news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
September 2011
Cataloguing the catalogue Enter the World of Kays p.4-5
In this issue:
NSS Universty scores highly in National Student Survey p.2
Alumni Reunion Friends Reunited p.13
Down by the Riverside Training programmes for female runners p.14
Photo credit:(c) Kays Heritage Group, courtesy of Bernard Mills.
FEATURE
Students enjoy quality teaching and personal development Graduating students have rated the University of Worcester highly for teaching, assessment and personal development in the latest National Student Survey (NSS). The University scored highly across the board in the independent, official survey, with 84% of Worcester final year students saying they were satisfied overall. Worcester scores in the top half nationally. The survey’s results follow a glowing report from the Country’s national independent education watchdog, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), earlier this month. The QAA praised academic quality at Worcester and particularly commended the University for the work it does to promote the employability of its graduates as well as to include students with a disability. Vice Chancellor, Professor David Green, said: “The University of Worcester aims to inspire our students for life. We are delighted by this positive appreciation from our graduating students who believe that their studies have helped develop their self confidence and professionalism. Their belief is shared by employers who consistently choose to employ Worcester graduates. “Our philosophy is to encourage the professional and personal development of all our students. Our culture promotes responsibility, involvement, high standards and hard work.
Colleagues at the University work very hard to provide outstandingly good educational and personal development opportunities for our students. “We are confident that the substantial capital improvements at the University, including the new university and public library, which opens in 11 months, will lead to even better results in future.” The University of Worcester has had the highest overall graduate employment rate for any university in the West Midlands over the past three years. In these three years, it has been first twice and second once. In 2010 it had the sixth best graduate employment rate in the country and has never been out of the top 20 nationally. This is, in part, due to the University’s ‘earn as you learn’ scheme, which helps students to secure meaningful and relevant employment during their studies and is evidenced in the QAA’s audit report. The one area where the University is below the national average in the NSS is learning resources, something the University is working to improve. Professor Green said: “Over the past 12 months we have opened our new City Campus, in the beautiful historic buildings of the former Worcester Royal Infirmary. These fully refurbished buildings now provide outstanding learning facilities for computing, social science,
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geography, history, English, business and many other students. The City Campus includes a specialist health and wellbeing centre in which the University’s sports therapy, social care and other students work with professionals to provide an excellent service for the public whilst learning their profession. “Our new Riverside building, which includes top class specialist sporting and drama facilities, will open fully this September. The development of our specialist Fine Art facility at ‘The Garage’ was completed in May. When the new library and history centre opens in July next year it will be the first fully integrated university and public library in Europe and will provide a wonderful learning resource. “The University aims to make a full contribution to Worcester becoming a first rank Cathedral and University City. We will continue to improve our facilities, and make sure that they are as inclusive and accessible as possible. We also hope to announce very positive developments in the campaign for the Worcester Arena in the next two months.”
COVER STORY wELCOME
contents FEATURE NSS
Welcome W
elcome to the September issue of News & Views, featuring a roundup of news, launches and milestones from the past two months at the University of Worcester. The campus may have appeared quiet over the summer months with the vast majority of our students enjoying a summer break. However throughout July and August we have welcomed hundreds of summer school students, held the annual alumni weekend, hosted academic conferences and have welcomed many students and their families over Clearing Visit Days. The University of Worcester has also had an active media presence over the summer. The University’s Vice Chancellor Professor David Green appeared on Channel 4 News, Sky News and BBC News,
as well as on BBC Radio 4 and in various national newspapers, talking about the lack of university places available for young people this year. The World of Kays team caught the attention of the national media with their colourful collections of Kays Catalogues. The project (more of which you can read about later) drew attention from BBC Breakfast, Central News, various radio shows, and even the Daily Mail! If you have an interesting story that you think might be newsworthy, contact Sally Jones in the Press Office on 01905 857517 or email s.jones@worc.ac.uk We look forward to an even busier September and welcome your news to newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
WORCESTER MIDWIFE SCOOPS NATIONAL AWARD Worcester midwifery lecturer Kim Russell has scooped a national award from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), winning £5,000 towards a midwifery research project on helping hospital midwives to promote the use of water for labour and birth. The award – one of just three given each year - is the Ruth Davies Research Bursary and is supported by Bounty Parenting Club. Kim Russell is a Midwifery lecturer at the University of Worcester and part-time PhD
student at the University of Nottingham. She is using the bursary to complete her Action Research Study into improving the availability of water for labour and birth in a hospital labour ward in the West Midlands. Cathy Warwick, General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “Without work such as this midwifery practice and the services we offer women would simply stand still. I wish Kim well with her research and really look forward to seeing the results.”
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COVER STORY World of Kays
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news Worcester Midwife Scoops National Award 3 Worcestershire Woman of the Year for Achievement 6 QAA Report Findings 6 Chaplain to Become Interfaith Advisor 7 Captcha 7 University Park update 7 Change 4 Life 8 MP’s Literary Legacy 8 Annual Birth Conference 8 Blind football team takes bronze at International Tournament 9 Bowled Over 9 Lecturer awarded National Teaching Fellowship 9 City Professionals support Arena campaign 10 September Open Events 10 Standardising National Child Measurement 10 Half Marathon Preparations 11 Defoe Society Conference 11 Strictly Come Dancing 11 Donation to Worcester Arena 12 Rope Skipping Student Scoops Gold 12 Alumni Reunion 13 Top class learning centre created 14 European basketball research centre 14 Medical Museum takes shape 15 Freefalling for Acorns 16 Summer Schools 2011 16
sTAFF FEATURE A Quality Existence: Margaret Chaffey
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Coffee and Kays event a huge success More than 50 members of the local community dropped in to the University of Worcester to reminisce about the lifestyles promoted by the Kays catalogues.
