From Salford – Spring 2023 Edition

SALFORD

HOW ENERGY HOUSE 2.0 IS PROPELLING THE NEW HOMES INDUSTRY TO NET ZERO

MEET OUR NEW CHANCELLOR LUCY MEACOCK

OUR ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

IN CONVERSATION WITH NETFLIX SENIOR DIRECTOR KELLY PHILLIPS

Welcome to our newly refreshed university magazine, From Salford.

Professor Helen Marshall Vice-Chancellor

From alumni achievements from our valued alumni across the globe, to cutting-edge building developments on campus, from how we’re taking our commitment to social mobility to the next level, to how we welcomed our new Chancellor Lucy Meacock, I hope this issue will give you a snapshot into all the exciting, innovative, and diverse happenings at Salford.

The year has not been without its challenges, as the coronavirus pandemic finally took a back seat, we were met head-on with a global financial and energy crisis, and left shocked and unsettled as events in Ukraine escalated.

Through adversity we have worked hard to educate the next generation of modern industrialists, innovators, creators, entrepreneurs, and leaders, while supporting our city and region as an anchor institution. I hope we can all feel part of the University’s growth and success, something which is so evident in the pages you are about to read.

This introduction is somewhat bittersweet as it will be my last. This is my final year as Vice-Chancellor, signalling a new chapter for the institution. I am proud that we have come such a long way since I joined back in 2013. When I look around campus, our physical appearance has changed immensely, with even more ground-breaking buildings planned as part of our campus masterplan.

Sector growth over the past 10 years has been 6%, here at Salford ours is an incredible 50% and since 2013 we’ve also doubled the number of students from outside of the north-west, showing how our reputation and reach has grown.

Research and innovation at Salford continue their upward trajectory - only last year results from our Research Excellence Framework (REF) placed us at 65th in the UK in terms of research quality, an impressive 22 place jump up from 87th in 2014. How we’ve grown at such pace is a credit to our colleagues, students, alumni and valued partners.

As always, it’s the people that really matter at Salford, and I’d like to thank each and every person that contributed to this magazine and helped us to Become Unstoppable.

Best wishes,

Professor Helen Marshall, Vice-Chancellor

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Our alumni community continues to represent the University of Salford in everything they do. Our annual Alumni Achievement Awards recognise some of these contributions and successes and are nominated by staff, students and alumni.

We were delighted to present the Alumni Achievement Awards at a special event in November 2022, celebrating with our winners and their families.

ALAN PRICE

PG Diploma Human Resource Management, Class of 2008

Alan Price is Chief Operations Officer at Peninsula, providing professional HR, and health and safety services to small businesses across the UK. He is also the CEO of BrightHR, the most popular HR software service for small and medium enterprises in the UK.

Alan’s 18 years in employee relations have made him a well-recognised figure in the industry with achievements including: a Chartered Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts as well as being one of the youngest judicial appointments to the Employment Tribunal Service and being named ‘HR Hero of The Year’.

JUSTIN KELLY

BEng Computers, Management and Electronics, Class of 1994

Justin was appointed Director of Communications and Business Development for Siemens plc and to the Siemens UK Executive Management Board on 1 October 2017.

A Chartered Engineer, Justin joined Siemens in 1994. He worked in engineering, product and project management roles before taking on senior marketing, strategy and business development positions within the organisation.

Justin has a passion for education, leading Siemens’ university engagement in the UK.

MARTIN HEWITT

BSc Business Studies with Marketing Management, Class of 2003

Martin served as a commissioned officer in HM Parachute Regiment with operational experience in the Middle East. He was injured whilst leading his men in combat, receiving gunshot wounds to the chest and foot.

Martin then turned to elite sport and represented GB in the Paralympic World Championships competing in Downhill Ski racing.

On leaving the military, Martin founded the Adaptive Grand Slam project, leading disabled teams climbing the highest peak on the each of the seven continents and walking unsupported to the North and South poles.

ED THOMPSON

BSc Computer Science, Class of 2005

Ed Thompson is the Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Matillion. Before he launched his own company he worked as an IBM software consultant and spent 11 years consulting for a variety of premier blue-chip companies across the UK.

Along with CEO Matthew Scullion, Ed launched Matillion in 2011 and set about building a crack team of data integration experts and software engineers. He and his team launched Matillion’s flagship ETL product in 2014, which has driven the company’s growth ever since.

CHRIS HURLEY

BSc Business Economics, Class of 1995

Chris Hurley is the founding director of Dealspan, Birmingham and Manchester, and a chartered accountant. His area of expertise is private equity after becoming a successful investor in the UK mid-market with Murray Johnstone and LDC, the UK’s largest volume management buyout (MBO) house.

Chris led LDC between 2014 and 2020 –the most successful and active period in its 40 year history. There, he was co-chairman of the investment committee, investing over £3.2 billion in MBO’s and other deals, generating upper quartile returns.

CHARMAINE O’CONNOR

BSc Quantity Surveying, Class of 2001

In 2014 Charmaine was promoted to the position of Chief Executive at her family business, P.P. O’Connor, a leading force in the construction industry.

Named on Insider’s Ones to Watch list last year, Charmaine is currently Northwest Regional Chairman of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors. In this role, Charmaine works with NFDC members to develop training and career development programmes targeted at young people and women.

WENG KEONG KONG

BEng Civil Engineering, Class of 2000

In 2006, at the age of 27, Weng Keong Kong founded Telford Engineering with just £3,000. Today, Telford has grown into a group of companies with specialised architectural, construction and engineering services in Malaysia.

WK is a regular guest speaker at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Taylor’s University and Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur, as well as spearheading innovative construction programmes, which aim to educate future construction professionals in the region.

Weng Keong is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building and a Fellow of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors respectively, as well as President of Johor Master Builders Association and the Council Member at CIOB Malaysia Hub. In 2016, he received the honorary title of “Freeman of London” from the London City Council in recognition of his achievements in the construction industry.

JAMES PAUL WATSON

BA Contemporary Military and International History, Class of 2018

James Paul Watson joined the British Army straight from school but was medically discharged after a distinguished 20-year career. He deployed on six operational tours of duty to Northern Ireland and Afghanistan and was one of the first soldiers into Kosovo in 1999, and later Iraq in the 2003 war.

Afterwards as a civilian, and whilst studying at the University of Salford, James Paul was diagnosed with PTSD. He is currently elected as a Local Councillor for Wigan Council, where he uses his influence to help and support other veterans.

He has recently published his first book, a no-holds-barred account of his time in the British Army and his experience of their mental health policies.

SUZANN HARRISON

BSc Nursing: Adult, Class of 2012

Suzann Harrison is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner within the NHS, having served as an Intensive Care nurse in Salford, a staff nurse in Wythenshawe, a district nurse serving the community of South Manchester and a Senior Practitioner for North West Ambulance Service.

Following the completion of her master’s programme at Salford, Suzann led on initiatives to improve links with North West Ambulance Service and refine the Manchester Triage System for Crisis Response across Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester Local Care Organisation.

As a result of this work, Suzann was awarded the title of Queens Nurse in 2021, a title only awarded to a tiny number of nurses in Greater Manchester.

RISING STAR AWARDS

Our Rising Star Awards recognise the achievements of alumni who have already accomplished great things within the first ten years of graduating.

NICK RANSOM

BA Television and Radio, Class of 2018

Nick is now an assistant producer in documentaries. He is currently working on Inside the Autistic Mind, a two-part BBC documentary series on autism presented by Chris Packham.

Nick graduated in 2018, after which he started working for BBC Children in Need. He then progressed in a number of digital roles before moving into documentaries.

