Open Cambridge - the University Offices - University of Cambridge
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The magazine for <strong>the</strong> staff <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong> september/october 2009<br />
<strong>Open</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
The Festival <strong>of</strong><br />
Ideas returns<br />
page 4<br />
West Road hits<br />
<strong>the</strong> high notes<br />
page 10
snapshot<br />
Sun achievement: A solar-powered<br />
racing car created by <strong>Cambridge</strong> students<br />
was given <strong>the</strong> seal <strong>of</strong> approval by Formula<br />
1 driver Jenson Button at <strong>the</strong> Goodwood<br />
Festival <strong>of</strong> Speed. Codenamed Bethany,<br />
<strong>the</strong> car is being touted as Britain’s<br />
brightest hope for <strong>the</strong> World Solar<br />
Challenge – a tough, 3,000km race<br />
across <strong>the</strong> Australian Outback this<br />
autumn. It is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong>’s 2009<br />
projects marking its 800th anniversary.<br />
contents<br />
Cover <strong>Open</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong>,<br />
a weekend <strong>of</strong> tours, walks<br />
and exhibitions, will see<br />
college doors open to <strong>the</strong><br />
public. Turn to page 11 for<br />
<strong>the</strong> full story.<br />
Photo: Philip Mynott<br />
3–5 What’s new<br />
6–7 Getting practical<br />
Sassoon bid: <strong>Cambridge</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
Library has launched a campaign at<br />
So<strong>the</strong>by’s in London to acquire <strong>the</strong><br />
archive <strong>of</strong> Siegfried Sassoon’s personal<br />
papers. Should <strong>the</strong> £1.25 million<br />
campaign be successful, it would form<br />
<strong>the</strong> most significant archive <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> poet’s<br />
work anywhere. The picture shown is<br />
copyright <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> executors <strong>of</strong> GT Sassoon<br />
deceased, used by kind permission <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
executors and courtesy <strong>of</strong> So<strong>the</strong>by’s.<br />
Making waves: This picture <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
test trials for Project Pebble – an ultralow-cost<br />
deep sea photographic device<br />
– has won <strong>the</strong> photography competition<br />
at <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Engineering.<br />
The annual contest is open to anyone<br />
in <strong>the</strong> department and aims to uncover<br />
fascinating images from <strong>the</strong> world <strong>of</strong><br />
engineering. View <strong>the</strong> images online at<br />
http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/photocomp/<br />
A place for all: A new community room<br />
at <strong>the</strong> West <strong>Cambridge</strong> Site is now open<br />
for meetings and social events. The<br />
room, <strong>of</strong>ficially launched by <strong>University</strong><br />
Registrary Dr Jonathan Nicholls, pictured,<br />
can be hired free <strong>of</strong> charge during<br />
<strong>the</strong> week and for £30 at weekends for<br />
meetings <strong>of</strong> up to 30 people. To book,<br />
email Julia Bro<strong>the</strong>rton at ljb76@admin.<br />
cam.ac.uk.<br />
8–9 Making a difference<br />
How research students are helping<br />
<strong>the</strong> third sector<br />
10 Behind <strong>the</strong> scenes<br />
The West Road Concert Hall<br />
11 Inside <strong>the</strong> colleges<br />
12 People<br />
13 Prizes, awards and honours<br />
14 Advertisements<br />
15 Interview<br />
Crime writer and <strong>Cambridge</strong> academic<br />
Liz Cruwys<br />
16 Back page<br />
newsletter<br />
The Newsletter is published for <strong>the</strong> staff <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong> and is produced by <strong>the</strong><br />
Office <strong>of</strong> External Affairs and Communications.<br />
Please send in ideas for <strong>the</strong> content and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
ways we can improve <strong>the</strong> publication.<br />
Tel: (3)32300 or email newsletter@admin.cam.ac.uk.<br />
Suggestions for articles for <strong>the</strong> November/<br />
December edition should reach <strong>the</strong> Editor<br />
by 22 September.<br />
Editor: Andrew Aldridge<br />
Advertising: Nick Saffell<br />
Design: <strong>Cambridge</strong> Creations<br />
Printers: Labute Printers<br />
Newsletter online<br />
www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/newsletter/<br />
2 | september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter
what’s new<br />
Your comments and contributions are always welcome.<br />
Please send <strong>the</strong>m to <strong>the</strong> Editor at newsletter@admin.cam.ac.uk<br />
The deadline for <strong>the</strong> next issue is 22 September.<br />
Newcomers to get even warmer welcome<br />
New staff and visiting scholars are now<br />
able to make use <strong>of</strong> a variety <strong>of</strong> enhanced<br />
services to help <strong>the</strong>m and <strong>the</strong>ir families<br />
settle in at <strong>Cambridge</strong>.<br />
The services, run by <strong>the</strong> Newcomers<br />
and Visiting Scholars Society, include a<br />
revamped website and Facebook page,<br />
to go with a new programme <strong>of</strong> events<br />
for Michaelmas Term.<br />
Activities ranging from guided tours<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s museums, Evensong at<br />
King’s College and talks on British culture<br />
– many <strong>of</strong> which are free – will take place<br />
over <strong>the</strong> coming months. These are in<br />
addition to <strong>the</strong> society’s regular weekly<br />
meetings at <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> Centre<br />
(see ‘Find out more’).<br />
Newcomers and Visiting Scholars<br />
Society Director Liz Hodder says<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> <strong>the</strong> city and <strong>University</strong><br />
can seem an impenetrable place to new<br />
joiners – particularly those who have<br />
arrived for <strong>the</strong> first time from overseas.<br />
She says: “A lot <strong>of</strong> people feel<br />
intimidated, especially by <strong>the</strong> buildings –<br />
<strong>the</strong>y feel <strong>the</strong>y are not available to <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Our events give people a chance to meet<br />
o<strong>the</strong>rs in a similar position and learn<br />
about <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>.”<br />
The society’s bid to attract people<br />
using social media channels is particularly<br />
important, says Liz, as many <strong>of</strong> today’s<br />
newcomers want to research <strong>the</strong><br />
The Newcomers and Visiting<br />
Scholars Society’s weekly<br />
meetings are a good place to<br />
make friends at <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> and try to develop a social<br />
network months before <strong>the</strong>y arrive.<br />
And it isn’t just those who work at<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> who can benefit from <strong>the</strong><br />
society’s work; partners and family are<br />
also welcome.<br />
Says Liz: “Our biggest mission<br />
is to reach people. We would like<br />
departmental administrators to pass<br />
on our details if <strong>the</strong>y know someone<br />
who is a newcomer or visiting scholar<br />
and encourage <strong>the</strong>m to get in touch.<br />
We can do <strong>the</strong> rest.”<br />
find out more<br />
Telephone: (01223) 338099<br />
Email: Julie Darsley at<br />
jrd32@admin.cam.ac.uk<br />
Website: www.accommodation.cam.ac.uk<br />
Facebook group: <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
Newcomers and Visiting Scholars<br />
Meetings: Every Tuesday at <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> Centre from 10.45am<br />
until 12 noon<br />
Dr John Cleaver<br />
College quartet hits 40<br />
The Fitzwilliam String Quartet celebrates<br />
its 40th anniversary this year. The quartet,<br />
resident at Fitzwilliam College, recently<br />
gave a concert at <strong>the</strong> college’s auditorium<br />
to mark <strong>the</strong> milestone. The evening’s<br />
repertoire included Tchaikovsky’s<br />
Quartet No. 1, which also featured in its<br />
first concert in 1969. Since <strong>the</strong>n it has<br />
performed across Britain, Europe, North<br />
America, <strong>the</strong> Far East and Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa,<br />
as well as recording many award-winning<br />
LPs and CDs for Decca and Linn. For<br />
fur<strong>the</strong>r information on <strong>the</strong> quartet, visit<br />
➔ www.fitzwilliamquartet.org<br />
The Fitzwilliam Quartet,<br />
comprising (from left to right)<br />
Lucy Russell, Jonathan Spasey,<br />
Hea<strong>the</strong>r Tuack and Alan<br />
George, celebrates 40 years<br />
<strong>of</strong> excellence<br />
Music festival<br />
inspired by Darwin<br />
The 2009 <strong>Cambridge</strong> Music Festival<br />
is to take <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>me ‘Music and<br />
Evolution’ in commemoration <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> 200th anniversary <strong>of</strong> Charles<br />
Darwin’s birth and <strong>the</strong> 150th<br />
anniversary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> publication<br />
<strong>of</strong> On <strong>the</strong> Origin <strong>of</strong> Species.<br />
The festival, which runs from<br />
8–29 November, incorporates more<br />
than 70 concerts, recitals and talks in<br />
various venues across <strong>the</strong> city.<br />
The choir <strong>of</strong> Gonville and Caius<br />
College will perform new settings <strong>of</strong><br />
psalms by six <strong>Cambridge</strong> alumni on<br />
22 November in St John’s College Chapel.<br />
Tickets for all concerts are available now<br />
from <strong>the</strong> Corn Exchange box <strong>of</strong>fice on<br />
(01223) 357851. For more information<br />
on <strong>the</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong> Music Festival, visit<br />
http://www.cammusic.co.uk/<br />
september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter | 3
what’s new<br />
Festival <strong>of</strong> Ideas returns ‘bigger and better’<br />
Festival highlights<br />
l David Starkey on Henry VIII’s legacy<br />
– 5.30-6.30pm, 27 October, Mill<br />
Lane Lecture Room 3. Pre-booking<br />
required (see below)<br />
