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SEASONAL RECEPTIONS
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THIS ISSUE
OUT OF HOURS
Talented craft maker, Ady Yong, talks about her passion and enthusiasm for arts and crafts.
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RESEARCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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TECHNICIANS COMMITMENT
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ASTON PETS
Welcome to Platform magazine, bringing you news and views from across the University. Not only do we want to shout about university achievements, research and important updates, we want to celebrate the people that make Aston so great. NEXT EDITION: SPRING 2019
To request a hard copy or to leave feedback or suggestions for future editions, please email internalcomms@aston.ac.uk or contact Lauren Jones, Internal Communications and Events Coordinator x5497
We want to hear from
you!”
CONTENTS 03 WELCOME FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR 04 RESEARCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT 06 ASTON ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 08 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ENGINEERING WORKSHOP TECHNICAN
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OUT OF HOURS – CRAFY ADY ASTON MEMORIES GREAT BIRMINGHAM 10K WELCOME TO OUR NEW ACADEMIC STAFF ASTON PETS INAUGURAL LECTURES SEASONAL RECEPTIONS ASTON IN THE NEWS
Please note: Any entries for submission are subject to editing.
ASTON ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
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Aston Memories
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The Kestrels of Gosta Green by Malcolm F. G. Stevens
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I am very pleased to welcome over 100 new academic staff, many of whom have joined this term.
Welcome
FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR ALEC CAMERON
For me, the start of the academic year brings refreshed enthusiasm, a renewed sense of purpose and, as the campus comes alive with students, a tangible reminder of what a university is all about. I recently wrote to all our students, outlining the important things that we as a university are doing to make their Aston experience the very best it can be. We will soon have a new Students’ Union building, which will become a new focal point for students, with improved services, spaces for study and prayer, facilities for clubs and societies, alongside social spaces and meeting rooms. We have invested heavily in services that students have told us they value – Careers+Placements, the Hub, IT – as well as the splendid new lecture and teaching spaces in the Main Building.
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Importantly, I am very pleased to welcome over 100 new academic staff, many of whom have joined this term, and I’ve recently had the opportunity to meet. This is the biggest investment we have ever made in academic recruitment and our new staff will make a huge impact as inspirational teachers and excellent researchers.
of our new strategy. Along with our Estates strategic review, which will transform the way in which we use our campus and the estate over the next few years, there is much to look forward to. I hope you share my excitement about the months ahead and wish everyone a successful term.
Professor Alec Cameron Shortly before term began, we held Vice-Chancellor our Senior Management Retreat. I came away from that with a real sense of optimism and energy from those who attended. We are now building on this, to make progress on the various projects in our strategy implementation plan and embed the values and ambitions
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
R E S E A R C H
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How forensic linguistics could help catch online predators. The Home Secretary set out the scale of online child sexual exploitation in a speech in September this year. He said there has been a 700% increase in child abuse images being referred to the National Crime Agency in the last five years and up to 80,000 people in the UK present some kind of sexual threat to children online.
Emily Chiang is a PhD student in the Centre for Forensic Linguistics. She hopes her research into online child sexual abuse interactions may assist the police in identifying online offenders. Emily’s enthusiasm to study forensic linguistics was sparked by her interest in how we use language and how language analysis can be used to address real and serious issues. Driven by the fact there is a lack of linguistic research covering online child sexual abuse and considering online grooming happens almost exclusively through language, Emily realised it was clear that linguistics could offer useful insights. Her research explores the online language of a convicted child sex offender who adopted 17 fake identities to abuse victims. This was the first ever study to examine reallife online conversations between a child abuser and his victims using forensic linguistics.
