Connect Winter 2014 by University of Cumbria

CONNECT Winter 2014

Research discovers â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dinner bellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; effect Lecturer wins prestigious illustration award Research student has a grizzly encounter University scheme supports local businesses to research new energy projects

FOREWORD One of the highlights of the autumn term is the opportunity we have in November to celebrate with our students, their families and friends, as they graduate at the end of their programmes.

STUDENTS

12 13 13 14 15

UNIVERSITY

04 A quarter of a century of commitment recognised 05 University lecturer wins prestigious illustration award 06 Addressing the international match-fixing debate 07 Macmillan coffee morning 08 Multi-sport passion for Rhiannon 10 Staff profile - Joe Grimwalde 11 Congratulations

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Charlotte Mason College architect revisits the site after a gap of thirty years Pioneer who gave insight into wildlife behaviour Honorary Fellows New Sport and Health Development Unit launched Chinese academics share experiences of teaching Chancellor entertains at Graduation Lancaster students get genuine 999 experience Your I.T., but better Have you seen the big yellow boat?

research

STAFF

CONTENTS/WINTER 2014 ISSUE

26 27 28 29 30 32

Peter features in Paris film festival University supports research into renewable energy innovations Research discovers ‘dinner bell’ effect Smoking cessation research Research student has a grizzly encounter Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014

Army paramedics graduate David wins the Sarah McClay Memorial Shield Netball stars Carlisle Cathedral’s first poet-in-residence publishes anthology Family celebrates double success at University of Cumbria graduation

If you would like to contribute to the next issue of Connect, please contact a member of the communications team:

lynn.clark@cumbria.ac.uk julie.ratcliffe@cumbria.ac.uk fiona.hughes@cumbria.ac.uk The copy deadline for the next issue of Connect is 12th February

There is nothing that gives the academic and professional support staff of our university greater pleasure than to see our students succeed in their studies and receive their awards at Graduation.

The ceremony marks the end of one stage of our students’ lives, and we are certain that their Cumbria education will stand them in good stead for whatever comes next. Our Chancellor, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, was able to join us for all three days of ceremonies this time. His presence is always a most welcome feature of the week, but the addition of his accomplished performance on the drums in accompaniment to the university choir made for a particularly memorable final ceremony!

Alongside the new graduates, six new honorary fellows were created at the ceremonies. Honorary fellowships are awarded in recognition of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the university and/or in support of a variety of causes linked to the work of the university, and this November saw representatives from a diverse range of backgrounds - local government, medicine, tourism, youth services, the outdoors and mountain environments, and the culinary arts. Our congratulations to them as we welcome them all into our community of fellows.

For the first time in the cathedral, we saw a cohort of army medical technicians, all wearing full military uniform under their academic robes, receive their Foundation Degree in Paramedic Practice. Many also displayed an impressive collection of medals, testament to their time on active service, using the skills and expertise they have gained to help save lives in hostile situations.

You’ll find visual representations of the ceremonies further on in Connect – I hope, for those unable to attend, the images give a flavour of some of the very special moments that we experienced in the cathedral.

There is always a large contingent of PGCE graduates at the autumn ceremonies, and this year saw the first major group of School Direct qualified teachers graduating, in both primary and secondary school education. Now in its third year of operation, the School Direct programme enabled the university to train a total of 231 NQTs through this partnership with the school alliances in 2013/14.

Professor Peter Strike Vice Chancellor

Our Staff

get involved Tell us about your achievements ...

A quarter of a century of commitment recognised At the External Relations (Admissions) away day on 8 October, two members of staff were recognised for their long service with the university. Presentations were made to Julie Nixon (25 years in May 2014) and Janice Suniga (25 years on October 2014). Each received a framed certificate of long service, bouquets of flowers, a bottle of champagne and glittered champagne flutes. Photo, left to right: Janice Suniga, Alison Bolton and Julie Nixon

University lecturer wins prestigious illustration award Lecturer in Illustration Dwayne Bell, based at the Brampton Road campus, has won a prestigious Cheltenham Illustration Award for a poignant piece depicting his fellow passengers on a busy city bus route.

He received a commendation for his piece which he explains was inspired by his real-life journey to work: “I commute daily to and from Carlisle on the First Bus X95 and I pass the 50 minute journey by drawing my fellow passengers in my sketchbook”. Dwayne’s winning entry consists of four separate illustrations brought together to form one collective piece. The illustrations are scanned directly from his sketchbook and receive only minimal digital manipulation. Now in their eighth year, the Cheltenham Illustration Awards are run by the University of Gloucestershire as part of their illustration undergraduate course. The awards attract entries from across the globe and for the first time this year, allowed professional and established illustrators to enter. The awards have a theme each year and this year’s subject was ‘being human’. Dwayne continues: “The theme was a perfect opportunity for me to send some of these observations out into the world, so that’s what I did.” This year’s show was held in the Wilson Gallery in Cheltenham, which has recently undergone a make-over including a brand new exhibition space in which the Cheltenham Illustration show is housed. Dwayne continues, “The show’s organiser, Keiran Phelps, has great ambitions for its future now that it has a wonderful home in the Wilson Gallery. I’ll be encouraging my all students to enter work in future, as well as submitting more of my own.”

Image: The Palazzo Marino in Milan

Addressing the international match-fixing debate Emeritus Professor of Cultural History, Mike Huggins travelled to Milan at the end of September to deliver a keynote speech entitled ‘Match-fixing: A Key Issue for Sports Integrity’, at a major workshop in the famous Palazzo Marino following the launch of the Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions. Russia, Germany and some other member states have already signed up, but there are still difficulties in obtaining international agreement at a global level, especially but not solely in the Far East. Over the past few years, illegal practices in sports have become a major concern with match-fixing, illegal betting, organised crime involvement, money-laundering and corruption now a source of international debate. Influential delegates at the workshop included government sports ministers, representatives from Interpol, the International Olympic Committee, antibribery working groups, Series A football clubs and Britain’s Gambling Commission to name but a few. Professor Huggins explains: “With the increased popularity of online betting platforms and much more organised criminal activity, we may never be able to eliminate match-fixing completely.