l Author Michael Morpurgo talks<br />
about his writing – 10.30–11.30am,<br />
24 October, Lady Mitchell Hall,<br />
Sidgwick Site. Pre-booking required<br />
l Plant Orchestra. Artist Luke Jerram<br />
will amplify <strong>the</strong> imperceptible<br />
soundwaves <strong>of</strong> plants in <strong>the</strong> Botanic<br />
Garden. From 5.30–8pm, 21–25<br />
October. Pre-booking required<br />
l Prehistory Day. Experience<br />
aspects <strong>of</strong> prehistoric life,<br />
10–4pm, 24 October,<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> Archaeological Unit,<br />
Storey’s Way. Drop in.<br />
➔ The Festival <strong>of</strong> Ideas runs<br />
from 21 October to 1 November.<br />
For more information and to view<br />
a full programme, go to www.<br />
cambridgefestival<strong>of</strong>ideas.org.<br />
To pre-book an event call<br />
(01223) 766766.<br />
The Festival <strong>of</strong> Ideas is<br />
a chance to learn about<br />
language, culture and<br />
many o<strong>the</strong>r topics<br />
Historian David Starkey is set to<br />
headline this year’s <strong>Cambridge</strong> Festival<br />
<strong>of</strong> Ideas which, in <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s 800th<br />
year, focuses on centuries <strong>of</strong> people<br />
and thought.<br />
He will give <strong>the</strong> first Mark Pigott<br />
Lecture on <strong>the</strong> legacy <strong>of</strong> Henry VIII,<br />
whose achievements included founding<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> <strong>University</strong> Press and<br />
Trinity College.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r authors attending <strong>the</strong> festival<br />
include Michael Morpurgo, who will<br />
launch Family Day on 24 October,<br />
<strong>the</strong> festival’s busiest day.<br />
This is <strong>the</strong> second year <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> festival,<br />
which celebrates <strong>the</strong> arts, humanities and<br />
social sciences, and is run in partnership<br />
with Anglia Ruskin <strong>University</strong>, <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> Press and <strong>the</strong> Higher Education<br />
Funding Council for England.<br />
Last year’s festival attracted more<br />
than 5,000 people, but this year <strong>the</strong> aim<br />
is to make it bigger and better. It will<br />
include more than 150 events, ranging<br />
from evening debates, exhibitions and<br />
hands-on workshops, all designed to<br />
open up <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> to <strong>the</strong> public<br />
and inspire people to learn more about<br />
subjects as diverse as history, literature,<br />
language, art and politics.<br />
The debates, talks and events,<br />
most <strong>of</strong> which are free, will take place<br />
in <strong>University</strong> lecture halls, museums,<br />
art galleries and o<strong>the</strong>r venues around<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong>. Innovations this year include:<br />
• Ideas in <strong>the</strong> Community, a series <strong>of</strong> oneday<br />
events at local community centres<br />
• A national media partner. The Guardian<br />
will stream debates on its website.<br />
BBC <strong>Cambridge</strong>shire will be <strong>the</strong><br />
festival’s local partner<br />
• A competition with <strong>Cambridge</strong> News<br />
and BBC <strong>Cambridge</strong>shire encouraged<br />
members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> public to suggest<br />
questions <strong>the</strong>y wanted to see debated.<br />
The result is a clash <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> classics<br />
with Pr<strong>of</strong>essors Mary Beard and Paul<br />
Cartledge debating whe<strong>the</strong>r languages<br />
are a force for domination or civilisation<br />
• The Mark Pigott Lecture. This will<br />
become a regular feature and has been<br />
created to recognise <strong>the</strong> contribution<br />
<strong>of</strong> PACCAR Chairman Mark Pigott<br />
who donated £2m to <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
for <strong>the</strong> Pigott Scholars Programme.<br />
This will ensure annual funding <strong>of</strong> UK<br />
graduate students studying in <strong>the</strong><br />
arts, humanities and social sciences<br />
departments.<br />
Festival <strong>of</strong> Ideas Coordinator<br />
Nicola Buckley said: “We are really<br />
pleased to be building on <strong>the</strong> popularity<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first festival. It was great last year<br />
to see lots <strong>of</strong> local families getting<br />
hands on with a huge range <strong>of</strong><br />
subjects, and people <strong>of</strong> all ages<br />
learning about economics, politics<br />
and much more at <strong>the</strong> evening<br />
talks and debates.”<br />
4 | september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter
Pay a visit to <strong>the</strong> online edition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Newsletter:<br />
www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/newsletter/<br />
Found! First evidence <strong>of</strong> pre-Norman <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
A hoard <strong>of</strong> historic finds, including<br />
Roman pottery, medieval remains and<br />
<strong>the</strong> bones <strong>of</strong> an 11th-century dog, have<br />
been found at <strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
during an excavation marking its 800th<br />
anniversary.<br />
This late-Saxon dog<br />
was uncovered during<br />
an archaeological dig<br />
at <strong>the</strong> Old Schools<br />
The dig, which took place eight<br />
feet underneath <strong>the</strong> staff tea room in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Old Schools, uncovered material<br />
that is believed to pre-date <strong>the</strong> Norman<br />
Conquest. It is <strong>the</strong> first hard evidence<br />
that more than 150 years before <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong>’s arrival in 1209, <strong>the</strong> area<br />
that now forms its administrative centre<br />
was occupied by a bustling Anglo-Saxon<br />
community.<br />
Archaeologists unear<strong>the</strong>d a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> animal bones, boundary markings and<br />
signs <strong>of</strong> quarrying, which suggest that,<br />
in <strong>the</strong> final decades <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Saxon era, <strong>the</strong><br />
foundations <strong>of</strong> what was to become <strong>the</strong><br />
heart <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> were being laid.<br />
Higher up, at what is being referred<br />
to as <strong>the</strong> ‘1209 level’, <strong>the</strong> dig uncovered<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r materials that have helped to<br />
provide a snapshot <strong>of</strong> life at <strong>the</strong> time<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s foundation.<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>r up still, <strong>the</strong> excavators hit<br />
<strong>the</strong> original medieval frontage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Old Schools.<br />
“The site has enabled us to<br />
prove what we previously had no<br />
pro<strong>of</strong> for – that by <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Norman Conquest, <strong>the</strong>re was a thriving<br />
settlement in <strong>the</strong> middle <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong>,”<br />
Richard Newman, site director with<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong> Archaeological<br />
Unit, said.<br />
“Until now this was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
least-investigated parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> city.<br />
What it has shown is that a century<br />
and a half before <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> arrived,<br />
and 300 years before it started to build<br />
in this area, people were already living<br />
and working here.”<br />
The dig was taking place ahead <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> installation <strong>of</strong> a new lift shaft to <strong>the</strong><br />
Combination Room.<br />
Going strong at ten<br />
Two <strong>Cambridge</strong> institutions hit<br />
double figures over <strong>the</strong> summer.<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> Dictionaries Online (CDO)<br />
has grown to become <strong>the</strong> most popular<br />
learner dictionary on <strong>the</strong> web, with<br />
29 million page views a month. CDO<br />
also compiles a monthly list <strong>of</strong> its most<br />
frequently viewed words.<br />
While common gremlins such as ‘liaise’<br />
and ‘discreet’ are tapped in to its search<br />
engine with unsurprising regularity, <strong>the</strong><br />
‘Top 40’, as it is affectionately referred to<br />
by staff, is also an interesting barometer<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> online community’s hopes, fears<br />
and interests. Back in April <strong>of</strong> this year,<br />
<strong>the</strong> word ‘swine’ entered <strong>the</strong> list as <strong>the</strong><br />
fifth most searched-for word. ‘Pandemic’,<br />
sitting in 14th place in late-July, may be<br />
a lot higher by <strong>the</strong> time this publication<br />
comes to be printed. Those who wish to<br />
brush up on <strong>the</strong>ir English can access <strong>the</strong><br />
site at http://dictionary.cambridge.org/<br />
Meanwhile, <strong>the</strong> tenth issue <strong>of</strong><br />
Research Horizons, <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s<br />
flagship research magazine, has just<br />
rolled <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> presses. The magazine<br />
provides a snapshot <strong>of</strong> research,<br />
discoveries and innovation across all<br />
disciplines at <strong>Cambridge</strong>: from science<br />
and technology, to arts, humanities and<br />
social sciences.<br />
Says editor Dr Louise Walsh:<br />
“Accessibility is our aim. <strong>Cambridge</strong> is<br />
renowned worldwide for <strong>the</strong> breadth and<br />
excellence <strong>of</strong> its research, and we aim<br />
to reflect this in a way that provides an<br />
informative and engaging read for our<br />
wide audience.”<br />
The magazine’s readership includes<br />
academics, funding bodies, policymakers,<br />
industry, students and media.<br />
“It is also a valuable way for colleagues<br />
across <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> to keep up-to-date<br />
