NEWS FOR DURHAM UNIVERSITY STAFF AND STUDENTS | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 | ISSUE 26
Palatine Centre Open Nobel Prize winning scientist Sir Paul Nurse unveils a plaque and declares the University’s flagship development officially open for business
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Also in this issue: Spotlight on... Centre for Public Policy & Health
Collingwood College is 40!
Who, what and why?
A look back at the college in its Ruby anniversary year.
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Dialogue 26 | November / December 2012
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Our alumni are this University’s greatest advertisement. Wherever I go I meet Durham alumni making a difference in whatever field of endeavour they have chosen. Many are high-profile leaders or in other influential positions; many more make a positive difference behind the scenes to people’s lives through quiet commitment. They all seem to have a common approach to life: to reach their potential in whatever they do and make a positive difference to the lives of people around them. They all seem to show an affection for their alma mater which is second to none. So many alumni support their University in so many different ways: advising and helping our students as they enter employment; donating art or artefacts; or supporting our research to enhance the lives of people around the world. Meeting our alumni is one of the great pleasures of my job and I was pleased to become an honorary member of Collingwood College (my daughter and son-in-law were both at Collingwood) for a dinner to celebrate the College’s Ruby anniversary. A significant proportion of alumni from the original class of Collingwood returned for the weekend and so many memories were relived and shared. I met two contemporaries - one of whom is now a Lord Justice - who, like me were members of DULOG and we had all taken part in performances of The Mikado as students. As I did not take part in the 1970s disco after the dinner, preferring to avoid reliving that aspect of my student days at Durham, you can read about the evening on page 10. With best wishes,
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EDITOR:
03 National Student Survey Results
Undergraduate Academic Awards
04 The Palatine Centre 05 New facilities at
St. John’s College
12 Library News Retail and Catering
14 HR news 15 CIS news 16 Experience Durham 18 The Birth of Buddism
08 Spotlight on...
19 Greenspace
09 Work of Art: Innovative
Professor appointed by Vatican as Consultor to Pontifical Council
10 Collingwood College
New Module Launched
is 40
11 The Ogden Centre
Corporate Communications Officer.
13 Event Durham,
06 Research highlights Centre for Public Policy and Health
Rebecca Grundy,
20 Under investigation
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS: Zoë Thomas and Rebecca Turnbull, Marketing Co-ordinators.
CONTRIBUTIONS: Sharon Battersby, Computing and Information Services; Tara Duncan, Greenspace; Louise Elliot, Event Durham; Media Relations Team, Communications Office; Professor David Hunter, Centre for Public Policy & Health; Hazel Donkin, School of Education; Rachel Smith, Library; Carolyn Gaw, Library; Vicky Ridley, Experience Durham; Carmen O’Loughlin, DUCK; Tom Wynter, Bishop’s Move; Emma Brownlow, Collingwood College.
What’s On DESIGN: wearewarm.com PRINT: statex.co.uk
Celebrates 10 Years
Chris Higgins, Vice-Chancellor and Warden
Front cover: Professor Chris Higgins and Durham University Students at the newly opened Palatine Centre.
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Update
National Student Survey Results According to this year’s National Student Survey (NSS), our students are once again amongst the most satisfied in the UK
92% find their course intellectually stimulating
Overall, 89% of students said they were satisfied with the quality of their course compared to the national average of 85%. In this independent annual survey students rated their satisfaction in seven areas of academic life: teaching; assessment and feedback; academic support; organisation and management; learning resources; personal development and overall satisfaction. Durham students were particularly satisfied with the teaching they received, with 92% describing their course as intellectually
Five Students Win Prestigious Academic Award... And a further seven were highly commended in the 2012 Undergraduate Awards. The programme awards top students across the globe through their innovative research. Henrietta Bailey-King (Hild Bede) has been awarded in the English Literature category for her essay entitled “Unspeakable Things: Representing Atrocities In The Works Of Jonathan Safran Foer”.
89% of students ‘satisfied’
91% accesibility of academic staff
stimulating. The enthusiasm of teaching staff and the way they explained their subjects also scored highly at 91%. In addition, 91% of students said they had been able to contact a member of staff when needed, highlighting the accessibility of our academic staff. Across individual subjects, Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry achieved a satisfaction rating of 100%. Other subjects, including History and Sports Science (98%), Music and Theology and Religious Studies (96%), and Initial Teacher Training (95%) registered particularly high satisfaction ratings.
Alexandra Mansell (St Cuthbert’s Society) was awarded for her essay “To what extent does libertinage allow for diverse sexual identities?”. In the Language & Linguistics category, and Louise Sayers (Hatfield) bagged an award in the Law category for her paper “The Failure of the Coroner’s and Justice Act 2009 to Recognise the Relevance of a Defendant’s Cultural Background to Successfully Raising the Partial Defence of ‘Loss of Control’.” Andrew Barratt (University College) won in the Social Studies category for his essay entitled “A study into the homosexual community and ‘queer quarter’ of Liverpool: For whom and (why) is it there?”
100% Satisfaction in Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry
The NSS results follow our continued excellent performance across the league tables. Durham is ranked as a World Top-100 University by both the QS World University Rankings 2012 and The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012-2013. The QS guide also placed us in the top 20 globally for the reputation of our graduates amongst leading employers. The University is also ranked fourth in the prestigious Sunday Times University Guide 2012 and fifth in The Times Good University Guide 2013 and The Complete University Guide 2013.
and Jonathan Penny (St Aidan’s) who has been awarded in the Modern Cultural Studies category for his essay “The Brain of Britten: Notational aspects of the ‘Serenade’” UA Receives thousands of first class research projects written within coursework every year and invites them to Ireland for the UA Summit – a three day pop-up incubation centre geared toward idea acceleration and personal development of these high-potential students. The five Durham winners along with 34 others, were presented with their awards by President Michael D. Higgins, patron of the Undergraduate Awards in Dublin.
