News for Durham University Staff & Students
May | June 2017
Durham University Strategy 2017-2027
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welcome
We have recently launched our new University Strategy 2017-2027, which sets out ambitious plans to deliver: world-leading and world-changing research across all core academic departments and institutes; education that is challenging, enabling, research-led and transformative; and, through our Colleges, Durham Students’ Union and Experience Durham, a wider student experience as good as any in the world.
We built the Strategy over the course of 18 months, always linking an objective to an action; engaging the University community as fully as possible; and not allowing the development of the Strategy to constrain us
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from taking major decisions. We are doing well already, but we are keen to be SO MUCH MORE. Let us tell you how. In this edition of Dialogue, we launch in full our University Strategy 2017-2027. Read on to find out more.
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Tell your story.
With all best wishes
Professor Stuart Corbridge Vice-Chancellor and Warden
Please continue to send your contributions and feedback to dialogue@durham.ac.uk News for Durham University Staff & Students
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Editor Ulrike Klaerig-Jackson Communications Co-ordinator
4 RESEARCH INSIGHTS - REACHING OUT TO PROMOTE RESEARCH
Assistant Editor Mark Tallentire Communications Co-ordinator
6 GET SOCIAL
Contributors Harriet Williamson, HR&OD; Sharon Battersby, CIS; Steph Dawson, Library; Yvonne Flynn, Greenspace; Daryl Dowding, Event Durham; Claire Hall, Karen Frost, Nicky Sawicki & Mark Tallentire, Marketing & Communications; Adam Harwood, Procurement; Claire Smith, Library and Tess Mantzoros, Legal Services
7 DURHAM UNIVERSITY STRATEGY 2017 - 2027 14 EVENT DURHAM, RETAIL AND CATERING 15 HR & OD NEWS 16 GREENSPACE
20 DURHAM FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 21 BUY IN 22 CIS NEWS 23 AN INSIGHT INTO 24 WHAT’S ON 18
17 DURHAM COMMISSION 18 SO MUCH MORE 19 LIBRARY NEWS CUR/05/17/032
May | June 2017
Durham University and Durham University logo are registered Trade Marks of the University of Durham. Unless otherwise stated, all material in this publication is copyright of the University of Durham. The University makes every effort to ensure that the information contained here is accurate. Please note that the University’s website is the most up to date source of information and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.
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RESEARCH INSIGHTS
Reaching out to promote research Bringing research to the public’s attention isn’t just about sending out press releases and appearing in the media. Outreach work allows academics to tap into the exciting and inspiring elements of their work and involve people with the research that shapes their lives. Dr Pete Edwards is the University’s Director of Science Outreach, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. The Science Outreach Team organise a wide variety of events including Durham’s annual Science Festival for schools, which this year was attended by 900 pupils from 30 schools around the region. Pete says: “In the past five years alone we have engaged and enthused over 4,000 students. The Festival continues to attract both return visitors and new schools, inspiring the next generation of scientists through hands-on practical workshops showcasing Durham University’s research expertise across the whole of the Faculty of Science and beyond.” Academics who volunteer their time for outreach activities gain a lot of valuable experience in honing their communication and presentation skills. However they also benefit in other ways. Pete says: “Volunteers tell us that talking with school children and the general public reminds them of why they first became researchers. When someone comments that your work is ‘cool’ it can make you think - actually this IS cool. Many report enjoying getting unexpected questions about their research and having to think carefully about their answers. Many of our volunteers have been put on the spot!”
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Pete adds that the audience for the outreach events benefit from hearing first-hand about the latest research coming out of Durham. “Any new developments are reflected in the content of talks and activities. It’s the new and exciting discoveries that our audience are most interested in, so we are constantly updating material to satisfy their demand and keep teachers up to speed on new developments. A recent example is the work we did with The Space to Earth Challenge Team to support British Astronaut Tim Peake’s mission on board the International Space Station (ISS). Dr Lorraine Coghill developed teaching resources on the use of Smart Materials and their applications in the ISS which she presented at both the Royal Aeronautical Society and The House of Commons with support from students from Bishop Barrington School.” School activities are an important part of outreach and Pete and his team work with children from early primary-age up to sixth form. They run many different activities and help to support the very popular mobile planetarium, which is led by Professor Paula Chadwick and a team of physics staff and graduate student volunteers. Over the last three years the Science Outreach team have developed a Science Ambassadors Programme which aims to build confidence and science awareness
News for Durham University Staff & Students
RESEARCH INSIGHTS
incorporated into the Institute of Physics’ Improving Gender Balance Project which is currently being rolled out around the UK. Outreach also connects creative communities with research, which can inspire new ideas and collaborative work between artists and academics. The projection artist Ross Ashton collaborated with Durham’s scientists and historians, as well as academics from other universities, to create the spectacular light show, The World Machine, which was projected on to Durham Cathedral as the centrepiece of Lumiere 2015. Earlier this year, his latest work Worlds, Systems & Creations was projected onto the new Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics building to mark its official opening. It featured the computer simulations of the Universe from the Eagle Simulation project carried out by academics at the Institute for Computational Cosmology. This was supported by hands-on outreach activities encouraging people to learn more about cosmology research at Durham.