with developments in disciplines o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
than <strong>the</strong>ir own,” adds Louise.<br />
The termly magazine and website is<br />
published by an editorial team within <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong>’s Research Services Division. It<br />
works closely with <strong>the</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> External<br />
Affairs and Communications, <strong>the</strong> Chairs<br />
<strong>of</strong> each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s six academic<br />
Schools and <strong>the</strong> Pro-Vice-Chancellor for<br />
Research.<br />
For details, please contact <strong>the</strong> editor at<br />
research.horizons@rsd.cam.ac.uk or visit<br />
www.research-horizons.cam.ac.uk<br />
september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter | 5
getting practical<br />
Streets ahead<br />
Many new and existing<br />
members <strong>of</strong> staff will<br />
need to find a property<br />
before or during <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
time at <strong>Cambridge</strong>,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> is<br />
dedicated to making it<br />
as hassle free as possible<br />
A mid-August afternoon at <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> Accommodation Service<br />
and staff are coping admirably with a<br />
relentless stream <strong>of</strong> enquiries. No sooner<br />
has one call been answered than ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
takes its place. The front door is opening<br />
and closing pretty quickly, too, as<br />
students and staff-to-be come along<br />
to hear about potential properties.<br />
Above <strong>the</strong> noise and bustle,<br />
Head <strong>of</strong> Service Nicky Blanning is trying<br />
to explain how she and her team can<br />
help newcomers and staff with a range<br />
<strong>of</strong> services – except <strong>the</strong> phone rings<br />
again, and she is <strong>of</strong>f to advise someone<br />
about primary schools in <strong>Cambridge</strong>.<br />
“August, September and October<br />
are our busiest months,” she explains on<br />
her return. “We are <strong>the</strong> first port <strong>of</strong> call<br />
for people looking for accommodation<br />
in <strong>Cambridge</strong>, and we will help any<br />
member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>.”<br />
“We have a<br />
two-storey<br />
house, with<br />
high hedges<br />
and four or five<br />
fruit trees on<br />
<strong>the</strong> lawn. To be<br />
honest, we’ve<br />
been blessed”<br />
Last year Nicky and her team<br />
helped more than 6,500 people and,<br />
while much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir work centres around<br />
finding appropriate properties for staff<br />
and students, she is keen to stress that<br />
<strong>the</strong>y can help in o<strong>the</strong>r areas as well.<br />
“We <strong>of</strong>fer a whole relocation package.<br />
We help people find schools for <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
children and places to buy cars. We are<br />
concerned about <strong>the</strong> wider family, and<br />
link up with <strong>the</strong> Newcomers and Visiting<br />
Scholars to help newcomers, partners<br />
and <strong>the</strong>ir children settle in to <strong>University</strong><br />
and city life.”<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong>, she admits, can be a<br />
difficult place to move to, with a wide<br />
range <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and employers<br />
placing demand on <strong>the</strong> city’s housing<br />
stock. Thankfully, <strong>the</strong> Accommodation<br />
Service, based on Tennis Court Road close<br />
to <strong>the</strong> junction with Lensfield Road,<br />
has a database <strong>of</strong> more than 2,500<br />
6 | september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter
places to live. This ranges from rooms<br />
with families, to five-bedroom houses.<br />
One member <strong>of</strong> staff who benefited<br />
from <strong>the</strong> service’s help was Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Paul Berkman, Head <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Arctic Ocean<br />
Geopolitics Programme at <strong>the</strong> Scott Polar<br />
Research Institute. He was on a train from<br />
St Petersburg to Moscow when he got<br />
an email saying that a house fitting<br />
his needs had been found in Girton.<br />
“I arrived in September 2007, with<br />
my family following me a year later,” he<br />
says. “I had said to <strong>the</strong> Accommodation<br />
Service that I was looking for a large,<br />
furnished place for my wife, daughter and<br />
dog. I thought it was a tall order but <strong>the</strong>y<br />
managed to find our current property.<br />
It’s a two-storey house, with high hedges<br />
and four or five fruit trees on <strong>the</strong> lawn,<br />
and close to my daughter’s school.<br />
To be honest, we’ve been blessed.”<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Berkman, who came<br />
to <strong>Cambridge</strong> from <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
California, Santa Barbara, says dealing<br />
with <strong>the</strong> Accommodation Service was<br />
very pleasant. “They understand <strong>the</strong><br />
needs <strong>of</strong> families,” he adds.<br />
The <strong>University</strong> also owns and<br />
manages 360 properties – at West<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong>, Madingley, Fen Causeway<br />
and George Nuttall Close. Priority for<br />
<strong>the</strong>se is given to those who are new to<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> and <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> – people<br />
like Ibraheem Hanneef, who moved to<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> from Lahore to study for a<br />
PhD in <strong>the</strong> Engineering Department.<br />
He says <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> securing<br />
his accommodation from Pakistan<br />
was surprisingly straightforward.<br />
His supervisor at <strong>Cambridge</strong> put him<br />
in touch with <strong>the</strong> Accommodation<br />
Service, which recommended a property<br />
in George Nuttall Close, <strong>of</strong>f Milton Road.<br />
A few emails later and his bro<strong>the</strong>r and<br />
sister in law, who were based in Liverpool<br />
at <strong>the</strong> time, came to view <strong>the</strong> property<br />
and gave it <strong>the</strong> thumbs up.<br />
Says Ibraheem: “On <strong>the</strong> day we<br />
travelled, everything went smoothly.<br />
We set <strong>of</strong>f from Lahore at nine in <strong>the</strong><br />
morning, and by nine o’clock at night<br />
we were in <strong>the</strong> flat.”<br />
Ibraheem and his family value<br />
<strong>the</strong> quiet and friendly atmosphere <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> flats. “There is a very nice community<br />
here. A lot <strong>of</strong> our neighbours are<br />
academics and we found it easy to settle<br />
in. The children all play toge<strong>the</strong>r and<br />
it is very safe. There is also a custodian<br />
living nearby. If we contact him because<br />
something needs mending, he will be<br />
round in five minutes.”<br />
He estimates that his rent is about<br />
“We set <strong>of</strong>f<br />
from Lahore<br />
at nine in <strong>the</strong><br />
morning, and<br />
by nine o’clock<br />
at night we<br />
were in <strong>the</strong> flat”<br />
Find out more<br />
The Accommodation<br />
Service is based at Kellet<br />
Lodge in Tennis Court Road,<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> CB2 1QJ<br />
➔ Email accommodation.<br />
service@admin.cam.<br />
ac.uk<br />
➔ Phone (01223) 338099<br />
➔ Visit <strong>the</strong> website at<br />
www.accommodation.<br />
cam.ac.uk<br />
£50 to £100 cheaper than comparable<br />
local properties that are advertised<br />
privately, and mentions that <strong>the</strong> ample<br />
parking facilities at George Nuttall Close<br />
are welcomed by those with families.<br />
The <strong>University</strong> can also help staff<br />
moving away from <strong>Cambridge</strong> – perhaps<br />
on a fixed contract or sabbatical. Those<br />
who own property and don’t want to<br />
sell can let <strong>the</strong>ir home through <strong>the</strong><br />
Accommodation Service. This incurs a fee<br />
<strong>of</strong> 7.5 per cent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> property’s monthly<br />
rental income, but this is well below<br />
commercial market rates, and comes<br />
without any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> additional fees that<br />
many estate agents charge. The service’s<br />
website (see ‘Find out more’) also lists<br />
details <strong>of</strong> moving sales and house swaps.<br />
In a more recent development,<br />
<strong>the</strong> service has been working with a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> colleges to find tenants for<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir properties. “One college bursar was<br />
suprised when we filled a five-bedroom<br />
house in 24 hours,” says Nicky proudly.<br />
It is something <strong>the</strong>y are keen to extend.<br />
Back in <strong>the</strong> Accommodation Service’s<br />
reception area, <strong>the</strong>re is no sign <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
pace letting up, despite <strong>the</strong> working<br />
day coming to a close. It’s a sign <strong>of</strong> how<br />
challenging <strong>the</strong> business <strong>of</strong> relocating<br />
new members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> is.<br />
And how important.<br />
nicky’s tips<br />
Renting property has plenty <strong>of</strong> pitfalls<br />
– here are five things to do before you<br />
sign on <strong>the</strong> dotted line:<br />
The Accommodation Service has been working with a number <strong>of</strong> colleges to help <strong>the</strong>m find tenants for <strong>the</strong>ir rooms and properties<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
Keep an open mind<br />
Nicky Blanning<br />
Read <strong>the</strong> tenancy agreement<br />
Check whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> landlord<br />
has registered with <strong>the</strong> Tenancy<br />
Deposit Scheme<br />
4 Ask about fees<br />
5 Always ask <strong>the</strong> Accommodation<br />
Service for advice.<br />
september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter | 7
making a difference<br />