Infrastructure
THE PALATINE CENTRE On Wednesday 24th October a group of invited guests gathered in the Palatine Centre reception and members of staff lined the atrium to watch Nobel Prize winning scientist Sir Paul Nurse unveil a plaque and declare the Centre officially open. The plaque welcomes students, staff and visitors to the Palatine Centre which houses key student services and the University’s headquarters on one site. In opening the Centre, Sir Paul talked about the important role universities play in educating future citizens and in bringing improvements in areas of society, such as health and environment, through research.
Top: Royal Society President Sir Paul Nurse unveils a plaque welcoming people to the building This page: Exterior of the Palatine Centre, view from Stockton Road Right: Guests and staff gather to watch the plaque unveiling and official opening
Describing Durham as “one of the great British universities”, he added: “Student experience – facilities, teaching, research and extra-curricular activities – is important in helping to develop the future researchers, teachers, entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow”. The opening event included a welcome from the Vice-Chancellor and both art and architectural tours of the building, led by Henry Dyson and Ian Tubman respectively.
The event ended with a buffet lunch in the newly-opened Palatine Centre Café. The Palatine Centre is the culmination of a four-year, £50million development programme to create a hub at the heart of the University in Durham City. For the first time it brings together all (non-college) studentfacing services, alongside the new Durham Law School and the extended Bill Bryson Library, which will be officially renamed at a special event later this month.
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“Durham’s commitment to developing this experience will benefit generations of students and the entire University community for years to come and I am greatly honoured to have officially opened the Palatine Centre.” Sir Paul Nurse
New facilities at St. John’s College Friday 5th October was the culmination of years of planning and 12 months of building, as St John’s College opened a major extension of Haughton dining room and a new accommodation block ‘The Garth’. Building on a World Heritage Site, with difficult access to the Bailey and over 200 students in residence was a huge risk and has only been accomplished through the patience and understanding of staff and students, coupled with outstanding architects and contractors. The two new builds were delivered on time and within budget. A new accommodation block with 38 ensuite rooms, including fully accessible disabled rooms, increases the range and flexibility of student rooms. Haughton dining room has been doubled in size, and equipped with new serveries. The total cost of £2.5 million was financed through the sale of property and the donations of alumni. Former Principal David Day, in response to an invitation, suggested the name for the new accommodation block as ‘The Garth’. He said, “A ‘Garth’ is an enclosed area, like an orchard or walled garden. It captures the hope that this building may be a place of safety, where people may grow and friendships flourish. It speaks of an ordered space, of fruitfulness and growth.” The current Principal, Revd Professor David Wilkinson, commented, “This is an exciting new phase in the College’s life, but has only been possible due to the immense commitment and patience of staff and students maintaining College community during the 12 months of living with two building site in the grounds.”
Above: Current Principal David Wilkinson, past Principal David Day and Warden of Cranmer Hall Mark Tanner. Photo: Michael Appels.
The Gospel of Jesus’ Wife
Research highlights
The Little Ice Age allowed a new wave of arctic foxes to colonise Iceland, according to new research led by the Department of Archaeology. A “bridge” of sea ice appeared during a dip in temperatures between 200 to 500 years ago allowing arctic foxes to migrate to Iceland from different Arctic regions including Russia, North America and Greenland. The researchers said their findings showed the importance of sea ice in creating and maintaining the genetic population of the arctic fox across the polar regions where the animal is found. Analysing DNA data from ancient and modern foxes, they found that the ancient foxes shared a single genetic signature, while the modern population possesses five unique signatures.
The researchers were able to rule out different explanations for the increase in the amount of variation of the ancient foxes, including geographic reasons and breeding between farmed and wild arctic foxes.
New Testament scholar Professor Francis Watson, Department of Theology and Religion, has described a fragment of papyrus, which seemed to provide evidence that Jesus had a wife, as fake.
The team concluded that the most likely explanation for the boom in genetic diversity among arctic foxes was migration across sea ice that formed during the Little Ice Age.
The incomplete manuscript, written in the ancient Egyptian Coptic language, was studied by Karen King, Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard University, who revealed her findings at an international conference on Coptic studies in Rome, causing a worldwide sensation.
The research, partly funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B - Biological Sciences. International and national coverage including Wall Street Journal, Toronto Telegraph, the New Scientist and Scandinavian media.
The 8cm by 4cm fragment supports an undercurrent in Christian thought undermining centuries of Church dogma by suggesting the Christian Messiah was not celibate but married to Mary Magdalene. The centre of the fragment contains the phrase where Jesus, speaking to his disciples, says ‘my wife’, which researchers believe refers to Magdalene. The papyrus has sparked debate amongst academics, but Professor Watson believes it to be a forgery. Three days after the announcement of the papyrus fragment, he wrote in a paper published online: “The text has been constructed out of small pieces – words or phrases – culled mostly from the Coptic Gospel of Thomas... and set in new contexts. The author has used a “collage” or “patchwork” compositional technique, and this level of dependence on extant pieces of Coptic text is more plausibly attributed to a modern author, with limited facility in Coptic, than to an ancient one.” World wide coverage including The Guardian, The Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph, Boston Globe, The New York Times, Herald Tribune,The Times of India, Fox News and Gulf News. Foreign language coverage included special features in Tovima (Greece) and Sonntagsblick (Switzerland).
