Hope’s Got Talent
Culture Carnival 2016
Honorary Degrees Announced
Hope Life Spring 2016 | Edition 6
BRITIS
H Sc
Week ience SU
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If you have a story to share, get in touch at hopelife@hope.ac.uk
Hope’s Got Talent
Hope Life
Culture Carnival 2016
Hope Life
Honorary Degrees Announced
Spring 2016 | Edition
6
Spring 2016 | Edition 6
Bri t We ish Sc ek Suc c
Contents
BRIT
ISH
WeeScience kS UCC
ESS
If you have a story
to share, get in touch
at hopelife@hope.a
c.uk
In this issue 4 LIVERPOOL’S HIDDEN GEM Angel Field named in top 20 unusual places in the city. 6 A DAY IN THE LIFE Student Claudia Hurlock takes on the Head of Business School role.
17 British Science Week
9 BEYOND GRADUATION Find out about what’s available from employability and alumni. 11 AN ACE FOR HOPE Liverpool Hope International Tennis Tournament returns. 13 IN THE MEDIA Hope staff and students in the news.
7
Student works on Game of Thrones
8
Hope’s Got Talent 2016 Winners
18 FINE ART AND DEGREE SHOW Student artwork showcased at end of year show. 20 LOST IN SPACE How close to fact is science fiction? 24 FIGHTING FIT Gabbrielle Williams raising money for charity.
10 2
Annual Culture Carnival Success
14
Honorary Degree Recipients
26 HAT-TRICK FOR GAA Men’s Gaelic Football team champions again.
Welcome from Professor Pillay It seems like only yesterday that I was welcoming new students and those of you returning for another year of study at Hope and here we are at the end of the academic year and saying goodbye for the summer once again. For those of you who joined Liverpool Hope this year, whether you are staff or students, I hope it has been an enjoyable first year and that you are now fully settled as part of our community. Next year will be even better! For honours students, the start of the summer will signal the end of your time at Liverpool Hope as you look to graduation and to what lies ahead for you. As you stand on the edge of this next stage of your life – whether that be embarking on a new career or starting postgraduate study – I wish you the very best. I also hope that you will stay in touch with Liverpool Hope and keep us informed of how you are progressing. We love to hear about how our alumni are getting on. There is an enhanced internship programme for those who are graduating this July. So please keep in touch with our Careers department so that you get the very latest news about employment opportunities. This term I have been watching with great interest as our new Sports Complex begins to take shape. When we return in the autumn it will be complete. This will be a wonderful new addition to our campus at Hope Park and the perfect companion to our successful Health Sciences Building. In the pages of this edition of Hope Life you can see how this new facility is already playing a key part in the life of Liverpool Hope as we hear about the vibrant and engaging events held for British Science Week.
News around campus A round-up of news and events from Liverpool Hope.
ESRC grant for Professor Neil Ferguson Professor Neil Ferguson (Department of Psychology) has been awarded an ESRC grant for £62,150 through the Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST) based at Lancaster University. Professor Ferguson will lead the project “Learning and unlearning terrorism: The transition from civilian life into paramilitarism and back again during the conflict and peace process in Northern Ireland.” The project also involves co-operation from Professor James McAuley (University of Huddersfield).
Cambridge University awards for Dr Stephen Kelly Cambridge University’s Churchill College has awarded Dr Stephen Kelly (Lecturer in Modern History) an Archives By-Fellowship and the John Antcliffe Memorial Fund Grant for 2016-2017. The awards will allow Dr Kelly access to Margaret Thatcher’s personal papers, which are held at the Churchill Archives Centre. Dr Kelly will reside at Churchill College during Lent term, 2017 and will also take part in the activities of the College, including delivering a series of papers related to his research on Thatcher.
Students raise funds for Everton in the Community
Have a wonderful summer break and we look forward to welcoming you back to Hope soon.
Charitable students volunteered to collect donations in celebration of the 28th birthday of Everton in the Community.
With best wishes
The team of 42 took part in a blue bucket collection ahead of the Everton vs Bournemouth football match at Goodison Park. They helped to raise £1,136.42 and were invited to attend the game as guests of Everton Football Club.
Professor Gerald J. Pillay Vice-Chancellor & Rector
Hope Life is published by Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, L16 9JD. Tel: 0151 291 3219 Email: hopelife@hope.ac.uk Website: www.hope.ac.uk/hopelife
Hope Life is produced and printed in house at Liverpool Hope University. Cover image: Senior lecturer in Biology, Carl Larsen, at British Science Week.
The views expressed in the magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent those of Liverpool Hope University. 3
News in Brief BSc Mathematics receives accreditation
Leverhulme Grant success
Hope’s BSc (Hons) Mathematics degree programme has been accredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. This programme will meet the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, when it is followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competences to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught masters degrees. Professor Atulya Nagar, Professor of Mathematical Sciences and Dean of the Faculty of Science, described the accreditation as an important step. He said: “Receiving accreditation from the Institute is a fantastic achievement and will have positive implications for our students. “This recognition means Liverpool Hope University’s Mathematics undergraduates can take their first steps towards gaining professional recognition, which will help them to progress in their careers.” The accreditation is valid for students who commence the degree in the academic years 2015/16 to 2020/21.
A Leverhulme Research Grant has been awarded to Dr David Lundie for his work on ‘The influence of securitisation on spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in England’s schools’. The British Academy’s Research Award Committee accepted Dr Lundie’s bid for a Small Research Grant and awarded the Senior Lecturer in Education Studies £9,396. Dr Lundie said: “Building on work already underway with Andrea Bullivant and the Primary Teaching students around beginning teachers’ understandings of British values, this project explores the ways the duty on schools to engage with the Prevent agenda is interpreted in practice.” As part of his research project, Dr Lundie plans to visit the United States in 2017 and draw lessons for the UK on how to avoid the increasing hardening of police presence in schools, which has been seen in parts of America.
Angel Field named Liverpool’s top hidden gem
Angel Field at the Creative Campus has been named the number one must-visit place in Liverpool. Former Walker Art Gallery and Lady Lever Art Gallery Director Julian Treuherz, and Architect Peter de Figueiredo compiled a list of the top 20 unusual places in the city for the Liverpool Echo, and described Angel Field as an ‘inspiring’ location. In the article they said: “An inspiring symbolic garden and an 4
outstanding example of modern garden design. It’s divided into four parts symbolic of mankind’s journey through life with pools, fountains, a wildflower meadow, and clipped hedges. Visit by day – also looks magical when lit up at night.” Angel Field is an award-winning Renaissance-style garden named after the Angel Field farm which once occupied the site and was run by Jesuit priests from St Francis Xavier’s church.
