RGView Connecting the University Community
HELPING STUDENTS ACHIEVE
Opportunities that widen access to higher education
MICRO LEARNING
Create a playlist of mobile learning in your pocket
SOLAR SCIENCE
Reducing the cost of solar and maintaining output
LIFEWORKS
Feel connected and supported wherever you are
ISSUE 05 1
Cont
CONTENTS
Contents 4
Mobile Art School drives home the opportunities in the creative industries
6
Paramedic Practice
8
Helping students achieve their ambitions through higher education
10 11 12 14 16
Making space for Healthy Minds
Innovation Modules
In partnership with students
Identifying Novel Antibiotics
Tackling global warming through solar energy
2
tents
CONTENTS
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20
22
Start-up Accelerator gears up for second round
Safety is on the cards after successful KTP project
Lifeworks
24
Student Life
26
Employee profile: Neil Gibson
27 28 30
Connect with: The Ageing Research Network
Mindfulness - there is no right or wrong way
Moments
3
EXTENDING REACH
Mobile Art School drives home the opportunities in the creative industries
Gray’s School of Art is set to head out into the community with the launch of the Mobile Art School, giving thousands of school pupils across the North-east the opportunity to experience art and design and discover the range of possibilities which exist within the creative industries.
The first phase of this innovative project will focus primarily on widening access to creative education and careers for young people. The team from Gray’s will travel to local schools in the custom-built Mobile Art School van equipped with state-ofthe-art creative tools and materials, delivering workshops across a range of art and design subject areas. Taking our expertise and resources beyond the walls of RGU directly to communities through free events and workshops will have a positive impact by providing opportunities to experience the personal and social enrichment creative learning presents, as well as raising awareness of the Creative Industries. The Mobile Art School will also offer training and mentoring opportunities for RGU students and graduates, helping to develop the next generation 4
of community-engaged artists and designers, attracting and retaining creative talent in Aberdeen and the Northeast to further benefit the region in years to come. Head of Gray’s, Libby Curtis, commented: “The mobile art school exists, essentially, to get the word out about the opportunities in the creative industries – it’s a fantastic industry to work in, and I’m not sure everyone understands what those opportunities are. “So many people will benefit from this fantastic new project. We are going to be having a huge programme of events, workshops and activities, aimed at schools and colleges. We want to get out there and talk to young individuals, those individuals that are thinking about, or are interested in, art and design, and the
EXTENDING REACH Mobile Art School provides us with a great platform to do so. “We really hope that the Mobile Art School acts as a catalyst for people to start talking about the creative opportunities that exist, thinking about art and design, and thinking about coming into art school.” Craig Barrowman, Mobile Art School Coordinator, added: “The Mobile Art School is going to give people a chance to try some of the amazing range of skills and techniques that students here learn. “We will be offering traditional skills, such as drawing, sculpture, and stone carving. We will also be doing more high-tech workshops, such as sculpting in VR, where people can use VR headsets and cutting edge technology to create forms of infinite scale in a virtual space.
“The mobile art school exists, essentially, to get the word out about the opportunities in the creative industries” “We want to try and reach as many people as we can with the MAS, so we have made it as easy as possible to get involved. People can visit the webpage for the MAS, find out about the wide range of workshops which will be offered and book these online. We will also be sending out packs of workshops cards, so that schools can see what is on offer. “As Mobile Art School coordinator, what I’m really excited about is taking the amazing range of kit that we have and sharing the experience of how amazing it is to be an artist and designer and how much fun it can be. I really love engaging with people and getting them excited about the infinite number of things you can do in a creative career.”
www.rgu.ac.uk/MAS
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EXTENDING REACH
PARAMEDIC PRACTICE Bringing paramedic undergraduate education to Grampian and the Highlands & Islands
When we fill demand with opportunity and help students to study closer to home, we support their professional ambitions and give them the skills to improve the communities in which they live. We’ve been successful in our bid to bring paramedic undergraduate education to the Highlands & Islands and Grampian, boosting the capacity for training new paramedics in Scotland and enhancing patient care for many communities in the future. The new BSc Paramedic Practice at RGU will be delivered from September 2020. By extending the reach, not just of our own courses but for the training of an entire profession, we provide more localised educational opportunities for students to learn highly specialised skills and knowledge. 6
The course is being developed to provide a new regional approach to education and training for the profession and addresses the increased learning requirement for registering as a paramedic through the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). Professor Ian Murray, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at RGU, said: “This is a welcome addition to our course portfolio and fits well with the wide range of nursing, midwifery and allied health professions courses at RGU and our commitment to interprofessional learning. “We’ll be working in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) and other Scottish universities, to develop the new course and train the future paramedics of Scotland. The two contracts awarded will involve a
EXTENDING REACH
Hashtag Titles #HostingHighSchools
minimum of 40 students per year and will significantly increase the reach of our demand-led teaching.”
“From September 2021 all-new paramedic students will need to undertake a degree-level programme to become a paramedic”
Currently, all students in Scotland study paramedic science/practice at the Scottish Ambulance Academy (SAA) in Glasgow Caledonian University with entry to the HCPC register at diploma level. As paramedic education moves to a regional approach to increase training opportunities, students will need to achieve a Bachelor’s degree to become a registered paramedic. We have a long track record for delivering industry-leading healthcare education at RGU, as evidenced in the Guardian University Guide 2020 where it ranks top in the UK for health profession course satisfaction. The university is well placed to train the next generation of paramedics and beyond with the skills and knowledge to treat more patients with complex needs both in and out of the hospital environment.
A Development Consultant highlights how we’re sharing best practice on student voice and representation with Aberdeen high schools, creating opportunities to get young learners onto campus and learn about how the university works in partnership with students.