among school students and their communities. The school students are trained by Durham’s Outreach staff to communicate scientific ideas through hands-on experiments and activities which they then deliver to their school peers and the wider community. Pete says of the programme: “To date over 550 students from 22 schools have been trained as Science Ambassadors, engaging many thousands of people with the wonders of science. Our programme has now been
May | June 2017
Volunteers tell us that talking with school children and the general public reminds them of why they first became researchers. When someone comments that your work is ‘cool’ it can make you think - actually this IS cool. Many report enjoying getting unexpected questions about their research and having to think carefully about their answers. Many of our volunteers have been put on the spot!
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social
YOUR VIEW
Our favourite posts, tweets and videos over the past two months to show you what has been happening around the University!
TOP
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Congrats to Durham grad @mlkubik named in the @ForbesUnder30 top innovators and entrepreneurs! http:// bit.ly/2nds4Uh #DUmakeithappen pic.twitter.com/n5pfIhWPzu
Inspirational DU student Abby takes science into schools with @DurhamChemistry Read more http://bit. ly/2nSHYS1 #Somuchmore #DUmakeithappen pic.twitter. com/rx95w522kc
Discover the forgotten role of Chinese soldiers in Britain's WW1 effort http://bit.ly/2o1nDtx #DUsomuchmore @dumuseums pic.twitter.com/NVRZPOn9OK
Prof @SGorard examines claims that term time holidays can impact on school grades http://bit.ly/2o5D0De #durhamresearch #TermTimeHolidays pic. twitter.com/cbAI2CinuP
OGDEN CENTRE FOR FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS
VIDEO OF THE MONTH
Celebrating @BUCSsport Championship Winning Women's Lacrosse @TeamDurham http:// bit.ly/2o1sQE #DUmakeithappen #BleedPalatinate pic. twitter.com/8ZVsmQleXW
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
www.youtube.com watch?v=LY1Xvmvf4Gs&t=53s Have a look round the stunning new Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics – the new home for the science of the universe at Durham.
BIG SLEEPOUT www.instagram.com/p/BRp9lcqFgcZ/?takenby=durhamuniversity - Our students raised £7,000 taking part in Cathedral Sleepout 2017, just one of the fundraising events during DUCK Week.
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News for Durham University Staff & Students
Durham University Strategy 2017-2027
Building on strength, shaping our future Durham University is committed to delivering excellence across the board in research, education and the wider student experience – and in key respects we do this already. Nevertheless, we can do better and to that end we have reviewed the size, shape and mission of the University. Some major changes are already in train: • Basing all students and academics in Durham City from 2018/19 and repurposing Queen’s Campus, in part as an International Study Centre • Transferring the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health to Newcastle University from 2017/18 • Increasing our student population to 21,500 by 2027 and building research critical mass in all academic departments • Setting in motion Durham DOES (Delivering Operational Excellence Strategy) to secure improvements to our operating efficiency • Enacting new procedures to ensure we build and support a world class faculty across all our departments
People “We are a community of highly talented individuals working constructively with each other and our students to improve the world we live in. But we want to do better still. We want to offer better careers for our academic and professional service staff members. Above all, we want to ensure that we recruit the very best staff members that we can from all around the world. Our future depends on this – on our people.” PROFESSOR ANTONY LONG DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PROVOST
May | June 2017
We will: Recruit and mentor academic and professional service staff members of the very highest quality Promote job satisfaction, productivity and career progression routes for employees, and create communities of practice within which colleagues can develop their personal expertise Ensure that an increasingly diverse workforce is treated equally, fairly and with respect, and that all staff are demonstrably valued and actively engaged
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SO MUCH MORE TO COME
Research and Engagement “ We prize academic
independence and curiosity driven research at Durham. We aim to employ the very best people and set them free to pursue their research interests in a cooperative and well supported working environment. But we want to be better still. We want to deliver research that is world-leading and worldchanging across the whole University.”
PROFESSOR CLAIRE WARWICK PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR (RESEARCH)
We will: Deliver a critical mass of world-leading research across all academic departments Produce and disseminate research that has a positive impact on global, national and regional challenges and which benefits culture, society, health, the economy and the physical environment Offer a rewarding research environment and an exceptional research-led learning experience
Education “The education we offer at Durham University is one of our greatest strengths. But we want to do better still. We want our education to be challenging, enabling, research-led and transformative, taking advantage of the latest digital technologies technologies, welcoming talented students from all backgrounds and producing critically and socially engaged global citizens and graduates capable of fulfilling their full career potential.” PROFESSOR ALAN HOUSTON PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR ( E D U C AT I O N )
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We will: Ensure that all our programmes offer intellectual challenge, cohesiveness and a strong sense of progression Offer a first-rate digital learning environment on a par with the best in the UK Significantly improve access from under-represented groups Equip students to transition successfully to the next stage of their lives, as alumni and citizens
News for Durham University Staff & Students
SO MUCH MORE TO COME
The Wider Student Experience “We are proud that Durham students combine hard work on their degree courses with excellence in sport, music, drama and volunteering. Our Colleges, Durham Students’ Union and Experience Durham combine to produce what we call The Durham Difference. This has long been a strength for Durham University. But we want to do better still. We believe we can build a wider student experience as good as any in the world.”
