Dialogue Magazine - Issue 33

NEWS FOR DURHAM UNIVERSITY STAFF AND STUDENTS | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2014 | ISSUE 33

Celebrate Science...

Find out how we stimulated an interest and inspired young people to study science. / Page 08

Also in this issue: Durham University Music Society A look back at each orchestra, choir and soloist that sparkled during the festive period. / Page 17

Speaking their language Find out more about our campaign for foreign languages. / Page 13

Dialogue 33 | January / February 2014

www.thedurhamdiary.wordpress.com @Durham_Uni

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Durham University is the biggest nonpublic sector contributor to the economy and cultural life of our local area.

The Lindisfarne Gospels, so stunningly exhibited by our staff, put us on the national and, indeed, international cultural map, but had even more impact locally. We won the two major awards for the greatest contribution to North East Tourism this year; our educational outreach went to schools around the entire region and businesses and hotels in the City have reported their best summer ever.

But this is only the start of what we do for our locality.

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This issue illustrates three more regular events which we facilitate together with our partners, particularly Durham County Council. We were institutional partner for the third Lumiere festival which gave so much pleasure to 175,000 visitors and brought massive economic benefit to Durham. We work in partnership with the County Council, Arts Council and others to ensure it remains the leading such festival in the UK.

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EDITOR:

We are a partner in the Durham Book Festival which brings reading and education to so many and is increasingly gaining a national reputation as one of the leading such events in the UK. Finally, the Celebrating Science tent on Palace Green at half term brought 6,500 local young people and their parents to the excitement of science.

03 Coaching and Mentoring

Staff and students are doing so much to give cultural, educational and economic uplift to our locality, making them interesting and exciting places to live and study not just for ourselves but for all those with whom we share our communities. Thank you!

10 Spotlight on...

With all best wishes,

Get Social

04 A place beyond belief: Lumiere 2013

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Research highlights

08 Celebrate Science!

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Durham Book Festival Centre for Visual Arts and Culture

14 Congratulations

Rebecca Grundy, Corporate Communications Officer.

16 Library News

Robots Live

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Experience Durham

18 Museums and Attraction 19

Event Durham

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Equality and Diversity

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CIS News...

22 Procurement News

12 Let’s Network!

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Greenspace

13 Speaking their language

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Under investigation What’s On

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Zoë Thomas, Marketing Projects Co-ordinator.

CONTRIBUTIONS: Sharon Battersby, CIS; Tara Duncan, Greenspace; Louise Elliott, Event Durham; Media Relations Team, Communications Office; Caroline Hall, HR; Vicky Ridley, Experience Durham, Rachel Smith; Library, Peter Holmes; Procurement; Margaret Parry, Procurement; Michael Forster, Estates and Buildings; Pete Edwards, Department of Physics; Stephen Regan, Department of English Studies; Ludmilla Jordanova, CVAC; Sophie Sowerby, HR; Charlotte Kitchen, School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health; Bingham Zheng, MLAC.

DESIGN: wearewarm.com PRINT: statex.co.uk FRONT COVER: Student volunteer, Pete Reynolds talks to visitors about Geology at Celebrate Science.

Share your story...

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

Supporting and developing our staff is one of the key strategic aims of the University.

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!

To complement the ASR process, coaching and mentoring networks are being developed within the University for academic and administration staff. These networks have already supported over 50 members of staff to discuss and make plans for their future self-development.

Our favourite photograph was taken when Women’s Lacrosse defeated Senior England 17-7. Well done, ladies!

THE DURHAM DIARY Last month 90 students embarked on a journey to get as far away as possible from Durham in 36 hours without money for charity. Find out how far Rowan and Tom travelled in the Durham Diary http://bit.ly/1caJAYF

@Durham_Uni

Commenting on the effectiveness of coaching, Sophie Sowerby (Training Manager) said; “A senior manager from professional services told me that the time they spent with a coach had been the most productive piece of personal development they had gained in over six years”.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE MONTH

/durhamuniversity

One way we are able to do this is to provide staff with an opportunity for an in-depth discussion about their personal development and help to identify opportunities for their future.

This usually takes place in their Annual Staff Review (ASR), which should be completed by the end of January 2014.

TOP FIVE TWEETS • Prof Elliott says attitudes to education mean UK schools perform worse in league tables than those in Asia http:// bit.ly/1bf3AYR #PISA

Academic Mentoring Scheme

• Congratulations to @TeamDurham Women’s #Lacrosse team for their win over Team England http://bit. ly/1aMqf1O

www.mentoringscotland.org.uk/account/ durham-university/scheme/24

Administration Staff Coaching Network www.mentoringscotland.org.uk/account/ durham-university/scheme/15

• Listen to Director of @Durham_BSI Prof John Girkin discuss his favourite music & research on @BBCTees at 2pm today http://bbc.in/1fFNhwbIVE TWEETS

• Congrats to @TeamDurham who are currently top of the @BUCSsport table! Good luck for all the matches today :)

Find out more... www.durham.ac.uk/hr/coachingmentoring or contact Sophie Sowerby ext. 41640 or Claire Tindale ext. 41649 to discuss this topic.

VIDEO OF THE MONTH On Wednesday 30 October, Dr Shereen El Feki delivered a lecture entitled ‘Does the Arab Spring need a Summer of Love? Sex and Politics in a Time of Transition’, as part of the Castle Lecture Series. If you haven’t yet seen this lecture visit http://youtu.be/tcT4HLlpoOU

www.thedurhamdiary.wordpress.com

• Archaeological discovery confirms early date of Buddha’s life @AntiquityJ @UNESCO http://bit.ly/182IRHU #Lumbini

DurhamUniversity

If you are interested in working with a coach or mentor, or you would like to be a coach or mentor yourself; you can now register at:

Exhibitions

A place beyond belief: From the 14 -17 November, the UK’s largest light festival, Lumiere returned to Durham City, showcasing a wealth of spectacular installations across the city, filling Durham’s buildings, streets and public spaces.

In its third year the much anticipated festival saw an estimated 175,000 members of the public flocking to the city to enjoy 27 installations created by artists and lighting designers from all over the world.

Alongside installations located at Durham Cathedral, Palace Green, the Market Place, St Oswald’s Church and Elvet Bridge, two were located on our Lower Mountjoy site. These two installations were entitled “Solar Equation” and “I” and were inspired by the University’s research into space and the human eye.

“Consumerist Christmas Tree” by Luzinternuptics

“Solar Equation” Created by electronic artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, “Solar Equation” was a huge simulation of the Sun, 100 million times smaller than the real thing. It was commissioned originally by Federation Square for the Light in Winter Festival in Melbourne, and features the world’s largest spherical helium balloon, custom-made for the project.