Business tutor becomes stage producer with new wartime musical
Creative Writing lecturer’s new poetry collection uses River Mersey as inspiration
Dr Eleanor Rees’s new poetry collection, Riverine, draws inspiration from Merseyside’s waterways and the communities who live, work and are shaped by them.
A new musical written by Professional Tutor in Business Tony Bradley will premiere in Liverpool this autumn to commemorate the 75th anniversary of The Blitz. Liver Birdsong: The Liverpool Blitz Musical will debut at the city’s Epstein Theatre in November and follows Maggs, Carla, Daisy Mae and Lil from Kirkby Munitions Factory as they battle not only the Nazis, but also their own threats, fears and jealousies. The musical is set on the night of 28th/29th November 1940, in the early phase of the Liverpool Blitz, when the city was bombarded by the German Luftwaffe during World War II. The events of that night were later described by Winston Churchill as “the worst single (civilian) incident of the war”. It involved a direct hit by a parachute bomb on Durning Road Air Raid Shelter near Edge Lane, which killed 180 people. Tony lectures in social enterprise, innovation and entrepreneurship at Liverpool Hope Business School, and has also had a lifelong involvement in media, theatre, music and the arts. The show is also produced by Tony’s composer daughter Rebecca Myers – their first joint venture into professional musical theatre. Tony said: “Audiences will learn the story of our four Liver birds through drama, song, music and dance, showing the courageous and indomitable spirit of Liverpool people. As a Scouser myself, born and bred in Toxteth, I heard stories about the War when I was a youngster in the 1960s. And now Rebecca feels it’s time for her generation to also hear these lost stories and learn about the hundreds of lives who were affected by paying the ultimate price.” Liver Birdsong: The Liverpool Blitz Musical will run from Tuesday 29th November to Saturday 3rd December.
The fluid style of Riverine is inspired by Dr Rees’s native Liverpool and taps into the flow that runs through our everyday acts of being. It explores the liminal spaces of suburbia to the wild, sacred landscapes of the west, and draws on imagined and temporal spaces and those in between. A number of the poems in Riverine were composed as part of commissioned community projects in Mossley Hill and Runcorn. Dr Rees invited students, colleagues and local writers to the launch. She read from the collection and talked about her PhD research into the practice of the local poet. Dr Rees’s previous publications include Andraste’s Hair (2007) Eliza and the Bear, (2011) and Blood Child (2015). She lectures on the Media and Communication department’s Creative Writing major. Dr Rees’s High Tide lyrics have previously been performed by Emily Portman (short-listed for BBC Radio 2 folk singer of 2016 award) at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. The lyrics have been set to Irish Sea folk music, and High Tide appears on Emily Portman’s CD album Coracle. 5
Acting Head opportunity for Business School student
A home from home
After six years of calling Liverpool Hope University home, Staff Development Co-ordinator Bethany Burgess has returned to her roots.
Running the Business School for a day was an exhilarating challenge for Business Management student Claudia Hurlock, who took over at the helm as Acting Head for a day. Here she talks about the unique experience. My time as Head of the Business School for a day was an absolutely unrivalled experience consisting of meetings, a luncheon in London and aiding in the preparation for Applicant Day. I took part in a luncheon at London’s Mansion House hosted by Professional Liverpool. The entire day was fascinating, getting the chance to network with a variety of professionals and academics, all of whom were extremely welcoming and made it very easy despite my nerves. From this experience, I have developed my network considerably and gained some invaluable advice about my future career. Following this, I chaired a staff meeting with 20 members. Although I was slightly nervous, it ran smoothly and we kept to the allocated time. This experience taught me a lot about my confidence, and also has given me a clearer view of some things I need to work on for my personal development. The next day started with a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor Professor 6
Pillay about the National Student Survey and student engagement in the Business School. This was followed by a meeting with Professor Nick Rees, in which we discussed ongoing projects. It was very interesting to find out how rigorous the University decision making processes are and what is currently happening in the Business School. Another big part of the day was preparing the Business School for Applicant Day. This involved renewing the boards around the building and ensuring all of the information is up to date, plus giving ideas about how the Business School can entice applicants to join. Alongside this was a meeting with Dr Martin Carey, Donna Harper and Dr Tonci Grubic to determine the best options for gaining applicant interest. All in all, this experience has been invaluable to me and my personal development. I feel like I have helped the Business School achieve some of its aims, whilst also growing my network, improving my confidence, and gaining some unrivalled handson experience.
Moving to the South to join the Institute of Physics as a HR Officer, the Hope alumnus explains why she has the University to thank for her chosen career path. Bethany said: “When I first came to visit Liverpool Hope University in 2010, I had my heart set on UCLAN, but the University captured my heart the minute I set foot on campus. “Originally from a small school, coming to a small University was an amazing experience and I believe it’s been part of how I’ve grown as a person to this day.” Having initially joined the University to study History, Bethany went on to complete an internship, before landing the role of Personnel Administrator. “When I got the job, I wasn’t overly sure what the future held for me career wise, but everyone was so caring, supportive and hard-working that it inspired me to pursue a career in Personnel,” said Bethany. “Over the past six years at Hope, I have felt 100 per cent at home. The grounds have inspired me whatever the season, which has been so important being a country girl coming to a city. “The staff are always helpful and friendly, creating a community and a family feel around the University, which has helped when I am so far from my own family. I will always be grateful to Liverpool Hope University for the opportunities it has allowed.”
Fire and ice: How a ceramic student came to work on Game of Thrones Producing ice sculptures for global TV phenomenon Game of Thrones and working with an internationally renowned artist have been all in a day’s work for Design student Attila Olah. As the sculptor and ceramicist prepares for the final Art and Design Degree Show, he looks back on his time at Hope. I’d been working for several years at Glacial Art in Liverpool through a Creative Apprenticeship, and was keen to further my qualifications and specialism. I decided to invest in a degree and get more training to help me progress and think more like a designer. After completing a Design Level 3 course at Liverpool Community College, I was recommended Liverpool Hope for its hands-on approach and practical style of teaching. One of the strengths of the University is the time tutors dedicate to students, which combined with their vast knowledge and the facilities available, make it a great place to study. In my second year, I applied for a summer placement with ceramicist Claudi Casanovas and was instead offered a year-long apprenticeship opportunity. My tutors supported me and helped me to delay my studies for a year so I could move to Catalonia. It was an incredible privilege to work with Claudi, he is the absolute archetypal ceramicist to me. I spent 12 months living and training in the small town of Olot, where I spent
my days working on machinery and mixing clay to produce a series of sculptures that will be on display in 2017. Throughout my degree I have continued to work at Glacial Art and found my studies have helped improve my ice sculpting skills. I’ve worked on some great projects, including producing a 1.5m high ice sculpture for Game of Thrones. The ‘Ice Henge’ featured in the Season 4 episode Oathbreakers, which aired in 2014.
