Dialogue issue 42

Meet the new Vice-Chancellor Find out more about our new Vice Chancellor, Professor Stuart Corbridge and his ambitions for the role. / Page 04

Also in this issue: Student Employee of the Year Awards

Induction

A Durham University Student has been named the Student Employee of the Year!

Preparation is in full swing across the University to welcome the new cohort of students for the 2015/16 academic year.

/ Page 12

/ Page 15

Dialogue 42 | Sept / Oct 2015

www.thedurhamdiary.wordpress.com @Durham_Uni

Firstly, I wanted to say how pleased I am to be here in Durham for the start of what I’m sure will be another successful academic year in the life of the University.

I’d like to extend a special welcome to all new students and members of staff who, like me, are trying to navigate their way around Durham City and Queen’s Campus without getting lost too often. To the more seasoned staff and students – please bear with us as we find our feet!

As I’m sure you all know, student employability is a key area for our University – ensuring our students are well-equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience they need to demonstrate their ability to future employers and to be successful in their careers. Back in July, then 2nd year music student, Adam Hughes, was named National Student Employee of the Year – a fantastic honour. In this issue, you can read about Adam’s achievements and about the excellent work of our Student Employment Service within the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre.

The focus of the Research Highlights feature this time is the work of Dr Karen Johnson (School of Engineering and Computing Sciences) in engaging and communicating with different audiences.

We also see the spotlight turned on the Department of Chemistry, who have a great REF2014 story to tell.

The induction and matriculation period is a wonderful time for all members of the University. I hope that you will participate in events and celebrations as much as possible and that you join me in looking forward to seeing in what ways our staff and students will excel in the coming academic year.

With all best wishes

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03 International

14 Information

Women’s Day Get Social

04 Meet the new

Vice-Chancellor

06 Research Insights

- Engaging and communicating with different audiences

University Ceremonies

15 Induction 16 Durham Students’ Union 17 Library News

18 Museums and Attractions

09 Spotlight on...

19 HR & OD News

Chemistry

10 FUNDED 11 Durham students

fly high with the Northumbrian University Air Squadron of the Year Awards

EDITORS: Rebecca Grundy, Corporate Communications Officer.

Zoë Thomas, Marketing Projects Co-ordinator.

National Student Survey

08 ORCHID

12 Student Employee

Stuart Corbridge Vice-Chancellor and Warden

Security Matters

20 CIS News 21 Procurement – Buy in 22 Greenspace 23 Under Investigation 24 What’s On

CONTRIBUTIONS: Sharon Battersby, CIS; Tara Duncan, Greenspace; Daryl Dowding, Event Durham; Marketing and Communications Office; Rachel Smith, Library; Dave Armstrong, Procurement; Karen Barrie, HR; Shelley McCormack, Durham Students’ Union; Martyn Evans, Trevelyan College; Andrew Unwin, Chemistry; John Warren, Geography; Laura Smith, Careers, Employability & Enterprise Centre; James Bisset, Library; Hannah Francis, Equality and Diversity.

FRONT COVER: Professor Stuart Corbridge

Share your story...

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

Do you follow us on our social media channels?

We have compiled a list of our favourite posts, tweets and videos over the past two months to show you what has been happening around the University!

/durhamuniversity

Following on from the success of Durham’s International Women’s Day (IWD) 2015 and the ‘Women in Science’ events, planning for IWD 2016 is already underway. The theme, ‘Creativity’, was chosen by an attendee of IWD 2015’s closing talk by Chi Onwurah, ‘Women in STEM’, who inspired her audience to think about the many ways in which women are creative.

A full programme of events will be available later in the year on the Equality & Diversity website.

TOP FIVE TWEETS • Karl Colman @DurhamChemistry explains how folding graphene like origami could allow us to wear sensors in our skin http://socsi.in/6PYGo • Research led by Dr Karen Johnson in @NatureComms could reveal sustainable way to improve soil health http://socsi.in/Tp5qW • Research by @SGorard @nadiasiddiqui22 @beng_see shows how philosophical discussions help children’s reading and maths http://socsi.in/BEK2v • Research by @durham_uni #astronomers supports theory that potentially millions more supermassive #blackholes exist http://socsi.in/x3uZh • What’s the link between Pink Floyd and Star Wars? Ask Robert Pal (@durham_uni) at #summerscience on 30 June http://ow.ly/ONpq8

Do you have a success story to share? Are you or your colleagues involved in a project that you want others to know about? Is there something you would like to see in the next issue? Contact us at dialogue@durham.ac.uk and go to www.durham.ac.uk/dialogue/dates for all content deadlines and publication dates.

VIDEO OF THE MONTH In July we celebrated our graduates’ success at Summer Congregation, here is a selection of highlights from this year’s ceremonies, including an interview with Durham alumna and honorary graduate Gabby Logan. To watch the film visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im9S0T05j_w

www.thedurhamdiary.wordpress.com

So please start thinking now about what your contribution to the week could be and in what ways you can acknowledge and celebrate women’s creativity, both at Durham and further afield. Once you have firm plans, please send details of what your event is, when it is and who it’s aimed at to louise.herron@durham.ac.uk

Our favourite image was taken at this summer’s Congregation – a huge congratulations to all our graduates!

DurhamUniversity

International Women’s Day is 8 March, but we will mark it with a whole week of events starting the previous week. The Equality & Diversity team is organising pan-University events and celebrations but we hope all colleges, student organisations, faculties, academic and professional support departments, will be inspired to get involved and put on their own IWD 2016 events.

@Durham_Uni

IMAGE OF THE MONTH

Dialogue 42 | Sept / Oct 2015

You’ve joined us from the London School of Economics (LSE), what was your role there?

I was at LSE for 14 years where I was first Professor of Geography, then of International Development; I was Head of Department, then Pro Director for Research and External Relations, followed by my final role as Deputy Director and Provost. I helped to build a first rate Department of International Development; led the work that resulted in the introduction of LSE’s core course for all undergraduates: LSE 100; led the School’s planning for REF 2014 and helped to bring the Programme for African Leadership to LSE. What drew you to Durham University and the role of Vice-Chancellor?

I was very happy being Provost at LSE – effectively the School’s Chief Academic Officer – but Durham is a truly wonderful university. I had visited many times before, giving seminars in Geography for example, and already have close friends in Durham.

I hope and trust I will be good enough to be the next VC at Durham – which is a huge honour and not a little daunting – but it was Durham that really stirred my imagination, not so much being a ‘VC in general’ (if that makes sense).

