Hartley News 2021 by University of Southampton

ALUMNI AND SUPPORTER MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2021

HARTLEY NEWS

SAILING SUCCESS

Meet the alumni making waves on and off the water LED ZEPPELIN Revisit the iconic band’s campus performances WELCOME TO THE TREASURE DOME Learn about the historical items and artefacts that make up the University Archives and Special Collections CLASS NOTES What are your old classmates up to?

WELCOME FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR I’m delighted to welcome you to the latest edition of Hartley News, the University of Southampton’s annual magazine for our alumni and supporter community. This has again been a year far from the ordinary, but it has been encouraging to begin taking steps towards normality, including welcoming our students and staff back to campus in a safe and controlled way. We have worked hard to ensure our students benefit from as full a return as possible to campus-life this academic year and students have already begun engaging enthusiastically with their studies, as well as socialising with friends. It has been a genuine pleasure to witness our lecture halls, libraries and cafes abuzz with conversation and ideas. 2021 has also been exciting for the University as we saw a remarkable rise in our position in the most prestigious global ranking table – read more about that on page 20. Our accomplished, engaged alumni and supporter community plays a vital role in successes such as this, and I thank you for your continued involvement.

I also had the pleasure of discussing with many of you the ongoing development of our University Strategy, at our recent online event. Hearing your questions and thoughts was very insightful, and your feedback is helping to shape our new strategy, which I look forward to sharing with you in full early next year. Across the following pages of Hartley News, you can find interviews with Southampton alumni, including one of the BBC’s top 100 women. We reflect on days gone by, revisiting Led Zeppelin’s iconic concert on campus, and celebrating some notable University anniversaries. Discover more about our research and the impact of giving in all its forms, along with our usual selection of University news and updates from your fellow alumni. I hope you enjoy this edition of your alumni and supporter magazine, and once again thank you for your continued relationship with the University of Southampton. Professor Mark E. Smith CBE President and Vice-Chancellor

IN THIS ISSUE

Alumni sailing success

Led Zeppelin revisited

What it takes to be one of the BBC’s 100 Women of 2020

Southampton Together

Celebrating our history

A multidisciplinary approach to tackling antibiotic resistance

Welcome to the treasure dome

Southampton support for climate change

2021 in news

Class Notes 3

ALUMNI SAILING SUCCESS Southampton has long had a reputation for sailing excellence, a reputation that remains undiminished as a string of Olympic, Vendée Globe and Volvo Ocean race successes shows. In early 2021 alumnus Charlie Dalin completed sailing around the world in 80 days to claim a dramatic podium finish in the 2021 Vendée Globe. Although crossing the line first, he was edged to victory by Yannick Bestaven, who was given a 10hr 15min time bonus for helping rescue a competitor. This summer brought the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and with it, a second gold for alumnus Giles Scott, after a nail-biting final race. Alumna Ali Young competed in her third consecutive Olympics in Tokyo, and has happy memories. “Tokyo was a great experience and is the Games from which I have the most positive memories. The energy and spirit within the British sailing team out in Japan was fantastic. It’s a huge privilege to represent your nation at the Olympics and to race against some of the best female sailors in the world,” she says.

Ali was crowned laser radial world champion in April 2016, becoming the first British woman to do so in a solo Olympic dinghy class, but she also lists overcoming personal challenges to finish 15th in the 2019 Princesa Sofia Regatta as a sailing highlight. “It was extra important to compete as the regatta was effectively the start of the Olympic trials, but six weeks before the event I tore some ligaments in my knee. I was on a rehab mission and it took a full team effort to make the start line.” Representing your nation is something alumnus Pavlos Kontides understands well. Pavlos just missed a podium spot in Tokyo, finishing fourth, but his silver medal in London 2012 made him a national hero, being the only Cypriot ever to have won a medal at the Games. “That will always be very special, not only for me but for history as well,” he says. Since then, he has added two world titles and Rolex World Sailor of the Year, (“the ultimate award a sailor can win” he adds) to his list of achievements. Alumnus Pavlos Kontides represented his country at the last four Olympic Games.

Alumna Emily Nagel will be working as a performance data analyst with all the British sailing classes on the road to Paris 2024.

Although a professional sailor, alumna Emily Nagel’s involvement at Tokyo 2020 was land-based. Making the most of her degree in Naval Architecture, she worked as a performance data analyst with the Finnish and Spanish Nacra 17 teams leading up to the Games. “I have been hired as performance data analyst for the British sailing team exclusively and will be working with all the classes on the road to Paris 2024,” she says. But despite this, sailing remains Emily’s passion. “I love being able to combine the two but being on the water is where I am happiest,” she explains. Emily cites rounding Cape Horn as part of the AkzoNobel team in the 2017/2018 edition of The Volvo Ocean Race as a sailing highlight. “Sailing from Auckland to Brazil around Cape Horn was one of the hardest few weeks of my life – losing a friend during it and facing some of the toughest sailing conditions. To achieve one of my life goals despite all of it was a crazy moment, and it meant so much to share it with a team I could trust with my life.”

“ I didn’t make it easy for myself, did I? I’m so proud. To follow legends like Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy, it’s a good moment.” Giles Scott, Olympic Gold Medalist Alumnus Giles Scott brought home his second gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Southampton’s illustrious alumni have so many achievements under their belts, and we are proud of their continued success, both on and off the water. There’s no resting up, however. Pavlos states, “I have three years now to fully prepare for Paris 2024 and be in the best possible shape.”

LED ZEPPELIN REVISITED

“ We couldn’t believe that the band were coming to Southampton and tickets were like gold dust. I was very fortunate to get one,” says alumna Pauline Terry. “I still dine out on the fact that I saw Led Zeppelin live for only 60p!” 6

On 11 March 1971, Led Zeppelin, one of the biggest rock bands of all time, came to play at the University’s Old Refectory. Although global stars capable of selling out arenas, they had put together a ‘back to the clubs’ tour, wanting to play to smaller audiences in more intimate venues. Students at Southampton couldn’t believe their luck.

