Also in this issue:
Meet the new team on campus / Page 9
Celebrate Science 2011
Staff Survey
Durham’s most fascinating festival is back with a bang!
Let us know what you think. The 2011 survey is on the way.
/ Page 14
/ Page 12
Dialogue 19 / September 2011
Welcome to September’s issue
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Welcome to our many new staff colleagues and the new cohort of students from around the world, who are joining the University this new academic year.
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Last year was a very successful one for Durham University. This year has started on a very strong note with various items of good news which reflect the efforts made by every single member of our University community last year.
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First, we have been ranked as the UK’s third best university in the Sunday Times University Guide 2012, up three places from last year. This recognises the distinctive research-led and rounded education we offer to some of the most able and motivated students from the UK and around the world. Second, student satisfaction as indicated by the National Student Survey has improved very significantly. While there is, of course, more to do to further enhance all aspects of the student experience, this is a really excellent outcome and a sign of the efforts and commitment of all staff to supporting our students as valued members of our University community. Third, a survey of 17,000 blue-chip employers world-wide has placed us as the 15th university in the world from which these organisations wish to recruit graduates. This is truly remarkable for a relatively small university on the periphery of Europe and reflects the recent focus we have placed, among other things, on employability. More can be found in the pages of this issue which, amongst other items, focuses on significant developments in two areas of our Professional Services which are critical to almost everything we do in research and teaching: the library and information technology. With thanks to all and all best wishes,
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03 Achievements 04 in the media...
The latest news from regional, national and International press
06 Spotlight on...
The University libraries
08 PASS Network,
School of Education news and Ceremonies & Services
09 Meet the new Student
Union Sabbatical team and Fresher’s Fair news
10 The English Language School enjoys a busy summer
Chris Higgins, Vice-Chancellor and Warden
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11 Event Durham, Retail and Catering news
12 HR News... 13
Contributors EDITORS: Rebecca Grundy, Corporate Communications Officer.
The 2011 Staff Survey
Jayne Pavitt, Marketing Officer.
Good bye ITS, hello CIS!
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Michelle Richardson, Acting Marketing Co-ordinator.
14 Events in Durham City 16 Durham University Sport 18 Greenspace 19 Congratulations 20 Under Investigation and forthcoming University events
CONTRIBUTIONS: Karen Barrie, Human Resources; Sharon Battersby, Computing and Information Services; Sarah Edmunds, Durham Students’ Union; Yvonne Flynn, Greenspace; Jennifer Lawson, Durham Students’ Union; Stina Maynard, Event Durham; Jon Purcell, Library; Gillian Scott, English Language Centre; Quentin Sloper, Sport; Maria Towes, Ceremonies Unit. DESIGN: warmdesign.co.uk PRINT: hpm.uk.com
Please continue to send your feedback and contributions through to dialogue@durham.ac.uk
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Achievements...
Our graduates among most sought after in the world
Durham breaks into Top 3
The influential 2011 QS World University League rankings have revealed our graduates to be among the most sought after in the world, according to leading employers.
Durham named as Top 3 UK University in prestigious league table Durham University is named in the Top 3 of UK universities in the prestigious Sunday Times University Guide 2012. The all-round education experience offered by our academic departments and colleges helped us achieve our highest ever ranking in the guide (published Sunday September 11th). We were ranked as the UK’s third best university, an improvement of three places on the 2011 guide which uses a wide range of information including student satisfaction, teaching and research quality, entrance qualifications held by new students, degree results achieved, student/staff ratios, graduate unemployment levels and university drop-out rates.
The Guide concludes: “Durham has achieved its highest-ever ranking this year off the back of high levels of student satisfaction, the low dropout rate, highly sought after graduates and a strong researchled academic track record - all of which now make the university the leading multi-faculty alternative to Oxbridge.” To see the rankings in full visit: www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/University_Guide
Satisfaction guaranteed? National Student Survey finds Durham University students to be amongst the most satisfied in the UK This year we have registered our highest ever overall rating in the National Student Survey (NSS). With 90% of students expressing their satisfaction with the quality of their course, compared to a national average of 83%, Durham has risen thirteen places to 11th in the NSS table and 8th among full-subject universities. Whilst scores are high across all the categories of questions, students are particularly satisfied with the quality of teaching. This year’s survey also begins to show the positive results of some major initiatives over the last two years to improve the student experience. For example, new approaches to the development of student employability and skills are reflected in improved satisfaction scores in the personal development category, which has risen by 3 percentage points, and following a new emphasis on the importance of assessment feedback, the corresponding NSS score has improved by 5 percentage points.
Other categories that have seen increased satisfaction in the 2011 survey include teaching on courses, academic support, and organisation and management. Establishing a culture of students as members of the University’s academic communities is characterising current initiatives of the Education Committee, because this has been identified as a key determinant of a good student experience and therefore of a strong NSS performance. The Academic Office has commissioned qualitative and quantitative analysis of the 2011 NSS results which will be taken to Education Committee in due course, so that we can learn from the examples of best practice within the University.
