Dialogue Issue 37

Meet our new DSU officers

Also in this issue: 25 years of IBRU

Student Publishing

Here to represent Durham students and liaise with colleges, the community and the NUS on the issues that matter.

The International Boundaries Research Unit marks it’s 25th year and keeps evolving.

Alice Oseman celebrates her deal with HarperCollins with the launch of her first book Solitaire.

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Dialogue 37 | Sept / Oct 2014

Share your story...

www.thedurhamdiary.wordpress.com

If you have anything interesting coming up such as an event, lecture, news article, radio/TV appearance, etc. get in touch with zoe.thomas@durham.ac.uk

@Durham_Uni

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Durham students are among the most satisfied in the UK In the most recent National Student Survey (NSS), Durham maintained its position as one of the highest ranked mainstream UK universities for student satisfaction.

Dear Colleagues, 13

Welcome to a new academic year! It promises to be an important one, not least with the process of recruiting of a new Vice-Chancellor to replace Professor Chris Higgins and the publication of the REF results. This is also an appropriate time to acknowledge some important changes and events that have occurred over the summer, several of which exemplify our commitment to engage with communities beyond the University and which are highlighted in this latest issue of Dialogue.

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Durham students were particularly satisfied with the teaching they received, with 92 per cent saying that staff are good at explaining things and 91 per cent describing their course as intellectually stimulating. The enthusiasm of teaching staff also scored highly at 91 per cent. Educational Studies maintained a satisfaction rating of 100 per cent.

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Other subjects, including History (99 per cent), Archaeology (97 per cent), Sport Science (96 per cent) and Chemistry, English Studies, European Languages and Physical Geography (95 per cent) registered particularly high satisfaction ratings.

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03 National

Student Survey

Get Social Students’ Union

06 Research Insights 08 Spotlight on... The

International Office

10 Summer Schools 11 IBRU: The Centre for Borders Research

EDITOR:

16 Estates and Buildings

Marketing Projects Co-ordinator.

17 Library News 18 Museums and Attractions

19 Event Durham,

Retail & Catering

20 HR News 21 CIS News 22 Procurement 23 Greenspace

13 Students in Zambia 14 Books for Boys

24 Under Investigation

CONTRIBUTIONS: Sharon Battersby, CIS; Tara Duncan, Greenspace; Louise Elliott, Event Durham; Media Relations Team, Communications Office; Rachel Smith, Library; Angela Healer, Procurement; Karen Barrie, HR; Wendy Harle, Research Office; Shelley McCormack, Durham Students’ Union; Julie Biddlecombe-brown, Library; Steph Maguire, International Office; Colin Ferguson, Access and Student Recruitment; Liz Kennedy, IBRU; Peter Warburton, Experience Durham; Elgan Alderman, Durham Revue; Harvey Dowdy, Estates and Buildings.

THE DURHAM DIARY

91

%

100%

of students said they were satisfied with the quality of their course

%

91

was the recorded enthusiasm of teaching staff

satisfaction rating for Educational Studies

90%

satisfaction with the Library, which is above the national average

“Durham gives students the opportunity to combine their academic studies with membership of college communities, allowing them to develop their personal skills through a variety of academic and social activities.”

Dr Michael Gilmore Academic Registrar at Durham University

In the latest Durham Diary, Modern Languages student Alice, talks about teaching, afternoon teas and weekends in Paris during her year abroad. Read more here http://bit.ly/1rYECaw

TOP FIVE TWEETS • T ake part in a project with @hearingvoice & @edbookfest looking at readers’ inner voices by completing this survey http://bit.ly/1nOzzFW • M ost of us can walk to a high street #pharmacy within about 20 minutes. Find out more about @Durham_Pharmacy research http://bit.ly/1lTCduo • D urham University students among the most satisfied in the UK, with an overall satisfaction score of 91% #nss http://bit.ly/1sLWshE • A #Durham student who competed in the #CommonwealthGames, explains how #sport can improve academic performance http://bit.ly/1obulKh • J oe Elliott @durham_uni gives his view on the role of #College #sport ahead of our #collegiateway conference http://bit.ly/1oMeOOU

What’s On

Ceremonies and Services

VIDEO OF THE MONTH

With all best wishes Ray Hudson Acting Vice-Chancellor and Warden

SATISFACTION OF DURHAM STUDENTS:

DESIGN: wearewarm.com PRINT: statex.co.uk FRONT COVER: Our new DSU Officers.

See page 04 for details.

Earlier this year Ian Merchant delivered a lecture entitled ‘Reflections on 25 years in the energy industry’. If you missed it you can watch it here http://youtu.be/ BWLuLQPnrtI

www.thedurhamdiary.wordpress.com

12 Student Publishing

Zoë Thomas,

This month’s favourite photo is of Professor Carlos Frenk in BBC Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage with Ben Miller and Professor Brian Cox as part of Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

DurhamUniversity

04 Durham

15 Edinburgh Fringe

IMAGE OF THE MONTH

In addition, there was an increase in satisfaction with the Library to 90 per cent, which is above the national average of 87 per cent.

@Durham_Uni

And, very appropriately, there are also a couple of items relating to books: one linked to the centenary of the start of the First World War and the ways in which contemporary books and magazines helped shaped boys understanding of their place in the world at that time, the other an interview with Alice Oseman, an English Literature student who spent the summer promoting her first novel, discussing the book and her motivation for writing.

04

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Overall, 91 per cent of students said they were satisfied with the quality of their course; this is an increase on last year and five per cent higher than the static national average of 86 per cent.

Do you follow us on our social media channels? We have compiled a list of our favourite posts, tweets and videos over the past two months to show you what has been happening around the University!

/durhamuniversity

A new team of Durham Student Union Sabbatical Officers is now in place, with Dan Slavin serving a second term as President, and I’m sure they’ll do an excellent job over the coming year.

The University again hosted a number of Summer Schools for young people, linked to our established outreach programmes, enabled and supported by tremendous efforts by both staff and student ambassadors. The International Boundaries Research Unit (IBRU) celebrates 25 years of very successful operation, with significant impacts beyond as well as within the world of academia.

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05 ALMOST 200 STUDENT GROUPS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR YOU TO ENJOY

ACADEMIC REPRESENTATION Every course in the University has an elected course rep who is responsible for representing you on academic matters.

They ensure that your voice heard on issues about your course, academic support, lecturers or study space

In addition to college societies, Durham Students’ Union has almost 200 student groups, including societies, media, associations and our fundraising arm DUCK. These cover a wide range of interests from dancing to charitable causes and from academic societies to music and the arts. If none of the existing groups interest you, we will help you to set up your own!

This allows academic staff members to identify what is working well and what problems might exist, to ensure positive changes are made.

/durhamSU

Each term you have the chance to voice your views at our Zones where students come together to discuss some of the big issues affecting you.

All students are welcome to attend and voice your views.

