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September 2009 Precinct - University of Liverpool

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THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL MAGAZINE FOR STAFF<br />

P<br />

Eco-friendly<br />

halls<br />

£45m development will<br />

be one <strong>of</strong> greenest in UK<br />

A MEMBER OF THE<br />

RUSSELL GROUP<br />

SEPTEMBER DECEMBER <strong>2009</strong> 2006


09 04 08 19<br />

Prestigious<br />

Chemistry<br />

hat-trick<br />

Vice-Chancellor’s Message<br />

One <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong>’s five strategic priorities is to take our<br />

knowledge exchange (KE) to a different level. But how do we<br />

define knowledge exchange?<br />

I think two factors are essential. The first is the importance<br />

<strong>of</strong> a two-way exchange <strong>of</strong> knowledge between the <strong>University</strong> and<br />

the external partners we work with. This enriches our research,<br />

learning and teaching, and demonstrates that we are always<br />

ready to learn from others. The second is the application <strong>of</strong> our<br />

knowledge assets to make an impact on society, whether<br />

technological, economic, environmental or social. In a very real<br />

sense, the <strong>University</strong> exists to make life better. That is what<br />

motivates our academic community, not simply the extra income<br />

we can earn from KE.<br />

Given the diverse nature <strong>of</strong> our <strong>University</strong> our knowledge<br />

exchange covers many areas. These include product design and<br />

development, for example, the work our engineers undertake<br />

with the aerospace industry or our chemists on discovering new<br />

materials; business process improvements, such as those<br />

identified through our Management School’s Innovation Academy;<br />

leadership, management and pr<strong>of</strong>essional skills development<br />

through master classes, short courses and certified Continuing<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Development (CPD) programmes like those run by<br />

our Veterinary School; and public policy development and<br />

evaluation, such as the Impacts 08 longitudinal research<br />

programme to assess the benefits <strong>of</strong> European Capital <strong>of</strong> Culture<br />

2008 or the emerging Institute <strong>of</strong> Health Inequalities Research.<br />

Finally, we must remember our civic mission and the contribution<br />

we make to the life <strong>of</strong> the region and city. This includes the use <strong>of</strong><br />

the <strong>University</strong>’s facilities for the greater public good, like the<br />

VG&M, or our outreach to marginalised communities through<br />

widening participation or engagement in various partnership boards.<br />

GET INVOLVED! Please send your news, views, compliments and complaints to:<br />

Janis Morgan<br />

Corporate Communications<br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong><br />

Foundation Building<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong> L69 7ZX<br />

t: 0151 794 2251<br />

e: precinct@liv.ac.uk<br />

w: www.liv.ac.uk/precinct<br />

£45m building gives<br />

students the ultimate in eco<br />

King <strong>of</strong> the swingers<br />

NB. Please don’t send letters anonymously, just let us<br />

know if you don’t want your details to be published.<br />

If you require this publication in an alternative format,<br />

please telephone 0151 794 2251.<br />

Ness Gardens has been<br />

blooming tremendous<br />

over the summer!<br />

Taken as a whole it is an impressive level <strong>of</strong> engagement with<br />

society <strong>of</strong> which I am very proud. We now want to press on to do<br />

more and, where we can, ensure the value <strong>of</strong> our services is properly<br />

understood and that income to the <strong>University</strong> through contract<br />

research, consultancy, CPD and hire <strong>of</strong> facilities is increased.<br />

Our new Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee will<br />

bring clearer direction to the KE agenda, supported by an internal<br />

Knowledge Exchange Steering Group and a Knowledge<br />

Exchange External Advisory Group. In the <strong>2009</strong>-2010 Operating<br />

Plan, we have given priority to the need for a comprehensive<br />

review <strong>of</strong> all our KE, the introduction <strong>of</strong> a ‘hub and spoke’<br />

approach with closer integration between central support services<br />

and the three new Faculties, along with a significant increase in<br />

our CPD activities.<br />

In autumn a KE prospectus will be published to outline to our<br />

various potential customers and partners in the private, public and<br />

third sectors our KE values, the services we have to <strong>of</strong>fer and our<br />

commitment to quality.<br />

I hope, like me, you are excited by the further impact we can<br />

make and the greater reputation we will have because <strong>of</strong> it.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Howard Newby<br />

Inside this edition <strong>of</strong> <strong>Precinct</strong> you should have received<br />

a copy <strong>of</strong> the Travel Plan. If you didn’t, or if you require<br />

additional copies, contact the Travel Plan Officer Graham<br />

Pollard on 41375 or email graham.pollard@liv.ac.uk<br />

Also, you should have received a Dignity at Work<br />

‘Zero Tolerance’ leaflet, if you require any more copies<br />

<strong>of</strong> this please email sally.middleton@liv.ac.uk


'Achieving Institutional Excellence'<br />

Aprogramme <strong>of</strong> transformational change is being introduced<br />

under the ‘Achieving Institutional Excellence’ banner, in<br />

support <strong>of</strong> the Strategic Plan.<br />

It is a process <strong>of</strong> positive change and innovation which will<br />

ultimately enable the <strong>University</strong> to achieve its five key priorities.<br />

Vice-Chancellor, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Howard Newby, said: “Achieving<br />

Institutional Excellence is focused on working together to realise the<br />

<strong>University</strong>’s ambitions. It is about the positive transformation that is<br />

being made to the <strong>University</strong> and involves every member <strong>of</strong> staff.<br />

“It will set the standard for the various organisational<br />

improvements that we are making or will make, so that we can<br />

become equally proud <strong>of</strong> how we operate as well as what we have<br />

to <strong>of</strong>fer in respect <strong>of</strong> research, a learning experience and impact on<br />

society through knowledge exchange.”<br />

As part <strong>of</strong> the Achieving Institutional Excellence agenda, a<br />

number <strong>of</strong> initiatives will be delivered to ensure the success <strong>of</strong> the<br />

cultural, behavioural, structural and procedural changes that are<br />

needed to enable staff at all levels to work together more<br />

effectively. These include changes to the <strong>University</strong>’s academic<br />

and committee structures, as well as ongoing reviews <strong>of</strong> academic<br />

and Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services departments.<br />

A high level-review <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services is underway<br />

and a programme <strong>of</strong> business process improvement will be taken<br />

forward under the direction <strong>of</strong> the Change<br />

Management Team, led by the Chief Operating<br />

Officer, which will comprise the Directors <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services; Carol Kay (pictured left),<br />

Project Manager; Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Tom Harrison, Academic<br />

Lead and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Andy Cooper and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Murray Dalziel,<br />

Academic Advisors together with representatives from the<br />

Guild <strong>of</strong> Students.<br />

The contribution <strong>of</strong> all staff is a key part <strong>of</strong> the Achieving<br />

Institutional Excellence agenda though the delivery <strong>of</strong> all individual<br />

goals and objectives set within the context <strong>of</strong> the Strategic Plan.<br />

Colleagues across academic and Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services<br />

departments will be asked to contribute to these initiatives and to<br />

play their part in enhancing effectiveness and efficiency across all<br />

<strong>University</strong> activity.<br />

Review <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services<br />

As part <strong>of</strong> the Achieving Institutional<br />

Excellence initiative, the <strong>University</strong>’s<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services team has<br />

been undergoing an externally-led review<br />

during the summer.<br />

The aim <strong>of</strong> the review is to ensure<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services is aligned with<br />

academic units and activity in support <strong>of</strong><br />

delivering the Strategic Plan. It dovetails<br />

with the review <strong>of</strong> academic departments<br />

which has been ongoing since the results<br />

<strong>of</strong> the RAE were published.<br />

The initial high-level review has covered<br />

the central services and the<br />

Faculty/Departmental academic support<br />

services, which will eventually become part<br />

<strong>of</strong> an integrated Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services<br />

structure following the ongoing<br />

re-alignment <strong>of</strong> the academic structure.<br />

Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Hackett,<br />

said: “The outputs from the initial review<br />

will inform the degree <strong>of</strong> alignment<br />

between the priorities <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

Services and the <strong>University</strong>'s strategic<br />

priorities, focus on the steps needed to<br />

achieve closer alignment between<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services and academic<br />

activities, and <strong>of</strong>fer a considered opinion<br />

on improvements that could be made in<br />

areas such as business processes, levels<br />

<strong>of</strong> decision making, configuration <strong>of</strong><br />

functions and speed <strong>of</strong> delivery.”<br />

Overseeing the process is the Change<br />

Management Team, who will review the<br />

initial findings this month and an action<br />

plan will be produced for approval by the<br />

Senior Management Team in October.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services staff will be<br />

updated on findings and proposals via<br />

departmental briefings and open sessions.<br />

Heads <strong>of</strong> Department will be informed<br />

more widely <strong>of</strong> the findings and<br />

subsequent action plan at briefings led by<br />

the Vice-Chancellor in October. The action<br />

plan will also be made available via the<br />

Achieving Institutional Excellence intranet<br />

site in October.<br />

3


4<br />

<strong>2009</strong> National Student Survey<br />

The <strong>2009</strong> National Student Survey has revealed a continuing<br />

high level <strong>of</strong> satisfaction among students at the <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong>, with an overall satisfaction rate <strong>of</strong> 85%,<br />

compared to a national average <strong>of</strong> 81%.<br />

Vice-Chancellor, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Howard Newby, said: “I am<br />

very pleased to see an improvement in the latest results for our<br />

<strong>University</strong>. We take the NSS results very seriously and enhancing<br />

the quality <strong>of</strong> the student experience it is one <strong>of</strong> our key Strategic<br />

Plan ambitions.”<br />

The survey, which is now in its fifth year, gives final-year<br />

undergraduate students across the country the chance to<br />

provide feedback on various aspects <strong>of</strong> their university education.<br />

It includes questions on teaching, assessment and feedback,<br />

organisation and management, learning resources, personal<br />

development and overall satisfaction.<br />

This year, more than 2,000 students at <strong>Liverpool</strong> completed<br />

the survey – 62% <strong>of</strong> those eligible to do so. This represents an<br />

increase <strong>of</strong> 5% on last year’s response rate <strong>of</strong> 57%.<br />

Respondents at <strong>Liverpool</strong> also expressed high levels <strong>of</strong><br />

satisfaction with the learning resources available to them,<br />

with 87% <strong>of</strong> students satisfied with this section <strong>of</strong> the survey,<br />

compared to 83% in 2008.<br />

The results for <strong>2009</strong> clearly show an improvement on the<br />

results recorded in 2008, as can be seen from the table right.<br />

The <strong>University</strong> is committed to responding to student feedback<br />

and departments will be invited to consider the results <strong>of</strong> the <strong>2009</strong><br />

The <strong>University</strong> is investing £45 million on a<br />

new Eco Residences project as part <strong>of</strong> its<br />

commitment to improve the student<br />

experience and promote its sustainability agenda.<br />

The development <strong>of</strong> around 700 en-suite<br />

study bedrooms, on the site <strong>of</strong> the Management<br />

School car park in Chatham Street, will also<br />

include shops, a new 250-seat restaurant and a<br />

café bar, open to all.<br />

Steve Dickson, Director <strong>of</strong> Facilities<br />

Management, said: “Designed to be among the<br />

greenest in the country, the development will be<br />

at the cutting edge <strong>of</strong> sustainable design. It<br />

will benefit from a low energy heating and<br />

cooling system, rainwater harvesting, low<br />

energy lighting and solar thermal water<br />

heating. The development will also<br />

feature green ro<strong>of</strong>s with potential<br />

for wildlife habitats.”<br />

<strong>2009</strong> 2008<br />

% satisfied % satisfied<br />

The teaching on my course 84% 84%<br />

Assessment and feedback 58% 57%<br />

Academic support 72% 71%<br />

Organisation and management 75% 74%<br />

Learning resources 87% 83%<br />

Personal development 80% 77%<br />

Overall satisfaction 85% 84%<br />

NSS in order to evaluate and develop the overall student<br />

experience <strong>of</strong>fered at the <strong>University</strong>.<br />

The Teaching Quality Support Division has conducted an<br />

analysis <strong>of</strong> the results at JACS Subject level and this year, for the<br />

first time, the <strong>University</strong> has returned eligible students with<br />

identifiable departmental codes, enabling greater monitoring <strong>of</strong><br />

response rates and allowing results to be returned by department.<br />

This analysis can be viewed at: www.liv.ac.uk/tqsd/<br />

Compiled by the Higher Education Funding Council for<br />

England (HEFCE), the National Student Survey results are<br />

available publicly via the Unistats website: www.unistats.com<br />

For further information, please contact Hannah Stelman at<br />

H.Stelman@liv.ac.uk<br />

£45m building gives students the ultimate in eco<br />

The project will have an impact on car<br />

parking at the Management School with the loss<br />

<strong>of</strong> 200 spaces, however, following an analysis <strong>of</strong><br />