The size of the venue, affectionately referred to by students as ‘the Ref’, meant that numbers were limited, but those who couldn’t make it inside were easily able to hear the music from outside.

Fond memories “I stood outside on the slope with my roommate and watched the big windows bowing alarmingly as people standing on the handrails swayed to the music,” recalls alumnus Tony Lawther. Keen to get involved, Tony helped the band’s roadies load out their gear, and was given a packet of crisps for his troubles. The concert was a huge success. As alumnus Dennis Robbins wrote for Wessex Scene: “After two hours…Led Zeppelin walked off the stage only to be brought back on after a standing ovation from an ecstatic audience, to play hard rock and roll for another hour of repeated encores.” Southampton and the Ref had left an impression on ‘the mighty Zep’, and two years later, in January 1973, they were back for more – to rave reviews. “It was simply superb. I had impaired hearing in one ear caused by standing next to a speaker stack at the front of the stage which resulted in three days of whistling ears!” says alumnus Adam Kowalczyk. Adam was a keen photographer and seized the opportunity to take some stunning photography of the event (pictured). John Clark, the events secretary who had helped organise the gig was equally enthused. Writing a review in Wessex News, he said: “I don’t know if it was the atmosphere, or just being right at the front of the audience, but the Old Ref concert was just fantastic.

The Wessex News team covered the memorable concerts.

“ I stood outside on the slope with my roommate and watched the big windows bowing alarmingly as people standing on the handrails swayed to the music” The band played a three-hour long set to a packed out audience.

Zeppelin revisit Tony Lawther managed to make it inside the Ref for the 1973 revisit and was not disappointed. “The concert was tremendous. They played for three hours (no support), and seemed to really enjoy it. Zep’s playing style was often to start one song, let it flow into various others apparently on whims, and then come back to the original song for the end. “There were no private dressing room toilets, so the band had to use the toilets at the bottom of the West Building stairs. Robert Plant said he’d noticed one particular name in the graffiti on the walls, so he dedicated ‘Whole Lotta Love’ to Alan Whitehead, later one of Southampton’s MPs,” he continues. The Ref played host to a number of famous bands, including Deep Purple and Pink Floyd, a fact made all the more remarkable given its size. Alumnus and fellow Led Zeppelin ticketholder Steve Coltman returned to the University with friends a few years ago. “We went into the same Refectory and I was amazed at how small it was. The band’s stage must have occupied a third of the space.” Unassuming by day, but by night, in Tony’s words, the Ref is “truly a rock and roll heritage space.”

The band revisited Southampton in 1973.

Were you there? Share your photos on social using #ReplayYourMemories and add your memories to our Replay site at: southampton.ac.uk/replay 7

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE ONE OF THE BBC’S 100 WOMEN OF 2020 Having contracted COVID-19 in early 2020, and unable to shake off the symptoms, Associate Professor in Public Health and alumna Dr Nisreen Alwan (PGCAP, 2018) found her interest in long-COVID becoming both personal and professional. “People were posting on social media that they were having similar experiences but it wasn’t being talked about by policy makers. Noone was defining it or counting it,” she says. It prompted Nisreen to write an article on the topic in the British Medical Journal, followed by articles for science and medical journals such as Nature and The Lancet. She started a social media campaign #countlongcovid to continue to raise awareness of the need for countries to measure and address not only mortality, but long-term ill health from the virus. “Policy decisions were being made without taking account of morbidity. The focus was on overloading the NHS, hospitalisations and death, so people who were not classed as high risk, but who were not recovering, were not counted anywhere. We needed to know the size of the problem in terms of productivity, long-term recovery and impact on health care use so that we could make appropriate public health and policy decisions,” says Nisreen. Her efforts have paid off. In addition to raising global awareness of the problem, as part of a group 8

of experts, she persuaded the All Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus to include the need to count long-COVID as one of its demands to government. The Office for National Statistics has similarly taken the issue onboard, providing monthly updates on counting longCOVID, and the UK is now leading on trying to estimate the ongoing burden caused by the virus. In recognition of her campaigning and her work on the Southampton Saliva Testing Programme, Nisreen received an MBE and was heralded as one of the BBC’s 100 Women of 2020, alongside the likes of Sanna Marin, the Prime Minister of Finland, NASA astronaut Kathy Sullivan, and British vaccinologist Professor Sarah Gilbert. “The massive achievements of those women is really inspirational and to be counted among them was amazing. Both awards felt like a very big honour,” Nisreen says. Part of Nisreen’s current research focuses on the link between longCOVID and social and demographic inequalities. This feeds into her passion for supporting women and ethnic minorities.

“ I saw common themes in terms of recognition of less well-known conditions like long-COVID and around inequalities for women and ethnic minorities. If people’s experiences are not understood, the tendency is to ignore them” Nisreen also leads an intersectionality mentoring scheme, focused on supporting women from ethnic minorities in their career in medicine. Under the scheme, Southampton will work with other medical schools to provide mentoring schemes for this cohort across the UK. Meanwhile, Nisreen’s other research interests continue. She is conducting work around the prevention of childhood obesity, and undertaking a new project looking at the indirect effect of the pandemic on the food security of families with young children. Far from easing up post-COVID, there’s little space to be found on the desk of this awardwinning scientist.

A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO TACKLING ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest health challenges we face today. AMR occurs when the organisms that cause infection evolve ways to survive treatments, making infections harder to treat. If nothing changes, by 2050 infections and illnesses that would previously have been curable by antibiotics will kill more people worldwide than cancer. For more than 25 years our researchers have been conducting multidisciplinary projects to explore alternative strategies to prescribing antibiotics.

Southampton leads the way Teams from across the University have led studies and trials into delayed prescribing, point-ofcare testing, and the use of herbal medicine for symptom relief and cleaning methods. Our research has influenced international and UK guidance on prescribing antibiotics and been used to help tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Southampton researchers in Medicine and Psychology have developed Germ Defence, a website supporting the prevention of infection by handwashing. It provides information and ideas on how to lower your risk of catching viral illnesses.