Find out more... ...about The Durham Award and Experience Durham: www.durham.ac.uk/study/experience Student’s Union: www.dsu.org.uk
The unique combination of educational excellence through research-led teaching offered by our departments, with the social and pastoral experience and leadership opportunities offered by colleges has helped us move up the rankings from 24th position last year to 15th. Almost 17,000 bluechip organisations across the world ranked the quality and demand for Durham’s graduates ahead of learning institutions in the UK, North America and East Asia. This news is a welcome boost to the work that has been ongoing across the University to ensure that employability and developing a broad range of skills is at the core of the student experience. Effective partnership working with employers has been crucial to ensure that we are meeting their needs. This can be seen through initiatives such as Durham Award, STAR Programme and Employer Advisory Forum. Other initiatives taking place in academic departments include mock interviews for students applying for ‘year in industry’ placements, peer to peer talks on students’ experience of their year abroad and employability skills seminars, to name but a few. The launch of the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre earlier this year will further help students identify entrepreneurial and other work-orientated skills and then develop these skills, enhance their learning and achieve their career goals.
Find out more... ...about the Careers Centre, go to www.durham.ac.uk/careers
In the media...
A world-class adventure Durham University’s solar powered car takes on World Challenge
Students will be setting off on a sun-powered adventure this autumn when the Durham University Solar Car (DUSC) takes part in the World Solar Challenge. Using nothing but solar power, the DUSC team will travel 1,864 miles (3,000km) from Darwin in the north of Australia to Adelaide in the south. The race, which will involve solar powered cars from across the globe, is scheduled to take place between 16th and 23rd October.
The vehicle, which can reach speeds of up to 60mph, has been built from the ground up, with key elements such as the in-wheel drive motor and flexible solar panels, developed as student research projects. The latest DUSC team, which will be heading to Australia, includes Steve Wilson, Ben Derrick, John Wilson, Andrew Thurman, academic advisor Dr David Sims-Williams and drivers Richard Flint and Alexandra Reevey. COVERAGE INCLUDES: The Engineer, The Journal, Daily Express and Low Carbon Innovation Network.
‘College mum’ honoured A retired University employee who became a ‘college mum’ to thousands of students during her Durham career is to receive an honorary degree. Born in Sunderland, Carol Carr began her working life at Sunderland Hospital and then moved to her first job at Durham University in the Business School in 1973, before taking time out from her career to raise her family. She returned to Durham in 1982 becoming Secretary to the Vice-Principal of the College of St Hild & St Bede and continued working there until her retirement in 2009. Carol was hugely popular with Hild Bede students who requested that she be appointed to a role where she could be more involved in the running of the College and provision of pastoral care. Carol said: “I was lucky to have a career that I really enjoyed and feel that I was very privileged. I loved my work caring for students and seeing them start as freshers and develop into graduates. I’ve been so lucky to walk into this beautiful environment every day”. COVERAGE INCLUDES: The Journal, Northern Echo, Sunderland Echo and BBC Tees.
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Arctic snow harbours a deadly assassin
Into the dark... Durham University’s supercomputer to help reveal Universe’s secrets
Heavy and prolonged snowfall can bring about unexpected conditions that encourage fungal growth, leading to the death of plants in the Arctic, according to research from the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences. A new international study confirms that whilst snow has an insulating effect which helps plants to grow bigger, heavy and prolonged snow can, in certain circumstances, also encourage the rapid and extensive growth of killer fungal strains.
Scientists at the Institute for Computational Cosmology (ICC) hope a new £1.9m supercomputer will help reveal the origins and make-up of the Universe. The Cosmology Machine Supercomputer (COSMA 4) has a memory of 15.4 terabytes or 15,400 gigabytes – the equivalent of 7,500 home PCs. The disk storage capacity is one petabyte or 1,000,000 gigabytes. The ICC specialises in producing computer simulations of the evolution of the Universe and its galaxies, including the Milky Way, to enable researchers to understand why the Universe behaves as it does.
Making headlines The University continues to raise its profile with national and international media, highlighting our research and world-leading expertise and the student and cultural experiences we offer. Durham experts recently featured on BBC’s Horizon, Radio 4’s Today programme and Al-Jazeera TV, while attractions like the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre received extensive media coverage.
Among the theories the ICC will be testing is that of dark matter - a mysterious substance which scientists believe is required to explain galaxy motions that would otherwise violate the laws of physics. The researchers’ simulations will also aid the investigation of the accelerated expansion of the Universe which scientists believe is driven by a mysterious and poorly understood force - ‘dark energy’. COVERAGE INCLUDES: Daily Telegraph, Metro, Daily Star, The Journal, The Northern Echo, Durham Times, Tyne Tees Television and BBC Tees.
The research results, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, show for the first time the potential long term effects of unexpected fungal development on an arctic landscape. Extensive damage to a pervasive species under snowier conditions would leave gaps for another plant to take its place over time but could also alter the food-web for insects, voles, lemmings and their predators. Co-author of the research report, Dr Robert Baxter, said: “We were surprised to find that this extremely hardy tundra vegetation was killed off by fungal attack. In the first few years, as expected, the insulating effect of the snow helped the vegetation to grow, but after six years a tipping point was reached where the fungus spread with great speed and destroyed the plants”.
Join media guide to expertise To join our searchable database of Durham University experts go to: www.durham.ac.uk/communications.office/ media.relations/media-guide and click on ‘Join Media Guide’. COVERAGE INCLUDES: U.S. News, Metro, Science Poles, The Hindu.
Spotlight on...
TH E LI B RARY In the coming months the Library will see significant changes
The Main Library has just opened the renovated entrance floor while the extension will follow in 2012, creating 41% more space for resources and study. Palace Green Library has commenced its next phase of development and at Queen’s Campus a new Postgraduate study area will open before the start of the academic year. The Library is here for everyone in the University – students, academics and all staff. It offers access to resources at our library sites and online, available at any time from anywhere in the world. We offer specialist support for study and research, as well as flexible study space and a range of other facilities within our Library buildings.
