The Brighton Effect Issue 27 | Summer 2010
The health and wellbeing issue Creating a healthy university Zoning in on students’ needs Going for gold
For every ÂŁ2 you donate to the University of Brighton, we can claim a further ÂŁ1 through the matched funding scheme, at no extra cost to our supporters. But we only have until August 2011 to use this opportunity to raise as much money as possible. Please help us reach our target because the more we raise the more our students will benefit and the further we can develop research that will impact on society. For more information, please contact us on +44 (0)1273 643591, development@brighton.ac.uk or www.brighton.ac.uk/giving.
Here for you! The Brighton Effect is the magazine for our alumni (former students) and friends. If you studied at the University of Brighton, Brighton Polytechnic (or its predecessors including Brighton College of Art and Technology, Chelsea School or the Brighton Teacher Training College), Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University Centre Hastings (UCH) or one of our many partner colleges (including City College Brighton and Hove, Northbrook College, Plumpton College, Sussex Coast College Hastings, Sussex Downs College, International College of Oriental Medicine, London School of Osteopathy, Ecole de Management de Normandie (France), Angell Business School, Freiburg (Germany), Canadian Institute of International Studies (India) and Mauritius Institute of Education), you are automatically a member of the Brighton Graduate Association. To find out more about the services we provide, please visit www.brighton.ac.uk/alumni or email us at alumni@brighton.ac.uk.
welcome
Dear alumni and friends Welcome to the 2010 edition of your alumni magazine and welcome especially to our new BGA members. This issue focuses on health and wellbeing, with features on occupational therapy; the latest research about ageing; and updates on health initiatives in the broader context.
We are also delighted to introduce the Alumni Advice Network. It is a vehicle for mentoring, advice, careers support and two-way engagement between alumni and current students. If you would like to be involved please contact us. The BGA is committed to supporting the environment. Your magazine is printed on recycled paper and we use a carbonneutral printer during the printing process. If you would prefer to receive an electronic copy of the magazine, please let us know. We always love to hear from you. If you have any comments on articles featured in this magazine or would like to contribute to a future issue, please email us at graduate@brighton.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)1273 642600. We always love to hear from you. We hope you enjoy your magazine. With best wishes from your development and alumni team,
Sam, Sarah, Andrew, Alison, Val and Allan.
To enquire about receiving this magazine in other formats, please contact us on +44 (0)1273 642600 or email alumni@brighton.ac.uk.
The last year has been a challenging time for universities – facing substantial reductions to budgets, yet remaining focused upon delivering a world-class, professional and principled education and providing an environment within which discoveries will be made, innovation created and valuable partnerships nurtured. We saw this as an opportunity to ensure our organisation and activities were being run as efficiently and effectively as possible. As a result we can look forwards with confidence, secure in the knowledge that we will deal with future challenges with a similarly constructive attitude. However, in order to continue developing, we need to seek investment and generate our own income. This involves demonstrating our abilities as an academic institution and business partner and also our potential yet to be realised. We hope our alumni and friends will consider investing in the future of the university, especially while the matched funding scheme is still in force. All donations we receive until the end of July 2011 can be increased by 50 per cent and in many cases, almost doubled in value – at no additional cost to the donor. Your support is very important to us and no matter what level or type of contribution, it is your participation that is key and it is this which will enable us to seek the support and investment of others. Professor Julian Crampton Vice-Chancellor
01 Welcome 02 University news 04 Research news 06 Alumni news 08 Going for gold
Why Steve Ingham is confident about 2012
10 The healing power of architecture
John Wells-Thorpe constructs a case for healthy buildings
11 Zoning in on students’ needs Students’ Union four zones 12 The ageing snail and the human brain Research in focus 13 Accentuating the positive Lizzie Ward takes a mature outlook at wellbeing
14 Creating a healthy university 15 A therapeutic approach to health 16 Around the campus: health and wellbeing 18 Class notes
Where are you now?
20 Have your say
Your letters
21 Getting together
Events and reunions
The Brighton Effect is published by the Development and Alumni office, FREEPOST SEA8437 University of Brighton BN2 4ZZ. Tel: +44 (0)1273 642600 alumni@brighton.ac.uk www.brighton.ac.uk/alumni The views expressed in the magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent those of the University of Brighton. Editor: Sarah Grant Designer: Mark Toynbee Contributors: Sam Davies, Andrew Scanlan, Sarah Grant, Phil Mills, Rebecca Haroutunian, Mandy Garner Printer: Pureprint Group, a CarbonNeutral® company registered to environmental standards ISO 14001 Cover image: Andrew Weekes © University of Brighton 2010. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior consent of the publishers.
The Brighton Effect 2010
Nestling in the centre pages of this issue, you will find Your Brighton Effect, our donor newsletter highlighting some of the achievements made possible by philanthropic contributions made by alumni and friends.
Universities play an important role in making advances which will transform the experience of life for those who come after us. Here at the University of Brighton, we are excited about the impact our work is having upon the ability to enjoy a healthy existence: not simply a healthy body, but also a healthy mind.
Contents
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It also features a round-up of university, research and alumni news. We are delighted to let you know about new initiatives, as well as information on how you can support your university and ways that the BGA can help you with your career and professional development.
Health and wellbeing affects us all – at any age, regardless of background. As a university with a large and wellestablished Faculty of Health and Social Science, a School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, as well as the joint medical school, our interest in this area will come as no surprise I’m sure, but what might, is our commitment to its promotion across our wide range of activities.
university news
Brighton joins 10:10 pledge
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The university has signed up to an ambitious project to unite British society behind the idea that by working together we can achieve a 10 per cent cut in the UK’s carbon emissions during 2010. The 10:10 Campaign has received the backing of energy firms, major companies and organisations and influential individuals including Lord Stern, author of the landmark 2006 review on the human cause of climate change and a recent honorary graduate from this university. Anyone can sign up to 10:10, from schools, corner shops to individuals, councils and clubs, as part of a nationwide drive to significantly reduce the output of greenhouse gases in line with scientists’ recommendations.
The 10:10 Campaign celebrates any reductions over three per cent. The university’s recently appointed energy manager, Abigail Dombey, is confident that this is an achievable target across all of our campuses in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. Abigail is tasked with drastically reducing the university’s £2.4m annual energy bill and the 11,000 tons of carbon it emits into the atmosphere every year. She said: “The university has already made progress in reducing carbon emissions and saving energy but we need to further reduce our emissions and save money at the same time.”
Any Questions? It was described as one of the liveliest episodes in years and one of the best organised. Less than a week after the general election in May, BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions? was broadcast live from the Checkland Building at Falmer before a full house which included Professor Julian Crampton, the university’s ViceChancellor. The programme’s producer, Victoria Wakely, publicly thanked events coordinator, Hugh Jones and events assistant, Hannah Wallace, for their cooperation and help, adding: “Believe me, I don’t say that at every venue.” Host Jonathan Dimbleby introduced the panel which comprised Lord Hurd, former Conservative Foreign
Secretary; Roy Hattersley, former Labour deputy leader; the Liberal Democrat, Simon Hughes, who was closely involved in forming the coalition government, and Caroline Lucas, Britain’s first Green MP and member for Brighton Pavilion. It was Roy Hattersley who described the episode as one of the liveliest: “and I have been associated with the programme for 40 years”.
Clicking the weight away The latest weapon in the fight against obesity may lie at the click of a mouse, a study has revealed. The research uncovered great motivation and willingness among overweight participants to try new ways to manage their weight when they logged on to healthy living websites. The study identified a need for more tailored and personalised information, especially on local websites.
The two-and-a-half year Net.Weight project led by Flis Henwood, professor of social informatics of the School of Applied Social Science, looked at whether the internet had a role to play in supporting people to look after their health. The study focused on Brighton & Hove and found great potential for increased and effective uses of information and communication
technologies (ICTs) in the selfmanagement of obesity. Responses from questionnaires and focus groups were used to design workshops aimed at encouraging participants to look at a range of healthy living information and engage with different internetbased tools. The project identified significant potential both in the widespread access and use of the
internet and also in terms of the interest of those seeking to manage their weight to try new approaches. In particular, it uncovered a wealth of expertise among people involved in weight management which could be used to develop more usercentred programmes. http://research.cmis.brighton. ac.uk/netweight
News in brief Media Enterprise Centre
Goodbye to David
Popular choice
International award
On 22 April, the Media Enterprise Centre in Hastings was officially launched by Kathryn Flett, journalist, TV critic, author and star of the BBC’s Grumpy Old Women. Kathryn, a supporter of University Centre Hastings, has recently become a visiting fellow of the university. The centre supports the development of digital media businesses and freelance professionals through enterprise skills workshops, Q&A sessions with professionals and specialist short courses. The centre was proud to showcase the film, Isolation, by Stuart Griffiths (Editorial Photography (BA(Hons) 1997).
On 30 April, the university bade farewell to its Deputy ViceChancellor, David House, who retired after 37 years with the institution. Among the tributes paid by Lord Mogg (Chairman of the university’s Board of Governors) and Professor Sir David Watson (Director and former ViceChancellor of Brighton Polytechnic and the University of Brighton), the Vice-Chancellor, Julian Crampton said: “David’s guiding hand, wise counsel and expert knowledge have made a tremendous contribution to the growth and stature of this institution – there is no doubt that he has played a major role in its success.”
According to figures released by UCAS in February, the total number of students applying here this autumn stands at 32,118. That is an increase of 32.6 per cent, much higher than the national average rise of 21.4 per cent.
The Community University Partnership Programme (Cupp) received an award from a US-based organisation which is recognised as the main global network for improving higher education and civic engagement. The honourable mention, presented by CommunityCampus Partnerships for Health, recognised how Cupp’s 50 University of Brighton staff and over 300 community partners develop solutions to real problems, using university and community resources to tackle disadvantage and promote sustainable development. Cupp’s wide-ranging work involves more than 100 projects. www.brighton.ac.uk/cupp
Brighton’s level of applications is now amongst the largest in the country. Colin Monk, Pro-ViceChancellor, said: “It is pleasing that so many people see opportunities for themselves at Brighton in these difficult economic times. It demonstrates the quality and relevance of our courses, our strong record of links with employers and the calibre of our staff.”
university news
Honorary graduates At the winter award ceremonies in February 2010, the University of Brighton bestowed two honorary awards: Dr John Clements, Fellowship of the University of Brighton John is a former science advisor to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) of Great Britain. His career in pharmacy has spanned 40 years, during which time he has published prolifically, lectured, advised in a senior capacity and developed multiple training programmes.
The Brighton Music Tunnel was officially unveiled by Roger Daltrey, frontman of The Who, just one of numerous legendary bands who took the stage at The Florida Rooms, one of Brighton’s hottest music venues back in the 60s once located in the building that is now the Sea Life Centre.
The 80-foot-pedestrian tunnel linking the centre to the beachside of Marine Parade was given a unique artistic makeover in the form of a mural featuring music artists, past and present, closely associated with the city.
The students’ work was unveiled by Roger Daltrey on 25 May. David Courtney has also pledged to give 25 per cent of profits from a new annual venture, Brighton Music Awards, to the university course to help fund the students’ degree show every year.
Creating the supercity Over 80 local business, community and educational leaders gathered in April at the university to understand the city’s prospects as the country enters into recovery – and to debate how to enable Brighton to reach its potential as one of the UK’s five supercities. The event was held following a report from HSBC Commercial Banking and The Future Laboratory that predicted a dramatic shift in the UK’s ‘business map’ as the twentyfirst century unfolds.
The Future of Business report revealed Brighton as a supercity: one of five UK cities to watch in terms of their changing economic status and global power. The report’s author, Martin Raymond, explained Brighton’s importance as a business hub: “Brighton has seen strong employment growth of 19 per cent, compared to a national average of eight per cent. This has been especially evident in the industries that encourage supercity status; media, marketing, digital, the so-called ‘anarconomy’ and in SMEs keen on running alternative and socially minded brands, businesses or services.”