“One of the strengths of the University is the time tutors dedicate to students” We crafted the piece in Liverpool and then used specialist freezer vans to transport it to the set in Ireland. It was an amazing opportunity, and having the chance to watch the film crew in action was like a sneak peek behind the scenes at Hollywood. However, we were also given an insight into the realities of life on set, spending 18 hours at the shoot monitoring the ice and using fire extinguishers to keep it from melting between takes. After graduation, I’m looking forward to pursuing my passion for ceramics and sculpture, and working on new designs. 7
Hope’s Got Talent finalists win a chance to perform at Liverpool Sound City This year’s Hope’s Got Talent saw 20 amazing acts audition over three heats all trying to book their place in the Grand Final at the Capstone Theatre. With a full house watching, and the show streaming live around world, the pressure was on as the final eight acts performed for our three judges: Post Doctorate Teaching Fellow in Popular Music Veronica Skrimsjö, First Year Resident Student and THIS Radio DJ Olly Crawford, and Nicko Otaegui, member of The Tea Street Band, Artist Liaison and Emerging Talent Manager for Liverpool Sound City, and a Liverpool Hope University Alumni.
acts really raised their game. Hundreds came out to support the finalists and vote for their favourites, this competition is a wonderful showcase of what Hope is all about and is fast becoming a highlight in the University’s calendar.
The judges chose first year band The Left Backs (Ben, Lucas, Max and Nathan) and second year student Thomas Vail to face the public vote. The Left Backs came out on top, with over 250 votes placed.
Hope’s Got Talent will be back next year, if you’re interested in getting involved contact mcglynm@hope.ac.uk.
Michael McGlynn, Student events co-ordinator, said, “Hope’s Got Talent stepped up a level this year, with an amazing prize on offer and the pressure of being live streamed the 8
Not only did they win the competition, but Nicko was so impressed with the talent on display that both Tom and the Left Backs have been given the chance to perform at the international musical festival Liverpool Sound City this summer.
You can watch the winning performance by The Left Backs on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVZSv1Z0Fh8
Beyond Graduation
Your relationship with Hope doesn’t end when you graduate. We are here to offer you support and celebrate your success. With competition for graduate roles as fierce as ever, it is important to make the most of the services available to you after graduation to help you stand out from the crowd and stay competitive in the graduate job market. Hope graduates have ongoing access to a number of Careers and Employability Services, run through our Employability Hub. The Hub is located in the Gateway Building at Hope Park and is open 9am – 5pm weekdays. T: 0151 291 2032 E: hub@hope.ac.uk
Careers Express and Careers Appointments Careers Express is a drop-in service in The Hub, where you can speak to a Careers Adviser for 10-15 minutes without needing to book an appointment, perfect for all quick queries. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10:30am – 12:30pm, Wednesday 10am – 12pm)
weekly workshops in The Hub to promote local part time work, placements abroad, work experience and graduate opportunities, including NHS, Thomas Cook, USA SummerCamp, Barclays and a variety of Teaching agencies.
Recruitment Fairs We host four annual fairs, each with a different focus, but all of them designed to help our students and graduates find work and learn from industry insiders. • • • •
Creative Careers Day Volunteering and Work Experience Fair Ask the Recruiters Teaching and Education Fair.
Keep up to date with all Employer Workshops and Recruitment Fairs by following our Facebook page. The page is also updated daily with sourced local and national opportunities including part time work and Graduate jobs www.facebook.com/HopeUniCareers
Careers Appointments are for more in depth discussions and last 45 minutes. You can book an appointment by calling or e-mailing The Hub. Telephone and Skype appointments can be arranged if you do not live locally.
Liverpool Hope University Alumni Benefits
‘My Career Centre’ Careers Portal
You can continue to take advantage of benefits and services which we, and fellow alumni, offer to you – frequently at a discount.
Giving you access to career tutorials, 1,500+ employer insight videos, a CV builder and a powerful job search engine, the Careers Portal is an essential resource to maximise your graduate potential. Once you’ve graduated, please contact careers@hope.ac.uk to arrange your new graduate log-in.
Employer Workshops Local and national employers from all sectors host
In the coming weeks we are looking to develop the benefits and services that we offer to our Alumni. We would be interested in hearing from alumni who have an offer that they would like to promote to the Hope Alumni community via our website. Please get in touch with us on alumni@hope.ac.uk or call 0151 291 3219. 9
International Culture Carnival biggest and best yet More than 14 countries were represented at Liverpool Hope University’s annual International Culture Carnival. This year’s carnival was the biggest ever, with students invited to visit stands hosted by international students from Liverpool Hope. Liverpool Hope students also welcomed guests from the University of Liverpool. Countries including India, China, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, Azerbaijan, Columbia, Poland, Venezuela, Nepal, Mid West and Western USA, Ireland and England were represented, and the event also included a variety of musical and dance performances. Many students wore national dress and offered authentic foods and crafts from their home country. Carol Crawford, International Student Support Manager said: “This year’s International Culture Carnival was the biggest and best yet. This year we invited students from the other Liverpool universities to join us as we celebrated the joyous fusion of cultures that make Liverpool Hope, and our city, what it is. We would like to thank all the participants for taking part and making the event a success.” Shankar Hariharan, who is studying for an International MBA, represented India. He said: “The International Cultural 10
Carnival is a unique event which enables different nations to present their different forms of cultural expressions containing traditional and contemporary elements. It was an excellent opportunity for visitors and myself, being a participant, to see the world gathering at Liverpool Hope University with their own music, dance and food. I strongly believe that still there is lot to understand from different nations in this era of globalization.” A book, Fountains of Hope, has been published to outline the journey of our international students, giving an insight into the lived experiences of the international students and what Hope is like to those coming here for the first time; with each interpretation being unique to different experiences and memories they have encountered. This book can be obtained from the International Unit on the first floor of the gateway building, available for all staff and students to enjoy. An e-version can also be downloaded at www.hope.ac.uk/international/studentsuccessstories/ fountainofhopepublication/ Visit our Flickr Gallery to view all the photographs from the event.
Game, set, match Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament returns for 15th year Liverpool Hope is delighted to be the title sponsor of the annual Liverpool International Tennis Tournament as the event marks its 15-year milestone.
“We are excited to be part of an event that encourages people of all ages to invest in their long-term health and wellbeing and to try tennis, even if they have never picked up a racket before.”
The tournament takes place at Liverpool Cricket Club from the 16th to 19th June 2016, and is the longest running and largest tennis exhibition in Europe.