The installation was illuminated by a constantly changing display generated by data relayed live by NASA from a space probe orbiting the Sun and interpreted using mathematical equations to simulate the turbulence, flares and sunspots seen on the surface of the sun. Members of the public were able to interact with the installation as they were able to ‘disturb’ the animations in real-time and manipulate the projection through an iPhone/iPad app.

“Solar Equation” by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Lumiere Durham 2013, produced by Artichoke.

Photo (c) Matthew Andrews

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Find out more...

Watch a video about Lumiere here: http://youtu. be/2shunrBiAAE

“I” by Gina Czarnecki

“I” The “I” was created by new media artist Gina Czarnecki with the help of Professor John Girkin from the Biophysical Sciences Institute. This video installation used eyescanning equipment and images of irises which was projected on to the façade of the

OUR FAVOURITE TWEETS ABOUT LUMIERE • Eye lens cells are created four weeks after conception, learn more eye facts at our #IandLumiere event http://bit. ly/17lsVQw #LumiereDurham

Bill Bryson Library. Members of the public were encouraged to interact with the art by having their own irises scanned which would then be projected on to the wall space.

The Biophysical Sciences Institute invited members of the public to a series of talks about the eye from the perspectives of a

physicist, biologist and psychologist and to hear from the artist Gina Czarnecki about the “I” and Lumiere.

Lumiere was brought to Durham City by Artichoke in partnership with Durham County Council and Durham University.

LUMIERE ON STORIFY Take a look at our storify post to see what was being said about Lumiere on social media http://bit.ly/JdzMpY

“Crown of Light” by Ross Ashton

• The gold in the Sun is worth thirty million billion billion pounds! Come and see our Sun for free at #LumiereDurham http:// bit.ly/GETf0O • Strange and vast shapes descend on @durham_uni campus in preparation for #LumiereDurham pic.twitter.com/ mN6JoD3kfr • The world’s largest spherical air balloon will be installed @durham_uni next week as part of #LumiereDurham http://bit.ly/ GETf0O #excited

LAUNCH OF THE FIRST DICTIONARY OF HYMNOLOGY FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY Academics from the departments of English Studies and Music have compiled the first Dictionary of Hymnology to be published in over 100 years. The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology took 12 years to write and features more than 4,000 entries including pop hymns, slave songs and traditional favourites like Jerusalem.

The dictionary was compiled by Professor Dick Watson, Emeritus Professor in English Studies, and Professor Jeremy Dibble, Deputy Head of Music, was the UK music editor.

All previous attempts to update the edition have ended badly; between 1936 and 1971 three editors attempted the task, all dying before completion.

Professor Watson, who compiled the dictionary with colleagues at the University of Bristol, said: “This is the Everest of hymnology and one of the most sensational

aspects of this is that we’ve done it and survived.

People love hymns, and they are right to do so. For those that have them close to their hearts, this should be a delight as well as a remarkable source of information. The new dictionary has been written by people who love hymns too, and that affection is manifested in the effort, detail, and accuracy of the finished project.”

Famous hymns featured in the dictionary include Nearer My God to Thee, by Sarah

Flower Adams, which is claimed to be the last song played by the band on the Titanic before it sank in the North Atlantic in April 1912.

Other well-known hymns making an appearance in the dictionary include Jerusalem and Repton (otherwise known as ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’) by Hubert Parry, the FA Cup Final hymn Eventide (‘Abide with me’) by WH Monk, and Thaxted (‘I vow to thee my country’) by Gustav Holst.

COVERAGE INCLUDES: National media including BBC News and the Church Times.

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HUMAN CELLS USED TO GROW NEW HAIR COULD TRANSFORM TREATMENT FOR HAIR LOSS Research in the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences has developed a new hair restoration method that can generate human hair growth.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES CONFIRM EARLY DATE OF BUDDHA’S LIFE Pioneering excavations led by Professor Robin Coningham, Department of Archaeology, have found evidence of the world’s earliest Buddhist shrine in Nepal. Dating back to the Sixth Century BC, this is the first archaeological material linking the life of the Buddha – and thus the first flowering of Buddhism – to a specific century.

Taking place at the sacred Maya Devi Temple at Lumbini, Nepal, a UNESCO World Heritage site long identified as the birthplace of the Buddha, the excavation has uncovered the remains of a previously unknown sixth-century BC timber structure under a series of brick temples.

Working with colleagues from Columbia University Medical Center, USA, the team’s method is the first to use cloned human cells to induce hair growth, rather than redistributing hair from one part of the scalp to another.

Their findings could significantly expand the use of hair transplantation to women with hair loss, who tend to have insufficient donor hair, as well as to men in early stages of baldness.

Study co-author Professor Colin Jahoda said: “We need to establish the origins of the critical intrinsic properties of the newly induced hairs, such as their hair cycle kinetics, colour, angle, positioning, and texture.

We also need to establish the role of the host epidermal cells

that the dermal papilla cells interact with, to make the new structures.

Ultimately we think that this study is an important step toward the goal of creating a replacement skin that contains hair follicles for use with, for example, burn patients.”

More work needs to be done before the method can be tested in humans, but the team is optimistic that clinical trials could begin in the near future.

Laid out on the same design as those above it, the timber structure contains an open space in the centre that links to the nativity story of the Buddha himself.

Professor Coningham said: “Very little is known about the life of the Buddha, except through textual sources and oral tradition.

“We wanted to go back to archaeology to try to answer

COVERAGE INCLUDES: International media including The New York Times, CBS News, Wall Street Journal, Australia ABC News, The Times South Africa, L’Express France, and the national media including BBC News, ITN, Sky News, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph and The Independent.

Credit: Ira Block/National Geographic

some of the questions about his birth. Now, for the first time, we have an archaeological sequence at Lumbini that shows a building there as early as the Sixth Century BC. “This is one of the very rare occasions in which belief, tradition, archaeology and science come together.”

COVERAGE INCLUDES: Extensive international media including CNN, NBC, Al Jazeera, National Geographic, New Scientist, LA Times, The Times of India, BBC World Service and national media including BBC News, The Observer, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Times.

Dialogue 33 | January / February 2014

During three days of the October 2013 half-term holiday, over 6,500 members of the public attended our science showcase event, Celebrate Science 2013, participating in engaging activities and interacting with over 200 University staff and student volunteers in a marquee situated on Palace Green.

Now in its fourth year, Celebrate Science is a firmly established annual event with the aim of stimulating an interest in science and inspiring young people to study science, while putting the University at the heart of a fun, high-profile community event.

Celebrate Science 2013 included a varied programme of events and activities for families, including investigating human and animal skulls, using incense and air bazookas to make tornadoes and mind boggling visual illusions. Children were invited to create inventions, measure their fitness, explore the wonderful world of robots and plan their own mission to Mars.