The Brighton business community is keen to ensure that the city thrives as a future supercity. These pioneering cities are defined as business centres that reflect new business practices, embracing innovation, technology, culture and the new sciences in a way that is collaborative, ‘glocal’ (both global and local) and culturally enriching. Thanks to its London network, vibrant digital industry, cafe culture and liberal social values, Brighton has the right infrastructure to transform into a booming supercity economy.
News in brief Olympic appointment
Green light for academies
Student mental health
Open for business
Dr Nick Webborn, principal research fellow at the Chelsea School, has been appointed chief medical officer for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. Nick will oversee the core medical support team and training camps during the games. He will be based in the Paralympic Village and will deliver support and treatment to the athletes competing across the 20 sports.
Two new academy schools will be created in Hastings after proposals were given final approval in March. The government’s funding agreement for the academies signals the green light for more than £40m worth of investment in the schools. The academies’ sponsors – the University of Brighton, East Sussex County Council and BT – have set up a trust to manage the academies. The schools will improve educational opportunities for young people in the town and contribute to the wider regeneration of the area – something the university is already heavily committed to with University Centre Hastings.
From autumn, Student Services is staging a wellbeing and mental health awareness road show. Run in conjunction with Depression Alliance and NHS South East, the interactive road show will feature exhibitions, keynote speakers, complementary therapies and other activities. By destigmatising mental health and focusing on wellbeing awareness, students can feel supported and empowered in all aspects of life. The event will provide an innovative approach to self-help and maintaining recovery for people living with emotional distress, depression and anxiety. Contact Student Services on 01273 643584 for more information.
The state-of-the-art Checkland Building now houses the Faculty of Education and Sport, School of Education, the Falmer element of the School of Humanities; Media Services; Registry, a Finance office and Student Services. The environmentally designed building incorporates night-time cooling, natural ventilation and green roofs to insulate the building from heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. In September 2009, the School of Education hosted its one hundredth anniversary reunion there, with just over 100 alumni returning to commemorate their time as students.
Nick is a member of the International Paralympic Committee’s Medical Commission and has worked with elite Olympic and Paralympic sportspeople since 1992.
The Brighton Effect 2010
Darren Kenny OBE, Master of Science Darren is a gold medal-winning and world record-holding Paralympic cyclist. In 2008 and 2009, he was nominated for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability in the Laureus World Sports Awards. Darren was the most decorated athlete at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008 and currently tallies 13 world championship wins amongst his achievements.
“This is a follow-up to the successful Walk of Fame and perhaps a long overdue acknowledgement of the impact Brighton has had on popular music,” said Walk of Fame founder, David Courtney.
Illustration and Graphic Design students have created a mural based on Brighton’s musical history in the historic Sea Life Centre in Brighton.
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In 2005, he was awarded the Academy of Pharmaceutical Science Medal for services to the Academy. John is also a former student of Brighton College of Technology.
Roger Daltrey unveils Brighton Music Tunnel
research news
Close-up of Olympic performance
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Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls aiming for medals at London 2012 are the subject of an innovative exhibition combining medical imaging and striking photography. The exhibition, supported by the Creative Campus Initiative, will travel to locations across Sussex until November. Scanning for Gold explores the bodies of high performance Sussex-based athletes and gives an insight into their training regimes as they prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic games. Led by the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) in partnership with the University of Brighton’s Chelsea School, the exhibition features athletes in the areas of triathlon, weightlifting and paralympic cycling.
In February, university academics launched a nationwide network of researchers developing technology which will enable computers not only to see the world and to communicate using language, but also understand what they see, hear and say.
The project incorporating MRI scans and photographs by Brighton-based photographer, James Lewis, is supported by engaging responses about what it takes to become an elite athlete,
from lecturers in anatomy, imaging and exercise physiology at both BSMS and the Chelsea School, as well as the athletes themselves. www.bsms.ac.uk
Breaking news with Brighton’s research Brighton’s research has made worldwide headlines and brought the university to the attention of millions of web and newspaper readers. The Chinese media was full of stories about a baby’s mattress that simulates being cradled and may reduce average crying time from 18 minutes to less than one minute. Easidream is the brainchild of Lynda Harding, who has been
Brighton leads expert network
working with the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Websites in India were intrigued by research showing that the recession is fuelling a boom in cybercrime. Back home, the research was reported in The Telegraph, The Independent and on Radio 5 Live. The study, led by Professor Howard Rush, showed that criminals in poor countries are now turning their hands to scams as they become more computer literate.
Professor Adrian Bone was interviewed live on Sky News about research that a common family of viruses (enteroviruses) may play an important role in triggering the development of diabetes, particularly in children. The research team included academics from Peninsula Medical School and Glasgow Royal Infirmary and their research was reported across the world.
Example applications include software tools that speak and describe to visually impaired internet users what is on their screens and make it easier for them to use websites. Dr Anja Belz at the university’s School of Computing Mathematical and Information Sciences was chosen to head the EPSRC Network on Vision and Language, funded by the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The network will run for three years and will receive £120,000 funding for events. Dr Belz and her team won an EPSRC competition to lead the network which already has about 100 UK-based member researchers and will develop extensive links to researchers all over the world.
News in brief Success for Kath
Beatbullying
Huw’s new appointment
£1.5m award to fight STIs
Dr Kath Browne, senior lecturer in environment and technology, has won international recognition for her work, co-authored with Jason Lim, former research fellow for her Count Me In Too project, researching lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans in Brighton and Hove.
Academics in the university’s Education Research Centre have been working closely with a national charity, Beatbullying, and the University of Sussex to evaluate bullying prevention programmes in schools and communities across the UK. At the heart of the strategy is a peer mentoring programme, involving intense training in listening, mentoring, and cyber-mentoring Researchers have worked with 20 schools on case studies and online surveys to assess the impact of the programme and to evaluate its efficacy. These findings will inform the charity’s future work.
Dr Huw Taylor of the School of Environment and Technology has been appointed to the executive board of a new global initiative to increase the understanding of the impact of sewage on water quality and health throughout the world.
University researchers have been awarded £1.5m to find ways to treat partners of people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The study will look for the best ways to treat and test partners who may not realise they are at risk. Treatment can prevent re-infection and transmission to new partners. The study, led by Professor Jackie Cassell at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), will compare three different approaches used by GP practices in Sussex to manage their patients. The study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research, will also examine the cost-effectiveness of each approach.
Her paper, Senses of gender on trans people’s lives and how we understand gender, published by Sociological Research Online, was one of only four nominated for its annual award.
Huw’s appointment follows his contribution to the global development of Microbial Source Tracking (MST) and his current leadership of AquaManche, the first European collaboration to apply MST to river catchment pollution management. www.brighton.ac.uk/aquamanche
www.beatbullying.org/index.html
research news
China exchange
Grant for river and estuarine research
Thyme’s up for superbug
Brighton experts have helped a Chinese district make massive savings in health costs.
A university scientist has been appointed chief investigator in a £607,000 research project aimed at understanding what happens when rivers meet tides in the world’s largest estuaries.
Essential oils could kill the deadly MRSA hospital ‘superbug’ according to scientists at the University of Brighton.
Staff discovered that every year thousands of people in the Shanghai Minhang District visited their local community healthcare centre or hospital for treatment for relatively minor illnesses such as fever, colds or flu. Patients were often put on intravenous drips to infuse pain and fever-relieving medications. But advice from the university staff to prescribe drugs such as paracetamol has reduced the number of patients put on drips from 25 per cent to 6.7 per cent at one community healthcare centre.
The three-year project begins in September and will focus on the largest river that enters the north-eastern Pacific Ocean – the Columbia River in north-west USA. Half of the Natural Environment Research Council’s £607,000 grant will go to the University of Brighton. The research is entitled Morphodynamics and sedimentology of the tidally influenced fluvial zone and the NERC grant comes with a £470,000 commitment from project partners Deltares, a Netherlands software company, the United States Geological Survey and the world’s largest oil company, ExxonMobil. Phil wrote the NERC grant application whilst in receipt of one of the new University of
Brighton research sabbatical award. The £20,000 award enabled Phil to work in the USA with his colleague, Professor Jim Best, and submit both this successful NERC grant and a related contract proposal that is pending sign-off with ExxonMobil. The new funding will work alongside the ongoing NERC grant, Dynamics and deposits of braid-bars in the world’s largest rivers: processes, morphology and subsurface sedimentology that was awarded £602,000 to work in the Rio Paraná, Argentina and operates until June 2011.
The study was triggered when Maggie Tisserand, director of Sussex-based company, Benchmark Oils Ltd, asked university researchers to conduct laboratory research with a small selection of oils. The Brighton study concluded that Benchmark Thyme rapidly killed MRSA. The MRSA bacteria is often carried on the skin or in the nostrils of healthy people but when a carrier enters hospital for an operation or any procedure that punctures the skin, bacteria can enter the body causing serious medical problems, and each year up to 5,000 people die as a result. The research was published in the International Journal of Essential Oil Therapeutics. Benchmark Oils is now looking for partners in order to take the research further. www.benchmark-thyme.com
News in brief Dental x-rays cancer risk
Top award for professor
Geologists funding
Research award updates
Scientists from Brighton, Cambridge and Kuwait have discovered that the risk of thyroid cancer can increase with the number of dental x-rays taken. Research led by Dr Anjum Memon, senior lecturer and consultant in public health medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), studied 313 thyroid cancer patients in Kuwait where dental treatment is free and the incidence of thyroid cancer is relatively high compared to Britain. Results provided evidence to warrant more research in settings where historical dental x-ray records are available and where doses of radiation can be estimated.
Rory Mortimore, the university’s recently retired professor of geology, has received one of the UK’s most prestigious awards. He has been invited by the Geological Society to deliver the society’s Engineering Group’s 11th Glossop Lecture in November.
Salima Baraka-Lokmane, Martin Smith and David Pope from the School of Environment and Technology successfully bid for Interreg and Framework European funding (ROCC, PROTECT, FLOOD1, INFORM) for the CLIMAWAT project, Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change on Groundwater Quantity and Quality. The €3m project, in collaboration with the University of East Anglia, l’Université de Rennes and l’Université de Bretagne Occidentale, examines the effects of long-term climatic changes on the behaviour of chemical and microbiological pollutants in groundwater catchment areas.
Researchers at Brighton have received a number of notable research awards during the year.
The award is seen as recognition of the contribution Roy has made to the geological profession, engineering geology and in particular, for his work on chalk stratigraphy and fracturing. Roy said: “This is the first time such an award in my profession has gone to a ‘new’ university.”
Professor Alison Bruce (School of Environment and Technology) was awarded £500,000 by STFC for her role in The UK NuSTAR £10m project which will design and build detectors to exploit the beams of short-lived radioactive nuclei. Professor Sergey Mikhalovsky (School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences) was awarded £300,000 by TSB for his project to develop a fully flushable ostomy pouch with accelerated biodegradation.
The Brighton Effect 2010
Clinical specialists from Minhang hospitals plan to visit hospitals around Brighton to look at practices and to see how the university works with the hospitals. Minhang has also asked the university to develop a six-month programme to train clinical specialists and a threemonth programme on community health.
Phil Ashworth, professor of physical geography, will be working with colleagues at universities in Illinois in the USA, Exeter, Leeds and Birmingham, together with industrial partners Deltares, ExxonMobil and the United States Geological Survey.
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School of Nursing and Midwifery (SNM) and Institute of Postgraduate Medicine (IPGM) representatives have been in talks with counterparts in Minhang about developing a new programme in community health and public administration.
A team of microbiologists led by Professor Geoff Hanlon of the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, tested essential oils derived from thyme plants normally used in aromatherapy and found it destroyed MRSA within two hours.
alumni news
Going large for the elephants Vicky Scott, who graduated from the university in 2004 with an Illustration BA(Hons), has taken her art to the streets to support a wildlife charity. Working with the Elephant Family, the only charity solely dedicated to ensuring the survival of the Asian elephant, Vicky will be participating in London’s biggest ever public art event. Supported by numerous conservationists and celebrities, the elephant parade will feature 250
Exclusive alumni careers advice
life-size elephants hand-painted by an assortment of established and emerging talent from the art and design world.