@durhamSU

Durham Students’ Union is the organisation that supports and represents all Durham University students. Whether you are interested in joining one of our fantastic student groups, would like to get involved in student representation on a local or a national level, are keen to build up your CV with training and development experience, or perhaps you need help with something more serious, such as being represented on academic matters, we are here to make sure you get the most out of your student experience.

The Union works independently from the University, to make sure your voice is heard. Every year five student officers are elected to lead Durham Students’ Union. This team liaises with the University, colleges, local community and the National Union of Students, to represent students on the issues that are important to you.

ADVICE SERVICE We offer free, confidential and independent guidance and support on a wide range of issues including finance, accommodation, colleges, contracts or anything else you may need help with.

about support provided by Durham Students’ Union via ext. 41777 or dsu. advice@durham.ac.uk

President

Development Officer

Academic Affairs Officer

Community Officer

Activities Officer

DAN SLAVIN

HARRY INMAN

LEIGH SPANNER

LAURA CARTER

JOELY CHARLTON

The President is the lead student representative and chief spokesperson of the Union. Dan liaises with the University, Common Rooms, and the National Union of Students to represent you.

Dan is a Biomedical Science graduate and was the President of Stephenson College Junior Common Room. Dan is from Normanton in West Yorkshire and is a Leeds United fan. This is Dan’s second year as Durham Students’ Union President.

You can follow Dan on Twitter: @DurhamSUpres

The Development Officer develops programmes and initiatives to enhance students’ skills and graduate qualities through participation in extra-curricular activities. He liaises with the University on issues regarding personal development and employability.

During Harry’s time at Durham he was a member of Van Mildert College, and graduated in summer 2014. Harry studied Geography and is now looking forward spending a fourth year in Durham as an Officer. Harry enjoys rowing, geocaching, and colourful clothing.

You can follow Harry on Twitter: @DurhamSUdev CAPTION: The new Officer Team (left to right) Dan Slavin (President), Harry Inman (Development Officer), Leigh Spanner (Academic Affairs Officer), Laura Carter (Community Officer), Joely Charlton (Activities Officer)

Find out more...

ZONES MEETINGS

Find out more about what your Union has to offer at www.durhamsu.com

The Academic Affairs Officer represents students on education-related matters to make sure your education meets your expectations, whether teaching, research or support services such as the library. Leigh supports the Academic Reps and makes sure the course and faculty representative system runs successfully.

Leigh arrived at Grey College as a fresher in 2011 and has just graduated with a degree in Combined Honours in Art, English and Education. Leigh has engaged with the University as a student representative for her course, her faculty and on Senate. As a student, Leigh got involved and tried lots of new things, such a skiing, sailing, journalism and ballroom dancing, to name a few.

You can follow Leigh on Twitter: @DurhamSUacad

The Community Officer promotes student health and wellbeing and works to improve non-academic facilities within the University for students. Laura champions equality and diversity, supporting and coordinating Associations, liberation and rights campaigns.

Laura will help to make accommodation (college and private) better so students are able to focus on their studies.

Laura is a Psychology graduate. Whilst studying, Laura was actively involved in her college Hild Bede, in particular as the college’s Welfare Officer, whilst also making the time to cheer with the Durham Diva’s.

You can follow Laura on Twitter: @DurhamSUcomm

The Activities Officer makes sure student groups (societies, fundraising groups, volunteering groups and student media) run effectively. She supports student groups in organising events and activities.

Joely is originally from Guildford, in Surrey, and studied Anthropology at Grey College.

She has been involved with a range of different societies whilst studying at Durham.

She helped to set up Stop the Trafficking of People Society (STOPS) and has been on the Student Community Action and Yoga execs.

She enjoys trying new things and is excited to explore the many different societies that the Union has to offer.

You can follow Joely on Twitter: @DurhamSUact

07 My readership is very varied but the core is academics from the landslide community; practitioners i.e. the people who manage slopes; schoolteachers who are looking for information on case studies and the general public.”

People who read the blog share information with Dave which he uses to enhance the blog contents and provide primary sourced evidence of landslide activity.

H OW B LO G G I N G CA N C O N N E CT YO U R R E S E A R C H TO T H E WO R L D

“A very good example of the way the blog works took place two years ago, when there was a huge landslide in Nepal. The media were describing the event as a flood, but I was sure this was incorrect and that it was actually a landslide.

I posted a blog to this effect and a friend in the US who works on instruments to monitor earthquakes saw the post and confirmed it was a landslide. A Nepalese journalist then put me in contact with a former Russian fighter pilot who was flying tourists over the mountains when the landslide took place. Not only had he watched the landslide, but he had photographed and filmed it. He provided the footage, which I then posted. This inspired a friend from NASA to use one of their satellites to take pictures of the area and other readers got in touch with timestamped photographs which captured what had occurred.

Durham University has a number of academic bloggers who have built a reputation for providing reliable and accurate content on a regular basis.

One of the most successful bloggers is Professor Dave Petley, former Dean of Research & Global Engagement and Wilson Chair in Hazard and Risk in the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience who writes The Landslide Blog. His blog provides commentary and evidence of landslide events occurring worldwide and in the last two years has had over two million page views.

Before he left to take up his new role as Pro– Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of East Anglia, he reflected on his experience of blogging and considers what makes a successful blog.

“I began blogging in 2007 as a bit of an experiment and it was initially a monthly update on landslides around the world, using information from the Durham Fatal Landslide Database. I set myself a benchmark that within a year I would get 100 hits per week otherwise it wasn’t worth the time devoted to writing it”

Seven years later, his blog gets 1,000 individual views per day and over 806,000 users have read his blog.

How does he account for this impressive achievement?

“Setting up a blog is incredibly simple if you use commercial blogging tools like Wordpress. However a successful blog requires serious commitment with regular updates of relevant and accurate content that will be of interest to your audience.

I’ve consistently written about things that interest me, so it rarely feels like a chore. I usually allow three hours a week and blog first thing in the morning. I post YouTube videos of landslides and comment on landslide events that are particularly interesting. I also blog on academic matters and often review papers but this takes a lot of time. I do blog my own research, but only after it has been published.

In May 2008, there was a devastating earthquake in China which ultimately killed 70,000 people, a third of whom were killed in landslides.

On the day it took place, I was in my Durham office and received an automated update about the event within two minutes of it happening. I could see it was going to be a bad one and I immediately wrote a blog post stating that its impact “could be fearsome”.

This phrase was picked up by the media, and started to drive traffic to the blog.

In the aftermath of the earthquake it became apparent that a series of landslides had blocked valleys and a huge lake was building up in an area where a million people were living downstream. The Chinese were going through a mad scramble to mitigate it – which they did - and it was an amazing feat.

I blogged about the ongoing crisis on a daily basis explaining what was taking place and providing maps, images and links to media coverage.

At that point I was using Blogger, which is owned by Google. This meant my posts were picked up very quickly when individuals googled the landslide and this single event was the step change for my own blog in terms of audience figures.

In a matter of days we were able to put together an absolutely correct picture of the Seti River landslide even though it had taken place in an incredibly remote and inaccessible area of Nepal.