More than 200 University staff and students took part in this year’s festival. Most volunteered to share their enthusiasm, expertise and experiences with visitors on the exhibits, whilst additional volunteers (recruited through the University’s staff

volunteering programme) acted as stewards.

The departments of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics and Psychology were all represented in addition to the Anthropology Sleep Lab, Bioarchaeology, the Foundation Centre, Palace Green Library and Sport. Additional external participants from Cancer Research UK, Centre for Life, Institute of Physics, Proctor and Gamble and the University Hospital North Durham also took part in the event.

The marquee was a hive of activity, with a buzz of excitement running throughout. The majority of visitors came in family groups and included local people and tourists.

Many visitors returned, having enjoyed themselves so much on the first day or indeed at the 2011 and 2012 Celebrate Science events. Visitor feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting that people felt that they had learnt something

new as well as enjoying themselves. Quotes from the feedback wall that caught the eye include:

“Why wasn’t science this much fun when I was at school?”

“Everything was my favourite. Best was the enthusiasm and knowledge of the presenters.

Really brilliant.”

Celebrate Science is only possible with the help of the many groups of volunteers who use their research to engage and enthuse the local community.

Thanks and congratulations to all involved in a hugely successful event.

Find out more...

Visit the Durham Diary at www.thedurhamdiary.wordpress.com

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8,000 people attended the festival in October 2013 and much of its success can be attributed to a highly effective combination of diverse and dynamic programming and strong, supportive partnerships.

Events take place throughout County Durham, in schools and libraries and museums, as well as in some of the most beautiful and historic venues in the city: Durham Town Hall, the Castle, and the Cathedral. The Festival producer, New Writing North, strives each year for a fresh and creative approach to promoting books, interspersing fiction and poetry with film, music, drama, politics and sport.

As one of the major partners of the Book Festival, the University has a significant and increasingly prominent role in organising events that showcase its research and scholarship, and also open up a dialogue with a large, public audience. This year, the

Institute of Advanced Study hosted events to do with its annual theme of ‘Light’ and with scientific discovery, and the University’s ‘Hearing the Voice’ project brought together leading writers and psychologists for a series of talks on memory and hallucination. St Chad’s Chapel was the inspiring venue for several events, including a day dedicated to the exploration of nature and natural history.

The Department of English Studies and its Centre for Poetry and Poetics were well represented this year, helping to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the T.S. Eliot Prize by bringing to Durham three of the shortlisted poets. The Department organised an evening of poetry, music and painting

in Prior’s Hall, Durham Cathedral, at which Gareth Reeves read his Nuncle Music poems (monologues from beyond the grave by the Russian composer, Dmitri Shostakovich).

The Department also brought to Durham the leading Irish poet, Paul Muldoon, who read to a capacity audience in Durham Cathedral Chapter House. Muldoon delivered a new, specially commissioned poem, ‘St Cuthbert and the Otters’, which ranged widely across the religious and cultural history of the North East, before turning into a work of mourning and memory for the recently deceased poet, Seamus Heaney.

Durham Book Festival 2014 already beckons.

IMAGES: Above, Paul Muldoon reading in Durham Cathedral Chapter House.

Left, Barrie Ormsby, After Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7, ‘Leningrad’. Painting used for the cover of Gareth Reeves’s Nuncle Music.

Find out more... visit: www.durhambookfestival.com

Spotlight on...

The recently established Centre for Visual Arts and Cultures (CVAC) is based in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and seeks to bring together those with a research interest in these fields wherever they are located in the University.

The Centre arises out of established research activities in visual arts and cultures in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures (MLAC), including a strong tradition of work on the history of photography. Its remit is to foster innovative research in a broad interdisciplinary field that has excited growing interest over the last few decades.

It is striking how much work is already being done at Durham in this area, although there is certainly much networking to be done to bring those concerned with it together.

Since there are a number of definitions of ‘visual arts’ and ‘visual culture’, little is gained by being prescriptive on the matter.

Indeed healthy debate about the remit of our key terms, and the most generative ways of approaching them, is warmly encouraged.

These developments come at an opportune moment as the University is increasingly aware of the value not only of its own collections, but of collaborations with external bodies, such as museums and galleries. Fostering an integrated approach within Durham is clearly important.

The Centre’s resources are modest, and they

will be directed towards initiatives that help develop the University’s research capacity.

If Dialogue readers would like to become involved, the first step is to become a member by submitting a short biography, which outlines their work and experience in visual culture. Members may apply for funds that will enhance the Centre’s profile, for example, through workshops, small conferences, and networking events. Funds are not available for personal research. It is important that CVAC is closely involved with the planning of such events at as early a stage as possible.

We are delighted that Janet Stewart (janet. stewart@durham.ac.uk), who is based in MLAC, is now Director of the Centre. Those who would like to join as members and to be put on mailing lists should contact Jennifer Nelson (j.e.nelson@durham.ac.uk).

Events and initiatives are currently being planned that have collaboration across disciplines and institutions at their heart.

Hence, there is particular enthusiasm for building external partnerships, for engaging

IMAGES (L-R): Bowes Museum, Oriental Museum gallery

ever more deeply with the University’s own collections and for fostering a spirit of open interdisciplinary collaboration. Current examples include a Collaborative Doctoral Award with the National Media Museum, Bradford, an annual lecture jointly with Theology, and an exhibition on ‘Books for Boys’ at Palace Green. The Centre is in the process of developing a Masters programme and we would be pleased to hear from colleagues who might be interested in participating in its development and execution.

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

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NEW YEAR HONOURS 2014 Congratulations to any of our alumni and those with a Durham University association who feature on the New Year Honours 2014 list.

New Year Honours have been awarded for a range of services including for those to Higher Education, Charitable services, disabled individuals and Volcanology. Amongst those honoured is alumnus Dr Arnab Basu (Chief Executive Officer of our spin-out company, Kromek), who will receive an MBE for services to Regional Development and International Trade.

CHANCELLOR AWARDED QUEEN’S MEDAL FOR MUSIC Congratulations to our Chancellor, Sir Thomas Allen, who will receive the Queen’s Medal for Music 2013. Buckingham Palace announced that Sir Thomas was being awarded the Medal for his commitment and service to music, outreach and music education.

Sir Thomas said: “I was surprised and thrilled to hear I would receive The Queen’s Medal for Music, having had so much recognition over many years. This very special award means so much to me and I’m very proud to have been selected.”

USHAW COLLEGE ARCHIVIST AWARDED HONORARY DEGREE Reverend Dr Michael Sharratt, Ushaw College Archivist and Librarian Emeritus, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters at this year’s Winter Congregation. Dr Sharratt was honoured for his significant contribution to UK Catholic intellectual life and a wider academic contribution in relation to the Ushaw libraries.