The University is now in its fourth year of sponsorship and views the tournament as a great opportunity to give students, staff and the local community the chance to experience international-level tennis.
Over the past 14 years, the event has welcomed some of the sport’s most famous faces, including John McEnroe, Martina Hingis, Ilie Nastase, Richard Krajicek, and former British Number One and US Open Finalist, Greg Rusedski.
Since 2002, the tournament has introduced up-and-coming, and established Women’s Tennis Association and ATP players, as well as the popular Legends of Tennis.
This year, the tournament has an international field headed by Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) stars Damir Dzumhur (Bosnia) and Rajeev Ram (USA), and featuring the return of Audrey Roublev (Russia) and Akira Santillian (Japan).
Last year’s finalist Damir Dzumhur has recently achieved wins against top 10 players such as Rafael Nadal and Thomas Berdych, and is looking to go one further this year. He said: “I had a great time in Liverpool last year and can’t wait to come back and play for the International trophy, it’s a perfect way to warm up for Wimbledon.”
Dr Omid Alizadehkhaiyat, Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Science in the School of Health Sciences, said: “Liverpool Hope University is looking forward to another year as title sponsor of the tennis tournament. “We are committed to researching how sport and exercise can improve health and wellbeing at all ages. We have invested in a brand new £8.5 million Health Science building, work has begun on a £5.5 million sports complex, and we are leading two new health science research projects. One that explores the multidimensional health benefits of tennis, and one that looks at the benefits of exercising as we age.
The women’s field is headed by Wang Qiang, who will be the first-ever Chinese participant at the Liverpool Tournament. She is coached by Peter McNamara and faces competition from the Russian starlet Sofya Zhuk - who won Junior Wimbledon last year - and the Australian Open Junior Champion Vera Lapko from Belarus. Sponsorship and corporate hospitality packages are now available for this year’s tournament. For more information on the event including ticket prices: www.liverpooltennis.co.uk. 11
Hope graduates’ film premieres at Manchester’s art house venue HOME Four hard-hitting short films co-created by Hope alumni Joe Reel and Ian Broadhurst premiered to a full house at Manchester’s HOME.
Ian said: “Don’t wait until you’ve finished your degree to look for work, get involved early - pick up equipment and have a go.”
Voices from the Margins features a series of stories produced by film company Through Our Eyes, which tackle social issues within Britain and gives a voice to the disenfranchised. Introduced by Director Gavin Scott Whitfield, the screening featured The Last Regal King Size, Thomas Hartley, The Slain and Murderous Injustice. Joe, who studied Film and TV Production at Hope, and History and Media graduate Ian joined Through Our Eyes after university and were among the team that created perhaps the evening’s most topical film Murderous Injustice. The short was based on the true-story of the murder of Bijan Ebrahimi, who was killed on an estate in Bristol in 2013, and whose death was covered widely in the press. In the lead up to the premiere, The Independent, The Bristol Post and indie magazine The Skinny carried news of the film’s production alongside coverage of the real-life court case. Discussing the competitive nature of the film industry, Joe and Ian provided advice for Media students currently studying at Hope. 12
Joe added that experience is important, but will not always be profitable. He said: “Don’t be afraid to work for free if it means you can get exposure to the industry.” The films were well received and successfully challenged preconceptions, undoubtedly leaving the audience to reflect on the message and state of British society long after the credits rolled.
In the Media
Professor David Crystal discussed his Hope Hopkins Lecture on BBC North West Tonight, BBC Radio Merseyside and in The Liverpool Echo.
Since the start of the year, Liverpool Hope students and staff have been busy sharing their experience and opinions with online, print and broadcast media. Here are just a few highlights:
Dr Ginny Coyles, Carl Larsen and research intern Brittany Furness were featured on BBC Radio Merseyside’s Paul Salt show and on Bay TV discussing British Science Week events.
The Liverpool Echo took a behind the scenes tour of the new Health Science building with students Luke Meneilly (MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging) Paula Kelly (Environmental Science) and Munibah Makda (Nutrition). Dr Bryce Evans wrote a piece for The Guardian in which he predicted that food poverty would be at the top of the political agenda in 2016. He wrote the opinion article “Why don’t we just…end the food poverty industry?” for The Big Issue North and contributed to an article in The Independent in which he discussed the modern concept of poverty. Dr Catherine O’Connell, Associate Director of the Centre for Education and Policy Analysis at Liverpool Hope wrote a piece for the Times Higher Education blog about university hierarchies. Mark Pringle, Student Funds Manager, spoke to The Guardian about the new Postgraduate loans system. Laura Waite, Lecturer in Disability Studies, was interviewed by ITV Fixers for a piece about the challenges faced by teenagers with disabilities. The piece was shown on ITV Granada Reports. Dr Cathal O’Siochru, Senior Lecturer in Education Studies, spoke to Wirral Radio about the challenges of reducing the amount of time children spend on electronic devices. Dr Liz Fern and MA Social Work student Alison Goudie were featured in The Guardian discussing the challenges and opportunities that come with a Postgraduate Social Work degree. Lecturer in Education Studies Dr Joseph Maslen’s response to government proposals for a longer school day was featured in The Big Issue North.
