32 minute read
Operating review
OPERATING OVERVIEW
SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS
STUDENTS AT THE HEART
LJMU is a student-focused university; our students are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to delivering an outstanding student experience and every single person who works at the university has a role to play in helping our students make the most of their time at LJMU and fulfil their potential. This dedication is demonstrated by the institution’s excellent results in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2022.
The university outperformed the sector average and leapt up a host of rankings tables for student satisfaction.
The results show that students’ overall satisfaction with
LJMU significantly increased in 2022 and, at 78.56%, is 2.27% above the sector average.
It means LJMU compares favourably with other universities.
For overall student satisfaction, LJMU jumped from 77th out of 123 institutions in 2021 to 39th this year and is now ranked second out of all North West institutions for overall student satisfaction.
LJMU is ranked top for overall satisfaction in our peer group (regional competitors and institutions with a similar profile to LJMU).
STUDENT SUPPORT
From wellbeing care to careers advice, LJMU has a wide range of support in place for our students, tailored to their individual circumstances. No student is ever alone here; from their first day at the university there is always someone on hand to help. The 2021/22 academic year was a challenging one, beginning with national COVID restrictions still in place, before giving way to a more normal campus experience. Our services developed new ways of working to ensure every student was able to access the support they needed in the way that suited them best, whether they were new to higher education or preparing for the next steps in their journey beyond LJMU. A transformational change in our provision of student support this year came with the opening of our new Student Life Building and the co-location of key studentfacing services under one roof. It has never been easier for our students to access personal, academic and careers support. In turn, our co-located teams offer an efficient, joined-up approach in handling complex issues raised by students.
NEW MODELS OF SUPPORT
More than 12,600 students accessed advice and wellbeing support during the year (counselling, mental health, wellbeing, funding, disability, advice and accommodation), a slight decrease on the previous year but a return to the level of demand before the pandemic. Meanwhile, the university significantly increased its Student Support Fund, designed to help those in financial hardship, in addition to the independent financial advice available to all students. Based on feedback from students, we offer a hybrid model of support, enabling them to access the services they need in the most convenient way for them. As well as empowering students with greater choice, this agile and responsive approach has considerably reduced the ‘did not attend’ rates for our services.
NEW INITIATIVES
During the year, LJMU worked with partner organisations to develop a new scheme to provide students with more joined up mental health support, in an initiative now being replicated across the country. The ‘Liverpool Model’ – a partnership between LJMU, the University of Liverpool and Merseycare – closely connects university and NHS services to deliver one-on-one mental health support to ensure students can easily access the services they need.
The success of the approach has been recognised by the Government, which has since announced its intention to invest £3m to replicate the scheme on a national basis. The university has continued to anticipate and respond to concerns about health and student safety, enhancing the level of support provided where necessary. For example, we worked closely with partners across the city to support the ‘Safer Streets Liverpool’ campaign. This high-profile initiative followed a survey highlighting concerns about the safety of the city’s transport network for women and girls, including our student community. In response, Safer Streets Liverpool has set out a range of new measures, including enhanced CCTV coverage, increased police presence on the network, more training for staff on the bus networks and a new text message service which can be used to report concerns and help identify offenders. LJMU will continue to work with partner organisations in this way to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community.
CAREERS SUPPORT
Through our Student Futures team we worked with students throughout the year to identify career options, work placements and a host of opportunities to develop their employability skills. A key initiative has been to embed into all new courses, as well as those undergoing revalidation, unique curricular approaches to employability skills and mindset development, work-based learning and onward planning for final year students. We have identified bespoke teaching and learning activities in over 90 programmes that will equate to guaranteed employability support for all students joining those courses, launched with a cluster of programmes in January 2022. The university has strong links with businesses and other organisations across the Liverpool City Region and, once again this year, we have been able to use those connections to provide opportunities for current students. For example, 126 students completed discovery internships, in which they completed fully-funded 140-hour projects for partner organisations in the city region. Meanwhile, ITV 30 enabled dozens of students to complete work placements on an ITV production, with peer support continuing for two years after the placement. Other exciting initiatives took place across the university throughout the academic year.
A FOCUS ON SOCIAL MOBILITY
LJMU is the lead partner in LCR Founders, a Europeanfunded collaboration with the University of Liverpool which enables a peer support community amongst prospective student and graduate entrepreneurs. It provides the foundation for co-founding new businesses and is well connected into the wider Liverpool City Region start-up ecosystem. Ten new, co-founded, city region-based businesses were launched with the project’s support this year and the team was successful in the ‘Start Up Growth and Scale Up’ category at the International Enterprise Educators Conference UK 2022.