car park usage, the <strong>University</strong> does have<br />

adequate spaces to match demand. Additionally,<br />

the Heating and Infrastructure Project and the<br />

Medical Research and Teaching Project in the<br />

old Royal Infirmary will release 127 spaces upon<br />

their completion at the end <strong>of</strong> this year.<br />

The <strong>University</strong>’s new Travel Plan, included in<br />

this edition <strong>of</strong> <strong>Precinct</strong>, is also designed to<br />

encourage a reduction in car use by promoting<br />

other modes <strong>of</strong> travel.<br />

Subject to planning approval, the Eco<br />

Residences project is expected to open in<br />

<strong>September</strong> 2011. For more information visit:<br />

www.liv.ac.uk/intranet/facilities/pdfs/<br />

Eco_Resident_Leaflet.pdf


<strong>University</strong> encourages<br />

vigilance over swine flu<br />

Staff and students are being<br />

encouraged to follow advice issued<br />

by the Health Protection Agency to<br />

help reduce the spread <strong>of</strong> swine flu.<br />

Transmission <strong>of</strong> the new virus is<br />

thought to occur in the same way as<br />

seasonal flu and it can be effectively<br />

treated with anti-viral medication if<br />

necessary. So far the disease seen with the<br />

new strain <strong>of</strong> virus is similar in severity to<br />

seasonal flu although some individuals with<br />

underlying health problems may be at<br />

greater risk <strong>of</strong> more serious disease.<br />

Typical symptoms are a sudden fever<br />

and cough and may also include a<br />

headache, aching muscles, sore throat,<br />

sneezing, diarrhoea and a loss <strong>of</strong> appetite.<br />

Any members <strong>of</strong> staff who believe they<br />

may have swine flu are asked not come to<br />

work until they have fully recovered.<br />

Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Hackett,<br />

said: “If you think you may have swine flu,<br />

you should first check your symptoms on<br />

www.nhs.uk, and if you remain concerned,<br />

contact the National Pandemic Flu Service<br />

at www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk or on<br />

0800 1 513 100. If you are told that you do<br />

have swine flu, you need to tell the<br />

<strong>University</strong> by calling 0151 794 7755 or by<br />

emailing to H1N1Virus@liv.ac.uk This is<br />

very important so we can effectively<br />

manage any outbreak in the <strong>University</strong>.<br />

“If there is someone in your household<br />

with the virus, you should still come into<br />

work providing you are free <strong>of</strong> symptoms.”<br />

The <strong>University</strong>’s Flu Planning Group<br />

has developed a number <strong>of</strong> measures to<br />

control the threat and manage the impact<br />

<strong>of</strong> students falling ill and <strong>of</strong> a large number<br />

<strong>of</strong> staff <strong>of</strong>f sick at any one time.<br />

Further advice and guidance is<br />

available on the <strong>University</strong>’s swine flu<br />

pages which can be accessed from the<br />

front page <strong>of</strong> the staff intranet site.<br />

The <strong>University</strong> is advising students not<br />

to attend courses or any other <strong>University</strong><br />

activities if a doctor has confirmed they<br />

have swine flu. They are also asked to<br />

report they have swine flu to their school or<br />

department and certify their absence as<br />

per the Sickness Absence Policy in the<br />

Student Handbook.<br />

Any students who have concerns<br />

should contact the Student Services Centre<br />

on 0151 794 5863 or email<br />

sscrec@liv.ac.uk The Student Health<br />

Service can also be contacted for advice<br />

and guidance on 0151 794 4720/5820.<br />

Further information on swine flu is available<br />

for students on the Student Health web<br />

pages which are accessible from the front<br />

page <strong>of</strong> the student intranet site.<br />

If you are a member <strong>of</strong> staff and have been<br />

diagnosed with swine flu by either a doctor<br />

or the National Pandemic Flu Service,<br />

stay <strong>of</strong>f work and contact the <strong>University</strong><br />

on 0151 794 7755 or via email to<br />

H1N1Virus@liv.ac.uk to report that you<br />

have the virus. You should also report<br />

your absence to your line manager as you<br />

would for any other sickness absence.<br />

H E A L T H A D V I C E<br />

Useful contacts:<br />

National Pandemic Flu Service:<br />

www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk<br />

0800 1 513 100<br />

Swine Flu Information Line:<br />

0800 1 513 513<br />

NHS Direct: 0845 4647<br />

Health Protection Agency:<br />

www.hpa.org.uk<br />

NHS Choices: www.nhs.uk<br />

Foreign and Commonwealth<br />

Office (for travel advice):<br />

www.fco.gov.uk<br />

If you think you have swine<br />

flu it is important to follow the<br />

basic good hygiene measures<br />

to help reduce transmission<br />

<strong>of</strong> the virus:<br />

• Cover your nose and mouth<br />

when coughing or sneezing<br />

and use a tissue<br />

• Dispose <strong>of</strong> dirty tissues<br />

promptly and carefully<br />

• Maintain good basic hygiene;<br />

for example wash hands<br />

frequently with soap and<br />

water to reduce the spread <strong>of</strong><br />

the virus from your hands to<br />

your face or to other people<br />

• Clean hard surfaces (such as<br />

door handles) frequently using<br />

a normal cleaning product.<br />

CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT!<br />

5


6<br />

May's Meccano bridge TV epic<br />

Top Gear’s James May made a daring<br />

crossing over the Leeds-<strong>Liverpool</strong><br />

canal on a Meccano bridge built by<br />

the <strong>University</strong>’s student engineers.<br />

The Meccano bridge is part <strong>of</strong> his<br />

new TV series, James May’s Toy Stories,<br />

in which he makes life-size constructions<br />

with some <strong>of</strong> Britain’s best-loved toys.<br />

Approximately 100,000 pieces <strong>of</strong><br />

Meccano were used on the construction <strong>of</strong><br />

the 23-metre bridge, which took 1,100 man<br />

hours to build on the site outside the Liver<br />

Building. The students gave up their<br />

summer holiday to take part in the<br />

eight-week project with the help <strong>of</strong> the<br />

North East Meccano Guild.<br />

Dr Tim Short, Senior Lecturer in<br />

Engineering Design, said: “We took<br />

inspiration from James May, the design<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Saye Khoo, School <strong>of</strong> Biomedical Sciences<br />

Saye graduated in Medicine from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> London<br />

in 1985, training in General Medicine and Infectious<br />

Diseases. He joined the <strong>University</strong> as Senior Lecturer in<br />

1998, and was promoted to Reader in 2005. He is<br />

Honorary Consultant Physician at the Royal <strong>Liverpool</strong><br />

<strong>University</strong> Hospital, and Chairs the Mersey, Cheshire and North Wales HIV<br />

Managed Care Network in addition to serving on national and international<br />

HIV and TB treatment guidelines committees.<br />

Research: His research focuses on the pharmacology <strong>of</strong> HIV treatment<br />

failure and how therapy may be improved through individualised care.<br />

Studies seek to understand why drug exposure varies markedly between<br />

individuals (and the role <strong>of</strong> individual characteristics such as weight, gender,<br />

host genetics and drug interactions), and identify vulnerable groups who are<br />

at particular risk <strong>of</strong> failure, or toxicity. These studies span bench science,<br />

through translational research and into the clinic, and onwards to population<br />

based modelling approaches. Strategies to apply research findings to<br />

improve treatment outcomes through interventions such as<br />

pharmacogenetic testing, therapeutic drug monitoring and drug information<br />

support are integral to this programme <strong>of</strong> work.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Andrew Bleloch, Department <strong>of</strong> Engineering<br />

Andrew moved to Cambridge from South Africa to do his<br />

PhD in electron microscopy at the Cavendish Laboratory.<br />

Setting up a national aberration corrected electron<br />

microscopy facility at Daresbury is what brought him to the<br />

North West in 2002. He joined the Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Engineering in 2007 as a Reader and is building up a state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art<br />

electron microscopy facility for <strong>Liverpool</strong>.<br />

Research: Andrew works on the application <strong>of</strong> novel electron microscopy<br />

techniques to characterize technologically important materials.<br />

proposal from the architecture students<br />

and the design drawings from Atkins,<br />

added an enormous amount <strong>of</strong> Meccano<br />

and created a bridge that is unique and<br />

impressive.”<br />

Before attempting to cross the bridge<br />

James confessed to feeling nervous as<br />

parts <strong>of</strong> the bridge had been tested, but<br />

not the bridge as a whole. On reaching the<br />

opposite side <strong>of</strong> the canal, he was met by<br />

former Conservative MP Edwina Curry. The<br />

pair then used a lever to spread the wings<br />

<strong>of</strong> a Meccano Liver Bird that was sat upon<br />

the bridge.<br />

James May surrounded by giant Lego, which has been<br />

used for another <strong>of</strong> his challenges in the BBC2 James<br />

May’s Toy Stories series.<br />

Warm welcome to our four new pr<strong>of</strong>essors<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Christopher Sanderson, School <strong>of</strong> Biomedical Sciences<br />

After working as a postdoctoral researcher at the EMBL<br />

(Heidelberg), UCLA (California) and the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Oxford, Chris moved to the Hinxton Genome Campus in<br />

Cambridge to lead the Functional Proteomics Group at<br />

the MRC Rosalind Franklin Centre for Genomics Research.<br />

In 2005 he relocated to the Department <strong>of</strong> Physiology in <strong>Liverpool</strong> where he is<br />

currently head <strong>of</strong> the Molecular Networks Group and Director <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Physiology BSc Honours course.<br />

Research: The human genome encodes approximately 23,000 different<br />

proteins. As yet, it is not known how these proteins work together to perform<br />

a diverse range <strong>of</strong> coordinated processes. Using both experimental and<br />

computational methods, the group is building molecular maps which show<br />

how proteins are organised into complex intracellular networks. In future<br />

these maps will be used to explore the ways in which physiological and<br />

pathological processes are regulated in human cells.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Natasha Movchan, Department <strong>of</strong> Mathematical Sciences<br />

Natasha joined the <strong>University</strong> as a Lecturer in Applied<br />

Mathematics in 1999. She became Senior Lecturer in 2003<br />

and Reader in 2006. Natasha’s main research interests are<br />

in mathematical modelling <strong>of</strong> dynamic fracture, models <strong>of</strong><br />

elastic and acoustic waves interacting with inhomogeneous<br />

media, asymptotic and numerical analysis <strong>of</strong> dynamic lattice structures,<br />

dynamic structural interfaces and fracture in adhesive joints.<br />

Research: Her most recent research projects are in dynamics <strong>of</strong> cracks in<br />

anisotropic media, models <strong>of</strong> photonic and phononic crystals, flexural waves<br />

and localisation within composite clusters in elastic plates – an important<br />

practical application <strong>of</strong> this latter research is control over properties <strong>of</strong> waves<br />

in media through structuring which is the basis <strong>of</strong> the exciting new area <strong>of</strong><br />

metamaterials.