#SchoolLinks Two Foundation Apprentices took time from their October break to get work experience through a placement in the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences. Foundation Apprenticeships are an excellent opportunity for pupils to blend their study with work-based learning. They’re also a solid link to Graduate Apprenticeships.
#TechFest An STV Journalist showcased the range of activity taking place during RGU’s TechFest efforts. TechFest is an annual festival for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to promote STEM subjects to young people and to the wider community by providing an accessible, diverse and entertaining programme.
#CareExperiencedWeek On social media and in his latest opinion piece, James Dunphy, our Director of the Department for the Enhancement of Learning, Teaching and Access (DELTA), shared his thoughts on Care Experienced Week and how RGU supports its students. James emphasized that students join us with a wealth of skills and determination and are rightly proud, as we are, of their achievements.
Four other providers successfully bid to bring paramedic undergraduate education to their institutions, but RGU was the only university to successfully win contracts for two regions: Grampian and the Highland & Islands. From September 2021 all-new paramedic students will need to undertake a degreelevel programme to become a paramedic. 7
EXTENDING REACH
HELPING STUDENTS ACHIEVE AMBITIONS THROUGH HIGHER
RGU scholars with university representatives
As part of RGU’s commitment to widening access and supporting students from all backgrounds, a number of talented students have been awarded scholarships. Access RGU scholarship opportunities support and enable talented students from underrepresented groups, particularly those from deprived areas, to achieve their ambitions through higher education.
The scholarships are available through the generosity of donors to the RGU Foundation, the philanthropic fundraising arm of the university, and are accessible to students who demonstrate academic merit, motivation and ambition. Five scholarships, which have been supported by Baillie Gifford, The Budge Foundation, Enermech, CNOOC International and CNR International, were awarded to students. Each of these awards provide financial and academic support to undergraduate students for the duration of their studies at RGU. Marilyn McDermott-Dick, studying Adult Nursing, was selected to receive the Budge Foundation Access Scholarship; Management with Human Resources student Amira Tocher was awarded the CNR Barbara Rae Memorial Scholarship in Business & Engineering; Lukas Miltenis, studying Mechanical Engineering, was 8
awarded the CNOOC Limited Scholarship; Ross Smith has been selected for the Enermech Access Scholarship in Engineering; and Darren Oliver McFawns who is studying Fashion and Textile Design has been awarded the Baillie Gifford Access Scholarship in Creative Arts. A number of merit scholarships and student prizes have also been awarded thanks to the generosity of local organisations, alumni and philanthropic individuals. Sarah Dingwall, Development Manager at the RGU Foundation, said: “We are pleased to receive support for our Access Scholarships, which allow RGU to continue to attract a diverse body of students, create opportunities and help remove financial barriers that exist between a student and achieving their potential.”
EXTENDING REACH
THEIR R EDUCATION
Ade became hooked on mechanical engineering. Shortly after this, Ade and her family were finally granted settled status and moved to Scotland. She decided to study at RGU as it was the only institution which allowed you to fasttrack the Master’s in four years. Despite finding the move to the North-east slightly daunting, any reservations Ade had were eased when she was awarded the RGU Enermech Scholarship, which opened up many opportunities including a paid placement within Enermech.
Case study –
ADEBOWALE ODUKOYA One student who has previously been awarded an Access Scholarship and was able to thrive during her undergraduate studies was Adebowale Odukoya.
“The scholarship provided me with a degree of stability, and took away the financial stress.”
- Ade Odukoya
Ade is a previous recipient of the Enermech Scholarship which supported her both financially and professionally during her studies. Ade said the scholarship provided her with a degree of stability and took away the financial stress of attending university but also gave her peace of mind that people do believe in you. Ade was born in Nigeria, and moved to the UK when she was six with her mother and sister. She spent her formative years growing up in London. For many years, Ade’s home life was strained, and her family were told that they may not gain settled status in the UK. “Pursuing further education was still very important to me and my family, but I still did not know exactly what I wanted to do,” Ade said. After enrolling on a course to find out more about engineering as a career, 9
“The scholarship provided me with a degree of stability, and took away the financial stress. But it was much more than this. It gave me peace of mind that people actually do believe in you and they are investing more than just money. Knowing this really pushed me forward in my studies and helped me to stay focused,” she said. “The scholarship also provided the opportunity for paid placement within Enermech, which is something I took advantage of. I was able to find out about different aspects of the business and apply what I had been learning on the course at RGU in the workplace. Away from the academic side of things, being at RGU also allowed me to meet so many different characters and personalities.” Ade really embraced the university experience when in Aberdeen. She was the student representative on her course, and she also took on the role of student ambassador. “University for me was much more than just the studying and coming away with a Degree, it was about finding out who you are – and I found this out while at RGU,” she continued. “When I think about university life, I would 100% recommend it. For those who may not think it is a path available to them, you must explore at what options are available to you – as many universities will provide pathways which you might not be aware of. Find out what your strengths are, and make sure you play to them as the experience, for me, has been unforgettable.” Ade is now continuing her education with a PhD at Strathclyde University.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
MAKING SPACE FOR
Heal thy Minds
RGU strives to create a culture within its community that promotes and supports positive wellbeing in order to create the best possible student experience. The mental wellbeing of students is a priority - good mental health helps students to fulfil their potential, and ensures they can thrive in their education and future careers. Working together with RGU:Union, the university has launched a number of initiatives aimed at improving the mental wellbeing of its student community from signing the NUS Student Mental Health Agreement, to increasing the number of support counsellors, and the launch of Silvercloud. Silvercloud is an online self-help resource, which offers immediate anonymous support and is available to all students and staff. It is self-directed and offers a choice of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programmes on depression, anxiety, stress and body image.