In response to the recent recession, the BGA has teamed up with the university’s careers centre to appoint an Alumni Careers Development Advisor.
Vicky’s design (pictured) has been installed in Covent Garden’s Piazza. At the end of display all of the elephants will exhibited at the Chelsea Royal Free Hospital, then auctioned by Sotheby’s. www.elephantfamily.org www.vickysworld.co.uk
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Do 30 challenge As a seasoned participant of charity events, Gary was inspired to set up Do 30. So far, he has climbed the Gherkin Tower in London, run the London Marathon, cycled in the London to Brighton bike event and is attempting a Guinness World Record by bungee jumping from a hot air balloon above 15,000 feet.
University of Brighton alumnus, Gary Marlow, who graduated with a Physical Education with QTS BA(Hons) in 2003, hit upon a novel idea to commemorate his thirtieth birthday. Gary, a former PE teacher, who now runs his own business, Global Tennis, working with schools to provide sporting opportunities for children, including those with disabilities, has set himself the task of completing 30 challenges for 30 charities during 2010.
However, Gary’s not stopping there. If you would like to find out more about the Do 30 challenges or support his efforts, please go to: www.do30campaign.com and to sponsor www.justgiving.com/do30.
His goal is to raise £300,000 and one of his aims is to donate a defibulator machine to Chelsea School, of which he is a former graduate.
Anyone wishing to be involved either commercially or take part in any of the 30 challenges please email: team@do30campaign.com.
Previously, alumni could only access one-to-one career guidance for two years after graduation, but now there is no time limit. Robert Prosser will be available on Thursdays to provide career guidance to alumni. The service is freely available to all University of Brighton alumni. Robert is also working on enhancing the standard and availability of career advice and guidance to our former students worldwide. If you would like to access these services or help others by offering assistance as a mentor, please get in touch: 01273 642855 or email careers@brighton.ac.uk for details.
News in brief In the driving seat
Internship programme
The weight of success
Top marks for Paul
A Brighton graduate has shot to national fame by co-writing and singing a Ford Focus TV advertisement. Jade Pybus, 23, was chosen for the work after a producer friend recommended her to Ford’s marketing agency, Wunderman.
The university has secured HEFCE funding to operate a graduate internship programme. The scheme aims to support alumni, primarily focusing on those most affected by the recession, offering short-term opportunities and support to graduates who are still struggling to gain graduate-level work due to unemployment or underemployment. The internship programme runs until the end of the year and offers graduates 222 hours of graduate-level paid work and employability skills support to help them use this opportunity as a springboard into graduate employment. www.brighton.ac.uk/careers
On 28 March, Tom Kelly took gold at the British Drug Free Powerlifting Championships in Bournemouth. He overcame injury to become the British Heavyweight Champion and is representing Britain at the European and World Championships later in the year.
Former University of Brighton student Paul Evason has been named Outstanding New Teacher of the Year at this year’s Midlands Teaching Awards which were hosted by the BBC’s Sarah Falkland.
Jade graduated from the University of Brighton last summer in Performance and Visual Art (Music) BA(Hons), and co-wrote the advert music with Mark Delany Racketbox. To see Jade’s TV advert visit http:// arts.brighton.ac.uk/study/pava/ news/music-graduate-success/
Tom, who graduated in 2002 with a Fine Art Sculpture BA(Hons), has his sights set on breaking some British and world records. He emphasised the need to find a sponsor: “Unfortunately powerlifting is an underfunded and often overlooked sport, but requires just as much commitment and hard work as any Olympic sport.”
Design and technology teacher, Paul, has been working at Haybridge High School and Sixth Form in Hagley, Worcestershire since graduating with a Design and Technology Education with QTS degree in 2007. Paul is now set to go through to the national finals of the 2010 Teaching Awards – being held in London in October.
alumni news
Outstanding childcare available
By gum, she’s good! University of Brighton 3D Design graduate, Anna Bullen, has been making national headlines with her innovative use for discarded chewing gum. Anna, who graduated in 2007, has devised a way to recycle the substance and turn it into something useful: the Gumnetic Bin, which earnt her the British Council’s National Design Award for 2007. Her research was inspired by walking through Brighton city centre and seeing all the gum squished into the pavements. Anna spent eight months working on getting the gum to make foam, which she then turned into a pellet.
By adding a secret ingredient, she was able to extract a polymer that she calls Bullus Recycled Gum Polymer (BRGP).
The University of Brighton’s two nurseries, One World and Phoenix, have opened their doors to children of alumni as well as other local parents/carers in the Brighton area. Ofsted awarded both nurseries its highest rating of ‘outstanding’ in their last review.
The BRGP is used to make the gum recycling bins and when these are full, both bins and contents are recycled into new BRGP. As the material is a plastic, it can also be used to make other products such as wellington boots. Besides improving the environment, Anna’s breakthrough could save councils millions of pounds in street cleaning. www.annabullusdesign.com
The theme of her work is children in care – an interest derived from her own family background. Six of her brothers and sisters were adopted and her mother and stepfather have also fostered many children.
Jackie undertook a project running workshops for children who have been in the care system.
Both nurseries welcome children between the ages of two and five years and are open 45 weeks of the year for full and part-time places. Vacancies are considered on a firstcome, first-served basis. For more information, visit: www.brighton.ac.uk/childcare.
Brighton, for instance, has been awarded the Frank Buttle Quality kite mark for its work with care leavers and also offers two Pyrus Trust awards per year to students studying fine arts.
News in brief Alumnus scoops top prize
Alumni Advisory Board
Email for life
Get online
This year’s recipient of the Catlin Art Prize 2010 was Brighton graduate, Reynir Hutber. Video artist, Reynir, who completed a Fine Art MA at the university in 2009, captured the judges’ imagination with his interactive work.
November 2009 saw the inaugural meeting of the newly established Alumni Advisory Board. The board provides an impartial forum for our alumni to advise on and discuss the services that we offer, and how the university can assist its graduates further.
From September, the university will be offering students and alumni the benefits of Microsoft’s Live@edu service. The free service will provide up to 10GB of message storage, Exchange 2010 services including calendar, tasks and contact details, access to a range of other services such as online document sharing and collaborative storage, and an exclusive professional brighton. ac.uk email address that they can potentially keep for life.
Did you know that if we only have your postal address, you may be missing some of the regular updates and opportunities that are posted online? The BGA website is regularly updated and the Brighton Graduate Association Facebook fan page is frequently refreshed with events, opportunities and invitations. You can also follow the University of Brighton on Twitter.
Reynir explained: “The work I won the prize for was called Stay Behind the Line. The work used digital technology to create the illusion that the viewer was within touching distance of the artist’s slouched body.” To see more of Reynir’s work, visit www.reynirhutber.blogspot.com.
Board members are volunteers who share their diverse views and experiences as graduates of the university. If you would like to contribute to the discussion, or have an idea for the BGA, please email us at alumni@ brighton.ac.uk.
To apply for your personal alumni email, please contact alumni@ brighton.ac.uk.
From the next academic year we will be circulating regular ebulletins, so don’t miss out! If we don’t already have your email, please update us: www.brighton.ac.uk/ alumni.
The Brighton Effect 2010
It was her understanding of the issues experienced by these children that highlighted to her the value of how universities and schools can support children in care to aspire to higher education. Universities like Brighton are trying to reach out more to these children.
Since Jackie McCullough graduated with an Editorial Photography BA(Hons) in 2009, she has found herself shortlisted for the Guardian’s Student Photographer of the Year competition.
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Alumna makes Guardian photography shortlist
The Brighton Effect 2010
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alumni profile
Steve Ingham graduated in sports science in 1996 and in just two years was coming face to face with Olympic rowing legends Sir Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent. “It was a steep learning curve,” he said. “One minute you are looking at journal articles or case studies and the next you have a legend like Steve Redgrave towering over you and asking if you can make them go faster. It was very daunting.” Steve obviously thrives on such baptisms of fire as he is now Head of Physiology at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) just as the country is gearing up to hosting the next Olympics. Steve could only have dreamt of achieving such a position when he first became interested in sports science at school. At that time, British sport took a much less scientific approach. He admits he flunked school and had to retake his GCSEs. Steve says he reached a pivotal point when he had to decide if he wanted to go on to higher education. He opted to do A-levels in sports studies, biology and chemistry and inspired by his biology teacher who was an exercise physiologist, he decided to do a Sport Science BSc(Hons) at the Chelsea School in Eastbourne, part of the University of Brighton. He chose Brighton because the lecturers, “sold the vision and communicated it with real passion. Unlike other places I visited, the head of school and senior lecturers took time to answer my questions and to inspire potential students,” he said.
Even though he had been told there were unlikely to be any jobs working with athletes after he graduated, he knew that was what he wanted to do. He saw that several of the staff at Brighton balanced lecturing with working with athletes – the lecturing supporting the piecemeal and not so well paid work with athletes. During his studies, Steve’s focus was always on the practical implementation of science so he would study a body part or physiological system and then go down to the gym or perform a hard training session to apply the knowledge. “It was about making the textbook come alive,” he said. “I didn’t just want to regurgitate the material; I wanted to be able to use it to improve performance.” After graduating, he got a job teaching A-level students at his old college, Bournemouth and Poole College of Further Education. On the side, though, he worked as a consultant physiologist, with sports teams, athletes and the Bournemouth Heart Club. In 1997, he got a job as a sports performance officer at the West Midlands Sports Council and became one of only 10 full-time sports scientists in the country. “It was a golden opportunity,” he said. By 1998, Steve, who has a PhD from
the University of Surrey, was appointed Senior Sports Physiologist at the British Olympic Medical Centre, working in athletics, rowing and bobsleigh. It was there that he met Redgrave and Pinsent. Although he had no experience of rowing, he says he threw himself into the job and consulted with the team’s coach on how to improve performance. In 2003, Steve took on the role of Sports Science Manager at the Olympic Medical Institute, working towards the Athens Olympics as acclimatisation manager, before moving to the Loughborough University-based English Institute of Sport in 2005 as its Regional Lead Physiologist working with UK Athletics. His current position as Head of Physiology, which he has held since last year, involves managing clusters of physiologists based around the EIS laboratories. “It’s one step away from hands-on delivery,” said Steve. It’s also about providing a vision, communicating the value of sports science and drawing in funds. Although the EIS has core funding for the 2012 Olympics, each sport controls its own funds and the EIS has to show it can deliver. Steve says it is already planning for post-2012 cutbacks and believes it can raise the necessary funds through enterprise and “originality of thought”.
alumni profile
He thinks the UK is in a good position due to the way it has embraced sports science in the last decade and that “no other country has as much of a performance focus as we have”. While Australia pioneered the use of sports science in sport and the US takes quite a proactive approach, Steve says the UK has “unremittingly” focused on improving performance through science. “We had 70 medallists in Beijing. The day-to-day work we do is a bit like climbing a mountain. Occasionally you decide to take a different route to the top, but when you reach the summit and sit at the Olympics seeing athletes you have worked with achieve the pinnacle of sporting achievement in the form of a gold medal, that is incredibly motivating and fuels your work for the next four years,” he said.
He is quietly confident about the UK’s chances for medals in 2012, having been through four Olympic cycles and worked with over 40 Olympic or world medallists, currently with heptathletes Jessica Ennis and Kelly Southerton. He describes the work of a physiologist as quantifying an athlete’s capabilities, such as monitoring their heart rate and breathing, interpreting the information that emerges and using that to inform their training.
He says that their training must take into account their individual physiology to narrow their possibilities of making mistakes. He adds that the need to innovate is high. “Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith in using scientific research or basic biological principles with a particular athlete,” he said. “The research is usually done on Joe Public whereas many athletes have at least twice the capacity of the average person on the street. Athletes’ abilities astonish me on a daily basis – they are unique.”