Responding to coronavirus Coronavirus brought the need for effective hygiene practices into sharp relief, and the team updated the website for the prevention of COVID-19 by including all methods of reducing infection in the home and rapidly translated into 22 languages. It was part of a clinical trial selected for national prioritisation as an ‘NIHR Urgent

In November 2020, a new report by Public Health England revealed that new AMR infections rose to 65,162 per year, up 5% from the previous year. Public Health COVID-19 Study’ to help prevent a second wave of infections in autumn 2020. In a more recent study published in the science journal The Lancet, our researchers found that using the antibiotic amoxicillin for treating chest infections in children - one of the most common acute illnesses treated in primary care in developed countries - has found it is little more effective at relieving symptoms than the use of no medication. Paul Little, Professor of Primary Care Research led the study and said: “Overuse of antibiotics, which is dominated by prescribing of antibiotics in primary care, particularly when they are ineffective, can lead to side effects and the development of antibiotic resistance. “Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to the health of the public, and in future could make much of what is currently routine medical practice very difficult or impossible – such as having surgical

operations or supporting people who are being treated for cancer.”

Working together to tackle AMR The University is home to the Global Network for Anti-Microbial Resistance and Infection Prevention (NAMRIP), a multidisciplinary group of Southampton academics, industry partners and the public, working together to tackle AMR and translate their findings into meaningful impact for society. Led by its founder Professor Tim Leighton, Professor of Ultrasonics and Underwater Acoustics within Engineering, the group’s work covers a wide range of areas including developing devices and therapies across the health, food, water and waste sectors. By bringing engineers and health scientists together, NAMRIP is making incredible discoveries. For example, researchers have used gentle streams of water carrying sound and microscopic air bubbles to successfully clean bacteria from items such as surgical instruments and even food to reduce the risk of infection. This alternative to antibiotics is significant in tackling the serious issue of AMR.

Find out more at: www.southampton.ac.uk/ medicine/research 9

WELCOME TO THE TREASURE DOME Walk up to the fourth floor of the Hartley Library and into a treasure trove of historical items and artefacts. The library is home to the University Archives and Special Collections, which themselves house some seven million items. By far the largest collection is the Anglo-Jewry, which first started as a collection of books from the University’s first president Claude Montefiore and has grown to include at least half of all items. Within this collection are some items of real poignancy, explains alumna Karen Robson, head of Archives and Special Collections. “There are details of Jewish children hidden in Poland during the Second World War and brought over in 1947 by Solomon Schonfeld. We have photographs of them as they arrived and biographical sketches, giving details of their family. It looks a fairly insignificant set of papers, but sometimes this is the only real information on the fate of some of their families.” Karen has been contacted by children of some of the people who appear in the photos trying to trace their family. “It’s very rewarding if we can fill in the gaps and provide details on individuals and their stories. One of the reasons for retaining archives is to provide evidence of events and the individuals who shaped or were shaped by those events.”

An insight into history There are also plenty of unusual items to be found. These include several locks of hair, the most prestigious of which belonged to Princess Charlotte, the daughter of George IV, and was given to the Duke of Wellington. There is an unopened WW2 ration tin, and sample signatures of the leaders of the 1820 Cato Street conspiracy. “It’s strange to think of them practising their signatures while being tried for plotting to overthrow government,” she muses. A poignant photo of Jewish children during the Second World War as part of the Anglo-Jewry collection in our University Archives.

Perhaps the most significant items are a series of notes written on envelopes by Mahatma Gandhi during a hugely significant meeting with Lord Mountbatten on 2 June 1947. Gandhi had arranged the meeting on the day that Lord Mountbatten was to present the plans to partition India to the country’s leaders. He was not in favour of the plans and could have caused some upset, but to Mountbatten’s amazement and relief, Gandhi decided to keep his day of silence. Instead, he wrote notes on the back of envelopes and handed them to Mountbatten. One stated: “I’m sorry I can’t speak…but I know you don’t want me to break my silence.” And with that, a potential crisis was averted.

Going virtual Karen concedes that she has not seen every item, but the imminent launch of an integrated online archive catalogue may help. “Our previous online catalogues worked in parallel, so to bring those resources together, allowing you to see all the serendipitous links across collections under one system is a major achievement.” “It might be a way of finding all sorts of other unexpected things,” she continues. “We have just seen a 19th-century slide of microscopic shells from the Atlantic, which was buried in one collection.” Who knows what other treasure may yet be unearthed?

The Archives and Special Collections are open to all. To find out more, visit archives.soton.ac.uk The Archives contain a series of notes written by Mahatma Gandhi

TOGETHER WE ARE ACHIEVING REMARKABLE THINGS

Here at Southampton, we’re very privileged to have a generous alumni and supporter community. Many of you choose to give back to the University – by either volunteering your time or donating to our vital funds.

TOGETHER WE ARE CURING CANCER In 2018, the University of Southampton opened the Centre for Cancer Immunology (pictured). Based at Southampton General Hospital, it became the UK’s first centre dedicated to cancer immunology research – and it was funded entirely by philanthropy. The Centre has enabled different cancer research groups to come together and benefit from the cuttingedge facilities and new technologies that were part of its design. Links within the hospital have been further strengthened, and co-operation and collaboration across the team is at an all-time high. The past 18 months has illustrated this enhanced coordination more than ever.

Success in the face of adversity Cancer research funding has faced drastic cuts because of the pandemic. Earlier this year, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the main funding organisation for science in the country, cut its budget from £245 million to £125 million. The Association of Medical Research Charities predicts that it will take more than four years for spending in the sector to return to pre-pandemic levels, and a decade to rebuild lost capacity. Though the outlook may seem worrying, the team at Southampton are well placed to continue their lifesaving research, and continue to have a number of successes in their work.

