news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER STAFF MAGAZINE
July 2009
In this issue:
Investigating sustainability in Ethiopia
Lecturers research pioneering module
Unearthing ancient bridge
Archaeology in action
Learning through sport A day to remember
cover story
Investigating sustainability in
Ethiopia
Three Geography lecturers have been gathering information in Ethiopia for a pioneering new module.
D
r Alan Dixon, Dr Des McDougall and Dr Nick Evans travelled to the Illubabor Zone in Western Ethiopia to record and document various aspects of everyday life in rural and urban areas for a new Geography module.
The module, which is called ‘Environment and Development in Africa’, is the first of its kind to be run in Human Geography at the University of Worcester Students will be able to ‘virtually’ interview a range of people, including farmers and government officials, and observe the surroundings using a combination of video and virtual reality panoramas. The module offers real-world type experiences while enhancing students’ observational skills and giving them a sense of the processes that take place when undertaking field research.
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Alan said: “We worked hard to capture the more mundane, day-to-day aspects of life in Illubabor as these often provide as much of an insight as documentation of the major issues that exist in the region. "The local people are faced with a conflict between environmental sustainability and the need for regional development due to a growing population.” Alan, who wrote his PhD on this region of Ethiopia, said: “The new module combines the best sorts of teaching and learning – it draws on the research expertise of the teaching staff and immerses the students in the place they are studying." 'Environment and Development in Africa’ is a third year module and will become part of the course in the 2010-11 academic year.
COVER STORY news
WELCOME Welcome to the July 2009 edition of News & Views. We've had a belated spring clean this issue but we're still bringing you news of almost everything of note that's happened at the University of Worcester over the last few weeks. The highlight of this issue is undoubtedly the photography from the recent geography trip to Ethiopia, but we also feature news on Open Day successes, OBEs awarded, international visitors and much more. As always, we need your news, so please keep us informed of anything you think is interesting or newsworthy by sending it to: newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Opportunities T
he University of Worcester recruits 40% more disabled students than the national average, according to new statistics.
are committed to creating a supportive and welcoming environment which celebrates diversity and difference.”
The Figures of Official Performance Measures for Higher Education show that the University also provides higher education for more students from state schools and disadvantaged backgrounds than the national average.
The England Blind Football Team was established by the University, where seven of the team’s players either study or work.
Professor David Green, said: “We are delighted that the University of Worcester continues to be chosen by so many disabled students. We
Dr Val Chapman, Director of the Centre for Inclusive Learning Support, said: “A strong culture of supporting student learning through the whole University, together with specialist student support facilities, including a dedicated centre for inclusive learning, are part of Worcester’s successful formula for attracting and keeping disadvantaged students and those with a disability.”
John and Tamar
honoured This year's Queen's Birthday Honours included OBEs for University governor Tamar Thompson and John Yelland, President of the College of Fellows and former Chair of the Board of Governors. Tamar received the honour for her services to healthcare, while John received his award for voluntary services to the community. Tamar said: “I’m overwhelmed by this honour. I have been in the NHS for 38 years and have worked with some amazing, committed staff and wonderful patients. I am also very privileged to be Vice Chair of the University’s Board of Governors which is very important to me as the University plays such a huge part in the community. This recognition is very special to me.”
John said: “This has all come as a big surprise to me. I am absolutely delighted to receive this honour. My work in the community and with the University is extremely important to me and it’s very humbling to gain such recognition for doing the things I enjoy so much.”
Lee Greatbatch, one of those students and winner of last year’s Xcel Sports Student of the Year Award, said: “I have really enjoyed my time at the University of Worcester. The support I have received has been second-to-none and has allowed me to fulfil my dreams and goals.”
Assisting
elite athletes
F
our top-flight basketball players from Lithuania made a special trip to the University in June to undergo motion analysis tests at the Motion and Performance Centre. The women, who were all from Lithuania’s basketball academy, came to Britain with their coach specifically to have the performance tests carried out. Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “The University of Worcester has already been selected as the training camp for the Lithuanian Men’s Olympic Basketball team and we were delighted to welcome these four elite women athletes and their coach to the University.”
contents Feature stories Investigating sustainability Learning through sport
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news Opportunities for everyone John and Tamar honoured Assisting elite athletes Russian forensic expert visits City Campus taking shape Scaling Snowdon in a wheelchair Searching for ancient Chinese bridge Renowned researcher's keynote speach Schoolchildren at University for festival University trio to represent Great Britain The green team HEA enhancement academy e-learning project Open Day success Dramatherapy course is unique Influencing Chinese palliative care
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news
russian forensic expert visits An expert from the Russian forensic service recent spent a week at the University, learning about how pollen is used as evidence in criminal cases.
City Campus taking shape Scaffolding shrouding the former Royal Infirmary buildings is starting to come down, revealing aspects of the new city campus.
Dr Nesterina Ekaterina, a senior expert at the Laboratory of Forensic Soil and Biological Examinations in the Russian Federal Centre of Forensic Science, spent the week with Professor Jean Emberlin and her forensic team in the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit (NPARU).