He has returned to the University of Brighton a few times to talk about his work and is due back in November as part of the Chelsea Alumni Reunion 2010. He says the prospects for sports science students are better than when he was a student, although there is more competition given the numbers of graduates emerging. He is keen to inspire Brighton students to set their sights high. “When I was a student I found talks by outside speakers very inspiring and they acted as a spur to my own career,” he said. “I feel very privileged to be in a position to be able to give advice to the next generation.” The Chelsea Alumni Reunion 2010 is on Saturday, 13 November. To book your tickets, please visit: www.brighton.ac.uk/alumni.
The Brighton Effect 2010
He says Olympic preparation work is divided into four years: year one involves looking for new ideas; year two is about cementing those ideas and implementing them; year three is more to do with fine-tuning and year four is about reinforcing the strategy and reducing the possibility of failure.
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“Athletes’ abilities astonish me on a daily basis – they are unique.”
alumni profile
The Brighton Effect 2010
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John Wells-Thorpe has long believed that the way buildings are designed can help in the healing process. Now his views are becoming part of mainstream hospital designs. “It is one of the high points of my career that this is now accepted as the norm,” he said. John, a hugely experienced architect and University of Brighton alumnus, has been working with colleagues around the world to promote the idea of the healing environment since the mid1980s. He cites a US experiment in 1984 which showed that a group of men who underwent gall bladder removal and were in a hospital with a view of a beautiful lake recovered faster and needed less pain relief than a similar group of men who were in a typical urban hospital. “The difference in recovery was purely down to the environment in which they were placed,” said John. He says the way buildings are designed, including the use of colour, texture, light, the way they control unwanted noise and the views from hospital windows are now recognised as an important part of the recovery process. “If a hospital is too forbidding or hi-tech and alien, it will increase the tension patients feel about going there,” said John, adding that more detailed research needs to be done on the therapeutic effects of distracting patients from their anxiety about their visit. He was able to put his ideas into practice when he was appointed the first chairman of the South Downs Health NHS Trust in the 1990s and initiated a three-year research programme for NHS Estates to examine the effect of architectural design and the effects on patient outcomes. The importance of creating a healing environment is now being taken up in architecture courses in a number of countries, including Norway, Sweden, Canada and Italy. The principle behind the healing environment – that buildings should be fit for purpose – has been a prime motivator for John’s work, which included the design for Hove Town Hall.
He is critical of ‘star’ architects who seek to impose iconic buildings on places and says the duty of the architect is to be sensitive to the needs of the client. Having been President of the Commonwealth Association of Architects and visited 33 of the 54 Commonwealth countries, he is clear, for example, that you cannot just “plonk down a western building” in a developing country. “You need to try to understand the lifestyle and culture of the place,” he said. “You need humility and to acknowledge that you know less than the client about their country.” His interest in international architecture, which he is continuing in work with the House of Lords on an award for low-cost health buildings in developing countries, was in part inspired by his training at Brighton’s School of Architecture in the late 1940s. Although it was a period of austerity, several of the teaching staff had returned from army service in farflung locations and were “bubbling with enthusiasm” about the different kinds of architecture they had seen. John also spent most summers working abroad and won three travelling scholarships, one of which was in Rome where he learnt about the importance of space on design. “It was not just about the buildings, but about the streetscape and the juxtaposition of buildings,” he said. “The buildings had to be imbued with a sense of being appropriate to the space.” John, who has just written his memoirs, says his advice to current architecture students, who may face years of recession, is to generalise rather than specialise:
The iconic Acrobat by Allen Jones fills the atrium of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, used by patients, staff and carers alike.
“If you have some knowledge of the outside world you will have a more satisfying career.” His own career, which has encompassed a huge range of voluntary work, from being a magistrate to serving on a BBC advisory committee, is testament to this. He adds: “If there is a silver lining to the recession, it will be to put a brake on vanity projects by ‘starchitects’ and refocus architects on the broader needs of society.” John kindly donated a copy of his memoirs, Behind the Facade: An architect at large, to the Aldrich library, earlier in the year.
Your Brighton Effect SUMMER 2010
Welcome to the first edition of Your Brighton Effect, an annual newsletter featuring news and information about fundraising here at the University of Brighton and sharing details of the impact philanthropic support has on our activities.
A school for Malagiri Students and staff from the School of Education are actively supporting the building of a school in rural Nepal. The community of Malagiri is about three hours’ drive from Kathmandu and two hours’ walk away from the nearest local government school. Many of the children in the area do not receive an education because of the distance to the school and parents and older siblings are then unable to work as they need to stay at home and look after the younger children. The school will cost in the region of £20,000 to build with a further £20,000 needed each year for the ongoing maintenance and running costs.
On behalf of the whole university I would like to take this opportunity to recognise our current donors for their support – to you all, many thanks. We feel it important to demonstrate the effect you, our supporters, have had on the University of Brighton – highlighting the wide range of work that we are able to undertake and the variety of opportunities that are now available as a result of your generosity and involvement. In seeking philanthropic support from alumni and friends, we want to ensure that the University of Brighton remains an excellent place to study, research or work, and that we continue to have a positive impact on society, whether in our immediate locality or upon the rest of the world. Such ambitions would not be possible without the help of our alumni, friends and other supporters; people who share our values, who believe strongly in what can be achieved through education and who are prepared to invest in the future of others. As we near the end of the current matched funding scheme, I hope that this newsletter shows you how we are using your donations to make a real and immediate difference across the university’s community. Mrs Sam Davies Director of Development and Alumni and ambassador
To date, over £35,000 has been raised by students, staff, alumni and friends of the School of Education and construction of the new school is well underway. It is hoped that children will be able to start attending the school in September. Tibetan monk and educationalist Pema Dorjee, who is leading the project in Nepal said: “On behalf of all the villagers, especially the small children of Malagiri, we express our heartfelt thanks for your outstanding support which will benefit the children of Malagiri now and for many more years to come. I hope and pray that one day we will enjoy the result of this beautiful project.”
Left: Children in Malagiri Top right: Breaking ground on the build Middle right: The children of Malagiri Bottom right: building the school
Once built the school will continue to partner the School of Education. The first group of three University of Brighton students visited the site earlier this year while undertaking their complementary placements module in a school in Kathmandu. More students are likely to visit during the next academic year with the first Brighton students teaching at the school in eighteen months time. Staff from the School of Education have also expressed an interest in conducting research projects at the school. STOP PRESS A classroom at the school is to be dedicated to School of Education staff member Janet Clemence after donations totalling over £20,000 were given in her memory.
SUMMER 2010
Faculty of Science and Engineering telephone campaign 2010 During the spring, the Development and Alumni Office conducted a telephone fundraising campaign to raise money for the three schools of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (Environment and Technology, Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, and Computing, Mathematical and Information Sciences). A team of 14 university students spent six weeks telephoning graduates from the faculty, asking them to donate small, regular gifts by direct debit (either £5 or £3 per month for two years), or to make one-off donations by cheque or credit card. All the alumni were sent a letter prior to the call taking place to advise them of the campaign and its objectives – this letter also allowed them to opt out of receiving the call. Ring-fenced funds have been set up within each of the schools to ensure that donations will be applied towards projects in the graduate’s own area of study. Each fund supports different projects as defined by the school management committees. These include: • student research grants to support additional costs of laboratory or specialist staff time during final year projects • bursaries to assist students who need to travel to undertake research or attend placement interviews outside Sussex • awards to help students with the costs of attending academic conferences • support for student societies (Maths Society, PharmSoc, BioSoc) • scholarships for University of Brighton students to continue their studies at postgraduate level. The student fundraising team was given intensive training (including opportunities for role play and mock phone calls) before getting on the phone – ensuring that the call was an enjoyable experience for each graduate. Raising money was not our only objective, as each call enabled us to catch up with our alumni, find out what they are doing now and update them about news at the university. The students were also able to ask our alumni for advice about placement opportunities, final year projects or career choices; gaining invaluable insights from their peers.
Every pound donated as a result of the campaign went straight to support the funds. Plus, everything that was donated qualifies for Gift Aid and the matched funding scheme, meaning that each donation nearly doubles in value. Dr Jo-Ann Crozier, a pharmacy graduate who made a donation to the campaign commented: “The student I spoke with was very pleasant, seemed genuinely happy to be talking to me, and showed an interest in what I had to say. The first project examples she gave me were relevant to my field of study at the university, which made me feel as if the call was tailored to me. Your student was a pleasure to speak to.” Alana Leader, a first year student studying Mathematics BA(Hons), and a member of the calling team said: “I had some very interesting conversations during the calling and spoke to a wide range of people. It was insightful hearing about their time at university and what they have done since leaving. I received a lot of helpful advice about placements and the kinds of jobs graduates are now doing. “I took pride in the sense of achievement when I got a donation and it was very confidence boosting. I learnt things about the university that I would never have known and now feel much more part of the university. “I am also proud that I have helped to build a strong bond between the university and our graduates, as well as raising money for students who will really benefit from it. I enjoyed the experience greatly and look forward to doing it again next year.” We want to build on the success of this year’s appeal and increase the size of the telephone campaign next year to encompass more of the university’s schools. Look out for updates in our e-bulletins in the autumn and spring.
graduates from across the faculty were spoken to on the telephone, many of whom studied at the polytechnic or earlier.
graduates pledged a specific donation.
people were sent donation forms but no specific amount was discussed on the phone.
was pledged over the phone
was spent raising this money.
The University of Brighton Ambassadors This academic year saw the launch of the University of Brighton Ambassadors, a group of influential donors who make significant gifts to the university. Membership of the group is achieved through making an annual donation of £1,000 or more. There are currently 40 ambassadors who include current and past members of staff, alumni, honorary graduates and other friends. The funds raised by the group are distributed among projects voted for by the group themselves. The total raised through ambassador membership this year is just under £60,000 and the members have voted to support three different areas of the university: • establishing a number of scholarships to attract and retain our very best students across the university • providing seed funding for On Our Doorsteps; a project that tackles problems in our immediate community (within one mile of any university building) by partnering local organisations. This includes celebrating black history in Brighton & Hove, researching LGBT needs and services in Hastings, and the regeneration of the Lewes Road area in Brighton • creating an additional sabbatical position within the existing Research Sabbatical Scheme. This scheme buys out the time of one of our leading researchers, allowing them to concentrate their time on a significant research project without the distractions of everyday university life. This could then attract further funding from research councils or other grantmaking bodies. Members of the ambassadors group are sent an exclusive University of Brighton lapel pin and are invited to two special events each year, giving them the chance to network among their peers and influence and advise the university on fundraising activities. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador please contact Andrew Scanlan at the contact details provided on the back page.
SUMMER 2010
Research into diabetes Professor Adrian Bone of the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences is the lead academic in the University of Brighton’s diabetes research group. This group research into the causes of Type 1 diabetes. This condition affects around 300,000 people in the UK, including 20,000 children under the age of 15. There are a further estimated 440,000 cases of Type 1 diabetes in children worldwide, with more than a fifth of these living in Europe.
Awarding excellence As well as the university’s portfolio of scholarships presented each year, a growing number of scholarships and prizes are awarded through the generosity of individuals and companies across our region. Prizes are awarded at the end of many of the university’s courses to the students who attain the top marks in certain subjects, or for their final year projects. They range in value from £100 to over £1,000 and come from a diverse range of donors. These include: the Quorum Technologies Prize, awarded to the best student whose final year project relies on electron microscopy in the School of Pharmacy; the FDM Group Prize for the best Development Project from a final year undergraduate computing student in the School of Computing, Mathematical and Information Sciences; and the June and Sidney Crown Prize, awarded to the best student in the Faculty of Art.