“However it poses one of the most serious threats to sport today and is having a huge detrimental impact on the global sports industry.

Macmillan coffee morning

“If match-fixing isn’t taken seriously, sport may lose public trust as well as commercially important sponsorship. It’s vital that governments, sports organisations and crime organisations work together to address this problem, which now may account for up to billions of pounds of exploitation every year. “Sports like football and tennis are majorly at risk, ever closer to the top levels, and players, referees, umpires and other officials are all proving vulnerable to bribery, blackmail or threats of violence.” Professor Huggins was also recently appointed President Elect of the Congress of the European Committee of Sports Historians (CESH). Following his presentation in Milan he flew on to the international CESH conference in Edessa, Greece to speak on Changing British Government Attitudes to School Sport 1960 – 2014.

Café Martineau also kindly donated 10p from every drink bought between 9.30 and 11.30am.

A great big thank you to all staff who helped out, and donated and bought cakes at the coffee morning held in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support at Lancaster, on Friday 26 September. Café Martineau also kindly donated 10p from every drink bought between 9.30 and 11.30am, resulting in a grand total of £272.26 being raised. Image (left to right): Janet Whitworth and Nicky Meer (AQD)

Multi-sport passion for Rhiannon Rhiannon Robinson, a key member of the graphic design programme team at the Brampton Road campus, devotes her spare time to a hobby that keeps her supremely fit. Rhiannon explains: “I have been a runner since my second and last child was born 14 years ago. I took it up to retrieve some fitness after pregnancy. It was an easily accessible activity, rather than going to the gym or pool, as I could just nip out down the road while someone else took the baby for 15-20 minutes. At first I couldn’t run a mile without feeling like I wanted to lie down on the pavement and die but I kept at it and it developed steadily from there. “When I could run three miles comfortably I joined my local athletics club (Tynedale Harriers in Hexham) and I started doing 5K and 10K races after about 18 months, then fell and trail racing, the longest being the 17 mile Staveley trail race which I did about seven years ago. “My son, (then later also my daughter although she has given up since), started doing triathlon when he was eight years old, and instead of standing around just watching at his sessions, I trained to become a British Triathlon Level 1 Coach so that I could coach the kids at his club (One Life Racing in Hexham). I then became more and more involved with multi sport events and started doing occasional duathlons and triathlons myself. “The running and cycling disciplines are my strongest and swimming by far the weakest. I was only taught breast stroke as a child so have had to learn front crawl for the first time at the grand old age of 51! I’m still a pretty slow swimmer so have concentrated my competitive efforts on duathlon and cycling where I can come into my own a bit more. However, I am continuing to work on

I was only taught breast stroke as a child so have had to learn front crawl for the first time at the grand old age of 51!

my swimming and hope to be able to do more triathlons in the future. “I also still do road racing, run cross country in the winter and The championships cycling events like sportives themselves will take place in the spring and summer. next April in Madrid and In my time I have done there will probably be some quite frankly, quite mad things too. I once did a about 200 British athletes 10K race in Stockton where taking part altogether you also had to overcome various obstacles along the way, including swimming across the Tees Barrage, canoeing up the RIver Tees and ascending and descending the Transporter Bridge. I’ve also run the whole length of Hadrian’s Wall in under 14 hours as part of a women’s relay team from Tynedale Harriers. “This was just after the Hadrian’s Wall path had opened and we wanted to set the record for the fastest time achieved. (A team from the army was doing it on the same day, but the Tynedale Ladies trounced them by half an hour!) “Multi-sport events, such as duathlon and triathlon, are my favourite though.

I have been a runner since my second and last child was born 14 years ago. I took it up to retrieve some fitness after pregnancy.

“You may not be the very best at any one discipline but you still have the opportunity to shine if you can produce a pretty good effort at two or three disciplines put together continuously and cope efficiently with the transitions (the changeovers between one phase and another, often called the fourth discipline of triathlon). This also favours the endurance athlete (which I am) rather than the speed merchants, particularly as you get older. “There is also the inclusivity aspect (see below). Multi-sport also encourages cross training, using different muscle groups, and keeping the body overall better balanced, especially important as you get older and tend to pick up more ‘overuse’

injuries if you do only one thing repetitively. “Triathlon is a very inclusive sport and has a system which allows age group amateur athletes the opportunity to represent your country at international championships (Europeans and Worlds). To qualify for the British team you have to do a qualifying race and come in the top four in your age group to be selected. There are usually three of these each season spread from spring to autumn. “The age groups go in five year steps (20-24, 25-29 etc.) and I am in the 50-54 age group. I came third in my age group at the last qualifier of the season at Althorp in Northamptonshire (the home of the Spencer family) on 18 October, for the European Sprint Duathlon Championships. “The championships themselves will take place next April in Madrid and there will probably be about 200 British athletes taking part altogether across the various age groups, plus similar cohorts from other European countries.” The very best of luck to Rhiannon for next April – we’ll report on her result in the summer issue of Connect.

STAFF PROFILE/Joe Grimwade What brightens your day at work? In work it’s three things: people saying thank you, helping others and my lunchtime workouts. What do you like to do in your spare time? Varies a lot but a big part of my spare time is spent doing Crossfit either during lunch at work, in my garage gym or at Crossift Cumbria. Anyone looking for a shakeup in their fitness routine should try it. Your job title, how did you end up at the University of Cumbria and when did you start? Job Title: Senior Technician: Outdoor Studies. I originally studied at the University of Cumbria in 2007, when it was at Newton Rigg, gaining a BA (Hons) in Outdoor Education in 2010, then went on to work as an assistant technician for the department, technician and now finally a senior technician.

