News for Durham University Staff & Students
TAKING FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS ON THE ROAD
Professor Alexander Lenz, Deputy Director of the IPPP, explains how the team prepared for the event to help bring fundamental physics to a new audience.
PARTNERSHIP
Working together to benefit Durham University.
INTERNATIONAL STUDY CENTRE OPENING
Sept | Oct 2017
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welcome
Welcome to the first issue of Dialogue and the start of the 2017/18 academic year. I hope you all enjoyed a well-deserved break during the summer months.
The delivery of our new University Strategy is now well underway with a number of key milestones having taken place over the summer: the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health has transferred to Newcastle; the International Study Centre has opened at Queen’s Campus; we have received the keys to Sheraton Park, the new home of Ustinov College; the Foundation Centre and some Business School programmes have moved to Durham City; work has begun to develop our sports facilities at Maiden Castle; and planning permission has been granted by Durham County Council for the Centre for Teaching and Learning. Thank you to all who have worked so hard to make these things happen. Thanks also to colleagues for the excellent response rate to our Staff Survey last term. The results provide valuable information to initiate further conversations and wider
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communication of the Survey results will take place during the Michaelmas Term.
If you get chance, I encourage you all to visit the events at the Durham Book Festival, which runs from 6-15 October. This year we are playing a major part in the Festival, with many of our researchers speaking either about their own work or that of other authors and thinkers. Finally, I hope you will join me in welcoming our new students matriculating this term and all new staff members, and in wishing them all a successful start in Durham. I wish you all an enjoyable and fruitful academic year. With all best wishes
Professor Stuart Corbridge Vice-Chancellor and Warden
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Tell your story. Please continue to send your contributions and feedback to dialogue@durham.ac.uk News for Durham University Staff & Students
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Editor Ulrike Klaerig-Jackson Communications Co-ordinator
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GET SOCIAL
15 HR & OD NEWS
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STUDENT THEATRE
16 SPOTLIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH
Assistant Editor Mark Tallentire, Communications Co-ordinator
6 RESEARCH INSIGHTS – TAKING FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS ON THE ROAD
Contributors Harriet Williamson, HR&OD; Angela Marciano, CIS; Yvonne Flynn, Greenspace; Daryl Dowding, Event Durham; Claire Hall, Karen Frost, Nicky Sawicki, Angela Gemmill, Claire Yates and Mark Tallentire, Marketing & Communications; Isabelle Culkin; Experience Durham, Caroline Dower; Counselling Service, Vicky Parrish; Ceremonies Unit, Steven Poulter; Psychology
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DURHAM BOOK FESTIVAL
10 PARTNERSHIP – WORKING TOGETHER TO BENEFIT DURHAM UNIVERSITY 11 DELIVERING THE STRATEGY 12 GREENSPACE 14 EVENT DURHAM, RETAIL AND CATERING
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17 INTERNATIONAL STUDY CENTRE OPENING 18 SVMOG UPDATE 19 NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY 20 SPOTLIGHT ON CULTURE DURHAM 21 CEREMONIES AND SERVICES AT DURHAM CATHEDRAL 22 CIS NEWS 23 AN INSIGHT INTO 24 WHAT’S ON
Durham University and Durham University logo are registered Trade Marks of the University of Durham. Unless otherwise stated, all material in this publication is copyright of the University of Durham. The University makes every effort to ensure that the information contained here is accurate. Please note that the University’s website is the most up to date source of information and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.
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social
YOUR VIEW
Our favourite posts, tweets and videos over the past two months to show you what has been happening around the University!
TOP
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Dr Stacey Pope @DurhamSASS spoke to @theipaper on what the recent boom in viewing figures means for women's sport fal.cn/ th9K pic.twitter.com/wnesFm9YAR
Northern Lights a Capella premier their new show at Durham's Assembly Rooms before the Edinburgh Fringe http://fal.cn/tpmb pic. twitter.com/xXyxHqqdr5
Catch Dr Eleanor Spencer-Regan & Dr Martin Richardson chatting everything Harry Potter with @ ConversationUK http://fal.cn/ts3D pic.twitter.com/Y1hrg2ypo3
Our VC and other @ RussellGroup universities issue demands to protect #highered sector after #Brexit @Independent http://ind. pn/2fad9rC pic.twitter. com/7HrqwzSCoH
PhD student Peter reveals what it is like to be part of first UK team to excavate in #ForbiddenCity http:// fal.cn/trIS #DUmakeithappen pic. twitter.com/VM1q9Eq0ul
PHYSICS WINS JUNO AWARD
VIDEO OF THE MONTH
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
The Department of Physics has been rewarded for its commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry45ien3Hc&t=15s
SUMMER IN DURHAM‌ 1956 Alumnus Albert Hodgson reminisces about graduation 61 years ago. https://www.instagram.com/p/ BWe39TxluEH/?taken-by=durhamuniversity
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News for Durham University Staff & Students
STUDENT THEATRE
Durham Student Theatre has an exciting programme of comedy, drama and musicals planned for this term in The Assembly Rooms Theatre. These are just a few of the student theatre productions taking place in and around Durham, and with over 80 productions performed annually, there is always something theatrical to enjoy! For more information, visit the Durham Student Theatre website www.durhamstudenttheatre.org PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK
BY JOAN LINDSAY, ADAPTED BY TOM WRIGHT Date: Thursday 2 November – Saturday 4 November Time: 7.30pm Venue: The Assembly Rooms Theatre Company: Pitch Productions
THE DURHAM REVUE RETURNERS’ SHOW 2017: LAUGH ACTUALLY
5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE BY EVAN LINDER AND ANDREW HOBGOOD
Date: Saturday 14 October
Date: Thursday 26 October – Saturday 28 October
Time: 8pm
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: The Assembly Rooms Theatre
Venue: The Assembly Rooms Theatre
Company: The Durham Revue
Company: Hild Bede Theatre (HBT)
The renowned Durham Revue returns to The Assembly Rooms Theatre for one night only after a great time at the Edinburgh Fringe. Come and see the group of 2016/17 perform together for the very last time with their sell-out show, Laugh Actually.
It's 1956 and the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein is having their annual quiche breakfast. Will they be able to keep their cool when Communists threaten their idyllic town?
THE DIM REAPER: A HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
DST RETURNERS’ WEEK SHOWCASE Date: Saturday 14 October – Saturday 21 October Venue: The Assembly Rooms Theatre Join Durham Student Theatre as they welcome back some of their most successful productions in recent years, many of which return from their sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. See the shows you always regretted missing whilst you still can!