Dr June Crown is a former member of the university’s Board of Governors who retains a strong interest in the university. Scholarships are awarded to students during their studies, at the end of their first or second year, and are designed to reward excellence. These include the Peter James Scholarships, created after the local bestselling author was given an honorary degree by the university. These scholarships are awarded to the top students studying English language and literature in the School of Humanities. Victoria England, who was awarded one of the scholarships said: “Winning the Peter James scholarship is a fantastic achievement that I am very proud of. As well as financially helping me through my final year of study, it was such a surprise to find out that my hard work had been acknowledged in this way. Also, I was lucky enough to be invited to meet Peter and his publisher, Geoff, who provided me with an invaluable insight into a possible future career in publishing and an opportunity to thank them face to face.”
t Student caller Alana Leader on the phone to a graduate pp Professor Adrian Bone p Peter James Scholar, Victoria England, with author and benefactor, Peter James.
Professor Bone’s group continues to attract a number of donations from supporters outside the university. This has included donations from diabetes support groups in the local area as well as other individuals. In 2009, the research group was chosen as the chairman’s nominated charity for funds raised by the Sevenoaks District Council. This year prospective PhD student and diabetes sufferer, Karen Sargent, ran the first ever Brighton Marathon to support the work of the group, clocking in just under four hours and raising over £1,000. All the donations that Adrian’s team receive benefit from the current matched funding scheme.
JustGiving.com The University of Brighton has recently set up a JustGiving.com site to enable our friends and supporters to raise money through sponsored activities or challenge events. This was set up at the request of a number of students who wanted to raise money for A School for Malagiri though the site is not restricted to this project. Over £3,000 has already been raised though the site with more and more fundraisers joining all the time. You can find the university’s site at www.justgiving. com/universityofbrighton. If you want to fundraise for the university though JustGiving.com, all you need to do is set up a personal fundraising site and link this to the University of Brighton. All the money that is donated in sponsorship is automatically sent to the university. JustGiving.com also claims all the gift aid on your sponsorship and all the donations you receive on our behalf are eligible for matched funding.
University of Brighton roll of benefactors 2009/10 The following people have made generous financial donations to the University of Brighton between 1 May 2009 and 30 June 2010. On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julian Crampton, and all the students and staff of the university, we would like to offer our sincere thanks to all our donors for their ongoing support. Class of 1943 Margaret Davies Class of 1944 June Stacey Class of 1950 Thomas Cogle Class of 1953 Hilda Babb Class of 1955 Barbara Hulanicki Class of 1957 Jill Eaton Class of 1958 Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Shamsuddin bin Abdul Kadir Class of 1964 Gillian Avery Class of 1965 Robert Leal Class of 1966 Valerie Snowden Martin Williams Class of 1967 Beryl Blood Class of 1968 Peter Hall Margery Turner John Yelverton Class of 1970 Linda Harwood Janet Woodling Class of 1971 Christopher Hedges Class of 1974 Liz Ferber Class of 1975 Rachel Farrow Stephen Maycock Class of 1976 Nikolai Askaroff David Reeves Class of 1978 Susan Benton-Stace Diana Brightling Class of 1979 Chander Prinja Class of 1981 Sarah Arkle Shirley Powell Class of 1982 Lesley Worboys Class of 1985 Margaret Carroll Steven Rose Class of 1986 K Sexton Class of 1987 Jan Enerson Class of 1988 Martin Webb Two anonymous donors Class of 1990 Professor Andrew Lloyd Susan Parnham Andrew Roland Rosemary Shakespeare Class of 1991 David Cooley Anne Solley Class of 1993 Timothy Artus Martin Kruse Class of 1994 Philip Costis
Jo Dighton Clare Dodgson Chris Evenden Mark Fabrizi Vicky Lake Jason Sutherland-Rowe Aileen Wood Class of 1995 Rachael Adams Stuart Cox Dr Merrenna De Zoysa Terence Draper Sian Hughes Dr David James Tim Mccracken Helen Payne Michael Preston Ann Shephard Daphne Wadsley Kate Williamson Class of 1996 Dean Hackett Andrew Scanlan Joseph Wisener Class of 1997 James Crist Serhan Sofoglu Class of 1998 Reitesh Desai Jonathan Hawkins Mr Steven Miller Heidi Murphy-Hunt Catherine Risbey Derek Whyte Paul Wong Class of 1999 Matthew Arnold Peter Colbourne Howard Collis Angeliki Grigoriou Lydia Livingstone Anthony Morgan Gareth Oliver Stephanie Rapp Karen Thompson Mrs Philippa Totraku Class of 2000 Claudette Allerdyce Adam Ashbee Rachel Barton Gresham Blake Susanne Chambers-Hatherly Lorna Couldrick Jonathan Dawes Walter Lake Shayne Parker Adam Penwarden Nicola Read Sara Roberts Yvonne Sharman Class of 2001 Ilanit Aharoni Amaka Akpuaka-Scott Rafid Askar Rowland Bone Dr Jo-Ann Crozier Karly Dockerill Nicholas Gibrook Linda Johnson Sally Johnson Andrew Jukes Samantha Lewis Lisa Mytton Angela Owen
Geoffrey Symonds Andrea Topa Class of 2002 Gebray Biadglene Claudette Burrell Emma Clarkson Timothy De Marco Christopher Durkin Daniel Hammond Vivien Harrison Gerald Heath P McNicol Rajan Moom Timothy Morin Bhavna Prajapat Mark Townsend Class of 2003 Ann Barry Karri-Ann Chapman David Culpeck Russell Drayton Judith Finlay Elizabeth Hall Edward Kipngeno Matthew Lunn Michelle Moss Asif Naqvi Sarah Norris Class of 2004 Margaret Arnold Anthony Blackman Peter Dakin Amanda Deacon Primrose Duplessis Kevin Graves Caroline Groom Deborah Haffenden Diana Harffey Daniel Loynes Denise Marsh Angela Nottage Benji Purewal Nicholas Rowland Class of 2005 Marian Ashdown Sarah Connor Brian Constable David Crowther Pauline Daw Jessica Dunnicliff Thomas Fry Grant Gale David Garrad Jayne Glazier Samuel Griffiths Sophia Harvey Lucinda Jeffries Mariette Mears Daniel Mcnaught Lorraine Roberts Caroline Smith Emma Snell Zoe Williams Class of 2006 Suzanne Andrews Aaron Beeton Fiona Clark Mmedo Duffort Kudakwashe Faro Christine Flint Joanne Fowler Jacqueline Hannay Louise Higginbottom Kwok Wai Lee Caroline O’Connor Nayla Said Class of 2008 Alison Barnes
Thomas Beaumont Beverley Cuming Deborah Daisley Michael Knight Class of 2009 Former students of Illustration BA(Hons) and Graphic Design BA(Hons) Other friends Mr and Mrs Michael Aldrich N Bilham A Bishop A Bowen David Buckley Sir Michael Checkland H Child Mr and Mrs Michael Chowen John Clemence Nicky Collins Dr June Crown Jacqueline d’Avoine Christine Dale Mark Dixon Kenneth Edwards Mr and Mrs David Edwards I Elliot David Farmer Emmeline Frame V Francia R Gessey E Gibson S Giddings Amy Good C Good S Green Peter Grist M Habens Amanda Hamblin S Hammond-Lovatt John Harley Sarah Harrison Jean Hart P Hazzard C Hennelly W Hookey B Howden Pat Infanti Peter James Councillor Peter Jones D Kearney Dr Teresa Knapp Jacqui Lait Emily London Jackie Lythell J Maskell J McChrystal Lord and Lady John Mogg Maria Morris Dr Alex Moulton A Navarro Ray Oxenbridge Dr D Pendlebury Geoffrey Pullen Tony Reynolds Ann Russell R Sage T Sage Karen Sargent Andrew Segal Dr P Sharpstone
Annette Shelford Dr Timothy Simpson C Sutton E Thomas ChristopherThomson Craig Turnbull N Walker Professor Sir David Watson M Weeks Sandra Williams Tony Wing Jehan Wood One donation in memory of Angela Gugliotta University of Brighton staff Helen Baker Nancy Barclay Sandra Battley Anne Boddington Jeremy Burton Adam Byford S Casbolt Nigel Cook Professor Julian Crampton Les Cross Sam Davies Kerry Doyle John Florescau Kevin Fossey Dr Catherine Harper Professor Angie Hart Michael Hayes Alison Hermon Melissa Hodges David House Colin Monk Hilary Morris Susanna Negus Elaine Parker Sally Pearce Mark Price Elizabeth Sanz David Thompson Maxine Toff Keith Turvey David Wolff Sue Wright One anonymous donor Corporate supporters Acromax Action in Rural Sussex AI Digital Ltd American Federation for Ageing Research Baker Tilly Services Ltd Banco Santander Bramber County First School Brilliant Futures Ltd The Book Nook The British Computer Society British Hospitality Association Burt Brill and Cardens Solicitors Campus Engage The Campaign
Company Canterbury Christ Church University Caring Lady Funeral Director Chartered Management Institute – Sussex Branch The Compass Group Daman School Project Davison High School Diabetes UK Brighton Voluntary Group The Dialogue Centre DMH Stallard Solicitors Downsbrook Middle School East Sussex Seniors Association e-DBA Ltd Ellman Henderson Ltd Enterprise Renta-Car Families for Children FDM Group Plc Fostering & Adoption in Brighton & Hove Galderma UK Ltd GDWSIGT Ltd. Graduate Recruitment Bureau Ltd Grant Thornton UK LLP Hastings and Rother PCT HSBC Icon Live Informa UK Ltd Institute of Customer Service Institute of Development Studies The Institute of the Sisters of St Louis Jouilly-Monaghan KPMG Magdalen and Lasher Education Foundation Malardalen University Mazars LLP Medway Community Healthcare Midascope Ltd Mind in Brighton & Hove MINTEL The Observer Ocklynge School Fund One Crown Office Row Oxoid Ltd Pan Macmillan PRESENS The Pyrus Trust Quorum Technologies Ltd Rawlinson Butler LLP Risk Manager Ltd ROCC Computers
South Essex Partnerships University NHS Trust Sri Raghav IT Services Ltd Think Tank Educational Services Ltd Worthing Borough Council Contact us If you would like to discuss how you can support the university, make a donation or find out more about fundraising or development activities, then please contact development manager, Andrew Scanlan, on +44(0)1273 643591 or email a.d.scanlan@ brighton.ac.uk. All conversations will be held in the strictest confidence.
news from the students’ union
This means you can benefit from all the significant discounts and savings that you were privy to when you were a student.
In an innovative and responsive approach to its structure, the union has removed barriers to student participation by making its decision-making practices more accessible to its members. Consequently, students will be able to engage in open meetings which are attached to four zones of union activity. These zones reflect the student experience and are designed to empower students to make effective change in the following areas: • Activities and Events (covering societies, sports, entertainments and events) • Campus and Community (covering the student campus experience and students in the community) • Academic (covering all matters relating to the student academic experience) • Wellbeing. The Wellbeing zone sees the Students’ Union taking a completely new direction. This zone will cover all matters relating to student wellbeing and be informed by student need. Broadly speaking, this will cover any issues to do with students’ physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. So this could include healthy eating, exam stress, mentoring, childcare, sexual health, stopping smoking, drug and alcohol awareness and other wellbeing issues.
The Students’ Union also benefits, since part of the proceeds from card sales will be ploughed back into funding vital UBSU projects to help current students.
This is a ground-breaking area for the union to be involved in and will mean that the Students’ Union will work closely with the university’s Student Services department which is part-funding staff positions in this area. The Students’ Union will also be working in partnership with external bodies such as charities and statutory bodies like local primary care trusts which can provide materials and expertise to reach our members. Key to all zone activities is the involvement of students in the decisionmaking process. The new system makes it much easier for a student to raise an issue and see positive action taken by the Students’ Union to improve the student experience.
The Students’ Union sabbatical officers (clockwise from top left): Terry Preston (Vice President – Activities and Events), Ed Bending (Vice President – Wellbeing), Sam Mallinder (President), Martin Clayton (Vice President – Campus and Communications) and Emily-Ann Nash (Vice President – Academic Affairs).