Dr Martin Doughty, Pro Vice Chancellor (Resources) said: “These magnificent buildings have not been seen in all their finery for some time now, particularly the chapel.
Professor Emberlin said the visit had proved useful for both nations.
"We are sympathetically restoring the buildings so that they can once again play a part in the lives of the city residents.”
“Dr Ekaterina is a highly respected forensic expert and I was delighted to welcome her to the University of Worcester to share our techniques and expertise,” she said. “But it was a two-way process, as I was able to learn from her expertise also.”
Carl Jukes, Worcester City Council’s Conservation Officer, added: “These buildings are an important part of Worcester’s history and I am delighted to see them being restored in such a sympathetic way.”
Scaling snowdon in a wheelchair Steve Joyce, the University’s Assistant Disability Coordinator, is set to scale Snowdon in his wheelchair, all in the name of charity.
S
teve will be pushed, pulled and carried to the top of Mount Snowdon by a team of 11 people when he takes part in ‘The Snowdon Push’, a charity event run by spinal cord injury charity, Back Up. Steve, who injured his spinal cord in a diving accident when he was 19, has had his wheelchair modified by a friend who works for Yarnold Welding in Worcester. He said: “Back Up really raises the aspirations of people with spinal
This laboratory is one of the most famous for its forensic examinations of pollen in Britain. I wanted to come and look at the palynology and forensic analysis that is used in England and see how we can learn from it. Dr Nesterina Ekaterina
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cord injuries and opens their eyes to life in a positive, can-do way. “I’m nervous but very excited. I can’t wait for the day to come and the sense of achievement that this will give, although I’m most looking forward to the first beer I’m going to have when I get back down in one piece!” You can sponsor Steve and his team, Joyce’s Jaloppy Pushers, at www.justgiving.com/stevejoyce4
COVER STORY news
Searching for ancient
Chinese bridge
Renowned researcher's
keynote speech
Internationally respected researcher, Professor Lewis Elton, gave an inspired speech at the University’s 8th Learning and Teaching Conference. Professor Elton is one of the UK’s most influential speakers on learning and teaching and is often described as one of the ‘great British educators and commentators of our time’.
Worcester archaeology students are hoping to find the remains of an ancient Chinesestyle bridge at one of Worcestershire’s most picturesque parks.
S
tudents and staff are excavating part of the grounds of Croome Court, near Severn Stoke, where it is believed there once stood an ornate bridge, designed by William Halfpenny in the early 1750s.
Dr Jodie Lewis, Course Leader in Archaeology, said: “We know that there was a Chinese-style bridge over the river, which was one of the very first of its kind in Britain. We have seen paintings depicting the bridge and we also have the architectural plans by Halfpenny. “We have carried out a geophysical survey in the area we believe the bridge was located and we are now starting to dig to see if we can find any foundations, abutments or buttresses. “It’s very exciting for our students to have the opportunity to work on such an important excavation. Whatever we find will inform how the National Trust reinstates the landscape of this internationally important park.”
Schoolchildren
at University for festival
P
rimary school children from across Herefordshire and Worcestershire recently enjoyed an exciting festival of storytelling, drama, puppetry and batik making at the University.
Professor James Wisdom, vice-chairman of the Staff and Educational Development Association and editor of the SEDA Series, was also a key note speaker at the conference. Dr Ian Scott, Head of the Academic Development and Practice Unit, said: “The conference was a great success, with more delegates over the day than any previous conference. Both James’s and Lewis’s presentations were extremely well received; they challenged, stimulated and provided much food for thought."
The fifth Children’s Storytelling Festival was a major and exciting collaboration between the University, Worcester City Library, local schools and many national and local arts practitioners. Professor Jean Webb, Director of the University’s International Centre for Research in Children's Literature, Literacy and Creativity, said: “This was our fifth year for the Festival, which continues to bring the highest quality of artists and performers to local children. It was very satisfying to be able to use the University facilities and expertise to bring such exciting and valuable experiences to children across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.”
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feature
Learning through sport A
lmost 300 youngsters from schools across Worcestershire enjoyed a fun-filled day of activities at the second University of Worcester Learning Through Sport Day. The event, hosted in partnership with the County’s leading sports clubs and local energy company npower, saw the children get involved in a host of games at the St John’s Campus before an afternoon visit to Worcestershire County Cricket Club, where they got the chance to play on the famous New Road pitch and watch the County professionals take on Yorkshire. Activities were led by University lecturers, players and coaches from
Worcestershire County Cricket Club , Worcester Warriors Rugby Football Club and Worcester Wolves Basketball Team, along with members of a number of other local sports clubs. Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “The day was a huge success, with children from several schools from around the county working together and enjoying a host of sporting activities. “We were delighted that so many sports partners, clubs and our community partner npower, came together with us to deliver this experience of Learning Through Sport for young people.”