IT just<br />

gets better<br />

and better<br />

The Computing Services Department has<br />

enhanced existing services and launched<br />

new initiatives to improve current IT<br />

provision in preparation for the new term.<br />

These initiatives include:<br />

• Doubling the staff email quota<br />

• Launching a new version <strong>of</strong> VITAL,<br />

improving the online learning and<br />

teaching environment<br />

• Launching Apps Anywhere, which<br />

enables <strong>University</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tware to be<br />

accessed from anywhere in the world<br />

• Further promoting power-saving initiatives<br />

to continue to lessen the <strong>University</strong>’s<br />

impact on the environment<br />

• Launching an out-<strong>of</strong>-hours telephone<br />

support service.<br />

The standard staff email quota<br />

has been doubled to 1GB. This increase,<br />

alongside Computing Services’<br />

award-winning email archiving system,<br />

means that members <strong>of</strong> staff have more<br />

space in which to manage their emails.<br />

A new version <strong>of</strong> VITAL, the online<br />

teaching and learning environment,<br />

brings a brand new look and feel to the<br />

system as well as enhancements to<br />

learning and teaching tools.<br />

Using Apps Anywhere, staff and<br />

students can access <strong>University</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tware<br />

from anywhere in the world. Applications<br />

run through a web browser without the<br />

need for downloads or licensing and have<br />

full functionality. S<strong>of</strong>tware available on<br />

Apps Anywhere includes the full Micros<strong>of</strong>t<br />

Office 2007 suite, Corel Draw, SPSS,<br />

Agresso and many more. Users can also<br />

access their M: drive <strong>of</strong>f-campus using the<br />

File Explorer.<br />

Power-saving initiatives are<br />

continuing to help lessen our impact on<br />

the environment and save money.<br />

Eliminating idle time on staff PCs by putting<br />

them in standby or hibernate, can save<br />

enough electricity to power 200 homes.<br />

The out-<strong>of</strong>-hours telephone support<br />

service means that after 5.30pm, on<br />

weekends, bank holidays or on <strong>University</strong><br />

closed days, calls will be directed to a<br />

staffed out-<strong>of</strong>-hours service. This service<br />

will assist with general enquiries and<br />

problems with CSD services or the MWS<br />

account, including password-related issues.<br />

For more details on all <strong>of</strong> these<br />

initiatives, visit: http://www.liv.ac.uk/csd/<br />

John and Steven take<br />

up director roles<br />

Two new Directors have been<br />

appointed in Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services<br />

over the summer.<br />

The Director <strong>of</strong> Computing Services<br />

Department (CSD), John Cartwright<br />

(pictured above left), joins the <strong>University</strong><br />

from the global electronic and electrical<br />

engineering company Siemens where he<br />

has worked in a number <strong>of</strong> positions over<br />

20 years, including, most recently, the<br />

Head <strong>of</strong> IT Operations and Deputy Chief<br />

Information Officer in the UK role.<br />

John joined Siemens in 1988, having<br />

left school at 16 to undertake an electrical<br />

apprenticeship with the United Kingdom<br />

Atomic Energy Authority, followed by a<br />

degree in Electrical Engineering and<br />

Electronics at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Manchester.<br />

His career within Siemens included<br />

front line operational management and<br />

central services roles, operating across a<br />

number <strong>of</strong> industry sectors in the UK and<br />

abroad.<br />

John said: “I am very pleased to be<br />

joining the <strong>University</strong> at the outset <strong>of</strong> a<br />

new and excitingly ambitious five-year<br />

strategic plan. The key priorities <strong>of</strong> this<br />

plan are significantly influenced by the<br />

deployment <strong>of</strong> appropriate ‘enabling’<br />

technology and services.<br />

“I am looking forward to addressing<br />

the challenges that this will present and<br />

to working with the CSD team and<br />

colleagues across the <strong>University</strong> to<br />

provide sustainable high-quality services<br />

to all <strong>of</strong> our users.”<br />

The second appointment is Steven<br />

Dickson (pictured above right), Director<br />

<strong>of</strong> Facilities Management.<br />

Steven, a member <strong>of</strong> the Royal<br />

Institute <strong>of</strong> Chartered Surveyors and<br />

British Institute <strong>of</strong> Facility Managers,<br />

was formerly the Director <strong>of</strong> Estates and<br />

Facilities at Scottish Power/Iberdrola with<br />

overall responsibility for estates, facilities<br />

management and capital projects across<br />

the company’s UK operations.<br />

Facilities Management is responsible<br />

for providing a wide range <strong>of</strong> support<br />

services concerned with the<br />

management, development and<br />

maintenance <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> estate.<br />

Steven said: “I am looking forward to<br />

working with colleagues and stakeholders<br />

to build on our undoubted strengths and<br />

focus on the areas where we know we<br />

can do better; our aim is to be an<br />

exemplar in our field. We in Facilities<br />

Management, and the <strong>University</strong> as a<br />

whole, are facing considerable<br />

challenges – not least the current<br />

downturn in the economy, climate change<br />

and an ageing estate, however we look<br />

forward to addressing them.<br />

“Ultimately our aim is to deliver a fit<br />

for purpose, safe and efficient estate, the<br />

catalyst for which will be the completion<br />

<strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong>’s Estate Strategy and<br />

FM Operating Plan.<br />

I hope to be able to communicate<br />

some key initiatives in the near future,<br />

the success <strong>of</strong> which will require<br />

engagement with, and participation <strong>of</strong>,<br />

the wider <strong>University</strong> Community.”<br />

7


8<br />

Warm welcome<br />

to freshers<br />

To show the new cohort <strong>of</strong> freshers<br />

what the <strong>University</strong> has to <strong>of</strong>fer, the<br />

Guild will be hosting its annual<br />

Welcome Week from Monday 21-Friday<br />

25 <strong>September</strong>, which will include the<br />

Welcome Fair.<br />

In a bid to help freshers meet new<br />

friends, special emphasis has been given<br />

to promoting interaction among all<br />

students which will include social events<br />

Collaboration with Malaya<br />

The oldest university in Malaysia has<br />

signed a Memorandum <strong>of</strong> Understanding<br />

(MoU) with the <strong>University</strong>.<br />

The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Malaya has a very<br />

strong academic reputation in both<br />

teaching and research and has expressed<br />

an interest in collaboration in areas such<br />

as sustainability, orthopaedics, earth and<br />

ocean sciences and nanotechnology.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Clive Edwards, Director <strong>of</strong><br />

Postgraduate Research signed the MoU,<br />

during a visit to Kuala Lumpar, along with<br />

A team from the School <strong>of</strong> Biomedical Sciences<br />

has found that orang-utans move through the<br />

canopy <strong>of</strong> tropical forests in a completely<br />

different way to all other tree-dwelling primates.<br />

Movement through a complex meshwork<br />

<strong>of</strong> small branches at the heights <strong>of</strong> tropical<br />

forests presents a unique challenge to animals<br />

wanting to forage for food safely. A fall <strong>of</strong> up to<br />

30 metres could be fatal. In conjunction with<br />

scientists from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Birmingham,<br />

the team found that dangerous tree vibrations<br />

can be countered by the orang-utan’s ability to<br />

move with an irregular rhythm.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Robin Crompton from the School<br />

explained that the challenges are similar to the<br />

difficulties engineers encountered with the<br />

‘wobbly’ Millennium Bridge: “The problems<br />

with the Millennium Bridge were caused by<br />

large numbers <strong>of</strong> people walking in sync with<br />

the slight sideways motion <strong>of</strong> the bridge. This<br />

regular pattern <strong>of</strong> movement made the swaying<br />

motion <strong>of</strong> the bridge even worse. We see a<br />

similar problem in the movement <strong>of</strong> animals<br />

through the canopy <strong>of</strong> tropical forests, where<br />

there are highly flexible branches.<br />

at the Halls <strong>of</strong> Residence. This year also<br />

sees the introduction <strong>of</strong> Faculty Mixers,<br />

where new students will have the chance<br />

to meet their course-mates, lecturers and<br />

tutors in an informal setting.<br />

This year’s Welcome Fair is set to<br />

be the best yet, with a record number <strong>of</strong><br />

student activity groups attending. Local<br />

companies will also be promoting<br />

student discounts at the fair.<br />

Deputy Vice-Chancellor from the <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> Malaya, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Amin Jalaludin.<br />

King <strong>of</strong> the swingers<br />

“Most animals, such as the chimpanzee,<br />

respond to these challenges by flexing their<br />

limbs to bring their body closer to the branch.<br />

Orang-utans, however, are the largest arboreal<br />

mammal and so they are likely to face more<br />

severe difficulties due to weight. If they<br />

move in a regular fashion, like their<br />

smaller relatives, we get a ‘wobbly<br />

bridge’ situation, whereby the<br />

movement <strong>of</strong> the branches increases.”<br />

The team studied the animals<br />

in Sumatra, where the animal is<br />

predicted to be the first great ape<br />

to become extinct. This new<br />

research could further<br />

understanding into the way<br />

orang-utans use their habitat,<br />

which could support new<br />

conservation programmes.<br />

Revealed –<br />

why students say<br />

'yes' or 'no'<br />

The Student Recruitment and Admissions Office<br />

(SRAO) has conducted research into the application<br />

process, looking at the reasons why <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong> applicants accept or decline an <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>of</strong><br />

a place at the institution.<br />

This is the first time that those who have<br />

accepted a place at the <strong>University</strong> have been<br />

asked about the reasons behind their choice.<br />

Conducted between March and June <strong>2009</strong>, the<br />

research provides useful information about what<br />

applicants believe the <strong>University</strong> has to <strong>of</strong>fer.<br />

The survey <strong>of</strong> more than 5,000 applicants<br />

found that the most frequently stated reason for<br />

accepting an <strong>of</strong>fer was course content (59%),<br />

followed by their experience visiting the<br />

<strong>University</strong> (54%). The city was the third most<br />

popular reason given (51%), followed by the<br />

<strong>University</strong>’s reputation (48%) and realistic entry<br />

requirements (45%). The social scene was<br />

important to 37% <strong>of</strong> accepters, with a smaller<br />

number stating that they were influenced by<br />

<strong>University</strong> and department facilities, and the<br />

campus atmosphere.<br />

Joanne Clarkson, Head <strong>of</strong> Market Research,<br />

SRAO, said: “By looking at the views <strong>of</strong> our<br />

decliners and finding out which universities they<br />

had chosen above the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong>, it<br />

was possible to compare their views with our<br />

accepters. Using the percentage <strong>of</strong> each universities’<br />

accepters who thought that their first choice was<br />

better than the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong>, allowed us<br />

to rank the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong> and each <strong>of</strong><br />

our competitor universities on a number <strong>of</strong> key<br />

factors. The <strong>University</strong> came first among 11 <strong>of</strong><br />

our competitors for customer service, the<br />

friendliness <strong>of</strong> staff and students, and the city.”<br />

The survey will be repeated for postgraduate<br />

taught students in October.<br />

The SRAO will also be giving a presentation<br />

in the second week in October to give more<br />

information about the results <strong>of</strong> the survey and<br />

its ‘Student Journey’ model. To book a place<br />

contact Joanne Clarkson: j.clarkson@liv.ac.uk


Prestigious Chemistry hat-trick<br />

Three chemists at the <strong>University</strong> have<br />

been recognised for their work with<br />

prestigious awards from the Royal<br />

Society <strong>of</strong> Chemistry (RSC).<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essors Andy Cooper, Andrew<br />

Evans and Matt Rosseinsky have been<br />

recognised for their international<br />

contribution to chemistry research by the<br />

RSC which makes 60 awards to the world’s<br />

leading chemists each year.<br />

Vice-Chancellor, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Howard<br />

Newby, said: “These are superb<br />

achievements and reflect the world-class<br />

standard <strong>of</strong> research underway in<br />

Chemistry at <strong>Liverpool</strong>. We have made<br />

significant investments in both our staff and<br />

infrastructure in Chemistry and I’m delighted<br />

to see that these are paying dividends in<br />

terms <strong>of</strong> the quality <strong>of</strong> our research.”<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Cooper was awarded the<br />

Corday-Morgan Prize for his contributions<br />

to materials chemistry – in particular with<br />

porous organic polymers. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Cooper is Head <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Chemistry and founding Director <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Centre for Materials Discovery which<br />

enables businesses to access highthroughput<br />

research facilities for the<br />

discovery <strong>of</strong> new materials for applications<br />

such as energy storage, medical<br />

equipment and consumer products.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Evans’ research is focused<br />

on the development <strong>of</strong> new medicinally<br />

important agents using naturally occurring<br />

Launch <strong>of</strong> peer mentoring scheme<br />

A group <strong>of</strong> senior women from across<br />

academic departments and Pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

Services gathered at the Vice-Chancellor’s<br />

lodge for the launch <strong>of</strong> a pilot peer<br />

mentoring scheme.<br />

Hosted by Lady Sheila Newby, the group<br />

also included representatives from the<br />

<strong>University</strong> Women’s Club and Friends <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>University</strong> who are supporting the scheme.<br />

The scheme developed by Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Laura McAllister from the Management<br />

School, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Karen Ross from Politics<br />

and Communications Studies and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Mari Lloyd-Williams from Population,<br />