Kay and Co Ltd was one of Worcester’s largest and best known companies, answering the nation’s shopping needs for more than 100 years. Their mail-order catalogues were extremely popular, containing contemporary fashions, household items and luxuries. Many visitors to the World of Kays event were former Kays staff members, one of whom had travelled from Warrington to attend the event. Former Kays buyers recalled working with celebrity models such as Anita Harris and
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Lorraine Chase, while other visitors brought in photographs of Kays pantomimes and staff newsletters from the 1960s and 1970s. Staff from the World of Kays project were kept busy searching for catalogue pictures of prized outfits bought by visitors over the years. One lady recalled the day in the 1980s that four telephonists turned up to work at Kays each wearing the same polka dot dress.
COVER STORY
Fashion through the ages brought to life in World of Kays An exciting new research project to record and make available exquisite imagery and lifestyle suggestions from one of Worcester’s best known companies is currently under way at the University of Worcester. ‘World of Kays’ is a community and higher education project which will create an online resource, based around digitised images from the catalogues and contributions from the public. The project received a £55,500 grant from JISC, an organisation which inspires UK colleges and universities in the innovative use of digital technologies. The website will explore the impact of Kays of Worcester on shaping the nation’s lifestyle and clothing choices from 1920 to 2000. The digital archive will focus on fashion and body image. It will give members of the public a chance to view photographs of images from the collection of catalogues as well as the opportunity to upload their own photographs, stories and opinions of Kays Catalogue. Kay & Co Ltd began offering a mailorder service in the 1890s in Worcester and the company was situated in the city for over 100 years. The catalogues contained enticing imagery of contemporary fashions, household items and luxury goods. Kay & Co was Worcester’s biggest employer until 2007. The company’s landmark buildings are now being converted or demolished. Jenni Waugh, Project Manager, said: “Kay & Co was a hugely important part of Worcester’s history and many people in the city, and beyond, will have memories of either working there, or shopping through the catalogues. This project aims to bring together those memories in one place.”
Rachel Johnson, Research Librarian at the University, said: “The collection is available for people to come and see, but we want to make it more accessible. By creating a web-archive, people can browse the collection from the comfort of their own homes and share their own memories.” The project aims to bring the community together at various events organised for students, historians and members of the public. There will be talks, as well as a community tea-party and a range of workshops where people can discuss their memories and get assistance with the website. Paola Marchionni, programme manager at JISC said: “The World of Kays is such an interesting project not only because it brings back images of what our taste in fashion used to be - like velour tracksuits with heels - but because it provides a visual history of society and culture in the last century. It proves that history isn’t always written down but is also alive in our stories and memories which people can contribute to academic research. At JISC we were interested in funding this project as it has a strong local focus but wider appeal to researchers, teachers and the public outside the Worcester area as well.” Until the website is launched, members of the public can find out more about the Kays project and how to get involved by following @WorldofKays on Twitter or on Facebook at www. facebook.com/Cataloguing-Kays/. Photo credit:(c) Kays Heritage Group, courtesy of Bernard Mills.
The Kays Collection is currently housed at the University of Worcester. Contained in the collection is an almost complete run of mail order catalogues as well as photographs, company accounts, ledgers, reports and minutes from boardroom meetings. Bernard Mills, Chair of Kays Heritage Group, was responsible for rescuing the Kays business archive and has ensured its long term future by depositing it in the Research Collections at the University.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / SEPTEMBER 2011 / 5
NEWS
Lecturer named Worcestershire Woman of the
Year for Achievement
A lecturer at the University of Worcester has been named the 2011 Worcestershire Woman of the Year for Achievement. Ruth Jones is a Senior Lecturer, Researcher and Consultant specialising in domestic and sexual violence in the Department of Applied Social Sciences. She has helped to put the City on the map as a centre of excellence for education, research and support services for domestic and sexual violence, having (among other things) been instrumental in setting up a 24- hour domestic violence helpline, and working as training manager at the Asha Women’s
Centre. She also designed the UK’s first professional postgraduate qualification in domestic violence. She said: “I am stunned to have been given this award in light of the many amazing women who had been nominated but I am overjoyed.” Ruth’s work has been recognised locally, nationally and internationally and she has won several awards including Bucks New University, Coventry University, University of
Gloucestershire and University of Worcester Applied Research Competition (2010) and gained recognition from the Department of Health and The Home Office. Ruth’s current projects include a European study on trafficking for sexual exploitation and research on ‘parent abuse’. She has also been invited to participate in an international round table panel with government officials and NGOs on violence against women in Fiji in August this year and has been requested to
Ruth Jones
write strategy and policy on violence against women in India. The prestigious Worcestershire Women of the Year awards take place every two years to celebrate the women of Worcestershire who make an outstanding contribution to the county. The event raises vital funds for St Richard’s Hospice.
High academic quality, excellent employability and outstanding support for disabled students highlighted in official inspection report Academic quality at the University of Worcester has been praised in an independent audit report. The University has received a glowing report from the Country’s national independent watchdog, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), following a visit by a team of auditors in March.
particularly delighted to have been commended again for the work we do to provide educational opportunity for disabled students and to promote unusually high rates of graduate employability.
“My thanks go to all the staff and student The audit team found “many examples of representatives at the University for their activities and processes that contributed to excellent work, which has now been recognised the continuous and systematic improvement in this most positive independent audit report. of the student experience” and identified the University’s approach to quality “In the coming weeks the University will be enhancement to be a feature of good practice. able to publish other indicators of academic quality, which help explain why Worcester The purpose of the audit was to look has been the Country’s fastest growing at the University’s management of the university over this past seven years.” academic standards of the awards that it delivers and of the quality of the learning The audit team in particular commended opportunities available to students. the wide range of opportunities afforded Vice Chancellor Professor David Green, said: “In recent years the University of Worcester has consolidated its excellent national reputation for academic quality on our biggest programmes, which educate future teachers, nurses and midwives. This independent audit report studied the entire work of the University at every level and across the range. “We are delighted to have received so many commendations across the whole range of the University’s work. We are
to students to enhance their employability. The report states: “...employability is embedded in the curriculum and there are links with employers through placements. Significant support is provided to enhance student employability through a wide range of mechanisms and opportunities...” The audit team also commended the support offered to disabled students, noting that “the University has developed a strong reputation for good practice in this area”.