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Through analysing online web chats with more than 20 victims aged as young as 12, Emily looked at how the offender – a man in his early 20s who pled guilty to more than 40 charges related to grooming, blackmail and distributing indecent images of children – befriended boys and girls using different fake identities before coercing them into sending indecent images of themselves or engaging in other sexual acts via webcam. Emily said: “The study looks at online instant messaging conversations between a convicted child sex offender and several of his victims. The offender adopted several different personas with different characteristics – some would be male, some female, one worked for a modelling agency – and I wanted to compare each of these in terms of linguistic moves.” The study explores the numerous personas identified by unique online usernames and characteristics created by the offender while communicating via instant messaging interactions with his victims. By analysing the ‘linguistic moves’ of the offender, the study points to one of his personas as being closer to the offender’s ‘home identity’ than the others, suggesting this method of analysis could help police trace offenders who operate multiple online personas.
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Professor Tim Grant, Director of the Centre for Forensic Linguistics, said: “Emily’s study is an important step in helping build understanding of how criminals operate online and how to prevent them from hiding under the veil of anonymity. This research has become increasingly important with the rise of the dark web, a strongly encrypted version of the internet which can defeat traditional computer forensics. Here, one thing that is available is language data and this means forensic linguistics has a growing importance in successfully policing the dark web.” Emily said: “I hope my research will assist police officers with identifying online offenders. At the very least, I hope to demonstrate some useful applications of linguistic analysis in criminal contexts.” When Emily isn’t studying, she can be found running (somewhat reluctantly) or playing Red Dead Redemption 2 on her PS4.
Forensic linguistics has a growing importance in successfully policing the dark web.
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ASTON ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS The annual Aston Achievement Awards celebrate the amazing work carried out by our staff every day, commending the dedication and commitment shown within Schools and Departments, to our three key beneficiaries and to the University as a whole. Over 70 people gathered to congratulate this year’s winners at their awards ceremony and dinner at Conference Aston. The evening opened with a short speech from the Vice-Chancellor and the awards were presented by Professor Helen Higson, with each recipient receiving an engraved glass diamond and certificate from the Vice-Chancellor.
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Enriching the Student Experience Adam Shaw-Mellors, Aston Business School
Excellent Research Anton Popov, School of Languages and Social Sciences
Adam received six nominations for this award, all commenting on the outstanding level of support which he offers to students, whether personal tutees, module tutees or simply a student in need of someone to talk to. His door is always open.
The nomination centres on a highly ambitious yet ultimately successful bid for European Commission research funding for the CHIEF (Cultural Heritage and Identities of Europe’s Future) project. Anton’s clarity of vision, determination and incredible hard work saw the granting of the proposal. This project will be of great significance to both Anton and Aston’s Sociology and Policy department, in its creativity, its ambition and in the opportunities it will open for many within the School.
Excellent Learning and Teaching Practice Bahar Kazmi, Aston Business School Bahar was nominated for his innovative and inspiring teaching practices, his break from traditional convention to make learning interactive, creative workshops and inviting guest lecturers. Also, for supporting his students to think critically, investigate topics thoroughly, but then present their findings succinctly.
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Excellent Business Engagement or Innovation Maria Chli and James Harris, School of Engineering and Applied Science, and John Richards, Research and Knowledge Exchange
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This is awarded specifically for a development of the Computer Science Industry Club. The Club started operating in late 2016 with the aim of building long-term strategic partnerships with technology companies to help Computer Science enrich its curriculum, enhance employability and establish research relationships. Two years on, the Club has 11 company partners and is expecting to almost double in number in the coming academic year. Exceptional International Activities Martina Ivanova, Careers+Placements Martina is an outstanding member of Careers+Placements and an active champion for internationalisation. She has redesigned the study abroad process and surpassed all her targets, increasing international placements across the University. She has worked hard to forge cross-departmental collaborations with the International Office and individual Schools, creating a more cohesive and streamlined approach to international placements. Outstanding Contribution to the Community or Environment Amanda Bishop, Aston Medical School. Amanda is single-handedly making a difference to the lives of young people from less advantaged backgrounds in our local community through her management and administration of the Sir Doug Ellis Pathway to Healthcare programme. Amanda’s dedication and passion for enabling these students to have the opportunity to enter higher education is readily evident and is the major reason for the success of this programme to date. Excellent Citizenship Julie Ottley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Office Citizenship is commonly seen as an outward-facing attribute, but we often overlook the good citizenship and underlying values that are displayed within our own university community. Julie shows these in abundance and over her 20 years at Aston has proved to be a trusted, reliable and community-minded member of every team she has been in. She volunteers to help with many things outside of her remit and has a clear sense of how she can contribute to a cohesive, collaborative and high-achieving workbased community.