Outside the BBC, Nick runs the Neurodiverse Media Community which aims to connect, support and engage those with neurological conditions in the industry. He hopes his work will help improve the representation of those who are autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia in the media.

AZEEM AMIR

BSc Business Management with Sport, Class of 2020

MSc Digital Business, Class of 2021

Azeem Amir has been visually impaired since birth, yet he has never let it be a barrier to success. Azeem plays Blind Football professionally for the England and Great Britain blind football team and is working towards achieving international success. His football skills on the pitch have paved the way for him to be a part of several national and international media campaigns, working with brands from an array of industries from across the globe.

With support from University of Salford business incubator Launch@ Salford, Azeem has launched his own organisation called Learn With ESS, a disability awareness and team cohesion business that runs courses designed to allow organisations to learn about and tackle the stigmas and attitudes towards disabilities.

CHARLOTTE FRANCE

BSc Building Surveying, Class of 2013

PG Certificate Construction Law and Practice, Class of 2020

Charlotte France studied Building Surveying at Salford and began her career at Faithful+Gould, a project and programme and management consultancy. She then returned to the University as Project Manager of the newly opened £65 million School of Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE) Building, a milestone moment in her career so far.

The five-year project saw Charlotte successfully navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic and delivering a new building that completed on schedule and on budget.

IN CONVERSATION WITH KELLY PHILLIPS, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AT NETFLIX UK

Kelly Phillips studied BSc Accounting at the University of Salford, graduating in 1999. Blending her talent for accountancy with a love of film and television, Kelly is now Senior Director of Finance at Netflix UK, heading up the department responsible for forecasting and managing budgets on all our favourite Netflix films and television shows, such as The Crown and Bridgerton.

We recently caught up with Kelly to ask her about her path into the industry, her experience working at Netflix, and why she thinks it’s important to nurture the next generation of talent. And of course, her favourite Netflix shows.

Be passionate about the industry and be curious. People worry about asking questions, but at Netflix that’s something we think is a really important quality.

Please tell us… why finance, why television and film production and why Salford?

I always knew I wanted to work in accounts as it was always my strongest subject. I had family who worked in the film industry, so I already knew that was what I would like to do. I chose Salford because at the time it was one of the only accounting courses that included ACCA exemption, which was important to me.

I had a great experience at Salford – both studying at university as well as living there. I arrived as a more mature student at 21, as I had lived and worked in the Canary Islands for a couple of years before. I think coming to university that little bit older meant I was ready to study, and I found I was more studious than my flatmates in Castle Irwell.

I fell in love with Manchester and ended up staying in the north-west until I met my husband ten years ago.

How did you get your first break after graduating?

I heard about an assistant role that came up the day after my last exam, so I called them up and they offered me a trial. I packed my car up, went to Devon and that was my first job as an Assistant Production Accountant.

I learned so much on my early jobs, as there was so much to take in about the industry and how things were run. I then worked as a Production Accountant for the BBC, working on Casualty, which then led to further roles at Spooks, Hustle, Broadchurch, The Hour, The Tunnel and then eventually Black Mirror. As Black Mirror was a Netflix show, I was liaising with their team a lot and we got talking. They asked if I was prepared to move to LA if there was a role available. Of course, I was interested.

Working in LA was very different. Of course, the weather is much sunnier, but they also have a lot of regulations specific to the US, such as union laws, which I had to learn about. It was a unique experience and lifestyle.

What is involved in your current role as Head of Production Finance – Content at Netflix UK?

Now based in the London office, I lead and manage four teams that work across all Netflix content made in the UK. The teams manage individual shows and budgets, and in development they forecast how much they cost.

My role is looking at the whole slate of shows and managing the overall budget. I make sure we have the right people in the teams and ensure we are continually developing the team we have. I stay across industry trends and sit on industry boards. I meet with film commissions and attend industry events in the UK and globally.

Every day is different – a different challenge – which I love.

Do you have any advice for students or graduates wanting to get into TV, finance, or both?

It’s important to find out as much as you can about the jobs available. There are a lot of different roles in the television and film industry and many ways you can get in. It is a busy industry and is always growing. We need more people joining, especially in finance.

Screen Skills is a great source to discover ways into the industry. It covers industry wide training and is the first stop to get more information. There is also the Production Guild of Great Britain and film commissions in your area.

I’ve had a fantastic career and been able to travel the world through my different roles. Once you’re in there are so many different ways to progress your career. I came from an accounting practice before moving into TV and Film and this is one of the most exciting roles - I believewithin finance. We are looking forward (forecasting) rather than only looking back (reporting historically) – so go for it. There are so many opportunities.

What key qualities do you look for in new recruits?

Enthusiasm – they should be interested in accounting and the entertainment industry.

They need to be OK with starting at the bottom. I was fully qualified and had to start at the bottom. I am all the better for learning it that way. Everyone pays their dues and be prepared for that.

Be passionate about the industry and be curious. People worry about asking questions, but at Netflix that’s something we think is a really important quality.

Coming in as a graduate you won’t know the terms in the TV industry. I remember starting and not having a clue what all of these things in a budget are - that’s ok - but as I say, what does impress is enthusiasm, a willingness to learn and curiosity.

We couldn’t let you go without asking… what are your favourite Netflix shows?

I love documentaries and true stories. Over Christmas I watched Swimmers, which I loved.

In terms of TV, I love Firefly Lane, Emily in Paris, The Crown and Bridgerton – the latter two are both made in the UK, so my team manage these. My guilty pleasure is Love is Blind, which is light and easy after a long day. I like a range of things I can watch with my husband and then things I can watch on my own.

Photo credits: The Crown S5 (Credit: Netflix), Bridgerton S2 (Credit: Netflix)

ALUMNI VOLUNTEERS INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION

The support of our alumni volunteers continues to contribute towards a rich and diverse, industry led learning experience for our students, as they prepare for a successful life after university.

This year our alumni volunteers have engaged in a range of activities, including mentoring schemes, guest lectures, panel sessions and participation in career focused events.

Mentoring

Alumni Volunteers have supported students in several mentoring schemes during 2022 and 2023, the largest being our institution wide Industry Advice Scheme. The Industry Advice Scheme pairs students with a professional from their chosen industry, or someone with key transferrable skills, to help them exceed in their chosen career path. Just over 200 of our alumni have participated in the scheme since its inception, with many more set to be paired with students in the future.

One of our students, who took part in the mentorship programme last year, said: “The mentoring has been a great opportunity to explore relevant areas of interest in relation to my career goals, and my mentor has been great in aiding my understanding of the wider industry and skills needed.”

Their mentor said: “Being a mentor helps me to feel a connection to the university that gave me my career. It’s a thing I feel is really important to continue doing. Salford gave me the opportunity to pursue what makes me happy in life. If I can help in some way to inspire new intakes to do the same, then that makes me very happy.”

Alongside the Industry Advice Scheme, the University ran Go Beyond, a mentoring scheme that supports female students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, as well as a Black and Minority Ethnic mentoring programme, which is aimed at bolstering advancement for students of non-white heritage.

Guest lectures, panel sessions and career focused events

Our Alumni Insight event series invites members of our alumni community to talk to current students and recent graduates about their experiences accessing and working in their field. The panel sessions are subject specific, with alumni panel members representing a range of sectors, showcasing the breadth of career routes available to our students.

Last year the University hosted Alumni Insight sessions for students and graduates from psychology, English, law, as well as students from the School of Science, Engineering and Environment who are keen to undertake work-based learning as part of their course.