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The report highlights seven areas of good practice at the University: 1. The comprehensiveness of the Student Online Environment (SOLE), which is tailored to the individual 2. The Student Academic Representatives (StARs) initiative, which enhances student representation 3. The wide range of opportunities afforded to students to enhance their employability 4. The proactive approach which supports the student experience for disabled students 5. The Institution’s commitment to enhancement, exemplified by its reflective and self-critical approach 6. Development of the Link tutor and establishment of a Link Tutor Forum to share good practice across the Institution 7. The inclusive approach of the University in working with its collaborative partners
NEWS
University Chaplain to become Interfaith Advisor
T
he Revd Dr Fiona Haworth, Chaplain at the University of Worcester, will play a key role in building relationships with Revd Dr Fiona Haworth members of other faiths across Worcestershire and Dudley, following her appointment to the role of Diocesan Inter Faith Advisor. She succeeds the Revd Duncan Ballard in this role and will carry out the work in addition to her Chaplaincy duties. Fiona said: “Diocesan Inter Faith Advisor is a formal role within the diocese and is an honorary post. As an appointment of the Bishop, taking up this role is likely to be extremely helpful in building links with faith communities locally and will also allow me to more easily access national networks for advice and support.
“The appointment of a university chaplain to the role of DIFA is not without precedent. The Anglican Chaplain at the University of Warwick, the Revd Dr Alastair Kirk, has recently been appointed as the DIFA for Coventry Diocese.” Bishop John said: “Faith makes a huge contribution to the welfare of society and it is a matter of rejoicing that the great faiths are working ever more closely together for the common good. Fiona is a very gifted priest and having built a multi-faith team at the University, she is very well placed to strengthen relationships between the faiths more widely in the Diocese of Worcester. I am delighted with this appointment.” Fiona was appointed as the University’s Chaplain in 2009, becoming the first full time chaplain on site for a number of years. She has established a multi-faith chaplaincy at the University, offering pastoral and spiritual support to students and staff of all faiths and none. Alongside both these roles, Fiona will also become a Bishop’s Advisor for Selection of Candidates for the Ordained Ministry.
Web Technology Must Remain Accessible to All, Say Worcester Academics Technology used to protect websites from hackers is making the same sites inaccessible to visually impaired people, according to research at the University of Worcester. Lecturers Joanne Kuzma, Sue Barnes and Klaus Oestreicher have published a paper, in the International Journal of Web Based Communities, exploring the use of CAPTCHA technology. CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) technology refers to checks made by the computer to ensure users on websites are legitimate and are not potentially malicious computer scripts used by hackers. The technology is usually in a question and answer form or it asks users to copy numbers and text from an image. Although the technology has been praised for blocking spam and malicious attacks, Joanne Kuzma says it presents major problems, in particular, for the visually impaired web communities.
who have taken advantage of better communications and inclusion in society, yet the technology provides a technical barrier which affects their time spent on websites. “Firms need to realise that it is legally and ethically important to provide full accessibility to their systems,” the researchers say. “With the increasing number of disabled people using these sites, firms can benefit economically by catering to their disabled constituents.” In the survey of 150 online forums, the team identified many that excluded potential users through the inappropriate use of CAPTCHA implementation. The research team has suggested sites should look into other ways of tightening security on their sites and only use CAPTCHA technology if it is justifiable.
The increasing amount of online forums have been beneficial for disabled users
Wrenbridge Appointed As Development Partner for University Park
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he University of Worcester has appointed property firm Wrenbridge as its joint venture partner to develop a business and science park.
The University is planning to create a science, enterprise and environment park on part of the 47 acre Grove Farm site, now called University Park, which fronts Bromyard Road to the west of Worcester City Centre. Wrenbridge, who specialise in all forms of commercial development and investment, will work with the University to develop 10 acres of the park, which will incorporate an innovation centre. It is anticipated that the 225,000 sq ft business park will employ up to 2,000 people.
Dr Martin Doughty, University of Worcester Pro Vice Chancellor (Resources), said: “University Park will be an exciting new dynamo for the City of Worcester. We are working with Wrenbridge to create a first-class enterprise park, that could incorporate scientific research laboratories, plus businesses connected to all aspects of the University’s work.” The development of the site is a long-term project for the University and is expected to plough millions of pounds into the regional economy over the next 15-20 years. The University currently injects well over £200 million a year into the regional economy and University Park will increase this further.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / SEPTEMBER 2011 / 7
NEWS
University study commissioned to launch national campaigns C
hildren in England are still falling far short of the Government’s recommended 60 active minutes of physical activity per day, new research conducted at the University of Worcester has revealed. Haydn Jarrett, from the University’s Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, was commissioned on behalf of the Government’s Change4Life programme and the National MEND programme to carry out a study looking at the activity levels of children both in and out of term time. Forty children aged nine and ten years from four primary schools across England were given an accelerometer to wear for two weeks. The pupils also completed questionnaires reflecting on their activities during the two week period. The survey revealed many things including that: •
Children were getting an average of just 33 minutes of moderate to vigorous
physical activity per day – just over half of the recommended daily amount.
•
•
Kids reported spending the most amount of time participating in ‘sedentary activities’ such as watching TV (67 mins per day). Playing seated computer games (21 mins per day), and surfing the internet (17 mins per day) were also highly reported.
