Exeter magazine 2016/17 by University of Exeter

Building Living Systems

A remarkable year

Great sporting achievements

Our innovative new research institute

THE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND SUPPORTERS

2017 ISSUE

EXETER SPECIAL EDITION

THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER CAMPAIGN ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY • HEALTH • LIVING SYSTEMS INSTITUTE SO CIET Y AND CULT URE • TOMORROW ’S LEADERS • SPORT ING SUCCESS

EXETER

2017 ISSUE

The last year has been an incredibly exciting time for the University of Exeter, and also for those of us involved in this magazine. With the launch of the University’s ‘Making the Exceptional Happen’ Campaign, we have been lucky to talk to a host of exceptional individuals – students, staff and alumni – who feature in this issue. We’ve been able to look back on fascinating stories, celebrate great achievements and look forward to future developments. Thank you to everyone that took the time to share their stories with us. As ever, if you have your own story to tell or if you have any feedback on the Exeter magazine, please do get in touch. Best wishes Becky Pratchett and Emma Clark, Editors

EXETER magazine is a University of Exeter publication.

Editorial team: Emma Clark, Jess Greenaway, Rachel Jones, Josh Papanicola, Becky Pratchett, Sophia Pudney, David Watson. Design: University of Exeter Design Studio. 2016GED014. Print: Linny Group.

Photography: Thanks to Christopher Alexander, Shella de Mar, Jenny Coomes, Lauren Furness, Martin Hartley, Steven Haywood, Hufton + Crow, Caitlin Kight, Richard Lewisohn, Tim Pestridge, Dave Poole, James Ramm, Georgina Venman, Jim Wileman.

Thanks to: Richard Foord, Thomas Fowles, Jane Harding, Dr Victoria Alcock. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the University of Exeter. Details correct at the time of going to print (Jan 2017).

Large print: Please visit www.exeter.ac.uk/ magazine to view a version of this magazine that you can enlarge on screen. Alternatively contact us at: alumni@exeter.ac.uk or +44 (0) 1392 723141 if you would like a copy in large text.

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

Professor Sir Steve Smith Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

016 has been an exceptional year. Universities like Exeter have responded to major policy announcements from the UK Government, including the publication of a far-reaching White Paper which will see fundamental changes to the regulation of higher education, and the introduction of a Teaching Excellence Framework which will recognise and reward excellent learning and teaching by allowing universities that do well to increase tuition fees. We have also, of course, felt the reverberations of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, which will fundamentally reshape many aspects of university life. But throughout this period of flux, Exeter has once again thrived, having been ranked a UK top 10 university in the most prestigious national league table – The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. Our commitment to sport was also rewarded when we were named the Sports University of the Year for 2015-16. Globally, we have been ranked in the top 1% of universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and QS World University Rankings. And in the latest CWTS Leiden Ranking, based on the world’s most highly-cited research, we are 35th in the World, 8th in Europe and 6th in UK. Most gratifying of all this year was the news that Exeter is highest ranked in the Russell Group and best in the South West in the National Student Survey for overall satisfaction of our students. But above all, 2016 has been most memorable for our Diamond Jubilee – celebrating 60 years since the University received its Royal Charter from Her Majesty

Queen Elizabeth II in 1956. We have held more than 30 events linked by one theme: ‘Glance Back and Look Forward’, and it has led us not only to rediscover elements of our past but also to set an ambitious and exciting new strategy for the future. Highlights from the year include the publication of a new University history, The City on the Hill, written by distinguished Exeter historian Professor Jeremy Black. In April, we celebrated with 160 alumni from each of the last six decades at the Diamond Jubilee Gala Dinner for Alumni at Stationers’ Hall, London. And in May, we celebrated our Charter Day by opening our Diamond Jubilee International Garden, with borders featuring plants from across five continents, and the planting of the Exeter Oak tree. We were particularly honoured to share this event with alumni who studied at the University back in 1956. We have launched seven legacy projects, including the Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Fund, which has been established to support talented aspiring researchers to undertake a PhD at Exeter. We also launched a new public lecture series, ‘The Exeter Lectures’, starting in May with Hugo Tagholm, CEO of Surfers against Sewage, and in November, with Simon Stevens, CEO of NHS England.

In July, we were honoured to install our new Chancellor The Lord Myners of Truro, CBE, and premiere a specially commissioned new University Fanfare ‘Introit and Flourish’, the creation of renowned composer Stephen Montague. In October we launched our new University Strategy which sets out our ambitious plans to be a global top 100 university, and our aim to build our research power to tackle global challenges, to continue to deliver an internationally excellent education, and to create a positive impact in our region, and the UK and globally. And to mark the end of our celebrations, in partnership with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, we held a Finale Concert with powerful and evocative pieces that symbolised the pride we have for our outstanding students, colleagues, academics and alumni. Now, in 2017, we are launching our fundraising Campaign – Making the Exceptional Happen. It is our most ambitious campaign yet, with the aim of raising £60 million of philanthropic income, and securing 60,000 volunteering hours from 6,000 volunteers by 2020. Exeter has made tremendous progress over recent years. And we remain just as determined for the future. And, with your support, I have every confidence that we will make the exceptional happen.

news

Exeter expert starts a “mindfulness revolution” in Kenyan prison

niversity of Exeter academic, Dr Inmaculada Adarves-Yorno, is helping to rehabilitate prisoners in high security Kenyan jails by teaching them to practice mindfulness. Inmates, some of whom have been given death sentences, are using a series of self-awareness and mindfulness techniques to help them become more emotionally resilient.

Exeter receives royal tribute for 60 years of success

he University of Exeter has received a royal message of congratulations from Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of 60 years of heritage and success. The message was an integral part of the celebrations to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II presenting the Royal Charter to the University – marking the official recognition of university status for Exeter. Her Majesty said: “I would like to congratulate staff and students, both past and present, on what you have achieved together in the sixty years since the Royal Charter was awarded. Looking forward, I wish the University of Exeter continued success in the way that it challenges, innovates and informs future generations.”

Her Majesty The Queen first visited the University in 1955 to present the Charter to the then Vice-Chancellor, Sir James Wilfred Cooke. At this time, the University had just 1,000 students studying in just four faculties of arts, science, social studies and law.

Prisoners have told Dr Adarves-Yorno, who they call Dr Inma, the training has changed their life, and they will help mentor and educate others. One told her: “I now have hope. I have learnt how to let anger and frustration go”. Another said: “I have changed the way I was thinking and reacting to my enemies. I have changed by not giving the emotions more energy”. Mindfulness involves learning to be aware of what is happening within you and around you. During this training inmates are taught specific techniques to manage their mind and their emotions.

Post-war expansion, investment and research success has seen the University grow over the decades to cover multiple campuses in Exeter and Cornwall, and the number of students rise to more than 21,000.

Analysis of the programme indicates the prisoners trained in mindfulness are more equipped to take their place back in society, are more resilient, have better mental wellbeing and value helpfulness, honesty and responsibility.

More information on the University’s history, achievements and expansion over the last 60 years as well as best wishes from our notable alumni can be found on the University Diamond Jubilee website.

Dr Adarves-Yorno said: “It is extraordinary to work with this group of men. My work has become “our” work and I am in awe of their transformation and the transformation that they are leading in others.”

www.exeter.ac.uk/diamondjubilee

A video of the project can be viewed online at tinyurl.com/exeter-mindfulness exeter.ac.uk/alumni

Campaigning footballer at men’s mental health event

F Professor Michael Schmitt at Global Conversation Washington DC: ‘Cyberwarfare: What is the role of international law?’

Global Conversation takes key issues of Cyberwarfare and Mining to North America

xeter’s Global Conversation series visited North America in October 2016 for its latest installment of lectures, following successful events in Toronto, New York and San Francisco in 2015. Visiting Washington DC ahead of the US Presidential election, the first event explored the latest research on cybersecurity. Exeter’s Professor Michael Schmitt, a leading international expert in the law of armed conflict, presented his research into legal implications of cyberwarfare. Focus was drawn from the ‘Tallinn Manual Project’ – a six-year long NATO study Schmitt has led on at the Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre, looking at the applicability of international law to cyberspace. The event held at the British Embassy gave alumni, corporate and institutional contacts (including representatives from US Military and Fujitsu) opportunities to ask questions to Professor Schmitt, who was joined by Tom Wingfield, Professor of Cyber Law at the National Defence University.

Vancouver, Canada: ‘Mining – is bigger always better?’ Global Conversation, Vancouver, saw Professor Kip Jeffrey, Head of Camborne School of Mines, share solutions to environmental challenges facing the global mining sector. The future of the industry was discussed in response to an ever-increasing global demand for mined materials and growing environmental concerns. Alumnus Dave Middleditch, Minerals Engineering 2004, said “Vancouver has a strong connection with the Camborne School of Mines and an active network of alumni. [This] Global Conversation event [gave us] the opportunity to reconnect with the school that gave us our start in our mining careers.” Useful links: Global Conversation: www.exeter.ac.uk/globalconversation Twitter: @UoEGlobalConvo CSM Association: www.csmassociation.com Camborne School of Mines: www.exeter.ac.uk/ emps/csm

ormer professional footballer turned campaigner Clarke Carlisle joined in with a University of Exeter event to discuss how to tackle male suicide and mental health problems. The meeting, organised by University of Exeter historian Dr Ali Haggett, Active Devon and Exeter City Football in the Community, was designed to encourage charities and others who currently help men to work more closely together and discuss what works. They hope this will result in more effective support being provided in the South West. Around 78 per cent of suicides in the UK are in men, and middle-aged males are most at risk. The delegates at this event discussed how to raise awareness of this problem and reduce the stigma associated with mental health. Mr Carlisle is now the mental health champion for the Professional Footballers’ Association. He founded the Clarke Carlisle Foundation for Dual Diagnosis after attempting to take his own life as a result of mental health problems. Mr Carlisle spoke about the importance of supporting friends and colleagues, and how schools should educate pupils in how to promote good mental health. “I hate the disparity between physical and mental health, they both have a spectrum which we all fluctuate between on a daily basis,” he said. “Intervention is so important, and often this can start by observation and human interaction, and we can all do that.”

news

Exeter Professor tops TEDx YouTube Channel playlist

talk given by the University of Exeter’s Professor Michelle Ryan for the TEDxExeter talk series has been viewed over 124,000 times since it was first broadcast on YouTube and tops a recent international compilation of TEDx talks on the way we work. Michelle is Professor of Social and Organisational Psychology, Dean of Postgraduate Research and the Director of the University of Exeter Doctoral College. Her TEDxExeter talk examines work-life balance – asking whether it is about balancing time or balancing identity. Her research demonstrates that in male-dominated professions, such as surgery, science and the police force, men and women start out with the same ambition to succeed, but women’s ambition erodes over time. “It was incredible to participate in the TEDxExeter event and be able to speak to so many engaged people about my research,” says Professor Ryan. “To see the talk reach out to a global online audience through the TEDx website is very rewarding. We really need to rethink what we mean by work-life balance and understand how issues of identity and belonging might feed into how we can strike a balance between who we are at home and who we are at work.”