Sept | Oct 2017
Date: Sunday 29 October Time: 7.30pm Venue: The Assembly Rooms Theatre Company: Durham Improvised Musical (DIM) For one night only, join Durham Improvised Musical for an evening of spooky, scary and completely improvised musical comedy! You provide us with Halloween themed suggestions and we do the rest! It’s an evening you won’t want to miss.
Valentine's Day 1900: three Australian schoolgirls escape their teacher’s watchful gaze, away from the group, and towards the beckoning Hanging Rock – never to be seen again. In this chilling adaptation of the Australian classic, the struggle to solve the mystery unfolds.
RENT
MUSIC, LYRICS AND BOOK BY JONATHAN LARSON Date: Wednesday 8 November – Saturday 11 November Time: 7.30pm (Additional 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 11 November) Venue: The Assembly Rooms Theatre Company: Durham University Light Opera Group (DULOG) Whilst struggling under the burden of addiction, poverty, HIV and Aids, a group of young people learn together to deal with these misfortunes and to live their lives as if there is no day but today.
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RESEARCH INSIGHTS
In July 2017 the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP) showcased its research at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition (RSSSE). The project, entitled Modelling the Invisible, used practical experiments to demonstrate how numerical simulations can unlock the secrets of the tiniest building blocks of our Universe. Professor Alexander Lenz, Deputy Director of the IPPP, explains how the team prepared for the event to help bring fundamental physics to a new audience.
Taking fundamental physics on the road Tell us about the experiments included in the Modelling the Invisible exhibit. We wanted to show visitors how crucial numerical simulations are to the study of particle physics. To do this we built two hands-on, simplified versions of scientific projects that the IPPP participates in at an
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international level – simulations involved in experiments at the Large Hadron Collider to look for new particles, and the SuperCDMS dark matter detector which will be built in Canada next year. Our plan was to enable visitors to our exhibition to take on the role of a physicist and through
these simplified experiments experience fundamental physics in action. So, how did the IPPP prepare for the event? Planning for the RSSSE started about a year in advance. We started with a relatively small team of four, who worked together to create the rough ideas for the
News for Durham University Staff & Students
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
The IPPP team at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibtion experiments. As the task grew, so did our team and in the end we had over 30 people working on the exhibit. Once we had planned the experiments the IPPP worked on the extensive programming needed to make the simulations work. The experiments were built by the team in the physics department’s electronics and mechanical workshops. In May the first versions of the experiments were ready and we tested them at events including Pint of Science, Physicist of the Year and the University’s pre-application open days. This enabled us to refine the experiments and it was also a good training opportunity for our team members. As well as the experiments themselves we also worked with colleagues from the Department of Physics’ communications support team to
Sept | Oct 2017
develop supporting materials including the exhibition stand, a dedicated web page, an IPPP Twitter account, a brochure and even small items like badges, fridge magnets and stickers! We also developed a video about the IPPP for YouTube – which has received over 4,500 views to date. For the event itself we had a team of over 20 people in London. This may sound like a lot of people but with thousands of visitors over six days the RSSSE is a busy place! Of course all of this requires more than just the time and energy of the team. We were fortunate enough to receive financial support via the IPPP’s funding grant from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) as well as from The Ogden Trust, the University’s physics department and The Royal Society to help make our exhibition such a success.
How were the experiments received at the event? The feedback we received from the visitors to the exhibition was very positive. Not only were we invited to attend other science outreach events but a number of teachers told us they plan to use our publicly available computer code in future lessons, which is great. We also welcomed some VIP visitors to our exhibit including Professor Grahame Blaire, Executive Director (Programmes), from our funding agency, the STFC, and Sir Peter Ogden, founder of The Ogden Trust. Sir Peter explained that his financial success is rooted in applying numerical simulation methods he learnt during his PhD in particle physics in Durham to the finance sector – showing fundamental physics has many applications!
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DURHAM BOOK FESTIVAL
David Goodhart
The University is playing a major part in this year’s Durham Book Festival, which runs from 6-15 October. The Festival is commissioned by Durham County Council and produced by New Writing North; and the University is a core funder alongside Arts Council England. The University’s involvement includes sponsoring the Festival Laureate, a visiting creative writer, and hosting events and exhibitions. Many University researchers will also be speaking at the Festival, either about their own work or that of other authors and thinkers. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Corbridge, will chair a debate with David Goodhart, author of The Road to Somewhere, on political and moral identities. Professor Corbridge said: “Durham University is a dedicated supporter of Durham Book Festival and the 2017 programme sees a bumper year for the University.
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“We are proud of the cultural contribution we make to Durham and North East England, which also includes playing an important role in the Lumiere light festival, developing The Zurbarán Centre for Spanish and Latin American Art and working with Arts Council England on The Durham Commission on Creativity and Education. We look forward to the Festival getting underway. There is something for everyone.”
The 2017 Festival Laureate, sponsored by the University, is poet Andrew McMillan, whose debut collection Physical was the first poetry collection to win The Guardian First Book Award. He will be presenting a newly commissioned poem at the Festival, as well as working with young people from secondary schools in Durham and taking part in a special event for Durham University students. He will also be introducing a number of emerging poets including Dr Vidyan Ravinthiran, recently at the Department of English Studies. Professor Simon James, from the Department of English Studies, will be chairing two discussions – with comedian Robert Webb about his new memoir How Not to Be a Boy and comedian John O’Farrell about his new memoir Things Can Only Get Worse, described as a rollercoaster ride through the last two decades of Labour.
Andrew McMillan
News for Durham University Staff & Students
DURHAM BOOK FESTIVAL
Thom Brooks Professor Thom Brooks, Dean of Durham Law School and author of Becoming British, will discuss immigration and citizenship in a debate chaired by Dr Susan Frenk, Principal of St Aidan’s College; Professor Alec Ryrie, from the Department of Theology and Religion, will discuss his prize-winning book Being Protestant in Reformation Britain with Dr Margaret Masson, Principal of St Chad’s College; and Professor Charles Fernyhough, from the Department of Psychology and editor of Others, which celebrates how books and writing can help us to see the world as others see it, will discuss this new anthology and its themes with Durham-based poet Gillian Allnutt and author and journalist Will Storr.
Robert Webb chance to see, handle and discuss texts and documents relating to witchcraft from the archives and special collections of the University’s Palace Green Library.
Saturday 18 November 2017. The discussion will be chaired by Professor Annalisa Cipollone, from the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.