Charity work<br />
pays <strong>of</strong>f<br />
A worldwide movement that helps<br />
not-for-pr<strong>of</strong>it organisations fulfil <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
research needs inspired a group <strong>of</strong> staff<br />
and students at <strong>Cambridge</strong> to <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
expertise to local charities<br />
RESEARCH TRIPS HAVE long played<br />
an important role in developing<br />
undergraduates’ academic skills. But five<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> students studying Politics,<br />
Psychology and Sociology have been<br />
able to combine degree work with<br />
helping <strong>the</strong> third sector – and stay<br />
close to home.<br />
The five confined <strong>the</strong>ir studies to<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> – but <strong>the</strong>y did enter a new<br />
and sometimes disturbing world: that <strong>of</strong><br />
a domestic violence refuge for women.<br />
Their plan was to research and write<br />
evaluations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> service to aid charity<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> Women’s Aid, which works to<br />
end domestic violence against women<br />
and children.<br />
The students were <strong>the</strong> first<br />
participants in <strong>Cambridge</strong> Community<br />
Knowledge Exchange, a new <strong>University</strong><br />
scheme inspired by an international<br />
movement <strong>of</strong> science shops known as<br />
Living Knowledge (see box ‘Science<br />
shops: a brief history’). There are more<br />
than 100 such organisations worldwide<br />
helping to bridge <strong>the</strong> worlds <strong>of</strong> academia<br />
Knowledge<br />
exchange<br />
projects take<br />
questions from<br />
<strong>the</strong> voluntary<br />
sector and<br />
find students<br />
and staff to do<br />
research<br />
*The name is a pseudonym as<br />
Women’s Aid refuge staff do not<br />
publicise <strong>the</strong>ir indentities.<br />
and not-for-pr<strong>of</strong>it groups. They take<br />
questions from <strong>the</strong> voluntary sector and<br />
find students and staff to undertake<br />
<strong>the</strong> research.<br />
A great benefit<br />
Kristina, Project Co-ordinator* at<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> Women’s Aid, knew her<br />
organisation could benefit from<br />
knowledge exchange projects when<br />
she read about <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s<br />
e-bulletin for <strong>the</strong> voluntary sector.<br />
“Some people who work in <strong>the</strong><br />
voluntary sector might have been<br />
apprehensive about <strong>the</strong> ability <strong>of</strong><br />
undergraduates to pursue research<br />
sensitively,” she says. “But partly because<br />
I had worked with student volunteers in<br />
<strong>the</strong> past, I thought that <strong>the</strong>y could bring a<br />
great deal to our centre.”<br />
Kristina had an initial meeting with<br />
Dr Brendan Burchell from <strong>the</strong><br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Sociology, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
academics who have <strong>of</strong>fered to help with<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong>’s Community Knowledge<br />
Exchange. He found five students to<br />
undertake a project as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
second-year studies. “It was quite<br />
challenging ensuring that we could do<br />
<strong>the</strong> research in time, and that we could<br />
allow <strong>the</strong> students enough time to do<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir research and write <strong>the</strong>ir projects to<br />
meet course deadlines,” he says.<br />
One area <strong>the</strong> students worked on<br />
was <strong>the</strong> Freedom Programme, which is<br />
run in <strong>the</strong> community and helps women<br />
understand <strong>the</strong> dynamics <strong>of</strong> abusive<br />
relationships, make sense <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own<br />
experiences and help <strong>the</strong>m avoid abusive<br />
men in <strong>the</strong> future.<br />
The students were able to draw<br />
conclusions about how important groups<br />
such as <strong>the</strong> Freedom Programme are to<br />
women recovering from abuse. They also<br />
made suggestions for improvements if<br />
funding were available. Their work also<br />
provided <strong>Cambridge</strong> Women’s Aid with<br />
evidence that such a service was needed<br />
in <strong>the</strong> region, and it has been used in<br />
a funding bid for joint working with a<br />
London-based project.<br />
One student, Halliki Voolma, has<br />
8 | september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter
Science shops: a brief history<br />
SCIENCE SHOPS don’t sell <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
research, and <strong>the</strong>y don’t just research<br />
scientific topics. They originated in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands in <strong>the</strong> 1970s as a way<br />
<strong>of</strong> democratising access to research<br />
and universities, and were linked<br />
ideologically to <strong>the</strong> cultural and<br />
protest movement <strong>of</strong> 1968.<br />
Their establishment coincided with<br />
<strong>the</strong> start <strong>of</strong> project-based education<br />
in universities, and was fed by an<br />
emerging environmental awareness<br />
in society.<br />
Students across <strong>the</strong> world have<br />
carried out projects as diverse as<br />
measuring noise or environmental<br />
pollution, researching cancer risks and<br />
addressing topics <strong>of</strong> community safety.<br />
Sarah Jones<br />
Find out more<br />
If you would like to learn<br />
more about <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
Community Knowledge<br />
Exchange or be involved,<br />
email Nicola Buckley on<br />
njb1010@cam.ac.uk<br />
Information is also<br />
available at www.<br />
admin.cam.ac.uk/<br />
<strong>of</strong>fices/communications/<br />
community/knowledge/<br />
decided to use her time at <strong>the</strong> refuge<br />
as <strong>the</strong> basis for her third-year research<br />
project in Sociology. She will investigate<br />
<strong>the</strong> plight <strong>of</strong> women with no recourse to<br />
public funds who experience domestic<br />
abuse. Halliki’s superviser was pleased<br />
she was able to do <strong>the</strong> kind <strong>of</strong> research<br />
with service users that many students do<br />
not embark on until Masters or PhD level.<br />
Dasha Makarova, ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
student researchers, reports a similarly<br />
positive experience. “I enjoyed every<br />
moment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project and am so grateful<br />
for <strong>the</strong> opportunity to give something<br />
back to <strong>the</strong> community while, at <strong>the</strong> same<br />
time, doing <strong>the</strong> research I really enjoy.”<br />
And Kristina says that working with<br />
<strong>the</strong> students helped with <strong>the</strong> refuge’s<br />
work. “The women who use our services<br />
found it beneficial. They were pleased<br />
that <strong>the</strong> students were interested in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
experiences, and <strong>the</strong>y liked <strong>the</strong> idea that<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir experience could help o<strong>the</strong>r women<br />
access effective services in <strong>the</strong> future.<br />
We would appreciate <strong>the</strong> chance to work<br />
with students on projects in <strong>the</strong> future.”<br />
Now for<br />
girls as well<br />
as boys.<br />
To find out more, come to our<br />
Co-education Information<br />
Evening on Wednesday<br />
9th September 2009. Please<br />
call 01223 403805 or email<br />
admissions@perse.co.uk to<br />
reserve your place.<br />
september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter | 9
BEHIND THE SCENES<br />
Pitch<br />
perfect<br />
West Road Concert Hall attracts<br />
world-leading performers, is used by<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s Faculty <strong>of</strong> Music –<br />
and finds space in its busy programme<br />
for local music groups. Meet <strong>the</strong><br />
person who makes it all happen<br />
Philip Mynott<br />
How many people does it take to run<br />
a concert hall? A large concert hall with<br />
three resident ensembles, more than 300<br />
events a year and a place visited by heads<br />
<strong>of</strong> state?<br />
Large music venues might draw on<br />
scores <strong>of</strong> employees but at West Road<br />
Concert Hall <strong>the</strong> job falls to George<br />
Unsworth, her assistant Nell Halford and<br />
a group <strong>of</strong> three dedicated custodians.<br />
The days may be long and <strong>the</strong> work<br />
intense, but keeping <strong>the</strong> team small has<br />
it advantages, as George explains. “It<br />
would be nice for us to have facilities<br />
such as a box <strong>of</strong>fice and marketing<br />
department, but as soon as you do, your<br />
costs increase. These <strong>the</strong>n have to be<br />
passed on to <strong>the</strong> groups who perform<br />
here, and we don’t want to turn people<br />
away because we have become too<br />
expensive.”<br />
The challenge, <strong>the</strong>n, is to maintain<br />
<strong>the</strong> concert hall as a space that appeals to<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, is open to community music<br />
groups, and can accommodate <strong>the</strong> needs<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s Faculty <strong>of</strong> Music, one<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> oldest and most famous university<br />
music departments in <strong>the</strong> world.<br />
It is a difficult balance to strike,<br />
but a quick run-through <strong>of</strong> this year’s<br />
programme suggests it is one that<br />
George and her team have honed to<br />
a fine art. For instance, <strong>the</strong> summer<br />
months have seen high-pr<strong>of</strong>ile slots<br />
for <strong>the</strong> Academy <strong>of</strong> Ancient Music, <strong>the</strong><br />
2009 Darwin Anniversary Festival and<br />
BBC television’s Question Time (with<br />
Any Questions? scheduled for October<br />
this year). But <strong>the</strong>re have also been<br />
performances by youth, community<br />