Haydn said: “There was no conclusive pattern to activity with half of the children being more active during the holiday week and the other half during the school week. However, the children studied were averaging just over half the recommended daily amount of 60 minutes moderate to vigorous physical activity. This is quite typical but worrying.” The study backs up previous Health Survey England (HSE) accelerometer data that shows only 33% of boys and 21% of
MP’s Literary Legacy Bequeathed to University of Worcester One of Worcester’s most famous political figures, Lord Walker of Worcester, will be forever remembered at the City’s university after his family donated his collection of political and biographical books. The wife of the former Cabinet Minister, Lady Walker, has generously offered his cherished collection to be housed in the new joint University and County Council library, The Hive. She said: “He would have liked the idea of putting something back into the Worcester community and this is an ideal way as both students and the public will benefit.” Worcester’s Conservative MP Robin Walker has followed in the footsteps of his father, who served as a Cabinet Minister in both Ted Heath’s government in the 1970s and Margaret Thatcher’s government in the 1980s. Claire Wolfe, Subject Leader in Journalism, said: “Many of our students are engaged in political research as part of their courses and have been on an organised trip to Westminster where they met MPs. “We are delighted that the Walker family thought of us when considering what to do with these books as they will be an extremely valuable resource. It is a fitting tribute to a well known politician.”
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girls aged four to fifteen actually get the recommended 60 active minutes per day. Yet, while youngsters are falling short of the guidelines, parents overestimate the amount of physical activity their children are doing. Change4Life data shows parents believe their children average 271 minutes per day – more than four times the recommended guidelines, and more than eight times the amount they’re actually doing. And estimations stretch to 295 minutes during the summer months. The study was commissioned to help launch two national campaigns, MEND’s National Childhood Obesity Week and the forthcoming ‘Change 4 Life’ six week long campaign called ‘The Really Big Summer Adventure’, aimed at encouraging families to be more active during the school holidays.
Women and Midwives: Does anyone want normal birth? The University’s 4th Annual Birth Conference took place on July 14th in the Conference Centre. Attended by more than 110 delegates, the day proved a very lively forum for discussion of current hot topics in maternity services, including the safety of midwifery practice. Key speakers were Professor Jane Barlow, Director of the Warwick Infant and Family Wellbeing Unit; Becky Reid, Senior Midwife from the celebrated Albany Practice which was controversially closed after King’s College Hospital terminated its contract at the end of 2009; and Consultant Midwife Simon Mehigan from Liverpool Women’s Hospital, the largest maternity facility in Europe. The conference also heard the birth stories of mother Helen Timms and father David Lane as well as enjoying a wide-ranging selection of parallel sessions covering midwifery guardianship, what happens when ‘normal’ is not an option and pregnant parents’ experiences of Vaginal Birth after Caesarean Section classes. Chair, Professor Mary Nolan commented that the Worcester Birth Conference was going from strength to strength and plans for next year’s event were already underway.
NEWS
Bowled Over
Blind football team takes bronze at International Tournament
University of Worcester Printer Bob Gravenall has been celebrating the most successful triumph of his bowling career.
Staff and graduates from the University of Worcester have returned victorious from a pre-championship warm up tournament in Madrid. The England Blind Football team returned with a bronze medal after successfully fighting off international competition to gain them third place. The team includes University of Worcester graduates Keryn Seal and Lewis Skyers, along with Owen Bainbridge, who starts at the University this month as the first ever blind football scholarship student. The team endured tough training sessions and scorching temperatures during the tournament in Madrid, where they played against Argentina, Italy, Turkey and Spain. Lewis Skyers
The experience has prepared the team for the European Championships, which begin on 22nd September in Turkey.
David Mycock, England coach and Sports Coaching Lectureris positive about what the future holds.
Bob, a familiar face on campus, reached the final of a major nationwide bowling tournament. The Weston-Super-Mare Open Bowling Tournament attracts players from across the UK with more than 60 teams entered this year. The competition lasted for a week, with Bob and his team – the Worcester Brotherhood – reaching the final. “Last year we made it to the quarter finals but this year we got into the final but were beaten by a team from Weston-Super-Mare,” he said. “This was the furthest we have ever got in a competition,” Bob added. “So we are really pleased with ourselves.” Bob usually plays bowls about four times a week in Cripplegate Park in Worcester and enters a number of local competitions.
“Overall, the team performed exceptionally well and the trip was a fantastic experience,” he says. “I personally gained a wealth of managerial and coaching knowledge which will help me set the lads up for a real good go at winning the European Championships for the first time in September.” David and the team players will then begin preparations for the Paralympic Games in London next year, when they will play as Great Britain. David Mycock has supported the sport both regionally and nationally since 2006 and continues to work closely with the team to ensure they achieve the success they are capable of.
Trophy winners. photo credit: David Stott - Clarence BC.
Lecturer awarded a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship
D
r Ian Scott joins five other colleagues at the University who have been awarded a Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy. Only 50 Fellowships are awarded each year nationally, in recognition of teachers and learning support staff who have made outstanding contributions to higher education within England and Northern Ireland. “I am pleased that I have been recognised for my learning and teaching practice,” Dr Scott said. “This is a vindication of my approach to teaching, in which I believe the student voice is central to everything.” Dr Scott is Head of Academic Development and Practice in the Directorate of Quality and Educational Development at the University of Worcester. He has worked in academia for two decades and during this
time has encountered different disciplines and developed a range of interests. Dr Scott’s approach to learning and teaching is to enhance the attainment and development of students by sharing stimulating active experiences. His education research focuses on learning that takes place within informal settings. Dr Scott, who receives a £10,000 award to support learning and teaching activities, joins fellow University of Worcester lecturers Professor Dominic Upton, Professor Derek Peters, Dr Val Chapman, Dr John Peters and Dr Colin Price as National Teaching Fellows.
outstanding achievement, reflecting Worcester’s educational strength and Dr Ian Scott standing. Ian’s work has had a very positive impact at the University and we are delighted that he has been honoured nationally.” The award winners were chosen from nearly 200 nominations submitted by universities and higher education colleges across England and Northern Ireland.
