilities, including the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons, WiFi upgrade across campus, and six additional teaching rooms in the Zochonis Building.

Professor Clive Agnew, Vice President for Teaching, Learning and Students, said: “It’s timely to remember that the building was named after Lord Ernest Simon of Wythenshawe, who had a long association with the University and endowed the University's Simon Fund to provide research fellowships.”

The University is also planning to refurbish teaching spaces in the Samuel Alexander Building, the Manchester Business School and Coupland 3.

And architects have just been appointed to design the new Teaching Building to be built by 2016 next to the Alan Turing Building as part of the Campus Masterplan.

Equity and Merit scholars celebrate their graduation

African drums herald graduation ceremony with a difference

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he University hosted a graduation ceremony with a difference, to the sound of African drumming, when more than 35 Equity and Merit alumni, current students and their families attended a scholarship celebration in Kampala, Uganda.

Many of the students couldn’t attend their graduation in Manchester, either because they had to return home as soon as completing their studies or they studied by distance learning so have never actually been to the UK.

The Manchester iGEM team at work

A gem of an idea

And they had shown great commitment and determination to succeed often in difficult circumstances. For example, internet access is poor which led one enterprising student to set up his own internet cafe in a remote part of Northern Uganda.

Manchester students have won an international award for their work to develop a biosynthetic version of palm oil – a widely used vegetable oil whose current production causes environmental devastation, with an area of rainforest the size of 300 football fields being chopped down every hour.

Equity and Merit Scholarships give access to postgraduate education for outstanding students from some of the world’s poorest countries supporting 130 students so far. Initially targeting Uganda, the scheme now includes Rwanda, Tanzania and Bangladesh.

The Manchester iGEM (International Genetically Engineering Machine) team won the ‘Best Human Practices’ award at the iGEM World Championships in Boston.

Graduate Peter J Sentongo, who completed his Masters in Public Health by distance learning in 2011 and is now Public Health Specialist at the US Centers for Disease Control in Uganda, said: “I will forever appreciate the University’s support. The skills I acquired will be used to significantly contribute towards the transformation of our country’s health care system.”

The ten students, with funding from the Faculty of Life Sciences, competed again 73 other synthetic biology teams from around the world.

Their oil, when developed, could help preserve the rainforest and thereby save major elements of biodiversity.

A new career path University scientists and colleagues have helped the Department of Health address a skills shortage in genomic medicine which will assist the diagnosis and management of hereditary disorders.

Dr Angela Davies at Nowgen, Professor Andy Brass from the School of Computer Science and Andrew Devereau from the Manchester National Genetics Reference Laboratory (NGRL) developed an MSc course in clinical bioinformatics, now being delivered by the team at the University.

The first cohort of 14 students started at Manchester in October.

Local drummers provide the music

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Research

© Photo by Courtesy Everett Collection / REX

Human evolution driven by climate change © Photo by ZUMA / REX

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arly human evolution was driven by short pulses of rapid environmental change in East Africa, according to new research involving the Faculty of Life Sciences.

Researchers found a link between the waxing and waning of huge lakes in the East African Rift valley and the brain expansion and migration of early human species.

Co-author Dr Susanne Shultz said: “We found that around 1.9 million years ago a number of new species appeared, which we believe is directly related to new ecological conditions in the East African Rift valley, in particular the appearance of deep-freshwater lakes. Among these species was early Homo erectus with a brain 80% bigger than its predecessors.”

Racism link with gun ownership in white Americans A new study has found that higher levels of racism in white Americans is associated with having a gun in the home and greater opposition to gun control policies.

Researchers used data from a large representative sample of white US voters.

After accounting for numerous other factors such as income, education and political ideology, the researchers found that for each one point increase in symbolic racism there was a 50 per cent increase in the odds of having a gun in the home and a 28 per cent increase in support for policies allowing people to carry concealed guns.