My role as Dean of Research & Global Engagement has been all encompassing and writing the blog has provided a bridge between the two parts of my academic life. It has been really important for maintaining a link with my research interests and has helped keep me credible and active in the academic field.”

ADJACENT PAGE: Film footage of the Seti River landslide.

Copyright Avia Club Nepal.

THIS PAGE: (left) Image © NSPO, Taiwan ROC. THIS PAGE: (above) Image of Beichuan before and after May 2008 landslide.

If you are thinking about... starting a blog, visit our profile raising toolkit for hints and tips: www.durham.ac.uk/communications.office/local/toolkit

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Spotlight on...

In an increasingly global society, ensuring that Durham competes on an international stage is more important than ever.

The International Office is responsible for the recruitment of international students, coordinating student exchanges and study abroad programmes and supporting departments to build mutually beneficial international partnerships to facilitate education and research activity internationally.

Marketing and recruitment

Student mobility

A team of International Officers are responsible for international marketing and recruitment throughout the year, in different regions around the world.

Every student at Durham has the opportunity to study abroad during their time at the University. From the Erasmus programme to research exchanges with institutions such as Harvard, the International Office works hard to forge links with institutions across the globe so that students and staff can benefit from broadening their horizons.

Their work involves building relationships with overseas universities and schools, attending education fairs, liaising with education agents and councillors and raising Durham’s profile overseas to a range of different stakeholders as well as supporting prospective students through the application process.

The United States is a key market with student numbers increasing year-on-year. Durham now has a US-based International Officer, KRISTI MCFARLAND, who will be focussing on the Western side of the United States with her Durham-based colleague BETH SUTCLIFFE focusing on the Eastern side and Canada.

Kristi said: “I’ll be able to work with areas which have traditionally been more difficult to expand in because of time differences, and we hope to increase the number of states we work in and the number and quality of US partners. Departments hoping to build links with the US or Canada can get in touch with me or Beth.”

Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Mexico are also key targets for expansion and are managed by CHRIS MACALLISTER. He will also be undertaking focussed recruitment in the EU concentrating initially on Germany and Greece. CHRISTINE PEARS is responsible for marketing and recruitment in Norway and DAVE THORNBER for East and South East Asia.

The International Office is pleased to welcome DR LIADI MUDASHIRU (known as Kola) who has recently been appointed for the South Asia and Middle East region.

As well as promoting opportunities for Durham students and staff to go abroad, Exchanges and Study Abroad Officer EMMA PEARCE also works with a team to promote opportunities for students from other countries to come to Durham.

She said: “We are looking forward to welcoming 272 new students from 32 countries this academic year, and students will be going on exchanges in countries from Australia to Singapore. New exchanges for this year include Zhejiang University and the universities of Tokyo and Sydney and I’d urge anyone wishing to know more about incoming or outgoing opportunities on any of our programmes to get in touch.”

Find out more...

For team contacts and further information… www.durham.ac.uk/ international

International Summer School

Global links

Students from five different countries took part in a successful first International Summer School studying subjects including Archaeology, Medieval Studies and English Language. Summer Schools are an excellent opportunity to promote Postgraduate opportunities to high quality international undergraduate students.

Durham has recently joined the Council for European Studies (CES). Run out of Colombia University in the US, the CES is the leading organisation for linking and co-ordinating the work of universities and research centres focused on Europe and members include Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Berkley. The council promotes multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary work across the whole range of arts and social sciences through fellowships, grants, international networks, conferences and exchanges.

Summer School Officer BILL HOARE would like to hear from any departments wishing to discuss developing new summer school programmes for 2015.

Arctic networking event An event to celebrate Durham’s membership of the University of the Arctic (UArctic) will take place at 4pm on 13th October in the Penthouse Suite at Collingwood College. This will give guests the chance to share Arctic Research, network and enjoy Norse Saga storytelling.

OUTI SNELLMAN, Vice-President of UArctic, will be in attendance to help share Durham’s research with the 170+ member universities, colleges, and other organizations committed to higher education and research in the North.

Opportunities are available for both professional and postgraduate researchers to give presentations and display poster boards of their work.

For more information contact: Durham.UArctic@durham.ac.uk

IMAGES Summer school students on Archaelogical dig.

After leading on the application, GAVIN PHILLIPSON, Deputy Head of the Law School and member of the Human Rights Centre said: “Joining will have major benefits in terms of raising the university’s profile in the US and Europe as well as offering numerous funding, collaboration, networking and exchange opportunities.”

Durham is also a member of the Matariki Network of Universities (MNU) and is pleased to welcome ANNA DEBSKA, Head of the Matariki Secretariat who is now based at Durham in the International Office. The Matariki Network is a group of seven leading universities who share a commitment to excellence in research.

VIC BAINBRIDGE, International Partnerships Officer is keen to hear from anyone within the University who would like to find out more.

“Most importantly, it gave me the best week of my life, and I am going to do anything within my power to return back to the University that I fell in love with.”

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Research

Since its founding in 1989 by Professor Gerald Blake, the International Boundaries Research Unit (IBRU) has been the world’s leading source for practical expertise in international boundary making and dispute resolution. IBRU has delivered training workshops for foreign policy professionals, assisted states in boundary-related judicial and arbitration proceedings, and provided cartographic and research services for a range of public and private entities on boundary-related issues.

Every year, for five frenetic weeks, summer school madness descends upon Van Mildert College, as the Access and Student Recruitment Team host a series of residential events for school students wanting to find out more about university life.

Working with nearly 600 15-to-17 year olds, we provide a genuine experience of Durham, focusing on undergraduate academic study and the range of extracurricular activities available.

Sunday marks the beginning of each Summer School, and we always start with a bang.

For several of our events, most of the first evening is taken up by a session led by the University’s Swing Dance Society, a perfect opportunity to dispel any first-night jitters and introduce students to each other. It’s crucial that we make them feel at ease from the outset, as the packed, four-day academic programme starts on the Monday and they need to be ready to get the most out of it.

To help us, our Durham Student Ambassadors (DSA) are integral part of the process. They act as mentors and work closely with small groups of students throughout the week.

They are there to answer questions, talk about their own experiences, and support our visiting school students with any issues they may be facing.

We are indebted to academic colleagues for the support they provide and quality of experience they create for students. For older age groups, an opportunity to learn about a subject that interests them, and to decide if it is the subject they want to study at university, is the primary focus of their week. Academic subject strands are a genuine experience of undergraduate study, usually focusing on first-year undergraduate material. For younger age groups, we provide the opportunity to try a range of different subjects to get a broader idea of the options available at university. Providing a first-class experience for over one hundred students

each week could be a logistical challenge, but we are supported by colleagues from across the University. Everything from our application guidance sessions to the end-ofweek mock graduation (complete with a very tongue-in-cheek procession!) involves support from across the University. Student societies provide many of the evening social activities, from Treasure Trap to a range of sporting experiences.