Business School students recognised by international awards

niversity of Exeter business students have been awarded several Highly Commended prizes in the Undergraduate Awards (UA) 2016, an academic competition referred to as the “junior Nobel Prize”. The awards reward talented undergraduates and recognise excellent research and original work across the sciences, humanities, business and creative arts. The Highly Commended business entrants from the

University of Exeter are Shamus Lee and Feifei Yan. They were chosen for their innovative approach to their subject area and world-class research. Both were then able to meet their fellow awardees at the annual UA Global Summit in Dublin in November, and listen to talks from the likes of NASA Astronaut Dr Mae Jemison, Shiza Shahid of the Malala Fund, MacArthur Fellow Kyle Abrahams, among many more speakers and facilitators.

UNIVERSITY KEY CATALYST OF ECONOMIC GROWTH, SAYS EXETER CHANCELLOR

peaking at the South West Growth Summit held at the University in October, Lord Myners, Chancellor of the University of Exeter, said “the driving force” for growth in the region would come from “education, skills and entrepreneurship.” In a key-note address, Lord Myners, the former City minister, highlighted the important role that Exeter plays in promoting growth in the regional economy. Speaking alongside Exeter alumnus Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for

Communities and Local Government, he said: “We will not compete on capital. We will not compete on the other drivers of competitive advantage. It is our people which are our most important assets.” Lord Myners told the audience how Exeter is one of the country’s top 10 universities, and has seen a 47 per cent increase in applicants from school-leavers in the last five years. The cross-bench Peer added: “I think that education has got to be the catalyst for change. It’s got to be the enabler and the driver to create a talented workforce.” exeter.ac.uk/alumni

Cornwall Mining Alliance launched

new group which brings together Cornwall’s mining expertise was launched in an event at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in October. The launch of the Cornwall Mining Alliance was hosted by Camborne School of Mines and the Environment and Sustainability Institute. More than 80 guests gathered to celebrate the diversity and expertise of businesses and organisations related to mining in Cornwall. The group, led by the Cornish Chamber of Mines and Minerals and sponsored by the University of Exeter’s Camborne School

of Mines, has set-up an online directory – www.cornwallminingalliance.org – that now has 69 member organisations in sectors ranging from major international mining operations to individual consultancy expertise. While Cornwall has been celebrating its mining heritage over the past year, with the tenth anniversary of the Cornish Mining World Heritage site, and Poldark on our television screens, the Cornwall Mining Alliance launch provides a timely reminder that Cornwall is still at the forefront of expertise and innovation in mining.

Blooming good show for university grounds team

he Grounds Team for the joint Penryn and Falmouth campuses took away

a beautiful bunch of firsts at the 106th annual Falmouth Spring Flower Show in 2016. The team from Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus), won 14 first place awards including winning the highly coveted Chamber of Commerce Silver Cup for the best shrubs and flowering shrubs, for the first time. Their Daffodil ‘Hermoor’

not only won First Prize but also Best in Section and a Daffodil Society diploma. Toby Nenning, FX Plus Head Gardener said: “We work all year with the Spring Flower Show in mind, and we tend our plants all the time with consideration to how they will present at the time of the show. We plant our daffodils months in advance so it is really rewarding for the team to get such a brilliant result.”

The prize winning plants can always be viewed at the Penryn Campus. Visitors can enjoy the walled garden, herbaceous beds, sub-tropical planting, fruit production orchard, Italian garden and terraces, the 18th Century lime avenue, parkland, old drive with pinetum native woodlands and the historic rare Rhododendrons, cultivated on the site in the Victorian era.

news

Behavioural Activation as effective as CBT for depression, at lower cost

simple and inexpensive therapy is equally as effective at treating depression as the “gold standard” of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a large-scale study led by the University of Exeter has concluded. Behavioural Activation (BA) is relatively simple, meaning it can be delivered by more junior staff with less training, making it a costeffective option. It is around 20 per cent cheaper than CBT, which means it could help ease current difficulties in accessing therapy, and could make it more realistic to deliver worldwide. BA encourages people to focus on meaningful activities driven by their own personal values as a way of overcoming depression. Professor David Richards, NIHR Senior Investigator at the University of Exeter Medical School, led the study. He said: “Effectively treating depression at low cost is a global priority. Our finding is the most robust evidence yet that Behavioural Activation is just as effective as CBT, meaning an effective workforce could be trained much more easily and cheaply without any compromise on the high level of quality. This is an exciting prospect for reducing waiting times and improving access to highquality depression therapy worldwide, and offers hope for countries who are currently struggling with the impact of depression on the health of their peoples and economies.” Clinical depression is the second largest cause of disability globally, affecting around 350 million people worldwide. The impact on economic output across the world is projected to be US$5.36 trillion between 2011 and 2030.

EXPERTS TO USE DRONES TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT KILLER WHALES

rones will be used to discover more about the social lives of killer whales and help conserve these amazing mammals, which are at risk of extinction. Experts from the University of Exeter, who are working with the Center for Whale Research have crowdfunded the money to buy a drone with a 35 minute flight time and a high quality camera. They believe the use of the drones could revolutionise our understanding of whale behaviour by providing a bird’s-eye view of social behaviour and showing how whales support each other. This information will allow the researchers to understand what sort of social behaviour helps whale reproductive success, and make more accurate predictions for their health and survival.

“The Southern Resident killer whales we have been working with live on a knife edge and are at risk of extinction,” said Professor Darren Croft of the University of Exeter. “The population has been listed as endangered since 2003 and two critical questions have been highlighted – what is causing decreased reproduction and increased mortality. “The major research priority for us is to collect new data that will allow us to record behavioural interactions… With this information we can refine our analysis of population viability and future predictions for the health and survival of these amazing animals.”

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

PRESTIGIOUS PRIZE ENABLES SCHOLAR TO TELL THE STORY OF ENGLISH ROMANTICISM

University of Exeter academic has won a prestigious prize which will allow her to write a major cultural history of the emergence of English Romanticism. Dr Daisy Hay will bring to life a period in which new forms of writing transformed the way we think about the world. She is one of 2016’s recipients of the Philip Leverhulme Prizes, which recognise the achievement of outstanding researchers whose work has already attracted international recognition and whose future career is exceptionally promising. Dr Hay will use the prize funds to write a group biography provisionally entitled Dinner with Joseph Johnson. The book

tells the story of the circle surrounding the publisher Joseph Johnson and Dr Hay is using memoirs, original manuscripts and letters to tell the connected stories of these individuals. “I am honoured and delighted to receive this prestigious prize,” she said. “Johnson is an enigmatic figure, about who little is known. He has received some limited scholarly attention, but his name is unknown outside the confines of the academy. Yet when one starts to track him he appears everywhere in the landscape of the late eighteenth century. The Philip Leverhulme Prize will give me time to tell this story, and I feel very fortunate indeed to have received it.”

Boat Club head to Rotterdam for the U23 World Rowing Championships

fter coming second at the Easter trials, rowing scholar Susannah Duncan (second year, Engineering) was selected to represent Great Britain at the U23 World Rowing Championships in Rotterdam in August 2016. She competed in the lightweight women’s quad event with three other girls from Edinburgh, Manchester and Wallingford, making the final of the competition and coming second in her heat. The British crew was coached by Richard Tinkler of the University of Exeter Boat Club (EUBC), himself a former national champion and Olympic coach. The EUBC has a 200 strong membership across all levels from complete beginners to those competing internationally.

UNIVERSITY PEDALS TO VICTORY IN NATIONAL CYCLE CHALLENGE

ntrepid staff from the University of Exeter pedal-powered their way to victory in a national competition designed to encourage people to cycle, whether that be for fun, exercise or to work.

In total, staff from the Streatham and St Luke’s campuses covered more than 32,000 miles – well over the circumference of the Earth – over the course of September 2016 as part of the challenge.

The near 300-strong peloton from the University beat off competition from more than 2,000 organisations nationwide to secure the yellow jersey in this year’s National Cycle Challenge.

They secured top spot ahead of Lancaster City Council and Devon and Cornwall Police, who finished second and third respectively, as well as a host of other universities.

news

OLYMPIC CHAMPION SALLY GUNNELL OPENS £4 MILLION SPORTS CENTRE IN PENRYN

lympic gold medal winner Sally Gunnell OBE has officially opened a £4 million new sports facility at the Penryn Campus. The winner of the 400 metre Olympic gold medal in 1992, opened the centre at a special event in autumn 2016. As well as modern exercise spaces and equipment, the new centre includes the campus’s first children’s day nursery. Sally Gunnell, who works with the University of Exeter to support staff wellbeing, said:

“I’m delighted to open this new facility, which will mean a real boost for fitness and wellbeing for staff, students and the local community. I’m passionate about inspiring people to get active, and having high-quality sports facilities on the doorstep is a fantastic incentive to exercise.” The new centre includes a four-court sports hall, available to hire for a variety of sports and events, while the Flexsi fitness suite offers a brand new programme of classes in the large,

versatile studio and a spacious, 90-station gym equipped by leading UK experts Pulse Fitness. Professor Mark Goodwin, Deputy ViceChancellor at the University of Exeter, said: “This sports facility is a real asset, both to the Penryn Campus and the surrounding area. I’m really pleased that we’re now able to provide high-quality sports facilities and childcare in the heart of the campus, and I’m sure it will bring huge benefits to our local and student communities.”

