Kent Magazine - August 2012 | University of Kent by University of Kent

KENT The Magazine for the University of Kent | August 2012

Graduation ceremonies Open campus

Welcome Dear colleagues, As we approach the end of the academic year, it is a good time to reflect on the University’s continued success over the past 12 months. Demand from UK applicants for undergraduate places at Kent remains high. Total overseas applications are also up 8%, emphasising the University’s international reputation, strengthened by our European campuses and links with overseas institutions through, for example, the Hong Kong and China Portal. Postgraduate applications are also significantly up on previous years. Despite the difficult economic conditions, the University remains well placed to achieve its recruitment targets. This year, the University has done extremely well in the league tables – 22nd in the latest Guardian University Guide and 34th in the Times Good University Guide 2013, meaning that we are also in the top 30 table of tables. In the run-up to the next REF, I am also pleased to see that our research activities are going from strength to strength and that Kent is home to so many world-class academics – including Professor Peter Taylor-Gooby, who has just been awarded an OBE for Services to Social Science (see p5). New recruitment opportunities for academic staff across our faculties are also underway and I am delighted with the quality of staff who wish to join us at Kent. For existing staff, we have had another excellent year for academic promotions and I would like to congratulate all staff who have been rewarded. To ensure the University continues to thrive, we have spent much of the last year investing in the ‘student experience’ at Kent. We want to ensure that all our students achieve not only the best academic results but also look to their future careers. Our innovative Employability Points Scheme (see right) has just celebrated a highly successful first year, involving over 2,000 students and over 100 companies in work-related activities. Investment in facilities for students, staff and the local community also continues apace. Our Colyer-Fergusson Music Building is almost complete and, at Medway campus, we have invested £5 million in the School of Arts. Students and staff will benefit too from our new partnership with the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London (p4). Finally, I am pleased that our recent degree ceremonies went so well, and the Chancellor and I were delighted to welcome our latest esteemed honorary graduates to the University (p6). I would like to thank all staff who have worked hard during this ‘interesting’ year for universities. I look forward to working with you again during the next academic year.

Professor Dame Julia M Goodfellow DBE, CBE Vice-Chancellor

3 News 6 Feature: Honorary graduates 8 Research 10 Feature: Open campus 11 Human Resources 12 Enterprise 13 Green Impact 14 Kent in the news/Mediation 15 Sport 16 What’s on Special thanks to: Lesley Farr, University Design & Print Centre. Photographs by Stephen Blakeley, Richard Bergl, Robert Berry, Mick Norman, Jess Oli, Matt Wilson, Tim Stubbings and Tempest.

News 1 Creative Campus Award winner Victoria Tedder with Dr Louise Naylor, Director of UELT 2 Chancellor’s Prize winner Chris Broad with Chancellor Professor Sir Robert Worcester

KENT We have set up a readers’ panel for staff. Please get in touch if you would like to become a member. We are keen to have your feedback and letters are welcome from all our readers. Simply email the editorial team at kentmagazine@kent.ac.uk

First year success for Employability Points Scheme

Kent is also available online at www.kent.ac.uk/campusonline/kentmagazine Editorial team: Posie Bogan, Director of Corporate Communications; Wendy Raeside, Press & Corporate Publications Officer (Corporate Communications); Karen Baxter, Press Assistant, (Corporate Communications), University of Kent.

Next issue: the deadline for the next issue is 12 September, with a publication date of 5 October 2012.

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More than 300 guests helped celebrate the success of the University’s Employability Points Scheme (EPS) at a special ceremony on 7 June.

tinyurl.com/kentlinked youtube.com/user/UniversityofKent flickr.com/photos/universityofkent/

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The ceremony, in the Gulbenkian Theatre, was attended by students, staff and special guests including: Chancellor Professor Sir Robert Worcester; Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Julia M Goodfellow; Cllr Robert Waters, Lord Mayor of Canterbury, accompanied by Lady Mayoress Sally Pickersgill; and Stephen Kingsman, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent. Also attending were representatives of some of the 86 companies and organisations sponsoring the Scheme, including Tesco, The Chaucer Group, Canterbury Cathedral Trust, KM Group, Kent County Council, Coca-Cola Enterprises and Reeves.

such as training programmes, paid internships and vouchers, sponsored by organisations or companies. The Scheme was launched as a pilot in September 2010 and became so successful that, between July 2011 and June 2012, almost 2,000 under- and postgraduate students were inspired to get involved. Stephanie Barwick, Business Engagement Manager at the Kent Enterprise Hub and EPS cofounder, said: ‘We always knew that EPS would be welcome as it provides students with both life and workplace skills. However, we could hardly have anticipated the extent to which it has become so successful, as demonstrated by the enthusiasm of the participating students and sponsors at this year’s ceremony.’

The Magazine for the University of Kent | August 2012

Graduation ceremonies Open campus

Cover story The University’s degree ceremonies took place at Canterbury and Rochester Cathedrals in July (see p6).

Developed by the University’s Kent Innovation & Enterprise with input from its Unit for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (UELT), Careers and Employability Service, and Kent Union, EPS supports the personal and workskills development of students by encouraging them to collect reward points for active engagement in non-compulsory activities, from mentoring and volunteering to work placements and completion of a world language module. Students with the highest points receive prizes 2

KENT Magazine

News

Kent confirmed as a top UK university The University of Kent has been ranked 34th out of 117 UK higher education institutions in the Times Good University Guide 2013. This represents an improvement on last year’s position and follows the University’s placing at 22 in the Guardian University Guide 2013. Combined, both guides confirm Kent’s reputation as a top university, both nationally and in the south east. The Times Good University Guide highlights Kent’s significant improvement in graduate prospects, an endorsement of its strengths and successes in student employability. The publication also ranks 71% of Kent’s subjects among the top 30 nationally, with four among the top 10, and 11 other subject areas among the top 20. Kent has also been ranked 80th in the inaugural Times Higher Education (THE) 100 Under 50 league table of the world’s best young universities. Kent is one of 20 UK universities to make the ranking.