Silvercloud is an online self-help resource, which offers immediate anonymous support and is available to all students and staff.
SilverCloud aims to help people help themselves before they reach a crisis level. Each of the motivational programmes consists of seven to eight modules, full of information and techniques, which people can complete at their pace and start applying to their daily life. Peer Support Group, a new student-led initiative was also launched and has grown from strength to strength, offering 10
Emmanuel Akerele workshops in areas that will support students with becoming more resilient. Student President of Education and Welfare, Emmanuel Akerele, said supporting students mentally, personally, socially and academically is crucial to ensuring a high quality student experience. He said: “It is hard enough being at university and dealing with everything that comes with it. Continuously raising awareness about Mental Health and resilience remains an important priority of the student union to ensure that adequate support is available to all students at RGU.� The university hosts a number of awareness events throughout the year, such as Mental Health Awareness Week in May and Resilience Week will be held on campus early next year.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Innovation Modules Students to get to grips with digital bite-sized innovation learning Supporting students to navigate the changing world of work is a key focus of the university’s entrepreneurship and innovation agenda. This has seen the introduction of a number of initiatives to equip students with the transferable skills, enterprising knowledge, attitudes and behaviours for the innovation economy. An innovative way of co-curricular learning is now being piloted, offering students on any course, including parttime and online, a new range of digital bite-sized mini-modules in innovation and entrepreneurship. Termed micro learning, the suite of modules can be completed from a digital device at any time, providing students with an opportunity to gain relevant and recognised competencies and knowledge in a self-paced manner to help them adapt to changing employer landscapes and skills needs. Professor Gordon McConnell, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said:
“The new digital mini-modules recognise that the skills students need to learn to adapt and manage their careers in the changing world of work in the Fourth Industrial Revolution goes beyond the university-discipline classroom-based learning. “They are extending the reach of our innovation skills and tools short courses through truly flexible learning so that all students - no matter what type or form of course they are doing - are able to engage with the material in short bursts in their own time.” Developed in collaboration between the EIG and DELTA, the new digital provision is part of the continual enhancement of the student experience, providing additional co-curricular opportunities to develop relevant knowledge and skills. The suite of 9 mini-modules vary in length from three minutes to nine minutes and each contain at least one video element. The pilot was launched during Global 11
Entrepreneurship Week where students had an opportunity to preview the content and gain access to the full suite to complete in their own time. Sally Charles, EIG Learning Manager, said: “At this stage we are seeking to get engagement and feedback from students in order to understand their experience and the effectiveness of the modules as part of the development process. “Once we have completed the beta testing, the modules will become a formal mode of learning. Students will be able to document their knowledge gained which will be verified by the university through a form of official recognition of the competencies achieved.” The modules can be accessed via RGU’s CampusMoodle platform.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE Every year, RGU Union and the university agree upon objectives to work in partnership towards. Last year, the partnership looked to explore students’ expectations of their online environments, and how to involve students as cocreators in the design, delivery and appraisal of our campus services.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STUDENTS
By working together, an upgrade to CampusMoodle was delivered with a fresh look and feel. In addition, a new institutional student welcome space was
The university experience is shaped through a partnership between staff and students. This partnership offers many opportunities to improve curriculum design, delivery and the overall student experience. By working together with shared priorities in mind, we help to ensure that our students grow as individuals, become more resilient and ultimately succeed in their studies. There are several mechanisms in play through which students are empowered to share their views for continual process improvement. One such mechanism is Student School Officers, responsible for coordinating enhancement projects alongside senior staff and for acting as a key point of contact between staff and students within individual schools. The revised role is, in itself, a creation of the student and staff partnership; both RGU Union and the university are committed to developing the role further. Student School Officers will hold accumulated influence from students – about their academic interests – at school-wide meetings, with heads of schools and in university committees.
Your Student School Officers
Celda Tyndall Gray’s School of Art
Monika Radoslavova Creative and Cultural Business
As Student School Officer, I want to be able to develop a peer support mechanism to allow each individual to feel accepted, reduce their stress and feel listened to. University life can be difficult, but when you have the right support it’s amazing what you can achieve, no matter who you are.
My project idea is to create some sort of mutual mentoring programme for students within SCCB, so older students (stages 3 & 4) can help younger ones or at least be a point of contact for them, especially regarding placements and study abroad.
Shun Wong Engineering
Roz MacGillivray Nursing
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Georgiana Florentina Bugeag Applied Social Studies
Gregor Forbes Law
Kim Brodie Health
STUDENT EXPERIENCE created which took into account lessons from students. These collated insights will continue to support strategic ambitions in future. Concerted steps have been taken to include students in the design and delivery of services, including the creation of events and resources to support resilience and well-being, and input into the development of new mobile-friendly applications such as timetabling and MyRGU.
The next objectives will be launched in semester two following the annual review of courses and services. As such, it is an important time to continue empowering our students to share their views so that the coming objectives work for both staff and students and help make the university a great place to work and to study.
HASHTAG TITLES #WorldMentalHealthDay2019 The National Union of Students (Scotland) took to Twitter to praise the powerful video from RGU Union tackling the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day: encouraging suicide prevention.
#SMHA1920 Think Positive from the National Union of Students (Scotland) visited to discuss updating the Student Mental Health Agreement between the university and RGU Union, while highlighting the scope of initiatives we’ve put in place to support our learners.