What are your first impressions of the North East and the University?

It is a cliché to say that England gets friendlier the further North you go, but my childhood memories of family in the north have always inclined me to this view, and first impressions of Durham have only confirmed it. The University is fantastic and the estate is a joy to wander round. I was particularly lucky to get a tour of the Magna Carta exhibition in July from the curators – wonderful!

Durham and Stockton will take up most of my time, rightly, but I’m looking forward to exploring Northumbria, which I don’t

know so well, as well as getting back to the Dales and the Lake District. I dare say I will also make my way to St James’ Park and the Stadium of Light - at least to see Aston Villa!

What kind of university do you want us to be?

I want us to be aspirational, challenging, confident, inclusive and successful. Beyond that, my basic goal is to build support across the University for the new Academic Strategy that is being worked on. This will be a road map to how we will position ourselves as a world-leading centre of excellence in education, research, scholarship and public engagement. I hope, too, that this exercise will help us to define as clearly as possible just how Durham is distinctive and matters to the outside world.

What are your initial priorities as you begin your new role?

The initial priority is to listen and learn but I also see myself focussing on four main areas:

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(i) Student experience

(iv) International partnerships

Students make up the majority population at Durham and Stockton and we must continue to make sure they are well taught, challenged and nurtured during their time here. We must push ourselves and our students further whenever we can, and not become complacent.

I hope we will build a set of international partnerships that will express very clearly our sense of who we are and who our major peers are. Linked to this, we will continue to internationalise Durham University ‘at home’ through curricula developments that recognise connectedness and difference in our fast globalising world.

(ii) Investment in people Great universities are powered by first rate academics and by first rate professional service personnel. We have to make sure we are recruiting wisely, mentoring and otherwise supporting constructively, reviewing robustly and rewarding properly. Of course, we also need a great estate and infrastructural provision, but I believe that an academic strategy begins with People. (iii) Funding We need to generate new revenue sources at a time when government funds continue to be pared back. Philanthropy will be key, but also new business opportunities.

During the course of the year I will give three public lectures that will touch base with some of these issues and priorities. Although they will link to some of my own work on development thought and Indian politics, the guiding themes will be Diversity, (methodological) Difference, and Difficulty.

What are your research interests?

Most of my work over the past 25 years has been in rural eastern India. I have enjoyed being in research teams looking at the politics of service delivery provision and more generally at the ways that poor people ‘see’ and engage the state and local political society. Outside India, I have been keen to research the history of development thinking. I have the architecture of a book on this (huge) topic mapped out. I’m just not sure when I will get the time to do much writing…!

What about your interests outside academia?

Football and outdoor activities – particularly trekking in the American West or the Himalayas – have always been passions and one day soon I’d like to see if I can learn to play tennis to a better standard. For the moment, though, I am condemned to a nervous existence following Aston Villa and seeing if they can avoid relegation yet again. I am keen to watch and follow student sport, and to take advantage of the amazing cultural life of the North East region.

Who has influenced and/or inspired you most in your life?

Find out more...

Watch Professor Corbridge’s message to staff at www.durham.ac.uk/vice.chancellor

Many people, including family members and teachers all the way from primary school to university. Intellectually and politically, five figures from the first half of the twentieth century continue to mean a lot to me: Maynard Keynes, Vijaya Lakshmi Nehru, Max Weber, Bhimrao Ambedkar and W E B Du Bois. Post-war, and switching scenes, I continue to love The Beatles.

Dialogue 42 | Sept / Oct 2015

ENGAGING AND COMMUNICATING WITH DIFFERENT AUDIENCES Dr Karen Johnson, School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, explains how she has engaged audiences from school children to UK Government ministers on the importance of soil health and regeneration of brownfield land.

Tell us about your research.

Soil is not the most glamorous of topics but it is a vital nonrenewable resource. There are approximately 62,000 hectares of brownfield land in England’s towns and cities. This is land that has previously been used or is derelict, which may be contaminated, and needs intervention to improve the soil health and be brought back into productive use.

Healthy soil in cities can support green spaces such as parks, holds more water, which can help reduce flooding, and can increase biodiversity. However, intervention to improve soil health on brownfield land can be expensive. Despite the benefits of healthy soils and the volume of brownfield land in England alone, urban soil health is not a widely acknowledged problem, nor is it part of the UK Government’s sustainable development goals. This is why we have the ROBUST project (Regeneration Of Brownfield Using Sustainable Technologies). ROBUST has looked at the development of a sustainable, low cost way to regenerate brownfield land and at how to get soil health on the UK Government’s agenda.

Who do you communicate with as part of your work?

The ROBUST project has impact at both a community level and a wider government policy level so the range of audiences is pretty wide.

At one end of the scale we communicate with UK Government policy makers to bring the issue of soil health to their attention.

The aim is to get the Government to include soil in the UK sustainable development goals.

We also work with local authorities to get them to see the benefits of regenerating brownfield land and how the ROBUST project findings can help.

We found that if we wanted to influence local authorities to consider regeneration of brownfield land it was important to get community support and help them to understand why soil health is important and how it can be improved.

How did you tailor your approach to each audience?

We worked with the University’s Policy Engagement Team on communicating with the UK Government and capturing the attention of policy makers and industry. We organised a workshop on soil health in Westminster and invited regulating departments (such as the Environment Agency and Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) along, together with the Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee. We also submitted written evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee and produced a briefing document for key politicians.

07 We collaborated with an organisation called Contaminated Land: Applications in Real Environments (CL:AIRE) to prepare a research bulletin for local authorities which focused on how they can regenerate brownfield land sustainably and cost effectively using the ROBUST work.

One of our more unusual approaches was to commission a simple animation, to show why soil health is so important and how joint work between communities, local authorities and the university can help. The video is available on the Durham University YouTube channel and is a useful and accessible tool for non-academic audiences, including local communities and school children.

I will even be using it at an upcoming conference for local primary school teachers to see how the ROBUST work could feed into the school curriculum.

On a wider scale, I am working with the Marketing and Communications Team on publicising the research findings via the media, web and social media.

Collaboration has been key to successful engagement. By working with colleagues internally and externally we have been able to utilise a whole wealth of expert knowledge, skills and advice which has been hugely valuable.

What do you hope will be the outcome of engaging widely about your work?

At a local level we hope that councils will use the ROBUST work to regenerate more of their brownfield land. We also want tools such as the animation to help increase awareness of the importance of soil health, and how ROBUST’s work can help, amongst non-academic audiences such as local communities.