Students to benefit from KentICA partnership A new affiliate partnership between the University and the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London will provide extensive educational benefits and opportunities for Kent students and staff. Held jointly between the ICA and Kent’s School of Arts and School of English, it is expected that it will lead to a range of opportunities such as a joint MA, internships, professional practice projects for PhD students, a student-curated film ‘festival’, and ICA practice-based talks and gallery visits. A major component of the partnership will be, for the School of English, free membership of the ICA for one year for all incoming underand postgraduates, while 500 students at the School of Arts will receive the same benefit. The membership will enable Kent students to interact with students from other institutions, attend and network through private views for members, and use the members-only studio facilities.

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The partnership was launched at the ICA on 21 June by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Julia M Goodfellow, and Chair of the ICA Council Alison Myners.

The University offered its support to the Campaign by hosting a CfSS roadshow at its Canterbury campus and through a financial donation by its Faculty of Social Sciences to support CfSS-funded research and public engagement during the next five years.

Kent Law Clinic celebrates its 40th anniversary The multi-award winning Kent Law Clinic celebrated its 40th anniversary on 9 June with a garden party for more than 400 guests. Among those attending the celebration at the Canterbury campus were Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Julia M Goodfellow; past and present students and Law Clinic solicitors; volunteer solicitors and barristers from local practice; members of the judiciary; and colleagues from Kent Law School and the University. The celebration also looked to the future, highlighting the current Kent Law Campaign, which is fundraising to build facilities for the Kent Law Clinic and its Mooting Programme. The campaign (www.kent.ac.uk/giving/ lawcampaign) has already raised over £1 million in donations and pledges from individuals, trusts and foundations, and companies.

Kent supports national Campaign for Social Science Kent has welcomed and lent its support to the Campaign for Social Science (CfSS), a national initiative promoted by the Academy of Social Sciences (AcSS) in association with other leading universities, learned societies, organisations and social science publishers.

Music prize-winners recognised Five outstanding students have been awarded prizes, in recognition of their significant contributions to the year’s musical calendar at Kent. This year’s Canterbury Festival Music Prize, awarded by Director of the Canterbury Festival, Rosie Turner, to a final-year student who has made an outstanding contribution to music at the University, was given to Chris Gray (Architecture). President of the Music Society this year, Chris has also played tuba with the University Orchestra, Concert Band and Brass Ensemble, and has previously sung with the Chamber Choir and Chorus. The Colyer-Fergusson Music Prize, presented by chairman of the Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust, Jonathan Monckton, is given to a student who has made a major contribution to organising music at the University. This year’s recipient was Master’s student Adam Abo Henriksen, in particular for his role as musical director of the Musical Theatre Society’s production of Into the Woods which had a highly successful run at the Whitstable Playhouse. The University Music Prize, for a student who has made a major contribution to music during the year, was presented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Mander, to second-year Economics student, Marina Ivanova. Marina is a member of the Chorus, Chamber Choir and

News 1 Kent-ICA partnership will benefit students and staff 2 Music award winners (from left) Chris Gray, Marina Ivanova, Adam Abo Henriksen, Ben Lodge and Tim Pickering 3 Students set new volunteering record

New student volunteering record

Way forward for health research collaboration

Kent students have dedicated over 80,000 hours to helping others in 2011/12 – almost double their previous year’s total.

Health research collaboration was top of the agenda as the University hosted a major conference featuring academics and clinicians at its Medway campus on 28 June.

The students’ record contribution to the local community was celebrated at the annual Kent Student Certificate for Volunteering (KSCV) awards ceremony, organised by Kent Union in May. 3

Cecilian Choir, and this year performed in the Scholars’ Recital as part of the Canterbury Festival, as well as in the Scholars Lunchtime Concert as part of Summer Music. The Awards Committee made two additional awards. The first was to second-year trumpeter, Ben Lodge, in recognition of his musical development at Kent. Ben has been principal trumpet with the Orchestra, and played with the Concert Band and Big Band and the Brass Ensemble, and performed a memorable opening to Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition in the December orchestral concert. The second award, to a student who has made a significant impact on music-making in their first year, was awarded to saxophonist Tim Pickering (Forensic Chemistry). Tim has quickly become a key member of the Big Band and Concert Band, and also participated in Jazz @ 5, as well as with the ‘Big Brand New’ as part of the Sounds New Festival.

Kent Ambassadors visit The University’s economic and cultural impact on the county was underlined at an informal gathering of the Kent Ambassadors on 14 June. The Ambassadors – who come together to promote the county – were welcomed by Chancellor Professor Sir Robert Worcester, Chair of the University’s Council John Simmonds and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Julia M Goodfellow. Ambassadors were updated on activity at the University and heard how it contributes around £0.6 billion every year to the south east, as well as making an important cultural contribution.

Over 250 students attended the ceremony to collect their KSCV Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum awards for volunteering on campus, across East Kent, the rest of the UK and internationally. Tom Ritchie, President of Kent Union, said: ‘Volunteering has a transforming effect – it helps you grow as a person, develop skills and have fun… Last year, Kent students devoted 46,000 hours to volunteering and this year it’s over 80,000. Next year, we would love to reach over 100,000!’