We will: Develop the educational mission of our Colleges Ensure that Durham University is top in the UK for sport, music and theatre Ensure that Durham University is top in the UK for volunteering and leadership Learn from and match best practice in Wider Student Experience around the world
OWEN ADAMS OBE PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR (COLLEGES AND STUDENT EXPERIENCE)
Global Durham “More than a quarter of our students come from outside the UK and there are 150 nationalities represented among our staff and students. However, we want to do better still. We want Durham to be a globally networked university, recognised around the world as an outstanding place to study and work and a significant contributor to international research and innovation agendas.”
We will: Deliver a step-change in Durham’s international reputation Develop and sustain a range of strategic partnerships with peer institutions Attract the best academic staff from around the world to work at or with Durham Ensure that more than a third of our students come from outside the UK
PROFESSOR DANNY DONOGHUE DEAN FOR I N T E R N AT I O N A L I S AT I O N
May | June 2017
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SO MUCH MORE
Accommodation and Estates “Durham is a uniquely beautiful place and we are fortunate as a University community to work and live in many wonderful buildings. But we want to do better still. In order to deliver our University Strategy, we need a world-class estate. To achieve that we will need to make major investments, both in building new departmental space, teaching space, residential accommodation and student facilities, and in improving the condition of our existing estate.� JANE ROBINSON C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R
We will: Develop an academic estate that will allow the University to deliver world-class education, research and student experience Ensure the long-term availability of suitable residential accommodation Ensure the continuing renewal and maintenance of our estate Improve the environmental sustainability and ease of travel around our estate and city locations
Cultures of Affection Members of Durham University are members for life. We are delighted to be in regular contact with 128,000 contactable alumni and proud to have so many distinguished members of the Dunelm Society – a society which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016. Durham alumni are known for their outstanding contributions to public life, whether in the law, diplomacy, military or judiciary; in industry, business or finance; in voluntary agencies, academia or the media; in sports, music and theatre, or wherever else that Durham talent shines a light. Moving forward, we are keen to build on the Cultures of Affection which bind our members to the University and to their Colleges.
We will: Build an offer for our alumni members that will match the top performers in the UK, while learning also from the US and around the world Encourage our alumni members to support the current and future generations of students at Durham University through a properly resourced system of peer to peer mentoring and where appropriate through Scholarship Support Encourage regular meetings for Dunelm Society members in Durham, London and in major cities around the world
Characteristics and Values We will deliver the University Strategy 2017-2027 in a manner that accords with the Characteristics and Values that we have agreed best describe Durham University.
Our Characteristics
Our Values
We are:
We are:
Welcoming
Motivated
Challenging
Inquisitive
Rigorous
We are open and friendly
Collegiate
We prize our colleges and sense of community
Inclusive
We value each other and embrace difference 10
We like to participate and achieve our goals We prize intellectual freedom and curiosity
We like to push boundaries and ourselves We value knowledge and clear thinking
Innovative
We work at the frontier to improve lives
News for Durham University Staff & Students
SO MUCH MORE
Funding our Future “Innovative financial management is crucial, not just to ensure Durham University continues to be sustainable, but also to make possible our ambitious Strategy proposals. The current environment, though fastchanging, presents opportunities to work better and diversify our business model, laying the foundations for innovation and development right across the University.” S A L LY M C G I L L CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
We will fund our future firstly from cash. We will run the University more efficiently and generate the levels of cash we need to support the Strategy. Second, from borrowing. We will go to the market in 2017 to seek investment funding to support a strong academic and business future. Third, by working in combination with private developers. The capital cost of our new Colleges will not be borne by the University. Fourth, from philanthropic and other external sources. We will diversify our revenue streams and are planning a Campaign for Durham University.