Palace Green Library will host many of the Festival events and there will be two relating to upcoming Library exhibitions. Professor Michael O’Neill and Dr Jason Harding, both from the Department of English Studies, will discuss the influence of the medieval poet Dante Alighieri ahead of the exhibition Hell, Heaven and Hope: A Journey through life and the afterlife with Dante, which opens on
Dr Jamie Tehrani, from the Department of Anthropology, will chair a discussion on the power of fairy tales, ahead of the exhibition Between Worlds: Folklore and Fairy Tales, which runs from Saturday 14 October, 2017 to Sunday 25 February, 2018. Caroline Dower, Head of the University’s Counselling Service, will chair a debate on life writing in graphic novels and free copies of David Almond’s Half a Creature from the Sea will be distributed to staff and students as part of The Big Read initiative.
Durham University is a dedicated supporter of Durham Book Festival and the 2017 programme sees a bumper year for the University.
Also involved are Professor Nicole Westmarland, Professor Stephen Regan, Professor Tom McLeish, Professor Jo Fox, Professor Caroline Harman, Dr Fadia Faqir, Dr Pete Edwards, Dr Alex Barber, Dr Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough and Dr Keith Bartlett.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Dr Sarah Price, Head of Heritage Collections Education Team, will lead Inside the Archives: Witchcraft for Muggles, a
For full listings and to buy tickets, please visit www.durhambookfestival.com
Sept | Oct 2017
Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough
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PARTNERSHIP
Working together to benefit Durham Durham University and Durham County Council have signed a new partnership to work together for the good of County Durham. The partners have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to raise the national and international profile of County Durham and Durham University with governments, businesses and others to attract talent, money and business and benefit local communities. The two organisations have worked together for many years, on projects including the Lumiere light festival, the development of the North East Technology Park (NETPark) at Sedgefield and the Durham: Place of Light brand promotion.
Priority areas The new agreement formally establishes this success and commits both organisations to working together on the priority areas of economic development, research, culture and heritage and place, underpinned by communications. Jane Robinson, Chief Operating Officer, Durham University, said: “We see the relationship with our local community and the wider region as critically important. “We have a long and successful record of collaboration with Durham County Council across a range of economic, social and cultural interests and we believe this agreement will foster an even closer working relationship, which will be mutually beneficial.” Terry Collins, Chief Executive of Durham County Council, said: “Durham County Council has a well-established relationship with Durham University and we are looking forward to building on the successes we have had already including the development of NETPark, the nationally recognised city water safety campaign and our work together on the development of an internationally recognised culture programme.
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Professor Stuart Corbridge, Vice-Chancellor, signs the Memorandum of Understanding with Terry Collins, Chief Executive of Durham County Council
“Working closely together will allow us to continue to shine a light on our county as a great place to study, work, live and visit. Together we can celebrate Durham and ensure that regionally and nationally we promote the county’s huge offer.”
Widely welcomed The agreement has been welcomed by others. Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry said: “The Northern Powerhouse is a long term government priority, and we’re investing over £58 million in Durham through growth deals to boost the local economy. “We’re determined to build on this strength so I’m delighted that Durham University is demonstrating its commitment to help attract and retain talent in the North. “The partnership between Durham University and Durham County Council will help raise the national and international profile of the local area, and will be a real boost to the Northern Powerhouse.” James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive of the North East England Chamber of Commerce, said: “Durham University is a world class higher education institution at the heart of County Durham which offers world class opportunities for business and people aspiring to achieve their ambitions. “Communicating the potential of both, nationally and internationally, will help unlock so much potential and the North East England Chamber of Commerce is delighted to support this important Memorandum of Understanding.” Roberta Blackman-Woods, MP for the City of Durham, said: “I am pleased to see the University and the County Council coming
together in this way, and I hope that it attracts good quality business, talent and investment, bringing benefits to the whole area. “I would particularly like to see greater investment in business capacity for new graduates, such as space for start-up business units, which would improve graduate retention rates, allowing more of the University’s talented students to stay in the area after their studies. “It is very important however that Durham County Council and Durham University involve residents in any major decision-making through a proper consultation process, to ensure that the wider community in Durham sees the benefits of this new understanding.” On economic development, the University and Council are committed to identifying opportunities for closer collaboration to encourage the economic development of County Durham, while on research the partners will seek to leverage research expertise to improve the quality of life for the communities and people of County Durham. The University and Council will seek to make North East England a focal point for culture and heritage and the partners will work together to build sustainable communities.
The partnership between Durham University and Durham County Council will help raise the national and international profile of the local area, and will be a real boost to the Northern Powerhouse. News for Durham University Staff & Students
Delivering the Strategy
Durham University Strategy 2017-2027
Colleagues across the University are working hard to deliver our new Strategy, 2017-2027, aimed at ensuring excellence in research, education and the wider student experience. In the first of a series of articles on delivering the Strategy, we round up all the latest news.
Queen’s Campus relocation Following the transfer of the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health to Newcastle University this summer, the Business School’s programmes in Business and Management and Marketing and the Foundation Centre have relocated to Durham City for the 2017/18 academic year. Support is being provided both for staff and students whose programmes have already relocated and those affected by further changes of programmes, as well as John Snow and Stephenson Colleges moving to Durham City next summer.
Estate development Work has begun on the first phase of a two-part, multi-million pound programme to develop our sports facilities at Maiden Castle. A new rubber crumb sports pitch is being created inside the existing athletics track, one hockey pitch is being upgraded and another resurfaced. Car parking facilities and access to the site is also being improved. We expect work on this first phase to be completed during November. Elsewhere, planning is progressing for the new Centre for Teaching and Learning at Lower Mountjoy, new colleges at Mount Oswald, a new Maths and Computer Science building at Upper Mountjoy and a new home for the Business School at Elvet Waterside. You can keep up to date with all the latest news and announcements on our new Estate Developments web pages, at www.durham.ac.uk/estates-developments Sept | Oct 2017
A new home for Ustinov College Our Ustinov College postgraduate community has a purpose-built new home – Sheraton Park, on the west of Durham City. The first students arrived in mid-September, with Ustinov Principal Professor Glenn McGregor calling it an exciting new era for the College. Ustinov will be based across Sheraton Park and Howlands Farm for 2017/18, before vacating Howlands Farm for 2018/19. Couples and family accommodation will continue to be at Keenan House. More on Sheraton Park will be featured in Dialogue 54.