University of Worcester Vice Chancellor, Professor David Green, said: “For one University to have six Fellowships is an
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / SEPTEMBER 2011 / 9
NEWS
City professionals go head to head to support development of the Worcester Arena Members of Birmingham’s professional community recently went head to head in a mixed netball tournament to raise money for the University of Worcester’s Worcester Arena Appeal. Organised by the Birmingham office of law firm Martineau, for whom the University of Worcester is a client, the event also involved other local companies including accountancy firm Mazars, St Philips Barristers Chambers and Worcester Wolves basketball club. The teams raised a total of £957, which will be matched and added to by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, bringing the total to £1,914. The Worcester Arena will be a highly inclusive centre that will benefit the wider community in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and will provide a nationally outstanding venue for disability sport. The campaign has recently won several significant grants and ‘in principle’ financial support from national sports governing bodies, charities and trusts, taking the total
to over £2 million. More than £70,000 has been raised from individual, family and team donations. Clive Read, partner and head of Real Estate at Martineau, said: “The Worcester Arena will be a centre of excellence for research into disability sport education, training, coaching and coach education. Not only that, but due to its size it promises to bring some real opportunities to the area on both a national and international scale. Martineau works closely with the University of Worcester so we are delighted to be able to offer our support to such an important project.” Trainee solicitor, Hannah Oseland, added: “A sports tournament seemed the natural choice to help raise funds towards the building project, and everyone involved had a lot of fun doing it. The Arena will be a fantastic
investment into the future of our region.” Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science at the University, said: “We are very grateful to Martineau for organising this event in aid of our campaign. The Worcester Arena will benefit the whole community and will be the only sporting venue in the region that is designed specially for disabled athletes.” To find out more about the Worcester Arena visit www.worcesterarena.com
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Research Warns of Need for Standardisation in National Child Measurement Programme
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chool children could be being incorrectly categorised as overweight because there is no standardisation in the National Child Measurement Programme, researchers have found. Children’s height and weight varies depending on the time of day measurements are taken and the accuracy of those taking the readings. In England, the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) annually measures the weight and height of Year 6 schoolchildren. While measurement protocols are defined, the time of measurement within the school day is not. Researchers at the University of Worcester carried out measurements in the morning and afternoon with 74 Year 6 children to analyse the impact that time of day has on their BMI category.
They found that children’s BMI increased in the afternoon, due to a decrease in height throughout the day. And in girls, weight also increased during the day. Their results found that, as a result, three children were re-categorised between morning and afternoon; two children who would have been labelled as of a healthy weight in the morning were overweight in the afternoon, and one child moved from the overweight to very overweight category. The research states: “The ramifications of potential misclassification caused by unstandardised measurement procedures are critical on an individual level. Children labelled with a pejorative term such as overweight or very overweight are more likely to encounter social discrimination...” The research was carried out by PhD student
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Ash Routen, supervised by Professor Derek Peters. Professor Peters said that whilst those who carry out NCMP measurements receive training in measurement taking, there is no standardisation in terms of the time of day when these are performed or consideration of how this could affect the results. “It is important to remove as much error from the results as possible by for example, regular calibration of the measurement instruments, following the set protocols for measurement, regular training and re-training of the different people taking the measurements,” he said. “Standardisation of the timing of taking the measurements is one simple revision to the procedures that could help to limit the impact of at least one of these potential ‘error’ variables.” The research has been published in the journal Child: Care, Health and Development.
NEWS
Defoe Society Conference University and Snoezelen Runners T Gear up for Half Marathon A team of 25 staff and friends from the University of Worcester and City charity Worcester Snoezelen are getting ready to take part in this year’s Bupa Great Birmingham Run. The team signed up to complete the 13-mile half marathon after some gentle persuasion from the University’s Capital Projects Funding Manager, Mark Evans. Mark ran the half marathon last year with two of the University’s security guards, Mark Kilburn and Steve Jones, who are running again this year, and managed to raise £1,300 for Acorns.
Back (L-R) Jamie Hill, Glyn Harding and Val Yates, all members of staff at the University of Worcester. Front (L-R) Mark Evans, from the University of Worcester and Beth Trueman, from Worcester Snoezelen
However, this year Mark and his team have decided to support the University of Worcester’s Charity of the Year, the Worcester Snoezelen. “We are delighted to be running for the Worcester Snoezelen in order to raise much-needed funding so that they can continue their hard work,” he said. “We’ve set a target of £1,000, but I hope to beat that.” The Worcester Snoezelen is an independent charity which provides leisure and therapy facilities for people with disabilities. More than 450 people use the purpose-built, multi-sensory leisure facilities, which include a soft play room, a music studio, video room, Jacuzzi pool and sensory garden which can be used by people of all ages and of any disability. Each year the charity struggles to find enough money to continue their inspirational services and this year is no exception, with a total of £70,000 to find. The fundraising team includes Worcester Snoezelen’s 65-year-old chairman, Snoezelen staff, two volunteers and with two carers, and has already started training for the half-marathon, which takes place on Sunday, October 23. Jane Roberts, Project Manager of Worcester Snoezelen, said: “We are delighted that once again the University of Worcester is supporting our organisation. This sort of sponsored fundraising is invaluable to help us sustain Worcester Snoezelen activities and we wish everybody good luck on the day.” The team has just set up a Just Giving website which will enable supporters to sponsor them by visiting www.justgiving.com/uni-snoezers and clicking Donate Now. Entries for the Bupa Great Birmingham Run are still open at www.greatrun.org/birmingham
he Defoe Society held its second biennial conference, organised by Dr Andreas Mueller, at the University’s City Campus, between 14-16 July. The theme of the conference was ‘The Culture of Grub Street’ and it attracted almost 70 delegates from around the world, including several eminent scholars in the field of eighteenth-century studies. Professors Paula McDowell (New York University) and Pat Rogers (University of South Florida) presented plenary lectures, while the President’s Roundtable featured the Society’s President Professor Maximillian Novak (University of California), David A. Brewer (Ohio State University), Ashley Marshall (University of Nevada), Kit Kincade (Indiana State University) and Alan Downie (Goldsmiths College, University of London). Delegates were most impressed by the City Campus’ facilities and enjoyed the conference dinner at the Guildhall. The Society’s next conference is scheduled for June 2013 and due to take place at the University of Nevada, Reno. Andreas Mueller, who was elected as the new Director of the Defoe Society at its Worcester conference said: ‘The conference attracted an excellent mix of graduate
students, established academics and very prominent scholars. With delegates hailing from around the world – Australia, Canada, Taiwan, USA, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK – the event was an ideal opportunity to showcase what we can do here at Worcester. After the conference, I received over a dozen emails praising the University and the city, and remarking on the great success the conference has been. It is this kind of event that helps to put Worcester on the map of international research.’