University wins best accommodation award again The University has once again been voted Group Travel Organiser magazine’s Best University Accommodation for Groups – making it the fifth year in a row it has won the award. The award was presented to the University’s conference and housekeeping teams by travel writer and broadcaster Simon Calder at a ceremony in London on 15 June attended by over 500 people.

OBE for Professor Peter TaylorGooby Peter Taylor-Gooby, Professor of Social Policy at the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, has been awarded an OBE for Services to Social Science. Professor Taylor-Gooby is internationally noted for his work on new social risks, an area of study he helped create and develop. His research interests include current developments in the welfare state, particularly the ‘cuts’ and welfare state restructuring, the social divisions association with inequality and the struggles over multiculturalism.

Organised by the University’s KentHealth agency and co-sponsored by Canterbury Christ Church University and the NIHR Comprehensive Local Research Network, the event featured a keynote address from Dr Janet Wisely, Chief Executive of the Health Research Authority and Director of the National Research Ethics Service. Other external speakers at the event, which attracted more than 200 delegates, were Dr Sheila Harvey of INARC, the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre, and Karina Griffiths, Study Start-up Manager at ICON. KentHealth was launched at the University in 2011 to help co-ordinate all health-related activities. It also organises regular events aimed at increasing collaboration between various agencies working in health and social care. Further information and an Annual Review, highlighting KentHealth’s first year activities, is available at www.kent.ac.uk/health/

Appointment of a new Chancellor Students, staff, alumni and members of the University’s Senate, Council and Court are invited to suggest names of suitable people who might be appointed as Chancellor of the University of Kent. The University’s current Chancellor, Professor Sir Robert Worcester, will be completing his term of office on 31 July 2013. Suggestions for the appointment of a successor should be sent to Dr Keith Lampard, Deputy Head of the Central Secretariat, by Friday 7 September 2012 (K.J.Lampard@kent.ac.uk). More information about the role of the Chancellor, the format of suggestions and the appointment can be found on the Central Secretariat webpages – www.kent.ac.uk/ censec/governance/chancellor.html

KENT Magazine

Feature

Honorary graduates

Valerie Marshall

Sir Paul Nurse

Rebecca Lenkiewicz

At congregations ceremonies in Canterbury and Rochester Cathedrals in July, the University was delighted to confer honorary degrees on the following people.

books and numerous articles about health policy and management. He was awarded a CBE in 2004 for his services to the NHS.

Rebecca Lenkiewicz is a playwright, actor and poet who graduated from Kent in 1989 with a BA in Literature and Film. Her play Her Naked Skin was performed at the National Theatre in 2008 and was the first play by a female playwright to be performed in the Olivier Theatre. Other plays include The Night Season, Soho, The Painter, Shoreditch Madonna, That Almost Unnameable Lust, The Typist, Blue Moon Over Poplar, Wisconsin and Stars Over Kabul. Other work includes plays for radio and television and several film scripts. She is also developing a feature film with Pawel Pawlikowski and is writing for Channel 4.

Professor Christopher Ham CBE is a Kent graduate who took up the post of Chief Executive of The King’s Fund in April 2010. He has been Professor of Health Policy and Management at the University of Birmingham since 1992. From 2000 to 2004, he was seconded to the Department of Health, where he was director of the strategy unit, working with ministers on NHS reform. He is the author of 20

Jools Holland OBE, composer, pianist, bandleader and broadcaster, lives near Rochester in Kent. He began his career playing at pubs in the East End docks as a teenager and was then a member of the successful band Squeeze before leading his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. His passion for music made him a doyen of the UK music scene and he was awarded an OBE in 2003 for his services to the British music industry. His extensive charity work has included fundraising for HIV charities and concerts to raise money for the maintenance of Rochester Cathedral. In 2005, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent.

Dumbledore surprises graduating students Bioscience graduates were surprised to see Professor Dumbledore of Harry Potter fame appear at their Canterbury Cathedral degree ceremony. In fact, Dumbledore was none other than Dr Peter Klappa, Senior Lecturer in the School of Biosciences and Master of Rutherford College, who had donned the garb of the famous character from the Harry Potter novels to help raise money for a cancer charity. He explained: ‘I wore the fake beard and hair and posed with willing ‘Hogkent’ students to raise money for the Emily Ash Trust, a cancer in children charity. One of our final year Bioscience and Rutherford College students, Emilie Saintas, came up with the idea, set up the donation page and chose the charity for this and I was more than happy to become Dumbledore for a few hours.’ Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at: http://www.justgiving.com/Emily-Saintas1

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John Lloyd CBE is a renowned comedy writer and TV producer who was born in Dover and educated at King’s School Canterbury. While

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reading Law at Trinity College, Cambridge, he appeared in the 1973 Footlights Revue and was subsequently recruited by the BBC as a staff writer and trainee producer. His speciality since has been starting enduring new broadcast formats. Two of the radio shows which he created in the mid-1970s, Quote...Unquote, and The News Quiz (the model for Have I Got News For You), are still running today. He also co-wrote the first series of both The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy and To The Manor Born. On television, he was one of the creators of Spitting Image, Not the Nine O’ Clock News and Blackadder. In 2011, he was awarded a CBE. Valerie Marshall is a corporate investment director and was a member of Council at Kent from 2003 to 2011, the last six years of which saw her serving as Chair. During this period, she became deputy chair of the Committee of University Chairs, one of the national bodies representing universities’ interests to the government and other agencies. She is Chief Executive Officer of corporate finance boutique Stratagem Corporate Finance and Strategy Ltd. Valerie Marshall is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. The Rt Rev Adrian Newman, formerly the Dean of Rochester, became the Bishop of Stepney in July of last year. The appointment marked his return to East London, where he began his career as a curate in the London Borough of Newham. Urban churches have been at the heart of his work in the Church and he has also worked in parishes in Sheffield and Birmingham. He took a sabbatical in 2010 to research the role of the Church in addressing urban poverty. As Dean of Rochester Cathedral from 2005, his role involved leading the cathedral in its mission and ministry, representing the cathedral in its engagement with the wider community, and working as a member of the Bishop of Rochester’s senior staff.