#CarryNaloxone
Callum McChesney Architecture & Built Environment
Emma Berrill Nursing & Midwifery
After meeting with my head of school and pitching that feedback from the students to staff and above gets there a little too late, I proposed that more regular and informal feedback could help get a steadier flow of understanding about each course and modules within the school. We agreed that this would be my main project.
Myself and Roz are working on a project together and it is focussed on creating a peer-support system for nursing and midwifery students while they are on placement. The aim is to have placement reps for each area where all the students who are on placement can feed back their experiences to, as well as any concerns.
Lindsay Gavine Gray’s
Maaz Vohra ABS
Mackenzie Lumsden Pharmacy
Martina Bali Engineering
Sam Thiesen CSDM
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An Overdose Awareness Trainer created a thread celebrating the success of Naloxone training organised by members of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), Student Chapter, which gained a turnout of more than 130 students.
#ChatCommentChange Students voiced their views in a bumper week of Chat Comment Change sessions hosted by Student Presidents from RGU Union, Student School Officer meetings, and the first Student Voice Forum of the year. You can read about all of these mechanisms for students to work in partnership with the university on RGU Union’s website.
IMPACTFUL RESEARCH
OPEYEMI AWOLOPE
Identifying Novel Antibiotics
Addressing the global problem of antimicrobial resistance Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has previously been described as a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO). AMR is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics) from working against it. As a result, standard treatments are becoming ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others.
Opeyemi Awolope, a research student at RGU’s School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, is hoping to identify novel antibiotics to combat the resistance that has emerged, causing infectious diseases.
explained. “When we use antibiotics, some bacteria die but resistant bacteria can survive and even multiply. The overuse of antibiotics makes resistant bacteria more common.
Opeyemi, who is also a practicing pharmacist, was drawn to the subject because of the global effort in the industry to combat antimicrobial resistance with new drugs, as well as the multidisciplinary nature of the project.
“It may come as a surprise, but up to 70% of all antibiotics in clinical use are derived from bacteria. Several bacterial species produce antimicrobial substances active against other microbes in their environment to gain competitive advantage – it’s a dog-eat-dog world!
“Antimicrobial resistance occurs naturally but it is facilitated by the inappropriate use of medicines, for example, using antibiotics for viral infections such as the cold or flu, or sharing antibiotics,” she 14
“Scientists have exploited this to develop clinically useful antibiotics. However, the task of identifying bacterial strains that are likely to produce novel antibiotics has
IMPACTFUL RESEARCH historically been a difficult one. As a result, many projects had led to the rediscovery of known antibiotics.” The recent surge in affordable genome sequencing platforms coupled with robust bioinformatics tools has served to make the discovery of novel antibiotics less difficult.
“It is a classic example of how science is a force for good.” Opeyemi’s supervisor, Dr Andrew Lamb, said the research addresses an urgent healthcare need.
“It is a classic example of how science is a force for good.”
Opeyemi is using a bioinformatics approach on bacterial isolates that she hopes will be antibiotic producers. “It is now possible to scan bacterial genomes for genes that are likely to encode novel antibiotics, and then employ bioinformatics tools to predict or expedite the prediction of conditions that would favour gene expression. We have adopted this approach and, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham and the University of Glasgow, have sequenced the genomes of bacterial strains obtained from soil samples. “We have identified genes that are likely to encode novel antibiotics and are currently working on strategies to activate these genes. Once activated, the enzymes they encode are anticipated to enable the production of novel metabolites with antimicrobial activity”
- Opeyemi Awolope
He said: “This project is part of an international effort to address the very urgent need to identify the next generation of antibiotics. Opeyemi is a very capable and enthusiastic PhD student, and has generated some really interesting results. We are very grateful to Tenovus Scotland for supporting her research project.” Opeyemi said her interest in research started during her undergraduate years in pharmacy school in Nigeria. “Pharmacy is one of the few courses that expose you to many disciplines and
Genome mining strategies for the discovery of new antibiotics
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offer several career paths,” she said. “Pharmaceutical chemistry was my favourite subject, but little did I know I was being equipped to do much more.” Opeyemi took up a clinical pharmacist role after graduating from pharmacy school and spent the following 14 years working in clinical settings or retail pharmacies across three countries – but her passion for research endured. She continued: “It wasn’t until 2016 that I felt the time was right to pursue my ambition – it’s never too late! I now study part-time while practicing as a pharmacist. Juggling full-time work and study is challenging but doable with the right support, which I’m very fortunate to have from my supervisory team and my research degree coordinator. “I cannot overstate how thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling undertaking this research has been. I look forward to a long career in research in whatever capacity. There are many opportunities out there for us all to impact our society for good, through science.”
IMPACTFUL RESEARCH
TACKLING GLOBAL WARMING THROUGH SOLAR ENERGY
Dr Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki and Dr Nazmi Sellami
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IMPACTFUL RESEARCH
The World Economic forum has identified global warming to be one of the most pressing risks in a recent report. There is a scientific consensus that global warming is driven by greenhouse gas emissions – and buildings make up nearly 40% of the total primary energy usage in the US and the EU, making them a major contributor. Dr Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki and Dr Nazmi Sellami from RGU’s School of Engineering are working to create photovoltaic solar devices to improve the energy efficiency in buildings to reduce these emissions. They have been researching how to minimise energy consumption in buildings through harvesting renewable sources such as solar energy. Firdaus explained: “Solar photovoltaic technology – a technology that transforms sunlight into electricity has been used for more than 50 years. However, the cost of the PV panel is still considered as expensive, especially in developing countries. This is due to the use of expensive PV material – which contributes to approximately 50% of the cost. If we can reduce the use of expensive PV panel, whilst maintaining the same electrical output, we can create a cheaper alternative for consumers. “One way of achieving this is by introducing an optical concentrator in the panel design. The concentrator is a type of lens that can concentrate the sunlight into a smaller area, where a PV cell is attached. By doing this, you only utilise a fraction of the PV cell, but in theory, will generate a similar electrical output.” To date, Firdaus and Nazmi have worked on several concentrator designs and two of them have been patented (UK and US patents). A number of working prototypes (in the form of a small solar window) have been produced and the results of this research has been published in journals and presented at international conferences.