Library staff The Library is made up of teams to manage different aspects of the service. The Academic Support Team ensures the Library meets the teaching and research needs of each department, Liaison Librarians work closely with departments to achieve this. The Collections Services team is responsible for managing all the resources in the Library, including acquisitions, digitisation and document delivery. Within this team Library Services provide customer service and general support, as well as managing borrowing and returns. Two years ago Jon Purcell joined us as University Librarian with responsibility for the Library, Archives and Special Collections and Museums. He’s very recently been joined by Pete Maggs, as Deputy Librarian.
Library developments
Challenges
In addition to the building developments, the Library continues to develop in other ways too. The ‘More Books’ campaign was introduced as a Library initiative to give users the chance to immediately request resources where gaps in provision are identified, and is planned to repeat in 2011/12.
One of the biggest challenges we face every year is ensuring we have the right resources in the Library at the right time, and we rely on academics providing up-to-date reading lists for each module to get this right. Last year the Library developed a new process for managing these and by the start of the academic year had received and processed 95% of all reading lists, up from 65% the previous year. Maintaining and improving this process is essential to keep improving the quality of the resources we provide.
Library support for researchers is continuously evolving and improving. Our online support has improved and we’ve increased the number of teaching sessions as part of the Doctoral Training Programme. A research post-graduate study space was introduced at Main Library. By the beginning of the academic year a post-graduate space will also open at Queen’s Campus Library. In September we will initiate a project to make all Durham University PhD, MPhil and Research Masters theses available online, making them more discoverable and accessible. Information and support for researchers can be found at www.durham.ac.uk/library/research We have also recently launched the new Library promotional video, which can be viewed on the University YouTube channel at: www.youtube .com/DurhamUniversity The latest information about building developments is at: www.durham.ac.uk/library/ developments
You can find out more at www.durham.ac.uk/library/course_resources We also have the challenge of providing support to everyone in the University at every level of study and research. To ensure people make the most of what we offer we appreciate the support of academic staff and administrators to support Library processes and communicate Library information to colleagues and students.
Did you know…the University is the guardian of one of the world’s great collections of historic manuscripts. Together with the collections of ancient manuscripts and artefacts of Durham Cathedral and of the collections at Ushaw College, Durham can boast one of the world’s finest Medieval libraries. Watch out for a future Spotlight in Dialogue on the Archives and Special Collections Team based in Palace Green library.
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Find out more... ...about the Library and how to get in touch at www.durham.ac.uk/library
Other news... PASS network The University Professional and Support Staff (PASS) Network is open to administrative and support staff and meets four times a year to discuss and debate topics of interest and receive presentations on new developments.
An outstanding achievement Celebration for Durham University’s “Outstanding” School of Education
The network, as the name suggests, provides a great opportunity to meet with colleagues from across the University and to find out more about what is happening in departments, colleges and other sections. Topics at recent meetings have included: • Student Enrolment Project • Staff volunteering scheme • Student experience • Talks from the Registrar and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) on activities in their area • Tours of University College and Queen’s Campus Dates for 2011/12: • Thursday 3rd November 2011 • Wednesday 18th January 2012 • Friday 27th April 2012 • Tuesday 24th July 2012 Meetings are held between 12pm and 2pm at various locations around the University, with lunch provided. Look out in Dialogue Signposts (emailed to all staff on Fridays) for information on signing up for forthcoming meetings.
Left to right: Kirsty Mussard, Dr Patrick Barmby, Amy Sparkes, Kate Archard
Students, staff and friends celebrated the School of Education ‘outstanding’ Ofsted inspection with a fundraising charitable reception for Cancer Research UK and Project Sri Lanka. Guests included students Kirsty Mussard, 21, Kate Archard, 22, and Amy Sparkes, 26, who all graduated this year with 2:1 BA (Hons) Primary Education degrees after studying at the University’s Queen’s Campus in Stockton. Patrick Barmby Primary Education Course Leader said: “We were delighted with the result, and recognise the pivotal role that our students played in this inspection and the role played by our school training centres and coordinators in demonstrating the effectiveness of the training provided for our students.”
Who do you think deserves an honorary degree?
Ceremonies and services
All staff are encouraged to submit nominations for honorary awards to celebrate and acknowledge the significant achievements of individuals, particularly anyone with a connection to the University, the region or who has made outstanding contributions in a field of relevance to Durham.
All staff are invited to attend the ceremonies and services which will take place in Durham Cathedral over the next few months. Staff can get involved by becoming a marshal at the ceremonies or by joining the academic procession at each ceremony and service.
Further information is available at: www.durham.ac.uk/ceremonies/honorary
Further information is available at: www.durham.ac.uk/ceremonies
School Training Centre Coordinator, Brenda Higgins, said: “I’ve been a head teacher for thirteen years and involved in this programme as a mentor and advisor to the students since the course began ten years ago. I think if you want to maintain the high standards demanded from working within the education sector you should be prepared to get involved yourself. The School of Education and specifically the Primary Education honours degree balances an academic course with the need to provide a high quality practical classroom experience.”