Our law event was organised in partnership with the University’s Law Society and was aimed specifically at students interested in becoming paralegals. Elle Holland, President of the Law Society said: “The paralegal event was invaluable for students who are prospective lawyers. The event presented a safe space for students to ask questions about a profession that a lot of law graduates forget is an option. A paralegal role is a fantastic way to explore different areas of the law and gain other valuable experience.”

Following the success of the sessions, we are currently planning the next series of Alumni Insights, with alumni from accounting and finance, and science, engineering and environment joining us to help inspire the next generation of Salford graduates.

TEDx University of Salford

In June 2022, the University hosted its second successful TEDx event, co-ordinated and run by students from the Salford School of Health and Society.

This TEDx event featured ten expert speakers - including graduate and Chief Executive of The Big Life Group, Fay Selvanwho presented on a number of topics and ideas, aligning with the day’s theme of ‘Rejuvenation’.

Fay’s talk, titled ‘Not Like Us’, offered insight into why we, as a society, can be reluctant to help or empathise with some others.

You can watch Fay’s talk at youtube.com/TEDxTalks

Elle Holland President of the University of Salford Law Society

“

The professional paralegals on the panel had incredible stories to share, and the students gained first-hand perspectives from professionals that had a direct link to the University, so the students could see themselves in the role. The night was full of insight, kindness, inspiration and pride.

OUR ALUMNI COMMUNITY BENEFITS AND SERVICES

At Salford, we believe that our relationship with our students doesn’t end at Graduation. Our alumni community is made up of over 200,000 graduates, reaching far and wide across the globe. We are committed to offering a range of opportunities and services that continue to support our graduates throughout their lives and careers.

As we continue to prioritise the employability of our students and new graduates, our alumni community also offer an enormous wealth of industry insight and experience. All our alumni can offer that support to their fellow graduates, continuing the longstanding Salford tradition of supporting others and sharing knowledge.

From Salford is a unique networking hub for University of Salford alumni to connect, share expertise and develop their skills and career. With just over 5,600 registered users, our graduates can:

/ Network exclusively with Salford graduates

/ Find your next job and post jobs

/ Continue your learning with access to online journals and e-books

/ Find a career mentor or offer to be a mentor

/ Join a group of like-minded alumni in your area

/ Find out about events and share your own

/ Promote your business

/ Share your photos and memories from your time at Salford

Register for From Salford at fromsalford.com

Registration is quick and easy, and you can even join via your LinkedIn or Facebook account. Find out about all the benefits and services available to you as Salford Graduate at salford.ac.uk/alumni/benefits-services

GREATER MANCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Across the UK there is a recognition that skills provision needs to improve in order to give people the chance to compete in the modern job market and for the country to meaningfully level up. That’s why earlier this year we were delighted to learn that our bid for a Greater Manchester Institute of Technology had been successful.

The Institute of Technology will meet the skills needs of Greater Manchester and will be a first-of-its-kind collaboration approach to technical education in the region. Working with partner colleges, students will be able to access facilities on the University of Salford campus, while spending the majority of their studying time at a college closer to home. This hub and spoke approach is just one example of how further education and higher education institutions can meaningfully collaborate to improve outcomes for students.

However, the collaboration doesn’t stop at colleges. Our industry partners, each a major employer in Greater Manchester, will also help us deliver on the current skills needs of industry and anticipate future skills needs too.

Skills delivery at the Institute of Technology will help Greater Manchester become a digital and green city region by tackling skills gaps, particularly at levels 4 and 5 which are those between A levels and an undergraduate degree. This means providing much needed skills in priority areas outlined in the Local Industrial Strategy, such as engineering, construction, health and IT.

The Institute will also have a physical impact on campus, with the Department for Education having approved a new hub building at our Peel Park campus, giving students a place to study and learn in comfort while using University facilities.

The University of Salford is a forward-thinking university. We understand the needs of industry and the region, and are innovating new approaches to delivering higher technical education and higher education.

Wigan & Leigh College

Our partners include:

Tameside College

Laing

O’Rourke

Siemens

ADA the National College for Digital Skills

Bury College

LAUNCH OF WORLD-FIRST RESEARCH FACILITY WHICH WILL PROPEL NEW HOMES INDUSTRY TOWARD NET-ZERO

A unique facility designed to help create the energy efficient homes of the future will has been opened at the University of Salford.

Energy House 2.0 will research and test, in tightly controlled conditions, new ways of powering, heating, and insulating homes, making them more energy efficient and helping to meet new standards which require a significant reduction in carbon emissions for new build homes from 2025 onwards.

In collaboration with national housebuilders Bellway Homes and Barratt Developments, and construction solutions manufacturer Saint-Gobain, two detached houses have been built inside the climate-controlled chamber of Energy House 2.0 located at the University’s Frederick Road Campus.

The homes feature a range of new technologies, each of which could contribute to lowering the amount of carbon produced when a home is built, and the carbon footprint of the people who live in the home.

Bellway’s house, named The Future Home, will test the UK’s first roof-mounted air source heat pump, along with underfloor, infrared and ambient heating, mechanical ventilation, double versus triple glazing, enhanced insulation, and a prototype shower which recovers heat from wastewater.

Saint-Gobain has partnered with Barratt Developments on eHome2, which looks at how to deliver zero carbon housing at scale using off-site lightweight construction solutions. eHome2 is piloting the use of next generation heating and ventilation technologies as well as smart technology to enable occupants to change the temperature and turn on the shower at the click of a button. The house has a host of innovative solutions, including weberwall brick, a high-performing timber frame system from Scotframe and Pasquill’s Posi-JoistTM floor cassettes that allow for the integration of Mechanical Ventilation & Heat Recovery systems (MVHR).

Energy House 2.0 is a £16 million project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Its launch comes at a time when both the cost of living and climate change are impacting on everyone’s lives. The project’s findings will uncover the most effective ways to reduce carbon and to control running costs in our homes.

This approach creates a world-first opportunity for innovators to undertake research and quickly understand the performance of their buildings, systems, and products, in a way that is not possible in any other facility. The built environment accounts for 40% of the UK’s carbon footprint. To achieve net zero will require a step change in the design of new buildings and appliances within them.

Energy House 2.0 features two chambers each big enough to fit 24 double decker buses with room to spare. The facility can test the energy performances of buildings in a variety of categories in any climate and temperature ranging from -20°C and +40°C, as well recreating gale force winds, rain, snow, ice, and solar gain.

Usually, it would take months or years to collect the data needed to evaluate the performance of a new design or technology, but because researchers can precisely control the environment to within half a degree, they can gather that data in a few weeks. That means that accurate results can be achieved quickly and accelerates the innovation process. In addition, the research will help us to understand the impact of multiple technologies in the homes, giving a better understanding of how the homes will perform in the real world.

Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Labs at the University of Salford, said: “The growing challenges of climate change and the cost-of-living crisis mean we need to consider how we build and operate our homes. Energy House 2.0 mission is to work with industry and policy makers to provide evidence for what works in meeting these challenges.

“Energy efficient, high performing homes can change people’s lives. The importance of this agenda is one of the main reasons behind the University of Salford’s major investment in Energy House 2.0, which is a critical piece of research infrastructure that can help us find solutions to these problems.

“Our cutting-edge research is already having real world impact and as the cost of gas and electricity keeps going up and up, this work is even more important to create a sustainable and economically viable future for this country and the world.”

Jamie Bursnell, Group Innovation and Technical Manager for Bellway, said: “This is pioneering research and we were treading on new ground here. A lot of praise is due to the team at Bellway Manchester who rose to the challenge of building a fully-working three-bedroom house inside an enclosed chamber.