Dialogue 33 | January / February 2014

Let’s Network!

The University is a large, complex and unique environment in which to work. Its diversity comes from the nature of the services it delivers from within academic departments and faculties; ranging from music to chemistry, law to engineering, the provision of the underpinning support is paramount to the holistic delivery.

Staff Networks (www.durham.ac.uk/lets.network) gained visibility in June of last year although the constituent groups have been around far longer. For example, the Project Management Network is into its fourth year and the Professional and Support Staff (PASS) Network its sixth. There is open membership for all of the networks and we would like to encourage other networks that exist to promote their activities via this site. To do so please contact Christine Hill or Sophie Sowerby at lets.network@durham.ac.uk

NETWORKS • Coaching Network The benefits of coaching are widespread, from offering professional development to improving communication and developing professional relationships. Additionally, benefits are not just for coachees, but also for coaches and academic departments, colleges and service departments.

• Durham Technical Managers Network The Network was set up to encourage interaction and communication between all Durham University Technical Managers. We share knowledge, experiences and provide support.

• LGBT Staff Network The network was established by LGBT staff members in order to provide networking opportunities, arrange a series of social events for members, and as a means to promote research activities for LGBT interest.

• Marketing and Communications Network Established to raise awareness of marketing and communications activity around the University and to enable the exchange of ideas, knowledge, resources and best practice.

• New Staff Network The network provides a great opportunity to meet new colleagues from across the University and find out more about what is happening in departments, colleges and other sections.

• Professional and Support Staff (PASS) Network PASS is a means to bring skilled individuals together to disseminate information and support their services throughout the organisation.

specifically for Queen’s Campus administration staff.

• Research Administrators’ Network The network provides a forum to exchange ideas, share best practice and disseminate information between research administrative staff across the University.

• Staff Volunteering Network This network offers the opportunity for staff to engage with local community organisations and enables these groups to work in partnership with the University.

• Women in Academia This network orchestrates a variety of activities with the intent to challenge the status quo and influence cultural change at the institution to create a more diverse leadership model.

• Project Management Network (PMN) Provides an informal forum for those involved in project management to identify, share and promote good practice. There is a similar network

IMAGE We use this symbol to represent the site. It tried to demonstrate how proud we are of the networks we have within the University and want to shout about it!

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“We must ensure that the government, business and education sectors work together to get the right messages […] so that we are better equipped to respond to the challenges and opportunities that the future holds”.

Professor Nigel Vincent, Vice President, British Academy

This statement from the British Academy can apply to any academic discipline. There have been a number of key reports over the past two years, each bemoaning the shortage of language skills in the UK, issued by the Education & Employers Taskforce, the CBI, British Academy, British Council and others. Our collective lack of language ability potentially creates a stealth tax on UK trade of some £7 billion per annum in lost exports; whilst only 43% of British schoolchildren took a language at GCSE in 2011. Yet change is in the air...

2013 saw an upturn in GCSE and A-level awards in Modern Languages – the first in a number of years. Here at Durham University we are also doing our bit. In 2013 there are 530 students from all departments in Durham and Queen’s taking elective language modules, doubling in two years, with a further 20% increase anticipated in 2014.

We have another 780 registered for our Languages for All programme. When we include students taking degrees with the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, all told we currently have 3,500 students and staff studying a language at Durham.

The School of Modern Languages and Cultures continues to develop a broad portfolio of language courses from Beginners to Advanced, building

a learning journey from school to university and through professional life.

To promote language learning in support of this growing agenda we are working with government agencies, our regional Chamber of Commerce, trade associations and businesses to match our language portfolio against international export and investment activity.

There is documented demand for ability in Spanish, Arabic, French, Mandarin, German, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Turkish, and Japanese (just to name the top 10). We are also developing a broader programme for our own postgraduates and staff in support of researcher mobility and the University’s internationalisation strategy.

Through this flexible and innovative portfolio we aim to demonstrate the value of foreign language skills across all professions and all disciplines, in turn improving engagement with our external partners and supporting institutional strategy. The ability to engage with customers, partners and colleagues in their own language opens doors like nothing else.

Mark Critchley Director, Centre for Foreign Language Study, School of Modern Languages and Cultures

Find out more...

about our degree programmes and nonspecialist language courses at... www.durham.ac.uk/ mlac

Congratulations

I recently entered a competition run by the National Council of Women of Great Britain (NCW) entitled ‘Giving Young Women and Girls a Voice’. Young women aged 13 to 30 were asked to write a proposal in response to the question “If you could influence government to take action on one issue to improve the lives of women and girls, what would it be?”

The question really caught my attention because six months earlier I had been a silent spectator to two of my more outspoken friends having an argument about the roles of women in the UK. One fervently argued that there was a ‘glass ceiling’ for professional women in the UK that stopped them progressing into the upper echelons of power. The other scoffed at this suggestion, instead protesting that it is such fanatic feminism that has caused gender inequalities in the first place.

At the time I just absorbed both their opinions but later decided I didn’t really agree with either of them. This is why I decided to enter the competition and write about my own opinions on gender equality.

I strongly believe that the government could do more to ensure we achieve gender equality in the UK. We are trailing behind other industrialised countries that are more ardent supporters of mothers returning to work after having children and supporting fathers in taking more responsibly for childcare. I am pleased with the new government proposals to allow parents to share existing maternity rights which will allow working families the flexibility required to better balance childcare and work commitments.

I was selected as the Regional Winner for the North of England in the 19-30 age group and my entry was ‘highly commended’ in the national section of the competition. This has given me faith that my opinions are well-founded and I am excited about the prospect of working with the NCW to draw attention to the issues raised in my essay.

I am more than happy for any other young women who are keen to bring about change in gender inequalities in the UK to contact me: charlotte.kitchen@durham.ac.uk Charlotte Kitchen (PhD student in the Mental Health Research Centre)

Find out more...

about The National Council of Women... www.ncwgb.org @NCWGB #SpeakOut

HR Excellence in Research Award Following our two-year review, we have retained our HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission. This Award demonstrates our commitment to improving the working conditions and career development for research staff, which will in turn improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy.

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ENTREPRENEURS DURHAM Back in November, Dr Binghan Zheng (MLAC) led the Durham delegation at the First Jiangsu Cup Chinese speech competition (UK). The Durham team left a very deep impression on the jury and all the participants and all three of our contestants achieved great success in the fierce competition against peers from 14 other UK universities.

Lara Klopper (Hild Bede) won second prize for Adult Advanced; Inhoo Jo (St John’s) won second prize for Adult Advanced; and Yannick Colinet (Collingwood) won second prize for Adult Intermediate.