Wayne Otto and Jools Holland

Sir Paul Nurse is the current President of the Royal Society, London, and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2001 for his genetics research with two others on protein molecules and their impact on cells. He took up the post of President of the Royal Society for a five-year term on 1 December 2010. He was Professor of Microbiology at the University of Oxford, CEO of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and Cancer Research UK and President of Rockefeller University, New York. He is currently Director and Chief Executive of the Francis Crick Institute. Wayne Otto OBE is Britain’s most successful karate athlete. He graduated from Kent in 1992 with a BSc in Communications Engineering. Born in London, he attended schools in Hackney and began training in karate at the age of 14. Four years later, he was representing England at the Junior European Karate Championships. In 1997, he became Britain’s most successful karate exponent, gaining his ninth World Championship title at the World Cup Championships in Manila. In 2001, he was awarded an OBE for services to the sport of karate.

law. He has acted in some of the most constitutionally significant human rights test cases of recent years. He was Liberty/Justice Human Rights Lawyer of the Year 2004 for his work on Iraq and was the Law Society’s Solicitor of the Year 2007. He is a Vice-President of the Haldane Society and co-editor of The Iraq War and International Law. Dr Jean Venables CBE was born in Dover and educated at Dover Girls Grammar School. She is Chief Executive of the Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA), as well as Chairman of Crane Environmental and Past President of the Institution of Civil Engineers. As Chief Executive of ADA, she represents organisations involved with water level management and flood risk management, including Internal Drainage Boards, Flood and Coastal Committees, Environment Agency, local authorities and associate members. She was awarded the MBE for services to civil engineering, the OBE for services to flood defence and the CBE for services to the civil engineering profession and the Institution of Civil Engineers’ Garth Watson Medal.

Brian Philp is an archaeologist who was responsible for the discovery of the Roman Painted House at Dover and a number of other important finds in Kent. The author of Archaeology in the Front Line: 50 Years of Kent Rescue 1952-2002, he has completed over 700 archaeological projects in Kent and South East London and also published nearly 140 articles on his work in Kent. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, London and has previously lectured at Kent. Dr Garry Rogerson was born in Bromley, Kent and graduated from Kent in 1974 with a BSc in Biochemistry and then went on to gain a PhD four years later. He joined Advanced Energy in August 2011 as chief executive officer and board member. He was chairman and chief executive officer, from 2009 and 2004, respectively, of Varian Inc, a major supplier of scientific instruments and consumable laboratory supplies, vacuum products and services, until the purchase of Varian by Agilent Technologies Inc, in May 2010. Dr Rogerson also served as Varian’s chief operating officer from 2002 to 2004; as senior vice president, scientific instruments, from 2001 to 2002; and as vice president, analytical instruments, from 1999 to 2001. Phil Shiner is the principal lawyer at Public Interest Lawyers. He has an international reputation for his work on issues concerning international, environmental and human rights

Special ceremony for Margaret A special ceremony was held as part of the degree congregations in Canterbury Cathedral to mark the retirement of Assistant Registrar Margaret Anderson. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Mander presented Margaret with gifts on behalf of her many friends and colleagues. He said: ‘Margaret has been part of the University since 1974, and degree ceremonies will not be quite the same without her. Her colleagues and friends, on behalf of many generations of students she has nurtured through their degree ceremony, would like to thank her for her wonderful contribution and wish her a very happy retirement.’

KENT Magazine

Research

Rendition Project launched online An ongoing project has been launched online designed to analyse the global system of rendition, secret detention and torture initiated by the George W. Bush administration as part of its ‘War on Terror’.

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The project is led Dr Ruth Blakeley from Kent and Dr Sam Raphael from Kingston University. Working closely with Reprieve, a UK-based legal action charity which has led the way in investigating secret prisons and representing victims of rendition and torture, they aim to collate and analyse the huge amount of opensource data on the global rendition system. To date, the Rendition Project has collated data on: hundreds of victims of rendition, secret detention and torture since 2001; more than 6,500 flights by 140 aircraft connected to the CIA renditions programme; and the involvement of 45 countries around the world in rendition, secret detention and torture as part of the US-led ‘War on Terror’. Funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council, the Project has established the new website as part of its wider research. Work on the site will continue throughout 2012, and will eventually feature: detailed profiles and

analysis of detention facilities used by the USA and its partners; detainee profiles, tracking their detention, movement and treatment within the system; access to hundreds of key primary documents; key data from the world’s largest database of flights by CIA aircraft connected to rendition, compiled by the Rendition Project from all public source information about the rendition programme; and profiles of the aircraft used to move detainees from site to site and the companies that were involved in operating these aircraft. Much of this information was obtained through Freedom of Information legislation, and this website is designed to become a clearing-house for the information released through these efforts. For further information, see www.therenditionproject.org.uk

Research

New study to spotlight ‘mumpreneurs’

New mammal species for conservation fundraising

New solution to problems in multicultural policy

Women who combine motherhood with launching their own business often have to overcome many barriers to succeed. Now, a new research project at the University will explore the phenomenon of the so-called ‘mumpreneurs’.