Dr Kerry O’Brien, from the School of Psychological Sciences, said: "The study is a first step, but there needs to be more investment in empirical research around how racial bias may influence people's policy decisions, particularly those policies that impact on the health and wellbeing of US citizens.”

The researchers compiled all the known occurrence of lakes over the last five millions years from the North of Ethiopia down to Tanzania. Using statistical modelling, the team compared the lake and climate records with evidence of human evolution, providing strongest evidence to date for their hypothesis.

Study shows how to help Kenyan cancer victims

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ess than 7% of cervical cancer patients in Kenya are getting the optimum treatment needed to eradicate the disease, leading to unnecessary deaths, a study by University scientists reveals.

Results from the research, which looked retrospectively at the treatment of women diagnosed with cervical cancer during a two year period, showed 18% of cervical cancer patients in the East African country died within two years of a diagnosis.

Dr Lynne Hampson and Dr Ian Hampson in the lab

Dr Ian Hampson, from the University’s Institute of Cancer Sciences, who oversaw the research, said the findings add further weight to the call to spend more on cancer screening and prevention in Kenya.

He added: “Our study suggests simple, cost effective changes in hospital procedures to improve the situation.”

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Missile-tracking telescope reveals fate of young star

A

radio telescope once used to track ballistic missiles has helped astronomers study a young star.

Using the smaller telescope at Jodrell Bank, they have determined how the magnetic field structure and rotation of the young and rapidly rotating Crab pulsar – a neutron star which formed in a massive cosmic explosion seen in both Europe and China in AD 1054 as a bright star in the daytime sky – evolves with time.

Now rotating 30 times a second, this highlycompact star emits beams of radio waves that, like a lighthouse, produce flashes each time it rotates. The star itself is only about 25 km across but contains the mass of nearly 1 million Earths.

Professor Andrew Lyne and colleagues reported a steady change in these flashes during a 22-year experiment watching the star, telling them about its very strong magnetic field and helping them learn about the otherwise inaccessible interior of the star.

The small telescope at Jodrell Bank

Gaming technology unravels mystery of nature Scientists at the University’s Institute of Biotechnology have used the power of computer gaming technology to capture previously unobservable atomic movements.

The research, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and led by Dr Ben Satellite in the Faculty of Life Sciences, is helping to chart one of nature’s most complex entities known as ‘glycomes’ – the entire complement of carbohydrates within a cell.

This novel solution provides a new understanding of these vital biomolecules which play a role in everything from neuronal development, inflammation and cell structure, to disease pathology and blood clotting.

How plants take shape Scientists have discovered an important mechanism in plant cells which regulates the direction that they grow.

The discovery could have the potential to develop higher yielding crops or increase the size of plants grown for use in biofuels.

A team, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and led by Professor Simon Turner in the Faculty of Life Sciences, demonstrated how the building of plant cell scaffolds is regulated to produce distinct shapes, allowing the plant cell to grow in particular directions.

Cancer researcher Professor Catharine West

Bespoke tumour treatment

T

he genetic make-up of a patient’s tumour could be used to personalise their treatment, and help to decide whether they would benefit from receiving additional drugs as part of their radiotherapy programme.

Researcher Professor Catharine West, Institute of Cancer Sciences, said: “Our goal is to find ways of predicting how patients will respond to different treatments.

Future cancer treatments will be personalised so that patients get the best therapy for their tumour.”

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Feature

Working hard for the greater good

Giving a home to 13,000 bees, helping a primary school fulfil its potential and sourcing food from local producers. These are just three of the many and varied ways our University is making the goal of social responsibility a reality. Here UniLife looks at how we are truly making a difference…

S

ocial responsibility is one of our key goals in the strategic plan Manchester 2020.

This articulates our commitment to helping solve global challenges and contributing to the social and economic success of local, national and international communities.

Or, as Director of Social Responsibility Julian Skyrme puts it: “Asking ourselves what are we good for rather than what we are good at and what difference do we make to society as a University.”