More information Regular updates on how the Strategy is being delivered are being posted at www.durham.ac.uk/strategy2027, where you can also get more information, view Frequently Asked Questions and have your say on Strategy projects. See also: Durham University International Study Centre opens its doors
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GREENSPACE
Ring-Fenced Carbon Budget A ring-fenced £100,000 budget is given to the Carbon Management Team each year to help make additional savings in Departments and Colleges, moving us closer to the carbon reduction targets set out in our Carbon Management Plan. Since 2011/12, 88 projects have been successful. Here are a few examples of funded projects from 2016/17. Ian Jackson, Van Mildert College, said: “Van Mildert College had success for a bid to upgrade lighting within one of our residential blocks. A lighting design fault was identified within Middleton Block, home to 60 of our students. Lighting control switches were positioned at the entry points to corridors meaning residents entered switching on the lights but had no means of switching them off. Thus, lights remained on constantly to four floors. The improvements included installing LED light fittings to all corridors, and motion and light activated timer sensors to corridors.” Janice Ware, Trevelyan College, said: “At Trevelyan we were fortunate to be successful in a bid for new dining hall lighting. The LED pendants look attractive, as well as being very energy efficient. No more having to arrange for Estates to change bulbs 18 feet up! We also have the benefit of motion sensors, allowing the lights to turn off automatically when the hall is empty, saving more energy. This installation is a welcome addition to the College.”
introduce the Liberty Blue microwave solid-phase peptide synthesiser to our scientific research community, which is anticipated to become a work-horse instrument for generating synthetic materials based on biomolecules. Often scale and access in relation to waste and cost respectively are the factors that limit research progress – hopefully, until now. Durham-led case studies demonstrate that the Liberty Blue cuts down on the generation of toxic dimethylformamide (DMF) waste volumes by at least 10-fold by utilising less solvent, meaning desirable products can be produced on larger scales in the laboratory without incurring huge costs for toxic waste disposal and water remediation, not to mention consumption of precious reagents. The microwave utility of Liberty Blue also allows for significantly shorter reaction times (i.e. instrument running times) by 85%, ultimately impacting the power and nitrogen gas consumed over time and contributing to the overall rate of research progress. Moreover, the efficiency in which relevant biomolecules can be prepared (typically, in less than an hour) means that the Liberty Blue could hold the key to potentially introducing practical biomolecule synthesis into the curricula of Durham Chemistry and Biology undergraduate teaching laboratories — a move that would capitalise on all the Liberty Blue has to offer and maximise its impact on the Durham community: for research, environment, and education.”
James Dyson, Earth Sciences, said: “The 2016/17 project for Earth Sciences was a freezer replacement programme. We first tested the energy consumption of the old freezers and compared the usage to the calculated usage of a new freezer. Then two old inefficient freezers were replaced with two energy efficient freezers. This increased the capacity of the freezers whilst reducing the energy consumption. This project built on the previous year’s fridge freezer replacement whereby seven fridges were replaced by five fridges and again increased the capacity, and reduced the energy consumption.” Dr Michael Cooke, Engineering, said: “The carbon funding has provided us with the opportunity to replace out-of-date inefficient technology with new green equivalents in the engineering micro-fabrication facility. We have replaced seven of our vacuum pumping systems with new low power backing pumps. Our deposition system now has a new efficient chiller system which is both more efficient and more reliable. Finally our glove box has a new turbo pump replacing out-of-date diffusion pump technology, meaning a faster pump down, greater energy efficiency and general cleaner evacuation. It also means we no longer have to use liquid nitrogen in the facility so decreasing further costs and improving safety. This all means we can offer more efficient services to students and industrial clients while reducing the University’s energy footprint.” Dr Alyssa-Jennifer Avestro, Chemistry, said: “The fund has allowed us to
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News for Durham University Staff & Students
GREENSPACE
Environment Schedule Gemma Lewis, Museums, said: “The carbon funding has been a great opportunity for the Museum of Archaeology as it allowed us to replace some of the halogen projection light system used to light the display space in the public gallery at Palace Green Library. The benefits have been substantial. Not only have we had positive feedback from visitors and staff on the improvements to the displays, but there have also been environmental and conservation improvements. The move to the LED system allowed us to reduce the light level of the LED overarching gallery lighting from 85% to 15%, mainly due to the improvements in targeting the new lighting in the displays and will help reduce the energy use in the gallery. It has reduced maintenance time, created a more efficient and reliable system, and has helped the long term aim to create a more stable environment for objects.” Melissa Walden, Chemistry, said: “The Durham University Energy CDT mini-project of 2016 gave students a briefing to complete an audit of the Department of Chemistry. This has led to a successful funding award to replace 12 old ovens in the department. Ovens are used primarily for drying glassware and are switched on all day to ensure complete dryness. Many of the ovens that we found were set to the highest heat setting and had loose seals or even oven doors that were not shut correctly which contributed to the poor oven efficiency. These have been successfully replaced and are running at a much lower energy consumption than before. We hope to continue our work for the Durham Chemistry Environment Committee, set up as part of this project, by working towards replacement of all water condensers in the department with Findensers that do not require water to run overnight reactions.” Applications are now being sought for 2017/18 and the closing date for the first round is Thursday 16 November 2017. Full details are available on the Greenspace website at www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/cmp/projects
The Environment Schedule for the academic year 2017/18 is now live on the Greenspace website. This schedule is designed to address a wide range of environmental issues in order to support environmental sustainability at Durham University. These include annual awareness weeks for waste, water and energy, as well as a promotion for National Walking Month and Earth Hour. Environment Week runs from Monday 26 February to Sunday 4 March 2018 and will be a week of activities to raise awareness of how and why to live, work and travel in a more environmentally sustainable way. Look out for further details of events and activities as part of these campaigns, as well as additional activities occurring throughout the year. Visit www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace
Environmental Sustainability Online Training Module At Durham University, we are fully committed to becoming a more environmentally sustainable University and being a leader in this area. We are examining everything we do to see how we can make changes which will reduce our carbon footprint. This will involve, in one way or another, every student and every member of staff. We have created an online training module for all students and staff to undertake which is available on duo ‘Durham University Online’ and once logged in, the course can be found under ‘My Organisations & Online Training’.
The move to the LED system allowed us to reduce the light level of the LED overarching gallery lighting from 85% to 15%, mainly due to the improvements in targeting the new lighting in the displays and will help reduce the energy use in the gallery.
Carbon management is everyone’s responsibility and completing the online environmental sustainability training module will provide you with the opportunity to learn more about what the University is doing and what we can do, individually and collectively, to reduce our carbon footprint.