Landslide fatalities Are greater than previously thought Landslides kill ten times more people across the world than was previously thought, according to research from Durham’s International Landslide Centre.
The researchers believe that it will help policymakers to prioritise areas for action to manage hazards and to lessen the risks to human populations living in hotspot regions.
The Durham Fatal Landslide Database (DFLD) of hazards shows that 32,300 people died in landslides between 2004 and 2010. Previous estimates ranged from 3,000 to 7,000 fatalities.
The findings were published in the journal Geology and lead researcher, Professor David Petley, Co-Director of Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience said:
The DFLD provides the first detailed analysis of fatal landslides across the world and maps hotspots including China, Central and South America, and India.
“The environmental effects of landslides are often devastating for nearby human populations.
“We need to recognise the extent of the problem and take steps to manage what is a major environmental risk to people across the world. Our database will enable us to do this by identifying areas most at risk and could help to save thousands of lives.” Widespread international coverage including BBC News, Reuters, Nature, European broadsheets (Der Spiegel, Le Monde, etc.) and across Indonesia, China and India.
Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah Middle East Security Research Programme On 13th September we welcomed HH Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah of Kuwait, Professor Rasha al-Sabah, and a delegation of guests to mark the UK launch of a new international research programme. A generous gift from His Highness of £2.5million has enabled the School of Government and International Affairs to establish in perpetuity the Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Programme in International Relations, Regional Politics and Security which will promote research underpinning a greater understanding of Middle Eastern societies and cultural understanding between our two countries. The Al-Sabah Programme will improve understanding of the security of sovereign nations, in particular the smaller and more vulnerable states in the Middle East and
beyond, and identify those factors which can lead to insecurity and how external powers and bodies such as the United Nations Security Council can respond.
through its publication series, to disseminate the best new and innovative research and analysis on regional politics and related security matters.
Research into such matters within the Al-Sabah Programme at the University will yield immense benefit to decision makers, policy analysts and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the world stage.
The launch event featured a symposium on ‘Asianisation of the Middle East’ which was held in the Great Hall of Durham Castle. To watch a video of the event, go to www.durham.ac.uk/tour/events/al-sabah
The Programme is led by the HH Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Chair, Professor Anoush Ehteshami, who drives the research agenda of the Programme. The Programme also provides dedicated support for postgraduate and doctoral students in the area of international and regional security; organises international conferences and symposia; and aims,
Spotlight on...
The Centre for Public Policy & Health (CPPH), under Professor David Hunter’s directorship, was created in 2002 when the School of Health (now School of Medicine, Pharmacy & Health) was established at Queen’s Campus.
Vision and future direction
Who we are and what we do Part of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Health, CPPH is affiliated to the Wolfson Research Institute for Health & Wellbeing and is located in the Wolfson building close to the Infinity Bridge at Queen’s Campus, Stockton. CPPH’s main teaching and research interests lie in public health policy and management, use of evidence and knowledge exchange, decision-making and policy implementation, inequalities in health, and the health effects of public policy. The Centre represents Durham University in two significant region-wide networks promoting, and strengthening capacity in, public health research. One of five UKCRC centres in England and Wales established in 2008, Fuse is the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health which comprises a partnership of the five north east universities (David Hunter is deputy director). Two Fuse funded posts are located in CPPH (Duika Burges Watson and Amelia Lake). More recently, the National Institute for Health Research has established a new School for Public Health Research which comprises a network of universities across England.
CPPH is leading one of the first studies to be funded by the School. CPPH’s work is of regional, national and international relevance. Over the past couple of years, CPPH (David Hunter and Linda Marks) has worked closely with the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe on its new health strategy and policy framework launched in September, Health 2020, and the accompanying European Action Plan to assist with the strategy’s implementation Other European links exist through CPPH hosting the European Health Property Network’s secretariat (Jonathan Erskine). CPPH also runs a number of leadership programmes in transforming health and wellbeing (directed by Catherine Hannaway). Offered regionally and nationally, they are unique in making the connection between leadership and the evolving and rapidly changing policy context which impact on public health. CPPH staff have exceptionally strong links with the NHS and local government sectors and are (or have been) non-executive directors or governors of local trusts and national bodies, including the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE).
CPPH’s future strategy is well aligned to the University’s commitment to invest in public policy and health with the proposed appointment of a number of senior and junior posts. With public health in England undergoing significant change involving a shift from the NHS back to local government where it was located before 1974, CPPH’s programme of public health research and leadership development is timely and has an exciting future. The changes formally take effect in April 2013 but major challenges confront the new system especially in respect of prioritising investment decisions in an age of austerity. CPPH has just embarked on a two year study of this topic. Other research aimed at understanding complex systems, and the ‘wicked’ problems that face public health such as those concerning obesity and food policy, and health inequalities and how they can be most effectively be tackled is being planned.
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Work of Art: Innovative New Module Lanched An innovative History of Art module was launched on Wednesday 3rd October in the Wolfson Gallery at Palace Green Library. The Work of Art, offered by the School of Education, is an undergraduate elective module for students across the University who study History of Art. The module is exceptional at undergraduate level in providing work placement opportunities with the leading art galleries in the region.
Meet the team Professor David Hunter Director Ext. 40362 d.j.hunter@durham.ac.uk
Victoria Cawkwell, the University’s Placement Officer, believes the course will enhance a student’s profile when competing for postgraduate places or jobs in the Arts sector as it will “allow students to demonstrate the skills and competencies that employers are looking for”. Combined Honours student Priyanka Hutschenreiter agrees that this “practical experience will boost my CV and also help in my personal development.”
