news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
October 2009
In this issue:
Worcester’s new Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Foskett's first impressions p.4
New facilities open for business Eagerly awaited new buildings open p.3
Research repository hits 500 WRaP achieves major milestone p.2
news
Research repository hits Worcester Research and Publications (WRaP), the University of Worcester’s institutional research repository, has passed the 500 records mark. WRaP is an important vehicle for publicising the University’s research output to the wider research community via the web. To celebrate this milestone, Stephen Bigger and Jean Webb, joint authors of the paper held in the 500th record, were presented with chocolates by Deputy Director of Information and Learning Services Debbi Boden. Stephen and Jean’s paper 'Growing Environmental Activists: Developing Environmental Agency and Engagement Through Children’s Fiction', will be published shortly in a special issue of Environmental Education Review. A range of support is available from ILS for staff depositing items. Director of the Centre for People @ Work, Jan Francis-Smythe, recently organised a very successful 'WRaP Party' for staff and research students based in the CP@W, where over 25 papers were added to the repository. Advice was on hand at the event from Academic Liaison Librarian Stephanie Allen and Research Cataloguer Janet Davidson. University of Worcester staff interested in making their research visible via WRaP, or organising an event like Jan’s, should contact ILS Research and Partnerships Manager Ann Craig on 01905 855538 or email a.craig@worc.ac.uk
Steve secures funding Mature student Steve Cooper has secured funding from the University SPEED program to help develop and launch a new business.
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fter 25 years as a commercial agent Steve decided he needed a new direction in life so took the plunge and joined the University of Worcester to study for a Sports Science degree. Soon after beginning his studies, Steve was introduced to the concept of cardiac rehabilitation by lecturer Haydn Jarrett and, via Haydn’s contacts, arranged work placements.
classes in the community are paid for by the clients who have completed their course in hospital and who have recognised the value of exercise for their future health. This then presents the instructor with an opportunity to not only provide a valuable service to these individuals but also to create a business so that he may make a living.
Steve spent 18 months as a volunteer in both Kidderminster and Worcester cardiac rehab departments gaining experience and knowledge, whilst completing his degree. To become an instructor Steve had to complete a course run by the British Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation (BACR) and qualified as a phase IV instructor in 2008. Rehab
This is where Steve is finding the SPEED programme to be invaluable because it provides support in not only financial terms but also in the area of how to run and market a business. Steve has now officially launched his business Fit-Heart and is operating exercise sessions for cardiac patients in the region.
2 / OCTOBER 2009 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
young writers
impress September saw Worcester collaborate with other HEIs across the West Midlands on the region’s first Young Writers’ Festival for gifted and talented learners. The week-long event was delivered by the West Midlands Excellence Hub, a group of 11 HEIs who work together to provide gifted and talented provision for young learners across the region, and was hosted by Coventry University. Julie Maclusky – Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing – devised and delivered two innovative and engaging practical sessions on creative writing. Both Julie’s Poetry Toolkit, and her Short Story Writing workshop were hugely popular with the young writers, who clearly felt that they had learned a lot and gained a great deal of confidence from their experience. Julie also found the day to be rewarding. She said: “The event reminded me of the power of creative writing to transform lives. I could sense, by the level of enthusiasm, the eagerness with which students offered to share their work, the applause that followed each reading, that the writing exercises had enabled students to tap into their own creativity. The exercises that I selected were chosen specifically to offer shelter to any shy students – no one was forced to read - and to offer some security – no student was forced to create, under pressure, on a blank page.” This was Julie’s first experience of engaging in school outreach activities, and as she suggests, the results were both mutually beneficial and a pleasant surprise: “To be frank, I have never taught a high school age group before and my expectations were low... Thus the educational experience was mutually beneficial – when the pupils read back poems that they had written about animals, I was honestly shocked by the evocative, rich language and the overall success of the work.” For further information on the Excellence Hub initiative, and the possibilities for working with gifted and talented learners, please contact Will Norman in Widening Participation via w.norman@worc.ac.uk
COVER STORY news
WELCOME Welcome to October 2009’s News & Views, featuring the usual eclectic mix of achievements, launches and milestones from the last month.
A new academic year represents a new start for many of us and none more so than our new Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Rosalind Foskett. In the few short weeks that she has been in post, Professor Foskett has become a familiar face around campus as she gets to know both the University and its people. We caught up with Professor Foskett recently. Turn the page to find out what first impressions we've all made and what short-term goals and long-term ambitions she has in store for us all. As always, we need your news, so please keep us informed via: newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
New now in use T
he University’s eagerly awaited Charles Darwin building, as well as four new halls of residence, are now open for business.