lies in the dual function of the optical element of the concentrator, it is used to harvest heat from the sun in addition to its main and only known function of concentrating the sun rays to the solar cell. “This 1st generation solar energy system is the result of 10 years’ experience working in the UK and abroad on different multidisciplinary research projects focused on solar energy. In my previous work on photovoltaic building integration (BIPV), transparent solar concentrator was designed to integrate into fenestrations and transparent façades. The patented technology not only generates electricity, but it can produce additional benefits - particularly for building integration application. The co-generated heat from the photovoltaic effect can be extracted for space heating and hot water application, the light can penetrate the solar window and be used for illumination which will further reduce the lighting requirement in the building.”
“...the cost of the PV panel is still considered as expensive, especially in developing countries” The duo are currently working with a PhD student to investigate the use of a concentrator that can generate electricity, as well as hot water for building application. The School of Engineering have funded the PhD studentship and Firdaus and Nazmi are supervising Abdullah Alamoudi as they take the research further. Firdaus and Nazmi have also received Pump Priming from RGU, led by their colleague Dr Nadimul Faisal, to investigate the potential of thermal spray for energy harvesting application. Nazmi said that they hope to continue their research and are currently working on an EPSRC grant.
Nazmi added: “We are working on the design of a novel hybrid concentrating photovoltaic/thermal system. The novelty 17
Hashtag Titles #OpenAccessResearch Politics Governance shared Professor Justin Greenwoods newly released In the Shadow of Public Opinion article about the European Parliament, civilsociety organisations and legislative trilogues. Available to download for free from our open access site.
#AI Dr Eyad Elyan received plenty praise for his Palestine visit to speak at Data Matters, organised by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Dr Elyan shared the Data Lab experience in pushing AI and Data Science in Scotland.
#VitChennai Reader in Thermofluids, Dr Mamdud Hossain made the keynote presentation during the National Conference on Clean Energy and Clean Water at VIT Chennai. The thread includes a student who feels privileged to gain an education from RGU and Dr Hossain.
#ResearchMeetsPractice Delighted for the return of Neil Gibson to give his introductory workshop on therapeutic photography, Human Development Scotland shared links to book onto the few remaining places. You can find out more about Neil’s phototherapy research later in the magazine.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Snap Digital team in action
START-UP ACCELERATOR GEARS UP FOR SECOND ROUND Following the hugely successful inaugural RGU Start-up Accelerator in 2018/19, the initiative returns for its second round, with applications flooding in from staff, students and alumni from both RGU and North East Scotland College (NESCol).
The aim of the accelerator is to support the diversification of the regional economy through the yearly creation of new businesses. In its first year, 165 teams applied, with 25 being taken forward, representing fifteen countries and a range of sectors including food and drink, education, technology, digital, healthcare, and the creative industries.
One of many success stories from the first Accelerator, is that of Snap Digital. The company was co-founded by a team of three talented alumni who have worked their way through RGU’s entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem to come out the other side with a successful business.
In its first year, 165 teams applied, with 25 being taken forward, representing fifteen countries and a range of sectors With a focus on high-quality photography and film, Snap Digital is a content production agency which specialises in telling creative brand stories that create meaningful bonds between customer and company. 18
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT “We’ve really evolved since our first project,” said Will Farquhar, Snap Digital’s Creative Director. “RGU has been good for us as a client and on a support basis. The company wouldn’t be here without RGU’s support.” Before moving into their own space, the team worked from RGU’s Incubator Space, which provides access to office facilities and expertise to test and develop new business ideas.
projects, which gives us the time to produce content at the level we want,” said Will. “One big development is that we are going to be working with local design agency, Forty Two Studio, to conduct a full rebrand of Snap to bring the brand in line with our current offering and positioning within the market.
Hashtag Titles #EntrepreneurialMindset A representative for Community Learning and Development Managers Scotland commended Chris Moule for his great Scotsman article on how universities play a key role in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset to enhance opportunities for everyone across society.
#RuralEconomicDevelopment
James Galbraith, Production Director at Snap Digital, said: “You’re surrounded by other start-up companies in the same position as yourself. We were able to bounce ideas off them. There are lots of opportunities to collaborate because of it.” The trio jumped at the chance to take part in the Start-up Accelerator, where they gained funding for equipment and tapped into additional mentoring and support when they needed it. Will said: “The funding allowed us to overcome one of the biggest barriers to entry in the film industry, which is purchasing high quality equipment.” Snap Digital have now worked with a variety of clients, including RGU, BrewDog, Aberdein Considine and, as a result of the Incubator Space, Udrafter.
“You’re surrounded by other start-up companies in the same position as yourself. We were able to bounce ideas off them. There are lots of opportunities to collaborate.” “The next steps will be growing the team, working on attracting bigger clients and making sure we’re constantly honing our craft to be the best we can be.”
“Strategically, we’ve moved to a position where we have fewer but higher-value 19
Aberdeenshire’s Economic Development Team recommended the new Library Innovation Network Aberdeenshire (LINA) to its followers. The initiative combines expert library facilities and RGU’s entrepreneurship and innovation resources for the rural community to collaborate and develop business ideas.