Ms Gill Mcgowan Centre administrator Ext. 40117 gill.mcgowan@durham.ac.uk Ms Linda Marks Senior Research Fellow Ext. 40703 linda.marks@durham.ac.uk
The launch was organised as a ‘placement fair’ where students met representatives from our new partners. Institutions present at the launch included: Allenheads Contemporary Arts, BALTIC, Bowes Museum, Dorman Museum, Durham Art Gallery, The Globe, The Hatton Gallery, mima and the Durham University Heritage Collection.
Dr Duika Burges Watson Lecturer in Evaluation & Policy Interventions Ext. 40656 duika.burges-watson@durham.ac.uk Dr Amelia Lake Lecturer in Knowledge Exchange in Public Health Ext. 40668 amelia.lake@durham.ac.uk Mr Jonathan Erskine Research Associate Ext. 40366 jonathan.erskine@durham.ac.uk Dr Catherine Hannaway Programme Director, Leadership Programmes Tel. 0781 0836306 c.j.hannaway@durham.ac.uk
Far left: Professor David Hunter Other images: Leadership programme event
Find out more... visit www.durham.ac.uk/ public.health www.durham.ac.uk/ wolfson.institute www.fuse.ac.uk t: +44 (0)191 334 0360
The Work of Art is one of a series of Art History modules that the School of Education offers at undergraduate level.
Dialogue 26 | November / December 2012
This year marks the ruby anniversary of Collingwood College; 40 years since 66 students, carefully selected by Peter Bayley, took up residence in a wing of Van Mildert to form the very first generation of Collingwood College, before moving to the purpose built Collingwood buildings in October 1973. To kick-start the celebrations, 115 former students from the year groups of 197275 returned to their former home for a reunion weekend in September, eager to reminisce and relive their student days. This generation had known Collingwood as one, small, newly built block, housing year groups of around 60 students. Since many guests had not returned in over 30 years, they were amazed at the extent of Collingwood’s physical growth and shocked to hear that in October, Collingwood was to welcome over 300 freshers. What hasn’t changed, they said, is the overwhelming sense of community, ambition and pride visible in all Collingwood students and staff. As a college, Collingwood was proud to show-off the newly refurbished bar, JCR and the purpose built ‘Mark Hillery’ gym. Such projects were made possible by the generosity of alumni and the sterling fundraising efforts of current students who demonstrate their commitment to
Collingwood’s motto, Aime le Meilleur, Love the Better, as they strive to make Collingwood a better place for all. Over the course of the weekend the reunion guests enjoyed further guided tours of the University’s recent developments: the Palatine Centre and East Wing of the Bill Bryson Library. Whilst enjoying a 40th Birthday cake, cut by one of Collingwood’s first JCR Presidents, many sections of the Collingwood community were able to come together to celebrate. In a speech at the evening’s gala dinner, Principal Joe Elliott referred to St Bede and his analogy of a sparrow, which flies swiftly in through one door of a hall and out through another. Whilst Bede may have been referring to life and death as a whole, this serves as a fitting analogy for Collingwood and the students who call it home during some of the most formative years of their lives. The “sparrows” who leave the College doors after their time
there head off in various directions. Yet, wherever they may end up and whatever they go on to do, their experience at Collingwood will have shaped their lives. Collingwood will continue to celebrate the ruby anniversary throughout the academic year, perhaps most notably with a reunion weekend open to all alumni in March. The focus will be on one key message: the Collingwood community is not comprised simply of the 1,000 students currently living and studying in Durham, but it is a community spanning 40 years and, now, stretching worldwide. Albeit separated by decades, all Collingwood students and alumni are linked by a shared experience – a time spent at Collingwood which has not only shaped them as individuals, but during which they have each left their own mark on Collingwood’s history and have contributed to the ongoing strength and success of the College as it is today.
11 “It’s a pleasure to see that Durham University has developed so much and is clearly flourishing. It’s great that the Ogden Centre has brought particle physics and cosmology together in this way.” Professor Peter Higgs, Original Higgs Boson Theorist
The Ogden Centre, our internationally-renowned site for researching fundamental physics, marked its tenth anniversary with a series of lectures in the presence of Professor Peter Higgs in September. Professor Higgs received a special presentation from the Vice-Chancellor of an ornament in the shape of the Higgs potential particle designed by local artist Dawn Douglas. Peter Higgs is one of the physicists whose pioneering work in the 1960s theorised the existence of the Higgs Boson, the conjectural particle which generates masses for other elementary particles and without which the Universe that we know would be completely different. In July, scientists at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, in Geneva, announced that they had found a new particle consistent with the properties of the Higgs Boson. Experts at Durham’s Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP), one of two Research Institutes housed in the Ogden Centre, have been providing the theory and analysis behind a number of experiments at the LHC. The Ogden Centre is named after its benefactor, businessman and Durham physics graduate Sir Peter Ogden who also attended. When the Centre was founded, five questions about the universe were posed for investigation. These topics were the themes of the lectures at the event, presented by Professors Carlos Frenk, Shaun Cole, Nigel Glover, Silvia Pascoli and Martin Ward. The lectures covered the nature of dark matter, the nature of dark energy, the masses of elementary particles, the masses of neutrinos and their influence on the evolution of the Universe and the origins of planets and life respectively. Professor Carlos Frenk, Director of the Institute for Computational Cosmology (ICC), also housed in the Ogden Centre, said: “The ICC carries out fundamental research to find out answers to some of the most basic questions about our Universe. Discovering what dark matter is, for example, remains one of the hottest problems in modern science simply because without it, the Universe as we know it would not exist. Ten years after the ICC was founded through the generous support of Sir Peter Ogden, we’re getting closer all the time to solving this and other challenges.”