It all goes towards creating an event for visiting students which is truly a wholeUniversity experience. It speaks volumes that our programmes have so many students choosing to apply to and eventually come to Durham to study.

Find out more...

To find out more about Access and Student Recruitment, visit: www.durham.ac.uk/asr To find out more about Supported Progression, visit: www.durham.ac.uk/supported.progression To find out more about our Sutton Trust summer schools, supported by the Wolfson Foundation: www.durham.ac.uk/sutton.trust

THIS PAGE: This years cohort of 15 to 17 year olds enjoy their time at Van Mildert and a genuine taste of the Durham University experience.

As IBRU celebrates its 25th Anniversary, IBRU has been relaunched as IBRU: The Centre for Borders Research, with a new Director and a broader research-orientated focus. Professor Phil Steinberg has taken over the reins at IBRU and his aim is to integrate IBRU more in to the University with collaborative research and projects.

IBRU still delivers a world-renowned training and consultancy service led by Professor Martin Pratt. Over the past 25 years we have delivered 52 professional training workshops to 1,353 individuals from 118 countries around the world, to Executives of oil companies, Ambassadors and other high ranking government officials. Our consultancy services take Martin all over the world including to the International Court of Justice in The Hague where he provides lawyers

with technical expertise in legal disputes over international boundaries. IBRU has achieved global impact with research projects including the creation of the map of Maritime Jurisdiction in the Arctic in 2008. Six years later, IBRU still receive weekly requests from individuals and institutions wishing to reprint the map in news stories, research papers and policy documents.

In the future IBRU will use its technical expertise with research that builds on its roots in international law and political geography to cross-examine key concepts in the study of borders and the territories they construct. Postdoctoral researcher Dr Kate Coddington has joined Phil and Martin and along with, Liz Kennedy, External Relations and Marketing Manager and Jane Hogg, Office Secretary makes up the IBRU team.

IMAGES: (top right) South Atlantic Claims Map, South China Sea, Technical map using CARIS Software.

In its research, consulting and training activities, IBRU will continue to bring the its innovative approach to border studies, blending international law and political geography, using practical experience in boundary making and dispute resolution to inform understanding of boundaries’ changing functions, and applying world class scholarship to the maintenance of peace and justice within, outside, and across the world’s borders. It is a tradition that will proudly be carried on by IBRU: Durham University’s Centre for Borders Research.

Find out more... visit www.durham.ac.uk/ibru

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Dialogue 37 | Sept / Oct 2014

Zambia sport

Team Durham enters it’s tenth anniversary in Zambia

DU RHAM STU DE NT S ECU RE S A TWO - B O O K P U B L I S H I N G D E AL English Literature student Alice Oseman spent the summer promoting her debut novel, Solitaire which was released at the end of July. After accepting a two-book deal with HarperCollins in August 2013 she has already started work on her second novel. We caught up with Alice to find out about her book and what inspires her to write.

Many of our staff and students who have travelled to Zambia have described the experience as live changing. As our ninth year in Zambia draws to a close Peter Warburton reflects...

to be taken on by my agent Claire within the few weeks that followed, and over the next five months, we edited the book together before she submitted the manuscript to publishing houses. I accepted a two-book deal from HarperCollins in August 2013.

What attracted you to study English at Durham? Which parts of the course are you particularly enjoying?

I just like to read! It might sound odd but I’ve never thought myself to be particularly academic – I’ve always preferred creative subjects like art and music.

How did you become interested in writing?

I’ve been writing since I could write! Slowly my writing advanced from copying out my favourite books to handwriting my own stories, and in my teens, writing novels on my laptop.

Everything inspires me – my life, the people I’ve met, the world I live in, the news, books, films and TV shows, the Internet and social networking. Writing is the only way I can effectively get all my thoughts out of my head.

Where did your book idea come from?

I wrote what I desperately wanted to read – a female-led coming-of-age story that didn’t have much emphasis on romance. At the time, I didn’t know a great deal about Young Adult fiction and all it had to offer, my favourite books tended to be very popular stories such as The Catcher in the Rye, Looking For Alaska and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. All of these were male-led.

While I now know that there are many femaleled contemporary coming-of-age stories out there, at the time, I couldn’t find any. So I decided to write my own.

Could you outline the storyline and themes covered in the book?

Solitaire is the story of sixteen-year-old pessimist Tori Spring, who returns to school to find it being overrun by pranks deployed by a secretive online group named Solitaire.

I guess that’s not really what it’s ‘about’ though. It covers a range of themes, a few being loneliness, mental health, friendship and rebellion. But it’s not for me to say what people get out of the book!

How did you go about getting published?

I googled for months! Then I wrote out a query letter and synopsis, and with the first three chapters, emailed a selection of literary agents in February 2013. I was lucky enough

IMAGE: Alice Oseman with her book, Solitaire, published by HarperCollins.

As the only thing I ever wanted to be was a writer, and I did want to get a degree, I figured English was my best bet because it meant that I’d at least get to read books for three years, which would undoubtedly help my writing. And I’d hopefully have time to write alongside.

My favourite part of the course this year has been the drama module – reading modern plays has been a new experience and really interesting.

What advice would you give to other students embarking on a writing career?

Write exactly what you want, when you want to. Do it entirely for yourself first. You have to believe in what you’re doing and love it like a child. And to get your work out there you have to put in time and hard work, whether that’s putting your work on a website like Wattpad or researching literary agents’ submission guidelines.

The project has grown in size over many years and Durham continues to lead the UK partnership which now includes the Universities of Bath, Cardiff Met, Loughborough, Northumbria, Stirling, St Andrews, UK Sport and International Inspirations.

Next year is our tenth anniversary of the partnership in Zambia and we will be celebrating with a National Conference at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka in July 2015.

Every year a team of drama and sport students venture to the African Continent.

The drama students work with drama groups in Lusaka to help deliver projects

to street children and children from nongovernment schools, alongside working at an orphanage, an old people’s home and when in Livingstone sing to guests at the Livingston Sun. The sporting strand of the project works alongside Sport in Action, a non-government organisation, delivering basketball, soccer, netball and volleyball to thousands of children in extremely deprived areas. For Durham this only tells part of the story, as we take on additional programmes that include sponsoring ten children through school, providing funding that allows 400 street children to have a lunch every day, developing opportunities for drama and providing support for volunteers in the Sport

in Action team. We also work alongside UK Sport, International Inspirations and the Governing Bodies on the ground to deliver the development programmes for the coaches and officials for netball and basketball across Zambia.

This year Team Durham have worked hard with university staff and students to raise a significant amount of money for Sport in Action and Zambia through numerous charity events including the rugby charity challenge, the Hill/Bailey rugby match, two 20/20 cricket matches, a hockey multi-sport day, two fun runs and a fun event for children. It would not be an understatement to say that their efforts make all of the above possible.

IMAGES: Drama and sport students from Durham University experience the University’s nine year old Zambia partnership for themselves.