Describe your job. My job involves supporting the department’s needs from a resources perspective. Each day is very varied and involves a lot of interaction with staff and students, which I really enjoy. A big part of my work is ensuring that all the safety equipment, that the department uses on a daily basis, is in a safe working condition. I enjoy the technical nature of this, understanding how different materials behave under different circumstances, as well as the responsibility of ensuring that when something goes out it is safe to use.

Name your ideal dinner party guest and why I guess most people would normally pick long gone celebrities or such, but for me it’s a lot simpler. Being originally from Essex, that’s where my family is and I don’t get to see them as much as I would like, so I would pick my Mummy Grimwade, big sis Hyla, medium sis Karina and little sis (although she’s 21 now!) Lydia, Nan and Granddad, Auntie Kate and Uncle Less, cousins Christopher and Stephen and my identical twin brother and his significant

other, Sam and Sam (I know they didn’t think about that one right!?!). I’ve also got a family away from family in Cumbria who I would have along as well (they know who they are). And, mustn’t forget Finley the dog, a beautiful black Labrador, we got back in September 2013 – he’s amazing, albeit very interested in other dogs at the minute (and doesn’t seem fussy!?!).

CONGRATULATIONS! Jordan Lee Otway Jordan Lee Otway arrived on Tuesday 4 November weighing 7lb 4.5oz. Jordan is the first grandson of Ann Nugent who runs the shop at Brampton Road. Ann says: “Jordan is the first baby in the family for 25 years so parents Vikki and Lee and the rest of the relatives are overjoyed.”

Name your favourite book and why I don’t read too many books so don’t really have a favourite but right now I’m reading P.S I Love You (not my choice but it’s ok so far!)

Violet Inman

Name your favourite film and why Favourite film, well this is more my wheelhouse, lots to pick here, so this is tricky, top ones would be the Batman Trilogy, Sleepers, The Shawshank Redemption, The Hurricane, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and Coach Carter. And finally, your favourite or dream holiday destination and why! Dream holiday destination would probably be something like visiting lost temples/ruins in South America.

A second baby daughter for Laura Inman and husband Colin, Violet was born on Friday 19 September at 2.33pm at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, weighing 8lb 14oz. Violet is pictured with big sister Lauren.

Jacob George Sharples Born Monday 13 October at 2.35am in Kendal weighing 9lb 8oz. Mum Alice is UK Recruitment Manager in External Relations, and based at the Lancaster campus. Alice and husband Sam have already taken Jacob up his first Wainwright - Loughrigg!

Our Students

David wins the Sarah McClay Memorial Shield

get involved Tell us about your students’ achievements ...

The Sarah McClay Memorial Shield aims to honour the conservation student who encapsulates those qualities that characterised Sarah throughout her time at the University of Cumbria.

Wearing full army uniform under their academic gowns, and many sporting an impressive array of medals, the soldiers had qualified as paramedics through a pioneering partnership with the university. The university is the only higher education institution working in partnership with the British Army to provide a Foundation Degree in Paramedic Practice to servicemen and women in the Army Medical Services (AMS). The 18-month part-time course, featuring a combination of placement work in NHS trusts, distance learning and on-site lectures in a unique package, and was launched in April 2013.

Army paramedics graduate

It exposes the students, who are more used to dealing with traumatic battle injuries and military focused primary healthcare, to civilian care situations including midwifery, that they would never experience on the battlefield.

Twenty army combat medical technicians received their Foundation Degree in Paramedic Practice from the Chancellor at the November graduation ceremonies.

The soldiers then go back to their army role with a far more rounded medical experience and a qualification, which helps them should they ever seek a job as an NHS paramedic.

In addition to the student’s academic contribution, the award will also encompass qualities of enthusiasm, dedication, and motivation with an ability to help and encourage fellow students. The award will recognise a student who is equally well liked by peers and lecturers and whose involvement extends beyond the lecture theatre to practice as a committed conservation volunteer throughout their time spent at university. Sarah studied at the Newton Rigg campus and graduated in July 2010. This year’s winner was conservation graduate David Greaves, seen receiving the shield from Dr Volker Deecke.

NETBALL STARS The university’s second netball team, based at the Fusehill Street campus, is providing cause for celebration at the moment, leading the BUCS Northern 6A league by two points. Beth Mather, in her first year of BA (Hons) Sports Rehabilitation said: “We’ve only lost one of our league games, so it’s been a good season so far. However, we’ll be losing players to placements in the next term, and in addition, following a cartilege op, I’ll be out of the game on crutches too!”

Back Row: Beth Mather, Joanna Rumney, Alex Rackstraw, Jade Trimmer (capt), Abi Peck, Louise Lightfoot, Lizzie Morgan, Nen Holme. Front Row: Leena Najia, Charlotte Bateson, Rebecca Bonsall

Carlisle Cathedral’s first poet-in-residence publishes anthology Doctoral graduate Martyn Halsall has published a collection of poems inspired by his year as the first poet-in-residence at Carlisle Cathedral. Based on his observations, notes and interactions, Sanctuary reflects on the wonders, joys and rhythm of cathedral life. Born in Southport, (which was then in Lancashire), Martyn later studied in London, and worked in Oxford, Liverpool and Manchester, enjoying a long career as a journalist, including fifteen years at The Guardian newspaper. Already a successful writer and award-winning poet, Martyn then moved to West Cumbria to live and write, completing his PhD in creative literary studies with the university in 2009. His appointment as the cathedral’s first poetin-residence in 2013 marked a new challenge. “It was daunting trying to reflect the life and faith of Christian communities that have occupied that same site in Carlisle for almost 1,000 years,” he said. “So I did what any journalist would do, bought a new notebook, turned up, and wandered around. Wanderings produced stories, and these I tried to present in poetic form.