Dr Veronica Skrimsjö’s analysis of George Martin’s legacy was featured by more than fifteen outlets including the global radio network (Heart FM, Classic FM, LBC), BBC Wales, Radio City Liverpool, The Belfast Telegraph, The Northern Echo and numerous regional newspapers. Politics and International Relations student Joseph Champion Williams was featured in The Tablet as a student case study. Janet Lord’s appointment as Head of ITT was covered by Schools Week. Dr Michael Brennan’s comments on public mourning and celebrity deaths appeared in The Star Online (Malaysia); Astro Awani (Malaysia); Shanghai Daily (China); The Straits Times (Singapore) Metro (Canada); New Vision (Uganda); and TV5 Monde (France). Professor Michael Lavalette was interviewed by BBC’s The Sunday Politics and BBC Radio Merseyside about safeguarding and the state of the social work profession. He also spoke to the Liverpool Echo about Public Health England’s figures on child poverty. Alumna Charlotte Martin (The Beatles, Popular Music & Society MA) was featured in The Telegraph talking about how her degree prepared her for her career. Dr Jacqui Miller was interviewed on Radio Merseyside about the launch of the BFI public information film archive. Dr David Reid’s expert comment on Star Wars Day was featured in the Liverpool Echo and on the Culture Liverpool website. The Liverpool Hope Playwriting Prize was featured in the Liverpool Echo and in The Stage Dr Veronica Skrimsjö’s comment piece on Prince’s legacy was featured on the Culture Liverpool website. 13
Graduation 2016
Honorary Doctorates for Summer Graduation 2016 A Middle East peace campaigner known as the Vicar of Baghdad, the first female Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, and an academic who has furthered the teaching of Geography in Malta and the UK are this year’s honorary degree recipients. On Tuesday 19th July 2016, Dame Lorna Muirhead DBE, Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, will receive the Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) in recognition of her outstanding service to Merseyside as both a midwife and Lord Lieutenant. On Wednesday 20th July 2016, Professor John Schembri, Head of the Department of Geography at the University of Malta, will receive the Doctor of Education (honoris causa) in recognition of his contribution to Geography education at both university and school level. On Thursday 21st July 2016, Canon Andrew White, also known as the Vicar of Baghdad, will receive the Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa) in recognition of his courage as Vicar of St George’s Church in Baghdad, his work setting up a new parish in Jordan, and his commitment to reconciliation across the Middle East, in particular through his presidency of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME). 14
They will receive their awards at this year’s summer graduation ceremonies, which take place at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Professor Gerald Pillay, Vice Chancellor and Rector of Liverpool Hope University said: “We are recognising three people who demonstrate what it truly means to be of service to others. They each reflect the mission and values of the university and will no doubt provide inspiration to our graduating class of 2016. Dame Lorna has served Merseyside tirelessly for more than fifty years as both a midwife and as Lord Lieutenant. Canon Andrew White is a fine example of what can be achieved when courage and faith go hand in hand. Professor Schembri is passionate about his subject and has assisted generations of Liverpool Hope staff and students in deepening their knowledge of the world around them. We look forward to formally welcoming all three into the Liverpool Hope community.”
Dame Lorna Muirhead DBE Dame Lorna Muirhead DBE was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside in 2006. Born in Shropshire, Dame Lorna trained as a nurse and then as a midwife in Birmingham before coming to Liverpool in 1965. For most of her working life she was a clinical midwife in Liverpool and during almost 40 years she delivered thousands of Liverpool’s babies. In 1992 she became a member of Council at the Royal College of Midwives, and in 1995 she was elected President and served 8 years as a National and International Ambassador for midwives. During that time she sat on many national and international committees
and she was an adviser to five Secretaries of State on the strategy and delivery of maternity services in the UK. In 2000 she was awarded Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for service to midwifery. Dame Lorna said: “One of my first engagements as Lord-Lieutenant was to deliver the Letters Patent from Her Majesty confirming university status on Liverpool Hope University. It was a memorable occasion and the beginning of a long and happy involvement with this unique ecumenical institution. How very proud I am that Liverpool Hope University should honour me by the award of an Honorary Doctorate.”
Professor John A. Schembri Professor John A. Schembri is Head of the Department of Geography within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Malta. He has a BA from the University of Malta in Contemporary Mediterranean Studies and History and an MA in the Geography of the Middle East and the Mediterranean, followed by a PhD, both from Durham University’s Department of Geography. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) and is also a Chartered Geographer. He lectures mainly in Human Geography with particular reference to the Mediterranean. Professor Schembri is essentially a coastal geographer with interests in development in ports and harbours and historical heritage along urban coastal areas. The latter includes early 20th century Ordnance Survey cartography
of the Maltese Islands. Professor Schembri is a regular contributor to courses organised by the International Ocean Institute in Malta. Professor Schembri said: “I am grateful to Liverpool Hope University for this and for having maintained relations with the University of Malta for more than a decade. The joint field sessions, held annually in Malta, cement these relations, assist in giving both sets of students an international dimension to their studies, and provide cultural bridges. I dedicate this award to my seniors, tutors, and colleagues in the faculties, departments and administration of the Alma Maters where I worked and studied in Malta and the UK, to the members of the geography department at Liverpool Hope University, and my friends and family for encouraging me to follow academic pathways. The moral support I received from my son and my late wife was crucial in following my career.”
Canon Andrew White Canon Andrew White pastored the only Anglican Church in Iraq, St George’s Church in Baghdad, until November 2014 – a position which afforded him the moniker ‘The Vicar of Baghdad’. Due to the threat of sectarian violence in Iraq, he, like thousands of other Christians, was forced to flee. He is now based in Israel and Jordan where he has set up a new parish in Marka, a suburb of Amman, and where his parishioners are Iraqi Christians in exile, forced from their homes in Nineveh and other parts of Northern Iraq now held by Islamic state. Prior to St. Georges, Canon White worked for many years in Israel/Palestine, playing a key role in negotiating the end of the Bethlehem siege in 2002. In 2002, he partook in the Alexandria Process – an active dialogue between Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders to build understanding and work towards peace in The Holy Land. Since 2005, he has worked full time as President of
the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME), which he set up to provide spiritual and material relief to refugees displaced by violent upheaval. In his role as President of FRRME, Canon White also works with religious leaders towards bringing peace and reconciliation to the Middle East. Canon Andrew White said: “As the only ecumenical university in Europe, Liverpool Hope University has played a significant role in reconciliation, particularly between Catholics and Protestants. This inclusive approach, which is at the heart of all good reconciliation work, has helped make the university a bastion of academic excellence. I am deeply honoured to be receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Liverpool Hope University in recognition of my life’s work. It has been a long and, at times, difficult path but a great deal has been achieved. The Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East, of which I am President, will continue to bring relief and reconciliation to the broken parts of the Middle East.” 15
British Science Week
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British Science Week celebrations bring learning to life Having fun while learning was a key theme at Hope’s first-ever British Science Week celebrations, with people of all ages encouraged to learn about the world around them. Throughout the week, interactive workshops taught school children about DNA mutations, nutrition, virtual reality and even radiotelemetry, while talks and demonstrations covered bioscience, psychology, sport science and robotics.
January provided the ideal venue to host what turned out to be a widely recognised success. Science Week was successful on a number of fronts. Firstly, in keeping with the grass roots ethos of Science Week, we engaged people of all ages, including nearly 200 4-5 year olds and a further 200 16+ sciences students from invited schools, as well as members of the public.
“In keeping with the grass roots ethos of Science Week, we engaged people of all ages” “With the invaluable support of many non-academic staff we put together over 70 timetabled activities, involving over 40 academic staff and 15 students and all in matter of 6 weeks.
A falconry display by Cheshire Falconry saw members of the public come face to face with birds of prey, while an animal encounters session featured a hands-on experience with snakes, spiders and lizards for those feeling brave.
Plans for next year are already underway. Finally, thanks again to all those who supported our efforts and contributed to the success of our first British Science Week, we should be proud of what we achieved.” You can watch a round up video of the week on our YouTube channel.