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Dialogue 37 | Sept / Oct 2014

Heroism, Empire and Adventure at the Dawn of the First World War 27 September 2014 to 11 January 2015

Ceremonies and Services at Durham Cathedral

27 September 2014 – 11 January 2015

Save the date for the Ceremonies and Services to be held in Durham Cathedral over the next few months.

for Remembrance Service Sunday 9 November 2014

Heroism, Adventure & empire

Winter Congregation Thursday 8 and Friday 9 January 2014

ALPH/08/14/039

at the Dawn of the First World War

Founders and Benefactors Service Sunday 23 November 2014

This exhibition is one in a series of events to commemorate the centenary of the start of the First World War. Concentrating on the decades leading up to the war, this unique exhibition explores the popular trends reflected in books and magazines that helped to shape boys’ understanding of their place in the wider world at that time.

The exhibition includes many popular books that were cherished by the generation who served in the First World War. The rise in literacy after the 1870 Education Act led to an explosion of reading opportunities, and many classic works from that era remain popular today. While the exhibition’s focus is on publications aimed at male readers, these books were also widely enjoyed by women and girls of all ages.

The exhibition celebrates a golden age of books for children. The late Victorian and Edwardian era introduced readers to classics from The Jungle Book to The Wind in the Willows – the latter of which will be the focus of Durham Book Festival’s Big Read in October 2014. The exhibition also includes tales of real-life heroes, early spy novels, and popular classics such as Scouting for

www.durham.ac.uk/palace.green

@PalaceGreenLib Boys by Robert Baden-Powell – the original manuscript of this iconic work is being specially loaned to the exhibition by The Scout Archive.

All staff are welcome to attend as a University guest at these events or if eligible can join the Academic Procession.

Books for Boys explores the fascinating links between these stories and ideals of boyhood in Britain and Germany. Many of the books displayed present a view of the world that is at best, outdated, at worst, offensive. But in a world where patriotism and a sense of duty were seen as the defining qualities of a manly character, these thrilling tales of adventure, real-life heroes and imaginary worlds were written to inspire and instruct.

Staff can also get involved at Matriculation and 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:

The exhibition has been developed by the team at Palace Green Library, drawing from the research of Professor Simon James (Department of English Studies) and Professor Jonathan Long (School of Modern Languages and Cultures).

This exhibition is the first in a series of exhibitions linked to the national centenary commemoration of the First World War. Please keep an eye on our website for details of future exhibitions: www.durham.ac.uk/palace.green

“Despite working at Durham for eight years this is the first congregation I have been involved in, and I absolutely loved it, I will certainly be volunteering again.”

This year The Durham Revue performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Elgan reflects on the experience.

The Edinburgh Fringe is, quite simply, ridiculous. Fortunately, I mean ridiculous in the most positive way possible. Anything and everything can and does happen.

Whether it’s an Icelandic adaptation of Hamlet performed by children dressed as giraffes you’re looking for, or an improvised capella group, chances are you can find it.

The Durham Revue has been going to the Fringe for over 30 years, along with our University sketch counterparts from Oxford and Cambridge. More recently, we have been joined by more troupes, including those from Leeds, Bristol, Exeter, Warwick, Edinburgh, Birmingham and St Andrews. There is a great sense of camaraderie between the groups and we often meet up to perform in Student Sketch-Offs, showcasing the finest student comedians around.

As part of the Fringe, troupes such as ours, need a flyer every day to ensure we’re not performing to three people. Although from time to time this still happens it can raise to a near sell out (in this year’s Fringe, I set my record for smallest and largest audiences in consecutive days).

Reviews are another aspect of the Fringe.

Sometimes a reviewer can give you a 2* review from a show at which the audience howled with laughter, and other times you get a 5* review from a show of deafening silence. There is no rhyme or reason to it.

“I loved marshalling – it’s such a positive experience and a real privilege.

Thanks too for the refreshments/lunch.

Hope I can help out next time too.”

Look out for notices on Dialogue Signposts to register for these ceremonies and services.

IMAGES: The Durham Revue at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

IMAGE: The exhibition celebrates influential works of the time such as Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories.

As for this year’s show - The Durham Revue: Shenanigans - we are delighted with how it went. A key tip to survive the Fringe is not to let the ‘quieter’ shows (just because they’re not laughing doesn’t mean they’re not enjoying it) ruin morale and confidence. It can take a while to grow a thick skin, but now that I’m in my third Fringe I don’t let the audience get to me and simply concentrate on having a great time. This has definitely been the best Fringe I’ve had - the show is at its strongest, the audiences are bigger, we’re

pleased with the marketing, and we’ve seen some of our Fringe favourite shows.

It was at the Fringe in my first year when I realised I wanted to do comedy full-time.

The atmosphere is incredible - everyone is on a level-playing field and we are competing with established professionals, making us feel like professionals in turn.

Basically, it’s mad, but it’s sensational.

Estates and Buildings Update

17

Library Library News Find out more…

DISCOVER a new way of SEARCHING OUR COLLECTIONS

visit http://discover. durham.ac.uk

We’re introducing a powerful new system for searching Durham University’s collections, Discover.

E S TAT E S A N D BUILDINGS ROUND UP Over the Summer Estates and Buildings have been working hard to improve the University’s facilities through a number of refurbishments, alterations and maintenance works.

Here are some of the highlights.

WORK IN THE COLLEGE S St Mary’s and Trevelyan College’s kitchen and food service areas have been refurbished. St Mary’s have also divided some of the larger bedrooms to increase the number of bedrooms, whereas Trevelyan has had alterations and improvements to the Dowrick Suite and Sir James Knott Hall.

A number of major engineering projects have taken place including the replacement of a boiler plant at St Cuthbert’s Society (South Bailey) and Hatfield College (Palmers Garth). Alongside these activities routine refurbishment works have been carried out at St Hild and St Bede, Josephine Butler, St Aidan’s and Ustinov colleges.

WORK AROUND THE CAM P USES Estates and Buildings are now entering the final phase of the refurbishment of the Christopherson Engineering Building which will include a new Postgraduate Hub. New lighting is being installed in the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences alongside improvements to teaching rooms in Psychology and a new Postgraduate Hub at Elvet Riverside 1.

At Queen’s Campus, lighting, fire alarm and ventilation upgrades are taking place in the Holliday Building. Work to replace the showers in the majority of the bedrooms at Stephenson College is also taking place.

As part of our continued commitment to improve energy efficiency

and reduce carbon emissions photovoltaic panels are being installed on roofs at Grey College, Mountjoy and Rowan Blocks at Upper Mountjoy. Alongside these activities, the final phase of the refurbishment of Palace Green Library is now well underway which will see the total investment in the prestigious facility reach £11.5m.

In the continued drive to improve safety, this summer has seen the introduction of a new set of guidelines for managing contractors on site and the induction of more than 300 contractors, consultants and suppliers.

Discover is easy to use and you’ll find thousands of articles and items. You can refine and filter the results to access the most relevant resources for your studies and research.