“Sometimes these stories would be there at the beginning. Like a journalist I might go to ‘cover’ a special service, exhibition, or event, though the results would usually be very different from a factual report. On other occasions, I would simply walk round the cathedral, or The Close, and see what ideas emerged. There was always something.” Martyn says that highlights included spending an evening with the bell-ringers, high in their sound-shuddering tower, hearing some of the Cathedral’s hidden stories from cathedral clergy, and having the freedom to reflect and re-cast just part of an experience in a radically different way. “The research and writing methods that I used, while founded in work that I produced in the university, hopefully lead on into new expressions of literary creativity,” Martyn said. His poetry has been published in numerous poetry magazines, including The Reader, Other Poetry, Envoi, and Tears in the Fence, and in various anthologies. His national poetry awards include recognition in the Keats-Shelley Memorial Prize. He is twice winner of the Jack Clemo Memorial Prize, while the title poem from his collection was nominated by the British magazine, Stepaway, for a leading US poetry prize.

Family celebrates double success at University of Cumbria graduation Friday morning’s University of Cumbria graduation ceremony at Carlisle Cathedral was a real family affair for the Woodburns. Mum, Sue Woodburn, is head-teacher at Burton Morewood Primary School, Burton-in-Kendal, which is a partner school with the university in the School Direct (SD) programme of teacher training. On Friday 28 November she was a guest of the university, invited to celebrate as 10 of her school’s SD students graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) with Qualified Teacher Status, but it’s fair to say that two graduates in particular played a very special part in Sue’s day. Her son Robin Woodburn and his wife Katie both received their awards at the ceremony, having been trainees at Burton Morewood School for the last year. Robin now teaches Year 4 at St Thomas’ in Kendal, while Katie is at Brockholes Wood School in Preston, also in charge of Year 4.

Sue said: “Today is a very proud moment for the partnership, but particularly, as a mum, it has been very special watching Robin and Katie both receive their awards. They’ve worked extremely hard for this achievement, and our family can now boast two head teachers (Sue’s husband Mark is head teacher at Ghyllside School in Kendal) and four teachers – both of my sons and their wives!” Kathryn Fox, the university’s Director of School and Business Engagement commented: “We offer our warmest congratulations to all our School Direct PGCE graduates and over the last three days, we have been delighted to celebrate their achievements. This programme, which, in 2014, saw 231 students successfully qualify for the profession, represents an important collaboration between school alliances and the university, through which we can deliver excellent teachers for North West classrooms and beyond.”

Our

University

get involved Tell us about news and developments in your area …

Charlotte Mason College architect revisits the site after a gap of thirty years The Ambleside campus welcomed a special visitor, David Butler, with a nostalgic tour of the newly redeveloped site on Friday 21 November. Mr. Butler was County Architect for Westmorland and then Cumbria from the 1960s until his retirement, and in the early 1980s he designed the Percival lecture theatre and the Langdale building. Mr. Butler was delighted to see “Charlotte Mason College” again; accompanied by his daughter, Christine Sutherland, he viewed his lecture theatre, looked around the ground floor of Langdale and enjoyed a thorough tour of the Barn theatre, which David and Christine liked so much (especially the library) that they decided to stay for lunch. A short drive up to Charlotte Mason Building completed the tour. Mr. Butler was delighted with the new-look campus and its blend of historic and modern design, and especially fascinated by what the future holds for Scale How. Father and daughter both commented on their enjoyment of the day and the warm welcome they had received.

Pioneeer who gave insight into wildlife behaviour The grandson of a pioneering wildlife expert provided a fascinating overview of his grandfather’s groundbreaking work in a public lecture at the Ambleside campus in October. Frederick W Champion used camera traps and tripwires to produce photographs of Indian wildlife in the 1920s and 30s. This tripwire photography represented an amazing breakthrough, capturing the night-time lives of many animals for the first time. James Champion presented an illustrated talk describing his grandfather’s work and the discoveries he subsequently made about animal behaviour. Animal conservation lecturers at the university, Dr Ian Convery and Dr Volker Deecke, organised the talk. Dr Deecke explains: “This lecture provided a fascinating insight into the very beginnings of this research tool, the camera trap, that now, nearly 100 years later, we take for granted and use all the time. Frederick Champion was the instigator of the process, using a simple system of wires. Champion wanted to discover what animals got up to under the cover of night, and even with relatively crude technology, he was able answer some significant questions.” Photos: Two of Champion’s tiger photographs.

HONORary FELLOWS

New Sport and Health Development Unit launched

At the November graduation ceremonies, six new honorary fellows were created. Honorary fellowships are awarded in recognition of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the university and/or in support of a variety of causes linked to the work of the university. Mary Styth - in recognition of her lifelong and outstanding contribution to public service, education, health and social care

Heike Horsburgh MBE - in recognition of her outstanding contribution to young people and services within the Cumbrian community

Dr Jim Cox OBE DL - in recognition of his outstanding and lifelong contribution to medicine and the health and social needs of rural communities

John Eric Porter - in recognition of his lifelong and outstanding contribution to the economy of the outdoor environment and the promotion of a mountain and adventure sports culture

Charles John Graves - in recognition of his outstanding and lifelong contribution to the leisure, hospitality and tourism industry within Cumbria

Mary Styth

Heike Horsburgh MBE

Dr Jim Cox OBE DL

John Eric Porter

Simon Rogan - in recognition of his outstanding service to raising the profile of Cumbria through his innovation and excellence in the culinary arts Charles John Graves

Simon Rogan

Although a ‘virtual entity’, in that it has no designated campus building, the unit draws together internal partners including the UCSU, Facilities Management, External Relations, Enterprise, Marketing and academic teams, to promote recreational and competitive sport opportunities for students and staff, as well as facilitate health initiatives across campuses. Above: Mark Christie

This focus includes encouraging uptake of the Leisure Card deals that are now in place for both Carlisle and Lancaster staff and students. In addition, the unit seeks to facilitate opportunities for students to build their CVs through local volunteering and/or job opportunities in sport offered by a range of external agencies. There are also opportunities advertised for students to undertake coaching award courses offered by national governing bodies of sport and other agencies. The unit has its official webpage here, which has direct links to specific portals, such as UCSU Volunteering, the sports centre facilities on and off campus, and our local and regional partner websites. Another key objective is to act as an initial contact point for any enquiries from external agencies regarding sport and health-related consultancy and research work. In this respect, the unit seeks to generate income to the university.