Library news...
Did you know? This year, our Did you know? campaign will be highlighting different Library resources and services that you might not be aware of. During the Michaelmas term, we’ll be drawing new students’ attention to services beyond borrowing books. We’ll also be using the Did you know? campaign to raise awareness of our wide range of online resources, alongside a variety of Library training courses which students and staff can book to attend.
Six things you might not know about the Library 1. Two of our libraries have new names! The main University library on the Lower Mountjoy site has been renamed the ‘Bill Bryson Library’ in honour of the University’s former Chancellor. Our library in the School of Education is now called the ‘Leazes Road Library’ to reflect the diverse range of collections now held there. 2. We make reading lists for all undergraduate and postgraduate taught course modules available online. You can find them through the Library catalogue at www.library. durham.ac.uk/screens/reserve. html or through duo (www.duo. durham.ac.uk). If you’re a module co-ordinator, make sure you add the Library Resources tool to your DUO site so that your students can access their reading list and any materials we’ve digitised for your course online. 3. All University staff can use the Library, not just academic staff. Members of staff can borrow up to 40 books and you can borrow standard loan items for six months. You can also access all of our online resources.
4. You can now book an individual study room at the Bill Bryson Library online for up to four hours at www. durham.ac.uk/library/password/ rooms. Over the course of the academic year we’re hoping to extend this service so you can book group study rooms at the Bill Bryson Library, Leazes Road Library and Queen’s Campus Library online too. 5. Each department has a nominated Academic Liaison Librarian, who can offer you advice and support with finding or accessing specialist resources for your subject. You can find their details on our Subject Information pages: www.durham. ac.uk/library/resources/subject. If you’re a researcher, get in touch with our Researcher Support Librarian, James Bisset (james. bisset@durham.ac.uk) for help and assistance. 6. The Library subscribes to over 300,000 online resources, which you can access 24/7 via the Internet from anywhere in the world. E-books and e-journals are online versions of printed books and journals, and databases allow you to cross-search the content of multiple online resources. Look for the online symbols when you search the Library catalogue (www.library. durham.ac.uk) and follow the links.
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Event Durham, Retail & Catering
Retail New Durham University Product Range The Retail Office has had a particularly busy summer, adding several new products to the University Online Shop, such as iPad covers, soft-touch notebooks and not to mention our fabulous new clothing lines which include gilets and quilted hoodies. All available to buy at www.durham.ac.uk/shop
The Retail Office also now has a Twitter account and a Facebook page where you can keep up to date with all of our new products, offers and of course the daily news from the Retail Office. Search for us; @durhamuniretail or ‘Durham University Retail Office’ on Facebook.
Event Durham Event Durham team update Event Durham is pleased to announce that two members of the team have taken on new roles. Louise Elliott has recently been appointed as Business Development Executive. This role involves working with academics within the University to support them in bringing international conferences to Durham. This includes the production of conference bid proposals, venue show rounds and the support of Event Durham’s Conference and Event Management Service. Louise also supports Durham University Visitor Attractions with the marketing of their events programme and the management of the annual Summer Study courses. Becca Bell has been appointed as Corporate Events Officer. This is a new post which will involve supervising the team of Corporate Events Agents who manage the Vice-Chancellor’s and UEC events and assist University departments in hosting dignitaries and important guests. The team also work closely with Durham City Markets in organising the Food Festival and Christmas Festival.
Left: Louise Elliott, Right: Becca Bell
For more information please contact: Louise Elliott, ext. 42883
louise.elliott@durham.ac.uk or Becca Bell ext. 43036 rebecca.bell2@durham.ac.uk
HR news...
“We’re All In” – Workplace Pensions You may have seen in the news and from adverts on TV that starting from October 2012, employers must offer a Workplace Pension scheme. You can view the advert on YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gcd8lj4v3M), the message of the advert is: Starting with larger companies, from October 2012 bosses across the UK will have to offer their workers a workplace pension. It means millions of working people will be enrolled. And better still, when you pay in, your boss pays in too. You’ll also get some tax relief from the Government. You don’t have to do anything right now, just look out for a letter from your employer that tells you more. Durham University must offer a Workplace Pension scheme from Spring 2013. Members of staff not currently in a pension scheme supported by Durham University who are eligible for automatic enrolment into the new, low cost Workplace Pension scheme, will be contacted individually during November
RBP becomes DUPS The trustees of University of Durham Retirement Benefits Plan (1969) Pension Scheme (RBP) have changed the scheme’s name with immediate effect to Durham University Pension Scheme (DUPS). The scheme will be referred to as DUPS in all future direct and general communications.
2012 with additional information and an invitation to attend a Pensions Drop-In session in December or January. In the meantime, members of staff who are not already a member of one of our existing schemes can consider joining. The University will contribute a percentage to your pension on top of your current salary – e.g. if you are a member of DUPS the University contributes 12% of your salary into your pension scheme and you contribute 4.5%.
Your current pension options… USS
If you have any questions about the forthcoming pensions changes and how it may affect you, please contact the University’s Pensions Department in Payroll: Richard Walters Deputy Pensions Manager Ext. 46951 Email: r.a.walters@durham.ac.uk or Dean Lloyd Pensions Administrator Ext. 46888 Email: d.m.lloyd@durham.ac.uk
eligible staff in Grade 6 or above
DUPS eligible staff in Grades 1-5 NHS eligible staff in the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health For more information go to www.durham.ac.uk/hr/policies/ condemp/pensions
HR at Rowan House Human Resources, including the Training Team, have moved to Rowan House. Rowan House is part of the Mountjoy Centre and is located behind the main Mountjoy building which houses Holly, Maple and Hawthorn Wings. You will find us on the lower ground floor of Rowan House – an area previously occupied by Procurement and CARD. Visitors to HR are asked to report to main reception at Rowan House.