Associate Vice-President for Social Responsibility Professor Aneez Esmail adds: “As well as being excellent in research and teaching, our University is making profound contributions to society, economy and the environment.

“It has been wonderful to see how many of our colleagues have been working in so many different ways, and so passionately, to make the world off and on campus a better place.”

Julian, appointed in March 2013, is overseeing our strategy, working with colleagues to ensure that activity is co-ordinated across our four Faculties, Library and cultural institutions and Professional Support Services.

Following a major consultation five new priorities have been identified – highlighted on the opposite page.

There are also six new ‘Signature Programmes’ to define social responsibility in practice.

These include an ‘Ethical Grand Challenges’ programme to show our undergraduates key issues concerning sustainability, social justice and workplace ethics, and a ‘Cultural Access Programme’ will see our four cultural institutions reach out to all nine year olds across 23 local primary schools in less advantaged parts of our city.

A campaign launched last month featured photos and stories about staff and students ‘making a difference’ and also featured a blog inviting others to share their experiences.

Julian says: “The fact that social responsibility is sitting equally with our other two core goals is a distinguishing feature of our University and with such a focused strategy we can make a number of significant contributions to society.”

• For more information visit: www.manchester.ac.uk/socialresponsibility • See A Meeting With…Professor Aneez Esmail on page 9 Professor Aneez Esmail (left) and Julian Skyrme

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• Turn to our regular back page social responsibility feature about Phil Tresadern on page 20.

Our responsible processes

Our socially responsible graduates

Martin Smith Executive Chef at the University

Valeed Ghafoor Former Manchester Access Programme student and final year Medical student at the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences.

“The University is one of the largest food buyers in the city. We supply 5,600 meals every day to staff and students, from formal dinners to coffee and sandwiches.

“One of my jobs is sourcing local produce and three years ago we were approached by Manchester Veg People, which is a co-operative of local organic growers and restaurants.

“They work together to provide fresh, seasonal food. It’s sustainable, environmentally friendly and supports our local economy.

“It’s difficult for people growing produce to make much money and for me it’s about supporting local people who have put themselves out there.”

“I have been a student ambassador for the past six years and have mentored well over a hundred students on the Manchester Access Programme (MAP) personally.

“My tasks include teaching students social awareness, equipping them with the techniques they need to excel in medical and dental interviews.

“I do this in conjunction with the widening participation team by working with students on the MAP, which supports talented students from backgrounds currently under-represented in universities.

“I have the opportunity to save lives in my future career and I want to do my bit by helping as many students reach their potential as possible.”

Our research impact Professor Stephanie Barrientos Institute of Development Policy and Management and Associate Director of Brooks World Poverty Institute.

“My work is driven by a passion to advance fairness in trade between developed and emerging economies. I research issues like global sourcing, Professor Stephanie Barrientos international labour, corporate social responsibility and ethical trade.

“I was commissioned by Cadbury/Kraft to carry out research instrumental in converting its main product lines to Fairtrade.

“Other companies including Nestle and Mars followed suit, leading to an eight-fold increase in Fairtrade cocoa products from £25.6 million in 2008 to £320.9 million in 2012.

“Through my research I aim to make a difference to the life chances of some of the world’s least advantaged people.”

Engaging with our community Rachel Brealey Head of Administration in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Becky Burns

Our environmental sustainability

“When I moved here two years ago I saw the potential to introduce bees to Jodrell Bank to improve our biodiversity.

“I have been a governor at Chapel Street Primary School in Levenshulme since May 2012, chairing the governing body since September 2012.

Becky Burns Head of Gardens and Interpretation at Jodrell Bank

“With the help of the South Cheshire Beekeepers Association, we’ve been able to introduce two hives of local honeybees to help pollinate our crabapple trees and rowan trees.

“I‘m passionate about education and committed to helping Chapel Street improve performance in maths and science.In 2013, we got our best results ever at Key Stage Two.