At a UK government level our aim is to see soil become one of the country’s sustainable development goals. We will be hosting another workshop with policy makers in November and are also working to secure funding for this group to become a formal network on soil health. There is also the potential for the ROBUST work to have a global application as brownfield land is prevalent in many countries.

We hope that these planned outcomes from our engagement will contribute to the ROBUST work being used as an impact case study for the 2020 Research Excellence Framework.

IMAGES: Footage from the ROBUST project animation.

Find out more...

Visit www.durham.ac.uk/robust

Dialogue 42 | Sept / Oct 2015

WHAT IS ORCID? Entering data over and over again can be both time-consuming and frustrating.

As research funders expect researchers to report on the outcomes of funded research and to deposit their publications in open access repositories and current research information systems (CRIS), there is an increasing burden placed on researchers to: i) be able to uniquely attach their identity to research objects such as datasets, articles, media stories, citations, patents and more; ii) do so without repeatedly typing the same information into multiple systems.

ORCiD aims to meet these requirements by registering a unique 16-digit identifier to you. Unlike similar solutions, such as ResearcherID, it is an open, nonproprietary solution which supports system-to-system communication across the research landscape.

HOW SHOULD IT WORK? •W hen submitting a manuscript for publication, you provide your ORCiD to the publisher.

• The publisher can then update your ORCiD profile automatically with details of your new publication (note, not all publishers currently do).

• Your ORCiD profile can automatically feed and populate institutional research information systems with your new publication data.

• If Funders follow recommendations to implement ORCiD, you can report all research outcomes to them just by entering your ORCiD.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU? Developments around ORCiD integration are already taking shape: • An independent review (July 2015) into the use of research indicators, set up

by HEFCE, has recommended ORCiD should be mandatory for all researchers in the next REF. http://bit.ly/1LqjIgc • RCUK has accepted the recommendations of Burgess Review (May 2015) to mandate use of ORCiD for grant applications, confirming they are exploring options for implementing ORCiD. http://bit.ly/1SQT1Ss

•F rom August 2015, the Wellcome Trust will mandate applicants to provide an ORCiD when signing up with their grant application system. http://bit.ly/1GqeHOc •M any publishers (including Elsevier, Nature Publishing Group, Wiley) are implementing ORCiD in their submission and publication processes.

Many are active sponsors or members of steering or technical working groups supporting ORCiD development from its launch. A small number of journals already require authors have an ORCiD upon submission. http://bit.ly/1IOEwiG •D urham University is one of over 50 UK Universities joining a national consortium to accelerate ORCiD adoption. http://bit.ly/1I5tBix •A t Durham, we are integrating ORCiD with the new Research Information System (RIS). http://bit.ly/1MHN2B0 Further information will be announced by the University later in 2015, but why wait? It takes five minutes to register for a unique ORCiD identifier.

Find out more... www.durham.ac.uk/library/research/orcid Already have a ResearcherID? See wokinfo.com/researcherid/integration

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Spotlight on...

Describe your department in one sentence.

A friendly department with a strong track record of excellence in teaching and research.

What are the three main things people should know about the Department of Chemistry?

We’re ranked first for research impact in UK Chemistry Departments and second in the Complete University Guide.

We cover all aspects of chemistry, from the ‘traditional’ inorganic, organic and physical, to more ‘contemporary’ designations such as cold molecules, functional materials and soft matter.

We collaborate with many other subject-areas: those you might expect, such as physics, biology and mathematics, and some others, such as recent work with historians looking at pigments in ancient manuscripts.

What three words best describe your department?

Friendly. Ambitious. Collegiate.

What is your main objective as a department/what do you want to achieve?

To raise our research income, to enable us to continue to develop our research activities.

What would you say is your main challenge?

Dealing with an ageing building with its roots in the 60s (and seeking to replace it in the future!)

Do you use social media?

Yes, we’ve just started to develop our Twitter profile and presence; come and follow us using @DurhamChemistry. Having a profile allows us to share much more of the Department’s personality than might be visible in say a webpage or press release.

How can staff and/or students engage with you and your work?

Follow us on Twitter, as we share details of publications and departmental success stories. Come along to public lectures by our staff or look out for us at outreach activities, such as school

visits and science festivals. Researchers looking to form new collaborations should get in touch as many new initiatives are formed from brief initial conversations on a topic or problem of shared interest. Our webpages give details of staff research interests and activity – together with PhD opportunities.

What does the future look like for the Department of Chemistry?

Exciting: we’re able to recruit some of the highest-qualified students to our undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, and our staff conduct world-leading innovative research – both “blue-skies” and that with more immediate applications.

“Did you know…?”

Coatings developed by Professor Jas Pal Badyal’s research can now be found on over 50 million mobile phones, three million pairs of shoes, and 60% of the world’s hearing aids.

Find out more...

Visit www.durham.ac.uk/chemistry

Dialogue 42 | Sept / Oct 2015

The University is proud to announce the launch of an innovative loan product for Postgraduate Taught Tuition Fee Loans through collaboration with NEFirst Credit Union.

Credit unions are mutual societies that are run as financial cooperatives. They are community-based organisations (many of which are staffed by volunteers) and are set up for the benefit of a particular group or community that share a common bond.

The common bond in this case is that you must have been offered a place at Durham University or live or work in Durham.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) awarded the University the initial funding to start the project which aims to help to attract the most talented students to further study after they finish their undergraduate degree.

The opportunity to make loans available via a credit union had been identified by Neville Hallam, Deputy Head of Scholarships, Student Funding and Immigration Office, who developed the idea into a proposal which HEFCE supported.

NEFirst will provide low cost, ethical loans for UK selffinancing postgraduate taught students. Loans of up to ÂŁ7000 will be available to cover the cost of tuition fees which will be paid directly to the University. The loans will not accrue interest and will not require payment during the first twelve months following enrolment.

The interest rate on the loans will be between 6.2% (APR) and 9.4% (APR) depending on the outcomes of an Experian credit score. However the interest is calculated on a reducing balance and would therefore usually be cheaper than a bank loan.

During the course of this project a number of staff at the University have expressed an interest in the savings and loans products offered by the University and this will be explored further following the launch of the postgraduate loan product so watch out for further information in future issues of Dialogue or contact Julie Pullman, Credit Union Officer on ext. 46471.

Find out more...

Further details about the postgraduate taught loan product can be found at www.durham.ac.uk/funded

Further details about NEFirst Credit Union can be found at www.nefirstcu.co.uk

2400_DU_FundED Pullup banners v4.indd 2

27/08/2015 11:37

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During their period of study, our students get involved in a whole range of extra-curricular activities, but few fly as a high as those who join the Northumbrian University Air Squadron (NUAS).