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Best Customer Service Catering Services Team The team received six nominations from around the University, all of which commended the team for their friendliness, attentiveness and good humour with which they serve the hungry staff and student population throughout the week. Words used to describe the team are ‘a burst of engaging entertainment in a charming and cheeky way’, ‘a real gem’, ‘customer focused’, and ‘a team who have eased homesickness and served happiness with every meal’. Best Newcomer Caroline Gray, School of Languages and Social Science As a newcomer both to Aston and as a lecturer in 2017, Caroline adapted to teaching in not one, but two, different departments: Politics and International Relations and Languages and Translation Studies. Her scores in the module feedback were exceptionally high and students praised her enthusiasm, her teaching materials and her willingness to provide helpful feedback and support. Caroline has proven to be a dependable and popular member of both departments and her colleagues are very much looking forward to her continued presence. Professional Staff Member of the Year Carol Winder, School of Engineering and Applied Science Carol is described as one of the most professional individuals at Aston. She is passionate, strives for perfection, places excellent customer service at the forefront and is a strong advocate for the University. Carol works tirelessly to find a solution to any problem, but does so by working with stakeholders effectively. She has been a significant force in growing Aston Professional Engineering Centre’s (APEC) numbers and reputation, a key contribution being the development and growth of degree apprenticeships. Idea of the Year, Development and Alumni Relations (DARO) team Two particular ideas stood out to the panel. The first was the introduction of a crowdfunding platform, led by Geoff Savage and Mariya Kauser, to enable a range of people to successfully raise money for good causes. The second idea was the result of collaboration between Marc Hornby from DARO and Harry Goldingay from Computer Science.
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Between them, they worked closely with the CEO of GoCompare to devise a degree apprenticeship programme, despite the company being based in Wales and therefore unable to use their apprenticeship levy for an English-based degree. The belief that this could be accomplished and the work that went into making the idea a reality shows great determination and collegiality between two different parts of the University and is an example of how a little creative thinking can have positive results. Unsung Hero Adam Reilly, Estates Over the last six years, Adam has worked on developing a strategy to improve the infrastructure of the campus. Adam developed a five-year plan to replace all substations around the campus and his attention to detail in terms of planning shut down of power and plant and managing the delivery of the project is second to none. As a result of his meticulous planning and careful delivery, Adam’s work often goes unseen by staff and students. His projects involve electrical and mechanical systems hidden in walls or plant rooms out of sight and we often only notice when things don’t work. Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the University Dr James Brown, School of Life and Health Sciences. James has done an outstanding job of raising Aston’s profile in life and health sciences through his extensive media work. As well as TV appearances, in the last two years, James’s articles for The Conversation on a range of topics relating to diet and health have been widely republished in the mainstream media and have received nearly 1.5m reads. He has also done an excellent job as one the University’s media champions in encouraging colleagues across the University to engage with the media and to see this as a normal part of academic work. At this year’s Big Bang Fair, James used his passion for education and his energetic personality to capture the imaginations of many young visitors. He isn’t shy of rolling up his sleeves to ensure that this event and others are the very best they can be. He is very much a role model for others at Aston as to how a modern academic can communicate their ideas to a wider audience as a ‘public intellectual’.