Discover is more than just a Library search. Explore: • Books and printed journals at the Library • E-books and databases and journal articles • Medieval manuscripts in our Archives and Special Collections • Artefacts from the University Museums • Durham University theses and academic papers • Image resources and research datasets • Items from other research collections, such as the college libraries, Durham Cathedral and Ushaw College.

MOU NT OSWALD You may have seen in the press recently that the University has concluded the purchase of land at the former Mount Oswald Golf Course. The site is close to a number of the University’s colleges and to the Business School and has outline planning permission for the development of up to 1,000 student residential places.

IMAGES: top, Trevelyan College. Below, St Mary’s College.

Say hello to the Bill Bryson Library Book a tour of the Bill Bryson Library during October 2014.

We’ll show you around and answer any questions you have about using the Library. And don’t forget to pick up your free Bill Bryson bag!

Find out more... visit www.durham.ac.uk/library/tours

THIS PAGE: Left, The Bill Bryson Library.

Museums and Attractions

I N STITUTE O F ADVAN C E D STU DY Each year the Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) Fellowship programme brings 20 leading international academics to Durham to collaborate with the Institute and Durham colleagues on its annual research theme. The theme for 2014/15 is Emergence and in October the IAS welcomes its Michaelmas cohort of Fellows. Each Fellow will deliver a lecture in collaboration with the IAS and Durham’s Colleges. Over the term, 11 free lectures will be held which are open to all.

For full details please see: www.durham.ac.uk/ias/events/fellowslectures

WORLD HERITAGE SITE VISITOR CENTRE Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre, on Owengate leading up to Palace Green, enhances the experience of visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral and Castle. The Visitor Centre provides visitors with an overview of what a World Heritage Site is, what makes Durham significant to achieve this status, and what there is to see and do on the peninsula.

The Visitor Centre provides a central point of information about places to visit on the World Heritage Site including the Castle and the Cathedral with Claustral Buildings housing the Treasures of St Cuthbert. The Visitor Centre also complements the work of Durham University Palace Green Library on the opposite side of the green.

Like the rest of the World Heritage Site, the Visitor Centre provides interactive experiences for visitors including exhibitions, performances and hands-on family activities.

Additionally, it has an art exhibition, normally by a local artist that changes monthly. Visit the website for details.

For more information on the Durham World Heritage Site visit: www.durhamworldheritagesite.com Contact The World Heritage Site Visitor Centre via visitor.centre@durham.ac.uk or ext. 43805.

DATE FOR THE DIARY Bound to last: Book binding from the Middle Ages to the modern day 4 October 2014 to 4 January 2015, Palace Green Library

Throughout the summer vacation the University welcomed delegates from across the globe to academic conferences taking place in Durham.

To support hosting these conferences Event Durham offers a complete conference and event management service, removing the administrative burden and allowing organisers to concentrate on the academic programme

Speaker

Talk Title

21 Oct 2014 5.30 – 6.30pm Hatfield

Professor William Downes Glendon College, York University

Emergence of the ‘Plain Style’ in 17th Century England

23 Oct 2014 5.30 – 6.30pm Trevelyan College

Dr Nathan Citino Colorado State University

Envisioning the Arab Future: modernisation in US-Arab relations, 1945 - 1967

Conferences opting to take advantage of our complete conference and event management service this summer included:

5 Nov 2014 5.30 – 6.30pm Pemberton Building

Dr Val Jones University of Twente

Smart but Small (and Disappearing): the future of mobile health systems

• Society for the study of French history 28th annual conference - Department of History

6 Nov 2014 5.30 – 6.30pm Pemberton Building

Professor Margaret Morrison University of Toronto

What Characterises Emergence in Physics?

• Beyond crisis: visions for the new humanities - Centre for Humanities Innovation

11 Nov 2014 5.30 – 6.30pm St Mary’s College

Professor Peter Cane Australian National University College of Law

Exceptionalism in Law and Politics

19 Nov 2014 5.30 – 6.30pm St Chad’s College

Professor Alice Hills Durham University

Waiting for Tipping Points: police development in Africa

20 Nov 2014 5.30 – 6.30pm Van Mildert College

Frances Morphy Australian National University

Unimagined Communities: census categories and the submergence of Australian Aboriginal forms of sociality

25 Nov 2014 8 – 9pm University College

Professor Tim Thornton University of Central Lancashire

Pathology or Difference? On the ground rules for defining mental illness

26 Nov 2014 5.30 - 6.30pm Pemberton Buildings

Dr Andrew Baldwin Durham University

Theorising Climate Change and Human Migration: affect, politics and the future-conditional

27 Nov 2014 5.30 – 6.30pm Van Mildert College

Professor Howard Morphy Australian National University

2 Dec 2014 5.30 – 6.30pm St Mary’s College

Dr Stéphanie Portet University of Manitoba

Intermediate Filaments

Explore the history of bookbinding through a range of incredible books. Discover how books are put together, just how recent the ‘ready-bound’ book really is. At the centre will be the oldest book in Western Europe to survive in its original binding - the St Cuthbert Gospel - on loan from the British Library.

For more information visit www.durham.ac.uk/palace.green

@DurhamUniRetail Durham University Retail Office

When & Where

The Journeys of the Djan’kawu Sisters – Ancestral Presence in Australian Aboriginal Art

19

Event Durham, Retail and Catering

• 13th international conference on probabilistic methods applied to power systems (PMAPS) - Durham Energy Institute • Second international conference on IT in geo-engineering - School of Engineering and Computer Sciences • Transfusion and transformation: the creative potential of interdisciplinary knowledge exchange - Institute of Advanced Study annual conference • AGN vrs Star formations conference Department of Physics • Energy landscapes: from single molecules to soft matter - Department of Physics • SMATRER 4 - Department of Chemistry • Mystical theology conference - Department of Theology and Religion • Taboo conference - School of Modern Languages and Cultures

We have received some great feedback from conference organisers:

Retail

“Event Durham provided exemplary service in managing the registration and logistics for the large scale conference which I chaired. The combination of excellent venues at Durham with a conference management team who knew them intimately was invaluable to the smooth running of the event.”

Dr Chris Dent, School of Engineering and Computer Sciences “In July 2014 the Institute of Advanced Study convened its first ever international interdisciplinary conference. With exemplary support from Event Durham the conference was a major success for the IAS. Feedback from our delegates consistently referred to the excellent organisation of the conference and outstanding environment of Durham University. Without the support of Event Durham this would not have been feasible.

Our many thanks.”

Linda Crowe, Institute of Advanced Study For more information on our conference and event management service contact: Louise Elliott on ext. 42883 louise.elliott@durham.ac.uk

University Catering Stephenson College’s Graduation Dinners Following the success of last year’s inaugural graduation dinners, hosted

by Stephenson College at the Palatine Centre. The catering team from Queen’s Campus relocated from Stockton to Durham once again to provide a seasonal three course menu for all graduates and guests. The dinners were held on Wednesday 2 July and Thursday 3 July, with both events receiving excellent feedback from guests and college officers alike. This truly is the start of a new Stephenson College tradition.