The Charles Darwin Building is a truly world-class facility and will allow the University of Worcester to continue to excel both educationally and commercially. The building provides a new home for the University-based National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit (NPARU), which produces the UK’s pollen forecast and is a globally renowned research facility. The University’s teaching and research will also be boosted by the new
Hospital wards
take step closer to
transformation Internal works are now underway at the City Campus, turning the former hospital wards into high quality classrooms and learning spaces. The work is being carried out by Morgan Ashurst and is expected to take around 10 months to complete. External works to the buildings, including the restoration of windows, brick work, roofs and the exposure of the former hospital chapel, were completed earlier this year. Dave Smith, Morgan Ashurst Area Director, said: “We are thrilled to be starting work on this exciting project which is going to benefit not only University staff and students but members of the local community as well.
"We have a long established relationship with the University, having recently completed the new state-of-the-art halls of residence at the St John’s Campus, and we hope people will enjoy watching this latest project progress over the coming months.”
facilities, particularly in areas such as applied sciences, sports and motion analysis. Links with the Worcestershire Royal Hospital and private companies will also be enhanced. Visitors to the campus for September’s Open Day were among the first to experience the new building, as it played host to the Institute of Science and the Environment. More than 300 students have also taken up residence in the new halls at both the St John’s and City campuses, along with more than 900 in the existing halls of residence in St John’s and in the city centre.
International recognition for Piet Worcester’s new Illustration course leader has won a prestigious award for some of his recent work. Piet Grobler was presented with a Golden Apple award at the 2009 Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB) awards. The award was given in recognition of his illustrations in the book 'Colors! Colores!', written by the Mexican poet, Jorge Lujan. His work in the book also won the Alberto Burnichon Prize at the 2008/09 Cordoba Bookfair in Argentina. Piet said: “My illustrations were much more minimal than my usual work. I tried to say as much as possible by using as little as possible. I’m very happy to win the Golden Apple. It is the biggest and most important prize I have ever won. “I was working in graphic design before I got into children’s picture book illustration. One of my friends bought me a copy of the BIB catalogue which gave me the desire to one day appear in it.”
The new halls mean that every student who selected Worcester as their first choice got a place in University accommodation.
contents Feature story 10 minutes with Professor Rosalind Foskett
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news Research repository hits 500 2 Steve secures funding 2 Young writers impress 2 New facilities now in use 3 Hospital wards take step closer to transformation 3 International recognition for Piet 3 Art lecturer takes to London's fourth plinth 6 Cycling Steve takes on the world 6 New community surgeries to support students 6 Worcester students open for England 7 Rosie and Tilly sweat for charity 7 Students offered financial assistance 7 Students bring infirmary back to life 8 Cakes for charity at University coffee morning 8 Sixth formers explore faith and science 8 Worcester graduates riding high in employyment tables 8
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER 2009 / 3
feature
Professor Rosalind Foskett, Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Rosalind Foskett took up her post as the University’s new Deputy Vice Chancellor at the start of September. Before coming to Worcester, Professor Foskett was University Director of Education at the University of Southampton with particular responsibility for employability and employer engagement. A member of the University’s School of Education, and Associate Dean of Faculty, Professor Foskett served in a wide variety of roles at Southampton since 1997. As well as extensive experience of leading work in the areas of knowledge transfer and
News & Views managed to grab 10 minutes with Professor Foskett to talk about first impressions, ambitions and longterm planning for the University. Professor Rosalind Foskett, welcome to the University of Worcester. What was it that initially attracted you to the University?
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have been following the growth and development of the University of Worcester for some time, in the media and through personal contacts, so when the post of Deputy Vice Chancellor became vacant, I was immediately drawn to it.
As I found out more about the University, I was even more attracted by the opportunities afforded by the exciting campus developments and the vision of the future outlined in the information sent to me. During my initial visits I was made very welcome and I was struck by the friendliness of the people who work here, members of staff, governors and students, and by their passion for learning which was evident in the meetings I had. I was pleased to be appointed to the post and I am delighted to be here at last.