Find out more
www.durham.ac.uk/education
Matriculation ceremonies Wednesday 5th October 2011 Remembrance service Sunday 13th November 2011 Founders and benefactors service Sunday 20th November 2011 Winter congregation Thursday 12th and Friday 13th January 2012
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Meet Jennifer, Mike, Scott and Archie Also known as the brand new Sabbatical Team at the Durham University Students’ Union This August saw the start of a new Sabbatical Team at the Students’ Union. Jennifer Lawson, Mike King, Scott Parker and Archie Dallas have all recently finished their studies and are looking forward to their exciting year ahead. With a variety of degrees and experience we are confident that the Students’ Union can look forward to another successful year.
Find out more
...about their specific roles on DSU’s new website: www.dsu.org.uk
All the fun of the fair The Freshers Fair represents the perfect opportunity to see all the fantastic societies that you can get involved with and to learn more about volunteering with DUCK, SCA, Greenspace and to take part in other student activities, such as competing in University Challenge. To get involved with any society or student activity then come along to the Fresher’s Fairs at Dunelm House on Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th October or at Queen’s Campus, Stockton on Tuesday 4th October. As we now have over 170 student societies, there will be different groups of societies on each day, so it is definitely worth going along on both days. Society groups on each day are as follows: Dunelm House, Durham, 10am-4pm Tuesday 4th October: All the performance (dance, drama and music), arts, media, academia, employability and skills, faith and politics societies will be present. Wednesday 5th October: All the active, games, hobby, lifestyle appreciation, food and drink, campaigning, charity, regional and national societies will be present. Holliday Building, Queen’s Campus, Stockton 12pm-4.30pm Tuesday 4th October: All Queen’s Campus based societies attend on this day.
Keep an eye... ...on Dialogue for news about planned consultation around the future development of Dunelm House as a worldclass hub for students
Please remember that all societies have an open access policy which allows anyone to get involved. So if you are a postgraduate, staff member or general member of the public - you are still very welcome to get involved with all union societies and we recommend you come along to the fair to see what opportunities are available for you.
Find out more... OR SET UP A SOCIETY, contact Jennifer Lawson at dsu.societies@durham.ac.uk
Dialogue 19 / September 2011
A successful summer... The English Language Centre (ELC) has once again experienced a very busy and successful summer, welcoming students from all over the world onto a range of programmes The largest programme is the pre-sessional which offers intensive academic language and literacy preparation to approximately 450 international students heading for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Durham University departments. Seven of the students on the three month pre-sessional programme were recipients of this year’s Scholarships for Afghan Women to Durham funded by the 2009/ 10 Chancellor’s Appeal. Following a competitive selection process, all seven students were identified as outstanding female students from Kabul University and have been taking the pre-sessional programme to improve their academic English language skills before beginning their taught Masters degrees in a range of academic departments.
A key development on the pre-sessional programme has been the forging of a close relationship with Josephine Butler College. This summer the College and ELC have worked together to enhance the International Student College Experience by offering a varied programme of social activities, including a formal dinner to celebrate the end of pre-sessional.
As well as running the pre-sessional programmes, the ELC has also welcomed a number of students onto its short courses. In July a group of teachers from the Central University of Finance and Economics in China began an intensive four-week Teacher Development Programme.
August saw the arrival of students from the Russian State University for the Humanities in Moscow, Tomsk State University, Russia and Hiroshima Jogakuin University, Japan. The Tomsk University students, new to Durham, were accompanied by Durham Alumnus Peter Mitchell, Deputy Dean for International Affairs at Tomsk University. September has seen the return of students from the Hong Kong Institute of Education. As part of their undergraduate degree in Education, these students spent a term at the English Language Centre on an English Language Teacher Development programme.
Find out more... ...ABOUT ELC, VISIT www.durham.ac.uk/ englishlanguage.centre
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Event Durham, Retail & Catering
Need promotional products?
Triple alumni wedding celebrations at Durham University
New team member at Event Durham
The Retail Office can source a variety of bespoke, promotional products for your department, conference or event.
Weddings taking place across Durham University colleges are quite the norm, but this summer the weddings were even more special than usual.
Event Durham has recently welcomed a new Event Agent.
From pens, bags and badges to beer mats, we can help you find anything you may need and take the workload off your hands. Please contact the Retail Office on #49250 or amy.wilkinson@durham.ac.uk if you have any queries: we recommend an eight week notice period to help us fulfil your requirements fully. Alternatively, you can also choose standard University-branded promotional products from our online shop: www.durham.ac.uk/ shop Simply follow the ‘internal trade’ link at the bottom of the homepage for instructions on how to access internal pricing. Should you require any assistance when using our website, contact hannah.lister@ durham.ac.uk or on #49357.
On Saturday 30th July, three colleges, St Aidan’s, St Mary’s and the College of St Hild and St Bede, all welcomed Durham alumni couples. There was a great feeling of nostalgia as they each enjoyed re-living memories from their University days! Feedback from each of the weddings is below;
“Thank you so much for your help with our wedding over the past year – the day was better than we ever thought it could be, much of it down to your planning.” Kathryn and Martin Miller, St Aidan’s College
“We just wanted to say thank you for all of your help you have given us over the last year and a half in preparing for our wedding. Your enthusiasm, efficiency and organisation made the process so much easier and the result was fantastic. We truly had a day to remember, which wouldn’t have happened without you all at Event Durham and the College.” Nicola and Dan McHugh, St Hild and St Bede
‘Cr e bra dit c ard nd ’ ed for USB me Du rha mo m r Bu y sti ck sin ess . So urc Sc ed ho ol an d
“Thank you for your kind words and good wishes. Our experience with Event Durham was absolutely excellent from start to finish. You (Charlotte Kerr) were a pleasure to deal with, you were absolutely reliable and professional and really made what could at times be a fairly stressful process (!) as slick as possible.” Laura and Adam Bedford, St Mary’s College
Lauren Storey graduated with a first class honours degree in Business Studies from Newcastle University and has subsequently gained events experience working at Hardwick Hall Hotel. “I am extremely excited about starting my new role within the Event Durham team. I look forward to dealing with such an interesting and varied range of events.”