LJMU Graduate Futures is a European-funded project designed to improve the interface between our student and graduate talent and the region’s small and medium enterprises. The project partnered with Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce on two successful business networking events this year: a COP26 follow-up event exploring how SMEs can rise to the sustainability challenges ahead and a ‘Students at the Heart of Business’ event.
In line with the university’s commitment to inclusivity, we have delivered activity this year with a focus on social mobility. LJMU partnered with the Purpose Coalition and former MP Justine Greening on an event investigating how major graduate recruiters can be more diverse and committed to social mobility in their practice. Meanwhile, a collaboration with the Ministry of Justice – the Graduate Aspiration Programme – brought together 20 mentors to work with law and criminal justice students this year. The social mobility-oriented project aims to: encourage and empower personal development; help to identify and achieve career goals; identify gaps in generic skills and knowledge; to increase confidence and provide an opportunity for students to meet new contacts and expand their network. RECRUITMENT AGENCY MILESTONE
Our own on-campus recruitment agency, Unitemps, reached a significant landmark during the year: just two years after being launched, it passed the milestone of £2.5m being paid to LJMU students for their temporary work assignments. During this year, we were able to arrange some memorable work opportunities for our students at high-profile city events such as Liverpool FC’s homecoming parade. Comic Con Liverpool and the River of Light Festival. In the national Unitemps Awards, the branch achieved runner-up in the Franchise Relationship Managers Award category. Unitemps celebrated its successes with its first awards ceremony at the Student Life Building in May 2022. LJMU is passionate about supporting people who studied here long after they have graduated. This year we trialled a graduate call centre, with a team of trained students contacting 1,503 recent graduates, reminding them that they have access to careers and employability support for life.
INTERNATIONAL
LJMU has a record of civic and international engagement that builds and deepens our connections across the globe. Our global reach and impact stretches across research collaborations, transnational education partnerships and hundreds of international students studying on campus in Liverpool. Against a backdrop of a world-wide pandemic, the university’s reputation has strengthened with a growing number of partnerships which have enhanced both our and the UK’s engagement with higher education in key areas of the world. Notably, LJMU was this year chosen as the Consortium Secretariat of a new Going Global Partnership with Malaysia The new collaboration, funded by the British Council, aims to promote strategic engagement and bilateral cooperation
in higher education between partner institutions in both countries.
Through cooperation between the British Council and the Department of Higher Education Malaysia, the consortium will lay a foundation for creating long term collaborations and shared priorities between 16 UK universities and 20 institutions across Malaysia. The consortium will reinforce the global perceptions of both countries as centres of higher education excellence and enable experts across the sector to better exchange resources and knowledge to overcome some of the world’s major issues. By strengthening the standing of both countries as international education pioneers, the UK and Malaysia will be poised to attract top academic talent in the future. Our global partnerships continue to provide outstanding opportunities for students. We currently have a record number of international students – around 800 – studying on campus, while we have reached the milestone of 12,000 transnational education students in other parts of the world through our international networks.
For the second time, we secured over £900,000 from the Turing Scheme to provide life-changing international opportunities for our students. LJMU used its well-established global links to help students find Summer Abroad activities. Almost 200 students took part in overseas activities ranging from animal conservation and teaching volunteering placements to summer internships around the world and summer schools in Columbia, India, Indonesia and across Europe.
GRADUATION
Thousands of students celebrated their achievements in an unprecedented number of graduation ceremonies across April and July 2022. Having seen a series of scheduled ceremonies postponed because of the pandemic, a huge LJMU-wide effort saw staff, students and volunteers come together to host 52 ceremonies in just three weeks. More than 4,000 students from our Class of 2020 finally had the chance to celebrate with their loved ones at Liverpool Cathedral in April. A further 10,000 students from the Class of 2021 and 2022 donned their robes and crossed the stage at the Cathedral over two weeks in July. The ceremonies were a wonderful celebration of our graduates’ achievements, ability and commitment. From the stage at the Cathedral, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark Power encouraged them all to be bold, be confident and to pursue their dreams.