Community and Behavioural Sciences is a<br />

means by which female staff can provide<br />

support and mentoring to and for each other.<br />

agents as their inspiration. He won the<br />

Pedler Award for his contribution to organic<br />

chemistry and in particular for the design <strong>of</strong><br />

multi-component processes and their<br />

application to the stereoselective synthesis<br />

<strong>of</strong> complex natural products.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Rosseinsky was awarded the<br />

inaugural De Gennes Prize for his<br />

contribution to materials chemistry – in<br />

particular to the materials chemistry <strong>of</strong><br />

solids. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Rosseinsky’s work<br />

focuses on the development <strong>of</strong> synthesis<br />

coupled with detailed characterisation to<br />

control the functional behaviour <strong>of</strong> materials<br />

in a chemically understandable manner.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Ross said: “Focusing on<br />

issues such as leadership, team building,<br />

career development, people management,<br />

confidence building and developing wider<br />

external roles, the benefits <strong>of</strong> mentoring are<br />

well-documented, but what is unique about<br />

this particular scheme is its emphasis on<br />

peer-to-peer mentoring and a specific desire<br />

to dissolve the boundaries between academic<br />

and pr<strong>of</strong>essional services colleagues.”<br />

The pilot scheme will commence formally<br />

later this month and will be evaluated at the<br />

end <strong>of</strong> the academic year with the intention <strong>of</strong><br />

rolling it out to other staff in subsequent years.<br />

For further information contact Karen Ross:<br />

rossk@liv.ac.uk<br />

(l-r) Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Evans, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Rosseinsky<br />

and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Cooper<br />

Going up<br />

in world<br />

web ranking<br />

The <strong>University</strong> has been ranked 25th in<br />

the UK in the Webometrics Ranking <strong>of</strong><br />

World Universities.<br />

This is a rise <strong>of</strong> three places since the<br />

last Webometrics ranking, published in<br />

January. The <strong>University</strong> has also climbed to<br />

366th in the world from a position <strong>of</strong> 412th.<br />

The ranking is published twice a year by<br />

the Cybermetrics Lab, a research group<br />

belonging to the Consejo Superior de<br />

Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC),<br />

the largest public research body in Spain.<br />

It covers 17,000 higher education institutions<br />

worldwide and analyses the activity and<br />

visibility <strong>of</strong> an institution via its web presence.<br />

Webometrics Ranking measures the<br />

volume, visibility and impact <strong>of</strong> the web<br />

pages published by a university, with special<br />

emphasis on the scientific output and<br />

general information supplied by the<br />

institution, its departments, research groups<br />

and supporting services.<br />

More information can be found at<br />

http://www.webometrics.info/index.html<br />

9


10<br />

New Chancellor nominated<br />

Sir David King (l – r) Vice-Chancellor, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Howard Newby, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Drummond Bone, Lord Owen and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Philip Love<br />

The government’s former Chief<br />

Scientific Adviser, Sir David King,<br />

has been nominated as the<br />

<strong>University</strong>’s ninth Chancellor.<br />

The proposal will be considered by the<br />

<strong>University</strong> Court on 11 <strong>September</strong>.<br />

Poster campaign to tackle bullying<br />

The <strong>University</strong> has launched a new<br />

policy to tackle bullying and<br />

harassment in the workplace, details<br />

<strong>of</strong> which are covered in the leaflet which<br />

accompanies this edition <strong>of</strong> <strong>Precinct</strong>.<br />

The <strong>University</strong> is committed to<br />

providing a positive, pr<strong>of</strong>essional and safe<br />

environment where work and study are<br />

carried out against a background <strong>of</strong><br />

respect for the experience, abilities and<br />

skills <strong>of</strong> all individuals.<br />

To achieve this, a new Dignity at Work<br />

and Study Policy has been developed to<br />

provide guidance on what constitutes<br />

bullying or harassment, and to provide<br />

information on what can be done to resolve<br />

cases where it occurs.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John Belchem, Chair <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Diversity and Equality Committee, said:<br />

“We all know that bullying and harassment<br />

are unacceptable, but, unfortunately, it<br />

does happen occasionally in every<br />

organisation. Whether it is a case <strong>of</strong><br />

bullying or harassment or a breakdown in<br />

communication, we want to ensure that<br />

Sir David is Director <strong>of</strong> the Smith<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Enterprise and the Environment<br />

at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Oxford.<br />

Lord Owen retired last summer after 13<br />

years as Chancellor. During this time he<br />

witnessed the graduation <strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong><br />

anyone who has an issue can have it dealt<br />

with promptly and fairly.<br />

A network <strong>of</strong> 12 Bullying and<br />

Harassment Advisors has been recruited to<br />

advise staff or students <strong>of</strong> their options.<br />

One <strong>of</strong> the advisors, Lee Cooper from<br />

the School <strong>of</strong> Dental Sciences, said: “I feel<br />

strongly that every individual at the<br />

<strong>University</strong> has the right to work and study,<br />

not only in an environment free <strong>of</strong> bullying<br />

or harassment, but in one that actively<br />

encourages and celebrates diversity.”<br />

The advisor network is available during<br />

the informal part <strong>of</strong> the process. Their role<br />

is to help individuals to understand the<br />

policy and process and the different<br />

options available.<br />

A new website has been developed<br />

which contains the policy in full, information<br />

on the support available and contact<br />

details <strong>of</strong> the Bullying and Harassment<br />

Advisors. Visit:<br />

www.liv.ac.uk/hr/diversity_equality/<br />

Dignity_at_Work_and_Study.htm<br />

students and the installation <strong>of</strong> three<br />

Vice-Chancellors, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Philip Love,<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Drummond Bone and<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Howard Newby who he is<br />

pictured with above at a retirement dinner<br />

held in the Victoria Gallery and Museum.


Fellowship recognises <strong>University</strong> duo<br />

Two <strong>University</strong> scientists have been<br />

awarded National Teaching<br />

Fellowships from the Higher Education<br />

Academy for their contributions to the<br />

student learning experience.<br />

The National Teaching Fellowships<br />

Scheme (NTFS) is part <strong>of</strong> an Academy<br />

programme to raise the status <strong>of</strong> learning<br />

and teaching and celebrates individuals who<br />

make a significant impact in higher education.<br />

Chosen from more than 200<br />

nominations, Dr Nick Greeves from the<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Chemistry and Reverend<br />

Dr David Taylor from the School <strong>of</strong> Medical<br />

Education each received an award <strong>of</strong><br />

£10,000 which will be used for pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

development in higher education.<br />

Nick is a world leader in developing<br />

web-based three dimensional animations<br />

to support teaching in organic chemistry.<br />

Bin the Bin – Are you<br />

up to the challenge?<br />

The <strong>University</strong>’s new waste contract has been<br />

awarded to SITA UK in an effort to increase recycling.<br />

In the past the <strong>University</strong>’s main waste contract<br />

was set up as a general waste contract, with the<br />

collected waste taken to landfill, and the optional<br />

extras <strong>of</strong> paper and card taken for recycling.<br />

Consequently the <strong>University</strong>’s performance in<br />

terms <strong>of</strong> recycling has been below the sector<br />

average, but a new contract has now been<br />

set up to send zero waste to landfill.<br />

Sustainability Officer, Clare Scott, said:<br />

“The contract is a partnership between <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong>, <strong>Liverpool</strong> John Moores <strong>University</strong>,<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong> Hope and <strong>Liverpool</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong><br />

Performing Arts (LIPA) and is in accordance with<br />

the <strong>University</strong>’s Waste Management Policy.<br />

He has also authored an undergraduate<br />

textbook that allows students to follow<br />

Chemistry as it is practiced by chemists<br />

in laboratories.<br />

He said: “The Fellowship award will<br />

help support our work on new technologies<br />

and e-learning in Chemistry education.<br />

Representing structures in 3D and being<br />

able to examine interaction between<br />

molecules as they react is a fascinating<br />

way <strong>of</strong> engaging students in studies <strong>of</strong><br />

organic chemistry.”<br />

David pioneered the development <strong>of</strong><br />

problem-based learning (PBL) in medical<br />

education, which allows students to<br />

become involved in clinical work and<br />

real-life situations from an early stage.<br />

PBL encourages students to be selfdirected<br />

lifelong learners and integrates the<br />

learning <strong>of</strong> basic medical science with<br />

The service will provide external bins with pictorial<br />

images for: general waste, paper, cardboard, cans,<br />

plastic bottles and glass. The paper, cardboard,<br />

cans, plastic bottles and glass will be collected<br />

and taken for recycling at SITA’s Material<br />

Reclamation Facility, whereas the general waste is<br />

taken to Orchid Environmental for energy-fromwaste<br />

recovery. Due to the nature <strong>of</strong> the energy<br />

from waste recovery process no bulky items, ie<br />

lab equipment and furniture, should be put inside<br />

any <strong>of</strong> the SITA bins, instead please use the<br />

waste removal form available on the intranet for<br />

the removal <strong>of</strong> these items.<br />

Clare added: “Please ensure waste is placed in<br />

the appropriate bin as any contamination found<br />

will result in the material being rejected and sent<br />

to landfill.”<br />

While many departments are already recycling<br />

their paper and card there is recognition that<br />

internal changes need to be made to maximise<br />

the opportunities presented by the new contract.<br />

As such the <strong>University</strong> is introducing a pilot<br />

scheme in the Hart Building, Bedford House,<br />

Guild <strong>of</strong> Students, Sydney Jones Library and<br />

Mechanical Engineering. The scheme, called<br />

‘Bin the Bin’ will see the replacement <strong>of</strong> individual<br />

waste bins under the desk with a centralised<br />

recycling station which includes a general waste<br />

bin for non-recyclable items. As individual waste<br />

bins are removed staff and students are<br />

encouraged to recycle and rethink the amount <strong>of</strong><br />

waste they produce.<br />

clinical practice.<br />

David said: “The health service<br />

depends on the expertise and attitudes <strong>of</strong><br />

its health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals; I have been<br />

fortunate to have played a role in<br />

developing medical education in <strong>Liverpool</strong><br />

through a period <strong>of</strong> considerable change.<br />

I am delighted that this work, as well as the<br />

support <strong>of</strong> students and colleagues, has<br />

been recognised by this award.”<br />

Dr Nick Greeves and Reverend Dr David Taylor<br />

The scheme is due to commence at the end<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>September</strong> and will be monitored for three<br />

months, at the end <strong>of</strong> which the <strong>University</strong> will<br />

review how it continues to move forward with<br />

improving recycling facilities. Individuals in those<br />

buildings due to participate in the scheme will<br />

receive further information on how the scheme<br />

works and be invited to a waste clinic prior to<br />

its commencement.<br />

Those individuals not due to participate in the<br />

‘Bin the Bin’ scheme but who are interested in<br />

how they can help the <strong>University</strong> improve its<br />

recycling performance are invited to visit the SITA<br />

road show during Welcome Week – check the<br />

intranet for details nearer the time.<br />

For more details regarding the pilot scheme or<br />

the <strong>University</strong>’s Waste Management in general<br />

please contact Nigel Sutcliffe (Area Building<br />

Manager) or Clare Scott (Sustainability Officer).<br />

Following the retirement <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong><br />

long-serving members <strong>of</strong> staff in Facilities<br />

Management, the reporting structure has<br />

been reviewed. As a result, Area Building<br />

Manager, Nigel Sutcliffe, has taken<br />

responsibility for the Duty <strong>of</strong> Care Audits,<br />

health and safety compliance, waste<br />

management, cleaning, window cleaning,<br />

contractors and pest control contracts. Nigel<br />

will also be responsible for the cleaners at<br />

Leahurst and Alder Hey, while continuing to<br />

support his Area Manager colleagues.<br />

11


12<br />

Colourful robes flapping in the wind and mortar<br />

boards askew could only mean one thing<br />

– degree week at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong>.<br />

Celebrating this important week<br />

at the Philharmonic Hall with 4,000<br />

students were 10 esteemed figures<br />

from the world <strong>of</strong> science,<br />

entertainment and business.<br />

Peter Bounds, Doctor<br />

<strong>of</strong> Laws. A former Chief<br />

Executive <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong><br />

City Council, Peter is<br />

recognised for leading the<br />

city away from difficult<br />

financial times during the<br />

early 1990s and towards<br />

the achievements <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong>’s year as<br />

European Capital <strong>of</strong> Culture. He now has roles<br />

as a Civil Service Commissioner with the Royal<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong> Philharmonic Orchestra and the<br />

Council <strong>of</strong> the Anglican Cathedral.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dame Sally<br />

Davies, Doctor <strong>of</strong><br />

Science, is Director<br />

General <strong>of</strong> Research and<br />

Development and Chief<br />

Scientific Advisor for the<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Health and<br />

the National Health<br />

Service (NHS). She has created a radical new<br />

strategy for research for the NHS called ‘Best<br />

Research for Best Health’ which aims to bring<br />

academic research and health care practices<br />

closer together.<br />

Jim Eyre OBE, Doctor<br />

<strong>of</strong> Laws. A graduate <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>University</strong>, Jim is one <strong>of</strong><br />