Welcome back for first term!

The Retail Office has been busy preparing for the next academic year. We’ve been hard at work creating new product lines for the start of term, along with ensuring that all of our favourite bestselling products are stocked up and ready. The start of term marks the re-opening of our student shops at Josephine Butler College and Queen’s Campus.

Howlands at Josephine Butler College will be increasing its hours on 27 September: Monday - Saturday open 9am - 9pm Sundays open 10am - 4pm Queen’s Campus shop re-opens from 24 Sept: Mon - Fri open 8.30am - 4pm Come and visit us in one of our outlets to get your essential Durham University merchandise.

21

HR news...

CIS news...

Find out more... visit www.durham.ac.uk/cis

Information Security…

PEOPLE+

not just virtual, it’s physical too!

For information on how your payslip looks and an explanation of the information in it visit www.durham.ac.uk/hr/peopleplus/ latestnews/yournewpayslip

Phase one of the People+ project went live in September. The People+ project will modernise and enhance the University’s Human Resource and Payroll processes and in turn, improve access to data and records management.

Phase one has implemented a range of background changes in Human Resources and to the system we use, which also includes new payroll software. The biggest change that all staff will see in phase one is that the new software produces new payslips.

The data shown will change little, but the look of payslips is different.

For questions about your new payslip, please speak to your line manager in the first instance or call Payroll on ext. 46889 Following an upgrade, the next phase in the project will be to allow all staff to access a secure online portal to view their personal details and allow staff to update their own information when necessary.

Find out more...

If you have any questions about the People+ project, visit People+ webpages at: www.durham.ac.uk/hr/peopleplus and follow links to the Frequently Asked Questions section.

Realising your Potential approach Have you attended Realising your Potential approach training yet?

All staff with responsibility for writing job descriptions, holding ASRs and developing induction and development plans for non-academic staff are encouraged to attend a training session which will provide practical experience of the approach.

Two further training courses are now available for the new Realising your Potential approach on October 14th and 20th 2014. Although these sessions close the current training programme of these specific courses, it is anticipated that courses will be included in the regular Training Course Programme. To book onto this popular course, go to www.durham. ac.uk/training.course/hr It may also be possible to hold departmental or group sessions on Realising your Potential. To discuss this further, please contact the HR Training Team at hr.trainingteam@durham.ac.uk

Realising Your Potential

Equality and Diversity We have a range of courses available for staff, running at locations in both Durham and Queen’s Campus, on Equality and Diversity including Unconscious Bias.

Log onto the Training Course Booking system www.durham.ac.uk/training.course and search ‘Diversity and Equality’ for further details.

In the last edition we considered the security issues arising from some high-profile bugs and viruses.

This time we’ll focus on the risks to information associated with physical security.

Information is valuable and we capture and store increasing amounts of it.

Understandably, we tend to focus on virtual protection (passwords, encryption, and security software) but it’s easy to forget that physical vulnerabilities still exist. Recent press reports feature a common problem organisations face - the loss, theft or inappropriate disposing of laptops, mobile devices, USB sticks and even notebooks and paper files.

It’s important to know how to dispose correctly of equipment that does, or has, held personal or commercially sensitive data, and what do if it is lost or stolen.

Knowing what to do and acting quickly can limit the risk to the University and you.

Be aware of the physical security of your equipment Much of the University is openly accessible, so it’s important to look after your mobile devices, laptops and papers. Don’t leave them unattended or on view in an open office or in your car. Lock them in your desk overnight and shut office windows and doors properly when you leave.

Be aware that any item bought by the University (including items purchased through a research grant) is a University asset and these requirements apply to its disposal, re-use or loss.

Disposing of equipment Electronic items including IT, recording or telecoms equipment and data storage devices, must be recycled or disposed of appropriately. If the equipment has or might have held personal or commercially sensitive data, contact CIS via the IT Service Desk. We can assess whether we need to destroy any data storage components (in a manner which complies with our legal obligations) or if it can be recycled.

If the equipment hasn’t held data, then it should be recycled or re-used if at all possible. If it is obsolete, disposal must be in accordance with the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2006.

For more information visit: www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/policies Documents (including paper files and notebooks) that contain personal or commercially sensitive information should be shredded or added to the red confidential waste sacks for incineration.

What to do if equipment is lost or stolen If you lose any IT equipment or paperwork that has or might have personal or confidential information on it, take the following steps without delay: 1. Report it to your line manager 2. If it’s a piece of IT equipment let CIS know via the IT Service Desk 3. R eport it to the Information and Data Protection Manager – even if you’re not sure what information is on the device: we treat any such losses as a potential breach of the Data Protection Act. Steps one and three also apply to notebooks or paperwork which may have personal or confidential information. Take a few minutes to make yourself aware of the full process which you’ll find here: www.durham.ac.uk/records.management/local/breachreporting

23

Greenspace...

Procurement

RING-FENCED CARBON BUDGET

ENVIRONMENT WEEK 2014

The ring-fenced budget for the academic year 2013/14 received 35 applications.

The University’s sixth Environment week will run from the 17 -24 November.

The Assistant Purchasing Managers; Angela Healer and Wendy Woollett, are responsible for supervising staff within the team. They undertake tenders up to £100K in the University’s eProcurement system ‘acquire’ and ensure procurement requirements are consistently processed.

The ring-fenced budget for the academic year 2013/14 received 35 applications ranging from the relocation of computer clusters to a trial of energy–efficient lighting in greenhouses and new low energy kit for science departments.

In total, 12 initiatives were awarded finance.

The Purchasing Officers; Lesley Bainbridge, Teresa Hogg, Rob Biggins and Steven Carter (maternity cover) are responsible for undertaking quotations up to £50K in ‘acquire’. They also man the help desk offering guidance and assistance resolving issues and processing requisitions on a daily basis. Catherine Harrison; Purchasing Officer is on maternity leave until December 2014.

The week is opportunity for all University students and staff to engage with environmental issues, to celebrate our environmental progress to date and to explore what we can do to further improve our environmental sustainability. If anybody has suggestions for what they would like to see in the week please email greenspace.staff@durham.ac.uk

The next round of funding is open for applications until the end of October 2014. Please look within your departments and colleges to see how the ring-fenced budget could help to streamline your processes and save carbon. All information on how to apply along with a full list of previously funded projects can be found here:

Meet our Purchasing Team Within the Purchasing Team there are two Assistant Purchasing Managers and four Purchasing Officers.

www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/cmp/projects

Supplier Engagement

Gifts and Hospitality

In June the Procurement Service hosted a Supplier Development Event aimed at both potential and currently contracted IT suppliers at the University. The event provided information about tendering within higher education and the wider public sector, eProcurement, CSER and the New World Programme (NWP). The event also gave suppliers information about the University’s aims and objectives, forthcoming requirements and tender opportunities.