Every small step leads to big change Sept | Oct 2017
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Retail Summer Congregation This year’s Summer Congregation was surely one of the wettest yet, but that did not dampen the spirits of all the staff, graduates and their families and friends. Over the four days of ceremonies, the University saw over 3,500 students graduate. It’s safe to say the retail team was rather busy! For a newly recruited retail team this was a great experience and learning curve which they all thoroughly enjoyed. Plans are now well underway for Winter Congregation. The retail team is working hard with suppliers to develop new and exciting University merchandise, so keep visiting the website for updates: shop.dur.ac.uk/about
Follow us on social media for news and offers. Durham University Retail Office @DurhamUniRetail durham_uni_merchandise
Catering Did you know that in the UK three billion disposable cups are thrown away each year? Would you like to save the environment - and your own money - with a functional, reliable and stylish mug? Introducing: brand new Durham University “Keep Cups” - the more sustainable approach to drinking hot drinks. Available in five colours, the mugs hold regular 12oz drinks, with a sturdy grip and lockable, leak-proof lid. Purchase one from a Lower Mountjoy café for £6 and receive a free hot drink. Plus, you’ll get 20p off the usual price of your drink each time you use your mug in our cafés! Durham University Catering
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Event Durham Durham Castle has held its first civil wedding ceremony since being licensed earlier in 2017. The ceremony took place on Sunday 23 July with the marriage of Charmian Baring and Jake Murray in the Norman Gallery, followed by the wedding breakfast and evening reception in the Great Hall. Speaking ahead of the ceremony, the bride and groom, said: “We are delighted to be making history as the first couple to be married in a civil ceremony at Durham Castle. It’s the perfect setting for a wedding, full of atmosphere and elegance. We could not have found a better location. Event Durham has been superb, friendly, helpful and accommodating every step of the way. Guests are coming from all over the world, from as far afield as America and Canada. We feel enormously proud to bring them to the heart of Durham and show them the beautiful Castle with its rich heritage. It’s going to be a magical day that we will remember for the rest of our lives.”
Event Durham, Durham University
News for Durham University Staff & Students
Staff Survey To enable all staff to have their say about University matters, the University ran a Staff Survey from Wednesday 26 April to Friday 19 May this year. The Survey was designed with ORC International and a University working group comprising of members from all areas of the University. We had an excellent response rate of 71% (3,214 members of staff) well above the University's target of 60% and higher than comparable organisations. The key headlines from the Survey are:
Areas of strength: • Employees are engaged and speak positively about the University; • Employees are passionate about the work they do and have the information they need to do their job well; • Opinions about pay and benefits are higher than typically seen; • There is a greater opportunity to contribute views about role changes than in other organisations.
Areas for focus: • Readiness to meet future challenges – communication, clear direction from leaders, making employees feel valued so employees can clearly see their role in delivering the University Strategy and the future of the organisation; • Ensuring managers have the skills to enable employee autonomy while ensuring that good performance is always acknowledged and poor performance is managed effectively; • Ensuring all employees feel treated with fairness and respect and have the resources they need.
Next steps The Survey results are just a starting point. They provide valuable information to initiate further conversations to better understand some of the findings. Over the next few months a series of specific area/interest reports will be produced, including at University, Faculty, College and Department level. These detailed reports will be made available to senior managers in September. Action planning at a University level is now underway and it is expected that a University action plan will be agreed in October. Wider discussion and communication of the Survey results, along with proposed activities on the back of these, will take place during the Michaelmas Term.
Working Group and Survey Champions The Working Group will continue to meet to monitor progress across the University and will also help communicate the results and ongoing actions. Details about the Staff Survey and Staff Survey champions can be found at: www.durham.ac.uk/hr/password/ staffsurvey2017/champions
If you have any further questions you can contact the HR Reward & Research Team on reward.team@durham.ac.uk.
Durham University Day Nursery At Durham University Day Nursery we do provide high-quality childcare in a safe, secure and stimulating environment for children from three months old to school age. The Nursery operates as a workplace nursery for University staff and students, with childcare vouchers being accepted for non-university parents also.
Sept | Oct 2017
HR & OD NEWS
Academic Staff Development Programme 17/18 The new academic year kicked off with over 50 staff presenting innovative practice and sharing ideas across disciplinary boundaries, the event was a resounding success. A highlight was the keynote speech by Dr Camille Kandiko Howson (pictured), Senior Lecturer in Higher Education at Kings College, University of London. Camille discussed both student engagement and the concept of learning gain, currently being considered for future instances of the TEF. The University offers many development opportunities and these can be found at www.durham.ac.uk/training.course In addition, our current call for Higher Education Academy Fellowship applications via the DREAM scheme closes on Thursday 5 October, so if you have an application (with accompanying references) ready to go please email to acad.dev@durham.ac.uk. Further workshops on the scheme, along with writing retreats will take place during Michaelmas Term ahead of our next deadline early next year.
We recently had the Zoo Lab come to visit us in nursery, they brought lots of exciting small creatures and reptiles in for us to investigate! We stroked snails and rats, held cockroaches and tortoises and felt the scaly skin of a snake! We had so much fun finding out about all of the different animals, we even saw a really big spider and a Lizard. For further information about Durham University Day Nursery please visit www.durham.ac.uk/university.nursery
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SPOTLIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH
Universities UK has launched a new framework to promote a Whole University approach to student and staff mental health. With World Mental Health Day on 10 October we will focus on Student Mental Health this month and next month turn the spotlight on Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing.
What do we mean by mental health?
Caroline Dower, Head of the Counselling Service explains: “When we talk about mental health difficulties we are talking about two different things; mental health illness and mental wellbeing. It is important to recognise both; let’s not medicalise the ordinary ups and downs of life, but we do need to respond well and recognise when a difficulty is turning into something that needs specialist support or attention.” Awareness-raising campaigns over recent years are working to address the stigma associated with mental illness. The revised Student Mental Health Policy outlines the commitment made by the University towards supporting students facing mental health difficulties and the mutual responsibilities that we have towards each other as members of the University community. A chronic mental health illness is recognised as a disability. Students can expect the University to support them to manage their condition. We can all benefit from attending to our mental wellbeing, and there is a clear role for an institution like Durham University. Research into wellbeing demonstrates the value of a sense of community, a sense of purpose and opportunities for learning and engagement. “Durham, at its best, can be a very positive influence on mental wellbeing, but we need to acknowledge that for some students the transition to higher education can be a daunting and challenging experience.”