and student groups – from <strong>the</strong> National<br />
Youth Recorder Orchestra, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
Handel Opera Group and a large number<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong> music groups.<br />
Not surprisingly, George’s work<br />
as Concert Hall Manager is varied.<br />
One day she might be stuffing sheet<br />
music into folders for <strong>the</strong> BBC Proms;<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r liaising with <strong>the</strong> Vice-Chancellor’s<br />
Office and police over security for a<br />
foreign dignitary.<br />
So just why does West Road punch<br />
above its weight as a venue? One reason<br />
is its exceptional acoustics. You might<br />
“The fantastic<br />
acoustics were<br />
one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
reasons why<br />
I came to work<br />
at West Road”<br />
Find out more<br />
For more information,<br />
including a programme <strong>of</strong><br />
events and details <strong>of</strong> West<br />
Road’s resident ensembles<br />
– <strong>the</strong> Academy <strong>of</strong> Ancient<br />
Music, <strong>the</strong> Britten Sinfonia<br />
and <strong>the</strong> Endellion String<br />
Quartet – log on to<br />
www.westroad.org<br />
George Unsworth, Concert Hall Manager at West Road<br />
expect nothing less from a concert<br />
hall designed by Sir Leslie Martin,<br />
<strong>the</strong> architect responsible for <strong>the</strong> Royal<br />
Festival Hall in London. But that said,<br />
George believes <strong>the</strong>re aren’t many<br />
spaces in <strong>the</strong> world that surpass its<br />
sound quality.<br />
The acoustics were one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reasons<br />
why George herself came to work at<br />
West Road, having spent time in senior<br />
positions at <strong>the</strong> London Philharmonic<br />
Orchestra, Barbican and Academy <strong>of</strong> St<br />
Martin in <strong>the</strong> Fields. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
was <strong>the</strong> chance to work for a concert<br />
hall that had strong links with local<br />
community groups. She mentions <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> Holiday Orchestra, which<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers a wide range <strong>of</strong> musical activities,<br />
including bands, choirs and a full<br />
orchestra for young musicians. Many<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> staff, she adds, are involved<br />
with local music groups that make use<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hall.<br />
“I suppose we’re a bit like a garage,”<br />
she says, laughing. “People park <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
events in us, but that’s not always such<br />
a bad thing.”<br />
10 | september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter
INSIDE THE COLLEGES<br />
1A tour through<br />
Clare College<br />
garden<br />
Access<br />
all areas<br />
2Walk down<br />
a hidden<br />
underground<br />
tunnel<br />
Before <strong>the</strong> Second World War, Clare<br />
was described as <strong>the</strong> “jewel in <strong>the</strong><br />
wilderness”. Today, <strong>the</strong> college is set<br />
in some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most beautiful gardens<br />
in <strong>the</strong> city. The inspiration for <strong>the</strong><br />
gardens came from a design in 1947<br />
by College Fellow Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Nevill<br />
Willmer, says Head Gardener Steve<br />
Elstub. “He coordinated <strong>the</strong> garden<br />
around colour <strong>the</strong>mes, views, vistas<br />
and gardens within gardens.”<br />
The garden still retains some <strong>of</strong><br />
its earlier features: old yews and<br />
chestnuts, a fine riverside specimen<br />
<strong>of</strong> Swamp Cypress and an old stone<br />
wall that, toge<strong>the</strong>r with two apple<br />
trees, once formed part <strong>of</strong> an old<br />
kitchen garden.<br />
➔ Tours take place on 11 and<br />
12 September at 10.45am and 2pm<br />
and last for an hour and a half<br />
science at king’s college library<br />
A selection <strong>of</strong> libraries will be open<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> weekend, showing<br />
collections that include medieval<br />
manuscripts, early printed books and Winston<br />
Churchill’s papers. The library at King’s houses<br />
documents and books by, among o<strong>the</strong>rs, Sir Isaac<br />
Newton, economist John Maynard Keynes and<br />
British ma<strong>the</strong>matician Alan Turing, some <strong>of</strong> whose<br />
papers are pictured with King’s Library archivist<br />
Dr Patricia McGuire. Those who are interested in <strong>the</strong><br />
environment can visit and browse an exhibition <strong>of</strong><br />
books from <strong>the</strong> Global Warming Collection.<br />
➔ The library opens on 11 September from 10am<br />
to 4pm, is free and does not require booking<br />
Behind stately college<br />
frontages and <strong>University</strong><br />
buildings lies a world <strong>of</strong><br />
hidden gardens, ancient<br />
libraries and fantastic<br />
art collections. <strong>Open</strong><br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong>, a weekend<br />
<strong>of</strong> tours, talks, exhibitions<br />
and more is <strong>the</strong> public’s<br />
chance to enjoy <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
There are scores <strong>of</strong><br />
events to choose from,<br />
but here’s a small taste<br />
<strong>of</strong> what’s on <strong>of</strong>fer...<br />
Philip Mynott<br />
Emmanuel Street is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> busiest<br />
thoroughfares in <strong>Cambridge</strong> – a hive<br />
<strong>of</strong> activity created by bus stops, John<br />
Lewis shoppers and those looking<br />
for a short-cut to Christ’s Pieces.<br />
Most passers-by aren’t aware that<br />
beneath <strong>the</strong>m lies <strong>the</strong> Emmanuel<br />
College subway, which connects<br />
New Court in <strong>the</strong> main college<br />
premises to North Court on <strong>the</strong><br />
o<strong>the</strong>r side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> road. The green<br />
and cream tiled tunnel is a favourite<br />
with participants on <strong>the</strong> Bridge <strong>the</strong><br />
Gap charity walk, which visits several<br />
colleges in one day. Staff can also<br />
see it as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Emmanuel<br />
College – Past and Present tour.<br />
➔ Emmanuel College – Past and<br />
Present is on 11 September, 10–11am<br />
and 2.30–3.30pm<br />
➔ Bridge <strong>the</strong> Gap is on 13 September,<br />
starting on Jesus Green from<br />
9.30–11am<br />
Find out more<br />
➔ For a full programme <strong>of</strong> events and to<br />
pre-book online, visit www.cam.ac.uk/<br />
opencambridge<br />
➔ For more information, call (01223)<br />
766766<br />
Philip Mynott<br />
september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter | 11
people<br />
People coming<br />
Obituary<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Wallace-Hadrill<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Colin Lizieri<br />
Dr Rebecca Lingwood<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Andrew Wallace-Hadrill OBE takes up <strong>the</strong><br />
Mastership <strong>of</strong> Sidney Sussex College this month, becoming<br />
<strong>the</strong> 25th Master since <strong>the</strong> college was founded in 1596.<br />
A Roman social and cultural historian, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Wallace-<br />
Hadrill has been for <strong>the</strong> last 14 years Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> British<br />
School at Rome. An expert on Pompeii and Herculaneum,<br />
he has directed major projects at both sites, including<br />
<strong>the</strong> Herculaneum Conservation Project for which he will<br />
continue to take responsibility.<br />
He was awarded <strong>the</strong> Archaeological Institute <strong>of</strong><br />
America’s James R. Wiseman Award in 1995 for his book<br />
Houses and Society in Pompeii and Herculaneum (1994) and<br />
is currently working on a new book on Herculaneum. He<br />
has written several o<strong>the</strong>r books, including Suetonius: <strong>the</strong><br />
Scholar and his Caesars (1985), Augustan Rome (1993), and,<br />
most recently, Rome’s Cultural Revolution (2008), published<br />
by <strong>Cambridge</strong> <strong>University</strong> Press. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Wallace-Hadrill<br />
has held visiting fellowships at Princeton <strong>University</strong> and <strong>the</strong><br />
Getty Museum, and is a frequent contributor to radio and<br />
television broadcasts.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Wallace-Hadrill will be accompanied in his<br />
new role at Sidney Sussex by his wife Josephine, and has<br />
pledged to ensure his role as Master is “at <strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong><br />
college life, generating institutional self-confidence<br />
and promoting and building on a shared vision” .<br />
He succeeds Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dame Sandra Dawson who<br />
stood down in August after ten years as Master.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Colin Lizieri has been appointed Grosvenor<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Real Estate Finance at <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>. He will<br />
lead <strong>the</strong> research and teaching in Real Estate Finance<br />
within <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Land Economy, building on<br />
<strong>the</strong> innovations made by his predecessor Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John<br />
Glascock, particularly in <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> MPhil in<br />
Real Estate Finance.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Lizieri has a long and distinguished record<br />
<strong>of</strong> research, publication and teaching, and was most<br />
recently Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Real Estate Finance at <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> Reading.<br />
Dr Rebecca Lingwood has been appointed <strong>the</strong><br />
new Director at <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Continuing Education.<br />
Dr Lingwood, who gained her Engineering degree,<br />
MA and PhD at <strong>Cambridge</strong>, will succeed Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Dick Taylor on 1 October 2009.<br />