“I AM TRULY IMPRESSED BY THE AMBITION OF THE STAFF AND THE GOVERNING BODY FOR THE UNIVERSITY TO BE A MAJOR PLAYER IN SO MANY ASPECTS OF THE LIFE OF THE CITY AND THE REGION.” enterprise, Professor Foskett has great experience of leading effective work in widening participation, curriculum development, work-based learning and teaching quality enhancement. An active researcher, Professor Foskett’s recent research projects include Research Council and other funded work on ‘Curriculum development and career-decision making in higher education’, ‘Non-participation in higher education’ and ‘Strengthening training and regional networks in demography (with universities in Southern Africa)’. Professor Foskett has served as a Governor of a Further Education College for eight years and as a Justice of the Peace.
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Now that you’re in post, what are your first impressions of working at the University? Is there anything that’s truly impressed you, or conversely that you have put straight to the top of your ‘to change’ list?
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y first impressions of being here are that I was not wrong in what I knew before I came, but there is an awful lot I have yet to learn.
I had been at my last University for 12 years and I knew what it was about. Coming somewhere new challenges
FEATURE assumptions, although I am being well-supported by colleagues who are being patient with me while I find my feet. I am truly impressed by the ambition of the staff and the Governing Body for the University to be a major player in so many aspects of the life of the city and the region. The work that has been done on the Estate, for instance, is remarkable – not just the new buildings that have been opened but also the scale of the refurbishment that has been undertaken. I have already been involved in business events, discussions about the Arts in the region, heard plans for major developments in Sport, had partnership meetings at which developments in Science and Health featured, and much more – all in my first 20 working days! I am sure that this is the right direction: every successful region of the world has a thriving university at its heart. In terms of changes I would like to make – there are a few things I have noticed – but I am keeping my powder dry on those until I know and understand more! Do you have any immediate goals or ambitions for the University?
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participation, curriculum development and work-based learning.
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would like to continue with all of them! In terms of my research and publications, I am currently working on chapters for two books: one is for a book on Globalisation and Internationalisation in Higher Education, and the other is a book on new concepts in widening participation. I am also continuing with a research project in Southern Africa, funded by the European Union, on capacity building in Higher Education for demography and population sciences.
In terms of curriculum development, I am looking forward to working with colleagues on the postgraduate curriculum offer and the exciting and innovative ideas that are being discussed in work-based learning which could make a big difference in how we market our programmes. There is also potential for growth in the University’s international offer and I hope that I will be able to contribute to this too. Looking further ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities that higher education as a whole and Worcester in particular will have to face over the next few years?
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don’t think any of us can predict what will happen as a was disappointed to see the dip in our score in the NSS result of the recent economic crisis, particularly as we are survey. I know that this is shared by all members of the also faced by a general election next year. There is little University staff and that there is already a lot of work doubt that funding will be squeezed and there are signs being undertaken to understand the results and to identify that more of our funding will become earmarked funding – what we can do to improve. I believe ensuring that every tied to particular activities that the Government wants to student achieves their potential and gets the best possible prioritise. However, there are always opportunities. experience from their time here must be our priority. However, this has to be a “I BELIEVE ENSURING THAT EVERY STUDENT ACHIEVES THEIR shared endeavour between POTENTIAL AND GETS THE BEST POSSIBLE EXPERIENCE FROM THEIR staff and students, and so I also look forward to working TIME HERE MUST BE OUR PRIORITY.” with the Students’ Union’s sabbatical officers on this.
You have joined us from the University of Southampton where one of your particular focuses was on employability and employer engagement. This is obviously particularly relevant in the current economic climate. Are there any developments in this area that you are looking forward to putting into action here?
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he University of Worcester has already made great strides in these areas and is a national leader in employability in terms of the curriculum interventions it has already put in place and developments such as the Graduate Internship Scheme. One area where I would like to see further development is in the postgraduate programmes offered in the University. There is further potential for the development of vocationally-focused Masters programmes and flexible delivery of postgraduate qualifications developed in conjunction with employers and business-sectors. I know that there are already some successful models in the University that we can build on in this respect.
Are there any other elements of your work at Southampton that you’re looking forward to continuing here? You were responsible for some ground-breaking work in the area of international study, widening
We have some real advantages over other institutions. We serve a region without immediate competitors where we have already developed specialised and popular programmes – and we can do more of this. The University is on a human scale which appeals to a wide range of students and their families – this is an important marketing plus, and sets us apart from most other institutions which can often seem enormous and overwhelming. It is important for there to be diversity in any educational sector so that students can choose between different experiences, not between providers of the same experiences. Another plus is the importance we place on learning and teaching which, providing we can be innovative, for example in developing flexible learning or making strategic partnerships with institutions and organisations abroad, will mean that we can adapt and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. I am sure as a community we will be able take on whatever challenges come our way. Professor Foskett, thank you for your time and we wish you the very best of luck in your new role.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER 2009 / 5
news
art lecturer takes to london's fourth plinth A Worcester Fine Art lecturer gave “new flight to old ideas” when she took to the Fourth Plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square in September. Dr Sarah Key won a place to take part in Antony Gormley’s ‘One and Other’ Project, in which people are invited to take to the plinth for an hour, creating a living monument.