To apply for your NUS Extra card, please update your details with the Brighton Graduate Association on our website: www.brighton.ac.uk/ alumni and state on the form that you want the NUS Extra card. The BGA will verify your alumni status with the Students’ Union and forward your application. To read more about the card’s benefits, visit: www.nus.org.uk/ nus-extra.
The Brighton Effect 2010
Working in conjunction with the University of Brighton Students’ Union (UBSU), the Brighton Graduate Association is delighted to extend the benefits of the NUS Extra card to all of our alumni.
STUDENTS’ UNION
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As a result of extensive research and a two-year governance review, the University of Brighton’s Students’ Union has been remodelled to better reflect the needs of its student members and to become an organisation fit for purpose in the twentyfirst century.
research in profile
THE AGEING SNAIL AND
THE HUMAN BRAIN
The Brighton Effect 2010
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It may seem incongruous, but the humble snail may offer clues to how humans age. Researchers at the University of Brighton, led by Richard Faragher, Professor of Biological Gerontology and Dr Mark Yeoman, have found parallels between how snail and human brains age. The work could shed new light on what causes memory and learning problems in old age. The research suggests that some nerve cells lose efficiency over time. Although snails’ brains have only 20,000 nerve cells compared to humans’ 10 billion, the nerve cells are similar and the chemicals that move between one brain cell and another, such as serotonin and dopamine, are also the same. As a result, the researchers think that what causes ageing in a snail’s brain could well be similar to the process experienced in the human brain. A key advantage of studying ageing snails is that the brain system of the giant pond snail, or Lymnaea stagnalis, is simple and its nerve cells are differently coloured, making studying their brains much easier than looking at the more complex structures of the human brain. The researchers have conducted tests on snails which show that they become more forgetful as they age. The snails are given a sugar solution as food and simultaneously a neutral chemical smell of pear drops is sprayed round them. The snails then associate the food and the smell. Days later the pear drops are sprayed round the snails, but no food is provided. The snails, however, begin trying to chew, as if the food was there too – a sign that they remembered the smell went with the food. A younger snail can keep this memory for a month, but older ones forget after a week. Like humans, older snails also have problems swallowing, a sign that the part of their brain that controls muscles has begun not to work properly.
implications ageing will have for the country’s budget in future years. At the end of last year, Professor Faragher took part in a Royal Society initiative to pair scientists with MPs. He was paired with Brighton Kemp Town MP, Dr Des Turner, and used the opportunity to highlight what he sees as policymakers’ reluctance to back scientists and scientific research.
By planting tiny electrodes into their brains, the researchers can find out which nerves in the snails’ brains are not working properly and through further research they can discover changes in the proteins in these nerve cells and study what causes these. Another area that the snail research could shed light on is why some older people can experience a decline in their memory for weeks after undergoing surgery, because of the effects of the anaesthetics used. When anaesthetics are used on snails, some older ones experience a similar drop in memory function. Professor Faragher, who is Chair of the British Society for Research on Ageing and also Chair of the International Association of Biomedical Gerontology, says such research could increase our understanding of the ageing process and might allow us to dramatically slow it down, preventing multiple causes of ill health in later life. It needs, however, to be properly funded and Professor Faragher is concerned that the level of funding provided is simply not sufficient given the likely profound
Dr Mark Yeoman examining a pond snail. To view the university’s research films please visit www.brighton.ac.uk/ research/films.
He said health problems resulting from ageing costs British taxpayers over £50bn per annum and that, “in contrast, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the flagship government funder for research into the biology of ageing, is only able to spend about £17m studying the root causes of frailty and dependence. “This is about 1/3060th of the health costs of ageing, which are set to escalate unless scientists are given sufficient funds to provide solutions.” Richard continues to promote the importance of investment in this significant research area and has been successful in securing grants to enhance the activities of his own laboratory scheme. At present, it is possible for donations given in support of research at the University of Brighton to be increased by at least 50 per cent in value and this important societal issue is just one of many being dealt with by Brighton researchers. For more information on how you can make a contribution towards the advancement of research, please refer to Your Brighton Effect pages for contact details.
research in profile
Mental health problems among the elderly are often brushed under the carpet, but a University of Brighton researcher and alumna is working on an innovative project to discover the things that make life worth living for the older generation.
The Age Concern project started in October 2008 and continues through to next April. Lizzie, who is based in the School of Applied Social Science, said it is not just interesting because of what it is looking at, but the way it is actively involving people with personal experience in the research process. “There is a lot of focus now on involving participants and those who are affected by public policy in research,” she said. The project has recruited a team of coworkers, most of whom are Age Concern volunteers. They range in age from early 60s to late 80s. “Most have a whole life’s worth of experience, but they also have direct experience of the issues that affect older people,” said Lizzie.
“We want it to be relevant across all sectors,” said Lizzie. “A lot is emerging about the importance of maintaining contacts with family and friends and of the impact of isolation, but things like feeling you still have a role and can give something back rate highly. A surprising amount of elderly people are involved in volunteering work or in looking after grandchildren. There are a lot of very busy people.”
Dr Lizzie Ward (left) and Bunty Bateman, older people and wellbeing co-researcher, presenting research at the ESRC Festival of Social Science event.
The co-workers do not have fixed roles, but can be involved in anything from conducting interviews to presenting findings and typing up notes. “It can be very challenging as people are working at different levels and within different age ranges. Some are newly retired and quite fit and active while others may have health issues and need support,” said Lizzie. She added that there is a lot of reflection along the way of the impact on coworkers of taking part in the project. Then there is the research itself. Lizzie said early indications show that mental wellbeing is very subjective, although relationships with others appear to be key. “There are measurement tools that exist, but we wanted to develop an interview process which would allow people to develop their own ideas about what contributed to their wellbeing,” she said.
She is also interested in issues such as housing and what can help make the different transitional phases in ageing – whether that be retirement or health issues in your 80s – easier. She says the current focus on personalisation of social care makes these issues crucial for anyone interested in developing services for Britain’s growing number of elderly people. Although she acknowledges that one impetus for care services taking heed of the project’s findings is that improving wellbeing can cut down on health bills, she said Age Concern’s focus is more on wellbeing for its own sake. Lizzie hopes eventually to produce learning resources which can be used by anyone working with elderly people. “There is a lot of scope to develop the project over time,” she said.
The Brighton Effect 2010
Lizzie, who came to Brighton in 1997 to do an undergraduate degree in humanities and stayed on to do a PhD, has already worked on a related project with older people, looking at the impact of alcohol misuse in old age. She said: “At first after completing my PhD in 2007, I wasn’t sure how I fitted in. I didn’t come through the traditional academic route and I wasn’t sure whether I still fit in the voluntary sector. However, I began to see through working with the Community University Partnership Programme (Cupp) on the alcohol project, that I could have a foot in both camps as I understand how both work.”
The first stage of the project involved interviews with Age Concern users and workers. These are currently being transcribed, but it is now broadening out to embrace local authority workers and community groups, including a knitting circle.
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Dr Lizzie Ward studied at Brighton after working for 12 years in the voluntary sector so she is the perfect person to take on the post of research fellow on a mental wellbeing project bring run by the university with Age Concern Brighton, Hove and Portslade. The project bridges the academic/voluntary sector divide and also uses Age Concern volunteers to do much of the research.
around the campus
Creating a healthy university
The Brighton Effect 2010
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The University of Brighton is playing a leading role in developing universities as centres for promoting health and wellbeing in their local communities. Brighton has just completed the first phase of a two-year development project to determine how good health and wellbeing can be embedded into the many different aspects of university life, and how health-promoting activities can be integrated into the university’s structures and policies. This will establish Brighton as a health promoting university (HPU). This approach has been adopted successfully over the last 20 years in the UK and internationally in a variety of settings, including healthy cities and healthy schools, for example. It focuses on the sociocultural environment as a setting for individual health-related behaviour. Settings-based health promotion recognises that the context in which people live their lives day to day is important in determining their health and wellbeing. It is also based on an understanding that the promotion of health is not determined by traditional health care services alone, but requires broader investment in social systems and structures outside the traditional health sector. In order to achieve this vision of establishing the university as an institution in which health and wellbeing are considered in all its activities – from building design and transportation to curriculum development and environmental sustainability – the project needs to obtain university-wide commitment and support to integrate health-promoting policies and structures, and to explore best practices for effective, sustainable implementation. Therefore, phase one of the project included a scoping study carried out by a team from the International Health Development Research Centre (IHDRC) (Davies & Newton 2010). This study consisted of a review of academic and grey literature (unpublished local literature) related to the concept of the health promoting university, an
instance, offer healthy, affordable food, opportunities for physical activity and that HPU values should encompass everyone at the university and be part of its everyday life.
“people felt the university was the natural place for health promotion because it is a big employer and has a big impact on the local community”
interactive workshop, and in-depth interviews with staff and students to determine their views on developing Brighton as an HPU. These findings are now being fed into the second phase of the project – putting the plans into action. The findings and interim recommendations are currently being discussed by the project steering group which includes representatives of the university’s Senior Management Team, Students’ Union, heads of Sport and Recreation, Occupational Health, Student Services, Health and Safety, Marketing and Communications and the IHDRC. They will be presented at the next staff development conference, the national HPI network and the World Conference on Health Promotion in Geneva. Papers are also being written for academic journals. “One of the overwhelming findings was that people felt the university was the natural place for health
promotion because it is a big employer and has a big impact on the local community,” said project manager, Joanne Newton of IHDRC. “They also felt it would be good for business and would increase recruitment, retention, morale and productivity and reduce absenteeism and sickness.” She added that everyone who took part in the research, which involved a cross section of people from the university, was in favour of the goal of Brighton being a health promoting university and identified initiatives, such as the Community University Partnership Programme (Cupp) and the Environmental Action Network, which were doing good health promotion work and having a wide impact on the community. The findings showed that, although people were unclear about what health promotion was, they seemed very clear on what an HPU would look like, saying it would, for
The research also showed that the university has good policies and practices on health promotion and sustainable health, as reflected by the results of the staff survey, which showed high satisfaction levels among staff and low absence rates. However, because of the multicampus nature of the university, more work is needed to link up existing initiatives. She added: “It’s a question of embedding the ethos and culture of health promotion into all the university’s policies, linking the initiatives up and communicating what we are doing better.” Joanne hopes that the next HPU meeting will result in plans for developing a system for ensuring that the embedding process works well. Other ideas include the development of an interactive website which brings all the initiatives together, and a training strategy to ensure all staff are fully engaged.
around the campus
A therapeutic
approach to health Occupational therapy has traditionally been seen as a service aimed at helping people regain the skills to do everyday activities after they have suffered health problems such as a stroke.
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Professor Gaynor Sadlo, assistant head of the university’s School of Health Professions, says that its reach is potentially much broader than the practical and can have huge implications for people’s mental health. However, government mental health policy has focused more on cognitive therapy.
Gaynor thinks we have lost touch in recent decades with creative and manual work, such as craftsmanship, and that this has had an impact on our wellbeing. “Many children, particularly from deprived backgrounds, have never made anything with their hands,” she said. “We have downplayed manual jobs when they are often allied to intelligence and are fundamental to our wellbeing.”
Professor Sadlo was recently appointed a Fellow of the College of Occupational Therapists, which supports more research into the therapeutic use of occupational therapy, and received the honour at the college’s annual conference in Brighton in June. She is typically modest about the honour, saying she believes it is for her long service in the field and for her deep interest in teaching and learning. Professor Sadlo has worked in OT for over 40 years, 25 of these in academia which she said has given her “the opportunity to think deeply about the theoretical aspects of occupational therapy”.
She says that neuroscience shows doing everyday activities and developing extra manual skills “leaves a footprint on the brain” and makes us healthier. For instance, she says, the human hand is “the highest manipulational tool in the animal kingdom” and is incredibly complex. The parts of the brain accessed by people who use it for high skill activities such as playing a musical instrument have been shown to grow as a result. Such activities also release neurotransmitters like serotonin which make us feel happier. Professor Sadlo is particularly interested in the link between occupational science and occupational therapy. “Occupational science is about how everyday occupations make us feel well,” she said.