Britain’s most innovative<br />

architects whose<br />

commissions include<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong>’s Echo Arena<br />

and Conference Centre,<br />

the ‘Bridge <strong>of</strong> Aspiration’ in Covent Garden and<br />

the new cold-climate Alpine House at Kew<br />

Gardens. He is partner and director <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Wilkinson Eyre practice which has seen<br />

national and international success with the<br />

refurbishment <strong>of</strong> the Bodleian Library in Oxford<br />

and the master-plan for a 300-acre botanic<br />

garden on the Singapore waterfront.<br />

Jude Kelly OBE,<br />

Doctor <strong>of</strong> Literature.<br />

A leading theatre director,<br />

she is recognised<br />

nationally for her<br />

achievements in<br />

founding and developing<br />

community theatre<br />

companies. She is currently artistic director <strong>of</strong><br />

the South Bank Centre in London and chairs<br />

the group planning for the cultural and<br />

educational dimensions <strong>of</strong> the London<br />

Olympic Games in 2012.<br />

Lord Bhikhu Parekh,<br />

Doctor <strong>of</strong> Laws. From<br />

Gujarat, India, he is a<br />

political philosopher at<br />

the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Westminster and is<br />

internationally acclaimed<br />

for his work on Ghandi,<br />

Karl Marx and Michael Oakeshott. Following his<br />

role as Deputy and Acting Chair <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Commission for Racial Equality, his study<br />

Rethinking Multiculturalism was published,<br />

alongside the report <strong>of</strong> the Runnymede Trust’s<br />

Commission on the Future <strong>of</strong> Multi-Ethnic<br />

Britain. This controversial report transformed<br />

public debate about multiculturalism, and<br />

became known as the Parekh Report.<br />

Vasily Petrenko, Doctor<br />

<strong>of</strong> Music. Originally from<br />

Leningrad, Russia, Vasily<br />

was appointed the Royal<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong> Philharmonic<br />

Orchestra’s youngestever<br />

principal conductor<br />

in 2005 following his<br />

success in St Peterburg and Moscow.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Bernard<br />

Raveau, Doctor <strong>of</strong><br />

Science. A leading<br />

scientist in the field <strong>of</strong><br />

solid state chemistry, he<br />

demonstrated the ability<br />

to make new materials<br />

that could act as socalled<br />

superconductors, which he found to<br />

greatly reduce the energy loss associated with<br />

existing electric conductors. Bernard is founder<br />

and director <strong>of</strong> the National Research Centre <strong>of</strong><br />

Technology at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Caen in France.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir John<br />

Sulston, Doctor <strong>of</strong><br />

Science, was awarded<br />

the Nobel Prize in<br />

Physiology and Medicine<br />

for the discovery <strong>of</strong><br />

genetic regulation <strong>of</strong><br />

organ development and<br />

programmed cell death. Under Sir John’s<br />

leadership, this work has been developed into<br />

an ongoing international project to map the<br />

human genome.<br />

Julian Treuherz, Doctor<br />

<strong>of</strong> Laws, was Keeper <strong>of</strong><br />

Art Galleries for National<br />

Museums and Galleries<br />

on Merseyside between<br />

1989 and 2007 and<br />

supervised the ambitious<br />

renovation <strong>of</strong> the Walker<br />

Art Gallery which brought a series <strong>of</strong> highpr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />

exhibits to <strong>Liverpool</strong>.<br />

Tung Chee-Chen,<br />

Doctor <strong>of</strong> Laws.<br />

A graduate <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>University</strong>, he is Chairman<br />

and Chief Executive<br />

<strong>of</strong> Orient Overseas<br />

International Limited,<br />

one <strong>of</strong> the largest and<br />

most successful shipping corporations in the<br />

world and among Hong Kong’s most<br />

recognised global brands.<br />

Born in Shanghai and educated in<br />

Birkenhead, he became the first Chief<br />

Executive <strong>of</strong> Hong Kong.<br />

Birthday boy Vasily<br />

rehearsing before<br />

the dinner


Top: Dr Mark Senior and Dr Martin Stanisstreet<br />

Middle: Dr Rossana McKeane Pagliolico<br />

and Dr Freya Jarmen-Ivens<br />

Bottom: Dr Lynn Moran and Dr Sebastien Guenneau<br />

<strong>University</strong>’s nursery<br />

Sir Alistair Pilkington Awards<br />

12 members <strong>of</strong> staff have been rewarded for their<br />

dedication to the teaching quality <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong>.<br />

They received Sir Alistair Pilkington Awards at<br />

the Philharmonic Hall during degree week, given<br />

in memory <strong>of</strong> the Chancellor <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong><br />

1994-1995, in recognition <strong>of</strong> the special interest<br />

he had in teaching and the importance which he<br />

placed on it.<br />

The awards acknowledge outstanding<br />

contributions to teaching, with judges taking<br />

particular account <strong>of</strong> evidence <strong>of</strong> student<br />

support and appreciation. They are made<br />

annually in two categories – Excellent Teaching<br />

Innovation and Sustained Excellence in Teaching.<br />

Excellent Teaching Innovation winners:<br />

Dr Freya Jarman-Ivens, School <strong>of</strong> Music<br />

Dr Lynn Moran, Department <strong>of</strong> Physics<br />

Drs Martina Mosing, Mark Senior, Isabelle Iff,<br />

Matthew Gurney, David Bardell, Paul Macfarlane<br />

and Ellie West, all from the Faculty <strong>of</strong><br />

Veterinary Science<br />

Sustained Excellence in Teaching winners:<br />

Dr Sebastien Guenneau, Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Mathematical Sciences<br />

Dr Rossana McKeane Pagliolico, School <strong>of</strong><br />

Cultures, Languages and Area Studies<br />

Dr Martin Stanisstreet, School <strong>of</strong> Biological<br />

Sciences<br />

Graduate Maurice Flanagan (Hon LLD 2008)<br />

with his wife and the Vice-Chancellor and<br />

Lady Newby at the graduation dinner<br />

Sarah Hicks’ parents with<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Stephen Holloway<br />

Graduation dinner<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong>’s St Georges Hall played host to more<br />

than 420 guests who attended a Graduation<br />

Dinner in honour <strong>of</strong> our Honorary Graduates.<br />

Among the guests, which included key local,<br />

regional and national stakeholders from<br />

government, the city, higher education networks,<br />

industry, culture and media, were distinguished<br />

Honorary Graduands, both past and present.<br />

Jude Kelly OBE who received her honorary<br />

doctorate earlier in the day, provided a touching<br />

and amusing after-dinner speech.<br />

The evening also included a rousing<br />

performance by the <strong>University</strong>’s Symphony<br />

Orchestra conducted by the Royal <strong>Liverpool</strong><br />

Philharmonic’s principal conductor Vasily<br />

Petrenko who also received his Honorary Degree<br />

on the same day.<br />

Many agreed that the highlight <strong>of</strong> the event was<br />

the musical interlude which had the dinner<br />

guests clapping to Strauss’ Radetsky March<br />

under the expert baton <strong>of</strong> Vasily!<br />

Nursery<br />

The children from the <strong>University</strong>’s nursery had a<br />

degree ceremony <strong>of</strong> their own when Lily, Kate,<br />

Amy, Miles, Ethan, Neamh and Otis all<br />

celebrated graduating from the Children’s Centre<br />

to start school this month. Good luck to them all!<br />

Alumni response<br />

The Alumni Relations team were based in the<br />

Guild <strong>of</strong> Students throughout graduation week,<br />

and managed to obtain contact details for more<br />

than 1,200 graduates keen to stay in touch.<br />

All graduates were also given a silver <strong>University</strong><br />

graduate pin badge as a memento <strong>of</strong> the day<br />

and a tangible reminder <strong>of</strong> their lifelong<br />

relationship with <strong>Liverpool</strong>.<br />

Sarah Hicks Memorial<br />

The <strong>University</strong> remembered former student<br />

Sarah Hicks, who died 20 years ago at<br />

Hillsborough, with a presentation to her parents<br />

during graduation week.<br />

Sarah, was a first-year undergraduate in<br />

Chemistry at the time <strong>of</strong> the disaster in 1989.<br />

Sarah who was 19 and her sister Victoria, 15,<br />

were both killed in the tragedy.<br />

Sarah’s parents attended the graduation<br />

ceremony for Chemistry students in the<br />

Philharmonic Hall before returning to the<br />

Department for a presentation by Pro-Vice-<br />

Chancellor for the Faculties <strong>of</strong> Science and<br />

Engineering Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Stephen Holloway.<br />

After a recent refurbishment in the Department a<br />

memorial bench, which was originally outside the<br />

front entrance to the department, now sits within<br />

a garden created in her memory.<br />

13


14<br />

Kidney fund supports<br />

student PhD<br />

A PhD student celebrated degree week<br />

after being awarded a research degree<br />

funded entirely by the Alder Hey Children’s<br />

Kidney Fund.<br />

Cristina Fuente Mora from Murcia in Spain<br />

was awarded her PhD in Kidney Stem Cell<br />

Biology and her research forms part <strong>of</strong> a<br />

wider project in the School <strong>of</strong> Biological<br />

Science looking at the potential <strong>of</strong><br />

developing stem cell therapies for the<br />

treatment <strong>of</strong> kidney disease.<br />

The project, carried out for her PhD, found that stem cells are present<br />

in the kidney, and following growth in the laboratory are able to<br />

generate cell types like podocytes that are important for kidney function.<br />

Although the research is still at a preliminary stage, it raises the<br />

possibility that these cells might have a role in developing new<br />

therapies for the treatment <strong>of</strong> kidney disease.<br />

Anyone interested in joining the Alder Hey Children’s Kidney Project<br />

as a volunteer should contact Janet Green tel 07818 863921.<br />

Institute <strong>of</strong> Irish Studies<br />

The inaugural George Huxley annual prize for<br />

undergraduate thesis in Irish Studies has<br />

been awarded to Institute <strong>of</strong> Irish Studies<br />

student Tony Halpen. Born in <strong>Liverpool</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Irish parents and grandparents, Tony trained<br />

as a primary school teacher and was head <strong>of</strong><br />

a school in Huyton until his retirement in 2000.<br />

Following his retirement and feeling quite<br />

isolated and due to a lack <strong>of</strong> interaction with<br />

other people, Tony signed up for a further<br />

education course and after that a degree.<br />

He graduated with First Class Honours.<br />

Mozart Orchestra's first date<br />

Ahost <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong> staff, students and<br />

alumni will be performing with the<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong> Mozart Orchestra when<br />

they give their first concert <strong>of</strong> the new<br />

season in Wirral this October.<br />

One <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong>’s longest standing<br />

non-pr<strong>of</strong>essional orchestras, the <strong>Liverpool</strong><br />

Mozart Orchestra (LMO), was founded in<br />

1951 by alumnus David Dutch (BEng 1949)<br />

and Peter Rockliff, who were both<br />

members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> String Orchestra<br />

under the patronage <strong>of</strong> Gerald Abraham,<br />

the first Alsop Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Music.<br />

Over the years the orchestra has<br />

steadily grown, attracting players with a<br />

connection to the <strong>University</strong>, either as<br />

Chairman <strong>of</strong> Alder<br />

Hey Children’s Kidney<br />

Project Joyce<br />

Robinson, Cristina<br />

and the charity’s<br />

Treasurer Janet Green<br />

(l to r) Pr<strong>of</strong>essor George Huxley, Tony<br />

Halpen and Lecturer Dr Frank Shovlin<br />

members <strong>of</strong> staff or as current or former<br />

students. Together they have given countless<br />

performances across the North West.<br />

The LMO’s next concert will be held on<br />

10 October <strong>2009</strong> at Pacific Road Arts<br />

Centre in Birkenhead and features flute<br />

soloist Helen Wilson from the Royal<br />

Northern College <strong>of</strong> Music, who will be<br />

performing Odelette by Saint Saëns.<br />

The programme also includes Mozart’s<br />

‘Paris’ Symphony, Borne’s Carmen Fantasy,<br />

and Haydn’s ‘Drum Roll’ Symphony.<br />

To book your ticket, visit<br />

www.pacificroad.co.uk or call 0151 666<br />

0000. To find out more visit<br />

http://www.merseyworld.com/lmo/<br />

Everyman<br />

spot for Pryce<br />

Alumni will have the chance to<br />

meet honorary graduate and<br />

award-winning British actor<br />

Jonathan Pryce (Hon LittD 2006) when<br />

he returns to the Everyman theatre<br />

next month to star in Harold Pinter’s<br />

The Caretaker.<br />

RADA graduate Jonathan, who has<br />

starred in Evita, Tomorrow Never Dies<br />

and Pirates <strong>of</strong> the Caribbean, as well as<br />

a number <strong>of</strong> high-pr<strong>of</strong>ile theatre<br />

productions, began his acting career at<br />

the Everyman in 1972, eventually<br />

becoming Artistic Director.<br />

This October, the Welsh actor will<br />

be taking the lead in a new production<br />

<strong>of</strong> The Caretaker directed by<br />

Christopher Morahan and, following<br />

his performance on Wednesday 28<br />

October, alumni are being invited to a<br />

special drinks and canapé reception<br />

where they will have the opportunity to<br />

meet Jonathon in person.<br />

The Caretaker runs from 2 – 31<br />

October <strong>2009</strong>. For more information<br />

and to book your ticket, visit:<br />

http://www.everymanplayhouse.com<br />

or call 0151 709 4776.