Top photo: conference committee - Drs Andreas Mueller, Ben Pauley, Ashley Marshall - enjoying some ‘down time’ in Worcester’s Cellar Bar Bottom photo: Professors John Richetti and Alan Downie
Strictly Come Dancing Get your dancing shoes on for a new Salsa and Argentine Tango class starting at the University’s new Riverside building on Thursday, September 8th. ‘Dance at 8’ is teaching beginners’ lessons in Salsa and Argentine Tango for adults and teenagers. Classes are £5, but staff and students from the University get a £1 discount with their University ID. The Salsa class runs from 7.30pm – 8.30pm, followed by Argentine Tango from 8.30pm –
9.30pm. All ages welcome with or without a dance partner. Classes are lead by Professional Dance Champion and Coach, Paul Pritchard, along with the University’s own Tracey Richards, from the Institute of Science and the Environment. No stiletto heels are to be worn in the new dance studios at Riverside, which is located on Hylton Road, Worcester. For more information visit www.danceat8.com or call 01386 556665.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / SEPTEMBER 2011 / 11
NEWS
Leading businessman makes major donation to Worcester Arena Campaign A leading Herefordshire philanthropist and City of London businessman has donated £25,000 towards the Worcester Arena campaign. Clive Richards, a Fellow of the University of Worcester, has made the donation to help the University develop a first class sporting facility for the City of Worcester. The Worcester Arena will be a highly inclusive centre that will benefit the wider community in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and will provide a nationally outstanding venue for disability sport. The campaign has recently won several significant grants and ‘in principle’ financial support from national sports governing bodies, charities and trusts, taking the total to over £2 million. More than £70,000 has been raised from individual, family and team donations.
generous donation from Clive to fund 100 new scholarships at the University. “The Worcester Arena will make a real difference to people’s lives by increasing sport participation from grass roots to elite level. The facilities will cater for disability by design and enable true inclusion.” Clive Richards OBE DL FCA FCMA FBIM is best known for his charity work in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, although other areas throughout the UK have also benefited. The Clive Richards Charity, established in 1987, specialises in helping educational establishments in both the public and private sectors. It has sponsored the majority of Hereford high schools to obtain Specialist School Status besides supporting many other facilities of a capital nature.
Mr Richards said: “Sport in all its various forms is very much part of education. I am delighted to embrace this outstanding new initiative of the University to further its huge sporting ambition.”
Mr Richards has a long and successful career in business, joining global financial firm KPMG in 1954. In 1960 he qualified as a Chartered Accountant Chartered Secretary and Cost and Management Accountant, obtaining several prizes and first place in the Cost and Management Finals.
Professor David Green, University of Worcester Vice Chancellor, said: “We are very grateful for this donation towards the Arena campaign. This comes on top of another
Mr Richards joined Wedd Durlacher in 1960, becoming Managing Partner in 1967 before selling his partnership to Rothschild Investment Trust in 1970 where he became
CEO. He subsequently became Group Finance Director of NM Rothschild & Son Ltd. During his business career in the City of London he has been a successful entrepreneur and private venture capitalist over a wide range of industries including the introduction of Mazda Cars into the UK. Mr Richards currently is Chairman and Senior Non-Executive Director of several plcs and medium sized private companies. A Freeman of the City of London, Mr Richards was awarded the Order of the British Empire for Charity in the Millennium Honours list and made a Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Herefordshire in December 2005. In September 2010 Mr Richards was made a Freeman of the City of Hereford.
Rope skipping student scoops gold medals at European Championships A Sports Therapy student from the University of Worcester scooped one Gold and one Silver medal at the European Rope Skipping Championships. Gemma McGhee and her team travelled to Nagykanizsa in Hungary to compete in the European Championships, coming seventh overall. The team won a Gold medal in Single Rope Speed and Double under Relay and a Silver medal for Double Dutch Speed Relay events. Gemma McGhee
“It’s an amazing achievement for me and the girls,” said Gemma, from Studley in Warwickshire. “Six months ago we
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didn’t think we would be competing this year because we needed to raise a large sum of money and we sustained some injuries in the team. But we got there and are now the fastest jumpers in Europe.”
Gemma was awarded £500 from the University of Worcester’s Scholarship Panel towards the cost of competing to ensure she was able to experience the success she was capable of.
The 24-year-old has been a member of the British Rope Skipping Team since the late 1990s and currently holds the British record for the most amount of jumps in three minutes, with 442 jumps. Gemma, along with two of her team mates, also hold the title of the fastest jumpers in Europe in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most consecutive jumps by three people, known as Double Dutch Speed.
Gemma and her team mates have also done some commercial work recently where they recreated the Double Dutch Speed they performed at the championships on Sky’s sports panel show ‘A League of their Own,’ with James Corden. Gemma and two of her team mates can also be seen performing their Double Dutch move in popstar Olly Murs’ new music video, ‘Heart Skips a Beat’.
FEATURE
Alumni
Reunion The University of Worcester would like to thank all those that attended the 2011 alumni reunion on Saturday 9 July. The event at the St John’s Campus brought together over 100 former students spanning each of the seven decades since the institution was first established. It was a day of friends being reunited and fond reminiscing. Many were delighted to find former class mates that they had not been in touch with since their last days at college. The afternoon was complemented by live music from the Zenith Hot Stompers jazz band, sparking wine and afternoon cream teas, as well as the opportunity to join campus tours around old haunts and take part in our raffle where Carolyn James (Home Economics 1982) was thrilled to win the top prize of a 37” flat screen TV, donated by the University Of Worcester audio visual supplier Pro AV. The reunion was also an opportunity to announce an Alumni Honorary Awards Degree Ceremony, which will be taking place in 2012. This special ceremony is to honour the achievements of past students who trained and received their Teaching Certificate or Certificate in Education between 1946 and 1977. Beth Heaney, Alumni and Development Officer at the University of Worcester, said: “The annual alumni reunion is a lovely event which is always well received. Our guests span over the seven decades since the University was established in 1946. It’s a great opportunity for people to bring back special memories and reacquaint themselves with old haunts and past friends.”