What support is available? The Counselling Service is launching new training sessions to support staff members responding to with students. These will be bookable on the online Training Course Booking System. The Counselling Service will also offer bespoke sessions to particular staff groups upon request. An experienced member of staff in the Counselling Service is always available during working hours for consultation if you are concerned about a student and the Counselling Service website contains further information and sources of help. Good e-learning modules are offered by the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, details below. Students at the University have various forms of support available to them, from their College Student Support Office and Academic Advisors through to the specialist support offered at the Counselling Service. From October 2017 students referring themselves to the Counselling Service will be offered an appropriate mix of workshops, counselling sessions, online self-help SilverCloud to improve their wellbeing. SilverCloud is a
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From left: Caroline Dower (Head of Counselling Service), Kate Augarde ) Lead Mental Health Advisor), Helen Hodgson (Counselling Service Receptionist), Linda Whelan (Clinical Lead Counselling) and Marcella Celli (Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner) set of online modules on topics such as Anxiety or Depression, available to all students and staff through smartphones, tablets and PCs. Mental Health Advisors provide information and guidance for students with diagnosed or longer-standing mental health illness. The Counselling Service maintains strong links with local NHS services and other external agencies to ensure that those who need specialist support can be informed and signposted appropriately.
Next month: Spotlight on Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing, looking at the new services and policies to support University staff Services available at the Counselling Service: • Psychological Wellbeing: Online self-help, drop-in sessions and themed workshops • Counselling: Individual time-limited counselling • Mental Health Advice: Information and advice on mental health conditions and medication, and support to access NHS services • Consultation and Advice: A senior member of the team is available in working hours for advice on supporting students of concern.
Counselling Service www.durham.ac.uk/counselling.service 0191 334 2200 Disability Support www.durham.ac.uk/disability.support 0191 334 8115 SilverCloud, for information, www.silvercloudhealth.com Students can access SilverCloud through the Counselling Service. Staff can access it through Occupational Health. Student Mental Health Policy www.dur.ac.uk/university.calendar/volumei/policies_and_ strategies Training to help staff concerned with student mental health www.dur.ac.uk/training.course One hour and three hour trainings available. E-learning modules to build confidence in supporting students in distress, Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, www.learning.cwmt.org.uk
News for Durham University Staff & Students
ISC OPENING
International Study Centre Durham City are very high, ensuring that only A warm welcome Our International Study those capable of thriving on a Durham degree ISC students are associate Centre (ISC) has opened at progress. students of Durham University, with access to Queen’s Campus, with more Students who pass their ISC programme but do University facilities in Durham City. They are not achieve the necessary grades to progress to able to join student clubs and societies, and than 400 students from 30 Durham will be helped to find a place at will be offered familiarisation visits to Colleges countries arriving to develop another university. and Departments. their language and disciplineAdditionally, every Department has a link tutor, Where is the ISC based? whose role is to liaise with the ISC in regards to specific study skills.
Students enjoyed a busy and varied Induction Week, before teaching began in midSeptember. Recruitment to the ISC, which is managed by Study Group, has been highly successful – the first intake was more than double the initial forecast. Numbers will grow in future years and the pathway programmes on offer, which include International Foundation Year and Pre-Masters levels, last from one term to one year, so new students will arrive in Stockton each January, April, June and September.
High quality learning The ISC is recruiting high-quality students from across the world and the standards required to continue to undergraduate or postgraduate study in
Sept | Oct 2017
For 2017/18 the ISC administrative base, including reception and student support, is the Wolfson Building. Teaching is taking place across the Wolfson, Ebsworth and Holliday Buildings, in spaces designated for ISC use.
Library, computer, catering, sport and fitness facilities provide opportunities for ISC and Durham University undergraduate and postgraduate students to come together and socialise in shared spaces. Most ISC students are living at Rialto Court, in Stockton. Additionally, a number are based at Ernest Place, Durham City. This is due to the success of recruitment and a temporary measure for 2017/18. Free buses are being provided between Ernest Place and Queen's Campus for ISC students only. From 2018/19, the ISC will be consolidated in the Holliday Building, with the intention that all students be accommodated in Stockton.
the academic content of programmes and academic progress of students – to help students be as well prepared for a Durham education as they can be.
The University is also engaged with the ISC at a strategic level, with Professor Antony Long, DVC & Provost, co-chairing the Steering Group and Professor Alan Houston, PVC Education, co-chairing the Academic Management Board.
A key project The opening of the ISC is a key part of our University Strategy, 2017-2027 and in particular our internationalisation, as we increase the proportion of non-UK students recruited to 35% by 2027. It is also part of our ongoing commitment to Stockton. The ISC has created 50 jobs and ISC students will support the local economy and contribute to the cultural offer. www.durhamisc.com
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SVMOG UPDATE
Sexual Violence & Misconduct Operations Group - an update from the Chair
Owen Adams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Colleges and Student Experience) gives an update on the work of the Sexual Violence & Misconduct Operations Group, which he chairs. For staff, the training comprises: the Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence online course (available in October), awareness & disclosure training, disclosure & support workshops, and investigation training. Students joining Durham in October, will be the first cohort to be able to take part in the training from the start of their time with us. They will also benefit from the fact that many student leaders and members of staff have also been trained in disclosure, support and investigation.
Reporting and Support Through our website and regular training, we continue to communicate the message that following an incident of sexual violence or misconduct, a victim/survivor has options. They are in charge of their recovery and can decide which approach is going to work best for them. Students and staff have access to support, whether the instances are current or historical. The Sexual Violence website explains the difference between a report and a disclosure, reporting options and full details of where to find support internally and externally. Since our last update in February’s Dialogue magazine, the Sexual Violence & Misconduct Operations Group (SVMOG) has forged ahead with the work which aims to eliminate sexual violence.
Policy and Procedure After extensive consultation across the University, the new Sexual Violence & Misconduct Policy and Procedure are now live on the University website and are effective for the 2017/18 academic year. The Policy and Procedure reaffirm our commitment to promoting a culture which does not tolerate sexual violence and misconduct, and that any incidents will be thoroughly addressed to ensure the preservation of a safe work and study environment.
Communications As SVMOG, we’ve been communicating with you in a number of ways; through our regular updates on the Sexual Violence website, through Dialogue Signposts, via our digital display screens and social media. If there are other channels you would like us to consider, or if you have a general enquiry about SVMOG, please contact us: durham.svmog@durham.ac.uk
For more information please visit: www.durham.ac.uk/sexualviolence
A student information leaflet is being produced – ready for the 2017/18 academic year – which summarises the policy and procedure and provides details of where to find support. Recognising that the procedure is a student-facing document, SVMOG now includes a representative from Human Resources who will be working on a staff-facing version.