Images of tigers and elephants are among the most common threatened mammals used by conservation organisations as ‘flagships’ to promote fundraising – but new research led by the University suggests that other threatened ‘Cinderella species’ could prove equally effective.

In a ground-breaking paper published by the journal Science, psychologists from the University claim a solution to the problems faced by multicultural policy can be found in the study of human evolution.

Dr Patricia Lewis, of Kent Business School, will lead the research to explore the emergence of this new type of entrepreneur. Examples of this type of businesswoman include Chrissie Rucker, founder of The White Company, and Justine Roberts and Carrie Longton, founders of Mumsnet.com. Dr Lewis said: ‘This fascinating form of entrepreneurship sees women choosing to stay at home and care for children while launching a successful business, often with a nurturing or child-centred theme. One of the project’s key questions will be whether combining business with being a stay-at-home mum can make women’s entrepreneurial activity seem less legitimate.’ The one-year project, titled Mumpreneurs: Reframing Women’s Entrepreneurial Activity?, will investigate how distinct ideas about being a mum and entrepreneur influence women’s business and mothering activities. The British Academy research grant-funded project will begin in September.

The study, by a team led by Dr Bob Smith of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), is the first to research what species are used by international conservation NGOs in their online fundraising campaigns. Dr Smith’s team included researchers from the Institute of Zoology and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. At the moment, only 80 flagship species are used by these NGOs, and more than 60% of their campaigns only raised funds for that species itself, the study found. These flagship species tend to have a high body mass and forward-facing eyes – because people find large animals with a human-like face more appealing. But, by using a similarity score approach, the researchers identified that there are other species, which, like Cinderella in the children’s story, share this aesthetic appeal but are currently overlooked.

Research has shown that while multiculturalism is a highly enriching characteristic of modern society, policy has generally failed to engage widespread public support for this idea. One of the reasons for this is that people have a psychological tendency to prefer environments low in social complexity. However, in their Science paper, Professor Richard Crisp and Rose Meleady propose that our human ancestors evolved a specialised cognitive system that enabled them to adapt to complex and diverse tribal environments. They argue that this system is only triggered under certain conditions, which have hitherto been absent from contemporary multicultural policy. Their paper offers a unique multidisciplinary perspective on this issue, drawing together research on evolutionary psychology, cognitive science, sociology and social policy. Science is the journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Research awards list Some recent research awards Dr Melissa Demian (School of Anthropology and Conservation), £147,940 from the Economic and Social Research Council for ‘Legal innovation in Papua New Guinea’. Dr Mattias Frey (School of Arts), £62,132 from the Arts and Humanities Research Council for ‘Extreme cinema: arthouse ethics, exoticism and the desire for the real’. Dr William Pettigrew (School of History), £61,394 from the Arts and Humanities Research Council for ‘Cultural hybridisation: English overseas trading companies in the 17th century and the development of a globalised dialogue about governance’. Professor Miri Song (School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research), £113,479 from the Leverhulme Trust for ‘Mixed race parents’ racial classification of their children’.

KENT Magazine

Feature

Open campus Summer open day success Working with schools and colleges

The University summer open days took place at the Canterbury and Medway campuses in June and July. Around 5,000 prospective students attended the events, which are co-ordinated by the Recruitment and Marketing Unit in Enrolment Management Services (EMS).

Open days are key recruitment events, especially in the current climate of increased fees and concerns about the financial investment involved. Universities across the UK are reporting a huge rise in the number of prospective students and their families attending open days and this is especially true at Kent; visitor numbers increased in 2011 by 25%. The importance of open days to the University’s recruitment strategy is clear: 48% of students who attended an open day in 2011 went on to make an application to Kent, and applications made by visitors who attended an open day have increased by almost 30% year on year. Prospective students at all levels of study are able to find out more about the courses available at the University and get a real flavour of life at Kent through a comprehensive programme of subject talks, demonstrations, and workshops, plus tours of the campuses and student accommodation. EMS staff also give detailed presentations on the UCAS admissions process, student finance and student support services. In total, the University holds nine open days during the year, including Clearing open days and postgraduate events. EMS would like to take this opportunity to thank all University staff and students involved in the open days for their continued support in making these events so successful.

Throughout June, the Partnership Development Office ran numerous events involving schools and colleges from across Kent and Medway. The events supported by Ambassadors – undergraduate students - included: Robot Challenge – over 100 primary and secondary school students attended workshops at Medway, organised with the School of Computing, which included programming robots and presentations on food transport. World Languages Days – around 500 Year 8 students took part in two days of workshops introducing new languages - from Arabic to Russian - or using ones they are already learning in fun activities. FE Residential – 80 students from our Partner FE Colleges attended this two-day residential on Canterbury campus, designed to support students’ progression to HE and experience life as a university student. Science Extravaganza – two Science Extravaganza days attracted nearly 400 students. Organised with the University’s science schools, the days featured workshops and presentations on different areas of science. Humanities Day – around 100 sixth-form students attended a day, presented by Faculty of Humanities staff, to showcase humanities subjects. Equilibrium – around 100 school and college students took part in a day focusing on social sciences subjects. In June, the Recruitment and Marketing Unit ran two schools conferences on HE study, attended by around 450 students from eight Kent schools and colleges. The Unit also hosted visits to Canterbury campus by the Lycée Ermesinde, Luxembourg and the British School of Paris.