Held in the University’s new £8.5 million Health Sciences Building and the campus grounds, the week-long event drew on the knowledge and expertise of academics from the Faculty of Science. There was something for everyone, ranging from a beginners’ introduction to different specialisms, to detailed explorations for college students considering a future in the field. Organiser of the week-long events Dr Carl Larsen, Senior Lecturer in Biology, said “The timely opening of our new start of the art, multiuser Health Sciences building in 17
Fine Art and Design Final Degree Show
Putting political theory into practice
An exhibition showcasing the work of final year students from the Department of Fine and Applied Art is now on display at the Creative Campus. Opening with a private viewing on Friday 27th May, the 2016 Degree Show features paintings, sculpture, jewellery design, silversmith work, textiles and ceramics. A range of awards sponsored by prestigious art organisations were presented to students on the opening night, including the FACT+Liverpool Hope Production Residency Award, which was introduced in 2015. Anthony Hamlyn was the first-ever recipient of the award, and this year’s winning student will showcase their work within the No Such Thing As Gravity exhibition, which opens at FACT in November 2016. Several Fine Art students have incorporated coding and digital technologies in their work, including sound projections and delayed replay video. The content of the work is wideranging and includes thematic topics such as, memory, social justice, abstraction, installation, and the role of technology in public and private spaces. The exhibition is the culmination of three years of study and is open to the public from Saturday 28th May to Monday 6th June, 10 - 5pm in the Cornerstone Building. Guided tours are available between Tuesday 31st May and Friday 3rd June at 11am and 2pm. To make a booking for a tour please email art@ hope.ac.uk.
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Final year Politics and International Relations student Anthony Lavelle was elected as a Local Councillor for Croxteth in last week’s local elections. Anthony has had an interest in politics since the age of 14 when he became involved in a campaign to keep his local secondary school open and joined the Labour party. Before deciding to run as a Labour Councillor, Anthony worked in his local community centre as a parttime Youth Worker for more than three years, which he says “opened my eyes to social injustice.” Anthony, who was joined by on the campaign trail by fellow students, said: “Croxteth is my home. I have lived in the area all my life, and so had my family before me. I am passionate about improving my local area and working to ensure that the young people in Croxteth
are getting the life chances they deserve in terms of jobs and progressing to further education and apprenticeships.”
“I am passionate about improving my local area.” Explaining how his time studying at Liverpool Hope has prepared him for his new role, he said: “My time studying at Hope has been good, and one thing that has prepared me for my current role was the encouragement from the lecturers in seminar groups to have discussions and debates on topics relating to the course curriculum. This has definitely benefited me, enabling me to speak in public more confidently now that I’ve been doing it in university for the last three years.”
Student Switch Off winners crowned A campaign to reduce the University’s energy consumption and increase sustainability, saw Halls of Residence students battle it out to be crowned winners. The NUS Student Switch Off campaign saw students compete to save energy by switching lights off, boiling only the amount of water they need and wearing extra layers. At a special end of year celebration, Wesley Evens was announced as the Hall that made the biggest impact and named the winners. Across the year-long programme, the Halls reduced their electricity use by seven per cent, saving enough energy to keep 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and boil over 800,000 cups of tea. Students’ Union Vice-President of Welfare and Community Ayo Akinrele, who presented the award, said: “Now of course switching things off isn’t going to solve climate change on its own, but saving energy is a great stepping stone and the actions that we encouraged students to adopt will help them save money on bills when they move into private accommodation. “Student volunteers also get transferable skills and experience in marketing, communication and campaigning. And of course everyone benefits from the reduced greenhouse gas emissions.”
PhD student transforms virtual reality experience New technology that recreates the sensation of touch in virtual reality has been developed by PhD student Andualem Maereg. While the visual and sound effects used in virtual reality software are fairly sophisticated, touch still has a significant way to go. Working with Lecturer in Electronic Engineering Dr Emanuele Secco, Andualem is researching wearable haptic technology that integrates touch and feeling. Through a system of motors and electrodes attached to the wrist and fingertips, a user receives the sensation of touch when moving items in 3D virtual reality. Vibrations and pulses fire nerves in the fingers that trick the brain into thinking the user is touching what they see. Andualem, who completed his
undergraduate in Ethiopia and Masters in Italy, said: “The technology allows you to be immersed in a virtual world and interact with the virtual object.” The technology will help to bring an extra dimension to gaming and could even transform the medical landscape. “Long-term we would like to work with amputees to replicate touch on a prosthetic hand,” said Andualem. “As well as explore robotic surgery, working with surgeons to create a touch sensation.” Andualem joined Hope through the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarships scheme, which recognises outstanding applicants of a high calibre.
Football fever as students take to the pitch at Goodison Park Football fans from Angela, Austin and St Etheldreda Halls were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play the beautiful game at Everton Football Club’s Goodison Park stadium. Austin-Angela team won the match 2-1 and goal scorer Joe Hendry, described
his joy at the victory. He said: “Everton are my boyhood team so it’s nice getting out there, and scoring two goals was pretty good too.” Many of the students are lifelong Everton fans and described the opportunity as a ‘dream come true’. 19
Expert Comment
When Science Fiction becomes Science Fact Senior Lecturer in Computer Science Dr David Reid discussed how close we are to a world of Death Stars, Cyborgs and BB8s. Scarily, science fiction often becomes science fact. In 1865, Jules Verne wrote the novel From the Earth to the Moon about space travel and in 1870 he wrote 20000 Leagues Under the Sea, which predicted submarines. Automatic doors are mentioned in HG Wells’ When the Sleeper Wakes, a novel about a man desperate for the future to arrive. Arthur C Clarke went one better predicting the future by inventing it. He wrote a paper in 1945 called The Space-Station: Its Radio Applications that suggested how the Nazi V2 rocket technology could be put to peacetime use. From this, the idea of a geostationary communications satellite was developed. In 1999 Jeannes Cavelos wrote a book called the Science of Star Wars exploring whether the science and technology set in the “Galaxy far, far away” would be possible or not. In the years since the book was written, the science has stayed the same - but the technology has changed significantly.