New discoveries Scientists at our Centre for Cancer Immunology are working with researchers and clinicians across academic institutions and alongside colleagues in industry to make new breakthroughs. For example, together we

are examining thousands of patient specimens and clinical trial data to provide vital answers about two important immunology ‘antibody’ drugs, rituximab and obinutuzumab- why they work, and why they fail in some patients. These answers are critical for us to improve patient outcomes. Research led by Southampton also revealed a new fundamental feature of aggressive B-cell lymphomas that could open the door into early detection and treatment of the disease. Over 14,000 people are diagnosed with lymphoma each year, making it the fifth most common cancer and the most common blood cancer (Source: Blood Cancer UK). Francesco Forconi, Professor of Haematology at Southampton said, “this very exciting team-work describes the structure of the glycans covering the surface of the tumour’s B-cell receptor and how it works. Our findings are paving the way to further investigations, including early cancer detection and therapeutic targeting, both of which will be our future goals”. Together, the researchers at the Centre collaborate with colleagues across the globe, pooling world-leading knowledge to make real breakthroughs towards our goal of curing cancer.

We’re proud of what’s been achieved, and we thank our whole alumni and supporter community for its support – you are ensuring that our work can continue to save countless lives. 11

TOGETHER WE ARE IGNITING POTENTIAL At Southampton, we believe that all students should have the chance to thrive during their time at university, regardless of their background or financial situation. The Ignite Programme helps level the playing field for students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. This extensive 3-year programme offers a blend of financial, academic, career and personal opportunities to help students achieve their ambitions. We spoke to a number of people involved in the Programme to find out what Ignite means to them.

LEAVE A LEGACY Leaving a gift in your will is a brilliant way to make a real difference for future generations. In the last year alone, we have been able to develop life-saving research at the Centre for Cancer Immunology, offer financial assistance to disadvantaged students through the Ignite Programme, and we have accelerated research into eye diseases via Gift of Sight, all thanks to generous legacies left to the University of Southampton. If you’d like to find out more about remembering Southampton in your will, we would love to chat to you. Contact Legacy Manager, Richard Wilson Richard.Wilson@southampton.ac.uk

Maleeha – Ignite Student Maleeha is a second-year student at Southampton, studying Environmental Science. She is a recipient of an Ignite bursary, having successfully applied for the Programme in her first year. “My situation was quite stressful. My dad was out of work for a long period as he was recovering from a heart operation. I needed a lot of textbooks and a laptop able to support advanced computer programmes for my course. Receiving Ignite funding was a huge weight off my shoulders! It meant that I could focus on my studies instead of worrying.” Ignite’s financial support offers all-important stability. However, at Southampton, we know money can only do so much to aid social mobility. Which is why, with the help of our donors and volunteers, we grew the Programme to include a new offering of development opportunities for students. Experiential opportunities Maleeha has embraced all that Ignite has offered her. Not only has she been an active participant in workshops, she has also taken part in a number of extra-curricular opportunities. “I found out about the Student Innovation Project (SIP) through one of the Ignite talks. It’s a six-week project where you are given a real client with a real issue. At the end of the project, you have to present them with your solutions.” Maleeha also tackled elderly isolation in care homes through the entrepreneurial programme Enactus, and recently took part in a 4-week, virtual Summer School at Gothenburg University learning about biodiversity in western Sweden. “We ran weekly music, art and drama sessions with the elderly in local care homes for our Enactus project. It was my first-time taking part in the competition alongside 66 other Enactus teams across the UK - and we won!” New skills Through these opportunities, Maleeha has been able to develop new skills, meet new people and gain exposure to experiences she may not have had the confidence to achieve without the Ignite Programme.

“ Ignite has helped me develop my entrepreneurial skills. My favourite part has been the people I meet. It is a nice feeling when you come to the end of the project and see how far you have come, from strangers to friends!” Maleeha, Ignite Student

What difference do you see in the students who are part of the Ignite Programme? We see huge growth in many areas of university life. It’s enjoyable to notice the improved confidence, especially for them to then begin pushing doors and explore opportunities for themselves. I am always blown away by the drive, resilience, creativity and passion from students.

“ I am in the privileged position that I see the smiles, hear all the encouraging feedback and get to see every step the of a student’s growth.” David helps run Southampton’s Ignite Programme.

David – Ignite Team Member Ignite is run by the University’s Widening Participation and Social Mobility team. David Williams is a Success and Inclusion Coordinator and helps run the Programme. What does the day-to-day of your job look like? The main part of the day-to-day role of Ignite is about working in a team and maintaining many relationships. The Ignite team has expanded a lot over the last year and now includes two Success and Inclusion Coordinators, including myself. Then there are the amazing Ignite students, plus the huge variety of expert staff from around the university who are all key to the project’s success. Absolutely crucial to Ignite are relationships with members of our alumni community who support the programme with their time and resource. What do you love most about your job? I am very much a people person, so I love the many relationships involved. The most special relationships however are with the students - you get to go on a journey with them, see their skills and confidence grow and admire their achievements.

David Williams, Success and Inclusion Coordinator What would you say to the Ignite donors and volunteers if you could? I would like to say a massive thank you. I am in the privileged position that I see the smiles, hear all the encouraging feedback and get to see every step the of a student’s growth. I am aware that our donors and volunteers only get to see this in glimpses, but all of their efforts and donations go a long way.

Rob – Community fundraiser Alumnus Rob Francis (MMaths, 2005; PhD Maths, 2010) has committed to completing three local runs this autumn to raise money for Ignite. A father himself, he was particularly moved by the challenges that young people are facing as a result of the pandemic, and recognised how important programmes like Ignite are. “I’ve really loved being a community fundraiser. It has given me a reason to challenge myself and take my love of running to the next level. I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved so far and it spurs me on to know that my hobby is making a real difference to the lives of students at Southampton.”