University of Exeter reinforces position in influential world ranking

he University of Exeter has reinforced its position as one of the best universities in the world, according to the latest influential rankings. The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2016, published in August, has seen the University retain its place amongst the top 200 ranked global institutions. Within the UK, the rankings placed Exeter between 16th and 21st, compared to 18th-21st last year. Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of

Exeter, said: “These latest rankings once again confirm that Exeter is making a real global impact through its vital new research. “The important factors that determine our rankings, such as number of citations and published research in highly respected journals, offer a key illustration of just how respected our world-leading academics are due to their innovative, pioneering work.” Also this year, the University was sixth in the UK, eighth in Europe and 35th in the world in the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2016, which offers key insights into the scientific performance of 750 major universities worldwide. exeter.ac.uk/alumni

news in pictures 1

1. Exeter Golfers win Bronze at European University Championships 2. Local children pondered global scientific questions alongside some of the best researchers in the country at Science in the Square, a free, interactive event in Cornwall this summer 3. Exeter’s a cappella group, Semi-Toned, were crowned champions of national TV sing-off The Choir 4. More than 2,000 people enjoyed the first ever Spring Community Day on our Streatham campus 5. Successful Cricket Season for the University of Exeter 1st teams 6. Female academics tackled some of the world’s biggest questions in a fun way when Soapbox Science hit the streets of Exeter 7. Exeter teams celebrate success at the British Medical Journal Awards 8. VIP event celebrates opening of a £10.5 million new facility at Medical School

advert

EXPERIENCE THE EXCEPTIONAL Bring your conference to the University of Exeter and receive a 10% discount*

www.eventexeter.com

eventexeter@exeter.ac.uk 0300 555 0214 Quote ALUMNI16 T&Cs apply. *

SECURE OUR FUTURE Those of us who attended the University of Exeter know what an academically enriching experience it was, shaping our lives thereafter. As custodians of our University, there is no better way to demonstrate our gratitude by helping to secure its future for the benefit of generations to come. By joining fellow alumni and supporters in making a gift in your will to the Exeter Forever Fund, you will invest in the power of an Exeter education to continue to change lives for the better, tackling some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most pressing challenges, and enriching the quality of our research â&#x20AC;&#x201C; forever. If you would like further information on leaving a gift in your will, please contact Clare Pearce or Xiomara Pattison on (0)1392 722237 or email legacies@exeter.ac.uk

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

special feature

SPECIAL FEATURE:

n 2017 we are launching our most ambitious Campaign to date, ‘Making the Exceptional Happen’. Our ambition is to be a global 100 research leader and create graduates of distinction within a community of the most talented and creative minds. Here we take a look at how we’re working to make that happen.

For more on the Campaign, please visit: www.exeter.ac.uk/exceptional

<< exeter.ac.uk/alumni

CHANGING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH DIABETES

Professor Andrew Hattersley, FRS, became interested in diabetes as a young medical student at the University of Cambridge. His best friend had type 1 diabetes, and every day Andrew would see his friend measure his glucose and balance his insulin, diet and exercise. This experience led him to take up clinical training in diabetes and endocrinology.

special feature

The new laboratory gave Andrew Hattersley and Sian Ellard, Professor of Genomic Medicine, the opportunity to develop a genetics laboratory exactly as they wanted it, and from the beginning they integrated routine diagnostic testing with genetics research. “This was a single lab with no barriers between research, making scientific discoveries and diagnostic testing for clinical care. This ensured that research findings moved rapidly into clinical care,” Andrew explains. The genetics laboratory rapidly established itself as the leading international centre for maturity-onset diabetes of the young. The Exeter team focused on diagnosing patients and then researching the key clinical features and optimum clinical care both during and outside pregnancy. “We rapidly realised that education of diabetes specialists was needed if this new guidance for clinical care was ever going to reach patients. The education initiative was superbly led by Maggie Shepherd, a professor and diabetes nurse educator, who worked in the research team from the beginning,” he says. “It was a plan from the very start to choose to work differently from other genetics labs and diabetes research teams. We were young, small and flexible and could react rapidly to new results. This gave us an edge. We didn’t need to learn about old technology; we could jump right in and use the newest equipment.” The technology in genetic testing has advanced tremendously, speeding up testing in ways that were unimaginable 20 years ago. It took 13 years to sequence the first human genome; it can now be done and analysed in 3 days. This has had a

huge impact on the results from Andrew’s laboratory. “In the past 21 years, we’ve been riding the waves of new technology, surfing from the crest of one technology to the next. Just when you think you can’t go any further, a new technology arrives, which carries your research even further,” he says. “I directed my scientific research towards studying maturity-onset diabetes of the young – a monogenic subgroup of diabetes. The key thing to me was to identify large families that had diabetes as the result of a single gene mutation. I was very lucky that the first gene I tested was glucokinase and we did find a mutation – this was a 1 in 20,000 chance!”

“

Just when you think you can’t go any further, a new technology arrives, which carries your research even further.

“

xeter’s entrepreneurial spirit and geographical location appealed to Andrew, and in 1995 he took up a post here, working mainly as a clinical diabetologist. However he soon found he could not leave research behind and received support from the University of Exeter to set up a genetic laboratory in the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital where he worked.

More good luck came at the World Diabetes Conference in Mexico in 2001, when Andrew by chance sat next to Jan Bruining, a paediatric diabetologist from the Netherlands, at breakfast. They chatted about Jan Bruining’s patients with neonatal diabetes, who were diagnosed so rapidly after birth that the cause must be genetic. They realised that the paediatricians had the patients, but not the technology, to find genes, and the geneticists had the technology but not the patient samples. They decided that, together, they could start unravelling the mystery of neonatal diabetes. Over breakfast they set up the ISPAD Rare Diabetes collection, which was a “dating agency” introducing paediatricians and molecular geneticists. The paediatricians would refer patients for a diagnosis, and the geneticists would get sample material to find the causative gene. It is very rare that identifying a gene mutation that causes a disease swiftly leads to a new form of treatment, but this was an exception. Decades of research had established that sulphonylurea, a common

treatment in type 2 diabetes, could stimulate insulin secretion by closing the potassium channel. As soon as the gene was found, it raised the possibility that sulphonylurea tablets might help these patients, but this treatment had never been used in patients who secreted no insulin at all. With qualified guesswork, thorough science and knowledge of diabetes treatment, Andrew and his team had identified a monogenic cause of early-onset diabetes. They also had a candidate for treatment in a Brazilian patient diagnosed with neonatal diabetes when he was only 3 months old. His parents were unable to afford the insulin treatment so they pleaded with their doctor to find a less expensive treatment. The child’s doctor tried sulphonylurea tablets, and 46 years later he was still taking these tablets and had the best glucose control of any of the patients with this type of diabetes. He was also the only one for which it could be shown that he was making his own insulin. This gave the Exeter team the empirical proof that sulphonylurea could work. Working with doctors and patients all over the world, they started to transfer patients from insulin to sulphonylurea tablets. The results were remarkable. Patients who were producing no insulin could stop their insulin injections and have better control on a high dose of sulphonylurea tablets. “There were many places in the world that did not have labs offering this testing, and many places that could not afford the tests. We therefore decided to drop the patent we had taken out and offer free testing for any patient diagnosed in the first 6 months of life. Since then, the Exeter genetics lab has tested 1,750 people from 87 countries. As a result, more than 800 cases were found to have a gene mutation, with the vast majority able to substitute their daily injections of insulin with sulphonylurea tablets,” says Andrew. As a result of Professor Hattersley’s research, the international guidelines have been rewritten. It is now recommended that all children who have been diagnosed with diabetes before they are 6 months old be genetically screened. This test can be done at the Exeter laboratory free of charge thanks to grant support from the Wellcome Trust.

This is an edited extract of an article from the EASD–Novo Nordisk Foundation which awarded Andrew Hattersley its Diabetes Prize for Excellence 2016. Professor Hattersley is Gillings Chair of Precision Medicine and Professor of Molecular Medicine at Exeter.

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

Protecting our marine environment from microplastics

“

It’s been estimated that an average plate of oysters could contain up to 50 plastic particles.

“

here are now 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic in the world’s oceans, with an estimated 10% of the plastics we produce ending up in the oceans. At the University of Exeter we have been conducting research into the impacts of the smaller pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size, called microplastics, on the health of marine animals. Our research has shown that tiny marine animals called zooplankton, which are very important food sources for many larger animals like fish and whales, can eat these microplastics. Zooplankton eating microplastics then eat less of their normal food which means they get less energy from their diet, which means they have less energy for growth and reproduction. Awareness of the biological damage of microplastics is still in its infancy, says Professor Tamara Galloway, an ecotoxicologist at Exeter’s Streatham campus.

special feature

New research, carried out by scientists at France’s national marine research agency (Ifremer) in Plouzané, found that polystyrene microparticles when consumed by Pacific oysters reduced the health and number of offspring they produced. At Exeter, Professor Galloway, in partnership with Dr Ceri Lewis, has been conducting research focusing on the impact environmental contaminants have on marine invertebrates, and they have emphasised how these results support an emerging paradigm that microplastics can reduce reproductive output and fitness in marine species. Dr Lewis says that the French study is “extremely important” as exposure not only reduced fecundity and sperm swimming speeds in the oysters but there was a clear carry over effect to the next generation with a reduced growth in the larval offspring observed for the first time. “This just adds to the long list of other stressors that are negatively impacting marine invertebrate’s ability to reproduce, such as climate change and ocean acidification”, she says. In their commentary, Lewis and Galloway also point out that a disturbance to a keystone species such as the oysters, which are of high ecological and economic importance, is of major concern. This oyster study has reinforced the need to act on the problem of marine litter. Galloway says that “anthropogenic litter is something we can do something about quite quickly if we want to, by using less plastic and being more careful about waste disposal”. Professor Galloway has welcomed the introduction of a ban on the use of microbeads in cosmetics because of the marine pollution they are causing. Use of microbeads, often found in exfoliating scrubs, toothpaste and shaving gel, is to be phased out nationally by the end of 2017, partly thanks to research such as this.

She said: “Pollution from microbeads is a truly global problem. Tides and currents can carry pollution across oceans to countries a long distance from where they were originally released. Ideally, any legislation to control them should be on an international level. “The UK ban is a very welcome step in the right direction. The best way to reduce marine pollution and protect marine animals from harm is to stop throwing things into the ocean in the first place.” Microplastic pollution comes from the fragmentation of larger pieces of plastic waste, small synthetic fibres from clothing and the microbeads used in cosmetics and other products. It is estimated that as much as 86 tonnes of microplastics is released into the environment every year in the UK from facial exfoliants alone. Professor Galloway said: “We find tiny pieces of plastic in every sample of seawater we study from around the world. Microbeads in cosmetics are one example. Every time you take a shower using a shower gel containing microbeads, up to 100,000 tiny pieces of plastic can be washed down the sink. “Microbeads don’t biodegrade and instead accumulate in the oceans. Our research has shown that many marine animals ingest microbeads, mistaking them for food. They can become lodged in the animal’s gut, and prevent them from eating nutritious food. They can also pass chemicals into the animal’s tissues. When these animals are eaten, the microplastics and the chemicals they contain can be passed through the food chain too. “It has been estimated that an average plate of oysters could contain up to 50 plastic particles. We don’t yet have any evidence for the harm that this might cause, but most people would probably prefer not to be eating microbeads with their food.”

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

BUILDING LIVING SYSTEMS T he new, seven-storey 7,200m2 Living Systems Institute (LSI) building on our Streatham campus is now complete. At a cost of £52 million, it is the largest single investment the University has made into science to date. It will house 29 research groups with complementary expertise in biosciences, medicine, physics, engineering, mathematics and computer science.