OUR ESTATE
LJMU has, this year, successfully delivered the final phases of our bold estates masterplan. This ambitious programme has transformed our estate and facilities for the benefit of our students. It ensures that we are providing the very best environment for teaching, learning and research and offering the best possible student experience. This major investment also supports the regeneration of Liverpool and provides high quality public open spaces that can be enjoyed by communities in our city. Our flagship development at Copperas Hill opened its doors in September 2021. Comprising the Student Life Building and Sports Building, the site is home to many of our key student services and a wide range of outstanding facilities. Located at the heart of the city centre, the three and a half acre site links our Mount Pleasant Campus and City Campus. The Student Life Building has successfully hosted a variety of events to bring together the LJMU community and the overall development has been shortlisted for national construction and architecture awards
This year has also seen the completion of LJMU’s major redevelopment of the Tithebarn Building. Home to the Faculty of Health, it provides world-class, technology-enhanced specialist facilities, giving students the very best possible preparation for their future careers. The development has also created attractive green spaces, while an earlier phase of the works saw the refurbishment of the adjoining Avril Robarts Library. The estates masterplan previously delivered a number of other new facilities, now successfully established within the LJMU estate, including: a new School of Education building, the refurbishment of Aldham Robarts Library, a brand new pavilion and upgrades to a number of other buildings. On the back of the delivery of the masterplan, LJMU won a major award from the regional construction industry. We were named Client of the Year at the 15th annual North West Regional Construction Awards in recognition of how effectively we have collaborated with consultants, contractors and the supply chain.
SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES
NET CARBON ZERO BY 2035
The climate crisis is the biggest emergency we face as a planet and LJMU is committed to playing a leading role in finding sustainable solutions. We believe in leading by example and we work closely with a wide range of partners to make a positive difference at a local, national and global level. In 2022, we set out our ambitious sustainability targets for the next decade in the LJMU Climate Action Plan.
The plan is the first part of a four-phase approach and establishes our goals and priorities for the next 10 years and how we will measure our progress and success. The Climate Action Plan is made up of targets and performance indicators across five themes: leadership and governance; teaching; research; community engagement; and campus management. Our overarching vision is to become net carbon zero by 2035.
SUSTAINABILITY
In November 2021, LJMU made a memorable contribution to the COP 26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.
Stunning footage created by the Media Production team in the Liverpool Screen School charts the lives of fishing communities in the Philippines after the 2013 earthquake, which caused a rapid drop in land levels.
The film, Racing the King Tide, has helped shape the views of coastal planners and engineers about climate adaptation, including solutions such as homes on stilts, raised roads and eco-mangroves to keep salt water at bay.
This achievement reflects how firmly sustainability is embedded in the way we do things at LJMU.
Visit our campuses and you will find a wide range of green initiatives, from rainwater harvesting and solar panels to wildflower gardens and green roofs. We get 100% of our electricity from renewable sources, recycle two-thirds of our waste and we have halved our carbon emissions over recent years.
LJMU launched the UK’s first ever BSc (Hons) Climate Change and research by our academic staff is contributing to global understanding of environmental issues and the development of sustainable solutions.
We help hundreds of businesses across the region to create low carbon goods, processes and services, with our innovation and expertise bringing significant environmental and economic benefits.
Working with local schools, we are helping to educate children about the importance of environmental responsibility and understanding the natural world around them.
LJMU is a key partner in the Liverpool City Region’s sustainability strategy, contributing to and shaping local policy-making to help decarbonise the economy and move the city region towards a zero net carbon future.
The LJMU Climate Plan will build upon these achievements and drive our passionate commitment to doing everything we can to protect and enhance our environment over the coming years.
RECIPROCAL LEADERSHIP
LJMU has continued to demonstrate its commitment to working closely with our partners to ensure our university, city and region is an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
As part of that commitment, our Executive Leadership Team has paired with Black city leaders from across Liverpool through our Reciprocal Mentoring Programme.
The initiative brought together 26 key figures from the Black community to share their lived experiences with LJMU leaders and to inform policy and decision-making.
The purpose of the two-way mentoring relationship is to create open and honest conversations about race and equality, building relationships across the city, resulting in positive changes for the benefit of our communities.
The participants in the programme represent a wide range of businesses and public sector organisations in Liverpool.
The scheme follows LJMU’s successful student and staff Reciprocal Mentoring Programme. That initiative paired Black students with white LJMU leaders in a two-way mentoring relationship and to understand what it is to be Black in a British university.
POSITIVE ACTION TRAINEES
LJMU’s Positive Action Trainees celebrated their first year of working in key professional and technical roles at the university.