She is currently Director <strong>of</strong> Continuing Pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
Development at Oxford <strong>University</strong>. She said: “I am delighted<br />
to be returning to <strong>Cambridge</strong> and have <strong>the</strong> opportunity to<br />
build on <strong>the</strong> Institute’s traditions, and create a strong and<br />
vibrant future for continuing education.”<br />
Miss Helen Stephens has been appointed Head Porter <strong>of</strong><br />
Selwyn, joining <strong>the</strong> college on 18 August. Helen was Deputy<br />
Head Porter at Trinity College from May 2008 and previously<br />
a gate porter at Jesus for three years.<br />
Selwyn has a small team <strong>of</strong> dedicated porters including a<br />
Deputy Head Porter, five Day Porters, two Night Porters and<br />
a receptionist.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Graham<br />
Stanton<br />
(1940–2009)<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Graham Stanton, Lady<br />
Margaret’s Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Divinity at<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong>, was<br />
a New Testament scholar whose<br />
studies focused on <strong>the</strong> Gospels,<br />
particularly Mat<strong>the</strong>w’s Gospel.<br />
Probably his best-known work<br />
was The Gospels and Jesus, while <strong>the</strong><br />
collection <strong>of</strong> essays on Mat<strong>the</strong>w’s<br />
Gospel, A Gospel for a New People,<br />
used a variety <strong>of</strong> methods to throw<br />
light on <strong>the</strong> community behind<br />
<strong>the</strong> text.<br />
In 1996-97, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Stanton<br />
served as President <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Society<br />
for New Testament Studies. For<br />
nine years he edited New Testament<br />
Studies and <strong>the</strong> associated<br />
monograph series, both published<br />
by <strong>Cambridge</strong> <strong>University</strong> Press.<br />
During his time in <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
he presided over <strong>the</strong> celebrations<br />
for <strong>the</strong> Quincentenary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Lady Margaret’s Chair in 2002,<br />
and was involved in securing <strong>the</strong><br />
re-endowment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chair from<br />
<strong>the</strong> Kirby Laing Foundation in<br />
October 2007.<br />
As a Fellow <strong>of</strong> Fitzwilliam College<br />
he secured a key benefaction for<br />
<strong>the</strong> endowment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chaplaincy<br />
in 2008.<br />
As a scholar, a loyal friend<br />
and an encourager <strong>of</strong> all young<br />
researchers he will be greatly<br />
missed.<br />
12 | september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter
prizes, awards and honours<br />
Birthday Honours<br />
Five <strong>Cambridge</strong> academics were named<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Queen’s Birthday Honours list.<br />
They were:<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor David Baulcombe, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
<strong>of</strong> Botany at <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
and a Fellow <strong>of</strong> Trinity, who was<br />
knighted for services to Plant Science.<br />
Dr Kate Pretty, <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s Pro-<br />
Vice-Chancellor for International Strategy<br />
and a Principal <strong>of</strong> Homerton College,<br />
who was made a CBE for services to<br />
Higher Education.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Lynn Gladden, Shell Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
<strong>of</strong> Chemical Engineering and Head <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Chemical Engineering<br />
and Biotechnology. A Fellow <strong>of</strong> Trinity,<br />
she was awarded a CBE for services to<br />
Chemical Engineering. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Gladden<br />
was awarded an OBE in 2001 for her<br />
services to Chemistry.<br />
Stephen Cleobury, Director <strong>of</strong> Music<br />
at King’s, who was made a CBE for his<br />
services to Music.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sheila Rodwell, who sadly<br />
died a few days after <strong>the</strong> list was made<br />
public, was made an OBE. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Rodwell had most recently held <strong>the</strong><br />
position <strong>of</strong> Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> MRC Centre<br />
for Nutrition in Cancer Epidemiology<br />
Prevention and Survival at <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r awards<br />
➔ Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Stephen O’Rahilly,<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Clinical Biochemistry and<br />
Medicine, Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong><br />
Metabolic Science Metabolic Research<br />
Laboratories and Honorary Consultant<br />
Physician at Addenbrooke’s Hospital,<br />
has been awarded an Honorary DSc by<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Warwick in recognition<br />
<strong>of</strong> his contribution to research in<br />
human metabolic disease.<br />
➔ The Millennium Ma<strong>the</strong>matics Project<br />
has been awarded <strong>the</strong> 2009 Gresham<br />
Prize for its education project On Your<br />
Maths, about ma<strong>the</strong>matics and <strong>the</strong><br />
2012 Olympics. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John D Barrow,<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Millennium Ma<strong>the</strong>matics<br />
and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Ma<strong>the</strong>matical Sciences,<br />
has been awarded <strong>the</strong> 2009 Kelvin Medal<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Physics and has been<br />
elected a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Academia<br />
Europaea.<br />
➔ Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Mary Beard, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
Classics and a Fellow <strong>of</strong> Newnham, has<br />
been awarded <strong>the</strong> Wolfson History Prize for<br />
her book Pompeii: <strong>the</strong> Life Of a Roman Town.<br />
The prestigious annual award is presented<br />
to <strong>the</strong> authors <strong>of</strong> two exceptional works<br />
each year to promote and encourage<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Stephen O’Rahilly<br />
Dr Kate Pretty<br />
Dr Mark Stevens<br />
standards <strong>of</strong> excellence in <strong>the</strong> writing <strong>of</strong><br />
history for <strong>the</strong> general public. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
Beard’s book presents a unique view <strong>of</strong> life<br />
in Pompeii, which was buried when Mount<br />
Vesuvius erupted in AD 79.<br />
➔ Dr Sam Chamberlain, from <strong>the</strong><br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Psychiatry and <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong>’s Behavioural and Clinical<br />
Neuroscience Institute, has been<br />
awarded <strong>the</strong> Junior Preclinical Wyeth<br />
Psychopharmacology Award for<br />
2009 by <strong>the</strong> British Association for<br />
Psychopharmacology (BAP) at <strong>the</strong> annual<br />
BAP conference in Oxford. The award was<br />
for his research in healthy volunteers, and<br />
in patients with impulse control disorders,<br />
which has shed light on how psychiatric<br />
medications exert beneficial effects on<br />
symptoms via actions on <strong>the</strong> brain.<br />
➔ Two <strong>Cambridge</strong> academics –<br />
Dr Martin Stevens and Dr Alessio<br />
Ciulli – have been awarded fellowships<br />
by <strong>the</strong> Biotechnology and Biological<br />
Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).<br />
Both received David Phillips Fellowships,<br />
given to support <strong>the</strong> UK’s<br />
most promising early career<br />
researchers.<br />
Pilkington Prizes awarded<br />
Twelve <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s best teaching<br />
talents have been honoured at <strong>the</strong> annual<br />
Pilkington Prizes awards ceremony.<br />
The Pilkington Teaching Prizes were<br />
established in 1994 by businessman and<br />
Trinity alumnus Sir Alastair Pilkington.<br />
The aim <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> prizes is to ensure that<br />
excellence in teaching at <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> is<br />
given proper recognition. The list includes<br />
a posthumous award for Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Mike<br />
Majerus. The prizes were awarded to:<br />
Dr Mat<strong>the</strong>w Juniper, Senior Lecturer in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Engineering Energy<br />
Group and a Fellow <strong>of</strong> Trinity.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Andrew Thomason,<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Combinatorial Ma<strong>the</strong>matics<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Ma<strong>the</strong>matics and a<br />
Fellow <strong>of</strong> Clare.<br />
Dr Julia Riley, Lecturer at <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong><br />
Physics and Chemistry and a Fellow<br />
<strong>of</strong> Girton.<br />
Dr Simon Taylor, Lecturer at <strong>the</strong> Judge<br />
Business School.<br />
Dr Martin Ennis, Senior Lecturer at <strong>the</strong><br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Music and a Fellow <strong>of</strong> Girton.<br />
Dr Kate Plaisted-Grant, Senior Lecturer<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Experimental<br />
Psychology and a Fellow <strong>of</strong> Trinity.<br />
Dr Helen Smith, <strong>University</strong> Associate<br />
Lecturer in <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Anaes<strong>the</strong>tics.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Kenneth Siddle,<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Molecular Endocrinology<br />
at <strong>the</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Metabolic Science<br />
and a Fellow <strong>of</strong> Churchill.<br />
Dr Charles French, Reader at <strong>the</strong><br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Archaeology and<br />
Anthropology.<br />
Dr Peter Mandler, Reader in <strong>the</strong><br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> History and a Fellow <strong>of</strong><br />