Measuring our performance Aspect of performance
2027 Target or Milestone
The Times/Sunday Times League Tables
Top 5
Percentage of eligible subject areas in QS World Top 50
50%
UK research assessment exercises
All units in the top third of the Russell Group
Citations per academic staff member
Top three in the UK
PhD students per academic staff member
2 PhDs per FTE academic staff member
Performance in National Student Survey
Top decile overall in the UK
Proportion of Durham students working or studying abroad as part of their degrees
25%
Staff and student volunteering hours
100,000 per annum
Proportion of Durham students gaining the Durham Award
75%
Proportion of international (non-UK) students
35%
Percentage of Faculty members who are female
Top third of the Russell Group
Proportion of estate buildings in Categories A and B ('High Standard')
85%
Annual income
Over £500 million
Proportion of annual income from philanthropy
5%
Contactable alumni
185,000
May | June 2017
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A roadmap to 2027 Three Academic Departments relocate from The Queen’s Campus to Durham City School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health moves to Newcastle University
Greater capacity for Departments to achieve research critical mass and academic distinction
John Snow College and a new (17th) College open at Mount Oswald
Durham will focus on areas where it has the greatest potential for regional, national and global impact
First Varsity Match with Loughborough staged in London
Building the next generation of leading academics
2018
Showcasing our student athletes and broadening our outlook
2017
Strengthened global links and a more diverse student body
Investment begins in Chancellor’s PhD Scholarships
Sheraton Park opens as the new home for Ustinov College Brand new, high-quality accommodation for our postgraduate-only College
2019
International Study Centre opens at the Queen’s Campus, Stockton
First-rate student accommodation with a full College experience
John Snow and Stephenson Colleges relocate from the Queen’s Campus to Durham City Improved student experience, valuing our Collegiate offer
New Centre for Teaching and Learning opens at Lower Mountjoy Includes Education Laboratory and virtual classroom facilities
Sports Facilities Programme New Academic Career begins Enhancing the quality of the Durham Faculty with clear Career Tracks and strong progression criteria
Includes new Indoor Sports Hall and Student Athlete Performance Support Suite New Durham Award is launched Developing reasoning skills, citizenship and leadership among our students
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News for Durham University Staff & Students
Offices open in London and New York Enabling better engagement with partners, alumni and potential funders
New College development
New Mathematical and Computer Science facilities open
A home for the growing number of students with a full College experience
20232027
2022
2021
2020
World-class environment for research and teaching
Further developments to 2027 will include planned investments in Laboratory Science, new Colleges, new Students’ Union facility and a Concert Hall.
New Business School opens at Elvet Waterside Supporting the Business School to break into top 20 in Europe
Redeveloped Arts and Humanities facilities start to open at Elvet Riverside Supporting a step-change in facilities and delivering an improved city centre presence
May | June 2017
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EVENT DURHAM RETAIL & CATERING
Durham Castle –
Now Licensed for Civil Wedding Ceremonies
TIME MACHINES: THE PAST, THE FUTURE, AND HOW STORIES TAKE US THERE DATE: Saturday 27 May – Sunday 3 September 2017 VENUE: Palace Green Library How big is time? And what will the future be like? The sheer enormity of time is a mind-bending concept - one which humans have always tried to measure and understand. A new exhibition at Palace Green Library invites you to step through a portal and journey through time, discovering how advances in science allowed authors to create stories that transport us to the distant past, parallel universes, and future worlds. See HG Wells’ original manuscript for The Time Machine, unravel stories which play with time, and find out how stories help us to make sense of time and our place within it. For more information, visit www.durham.ac.uk/palace.green
Durham Castle is now licensed for both indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies. The ceremonies available are non-religious, legally binding and offered to all couples. The Castle offers an exquisite venue for daytime and evening receptions. Fellows’ Garden can accommodate up to 100 guests and if the weather is not suitable for outdoor celebrations, events are held inside the Norman Gallery. These venues are available during University vacations only. Smaller, more intimate, indoor ceremonies can be held for between 20 and 50 guests, all year round. Only one wedding takes place per day. As well as the civil ceremonies, Durham Castle continues to offer wedding receptions in the Great Hall, during University vacations, for between 80 and 200 guests. For further information contact event@durham.ac.uk Don’t forget: Durham Castle also has two magnificent State Rooms, the Chaplain and Bishop Suites, which are available all year round for your accommodation needs.
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Summer Congregation Plans for Summer Congregation are well underway. Celebrations will be happening on Palace Green so pop along to soak up some of the excitement.
DLI exhibition The Retail Office has been working hard to ensure Durham is ready for the DLI exhibition now open at Palace Green Library. It’s well worth a visit and a souvenir. What’s more, this exhibition is free!
World Heritage Site Visitor Centre Shop Debra Fidler, our Retail Officer, has been working with new and local suppliers in order to give our WHSVC Shop a new lease of life. It’s got everything from local honey, made in our very own Botanic Garden, to souvenirs of Durham. Be sure to pop in and see the new range of products!
Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get all of the latest deals! @DurhamUniRetail News for Durham University Staff & Students
HR & OD NEWS
Annual Staff Training Celebration We recently celebrated the hard work and achievements of 130 colleagues from across the University who have successfully completed one of 13 nationally-recognised development programmes offered by the Centre for Academic, Researcher and Organisation Development (CAROD) and Accommodation and Commercial Services over the past year. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Corbridge, presented certificates to colleagues who had completed courses such as the Diploma in Business and Administration level 3, or one of the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) programmes, such as Emerging Leaders, Team Leadership, Management, Leadership and Coaching and Mentoring or Durham University Housekeeping Standards Training. Awards presented on the day included: • The ILM Team Project of the Year Award: Lynn Anderson, Julia Jackson, Emma Hollins and Barry McGuire for their proposed Staff Awards Scheme. • The Apprentice of the Year Award: Holly Robson, from Earth Sciences. • The Realising Your Potential Approach Valuing Contribution Highly Commended Certificate: Jason Cooper, from Accommodation and Commercial Services. • The Realising your Potential Approach Valuing Contribution Award: June Hedley, from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
Recruitment In September 2016 the University launched its first combined Academic Recruitment campaign, comprising some 48 vacancies. This campaign was taken across the world, in a number of publications, and we undertook a very successful social media campaign (which generated almost 20,000 clicks), all supported by a dedicated microsite. The campaign has been a huge success, attracting some 2,400 applications from world-leading academics. Recruitment continues to fill these vacancies, but as we go to print over 80% of the posts have now been filled. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to the University; most of whom commence their Durham career in September 2017.
Nursery Following a recent Ofsted inspection on Wednesday 15 February 2017 we are very proud to announce that Ofsted graded our Nursery ‘GOOD’ in all key areas. Ofsted stated we have a strong leadership team, Ofsted particularly commented how we develop children’s independence and confidence as they are encouraged to undertake real life tasks. They also mentioned how staff promote diversity well through the teaching and learning we offer.
May | June 2017
The Annual Staff Celebration Event is an example of the Valuing Contribution aspect of the Realising Your Potential Approach for the whole of Professional Support Services Staff. It is a way of acknowledging the commitment to personal development and the impact on the work environment which is demonstrated by the many individual and team work based projects undertaken within the programmes. The photographs are of Jason Cooper, June Hedley each with the Vice-Chancellor, and the ILM Project Group.
We are pleased Ofsted commented on how welcoming the setting is, and how staff are able to meet children’s emotional needs effectively. Children who require additional support, including those children who are more able are achieving well. This is due to the efficient partnership working with parents and other professionals and effective use of additional funding. Children are encouraged and guided to explore their ideas and interests; this extends their learning opportunities and helps to consolidate newly acquired skills. Effective safeguarding arrangements were recognised and how staff take on responsibilities for promoting children’s safety and welfare. Through good leadership and management from the manager and senior leadership team have guided the team to make positive changes within the setting. This has also been supported by the parent representatives. We would like to thank all staff for all of their hard work and the continued contribution they bring to the nursery. Thank you to all parents who gave up their time to speak with inspectors sharing their views and experience of the nursery. The report is now available online at https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/ provider/CARE/EY257491
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GREENSPACE
New Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products in Catering Innovation in the cleaning industry has vastly improved the performance of environmentally friendly products. After a trial period initiated by Catering and Procurement of eco-friendly cleaning products at both St Mary’s and Trevelyan Colleges, it has been agreed to roll out this initiative at all colleges. Staff originally unconvinced by the change, fed back their satisfaction of the products supplied by Bunzl Catering. They advised that the products tested, which use plant based ingredients, improved skin irritations for those with allergies. Many benefits of using the new product include the reduction of waste of the product and water usage via a tamper proof dosing system; plastic waste by using super concentrates which are smaller solids wrapped in cellophane; enzymatic natural ingredients which work 24/7 after application and the product performs in cold water reducing heat, all in all using this product saves time and requires less storage.
Green Move Out Scheme Summer 2017 Students living in our Colleges and on over 50 streets in Durham City will again be encouraged to donate their unwanted reusable items this summer via distributed Green Move Out bags. The annual Green Move Out Scheme is a partnership between Durham University, Durham County Council, Durham Constabulary and County Durham Furniture Help Scheme (CDFHS) which aims to reduce waste and to support local charities. Full details are available on the Green Move Out website: www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/greenmoveout
Waste Not, Want Not: Decreasing Food Waste Students from University College and the College of St. Hild and St Bede, have worked with University Catering to set up a new initiative: Waste Not, Want Not; aiming to reduce food waste and help students or other members of the local community who may be struggling to afford food. Students collect unused soup, salad and sandwiches, which is still safe to consume, from catered college kitchens and University cafes, which would have otherwise been thrown away. Expect to see the students outside the Students’ Union every Friday during term time from 6pm! At the first food give away, the students gave food out to over 90 people.
Low & Zero Carbon Technologies The University has installed a range of Low & Zero Carbon Technologies (LZCs) across its estate in recent years. These include solar photovoltaic panels, solar thermal panels, ground source heat pumps, and combined heat and power systems. The University’s Sustainable Construction and Renovation Policy sets targets for LZCs on new-build and significant refurbishment projects, and the University’s Master Plan is considering the potential for investment in new LZC installations on the University’s estate. In the academic year 2015/16, LZCs delivered a CO2 saving of 237 tonnes assisting the University in meeting the aims of its Carbon Management Plan. They also provided a utilities cost saving of £155,000.