KENT Magazine

Human Resources

Increasing awareness of equality and diversity The University is preparing for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise in 2014. One important feature of the REF is the higher profile given to equality and diversity (E&D) considerations and research funders are increasingly looking at institutions’ approach to E&D; paying lip service to E&D principles is no longer enough. A university is a place in which, by its very nature, diversity should thrive and Kent is committed to working to embed E&D principles within its organisational activities to the benefit of all. Learning and Development and Research Services have been working in collaboration to deliver half-day workshops to ensure everyone involved in decision-making for the REF at the University appreciates the importance and value of diversity, as well as understanding the working of the formal selection process for the REF. So far, two briefings have been held and were well-attended by staff. A further session will take place on Wednesday, 22 August (pm). If you are involved in REF decision-making but have not yet been able to attend, please contact Sue Prout, Research Services, S.C.Prout@kent.ac.uk, ext 7054, to confirm your place.

Coming to a screen near you… HR, Finance and Information Services are working together to procure and implement a next generation HR/Payroll system. A key part of the new system will be Employee and Manager Self-Service, allowing you as a staff member to access your details and much more. As part of the preparation to bring in the new system, we will be launching a data cleansing exercise later this year to make sure the basic information we hold about you is correct. We will be giving you the opportunity to log in to a secure web page, check the current details we hold and let us know of any adjustments needed. We will ensure that a full explanation is included regarding information use and protection of confidentiality. We’ll be asking you about the following information: • Your contact details • Your equality and diversity details • Your next of kin details. The new system will ultimately make it much easier for you to provide live updates to your own information, which is critical for correspondence, statistical purposes and in cases of emergency. This initial data cleanse will be one of the first steps – as the project proceeds, we will ensure that further updates are provided. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact project manager, Chris Wootton at c.wootton@kent.ac.uk

Thumbs up for newstyle staff induction We have completed our first year of the new-style Staff Induction and Information Fair, with three events at Canterbury in October, January and June and one at Medway in March. Attendance levels have been very positive with over 200 new staff participating. The event comprises a welcome and presentation from Deputy ViceChancellor Professor Keith Mander, followed by short sessions to highlight the important areas of Safety, Health and the Environment and Equality and Diversity. New members of staff are then invited to the Information Fair, where they can find out more about what it means to work at Kent by browsing a wide range of stalls showcasing University services, while networking and enjoying a buffet lunch. Feedback from both attendees and stall-holders has been very positive over the year, so thank you to all of the 20-plus departments which have contributed to making the Information Fair such a success. We will be opening up the Fair to all staff, new and longerserving, in the next academic year. Please check our website for dates at www.kent.ac.uk/hr-learninganddevelopment

KENT Magazine

Enterprise

SME innovation and growth The University re-launched its successful Innovation Voucher scheme, providing support for project collaboration involving small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs), on 19 June. The ‘Business Growth through Innovation’ event, delivered in partnership with the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, included presentations delivered by Kent County Council and the Technology Strategy Board, as well as case studies of successful University-SME collaboration. Over 90 delegates attended the event including a range of academics from across the University. During the plenary session, delegates provided valuable feedback on potential partnership working and proposals related to specific interest areas. Delegates also learnt about key funding routes to support collaboration with the University. If you missed the event and would like to know more, please contact Kent Innovation & Enterprise by email enterprise@kent.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)1227 827376.

The Graduate Entrepreneur Programme A new programme to help Kent international graduates set up their own successful businesses in the UK is being launched by Kent Innovation & Enterprise’s Enterprise Hub working with the School of Psychology’s Dr Tendayi Viki. The programme is based on the ‘Lean Start-up’ concept and supports participants in the development of a successful business model within a comprehensive year-long programme combining theory and practical application. Graduates will receive support from a dedicated team of mentors and advisors, as well as fully furnished office space in the Enterprise Hub, during the course. At the end of the programme, participants will pitch their validated business ideas to a panel of private investors for the opportunity to obtain the funding they need to progress their business. The programme has been established in response to a UK Border Agency initiative that supports international graduates in acquiring a Tier 1 visa to enable them to start a business in the UK. The programme starts on 1 October 2012 and is limited to 10 places. Deadline for entries is 1 September 2012 and successful candidates will be informed by 24 September 2012. For further information and application criteria/details, please visit www.kent.ac.uk/enterprise/students/enterprise-education.html or email S.R.Barwick@kent.ac.uk.

KENT Magazine

Marcus Taylor, CEO of Feuerlabs, who spoke at the SME event

Funding support Beth Flowers has recently joined Kent Innovation & Enterprise, replacing Brian Lingley following his move to Research Services. In her new role, Beth will support funding applications, focusing on: • identification of Innovation & Enterprise funders and funding streams; • Technology Strategy Board intelligence; • costing of applications; • support for writing the business aspects of applications; • submission of applications. For further information, or to register your interest in funding opportunities, please contact Beth on ext 7572 or email entfunding@kent.ac.uk.

Enterprise and Impact Training autumn 2012 Due to high demand, the University’s Enterprise and Impact Training will be running again this autumn term. The course will be useful for any academics and staff who wish to equip themselves with the knowledge and tools to successfully engage in added-value enterprise activities. The programme will run over two half days on 23 October and 16 November 2012 and will be held at the Innovation Centre at the Canterbury Campus. If you would like to book one of the limited places, please contact Learning & Development by email ldev@kent.ac.uk or phone ext 4348. If you would like specific advice on the suitability of this course, contact Christina Schönleber at Kent Innovation & Enterprise by email c.m.schoenleber@kent.ac.uk or by phone, ext 4804.

Green Impact

Managing our environmental impacts

Joel Pett (www.kentucky.com/joel-pett)

Building on successes in recent years, Kent is implementing a new Environmental Management System and seeking certification to the International ISO 14001 standard. The Environmental Sustainability team has been working hard behind the scenes to develop the system which allows the University to better identify and control the environmental impacts of our activities; ensure compliance with legislative and other requirements; and to set and achieve environmental objectives and targets in all areas, from sustainable construction to the promotion of biodiversity on campus.