HR news... USS pension scheme In the coming months, you will receive your online or paper staff opinion survey. Please take 15-20 minutes to complete it and let us hear your views.
WHY ARE WE DOING IT? The University and your department will gather information to help us understand: • What we do well; • How staff views and issues have changed since our last survey;
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE LAST SURVEY? In our 2007 survey, some of the key findings included issues around workloads, effective communication between different parts of the University and the need to improve catering facilities. Since then, we’ve seen some tangible changes e.g. YUM and Dialogue Signposts.
• What doesn’t work so well and what we can do to change or develop a new approach. Not only will it help us to understand any common areas for concern, but it will help us to prioritise key areas for development. It could lead to changes that directly benefit you, your team and your department.
HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE? Survey Champions in all departments will keep you up to date on the survey dates and the response rate in your department. The survey will be ‘open’ for eight weeks to give as many staff as possible the opportunity to submit their views.
Our 2011 survey has been designed and will be run with the help of Capita Surveys and Research.
We’ll donate 50p to Student Community Action for each completed questionnaire. So your response will not only give us a better idea of what to do to make the University a better place to work, but also directly benefit the local community.
During the design phase, we’ve reduced the number of pages and made the survey easier and quicker to complete.
To find out more about the work of Student Community Action go to www.durham.ac.uk/ community.action
Departments also developed their own action plans to address specific departmental issues.
WILL MY VIEWS BE KEPT ANONYMOUS? The survey is completely anonymous. Capita will issue the questionnaires then receive and collate all completed questionnaires to ensure the information you submit is kept confidential. They will provide us with key findings for the University as a whole and by department. In departments of less than 10 people, results will be combined with another department to maintain anonymity.
Current USS members will remain in the Final Salary Section with an increase in contributions to 7.5%. New entrants will join a Revalued Benefits Section (commonly known as a career average) with a contribution rate of 6.5%. Both schemes offer an exceptionally good benefit to our staff. If you have opted out of USS or have not yet joined, you should consider doing so. For full details of the changes, go to www.durham.ac.uk/hr/policies/ condemp/pensions
WHY SHOULD I COMPLETE IT? The survey is your opportunity to influence change in the University. It’s not compulsory to complete your questionnaire, but the more staff across all departments and types of work, the more representative and meaningful the results will be. In 2007, we were delighted to achieve a 60% response rate (against an industry average of 57%) – we’re aiming for the same level again.
For details of the staff survey project, go to www.durham.ac.uk/dialogue/staff.survey
Look out for your questionnaire.
Important changes come into effect for USS pension scheme members from 1st October 2011.
Development opportunities Starting in January 2012, MOSAIC (Maximising Our Skills And Increasing Confidence) is a personal development programme designed to help make the most of your potential and overcome barriers to success. This programme will be delivered monthly by full-day workshops over five months. For more information go to www. durham.ac.uk/hr/training/courses/ persdevel/mosaic
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CIS news...
Goodbye ITS...
30th September sees the formal beginning of Computing and Information Services
After the preparatory work of the last few months, 30th September sees the formal beginning of Computing and Information Services (CIS), which marks the unification of departmental IT staff and ITS staff into a single organisation, and ‘goodbye’ to ITS as a separate entity. As we move into the new organisation it’s worth thanking all the IT staff who are becoming part of CIS for their continuing effort and support in delivering IT to the University.
Why CIS? From 1st October, University IT will be formally supported and developed by CIS. The development of this new entity was brought about by the IT Organisation project: part of the work to realise the aims of the University’s IT Strategy. The strategy’s key objectives are to provide high quality, generic IT for our users with a dynamic support structure capable of responding to changing needs, underpinned by appropriate IT governance and management. You can find the University’s IT Strategy in full at www.durham.ac.uk/ university.it/itvision
What’s different? Now the staff reorganisation is complete, the new structure is comprised of a team who will focus on supporting core services and development work, and teams located out in departments and faculties who will provide on-theground support to their specific areas (these teams will work together as required).
The purpose of the new structure is to facilitate the development of practices which are more responsive to your requirements and encourage greater collaboration with our users across the University so we can develop and provide the services and support that you need to get your work done.
• Y ou can contact the IT Service desk via email itservicedesk@ durham.ac.uk • Y ou can call them on 0191 334 1515 (or extension 41515) • Y ou can pop in and see them: the counter service is open between 9.30 – 16.30, Monday to Friday.
Moving forward... The coming months will see us working with colleagues to explore and discuss potential improvements to our working practices and services which will be examined in collaboration with the appropriate user communities: any proposed changes will be communicated directly to those affected and via the weekly Signposts updates.
What should you do? To keep it simple, if you need help from Computing and Information Services, the IT Service Desk should be your first port of call. They have the knowledge of the services and the structure to make sure your query is directed to the right local or core support team if they can’t offer a solution themselves.