Find out more about pensions+: www.durham.ac.uk/hr/ benefitsplus/ pensionsplus
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CIS news...
Building strong foundations! Over the last three years CIS has invested a significant amount of time, resource and planning in improving our infrastructure, tightening our IT security and streamlining our core services. These changes have been designed and implemented with you in mind: we want your IT to be easy to access, more reliable, fast and secure: a challenge in such a diverse and complex environment.
During summer and early autumn, we reached a number of milestones which provide the foundations for improvements to your day-to-day interaction with IT systems and services across the University. Many of these will not have been visible to you but without them we wouldn’t be able to make progress in giving you the standard of IT service that you need. It’s been a long journey to get us to this point, here’s a snap-shot of all the activity we’ve completed so far:
Network and telephony We have: • Improved and upgraded our core data network • Installed a new network with increased capacity, able to support the move to IP (Internet Protocol) telephony • Updated our infrastructure which has meant upgrading 500 network switches in 150 different locations, laying 400 metres of new ducting containing data and telephony cabling, and laying 6 kilometres of new fibre cabling across 30 locations • Improved network performance by upgrading the bandwidth of the JANET link from 1Gbps to 2Gbps, and then to 4Gbps • Designed and implemented a wired and wireless network for the Palatine Centre • Updated our phone system • Installed an up-to-date IP telephony infrastructure and rolled out 3,000 IP telephone extensions (including
reconnecting faxes, intruder alarms, lift phones, credit card machines and fire alarms) • Relocated the telephone switchboard • Updated and improved our wireless network
• Implemented a new password policy • Promoted and facilitated the use of encrypted USBs (now sold by CIS). Next on our list • Implement a new VPN (Virtual Private Network) for remote access
• Installed new wireless access points for the Palatine Centre, the Wolfson extension, St. Johns College, the Bill Bryson Library and the Queen’s Campus Library & Aroma Café
• Implement true ‘2 Factor Authentication’ providing additional security for key academic and staff applications.
• Implemented eduroam.
Next on our list
We have:
• Upgrade the remaining network switches
• Implemented Exchange 2010 on CIS managed mailboxes.
• Upgrade the network cabling at the School of Education and the Holliday Building
Next on our list
• Complete the deployment of IP telephony across both campuses
• Roll out Exchange 2010 to professional support services and departments, giving a University-wide calendar and email service
• Replace the remaining old wireless access points (approx. 340)
• Complete the implementation of Microsoft Office 365 for student email.
• Plan the expansion of wireless coverage to student accommodation.
Virtualisation
Desktop We have: • Rolled out MDS Anywhere giving remote access to MDS users • Upgraded staff and student systems to the Windows 7 operating system • Rolled out a consistent managed desktop system for Linux & Mac users • Implemented Windows & Mac laptop encryption for staff
We have: • Made significant progress in our moves towards virtualisation (moving from physical to virtual hardware) with approximately 60% of our goal implemented. We have successfully virtualised 90% of Central Administration Systems servers which is providing a power saving of almost 80%.
Experience Durham...
D urham Wildcats The Durham Wildcats have entered their second season in the British Basketball League, the elite league in British Basketball, with a team comprising entirely of Durham University students.
The programme, established in partnership with Durham County Council, is designed to ensure that players, aspiring to continue to develop as athletes, can do so whilst pursuing further education. The first team, which is composed of student athletes from around the world, including Italy, Ireland and America, is one of a number of flagship sport programmes that are closely linked to our International Office with the ultimate objective of helping to raise the profile of Durham University across the globe. Last year the team played all of their home fixtures at the 1,200 seater venue at Newton Aycliffe (selling out on two occasions). This year the fixtures will be spread between Newton Aycliffe and our Queen’s Campus Sports Centre - bringing sport of the highest standard in Britain to Queen’s Campus for
the first time. Basketball is unlike many other sports with an emphasis on entertainment around the game which provides our talented student musicians, singers and actors with an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of crowds. The programme is also based around increasing levels of participation. A strong community programme exists in County Durham and will extend into the localities surrounding Queen’s Campus in the coming months. In total our student coaches will deliver over 800 hours of coaching to over 8,000 young people and students over the coming season. Whilst the community programme focuses on promoting the physical activity agenda and developing the skills sets of participants, the opportunity
It’s Showtime!
Find out more... about all of the events and activities of Experience Durham please visit www.durham.ac.uk/ experiencedurham
also provides an outstanding development pathway for our student coaches. The British Basketball League is televised on Sky television throughout the season and the Wildcats will be showcased at least three times over the coming months. You can follow our students play in the best league in Britain, and perhaps catch them on Sky, at www.godurhamwildcats.com
Durham students are highly talented theatrical performers, and each year hundreds of students take to the stage. The home of Durham Student Theatre (DST) is the Assembly Rooms, a 220seat theatre on the Bailey, and each week of term students tread the boards, with a huge variety of shows. Performances are open to all to attend, not just students, and we’d like to encourage staff to come along and see our students in action. A group of interested staff now meet at least once a term to go and see a show, and if you’d like to be part of this mailing list, please contact experience.durham@durham.ac.uk Looking ahead to next term, a highlight will most definitely be Durham Light Opera Group’s (DULOG) production in the Gala Theatre. Once a year, DULOG takes over the Gala, in what is described at the crown jewel in Durham Student Theatre’s annual calendar so please put it in your diary and come along. Performances will take place from 22nd until the 26th January and tickets can be booked through the Gala Theatre’s website at: www.galadurham.co.uk
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‘Pennies for Pudsey’ and Supporting Charities at a Click of a button This year at Durham University Charities Kommittee (DUCK), we are attempting to get everyone to help raise money for charity. Already DUCK are leading the way as one of the top student fundraising organisations, as last year it was awarded ‘Best Fundraising Team in the Country’ by the Institute of Fundraising. This year we are hoping to continue this success by developing and diversifying our fundraising portfolio.