“We now have 13,000 bees that are settling in well and producing honey. It is great to have somewhere where people can learn about bees and the work they do for biodiversity.”

“I work closely with the Head on issues like budgets, building projects and appointment of new teachers. We are also developing a Parent Teacher Association. I speak to the Head every week and visit the school as much as I can.”

“My team looks after 35 acres of grounds, including the extensive Lovell Tree Collection, our new Galaxy Garden and a wildflower meadow.

“I did a course on beekeeping when I was working in North Wales and I’m a newly-qualified beekeeper.

15

Engagement

Matthew Gunther takes to the stage

Dr Emily Robinson checks out the Museum’s monkey exhibit

Stand up for academia Our researchers have a variety of ways of showcasing their work to the public – informing and inspiring, even thrilling and enchanting them. Here UniLife looks at how our academics escape their ivory towers…

“Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself.” – Charlie Chaplin.

He was talking about comedy, but could easily have been describing the struggles of Galileo, Michaelangelo or even the Wright Brothers, who braved ridicule before their talents were spectacularly proven.

Science, arts and laughter are mingling again in Manchester, but there’s no public mockery this time as academics are taking their work out to comedy audiences and inviting hoots and chuckles at the bi-monthly Bright Club Manchester at Nexus Art Cafe on Dale Street.

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“Comedy is a way of getting across what University researchers are working on to new audiences by finding common ground in laughter,” explained Dr Emily Robinson, a past performer and organiser of Bright Club Manchester.

“We can share the frustration of what can seem an endless search to prove a theory or highlight the unexpected parts of research.

“We don’t poke fun at research. It’s about making complex ideas accessible and memorable through the passion of our speakers.

“We have to remember not everyone would attend a lecture, but they may embrace laughter,” said Emily who completed her PhD on the effect of brain inflammation in diseases such as stroke in September 2012 and now works in public engagement at Manchester Museum.

The 28-year-old is one of over a hundred experts to perform at Bright Club Manchester, which began in May 2010 taking its model from the original Bright Club at University College London.

She now helps to run the club which is open to academics from universities across Greater Manchester in her spare time.

“Performing was a great experience!

Although it was a daunting prospect initially, when I got my first laugh, I relaxed and started to enjoy it. Now as an organiser I relish the opportunity to help others share their research with a wider audience.

“Any academic can take part so long as they are willing to attend the preparation session and run-through beforehand. That’s important because the six performers on the night all help develop and support each other’s acts.

“I had a lab meeting the day after my act and it seemed so serious and intimidating, understandably – but for one night only it was great to get away from that tense atmosphere and to enjoy being in the spotlight.” http://nexusartcafe.com/

17

Listings

What’s On

Manchester Museum EXHIBITIONS

All exhibitions at The Manchester Museum are FREE Fragmentary Ancestors: Figurines from Koma Land until 5 May

Mon 23, Fri 27-Mon 30 Dec and Fri 3-Sun 5 Jan Christmas Holidays: Create Fanciful Photo-frame Gifts

Thursday 12 December, 6-8pm, Free Wildlife Recording 6 week introductory course - to book email stephen.atkins @tameside.gov.uk

Fri 27 Dec, 10.30am and 11.30am, Free (booking essential) Magic Carpet Story making and activity session for the under 5s.

Thurs 12 Dec, 2-3pm, Free Rock Drop: Geology Identification Session

Coral: Something Rich and Strange until 16 Mar

Every other Tues, 10 Dec, 10.30am, 11.30am and 1pm, Free (booking essential) Baby Explorers Sensory play for babies

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

TOURS

Most activities are free and drop-in, some activities may need to be booked and may cost up to £1.50, all ages

Every Weds and Thurs, 1pm Taster Tours

Available Sat and Sun 10am or 2pm – bookings one month in advance New! Children’s Birthday Parties Sat 14 Dec, 11am-4pm Big Saturday: Polar Animals