NUAS offers students the chance to explore the possibility of a career in the Royal Air Force (RAF), to learn to fly and to challenge themselves through a wide range of activities and sports. The squadron is well established and has been part of student life at Durham since 1941.

Joining a University Air Squadron, of which there are 14 nationally, provides an introduction to those considering an RAF career in a flying or ground-based role.

Currently, over 35 Durham students are members of NUAS, and make up over half the squadron strength. Flying training takes place at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire where students fly the RAF’s basic trainer the Grob 115EA Tutor T.Mk1. Cadets also attend regular parade nights in Newcastle.

Around 10% of NUAS students later go on to join the RAF. Senior Cadet Tom Newell (Trevelyan) describes his time with the squadron: “NUAS has provided me with some exceptional opportunities to develop and mature throughout my time at university.

Whilst inside the university environment I

have had my academic thinking challenged and expanded, I feel I have also developed the more applied skills of leadership, communications and my personal attitude through NUAS. Before joining I wouldn’t have thought it possible that I could fly an aircraft solo, canoe in Sweden or lead large teams. Being part of NUAS has been exceptionally enjoyable and fulfilling.”

NUAS has wider links with the University through its liaison with academic staff and college Senior Common Rooms. The Squadron’s Chief Flying Instructor, Julian Newell, is an alumnus and member of St Chad’s SCR and in recent months Dr Jon Warren (Geography) and Professor Martyn Evans (Trevelyan) have flown as guests of the Squadron.

Squadron Leader Ted Edwards, Officer Commanding NUAS comments: “NUAS is distinctive in giving undergraduates the opportunity to take part in, organise and lead an incredibly wide range of activities, helping them to develop into future leaders.”

Find out more... www.raf.mod.uk/ universityairsquadrons/findasquadron/ northumbriauniversityairsquadron.cfm

Dialogue 42 | Sept / Oct 2015

One of our students has been named the Student Employee of the Year in this year’s national competition.

Adam Hughes of St Cuthbert’s Society is a now third year Music student, and works part-time for the University’s Development and Alumni Relations Office as a Telephone Fundraiser. Adam was nominated in the On Campus: Commercial Impact category, which recognises students who have made a big impact to an organisation. Adam was nominated by Jeremy Pidgeon, Annual Giving Officer in the Development and Alumni Relations Office;

Students and employers are recognised in a range of categories at institutional, regional and national level, and three nominations from Durham were awarded at the regional stage: Adam Hughes won in the On Campus: Commercial Impact category, Santa Taimina won in the Job Shop category and Dr Eleanor Loughlin was Highly Commended in the On Campus: Employer of the Year category.

“Adam has been at the forefront of our revamped telephone fundraising campaign. Often working twice as many shifts as is necessary, Adam has been a key person in the success that the campaign has garnered this year. Since October 2014 the campaign has raised £117,000 in new business and Adam has raised £35,000 on his own. Moreover he has been the leading example of how successful a caller can be.

Santa Taimina was nominated by Natalie Bilton, Information Officer, for her work as Student Assistant at the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre at Queen’s Campus, and Dr Eleanor Loughlin, Student Study Skills Coordinator, was nominated by two students employed by Dr. Loughlin as Tutors for the Mathlab programme.

“Adam has been the outstanding member of our calling team, and his fundraising ability has driven the telephone campaign towards its greatest accomplishment in the last five years. Without him our campaign would be significantly less successful.”

Adam’s prizes include a trophy and certificate, £200 prize money and the opportunity to attend the Student Employee of the Year winners emerging talent programme. The latter which has been developed by Teach First and the National Association of Student Employment Services (NASES) to help students with fantastic employability skills to gain a better understanding of how to apply their skills and experience in the wider Graduate Recruitment Marketplace.

The Student Employee of the Year Awards have been coordinated by NASES since 2002, and this is the third year that Durham University has taken part in the competition.

The Student Employee of the Year Awards are coordinated annually at Durham by the University’s Student Employment Service, which provides free vacancy advertising for employers wishing to employ students within the University or the local Durham and Stockton areas.

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If you employ students then you could be part of next year’s Student Employee of the Year Awards.

Any student working alongside their studies can get involved with the awards, and employers can also be nominated by their staff for a Student Employer of the Year Award, with categories open to on and off campus employers.

The Student Employment Service is based in the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre. Our aim is to help students find local part time work during their studies.

We do this by: • building relationships with local employers and advertising vacancies; • working with Durham University staff to help them employ student workers where appropriate; • providing one-to-one advice and guidance to students looking for part time work; • engaging with students through workshops, events and specific resources to help increase their employability; • providing practical support with employment related issues such as tax, national insurance and working hours.

The Student Employment Service offers a tailored recruitment service for University staff to help find suitable candidates for a wide variety of roles across the University,

as well as providing advice and information to departments interested in employing students. We will also complete all of the new starter paperwork and eligibility to work checks on behalf of employing departments for students recruited through the Student Employment Service.

During the past year the Student Employment Service has helped staff to recruit hundreds of students into part-time or vacation jobs across the University, with roles ranging from catering, retail and administration, to assisting with research, building websites and databases and providing specialised tutoring to undergraduate students. We have also helped to recruit Durham students and graduates into a number of internships.

Finding the best candidates and recruiting them fairly and legally can be a difficult and time consuming process. You can contact the Student Employment Service Coordinator for help and advice on creating job descriptions, deciding on suitable rates of pay and complying with employment legislation. We will also advertise vacancies directly to all students and receive applications on your behalf, ensuring the recruitment process is as simple as possible. We also have access to a bank of preregistered students who may be called on at short-notice to fill vacancies at both Durham City and Queen’s Campus.

Find out more... www.durham.ac.uk/careers/password/staff/ses.

Contact the SES Coordinator ses@durham.ac.uk ext. 41429.

IMAGES: (TOP) Front Row L-R: Adam Hughes, Jeremy Pigeon, Laura Smith. Back Row L-R: Kim, Natalie Bilton, Claire Ebdon, Victoria Cawkwellm James Edwards, Thomai Tsiftsi and Eleanor Loughlin.

(RIGHT) Adam Hughes.

(BOTTOM) Laura Smith, Jeremy Pigeon, Adam Hughes & Victoria Cawkwell.