In the process of preparing for this, three part-time Chinese teachers (led by Miss Ren Jin) made a great contribution, including offering the contestants one-to-one tutorials.

These second prizes include an invitation to participate

IMAGE: The winners with their tutors.

in an eight-day all-expenses paid Chinese cultural trip to Jiangsu Province. Alternatively, the students can enjoy a full scholarship for a one-semester course at Nanjing University, including up to £500 towards a return flight from the UK to China.

With such success, Dr Zheng is confident that the Durham team will achieve more success at Chinese Bridge, the international Chinese speech competition in 2014.

Winners at NACUE Innovation Day

Entrepreneurs Durham won the title of ‘Best Idea’ at the NACUE event against enterprise societies from universities across the UK. The £8,000 prize money will be used to help fund ED’s Kickstart Weekend, the development of a drinks company and their corporate social responsibility project ‘Moneythink’.

The student society has around 2,000 registered members and also runs a busy events calendar. Alex Deung, President, said ‘We’ve had a great year so far having run marketing and sales workshops, enterprise conferences, competitions, socials and more. We’re also proud of the support we provide to young start-ups through our collaboration with the University Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre.’

Find out more...

www.entrepreneursdurham.com

IMAGE (L-R): Alex Deung (President); Gemma Lee (Moneythink Project Manager); Rory Codrington (Kickstart Weekend Project Manager); Beth Carter (Vice-President and Events Director); Ben Conway (Treasurer).

Library News

ALL DAY. ALL NIGHT. ALL EPIPHANY TERM. The Bill Bryson Library is now open all night, all Epiphany term until the Easter vacation.

This is first time the Bill Bryson Library has offered 24 hour opening throughout the Epiphany term, following one week trials during this period in 2012 and 2013. We’ve decided to extend the service following last year’s Library 24/7 survey, where almost 80% of students said they would definitely or probably use the Library overnight if we offered additional 24/7 opening hours in the Epiphany term.

As well as responding to student feedback, we’re aware that the ongoing Level 4 refurbishment work means the Bill Bryson Library can be very busy, so we hope that the additional opening hours will ease pressure on study spaces this term.

Queen’s Campus Library will join the Bill Bryson Library in offering 24 hour opening from Saturday 15 – Monday 24 March 2014. Library 24/7 will also return to the Bill Bryson Library and Queen’s Campus Library next term in the run up to exams.

Find out more... visit www.durham.ac.uk/library/247

ROBOTS LIVE 21 – 23 February 2014, Palace Green

LOVED ROBOT WARS? THEN COME TO ROBOTS LIVE! Robots will be invading Palace Green during the February school half term! Come and see the UK’s most popular live robotics show, with heavyweight robot fights, house robot BattleAxe and a mechanical boxing match. The robots will be battling it out in a specially designed combat arena on the Durham World Heritage Site that holds a few surprises of its own!

And if that’s not enough, admission to Palace Green Library’s ROBOT exhibition is free with your Robots Live ticket! In this exciting exhibition for all the family, you’ll meet some of your favourite robot, cyborg and android stars. Some are friendly, others helpful, and a few are simply scary…

Buy your tickets from Palace Green Library or book online through Ticketmaster today.

Find out more... www.durham.ac.uk/palace.green/robotslive

A NEW PC AREA FOR QUEEN’S CAMPUS LIBRARY The PC cluster at Queen’s Campus Library has been refurbished to create a modern and quiet IT study space. There are 69 new networked PCs and facilities to print, copy and scan.

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Experience Durham...

The closing weeks of Michaelmas term is always a busy period for student music in Durham, as each orchestra, choir and soloist sparkles during the festive period. Under the leadership of student President Jessica Lawrence, the renewed energy and ambition of Durham University Music Society (DUMS) provided a packed and exciting programme as 2013 drew to a close.

Festive spirit was boundless from Durham University Big Band in their Christmas special, featuring renditions of all our Christmas favourites as well as classic big band hits, while the Chamber Choir created a striking seasonal atmosphere in the Cathedral Chapter House with Poulenc’s winter cantata Un Soir de Neige and Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices.

A new challenging repertoire featuring works from Dukas, Vaughan Williams and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker made for a stunning concert from the Orchestral Society’s Symphony Concert and more classical music came from the Chamber Orchestra’s concert under the baton of Alexander Robertson, with a varied programme including works by Debussy, Ravel and a spectacular solo of Nielsen’s Flute Concerto by Becky Durose.

Durham Opera Ensemble’s (DOE) first show of the year Darkness and Light was a spectacle for all, from the Black Tie dress code to the incredible series of opera scenes based on the prayer of St Francis of Assisi. Highlights included pieces by Purcell, Monteverdi and Mozart; watch out for DOE’s production of The Magic Flute this Epiphany Term on 12 - 16 February 2014 at the Great Hall in Castle.

The Choral Society presented one of Handel’s greatest choral works, Messiah, conducted by Michael Summers, with Charlotte La Thrope, Harriet Beckham, Hugo Hymas and Aaron Prewer-Jenkinson performing beautiful solos. You can see the Choral Society perform Mozart’s Requiem when they are back in action on Friday 14 March 2014.

In addition to the vast array of concert performances, DUMS have established an excellent array of masterclasses and lunchtime recitals for their members. To date, Durham’s musicians have enjoyed a masterclass with distinguished conductor and alumnus Ralph Allwood (Music, Van Mildert, 1969-1972), and a piano recital and masterclass with Nigel Allcoat, one of the world’s finest classical improvisers.

Find out more...

about DUMS, visit www.durham.ac.uk/music.society

ROUND-UP FROM EXPERIENCE DURHAM Team Durham had a record-breaking first term. We held the number one position in the BUCS points table for a short period of time and have given our great rivals Loughborough a comprehensive challenge, beating them both at home and away in a variety of sports. We hope to hold on to our number two spot in BUCS for the third consecutive year and you can follow our athletes’ weekly progress at www.teamdurham.com Many students took to the stage throughout Michaelmas term, with productions including Jerusalem, Mikado, The Furies, and a Murder Mystery. Epiphany Term is no different, and Durham University Light Opera Group (DULOG) will once again be back at the Gala Theatre in January, with their production of Guys and Dolls. Keep an eye on the What’s On Guide for more information about performance details.

Staff and student volunteering goes from strength-to-strength and Student Community Action (SCA) are gearing up to SCA Week in mid-February. The New Year too is a great time for staff to get involved in new volunteering and outreach activities, so get in touch with community.engagement@durham.ac.uk for the latest events.