Every Tues and Thurs, 12pm Vivarium Tours Wed 11 Dec, 1pm Exhibition Tour of Coral: Something Rich and Strange MUSEUM MEETS Tues 3 Dec, 1-2.30pm (drop in) English Corner: Free English Conversation Class

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Fri 13 Dec, 12-1pm (Free) Dig It: Archaeology Identification Session TALKS Weds 4 Dec, 1-2pm, Free Translucent Marvels: The Blaschka Glass Models of Marine Invertebrates with Marion Endt-Jones Opening times Open: Tues-Sat 10am-5pm Sun-Mon (and Bank Holidays) 11am-4pm FREE admission The Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester 0161 275 2648 www.manchester.ac.uk/museum Follow us on Twitter @McrMuseum www.facebook.com/ ManchesterMuseum

A selection of objects from Manchester Museum’s new exhibition ‘Coral: Something Rich and Strange’.

Photo by Paul Cliff.

International Society Visit some of the most beautiful and interesting locations around England, Scotland and Wales. There are visits taking place almost every weekend throughout the year.

Sat 7 Dec Lincoln Christmas Market Thurs 26 Dec Boxing Day Sales visit to Chester and Cheshire Oaks Opening times Mon-Fri 9.30am – 7pm (during term time) Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5pm (during vacation) Small World Café opening times Mon-Fri 11am – 3pm 327 Oxford Road (next to Krobar) 0161 275 4959 email int.soc@manchester.ac.uk www.internationalsociety.org.uk

Whitworth Art Gallery Re-opening summer 2014 The Whitworth Art Gallery has started a new and exciting chapter in its history. A major building project is now taking place to transform and extend the 120-year-old gallery, doubling its public areas whilst reducing its carbon footprint and improving facilities for visitors.

This new development by architects MUMA will re-connect the 19th century building with Whitworth Park through an elegant contemporary extension. The new Whitworth will bring you more art, more activities, more events and more space. It will be all things our many visitors have always loved about the Whitworth.

The Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

The John Rylands Library (Deansgate)

Gig Guide Thurs 5 Dec

Papa Roach - £20 Watain - £15

LITERATURE LIVE

EXHIBITIONS

Fri 6 Dec

Thurs 5 Dec, 7pm, Free (booking essential) Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin

Locating Boccaccio until 20 Dec

White Lies - £20 Dutch Uncles + Outfit £11 Electric Six - £12.50

Sat 7 Dec

Thurs 5 Dec, 12-1pm The Self-portraits of Li Yuan-chia

Shed Seven - SOLD OUT For Those About to Rock 2013 - £18 The Vibrators + DJ Jake £8 Seize The Chance + Bandit & Butler + Euthemia - £6

Sun 8 Dec

The Word Alive - £10

Sat 7 Dec and Tues 14 Jan, 2-3pm Curator Tour: Morbid Miscellany

Thurs 12 Dec The Men They Couldn’t Hang - £13

Weds 11 Dec, 12-1pm Curator Tour: Picturing Stories

Fri 13 Dec

Alabama 3 - £18

Sat 14 Dec

Gogal Bordello + Man Man - £18.50 Kurt Vile - £12.50 The Room + Guests - £6

Sat 7 Dec, 1-2pm Collection Encounters: Machiavelli the Bandit and the Writing of The Prince

Sun 15 Dec

Primal Scream - £25

Sat 7 Dec, 2.30-3.30pm Unusual Views: Library tours for Photographers

Fri 20 Dec

Levellers + Guests £20

Sat 21 Dec

The Ratells - £5

Weds 22 Jan, 2.30-3.30pm Explorer Tours: A Peek Behind the Scenes!