Death Star A megawatt laser can burn a hole through a jet up to six miles away - though it needs to maintain contact with the 20
aircraft for one to two seconds. In a 1998 test, MlRACL, a 2.2-megawatt laser, was able to hit a satellite in Earth orbit. Lots of research is currently being conducted on beam, plasma and rail weapon, but this is still in its infancy. But can this technology be scaled up to Death Star proportions? The biggest difficulty in generating a beam powerful enough for either of these options would be in finding a stable-lasing material - the material whose electrons are amplifying light inside it. Lasing materials can be gases, crystals, or even semiconductors. However, in very powerful lasers, these materials are subjected to extreme heat. Dr Michio Kaku, Henry Semat Professor of Theoretical Physics at the City University of New York and author of Hyperspace and Visions, believes that a Death Star could be built. “The Death Star is very practical,” he says. “We could even build it ourselves, if we had enough gross national product. We have nuclear weapons that could crack the Earth … they could build a laser powered by a hydrogen bomb, an X-ray laser. I’ve got no problems with the Death Star.” However the Earth is a big object (6 × 10^24 kilograms). The force of gravity holding us together is tremendous. To
overcome this force would require 2.24 × 10^32 Joules of energy, which would mean the entire energy of the sun for a week would have to be harnessed in a split second. Using normal nuclear reactions, as Dr Kaku suggests, would need a nuclear conversion of 4,300,000 metric tons of matter into energy. However a solution may be to use antimatter. If we can deliver antimatter to the core of the planet then a delivery of an asteroid-sized lump of anti-matter would provide enough energy to destroy the planet. Likelihood of it happening 6/10
Cyborgs In Star Wars, there are lots of cyborgs - Luke Skywalker has a robotic hand and Obi-Wan says of his former pupil Darth Vader, “He’s more machine now than man.” In the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, we have experimented with robotic hands and with autonomous movement. One of Dr Secco’s students has created a robotic arm that picks up tiny electrical impulses in the muscle to move the joints. While this is primitive at the moment, a number of more sophisticated interfaces are being constructed. These will inevitably become more mainstream and sophisticated as sensors become more accurate, lightweight and powerful. Likelihood of it happening 10/10
CP30, R2D2, BB8 The robots in Star Wars have personalities. They can react to their environments and hold sensible conversations with their owners. The Amazon Echo system provide a useful speech interface not dissimilar to HAL in 2001 a Space Odyssey. The Battle Droids in the “Clone Wars” movie look very similar to Boston Dynamics Atlas robots, and vision systems are getting increasingly sophisticated. While these advances are generally in isolation from each other, Robotics provides
a common platform in which to in incorporate advances in natural language processing and vision system. Increases in computationally power may mean that such robots may be just around the corner. Likelihood of it happening 10/10
Virtual Reality When in 1977 Princess Leia said “Help me, Obi-wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope”, Augmented Reality (AR) wasn’t around at all. Today, this would be child’s play if Luke and Obi-wan were plugged into their HoloLens or AMD Sulon Q headsets. Now AR technology – which involves projecting computergenerated 3D imagery over your field of view – is all the rage. This year, both Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are really going to take off. While still in its infancy, we have a number of people in the department exploring and developing these technologies. Likelihood of it happening 10/10 Perhaps the best legacy of the Star Wars franchise though is that it provides many young people with the inspiration to become scientists. Materials scientist at Carnegie Mellon University Elizabeth Holm said: “I think there’s a lot of scientists who would say that these movies gave [them] the mental attitude that maybe it can be done. They kept me thinking outside the current - the ‘now’ - and toward the future.” Whatever worlds Star Wars can imagine, one thing is certain, reality is even more unexpected, exciting and mysterious.
See more at: www.hope.ac.uk/news/expertcomment/newsitems/ expertcommentwhensciencefictionbecomessciencefact. html#sthash.RnwLPXAZ.dpuf 21
Our People
“He literally sparks energy, motivating and inspiring individuals and always giving 110% to help anyone - not just students.� 22
The student voice SU Vice President Pranay Raj Shakya has become an integral part of the student community since joining Hope as an International Student. Since leaving his native Nepal to study a Masters at Hope, Pranay Raj Shakya has become one of the most recognised faces on campus thanks to his proactive spirit and role as Students’ Union (SU) Vice President for Education.
Alongside his designated duties as Education officer, Pranay has introduced capacity building programmes such as the Modern Foreign Language Peer Mentorship Programme and Leadership training, and also joined his fellow sabbatical officers to further increase engagement with the SU. Third-year student Samad Majid, who nominated Pranay for the award, described him as a credit to himself and those around him. “The impact he has had with the Students’ Union this year has been phenomenal and one for the history books here at Hope. There aren’t enough words to describe the work done by the SU team this year, especially Pranay,” said Samad.
First completing an MA in International Relations, Pranay went on to study a second MA in Social Policy while juggling a busy extra-curricular schedule. He said: “While completing my first MA, I worked as a Global Hope Training Adviser and a SU Journalist, as well as sitting on the SU Council as an Executive Member. I was keen to expand my participation with the Union and University, and become the first ever International BME student to be elected as a Sabbatical Officer.” Pranay successfully ran for the role of SU Vice President for Education in 2014 and in the recent 2015 elections was voted to return again in 2016.
“He literally sparks energy, motivating and inspiring individuals and always giving 110% to help anyone - not just students. He is a role model, and for me the right man to be at the forefront to represent students of all genders and ethnicities at Hope.”
“We may be a small University, but that’s what helps to make us a community.” Having joined Hope as an International Student, Pranay has an understanding of what it can be like to adjust to a completely new environment. He advised students to reach out and take advantage of Hope’s personable size.
“I was keen to expand my participation with the Union and University.” His dedication to improving student facilities and making a positive change has clearly won him respect from his peers. In 2014, Pranay was presented with the Golden Student award after fellow students nominated him as a role model, who has gone the extra mile to support other students. More recently, he was shortlisted for International Students’ Officer of the Year by the National Union of Students. The awards were open to every university in the UK, and recognised the positive impact of international students on campuses and society.
“We may be a small University, but that’s what helps to make us a community here at Hope and what makes this the kind of place where people know each other by name. The Union are here to support students and whatever the problem, someone will be able to help.” 23
Our People
“I’m looking forward to giving back and have always wanted to give boxing a try.”
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Eye of the Tiger Research Administrator Gabbrielle Williams pulls no punches, as she prepares for the fight of her life. Turning 25 inspired Gabbrielle Williams to mark the occasion with more than just the traditional presents and birthday cake.
She said: “I’m looking forward to giving back and have always wanted to give boxing a try. Although I play netball each week, I imagine this is going to be very different. “A lot of the skill seems to rely on agility and being one step ahead. It’s more than just physically tough and seems to be quite a mental challenge.”
“It’s more than just physically tough and seems to be quite a mental challenge.” Gabbrielle, who joined Hope as an undergraduate before completing a MA in The Beatles, Popular Music and Society, is currently studying for a PhD in British Black Gospel Music alongside working at the University. The Arts and Humanities Research Administrator decided to make it a birthday to remember by donning boxing gloves and stepping into the ring. On Sunday 3rd July, Gabbrielle will compete in the Liverpool leg of the national Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) tournament, which sees amateur fighters battle it out. She said: “I wanted to do something a bit different and raise money for charity, so I considered abseiling, shaving my hair off or doing an I’m a Celebrity style eating challenge.