Already there are potential plans for a corporate health initiative with external funding, and other funding is being sought to assist with sports participation projects and facility investment. The unit is already working hard to improve the ‘sport offer’ to students and staff, as well as enhancing other aspects of student life in respect of health, volunteering and coach education. “In the past, various internal departments within the university have attempted to facilitate improvements in sport participation, sport infrastructure, volunteering opportunities and other service improvements. What we hope to achieve with the unit is to work in a more joined—up way to facilitate positive change for the benefit of both students and staff, as well as strengthen our links with a range of external agencies in the process,” commented Mark Christie, the unit’s co-ordinator. “There is so much potential to make a difference to students and staff in terms of their physical, mental and social health,” says Mark, “and it’s exciting to see how already we have a range of initiatives and funding opportunities being pursued towards these objectives. It is hoped that we can involve many of our sports students in assisting with some of the delivery aspects, such as taking up ‘sport activator’ posts—we already have two in place with more to come—as well as having a positive impact upon recruitment through publicising the work of the unit and how students can get involved at open day events.”

Chinese academics share experiences of teaching Four Chinese academics on a three-month visit to the Business School are impressed by its approach to teaching and learning – but less so by British cuisine and weather.

Business lecturers Prof Jane Zhang, Dr Cindy Lan Mu, Dr Chunzhi Wang and Dr Suzy Zhang from Dalian Nationalities University China in Liaoning Province are spending 12 weeks in Lancaster to compare their teaching techniques with those at Cumbria.

Dr Zhang said: “I don’t think either system is good or bad – it’s just a different culture. In China we have more students and if they manage themselves it gets messy.” The visit is the latest collaboration in an ongoing friendship between the two universities.

Prof Zhang said: “I’ve been working in higher education for 32 years. I really love teaching. We want to learn from the professors here and share some of our experience with the University of Cumbria’s academics. We want to learn new teaching methodologies both theoretically and practically.”

The team was welcomed by Professor Robert Hannaford, executive dean of the Faculty of Education, Arts and Business. He said: “I well recall my first encounter with senior staff from Dalian Nationalities University several years ago now, and what particularly struck me was how similar our two universities are in terms of our history and the work we’re trying to do.

The visiting academics immediately noticed differences between the two education systems. At their home university they routinely teach classes of up to 160 students, much larger than the smaller groups found at here. And British first years are expected to take more responsibility for managing their schedule than Chinese students, who are overseen by a tutor throughout their studies.

“It’s an absolute delight to welcome academics from Dalian to the University of Cumbria.” The academics, who are being hosted by local families during their stay, are quickly adapting to the British way of life – but they are still getting used to the changeable Lancaster weather and have yet to acquire a taste for British food. Academics from the University of Cumbria will visit Dalian at a later date.

Chancellor entertains at Graduation At the final ceremony of the graduation week in November, the Chancellor made the event even more memorable by accompanying the choir’s rendition of ‘Time of your life’ on the drums. The performance took many by surprise, but according to the Archbishop’s PA, it’s something he does on a regular basis! Photographs courtesy of John Deakin

The simulator is kitted out with equipment exactly like a real ambulance including highend specification mannequins whose vital signs can be read and programmed to experience unexpected complications just like real patients. The simulator has the added benefit of a separate control room, which will enable lecturers to simulate an ambulance response centre in conversation with the students, just as if they were on a real job. The university has invested over £60k into the simulator and Neil Harris, Registrar and Secretary, is delighted with the results. He said,

Lancaster students get genuine 999 experience Students, including army paramedics, are now able to train in realistic conditions thanks to a new state of the art ambulance simulator at the Lancaster campus. The ‘simulated learning ambulance’ is a replica of a Mercedes-Benz ambulance, so students will know what it is like to work under pressure responding to life threatening emergencies in the confined space of a real ambulance. The simulator was opened on Friday 28 November in a ceremony at Lancaster by Nigel Partington, Colonel (Rtd) MBE, military advisor and consultant to BBC TV series ‘Our Girl’, a drama concerning army combat medical technicians.

Nigel Partington said, “I am delighted to open such a fantastic facility for the University of Cumbria. This new simulator will be an invaluable asset that will provide students with realistic experiences that will hone and develop their skills and ultimately contribute to them becoming competent practitioners.” The ambulance simulator mirrors real life and will enable students to experience realistic situations when answering emergency calls.

“The simulator is as close as it comes to a real ambulance and does everything the same except drive. Simulations will be as intense as possible and will put the students in charge of handling lifelike situations without risk to any patients. “This simulator marks a major investment in health care training by the university and a commitment to developing our students to the highest standards.” The plan is for multiple professional courses taught at the university to benefit from the new simulator. Currently both midwifery students and army paramedics already work together as part of a research project on learning collaboratively to improve communication, leadership and clinical skills and the experiment has proven positive. Army paramedics are experienced with traumatic battle injuries and militaryfocused primary health care; the new simulator will provide them with additional valuable experience in civilian healthcare, such as emergency child birth.

Soldiers who complete the training go back to their army role with more rounded medical experience and a qualification, which will help them should they ever seek a job as an NHS paramedic if they leave the army. For the NHS, this work also means an increasing pool of qualified paramedics to eventually recruit from. The simulator will provide students with unrivalled experience of taking the ‘patient’ from a community or primary care setting, through pre-hospital and emergency care, into ward care environment. It will also provide the opportunity for both staff and students to review student responses to situations through recordings, as well as allowing training to be given to students in other locations via web streaming.

Your I.T., but better

Have you seen the big yellow boat?

The last twelve months have seen continuing investment in IT at the university.

The Ocean Youth Trust North (OYTN) has been making links in Cumbria supported by our Department of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies in the Faculty of Health and Science. The ‘James Cook’, a 21 metre (70’) sail training vessel (with a yellow hull) usually based in North Shields, spent last summer based at Whitehaven. The charity aims to use ‘adventures under sail’ to help young people develop interpersonal and transferable skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, problem solving and self- confidence through their voyages which will translate into their everyday lives.