Find out more... ...ABOUT CIS, VISIT www.durham.ac.uk/cis
Events...
Tuesday 25th – Thursday 27th October
Following the success of last year’s festival, ‘Celebrate Science’ is back and this time it’s going to be bigger and better. Celebrate Science provides a platform for the University to engage with the public – in particular children, in a very informal way, demystifying science by demonstrating and explaining many of the basic principles, in unexpected ways. Aimed at a family audience the festival comprises three fun-packed and fascinating days of free events, activities, workshops, experiments and lectures celebrating science.
Public lectures A series of Keynote Lectures will also take place in the Pemberton Rooms each evening of the festival.
‘Virtual Autopsy’ by Dr Mitual Sharma Dr Sharma will talk the audience through the procedures involved in identifying how and why someone died.
‘Mud, glorious mud’ Dr Karen Johnson
Staff and students from across the University will be based in a marquee on Palace Green, inviting the public to carry out crazy experiments and create their very own inventions! Experts will be on hand to chat about all types of science and will answer questions on everything from electronic magnets to Egyptian Mummies. There will be exciting live demonstrations and visitors can even step inside the mobile Planetarium to see the stars.
A lecture on the ROBUST project.
Leading consumer goods company Proctor & Gamble are supporting Celebrate Science, not only with funding towards the event, but also by demonstrating the magic that happens inside the dishwasher.
Each of the evening lectures is free to attend, but tickets must be reserved in advance from Gala Theatre, Tel: (0191) 334 6071 www.galadurham.co.uk
Staff volunteers needed! Get involved as a steward or helper within the marquee and interact with the public, other staff and students in a fun, lively atmosphere. Please contact Andy Cattermole, Assistant Director (Staff Volunteering and Outreach) for more information: a.j.cattermole@durham.ac.uk
‘Bikes in bits: Why your bicycle does what it does…’ Dr Steve Robertson, Engineering and Computer Sciences A tour of the modern bicycle, exploring the science and engineering behind this simple mode of transport.
Find out more... ...ABOUT ALL THE CELEBRATE SCIENCE EVENTS, VISIT: www.durham.ac.uk/ celebrate.science
This year in collaboration with Durham Book Festival, ‘Celebrate Science’ has appointed a ‘Science Author in residence’. Writer Linda Gillard, has been working with school children, scientists and fellow writers to create a new work which will premier as part of the Durham Book Festival. Visit Linda’s blog at www.celebratingscience.blogspot.com The University has also teamed up with Durham Book Festival to offer a Young Writers Half Term Writing Club. Anyone aged 11-14 years old who loves writing can join novelist and screenwriter Gavin Williams at the Oriental Museum to take part. Young Writers can create new work and explore new ideas, with book recommendations and activities. Tickets £50/£25 available from Gala Durham. A host of other events celebrating science will be taking place across the University attractions, including family activities at Palace Green Library, the Oriental Museum, Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology and the Botanic Garden.
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Durham City Food Festival
Also going on...
Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd October The festival includes a food marquee on Palace Green, a continental market in the Market Place, a local food producers market, local chef demonstrations (including our own University chefs) and a wide range of gastronomic events and entertainment throughout the weekend.
Find out more www.durhamfoodfestival.com
Durham Traditional Christmas Festival Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th December
Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd October
A wide range of festive entertainment for all the family in and around the World Heritage Site. There will be 160 stalls in the craft marquee, a local food producers market in the Cathedral Cloisters and activities for children include seeing the reindeers, pony and sleigh rides, and ceramic tile painting.
With over 60 events, and books on all subjects, there’s something for everyone at the Durham Book Festival. The festival brings a wide range of authors to the City this autumn who will be participating in a variety of events including debates, readings, conversations and events featuring music.
Find out more www.durhamchristmasfestival.com
Image © Matthew Andrews
As one of the festival’s cultural partners, the University is sponsoring the Festival Laureate, poet Don Paterson, who will be in Durham for the duration of the festival and involved in number of events. Don has been commissioned to write an anthem for Evensong at Durham Cathedral, which will be performed by the Durham Cathedral choir on Friday 21st October for the first time, and then absorbed into the Cathedral repertoire for the future.
Find out more www.durhambookfestival.com
Lumiere Illustration © Durham Book Festival
Durham City, Thursday 17th - Sunday 20th November The four day festival that brightened Durham’s historic centre two years ago returns to the City, bringing a sparkle of winter magic to the North East once again. Durham will be ablaze with artworks made from light transforming the landmarks, streets, river and bridges of the City.
Find out more www.lumieredurham.co.uk
Sport...
THE YEAR AHEAD 2010/11 turned out to be everything it promised to be but we look forward to the next academic year with even greater anticipation
These are difficult times for British University Sport with universities up and down the country re-evaluating their focus. Thankfully Durham’s focus is clear with a desire to provide students with the opportunity to access a world class degree alongside having a broad, diverse and distinctive overall experience. Sport does and will continue to play a crucial role in providing this.
Improving on near perfection So what is likely to make 2011/12 standout? It many respects it will be hard to emulate some of the achievements of last year. Men’s Rugby Union will go into the year as the team everybody wants to beat. An unbeaten season is a little hard to rival but Senior Coach Alex Keay is confident that the first team, and the club as a whole, will once again be a force.
Defending the championship (once again) Rowing’s intake also looks to be impressive. This summer once again re-enforced the strength of the Durham programme with our alumni going on to secure more senior medals at world events.