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF
AN ENGINEERING WORKSHOP TECHNICIAN Prashant Hirani, engineering workshop technician, first came to Aston to study a BEng in mechanical engineering. Five years on, he now tutors students on the same course. Platform magazine talked to Prashant about the work technicians do and their contribution to the life, success and achievement of the University. There really is no such thing as a typical day. My role as a technician involves a variety of tasks, from teaching first year undergraduate students to design and manufacture a Formula 24 vehicle, to designing and manufacturing components for major research projects. I’ve worked on many diverse projects including making pilotless aircraft, healthcare products and robotics. My main aim is to support staff and students within various departments including mechanical, electrical and power engineering, allowing them to progress with the design and manufacturing stages of their projects.
their projects. I particularly enjoy sharing knowledge and working on the interesting variety of jobs that come into the workshop, allowing me to continually develop my skills as a technician. I became interested in the prospect of becoming a technician during my final year of studying when I worked closely with technicians and began assisting in the workshop. I learnt how to use the automated and manual machinery, and this sparked my interest in researching and learning how to tackle complex jobs that would expand my engineering knowledge. I was then employed as a temporary technician where I began supporting students on projects. I find great satisfaction through working with students and helping to develop future engineers. I have continued learning new manufacturing processes and really enjoy working with different people. There is always something new to learn or do.
The teaching element is my favourite element of my job, alongside the challenges and variation each day brings. Having completed my degree in mechanical engineering at Aston, I can closely relate to students and I’m in a good position to advise when encountering issues within
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The Technician Commitment Technicians are vital to the success of universities and research institutes. They are a highly skilled workforce, providing the technical expertise essential to supporting research and knowledge transfer. They play an important part in the development of the UK’s future STEM workforce by teaching and developing the technical skills students require to pursue a future career in research, academia and/or industry. Aston University is a signatory to the Technician Commitment, a university and research institution initiative led by a steering group of sector bodies with support from the Science Council and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s Technicians Make It Happen campaign. The Commitment aims to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines. See our intranet page for more information: bit.ly/techniciancommitment
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OUT OF HOURS Crafty Ady Ady Yong, undergraduate admissions manager, is a talented craft maker in her spare time. She uses her creativity to produce a wide range of items including jewellery, handmade cards and baked goods. She also carves pumpkins, sews, paints and is skilled in pyrography, the art of decorating wood with burn marks. When sparked your interest in creating things?
I’ve always really enjoyed arts and crafts. My grandmother did a lot of crochet when I was growing up, she also sewed all our clothes and my mom does quilting so I’ve grown up around creative women. The internet has made learning arts and crafts so accessible; it’s now easier than ever to learn how to do things. What is your arts and crafts speciality? I do lots of crafts including crochet, sewing, and needle felting to name a few, but I mainly do pyrography – the ancient art of wood burning – I just love making things from scratch. I recently taught myself how to string pearls. I fancied learning something new and I often find YouTube videos and teach myself.
Some of Ady’s work in progress
How much time do you spend making things? I don’t watch a lot of TV so I began to spend my spare time crafting. It’s my version of mindfulness and a way of de-stressing. I’m at my crafting desk early each morning so I start my day doing
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something creative and that sets the tone for the day – even if it’s laying down a drawing for a project or making a small bracelet. I also end my day with crafting when winding down. My Saturday mornings are spent at the Wythall & Hollywood Country Market which I joined a few years ago and soon became chairperson. I bring a variety of what I make and we have a small customer base from the local community. What do you enjoy the most about crafting? The challenge of making things, finding new ideas and trying new crafts. One year I tried having a go at the ancient art of chain mailing – making articles of jewellery from tiny little rings. I enjoyed learning wood carving under a master wood carver for around two years. Some of the things I’d love to have a go at are pottery or wood turning, but unfortunately I don’t have the space. I have my own dedicated craft room where I used to spend a lot of time painting. Many of my paintings are actually in the admissions area at Aston. What is your proudest crafting achievement? It has to be the first dress I ever made from scratch. Until that point, I’d not actually sewn a wearable garment and, being self-taught,that was a huge achievement to sew a dress I could wear to work. What advice do you have for those who want to explore arts and crafts? Don’t be afraid to try. You might as well have a go and explore something you might enjoy. You can have a creative mind in many different ways and people often think they’re not artistic or creative, but you should just have a go. There are so many different crafts and creativity comes in all different forms.