Improving the email system The change that will have had the biggest IT impact for you is the migration of all staff email to Office365. This now means that you are on the same email system as the students and you have more space for your emails. Critically, moving to Office365 has also provided the opportunity for future developments that wouldn’t have been possible on our old system. Updating the equipment A big investment this year has been in continuing the rolling programme of replacement for the university end user equipment (PCs and laptops). So far, we have replaced: • • • • •

125 staff PCs 70 student PCs across three classrooms 60 student loan laptops 10 staff laptops 30 Whiteboard teaching machines

There are a further 220 PCs and laptops still to be installed across various sites and campuses. The rolling replacement programme has also included classroom audio visual equipment and improvements have been made to: • five classrooms in London • four classrooms and the Percival lecture theatre in Ambleside • the Hugh Pollard lecture theatre in Lancaster • three classrooms and a lecture theatre at Brampton Road

The university video conferencing facilities have also had a major overhaul. Most video conferencing rooms now have larger dual screens (ranging from 42” to 50” depending on the size of the room), and all have updated software, which will improve picture and sound quality.

Sail training is an important aspect of outdoor learning and evaluating the effects of adventurous activities and residential experiences on the lives of young people and adults is a key research area for the Department.

Security improvements As is occasionally highlighted in the news, the security of data on laptops is always a concern. The university has taken this risk very seriously and invested in a system to encrypt data on university laptops - in the event of a laptop being lost or stolen, data now remains secure. Please remember, the IT Services Hardware Buyers Guide lists encrypted USB sticks that should be used for confidential data.

Dr Heather Prince, PL in the department of SNROS established links between the university and the OYTN through general manager Steve Lennon. The OYTN staff are keen to establish a presence in Cumbria (after all it is the ‘north’ too!) and to allow young people from Cumbria and the North West to benefit from these on-board residential experiences, which are ‘changing lives, inspiring futures’.

Making your IT life a bit easier Following the success of the student password reset service, we have now developed it for staff. This means that you can now reset your password yourself in the event that you forget it—you no longer have to rely on the IT Service Desk. In order to use the service, you first need to sign up to the password reset service which can be found here and follow the instructions. These projects, and others, continue to ensure that all our users get the very latest IT technology and a much improved IT experience. Further information about IT Services can be found on StaffNet.

Although very adept at training in seamanship skills, OYTN wanted to explore more fully the benefits of these experiences in terms of selfdiscovery through challenge and adventure. One of their volunteers, Eric Fletcher, a retired police officer and trainer, met with Heather to seek guidance on possible research methodologies that would achieve a more

rigorous understanding of the outcomes for participants, with the objective of enabling these experiences to be more fully optimised. Eric enrolled on a University of Cumbria standalone masters module ‘Independent Study’, and was able to conduct a pilot study with a group of young people. (He was also awarded 20 Level 7 credits which he has used to access further study.) Subsequent to this small piece of research, changes to practice onboard the James Cook have been instigated, with the purpose of guiding participants into reflecting about the aspects of the voyage which might be precipitants for changes to their lives and to help them to realise their potential. It is hoped that there will be a much larger and more wide-ranging piece of research to follow. To show its appreciation to the university, the OYTN invited Heather and a group of students to participate in a free weekend voyage in May this year. Students from Outdoor Education, Outdoor Leadership and Adventure and Media degrees, all of whom had an interest in sailing (though this was not a pre-requisite to participation,) spent time on the North Sea learning the skills of sailing a larger vessel than any had been used to, living the experience of sail training and reflecting on it as an approach to outdoor learning, and getting a certificate from the Royal Yachting Association. Several of these students are now employed as graduates in the outdoor industry and make use of their sailing skills with a good knowledge of the personal and social development that these kinds of experiences can provide.

Our

Research

University supports research into renewable energy innovations get involved

The university is hosting a new Renewable Energy Test and Education Centre (RETEC) on the west coast of Cumbria, supporting research into innovative, low carbon energy technologies.

Tell us about your research...

With funding from Britain’s Energy Coast in partnership with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the university is already working with local businesses to initiate new energy-efficient projects. The first of these to come to fruition is with Smith Engineering of Maryport. The firm has designed and manufactured a four-metre diameter hydro-electric waterwheel which has been installed at Langdale Hotel and Spa near Ambleside in the Lake District. Trials are now underway with the university to determine the efficiency of the wheel in generating electricity.

‘peter’ features in paris film festival Jane Topping’s film Peter featured as part of the 12th International Festival Signes de Nuit film festival which took place in Paris from 15-21 September. Peter was in the International Experimental Documentary competition, for which, as Jane commented “competition is stiff!” Peter was screened at Studio des Ursulines, and Jane admits she was very excited to be showing alongside Tin Derdamal & Christina Haglund‘s Muerte en Arizona (Death in Arizona). For more information on the festival, visit: www.signesdenuit.com/index_eng.htm www.signesdenuit.com/paris/12.A/__E_Temps.htm

The wheel uses a minimal number of components and can be lifted by just two men without the need for heavy lifting machinery, enabling it to be constructed in less accessible places, such as areas of the Lake District. The long term goal is to export waterwheels such as this to developing countries where skills and resources are limited.

Image: Jonathan Smith of Smith Engineering (left) and Nick Lancaster from Langdale Estate in front of the waterwheel.

RETEC has been made possible with funding from Britain’s Energy Coast Campus and Britain's Energy Coast in their remit to diversify the region and provide a long-term, low carbon solution to the energy security challenge.

Rod Smith of Smith Engineering explains: "Little is known about the efficiency of hydro-electric waterwheels at this scale and we are looking forward to the findings of the research to determine the contribution it may make to the advancement of this form of renewable energy, and to our business."