National Walking Month The University continues to take part in National Walking Month and encouraged staff to increase walking during May and beyond, a schedule of walks took place across the Estate and surrounding area, including a country to walk to the Wicker Man at Low Burnhall Wood. See www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/travel/walking/ for details
Every small step leads to big change 16
News for Durham University Staff & Students
DURHAM COMMISSION
Major new Commission on creativity and education Durham University and Arts Council England have announced a major new Commission to investigate what happens when children experience creativity and education, and how this helps them develop and thrive.
Realising potential Professor Stuart Corbridge, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, said: “It is part of our core purpose at Durham University to help people realise their full potential, something which is at the heart of The Durham Commission in examining how best we can ensure all children have the opportunity to experience a creative and cultural education.
Launching in September 2017, the Durham Commission on Creativity and Education will use the University’s extensive research expertise to ensure it is able to draw on international evidence and expertise to produce a report of academic rigour and independence. An independent Chair will be appointed before the launch, alongside a group of Commissioners from the worlds of academia, the cultural sector, business and the policy world. Professor Alan Houston, Pro-ViceChancellor (Education) at Durham University, will be the academic lead and Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England, will be among the Commissioners. The Commission will seek evidence from a range of stakeholders and will produce a report in spring 2019 that will make recommendations addressing education policy and industrial strategy in England. The report will also focus on support for practitioners within the education and cultural sector.
May | June 2017
“We believe experience of the arts and culture is essential and, indeed, we play a vital role in artistic and cultural life, both in North East England and nationally. Nearly 290,000 people visit our attractions every year and our Learning Team works with over 21,000 school children in the community. “We look forward to bringing our world-class research expertise to bear in this important Commission.” Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England, said: “There’s a broad consensus in society about the importance of nurturing creativity in our children. However, there remain questions about the most effective way to do that in our education system. “In supporting The Durham Commission we hope it will generate new proposals for unlocking that creativity in the next generation. We must ensure every child can achieve their creative potential, whether that’s as an artist, scientist or an engineer. Our strength as a society and as a competitive economy depend on it.”
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CAMPAIGN
www.durham.ac.uk/about/somuchmore #DUsomuchmore
Our Social Contribution In the last issue of Dialogue, we explored the positive cultural contribution the University makes to North East England. In this issue, we focus on our social contribution.
Staff and Student volunteering Over 1,000 Durham students undertake regular volunteering, giving nearly 14,000 hours of practical support every year across 84 student-led projects. We also operate one of the country’s leading Employer Supported Volunteer (ESV) programmes, which offers staff the opportunity to volunteer, in work time, for up to five days per year. More than 850 staff have volunteered since the programme was launched in 2010, giving 3,000 hours of practical help each year. Over 100 charities have already benefitted.
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Science Outreach Our Science Outreach programme includes working with schools and community groups and providing professional development for teachers. We also support Durham undergraduates who each spend 40 hours working in local schools, inspiring and engaging the pupils and their teachers with science. We run two major annual events: Celebrate Science, a three-day science festival which attracted 7,000 people in 2016; and the Durham University Schools’ Science Festival, which since 2008 has seen 6,000 students from 104 different schools visit the University to take part in hands-on science workshops.
Sporting facilities and outreach Maiden Castle Sports Park currently hosts 15 community clubs, engaging 2,000 local residents, including staff, each week. More than 200 Durham students regularly volunteer their time to run coaching sessions, clinics and large-scale events for local children, working nearly 50 schools each year. Additionally, we recognise the power of sport for both physical and mental well-being, and we run multi-sport
programmes for over 4,000 people each year. We also host and lead on the delivery of performance programmes for talented young people, right through to full-time senior athletes based in the region. This includes the Durham Institute of Sport and Durham Women’s Football Club, who compete in FA Super League 2.
Supported Progression Our Supported Progression programme offers talented students studying in the North East, Cumbria and Yorkshire who have the potential to study at a university like Durham additional help to reach their full potential. It comprises a two-year programme of events and information, including a residential event offering the chance to experience life as a Durham University student. Those who successfully complete the assessed summer school project at the end of Year 12 are recognised as having achieved a qualification equivalent to 16-32 UCAS tariff points, which can contribute towards meeting the entry requirements for study at Durham, along with a guaranteed offer of a place. Additionally, successful students may also be eligible to receive additional bursaries towards university costs.