Tea and jazz for Friends VC applauds<br />

Lime Street steam<br />

The Friends <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong> have celebrated their 25th<br />

anniversary with a garden party hosted<br />

by the Vice-Chancellor and Lady Newby.<br />

The event, held at the Vice-Chancellor’s<br />

Lodge, was attended by more than 100<br />

Friends and guests who were treated to a<br />

cream tea and jazz music in the garden.<br />

The Vice-Chancellor thanked the<br />

Friends for all their support over the<br />

years, and emphasised the importance<br />

<strong>of</strong> charitable giving within higher education<br />

today, particularly in the current<br />

economic climate.<br />

To date, the Friends have donated<br />

grants in excess <strong>of</strong> £750,000 to various<br />

<strong>University</strong>'s Merseyside<br />

transport mission<br />

A new group has been founded by the <strong>University</strong><br />

to consider the future <strong>of</strong> transport in Merseyside.<br />

With more than 30 members drawn from a<br />

variety <strong>of</strong> public and private sector<br />

organisations, the Foresight Group has been<br />

formed in conjunction with the Merseyside<br />

Transport Partnership to consider ways <strong>of</strong><br />

improving the local transport network.<br />

Chaired by Phil Redmond, the group will<br />

consider radical solutions to deal with problems<br />

that affect Merseyside’s transport network,<br />

tackling issues like congestion and climate<br />

change. Its members have also pledged their<br />

support for the Sustainable Travel City Bid.<br />

John Flamson, Director <strong>of</strong> Strategic<br />

Partnerships and Development said: “The<br />

<strong>University</strong> takes its civic mission very seriously<br />

<strong>University</strong> projects, the largest <strong>of</strong> which has<br />

been £67,500 for the restoration <strong>of</strong> original<br />

display cases in the Victoria Gallery &<br />

Museum, and £100,000 to the Faculty <strong>of</strong><br />

Engineering to provide an engineering<br />

experience overseas for students.<br />

Chairman, Emeritus Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John<br />

Tarn (pictured above with Lady Newby and<br />

the Vice-Chancellor) took the opportunity to<br />

update those attending on grants made to<br />

date, and to encourage all Friends to<br />

continue their support.<br />

For more information about the Friends<br />

<strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> contact Joy Vogt tel 46929<br />

or email joy.vogt@liv.ac.uk<br />

and wants to contribute to the city region’s<br />

economic, social, environmental and cultural<br />

life. Helping to promote discussion on<br />

significant issues facing the area is one way<br />

we can do that.”<br />

Phil Redmond John Flamson<br />

Vice-Chancellor, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Howard<br />

Newby, is seen flagging <strong>of</strong>f the Coast<br />

to Coast Express ‘Scarborough Flyer’<br />

at the launch <strong>of</strong> the Daily Post Live<br />

Steam from Lime Street season held<br />

over the Summer.<br />

As Chairman <strong>of</strong> the National<br />

Railway Museum Advisory Board and<br />

acting deputy chairman <strong>of</strong> the Railway<br />

Heritage Committee, Sir Howard is well<br />

qualified for the job, he said: “I am<br />

delighted to send <strong>of</strong>f this magnificent<br />

train. It is terrific to see steam again at<br />

Lime Street.”<br />

The <strong>University</strong>’s<br />

Travel Plan Guide<br />

In this issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>Precinct</strong> you should<br />

have received a copy <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>University</strong>’s Travel Plan guide which<br />

highlights the <strong>University</strong>’s<br />

commitment to promoting sustainable<br />

travel for staff and students.<br />

As well as explaining what the<br />

Travel Plan is and what it is designed<br />

to do, the guide <strong>of</strong>fers advice about<br />

the different forms <strong>of</strong> sustainable<br />

travel available to staff.<br />

For more information about the<br />

Travel Plan, contact Graham Pollard<br />

on 41375 or email<br />

graham.pollard@liv.ac.uk<br />

15


16<br />

Conferences and events<br />

• Tariq Ramadan, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Islamic Studies<br />

at the Oxford Faculty <strong>of</strong> Theology and Senior<br />

Research Fellow at St Antony’s College, Oxford,<br />

visited the <strong>University</strong> to give a talk on Sacred Texts,<br />

Diversity and Respect. Through his writings and<br />

lectures he has contributed substantially to the<br />

debate on the issues <strong>of</strong> Muslims in the West<br />

and Islamic revival in the Muslim world.<br />

• The School <strong>of</strong> Politics and Communication Studies<br />

organised and hosted the Conference in UK<br />

Political Ideologies which discussed the future <strong>of</strong><br />

politics. The conference, attended by experts and<br />

MPs, covered a broad range <strong>of</strong> issues in relation to<br />

political ideology in the UK, and included academic<br />

and non-academic speakers. Plenary speakers for<br />

the conference included Frank Field MP, Dr Mark<br />

Major initiative to help Africa<br />

As part <strong>of</strong> a £30 million initiative, scientists from the<br />

<strong>University</strong> and <strong>Liverpool</strong> School <strong>of</strong> Tropical Medicine<br />

(LSTM) will work with universities across Africa to<br />

strengthen research into science and health.<br />

The Wellcome Trust initiative will see the<br />

formation <strong>of</strong> seven new international consortiums<br />

which will focus on developing and sustaining<br />

high-quality research into the health and<br />

wellbeing <strong>of</strong> African people. More than 50<br />

institutions from 18 African countries will<br />

participate in the programme and lead on<br />

partnerships with scientists from Europe,<br />

the US and Australia.<br />

Africa is affected by some <strong>of</strong> the world's<br />

deadliest diseases, including HIV, malaria and<br />

tuberculosis. Many African universities need help<br />

to drive forward research into these conditions<br />

and nurture young researchers at the beginning<br />

<strong>of</strong> their careers.<br />

The <strong>University</strong> and LSTM will work with<br />

universities in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia,<br />

Newsinbrief...<br />

The activities <strong>of</strong> ‘scuttlers’, one <strong>of</strong> Britain’s earliest<br />

youth cults, have been brought to the stage, thanks<br />

to research at the <strong>University</strong>.<br />

Angels with Manky Faces is inspired by<br />

the work <strong>of</strong> Dr Andrew Davies (seen above centre<br />

with the actors) who explored the Victorian archival<br />

records that detailed more than 30 years <strong>of</strong><br />

territorial battles between young gang members<br />

on the streets <strong>of</strong> Manchester.<br />

Garnett, Emeritus Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dennis Kavanagh,<br />

Francis Maude MP, Michael Meacher MP, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Michael Moran, Douglas Murray and Stephen Twigg.<br />

• <strong>Liverpool</strong> Energy Day, held in the Foresight<br />

Centre, brought together researchers from different<br />

disciplines, such as physics and politics, to<br />

improve understanding <strong>of</strong> both the impact <strong>of</strong> CO2<br />

on the climate and what can be done to reduce its<br />

production. Attendees heard talks on everything<br />

from the effects <strong>of</strong> CO2 on the oceans through the<br />

effects <strong>of</strong> oil depletion on the economy, to methods<br />

<strong>of</strong> generating energy without producing CO2.<br />

• A conference organised by the School <strong>of</strong> Health<br />

Sciences saw more than 60 staff, students and<br />

practitioners from across the region working<br />

together on key issues around the disclosure <strong>of</strong><br />

Malawi and Zimbabwe as part <strong>of</strong> the Southern<br />

African Consortium for Research Excellence<br />

(SACORE) which aims to support African medical<br />

schools in creating a vibrant research<br />

environment for students and research leaders.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Peter Winstanley, from <strong>Liverpool</strong>’s<br />

Wellcome Trust Tropical Centre, said: “This<br />

initiative is built on 20 years <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong> and<br />

LSTM collaboration and shows the major impact<br />

that such global networks can have. Within the<br />

SACORE we will create a joint Malawi-<strong>Liverpool</strong><br />

PhD programme as part <strong>of</strong> our contribution to the<br />

training <strong>of</strong> biomedical researchers in a region that<br />

needs excellent science to underpin<br />

developments in healthcare.<br />

“The most pressing problems in Africa right<br />

now are infectious diseases. This new initiative<br />

will improve the capacity <strong>of</strong> African medical<br />

schools to develop research careers and secure<br />

essential funding for long-term commitment to<br />

studies in health sciences.”<br />

Gang fights during the period were known as<br />

‘scuttles’ and as many as 500 young people would<br />

take part in pitched battles between rival gangs.<br />

The work was published in a book called Gangs <strong>of</strong><br />

Manchester, and inspired the Manchester based<br />

MaD Theatre Company to tell their own story <strong>of</strong><br />

some <strong>of</strong> the most notorious ‘scuttlers’, through a<br />

combination <strong>of</strong> stage performance and film.<br />

The Department <strong>of</strong> Philosophy has been<br />

awarded the Women-Friendliness Recognition<br />

<strong>2009</strong> Award by the Society for Women in<br />

Philosophy. The Society was very impressed<br />

with the steps taken at <strong>Liverpool</strong> to support<br />

women in philosophy and to foster research<br />

and teaching in feminist philosophy.<br />

dyslexia in practice placements in the health<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>essions. The Conference ‘To Tell or Not to Tell?’<br />

considered research by keynote speaker Anna<br />

Crouch, from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Northampton,<br />

workplace issues presented by Mandy Whalley<br />

from Wirral Hospitals NHS Trust, and the experiences<br />

<strong>of</strong> graduate orthoptist Sam Aitkenhead.<br />

• Academics, clinicians and carers gathered for a<br />

conference organised jointly by the Academic<br />

Palliative and Supportive Care Studies Group at the<br />

<strong>University</strong> together with St Luke’s Hospice, Winsford.<br />

Delegates from around the UK heard how despite<br />

dementia is becoming a growing medical problem<br />

affecting one in 20 people over the age <strong>of</strong> 60 and one<br />

in five people over the age <strong>of</strong> 80, little attention has<br />

been paid to end <strong>of</strong> life care needs for these<br />

patients. Speakers included author and researcher<br />

Tim Dartington and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Mari Lloyd-Williams,<br />

Director <strong>of</strong> the Academic Palliative and Supportive<br />

Care Studies Group.<br />

The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Malawi is working with both<br />

institutions as part <strong>of</strong> the Clinton Global<br />

Initiative, a scheme that invites world leaders<br />

to share their expertise and provide practical<br />

solutions for global issues. Scientists at<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong> will support Malawi Medical School<br />

in developing research programmes for study<br />

into infectious diseases<br />

With money from a Seedcorn grant,<br />

Dr Melita Gordon, Senior Lecturer and<br />

Consultant in Gastroenterology at <strong>Liverpool</strong>,<br />

arranged for Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Tony Morris, an NHS<br />

Consultant and Senior Gastroenterology<br />

Nurse Christine Ireland both from the Royal<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong> Broadgreen <strong>University</strong> Hospital<br />

Trust, to visit the Queen Elizabeth Central<br />

Hospital and Malawi College <strong>of</strong> Medicine<br />

in Blantyre, Malawi. They took part in<br />

endoscopy training with a view to setting<br />

up a Health Link in endoscopy with the<br />

RLUH Gastro Unit.<br />

Researchers from the School <strong>of</strong> Politics and<br />

Communication Studies and the School <strong>of</strong> Architecture<br />

have launched a new online resource that catalogues<br />

more than 1,500 films made in and about <strong>Liverpool</strong><br />

over the past 100 years. The database is part <strong>of</strong> the<br />

City in Film project which explores the relationship<br />

between <strong>Liverpool</strong>’s architecture and the moving image.<br />

Visit: www.liv.ac.uk/lsa/cityinfilm/catalogue.html<br />

Student Support Services has a new money<br />

advisor, Maria Bird, who will be based in the<br />

Financial Support Team. She will support<br />

students in gaining skills which will help prevent<br />

any major financial problems developing and<br />

<strong>of</strong>fer advice to those already experiencing<br />

financial problems. Visit:<br />

www.liv.ac.uk/admin/studentsupport/finance/


MOVERS<br />

& SHAKERS<br />

A DVD that Chris Waddelove, Careers Adviser in<br />

the Centre for Excellence in Developing<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism in the School <strong>of</strong> Medical Education,<br />

has been working on with The Association <strong>of</strong><br />

Graduate Careers Advisory Service (AGCAS) has<br />

won first prize in its category at the National Learning<br />

on Screen Awards <strong>2009</strong>. The DVD, called Selection<br />

Centres for Speciality Training was judged to be<br />

Best Non-Broadcast Education Programme.<br />

Hannah Rowland<br />

(BSc 2003, PhD<br />

2007), an NERCfunded<br />

postdoctoral<br />

student in the School<br />

<strong>of</strong> Biological<br />

Sciences has been<br />

awarded the Thomas<br />

Henry Huxley Award and Marsh Prize from the<br />

Zoological Society <strong>of</strong> London, and the Wallace<br />

Award from the Royal Entomological Society for<br />

her PhD thesis.<br />

Dr Alex Scott-<br />

Samuel, has<br />

received the <strong>2009</strong><br />

Alwyn Smith Award<br />

from the Faculty <strong>of</strong><br />

Public Health (FPH)<br />

for services to public<br />

health. He was<br />

presented with his award at the FPH Annual<br />

General Meeting by President Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Alan<br />