Find out more www.southampton.ac.uk/igniteopportunity

TOGETHER WE ARE PREVENTING SIGHT-LOSS Generous donations made to Gift of Sight, our fund that supports the University’s world-class vision research, have helped our vision scientists increase their understanding of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a genetic condition that can cause gradual but permanent sight loss. Funding the installation of a specially-equipped laboratory has enabled Dr Jörn Lakowski, Senior Research Fellow in Vision Sciences, to lead investigations into the role of a key receptor involved in sensing an important survival signal for cones, which is lost in RP. Our scientists are able to grow mini-retinas (or retinal “organoids”), derived from human stem cells, in a dish. These cells mimic the developmental and physiological processes taking place in human retina but can be modified and produced more easily. Genetically removing the key receptor mimics cone photoreceptor loss, similar to the situation that occurs in retinas affected by RP. This method provides an experimental system, giving a better understanding of the molecular causes of the disease and delivering a platform to test various approaches to stop, or at least slow down, photoreceptor cell loss. The engineered cones emit a red fluorescent signal, allowing scientists to track and isolate them for further studies. This is important for planned drug screens in which approximately 2,000 clinically approved compounds will be tested in a cone survival assay. This is just one example of how our generous supporters are helping to accelerate world-class research that has a real impact on those living with conditions like RP, that ultimately lead to sight loss.

Find out more about Gift of Sight: www.giftofsight.org.uk

TOGETHER WE ARE HELPING STUDENTS THRIVE E-Mentoring Southampton is our online platform that allows alumni to connect virtually with students and other alumni in need of careers guidance. The virtual nature of the platform means that mentors no longer need to live near the city to offer their time, meaning those in need of help can get it, wherever they are in the world. Alumnus Matt is Team Leader of Aerodynamic Concepts for the Scuderia Alpha Tauri Formula 1 Team. He is an active member of the E-Mentoring platform. “I joined E-Mentoring as I realised that I would have performed better at those early career interviews straight out of Uni if I’d had some help and guidance. I also felt that I had some relevant learnings to share about my career journey so far. By being a mentor, I have improved my own skills and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Additionally, working with current undergraduates keeps me up to date and reminds me of the knowledge that I take for granted in my current role.” The platform now has over 4,250 users, with 1,884 mentees currently receiving help and advice with all aspects of their professional development.

Get involved: ementoringsouthampton.com 14

SOUTHAMPTON SUPPORT FOR CLIMATE CHANGE Widely billed as our last chance to avert catastrophic climate change, the world has been watching the Conference of the Parties (COP26), the annual UN climate change conference, with keen interest this month. The University is a member of the COP26 Universities Network, set up specifically to amplify the research within UK universities that can help guide COP26 attendees towards delivering a zero-carbon world. Southampton researchers have been playing their part to highlight the role that marine science and engineering have in tackling climate change, while also stressing the vital part our ocean plays in supporting sustainability.

Influencing change – a series of events In May, the Network ran Climate Exp0, an international conference that brought more than 5,000 participants from over 140 countries to explore how we can reach the zero-emission target and protect our environments and communities from the impacts of global warming. “We had more than a dozen experts from Southampton who contributed to the meeting, which informed the UK Government thinking in the run up to COP26,” says Yaryna Basystyuk, Policy Engagement Manager at Public Policy Southampton and a member of the COP26 Universities Network Steering Group. “Our expertise is broad and diverse, and there are many ways we are tackling climate change. Our academics were very involved in the pre-COP agenda – and we had 12 representatives at COP26 itself.” A recent University of Southampton event, “Is it too late to save our ocean?” brought together a panel of cuttingedge thinkers to address the vital role of the ocean in supporting sustainability. Well attended by many alumni & supporters, a key theme was how the ocean can be our most powerful nature-based solution, and why we need to act now to protect it. Event host Dr Jon Copley, Associate Professor in Ocean Exploration and Public Engagement, summed up that: “We know we must act now but it’s reassuring to hear how ground-breaking research is helping to inform the ways in which we can act most effectively.”

Active participation at COP26 The University had “Observer Status” at COP26, meaning that researchers could attend and participate in a range of events. Together, they brought expertise on

areas including industrial and maritime decarbonisation, renewable energy, and the guardianship of Marine Protected Areas. “We are developing solutions for policymakers but climate change will not be solved just by science and engineering.” says Professor Damon Teagle, Director of the panUniversity Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute. “There needs to be discernible changes in societal behaviour by the end of the 2020s. Inevitably we will have to use the ocean more than we do now to provide energy, food and resources for a 10 billion+ person planet. But we also need to take an ethical approach to ensure that ocean ecosystems and environments are protected and improved and not devastated in the same ways as has occurred on-land. We need to value lessons we have learnt from past mistakes.”

Our Research Southampton researchers continue to enable change in a number of environmental areas, including:  optimising the design of Marine High Voltage Cables to maximise power transfer and save money, leading to a better understanding of how climate change may be affecting ocean bottom temperatures  collecting samples of airborne particulate matter from six sites around the dock areas in Southampton to work out what sources are contributing to our air pollution and by how much  conducting the first comprehensive worldwide analysis of climate risk to children for a UNICEF report, presented at COP26. Researchers found one billion children are at ‘extremely high risk’ from the impact of climate change  playing a key role in a major European project – Strategies for Environmental Monitoring of Marine Carbon Capture and Storage – to determine the viability of safely and securely storing carbon offshore 15

CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY 2022 will be the University’s 70th year. We became the University of Southampton after Her Majesty The Queen granted us a royal charter in 1952. Over the past seven decades, our University has been synonymous with some of the world’s most exciting discoveries, important changes in our society, and our talented students have gone on to be pioneering leaders in fields such as social sciences, politics, web science, medicine and humanities. Our buildings and facilities now cover six campuses providing students with first-class environments

MEDICINE AT 50 Fifty years ago, 40 young students arrived at the University ready to embark on a brand new medical degree. The Faculty of Medicine – then called the School of Medicine – was established in response to a shortfall in the country’s medical workforce. Over the past five decades, nearly 9,500 students have graduated and gone on to have a huge impact on medicine and healthcare around the world. Since its inception, the Faculty has provided an innovative research-led curriculum with compassion and communication at its heart.