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The event also saw the launch of a new learning aid for teachers to help children with their maths and English, using sport. The Learning Through Sport DVD has been developed by academics, teacher training students and athletes at the University, in collaboration with teachers at 10 local schools and SATs markers. It is already being used by several schools across the UK. David Leatherdale, Commercial Director at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, said: “To see the New Road outfield covered in nearly 300 excited children playing cricket was wonderful and hopefully added to each child’s enjoyment of the University’s Learning Through Sports Day.”
University
COVER STORY news
HEA Enhancement
Academy trio to represent e-learning Project
Great Britain
worcester Staff and students have once again received international call-ups to represent Great Britain at blind football. Keryn Seal, Ajmal Ahmed and Will Norman have been selected to represent Great Britain in the five-a-side International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) European Championships in Nantes, France. Sports Studies students Keryn and Ajmal, and Will, who is a widening participation officer, were all part of the Great Britain
team that came fifth in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics last August. Great Britain were runners-up in the 2007 European Championships and are hopeful to go one better this time and win the tournament outright.
The team running the University’s ‘Creative Use of Learning Technologies’ (CULT) project recently spent a very productive three days on retreat with teams from the other eight universities participating in this initiative. The focus of the project will be the development of a collection of learning materials for staff wishing to use learning technologies creatively. These materials will be available via a web portal and their use will themselves involve active learning.
Sports Coaching Science lecturer David Mycock said: “This is a great opportunity for these players who have been continually supported by all members of staff from the ISES at the University. “We wish them every success and hope that they have a fantastic experience that they will treasure for the rest of their lives.”
The green team! The University of Worcester has been named the greenest university in the West Midlands. The 2009 People and Planet’s Green League, which examines higher education institutes' environmental performance in 11 areas, ranked Worcester as 16th out of the 127 institutes that took part, up from 93rd just two years ago. Some of the projects which earned the University the top regional accolade include: the use of electric milk floats to transport goods around the campus; introducing allotments for staff, students and even a local school pupil; increasing the amount of Fairtrade produce sold on campus, and new energy efficient buildings. “This result shows our dedication to sustainability and environmental management,” said Katy Boom, Head of Sustainability and Development. “One of the factors in our success has been our EcoCampus. This framework has helped us look across all the operations of the University, from biodiversity to energy management, and we have made good progress on all our projects, which has been recognised by this national benchmarking scheme.”
The team is looking to involve teaching staff, support staff and students in the project in a number of ways. These include the following, although the team is open to other suggestions: •
Delivering ‘Talking Heads’, promoting individual learning technologies or promoting the creative use of learning materials in general. These will be uploaded with learning materials.
•
Creating learning materials for uploading to the portal. This could involve close work with the eLearning team.
•
Moderation of learning materials. It is important that the portal gives a lead and offers materials that encourages colleagues to learn actively.
•
Trialling/reviewing new learning technologies.
•
Delivering Workshops/Seminars to colleagues.
•
Supporting colleagues at Institute and University levels. You could be designated as an expert for a particular tool or approach.
•
Membership of a Steering Committee.
Anyone wishing to participate should contact John Colvin (j.colvin@worc.ac.uk)
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Open Day A record number of people came along to the June 21 Open Day to discover more about higher education and see for themselves what the University of Worcester has to offer.
A
total of 730 people – up 10 per cent on last year – visited the campus to find out about the wealth of part-time, flexible and full-time course opportunities available.
Among the visitors was Jayne Woodfield, who was inspired to follow a career in nursing after the death of her father. The 37-year-old mother of three said: “I was touched by the work that the Macmillan and district nurses did for my father and it made me realise that I'd like to make a difference too. When I first arrived at the Open Day, I was quite nervous but there is a definite warmth to the University. Everyone was very friendly and answered all of my questions.”
The Open Day was extremely successful with a record number of prospective students coming to see for themselves the excellent courses, high quality staff and first class, modern learning resources available at the University of Worcester. Professor David Green
Dramatherapy course is
unique
Influencing Chinese
Run by Scenario Arts, the University of Worcester’s Certificate in Dramatherapy is the only course of its type in the UK.
B
Available at intermediate or advanced level, or as a module in Applied Health Sciences, the course provides an experiential introduction to the theory and practice of Dramatherapy. Typical students come from a variety of backgrounds and include social care professionals, community practitioners, teachers, theatre professionals, therapists, counsellors, psychotherapists, nurses and psychologists. Visit www.dramatherapy.org.uk for full details on this unique course.
palliative care
rian Nyatanga, senior lecturer in the Institute of Health and Society, was part of a recent study tour of China, sharing the philosophy and practice of palliative care with Chinese counterparts.
Palliative care provision in China is in its embryonic stage, and it is being developed based on the UK model. During his trip, Brian met Doctor Jennifer Liao who gave him the opportunity to sample some traditional Chinese medicine, including the music therapy used in some of the 5-elements music treatment. As a result of this visit, Jennifer became interested in studying at the University of Worcester and is now preparing for her English language in the first stage of her application.
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