“The team were faced with many new work situations which included incorporating new technologies into the build and liaising with new, and existing supply chain partners, and sharing very limited space inside the chamber with other tradespeople working with them. Throughout the process, the team proved themselves to be both flexible and innovative as they fully embraced the project.

“As we enter the testing phase of the project, what we will be trying to do is to find the balance between lowering carbon emissions and keeping running costs as low as possible. This research is aimed at testing out different technologies, exploring the questions ordinary people will have and working out how to take the benefits into their homes.”

Mike Chaldecott, CEO of Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Barratt on this ground-breaking project. Climate change, water shortages and resource scarcity are some of the most critical challenges of our time and construction must transform to meet these challenges.

“Creating eHome2 will produce a new blueprint for building homes en masse that are capable of operating at net zero carbon level, consuming far less water and creating less waste. At times like this, with the cost of energy at a critical point, new modern methods of construction which see homes constructed off-site in controlled factory settings are essential to create sustainable, comfortable and efficient homes that will cost consumers far less to heat.”

Richard Fitton, Professor in Building Performance at the University of Salford, said: “The development of Energy House 2.0 has taken over six years and £16 million of funding.

“Our work with some of the largest house builders and product manufacturers in the UK will help to answer difficult questions about how we reach zero carbon target in future housing. The facility will help us to stress test these buildings under extreme hot and cold climates, to provide data on energy efficiency and overheating in homes.”

The focus will be on all aspects of energy consumption in the home, ranging from the performance of insulation to the digital energy systems that will control our homes in the future. The mission is to provide robust industry leading results directly from our testing facilities and it is in delivering this mission that Energy House Labs has a focus on supporting industry and government to deliver net zero homes, as well as provide evidence-led advice to the wider public.

If you have suitable technologies and would like to be a part of Energy House 2.0 testing and research, contact us at energyhouse2@salford.ac.uk

Our work with some of the largest house builders and product manufacturers in the UK will help to answer difficult questions about how we reach zero carbon target in future housing.

Richard Fitton Professor in Building Performance, University of Salford

FRIENDS OF ENERGY HOUSE 2.0

To celebrate the opening of the new Energy House 2.0 facility, we launched the Friends of Energy House 2.0 community, a group of like-minded businesses and individuals who are committed to accelerating our efforts towards net-zero.

We were delighted to raise over £120,000 throughout 2022 from our partners in support of the Friends of Energy House 2.0 Impact Fund.

The Impact Fund opened for applications in June 2022 to fund educational outreach programmes and student and local community initiatives for future learning projects. We received nine applications which were then reviewed by the Friends of Energy Impact Fund Board Members and scored against a range of criteria, including the overall impact, value for money, and long-term sustainability of the project, to ensure the process was fair.

The winning projects were:

Digital Advantage’s The Sustainable Box Project

This project will centre around the creation of the Energy House in kit form, which will be used in classrooms alongside a set of challenges to provide students with a hands-on, experimental programme that will encourage them to explore STEM subjects and careers.

University of Salford Arts Collection Team’s Artist in Residence

Delivered in collaboration with Castlefield Gallery and Open Eye Gallery, this project will support two artist residencies in Energy House Labs to help create awareness of the vital work of the Labs and engage the public in developing a better understanding of energy efficiency, sustainability, and climate change. The project will close with an exhibition at Castlefield Gallery in Spring 2025, alongside a public engagement programme.

Marple Education and Spotlight School of Speech and Drama’s, The School Green Summit

The School Green Summit is designed to raise awareness of sustainability issues, by developing the work of the Greater Manchester Green Summit and making it more accessible for young people. The team will work with experts to produce effective lessons and spoken word exercises that will improve the understanding of sustainability for teachers and young people. The spoken word exercises will take the form of a competition, with the winning students performing at The School Green Summit.

Many thanks to our Friends:

/ Barratt Developments

/ Bellway Homes

/ Bowmer + Kirkland

/ BTS

/ D&H UK

/ Electricity North West

/ Hg

/ Morson Group

/ Persimmon Homes

/ Schneider Electric

/ Seddon Construction

/ Trilliant

UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD ALUMNI LECTURE PAVES THE WAY TO NET ZERO

The lecture, delivered by Professor Will Swan and Professor Richard Fitton, focused on Energy House Labs, our commercial and grant funded research facility, that helps businesses understand how effective their products and services are in lowering consumers’ carbon footprint and reducing energy bills.

Following the lecture, the speakers were joined by a panel of industry experts from across the sector to discuss the current energy climate, including Energy UK – the trade association for the energy industry, BEAMA – the UK trade association for manufacturers and providers of energy infrastructure technologies and systems, the Energy Saving Trust, and Barratt Developments plc – one of the largest residential property development companies in the UK.

Patti Holmes, Head of Alumni Engagement and Development, said: “We are proud to showcase the important and vital research that takes place at Salford and include our alumni and supporters in the University’s commitment to the UK’s delivery of net zero homes.

“Our alumni are influential in all industries at every level. Events such as this provide a platform for us to shout proudly about what we do and engage potential partners, funders and much more.”

Professor Will Swan said: “Guests were proud that their university was committed to an important agenda that makes a difference, not only to delivering net zero, but also the impact that delivering high performing homes can have on people’s lives.

“With a dedication to progressing towards low carbon and net zero housing design, our research has an urgency that cannot be ignored and paves the way for an international shift in how we build our homes and live our lives.”

The work of Professor Swan and Professor Fitton has received further acclaim, winning Net Zero Project of the Year at the PraxisAuril Knowledge Exchange Awards, held in Manchester. See page 24 for more information.

Guests were proud that their university was committed to an important agenda that makes a difference, not only to delivering net zero, but also the impact that delivering high performing homes can have on people’s lives.

Last month the University of Salford presented their award-winning energy and sustainability research to an audience of alumni, supporters and industry partners at a special alumni event in London.

Professor Will Swan Director of Energy House Labs

COLLABORATION SUCCESS FOR SALFORD’S KT TEAM AND ENGINEERING SPECIALISTS FARRAT ISOLEVEL LTD

The University of Salford’s Knowledge Transfer (KT) Team has celebrated its third successful project with specialist engineering company Farrat Isolevel Ltd.

Our partnership, now its sixth year, started after Farrat Isolevel Ltd approached the University regarding a knowledge gap in vibro-acoustics. Utilising expertise from academics in Acoustics, initial talks led to the UK’s first ever joint, multi-Associate, three-year KT, in conjunction with the University of Manchester.

“The initial project meeting was very exciting - both sides could see the benefit of collaboration,” says Paul Cihlar, Head of Commercialisation at the University of Salford.

The relationship has continued to flourish, with Farrat Isolevel Ltd reaching out to the University for another business need, this time working with academics at world-leading research centre Energy House. The success of the project led to an exciting industry-sponsored PhD scheme.

With a third KT project in the works, the collaboration has resulted in five research papers being published and presented at conferences, and useful case studies for teaching, along with valuable income generation.

Oliver Farrell, CEO at Farrat Isolevel Ltd, says: “The comprehensive support and expertise from the KT Team at Salford has been instrumental in helping Farrat to manage and deliver a number of innovative and challenging strategic projects.”

If your business is interested in finding out more about potential knowledge transfer activities, contact Paul Cihlar at p.m.cihlar@salford.ac.uk

CELEBRATING THE LAUNCH OF SALFORD DIGITAL ARCHIVES

From literary manuscripts and photographs to newspapers and architectural plans, a brand-new platform is transforming the University of Salford’s original archive content.

Salford Digital Archives is a new digital platform displaying The Library’s unique and rare primary source content all in one place.

University of Salford Archivist Alexandra Mitchell said: “The platform brings together the manuscripts of the Manchester playwright Stanley Houghton, letters about a 19th century invention and photographs of local and industrial landscapes with an almost complete run of the quirky yet insightful newspaper, Brass Band News.”