Cycling Steve takes on the world
Science Technician Steve Southwick recently competed in the fourth annual Brompton World Championship bicycle race.
The race, which was held at Blenheim Palace on Sunday, October 4, is open to all riders of Brompton folding bicycles and is considerably different from traditional cycle races. There is a strict ‘no Lycra’ rule, with competitors instead required to race in a formal shirt, tie and blazer outfit. Before the event Steve said: “It’s definitely a race for eccentrics. There will be 600 cyclists altogether although anything up to 20,000 people could attend the event. People come from all over the world to race their Bromptons. There will be competitors from the USA, France and Spain, where the bikes are especially popular.” Competitors completed two laps of a four mile long course around the grounds of the Oxfordshire stately home. Steve cycles to work on his Brompton from Callow End which is roughly the same distance as the course. He has also been on a special training diet to prepare for the race. “I start each day with a full English breakfast with lashings of Worcester Sauce and every evening I drink either Chilean red wine or real ale,” he said.
Dr Key, a painter whose latest work has depicted animals taking on human characteristics, stood on the plinth on Sunday September 20 between 11am and 12 noon. “I thought this was a really interesting and unique project and I’m delighted to have been selected to take part,” said the 38-year-old before heading to London. “While I am up there I will be making paper aeroplanes from Art and Theory and throwing them to the audience – giving new flight to old ideas. I will also be wearing a giant rabbit’s head that I have made, which is reference to my recent exhibition.” There is a constant live streaming on the internet at the 'One and Other' website and on YouTube. A number of Dr Key’s colleagues and friends travelled to London with her to support her efforts.
new community surgeries to support students West Mercia Police and Neighbourhood Watch have joined forces with the University to help students to settle in to the community.
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series of PACT – Partners and Communities Together – surgeries are to be held on campus so students can drop-in and discuss any issues they might have about the neighbourhood in which they live. Local police officers, Neighbourhood Watch representatives and University support staff will be on hand to address any concerns and to encourage students to make a positive contribution to the community. PC Julie Merry, Local Policing Officer for St John’s and St Clement’s and contact officer for the University, said: “Students sometimes get a raw deal. This will give them an opportunity to
6 / OCTOBER 2009 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
voice any issues they may have and we also hope to encourage more students to join Neighbourhood Watch.” Student Experience Officer Lucy Blackhall said, “This is a brilliant opportunity for students to build positive relations with the Local Policing team as well as Neighbourhood Watch representatives. As students will be calling Worcester home for at least three years, it’s important that they are encouraged to settle here and contribute positively to their local community. This PACT allows the University to continue our commitment to working closely with residents and to give students a voice in local issues or concerns.”
COVER STORY news
Worcester students
open for England
The University of Worcester’s Men’s Futsal team is to play a showcase game as a curtain-raiser to England’s upcoming international match.
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rior to the start of England’s International friendly against Israel on Friday, October 9, the University team will play against the Leeds Metropolitan University team.
The game, which is to be played at the Royal National College of the Blind in Hereford, will be used to raise the sport’s profile and help develop the game. Craig Williams, the University’s Head Futsal Coach, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the team and we were happy to say yes after we had been approached by the FA.
OFFERED FINANCIAL
“The university sector is a hotbed for futsal growth and the University of Worcester has been involved for the last four years. “We have great pedigree as two of our ex-students played for the Great Britain team in last year’s World University Games.” Futsal is an official FIFA sanctioned five-a-side game which is faster paced than traditional 11-a-side association football and uses a smaller ball. The sport originated in South America with players such as Brazil’s Ronaldinho and Argentina’s Lionel Messi attributing their skills to playing Futsal in their youth.
Rosie and Tilly sweat for charity
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STUDENTS
wo members of University of Worcester staff will be going the extra mile in the name of charity over the next few weeks.