Professor Sadlo, whose department has taught over 500 students, whether as part-time bachelor, masters or PhD students, would like to see more research on the therapeutic nature of occupational therapy to which her department has devoted much time. Recent research themes have included, for instance, the important role of ‘mindfulness’ or being completely absorbed in an activity in mental wellbeing.
Her department is seeking to create a centre of research excellence in occupational science and in September its creative studios will open up to external users, such as employees on team-building exercises, providing activities ranging from ceramics to arts and crafts. The studios will also be advertised nationally to teach occupational therapists creative skills. Many, says Professor Sadlo, were not taught these skills when the profession moved away from its craft roots in the 70s and 80s in favour of a more scientific approach.
Her contribution to teaching has already been recognised through a National Teaching Fellowship. Unlike many occupational therapy courses, her curriculum work has pioneered problem-based learning. This means students at Brighton are taught through real-life case studies and to consider every client as unique because of their different life experience.
The Brighton Effect 2010
“Cognitive therapy is a talking therapy; occupational therapy is a doing therapy and one that has been undervalued,” she said.
around the campus
The Brighton Effect 2010
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Urban farming is finally coming into its own with the prospect of high-rise greenhouses and vertical plants growing up the side of buildings on the horizon, the university’s Andre Viljoen recently told BBC1’s Countryfile. Speaking on the programme in March, he said that after 10 years of design research, urban planners are finally buying into the idea of using city spaces, including roofs and the sides of buildings, to grow fruit and vegetables. “When Katrin Bohn and I started this work it was seen as almost eccentric and on the fringe,” he said, “but the London Assembly recently published a report which is looking at how to encourage urban farming. The subject has moved on in 10 years from the absolute fringe to one which is now being taken very seriously.” Andre and Katrin, senior lecturers in the School of Architecture and Design, not only research their subject, but have put it into practice in Brighton. Their Edible Campus project, a new addition to the extension studies programme, was set up in 2009 and is now being expanded. It seeks to develop a continuous productive urban landscape right in the heart of the Grand Parade campus. Located on the canteen roof terrace, the project is one of the first initiatives of its kind in the UK. Its original aim was to grow food for campus restaurants, but the two researchers were confident its impact would spread. This year the project will focus on communicating its sustainability messages to a wider audience through bringing together cross-disciplinary students and members of the community, including the Brighton and Hove Transition Town committee, in promoting sustainable practices. There are also plans to increase the growing area and students from the university’s partner college, Plumpton College, will be working on the site. In addition, moves are under way to identify a group of local residents to cultivate the plots during the summer. The carbon cost of transporting produce from around the world to people’s dining tables is making them reconsider the impact individuals have on global warming and how they can make a difference.
Edible city initiatives have a wide appeal for sustainability: they ‘green’ the city, burn less carbon fuel and generate less greenhouse gas. A handful of other countries adopted the idea several years ago with varying degrees of success. In Cuba, for instance, 60 per cent of the country’s vegetables are produced this way. Andre says the Edible Campus project has become a springboard for broader work on changing urban planning policy. For example, in 2009 Andre and Katrin were part of a successful £500,000 National Lottery funding bid for a four-year partnership project that aims to turn Brighton & Hove into the food-growing capital of the UK. The ‘Harvest Brighton & Hove’ project will encourage food growing within the city and the creation of an infrastructure to support more local production and consumption of food.
The two researchers have also been working with Rosie Boycott and the Greater London Authority to set up a total of 2,012 new food-growing sites in the capital by 2012. They are also helping the authority determine whether current planning systems support urban agriculture. In October, Andre represented the university’s Edible Campus network of researchers in the Netherlands at a conference aimed at finding ways that food systems can be integrated into European planning. To find out more, visit http://arts.brighton.ac.uk/ faculty-of-arts-brighton/extension-studies/ edible-campus.
around the campus
Branching out for Get to grips with over-50s with OAK aches and pains
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The School of Health Professions operates a physiotherapy service at the Leaf Hospital in Eastbourne.
OAK is designed specifically for people aged over 50 and provides opportunities to take part in a free education programme on a topic of their choice. It gives mature members of the community the chance to widen their horizons and realise their potential.
While a large proportion of university students are college leavers, OAK has been created to give the over-50 learner the opportunity to revisit studying, with some students deciding to take up further courses and achieve degrees.
OAK comprises of a 15-week learning programme based in Hastings. The next programme starts in February 2011 and students attend for two full days a week on Wednesdays and Fridays. Students select their chosen projects with the help of their tutors and may choose to develop a new skill or study a subject that personally interests them. Amongst others, subjects may include voice coaching, presentation skills, exercise for health, creativity sessions, life skills and coaching.
The University Centre Hastings recognises that some students may not have studied since leaving school and the programme is tailored to accommodate to their learning needs. It offers a friendly, welcoming and supportive environment and students will be given full access to all of the university facilities. Graduates of the course will also be eligible for full alumni benefits and services.
Managed by University of Brighton alumnus, Matt Daly, (Manipulative Physiotherapy MA 2007), the Physiotherapy at the Leaf clinic offers access to highly qualified staff who specialise in musculoskeletal conditions such as back and neck pain, shoulder and knee problems or other troublesome aches and pains.
The course is free, reflecting the University of Brighton’s philosophy that anyone has the right to experience university education, irrespective of age.
If you are interested in applying to the OAK programme, or want to know more, contact Wendy Philcox 01424 422504 email w.philcox@ brighton.ac.uk. www.uch.ac.uk
The clinic recognises that doing specific exercises prescribed to manage aches and pains can be difficult to perform consistently and progressively alone so it has a solution – supervised exercises in small groups of three to four people. These are currently aimed at people suffering with back and shoulder conditions. To join the programme you will need to be assessed, to ensure that it is safe for you and designed to meet your specific areas of need.
The programme will consist of a fusion of popular exercises used in physiotherapy but will also include familiar movements from Yoga, Pilates, McKenzie, Functional Training, and Core Stability training. The cost is £20 for the pre-class assessment. The six, 45-minute class programme costs £60. To book your pre-assessment, please contact the clinic. The clinic is currently offering University of Brighton alumni a 25 per cent discount on an initial appointment and treatment lasting an hour. There are no waiting lists and you can book online at www.leaftherapy.co.uk or call 01323 645555.
The Brighton Effect 2010
As part of its commitment to champion widening participation, the University Centre Hastings has introduced the Open Access to Knowledge (OAK) programme.
class notes
Where are you now?
The Brighton Effect 2010
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We are always delighted to receive your news and updates. We will try to include all appropriate entries that we have space for but reserve the right to review and edit the information you submit. The news featured here was gathered over the past few months and was accurate at the time we received it. A full version of Class Notes is available on our website: www.brighton.ac.uk/bga.
1950s
1960s
Bourne Jean (nee Walsh) Physical Education BEd(Hons) 1950 In May, my husband and I, together with two ex-Chelsea students and their husbands, Pamela Taylor (nee Bevan) and Pearl Holt (nee Mawdseley) (both Physical Education BEd(Hons) 1964), were given a guided tour of Hillbrow. Our hosts were delightful and ready to answer any questions but they must have been bemused at our expressions of awe over the outstanding facilities now available.
Attwell Michael Civil Engineering BSc 1967 Started my career in Victoria Street with consultants Coode and Partners then went with them to Tanzania to work on an extension to Dar es Salaam harbour. I spent 25 years with Taylor Woodrow including work on Brighton Marina and finishing as a director of one of their group companies specialising in multidisciplinary design and construct project management and contracting. I had a break of two-and-a-half years to work in Hong Kong with PWD Port Works Division. I spent my final 10 working years with the Environment Agency in their new works project management service working mostly on flood defence works in Thames and southern regions.
The highlight of the tour was the visit to the original gym. I remember it as the only practical space where dance and gym took place and it seemed much larger. My first year was at Borth so I can claim that my year was the first to use it! Our tour ended by viewing the portraits of various principals including my principal, May Fountain, to whom the college owes its existence today. The climax of the day was lunch where we met former Chelsea lecturer, Dr Ida Webb, who produced a précis of our college history and beyond.
1970s Ford William Hotel and Catering Management HND 1971 I went to Southern Africa where I took up a placement in junior management in Botswana for a year. I then returned to South Africa and held a number of management positions in five-star hotels in Johannesburg. Having lectured at the local hotel school for two years, I returned to the industry working for a firm of outside caterers then took up a position with a department of South African Tourism as a Hotel Grading Assessor. I left this organisation having been promoted to its head in 1984 and started a fledgling hotel management company with a couple of friends. I have been a partner and director of the company ever since.
My career has covered many teaching experiences from grammar school to comprehensive, from a junior in a department to a head teacher in a small comprehensive with a special unit for the hearing impaired. My main sport was netball and I became an international umpire. I was a member of various committees at county, regional and national level, represented England at international conferences and was President from 1964–2000 and Vice President of the International Federation for four years. In 1988 I retired from teaching and in 2000 I retired from netball. I am now a life member and in 2002 was honoured to be placed in the Netball Hall of Fame.
We are now the largest branded hotel company in Africa (Protea Hotels and African Pride Hotels), with properties throughout the continent. We sold the company to an Australian private equity firm in 2007 and bought it back last year. I am not considering retiring just yet. I am married to Stephanie (nee Cannon) who was a fellow student and Vice President of the Students’ Union having done a one-year programme in bilingual secretarial studies (French and English). We have two children, Richard (27), married, a stock broker in Johannesburg and Victoria (21), still at university.
Lyon John Electrical and Electronic Engineering BSc 1975 After graduating, I spent four years with Seismograph Service Limited, exploring for gas, oil and coal in Egypt, Nigeria and the UK. Soon afterwards, my bank account was depleted by the acquisition of a car, house and wife (in that order). It was then time to settle down. I got a job with British Aerospace Dynamics (now part of MBDA) in Bristol. I’m now looking forward to retiring from my full-time career and enjoying more of what life has to offer. Pip pip! Pereira Maria Certificate in Education 1975 Taught for 34 years in seven secondary schools in Trinidad. Twenty years PE, 20 years maths and seven years information technology. Looking forward to retirement in three or four years’ time.
1980s Leong Kong Civil Engineering BEng 1980 I worked as an engineer in the drainage and irrigation department, Sarawak for 25 years and opted for a premature retirement in 2006. In between, I was sent to Heriot-Watt University 1989–1990 to do an Msc in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. I have been a writer (in Chinese) ever since I was 10 and published six books (essays and short stories) over the years. I hope to write more in future. Taverner Carol Physical Education BEd 1981 Still living on the Isle of Wight, I have now left teaching to concentrate on my youth work job as Duke of Edinburgh’s award development worker. I enjoy working with a range of young people from 14–25, including a large number of participants with additional needs. The job is varied, time-consuming, with plenty of opportunity for camping expeditions. In my spare time, I ice skate, both solo and with my husband, Steve, competing in adult international competitions with great success. Wharton-Palmer Michael Sports Science BSc(Hons) 1985 Loved the experience at Chelsea, went on to do a masters in exercise phys, then changed direction a little. Now work on as a consultant on golf training, which is taking up more and more of my time, but back to my first love! Now encouraging my nephew from Australia to take the same steps that I took... he should be applying next year.
class notes
Twomey Deirdre Business Studies with Marketing BA 1986 I was lucky. I jumped straight into a great job in retail pub marketing for a brewery and from there to marketing roles in telecoms and then finance. I set up Marketing Zone in 1997 and have spent happy years transforming our clients’ communications. I supplemented my learning along the way with diplomas in market research, sales promotion, marketing and direct marketing. I’m now a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Institute of Direct Marketing.