£4.4

million MORE THAN £4.4 MILLION PHILANTHROPIC FUNDS RAISED TO DATE (SEPT 16)

£52 MILLION INVESTMENT

FLOOR AREA APPROX. 7,200 M²

OVER HALF A MILLION HOURS WORKED ON SITE

OVER 200 STAFF ACROSS 29 RESEARCH GROUPS

27 MONTHS TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION

OFFICIAL OPENING EVENT TO BE HELD JULY 2017

£2 MILLION RECEIVED FROM THE WOLFSON FOUNDATION, THE LARGEST GRANT MADE BY THE FOUNDATION IN 2014

special feature

rofessor Philip Ingham, FRS, one of the world’s most pioneering and influential developmental geneticists is the inaugural Director of the Institute. We spoke to him about his work and why he’s excited about the potential of the LSI.

What is your key area of research? My research has always focussed on understanding the genetic control of animal development. In particular, we are interested in how cells communicate with one another and how disruption of their communication systems can cause disease, especially cancers. We use the zebrafish as an experimental model because they produce large numbers of offspring and develop entirely outside the mother, meaning embryonic development can be studied non-invasively.

What attracted you to join us as the Director of the Living Systems institute? I recognised the position of LSI Director to be a one-off opportunity to be involved in something really innovative, a project to which I could contribute my years of research management experience – both in the UK and Singapore – and where my own research could also be enriched by the unique environment created by the LSI. Research in the life sciences nowadays involves the

generation of masses of data and the only way of making sense of this is by using sophisticated computational methods. So it is essential for biologists to collaborate with mathematicians and physicists to advance understanding.

What excites you most about joining the University? Working at a dynamic, ambitious UK university, having new colleagues and collaborators, giving young and promising researchers the opportunity to pursue their passion. I am also excited to be re-joining the wider UK academic community, which is undoubtedly one of the most innovative and impactful research environments in the world.

The LSI will ultimately accommodate around 200 scientists with diverse research backgrounds, creating a dynamic and inspiring research hub to promote cross-disciplinary working and collaboration. From our initial round of recruitment, we are delighted to welcome 16* new Principal Investigators from leading institutions around the world. Dr Akshay Bhinge

Research Fellow (UEMS), LSI Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore

Dr Bertram Daum

Research Fellow, (CEMPS), LSI Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany

Professor Gaspar Jekely

Professor of Neuroscience, LSI Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany

Professor Frank Vollmer

Professor of Biophysics, LSI Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany

Professor Pentao Liu

Professor of Stem Cell Biology associated with the Medical School. The Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK

Associate Professor Steffen Scholpp

Dr Kirsty Wan

Associate Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, LSI Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany

Research Fellow, Mathematics, LSI University of Cambridge, UK

Associate Professor Steven West

Dr Fabrice Gielen

Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, LSI University of Sheffield, UK

Research Fellow (CEMPS), LSI University of Cambridge, UK

Dr Vicki Gold

Dr Catalin Chimerel

Senior Lecturer in Biosciences, LSI Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany

Research Fellow (CEMPS), LSI University of Cambridge, UK

Dr Daniel Kattnig

Dr Wolfram Moebius

Senior Lecturer (CEMPS), LSI University of Oxford, UK

Research Fellow, LSI Harvard University, USA and Eindhoven UT, Netherlands

Dr Jonathan Phillips

Dr Ben Housden

Senior Research Fellow, LSI University of Cambridge, UK

Research Fellow (UEMS), LSI Harvard University Medical School, USA

* One new recruit will be joining the LSI later in 2017

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

Streatham Campus from the air

Northcote House and the Clock Tower

Reed Hall

Washington Singer

special feature

THE PHILANTHROPISTS WHO SHAPED EXETER The history of the University of Exeter is one shaped by the vision of generations of philanthropists, both past and present. Many of those great supporters of education in Exeter have given their names to buildings throughout the campus. The interwar years, under the leadership of Principal Hector Hetherington (1920-1925) and John Murray (1926-1951) saw a number of philanthropic gifts and helped lay the path for Exeter to receive its Royal Charter in 1955. Below we take a look at just some of those generous benefactors that supported what was then the University College of the South West of England.

ne of Exeter’s greatest philanthropists was William Reed (1850-1923), a mill owner born in Bodmin to Devonian parents, whose generosity began a relationship that spanned generations of his family. Reed was Alderman of Exeter and, in 1906, held the title of Mayor as well as being the proprietor of the Express and Echo and Western Times. In 1922, he presented Streatham Hall and grounds to the University College as a gift. It was renamed Reed Hall in his honour in 1925 and used as a halls of residence for men. Another who made a great contribution to the University College in the 1920s and 1930s was Sir Henry Lopes, 1st Baron Roborough. Sir Henry was Conservative MP for Grantham (1892-1900), Chair of Devon County Council and Deputy President of the University College. In 1922, when he became Deputy President, he gave a gift of £6,027 (£266,000 today). When the University acquired Highlands, a large Victorian Gothic villa, to provide student accommodation, it extended it and renamed it Lopes Hall in recognition of his significant support of the College. In 1936 he went on to become President of the College when the Prince of Wales became King and continued to give generously throughout his lifetime. Two years later he became Lord Roborough and in 1940 the library was named posthumously after him. Plenty of other buildings were named after donors in the interwar years, such as Hope Hall (previously Hartwell House) financed by the legacy of Helen Hope, donated by her friend Consuela de Reyes. Both

Miss Hope and Miss de Reyes were keen advocates of education for women. Hope had maintained a centre of education of the arts in Bath and later de Reyes would volunteer to act as a tutor, without pay, for female students at Exeter. When Helen Hope died in 1924 she left a legacy of £4,000 (a value of £218,000 today) to de Reyes which was offered to the College to finance what became Hope Hall. In 1939 an annexe to Hope Hall was opened and named after Ide SebagMontefiore after she had given £5,000 to rebuild it. She had previously given £8,000 to the College to endow a Readership in Geography and her death in 1940 was mourned by the Western Morning News that remarked that Exeter had “lost one of its most generous helpers”. Other buildings named after benefactors include the Washington Singer Laboratories after Mr Washington Singer, born in New York but raised in Paignton, who gave £25,000 to the College in 1931. Two years later Flight Lieutenant Evelyn Mardon also gave £25,000 to fund the building of a hall of residence for men. Both gifts would now be valued at more than £1 million. While some of Exeter’s great philanthropists supported infrastructure development others helped to finance scholarships. Albert Ballard, who was born in Guernsey but lived in Devon, donated vast sums of money in support of scholarships. In 1928 he gave a benefaction of £2,000 per annum for 30 years, with preference given to boys from the Ballard Institute, a boys club that he had founded. His generosity continued in 1935

when he funded further scholarships for boys from Teignmouth Grammar School. Upon Ballard’s death in 1942, he left a final gift to the university of £41,000 (worth nearly £2 million today) to be used as capital for a scholarship scheme for Plymouth boys. Other supporters of scholarships included two Devon men born in Appledore, Sir William Tatem, 1st Baron Glanely and Sir William Reardon Smith, both of whom made their fortunes in Cardiff as shipowners. In 1918 Glanely was raised to peerage and proceeded to donate over £25,000 to the College, worth more than £1 million today. He was killed in an air raid shelter in Weston Super Mare in 1942 and made provision for Exeter in his will, bequeathing a further £5,000 to found scholarships for agriculture with a priority towards fatherless children of Devonshire farmers. In 1926 Reardon Smith, alongside his wife Lady Ellen, endowed a chair in the Geography Department at a cost of £7,000 and donated a further £4,500 to endow three scholarships – two of which were named after their parents and a third – the Richard Grenville Scholarship – to any student within Devon. These great philanthropists played an important part in ensuring the infrastructure was in place to allow Exeter to finally achieve University status in 1955 and realise the dream of Sir Stafford Northcote one hundred years previously.

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

TREADING THEIR OWN PATH:

EXETER’S ENTREPRENEURS COACHBRIGHT

ONE THIRD STORIES

CoachBright helps children from low income families to lead the lives they want. Through self-directed coaching programmes, pupils become independent and resilient learners – improving their grades, confidence and expectations so they can win places at top universities – breaking the social mobility cycle. Coachbright was set-up by Robin Chu (History and Politics, 2012).

Alex Somervell (International Relations and Languages, 2015) started One Third Stories while studying at Exeter, receiving support from the University’s Innovation Centre through the ‘Think, Try, Do’ Programme. He aims to make learning a language as simple as reading a story, one that starts in English and ends in a different language.

What inspired you to set-up Coachbright? As second generation immigrants, my brother and I were the first in our family to go to university. I knew first-hand the power university has in changing your expectations. When Nick Neilson the founder of a youth charity, became my business coach, I thought he would solve all my problems for me. Instead, he asked me what I really wanted, what was holding me back and what I could do about it. This simple approach of asking what you want was a game changer. After being coached, I realised I wanted to take coaching out of the boardroom and into the classroom: so I set up CoachBright.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced? Definitely how to manage finances! Understanding how to do a tax return, writing a five year plan and creating a sustainable business model were all things that I had to learn – and still am learning!

hat’s the biggest challenge W you’ve faced since setting up One Third Stories? Probably trusting our instincts. We’ve been working full-time on the business for almost a year, but we received so much mixed feedback on the idea, market, etc. that it took us over ten months to actually get on and release our first official story. We never quite knew how children and parents would react to it. We ultimately decided to launch on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter (against the advice of many people) with a target of £10,000, but we ended up reaching £35,000 from more than 1,000 parents who have pre-ordered the first story.

What’s next for you? We have to create a story that children and parents will fall in love with. We know there is demand for children learning languages, we know the idea appeals to parents and children, and we now need to live up to that expectation and execute. In the future we will look to expand to different languages, different age groups and tech-based mediums.

special feature

t Exeter we have a growing student entrepreneur community with a variety of activities and support in place to help them develop their own ideas. This includes the ‘Think, Try, Do’ programme that takes participants through each step of establishing a business, and supports them with business advisors, workshops, funding opportunities and the chance to pitch ideas at global competitions. We talk to some of our recent entrepreneurs.

SANCHO’S DRESS

KOMPAS

MIZZIGO.COM

Sancho’s Dress sells environmentally sound and socially positive clothes for women and men. It was founded by Kalkidan Legesse (Politics, Philosophy and Economics, 2014) in partnership with fellow graduate, Vidmantas Markevicius (Economics, 2013).

Tom Charman (Economics and Politics, 2016) co-founded KOMPAS while studying at Exeter with fellow graduate Olivia Higgs (Combined Honours, 2016). Their idea was to make travelling easier and more enjoyable through tailored suggestions and relevant reviews, wrapped up in a userfriendly mobile app. Tom has represented the UK in the world finals of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, advised Downing Street in the annual enterprise report, and mentors for Virgin StartUp and Stanford University. Olivia has represented the UK in the world finals of the University Startup World Cup and Virgin Pitchathon.