‘I am confident that the University’s plans to become accredited to EN ISO 14001, the European standard for Environmental Sustainability, will demonstrate our commitment to getting the balance right between the needs of the business and the needs of the environment.’ Bernard Angus, Director of Safety, Health and Environment Key achievements over the past year have included: • recertification with the Carbon Trust Standard • increase in recycling from 47% to 54% • 10% reduction in Carbon Emissions • 10% reduction in water consumption per head • increased participation in the Green Impact scheme from 16 to 25 teams.

Underpinning the entire system is the new Environment Policy, which sets out the University’s main objectives and commitments. These are addressed through a series of management plans – developed by the Estates Department – covering all of the University’s significant environmental aspects: energy, water, waste, transport, biodiversity and construction. The new Environment Policy – which was signed by the University’s Council in March this year – can be found on the Safety, Health and Environment Unit webpages (see right).

‘Over the last few years that I have been here, I have noticed that staff and students are increasingly interested in many aspects of the University’s environmental performance and are looking to find ways to reduce their own impacts. Our Environmental Management System will guide us to develop further projects and programmes to engage staff and students.’

Look out for… All staff at the University – no matter what their role – have a part to play in ensuring the success of the Environmental Management System. To help staff understand their responsibilities to the environment, a new e-learning training course has been produced and a new Environmental Sustainability section has been developed within the Safety, Health and Environment and Estates Departments’ website. Users will be able to find information about any aspect of environmental sustainability at the University, from progress towards our environmental targets to details of upcoming events and projects. For further information visit www.kent.ac.uk/estates/sustainability or contact c.morris@kent.ac.uk

Catherine Morris, Environmental Co-ordinator

KENT Magazine

Kent in the news

Mediation

Mediation Service launched Kent experts continue to feature strongly in international, national and regional news coverage. International and national broadcast coverage of University research and expert comment included Dr Roger Giner-Sorolla, of the School of Psychology, who appeared on the BBC World Service to talk on individualism and conformity. Professor Frank Furedi, of the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR), featured on BBC Radio Four’s Today Programme discussing the changing age of parenting, while Professor Richard Griffiths, of the School of Anthropology and Conservation, talked about the great crested newt on BBC’s The One Show. Regional broadcast coverage included Professor Alex Stevens, of SSPSSR, who appeared on BBC Radio Kent talking about drug policy. LBC featured Professor Frank Furedi, discussing Andy Murray’s show of emotion on losing the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final. Professor Roger Vickerman, of the School of Economics, was featured on BBC Radio Kent, commenting on the failure of HS1 to deliver economic benefit for the county. Other regional coverage included Professor Peter Taylor-Gooby, of SSPSSR, on LBC discussing his research into the riots. Professor Tim Luckhurst, of the Centre for Journalism, was featured on BBC Radio Kent talking about House of Lords reform. The University was also mentioned in an ITV Meridian News story on the fall in student application figures in the region and on BBC South East News in coverage of John Lloyd and Jools Holland receiving honorary degrees from the University. Dr Alixe Bovey, of the School of History, also featured on BBC South East launching the campaign to save The Mendham Collection.

NHS Stop Smoking Quit Clubs • • • •

Do you smoke? Have you ever thought about giving up? Have you ever tried and failed? This may be of interest to you!

The University’s Occupational Health team is working with NHS Stop Smoking to run smoking cessation groups on campus. NHS Stop Smoking statistics show that these Quit Clubs are very successful, with 70% of participants kicking the habit. Naturally, you’ll probably want to find out more about the scheme before committing to it. Organisers and health promotion experts from NHS Stop Smoking will be at the University on two consecutive Tuesdays, 28 August and 4 September 2012, to give full information of what is entailed. If the sun shines, they’ll be situated on Jarman Piazza; if the weather is inclement, they’ll set up stall in Keynes College foyer. There are many health and financial reasons for giving up smoking. Whatever your relationship with the ‘demon weed’, come along and find out more about the advantages of quitting and how NHS Stop Smoking can help you.

KENT Magazine

Presentation of Workplace Mediation certificates (from left): Faith Phoenix, Kyra Harwood-Lucas, Rachel Mayatt, Karen Adams, David Liddle (TCM), Emma Nevill, Nikki Hyde, Chloe Gallien, Julie Bennett, Steve Lawton, Bonnie Ferguson, with Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Mander.

The University launched its new Mediation Service in June as part of its commitment to ensuring a pleasant and productive working environment for staff. The University is working with mediation experts Total Conflict Management (TCM) Group to develop an in-house mediation service providing an alternative dispute resolution process to all employees. This complements the University’s formal arrangements for dealing with conflict. Research undertaken by the TCM Group shows that mediation is more effective at reaching long-term resolution to workplace conflicts, and is far more cost-effective than more formal dispute resolution processes. Mediation is based on the principle of collaborative problem-solving and does not seek to apportion blame. Conflicts in the workplace are inevitable, but through mediation we hope to resolve potential conflicts before they become a formal issue. The service is confidential, voluntary and encourages mutual respect. Through the facilitation of an honest and open dialogue, the goal for mediation is for both parties to draw up and commit to a mutual agreement. The role of the mediator is to support people through the process and maintain a neutral and impartial approach. They will maintain the confidentiality of both parties and will not make any judgements or provide solutions. Our team of volunteer mediators are all fully accredited through an Open College Network (OCN) training programme and work in a variety of roles and departments across the University. If you are interested in finding out more about the Mediation Service visit www.kent.ac.uk/mediation

Sport

£4.8 million development begins Work has begun on the redevelopment of sporting facilities on the Canterbury campus. Contractors are working on the first phase of the project, which includes: • • • •

significantly enhanced fitness suite third multi-purpose sports hall larger dance studio physiotherapy clinic.