Salford Digital Archives makes finding, accessing, sharing, and viewing original archive content online easier and is a valuable resource

for students, colleagues, and members of the public.

Associate Chief Operating Officer John McCarthy, added: “This is a really exciting opportunity to open up our archives to a broad range of audiences. We have such a wealth of unique material that can be used to inspire current students, engage alumni, attract researchers, and be enjoyed by the wider public.

“We are also really looking forward to building on this work growing the digital archives through further collaboration and partnership.”

KEY COLLECTIONS:

STUDENTS’ UNION ARCHIVE - including magazines, newspapers and news sheets produced by the University of Salford Students’ Union from the late 1940s to the 1970s, this archive reveals what has been occupying our students’ minds throughout the years.

STANLEY HOUGHTON COLLECTIONHoughton was a Manchester writer famous for writing the play ‘Hindle Wakes’ in 1910. This collection consists of manuscripts of unpublished works, first editions and photographs of stage productions from 1912. Digitised from the physical collection held by the University.

UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD

PHOTOGRAPHIC ARCHIVE - photographs relating to the history of the University, dated c1890-2011. This includes images of the campus, buildings, honorary graduates, colleagues and events.

BRASS BAND NEWS - a quirky and unique newspaper about brass bands and the brass band scene in the UK from the 1880s to the 1950s. A must for anybody interested in brass bands and their history.

WORSLEY NEW HALL - photographs, letters, architectural plans and audio recordings about the history of Worsley New Hall, home of the Earls of Ellesmere and now site of RHS Bridgewater. A curated collection created from the holdings of several organisations and

BRIDGEWATER DEPARTMENT

PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTIONphotographs of the Bridgewater Canal, dated c1910-c1945. Images show engineering works such as repairs and construction to bridges, docks, barges, warehouses and locks, all digitised from a physical collection held by our external partner Peel Land and Property.

UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD AUDIOVISUAL COLLECTION - promotional videos for the University, footage of graduation ceremonies and royal visits, construction of Maxwell Building and student life on campus. Dated c1950s-2000.

WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT

LIBRARY COLLECTION - photographs of demonstrations, strikes and labour disputes, the Manchester Communist Party, Spanish Civil War and women workers, dated c1910-c1980. Digitised from physical collections held by the WCML.

RICHARD BADNALL PAPERS - letters and documents about an eccentric 19th century invention, ‘The Undulating Railway’. Digitised from the physical collection held by the University.

Scan to explore Salford Digital Archives

This is a really exciting opportunity to open up our archives to a broad range of audiences.

John McCarthy Associate Chief Operating Officer

INTRODUCING OUR NEW CHANCELLOR LUCY MEACOCK

At a special installation ceremony held at Peel Hall in June 2022, colleagues, students, alumni, partners and dignitaries came together to welcome Lucy Meacock as our seventh chancellor and congratulate her on becoming the external face of the University.

Following in the footsteps of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, human geneticist Sir Walter Bodmer and, most recently, the National Poet for Scotland from 2016 to 2021 Professor Jackie Kay CBE, Lucy’s new role as Chancellor means she’ll act as ceremonial head of the institution, presiding at Graduation ceremonies, supporting the important work of the University, helping to raise our profile and advocating our vision, mission and values.

Lucy has forged a successful career in the media, spending over 30 years in her “dream job in the best part of the world” at ITV regional news programme Granada Reports. Prior to working at Granada, Lucy spent two years in her mid-twenties working for the BBC in a live news presenting job in London, before her brave interviewing technique soon caught the eye of rival network bosses.

“Salford is very close to my heart. It is not only a richly diverse and fun place to study, but a great place to make a career and a future. I have always encouraged talent to stay in the North West or to come back here one day –to make a difference.” she says.

Her time at Granada, led to her co-presenting alongside legendary news figures like the late Bob Greaves, Tony Wilson and Tony Morris.

Lucy has also presented BAFTA-winning programmes on Hillsborough and an investigation into the cockle pickers tragedy in Morecambe Bay. In 2001 she won two Royal Television Society awards for the Manchester Bomb programme and Organ Retention Scandal debate.

In July 2019, the University awarded Lucy an Honorary Doctorate of Arts at The Lowry in recognition of her services to regional news broadcasting. She is passionate about supporting young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and has used her role as a journalist to highlight the challenges they face.

Speaking about her new role of Chancellor, Lucy said: “Everybody that knows me, knows how much I care about this part of the world. I’d like our international students and students that move away to tell everybody what a great place Salford is.

“I’ve been very lucky in my career, and I want to make sure that others have the same opportunities that I had. I want to assure graduates that we will never forget them, that they will always be part of our great network of alumni which already stretches to many corners of the world.”

Speaking at the time of her Installation, Lord Keith Bradley, Chair of Council at the University of Salford, added: “As our new Chancellor, I am delighted that Lucy Meacock will be written into the history of our proud institution. As a valued member of our University, she will play a pivotal role in inspiring the next generation and act as a voice for our many values through advocacy.

“Her shared sense of integrity and initiative, combined with her sense of civic pride and passion for supporting young people made her a perfect candidate for the role.”

Lucy has hit the ground running as our new Chancellor, attending key events in our university calendar, including Graduation.

I’ve been very lucky in my career, and I want to make sure that others have the same opportunities that I had.

ACCELERATING INNOVATION

This year, the University and Greater Manchester have made great progress in developing the region’s innovation ecosystem. The University has ambitious plans for the future of our campus that will help level up Salford and Greater Manchester through capitalising on some of our world leading innovation and research.

Our university has areas of genuine world-leading research in acoustics, prosthetics and orthotics, and housing retrofit, all of which have a real impact on people’s lives.

We have a big role to play in the region’s innovation landscape, with the development of the campus masterplan, which will see the creation of a new innovation zone; where applied research, innovation and technology will help us understand how to live better and smarter. Just this year we opened the North of England Robotics centre at our innovation zone site on Peel Park campus. The centre, also know as NERIC, is helping SMEs innovate to improve productivity and working practices. Find out more at neric.salford.ac.uk

Innovation is set to play a huge part in our regions future. The government’s Levelling Up White Paper, published at the start of this year, included plans for a new innovation accelerator in Greater Manchester. This means that businesses and research will be supported with £100 million of new government funding, adopting a model that has been successful in Silicon Valley and Greater Boston.

Building on this momentum a landmark deal was signed between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Innovation Greater Manchester and Innovate UK, committing the parties to closer collaboration to support business innovation.

The University of Salford is committed to helping businesses big and small, across our region and nationally, to innovate and to help them stay competitive.

ENERGY HOUSE 2.0 ISNETZERO PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Last November, at the annual PraxisAuril Knowledge Exchange Awards, the University of Salford was awarded the prize for the Net Zero Project of the Year for Energy House 2.0.

This award recognised the ongoing research collaborations in the field of Net Zero homes between Energy House 2.0, national housebuilders, such as Barratt Developments and Bellway Homes, and a wide range of local suppliers and technology providers.

Joe Flanagan, Project Manager for Energy House 2.0, collected the award on behalf of the Energy House 2.0 team at the ceremony held at Gorton Monastery.

Joe said: “This is a great recognition of all the hard and effort that we have put in over the past three years. Although Energy House

2.0 is a unique research facility, its success ultimately depends on strong industrial partnerships. Many of which have come from work carried out in the original Energy House facility in the Cockcroft Building.

“We are all looking forward to 2023 when we will move into full operation in Energy House 2.0 - I’m sure our work will make a key contribution to making future and existing homes more energy efficient.