Dialogue 42 | Sept / Oct 2015

All staff are invited to attend the ceremonies and services to be held in Durham Cathedral over the next few months: • Remembrance Service – Sunday 8 November 2015 •F ounders and Benefactors Service – Sunday 22 November 2015 •W inter Congregation – Thursday 14 and Friday 15 January 2016 Would you leave your front door open when you go out? Or let your neighbours rifle through your filing cabinet? Would you hand out the code to your burglar alarm? Or let your house insurance lapse?

Probably not.

But have you ever left your computer unlocked? Or left confidential papers on your desk? Have you ever given your password to someone else? Or let your anti-virus software expire?

Probably.

As employees of the University, we all have responsibility to ensure that personal data is kept secure and confidential. To help you understand what you need to know and do, dedicated web pages have been created to provide support and guidance on information security.

On these pages you will find policy details, training opportunities plus hints, tips and advice to help answer some of the everyday questions relating to this topic and make it easy for you to work securely – from setting secure passwords to handling paper.

Find out more... at www.durham.ac.uk/infosecurity

Staff are welcome to attend as a University guest at these events or if eligible can join the Academic Procession. You can also get involved at Congregation by volunteering to marshal, an essential role in producing professional and celebratory occasions for our students and their guests, with lunch and cakes provided too!

Here are a few comments from marshals at the recent Summer Congregation: “Thanks again for the opportunity to marshal at congregation – I really enjoyed it and it was such a nice way to meet other university colleagues and get involved in the celebrations for the graduates.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would certainly love to do it again!”

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

IMAGE: Durham University students at Congregation.

It’s that time of year again, when preparation is in full swing across the University to welcome the new cohort of students for the 2015/16 academic year.

International students will begin arriving from Wednesday 30 September with the International Office providing a ‘meet and greet’ service, welcoming students as they arrive at Newcastle Airport and local railway stations.

Undergraduates arrive on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October and it is all systems go to ensure their first week at university is a success, with all areas of the university involved in working towards delivering a warm welcome and positive first impression.

New developments for this year include the Student Community Fair to be held in the Palatine Centre on Wednesday 7 October.

This initiative invites students to meet and familiarise themselves with the student support services available to them. With a mix of University, Union and local services attending, new students will be able to find all the services they might need to access during their time in Durham.

This year also sees the launch of the Online Personal Induction Planner, which will allow students to create their own personalised timetable of events and activities specifically applicable to them during Induction Week. The Online Planner follows a step by step process, to include information to

students on the events and activities they need to attend as part of their first week at university, filtering the information that applies to them individually by college, department and level of study.

Colleges will be working alongside their Freshers Reps (FREPs), to deliver a varied programme of informative events and social activities offering a warm welcome. This year activities include everything from the formal Matriculation ceremonies in the Cathedral to cosy tea, toast and chat sessions with welfare officers and fellow students into the early hours.

Academic departments will be delivering welcome and induction sessions, introducing students to university life with academic briefings, and providing information on courses and module choices. Many departments are also hosting social events to welcome students.

Experience Durham will be providing information on joining a sports team, or any of the DST theatre companies, as well as the orchestras, choirs and bands that make up Durham Music Society (DUMS).

Experience Durham will also have full information on the range of 40 volunteering projects students can get involved in with Student Community Action (SCA).

A huge thank you to all of our staff and students who are helping to make this years’ induction week a success!

Durham Students’ Union will be hosting the annual Union Fair in Dunelm House, where new students can find out about the 200 clubs and societies they can join, and activities and events they can get involved in. They are also organising the Freshers’ Ball which promises to be the social highlight of the week.

IMAGES: (TOP) New students arriving into the airport.

(BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT) Students taking part in Freshers Fair 2015.

Dialogue 42 | Sept / Oct 2015

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

@durhamSU

Every year all Durham students have the opportunity to vote for who they would like to see leading their Students’ Union. There are five positions in total. The elected Student Officers take up their posts for one full year from 1 July. Meet the new Officers now…

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS OFFICER: BEN FROST @DurhamSUacad

PRESIDENT: MILLIE TANNER @DurhamSUpres As President, Millie Tanner is the lead student representative and chief spokesperson of the Union. Millie liaises with the University, Common Rooms, and the National Union of Students. Millie is a music graduate from St Cuthbert’s Society, and has spent the past year as their JCR President.

As Academic Affairs Officer, Ben Frost represents students on education-related matters to make sure your education meets your expectations, whether teaching, research or support services such as the library. Ben supports Academic Reps and makes sure the course and faculty representative system runs successfully. Ben studied history and politics at Collingwood. Ben was a Student Trustee for the Union during his final year.

COMMUNITY OFFICER: ESTHER GREEN @DurhamSUcomm Esther Green promotes student health and wellbeing and works to improve non-academic facilities within the University for students. Esther champions equality and diversity, supporting and coordinating Associations, liberation and rights campaigns. Esther will help to make accommodation (college and private) better so students are able to focus on their studies. Esther studied politics at Collingwood College. Whilst studying she participated in volunteering, DUCK and Nightline.

ACTIVITIES OFFICER: KARA-JANE SENIOR @DurhamSUact Kara-Jane Senior makes sure student groups (societies, fundraising groups, volunteering groups and student media) run effectively. She supports student groups in organising events and activities.

Kara is a Natural Sciences (physics and anthropology) graduate from University College. Student societies have played a big part in her time at university, particularly Durham University Scout and Guide Group and Instep dance society.

DEVELOPMENT OFFICER: JAKE HOOKER @DurhamSUdev As Development Officer, Jake Hooker develops programmes and initiatives to enhance students’ skills and graduate qualities through participation in extra-curricular activities.

He liaises with the University on issues regarding personal development and employability. Jake is a Natural Sciences graduate from Collingwood. He spent the past year as the JCR President at Collingwood.

The Student Officers work together on all issues relating to student life. They listen to how you want things to be done and work with the relevant people to make it happen. They represent your views to the University, and make sure your voice is heard. You can find out more about the team and what their priorities are for this year, by visiting our website www.durhamsu.com

17

Library news

GET INVOLVED IN INTERNATIONAL OPEN ACCESS WEEK 19 – 25 OCTOBER 2015 • Published in 2015? Not yet deposited your manuscript in DRO? Take five minutes to do so, and increase the visibility of your latest research. http://bit.ly/1KtNa3N • Already deposited in Durham Research Online, Durham University’s open access repository? Share the news via Twitter or elsewhere with #OAWEEK @drodurham • Being asked to pay to access an article you want to read? Try Open Access Button to search for a version of the paper or request the author makes it OA: http://bit.ly/1IC0IMX • In receipt of research funding? Check if your funder(s) require you to make your research open access, and if they are willing to pay for any open access costs: http://bit.ly/1S7YVnh • Take part in one of the many events taking place during and around International Open Access Week 2015 http://bit.ly/1xNde5G • Drop in to one of the Library’s drop-in sessions or attend a workshop during International Open Access week.