As eight-times defending British University Champions, the club knows something about retaining exceptionally high standards, but perhaps this year more than ever, the chasing pack will be out to catch the Palatinates. With the arrival of two new coaches the year looks like it could be an exciting one.
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A bright start and great promise from Hockey teams It is hard to want the Hockey Club to be in any better position. Last year was a ‘nearly’ season as the men got as close as possible to cracking BUCS and National League North – the women were not too far behind either. However both squads are strengthened considerably, pre season has gone well and there is a genuine belief that this could perhaps be the best year ever for the Hockey Club. Time will tell but things have started brightly.
Hopes of Championship finals for Cricket teams Men’s and Women’s Cricket had mixed fortunes in 2010/11. The women, who won the BUCS Trophy with much to spare, will believe that they have a chance of reaching the Championship Final this time around if a little bit of luck is on their side.
The men, who reached the MCC final at Lords for the second year in succession, will be looking to replace a number of key graduates but there is enough talent in the squad to believe that this could be a great year for the club.
The exceptional pedigree of our Lacrosse sides continue Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse look stronger still. Both clubs will probably be favourites to win the National Championship and the women’s squad will be boosted by the arrival of no fewer than seven under 19 England internationals.
Srengthened Tennis teams look to make their mark Men’s and Women’s Tennis have also strengthened. The women will certainly be one of the favourites to defend their title and, on paper at least, look quite a bit stronger than their Championship winning squad of 2010/11. Men’s Tennis is one of the most exciting developments of the summer. The 2010/11 semi finalists perhaps over achieved last time around but they will take some real beating in 2011/12 as they embark upon their first Premier League season in seven years.
Women’s football gathers exciting momentum These are also exciting times for Women’s Football. The arrival of no fewer than ten recruited athletes, from overseas and the UK, makes them perhaps one of the big unknowns. They could fly if things go according to plan.
Promise of an exceptional basketball season Men’s and Women’s Basketball will enter the season as favourites for both Championships. Basketball is a sport where squads often get strengthened during the season so it is hard to tell what squads will look like come March, but it looks like it will be an exciting season for the club.
Still seeking a Canoe coach We are still on the look out for a Canoe coach, supported by the BCU. If we are fortunate enough to find the right candidate then the club is likely to move forward at a great pace.
There is, as always, a lot of talent within the squad, and regardless of whether we do find the right coach, there is a lot to come from the club this season either way.
Netballers needed The same can be said of Netball. No problems finding the right coach but recruitment has proved to be frustrating with talented netballers continually staying in the South. However the squad is still very capable and will be looking to go one better than last year’s BUCS Quarter Final. And, of course, we have our new build. The builders are still on site at the moment but staff and students alike are beginning to get excited at the prospect of moving in. It really does look like it will be a great facility and we look forward to writing a lot more once it is finished!
Greenspace...
THE GREEN MOVE OUT The Green Move Out initiative reduces landfill waste, contributes to local charity and increases climate change awareness amongst the University community
Last year the scheme was expanded further by working with students, staff, and local charities. With approximately 7000 students living in colleges, there are a lot of belongings left behind at the end of each term (especially at the end of the Summer term when some students may not be returning to the University). Many of these unwanted items are in good condition and can be reused. The Green Move Out campaign is focussed on collecting and sorting these items into those for reuse and the items which need to be recycled. Michelle Crawford, Environmental Bursar said: “We have continuously improved the Green Move Out scheme year on year since 2005. This year we are working closely with Durham County Council to include students who live out. The students have difficulty taking all belongings home due to international travel, train travel or insufficient space in parents’ cars. This reuse and recycle scheme prevents these belongings being sent to landfill.” The items which can be reused are collected at the end of the summer term by both staff and students and stored in containers over the summer break. Electrical items are safety tested.
Find out more... ...ABOUT HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED www.durham.ac.uk/ greenspace
A large reuse event is scheduled for Postgraduates and Fresher’s in October where both new and returning students can take any items that they can make use of for a cash donation. This is a win-win towards climate change mitigation as it both reduces the amount of material going to landfill and saves students buying new items! The students are asked to make a donation for items they take and this money is given to a local charity. A local animal charity was given 417 bags of used bed linen for use in animal shelters. It is estimated that this summer the scheme will divert in excess of 50 tonnes of material away from landfill making a big impact in increasing the awareness of the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ culture amongst both students and staff. Smaller events have taken place at the end of the other terms and we have expanded the scheme this year by engaging all those students that ‘live out’ in collaboration with Durham County Council. More information on the Green Move Out scheme can be found at www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/ greenmoveout
Environment week 2011 24-30 October The University’s Environment week will take place between the 24th and 30th October this year. During the week, various activities will be taking place along with messages promoting living and working in a more sustainable way. In addition, an Environment and Sustainable Travel Fair will take place at the Calman Learning Centre in Durham between 10am and 2pm on Monday 24th October and at the Sports Hall, Queen’s Campus between 10am and 2pm on Tuesday 25th October. A full programme of events will be available on the Greenspace website www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/ environmentweek11/enviroweek
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Congratulations Holly Colvin
Lena Dominelli
Stuart Elden
Nayanika Mookherjee
was voted player of the series as England women’s cricket team defeated New Zealand, Australia and India to win the four way world Twenty20 series.
who was awarded an Honorary Professorship by the East China University of Science and Technology for her contribution to the development of the social work profession in China.
has been presented with the prestigious Murchison Award from the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) for his book ’Terror and territory: the spatial extent of sovereignty’.
who has been invited to speak at a House of Commons seminar on the ‘Bangladesh War Crimes Trial’.