Sat 28 Dec

Overload - £8

Mon 6Weds 8 Jan

The 1975 - £15 Extra date added

Sun 19 Jan

Lamb of God + Guests - £19.50 Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - £13.50

Tues 21 Jan

Megan Nicole - £12.50

EVENING CONCERTS Thurs 5 Dec, 7.30pm, £10/£6/£3 Manchester University Big Band Fri 6 Dec, 7.30pm, £13.50/£8/£3 Quatuor Danel Thurs 12 Dec, 7.30pm, £10/£6/£3 MUMS Festive Concert FREE LUNCHTIME CONCERTS

We look forward to welcoming you back in summer 2014.

Thurs 5 Dec, 1.10pm Quatuor Danel

Watch this space for details of our forthcoming outreach events………

Fri 6 Dec, 1.10pm Manchester University Baroque Orchestra

Whitworth Art Gallery Oxford Road, Manchester 0161 275 7450 email whitworth@manchester.ac.uk www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth

Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre offers a great day out for all the family. Come and explore the planets using our model of the Solar System. Find answers to the wonders the Universe, listen to the sounds of the Big Bang and discover what the scientists are researching ‘Live’ in our interactive Space Pavilion. The glass-walled café offers spectacular views of the iconic Lovell telescope and fantastic homemade cakes!

EVENTS The Jodrell Bank Christmas Lectures, part of the Lovell Lecture Series Tues 10 Dec, 7.30pm The Radio Sky – SOLD OUT Weds 11 Dec, 7.30pm Solar Max Thurs 12 Dec, 7.30pm Unravelling the Solar System Weds 22 Jan, 7.30pm A Beginner’s Guide to Observing the Heavens Workshop Sun 26 Jan, 10am-12pm Big Garden Birdwatch with RSPB Information: Live from Jodrell Bank website Tickets: http://ow.ly/hQCFU Tickets include entry to the Discovery Centre.

Opening times 10am-5pm For more information and prices please visit our website Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 9DL 01477 571 766 www.jodrellbank.net

Thurs 12 Dec, 1.10pm Psappha : The University of Manchester’s Contemporary Ensemble in Residence The Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama Bridgeford Street, Manchester, M13 9PL 0161 275 8951 email boxoffice@manchester.ac.uk www.manchester.ac.uk/ martinharriscentre

Chaplaincies St Peter’s House Chaplaincy Sunday, 11am Holy Communion 12.45pm Lunch (1st Sun) Sunday, 6.30pm Evening Worship (term-time only) FOYER 10am – 5pm, weekdays 12.15pm Wednesdays Eucharist An area where students and staff can relax and meet friends. A tea/coffee machine is available.

RC Chaplaincy Avila House Mass Times (term-time only) Sun, 7pm, Holy Name Church Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri, 5.30pm Chaplaincy Chapel Weds, 1.05pm, Chaplaincy Chapel The Jewish Student Centre and Synagogue 07817 250 557 Email Rabbi Mati Kos: rabbikos@mychaplaincy.co.uk Muslim Chaplaincy South Campus Mosque, McDougall Centre Jammaat (Group Prayer) Daily Juma Prayer Friday 1.15pm Honorary Imam: Imam Habeeb h_chatti@hotmail.com North Campus Mosque Basement of Joule Library Sackville Street Building Jammaat (Group Prayer) Daily Juma Prayer Friday 12.30pm The role of Volunteer Muslim Chaplain is to provide pastoral support, guidance and a listening ear to Muslim staff and students.

Chaplains’ contact details are available in the prayer rooms or via St Peter’s House.

Picturing Stories: British and French Romantic Illustrations until 9 Jan

Manchester Academy 1, 2 and 3

Polari Mission: Bona Eek! until 2 Feb Morbid Miscellany until 31 Jan Portrait of a Living Archive until 13 Jan THINGS TO SEE

THINGS TO DO Every 3rd Thurs of the month, 12-1pm Tour and Treasures

Sat 25 and Tues 28 Jan, 2-3pm Collection Encounters: A Tale of Knights and Love

Thurs 19 Dec Black Veil Brides + Guests - £18

EVENTS Weds 4 Dec, 11am-4pm Whimsical Wednesday Workshops: Festive Makes Thurs 5 Dec, 6-7pm 11th Rylands Poetry Reading Sun 15 Dec, 2-3pm Hark!