Gilbert Jennifer Sport Science BSc(Hons) 1992 I taught in the UK for six years after completing my PGCE. After that we moved to Calgary, Canada. Since that move we have had three kids and a lot of fun. Currently I work part-time in adult education. I would love to hear from any other Sport Science BSc 1992 graduates. Vaughan Marc Software Engineering HND 1994 The most important thing since leaving university is that I’ve settled down and married a lovely lady and we now have three kids (and five cats, three dogs and a pig – but that’s a whole other story). I’ve also been fortunate enough to have a fairly successful career and worked my way up to being head of development of a mid-sized games studio called Sports Interactive Ltd. Gregory Amelia Fashion Textiles Design with Business Studies BA(Hons) 1996 I set up the biannual arts magazine, Amelia’s Magazine in 2004, following various jobs, including stylist, fashion, photographer, illustrator and writer. After five years and 10 issues I stopped to concentrate on an online magazine (rated one of the top 10 art blogs in the UK). I have also set up a publishing house and published my first book, Amelia’s Anthology of Illustration, at the end of 2009. I have lectured extensively.
Mohd Mokhtar Shahril Mechanical and Aeronautical Design Engineering BEng(Hons) 2001 Upon graduation, I joined Schlumberger oilfield services as a field engineer. Between 2001–2008, I worked in various oilfield terrains in several different countries. With my expertise in well intervention and production enhancement, I have helped various oil companies in their pursuit of oil and gas production during the peak period of oil prices. My work has taken me around the world –Sumatera (Indonesia), Abu Dhabi (UAE), the South China Sea (Malaysia/Thailand), Aberdeen and Calgary. After seven years in Schlumberger, I left and joined Shell to broaden my knowledge in oilfields. Being in an oil company now, my perspective in work has changed compared to being in a service company. My work has always been more inclined towards technical and operational excellence and I have received various awards. I have also published five technical papers for the Society of Petreleu Engineers and have presented them in conferences in the USA and Abu Dhabi. Ensan Mehrnoosh Pharmacy MPharm 2004 After graduating, I completed my pre-registration training at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Kent, before working full-time as a community pharmacy manager in Sussex. In April 2006 I started working in the publications department of the European Pharmacopeia in Strasbourg, France. I intend to return to the UK in September 2010 to start a postgraduate university course, whilst working part-time as a locum pharmacist. Taylor Phineas Information and Media Studies BA(Hons) 2004 I have been working in the photographic industry, assisting photographers and doing an apprenticeship. More recently I have started working alone, and have just completed a commission for the Olympic Olympiad of 2012 and various magazines. Clark (nee Steel) Catherine Physiotherapy BSc(Hons) 2005 On graduating I relocated to Bradford. I’ve now worked for almost five years at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
De Jonge Fredericke Editorial Photography BA(Hons) 2008 Since graduating, my work has been featured in the magazines Alt Fashion and TV Repartee International. I also contribute event features to the website www.tglife.com and most recently some of my work has been chosen to appear in a new gothic book to be released early next year.
In fond memory of... Janet Clemence 14 April 1950 to 12 May 2010 Janet was former course leader for Primary Education with QTS BA(Hons) at the University of Brighton. She taught a range of students on a number of courses in the School of Education including teaching assistants, practising teachers and student teachers. She held a BEd from Brighton and MA in Education from Sussex. Janet made an extraordinary contribution to the school, characterised not only by her effusive personality but also her profound and visionary understanding of mathematics education. She was a talented and inspirational practitioner who demonstrated her capabilities in ways that only Janet could. Her analogies generated much laughter and brought a breath of fresh air and optimism to any occasion – but beneath these descriptions laid an ability to combine a deep philosophical perspective with pragmatism. Not surprisingly, shrewd engagement of this kind has enabled us all to view things from a different perspective and has led to innovative solutions. Primary mathematics education in the school enjoys a longstanding reputation that is second to none – Janet’s intellectual stance laid at the heart of this – and her contributions will ensure that it takes on a permanence that cannot be articulated – though it will be observable in colleagues’ thoughts and actions. In Janet’s case, it was impossible to detach the personal from the professional – both were inextricably linked and accounted for her strong, invincible professional identity.
The Brighton Effect 2010
1990s
Harrison Grant Sport Science BSc(Hons) 2001 Since graduating, I became the Vice President for the Students’ Union. Following this I travelled for a year and signed for a football team in Australia. On returning I carried out marketing promotions for fitness clubs before opening my own club in Grantham, which has gone from strength to strength.
Past two years worked within paediatrics and also had 10 months’ maternity leave. I enjoy working in paediatrics and strive to achieve a good work-life balance. I have also been teaching pilates for the past two years having completed training through the Appi which is great fun and keeps me in shape too! I can’t believe how time has flown.
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I was commissioned to write a business book on direct marketing which has sold around the world and I’ve been involved with great causes on committees particularly targeting young people and participation in sports. It’s been a while since I did my course at Brighton Polytechnic, but it’s stayed with me – it wasn’t just useful, it was invaluable and led me to the marketing profession I enjoy so much.
2000s
your letters profile
Have your say We’re always keen to hear from our alumni, so send us your photos or tell us about your university memories, recent news and achievements. You might also want to give us your thoughts on the magazine or BGA services. Graham Lester Sport Science BSc(Hons) 2006
Clare Rose Historical and Critical Studies PhD 2006
I have worked in the sixth form sector since I graduated in 1999. I have taught A-level PE, GNVQ, AVCE and currently BTEC in sport at all levels.
I was the 2009 Vera Douie Research Fellow at The Women’s Library, London Metropolitan University. My project on The Politics of Appearance: feminist dress codes in the 1970s involved in-depth interviews with seven leading feminists, including Professor Elizabeth Wilson and Professor Sally Alexander.
My first job was at Worthing College, then Haywards Heath College (which became Central Sussex College) and now I work at the Crawley campus of Central Sussex College. We have approximately 150 students in the sport and public services subject areas.
20 The Brighton Effect 2010
Frances Block Physical Education (Secondary) PGCE 1999
My time on Eastbourne’s campus certainly left a mark on my group of friends, particularly from my time spent with the university’s Men’s Hockey Club. I started playing as soon as I could attend trials. The members of the Eastbourne Squad comprised of seasoned players alongside others keen to learn a new game. Needless to say, some players would admit they had a history in football rather than stick and ball. After a modest beginning in the season of 2003–04, we won the league and with it, promotion. There was also a fantastic cup win against an over-confident Loughborough team who left the field disappointed. The following year we merged with the Brighton Squad to improve our selection options and chances of promotion. Since the merge to the present day, the club has not looked back and has achieved more success than I ever expected. As a Brighton graduate, I make a real effort to keep in touch with those friends I made, in particular, the large number of team mates who joined me on the hockey pitch. One way this has become a regular occurrence is at the annual Old Boys’ Game.
The first of these that I remember occurred when I was a student in 2006. Since then we have played a game every year between those available graduates and the current first team squad. This year, we had our largest available squad of graduates to select the Old Boys’ team from. Alongside the continued success of the university’s team, this event showed promise from the beginning. The game was played at Saffrons in Eastbourne and the afternoon was spent catching up with all the players who have represented the university at hockey. Through these matches, I have become good friends with people who started their degrees several years after I graduated. This, alongside the attendance from old boys and current boys alike, is testament to the spirit and enthusiasm of the University of Brighton sports section as a whole, but in particular, from my experience, the hockey club. I feel passionate about keeping this tradition alive and this is helped by the desire of recent graduates to keep in touch with those still studying, provides a legacy to be proud of. PS – the Old Boys won 5–4!
I have played cricket for Sussex and Brighton & Hove where I experienced some great matches and played at some top class cricket grounds. Winning the county championship took us to Buckingham Palace to receive the trophy: an amazing experience and a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding cricket career.
This research uncovered personal archives of photographs, garments and textiles that were incorporated into The Women’s Library exhibition, MsUnderstood: Women’s Liberation in 1970s Britain. These artefacts, images and words brought alive some of the dilemmas and the joys of the movement. Particularly telling was the juxtaposition of a baby jumper knitted with a feminist symbol and a woman’s memory of what it felt like to wear it. The Politics of Appearance project was featured in the Times Higher Education Supplement and in an interview on the Robert Elms show, BBC London, and will be written up in a forthcoming article. The exhibition ran from October 2009 to March 2010, but the interviews and some of the images are available in The Women’s Library archives. www.londonmet.ac.uk/ thewomenslibrary/ aboutthecollections/research/ politicsofappearance.cfm
Contacting us Now my hobby is umpiring hockey. I represent England and Great Britain as an international hockey umpire and my aim is to umpire at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Recently I have umpired in the USA, South Africa and Bermuda and this year I am umpiring at the Champions Trophy in Nottingham and the World Cup in Argentina.
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events profile
Getting together Taking part in university events, supporting reunions or organising your own get-togethers are all great ways to keep in touch with old friends and the university itself. Tell us about your events and we will feature them on the website.
Hong Kong reunion
Private view In April, the University of Brighton Gallery hosted Occidental Dimensions, an exhibition curated by Brighton alumnus, Marek Tobolewski, Fine Art Painting BA(Hons) 1986.
Knockout success The Brighton Graduate Association was proud to sponsor the Club of the Year award at the University of Brighton’s 2010 Sports Awards.
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Leo (CF) Wong (Mechanical Engineering BEng(Hons)1988) provided guests with an update on recent activity at the university.
The graduate dinner was held in Heichinrou Restaurant, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong. Alumni were welcomed by Stephen Chan, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services of The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, who shared his experience of Brighton.
The Brighton Graduates (Hong Kong) Association has its own Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/ pages/Brighton-Graduates-HKAssociation/254454204714.
The Boxing Club fought off competition to win the shield and the club members are pictured here with the club’s coach, Adam Haniver, a Chelsea alumnus (Sports Science BSc(Hons) 2000). The exhibition is a collaboration between Marek and Source the Planet Ltd, bringing together western art and taking the show to China.
Forthcoming reunions
range of primary, secondary and post-compulsory teacher education courses.
• 27 October Professional networking event, London • 13 November Chelsea alumni reunion • 25 November Brighton Futures
School of Education reunion More than 100 graduates from around the UK and abroad including Brunei and France attended the centenary anniversary of the University of Brighton’s School of Education at the Falmer campus on Saturday, 12 September 2009. They toured the campus and gathered in the newly built state-of-the art Checkland Building. Many alumni were impressed that their former college had become one of the UK’s top teaching institutions. Brighton is the only university in the country to achieve an ‘outstanding’ rating from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) for management and quality assurance across the full
During the reunion, graduates took campus tours, sampled taster lectures and caught up with old friends over refreshments and a buffet lunch. A local jazz band provided entertainment and there was a memories exhibition on display that had been created by current students. It comprised photographs and press cuttings of the school, going right the way back to the 1900s and many of the exhibits were provided by the alumni themselves.
Contacting us If you’d like help organising or publicising your reunion, please contact us by emailing alumni@brighton.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1273 642600 and we will be happy to help. To keep up to date with forthcoming events, visit our website at www.brighton.ac.uk/alumni.
The Brighton Effect 2010
Over 70 alumni spanning four decades gathered in January at the Brighton Graduates (Hong Kong) Association reunion.
Calling all... Chelsea graduates Give us a sporting chance of staying in touch! On Saturday 13 November 2010, the University of Brighton is hosting a reunion for all alumni of the Chelsea School and its various iterations throughout its significant history. • Gymnastics Teachers’ Training Department • Gymnastics Teachers’ Training College for Women • Chelsea Physical Training College • Chelsea College of Physical Education • Chelsea School of Human Movement • Chelsea School of Physical Education, Sports Science, Dance and Leisure • Chelsea School Team up with old friends, reminisce about your time at university and discover new developments. The event will include a special Olympic-themed talk, Fuelling the Flame, delivered by Chelsea staff and alumni who have impacted on the UK’s contribution to Olympic activity.
For more information please contact the Brighton Graduate Association: alumni@brighton.ac.uk 01273 642600 www.brighton.ac.uk/alumni