Martin Huitson
was recognised by the international Blackboard Catalyst Community to “honour members of the community who go above and beyond the call of duty to support their fellow educators at institutions outside their own institution in e-learning”.
(2nd year Natural Sciences)
Robin Coningham
(PVC Social Sciences and Health) has been appointed a member of the British Academy’s International Engagement Committee and of their Schools and Institutes Committee.
Joe Docherty
(University Council) has been appointed North East Chairman of Arts Council England, and also becomes a member of the National Council.
(Applied Social Sciences)
Anoush Ehteshami (Government and International Affairs)
has been invited to join the World Economic Forum’s key policy-shaping body, the Network of Global Agenda Councils 2011-12.
(Geography)
(Estates and Buildings) has been accredited as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
Ruth Gregory
(Mathematical Sciences and Physics) on the award of a prestigious Royal Society/Wolfson Research Merit Award.
(Anthropology)
Julie Mulvey
(Learning Support Team; CIS)
David Petts (Archaeology)
has been selected as one of 10 New Generation Thinkers in a competition run by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and BBC Radio 3 to bring fresh voices to the public.
Chris Scarre (Archaeology)
has been appointed the Editor of ‘Antiquity’, one of the leading international journals in Archaeology.
Kay Schiller (History)
has won the North American Society for Sport History award for his book ‘The 1972 Munich Olympics and the Making of Modern Germany’.
Philip Williamson (History)
has been elected to the Board of the Royal Historical Society.
Dialogue 19 / September 2011
Under investigation
October World War I: A Soldier’s Story Until 11th December Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology
Bryan Matthews, Facility Manager, Estates and Buildings Have you got any pets? No, but my daughter has two budgies called Pickle and Becky and they have ended up as my grandchildren unless my son can change things.
What are you reading at the moment? I love my T3 magazine or my Car Mechanic magazine. I don’t read books as they send me off to sleep and at my age I do enough of that.
What would you like your epitaph to be? “He was always a gentle giant and not the hard guy people think”.
Which historical figure would you most like to be? Fred Dibnah playing with his steam engines.
What was the first record you bought? Tommy Steel and the “little white bull” on a 45, and I still have it.
What achievement are you most proud of? I have been proud of my achievements in my career, however I received a medal of merit from the scout association after a friend and I built a new scout centre for them. My thanks also go to the policeman that kept us going with fish and chips most nights during the build.
When was the last time you laughed and why? I always laugh when I hear my mother saying in my head that “Its true, stones grow in the ground”, now that she is with the stones I wonder if she still believes it. What did you want to be when you were a child? A fireman driving a big red fire engine.
A hands-on exhibition, aimed at children, telling the stories of men and women who took part in the First World War. What’s your greatest vice? Technology.
November
What’s your favourite film?
Gorecki Polish Spirituals, Polish Radio Choir Sat 5th November Durham Cathedral
Fred Dibnah: Steeplejack.
Any nicknames? Yes but you will not find out, only my mother knows.
Where will you be going for your next holiday?
What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?
My sister is dragging me on an aeroplane to Spain. I don’t like aeroplanes, but I will do most things for a free holiday, wouldn’t you?
Working for my father (Manager of a Dry Cleaners) in the school holidays and ironing lots of kilts. I bet you don’t know how many pleats make a kilt.
What skill or talent would you most like to acquire? Skills of a brain surgeon but I don’t like blood or needles, a friend of mine can tell you as he has often tried to stick his insulin pen into me, what friends!!!
What’s your favourite place in the world? The stone beach at Bognor Regis.
Tell me a secret: Yes, I can keep secrets.
Give me a picture of your ideal day: A lay in till 7am, some one to cook a nice breakfast, a stroll out with the dog of my dreams, home to wash my car, a nice cooked lunch, time to spend to allow me to take my car apart and put it back together before tea. After the tea that has been cooked for me, time to allow me to play on my ipad2 and then bedtime again, that’s my perfect day.
What was your best subject?
On a scale of 1-10, how much do you care what other people think of you?
Woodwork of course.
10.5.
What luxury item would you take to a desert island? A generator to power up all my gadgets, but it must run on sea water.
What’s your greatest indulgence? Jam doughnuts.
Pass the buck: Finally, who would you like to see in the hot-seat? Gail Bulmer, Cleaning Manager (Science Site), Estates and Buildings.
Musicon and Durham Cathedral welcome this landmark tour by one of Poland’s leading choirs. The Pirates of Penzance Mon 21st – Sat 26th November Assembly Rooms Theatre, DULOG present the ever-popular Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera in the wonderful Assembly Rooms theatre all this week.
December Christmas at the Botanic Garden Sat 10th & Sun 11th December Botanic Garden A fun, family event organised by ‘Friends of the Garden’ Christmas activities for children include hunt the reindeer and crafts making nature inspired Christmas cards. For more information on these and other events, or to add your event, go to www.durham.ac.uk/whatson
You might also like to know that… The University is launching its exciting new ‘Centre for Sex, Gender and Sexualities’ at the Institute for Engineering & Technology in London on 14 November. (For more details contact jo.phoenix@durham.ac.uk) We are set to announce our new Chancellor at a meeting of Convocation in London on 11 October – look out for more details on the University website.