Nearly 9,500 students have graduated from the Faculty of Medicine over the past five decades.

to study and we enjoy strong partnerships with the communities we work in. We will be holding a variety of celebration activities to mark our anniversary and will keep our alumni and supporter community informed when details are announced. As we look forward to celebrating the University’s platinum anniversary, two of our departments also celebrate significant milestones. Medicine students continue to benefit from Southampton’s innovative research-led curriculum.

Our alumni Jahangir (Jingy) Alom graduated in our BM6 course in 2018 and is now a senior house officer in the Emergency Department at Barts Health NHS Trust in London. During his time as an undergraduate, Jingy was President of MedSoc and established WAMSoc (Widening Access to Medicine Society), a student-led initiative aiming to empower students from a diverse range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds across the UK to follow a career in medicine. “As a young 18 year old, I didn’t think an opportunity of going to medical school existed for me,” he said. “But Southampton was that opportunity and I loved every minute of it.

Jahangi (Jingy) Alom

“I was taught by world class academics, who helped me so much and have now gone on to be my colleagues. My time in Southampton gave me the confidence to speak about health issues on a national and international scale and I am now able to work in the community I grew up in and make a real difference.”

The pull of Southampton Testament to the experience and opportunity our students have had, many of our medical alumni return to work in Southampton either at the University in a teaching or research capacity or in a clinical role at the hospital trust, with which the Faculty enjoys a healthy and strong working relationship. Professor Michael Arthur was among the second cohort of students in 1972. He returned to the Faculty as a lecturer in medicine in 1982. After being head of school

between 1998 and 2003, he became Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in 2003. Professor Arthur also held roles of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds between 2004 to 2013, and was appointed Provost and President of University College London in 2013.

“ Southampton has continued to be a significant player in medicine both educationally and in research.” Professor Michael Arthur He said, “When I was Head of the Medical School and then became Dean, it was exciting to see a new generation of professors, researchers and educators coming through. These individuals took our research onto an international scale of excellence. But we were always clear about how fundamentally important it was to continue the close links between our research and the curriculum. I look back on my time at Southampton very fondly, it was extremely formative, and in many ways, I don’t ever feel like I’ve left.” Jane Wilkinson is the Faculty’s Associate Dean, Education, and came to Southampton to study medicine in 1983 having completed a degree in English and with a biology O-level, her highest school level science qualification. “Southampton offered a foundation year for non-science graduates,” she explained. “This year was the most academically challenging of my life but with excellent academic support I got through. “I went to London for much of my middle grade training and came back for my PhD. Southampton has always felt like home, and I am so privileged to have been able to teach Southampton students in my role as a respiratory consultant.”

Medical discoveries Our scientific community has pushed the boundaries of medical research and has an international reputation for taking basic scientific discoveries in the laboratory and translating them into successful clinical treatments for the benefit of patients in the UK and globally. Our teams have been responsible for discovering the relationship between birth weight and a lifetime risk of chronic diseases; were the first to use fibre-optic bronchoscopy to demonstrate the cellular mechanisms in asthma; and have advanced our understanding of human development by investigating disorders of children caused by genetic changes in their mothers. We have pioneered the use of our own immune system to fight cancer and in 2018, opened the UK’s first centre dedicated to cancer immunology research, thanks to support from our generous alumni & supporter community. Professor Diana Eccles, Dean of Medicine, said: “Through our talented students and our interdisciplinary research, we are impacting on healthcare at home and abroad in areas such as cancer, genetics, antibiotic resistance, Alzheimer’s and respiratory diseases, to name a few. ” Professor Diana Eccles

“ I am excited to see the collaborations we will have in the future and how we will tackle some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges.” Professor Diana Eccles 17

ECS AT 75 2022 also marks the 75th anniversary of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) at Southampton. Originally founded in 1947 as the Department of Electronics, Telecommunications and Radio Engineering within University College, Southampton. The department was one of the first of its kind in the world and has become known globally for its groundbreaking research across a broad range of interrelated areas including cyber security, biomedical electronics and machine intelligence.

Nearly

15,000 students have graduated from ECS since its inception.

ECS beginnings Professor Erich Ernst Zepler was the department’s first senior lecturer, with Sidney Wallace Punnett working as a lecturer alongside him. Zepler drove the department forward and established a full-time diploma course in Electronics, one of only two in the country. Many pioneers have followed in his footsteps. Professor Alec Gambling expanded the department to four academics in 1957 and developed the use of optical fibres with Professor Sir David Payne. Professor Geoffrey Simms led the department through the 1960s, leaving the department in 1974. The Optoelectronics Research Centre was founded in the 1980s under the leadership of Professor Gambling and was cemented as a beacon of excellence when the Mountbatten Building was opened in the early 1990s. 18

The ECS department is known globally for its ground-breaking research.

Interdisciplinary research At the turn of the century, ECS joined with Electrical Engineering to form one of the University’s largest departments and our world-class academics and students continued to change the world for the better. Dr Kirk Matinez led an investigation on the effects of climate change on glacier behaviour and teams began projects in web science that helped shape and design the future of the World Wide Web. Dame Wendy Hall is the Regius Professor of Computer Science and studied mathematics at both undergraduate and postgraduate level at the University and returned in 1984 as a lecturer in computer science. She became a professor of computer science in 1994 and has since held senior management positions such as Head of School in ECS and Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering. She is currently Associate Vice President (International Engagement), and Executive Director of the Web Science Institute at the University.

Dame Wendy said: “One of the key features of ECS is that we have always been a very interdisciplinary department and welcome the development of interdisciplinary research and education as part of our mainstream activities. “By working collaboratively with other departments and research groups we have been able to accelerate the development of socio-technical research at Southampton, align this research to the changing landscape of technology and been instrumental in some of the most significant findings for our society. “I am extremely proud to have studied in Southampton and that I am now able to be involved with taking ECS and the University forward. We have made significant breakthroughs over the past 75 years and I am looking forward to seeing what will come next and how it will transform lives around the world.”