Lee Carr is low carbon energy development manager at Britain’s Energy Coast and says:

The wheel has been positioned in the water wheel pit of the former gunpowder works, adjacent to the Langdale Estate’s original turbine house, which generated electricity for the estate in the 19th century.

Britain’s Energy Coast in “It’s great to see innovative partnership with the Nuclear low carbon energy generation Decommissioning Authority opportunities coming forward (www.nda.gov.uk). from Cumbrian SMEs, further demonstrating the local capabilities and expertise we have within the region.

Nick Lancaster, Director of Resort Operations for Langdale Estate says: “The opportunity to re-install a modern waterwheel in our original wheelpit was irresistible and we were keen to assist in the development of renewable energy systems. We already have a biomass boiler and some electric cars that we use around our site.” On completion of the research by the university, a gearbox and generator will be fitted to the waterwheel to allow it to contribute to the production of electricity for the facilities at the luxury estate.

This project has been funded by

“As we seek to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy security, accelerating the production of devices and initiatives like these through the RETEC project can contribute to Britain’s Energy Coast’s mission to support the growth of the low carbon economy in West Cumbria.” Brian Hough, Socio Economic Manager at Nuclear Decommissioning Authority comments: “We’re pleased to see the University of Cumbria working with BEC and others on this exciting project. As well as being a core funder of BEC, we have already invested in the university’s presence on the west coast and it is great to see projects like this opening up opportunities for local businesses.”

Smoking cessation research Colleagues Dr Alison SpurgeonDickson, Dr Julie Taylor and Georgia Holmes have been involved in research on smoking cessation programmes in prisons.

Research discovers ‘dinner bell’ effect A paper by Dr Volker Deecke, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, reported on a rather unfortunate consequence of modern tagging systems used to gather data about the fish populations. Volker explains: “A lot of studies are using acoustic tags to measure the survival of migratory fishes such as salmon and sea trout. These tags emit an ultrasonic coded sound signal every minute or so, which can be picked up by receiver stations along the migration route. While these sound signals are inaudible to humans and the tagged fish, most sea mammals can hear them (seals probably over tens of metres, dolphins have very over hundreds of metres).

The findings important implications for the use of acoustic tags in the wild

We were therefore concerned that studies using such tags create biased results due to a ‘dinner bell effect’ that would increase the probability of tagged fish being captured.

“To test this we set up an artificial foraging arena at the seal research facility in St. Andrews which consisted of 20 opaque boxes

with a cat flap on one end. Two randomly chosen boxes contained a dead fish, one with an acoustic tag (the treatment), another without (the control). Twelve seals were tested in the arena to see whether, over 20 trials, they would learn to associate the sound of an acoustic tag with a food reward (the fish). “The seals quickly found the tagged fish much faster than would be expected by chance, which demonstrates that they were using the acoustic tag to guide their foraging decisions. The seals also found the control fish faster than would be expected by chance, which indicates that seals have much better chemosensory abilities (taste and smell) than previously thought. “The findings have very important implications for the use of acoustic tags in the wild, and call into question the validity of conclusions about fish survival based on data collected using such tags.”

Their interest lies in challenges and opportunities presented by the various ways of administering smoking cessation programmes. In collaboration with other researchers engaged in larger- scale research projects, they aim to contribute their ideas to the policies of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and their research into smoking cessation in prisons. As part of the project, Alison, Julie and Georgia recently visited the prison in Jurby, Isle of Man, which became a smoke-free prison in 2008. They gathered data to help explore the impact that the ban has had upon prisoners and staff and also investigated whether staff perceived any changes or improvements since a report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons (2011) criticised the IOM prison for not being in control of the smoking ban. Alison explains: “The data we collected is really interesting and has given us several ideas about ways we could work with the prison in support of their smoking cessation policy. We are planning to visit the prison again in early spring to share our findings and ideas so far with governors and members of the Independent Monitoring Board, and to carry out a piece of action research involving collaboration with health and fitness staff and prisoners which will enable problems to be diagnosed and solutions developed.

“It is anticipated that our findings from the Isle of Man prison research will not only provide a useful and interesting case study of a smoking cessation programme in a prison environment, but will contribute to our collaborative work with NOMS. “We hope the work will inform future policy on smoking cessation in prisons by evaluating processes to see the how well the smoking policy has been implemented, and at the same time, what challenges remain.”

Above: left to right Dr Julie Taylor, Georgia Holmes, Senior prison officer Blayne Wardle.

John’s video of the camera-eating grizzly can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=dbBfB_78vJ4

research student has a grizzly encounter Student John Kitchin has captured some remarkable video footage of a Canadian grizzly bear trying to eat his camera. John is a visual ecologist and PhD student with the university’s Centre for Wildlife Conservation based in Ambleside. The research group has had involvement with bear projects around the world; however much of the work is conducted with populations of bears in British Columbia. John’s video has made the national news in Canada, where encounters with grizzly bears are not so unusual, and the UK where they are not! John had travelled to a bridge that crosses a salmon-bearing river at Glendale Cove in Knight Inlet, known to be one of the best grizzly bear viewing spots in the world, and was recording an interview with a bear biologist on a platform below the bridge.

“I guess a lot of people will think that this is what it’s like to be mauled by a grizzly bear,” he said. “But they’re not hunters; they’re not this fast-moving, predatory-driven animal. What fascinated me was the way she picks up the camera and takes it away. She had the camera for another two minutes before it stops filming.

“We’re really excited by John’s work at Knight Inlet. It’s a continuation of a long-term research collaboration between Knight Inlet Lodge and the University of Cumbria, and is a research site where John’s co-supervisor, Professor Owen Nevin from Central Queensland University in Australia has been working for 15 years.

“The point of view is just incredible,” said Kitchin, “her roving eye, the dexterity of her nose, her family peering to see what she has… and her claws, legs and fur as she walks along. The footage is the closest I’ve ever been to a grizzly bear.” Miraculously, the GoPro camera survived the event although it is now held together by duct tape and the screen is cracked. John has been able to upload most of the upclose-and-personal encounter to YouTube.