News for Durham University Staff & Students
LIBRARY NEWS
Scopus We now have access to Scopus, the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature, indexing nearly 20,000 academic journals from a wide range of subjects and dates, from 1996 to the present. You can read about what content is covered by Scopus at www.elsevier.com/solutions/scopus/content Scopus also provides the citation data which was used for REF2014 and is currently used in both the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. To find out more about how Scopus citation data is used in rankings and assessments please visit www.elsevier.com/solutions/scopus/who-usesscopus/rankingorganizations
re
You can access Scopus from the Library Catalogue, or our databases page, using this link. ezphost.dur.ac.uk
Reading list Reminder Making sure students have access to the resources they need contributes to the student experience and increased student satisfaction. Every year the University Library works closely with academic staff to ensure its provision of course reading materials is sufficient for every module. We will shortly be asking all staff delivering taught modules in 2017/18 to check that the necessary resources are available. We need to know, by Saturday 1 July at the latest, details of any new titles or further copies that need to be purchased, any books and requested digitised resources missing from the ‘Library Resources’ area of DUO, or confirmation that no changes are needed. If you have any questions, you can contact library.resources@durham.ac.uk May | June 2017
We will be organising short training sessions for Durham users, but in the meantime online user guides and video tutorials can be found via the Scopus website: www.elsevier.com/solutions/ scopus/support/get-started Find online user guides and video tutorials about Scopus: www.elsevier.com/solutions/scopus/support/ get-started
Staff and students leaving university A reminder to return all the books you have out on loan and pay outstanding Library charges before you leave. Check your account online library.dur.ac.uk/patroninfo Library charges below £5 should be paid in person at the Library. Charges over £5 can be paid online through your Library account.
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www.dfoa.co.uk Experience Durham
2-23 JUNE Supported by
PROCUREMENT SERVICE
k
Buy in Fraudulent emails purporting to be from DHL, UPS, Fedex and other Parcel/Postal Couriers Please be aware the University is receiving an increased number of fraudulent emails appearing to be from our contracted couriers such as DHL, Fedex, and UPS. These emails should be treated with caution. If an email is received from a courier unexpectedly the email should be deleted. Links provided within the body of the email should not be opened. If necessary check with Adrian Hopkins in the Post Room for clarification.
Employee Benefits Procurement and HR are finalising the arrangements for a wider employee benefits package. More information will follow in due course.
Defibrillators Following a change in guidelines from the Resuscitation Council UK, all first aiders managing a casualty in need of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) must request an automated external defibrillator (AED). To accommodate this change, the University’s contracted supplier for First Aid training, Tees Safety Training, will now include AED assessments within their training provision. First Aiders will also receive information on the location of the AEDs across the University site. Further AEDs will become available and First Aiders will be advised of their locations when they are known. If you are a trained first-aider and need to renew your certificate, please contact Occupational Health Service on x42657. For contractual related queries, please contact Steven Carter on x44553 or email steven.carter@durham.ac.uk.
May | June 2017
New Removals and Relocation Framework Agreement The North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium has awarded a new contract for Removals and Relocation Services FFE2004NE - OJEU Contract Notice 2016/S 160-290312. Please use this framework when relocation work is required. Available from Wednesday 1 February 2017 – Thursday 31 January 2019 with four Lots: • • • •
Lot 1 Commercial Removal and Relocations Services Lot 2 Removal and Relocation of Arts and Artefacts Lot 3 Removal and Relocation of Laboratory Equipment and Furniture Lot 4 Provision of Crate Hire and Purchase
More information can be at: www.neupc.ac.uk/component/zoo/item/ removals-and-relocation-services-framework-is-now-live?Itemid=138
Red Nose Day – Thank You The Procurement Service would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Red Nose Day Raffle and cake sale on Monday 20 March. We had some fantastic prizes donated for the tombola and some delicious homemade cakes and food from University staff which we were extremely grateful for. We would also like to thank our suppliers who kindly donated prizes for the raffle; their donations helped make the day a massive success. Your kind contributions and participation have helped the University to raise £2,660 for charity which is hugely appreciated and will, no doubt, be put to great use helping those less fortunate around the world.
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CIS NEWS
Report it so we can fix it! Most of the time IT works as we expect, so much so that we take it for granted: the internet is accessible, applications open and data can be retrieved, updated and saved. When things don't work as usual it’s frustrating, and although letting off steam to a colleague can relieve that, it doesn’t help to get the issue fixed. Don’t get angry: get it fixed! When University IT doesn’t work as normal it’s important to contact the IT Service Desk. In many cases they can provide an immediate answer: they resolve around 50% of the calls that they receive. When they cannot provide a fix, the information is passed to second line colleagues who will investigate in more depth and get in touch if they need more details. We’re pretty good at fixing the calls we receive, however we can’t help you if we don’t know about your problem and we know not everyone reports their issues to the IT Service Desk.
When incidents become problems
Since the problem management process was implemented, a number of incidents have been escalated through it and a good proportion of them have been successfully resolved or mitigated. Investigations on the outstanding ones continue: we don’t give up easily when answers aren’t obvious, and persevere to find solutions to help you get your IT services working smoothly.
Contacting the IT Service Desk is easy • Call us on 0191 334 1515 (or extension 41515). We answer your calls between 8am and 6pm, Monday-Friday (except for public holidays and University customary days). Outside of those times, your calls are still answered by our Out of Hours team.
Where we see clusters of incidents with common features or that cannot be fixed by the Service Desk or second line teams, they are channelled into our new Problem Management process. Problem management is a recognised discipline in the management of IT services to:
• Visit us:
• prevent problems and resulting incidents from happening, • eliminate recurring incidents, and • minimise the impact of incidents that cannot be prevented.