Jinay Savla (Accounting and Finance, 2016) began his studies at Exeter in 2011. After his second year, he took some time out to focus on his start-up and returned last year to complete his degree. Jinay’s company, Mizzigo, offers Asian students a ‘WonderBag’ of dorm essentials from cookware to bedding to stationery – all delivered directly to their accommodation.

What inspired you to set up Sancho’s Dress? During my year abroad in Ethiopia I worked for a large NGO and through it I was able to visit and work in a variety of remote, rural and small towns on a range of projects. The ones I found most engaging, and in that short time felt I saw the most effectiveness, were the ones focused on income generation. There I saw that simple idea of developing a business which can employ people, ideally women, in low employment areas could be hugely effective. The reason we decided to begin with hand looms is because it is a relatively simple equipment to learn to use, build and repair but actually produces a finer final piece. The potential to employ people in a sustainable, environmentally sound industry is what inspired us.

What’s next for you? Our shop and the ranges we stock are ever expanding. We are looking forward to a strong 2017 providing the full range of clothing and gifts that conscious working shoppers need. In Exeter we are developing a Fair-Trade subscription box for offices called ‘Fair Box’. We intend to make it ever more convenient to purchase products which are helping to make a better world.

What advice would you give to someone setting up a business? Look for help, and don’t be afraid to ask. We’ve had help from the university, and the ‘Think, Try, Do’ support network, as well as mentors, advisors and people that believe in the business. No matter how much experience you have, reaching out to specialists will allow you to understand your product more quickly, as well as test your idea on people from ranging industries. Most importantly, it allows you to build a network of people that you can trust, and call upon when the time is right.

What’s next for you? Right now, we’re working on closing our seed round of funding, and we’ve launched the application in Berlin, London and Munich on iOS. We’re committed to making travel personal, and highlighting the unique and independent places based on your own personal interests.

What inspired you to set up Mizzigo? The seed of this idea was planted from a bumpy experience I faced when I first got to Exeter. I arrived on a Saturday evening, exhausted after a 13-hour journey from Mumbai. The shops were all closed so I couldn’t pick up any essentials. That night I slept under a towel. The next day, a combination of jet lag and partying resulted in me sleeping until 4pm yet again. The shops were shut again so I was in for another night under the towel with a backpack for a pillow! Finally, on Monday after scurrying from shop-to-shop and carrying heavy bags across Exeter I realised I’d spent twice as much money as I needed as I didn’t know the cheapest deals. It was this that made me to look for a solution for a problem that every student faces.

What advice would you give someone setting up a business? At the beginning of the business journey just listen to your gut feeling and DO IT. But there are a lot of experienced, successful entrepreneurs out there, so try to find a mentor who supports you to achieve longer term success. exeter.ac.uk/alumni

Kenyon and Exeter celebrate 40 year partnership at New York alumni reception For the last 40 years, groups of students from Kenyon College, a liberal arts college in the US state of Ohio, have been coming to Exeter to study for a year as part of their degree programme.

O Marc Millon and his wife Kim

ctober 2016 saw the University of Exeter and Kenyon College celebrate the 40th anniversary of a successful partnership at a special event in New York City. Alumni from both institutions got together in New York to share memories and to connect with old classmates. Some of their stories are now available on the website: www.exeter.ac.uk/kenyon

Marc Millon was on the first year of the programme in 1975. Marc arrived at Exeter from Kenyon as a 19 year old and says: “English life, before only read about or envisaged through the music of the Beatles, came to be seen from the inside out as Exeter became home to us. “Exeter was quite simply unlike anywhere I had been in my life before, and I increasingly fell under its spell. It helped that as early as December of that year, I was lucky enough to have already met and fallen in love with the person who I have subsequently spent the rest of my life with, Kim Jordan, then a first-year student in English and Fine Art.

“On graduating from Kenyon, I decided to return to Exeter to be with Kim while she completed her final year... Kim and I were married in 1978 and began work as a writing and photographic partnership. Our first book was published in 1982 and our third book, published in 1986, ‘The Taste of Britain’ was dedicated to ‘The KenyonExeter program’ which brought me to Britain and us together.” The University of Exeter’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith said: “It is wonderful to celebrate this important anniversary of one of the University of Exeter’s oldest partnerships. We look forward to welcoming students from Kenyon for another 40 years and more, and to strengthening our links with Kenyon and alumni from this programme, of which we are extremely proud.” Kenyon President Professor Sean Decatur said: “The partnership forged between Kenyon College and the University of Exeter is quite remarkable in terms of its longevity, depth, and impact. The programme has shaped the experiences of generations of Kenyon students, and many Kenyon faculty have come to think of Exeter as a second academic home. We look forward to continuing this wonderful relationship into the future.”

feature

US Foundation Alumni Volunteering

Q and A with Deidre Sheridan, Kenyon College (2016) How would you describe life on campus? Exeter’s campus is large and diverse enough that anyone can easily find their ‘circle’ and find something to do that they enjoy. I found students to be friendly and welcoming to international students of all backgrounds. Additionally, the living arrangements in a first-year flat allowed me to meet students from all over UK and Europe, helping me to feel fully immersed in British culture rather than just an observer.

What particular skills have you gained from this experience (personal and professional), and how will this help you in your choice of career? I learned to be more independent in my academic work, as the UK educational system allows more freedom and independence for students than the US system can. At Exeter, I was encouraged to develop my own paper topics and craft my own arguments – skills that will greatly assist me in my final year of university in the US ... Socially, I learned to be more outgoing and step outside my comfort zone. I’m so glad I did, as I was able to meet new people and make friendships that I certainly hope will be life-long.

Would you recommend Exeter? I would – Exeter is a fascinating city, full of history and culture, and the University offers an education of excellent quality. My year in Exeter had its highs and lows, but without it, my undergraduate education would have felt incomplete.

Deidre Sheridan

The University of Exeter US Foundation was founded in 2014 by alumni based in America, and achieved 501(c)(3) status in May 2015. The Foundation is run by six volunteers (all Directors of the Foundation), contributing their time and resources to enhance public awareness of the University’s research excellence and nurture relationships within the network of alumni in America. They hosted their second AGM in Washington D.C last October. Learn more: exeterusa.org

University of Exeter, US Foundation (18 October 2016) L-R: Susan Alderton (Economics & Statistics, 1973), Janice Kay (Provost), Howard Appleby (BA Economics & Statistics 1980), Professor Sir Steve Smith (ViceChancellor and Chief Executive), Graham Hill (Economic & Political Development 1992), Charles Platt (Law, 1974), Dr Shaun Curtis (Director, GED), Jonathan O’Brien (Economic & Political Development 1989)

Alumni Networks and Volunteering in North America Alumni volunteering in North America continues to go from strength-to-strength thanks to a strong culture of alumni volunteering. During the academic year 2015-16, alumni volunteers across the continent organised a total of 23 events.

Vancouver alumni event

Keep in touch: USA alumni on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/ExeterAlumniUSA Canada alumni on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/ exeteralumnicanada

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

lifestyle

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF EXETER The largest social media event in the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, built up a picture of what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like to be part of the Exeter Community. www.exeter.ac.uk/diamondjubilee/socialwall

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

Making a difference with the

Annual Fund By Sophia Pudney

(Biological Sciences, 2013)

hanks to generous donations from our alumni, parents, staff and friends of the University, every year the Annual Fund can support a range of brilliant projects that make a real difference to our students and to our local community. A huge part of studying at Exeter is about the societies and groups students join, the new skills they bring and the unforgettable memories and friendships they form. Here are two projects that will greatly benefit our students and our local communities this year thanks to the Annual Fund. To learn more about how your support could make all the difference to students, please visit: www.exeter.ac.uk/annualfund

feature

Bioblitzing in Cornwall with EcoSoc Not to be put off by a spot of rain, this year the Bioblitz tradition continued in Cornwall with nature lovers from the local community joining students and staff alike for a fun-filled nature extravaganza at our campus in Penryn. Donning their trusty raincoats and wellies, our guests got stuck in to a whole range of activities from moth trapping and pond dipping to mist netting and bat walks. The 24 hour wildlife surveying event resulted in the identification of an incredible 256 species from creepy crawlies to bats and birds. Laura Coles, EcoSoc member on the Bioblitz Committee said: “We were thrilled with the turnout for Bioblitz this year, despite the rain! It was brilliant to see people from all ages so enthusiastic about the wildlife our campus has to offer. We had an excellent day running trips for pond dipping, sweep netting, small mammal trapping, bird ringing and a host of other activities. The aim of the day was to prove that nature is all around us and we hope that we may have inspired people to go out and search for creatures in their own gardens and neighbourhoods. The Bioblitz team would like to thank everybody who helped on the day, we couldn’t have identified such a range of species without our brilliant volunteers!” It is one of the many initiatives led by the University’s Ecology Society (EcoSoc). As one of the largest and most active societies on campus, they run multiple events throughout the year with a focus on all things wildlife and conservation. Through these events and projects, students have the opportunity to learn about local wildlife and network with local and regional conservation organisations alongside acquiring advanced skills in species identification and biological recording. This year one of their projects, NatureWatch, won Student-Led Project of the Year and Most Innovative Project of the Year at the FXU Awards (student and staff awards at the University of Exeter Cornwall Campuses and Falmouth University). Next year, with the help of alumni funding, there are grand plans in

place for Bioblitz with the addition of guest speakers, more activities and more publicity to reach even more nature enthusiasts.

Reading in Care Homes in Exeter The Exeter Care Homes Reading Project sees our students volunteer to read to elderly people and vulnerable adults living in residential care within the local community, including those with dementia. Every year, over 100 students volunteer their time and help to strengthen the connections between the young and elderly through the love of literature. The residents receive regular visits where they are read poetry, short stories, plays and spend time socialising and simply enjoying the students’ company. It is often the case that older people can begin to feel isolated and lonely despite the excellent care they receive in residential homes. Through the fantastic work of the Exeter Care Homes Reading Project, students at Exeter are able to tackle this issue, helping to ensure that as many people as possible feel engaged and valued in our community. Third year English and Drama student, Katherine Lea, who volunteered as part of this initiative said: “The most rewarding thing about visiting the care home and reading to Joan is the way she lights up when I walk into the room. I’ve built a friendship that is just as rewarding for me as it is for her! I am so lucky to be able to bring this happiness to her life.” Exeter’s, Dr Johanna Harris, founded the Exeter Care Homes Reading Project in 2011 and in 2015 was selected by Prime Minister David Cameron as the 350th ‘Points of Light’ winner which celebrates

outstanding individual volunteers who make a positive changes in their community. She credited the success of the project to the ‘enthusiasm and dedication of our students’. Dr Harris said: “I am immensely grateful for the ongoing support of the Exeter’s generous alumni, friends and supporters through the Annual Fund. This financial support has enabled us to provide effective training and materials for our student volunteers; for covering the costs of their local travel; for the organisation of impact-generating events such as the conference we are organising for next April on literature and the local community; and for valuable expansions such as the poetry and letter-writing workshops the project will now be holding in Exeter’s Hospice. The Annual Fund is a vital source of funding for this project allowing students to travel to the care homes and providing resources for reading, recruiting and so much more. This year, the Exeter Care Homes Reading Project is expanding its impact by creating links with Hospiscare. Dr Harris will be teaching a module on reading and the local community, which will include students from the University of the Third Age, and is organising a conference in 2017 for students, academics, and non-academics, on literature and supporting the local community. Support for the Annual Fund can come in the form of financial gifts, or donations of time. Money raised each year is divided up across University departments, including the Students’ Guild, Sport and each of the academic Colleges. Applications are then made from staff and students to receive funding for their projects. From September 2015 to July 2016, departments across the University made 61 new awards worth £131,363.90. Gifts of time are also invaluable for sharing skills and advice, through mentoring, speaking, writing articles and running workshops.