Find out more...

visit www.durham.ac.uk/experiencedurham

Museums and Attractions

CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR AT THE ORIENTAL MUSEUM

Durham Student Theatre The annual Durham Drama Festival (DDF) is taking place from 12 -15 February 2014 and comprises four days of performances, workshops and socials.

The Festival is a showcase of the best of drama in Durham; completely written, produced, designed and performed by members of Durham University.

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of the Chinese Lunar calendar. Celebrations last for two weeks, culminating in the Lantern Festival. It is a time to celebrate with family and honour ancestors.

In 2014, the year of the Horse begins on Saturday 1 February and you can join in the celebrations with your family at the Oriental Museum.

In addition to our base at The Assembly Rooms Theatre, we also organise site-specific theatre in locations around the city and DDF14 will see the debut of a black box studio for the festival.

If you have any queries or want more information please email festival director Zoë Ogahara at zoe@durhamdramafest.com.

Enjoy a range of activities over the fortnight or join us on Friday 14 February for our special late night opening for the Lantern Festival. See the Museum lit by lanterns, try Chinese crafts or listen to traditional Chinese stories. The first 100 children get a free lantern.

Last year’s ‘Best Play’ winner ‘The Babysitters’ will be returning in its own right to the Assembly Rooms as a reworked full length play.

To see what other unmissable events are coming up this year look out for the DST What’s On, published in the last week of January, or online at www.durhamsu.com

Durham Castle Tours Approach Durham from the North and the imposing outline of Durham Castle is immediately apparent.

Looming high above the Wear its original defensive purpose is clear to all who gaze up at it.

Today the Castle is home to the students and staff of University College but it also attracts over 20,000 visitors each year who are drawn to find out more about its fascinating history.

Access to the Castle for visitors is by guided tours which take place most days of the year and can be booked at Palace Green Library and the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre.

Specially trained, the guides are mainly drawn from students who have some connection with the Castle and are so able to offer a unique insight into its history – a feature that is very popular with visitors. If you haven’t yet visited then why not book on a tour to learn more about this iconic Durham building?

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Event Durham, Retail & Catering

Event Durham Gold at the North East England Tourism Awards With five award wins this was a great year for the University at the North East England Tourism Awards!

Event Durham won the ‘Business Tourism’ Award and the Lindisfarne Gospels Exhibition won both ‘Tourism Event of the Year’ and ‘Tourism Experience of the Year’.

The Oriental Museum received the silver award for ‘Small Visitor Attraction’ and the University also won the silver ‘Sustainable Tourism’ award.

Event Durham was shortlisted in the Business Tourism Award against Northumbria University – Inspirational

Spaces and Sodexo Prestige/Newcastle United Football Club and we were awarded Gold for the exceptional contribution we make to the region’s visitor economy.

If you are interested in hosting an event within the University please contact event@durham.ac.uk or ext. 42887.

Andrea Cairns, Event Durham Manager said, “I am delighted that Event Durham has been recognised as the regional leader in the business tourism sector. This is an excellent achievement and the award certainly reflects the dedication and hard work of the team.”

Event Durham organises hundreds of conferences and events each year and helps to welcome delegates from across the globe to the University. In 2012/13 conferences hosted by the University were estimated to contribute £6.5million to the local economy.

Retail Welcome back for the start of a new term!

If you are in need of supplies why not visit one of our convenience shops at Howland’s and Queen’s? Both shops stock an assortment of daily essentials, snacks and drinks as well as a selection of official Durham University merchandise including stationery, clothing and gifts.

Howland’s is situated at Josephine Butler and Ustinov Colleges and opens 9am - 9pm Monday - Saturday and

10am - 4pm Sunday during term-time handy if you need to stop off for bread or milk on your way home.

Queen’s shop is located inside the Holliday Building at Queen’s Campus and is open 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday during term time, so make sure you pop in and see what’s available.

Finally, don’t forget to visit our online shop www.durham.ac.uk/shop Durham University Retail Office @DurhamUniRetail

Catering University Catering has been working in partnership with The Prince’s Trust and Groundwork to support 18-24 year olds who have been unemployed for more than 39 weeks.

After the success of last year, in which University Catering were able to offer three unemployed people some valuable food service work experience resulting in one person securing permanent

employment at St Cuthbert’s Society, the decision was made to increase the support this year by providing 12 such people with placements throughout Durham colleges and YUM cafés. So far a further four people from these work placements have successfully secured contracts to remain within the department beyond the work experience placement.

Equality and Diversity

ATHENA SWAN INTRODUCING OUR DEAN FOR EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY Equality, diversity and inclusion remain high on our agenda for 2014 and beyond. Our first Dean for Equality and Diversity has been appointed to lead the University strategy in relation to equality and diversity and act as a champion for equality and diversity initiatives. Professor Catherine Alexander (Anthropology) took up her post in October.

THE EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY TEAM In addition to the appointment of the Dean and led by our Equality and Diversity Manager (Sarah Winship), a full time Equality and Diversity Assistant (Louise Wright) and an Equality and Diversity Officer/Trainer (Michelle Taylor) have been appointed.

Michelle will be developing and delivering a new training programme to help us highlight and acknowledge the more subtle cultural barriers to equality within the workplace. For details of workshops currently available go to www.durham.ac.uk/ training.course/diversity To discuss specific equality and diversity training requirements, please contact michelle.taylor@durham.ac.uk IMAGE (L-R): Meet the Team - Michelle, Professor Tom Ward (Equality and Diversity UEC Sponsor), Catherine, Sarah and Louise

WOMEN AND SENIOR ROLES As part of our commitment to address under-representation of women in senior roles, the University has chosen to participate in the Leadership Foundation’s inaugural Aurora Programme. Scheduled to begin in the 2013/14 academic year, the women-only programme is aimed at all women up to senior lecturer level, to enable them to develop leadership skills and strategies. A place has been allocated to each faculty with nominations received from Heads of Departments. There will also be one member of staff from Professional Support Services participating in the programme.

In 2013, informal networks were introduced to support women in academia such as the Senior Women’s Group and the Inspiring Women’s Network. These network events are very well attended and will continue in 2014. A joint initiative with Newcastle University will be supporting senior female academics to develop and enhance mentoring skills. Six senior female academics have agreed to participate in this programme.

In April we are hosting a conference in collaboration with Newcastle University, ‘Women and Change in Higher Education: culture and careers’. The conference is open to academic and professional services staff, and those interested in women’s progression and equality. It will serve as an opportunity to explore the latest policy, information and research relating to women’s participation, discuss strategic, practical and sustainable ways of supporting and developing women working in Higher Education; consider the challenges and opportunities faced by women and consider how we might change culture in Higher Education.

For details go to: www.durham.ac.uk/diversity.equality/womanandchange

This charter recognises and celebrates good employment practice for women working in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) in Higher Education.