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / SEPTEMBER / 13
NEWS
Top Class Learning Centre Created A £2m transformation of a former car showroom has created new sports and performance facilities for the University of Worcester.
cars will also be available. The car park will operate in line with the University’s existing car parks.
The building, on Hylton Road, on the banks of the River Severn, has been completely transformed into a top class learning centre for a range of activities.
The newly renovated building is situated adjacent to where the University of Worcester plans to build the ‘Worcester Arena’, a highly inclusive centre that will benefit the wider community in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and will provide a nationally outstanding venue for disability sport.
The Riverside building has a large, dividable dance and performance studio. It also has a substantial fitness area, half the size of a basketball court, connected to a specialist sports analysis suite. A 120 seat lecture theatre and 80 space computer and group learning suite and several tutorial rooms, complete the fully refurbished building. Director of Capital Projects, Russell Pope, said: “With sprung floors and brand new changing facilities, Riverside provides a fantastic new centre for both students and the wider community. “There is also a large space with computers and for social study, plus lecture rooms and meeting spaces. “The University has worked hard to redevelop this prime site. We hope it will be a valuable facility for the entire community.” There is a large 110 space car park and a state of the art charging point for electric
The campaign has recently won several significant grants and ‘in principle’ financial support from national sports governing bodies, charities and trusts, taking the total to over £2 million. More than £70,000 has been raised so far from individual, family and team donations. Riverside will be opening its doors to students and the community this September. Vice Chancellor Professor David Green, said: “Thanks to its excellent courses and highly employable graduates, the University of Worcester is the fastest growing university in Britain. A carefully managed capital development programme is needed to
make sure growth and high quality are both maintained. I am very grateful to all who have worked on this latest project to create such a first class facility, so swiftly, efficiently and in a fully cost-effective way.” For details of how you can hire the facilities and booking please contact Gemma Jones, Sports Facilities Manager, on 01905 542275 or gemma.jones@worc.ac.uk or Susie Hart, Head of Recreation and Sport Strategy, on 01905 855140 or s.hart@worc.ac.uk
New European Basketball Research Centre to Launch T he University of Worcester is to become the UK partner of a newly established European basketball research centre.
Building on the University’s expertise in the sport and the support of the governing body of basketball in Europe, FIBA, the creation of the Centre could come to represent a milestone in the history of the sport. The FIBA European Centre for Basketball Research will be hosted by the University of Worcester, along with the Lithuanian Academy for Physical Education and the Lithuanian Basketball Federation. It will aim to lead the development and delivery of world class basketball research and bring together academics and coaches from around Europe to engage in and disseminate performance relevant research findings. There will be a bi-annual basketball research conference, a regular online journal and a research resource. The Centre will also develop funded PhD students to work on selected research topics for FIBA Europe. Great Britain will compete in EuroBasket 2011 and EuroBasket 14 / SEPTEMBER 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Women 2011 at the end of this month and both the men’s and women’s team will take part in the Olympic Basketball Tournament in London 2012. However, the recent success of Great Britain’s senior national teams is only the most visible part of a recent surge of interest in basketball in Britain. The University of Worcester, which has long been at the forefront of sport education and research in the United Kingdom, aspires to play an active role in the future development of basketball. Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Worcester, said: “The European Basketball Research Centre will transform the development and delivery of world class basketball research with a clear aim to enhance all aspects of coaching and performance. The Centre will bring academics and coaches together to share their findings and expertise.
“The University of Worcester is honoured to be a part of such an exciting initiative with FIBA Europe.”
NEWS
Medical museum takes shape In partnership with the George Marshall Medical Museum, the University of Worcester is creating a new exhibition of medical history at City Campus. The exhibition will celebrate the history of the former Worcester Royal Infirmary in the region, and feature the stories of some of the people who worked and were treated there across the centuries. This magnificent Georgian edifice was the site of the foundation in 1832 of what later became the British Medical Association, placing Worcester firmly on an international stage of major events in medical history. Perhaps more importantly, it was the site of untold numbers of important life events for the people of Worcestershire and beyond. It has been the place where children were born, family members died, careers were made (and broken), love stories unfolded, and friends and relatives were healed. The significance of this former Infirmary in the hearts and minds of the people of the region cannot be underestimated. The footsteps of countless visitors to the Infirmary can be witnessed in the very fabric of the building; dips in the stone flags of the entrance hall were created by thousands of pairs of feet. The Infirmary was established as a voluntary subscription hospital with charitable aims, but was also a place of medical learning throughout its lifetime. For us, and for past members of staff and patients, it is exciting to see the new City Campus thriving as a place of learning once more, and we hope that the Museum will contribute to this. In the new exhibition, visitors will: •
Have a greater awareness of the way in which they connect to the people of Worcester and the West Midlands through medicine and health care.
•
Gain a greater understanding of some of the ordinary and extraordinary individuals who have shaped medicine and health care in this region and beyond.
•
Understand though interactivity how innovations and technology have spurred a greater level of care for patients.
•
Gain a wider understanding of how to promote their own physical and mental health.
•
Be able to formulate and contribute their own feelings and opinions about the issues raised in the Museum.
The exhibition will reference the former Nightingale ward structure in layout. This will include a central ‘Story Spine’ made up of the stories of individuals who have contributed to healthcare in the region and including artefacts and interactive activities for visitors. From these personal stories, visitors will find out about the broader nature of healthcare at each point in time, and the displays will be immersed in visual and periodspecific clues which will provide context.