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

A WORD FROM SOME OF OUR LATEST HONORARY GRADUATES

JEREMY PAXMAN HON DLitt

CAMILLA HAMPSHIRE HON LLD

PAUL JOHNSON HON LLD

GILLIAN TETT HON DLitt

Jeremy Paxman, journalist, was honoured for his achievements in the field of broadcasting and journalism.

Camilla Hampshire, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, was honoured for her services to the arts.

Journalist Gillian Tett was honoured for her achievements in the field of financial journalism.

“People paint the world as being very, very tough and it is tougher than it was for young graduates now but I don’t think the answer to that is to formulate elaborate plans which require you to be dishonest to yourself. I think that the best thing you can offer the world is to be what you are wholeheartedly…that would be my message.”

“I was the first person in my family to go to university and as a historian looking back across the female line, I can see how much the lives of the different generations have changed in terms of their opportunities and their experiences. So when I look at this cohort of graduates now I just think it’s wonderful, the power and potential of the very different lives they will lead and their ability to change the world.”

Paul Johnson, Director of the IFS, the country’s leading micro-economic research institute, was honoured for his services to economics. “Be an expert in what you’re doing, be objective in what you’re doing, communicate it, continue training and development, and work on things that are really important to you and to society. I think that if the graduates can do all or any of those things that will make their economic education all the more valuable.”

“When I graduated many, many years ago I was pretty nervous about what the future held. I would never have imagined that I could have found a job and a career and a passion that stood me in such good stead and yet it did. So if you’re feeling nervous, if you’re wondering what you’re going to do with your life, if you can’t imagine yourself ever really finding a path that you’re passionate about, don’t worry, put one foot in front of the other, one step on the journey and somehow life has a way of delivering things if you fight for it.”

feature

n July 2016 we welcomed eight new Honorary Graduates to the Exeter family at summer graduation. We caught up with them on the day to ask them for a message to graduating students. You can watch videos of all eight on our Youtube Channel – search University of Exeter. DR CHRISTINE LOH KUNG-WAI HON DSc

SIR ROBERT FRANCIS QC HON LLD

Dr Christine Loh Kung-wai OBE, JP, was honoured for her outstanding achievements as an environmental campaigner in Hong Kong.

Sir Robert Francis QC (LLB Law, 1971) was honoured for services to healthcare and patients.

“When I was young, like the young graduates, I really didn’t know the capacities and capabilities that I had. I think as we grow older we know a lot more about ourselves but my one message is try harder in whatever they are doing, I was rather slovenly and it took me a long time to realise that I could do better at many things…as we try harder, actually it can be quite fun.”

“Be true to yourself, take what you’ve got and make the most of it in all sorts of different ways. Speak up if you think things are wrong, because you will be listened to and you need to make sure things will get done about that…Students on the whole are really good at that, it’s just taking that idealism through the rest of their lives and if they do that I hope they’ll feel very fulfilled.”

CLARE MARX HON DSc

JOHN PULLINGER HON LLD

Clare Marx CBE DL, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, was honoured in recognition of her services to medicine.

John Pullinger CB (Geography & Statistics, 1980), CEO, UK Statistics Authority, was honoured for his outstanding achievements in the field of statistics.

“There are three really important things; try and keep learning all the time because that way you can keep yourself fresh; cultivate the relationships that you have with other people and try and be caring to those around you as well as to the people you are dealing with in your work; and lastly, and most importantly, learn how to have some real fun in your life that keeps you fresh and enables you to cope with the highs and lows of everyday life.”

“Exeter’s taught me how to learn, and you have to carry on learning if you’re going to succeed. I’m in the world of numbers and this is the time when numbers matter more than ever and today’s graduates are very much in that world and I think our future is very safe with such inspirational people graduating from such a wonderful University.”

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

Orienteering Volunteering S

ince 2008, more than 6,400 Exeter alumni have given more than 65,000 hours of their time to our volunteering programmes, helping our students get the most from their time at University, and succeed after graduation.

VOLUNTEERING OPTIONS

Careers talk

Every term, we welcome alumni back to share their career experiences. Your insights can make all the difference to students struggling to identify the right career for them or to those applying to work in your field.

Mock interview

Help students practice their interview techniques by acting as a recruiter at a mock interview on campus.

Mentoring Brings students together with successful professionals in mutually beneficial mentoring partnerships. The Career Mentor Scheme gives students the opportunity to get an insight into their preferred employment sector and develop networks and skills.

Country contact

Help fellow alumni renew friendships and strengthen ties by acting as a contact for your country and helping to organise activities in your region.

Exepert

Offer informal careers advice by email to students and recent alumni looking for guidance in their choice of career.

Careers profile

Alumni profiles provide valuable careers insights and top tips for getting into a wide range of industries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and then progressing.

Provide a venue

We run alumni events worldwide for little or no cost to attendees thanks to the generous support of alumni hosting events at their offices, clubs, etc.

feature

Follow the flow chart to see which of our volunteering opportunities would be perfect for you! All of the opportunities are available to international alumni â&#x20AC;&#x201C; those marked * could take place by Skype For more information please visit: www.bit.ly/exetervolunteering

I would like to volunteer at

The University of Exeter

Home

Work

I have

I can give

I can offer

An hour or more

I am

A passion to share knowledge of my sector

*Careers talk

I am interested in

Experience of A professional Internationally recruitment with more than based three yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience

*Mock interview

Mentoring

Less than an hour

Country contact

Giving advice via email

Exepert

Writing

Half an hour in a lunch break

Careers profile

A room at my work place

Provide a venue

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

MERGING THE PAST AND FUTURE A

t Exeter we are pioneering the use of digital technology in Humanities, advancing both research and public understanding. Advanced digital methods are enabling new questions to be asked and large volumes of data to be analysed. This opens up new ways of exploring and interpreting our culture and heritage and delivers wideranging research with lasting impact. The University has long been at the forefront of international research into historical and cultural artefacts, and now, new facilities are ensuring we can host an expanding range of projects in this specialism. ÂŁ1.2 million is being invested in Digital Humanities (combining digital methods with traditional research) to create a lab and research space for the examination View from car park to south and preservation of important historical, literary and visual artefacts. The lab will allow researchers to use high-tech

equipment to find out more about our cultural heritage and creative past, and share their discoveries with the public.

Dimensi

carry out high-resolution photography of manuscripts and other visual materials, and to record podcasts and videos for broadcasting.

In the space, researchers will have the opportunity to curate digital exhibitions, carry out 2D and 3D digitisation, and create professional quality video and audio recordings. They will be able to create digital facsimiles of the objects, allowing them to be handled and understood in a virtual space, protecting the original artefacts for future generations. Researchers will be able to

Digital Humanities is increasingly important in all areas of humanities research, including history, archaeology, literatures and languages. The University of Exeterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investment will allow new activities and training to take place, and ensure that Digital Humanities can be incorporated into undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research.

Rev Da A

24/ 05/

Dimensions are not to be scaled from this drawing

PLA

Digita Quee

View from car park to south

for Rev Date

View from terrace at top of steps looking west

Description

24/02/2016 Planning Issue 05/04/2016 Updated Planning Issue

Author JW JW

From footpath approach to Prince of Wales road, looking east

Unive

3D M

Scale: N

Drawing

UNIVERSITY OF EXETER - QUEENS BUILDING - DIGITAL HUMANITIES LABS PLANNING

Digital Humanities Labs Queen's Building for

View from terrace at top of steps looking west

From footpath approach to Prince of Wales road, looking east

University of Exeter 3D Massing Views

The Boa Exeter E 01392 4

feature

Here are just a few of the projects taking place:

The Exeter Manuscripts project Devon is home to many important medieval manuscripts and cultural artefacts, such as the 10th-century ‘Exeter Book’, which contains the world’s largest collection of AngloSaxon (Old English) poetry. To help Devon to rediscover its written heritage, Exeter academics are working with technicians to produce an app that allows school children to discover the history of the places the manuscripts come from and the people who made and owned them.

Privy Council Papers This project presents the first digital catalogue of the ‘Printed Papers’ of Appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC), which was the final court of appeal for the British empire and later, for several countries of the Commonwealth. The ‘Printed Papers in appeal’ are detailed ‘case-records’ associated with appeal cases heard by the JCPC, which supplement the judgements. This catalogue contains key details for 9,368 cases, decided between 1792-1998 and links to full-text judgements where available.

Hardy’s Correspondents Collaborating with Dorset County Museum, ‘Hardy’s Correspondents’ aims to create a digital database of over 4,000 letters written to poet and novelist, Thomas Hardy (1840-1928). The digitisation project will make the letters remotely accessible to a wider audience, raising awareness of literary heritage in the South West.

South West writers The Centre for Literature and Archives looks after a unique collection of materials relating to South West writers of note including Ted Hughes, Daphne Du Maurier, Agatha Christie, Charles Causley and Henry Williamson. In consultation with rights holders and publishers, Exeter is beginning to make rare and fragile manuscripts digitally available, bringing the creativity of regional writers to new audiences.

Archaeology at Ipplepen Working with the British Museum and Devon County Council, Exeter experts and students have used techniques such as 3D scanning to archive and catalogue objects unearthed from this Devon site. The dig is remarkable in that both metal detecting and excavations have produced an unusually large amount of material, suggesting that the site may have been more than just a typical rural community.

Touching the past Working with the National Museum of Scotland, this project explores 3D scanning and printing alongside traditional crafted replicas to provide sensory engagement in traditional museums.