Psychology successfully applied for an Athena Swan Silver Departmental Award in 2013. The School for Medicine Pharmacy and Health has also submitted a Silver application. All other Science departments have made a commitment to apply for at least a Bronze Award by November 2015.

The Equality Challenge Unit is also piloting a charter mark which will extend the principles of Athena Swan.

Anthropology and Geography have been accepted on to the trial and will be sharing their experiences with other departments in the faculties of Social Sciences & Health and Arts & Humanities.

ACCREDITATION SUCCESS We were awarded two accreditations in 2013.

Two Ticks positive about disabled people, identifies the University as an employer who has agreed to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention and career development of disabled people.

Stonewall Diversity Champion celebrates the University’s clear commitment to working to support lesbian, gay and bisexual staff. The Diversity Champion programme promotes a good working environment for all existing and potential staff and students and helps to ensure equal treatment for those who are lesbian, gay or bisexual.

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CIS news...

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

2013...

What a year for CIS! 2013 was a big year for CIS with a new Chief Information Officer and a new plan to ‘re-boot’ University IT. Those plans are becoming a reality and we’ve taken stock of how much CIS has delivered during the year – our list is quite extensive but below are just a few of the highlights we wanted to share with you.

Approval & funding... for the New World Programme to re-boot University IT www.durham.ac.uk/cis/nwp This set in motion an ambitious programme which, less than 12 months on, is already delivering! CIS has been empowered to implement improvements and eliminate problems which we’ve been aware of for some time.

As our examples show, the University is benefiting from better services with noticeable advances in speed, security and reliability. The University leadership’s agreement to the programme showed their recognition of the need for a solid IT platform to deliver its strategy and that they trust CIS to deliver it.

Improved desktop service... for PSS departments 500 people in Professional Support Services (PSS) departments were still using the DUCAS desktop environment with its old operating system and a five year old application set with known security flaws.

They have all now switched to the modern, more secure CIS Managed Desktop Service (MDS). These 500 people now enjoy a wider selection of up-to-date tools, including integrated email and calendar. One of the first projects delivered within New World Project (NWP), this gave CIS a great opportunity to take ownership and deliver tangible benefits to our PSS colleagues (better user experience and performance) and to the University (better security and tighter controls around sensitive data).

Standardisation... improve services, add value Used appropriately, standardisation reduces risk by enabling us to improve resilience, simplify support, and decommission ageing systems and equipment.

It also reduces idiosyncratic, undocumented processes and equipment which take longer to locate and diagnose when issues occur.

CIS has worked closely with colleagues in departments to identify areas where standard systems will be beneficial. Key areas where we have increase the use of ‘standard’ services include: • Storage and Servers: in Geography, Chemistry, CEM, Engineering & Computer Science (ECS), Library, Music • Email: in Maths, Geography, Professional Support Services (PSS) • Standard Desktops: MDS for administrators in Earth Sciences, Maths and ECS, and Geography; increased use of NPCS (student managed desktop service) in ECS and Psychology and of MDS in ECS for staff and PGRs NWP will support further standardisation through work on standard Linux, Mac and Window environments in addition to the progress on specifying standard high-end PCs as part of the new IT procurement process.

Standard services delivered by CIS make it possible to increase the use of automation. Staff who once provided support for their in-house versions of these systems now have more time to work on more specialised, forward thinking activities particular to their department - adding value rather than just keeping the lights on.

In 2014 we shall build on these early successes, developing and delivering more of the services the University needs. Take a look at some of our other achievements for 2013 at www.durham.ac.uk/ cis/2013review You can vote for the item you think provides the most value to the University and even add some feedback about your experiences of our improved services.

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Procurement CONTRACTS AWARDED GREEN GOWN For the third time, the Procurement Service was shortlisted at this year’s Green Gown Awards. The application was part of the Facilities and Services category, replacing the Sustainable Procurement category the Procurement Service has previously won twice.

The judges recognised how the new Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (CSER) Policy for Procurement is at the heart of what the University aims to achieve and how the policy is implemented through staff, student and supplier stakeholder engagement, as well as through the creation of a category management structure and strategic sourcing strategy. The judges were impressed with the wider role the Procurement Service plays in the creation of the Responsible University framework for Durham University, and looking to see how CSER can be deployed across the University.

PROCUREMENT ANNUAL REPORT The latest report can be found on the procurement website: www.durham.ac.uk/procurement/local/staff

INSURANCE ASSET REGISTERS Departments and colleges have been sent asset registers for insurance purposes to be updated and returned by Friday 7 February 2014. This is essential as the details form the basis of the University’s contents insurance.

The following contracts were recently awarded: • P eople+ Replacement HR and Payroll System • Library Resource Discovery System • D omestic Gas Appliance Maintenance • University Conference Toiletries • Washroom Services.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHARITY The Procurement Service supports charities with contributions from fortnightly dress down days.

Since January 2013 the charities supported include the Katie Piper Foundation, the Dogs Trust, Team Kenya, Comic Relief, Save the Children, MS Society, Cancer Research, the PDSA, Willowburn Hospice and Macmillan, raising more than £350.

In addition, this year the Procurement Service cake sale and dress down day raised £216 for Children in Need, supported by donations from the Event Durham dress down day. Thank you to everyone who donated, we hope you enjoyed the cakes!

Thanks go to Rebecca Morris (pictured) for organising the event.

Whilst every endeavour is made to contact the appropriate person in each department and college, if you have not received the asset register form please contact Barbara or Jim in the Procurement Service on b.k.dick@durham.ac.uk or d.j.manley@durham.ac.uk

ACQUIRE IMPLEMENTATION Since the September 2013 edition of Dialogue, the roll out of acquire, the eProcurement system, has continued to a number of the professional service departments including Libraries, HR, the Academic Office, Governance and Executive Support and the University Secretary to Senate and Council, and also Retail Catering, Central Catering, Experience Durham and Colleges Office.

In the autumn acquire was implemented in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.

Training started in December and some users have started using the system.

Towards the end of 2013 planning discussions got underway with CIS, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health and the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences.

The Implementation Team operates under the direction of the Implementation Steering Group. For more information contact Peter on peter.holmes@durham.ac.uk or ext. 44526.

FAQs The Procurement Service website provides a useful Frequently Asked Questions document covering Ethics, Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, eProcurement, non eProcurement, EU Regulations, Specialist Procurement Activity and Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility.

Please see: www.durham.ac.uk/procurement/local/staff/faq

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Greenspace...

AWARDS SUCCESS In recent months the University has been honoured with an array of awards to celebrate and commend our environmental achievements over a range of areas.