Pennies for Pudsey This term we are launching our ‘Pennies for Pudsey’ campaign for Children in Need. We’re aiming to get enough pennies to fill the Cathedral and to help us do this we will be supplying staff and students across the University with Pudsey Pots - all you need to do is add your loose change to a Pudsey pot!
Amazon In an attempt to make fundraising for charity as easy as possible, we’re now using an Amazon link for online fundraising. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, just by clicking a link on http://duck.dsu.org.uk up to 10% of the price of your purchase will go straight to DUCK and help us fundraise for local, national and international charities.
Want to join in? DUCK is always looking for staff and students to get involved in fundraising activities so if you’re interested in participating, suggesting a charity you would like us to support or work with please contact duck.charities@durham.ac.uk
Students and alumni last month performed the new play ‘Bishop’s Move’ at the Tower of London. The play was a new piece of writing which recounts the story of the first prisoner of the Tower of London, Bishop of Durham Ranulf Flambard, who was imprisoned in the Tower in 1100. Flambard was a notoriously devious and cunning character who escaped the Tower in a daring plot involving smuggling a rope into the Tower concealed in a barrel of wine. Flambard used the wine to get the guards drunk and lowered himself down the wall of the Tower from an open window. Flambard fled to Normandy where he planned an invasion of England with the King’s brother Robert Curthose. Although the invasion failed, Flambard’s character impressed the King and was reinstated as Bishop of Durham. Building on productions performed by DST in the Cathedral and Castle, Durham University approached Historic Royal Palaces with the idea for the performance in February. ‘Bishop’s Move’ has been an excellent extension of that work, which combines history and drama in an exciting and educative way. Sam Kingston-Jones, president of DST said: “Few students get the chance to perform in a World Heritage Site, and that Durham can offer this incredible opportunity shows that it really is the place to go for those serious about drama.” ‘Bishop’s Move’ was written in two weeks by one current student and six 2012 Durham graduates. The students come from a range of degree disciplines including Chemistry and PPE. Some of the graduates hope to pursue theatre and others are aiming for a more conventional career path. Tom Wynter said: “It’s been a great way to start life as a graduate. No matter what you want to do, working along side Historic Royal Palaces and the Yeoman Warders [Beefeaters] at the Tower will always look good on a CV.” ‘Bishop’s Move’ received a great response from the general public and DST hope to continue this success through hold similar projects in the near future.
Dialogue 26 | November / December 2012
An introduction to the life of the Buddha and the early spread of Buddhism
Buddhism originated in Northern India during the first half of the first millennium BCE. Although once an extremely influential force in South Asia, there are today only 6.6 million Buddhists in India, out of a total population of 1.22 billion. The only majority Buddhist communities in the region are to be found in Sri Lanka. Traditionally our understanding of Buddhism has derived from two sources: ancient texts and modern practices. Today however, it is becoming increasingly clear that modern archaeology can help us explore the development and spread of Buddhism and throw new light on its impact on the religious, political and economic histories of South Asia.
This exhibition draws from the collections of Durham University’s Oriental Museum, alongside items on loan from the V&A and British Museum. The exhibition explores the Life of the Buddha - and our understanding of Buddhism - from an archaeological viewpoint. It culminates in a presentation of evidence from ongoing excavations at Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, being jointly conducted by Durham University, UNESCO, the Lumbini Development Trust and the Nepalese Department of Archaeology. Opening in January 2013 at Palace Green Library, the exhibition coincides with the screening of a National Geographic documentary on the Durham University directed UNESCO excavations at Lumbini.
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Greenspace...
Beat the Baseload Additional Monitoring System As you know we have an ambitious Carbon Reduction target of 30% to achieve by 2013/14. We are past half way through our Carbon Management Plan and are behind our target at only a 6% reduction. In order to address our very high electrical consumption we have rolled out the ‘Beat the Baseload’ cultural change campaign to help identify pieces of electrical equipment that can be switched off when not needed. In order to ensure this scheme works to its full potential we are now preparing to do some monitoring and targeting. This will involve all cleaning, security and portering staff supporting our Environment Champions by reporting on equipment/lights they see left on as they carry out their duties around the estate. They will also be reporting on any issues to do with recycling, water use and transport (i.e. engines left running for no reason).
Professor Appointed by Vatican as ‘Consultor’ to Pontifical Council
As part of this reporting they will be leaving ‘cards’ in individual offices where ‘carbon saving potential’ has been noticed. Cards will not be left in communal areas however all carbon saving potential will be reported back to Greenspace and these incidences will be investigated. In colleges there are two different approaches being trialled: one very similar to that in departments and another where cards will not be used but carbon saving potential will still be identified. In both of these approaches communal areas will also be checked for carbon saving potential. Please make sure your department/ college has the ‘Beat the Baseload’ stickers displayed.