Dame Wendy Hall is the Regius Professor of Computer Science and an alumna of the University.

The University played a significant role in the development of the Web over the last 30 years and we continue to lead applied research into the power of the information that the Web holds and the ways it continues to transform our lives.

Images are from University’s Special Collections.

A new BBC test card (below) was released by the corporation in 1967 and was designed by ECS graduate George Hersee. It went on to be the most broadcast image in TV history.

2021 IN NEWS Success in the rankings 2021 has seen another excellent year for Southampton in the ranking tables, as the University’s quality of teaching and research continues to be recognised nationally and internationally. The QS World University Rankings 2022 – widely considered the most prestigious of global tables – placed Southampton 77th in the world. This marks an improvement of 13 places on last year, and a jump of 25 overall since 2018. If you took part in this year’s survey for QS and recommended the University, we’re hugely grateful – and will circulate news of next year’s survey shortly. In UK tables, the University has fared equally well. Southampton saw a rise for the second consecutive year in The Complete University Guide 2022, now positioned 15th of the 130 institutions included; the same rankings placed 18 of our subject areas within their respective top 10s, including physiotherapy at number one. Meanwhile, this year’s Guardian University Guide awarded Southampton an increase of six places to 17th nationally, with electronic and electrical engineering first and a further six subjects in the top 10.

Staff honours Southampton Emeritus Professor, Clifford Shearman, was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this June. Professor Shearman was awarded an OBE for services to vascular surgery – following an

illustrious career in the field at the University, as well as at University Hospital Southampton, from which he retired in 2016. He remarked that he was “truly delighted to have received an OBE, but also humbled”. This follows on from the success of two current academics from the Faculty of Medicine – and also alumni – in the 2021 New Year Honours. Both Professor Keith Godfrey and Dr Nisreen Alwan were awarded MBEs for their services to medicine during the pandemic – the former for his pivotal role in Southampton’s COVID-19 saliva test programme, and the latter for her campaigning around long-COVID. Turn to page 8 for an interview with Dr Alwan on this and her other incredible achievements. In addition, we were very proud to hear of a number of alumni also recognised in the Honours.

Thirty colleagues appointed as Turing Fellows for 2021-22 academic year We were delighted to announce the appointment of 30 academic colleagues from our University as Turing Fellows. Eighteen are joining The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, for the first time. The appointments were among 400 announced from across the Institute’s 13 university partners, following a call which took

place earlier this year. The wideranging research expertise of the new Fellows at Southampton encompasses all faculties. Turing Fellows are scholars with proven research excellence in data science, artificial intelligence (AI) or a related field whose research would be significantly enhanced through active involvement with the Turing network of universities and partners. New Turing Fellow, Christine Currie, Professor of Operational Research in the School of Mathematical Sciences, expressed her happiness at the appointment: “Being appointed as a fellow of The Alan Turing Institute is a great privilege and I am really looking forward to making the most of the opportunities for developing new collaborations with other data scientists, as well as the Turing’s support for widening the impact of my research.”

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin Alumnus Admiral Sir Tony Radakin (LLB Law, 1989) is to take over the position of Chief of the Defence Staff, the new British armed forces chief. Appointed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Sir Tony will be responsible for leading and setting strategy for defence, as well as conducting operations and maintaining relationships with other military leaders. Admiral Radakin said, “It will be an immense privilege to lead our

Images (left to right): Southampton Emeritus Professor, Clifford Shearman OBE | Slate statue of Alan Turing, Bletchley Park | Admiral Sir Tony Radakin (alumnus)

outstanding people who defend and protect the United Kingdom.”

City of Culture Southampton has secured its place as one of eight longlisted locations to become UK City of Culture 2025. Clare Whitaker OBE, Bid Director, said: “The way that Southampton has come together to get behind our bid is unprecedented for our city, and I want to thank everyone for their belief and unwavering support. We now move forward with confidence and optimism to the next chapter of our story to become UK City of Culture in 2025.”

The full application deadline is Wednesday 26 January 2022, when a short-list of just four locations will be announced, with judges visiting those locations in March, and the winner announced in May 2022.

Graduate Ambassador Programme Earlier this year, we launched the Graduate Ambassador Scheme. An exciting new initiative that matches recent Southampton graduates with volunteering activities across the University community. For our volunteers, the scheme gives 2020/21 graduates the opportunity to stay connected

with the University through volunteering, whilst gaining key employability skills and personalised career support. This year’s cohort includes 36 Graduate Ambassadors, from a range of degree subjects and backgrounds. All of our Graduate Ambassadors have been through a competitive application process and have received training as part of the Scheme. If you would like to get involved, please get in touch with the Office of Development and Alumni Relations Volunteering Team via givetime@soton.ac.uk.

Southampton in the press The University’s work is regularly featured in national and local press – with our staff and students interviewed for their expertise. Here are just a few of our top stories from the past 12 months that made the headlines. Max Crispin, Professor of Glycobiology at the University of Southampton, led research that examined thousands of images to compare how the spike proteins from the coronavirus develop on the surface of cells. The images taken for the study, published in the journal ACS Central Science, show that the spikes are “highly similar” to those of the virus and the researchers say this supports the modified adenovirus used in the vaccine as a leading method to combat COVID-19. The research was covered in the Daily Mail, Evening Standard and BBC Science Focus.

A study by Dr Tom Gernon, associate professor in Earth Science, suggests that chains of volcanoes have been responsible for both emitting and then removing atmospheric carbon dioxide over geological time. The findings were covered by the Evening Standard, Daily Mail, The Independent and around 200 regional and international news sites.

Several studies by Professor Ann Berrington and the Centre for Population Change into societal changes during the pandemic were covered in the media. In April, Professor Berrington said her research suggested the pandemic may lower fertility rates for younger people without children because of the lack of socialising and the economic uncertainty, as was the case after the 2008 recession. However, it may increase the likelihood of older, more stable parents having additional children. Her research was featured in the Guardian and Daily Telegraph.