Find out more...

www.durham.ac.uk/library/openaccessweek2015

BOOK A TOUR OF THE BILL BRYSON LIBRARY If you’re new to the Bill Bryson Library, book a tour during October 2015. Explore Level 2 with your tour guide and learn about the different services, facilities and resources the Library offers.

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

Durham students remain among the most satisfied in the UK in the results of the most recent National Student Survey (2015).

Overall, 90 per cent of students rated that they were satisfied with the quality of their course; higher than the national average of 86 per cent. Durham students continue to be satisfied with the teaching they received, with 92 per cent describing their course as intellectually stimulating. The enthusiasm of teaching staff scored highly with a score of 92 per cent; as did their ability explain things well to students.

The University continues to score highly and meet the sector expectations across all sections of the survey, exceeding the average satisfaction in the organisation and management of programmes (87 per cent) and learning resources (89 per cent).

Educational Studies maintained a satisfaction rating of 100 per cent. Other subjects including Sports Science (98 per cent), Archaeology, and Physical Geography (97 per cent), English Studies, and Theology & Religion (97 per cent), Philosophy (95 per cent) and Psychology (93 per cent) registered particularly high satisfaction ratings.

Significant increases in satisfaction should be celebrated in Business studies (24 per cent), Management Studies (23 per cent), Geology (9 per cent), Music (7 per cent) and Computer Science (6 per cent).

Huge thanks are extended for your continued commitment to enhancing the student learning experience at Durham University. Over the next few months, the University will be considering the results of the survey and developing action plans to respond to our students’ feedback in the NSS 2015. Preparations for NSS 2016 will start in Michaelmas Term 2015.

If you’d like any further information on the National Student Survey, please contact Alyson Bird in the Academic Support Office.

Museums and Attractions Exhibitions at Palace Green Library this Winter ANTARCTICA: Explorers, Heroes, Scientists 17 October 2015 – 7 February 2016 This winter, our exhibitions consider the Polar Regions, focusing particularly on the discovery, exploration and ongoing work taking place in Antarctica.

Hurley, official photographer to the expedition.

This includes two spectacular exhibitions on loan from the Royal Geographical Society, alongside displays exploring how men and women from the North East of England have contributed to our understanding of this most recently discovered continent, from the work of Captain Cook to Durham University scientists who are working in Antarctica today.

With Scott to the Pole and Antarctic Witness are on loan from the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers).

With Scott to the Pole features historic photographs of this ill-fated Antarctic expedition, taken by Herbert Ponting and tells an unforgettable tale both epic and human in scale.

Antarctic Witness charts the dramatic events of Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-16, through the eyes of Frank

Antarctic Science Today: Find out how Durham scientists live and work in Antarctica, and what information they are gathering to help us to understand the past, present and future impacts of climate and sea level change widely recognised as amongst the biggest challenges to life on our planet.

An exciting programme of public talks, events for schools and family activities will accompany this exhibition. Visit www.durham.ac.uk/palace. green for more details.

Institute of Advanced Study (IAS)

Durham Castle Tours Looming high above the Wear, Durham Castle is an imposing structure. Today the Castle is home to the students and staff of University College but it also attracts over 20,000 visitors each year who are drawn to find out more about its fascinating history.

From Norman architecture to Victorian art there is always something new to discover at Durham Castle.

The new Tours with a Difference programme introduced new events and alternative ways to access Durham Castle and its history.

The programme has included specialist art and architecture tours, history of University College tours, family fun tours, self-guided days and popular tea and tours.

To find out more about more about Tours with a Difference with www.durham.ac.uk/ durham.castle/whatson or to book a place on a tour call ext. 42932.

Each year the Institute of Advanced Study Fellowship programme brings up to 20 leading international academics to Durham to collaborate with the Institute and Durham colleagues on its annual research theme. The theme for 2015/16 is Evidence and in October the IAS welcomes its Michaelmas cohort of Fellows. Each Fellow will deliver a lecture in collaboration with the IAS and Durham’s Colleges. Over the term, 10 free lectures will be held which are open to all, including ‘Evidence and Emotion: feelings at work in twentieth century Britain’, ‘The Death of Facts’, ‘The Fading Evidence of Reality: Leonardo and the end’, and ‘Human Rights in an Age of Terror’.

Find out more... www.durham. ac.uk/ias/events/fellowslectures

19

HR & OD News...

HEALTHY STAFF Following exceptional feedback from colleagues about 2014/15 health checks, we were told 60% of staff rated it as excellent, 40% as very good. What’s more, 95% said they would recommend the event to colleagues. Comments on the checks included: “Excellent with a friendly approach, good advice was given”, “Everything was easy and the staff were great”, “it was extremely well run”. In fact, some staff asked for more slots, more screening and more tests. We are going to run further events in 2015/16, with the first being on 1 October, which will coincide with a staff information fair.

Our Staff Information and Well Being Event takes place in the Earth Science Rooms 228 – 230.

It’s open to all staff from 12-3pm and there’s no need to book, just come along. At previous events, we’ve had information from a fantastic range of University teams including Colleges, our Unions, Payroll & Pensions, Museums, Staff Benefits, Occupational Health to name just a few. Go to www.durham.ac.uk/hr/staff.induction/staffinfofair for more details.

During each of our regular Staff Information and Well Being events, Durham County Council’s Check 4 Life team is available throughout the day from 9am to 3pm. They offer staff an opportunity to have a free health-check. Options are a ‘mini check’ (20 minutes) or full checks (40 minutes), which include height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol test and a cardiovascular disease risk score.

Health Checks will also be available on this day although you do need to book a place by going to www.durham.ac.uk/hr/staff.induction/staffinfofair/ wellbeing When your health check is completed, you will receive a print out of your key health indicators and figures along with advice on making changes to improve your health. Take time to look after yourself – book a health check and come along to our next event on 1 October.