Maryon-Davis (left).<br />

Dr Holger Hoock, Reader in the School <strong>of</strong><br />

History has been awarded a Kluge Fellowship to<br />

research violence during the American<br />

Revolution. The Fellowship enables international<br />

scholars to study at the John W Kluge Center at<br />

the Library <strong>of</strong> Congress in Washington DC, the<br />

largest library in the world.<br />

Annual Regional<br />

Business Awards<br />

Speke-based pharmaceutical<br />

company, Eli Lilly, received the<br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong><br />

Corporate Social Responsibility<br />

award, presented by Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Murray Dalziel from the<br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong><br />

Management School at the<br />

Regional Business Awards.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dinah<br />

Birch, School <strong>of</strong><br />

English, (seen front<br />

centre in blue<br />

gown), has been<br />

awarded an<br />

honorary doctorate<br />

by the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Lund in Sweden in recognition <strong>of</strong> her research in<br />

the field <strong>of</strong> nineteenth-century literature. The<br />

university, founded in 1666, is the largest research<br />

institution in Scandinavia.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Janet Hooke from the Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Geography has been awarded the Royal<br />

Geographical Society Busk Medal for her field<br />

research in river systems and their conservation.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

Jonathan Tonge,<br />

Head <strong>of</strong> the School<br />

<strong>of</strong> Politics and<br />

Communication<br />

Studies has met with<br />

the Prime Minister,<br />

Gordon Brown,<br />

in his role as Chair <strong>of</strong> the Youth Citizenship<br />

Commission. The meeting was to test some <strong>of</strong><br />

the Commission’s draft ideas in front <strong>of</strong> an<br />

audience <strong>of</strong> young people.<br />

Dr Luminita<br />

Paraoan, Senior<br />

Lecturer in the<br />

School <strong>of</strong> Clinical<br />

Sciences, has<br />

received a grant<br />

from the Humane<br />

Research Trust. The<br />

money will enable a new line <strong>of</strong> research into<br />

mechanisms controlling the fine balance between<br />

cell death and survival and is being undertaken in<br />

the Opthalmology Research Unit at the <strong>University</strong>.<br />

Dr Frank Shovlin, Lecturer in Irish Literature in<br />

English at the Institute <strong>of</strong> Irish Studies, has been<br />

awarded a prestigious research fellowship at the<br />

Harry Ransom Center at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Texas,<br />

Austin, to pursue work on his current major<br />

research project concerning the role <strong>of</strong> Edward<br />

Garnett in the promotion <strong>of</strong> Irish Literature<br />

between 1890 and Garnett’s death in 1937.<br />

Inaugural Lectures <strong>2009</strong>/10<br />

The <strong>2009</strong>/10 ‘Think’ Inaugural Lecture Series begins this<br />

November, featuring lectures from newly-appointed pr<strong>of</strong>essors<br />

from Faculties across the <strong>University</strong>.<br />

The lectures, which are held every year, provide a unique<br />

opportunity for top academics to speak about subjects central<br />

to their work, with topics catering for all tastes.<br />

Details <strong>of</strong> the lectures – including dates, times and subjects<br />

– will be announced in a forthcoming edition <strong>of</strong> <strong>Precinct</strong>.<br />

Dr Qing-Chang Zhong, Senior Research Fellow<br />

in the Department <strong>of</strong> Electrical Engineering and<br />

Electronics has won an Institute <strong>of</strong> Engineering<br />

and Technology Innovation Award <strong>2009</strong> North<br />

West. The IET aims to recognise and reward<br />

innovation in engineering, science and<br />

technology across the region.<br />

at their AGM in London.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sandy<br />

Trees, from the<br />

Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Veterinary Pathology,<br />

has become the<br />

new President <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Royal College <strong>of</strong><br />

Veterinary Surgeons<br />

Emeritus Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dorothy Sherman<br />

Severin, Senior Research Fellow at the School <strong>of</strong><br />

Cultures, Languages and Area Studies has been<br />

made a Corresponding Academic member <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Spanish Royal Academy representing the UK.<br />

The total representation <strong>of</strong> Britain is three, the<br />

other two being Emeritus Pr<strong>of</strong>essors from Oxford.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Severin is the first woman in the UK to<br />

receive this honour. She has also been named<br />

the Honorary Treasurer <strong>of</strong> the Modern Humanities<br />

Research Association.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Malcolm Molyneux, who is Director<br />

Emeritus and Senior Investigator at the Malawi-<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong>-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research<br />

Programme, has won the prestigious Sir Rickard<br />

Christophers Medal <strong>of</strong> the Royal Society <strong>of</strong><br />

Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.<br />

Dr Matt Field, a<br />

researcher in the<br />

Department <strong>of</strong><br />

Psychology has<br />

been awarded the<br />

<strong>2009</strong> Spearman<br />

Prize by the British<br />

Psychological Society<br />

for his pioneering research into the thought<br />

processes involved in addiction and<br />

substance abuse.<br />

17


18<br />

Major donation to<br />

division <strong>of</strong> Haematology<br />

The Vice-Chancellor Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Howard Newby<br />

and Lady Newby with Mr Gordon Jones and Mrs<br />

Sylvia Jones and the Zeiss confocal microscope<br />

The Division <strong>of</strong> Haematology has<br />

benefited from a generous donation.<br />

Three pieces <strong>of</strong> valuable medical<br />

equipment have been purchased,<br />

Hart donation helps scientists<br />

A generous donation from the family <strong>of</strong><br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Tony Hart will fund four new PhD<br />

opportunities.<br />

Tony Hart, a Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Medical<br />

Microbiology and Genito-Urinary Medicine<br />

until his untimely death in 2007, had a<br />

particularly close interest in Global Health<br />

research, especially in Malawi.<br />

The Tony Hart Awards will provide an<br />

annual monetary prize to talented scientists<br />

at the Malawi-<strong>Liverpool</strong> Wellcome Trust<br />

Team building helps<br />

primary school<br />

The Careers and Employability Service used<br />

their annual staff team building day to help a<br />

worthwhile cause.<br />

Instead <strong>of</strong> a day packed with flip charts<br />

and group bonding games, they opted for an<br />

activity which would improve their impact on<br />

society and create a feel good factor within<br />

the team.<br />

With help from Business in the Community,<br />

a project was identified within the Wirral<br />

Autistic Society to assist with the<br />

transformation <strong>of</strong> a former primary<br />

school in Bromborough Pool into<br />

a physical activities centre.<br />

One <strong>of</strong> the larger<br />

classrooms was assigned for a<br />

makeover. After washing down<br />

and prepping walls, window<br />

frames and doors, they were<br />

thanks to a bequest from the late<br />

Reverend Albert Williams. His executor<br />

and friend Gordon Jones was entrusted<br />

to decide upon the various benefactors<br />

<strong>of</strong> the legacy.<br />

After discussing his options with<br />

Head <strong>of</strong> Division, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John<br />

Cawley, Mr Jones allocated almost<br />

£245,000 for a confocal microscope,<br />

a quantitative PCR machine and a<br />

cell counter which will be placed in the<br />

Williams Jones Laboratory.<br />

Mr and Mrs Jones were invited<br />

to the <strong>University</strong> for the opening<br />

ceremony <strong>of</strong> the lab and to see the<br />

equipment in place.<br />

Research Programme to assist with travel,<br />

fees, books and any other costs associated<br />

with study.<br />

Selection <strong>of</strong> the students will be made<br />

by staff <strong>of</strong> the Universities <strong>of</strong> Malawi and<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong> and the awards will be made for<br />

the first time at the MLW Annual Scientific<br />

meeting this month. These prizes will ensure<br />

that Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hart’s pursuit <strong>of</strong> high-quality<br />

science lives on in the research leaders <strong>of</strong><br />

the future.<br />

painted and glossed to help create a more<br />

welcoming environment for the centre’s clients.<br />

As well as providing the team with a day<br />

away from the <strong>of</strong>fice, the<br />

project was designed to<br />

instil a real sense <strong>of</strong><br />

meaning into the team<br />

building activity,<br />

encourage a strong<br />

team spirit through<br />

trust, communication<br />

and co-operation,<br />

as well as provide staff<br />

with a real sense <strong>of</strong><br />

achievement.<br />

Deputy Head <strong>of</strong> Careers, Diane Appleton<br />

said: “It was great to see colleagues working<br />

together who don’t <strong>of</strong>ten interact with each<br />

other in their roles within the department.<br />

This experience has carried over into our<br />

working practice back in the <strong>of</strong>fice. The day<br />

had such a positive outcome.”<br />

Bequest<br />

<strong>of</strong> rare<br />

book<br />

The <strong>University</strong> Science Fiction<br />

Foundation has secured the<br />

purchase <strong>of</strong> a rare and important<br />

work for its collection thanks to a generous<br />

donation.<br />

Ken Slater, a respected book dealer<br />

who ran the book and magazine service<br />

Fantast/Medway, left the bequest allowing<br />

the Foundation to acquire a copy <strong>of</strong> Lieut.<br />

Gullivar Jones: His Vacation (1905), the<br />

best known work by British writer Edwin L<br />

Arnold.<br />

Andy Sawyer, Science Fiction Librarian,<br />

said: “This book sold very poorly initially<br />

until a parallel between it and novels by<br />

Edgar Rice Burroughs was pointed out by<br />

author Richard Lup<strong>of</strong>f. Copies <strong>of</strong> the first<br />

edition <strong>of</strong> this influential book rarely come<br />

on the market, and its purchase wouldn’t<br />

have been possible without this bequest.”<br />

The Science Fiction Foundation<br />

Collection, which is one <strong>of</strong> the world’s most<br />

important research collections <strong>of</strong> science<br />

fiction and related literatures, is owned by<br />

the Foundation and administered by the<br />

<strong>University</strong> Library Special Collections and<br />

Archives division.<br />

Other books purchased by the<br />

Foundation with the assistance <strong>of</strong> the Ken<br />

Slater Bequest include first editions <strong>of</strong> H G<br />

Well’s When the Sleeper Wakes and John<br />

Wyndham’s The Day <strong>of</strong> the Triffids.<br />

For further information about the<br />

collection contact Andy Sawyer email<br />

asawyer@liv.ac.uk


Ness Gardens has been blooming<br />

tremendous over the summer!<br />

Award-winning garden designer and<br />

TV presenter Chris Beardshaw<br />

created a unique garden for Ness<br />

which was unveiled at the Royal<br />

Horticultural Society’s Tatton Flower Show.<br />

Circular in design, the garden, entitled<br />

‘Ness Botanische, Cheshire’s Garden <strong>of</strong><br />

Distinction – under the microscope’, was<br />

inspired by decades <strong>of</strong> scientific and<br />

academic research carried out at the<br />

gardens. Representing a microscopic view<br />

through a plant stem, the viewer is taken<br />

on a journey through the various layers <strong>of</strong><br />

the stem, represented by differing plant<br />

styles, from traditional ornamental British<br />

woodland planting through to Germanicinspired<br />

prairie gardens.<br />

At the centre <strong>of</strong> the garden sits a<br />

stunning Rebecca Newnham sculpture<br />

which depicts exploding pollen from<br />

Primula Bulleyana, a plant that carries the<br />

name <strong>of</strong> garden founder Arthur Kilpin Bulley.<br />

Val leaves Ness<br />

After 22 years as Visitor Services Manager<br />

at Ness, Val Hall has decided to hang up<br />

her gardening gloves and take it easy.<br />

Val (pictured above right) came to the<br />

<strong>University</strong> for the first time in 1968 as a lab<br />

technician in Geography. After leaving to<br />

start a family, Val came back to the<br />

Ness gives warm welcome to Guild<br />

To top last year’s successful volunteering<br />

day at Martin Mere Wetland Centre, the<br />

Guild <strong>of</strong> Students looked to the <strong>University</strong>’s<br />