“I wanted to do something a bit different and raise money for charity.” “However, I realised I didn’t like heights, got scared of cutting all my hair off and was worried about having to eat a spider! So when a friend mentioned the UWCB I was intrigued. “I’ve done a bit of sparring through a boxercise class, but that’s the extent of my boxing experience.” As part of the preparation for the fight, Gabbrielle will receive eight-weeks training before being pitted against a rival for a three-round battle.
She will be raising money for Cancer Research UK – a cause close to her heart, after she lost her aunty to cancer – and hopes to raise £2,000. To sponsor Gabbrielle and wish her good luck, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/uwcbgabbriellewilliams827987582.
The event provides a unique opportunity for people with no boxing background to experience the world of boxing, get in shape and raise money for charity. 25
GAA team wins championship for the third year in a row
Social Work, Care and Justice Department to launch a Distinguished Lecture Series for next academic year Throughout the next academic year, the Department of Social Work, Care and Justice will be hosting a series of distinguished Social Work lectures. The lectures will be given by both Liverpool Hope University staff and by lecturers from across the UK, and they will be free for students and staff to attend.
Liverpool Hope’s Men’s Gaelic Football team is celebrating winning the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Championship for the third year in a row. The team represented the University at matches around the country, eventually beating Dundee University 4-15 to 0-4 in the final. Liverpool Hope’s first win in 20 years came in the 2011/12 season, which GAA Vice Team Captain Aidan McCartan says, “was an historic event, leaving a legacy for Liverpool Hope GAA teams to follow.” And follow they did. “Since then, Liverpool Hope have won the All Britain Championship four out of the past five years,” says Aidan. “This season we have been very successful - if we look at competitive games throughout the year, we only lost one game against New York in the group phases of the Railway Cup, whom we then went on to beat in the final. We did have a tough route to get to the final and win the All Britain championship, but we ended up doing it without losing a game.” 26
The All British Championship win gives Liverpool Hope the opportunity to represent Britain in the trench cup competition which is held in Ireland every year. Aidan said: “Having won the title, I feel this team has left its legacy on GAA at Liverpool Hope. What makes Liverpool Hope Men’s GAA such a good team is the unity and camaraderie. Anyone that goes to Liverpool Hope knows that the University is a nice size and that everyone knows each other. Everyone on the GAA teams are very close and friendly with each other, and we also socialize with the ladies GAA team. “I feel the friendliness and unity gives us an advantage over other teams, as you are playing with your best friends at the end of the day. Unity along with hard-work, attitude and commitment are the ingredients which I feel has helped Liverpool Hope become such a success over the last few years. I would say that if the GAA team had not been established here, I wouldn’t have had such a great time – being a part of the GAA team makes you feel like Liverpool is your home.”
Among the visiting lecturers are Professor Bird Featherstone, a specialist in child protection from the University of Huddersfield, and Dr Gurnam Singh from Coventry University who specialises in Understanding Oppression in Social Work Practice. Organiser Dr Michael Lavalette, Head of Social Work, Care and Justice at Liverpool Hope, said “The Social Work distinguished lecture series will bring some of the leading social work academics in the country to Liverpool Hope. They have each been asked to think about how social work arrived at the place it is today in their field of specialism (child protection, or mental health or adult social care, for example), to consider the problems we face - and to consider a range of alternative futures. This will be a challenging set of lectures for staff, students and local practitioners in the sense that it will force us to confront social work’s current limits and consider its future possibilities. The lecture series is due to run from October 2016 to June 2017, further details will be available on the Liverpool Hope University website in due course.
The final word Remembering April 15th 1989
Professor Michael Lavalette recollects his experience of being a football fan in the 1980s, and how Hillsborough changed everything. 15th April 1989. A day that will always be remembered in Liverpool. In 1989 I was living in Glasgow. On that sunny Saturday afternoon I was at a meeting and returned home in the late afternoon to be met with the horrific pictures being broadcast on BBC of the disaster in Sheffield. The following afternoon I made my way to Hampden Park to watch a Scottish Cup semi-final. The atmosphere was very subdued and the minutes silence before the game was one of the most moving I have ever been part of.
As to the politicians, well this was the 1980s. Under successive Thatcher governments large crowds of working class people were to be treated as a threat. Football was viewed as a sport followed by ‘hooligans’ and northern cities as centres of opposition. These factors form the social context within which the Hillsborough disaster took place. But they also explain why Hillsborough and the 96 became important to all football fans – not just Liverpool supporters: football fans across the country knew that what happened to Liverpool fans could have happened to any of us.
This takes some explaining. Football has had its share of tragedies. In my home city, the Ibrox Disaster of 1971 left 66 Rangers fans dead after a stair way collapsed at an Old firm game. In 1985 the horrific fire at the Bradford Valley Ground left 56 dead; that same year the Heysel disaster saw a wall collapse and 39 people die at the European Cup final involving Liverpool. But almost from the beginning Hillsborough felt different. In the years running up to Hillsborough football fans had increasingly been a crowd who had to be controlled. We were marched from train stations to grounds. Held for long periods after matches finished. Always treated as a problem – a potential threat to order. Further, during the 1980s the police were increasingly used as an almost paramilitary force to be used against strikers. At Eddie Shah’s plant in Warrington, throughout the miners’ strike and at Wapping there were violent confrontations between strikers and police. From some quarters there were increasing concerns raised at the direction of policing in the country. When you went to the grounds they were in a dreadful state. Open terraces exposed to the elements. Terraces that were dominated by broken concrete or sometimes ash that turned to mud in the rain. Forced into ‘pens’ that treated you as caged animals. The directors of clubs didn’t make a fortune, like they do today, but they were a ‘class apart’. They drank expensive wines, champagnes and whiskeys in the Board rooms, ran the clubs in near dictatorial ways and thought of most fans as, at best, the great unwashed.
What we didn’t know on that fateful weekend was the extent of the cover up that was about to take place to cover the crimes of the powerful. We couldn’t have predicted the lies and abuse that would be heaped on supporters and their families by those in Government, by sections of the press and by official spokespeople of the police and ambulance services. And those lies might have stuck if it had not been for the resilience and fortitude of the families. They fought against almost insurmountable odds to defend the memories and reputations of their loved ones. They deserve the utmost respect. Their struggle has now revealed the truth: of 96 innocent fans who went to a game and never came home because they were let down by those in power. The verdict of unlawful killing is a vindication of everything the families have fought for. But now the bigger questions – about lies, corruption and cover up - will need to be answered if there is any prospect of justice for the 96. 27
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