The second phase of the redevelopment, the construction of a covered structure, will begin at the end of August 2012. The structure will provide three indoor tennis/netball courts, which can also be used for other activities. For the latest news, updates and photos of the redevelopment visit www.kent.ac.uk/sports/future

Try five Olympic sports for £10 To celebrate the Olympics and to encourage everyone to get active, Kent Sport is offering you the opportunity to try five Olympic sports for only £10 in August.

The Olympic Passport will be available to staff, students and public during August, giving you the chance to try out some Olympic sports such as table tennis*, badminton*, tennis*, football*, basketball, volleyball*, hockey*, powerlifting or use of the Fitness Suite (subject to gym induction) and Olympic-themed fitness classes. Olympic Passports are available from the Sports Centre or The Pavilion. *Booking of courts is required and is subject to availability.

Fit4theBeach winner Congratulations to this year’s Fit4theBeach winner, Kent Enterprise Hub receptionist Rachel Elcombe (pictured right with Kent Sport Fitness Instructor Darius Ashtari). Fit4theBeach challenges members to complete a grueling six-week beach body programme in the Fitness Suite, with one-to-one support from the resident fitness team.

With six weeks’ hard work and determination, Rachel completed the challenge and lost over a stone in the process. Happy with her results, Rachel commented: ‘Six weeks later and I’m practically a changed woman. I need to go shopping because I have lost all this weight!’ Fit4theBeach is an annual summer-term promotion and is open to all members. If you are interested in taking part in the next Fit4theBeach programme, watch out for details in 2013.

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Members of the Estates Road Cycling Team (Paul Griffiths, Paul Dengate, Will Sonnen and Gary Wilson) celebrate after completing their 780-mile trek to Land’s End, expected to raise around £3,000 for Pilgrims Hospices and Demelza House. The team would like to thank all of their colleagues for their support and encouragement, especially their driver Rob King, and Alan Hollister and Peter Czarnomski whose help and generosity made the trip possible.

KENT Magazine

What’s on

Gulbenkian Theatre highlights Monday 6 to Saturday 11 August, 7.30pm, The Old Stagers present, for their 161st Season, You Never Can Tell, one of Bernard Shaw’s most delightful and popular comedies. A topical musical revue (known as the Epilogue) follows the play on Friday and Saturday nights. Friday night is ‘gala night’, when there will be a 40-minute interval for picnickers. Black Tie optional. Saturday 1 September, 2pm, Little Cauliflower Theatre presents Street Dreams. During this uplifting show, the everyday objects humanity discards come to life, while a confused puppet tries to make sense of it all. Suitable for ages 5+. Thursday 13 September, 7.30pm, Seabright Productions presents The Showstoppers, a brand new musical comedy. Audience suggestions spontaneously become an all-singing, all-dancing show on the spot, with unpredictable and hilarious results. Suitable for ages 14+. Friday 14 September, 7.30pm, Courtney Pine in Europa, his first all-bass clarinet set. Saturday 15 September, 7.30pm, Lonnie Donegan Jnr with the Lonnie Jnr Skiffle Band, paying tribute to his late father and his legendary music.

Sunday 16 September 2pm, Long Nose Puppet’s show Penguin is based on the awardwinning book by Polly Dunbar. Suitable for ages 3+. Wednesday 19 September, 7.30pm, New International Encounter (NIE) presents Past Half Remembered, a madcap journey through 20th century Russian history.

Gulbenkian Cinema highlights Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 August, Woody Allen: A Documentary (15). Friday 10 – Sunday 12 August, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (15). Sunday 12 August, The Artist (PG).

Thursday 20 September, 7.30pm, Julian Clary in his Position Vacant – Apply Within warm-up show. Suitable for ages 16+. Friday 21 September, 7.30pm, Blake, Love Lifts Us Up. Brit-Award winning, superstar vocalists return with their spectacular 2012 show.

Friday 17 August, Glyndebourne: Le Nozze di Figaro (live). Sung in Italian with English supertitles. Saturday 18 August, Toy Story 1 3D (PG). Sunday 19 August, The 39 Steps (U).

Saturday 22 September, 7.30pm, Theatre Tours International present Shylock, written and directed by Gareth Armstrong. Sunday 23 September, 7.30pm, Tim Key, Masterslut. Key was nominated for a Bafta in 2008 and he’s got a late night poetry programme on Radio 4. Suitable for ages 14+. Saturday 29 September, 7.30pm, pop experts Frisky & Mannish in Extra-Curricular Activities. Suitable for ages 16+. Thursday 4 October, 7.30pm, Gerard Logan presents The Rape of Lucrece by William Shakespeare.

Sunday 19 August, Glyndebourne: Ravel Double Bill (live). Sung in French with English supertitles. Friday 24 – Sunday 26 August, The Amazing Spider-Man 3D, (12A). Friday 14 – Monday 17 September, The Dark Knight Rises (12A). Tuesday 23 October, Swan Lake Live Ballet transmission from The Royal Opera House. Sunday 18 November, Glyndebourne: Handel’s Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar).

Studio 3 Gallery A new exhibition, John Blackburn – And God Cryed will run from 24 September to 14 December 2012. Opening times are Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and admission is free. For more information, see http://bit.ly/blackburnatstudio3