NPARU PhD student and sessional biology lecturer Claire Tillyer (widely known as Tilly) will be taking part in her first ever triathlon on October 8 in aid of the NSPCC. Tilly will endure a 400m swim, a 23km cycle and a 5km run as she competes in the Warwickshire Triathlon in Stratford Upon Avon. You can find out more about the event at www.fun2tri.co.uk/ Warwickshire-new or sponsor Tilly via www.justgiving.com/clairetillyer/
One-time Student Ambassador extraordinaire and now Graduate Intern in Communication and Development, Rosie Brookes will soon be heading across the Atlantic to take part in this year’s New York Marathon on November 1. Rosie will be running in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of her Grandad and Great Grandad. As part of her gruelling training, Rosie will be doing a ‘New York! New York!’ fancy dress charity pub crawl on October 17, visiting bars on Worcester’s New Street, Friar Street and The Tything. You can find out more and sponsor Rosie via www.justgiving.com/rosie-brooks
ASSISTANCE Worcester students facing financial difficulties because of national delays in processing applications are being offered assistance. Due to difficulties currently being experienced by Student Finance England, a large number of students started University this September without any maintenance grant or possibly only some part of their maintenance loan. In anticipation of this the University has been encouraging students who may be facing financial difficulties to discuss alternative arrangements for making payments for accommodation, nursery fees and course costs. Roger Prout, Head of Student Services, said: “Students in financial difficulty can contact the University’s Finance Office to discuss payment of non-tuition fees and other university costs and possible sources of immediate financial help.” Short term loans may be made available from the Finance Office to cover immediate living costs. Where students need to pay private landlords or child care providers the University Welfare and Financial Advice Team, Students’ Union or University Finance Office will provide creditors with confirmation of the late payment situation if required.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER 2009 / 7
Students bring infirmary back to life A special performance, celebrating and remembering the lives of the nurses who lived and worked at the former Royal Infirmary in Worcester, has been staged at the University of Worcester. The University commissioned Vamos Theatre to work with its Performing Art students to bring to life tales of the former hospital. With the help of Catriona Smellie, Curator at the George Marshall Medical Museum at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, the students searched through archives and artefacts found during the renovation of the hospital building, focusing on the life of the hospital during World War 2. The students also worked with members of the Nurse’s League, who worked at the
Royal Infirmary, to ensure that their facts were accurate and their hospital corners, bed baths and bandages were perfect. All of their research was showcased in a full-mask performance of Bed Baths and Bandages. Steve Boffy, Arts Advisor to the University, said: “Throughout the coming year the University will be using a number of arts projects to work with local communities, telling the story of the Castle Street site and its transition from hospital to university. I am really excited by this project and thrilled to hear that the theatre company has received such a positive response from many of the nurses who once worked there.”
Cakes for charity
at University coffee morning
As has now become traditional, the University of Worcester took part in Macmillan’s annual ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ charity event in September. Students and staff queued up to get a slice of the action, with gallons of coffee being drunk, and hundreds of cakes being devoured. The event was organised by Valerie Gorton, Principal Lecturer in the University’s Institute of Health and Society. She said: “My background is being a nurse and I have always been a supporter of Macmillan. I now work in health education so holding this event is a good way to give something back. “The University’s nursing course teaches palliative care, which is one of Macmillan’s main areas but I’ve also had experience of working with them in the community.” To put the icing on the cake, the event raised over £400 for the cancer charity. 8 / OCTOBER 2009 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
sixth formers
explore faith
and science A special conference for sixth form students is to take place at Worcester Cathedral exploring different religious and scientific views. About 50 post-16 students are due to attend the event, on Tuesday, October 6th from 10am to 2.30pm. Professor John Newbury, Head of the University’s Institute of Science and the Environment, who is also Chair of the Biochemical Societies Education Committee, will explain what science is and relate this to Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. The interactive conference, entitled ‘Faith to Faith for Science and Religion’, will give sixth form students the chance to explore how each World Faith views science.
Worcester graduates riding high in
employment tables
Graduates from the University of Worcester are more likely to find employment than those from any of the West Midlands’ other universities, new figures have revealed. The figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) show that the University’s employment rate was 93.4% for 2007/08 leavers, well above the national average and the highest across the West Midlands’ Universities. Only the two small specialist university colleges – Harper Adams and Newman College, specialising in farming and teaching respectively scored higher. Senior careers advisor Peter Smart said: “Eighty per cent of our graduates remain in the West Midlands region, demonstrating the importance of the University to the local economy. It is also interesting to see that the figures demonstrate more graduates entering employment with small companies of less than 50 employees, than larger companies.” Professor David Green said: “We are committed to ensuring all of our graduates are equipped with the right skills, and the support needed to find employment when they leave here and I’m delighted with this latest positive news.”