“This project is something the whole University can be proud of.”

Also shortlisted in this category were the University of Plymouth’s ‘Marine E-Charging Living Lab’ and the University of Bath’s Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies.

IMPROVING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE THROUGH GRANTS WITH IMPACT

We are proud that our valued donor support has meant academics from across the University have benefited from grants which positively impact the student experience.

Our Revive Hardship Recovery Grant funds projects in areas such as mental health, wellbeing, and employability. These grants also support teaching and learning projects which specifically address the extra support needed following the period of lockdown, and now into financial austerity.

Adelina Court, Lecturer in 3D Design, received this grant for her exciting venture, Songs I Want To Play – Live. An interdisciplinary project run by Adelina and Paul Robinson, Lecturer in Popular Music, and Recording, across our art and design, digital media, music, dance, English, performance and creative writing courses. Two live performances took place on the first weekend of November 2022 in New Adelphi Theatre and were recorded and distributed commercially to a large existing fanbase.

Niki Woods, Senior Lecturer in Performance and Artistic Director at the New Adelphi Theatre, launched a project with our LGBTQ+ community aimed at opening conversation about safety and wellbeing on campus. Niki commissioned Ben Hodge, a BA Media and Performance graduate, to work with our students in many capacities, including making an engaging film about life on campus as a Trans student.

Similarly, our Salford Advantage Fund Grant supports projects that enhance the student experience, academic development or the University’s overall environment or profile. Typical projects include; improving student facilities or enhancing

communal spaces, providing students with academic or extracurricular opportunities, and creating initiatives that enable students and the University to engage with the local community.

After applying for this funding Tawney Bennett, Lecturer in Law, ran a practical, extracurricular programme for BA Law with Criminology students to enhance their employability and practical legal skills. The programme was delivered in partnership with Freedom Law Clinic, who provide an engaging pro bono programme that gives students first-hand access to criminal appeal cases involving serious offences. It allowed students to make a direct contribution to the clinic’s client casework, undertaking valuable legal research, under the expert supervision of experienced criminal law solicitors in order to identify fresh grounds of appeal.

Dominic Broadhurst, the Library’s Head of Content and Discovery also created a new zine maker space within the Clifford Whitworth Library. Specialist equipment was acquired, and he was also able to obtain some high-profile zines via auction. Ben has since partnered with other zine libraries and external partners.

SALFORD RE-SIGNS ARMED FORCES COVENANT

As a pledge of support for the Armed Forces community, the University of Salford has re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

We have pledged our commitment to those who serve or have served, that they and their families be treated with fairness and respect in their communities and receive support which recognises their contribution to the nation by helping them in areas such as starting a new career, access to healthcare, education and family well-being and financial assistance.

On signing the Covenant, Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Marshall said: “The University is proud to re-sign the Armed Forces covenant, and recognises the value serving personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans and military families contribute to society, higher education, and our country.

“By re-signing the covenant, the University has pledged to continue to promote itself as an Armed Forces-friendly organisation and it will continue to support the service community through its groundbreaking research and innovation.”

The University has a significant track record of working with, and providing support to, the Armed Forces community in relation to injury and pain rehabilitation, PTSD and trauma management, military history, and security and intelligence. We are also proud to lead the UK’s first ever research focusing on military veterans and welfare reform.

Funded by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT), this groundbreaking work has helped support a £5 million investment designed to bolster the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Armed Forces Champions (AFCs).

If you would like more information about the Armed Forces Covenant, or to discuss how you can get involved, please contact Victoria Coomber, Armed Forces Engagement Lead, at v.k.coomber@salford.ac.uk

The University is proud to re-sign the Armed Forces covenant, and recognises the value serving personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans and military families contribute to society, higher education, and our country.

PLUG INTO SALFORD: SUPPORTING FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS TO SUCCEED

According to new research from the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, first in family university students are 4% more likely to drop out than those with graduate parents. Similarly, data from the Office for Students (OfS) shows that students from the areas of lowest undergraduate participation in Higher Education are 37% less likely to continue at university if they are the first in their family to attend.

Our Plug Into Salford initiative is designed to help first generation students settle into life at university. The scheme includes a threeday programme of activities, in the week before the students commence their studies, alongside a £1,100 bursary.

Notably, all sixteen of our students from the pilot cohort in 2021/22 passed and re-registered into their second year, with some of them even signing up to be student mentors in their second year.

“I cannot recommend this programme enough to first generation students. It really equips new students for university life and helps them interact with other students in the same situation,” said Jamie-Lea, a second year law and criminology student.

“The programme is a life-saver for students who are nervous or anxious as it provides all the key tools for starting their studies at the University of Salford.”

We are aiming to fundraise £132,000 to create 120 Plug Into Salford bursaries over the next three years. The funding will maintain the longevity of this programme, supporting students and families to navigate the enduring effects of the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis.

Find out how you can support a first-in-family student at Salford

STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES

School of Health and Society

Salford graduate wins global nursing award

University of Salford graduate Fay Fitzgerald has won a prestigious global nursing award.

Fay, who graduated as a Children’s Nurse, was named a winner at the Zenith Global Healthcare Awards for her work curating the Children & Young People Student Nurse Network, an online peer support network for student nurses.

“I am thrilled, along with my team, to have won the Rising Stars Zenith Global Health Award as well as being commended in the Outstanding Team of the Year category,” she said.

The awards celebrate excellence in healthcare, acknowledging and celebrating fellow healthcare and allied healthcare professionals for their commitment and dedication.

The Children & Young People Student Nurse Network (CYPStNN) is an online, supportive, and educational resource, where child nursing students can access support and advice from peers who are on the same course at a national level.

Fay joined the network to support other nursing students through their journey, whilst also gaining extracurricular leadership experience during her time as a student.

The growing network was particularly valuable to students during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ricky Baker, Founder of the Children & Young People Student Nurse Network, said: “Fay is a valued member of the CYPStNN team. Our student curators have established themselves as true leaders that the nursing profession and their universities should be rightly proud of. They volunteer their own time to provide peer support to child nursing students right across the UK, shaping and changing educational experiences for the masses. This selfless dedication to supporting others is why Fay Fitzgerald is made to be a children’s nurse. She is a true ambassador for the profession.”

Fay added: “The University of Salford has presented me with many opportunities and from these I have had such fulfilling and enriched learning experiences, which have inspired and encouraged me to make a difference as a student nurse, and to this day, influence positive change and showcase initiatives within nursing.”

School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology

Salford master’s student eyes filmmaking career after securing scholarship through Aziz Foundation

A Salford master’s student has spoken of his dream to become a documentary filmmaker after securing a scholarship to study at the University through a charitable foundation.

Mohamed A. Baazir, a trained IT engineer, swapped his career in London for a shot at making documentaries full-time when he successfully secured a scholarship from the Aziz Foundation to study a master’s in Documentary Production for TV, Film and Digital Media at Salford.

The foundation, established by philanthropist Asif Aziz, provides fully paid scholarships for British Muslims to undertake postgraduate qualifications that will help them to address social challenges facing British Muslim communities.

Mohamed, who moved to the UK from Sri Lanka in 2009, is the first student at the University’s School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology to be awarded the scholarship from the foundation.

He said: “Documentaries have always been a passion of mine and I’ve made many over the last decade but I wanted to take my learning to the next step, upskill my knowledge so I could become make documentaries good enough for television and become a full-time filmmaker.

“I had always wanted to work at MediaCity and when I came up to see the facilities, I was very impressed by the campus and the equipment that was available to students. Wherever you go there, there are media companies everywhere so it is very inspiring.”