Find out more about how our research is changing the world: www.southampton.ac.uk/ researchhighlights 21

CLASS NOTES Class Notes is a regular feature of Hartley News: alumni from across the decades get back in touch with life updates to share. Do you recognise any of the names from your years at Southampton? 1970s Simon Brown (BSc Electronic Engineering, 1978) recently retired from a career spanning microelectronics, satellite communications and most recently the offshore oil and gas industry. He now has eight grandchildren and spends as much time as possible in Barbados. After a short career as a Geography academic in Exeter and Swansea, Alan Taylor (PhD Geography, 1971) worked in public sector research and has now retrained as a music academic, completing his second doctorate three years ago. His first book, The Imagination of Experiences, has just been published and is a study of the musical imagination. Jo Osborne (BSc Zoology, 1974) has retired after a long career in Educational Development that has taken her to Hong Kong, Australia and Fiji. She has now swept up on the shores of Tasmania where she is revisiting her first love of Zoology as a volunteer in Natural Sciences at the Queen Victoria Museum in Launceston, Australia.

Jo Osborne (BSc Zoology, 1974)

John Chester (BM Medicine, 1978) after having spent his working life as a general and vascular surgeon in Taunton, has recently retired and written Rod before Job about the characters from the hospital he fished and worked with. John’s book has spent time at the top of Amazon’s “Adventure guidebooks” section. Mike Illes (BSc Mathematics, 1971) spends his time with his wife Helen Koessler (BSc Psychology, 1971) between their homes in Hertfordshire and France. They have two daughters and three grandchildren. Mike is still running his business based on MOT Models.

1980s Tad Daley (MSc International Studies, 1984) has served as a policy advisor, speechwriter, and/or coauthor for two U.S. senators and three members of the U.S. House of Representatives. He’s author of the book APOCALYPSE NEVER: Forging the Path to a Nuclear Weapon-Free World from Rutgers University Press. He’s at home in Los Angeles now working on his second book, on the history and future of the ancient

Robin Berry (BSc Biology, 1981)

idea, dating as far back as Dante, that someday a world government might serve as the solution to the problem of war. Robin Berry (BSc Biology, 1981) recently retired from the RAF Medical Services after a 30-year career. He continues as a consultant in anaesthetics and intensive care with the NHS in Plymouth. James Connelly (PhD Political Philosophy, 1984) recently retired from the University of Hull, where he was Professor of Political Theory since 2006. He previously taught at Southampton Solent University and ran a second-hand bookshop in Southampton throughout the 1980s. Dr Graham Shortland, OBE (BM Medicine, 1983) Consultant Paediatrician at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has been awarded an OBE for services to Paediatrics, Patient Safety, and the NHS in Wales.

Dr Graham Shortland (BM Medicine, 1983)

1990s

Deaths

Dr Alan Marvell (PGCE Geography, 1991) was one of the fifty-five Academics to be awarded a National Teaching Fellowship by Advance HE – the highest accolade for teachers in Higher Education.

Haran Kanagalingam Periyathamby (MSc Engineering and Applied Science, 1982) passed away in April 2021. He was the beloved husband of Vasanthy Periyathamby and the devoted father of Sabeshan (Sean) Periyathamby and Vakeeshan (Hari) Periyathamby. With a strong passion for education and knowledge, Haran taught engineering in both Singapore and Montreal. His career took him around the world, leading him to Goodyear in Akron, Ohio.

Owen Gaffney (BEng Aeronautics, 1991) now lives in Stockholm, Sweden and works for the Stockholm Resilience Centre. He also has a position in Berlin at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. He has just published a book called Breaking Boundaries: the Science of Our Planet. As well as being a producer in the documentary adaptation featuring David Attenborough, Owen also recently organised the first Nobel Prize Summit. The final statement for the summit has now been signed by an unprecedented 124 Nobel Laureates.

2000s In October 2020, Andrew Lord (MBA, 2001) was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s honours, in recognition of his incredible contribution to the support of homeless and vulnerable adults and young people over the last 20 years.

Navila Roslidah (MA Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching, 2016) was a lecturer teaching for the language department at the State University of Surabaya (UNESA) and was also working as a certified English translator and interpreter. Navila was a treasured member of the alumni community in Indonesia, where she supported many events held by the University. Clifford John Elliott (BSc Economics, 1958) passed away on 19 January. Born in Portsmouth, Clifford had a career in Academia that took him to Australia, the United States of America, and South Africa. He will be remembered for his lifelong and unwavering interest in animal and environmental conservation as well as his superior intelligence and wit.

Glynis Griffiths nee Kerr (BA Latin, 1973) who was a student from 1969 to 1973 studying Latin passed away in July 2021. She was diagnosed in 2016 with an autoimmune disease that had unfortunately attacked her lungs. Whilst she received excellent treatment at the Royal Brompton hospital her condition gradually deteriorated. Dr Mike Hogg (PhD Mathematics, 2014) was a Senior Teaching Fellow in Engineering and Physical Sciences. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching Mechanical Science to students on the Engineering Foundation Year which he found hugely rewarding. He also shared responsibility for teaching an academic skills module: Routes to Success. Dr Hogg passed away unexpectedly in August 2021.

o you have an update D to share with your fellow alumni? Tell us your Class Note: alumni@southampton.ac.uk

Stay updated We’d love to keep you up to date with all the latest news, events and opportunities from your alumni and supporter community. We may not have your most recent details, however, so let us know how to stay in touch:  Go online to www.southampton. ac.uk/alumni-update

Andrew Lord (MBA, 2001)

Mike Hogg (PhD Mathematics, 2014)

Find out more: www.southampton.ac.uk/alumni

alumni@southampton.ac.uk +44 (0)23 8059 2747 Office of Development and Alumni Relations University of Southampton University Road Southampton SO17 1BJ United Kingdom

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