Hospital furniture has evolved through time; from ornate wooden furniture to the ubiquitous tubular steel furniture driven by the advent of germ theory. The story spine will sequentially reference these styles to help project the evolution of healthcare. Wards have traditionally had a linear aspect; the route through for doctors, nurses, patients, trolleys...
The exhibition will include a The Story-spine carries the interconnecting stories of health debating wall with current and medicine along this well trodden path. ethical questions and scenarios; a health and wellbeing station to explore personal health issues; a featured display about the history of Powick Asylum, and mental health; ‘talking beds’ which will feature oral histories and personal testimonies, as well as an opportunity to try out basic bedside nursing activities; and a science and technology interactive station to explore the materials and science behind medicine. Over the coming months, our Garlick Ward, Worcester Royal Infirmary, 1930s team will be contacting many of you for advice as to how we can ensure that the new exhibition is used by staff and students. Our designs are changing all the time in response to the comments and input of staff and students at the University, and we welcome comments from anyone who would like to contribute. The Museum team can be found in room CH G006A at City Campus, or reached via extension 2373. Catriona Smellie, Medical Museum Curator/Manager Claire Jones, Learning and Access Officer Lisa Minton, Project Administrator Laura Butland, Skills for the Future Trainee
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / SEPTEMBER 2011 / 15
NEWS
Freefalling for Acorns Congratulations to the trio of fearless skydivers who jumped 10,000 feet to raise money for the charity Acorns. April White, Jenny MacConnell and Annie LambethMansell took their daring leap on Sunday 4 September. So far they have raised hundreds of pounds in memory of April’s daughter, Abigail Grace. The goal is to raise £1,200 to support the fantastic work of Acorns Children’s Hospice. To donate please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/Abigail-Grace
Summer Fun For A brighter Future Summer 2011 has proven conclusively that there’s no such thing as an ‘off-season’ at the University of Worcester. Enquiring minds have come together to explore new ideas, pursue their interests, and forge new friendships - exactly what you’d expect from a 21st century university. As part of this busy summer programme, UW has delivered three highly successful Widening Participation summer schools, working to raise the aspirations of young people from across the West Midlands. Each week-long residential focussed on a different subject area. This year the areas on offer were Health & Wellbeing, Drama & Performance, and Sports Science. The summer schools are designed to give a realistic taste of university life to those who have the talent and ability to succeed in higher education, but who might not currently consider it as a realistic option. Learners leave at the end of the week feeling perfectly
at home in an HE environment, and that’s a positive, both for them and for the University. For each event, attendees worked for a week alongside academic staff and undergraduate students from the three Institutes. In Health, learners followed the story of a road traffic incident. The accident and its repercussions allowed the Institute to showcase the diverse array of subjects available within the field. In Drama, attendees used inspirations from a visit to the RSC in Stratford to develop their own pieces which were performed at the end of the week. For the Sport event, the learners used Ultimate Frisbee as a vehicle to explore many different aspects of coaching, team dynamics, and physiology. Outside the crammed academic schedule of workshops, learners enjoyed a range of leisure activities in the evenings. there was raft-building mayhem, skilful demonstrations on the climbing wall, and
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some inspired and entirely awful karaoke! The summer school programme is the result of close collaboration between the Widening Participation Unit and participating academic Institutes. It’s not only the learners who benefit. The programme also gives each Institute the chance to work intensively with potential undergraduates of the future. This aids recruitment, but it also gives staff the opportunity to work closely with learners from a diverse array of backgrounds, enriching their understanding of the many factors that can influence a young person’s educational decision-making. This year the University of Worcester welcomed in excess of 100 young people on to its three summer schools, a record total that has established the University as one of the foremost providers of HE residentials in the West Midlands.
STAFF COVERFEATURE STORY
This month we chat to Quality Officer Margaret Chaffey who swaps her smart shoes for wellies for the age-old tradition of hop-picking.
A Quality Existence: If you take a trip out to the Teme Valley in the summertime you will see row upon row, field upon field of hops growing, and among them, you will find, at certain times of the year, a member of University of Worcester staff. When she’s not hard at work in the Academic Quality Unit at the University, Margaret Chaffey is using her ‘quality’ skills out in the hop fields. Margaret started hop-picking around five years ago and now gets involved every year at her local farm harvesting the best quality hops. “When we first moved to the village they had a beer festival and I bought some hop bines to hang in the house,” she recalls. “I got to know the local farmer and one year when I went to collect a couple of bines he asked me to give him a hand and things went from there. “I now help a couple of days a week during the season both training the hops as they grow and processing them after they have been picked - they are a very labour intensive crop.” The first training of the hops takes place in early April/May
and the hops are checked until early June; picking starts late August and is usually finished by the third week of September. “Training involves choosing either two or three strong shoots and encouraging these to climb up a string by “twiddling” (on average there are two strings per overhead hook); the rest of the shoots are cut back down to ground level,” Margaret said. “You then have to check each hop plant every fortnight or so until they are all growing strongly and then they are left to grow by themselves.” Margaret is out in all weathers in scenes reminiscent of a 1940s feel-good movie. “It’s really good fun, there is no pressure,” she said. “During the final weeks of hop picking, some ladies bake cakes for tea-time and we sit around in our breaks chatting and catching up on the local gossip. It’s very traditional. It’s a way of life that perhaps hasn’t changed much in decades. “My husband thinks I’m mad but I really enjoy it. I get absolutely filthy and have to go out in my old clothes, wellies and marigolds, but it’s great fun.” Margaret added: “Some of the hops that we work with go to a local brewery in Cleobury Mortimer and we often get to sample the ales afterwards to celebrate another year’s successful hop picking.”
Margaret (joined by a four-legged friend) hop-picking
What do you get up to when you leave the Campus? Email Sally Jones with your interesting stories at s.jones@worc.ac.uk
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER SEPTEMBER 2009 2011 / 17