#AberdeenAmbassadors Four of our academics were awarded the Aberdeen Ambassador 2019 Award at P&J Live in recognition of their work to create conferences that boost economic activity within the region. Our winners include Dr Rachael Ironside, Professor Angela Kydd, Dr Roger McDermott and Dr Quazi Zaman.
#Fridays4Future The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education (also known as EAUC) Scotland used our Startup Accelerator as a case study for industry, innovation and infrastructure in its #Friday4Future post, sharing how the programme supports innovation in the region and stimulates economic growth. The case study is available to download on its website.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SAFETY IS ON THE CARDS AFTER SUCCESSFUL KTP PROJECT RGU is well-known for the incredibly strong links it has fostered with businesses across a wide range of sectors, local, nationally and internationally. These links provide many benefits to our staff and students, but also to the organisations we collaborate with.
A key area of achievement was to increase the understanding of which rewards and recognition practices, across multinational workforces, incentivise safety behaviours. In order to cater to a range of learning
One of the key strands to this industry engagement is the successful transferral of knowledge between the university and the organisations it works in partnership with.
Natascha, who had little prior experience working in the oil and gas sector but provided a wealth of knowledge in qualitative research, was delighted by the success of the KTP and the doors it has opened. “I think I learnt a lot from working with and engaging with another sector. We are always encouraged to be working cross-sectorally, but how does that actually work in the real world?
A recent Knowledge Transfer Partnership between RGU and Petrofac, which was awarded the second highest grade of ‘Very Good’ by a panel of independent assessors, delved into motivations for safe behaviour amongst multicultural workforces. The research project was led by Dr Natascha MuellerHirth, a Senior Lecturer in Sociology from the School of Applied Social Studies, along with KTP Associate and safety engineer, Beate Houette.
innovative playing cards, which help to consolidate the learning from site photographs and accident stories.
“I feel that this, and likely other KTPs at the university, provide something which we can take back into our teaching, so students at the university are benefitting.
styles – visual, auditory and practical – and overcome communication barriers, the team also developed training materials for working at height, including 20
“The KTP project has already led onto a new research grant for myself and the School as it has put me into an area where I have not been working before. This is something I don’t think I ever would’ve
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Natascha Mueller-Hirth and Beate Houette
gone for had I not been involved in the original KTP, and I don’t think I would’ve got it because I just didn’t have the experience. It has given me the confidence to go for something new, outwith what I considered to be my area of expertise. Beate reflects on her experience and the opportunities for graduates taking on a role as a KTP Associate. “I had the academic support on one hand from the university, helping me and guiding me, and on the other hand I had support from the industry, which allowed me to visit work sites in Malaysia, Mexico and Oman and get close to the people who we wanted to engage with. “I think I developed as a person throughout the course of the KTP because it was not only about the work I was doing with Petrofac, I was also given the opportunity to take part in management training and I attended a lead auditor course for occupational health and
safety. The whole project side of things was extremely well organised by the KTP Team. We also had the opportunity to meet with other KTP Associates every six months, where we could share our experiences and provide updates from our own projects. 21
“For me, personally, it was an incredible opportunity. I had the chance to work alongside professionals both from academia and the industry, made new friends and learned many new skills.”
OUR PEOPLE
Your new staff wellbeing and communications platform With an emphasis on helping staff to feel supported, connected and rewarded wherever they are, LifeWorks brings employee perks, wellbeing and community resources together under one seamless online platform.
As you log in, a personalised news feed will deliver wellbeing content based on your personal and anonymous preferences, as well as the latest community news and opportunities from RGU. The newsfeed also allows you to share your successes and be proud of others as we work together to deliver the university’s strategy.
Julie Skinner, Resourcing and Benefits Specialist at RGU, says: “We’ve launched this easy-to-use online platform as part of the university’s commitment to supporting your mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing. It can be accessed from your computer or taken with you in the palm of your hands by downloading the user-friendly Apple or Android app. 22
“Every member of staff was invited to the platform via their RGU email. If you need help getting onto LifeWorks, or have misplaced your sign up email, then contact staffbenefits@rgu.ac.uk.” In addition to the personalised news feed, an entire ‘Perks’ section offers you a massive range of savings on everything from discounts on Apple products and designer-clothing retailers to money off Deliveroo, hotel bookings and fun days out with the family. There’s even a place to suggest your own perks, allowing you to inform LifeWorks of the kind of brands or offers you would like to see on the platform.
“Every member of staff was invited to the platform via their RGU email. If you need help getting onto LifeWorks, or have misplaced your sign up email, then contact staffbenefits@rgu.ac.uk”
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There’s a wealth of resources designed to improve your mental, physical and financial wellbeing, including a 24/7 confidential employee counselling and wellbeing helpline to support you with any legal, family, work or financial concerns. Take up challenges to improve your mental or physical health in a fun way, and earn points that you can put towards real, tiered rewards for a job well done. LifeWorks wouldn’t live up to its name if it didn’t support you with articles and opinion pieces on family, health, money, work and life in general. Whether you need advice on becoming a parent or improving your work relationships, the site has content to help you there too. This feature-rich platform is available to you free of charge as an employee at RGU. Take full advantage of the site by heading to rgu.lifeworks.com to feel supported, connected and rewarded wherever you are.
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THE TEAM AT THE HEART OF THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE AT RGU –
STUDENT LIFE Students are at the heart of everything that takes place at RGU and form a major part of the university’s strategic direction as both academic and support staff strive to enable them to be resilient, succeed in their studies and grow as individuals. The Student Life team is core to ensuring the experience our students have is a positive one. The team is led by Director, Filippo Antoniazzi, who wants to put students at the centre of all decisions made at the university.