MEMBERS OF USS - an update If you are a member of the USS pension scheme, we have received an update from USS to confirm that the changes proposed to the scheme will come into effect from April 2016. Details from USS on their scheme have been updated on our webpages at www.durham.ac.uk/hr/ paypensionsreward/pensions Further communications and updates will be available during Michaelmas Term. You can also access information and a benefit modeller on the USS website at www.uss.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx

OFSTED Success In June, our University Day Nursery had an unannounced Ofsted Inspection. We are pleased to share that the inspector awarded the nursery a rating of Good giving praise for our ‘highly qualified staff’ and ‘extremely positive atmosphere throughout the nursery’. The inspector noted some very good practices of interaction and development with the children in our care.

The report also highlighted areas to develop, which were to provide more opportunities for children to extend their understanding of the world through the use of natural resources. To read the Ofsted report, please go to http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspectionreport/provider/CARE/EY257491 For details of our nursery or to arrange a visit, contact Jane Dinsdale on ext. 48153 or jane.a.dinsdale@durham.ac.uk

CIS news...

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

Over the summer, CIS field team staff have been busy maintaining our estate of IT equipment to make sure it’s ready for our new and returning students. This has included:

replacing and upgrading staff PCs; implementing technical changes to the library access system; getting laptops ready for field trips; applying upgrades to the software that controls our printing services to improve reliability; pro-actively checking teaching and computer classrooms to ensure they’re clean and tidy, and troubleshooting faults with their IT and audio visual (AV) equipment; orking through the upgrades and additions w to the software portfolio on the NPCS machines (open access machines in libraries, computer classrooms, and other areas) ready for the start of teaching; undertaking an AV refit and IT refresh at the World Heritage Site Visitors’ Centre to make repairs to the network, install digital signage and refresh the AV equipment for the permanent exhibition.

That’s only a snapshot of our work, it doesn’t include the activity other colleagues undertake to support applications, Congregation, clearing and the summer events that the University hosts.

Focussing on student experience During the first few weeks of term our students arrive and connect to University IT, some for the first time. For most it’s a quick and easy process; however others need help for various reasons such as incorrect or outof-date operating systems and/or security software. To support the student experience, we devote a significant amount of technical resource to ‘Get online’ surgeries, to troubleshoot problems and help these students get connected to University IT as quickly as possible.

As a result, some of our nonbusiness critical requests may take a little longer than usual and we ask that you take that into consideration during this busy time. Once we’ve got our students online, we’ll be doing everything we can to keep delays to a minimum and turn around your requests as quickly as we can.

To help us to help you quickly and efficiently during the first few weeks of term: • I f your query isn’t urgent, email the IT Service Desk rather than call (itservicedesk@durham.ac.uk); • I f you have new starters or need new software installing

please give as much notice as possible (because of the other demands on our time we may not be able to respond to these types of request as quickly as normal); • Got a password or campus card query? Make the correct selection from the options given when you call the IT Service Desk – it will help us to help you get back on with your day as quickly as possible; •C alling the IT Service Desk?

– make sure you have your username ready; •S ave yourself time and reduce potential disruption by registering to use the selfservice password reset system www.durham.ac.uk/cis/ accounts/reset. Do that and you won’t need to approach the IT Service Desk to get your password reset – you can do it yourself!

•D on’t forget that if you need to visit the IT Service Desk you’ll need to have your campus card to get into the libraries and be aware that you may need to queue!

Wishing you a happy and successful start of term.

21

Procurement Thank you!

A big thank you to everyone who dona ted prizes and/or participated in ou r charity event on 3 July 2015. One our colleagues ha of s returned to work following a seriou road accident and s this event was org anised to offer tha for the critical sup nks port of the Great North Air Ambulan at that time. The ce event, which includ ed a raffle, cake sal and tombola, raised e a fantastic £2,32 0.

Thank you also fro m the Insurance Se rvice to everyone wh provided informatio o n for the insurance renewal exercise ensuring that the information supplie d to our cover provid is as accurate as pos ers sible.

Staffing Changes Congratulations to Lesley Bainbridge who was recently promoted to the position of System Administrator.

Lesley can help you if you have any queries on reporting from acquire, and she is the primary contact with the supplier Wax Digital.

Four new Purchasing Officers have joined us over the last few months.

Bradley Skeen, Thomas Rathmell, Nikita Watson and Adam Harwood will be working with both current users and the Faculty of Science to help implement acquire across the faculty.

Sustainable procurement To support us in our aim to be more socially and environmentally responsible, we are the first English university to purchase an online sustainability tool called “Sustain”.

This will help us to assess suppliers’ working practices and credentials, and identify areas for improvement.

Supplier Recognition Event The University will host its annual Supplier Recognition Event at the Lindisfarne Centre, St Aidan’s College, on 16 October 2015 highlighting the positive impact our suppliers have on the University. This event shows

our appreciation of suppliers’ efforts throughout the year where they have gone above and beyond the normal parameters of their services to us.

If you work with a supplier who you think deserves recognition we will be giving you opportunities to nominate them for future awards. Look out for more information in Dialogue magazine and Signposts later in the year.

University Travel Cover For information regarding University travel cover and how to apply for it, please visit: www.durham.ac.uk/ procurement/local/insuranceservice/ travelcover In the event of further queries, please contact Barbara Dick at b.k.dick@ durham.ac.uk or on ext. 49267.

CATEGORY MANAGEMENT: Spotlight on IT and Laboratory What is category management?

The purpose of category management is to develop levels of procurement expertise. This is achieved by working with key stakeholders on spend that is broken down into categories.

Who are the IT and Laboratory category managers?

Neil Petch will be working with CIS and Catherine Harrison will be working with academic departments.

What is happening?

A high level category plan for laboratory has been created, and a plan is being developed with CIS. This is a key approach to category management, to understand the way in which procurement can support the business operation. There will then be an agreed timetable created to ensure that procurement is undertaken in accordance with business need. For the academic departments it is about developing science contracts and catalogues that will support their migration on to acquire.

How do I find out more/engage with this category?

Contact Neil Petch on ext. 44542

Our next edition of Buy-In will focus on CATERING, DOMESTIC AND LEISURE.

Greenspace...

Ring-Fenced Carbon Budget The ring-fenced budget for the academic year 2014/15 received 18 applications including bids for energy efficient autoclaves, waterless condensers and timer controls.

We are now accepting applications for the first round of the Ring-Fenced Carbon Budget 2015/16 so please ask colleagues if they have any ideas for carbon saving projects in your building(s) and bid for the money using the project template. The closing date for the first round of applications is 15 October 2015.

Before you submit please ensure that all the relevant discussions have taken place with Estates and Buildings and/ or the appropriate person in your area to determine costs and savings prior to submission.