Gonville and Caius.<br />
Mrs Haruko Laurie, Senior Language<br />
Teaching Officer at <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong><br />
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies<br />
and a Fellow <strong>of</strong> Selwyn.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Mike Majerus, Reader in<br />
Evolution at <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Genetics<br />
who was a Fellow <strong>of</strong> Clare.<br />
Do you want to<br />
LOSE WEIGHT?<br />
HOW ABOUT TRYING SOMETHING NEW?<br />
We are using a new diet drink and an<br />
Internet support programme and we<br />
would like you to help us find out how<br />
useful <strong>the</strong>y are.<br />
If you are:<br />
• Willing to take part in a 12-week study<br />
• Aged 18-64 years<br />
• Overweight<br />
• Have regular internet access<br />
• Are able to exercise 2½ hours/week<br />
CONTACT Hannah Lewis on (01223) 426356<br />
or email Hannah.Lewis@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk<br />
You will be reimbursed for participation in <strong>the</strong> study and<br />
reasonable travel expenses<br />
september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter | 13
advertisements<br />
Advertising on this page is open to <strong>University</strong> staff. The cost is £15 for a single insertion or £75 for six insertions. The deadline<br />
for <strong>the</strong> November/December issue is 8 October. Send your copy – no longer than 70 words – to <strong>the</strong> Editor at newsletter@<br />
admin.cam.ac.uk or call 32300. We reserve <strong>the</strong> right to edit contributions<br />
Houses to rent<br />
➔ Italy, Tuscan Apuan Alps<br />
Sixteenth-century Italian<br />
monastery available for<br />
conferences, workshops, schools<br />
and group meetings. Fully<br />
equipped lecture <strong>the</strong>atre and<br />
extensive computer facilities with<br />
accommodation onsite. Daily<br />
activities such as mountaineering,<br />
caving, canyon walking, city<br />
tours, swimming, art classes and<br />
restaurant trips can be organised<br />
on request.<br />
Contact: http://www.vallico.net/<br />
tti/tti.html<br />
➔ Italy, Amalfi coast<br />
Small Bed and Breakfast in<br />
peaceful, traffic-free mountain<br />
village above Positano. All rooms<br />
are ensuite with panoramic sea<br />
views <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Amalfi coast. Good<br />
base for walks in all directions.<br />
English speaking host. Double<br />
room and breakfast 50 euros per<br />
night. Easyjet flights to Naples<br />
from Stansted. Photos and fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
information available.<br />
Contact: Penny Marrone on<br />
01954 210681 or email<br />
penny.marrone@btinternet.com<br />
➔ Italy, Rome<br />
One-bedroom luxury flat available<br />
for short rentals. Cable television,<br />
fully networked, vast terrace. £400<br />
per week all inclusive. Fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
information available on request.<br />
Contact: Cristiano Ristuccia on<br />
car37@cam.ac.uk<br />
➔ North Yorkshire Moors,<br />
cottage<br />
Accommodation comprises<br />
sitting room, dining rooms, play<br />
room, kitchen, four bedrooms, two<br />
bathrooms and garden with lovely<br />
views. Sleeps seven. All mod cons.<br />
Fabulous walks in all directions.<br />
Near Rievaulx, Castle Howard,<br />
Runswick Bay. £370 per week.<br />
Contact Horace or Miranda Barlow<br />
on 01223 366 618/333 867 or email<br />
hbb10@cam.ac.uk<br />
➔ Godmanchester, flat<br />
Ground-floor flat in<br />
Godmanchester located in a<br />
complex <strong>of</strong> 40 flats, designed for<br />
residents over 60 years. Sitting<br />
room overlooking courtyard with<br />
well-stocked garden. Kitchenette<br />
with electric cooker and<br />
fridge-freezer. Accommodation<br />
comprises entrance hall, double<br />
bedroom and bathroom.<br />
Emergency call alarm system.<br />
Shops nearby. Good public<br />
transport links to Huntingdon, St<br />
Ives and <strong>Cambridge</strong> (16 miles).<br />
£445pcm (negotiable).<br />
Email ap233@cam.ac.uk<br />
SERVICES<br />
➔ Private English Lessons<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> Classroom <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
private tuition in English with an<br />
experienced and highly qualified<br />
tutor, from preparation for tests<br />
and examinations, to simple<br />
conversation classes. We can also<br />
work on skills like pronunciation<br />
or writing. All kinds <strong>of</strong> learner<br />
are welcome: visiting scholars,<br />
graduate students or anyone<br />
wishing to brush up on <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
English skills.<br />
Visit www.cambridgeclassroom.<br />
co.uk or email info@<br />
cambridgeclassroom.co.uk<br />
➔ Orchestra<br />
The King John Orchestra is a<br />
sociable orchestra set up by<br />
and for parents and friends <strong>of</strong><br />
schools in and around <strong>Cambridge</strong>.<br />
It rehearses fortnightly on Monday<br />
evenings in school term time in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Grange Road area and currently<br />
has vacancies for brass and string<br />
players. If you want to get back<br />
to playing your instrument in an<br />
informal and friendly atmosphere,<br />
please email kjo@kcs.cambs.sch.uk<br />
➔ Art classes<br />
Get creative and join an art<br />
course at <strong>Cambridge</strong> Regional<br />
College. Choose from 10-week<br />
classes in ceramics, drawing and<br />
painting, jewellery, photography,<br />
printmaking or sculpture. Taught in<br />
modern, purpose-built workshops<br />
and studios, students will quickly<br />
develop research and design skills<br />
alongside art and craft techniques.<br />
All courses run in <strong>the</strong> evening and<br />
start <strong>the</strong> week commencing 21<br />
September.<br />
Phone 01223 226315 or visit<br />
www.camre.ac.uk<br />
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED<br />
➔ Bridge <strong>the</strong> Gap walk<br />
Volunteers are needed for Bridge<br />
<strong>the</strong> Gap charity walk on Sunday,<br />
13 September at Jesus Green<br />
from 8am–2pm. You will help<br />
direct 2,500 people around <strong>the</strong><br />
4.5-mile route <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
colleges. Lunch provided. The walk<br />
raises money for <strong>the</strong> Arthur Rank<br />
Hospice Charity and Press Relief:<br />
<strong>the</strong> News Community Fund.<br />
Contact Emma Wenborn at emma.<br />
wenborn@admin.cam.ac.uk or<br />
phone 01223 339666<br />
➔ Scouting<br />
Adult leaders needed to help<br />
with activities for boys and girls<br />
in Scouting (aged six years and up)<br />
in many areas around <strong>Cambridge</strong>.<br />
If you have an hour or two a week<br />
to spare, please get in touch to<br />
discuss what <strong>the</strong> opportunities are<br />
to become a leader or assistant.<br />
Contact Nicola Buckley at nicola.<br />
buckley@admin.cam.ac.uk<br />
The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
accepts no responsibility for <strong>the</strong><br />
advertisements or <strong>the</strong>ir content.<br />
I N D E P E N D E N T C AT H O L I C DAY A N D B OA R D I N G<br />
SC HOOL FOR GIRL S AGED 4 -18 • ALL FAITHS WELCOME<br />
S I T UAT E D I N T H E H E A R T O F B E AU T I F U L C A M B R I D G E<br />
Rooted in tradition but forward-thinking, St Mary’s<br />
was built on <strong>the</strong> vision <strong>of</strong> a 17th-century woman who had<br />
<strong>the</strong> audacity to believe that girls could do anything.<br />
We couldn’t agree more.<br />
For more than 100 years, St Mary’s has been helping<br />
girls build <strong>the</strong> confidence <strong>the</strong>y need to thrive. We focus on<br />
<strong>the</strong> whole girl – giving her <strong>the</strong> solid foundation she needs<br />
to navigate today’s rapidly changing global landscape.<br />
From academic and extra-curricular activities, to leadership<br />
building and charity work, St Mary’s celebrates <strong>the</strong> individual,<br />
challenges <strong>the</strong> mind and ignites <strong>the</strong> spirit.<br />
St Mary’s<br />
C A M B R I D G E<br />
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B E C A U S E T H E R E ’ S N O T H I N G<br />
G I R L S C A N ’ T D O .<br />
JUNIOR AND SENIOR SC HOOL OPEN MORNING – 10 OCTOBER 9.30 UNTIL NOON<br />
ST MARY’S JUNIOR SCHOOL<br />
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No 2 Brookside <strong>Cambridge</strong> CB2 1JE Tel: 01223 311666 Email: juniorschool@stmaryscambridge.co.uk<br />
Bateman Street <strong>Cambridge</strong> CB2 1LY Tel: 01223 353253 Email: registrar@stmaryscambridge.co.uk<br />
14 | september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter
interview<br />
Murder<br />
in <strong>the</strong> colleges<br />
As <strong>Cambridge</strong> celebrates its 800 th anniversary,<br />
we meet an author whose crime fiction is<br />
set in <strong>the</strong> emerging years <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>,<br />
complete with inter-collegiate skulduggery,<br />
academic intrigue and worse<br />
Lis Cruwys combines historical research with a cracking good story<br />
ON A FINE MORNING in 1996 Liz Cruwys,<br />
a marine biologist, cycled from <strong>the</strong> Scott<br />
Polar Research Institute to Heffers book<br />
shop on Trinity Street. There on a table<br />
in <strong>the</strong> crime fiction section lay a pile<br />
<strong>of</strong> freshly delivered copies <strong>of</strong> A Plague<br />
on Both Your Houses: <strong>the</strong> First Chronicle<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mat<strong>the</strong>w Bartholomew by Susanna<br />
Gregory, an author new to <strong>the</strong> genre.<br />
Liz opened <strong>the</strong> top copy and flicked<br />
through <strong>the</strong> first few pages – a dedication<br />
to <strong>the</strong> author’s husband, a map <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> and a plan <strong>of</strong> Michaelhouse<br />
circa 1348, followed by a prologue that<br />
sets <strong>the</strong> scene for <strong>the</strong> unfolding <strong>of</strong> clerical<br />
skulduggery and academic scheming.<br />
It was, she says, a “surreal feeling” because<br />
Susanna Gregory is a pseudonym – and<br />
<strong>the</strong> author <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> book with <strong>the</strong> brightly<br />
coloured cover was none o<strong>the</strong>r than<br />
Liz herself.<br />
A Plague on Both Your Houses<br />
unravels <strong>the</strong> story <strong>of</strong> a murder against<br />