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

MY EXETER, YOUR EXETER A

lumni Roger Peek and Tish Maguire were students at Exeter in the 1960s. They became firm friends over a shared passion for West Ham United, hitchhiking to games together. After leaving Exeter they lost touch for many years but 50 years on from graduation they were married at Reed Hall. We talked to them about their memories of Exeter and why there could only be one place to tie the knotâ&#x20AC;Ś

feature

Roger Peek and Tish Page (née Maguire) Class of 1966, Wed in 2016

Roger: I studied Maths at Exeter from October 1963 and left in September 1967. Tish studied Physics until June 66 but returned to Exeter in 1967 to teach at King’s School Ottery St Mary until 1968, whilst her husband, Chris Page, was completing his PhD in Maths. When we went to Exeter there were 2,000 students in total. There were 42 of us in the Maths group so you knew everyone and walking around campus you’d at least recognise most people. I was in Murray Hall, Duryard in my first year – back when it was brand new. Tish was in Bradninch (in digs in Alphington) as the womens’ hall, Jessie Montgomery, Duryard wasn’t finished. All the halls were single sex then with a 10pm curfew – and it was a hanging offence to break that curfew! Reed Hall was the Maths department so we both had lectures there. After that it became a postgrad social centre. We were both West Ham supporters and used to hitchhike occasionally to games. In 1964 West Ham were playing Swindon Town in the FA Cup and four of us were planning to hitch to Swindon for the game – two men and two women. We tossed a coin to decide who went with whom and I went with Tish. We got to the game 20 minutes late and by then West Ham were leading 2-0 and went on to win 3-1. For the semi-final, against Man United, I couldn’t go so Tish hitched to the game without me. I asked her to bring me back a programme which she did. She signed it ‘see you at Wembley’ and when we got back in touch with each other three years

ago, I showed it to Tish – she couldn’t believe I’d kept it for all these years. I didn’t see Tish at Wembley but West Ham did win that final against Preston North End and we were FA Cup Winners!

Tish: After University Roger and I lost

touch for a very long time but we’d both stayed in touch with Exeter friends and had some friends in common. A few years ago, after my husband Chris had died, I decided to fulfil a lifelong ambition and go to Antarctica – it was an incredible experience. The following year there was an Exeter get-together at a friend’s house. As I left one of these friends said to me ‘Give Roger Peek a ring – he wants to see your Antarctica pics.’ I didn’t have Roger’s number but I remembered he had sent a condolence email when Chris died. So I contacted him and we arranged to meet in Winchester. I suppose the rest is history…

Roger: Tish had said if we ever get

married we should do it at Reed Hall, so of course we did. We had just 18 guests at the wedding including our children, grandchildren aged 9, 11, 12, 15 and 16 who were all bridesmaids, and six Exeter friends.

team we used to run around the netball court at Lopes Hall to stay fit!

Roger: I played football for the University but I would probably struggle to scrape into the team now as the standard is very high. St Luke’s were our rivals back in the 60s but today they’re teammates not the competition.

Tish: The halls are very different now. When I first came back to campus about 3 years ago the living accommodation was a revelation – en suite bathrooms, and double beds! I had a tour of the Physics building – all my Physics lectures back in the 1960s had been in Washington Singer as the Physics block was built just after I left. I’m really impressed with how Exeter has developed over the years. Now research is more linked to the real world and global issues. Roger: I’m very proud to be an Exeter

graduate and so is Tish – it means a lot to us. We are very glad to be involved in the alumni community, catching up with friends at events and supporting the University all these years after we studied at Exeter.

Tish: It was a fantastic day and wonderful to be back on campus where we had first met. The place still has a great atmosphere – the ambience hasn’t changed even though there are more buildings. It’s a fantastic campus and the sports facilities today are second to none. When I was in the netball

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

By Jess Greenaway (MA English Literary Studies, 2015)

How our oldest trees blossomed into the latest artwork to adorn our campuses

feature

he changing of the seasons bring a host of new challenges across our campuses. In the July sunshine, graduates and their families celebrate over 30,000 glasses of prosecco and 15,500 handmade cupcakes. As the leaves begin to fall in September, more than 8,000 new students arrive ready to begin their studies and new lives at University. Our Grounds Team know these aren’t the only challenges brought about by the changing seasons – we caught up with Iain Park, Director of Grounds, to learn about the damage caused to our veteran trees during last year’s storms and how his team have worked together to give them a new lease of life.

The outdoors and horticulture plays a key part of life at the University of Exeter. While Cornwall Campus is renowned for its collection of world-famous rhododendrons, Streatham and St Luke’s Campuses are home to over 10,000 mature trees. Some of them date back to the eighteenth century, when most of the land was used for agriculture and trees helped mark out field boundaries. Our modern-day campuses feature three specialist tree collections or arboretums. The oldest of all of these are the stunning gardens surrounding Reed Hall on our Streatham Campus, planted in the mid nineteenth century by the famous Veitch family of nurserymen who brought back new trees collected from every continent of the world. Iain Park and his team are on hand throughout autumn and winter to ensure that these unique collections are protected from the often turbulent weather and safe to enjoy by the whole of the community. Iain and his team have received specialist training in arboriculture and every autumn carry out a visual tree survey, looking out for signs of disease, stress, damage or decay. They also monitor weather reports from the Met Office, changing their work patterns if high winds are predicted, in order to ensure a rapid response if trees are damaged in exceptional winds. In February 2016, Storm Imogen brought winds of up to 96mph to southern England and Wales, leaving over 3,000 properties in the South West without power. As well as travel delays and road closures, Storm Imogen caused irreparable damage to some of the oldest trees on our Streatham Campus.

the University in 1922 and when the University received its Royal Charter in 1955. Iain said “our veteran trees have been a feature of the landscape for such a long period of time that we do try and see if they can continue to add value to the estate. With this tree, Campus Services staff worked collectively to select a ring from the felled tree and convert it into a historical timeline, matching the tree’s growth to events connected to the history of the University of Exeter.”

Leaning Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata)

Until recently, the beautiful Italianate garden surrounding Reed Hall on our Streatham Campus was home to the iconic leaning Monterey Pine, which was brought over from California in the 1830s, and is thought to be one of the original plantings in the UK. The imposing tree often caused alarm to new visitors on our Streatham Campus for its hazardous position, leaning over the pathway through the gardens. Although the tree was closely monitored for many years by our Grounds Team who found no reason to fell it, the tree was sadly damaged during Storm Imogen, becoming too unstable to remain in its current position. Our Grounds Team quickly got to work felling and clearing the famous tree, and thinking up innovative ways to preserve its stump. The team worked together to create a beautiful timeline which now stands where the tree once stood. The labels show when Reed Hall gardens were laid out in the 1860s, when Reed Hall was donated to

Cupressus Macrocarpa

Storm Imogen also caused damage to the nearby Cupressus Macrocarpa (or Monterey cypress). Standing adjacent to the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies walled garden, it was introduced from California and was planted sometime between 1850-1860. Grounds Team arborist, Nathan, got creative by carving a seat into the remaining stump of the tree. The recycled seat has given a brilliant new purpose to the stump, whilst serving as a reminder of what once stood there. It will doubtless be enjoyed by staff, students and alumni looking for some peace and quiet in Reed Hall gardens amongst the hubbub of our busy Streatham Campus. Iain and his team have achieved the Green Flag Award for the sixth year running, to recognise the quality of green spaces at both its Streatham and St Luke’s Campuses. To keep up to date with our beautiful campuses and the activity of our Grounds Team, take a look at their blog, Budding News or follow @universityofexetergrounds on Instagram.

Budding News can be found at: www.exeter.ac.uk/visit/campuses/gardens/blog

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

ASK...

Felix Barrett

feature

xeter alumnus Felix Barrett MBE (Drama, 2000) is Artistic Director and founder of theatre company Punchdrunk. Set up in 2000, the company has become renowned worldwide for its ground-breaking approach to making theatre by blending classic texts, physical performance, design installation and unexpected sites. Felix has conceived and directed all of Punchdrunk’s productions including the award-winning Sleep No More which has been playing in New York since 2011. Punchdrunk’s most recent work includes Sleep No More Shanghai, The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable and The Borough. Felix received an MBE for his work in the theatre industry in 2016. Here he answers questions suggested by alumni.

What inspires you?

For large-scale productions a piece of music usually seeds the concept, and the project is built up from there. Most shows have one lead track that defines the entire performance. I’m constantly looking for new styles and genres of music, it’s such a fantastically varied art form there are always new artists to discover, and I enjoy creating different ways of incorporating the unexpected into our work. When I’m coming up with ideas I also get a lot of inspiration from thinking about the impact a performance is going to have on the audience. Interrogating the sensations we’re hoping to create and exploring how we can incorporate them into specific elements of a show informs other creative decisions, and inspires the design or storytelling to be done in a way that supports this. It’s exciting to think about the reactions that these experiences will provoke, and even more satisfying to see it all come to life.

What advice would you give to graduates who want to carve out a career in the arts?

I was given a piece of advice while I was at Exeter and it’s become the number one rule that I live by – ‘Don’t talk about it, do it!’. If you have an idea that you think has potential, try it out. Don’t just talk about doing something, look for ways to make it work, be persistent and don’t give up. You’ll find support from the University, from your peers, and from others in the industry if you really go for it. A lecturer once told me, “Felix, you’re trying to run before you can walk”. I took this as a positive comment! What’s the worst that can happen if you try to run before walking? You might fall down and hurt yourself, but you’ll get up and try again. I feel like you should always take the risk and really go for what you want to achieve. There will be stumbling blocks along the way but you’ll learn from them, and develop thanks to them.

What have you found most challenging in your career?

When I was starting out there were challenges with getting productions off the ground, finding the right team and the right support for projects was a difficult process, from production partners to funding. Now the main challenge tends to be finding the right partner. Quite often organisations want to work with us but they want to dictate the artistic vision for the project, and aren’t willing to let us lead on the creative process. Those relationships become unworkable pretty quickly. It’s difficult, but as artists ideas and processes are all we have, you can’t let those things be compromised or else you run the risk of jeopardising the quality of the work. As the company has grown over the years, so have the performances, both in scale and ambition, and it can be hard to find the right space for them. We create our shows in derelict buildings and big open spaces, and there are definitely less of them available in London now than when we started. So whilst we look for space here, we have begun to produce more shows abroad. This brings its own challenges – working over several time zones is never easy! – but also amazing opportunities. It can be challenging to keep yourself fresh. It’s tempting to sit on your laurels and stick to what you know, but you’ve got to keep on pushing yourself and taking yourself out of your comfort zone. I’m always looking for the next idea and the next innovative experience, because if you stay still too long you run the risk of stagnating, and the ideas becoming stale.

How did your time at Exeter influence your work?