Carbon at Christmas To further contribute to the ‘Beat the Baseload’ campaign we need everybody to ensure they have switched off anything that does not need to be on over the Christmas break. A full list of useful tips can be found on the Greenspace website www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace
Fairtrade accreditation retained for a further two years We have retained our Fairtrade University Status for another two years. By demonstrating to the Fairtrade Foundation that we are committed to using and promoting Fairtrade products throughout the University we have secured our status. The Fairtrade Foundation commented that “Durham University is clearly committed to Fairtrade, and this shows in your success in upholding and surpassing the five goals”. They also commented that the range of events we put on were “extremely impressive and diverse, and they really highlight your commitment to raising awareness about Fairtrade both on campus and in the community”. If you would like to know more about our Fairtrade University Status please visit the website: www.durham.ac.uk/environment/fairtrade
Paul Murray, Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) recently received a letter from HE Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, informing him that Pope Benedict has appointed him as a Consultor to the Council for the next quinquennial period. Cardinal Turkson visited the CCS in March 2011 to present the annual Bishop Dunn Memorial Lecture on a UK visit jointly organised and hosted with The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod). Whilst in Durham he attended a seminar with staff and postgraduates students across the University who are working in the areas of political theology, Catholic social thought and practice, religion and politics, and faith and globalisation. On his appointment as Consultor to the Pontifical Council Prof. Murray said, “I am honoured. I understand that a key part of my role will be to represent the relevant concerns and specific contributions from the many UK-based interests that can usefully be drawn into the work of the Pontifical Council. As such I in turn look forward to consulting and working closely with appropriate agencies and individuals, and the awakening commercial interests in this area, who identify principles deriving from Catholic Social Teaching as relevant to their mission and who are doing such significant work.”
Dialogue 26 | November / December 2012
Under investigation Jemma Mcaloon
Operations Manager, Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre
Have you got any pets? We have a cat called Jake who is lovely, well apart from when he brings home bits of mice as presents. I’ve told him I would prefer flowers but he just doesn’t listen. What are you reading at the moment? I’m currently reading The Devils Star by Jo Nesbo – can’t beat a bit of murder before bed. What would you like you epitaph to be? Ummmmm….. Which historical figure would you most like to be? Someone like Cleopatra – powerful, intelligent, beautiful and with an interesting love life – what more?? What was the first record you bought? I think it was either Mel and Kim – Respectable or Tiffany – I Think We’re Alone Now. Yes, I was a child of the 80s! What achievement are you most proud of? Looking at my last answer it would be that my music taste has seriously improved since I was a child. What did you want to be when you were a child? An air hostess – it just looked so glamorous and you got to go to cool places (remember I am a child of the 80s and this was pre Easy Jet days!) Where will you be going for your next holiday? Next holiday will be Christmas so home to curl up on the sofa and watch classic films. What skill or talent would you most like to acquire? The ability to tell my left from my right – should be so simple but I just can’t do it.
Give me a picture of your ideal day: I honestly don’t have one; I tend to find unplanned spontaneous days are the best. Having said that, any day that starts without waking up to an alarm clock is looking pretty ideal. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you care what other people think of you? I’d love to be really cool and say I don’t but that would be lying. So I guess that makes me an 8? What’s your greatest vice? Finally an easy one – Diet Coke. Yes I know it will rot my teeth and destroy my insides but needs must! What’s your favourite film? I guess I should put down something Oscar winning and seminal but you just can’t beat Dirty Dancing. What’s the worst job you’ve ever done? Temping in the Environmental Health Department at the Council. They wanted me to go on a site visit to a rat infested restaurant; I wanted to find a new job! What’s your favourite place in the world? Home - to quote Dorothy: “there’s no place like home”. Tell me a secret: Never! What luxury item would you take to a desert island? A multi-pack of Diet Coke. And probably some vodka and ice to go with it as I wouldn’t be working. What’s your greatest indulgence? Ugg Boots – does one girl really need four pairs?? (Answer: Of course!) Pass the buck: Finally, who would you like to see in the hot-seat? Mike Parks - Head of Student Immigration & Financial Support Office
November The Practical Art of Medicine Exhibition Open from Saturday 27th October Palace Green Library A unique exhibition of medical illustrations looking at dissection, diagnosis and disease in the early modern period.
DST presents ‘Butterfly Lion’ (Adapted from the novella by Michael Morpurgo) Wednesday 28th November - Saturday1st December The Assembly Rooms Theatre, North Bailey, Durham From the writer of ‘War Horse’ comes a story of friendship spanning across the world from the isolation of the African savannah to the harrowing trenches of the First World War.
Durham University Chamber Choir Concert Friday 30th November, 7:30pm Durham Castle Great Hall Enjoy a wonderful programme including Poulenc, Brahms, Vaughan Williams, Finzi. Conducted by Calum Zuckert.
December Durham City Traditional Christmas Festival 2012 Friday 30th November - Sunday 2nd December Palace Green, Durham Enter into the Christmas spirit by enjoying the events and activities taking place in Durham this weekend. Visit the Craft Marquee with over 180 gift and craft stalls, enjoy ‘Carols for All’ at Durham Cathedral and bring the children along to take part in the Lantern Parade.
‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens Thursday 6th - Saturday 8th December Assembly Rooms Theatre, North Bailey, Durham Join NADSAT Productions in the Bicentenary year of Charles Dickens’ birth to celebrate the Christmas season.
Christmas Crafting Weekend 8th & 9th December Botanic Garden, Hollingside Lane, Durham Local craftspeople will be demonstrating their skills while children are invited to make decorations inspired by nature.
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