Weds 22 Jan Julia Sneer - £12.50 Weds 29 Jan London Grammar + Bondax - £14 Thurs 30 Jan Mayday Parade - £13.50 Fri 31 Jan

Fri 6 Dec, 4-9pm Pagan Winterfest

John Newman - £15 RX Bandits - £12

Sat 1 Feb

Weds 15 Jan, 11am-4pm Whimsical Wednesday Workshops: A Riot of Colour

Killswitch Engage/Trivium - £20 Jefferson Starship - £17.50

Sun 2 Feb

Skindred - £17.50

FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES

Mon 3 Feb

Less Than Jake & Reel Big Fish - £18.50

Sat 7 Dec and 11 Jan, 12-1pm Here be Dragons!

Sat 11 Jan, 11am-12pm Enchanting Tales For further details of our events, please visit our website.

FREE ADMISSION Public opening times: Sun-Mon 12-5pm, Tues-Sat 10am-5pm Reader opening times: Mon-Weds, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Thurs 10am-7pm The John Rylands Library 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH Visitor/Event Enquiries: 0161 306 0555 Email: jrul.visitors@manchester.ac.uk General/Reader Enquiries: 0161 275 3764 Email: jrul.specialcollections@manchester.ac.uk www.library.manchester.ac.uk/ specialcollections/

Tickets from Students' Union, Oxford Road Piccadilly Box Office @ easy Internet Café (c/c) 0871 2200260 Royal Court (Liverpool) 0151 709 4321 (c/c) Students’ Union Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL 0161 275 2930 www.manchesteracademy.net

19

Feature

The University’s strategic plan Manchester 2020 lists one of our goals as contributing to the social and economic success of the local, national and international community. Last month our new engagement campaign to encourage staff to highlight how they are ‘making a difference’ to society was launched featuring campus installations and a new blog. Here UniLife looks at a colleague we can be proud of…

Phil Tresadern outside Lifeshare

More than a fair share F

rom running a marathon to cleaning the loos, there’s not much Phil Tresadern won’t do to help homeless and vulnerable people. But he simply describes his voluntary work at the charity Lifeshare as “a varied job” that’s also “a win-win situation.”

The charity helps people living on the streets, giving both long-term, year-round support with finance, accommodation and medical care and short-term, emergency services such as a Weekend Breakfast Club and a daytime drop-in shelter over Christmas.

Phil, a Research Associate at the Institute of Population Health, did his first ever shift in the soup kitchen over Christmas. But he wanted to do more.

He has raised vital funds with a series of marathons and half marathons as well as fundraising at work here at the University.

And he’s now on the charity’s board of trustees, using his leadership skills to guide the organisation into the future – but still works face-to-face with the vulnerable people the charity seeks to help, from serving food to listening to their stories.

He explains: “My work at Lifeshare ranges from washing pots and cleaning toilets, through chatting to clients and supervising new volunteers at Christmas, to working with other Board members to set policy and draft applications for funding.

Phil chats to a client

“It certainly is a varied job!

“Like many others, I first started by volunteering at Christmas while looking for ways in which I could use my free time to benefit others. Like many others, I enjoyed working with Lifeshare so much I wanted to get more involved throughout the year and, after working on the Weekend Breakfast Club for 18 months, I joined the Board of Trustees.

“Volunteering is a great way to develop new skills and meet new people, all while doing something that really helps people and gives back to the local community. It really is a win-win situation and I’ve never looked back.”

• If you have a story to tell like Phil, add some text, an image or weblink to the makeadifferencemcr.tumblr.com blog. Or if you use twitter, follow @SocialResponUoM and use the hashtag #makeadifferencemcr to join the conversation.

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Next Issue 3 February 2014 M807 11.13 The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL Royal Charter Number RC000797

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