Hugely! I wouldn’t be where I am without Exeter. The Drama department instilled a great work ethic and a really positive can-do attitude in everyone. Rather than theory-based content, the course was

entirely practical. We were encouraged to try new things, push ourselves and make mistakes while we were still in the safe environment of the University. I was far more confident going into the world of work after graduation than I would have been without that training. I was also lucky to receive brilliant support from the University when I began to create public facing work. They were extremely encouraging and really helped me get started. I recently invited members of the Drama department to see a project to get their feedback – even after all these years I’m still feeling the benefit of their advice! The course was also amazing for meeting likeminded and talented people. My Director of Enrichment & The Punchdrunk Village here at Punchdrunk was on the course, as were a lot of the writers and performers we’ve worked with over the years. At least half of my year are still in touch, which is testament to how well the course brought us all together.

What’s your proudest achievement? Honestly I think I’m most proud of the team I’ve put together here. I get to work with some of the best creative minds in the business, and it’s such a pleasure to go to work every day and be inspired by the people around you. I’m so glad that I’ve been able to find them!

What’s next for Punchdrunk? In December of 2016 we opened Sleep No More in Shanghai. It’s the first time we’ve worked on a project of that scale in Asia, which is really exciting! We’ve got a number of projects up our sleeve that I can’t wait to talk about, but I’m afraid I can’t say more than that just yet... Rest assured there are plenty of treats in store! For more on Punchdrunk performances visit the website: punchdrunk.org.uk

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

sport

By Josh Papanicola (BA Modern Languages, 2013)

ANOTHER REMARKABLE YEAR

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

Men’s Rugby Team celebrate at Twickenham

CSM victorious in Bottle Match

In a year which started with Exeter being named The Times and The Sunday Times Sports University of the Year 2016, and ended with us finishing fifth in the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) rankings, it is almost impossible to pick out one particular highlight.

xeter was the top ranked institution in Men’s Hockey, Men’s Rugby and Women’s Tennis and both the Men’s Rugby and Women’s Indoor Cricket team won their respective championships.

Exeter University Rugby Football Club Men’s team completed an historic victory at the Home of England Rugby. In a closely contested game at Twickenham, against a Loughborough side who were looking to avenge their defeat in 2015’s final. Exeter quickly surged ahead through an early try under the posts. With tries exchanged either way before halftime, Exeter went into the break ahead 18-13, only for two penalties to give Loughborough the lead for the first time with only five minutes remaining. Cue Exeter’s James Doe, who with a dramatic drop goal three minutes from time saw Exeter victorious 21-19 and crowned best student team in the UK. Not since 2004 had a University of Exeter Men’s Rugby Club team reached the final, and you would have had to go back to 2001 for the last lift of the trophy. In 2004 the coach was Rob Baxter, now Head Coach at Aviva Premiership club Exeter Chiefs, and it is the University’s close relationship with the Chiefs that has undoubtedly benefitted the club in a number of different areas. 46

University Rugby looks set to see even more exposure with this year’s launch of BUCS ‘Super Rugby’, a new league comprising the eight best men’s student teams across England and Wales, with a selection of games being shown live throughout the season. Keith Fleming, University of Exeter Director of Rugby said: “The RFU and BUCS working in partnership is definitely helping move the programme forward.” The University’s rugby success was not just limited to the men, or to Exeter. Women’s rugby scholar Poppy Leitch topped off an impressive year of achievements as she was named BUCS Sportswoman of the Year. Starting off the season in the England U20’s setup, Poppy quickly graduated into the national squad, made appearances in the Women’s 6 Nations Tournament and also went on tour to the US with the national team. Meanwhile in Cornwall, the latest instalment of the Bottle Match was fought out between hosts Camborne School of Mines and Imperial College London’s Royal School of Mines. The first Bottle Match took place in 1902, making this fixture the second oldest rugby varsity fixture in the world. 2016 saw CSMRFC victorious by a score of 14-5, meaning that the trophy came back to Camborne for the first time since 2010.

sport

Indoor Women’s Cricket Team won Gold

Meg Crowson, Women’s Hockey

Issy Bailey, Rio Paralympian

SPORTS ROUNDUP Exeter on the world stage in Rio Eight Exeter students and alumni competed for Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the Paralympics, Issy Bailey (English, 2016) competed in the Shooting, and Cyclist Crystal Lane (Exercise and Sports Science 2011) won Silver in the 3000m individual pursuit inside the Rio Velodrome. In the Olympics, Nick Thompson (Exercise and Sport Sciences, 2008), Sophie Ainsworth (Exercise and Sport Sciences, 2010) and Nicola Groves (Human Biosciences, 2010) all competed in Sailing, while current student Luke Treharne was a member of the Rugby Sevens Squad. Honorary Graduate Jo Pavey also became the first British track athlete to compete at five Olympic Games.

Ladies at Lords In Cricket, the Women’s 1st XI had the privilege of playing at Lords for the third year in a row against Loughborough, and despite defeat the Ladies can look back on another fantastic season both Indoor and Outdoor achieving Gold and Silver respectively. It’s exciting times for Women’s cricket, as the club is set to benefit from the latest gift from

longstanding alumni supporters Professor Jenny Harrow and Stephen Harrow, which will support the University’s involvement in the Women’s Cricket Super League. The £3 million England and Wales Cricket Board initiative will allow future stars to play alongside the world’s best players, and the University’s sports facilities, including the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Devon Cricket Centre, will serve as the training base for Western Storm, one of six teams competing in the league. Cricket Scholar Freya Davies was selected for the Western Storm squad alongside former Scholar Amara Carr (Exercise and Sport Sciences, 2016). Former Scholars Alice MacLeod (Philosophy, 2016) and Fi Morris (Exercise and Sports Science, 2015) competed for the Southern Vipers and Aylish Cranstone (Exercise and Sport Sciences, 2016) represented the Surrey Stars.

Bronze Medalists at European Universities Golf Championships BUCS 2015/16 Tour Champion Alex Saunders and Sophie Stone travelled to Zagreb to represent the University of Exeter at the European Universities Golf

Championships, with the girls overcoming extreme heat and a challenging course to clinch a bronze medal and stand alongside the Universities of Stirling and St Andrews on an all-British podium. The success of our elite student golfers would not be possible without the longstanding support from our Alumni Golf Society, whose 11th Annual Golf day took place in 2016. Since its inception the event has raised over £90,000 to support Exeter’s Golf programme and in particular the University’s Golf Scholarships. Six different decades of Exeter alumni took part in the latest edition of this extremely popular event, with 96 graduate golfers teeing off at St George’s Hill Golf Club in Surrey.

Hockey scholar selected for Women’s Under-21s Women’s Hockey had a successful season, and reached the BUCS Championship Final. The team was captained by Kathryn Lane (Business Management, 2016), who along with current sports scholar, Meg Crowson, were selected for the England Women Under-21 squad to compete in the Junior World Cup in Chile in December. exeter.ac.uk/alumni

EXETER OCCASIONS...

round the world and across the year a wide range of exciting alumni events are taking place â&#x20AC;&#x201C; linking and supporting Exeter graduates. Alumni events include professional networking sessions at top companies, receptions in prestigious venues, bespoke lectures by leading academics and purely social events. Here we feature some from the past year. Find out about forthcoming events at www.exeter.ac.uk/alumnisupporters/events We can also help you to arrange your own events for alumni; get in touch by telephone on +44 (0) 1392 723141 or email alumni@exeter.ac.uk

events 6

1. House of Commons Reception (November 2016) 2. BogotĂĄ, Colombia alumni dinner (November 2016)

3. Exe-X: Women and Leadership Reception (April 2016) 4. Shanghai, China Employability Talk and Volunteering Awards (November 2016) 5. An Evening with Floella (June 2016) 6. Mumbai Alumni Social (June 2016) 7. Northcote Trophy Golf weekend (April 2016) 8. Scholars Reception (October 2016) 9. Vice-Chancellorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Garden Party (July 2016)

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

KEEP IN TOUCH! WHY? We love to hear from our alumni. Let us know your contact details so that we can: • keep you informed of what’s happening at Exeter • invite you to our events • let you know about your alumni benefits, ranging from discounts on accommodation on campus and in the local area, access to journals, to careers support after graduation

HOW? There are lots of ways to contact us: @ alumni@exeter.ac.uk

www

+44 (0)1392 723141 www.exeter.ac.uk/alumni

@exalumni /exeteralumni /groups/109267 Global Engagement and Development Office, Northcote House, The Queen’s Drive, Exeter EX4 4QJ

keep in touch

ALUMNI FACTS

VOLUNTEERED

Last year, nearly 1,000 alumni volunteered to help students at Exeter through providing a career profile, giving a talk or mentoring a student. You can support from home, work or on campus and it could take as little as 15 minutes! For more information please visit www.exeter.ac.uk/alumnisupporters/volunteering

2,198 alumni made a donation to support students last year. Gifts have supported a wide range of projects across all campuses, from new sports equipment to bursaries, to medical research. Thank you to everyone who supported Exeter â&#x20AC;&#x201C; every gift of every size really does make a difference.

To make a donation, please visit: www.exeter.ac.uk/donate

exeter.ac.uk/alumni

advert

5 AA Stars for Bovey Castle

We are delighted to announce that Bovey Castle, the country house resort hotel on Dartmoor National Park, has been awarded five stars by the AA.

Five Star Luxury Break

Enjoy a fabulous stay at the five star Bovey Castle. Our 5 AA Stars for Bovey Castle luxurious getaway includes accommodation, dinner in

A £3.5 million refurbishment has included a complete renovation of the spa, brasserie, restaurant, public areas and 22 bedrooms. The hotel has been brought back to her former glory and looks absolutely magnificent. “Bovey Castle has been brought back to life and transformed into an excellent example of true hotel keeping” – Garry Baldwin MIH, Senior Hotel & Restaurant Inspector, AA.

Smith’s Brasserie and full English breakfast. From £199 per night, based on a couple sharing a Classic room. T&Cs apply. Subject to availability. Please quote ‘Exeter University’ when booking. Offer valid until 31.05.17.

Proud to be part of Eden Hotel Collection

North Bovey, Devon, TQ13 8RE T: 01647 445000 E: stay@boveycastle.com /boveycastlehotel

www.boveycastle.com

@boveycastle

We are delighted to announce that Bovey Castle, the country house resort hotel on Dartmoor National Park, has been awarded five stars by the AA.

Five Star Luxury Break

Enjoy a fabulous stay at the five star Bovey Castle. Our luxurious getaway includes accommodation, dinner in Smith’s Brasserie and full English breakfast. From £199 per night, based on a couple sharing a Classic room.

“Bovey Castle has been brought back to life and transformed into an excellent example of true hotel keeping” – Garry Baldwin MIH, Senior Hotel & Restaurant Inspector, AA.

T&Cs apply. Subject to availability. Please quote ‘Exeter University’ when booking. Offer valid until 31.05.17.

Proud to be part of Eden Hotel Collection

North Bovey, Devon, TQ13 8RE T: 01647 445000 E: stay@boveycastle.com /boveycastlehotel

@boveycastle