Mohamed is a human rights activist and a member of multiple charities and community organisations which support British and Sri Lankan Muslims. He wants to be able to use the skills from the course to be able to make documentaries that are focused on human rights and issues of social injustice in the UK and in Sri Lanka.

“I would definitely recommend that others look at applying for the Aziz Foundation scholarships. Since I’ve joined, they’ve been very supportive of me and checking up on how I’m finding things. Others should really go for it and I’m really glad that I found it through the University’s website. I’d be happy to help anyone that is considering applying for these scholarships as it has been so helpful for me.”

Mohamed received previous training in journalism from BBC Sri Lanka and the BBC World Service. He has had his work published through magazines and Sri Lankan newspapers but wanted to be able to learn the new digital talents that come with filmmaking in 2022, such as making films for social media as well as television.

Graduate launches clothing business to help homeless

An entrepreneurial graduate has launched a new clothing business and will give a large chunk of his profits to homeless charities.

Michael Diboue, who graduated from Salford Business School, has started SINMAS clothing and has said that 10% of company earnings will go to charity.

He graduated with a degree in Business Management with Sport, and is now getting support from Launch@ Salford - our business incubator which supports students past and present in running their own business.

SINMAS not only comes from his time at Salford studying business, but from his passion to help others. Both Michael and his sister have been buying food to give to the homeless and helping those who are less fortunate for many years. His SINMAS clothing business focuses on sport and street wear with a website already up and running.

Michael was born in Cameroon and moved to Spain at the age of five. He grew up in Madrid where he experienced some tough challenges through the economic crisis in 2008, he said: “I have been in that position where there has been no hope and feel like you’re lacking skills to help the community.

“I want to tackle that issue, so people don’t experience that.”

Launch has helped Michael learn an array of skills needed to ensure he can continue to run his business which was set up in 2019. He said it was a “great feeling” to hear his application had been successful over the phone. He has learnt how to overcome barriers and challenges as well as legal requirements. There’s also funding opportunities, with big potential to expand and grow.

Michael said: “Salford actually offer a lot of resources to their students; they really look after them and provide a lot of connections.”

To find out more about SINMAS and Michael’s work, visit sinmas.co.uk

School of Science, Engineering and Environment

Salford student builds reputation after winning award for Excellence in Building

A student on the Building Surveying degree has been named ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at the North West Building Excellence Awards, the ‘Oscars’ of the building sector.

James Matthew, is currently a third-year student and the Assistant Building Control Surveyor at Ribble Valley Borough Council. After previously working in the council’s Covid Community Hub and training as a design engineer at Ultraframe, he has established himself as a standout employee and has begun to build a reputation in the building industry.

James has already helped to maximise the council’s workflow and fully realise the potential of their technology, by developing a site inspection app that is now used by all employees to upload photos to site records, creating and updating a new filing system so that the office can become paperless, and installing an online application process for the council.

The Head of Environmental Health at Ribble Valley Borough Council, Andrew Dent, said that “James has a forensic eye and has correctly made a couple of major calls on building sites recently.” He went on to say that “his contribution to our building control team has been outstanding.”

James was first nominated by his colleagues and then went on to receive the award for Newcomer of the Year. The University congratulates him on his achievement and has no doubt that he will surpass expectations in his final year on the course and continue to establish his name in the building industry.

Salford Business School

OUR CAMPUS MASTERPLAN

At Salford, we’re proud to continue investing in our people and our infrastructure to ensure that we have the means to deliver on our ambitions. We’re transforming our campus and the surrounding city district through the Crescent Masterplan, creating a new city district that will bring together industry, education, and innovation.

This includes investing in our estate and facilities to create an integrated campus that provides an exceptional, attractive, accessible, and engaging on-campus learning environment and one which facilitates social interaction for students, alumni and members of our community.

To learn more about our ambitious campus masterplan and vision for the University over the next two decades, visit salford.ac.uk/campus-masterplan

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENT’S NEW HOME

Having opened in September 2022, one of the newest additions to campus, is our state-of-the-art, four storey, 15,550 square metre Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE) building.

The facility is as an example of our commitment to our industry collaboration strategy, designed to facilitate students, academics and industry partners working together on cutting edge industry facing projects.

Bringing together world-leading research and future facing teaching and learning, the SEE building will be occupied by a series of research and teaching laboratories including physics, electrical, electronics, composite and chemical vapour deposition.

The £65 million build features a wind tunnel and boasts high-spec laser laboratories. It incorporates sustainability features, a key element of our pledge to reduce the environmental impact of the wider masterplan including 154 roof mounted solar panels to provide renewable energy.

The building also contains six lecture theatres, with doors in between, which can be opened to expand the room.

Additionally, there are collaborative spaces, with seating on every floor where students can go to study alone or with company. The top floor has a magnificent view of the city, where there’s also additional seating for colleagues and students to use.

Jason Challender, Director of Estates and Facilities, who led on the project along with partners Morgan Sindall, said: “It is an outstanding new-build which is 100% electric-powered and underpinned by sustainable, intelligent design.

“Because the team tailored each level of the building to accommodate different uses, we also have an extremely flexible space that will serve the University for years to come.

“Our partnership with Morgan Sindall has been strengthened by the work they have done with us on the new build.

“Collaboration has formed the building and will take place in its labs and shared spaces every day.”

Find out more about the School of Science, Engineering and Environment at salford.ac.uk/see

It is an outstanding new-build which is 100% electric-powered and underpinned by sustainable, intelligent design.

“

OUR CIVIC UNIVERSITY

Our positive impact is the result of a steady focus on our region. Last year the University signed a ground-breaking civic university agreement with the other higher education institutions across Greater Manchester.

The deal remains the biggest and most ambitious civic university agreement in the country, and commits the University of Salford to collective action on regional priorities such as reducing inequalities in Greater Manchester and helping the city region reach net zero carbon by 2038.

Since signing the agreement, staff at the University of Salford have been working hard to match the agreement’s ambition with action. Over the past year the Alumni Engagement and Development Team worked with the University of Manchester, raising funds to open a new IntoUniversity centre in Salford to help tackle local deprivation. See page 36 for more information.

IntoUniversity centres have a proven track record of supporting disadvantaged young people to achieve their ambitions, whether that is a university place or something else entirely. The Salford site will offer a welcoming home-from-home for young people: a safe space to learn, explore, and succeed. None of this would be possible without the generous donations of our wider community who, like us, recognise the importance of tackling inequality in our city.

Beyond our educational offer, the University continues to open its doors to directly help people across our city. The SILKS Law Clinic provides free legal advice in an age of legal aid cuts, while our School of Health and Society has a whole range of community clinics open to the public, such as podiatry, sports injury, and psychotherapy clinics.

We are proud of our city and of our roots. We were founded to meet the skills needs of our city and through IntoUniversity and our work in the community, we continue to meet its needs to this day.

At the University of Salford, we are proud of the positive impact we continue to have on our city and on our region. From outreach to research, we are playing our civic role, meeting the needs and priorities of our city.

SALFORD SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDING A LAUNCH PAD FOR THE TALENT OF TOMORROW

It’s through the generosity of our alumni, friends, and industry partners that we are able to provide a range of donor-funded scholarships and bursaries for talented students at the University of Salford who would otherwise find it difficult to fund their studies.

In November last year, we launched the biochemistry scholarship with the generous support of Steve Pearce, CEO of Omega Ingredients Ltd. Steve is an alumnus of the University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Biochemistry in 1980. He also won an Alumni Achievement Award in 2013.