Training A number of training courses have already taken place, and more are scheduled over Michaelmas term for both students and staff. For students, the training comprises: Induction talks in Colleges, the Consent Matters online course and the Intervention Initiative - a course developed by the University of the West of England for the prevention of sexual coercion across universities. In addition, the Students’ Union training on Becoming an Active Bystander will continue to complement the University programme.
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News for Durham University Staff & Students
NSS SURVEY
NSS Survey
Student satisfaction at Durham University remains high, according to the National Student Survey (NSS) 2017. The University has maintained a high satisfaction score overall, with 89 per cent of Durham students saying they were satisfied with the quality of their course – well above the national average of 84 per cent. We ranked 11th out of the 118 institutions that returned the Survey and top of the Russell Group universities whose students took part. Nationally, over 300,000 final year students responded. This is positive news for the University as we take forward the University Strategy, 20172027, which proposes investing £700 million over ten years to ensure we continue to deliver world-class research, education and wider
Sept | Oct 2017
student experience for all students. Our Computer Science department was ranked third in the country for student satisfaction and Chemistry ranked sixth. Educational Studies, English and History also registered particularly high satisfaction ratings. The NSS results follow continued excellent performance by Durham University across the league tables. Durham ranked sixth in The Complete University Guide 2017 and fourth in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017.
and 78th in the QS World University Rankings (2017/18). A huge thanks to all colleagues for your continued commitment to enhancing the student learning experience here at Durham University. If you would like further information on the National Student Survey please contact the Academic Support Office.
Internationally, Durham is ranked 96th in the THE World University Rankings (2016/17)
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SPOTLIGHT ON...
What three words best describe you? Energetic, Creative and Collaborative. How can staff and students engage with you and your work? Staff and students (and families and friends) can: • Visit the Oriental Museum and Palace Green Library, or book a tour of Durham Castle – open all year round. See the art collections displayed across the University. • Discover our collections at discover.durham.ac.uk, through searchrooms at Palace Green Library, Ushaw College, or by appointment at our museums. • Take part in weekly activities for families and under 5s, festivals such as Diwali and Holi, or the Durham Book Festival. www.durham.ac.uk/whatson • Develop workplace skills through placements or volunteering. • Shape our collections. Our world-class collections are the result of generous benefactors. We are currently seeking more contemporary material for research and teaching. We also work with departments and colleges (and increasingly individual academics) to look after their records. We’re always interested in finding more ways of engaging – so please talk to us about your ideas. What is your main objective and what do you want to achieve?
Culture Durham Describe yourself in one sentence. Culture Durham looks after the University's museums, archives and special collections and we deliver exhibitions, teaching, outreach and cultural engagement activities, partnerships and events for students, researchers and our wider community.
Collections-centred and audience-focussed, we are a bridge between the University and wider community. We aim to use our expertise, enthusiasm and creativity to ensure everyone who encounters our collections, venues or events learns something new and and we want to make Durham a vibrant, rich cultural and creative place. What would you say is your main challenge? Juggling the needs and expectations of different audiences. Fortunately – this is what makes the challenge interesting and exciting too. What does the future look like for Culture Durham? Busy, fun and varied! We are developing the University’s Cultural Strategy, driving forward major initiatives such as the new International Residential Research Library at Ushaw College, the digitisation of the Priory Library, international partnerships with China and Japan and so much more. Over the next few months we have the Durham Book Festival, new exhibitions on Dante and fairies and our Diwali celebrations. It’s an exciting time, with so much going on and so many opportunities for culture to connect Durham University with its communities.
What are the three main things people should know about Culture Durham? Our collections are varied, with many of international standing – they include Egyptian artefacts, Japanese manga, Warhol prints, Medieval manuscripts, maps of the Sudan, Roman coins and much more. We care for them so they can be used now, and by future generations. We open them up to researchers and students – whether through our searchroom or in teaching, and bring them to life through REF exhibitions, or outreach – reaching 20,000+ school children and 200,000+ visitors each year. We create a vibrant programme of cultural activities and events through collaborating with others (within the University, with cultural organisations in the UK and abroad) – for example the new DLI Gallery, the Durham Book Festival, CBeebies Teacup Travels, and International Print Biennale.
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“Did you know…?” Among our many unique treasures we have a 2,000-year-old Egyptian mummy with what is believed to be the oldest surviving artificial limb in the world. Twitter: @Culture_Durham Facebook: @visitor.attractions @Oriental.Museum60 @archaology.museum.durham @durham.castle.museum @PalaceGreenLib
News for Durham University Staff & Students
CEREMONIES AND SERVICES
Ceremonies and Services at Durham Cathedral
All staff are invited to attend the following Ceremonies and Services to be held in Durham Cathedral over the next few months: Remembrance Service – Sunday 12 November 2017 Founders and Benefactors Service – Sunday 26 November 2017 Winter Congregation – Thursday 11 January and Friday 12 January 2018 Staff are welcome to attend as a University guest at these events or if eligible can join the Staff Procession and can also get involved at Congregation by volunteering to marshal, an essential role in producing professional and celebratory occasions for our students and their guests, with lunch and cakes provided too! See the comments from marshals at the recent Summer Congregation:
University Honorary Awards Staff are encouraged to submit nominations for candidates they would like to receive honorary awards from the University. Nominations for Chancellor’s Medal should be submitted by 23 October 2017.
“Being a Marshal was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Seeing all of the graduands and the proud guests who come to watch them graduate really does remind me why we all work at the University.”
Nominations for Honorary Degrees should be submitted by 29 January 2018.
“I’d recommend being a Marshal for anyone who hasn’t done it before as you meet staff from other parts of the University, it is a happy occasion for the guests and coffee and cake in the Cathedral café makes up for the early start.”
Further information is available at: www.durham.ac.uk/ceremonies/ honorary
Look out for notices on Dialogue Signposts to register for these ceremonies and services.
Sept | Oct 2017
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CIS NEWS
Autumn
g n i h s i ph
frenzy don’t get hooked! Although we’re blocking more suspect emails than ever, everyone needs to remain vigilant. Report anything suspicious to CIS so we can spot patterns and take further action. Recently there’s been widespread news coverage of global cyber-attacks causing chaos to the NHS and UK Parliament. All individuals and organisations are at risk from a cyber assault - and Durham University is no exception. We often see targeted ‘phishing’ scams at the start of the academic year - emails designed to look like they are from trusted businesses, aimed at stealing your personal information and bank details. Did you know that CIS blocks around 90,000 suspect messages each week? These are quarantined because they are spam or contain viruses, suspicious attachments or offensive content.