a backdrop <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> savage rivalry <strong>of</strong><br />
medieval <strong>Cambridge</strong>, as college fellows<br />
jockey for position. In <strong>the</strong> background<br />
looms <strong>the</strong> ever-present threat <strong>of</strong><br />
approaching plague. When it arrives,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Black Death brings desperation<br />
among <strong>the</strong> local population as resources<br />
dwindle, and town and gown rivalries<br />
intensify. Descriptions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> stench from<br />
<strong>the</strong> River Cam, filthy kitchens and piles <strong>of</strong><br />
“<strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
most magical,<br />
magnificent<br />
and murderous<br />
places<br />
anywhere”<br />
rubbish are stark reminders <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
as a miserably cold town in <strong>the</strong> Fens.<br />
The central character is Mat<strong>the</strong>w<br />
Bartholomew, a physician and teacher<br />
<strong>of</strong> medicine at Michaelhouse, one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> earliest <strong>Cambridge</strong> colleges,<br />
which was eventually incorporated into<br />
Trinity College. With his pragmatism,<br />
Bartholomew is more modern in his<br />
methods than most <strong>of</strong> his peers in<br />
<strong>the</strong> book as he seeks to find a logical<br />
explanation for <strong>the</strong> spread <strong>of</strong> infection<br />
and a means <strong>of</strong> treating it – perhaps<br />
a pointer to some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> brilliant<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> minds to come.<br />
Liz says she became fascinated by<br />
medieval history while “living among<br />
<strong>the</strong> wonderful medieval remains <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong>”. After school in Bristol,<br />
she earned her first two degrees at <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Lancaster and <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> Durham. Her subsequent career<br />
as a police <strong>of</strong>ficer gave her an insight<br />
into human behaviour in all its guises,<br />
subterfuge and crime-solving.<br />
In her late-20s she returned to<br />
academia, taking a PhD in Biological<br />
Anthropology at <strong>Cambridge</strong>, and later<br />
becoming a Fellow and Tutor at Wolfson<br />
College. During her time in <strong>Cambridge</strong>,<br />
she conducted extensive fieldwork in<br />
both polar regions, while pursuing her<br />
love <strong>of</strong> medieval history and architecture<br />
in her free time. In constructing her plots,<br />
she combines historical research with a<br />
cracking good story.<br />
Since <strong>the</strong> publication <strong>of</strong> A Plague<br />
on Both Your Houses, 14 fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
Mat<strong>the</strong>w Bartholomew Chronicles have<br />
appeared. The latest, A Vein <strong>of</strong> Deceit,<br />
centres on sly dealings and murder as<br />
Michaelhouse negotiates for timber and<br />
coal with Suffolk landlords. An interest in<br />
Restoration London prompted Liz to start<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r series, this one based around<br />
<strong>the</strong> character Thomas Chaloner. On top<br />
<strong>of</strong> that, she is author <strong>of</strong> books on British<br />
castles and ca<strong>the</strong>drals <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world.<br />
She says: “Each time I finish a book,<br />
I quickly plunge into <strong>the</strong> next one –<br />
and soon I scarcely remember what<br />
<strong>the</strong> last one was about.”<br />
In 2006, Liz moved to Carmar<strong>the</strong>nshire<br />
in west Wales, where she has a large<br />
garden and engages in heated debate<br />
with o<strong>the</strong>r writers <strong>of</strong> crime fiction<br />
on matters <strong>of</strong> pithy historic detail,<br />
and works full time on her books.<br />
She still visits <strong>Cambridge</strong>, where<br />
she lived for 20 years, whenever she<br />
can. Sometimes she pops into <strong>the</strong><br />
Michaelhouse Café, a flourishing<br />
reminder <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong>’s ‘lost’<br />
colleges, imagining vespers being sung<br />
<strong>the</strong>re by early college scholars as she<br />
sips her tea.<br />
september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter | 15
pictures: Chris Christodoulou<br />
BACK PAGE<br />
x<br />
Proms fly <strong>the</strong> flag<br />
for <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
THE BBC PROMS celebrated <strong>the</strong> 800th Anniversary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong> with a sold-out concert on 22 July<br />
at <strong>the</strong> Royal Albert Hall in London.<br />
More than 5,000 music lovers and <strong>Cambridge</strong> alumni,<br />
including His Royal Highness The Prince <strong>of</strong> Wales, enjoyed <strong>the</strong><br />
performance. At <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> concert <strong>the</strong> conductor Andrew<br />
Davis was called out for several curtain calls to a cheering<br />
audience and a sea <strong>of</strong> waving <strong>Cambridge</strong> flags.<br />
Some 240 singers from 16 college choirs were joined onstage<br />
by <strong>the</strong> BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Andrew<br />
Davis, baritone Simon Keenlyside and organist Thomas Trotter,<br />
all <strong>of</strong> whom studied at <strong>Cambridge</strong>. The evening’s repertoire<br />
was by composers associated with <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>, including<br />
Ralph Vaughan Williams, Charles Villiers Stanford and Ryan<br />
Wigglesworth. Outside <strong>the</strong> Royal Albert Hall, people were<br />
queuing up for tickets as early as 6am. The ‘Prommers’, as <strong>the</strong>y are<br />
known, are a close-knit group, many <strong>of</strong> whom have been coming<br />
to <strong>the</strong> Proms for most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir lives.<br />
NVQ courses <strong>of</strong>fer chance<br />
to learn at work<br />
Sam McGrath-Thompson has had some<br />
interesting experiences with <strong>the</strong> public<br />
as Head Attendant at <strong>the</strong> Museum <strong>of</strong><br />
Archaeology and Anthropology.<br />
One day during <strong>the</strong> <strong>Cambridge</strong><br />
Science Festival he saw a bunch <strong>of</strong><br />
heads bobbing around under a table. He<br />
investigated fur<strong>the</strong>r and found a family<br />
having a picnic in <strong>the</strong> middle <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> galleries.<br />
He says he gets a tremendous buzz<br />
from dealing with <strong>the</strong> public, and that<br />
enthusiasm has been deepened after he<br />
took part in <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> pilot for an<br />
NVQ Level 2 in Museums, Galleries and<br />
Heritage.<br />
Sam, who has been Head Attendant<br />
for about six years, says <strong>the</strong> course, which<br />
he took alongside his work, helped him to<br />
see his job in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> museum<br />
as a whole. “It looked at how <strong>the</strong> museum<br />
functions and how each part is separate<br />
but important,” he says. “It made me<br />
understand how important gallery staff<br />
are. A lot <strong>of</strong> what I do every day is done<br />
on autopilot, and this made me look at<br />
<strong>the</strong> wider context <strong>of</strong> my job.”<br />
Sam, 56, was given an Endeavour<br />
Award by <strong>Cambridge</strong> Regional<br />
College, who supervised <strong>the</strong> NVQ. The<br />
qualification was funded by <strong>the</strong> Centre<br />
for Personal and Pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
Development (CPPD).<br />
He was in a group <strong>of</strong> five staff from <strong>the</strong><br />
Archaeology and Anthropology Museum,<br />
as well as <strong>the</strong> Fitzwilliam Museum.<br />
The course focused on areas such as<br />
Hauser Forum now complete<br />
A topping out ceremony has marked<br />
<strong>the</strong> completion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main structure <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> £15.7 million Hauser Forum at West<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong>.<br />
Dr Hermann Hauser and Dr Pamela<br />
Raspe joined Chris Goldsmith <strong>of</strong><br />
Turnstone Estates, Mike Hart <strong>of</strong> Willmott<br />
Dixon and, from <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>, Director<br />
<strong>of</strong> Estate Management Michael Bienias<br />
and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Ian Leslie.<br />
communications, over-<strong>the</strong>-counter work<br />
and dealing with <strong>the</strong> public.<br />
Sam says he decided to go on <strong>the</strong><br />
course because he wanted to see if<br />
it would be useful to his staff. He will<br />
definitely be recommending it to his<br />
colleagues. “You can never have enough<br />
education,” he says.<br />
For fur<strong>the</strong>r information, phone Jenny<br />
Tootal, Vocational Development Adviser<br />
at CPPD on (3)32345 or email<br />
jmt37@admin.cam.ac.uk<br />
The participants in <strong>the</strong> pilot group NVQ Level 2<br />
Museums, Galleries and Heritage, all <strong>of</strong> whom<br />
achieved <strong>the</strong> qualification. Left to right are:<br />
Amy Brady, Fitzwilliam Museum; Sue Foakes,<br />
tutor <strong>Cambridge</strong> Regional College; Peter<br />
Rooley, Archaeology and Anthropology<br />
Museum; Siobhan Lee, Fitzwilliam Museum;<br />
Colin Yaxley, Fitzwilliam Museum; Sam<br />
McGrath-Thompson, Archaeology and<br />
Anthropology Museum.<br />
The development, due for completion<br />
this December, will comprise a home for<br />
<strong>Cambridge</strong> Enterprise, an “idea space” for<br />
emerging companies, a seminar centre,<br />
a café, and <strong>the</strong> Broers Building – named<br />
after former Vice-Chancellor Lord Broers –<br />
for rent to commercial companies.<br />
The Hauser Forum has been made<br />
possible thanks to a generous £8 million<br />
donation to <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s from <strong>the</strong><br />
Hauser-Raspe Foundation.<br />
16 | september/october 2009 | UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Newsletter