“Essentially, the Student Life team is there to provide support services to our students, to keep them on track and to help them enjoy life while here. We are, in part, responsible for their success as a student – and that is developing as an individual as well as passing their exams. We are there when they are going through hard times, but also there to help develop more co-curricular activities so that they are enjoying their time. “We are there to help, and we can make an impact. Too often, the university community thinks we are only there to help students with a disability, or those who require counselling. When in fact, we are there for much, much more. It’s more
Student Life Director, Filippo Antoniazzi
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about the whole, rounded individual. We can help the academic community and other support departments, and I think it’s important that everyone in their roles, whether academic or support, needs to understand that they can also be a part of ‘Student Life’. “We are working very hard in the background to understand what our students need for them to be successful outwith the academic side of things. Increasingly, we are really interested in helping academics and the rest of the academic community to design what we do for our students in order to make it the best possible experience with student wellbeing at the heart of it.”
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STUDENT LIFE COVERS – Chaplaincy – advice and support for students on issues relating to faith
The Student Life team works in collaboration with the Student Union and acts as a bridge between the students and the institution. A major campaign which saw this partnership in action was ‘Speak Up Speak Out’ and the delivery of the Report and Support platform, both aimed at tackling gender-based violence.
“THE STUDENT LIFE TEAM WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE STUDENT UNION AND ACTS AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE STUDENTS AND THE INSTITUTION”
to be able to report these incidents and then for us to put structures in place so that we can support the survivors of gender based violence and also deal with the behaviours.” This was just one example of the successful work being done by Student Life in partnership with students and various departments across the university. Constantly aiming for better, Filippo is eager to reinforce there is more being done to ensure RGU’s students receive all the support required. “We are working very hard on a number of projects, looking at family friendly policies, support for Trans students, and a big focus for us just now is on mental health. It’s about a whole system-based approach to try and help our students cope with the demands of being a student.”
ResLife – the first point of contact within RGU’s residencies. Key to building strong communities of students and providing support for those residing in the RGU accommodation Student Help Point – a hub for all students, online or on campus, to ask any questions Counselling and Wellbeing - the Student Counselling and Wellbeing Centre has Counsellors and a Student Wellbeing Advisor who can talk over issues that may be concerning students The Inclusion Centre – a dedicated team there to support students with disabilities and/or dyslexia RGU Sport – a dedicated sports facility situated in the heart of the campus. It boasts modern world class sporting facilities, and is available for use by the whole university community StreetSport – outreach programme to reduce instances of youth crime and anti-social behaviour; promote health and wellbeing and encourage inclusivity through sport, physical activity and creative endeavour
Filippo continued: “Speak Up Speak Out has been a real partnership effort, but it is a real serious issue for us as a society, let alone a university. Speak Up Speak Out is really about empowering our community 25
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Employee profile:
NEIL GIBSON Changing the dynamic of social work RGView spoke to Dr Neil Gibson, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for Social Work, who recently became the first person in Scotland to be awarded the Hugh Diamond Welch Award for his contribution to Phototherapy.
What is phototherapy? It’s about using photographs in therapeutic settings to help people explore mental health issues. It has significant therapeutic advantages and can really change the dynamic of social work. As part of my PhD, I worked with marginalised groups across the city using these techniques, and I’ve seen how they can help people to explore really complex issues and begin to make sense of the problems they are facing. Why is it so effective? The photographs invite conversation and create genuine interest in sharing stories. The body language between the person sharing the person viewing the image is often warm, open and safe, with the eye contact being on the photograph and not on the interviewer. It places the person showing the photograph in control – they choose what to show, what to say, and ultimately who they show the photograph to. What do you enjoy most about your work? Working with the students and teaching complex theories in a way that makes
them more accessible. I would never claim to be an expert on any theory, but I do think there are ways in which we can make information more accessible and interesting, and this is the challenge I enjoy most in my job. I work with a great team, and we all have the welfare of our students at heart, so it makes coming to work a pleasure.
You can read more about Neil’s research into Phototherapy on our open access research platform OpenAIR@RGU in his article Therapeutic photography: enhancing patient communication. 26
What else are you working on? I’m still involved with therapeutic photography in a number of areas. I was Kenya using photography to explore issues with residents of an informal settlement in Nairobi, I am working with therapists from Italy to look at how we can progress research in this area, and I am always interested in UK based projects where this technique can be effective. I also deliver an online CPD course in therapeutic photography, as well as all my course leader responsibilities! Head to RGU’s new staff communications and wellbeing platform, Lifeworks, to find out more about Neil’s award and to celebrate his success.
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Connect with: The Ageing Research Network Staff groups and networks have become an added benefit to life at university. They’re a great opportunity to share knowledge, learn new skills, and make connections with people you wouldn’t ordinarily meet. ‘Connect with’ is a recurring feature that invites you to learn more about a group or network in each issue of RGView. In this issue, we connect with… The Ageing Research network Bridging the gap between research, practice and user experiences, the Ageing Research Network aims to generate innovative and impactful research ideas to meet the needs of older people. The group already has more than 70 members, whose reach goes beyond the schools at RGU to multidisciplinary clinicians from NHS Grampian, staff from the Health and Social Care Partnerships, the third sector, policymakers, alumni and interested members of the local community aged 60 and over. The network was originally created by the School of Nursing and Midwifery’s Professor Angela Kydd (a Clinical Professor in Nursing whose research interests include ageism and gerontology) and Dr Aileen Grant (a Senior Research Fellow). Angela says: “We want to provide a forum and create networking opportunities for anyone interested in
research or service improvement for older people. “To achieve the aims of the network, we need to involve even more people from different groups. We want to give all members access to the resources and connections that will generate ideas, win significant investment and drive change for older people.” The group meets regularly to discuss research projects. The last meeting was held at the Norwood Hotel in September, where attendees learned about patient and public involvement in research and current research activities from both RGU and the University of Aberdeen. The Ageing Research Network is part of a range of staff groups and networks available to you at RGU. To see the full range of opportunities, head to the Staff Networks and Groups page where you can also sign up to the Ageing Research Group.