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Catch Ady with her crafty creations at the Wythall & Hollywood Country Market every Saturday morning www.cookcraftgrow.co.uk or find her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/craftyady
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Photo by Robert Taylor www.taylor-photo.co.uk
ASTO N M EM O RIES W W W. A S T O N . A C . U K / S TA F F
BY MALCOLM F. G. STEVENS In the 1970s and 1980s, Professor Malcolm Stevens was co-leader a team of scientists in the discovery and development of the drug Temozolomide, which went on to achieve ‘blockbuster’ status as a treatment for brain cancer. His new book, The Kestrels of Gosta Green, is due to be published towards the end of 2018.
WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES OF ASTON?
My fondest memories are the slow emergence of an exciting urban campus at Gosta Green from the dereliction of the 1970s. I also remember the sadness when one’s favourite students departed at the end of their studies and I really enjoyed meeting their mums and dads at graduation ceremonies. There was also the excitement every October as a new generation of students arrived on campus.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK?
This book was written from the perspective of a chemical prospector for novel anti-cancer drugs, but it is not a chemistry book. Although perfused with an adoration for small molecules, which have transformed the lives of many, it is also about the disappointments, failures, hopes and successes of scientists and their rivalries and comradeship. The book reveals my love of music, and obsessions with bird watching and sport. Controversially maybe, it also contains several fantasy sections.
Playing in goal for a veteran staff team (I was the only grandfather!) in the termly five-a-side football competition held in the Gem Sports Hall. My team – The Beverley Sisters – was far too experienced and savvy for student teams and we usually won our matches. My very low blood pressure and peaceful demeanour in the afternoons after my regular six mile run around the Spaghetti Loop at lunchtimes and being head of department (1983 to1989) and making sure that Pharmacy was the best run and most productive outfit in the University.
The first part of the book – ‘I Wondered Lonely’ – surveys my upbringing as a Lancashire lad, family, education and the subsequent launch of my career following graduation as a pharmacist from Nottingham University and first posting as a young lecturer in Edinburgh, where I served a valuable apprenticeship at the laboratory bench.
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE DISCOVERY OF TEMOZOLOMIDE?
The second part – ‘The Kestrels of Gosta Green’ – is the core of the book and records the discovery and development of the drug, temozolomide, by academic pharmacists and students at Aston in the 1970s and 1980s. The drug achieved ‘blockbuster’ status as a treatment for glioblastoma, an especially malevolent form of brain cancer. Remarkably, it was all accomplished on a shoe-string at a time of great financial stringency at Aston.
This wasn’t planned. It was a combination of all of the following: damned hard work, great ideas, resilience in the face of disappointments, brilliant co-workers spanning biology, pharmacology, crystallography, toxicology, pharmaceutical development, resolve never to give up. Our most influential collaborator was a member of the aristocracy – Lady Luck!
At no time was there a ‘Eureka moment’ and it wasn’t until we had all left Aston that the product was launched on the market (1999) to become an unlikely ‘blockbuster’. We were always aware that there were far higher cancer mountains to climb, and by then had moved on to other projects.
The third part – ‘The Search for Joey Gillott’ – reviews my return to Nottingham and efforts to develop new treatments for a range of common cancers. I continuously reflect, nostalgically and affectionately, on my Aston experience during this part of the book, which also recounts the courtroom drama in the USA to defend the US Patent protecting the temozolomide invention.
As well as making a substantial gift to the University, I have been able to contribute to schemes to provide bursaries to support the education of young scientists and provide stipends for young researchers embarking on PhD projects in drug discovery.
WHAT INSPIRED THE WRITING?
I was persuaded to write some blogs for the Nottingham University website on my pharmaceutical career. These proved to be rather popular and much anticipated. Success of these blogs inspired me to write a comprehensive scientific memoir using the blogs as templates for chapters.
WHEN WILL THE BOOK BE OUT?
At the time of writing, publication in hardback from should be in November 2018. There will probably be a launch at Bolton School (where Malcolm and his wife were both pupils) early in 2019. There are also plans to have a launch at Aston in the spring. Then Hay-on-Wye Literary Festival – who knows!
WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND THE TITLE?
For many decades, a pair of kestrels nested in an eyrie on the fifth floor of Main Building. I heard their calling on my first day at Aston on 1 June 1972. The ‘Kestrels’ also refer to the humans who were recruited to Aston in the 1970s who formed a scientific ‘collective’ in the Pharmacy Department which went on to achieve the impossible – the discovery and development of a new drug to treat brain tumours, which was first synthesised by research student Robert Stone in April 1980.
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Malcolm takes full responsibility for the contents of the book and apologises if readers in the know detect inaccuracies of memory, or intentional (but modest) exaggerations. If readers enjoy his account of the trials and tribulations of academic life, then he would like to take credit for that as well. All proceeds from sales of The Kestrels of Gosta Green will be invested in supporting the early education and career development of young scientists. 13
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GREAT BIRMINGHAM 10K SUNDAY 26 MAY 2019 SAVE THE DATE The University is working in partnership with
Colmore Row, Birmingham Cathedral, Victoria
The Great Run Company to enter an Aston
Square and the Jewellery Quarter and will finish
team for the event and we aim to get as many
at Aston University.
students, staff and alumni as possible taking part. There will be discounted places and other
Look out for more information in the New Year
benefits for all #TeamAston runners.
or register your interest by emailing internalcomms@aston.ac.uk
Whatever your ability, we want everyone from club runners to first-timers to join in. There’s even a “walking wave” for those who prefer not to run. The route will take in some of the city centre’s most popular landmarks, such as
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW ACADEMIC STAFF
Some of our new staff. Pictured L to R - Wendy Leadbeater, Elisabeth Schimpfossl, Flors Vinuela-Navarro, Mark Pearson, Ulysses Bernardet, Wei Liu Arash Sadeghi, Ruth Joplin, Ilaria Scaglia, Dean Garratt, Stephen Fay, Mark Brennan, Dan Ma, Kenneth Park, Robert Riegler
Over the past two years, the University has
Stephen Fay, Lecturer in Spanish, said: “I was drawn
staff.
and research - to see it and feel it promoted by the
recruited over 150 new members of academic
These recruits include researchers who are making a
to Aston because of the parity given to teaching University is very heart warming.”
considerable difference nationally and internationally
Dean Garratt, Senior Teaching Fellow in Economics,
in transformational research, staff who are excellent in
said: “I love bringing economics alive. It’s a great
both teaching and research and also those who are
feeling when you’ve engaged an audience and can
teaching focused who bring experience of working in
show real-world application of economics to students.”
organisations and business directly to students.
Mark Pearson, Teaching Fellow in Aston Medical
Staff have been recruited across the whole of the
School, said: “The focus on widening participation
University in all Schools and subject areas to make a
was a big draw for me; to have the chance to
positive difference in the workload of staff and in the
educate those who may not otherwise have had the
experience of students.
opportunity to study medicine.”
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ASTON PETS
WOULD YOU LIKE TO FEATURE IN ASTON PETS? Send your pictures of you and your pets to internalcomms@aston.ac.uk we’d love to hear from you!
A firm staff favourite – we’re back to share more of Aston’s most loved pets.
HARRY ROGERS
FLUFFY KLADOS BREED: Maltese
BREED: German Shepherd
AGE: 6+ years old
AGE: 8 years old
OWNER: Dr Manousos Klados, Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering
OWNER: Lizi Rogers, Marketing Manager, RKE
WHAT BROUGHT YOU AND FLUFFY TOGETHER?: From the first time I saw Fluffy’s eyes I was in love. I knew that we are going to spend the next 15+ years together (hopefully). I am so glad that he is part of our family and very blessed that my kid is growing up with Fluffy.
FAVOURITE PASTIMES: Woodland walks, observing squirrels, sneakily napping on the sofa and playing tug of war with anyone strong enough! WHAT BROUGHT YOU AND HARRY TOGETHER? Harry was adopted from the Dogs Trust at 10 months by my fiancé. Harry is originally from Ireland but he was abandoned by his previous owner and found and rescued by the Trust, who brought him over to their centre in the Midlands.