The programme is an initiative to address the under representation of Black and Minority Ethnic people in the workplace and reflects LJMU’s commitment to inclusivity in our community.
Each trainee took part in a competitive application process and was assigned a department and manager/mentor to help with their training over the two-year programme.
Due to the success and positive impact of the programme, LJMU is recruiting a second cohort of trainees to begin their training in 2023.
CELEBRATING L8
We were proud to be a partner in a major event to celebrate the culture and diversity of the Liverpool 8 community. LJMU has strong links with many L8 organisations and a host of staff and students were among over a thousand people taking part in the community celebrations. The multi-cultural event was a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and it featured activities, dancing and food, with recipes from across the globe. It was also a chance to share information about organisations in the community and across the whole city; LJMU staff and students were on hand to offer support and guidance for people thinking about studying at university. We look forward to supporting future events and continuing our valuable outreach work in Liverpool 8 and other communities across the city and beyond.
ATHENA SWAN
Three more schools have achieved the bronze Athena Swan Charter Mark, which recognises “advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success for all.”
Athena SWAN not only underlines our commitment to advance equality in careers and opportunity but also guarantees our teaching and curriculum is inclusive and our working environment is flexible and inclusive for everybody.
The successes are the first since Sport and Exercise Science attained Athena SWAN in 2019, but many more are to come with 12 other departments working towards Bronze.
REFUGEE NURSES
The university has pioneered a nursing ‘transition’ course for refugees, enabling them to join the NHS workforce. Hundreds of nurses who have often fled conflict or persecution abroad to settle in Britain are currently unable to practice, despite being fully qualified in their own countries. Completion of the course, which was delivered in partnership with the charities RefuAid and Talent Beyond Boundaries, and NHS England, places the nurses in position for frontline work with local NHS employers and giving them an opportunity to contribute to the health and wellbeing of their new home. The four-week course includes practicals in LJMU’s new cutting-edge simulation suites, which closely mimic a hospital environment, alongside language work and other support to enable the refugees to attain the required registration. In October 2021, the Minister of State for Health, Rt Hon Edward Argar attended the graduate ceremony for a cohort of 25 students, praising the project’s innovation and collaboration.
LIVERPOOL PRIDE
LJMU rainbow t-shirts and banners were out in force for the first Liverpool Pride in three years. Dozens of staff, students and friends of LJMU and JMSU were among the thousands celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. It was a spectacular celebration with a joyful march through the city centre, culminating in a festival at Liverpool’s Pier Head.
SUPPORTING LOCAL CHARITIES
LJMU donated £10,000 to a local charity on the back of the National Student Survey (NSS) 2022 and other student surveys. The university pledged to make a donation for every survey completed by eligible final-year students between January and April. Donations were also made for the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey and First Year Experience Survey. The chosen charity is Micah Liverpool, an organisation which aims to relieve people in Liverpool from social injustice and poverty. It is currently running projects to combat unemployment and deliver emergency food aid and affordable food to local people. LJMU’s major donation will be enough for Micah to provide fruit, vegetables and milk to residents in need for up to four months. Meanwhile, LJMU donated 3,000 items to ease ‘furniture poverty’ for hundreds of local groups. Schools, charities and grass-roots organisations have taken receipt of classroom, office, social space furniture and other equipment donated by the university. LJMU worked with Bulky Bob’s for Business, part of the Furniture Resource Centre, and Johnson’s Removal to allocate around 3,000 items to needy groups.
SUPPORTING THE LIVERPOOL CITY REGION
We are proud to be a key, anchor institution within the Liverpool City Region. Across the city and five boroughs and beyond, members of the LJMU community are making a positive difference to people’s lives through the skills, knowledge and experiences developed at our university. You will find LJMU graduates in all sectors of the city region, from key public services and charities to start-up businesses.
The research and expertise of our students, staff and alumni helps to shape policy-making and develop solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing our society.
THE LEGAL ADVICE CENTRE
The Legal Advice Centre is one of Europe’s biggest and most inclusive law clinics, providing the opportunity for residents of Liverpool City Region to receive free legal advice from our team of students and more than 40 local solicitors who volunteer their time and expertise to support them.
Pro-bono legal advice is in great, and growing, demand. The pandemic and cost-of-living crisis are increasing the pressure on household budgets at times of crisis, reducing the ability pay for legal advice with crushing consequences for individuals and families.