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MINDFULNE
there is no right or wron
By Mary Munro Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing PgCert Mindfulness Studies
I’ve been interested in and practiced mindfulness for over 10 years. Common reactions I have heard when discussing mindfulness have been… 1. “I am too busy to do mindfulness” 2. “Is that when you just sit and think of nothing?” 3. “I have tried it, but not sure if I am doing right” The beauty of mindfulness: there is always time to be mindful. It’s about being present in whatever we are doing, and there is no right or wrong way of doing it. I thought I would write a piece on myth busting some of the preconceptions of what it is and what it is not, to get anyone curious about mindfulness off to the best start.
What exactly is mindfulness? The Mindfulness Association’s working definition of mindfulness is ‘knowing what is happening while it is happening, without preference’. Mindfulness is a mental state, achieved by focusing our awareness on the present moment, while acknowledging and accepting any feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. Mindfulness is not easy – it is a “practice” Sometimes it can be easy, sometimes it’s not (especially when beginning mindfulness practice). If you find your mind wanders off thinking about other things – that is completely okay and totally normal. As human beings, we have these butterfly minds that like to fly off to different places. This becomes easier with practice to bring our minds back to the 28
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ESS
ng way
present. I think of mindfulness practice as building a muscle in the brain: the mindfulness muscle. Mindfulness can be practiced anytime/ anywhere Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere, doing anything. Examples can be mindful eating, mindful walking and stop, breath and think. It is about paying attention to what is happening while it is happening and not just sitting in a position of meditation. It’s important to remember that the goal of mindfulness practice is not to be completely free of thoughts – that’s virtually impossible. You’re trying to become aware of whatever arises, whether it be an odour, an itch, or a thought.
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Mindfulness is for anyone and everyone There’s no belief system connected to mindfulness. It has routes within Buddhism, however it’s a technique for enriching your life by learning how to fully engage your moment-to-moment experience. Everyone is welcome to be mindful. The Mindfulness Association has a great website to start your mindful journey: mindfulnessassociation.net. There are a few apps that may be useful to suggest to students for exam and assignment preparation – just to give that little break away from the books: Head Space, The Mindfulness App, Calm, and Mindfulness Daily.
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Moments RGU is the first in the world to achieve joint AMBA and BGA accreditation
LINA launches two libraries as first centres for rural entrepreneurship
Aberdeen Business School has achieved joint accreditation from the Association of MBAs and the Business Graduates Association, two of the world’s leading authorities on post-graduate business education. As the first business school in the world to achieve the joint-accreditation, it recognises ABS’ commitment to high-quality teaching, business-connected learning, access and global reach. The school was commended for its responsible management, positive impact and lifelong learning.
The first public libraries to support rural entrepreneurship in the North-east are ready to welcome local entrepreneurs and those with ideas for potential ventures. Banff and Peterhead libraries are the first locations to launch Library Innovation Network Aberdeenshire (LINA), a partnership between RGU and Aberdeenshire Council providing modern co-working spaces and resources to support business creation and drive economic growth.
MYRGU launch MYRGU made its debut onto the screens of students. Launched by IT Services in collaboration with a crossuniversity project Board, the new student portal app offers a one stop shop for student applications, information and communication, whether at home, on campus or on the move. MYRGU is available to download from Apple and Google stores, providing students with a single access point to personalised timetables, Office365, Moodle and student services.
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Embedding the arts in the offshore industry
The image of the North Sea oil industry has been completely reassessed by a group of talented art students who spent time working offshore to capture and experience the environment for themselves. A group of 10 students from Gray’s School of Art have been working in collaboration with RockRose Energy to document decommissioning and reassess the stereotypical image of the industry. Their final work was shown during an exhibition and is on display at RockRose Energy’s offices in the city.
Developing our digital estate Across the year, there has been significant improvement to the university’s digital estate. A three-year development plan has been created to ensure RGU remains a leader in online learning and provides an excellent student experience. The projectDeveloping our Digital Estate – has so far included a CampusMoodle upgrade with a modernised look and feel, an institutional welcome space for new RGU learners, Personalised at Desk 1-2-1 support offer for academic staff, and a managed trial of LinkedIn Learning to support the development of digital capabilities.
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Imaginize 2019 RGU held Imaginze 2019 as part of its Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrations. The event aimed to inspire people into thinking differently and to generate ideas which could change their industries. Attendees were able to meet with RGU’s entrepreneurs and startups to find out about their business ideas and experience technologies ranging from virtual reality to 3D printing. At Imaginize, RGU also held its first unconference where participants crowdsource the topics they want to talk about and everyone is the expert. The sessions held were ‘The future is…’ or ‘My idea is…’ where everyone got the chance to shape the discussion and share their views.
The Main Event The Main Event, which has seen students raise over £100k for local charities so far, has been launched. This year, Events Management students are creating a number of events to host in the city to raise funds and awareness for: Alzheimer’s Scotland, Befriend a Child, Dates-n-Mates, Erskine, Grampian MS Therapy Centre, Inspire and Marie Curie. The charities will benefit from funds raised, increased awareness and also a new event to add to their portfolio. 32