From time to time suppliers will offer gifts and/or hospitality to university staff. Should this happen and the value is over £30 please notify Procurement by completing the Declaration of Gifts or Hospitality form found at www.durham.ac.uk/procurement/ procurement_policy/3ethics

Suppliers were also able to meet and engage with the University’s Computing and Information Services. The benefits gained are an increase in interest and understanding from suppliers to generate improved tenders. It is envisaged that this event will be repeated for the Estates category.

This is to ensure that we are treating suppliers equally, are open and transparent, and comply with the University’s Code of Conduct. If requested under Freedom of Information we are obliged to provide this information.

Insurance

Feedback was extremely positive: Waterstons “I greatly appreciated the invite to the event. It was very informative and good to hear further details on the procurement process and NWP.”

The Viator system is used to obtain authorisation for staff and student travel on official University business overseas and for student travel within the UK where the trip involves a flight or an overnight stay away from the usual place of residence. Travel cover will not apply unless authorised through Viator.

Pervasive “An excellent day, very useful and informative, felt like a proper partnering approach by the University.”

Please include risk assessments where appropriate in Viator requests. Queries should be directed to Barbara Dick at b.k.dick@durham.ac.uk or ext 49267.

Reed Technology “I found both the Procurement Service and CIS session informative and engaging. The networking session was worthwhile with suppliers and stakeholders friendly and open. The day has given me better understanding of requirements now and in future.”

IMAGE: (Left to right) Lesley Bainbridge, Teresa Hogg, Wendy Woollett and Angela Healer (Front from left to right) Steven Carter and Rob Biggins.

SMART TICKETING INITIATIVE TRIAL Durham University staff are helping to road test a new cashless payment system. Instead of paying cash for a ticket, they present a Pay As You Go smartcard, using the Mountjoy 40B bus service between Durham Railway Station and the university.

The trial is part of the North East Smart Ticketing Initiative (NESTI), a partnership of local authorities and transport operators, looking for ways of making bus travel easier.

Professor Tim Burt, Dean for Environmental Sustainability: “Durham University welcomes the opportunity to support and engage in the smartcard trial which will enable staff and students easier access to public transport. The University is committed to sustainable travel and we feel this smartcard scheme will encourage more public transport users. We look forward to the roll-out of the scheme in the near future.”

Find out more... visit www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace

CORPORATE DISCOUNT SCHEMES FOR BUS TRAVEL Do you travel to work using either Go North East or Arriva bus services? Are you aware of the University’s Corporate Discount schemes? The schemes allow staff to purchase an annual season ticket via a salary sacrifice scheme.

For more information visit www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/travel/public

NEW U1 & X1 INTER-CAMPUS BUS TIMETABLES Cyclists at the University were able to take their bicycles to an event to have them securely marked as part of a University Crime Prevention Campaign and Operation Spoke.

The initiative is being run in conjunction with Durham Constabulary working in partnership with Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council, Local Motion and the Safe Durham Partnership.

Staff and students were also given advice on how to lock bikes securely and experienced mechanics were on hand from Recyke Y’Bike to run a Dr Bike session (bike maintenance).

A selection of good quality second hand were also available for purchase.

www.thedurhamdiary.wordpress.com @Durham_Uni

September Books for Boys - Heroism, Adventure & Empire at the Dawn of the First World War Saturday 27 September 2014 Sunday 11 January 2015 Palace Green Library

Wendy Harle

Director of the Research Office

Have you got any pets?

No, not at the moment. We had Holly until we moved house but now have regular visits from the neighbours’ cats and dogs. Meg the dog likes my scrambled eggs.

What are you reading at the moment?

John and George: the dog who changed my life by John Dolan. John is a street artist in Shoreditch who was living rough and sketching on the streets. I am also re-reading The Ballad of Peckham Rye

by Muriel Spark.

Which historical figure would you most like to be?

Cleopatra (although luckily I do not have any brothers). I studied Antony and Cleopatra at school and was lucky enough to see the Peter Hall production at the National Theatre with Anthony Hopkins and Judi Dench.

What was the first record you bought?

Setting Sons by The Jam. It is still in my vinyl collection.

What achievement are you most proud of?

Being able to be a parent and a working mother. Hopefully a good one.

What was your best subject?

Latin. The literature has great orators and stories and the discipline and structure of the language helped me with my other languages and English Language degree.

When was the last time you laughed and why?

Yesterday, In the garden with my husband. Sounds like something from Cluedo. I won’t tell you why I was laughing because it’s a secret.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

For a career I thought I could be a fashion designer or artist. My artistic ability falls considerably short. I did spend a lot of my childhood wanting and trying to be grown up, and then it all seemed to come too quickly.

What skill or talent would you most like to acquire?

I would love to be able to draw and paint properly. I would like the skill not to worry about things I cannot change.

Books for Boys explores boyhood during the earliest years of the twentieth century and the cultural environment that shaped a generation.

October Orchestra North East with Anna-Liisa Bezrodny Saturday 11 October, 7:30pm Durham Cathedral Violinist Anna-Liisa Bezrodny returns to Durham to play Sibelius’s dazzling violin concerto with Orchestra North East. Two masterpieces of German romanticism, Brahms’s fourth symphony and Wagner’s Tannhäuser Overture complete the programme.

Give me a picture of your ideal day: Sunshine, laughter, good food and wine with friends and family. No phone calls or emails.

The Wind in the Willows: Big Read event Sunday 12 October, 11am Palace Green Library, Wolfson Gallery

On a scale of 1-10, how much do you care what other people think of you?

This has changed as I’ve grown older.

In terms of family and friends, now 8.

Others, 5. Previously it was the other way round.

Celebrate Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows, Durham Book Festival’s Big Read. Prof Simon James introduces this wellloved classic and talks about its enduring appeal. What is it about Mr Toad, Badger and Ratty that has continued attract readers since the book was first published in 1908?

What’s your greatest vice?

Miami.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?

I am sure that there are much worse jobs, but I spent some time working in the kitchen of a hotel. It really was hard work, hot, noisy and pressured. Now, I don’t like ironing.

What’s your favourite place in the world?

Home. But to visit, either the Isle of Skye or Kefalonia.

What’s your greatest indulgence?

Sleeping and dreaming. Less selfishly, enjoyment through cooking and entertaining which is much more inclusive.

Pass the Buck: Dr Pippa Whitehouse.

Paul Barley: An Audience with the Laureate Saturday 18 October, 5pm Palace Green Library Every year Durham Book Festival works with Durham University to appoint a Festival Laureate. This year Paul Farley will be fulfilling the role and writing a new poem especially for the festival. In this exclusive public event, Paul will read from his commissioned poem for the first time.

Introduced by Professor Stephen Regan.

Celebrate Science 2014 Tuesday 28 - Thursday 30 October 10am - 4pm Palace Green, Durham Durham University’s annual science festival promises another three days of fun packed, free activities and events for all the family this half term holiday. Visit the giant science marquee on palace Green to join in the fun!

For more information on University events go to www.durham.ac.uk/whatson CODE