We were shortlisted for five National Green Gown Awards, (www. eauc.org.uk/green_gown_ _2013_winners_and_highly_comme), out of 216 applications from the HE and FE sector, and were highly commended in three categories: Carbon awards Reduction; Facilities and Services; and Staff and Student Engagement.

The commended entries came from projects in Estates and Buildings, Catering and Biodiversity respectively.

We saw success in the Regional North East England Tourism Awards, (www.newcastlegateshead.com/corporate/what-wedo/tourism-awards), where we scooped the Silver Award for Sustainable Tourism. Our entry focussed on the holistic approach we take to environmental sustainability including our University-wide plans and policies, (www.durham.ac.uk/ greenspace/policies), and our work on procuring and supporting local and seasonal food.

In the Durham Environment Partnership Altogether Greener Awards, (www.countydurhampartnership.co.uk/Pages/EnPEnvironmentAwards2013.aspx), we were presented with an ‘Outstanding Award’ for the Gateway development and the way it approached the three pillars of sustainability: Environment,

Social and Economic. The scheme includes the building of the Palatine Centre and Durham Law School, new catering and social facilities for students, staff and visitors, the extension to the Bill Bryson Library and comprehensive environment improvements. The University’s Biophilia project received a commendation in the Natural Environment category for extensive engagement in biodiversity awareness, monitoring and enhancement across the University and in recognition of the lessons that can be learnt by others.

University College was named ‘Best Campus Accommodation’ in Britain at the Green Tourism Goldstar Awards, (www.greentourism.com/business/green-tourism-week/goldstar-awards).

A record number of 63 green tourism businesses from across the UK were shortlisted for the Goldstar Awards this year. The finalists represent the top three per cent of Green Tourism businesses in the UK. These awards are testament to the hard work and commitment of all involved and to the way the University approaches its environmental strategy.

BIKES MEET BLING FOR BICYCLEBRIGHT EVENT Following hot on the heels of the Lumiere festival, residents of County Durham enjoyed another, smaller light festival when BicycleBright took place on 29 November. Described as Lumiere on the move, the BicycleBright event was organised to encourage riders to be safe and be seen during the winter.

Cllr Neil Foster said: “We hope that seeing blinged bikes cycling round Durham will remind everyone of the importance of being visible when cycling during the dark winter nights.

Before the ride, free security bike marking was on offer from Durham Constabulary, information on bike safety and security along with a Dr Bike session, bike freebies and giveaways.

We would also love to see more people getting excited about cycling and taking up a healthier and greener way of travelling after seeing a pack of brightly decorated bikes touring Durham.”

Professor Tim Burt, Dean for Environmental Sustainability, said “This was a good opportunity for us to promote and raise awareness regarding safe cycling to all our students and at same time, take part in such an exclusive event. This also assists the University to promote alternative modes of transport and helps meet Green Travel Plan targets benefiting both the University and the local Find out more... community.”

Cyclists were asked to ‘bling their bikes’ by decorating them with lights and all manner of sparkly things before joining a three and a half mile guided bike ride around Durham City. It is the first of what is hoped to be an annual event, organised in collaboration with Durham County Council, Durham University, Durham Constabulary, Darlington Borough Council’s Local Motion transport scheme, Sustrans, and Breeze. Prizes were handed out for the best blinged bikes.

visit www.durham.ac.uk/ greenspace

www.thedurhamdiary.wordpress.com @Durham_Uni

February Chinese New Year & Lantern Festival Saturday 1 Friday 14 February Oriental Museum, Elvet Hill

Michael Forster Project Manager, Estates and Buildings

Have you got any pets?

No. I can’t imagine a life where I had to think about a pet before doing what I wanted to do.

What are you reading at the moment?

Barney Rudge by Charles Dickens. When finished, I will have completed a task I set myself to read Dickens’ entire collection.

What would you like your epitaph to be?

I used to constantly articulate to my daughters that they should try to do things which were honest, true, right and proper.

So they’ll probably chisel that on my headstone.

Which historical figure would you most like to be?

No particular person though it would be nice to go back to a time with the knowledge you have today and be able to say something like “No, the world isn’t flat, let me explain…”

What was the first record you bought?

What skill or talent would you most like to acquire?

I try to teach myself a bit of Spanish while driving to work so would like to speak it fluently.

Give me a picture of your ideal day: Up early, bacon sandwich, a walk in Swaledale, a pint of real ale in a couple of Grey Street haunts, a Chinese meal in Hei Hei in Newcastle, then feet up at home watching an episode of Inspector Montalbano with perhaps another real ale and something containing coconut.

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

It used to be 10 but has now dipped to 9.5.

In all of life, everything matters.

What’s your greatest vice?

That would be my inability not to go weak at the knees when offered anything containing coconut, especially if it’s wrapped in chocolate.

California Girls by the Beach Boys.

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

What achievement are you most proud of?

Drilling inspection holes in cavity walls during winter weather in Consett.

I completed my day release project management degree in my late forties, though juggling work and study was tough at times. 28 people started the course and only 13 finished.

What’s your favourite place in the world?

Possibly Hong Kong. Getting the Star ferry across the harbour to Kowloon is the best 30p you’ll ever spend.

What was your best subject?

Tell me a secret:

Geography & PE (tied).

I’ve never taken money out of a cash machine.

Where will you be going for your next holiday?

I enjoy the cruising experience and will have a Med cruise in the summer.

What luxury item would you take to a desert island?

A book entitled ‘101 ways to cook fish’.

Pass the buck: Finally, who would you like to see in the hot-seat?

Dr Sheila Hingley, Head of Heritage Collections.

Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a week of activities and events, culminating in late night opening from 6pm on Friday 14 to mark the Chinese Lantern Festival, when the Oriental Museum is lit only by lanterns.

Ian Marchant: My vision of a UK energy future Thursday 6 February, 6.30pm Calman Learning Centre Durham Energy Institute invites you to join Ian Marchant, recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in the energy industry, as he lays out his view of the UK Energy Future.

National Storytelling Week Sunday 2 February, 11am – 3pm Botanic Garden, Hollingside Lane, Durham Join children’s author Ingrid Sylvestre in the garden, where she will be telling stories featuring her famous Neckmann giraffe family.

Castle Lecture Series The Open City Professor Richard Sennett Wednesday 5 February, 8pm Great Hall, Durham Castle Building on his pioneering work on cities, Prof Sennett, Professor of Sociology at LSE, reflects on urban spaces as open systems.

IAS Light Years Public Lectures Invisibility: a Cultural History Monday 17 February, 6.15pm Kingsley Barratt Room, Calman Learning Centre Science Writer Dr Philip Ball asks what old tales of invisibility are really saying, and how has the scientific understanding of light influenced them?

For more information on University events go to www.durham.ac.uk/whatson WARM/01/14/140