Against this backdrop, the Legal Advice Centre provides a range of free and confidential support to those who need it the most, delivering significant social value. Four hundred students have successfully supported and advised 85 clients across a number of areas, with particular focus on family law. Fifty-seven of those clients have been represented in court by the centre and 419 clients have been signposted to other agencies after their initial consultation. Collectively this work has a value of around £600,000. Students work directly with clients under supervision and obtain and analyse evidence, produce statements and court bundles, as well as attending court hearings, thereby developing vital legal skills and experience that they would normally have to wait several years to obtain as trainee solicitors. This work is now a key part of the LLB Law curriculum, a unique educational opportunity for students and a vital public service driving social justice and social mobility. Since January 2021, the work of the Legal Advice Centre has expanded into providing free representation at court to vulnerable litigants who cannot afford a lawyer. As a result, clients have the chance to re-establish contact with their children after many years, settle matters which had previously been entrenched firmly in acrimonious litigation, and better navigate the complex landscape of the courts, social services and other agencies.
LIVERPOOL BUSINESS SCHOOL BUSINESS CLINIC
The Liverpool Business School Business Clinic was established to provide a range of support options to SMEs, multi-nationals, start-ups and not for profit organisations in the Liverpool City Region. The clinic is student-led and is integrated into their curriculum and academic journey. Students receive an opportunity to apply and develop their theoretical knowledge in a real-world professional environment, working with genuine business and organisation leaders. Projects delivered include market planning, advice and planning for the diversification of products and services, market research and social media campaigns. Our students provide research and genuine innovative and fresh approach solutions to all types of problems and challenges. Now at the end of its fourth year, the Business Clinic is set to grow further next year, increasing the number of students involved by 30%. During the year, 290 students worked in the Business Clinic, supporting 72 projects across 54 organisations, working with 12 external business consultants who provide professional support. This activity represents 34,800 hours of consultancy, representing £714,000 of value to businesses and organisations in the Liverpool City Region.
SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
The Liverpool City Region refreshed the Science and Innovation Audit in 2021, giving an overview of those science-based areas where the region has distinctive world-leading capabilities. Innovation has grown to be a top priority for the city region and its devolution agenda, with a headline ambition of investing 5% of GVA in research and development by 2030. The refreshed audit focuses on the city region’s strongest established and emerging capabilities, including LJMU’s contributions. These are primarily in the AI solutions and Emerging Technologies sector, which is supported by LJMU’s School of Computer Science and Mathematics, and the Net Zero and Maritime sectors, supported by the university centres in the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering and Technology. The audit draws attention to the city region’s success in facilitating knowledge-transfer in these key economic areas, using the science and innovation expertise to assist businesses with new processes, products and expertise. LJMU’s strength in this area supports two initiatives creating collaborations between business and our academics.
LOW-CARBON ECO-INNOVATORY
LJMU was proud to join our city region partners in showcasing the outstanding work of our Low Carbon EcoInnovatory (LCEI) to representatives from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The delegation visited the city to find out more about the collaboration between higher education institutions and industry to drive innovation, jobs and growth. The LCEI is a successful, well-established partnership between LJMU, the University of Liverpool and Lancaster University and aims to deliver a low carbon economy. Our researchers, students and academic staff work with businesses to create innovative low carbon goods, processes and services. By accessing our expertise and state-of-the-art facilities, firms realise economic and environmental benefits.
To date, the partnership has supported more than 300 businesses in the Liverpool City Region, driving economic growth and delivering more sustainable ways of working.
DRIVING DIGITAL INNOVATION
An innovative business support initiative is bringing students together with local firms to develop digital technology solutions. The Cheshire and Warrington 4.0 programme (CW4.0) has been created to help manufacturing businesses to seize opportunities for growth and investment through the adoption of digital technology. LJMU students are working with the firms to use their emerging expertise to optimise productivity and unlock growth opportunities. They undertake either on an industrial placement with a regional SME or work on a group design project and individual dissertation as part of their studies and the university’s role in the initiative. It is mutually beneficial, with SME’s developing innovative new practices and the students developing skills around problem-solving and team working, helping to prepare them for future employment. CW4.0 brings together the combined expertise and capabilities of LJMU, the University of Liverpool, the Science and Technology Facilities Council and the Northern Automotive Alliance.
The initiative follows on from its sister project LCR4.0 which has been recognised as a national example of best practice for its collaboration with businesses in the Liverpool City Region. More than 300 companies engaged with that initiative, implementing new processes and innovations, creating 125 new jobs and bringing 57 new products to market.