In 2001, Steve founded Omega Ingredients Ltd (UK) and Omega Ingredients Incorporated (USA) using his extensive knowledge of biochemistry and the Natural Flavour industry to create better tasting food and beverages. Omega Ingredients has become an award-winning, world-renowned organisation, praised for their cutting-edge biochemistry.

The Steve Pearce Biochemistry Scholarship supports our talented biochemistry students enrolled on our BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with Studies in USA programme - providing them with financial support for three years of study and during an optional placement year in the industry.

Thanks to Steve’s gift, the University is also launching the Steve Pearce Biochemistry Prize which will be awarded to an outstanding, final year biochemistry student once they have completed their degree. Darren Brooks, Programme Leader of biochemistry, said: “We are extremely grateful to Steve for his generosity in supporting our biochemistry students. The recipients will benefit enormously from these scholarships and prizes, as they look to progress their academic studies and then seek employment opportunities after graduation.”

I enjoyed four years at Salford and believe that what I learned there helped me achieve business success, which I am delighted to be able to share and encourage the study of biochemistry at the University.

Steve Pearce CEO of Omega Ingredients Ltd

SALFORD AND IRIS SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

Another bursary we are proud to have launched over the past year includes a scholarship scheme with IRIS Software Group. A leading global provider of mission critical software and services and one of the UK’s largest privately held software companies.

The initiative unlocks opportunities for Salford’s talented computer science and engineering students. The scholarship is available to three Salford students from low-income backgrounds and provides welcome financial support for those who need it most, removing barriers to study, a strategic priority of the University.

Our partnership with IRIS also supports students with employability in their chosen field through placements, work experience and graduate openings. This builds on an existing relationship which includes IRIS’ participation in the University’s annual HackCamp competition where students are given the opportunity to work on live briefs and solve with their computing expertise.

INTELLIGENT FS SCHOLARSHIPS

For talented students from low-income backgrounds, who want to study a built environment degree, a new scholarship has also launched. Salford has collaborated with Intelligent FS, an organisation with over 60 years’ experience in the construction industry.

In the 2022/23 academic year, two Intelligent FS Scholarships were offered to support one Construction Project Management student and one Quantity Surveying student. The successful applicants received a non-repayable financial award during their undergraduate studies and also had the opportunity to connect with leading industry experts at Intelligent FS.

Learn more about how you can establish your own Scholarship programme

INTOUNIVERSITY A PARTNERSHIP PROVIDING AN EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY FOR THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN SALFORD

66%

of students who attend IntoUniversity centres go on to progress to university, compared with 26.6% of students from similar backgrounds nationally.

A new partnership between the University of Salford, the University of Manchester and IntoUniversity, the UK’s largest university-access charity, has seen The Beacon Centre in Salford become a major learning centre for students aged 7-18.

In central Salford, more than half of young people are growing up in poverty, which has long-lasting effects on educational attainment.*

The centre, which launched earlier this year, works closely with the universities of Salford and Manchester and local schools to help improve educational outcomes for these young people. It also adds to existing youth services provided by The Beacon Centre, as well as working alongside other organisations including Early Break, 42nd Street, Salford Community Leisure, and Foundation 92, who serve the community from the centre in Salford. The centre will benefit over 1,000 students each year.

IntoUniversity centres are based in the heart of local communities and support young people from 7 to 18, working closely with schools and families to sow the seeds of aspiration at a young age. In 2020-21, IntoUniversity supported more than 40,000 students across 32 centres in 18 towns and cities across England and Scotland.

Generous friends of the University, including Morson Group, Rolls-Royce SMR, BNY Mellon, and Cisco (who is also acting as the lead technology partner), are all funding the new centre, alongside a partner and former partner of Hg, while Peninsula will provide pro-bono services to IntoUniversity as a charity.

One such donor, Senior Partner and Executive Chairman at Hg and Salford alumnus Nic Humphries, believes going to university changed his life. Speaking of why he got involved in the project, Nic said: “Social mobility is completely essential. I’d encourage anyone to consider going to university, even if they are unsure if it’s for them. It opens up so many opportunities.”

The celebratory launch event in February was attended by donors, alongside young people and families already benefiting from the life-changing work of the centre. Comedy legend and Salford alumnus Peter Kay also filmed a special video message which was screened at the event, much to the delight of those in attendance.

Professor Helen Marshall, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Salford, said: “As a university, we have a strong track record in the area of widening participation and are motivated to helping students realise their full potential. We are proud to make a major contribution to providing access to higher education across Salford, the North West and nationally.

“I am delighted to support the launch of a new IntoUniversity right here on our doorstep in Salford. The new centre will engage traditionally under-represented groups and aid our mission to give all students the best possible opportunity in life to succeed.”

* End Child Poverty, 2019

Scan to find out more about IntoUniversity

There’s a lot on offer at IntoUniversity to help young people achieve their potential and realise ambitions they may have never even considered. For all the children benefitting from the centre, my advice would be to take every opportunity you’re offered. You’re never going to know what will come up in life and you might fall in love with something you’ve never thought of. You’ve got time to explore many new subjects – keep your options open because you never stop learning.

Peter Kay Comedy legend and Salford alumnus

WHY CHOOSE SALFORD?

Want to study at Salford? There are countless reasons why our university could be the place for you, including our unbeatable links to industry, state-of-the-art facilities, and award-winning academics.

But the thing we love most is the community that our staff and students have built together, to make our campus a warm and welcoming place.

Book your place on a Salford Open Day

This year, we are celebrating an incredible milestone as we surpass 200,000 Salford graduates!

In 1996 we opened our new Department of Midwifery, beginning our legacy of training passionate and successful midwives.

Number of graduates: 9,800

Number of graduates: 1,500

Number of graduates: 50,000

The 80s saw students graduate to become highly in uential in their sectors; Javid Khan, Chief Executive of Barnardos, Andrew Bond, former CEO of ASDA, and Dr David Tupman, former Vice President of hardware engineering for Apple.

Number of graduates: 26,000

of Salford.

The University went from strength to strength in the 70s, with sporting wins, the founding of the University’s Musical Arts Programme and the opening of the Newton Building.

Last year we celebrated an incredible milestone as we surpassed 200,000 Salford graduates, let’s take a look back at how we got there…

CONTINUING YOUR STUDIES AT SALFORD

If you already have an undergraduate degree, there are many great reasons to continue your education with us at Salford with a postgraduate qualification:

20% loyalty discount

As a Salford graduate you can enjoy a 20% reduction in course fees for a wide range of postgraduate courses*.

Take a different path

Whether you want to change your career or build on the skills you gained in your undergraduate degree, we offer nearly 50 different master’s programmes that are open to students who have a good honours degree in any subject – so you don’t need to have studied your first degree in a related area to apply.

You can read more about this option at salford.ac.uk/postgraduate/take-different-path

Flexible study

A number of our courses can be studied part time or through distance learning, and we have multiple entry points throughout the year so your learning can fit in with your schedule.

You can find out more about our postgraduate courses and upcoming open days at salford.ac.uk/postgraduate

Our campus began to transform during the 2000s, with the opening of several new facilities…

We became the only university with a campus at MediaCity, home to over 250 digital and media businesses and specialist spaces with industry standard facilities.

Number of graduates: 123,000

Lady Hale building opened on our Peel Park campus, becoming the new home of the Salford Business School.

Number of graduates: 106,000

We welcomed Energy House 2.0 and the new Science, Engineering and Environment building, both part of our ambitious Campus Masterplan transformation.

Number of graduates: 200,000

In this year, New Adelphi, the driving force for the creative and cultural life of the University, also opened its doors.

Number of graduates: 158,000

You are now joining a global alumni community of over 200,000,

*Discount applies to the net fee for University of Salford graduates who are self-funding their studies.