Don’t let it be you While there are many security measures in place, ultimately we as individuals are the biggest risk. Not all phishing emails can be identified immediately, meaning some pass through the filters and into our mailboxes. Every year, fraudsters target universities claiming to be from the Student Loans Company, and have even posed as university departments to breach their internal HR portals and divert staff wages. The stories around the scams change, but how you can avoid them does not. Phishing emails usually have common features – the best way to protect yourself is to remember what these are.
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Spotting the signs Email doesn’t look right. It may be from someone you don’t know, be unexpected or seem out of context. Impersonal greetings. Beware of phrases like “Dear customer”. Poor grammar and spelling. Often a tell-tale sign, so read carefully. Suspicious links or attachments. Frequently claiming to be invoices, deliveries, refunds or tax returns to lure you into opening them. Spoof websites. Watch out for lookalike web addresses similar to the real thing. Use a trusted search engine to confirm the official company website. ‘Urgent’ deadlines. Designed to pressure you into acting quickly, e.g. “Your account will be deleted if you do not respond immediately” or “You must act now to win your prize”. Visit www.durham.ac.uk/infosecurity/toolkit/email for more details about these tell-tale signs.
Taking action • Suspect you've received a malicious email? Don’t click on any attachments or web links it contains. Do ‘File – Save As’, attach the original in an email to phishing@durham.ac.uk and then delete it. • Think your University email address has been compromised? Contact the IT Service Desk immediately on 0191 33 (41515). • Worried about your personal email account? Report attempted scams, viruses or crimes to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk. Contact your bank or credit provider if you’ve given away any personal or financial data.
News for Durham University Staff & Students
Give me a picture of your ideal day: I would wake up to smashed avocado, runny poached eggs and bacon on toast with a cup of tea. I would go to the lab and collect data that, once published, would change the landscape of neuroscience for a long time to come. I would then pop down to Maiden Castle, turn out for Durham University Staff football team and bag a hat-trick in the floodlit cup final to win 3-2. We would then celebrate our victory in Fabio’s with an acoustic set from Liam and Noel Gallagher (who just started speaking that day) sandwiched between sets from Erick Morillo and Kolsch.
NAME: Steven Poulter JOB TITLE: Postdoctoral Research Associate DEPARTMENT: Psychology
Which historical figure would you most like to be? Ivan Pavlov. I love how during his Nobel prize acceptance speech in 1904 for his brilliant work on digestion Pavlov spoke about his more recent and rather different line of research that he happened to stumble upon. A true scientist was Pavlov; able to keep hunting the tiger irrespective of direction.
band but they swiftly changed their view after hearing me sing.
What was the first record you bought? Was a Kylie Minogue record. I used to love Charlene in Neighbours.
What’s your favourite film? Drive. Great soundtrack.
What achievement are you most proud of? Not sure. I am afflicted with being a perfectionist so I tend to focus on all the things I could have done better. Have you got any pets? No. I’m too busy to look after a pet. What are you reading at the moment? The walker’s guide to outdoor clues & signs by Tristan Gooley.
What would you like your epitaph to be? Curiosity did not kill this cat.
What was your best subject? I loved English literature and PE but always seemed to do well in Biology. When was the last time you laughed and why? Yesterday. My grandfather was telling me one of his epic stories. At 96 he is still hilarious. What did you want to be when you were a child? A footballer. I fancied myself as the next Gazza. Where will you be going for your next holiday? Agios Nikolaos in Crete for my colleague and friend’s wedding. He is marrying a Cretian girl so I am looking forward to being part of their traditional wedding day. What skill or talent would you most like to acquire? Would love to be a good singer. On a couple of occasions growing up, friends of mine suggested I would make a good front man for a
Sept | Oct 2017
On a scale of 1-10, how much do you care what other people think of you? I can be quite sensitive at times. I’ll go with an 8. What’s your greatest vice? Eating too much.
Any nicknames? Poacher. A friend started calling me it when I was about 15 and it stuck. It sounds similar to my surname and, I believe, related to two factors: I always used to walk in the countryside with my dog and be a goal poacher during football matches. What’s the worst job you’ve ever done? Taking leaves, one by one, off a huge branch and placing them on top of frozen rice meals, which flew past on a conveyor belt. What’s your favourite place in the world? So far, probably Australia. Tell me a secret: From certain angles I am looking more and more like Brendan Rodgers. What luxury item would you take to a desert island? Would have to be my lovely partner, Emma. What’s your greatest indulgence? A cinema room in my house. Pass the buck: Finally, who would you like to see in the hot-seat? Bill Hoare, International Office
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what’s on at the University
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september CELEBRATE SCIENCE 2017 VENUE: Celebrate Science Marquee, Palace Green DATES: Tuesday 24 October - Thursday 26 October TIME: 10am – 4pm daily
POETRY READING AT USHAW COLLEGE DATE: Wednesday 27 September TIME: 7pm Professor Stephen Regan and friends will be returning to Ushaw for another evening of magnificent prose and expertly selected poetry.
october COBRA, DEMONS AND FIGHTERS: DEMONOLOGY IN ANCIENT EGYPT
Now in its 8th year, Celebrate Science will once again bring science to life this October Half Term, with amazing activities and exciting experiments showing younger children how science shapes their world.
november DURHAM UNIVERSITY BRASS BAND CONCERT DATE: Wednesday 15 November TIME: 7.30pm - 9.30pm Save the date for the highlight performance of DUBBS first term.
PRESENTED BY THE NORTH EAST EGYPTIAN SOCIETY VENUE: Elvet Hill House, Oriental Museum DATE: Saturday 7 October TIME: 2pm – 4pm Kasia Szpakowska, Director of Research at Swansea University, delivers this lecture into the good and bad ‘demons’ the Egyptian believed inhabited the world with them (and us?).
LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES: FRESHERS CONCERT VENUE: Music Department, Palace Green, Durham DATE: Wednesday 11 October TIME: 1.15pm - 2pm Join Music Durham for their first Lunchtime Concert of the year, featuring some of our newest student performers!
LUMIERE DURHAM 2017 DATE: Thursday 16 November – Sunday 19 November Lumiere is back in Durham for the fifth time, bringing artists from around the world to illuminate the city in delightful and unexpected ways, with a series of light installations to explore.
For more information on University events go to www.durham.ac.uk/whatson