SUPPORTING THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
LJMU has entered into a new partnership to create more opportunities in the creative and digital industry. The collaboration with Liverpool’s Baltic Creative Community Interest Company is enabling more connections between our students and digital and creative businesses. With a diverse mix of artists, entrepreneurs, makers and SMEs based within Baltic Creative workspaces, it is hoped that the students will be inspired to pave their own way as the next generation of creatives and business leaders. The tenants will also be able to benefit from LJMU’s emerging talent pool when recruiting. There will be collaboration on research projects which aim to be of value to academia, business leaders and those within the digital and creative community. Baltic Creative will be working with the university’s Centre for Entrepreneurship to work on mutually beneficial initiatives as well as exchanging research materials. The partnership builds upon the existing relationships between LJMU and Baltic Creative and will grow the local and regional talent pool in creative industries, as well as developing opportunities for students, businesses and artists.
OUTSTANDING RESEARCH AT LJMU
The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) judged that LJMU more than doubled the amount of research that is worldleading or internationally-excellent. We have world-leading research in all 16 Units of Assessment (UoA) from across the university and our portfolio of impact case studies showcase excellent work with our local Liverpool communities through to partnerships with multinational global organisations.
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES FROM ACROSS OUR FIVE FACULTIES:
THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
Thousands of malaria deaths could be averted thanks to new sensor technology being developed by LJMU and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Research by Dr Patryk Kot and colleagues has led to the creation of hand-held sensors to target diseasecarrying insects in India and Africa. Tests with a prototype sensor have already had an impact on reducing the disease Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), with transmission cut by 90%. The research is now informing the adaptation of the technology to tackle other diseases and potentially save thousands of lives.
Dr Patryk Kot
THE FACULTY OF HEALTH
In the UK, three-quarters of the people who take their own lives are men. Dr Pooja Saini identified a recurring theme: a lack of support and services for people in suicidal crisis, particularly within community settings. Dr Saini offered support to a unique project called James’s Place - a safe, comfortable community centre for men in crisis, driven by a mother whose son died aged 21 by suicide after walking out of A&E. The design, processes and ethos of the centre have all been guided by LJMU research and more than 1,000 men have been helped by the service, alleviating pressure on A&E departments, mental health services and GP surgeries.
Dr Pooja Saini
THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE
Our research is helping to develop technological solutions to protect endangered animal populations in the wild. This is critical work as an estimated 150 to 200 species of life on our planet become extinct every day. As an upgrade to labour-intensive and costly
ground surveys, LJMU, led by world-leading primatologist Professor Serge Wich, found a new way of tracking animals in real-time using
thermal infrared technology to recognise different types of animals in different landscapes and terrains. The efficiency of this technology is evidenced by the Durrell Trust collecting as much animal data in three 20-minute flights as had previously required 24 weeks.
THE FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND LAW
Improving patient outcomes through better project management of clinical trials was the subject of research conducted by Professor David Bryde. The research has influenced the project management of clinical trials, leading to new approaches and changing cultures and attitudes. It has led to cost and time efficiencies in the project management of specific clinical trials, encouraging smarter outsourcing focused on results.
Professor David Bryde Professor Serge Wich
Professor Caroline Wilkinson
THE FACULTY OF ARTS, PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL STUDIES
Led by Professor Caroline Wilkinson, LJMU’s Face Lab has developed and applied processes and datasets for facial depiction of the dead and craniofacial identification. This work has resulted in new methodology and international standards, bringing significant enhancements to law enforcement services, cultural restitution and disaster victim identification. Positive impacts also include improved social welfare and global cultural enrichment through the craniofacial depiction of historical figures and ancient human remains.
GLOBAL PANDEMIC INSTITUTE
September 2021 saw LJMU become a founding partner of the world-leading Global Pandemic Institute. It was established as a leading international centre for the formulation of policy and knowledge exchange to help prevent, prepare for and respond more effectively to pandemics. The institute brings together the key health research bodies, higher education institutions and other public organisations to share clinical and research expertise across all stages of the pandemic lifecycle. With LJMU’s public health and nursing excellence at its heart, the institute is focused on delivering real-world impact across the globe. It is another chapter in the university’s rich history of working with partner organisations to develop solutions to the challenges faced in our society.
REPRESENTING THE UK
LJMU was well-represented at two of the biggest sporting events of 2022.