• Use our new self-service portal: www.durham.ac.uk/cis/servicedesk/contactus
A cross-discipline team reviews the details of the incident/s and identifies routes for further investigation and testing. They then use the outcomes to identify a root cause/s and then will either fix or provide mitigation for any impacts.
If it's urgent, please call the IT Service Desk, regardless of the time.
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• 8am – 6pm, Monday - Friday, Bill Bryson Library or • 9am – 5pm, Monday - Friday, Queen’s Campus Library (during term).
• Send an email to itservicedesk@durham.ac.uk
News for Durham University Staff & Students
Have you got any pets? Sadly our pet goldfish, Neville, died but we still tell people who ask if we have a pet that we have a “dead goldfish” What are you reading at the moment? Bill Bryson’s “A Brief History of Nearly Everything” – for the non-science person this is a great book! What would you like your epitaph to be? “Make sure the house is kept clean”
NAME: Tess Mantzoros JOB TITLE: Head of Legal Services DEPARTMENT: Legal Services
Which historical figure would you most like to be? Not so much which historical figure I would like to be but I would love to have a dinner party with Jane Austen and the three Brontë sisters – their respective views on women and their role in society would make for lively conversation!
On a scale of 1-10, how much do you care what other people think of you? As a lawyer, probably no more than a 3; but with regards to family/friends a 10!
What’s your greatest vice? Champagne
What was the first record you bought? Easy, The Clash “London Calling” What achievement are you most proud of? Passing the Ohio Bar Examination in the United States What was your best subject? History When was the last time you laughed and why? Yesterday, a story my husband told me – he always makes me laugh!
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Give me a picture of your ideal day: It would have to be a summer’s day at home in Greece with my family. We would head for the beach around 3.00 in the afternoon and stay there – swimming and reading – until 7.30 -8.00 in the evening and then head straight for a pita souvlaki at our favourite tavern Zahos before going home...perfect!
What’s your favourite film? I love Italian cinema so it would have to be “Cinema Paradiso” What’s your favourite place in the world? Varkiza, Greece Tell me a secret: I was a DJ in college.
What did you want to be when you were a child? A school teacher – my dolls were my pupils.
What luxury item would you take to a desert island? It would definitely have to be Chapstick.
Where will you be going for your next holiday? Paris, France for the bank holiday.
What’s your greatest indulgence? My daughter.
What skill or talent would you most like to acquire? I would love to be able to paint portraits.
Pass the buck: Finally, who would you like to see in the hot-seat? Matthew Wright - Estates
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Contribute to your magazine. Tell your story. Please continue to send your contributions and feedback to dialogue@durham.ac.uk May | June 2017
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what’s on at the University
may
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june
TIME MACHINES: THE PAST, THE FUTURE, AND HOW STORIES TAKE US THERE
DURHAM FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 2017
DATE: 27 May – 3 September
This year’s festival launches with the annual Music Durham Cathedral concert and continues over three weeks. Highlights include:
Time 10am - 5pm VENUE: Palace Green Library This exhibition asks: How big is time? And what will the future be like? Step through a portal and journey through time as we reveal how advances in science allowed authors to create stories that transport us to the distant past, parallel universes, and future worlds.
DATE: Friday 2 June – Wednesday 23 June
LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY DATE: Friday 2 June TIME: 7pm VENUE: Durham Cathedral
FRIENDS OF THE GARDEN ANNUAL PLANT SALE
Enjoy an evening of stirring music and song performed by our talented students.
DATE: Monday 29 May
DATE: Saturday 3 June
ARTS ON THE GREEN
TIME: 10am – 4pm
TIME: 1pm – 3pm
VENUE: Botanic Garden, Please use the Park & Ride visitor entrance.
VENUE: Palace Green
There will be a wide selection of plants and seeds to purchase, also cactus from the Teesside branch of the British Cactus and Succulent Society.
Enjoy an afternoon of live music performed by Music Durham student societies, at the heart of the World Heritage Site.
THE CANTERBURY TALES
DATE: Tuesday 6 June – Wednesday 7 June TIME: 7.30pm VENUE: Gala Durham Durham Student Theatre perform nine of Chaucer’s classic tales including the Knight’s and the Miller’s Tales.
BLACKADDER III
DATE: Wednesday 21 June – Friday 23 June TIME: 7.30pm VENUE: The Assembly Rooms Theatre Ooook! Productions
CASTLE FAMILY FUN TOURS
DECAY: TIME, OBJECTS & DESTRUCTION
DATE: Wednesday 31 May
DATE: 17 June – 29 October 2017
TIME: 2pm
TIME: 10am – 5pm
VENUE: Durham Castle
VENUE: Museum of Archaeology, Palace Green
The whole family can enjoy a family-focused tour around Durham Castle, with activities for children throughout the tour.
Find out about the hidden world of decay in museums through this exhibition looking at the effects of time on objects.
For more information on University events go to www.durham.ac.uk/whatson