“We have a large number of trail cameras and GoPros out in the forest, and we’ve gathered some fantastic behavioural data, but this video is pretty special.”

This footage reinforces John’s opinion that grizzly bears are very calm and inquisitive animals. “They have a huge degree of mental flexibility and in areas like Glendale Cove, where they have regular interactions with people, they begin to see people as neither a threat nor, as many people might think, food or a food source,” he said. “Their behaviour is endlessly fascinating and we are just beginning to see and record some things that nobody else has ever explored.”

More about his PhD can be found at: http://youmebear.com

Glendale Cove is a hunt-free zone but it is a very small portion of the bears’ territory. “The sad truth is that grizzly bears are hunted and persecuted in the wider landscape,” he said. “The trophy hunt is criticised by many as being unsustainable and harmful to bear populations’ long-term viability.

He explains: “I had previously set up a camera at one end of the bridge to record any activity. A young female grizzly was being very curious, chewing on the bridge, peering over at us, while her mother and sibling were on the other side of the bridge watching some other bears in the river below.

“The trophy hunt contributes very little to the economy especially when you consider that bear in this video has a price tag of $25,000 for a non-resident hunter but could live for 25 years or more and be photographed by thousands of tourists, who in their time in British Columbia will spend almost as much each.”

“But as soon as she smelled the camera she made a beeline for it. She actually dropped it but came straight back and then took it to the other side of the bridge to have a little chew on it.

Dr Ian Convery is one of John’s supervisors at the University of Cumbria and comments:

“It shows a gentler side of the oftenmisunderstood animal, because it didn’t rip apart the camera right away; instead taking it out of its external case before puncturing it with its teeth.

For more information about John Kitchin and his work, visit his website: http://kitchinsink.com/

“We have a large number of trail cameras and GoPros out in the forest, and we’ve gathered some fantastic behavioural data, but this video is pretty special.”

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 With the publication of the results of REF 2014, the university has seen a considerable increase in its ‘worldleading’ and ‘internationally excellent’ research (based on the 4* to 1* rating system). Our results show that our focus on applied and practitioner research produces high quality research, and also generates substantial impact, bringing benefits to a range of stakeholders, including international academic communities, students and the broader knowledge economy. Across six units of assessment submitted, 80% was considered to be of a standard recognised internationally or higher. This includes 33% internationally excellent or higher, and 7% of our research was graded as world leading. In terms of comparison to our submission to the predecessor exercise, the Research Assessment Exercise 2008 (RAE2008), our results have improved significantly. There was been a substantial shift in terms of the amount of research graded as internationally recognised, internationally excellent or world leading. This is reflected in the fact that we have risen 17 places on the Times Higher Education’s REF2014 results table of excellence.

This is a significant milestone in our progress towards achieving Research Degree Awarding Powers, and provides an important indicator of the development of the research at our university. Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Strike commented: “I would like to thank all colleagues who contributed to this success. It is no mean feat to produce research of this standard, particularly in the current environment, and all those submitted to the REF are to be applauded. I also appreciate the very significant work that went into driving and coordinating our submission and to supporting individual researchers. We chose the academic areas and the research for submission carefully and strategically, and I am aware that there are a number of good researchers who were not submitted this time but who are working steadily on their research plans, building on their achievements to date. I am therefore very optimistic that in any future exercise, our results will be even better!

“Across six units of assessment submitted, 80% was considered to be of a standard recognised internationally or higher. This includes 33% internationally excellent or higher, and 7% of our research was graded as world leading.”

Make your nominations for UCSU Success Awards 2015 The Students’ Union, through the Success Awards, recognises the contribution of people to the Cumbrian student experience. If you would like to nominate somebody for an award please visit www.ucsu.me/success. Nominations close at 12pm on 2 February 2015. Award categories: • Lecturer of the Year Award: Education, Arts and Business and Health and Science • Community Award • Representative of the Year Award • Volunteer of the Year Award • Out of Sight Award • Student of the Year • Student Group Member of the Year • Student Support Staff Award • The Golden Leaf Award

Call for propos and teacher e als to teachers ducators

Teacher Inquiry : developing re search-inform education - th ed e Research Inst itu te for Professio Learning in Ed nal ucation (RIPLE ) annual confer Wednesday 3 en ce, June 2015 in C arlisle.

ng – 19 CLA audit of copyiruary 2015 January to 27 Feb the Copyright lds a licence from The university ho its copying, (CLA) which perm Licensing Agency has been ing. The university scanning and print a CL A data d to take part in randomly selecte y to 27 February e from 19 Januar collection exercis by staff from e covers copying 2015. The exercis rgeting digital originals, ta print sources and lty, library and ie copying in facu academic areas – information. ick here for more the print room. Cl

Send us your stories

If you would like to con tribute to the next issue of Co nnect, please contac t a memb er of the communications team: lynn.clark@ cumbria.a c.uk julie.ratcliffe@ cumbri a.ac.uk fiona.hughes@ cumbri a.ac.uk The copy deadline for the next issue of Connect is 12 February

This annual RI PLE conference brings togeth and university er school based teachers , teacher educat researchers an ors, d leaders to cr eate a rich an professional le d challenging arning event. Lecturers purs educational re ui ng search from ea rly years throug higher educat h to ion are invited to submit propos Find more abou als. t RIPLE and th e conference Please submit he re. your proposal online. The de for submission ad lin e is 30 Januar y 2015.

Call for papers Wellbeing Res – Leading earch Festival

Brathay Trust and the Unive rsity of Cumbr welcome abst ia ract submissio ns on the them leading wellbei e of ng, the deadlin e for which is February 2015 3 . This research festival is situa at the nexus of te d sustainability, wellbeing and leadership, th ree concepts th at are inextric linked. Submiss ably ions are invite d for 15 minut verbal papers e situated betw een two or th these areas an re e of d across a rang e of disciplines For full details . visit w w w.lead ingwell.org.

Fusehill Street Carlisle CA1 2HH