Former LJMU Sport Scholar Nikita Parris was part of the England squad that clinched the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 title with victory over Germany at Wembley. The Arsenal player first arrived at LJMU as part of the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and graduated with her sport development degree in 2018.
Meanwhile, a host of athletes and sport science staff from LJMU were involved in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Current sport scholar Sarah Malone represented Scotland in the 4x100m relay, while alumni sport scholars in action at the games were Emily Borthwick (high jump), Harry Coppell (pole vault), Eleanor Cardwell (netball), Laura Malcolm (netball), Nathan Maguire (T54 wheelchair racing), Jonny Mellor (marathon) and Osian Jones (hammer). There were also a number of LJMU staff members and alumni supporting athletes in a variety of different roles, from cardiac screening and psychology support to lifestyle coaching. LJMU’s considerable representation at these two major sporting events reflects our well-earned reputation for sporting excellence and preparing athletes for the highest level of competition.
NATIONAL NURSING AWARD
We were delighted to be awarded with the flagship prize at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2021. LJMU was named UK Nurse Education Provider of the Year for our pre-registration course for the second time in three years. The award was a fantastic achievement, particularly given the challenges of the pandemic, and reflected the hard work and commitment of staff and students.
COUNTY LINES RESEARCH
LJMU led a major study on behalf of the Home Office and Department for Education into county lines crime. The work – calling upon the expertise of the School of Justice Studies – looked into the harms to vulnerable children and young people drawn into drug gangs. The study, completed in spring 2022, resulted in one of the largest evidence bases ever collected, contributing to Home Office, Department for Education and Safeguarding Partnerships strategy development.
SUPPORTING PARTICIPATION
LJMU works with schools and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the UK to widen access to higher education.
These interventions support progression to university for people from low socio-economic backgrounds, including white boys from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, Black and minority ethnic students, looked-after children, young adult carers and disabled students.
We have an extensive network of educational partnerships with local authorities, schools, colleges, teachers and professional subject associations across the UK with whom the university works collaboratively to support young learners in reaching their potential. Last year, as Government COVID restrictions eased, we were able to resume in-person visits to schools and colleges as part our commitment to providing opportunities for students from backgrounds with low participation in higher education. Across the year, we reached 36,000 prospective students with information, advice and guidance delivered either on campus or in schools or colleges. LJMU was also represented at more than 50 higher education exhibitions across the UK, coordinated with UCAS and other partners, engaging with more than 13,000 pupils. On campus, we provide free access for UK schools to the world’s largest robotic telescope, owned and operated by LJMU’s National Schools Observatory. This engages around 4,000 pupils and teachers each year, with further astronomy outreach activity reaching approximately 5,000 students and inspiring interest in STEM subjects.
EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
Equality of opportunity is a key feature of LJMU’s outreach strategy. Notable activity over the last year includes: dedicated programmes to support Gypsy, Roma, Traveler students; encouraging more girls and women to consider STEM subjects; raising aspirations among young white males from lower socio-economic groups; and supporting ex-offenders considering higher education. We also delivered successful initiatives targeted towards mature learners, Black and ethnic minority students and people interested in vocational, work-based learning. We are proud that the work we do with our communities has been recognised externally. In 2022, LJMU was awarded the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) Quality Mark for education and support of care-experienced students. We were rated enhanced or exceptional in all areas, reflecting our history of helping care-experienced young people to progress to higher education, with our award-winning John Lennon Imagine Award scheme and our programme of outreach activities. Current LJMU students are a key part of our work to inspire interest and widen participation in higher education. More than 100 student advocates supported outreach activities, delivered talks and mentored other learners. Those students perfectly reflect the university’s commitment to community and inclusion.
BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
LJMU offers a range of bursaries and scholarships to encourage talented students to reach their potential regardless of their background or personal circumstances. In addition to our existing scholarships, this year we worked with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the Anthony Walker Foundation and Salford University to expand and relaunch an initiative to provide opportunities in the field of law.
The scholarship scheme was launched in memory of Anthony Walker, who was murdered in a racially-motivated attack in Merseyside in 2005. The 18-year-old A Level student had wanted to go on to study law at university. Several legal trainees were taken on under the scheme and were mentored and supported by existing CPS lawyers. To mark the 16th anniversary of Anthony’s death, LJMU and its partners created scholarships for dozens of students from minority backgrounds to help them pursue careers in law.