FUN FACTS: Initially, I wanted a white Pomeranian, and I was thinking how to name him/her. So I thought about the name Fluffy (because Pomeranians are real fluffy). I went to a pet shop and printed his/her name to a tag before even adopting one. In the next week I fell in love with the dog you see in the photo and because I was too busy to go and print a new tag, I named him Fluffy. So actually his name was not initially intended for him… shhhh don’t tell him… he doesn’t know…
FUN FACTS: Despite his size, Harry is a gentle soul! He also has a sweet tooth and tries to charm us into giving him dessert, his favourite being custard (we only give him a tiny bit though!)
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PROFESSOR
Jacqueline Blissett 22.11.2018
PROFESSOR
Patricia Thornley 15.01.2019
PROFESSOR
URALS
INAUG Carolyn Cordery 19.02.2019
PROFESSOR
Frank Austermühl 14.03.2019
PROFESSOR
Helen Cameron 21.05.2019
PROFESSOR
Kate Sugden 11.06.2019
Talks 6.30pm Drinks and networking 7.30pm
Visit: www.aston.ac.uk/inaugurals To book: events@aston.ac.uk W W W. A S T O N . A C . U K / S TA F F
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The 2018 seasonal receptions are a chance to relax and indulge in some seasonal refreshments and celebrate you and your colleagues’ achievements over the last year. You are welcome to attend whichever reception is the most convenient for you. Please register your attendance below
Tuesday 11 December
Thursday 13 December
16:30 to 18:00
12:30 to 14:00
Friday 14 December
Conference Aston Courtyard Restaurant
Conference Aston Courtyard Restaurant
Mess Room (L12)
seasonal drinks
seasonal soft drinks
Book your place here: bit.ly/seasonal-2018
Book your place here: bit.ly/seasonal-2018
08:30 to 10:00 Seasonal food and drinks
No advance booking required
IfIf you have any anyfurther furtherquestions, questions,please please email events@aston.ac.uk you have email events@aston.ac.uk orcall callthe theevents eventsteam team ext. 3111. or onon ext. 3111.
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ASTON IN THE NEWS FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @AstonPress
Our academic staff are regularly in the media, talking or writing about their research or giving expert opinion on a current topic. Here is a selection of our recent media coverage.
ASTON MEDICAL SCHOOL • D r Rahul Potluri was invited to give comments to a Raconteur supplement in The Times on 28 September on how technology is transforming cardiology. ASTON BUSINESS SCHOOL • P rofessor Alec Cameron commented on the launch of the new Management in Manufacturing MBA which was featured in the Financial Times on 23 September. • P rofessor David Bailey gave comment to the Huffington Post on 9 October on the shutdown of Jaguar Land Rover and prediction of £600m loss in revenues.
Sylvia (102) and Dr James Brown
ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE
LIFE AND HEALTH SCIENCES
• R esearch led by Professor Edik Rafailov and Dr Sergei Sokolovsky to develop a machine which can use beams of light to take a blood test was published in a feature length article by BioScience Today.
• D r James Brown has taken part in the new series of Old People’s Home for Four Year Olds, a Channel 4 television programme which looks at intergenerational care. He was also interviewed on BBC Radio Gloucestershire about his involvement in the series.
• P rofessor Patricia Thornley was interviewed for a feature in the Chemical Industry Journal about her work on the Supergen project and her new role as director of EBRI. LANGUAGES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES • D r Elisabeth Schimpfossl spoke about her research on the behaviour and lifestyle of wealthy Russians on BBC Radio 4’s Thinking Allowed.
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19
Nº 04 - AUTUMN/WINTER 2018
TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED LEARNING LEARNING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
A S PEC I A L I ST S ERV I C E FO C U S ED O N EN H A N C I N G T E AC H I N G PR ACT I C ES A N D EN R I C H I N G ST U D EN T L E A R N I N G.
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