Further information on the Ring-Fenced Carbon Budget along with examples of past submissions and emission conversion factors can be found at: www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/cmp/projects Please return all finalised submissions to greenspace.staff@durham.ac.uk. All bids will be assessed by a sub-team of the University’s Carbon Management Team and all monies awarded must be spent by the 31 July 2016.

If there are any remaining funds a second application round will be open from 1 November 2015 until 28 February 2016.

Update on Intercampus Bus Service and other Public Transport Schemes A new inter-campus bus timetable will be in operation from Sunday 4 October 2015. Staff and students can travel free on the Arriva X12 bus service between Aykley Heads (adjacent to Keenan House) in Durham, via Durham Bus Station, Mountjoy (Science Site), Maiden Castle, Stockton High Street, Queen’s Campus, Stockton and Middlesbrough Bus Station.

In addition to travel on the X12 staff and student can also travel free on the Arrive 56, 57 & 57A bus services Monday to Sunday all year round. To gain free travel, staff and students must show a valid campus card.

Full details and copies of timetables can be found at: www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/travel/intercampusbus Staff and students are able to travel on any Arriva service all day for £1 and £5 for a weekly 7 day ticket, within the Durham City + Brandon Fare Zone. Full details can be found at www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/travel/public Corporate Season Discount Schemes are in place for staff to travel on Arriva and Go North East Bus services. Also to commence for the new academic year 2015/16, staff are able to join a corporate scheme for train travel with Northern Rail. Full details are available at www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace/travel/public

This year’s Environment Week will run from the 9 – 15 November and is an opportunity for all students and staff to engage with environmental issues, to celebrate our environmental progress to date and to explore what we can do to further improve our environmental sustainability.

If anybody has suggestions for what they would like to see in the week please email greenspace.staff@durham.ac.uk. A full schedule of events including a local food market, bike sale and competitions will be available on the Greenspace web pages (www.durham.ac.uk/greenspace) nearer the time.

23

Have you got any pets?

Yes, five outdoor goldfish called John, Paul, George, Ringo, and Brian The Third.

(Don’t ask.)

What are you reading at the moment?

Günter Grass’s Cat And Mouse. Haven’t quite figured it out yet.

What would you like your epitaph to be?

‘He figured it out.’

Which historical figure would you most like to be?

The botanist and explorer Sir Joseph Banks.

What was the first record you bought?

It was either Sibelius’ seventh symphony, or ‘Jeepster’ by Marc Bolan/T-Rex. Definitely one of those. Could we move on please?

What achievement are you most proud of?

Professionally, last November’s ‘Collegiate Way’ conference here in Durham.

Personally, looping the loop at the controls of an RAF trainer in March.

(I’m still grinning.).

What was your best subject?

Maths, annoyingly.

When was the last time you laughed and why?

Somebody sent me a link today to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s promotional video about crushing things with his armoured tank.

Hilariously childish fun.

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

Somebody called Mr Morris. No actual Mr Morris, I just wanted to be called Mr Morris because I liked the name. I’d heard girls could change names when they got married so I thought I could be Mr Morris by marrying anybody called Mrs Morris.

Where will you be going for your next holiday?

Chichester Harbour on the Sussex coast.

What skill or talent would you most like to acquire?

I’d love to learn to sky-dive.

Give me a picture of your ideal day: Dinghy sailing in the morning, a barbecue on the beach with my wife (she hates the water), and in the afternoon watching Wales playing rugby. (The evening would depend on the match result).

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

Depends who they are; varies between roughly 1 and roughly 10.

What’s your greatest vice?

At the moment, watching The West Wing.

What’s your favourite film?

I could watch Master and Commander again and again and again.

Any nicknames?

Not since sixth form…

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

Working in a nail-sorting warehouse in north Wales. I was given boxes containing a mixture of two different kinds of nails (why?) and was expected to sort the two kinds into different piles (why?). For those interested, they were two-inch brads and one-inch roofing clouts. I got twenty-five pence per sorted box. I’ve basically been a broken man ever since.

What’s your favourite place in the world?

Macandrew Bay on the Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, South Island of New Zealand.

Tell me a secret: The best place in the world is Macandrew Bay on the Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, South Island of New Zealand.

What luxury item would you take to a desert island?

A Bösendorfer grand piano.

What’s your greatest indulgence?

Really good pork pies.

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

Professor Bennett Zon, Department of Music.

www.thedurhamdiary.wordpress.com @Durham_Uni

SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER

Palace Green Library Book Club

Winter Wonderland

Tuesday 29 September, 5pm Palace Green Library

From Sunday 1 - Monday 30 November Botanic Garden

Join the monthly Book Club where readers come together to enjoy books based around Palace Green Library’s exhibitions. For further information or to join the Book Club contact pg.library@durham.ac.uk

OCTOBER

Tuesday 6 – Saturday 17 October 2015 Various venues across Durham From politics to poetry, fiction to feminism, the Durham Book Festival welcomes a host of writers and events for reader of all ages this October.

Highlights include former Chancellor Bill Bryson and honorary Durham Graduate Philip Pullman returning to the city. Philip’s novel ‘Northern Lights’ will be distributed free at participating libraries, as part of the Big Read.

Durham University is a partner in the festival and has invited awardwinning poet Sinead Morrisey to be this year’s Festival Laureate.

Produced by New Writing North, Durham Book Festival is part of County Durham’s exciting festivals programme. www.durhambookfestival.com

Celebrate Science 2015 Tuesday 27 - Thursday 29 October 2015, 10am – 4pm daily Palace Green Our annual science festival, Celebrate Science is back again at the end of October, with another three funpacked and fascinating days of free children’s events, activities, workshops and experiments celebrating science.

Explore outer space, carry out amazing experiments and discover how science shapes your world!

Pick up an Explorer Activity Pack from the Visitor Centre and see what you can discover in the Garden this month.

LUMIERE Thursday 12 –Sunday 15 November Durham With a new programme of work by international artists and a conference with impressive speakers all ready to share their vision for how light can change the world, Lumiere Durham 2015 promises to once more illuminate the wintry darkness in spectacular fashion.

So what are you waiting for? Start celebrating science!

Magnificent Manga Saturday 17 October, 1pm-3pm Oriental Museum To celebrate the Durham Book Festival, explore the Oriental Museum’s collection of Japanese manga comics and create your own to take home.

Silk and Steel: the Endurance of the Roman Empire in the East 23 October – 21 January 2016 Oriental Museum An exhibition of illustrations of life in the Byzantine Empire by archaeological and historical illustrator Graham Sumner.

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

Don’t forget to visit www.durham.ac.uk/dialogue