own Ness Gardens.<br />

Staff and Student Representative<br />

Officers at the Guild helped out at the<br />

gardens working on the polytunnels, repotting<br />

asparagus ready for next season<br />

and pruning and trimming shrubs.<br />

The trip provided the perfect<br />

opportunity to do a bit <strong>of</strong> fact-finding in<br />

preparation for projects such as the<br />

proposed Guild ro<strong>of</strong> garden and bee hive<br />

(more next issue).<br />

department to cover maternity leave and<br />

while there saw the advertisement for Ness.<br />

She worked alongside Dr Joanne<br />

Sharples, who retired in 2006, working in<br />

the <strong>of</strong>fice and shop in the Mickwell Brow<br />

building and selling plants from the back <strong>of</strong><br />

a tractor. In 2006 the Horsfall Rushby visitor<br />

centre was opened and Val and her <strong>of</strong>fice<br />

staff were relocated to the centre.<br />

More recently, civil wedding<br />

ceremonies have been an integral part <strong>of</strong><br />

Val’s role and have been very successful<br />

Organiser Denise Kirwin, Assistant<br />

Facilities Manager (Personnel & Admin) at<br />

the Guild said: “The staff at Ness made<br />

us very welcome and despite the bad<br />

weather, we had a very enjoyable time.<br />

The Guild is committed to volunteering in<br />

the local community and this trip enabled<br />

us to add to our environmental work<br />

undertaken at Clarke Gardens in Allerton.”<br />

For further information on<br />

volunteering, visit:<br />

www.volunteeringliverpool.org.uk<br />

for the gardens, with ceremonies taking<br />

place in the Rock Garden.<br />

Kevin Reid, Director at Ness, said:<br />

“No matter what the weather Val would be<br />

there to calm the bride and groom’s nerves<br />

in her warm and friendly manner. We will<br />

miss her bubbly personality and wish her<br />

good luck.”<br />

19


20<br />

‘Dangerous<br />

Science’<br />

The second ‘Dangerous Science’<br />

Summer school organised by<br />

Educational Opportunities was<br />

attended by 130 Year 10 pupils.<br />

The event, funded by the <strong>University</strong><br />

and the Higher Education Funding<br />

Council for England (HEFCE), <strong>of</strong>fers<br />

young people the chance to see the<br />

opportunities and exciting career paths<br />

open to them if they continue with a<br />

science qualification at higher education.<br />

The residential aimed to show<br />

students the different sides <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />

life. During the day the young people<br />

could opt into a range <strong>of</strong> exciting and<br />

interactive taster sessions <strong>of</strong>fered by<br />

various departments including Chemistry,<br />

Physics, Biological Sciences, Earth and<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Fluffy's radio show<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong> primary school children joined<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Fluffy at the <strong>University</strong> to<br />

take part in a ‘nature adventure’ in<br />

support <strong>of</strong> the city’s Year <strong>of</strong> Environment.<br />

The pupils from St Anne’s Catholic<br />

Primary School learnt about animal habitats<br />

and marine wildlife in the children’s<br />

laboratory in the Victoria Building, before<br />

being interviewed for Radio Merseyside’s<br />

‘Green for Go’ environment week.<br />

Ocean Science, Physiology, Criminology,<br />

Geography, Engineering and Vet Science.<br />

These sessions covered interesting<br />

topics that excited the students about<br />

science, including ‘Chemistry and Fire<br />

fighting’, ‘CSI <strong>Liverpool</strong>’,<br />

‘Nanotechnology’ and ‘Global warming:<br />

Floods and a watery future’.<br />

During the evening they stayed at<br />

Carnatic Halls <strong>of</strong> Residence and took<br />

part in a fun and relaxed evening<br />

programme that helped them to make<br />

new friends and enjoy the social side<br />

<strong>of</strong> higher education. Also on <strong>of</strong>fer were<br />

interactive workshops that allowed them<br />

to think about other aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />

such as student finance and student<br />

societies.<br />

Using Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Fluffy – a colourful<br />

character that introduces higher education<br />

to young people – as their guide, the<br />

children took soil and plant samples from<br />

the <strong>University</strong> quadrangle to recreate an<br />

environment that could support garden<br />

insects and birds.<br />

Pupils spoke to radio presenter Claire<br />

Hamilton about protecting the environment<br />

and caring for animals in their natural<br />

habitat. They also discussed how people<br />

can learn more about the world by studying<br />

subjects such as biology and engineering<br />

at universities.<br />

Tricia Jenkins, Head <strong>of</strong> Educational<br />

Opportunities, said: “We have recently<br />

launched the Raising Aspirations Teachers<br />

Pack, which provides primary school<br />

teachers with the resources to encourage<br />

pupils to think about the opportunities<br />

higher education can bring. Environmental<br />

issues are becoming more integrated into<br />

the curriculum and so it is important for us<br />

to use Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Fluffy’s activities to<br />

demonstrate how interesting the natural<br />

world can be.”<br />

Radio Merseyside’s ‘Green for Go’<br />

programmes saw presenters and <strong>Liverpool</strong><br />

graduates, Claire Hamilton and Jimmy<br />

McCracken cover issues such as<br />

community composting, wind turbines and<br />

green architecture. Claire also visited Ness<br />

Gardens to learn more about the forthcoming<br />

‘IllumiNESS’ festival in December, which<br />

will see solar powered lights transform the<br />

garden during a week <strong>of</strong> Christmas markets.


<strong>University</strong> supports two new academies<br />

and a national challenge trust school<br />

The <strong>University</strong> is lending its support to a National Challenge<br />

Trust School in Speke and sponsoring two new Wirral academies.<br />

Parklands Community Comprehensive in Speke will become a<br />

National Challenge Trust School in <strong>September</strong>, after teaming up with<br />

Blue Coat School, the Royal Liver Group and the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong>.<br />

National Challenge Trusts help schools to increase attainment by drawing<br />

on the expertise <strong>of</strong> partners from the academic and business world.<br />

Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Steve Holloway, said: “The <strong>University</strong><br />

is pleased to support this new initiative; we believe that the Trust will<br />

be instrumental in improving the life chances <strong>of</strong> the pupils at Parklands.”<br />

Proposals for the two new Wirral academies would see one<br />

mixed-sex academy and one boys academy established to serve<br />

current pupils at Park High, Rock Ferry High and Ridgeway High<br />

School. The single-sex boys academy will be sponsored by the<br />

<strong>University</strong>, Birkenhead Sixth Form College, the local authority and<br />

sports entrepreneur David Hughes. The mixed academy will be<br />

sponsored by the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Chester, Wirral Met College<br />

and the local authority.<br />

Harry Potter and Physics<br />

The Department <strong>of</strong> Physics has<br />

given GCSE students the chance<br />

to see electricity and magnetism<br />

in action in order to increase their<br />

interest in Physics.<br />

Workshops, organised in<br />

partnership with the Aimhigher<br />

programme, provided students<br />

with the opportunity to apply what<br />

they have learnt in the classroom<br />

to everyday life.<br />

Students were set fun<br />

activities and tasks which they<br />

completed by working in teams<br />

and with support <strong>of</strong> the Physics<br />

staff and students at the <strong>University</strong>.<br />

Dr Lynn Moran, from the<br />

Department, said: “Students have<br />

been really excited by undertaking<br />

practical tasks that they are not<br />

able to do at school, which are<br />

enjoyable and applicable to real<br />

life. This ensures that students will<br />

The advantage<br />

<strong>of</strong> 'Achieve'<br />

The first cohort <strong>of</strong> students has completed<br />

the Careers and Employability Services new<br />

programme ‘Achieve’.<br />

As a key component within the<br />

<strong>University</strong>’s new Employability Strategy,<br />

Achieve seeks to equip students with a range<br />

<strong>of</strong> high-pr<strong>of</strong>ile employability skills, while<br />

working in conjunction with leading<br />

graduate recruiters.<br />

remember what they have learnt<br />

during the day.”<br />

In part <strong>of</strong> the workshop,<br />

magnetic levitation was introduced<br />

as a possible route to efficient<br />

high-speed transport. Students<br />

were then presented with a first<br />

challenge – they had to use<br />

magnets to levitate a pencil.<br />

Lynn added: “After a little<br />

experimentation, all the teams<br />

successfully suspended their<br />

pencils in mid-air, much to their<br />

obvious delight. One <strong>of</strong> the students<br />

said he felt<br />

like he was<br />

performing a<br />

Harry Potter<br />

style magic<br />

trick!”<br />

A magnetically<br />

levitated pencil,<br />

together with the proud constructors<br />

<strong>of</strong> the maglev system<br />

All students enrolled on the programme<br />

have the opportunity to work towards<br />

Chartered Management Institute<br />

qualifications, an added dimension that<br />

provides students with a major advantage in<br />

today’s competitive job market. Students also<br />

have their own designated ‘career coaches’<br />

who work with them throughout the<br />

programme, reviewing their career strategies<br />

and helping them refine their plans.<br />

During the year, Achieve students<br />

attended a residential with graduate trainees<br />

Amsterdam aspirations<br />

As part <strong>of</strong> the Champions Project, 12 young people from<br />

Greater Merseyside schools were selected to attend a trip<br />

to Amsterdam.<br />

The long-term programme is run by the Educational<br />

Opportunities team that works with individual learners who<br />

are capable <strong>of</strong> high achievement but are currently unlikely<br />

to progress to higher education.<br />

To win a place on the trip, the pupils had to give<br />

presentations about their ‘Dreams and Aspirations’ to a<br />

panel <strong>of</strong> judges. Funded by Aimhigher, the aim <strong>of</strong> the trip<br />

was to raise aspirations <strong>of</strong> higher education and increase<br />

cultural awareness by giving them the opportunity <strong>of</strong><br />

international travel and the chance to see the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Amsterdam as well as the city.<br />

Deonne Hill, Champions Project Officer in Educational<br />

Opportunities, said: “The first day <strong>of</strong> the trip included an<br />

inspirational visit to Anne Frank's House. Seeing the hiding<br />

place <strong>of</strong> Anne Frank and hearing about the persecution <strong>of</strong><br />

Jewish people during the Second World War was very<br />

emotional and humbling for the young people who said that<br />

they had felt moved and lucky for what they had.”<br />

On the second day <strong>of</strong> the trip the young people got to<br />

visit the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Amsterdam’s Faculty <strong>of</strong> Science<br />

where they looked round the facilities and learnt<br />

about the study <strong>of</strong> Biological Sciences.<br />

Later that day the group went on to visit the<br />

NEMO Science Centre which is the biggest<br />

science centre in The Netherlands. Here they<br />

spent hours exploring a range <strong>of</strong> scientific themes<br />

such as DNA, Electricity and Renewable Energy.<br />

at Plas Caerdeon in Wales, visited the<br />

European headquarters <strong>of</strong> Bloomberg and<br />

HSBC, led a fundraising drive for Children in<br />

Need and had the opportunity to network with<br />

a range <strong>of</strong> leading executives.<br />

Dr Paul Redmond, Head <strong>of</strong> Careers said:<br />

“Plans for the Achieve II are no less ambitious,<br />

with a number <strong>of</strong> organisations already<br />

queuing up to work with our students.”<br />

For more information on Achieve, contact<br />

Phil Harrison in the Careers and Employability<br />

Service: phil.harrison@liv.ac.uk<br />

21


22<br />

Celebratory lunch<br />

for long service<br />

The Vice-Chancellor, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Sir Howard Newby and Lady Newby hosted a lunch at Carnatic Halls<br />

<strong>of</strong> Residence for members <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services who have attained 25 and 40 years service.<br />

(back row, l to r) Ge<strong>of</strong>frey Williams, Biomedical Sciences,<br />

Janet Jones, Library, Wendy Rawlinson, Finance<br />

(40 years), Margaret Colleran, Student Administration and<br />

Support, Paula Mills, History, Kevin McCormick, Physics,<br />

Warren Smeatham, Chemistry (40 years)<br />

(middle row, l to r) Lily Geggie, Derby & Rathbone Hall,<br />

Lynn McLaughlin, Biomedical Sciences, Julie Clark,<br />

ULMS raises international visibility<br />

Building on its international reputation, the<br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Liverpool</strong> Management School<br />

(ULMS) has seen a successful <strong>2009</strong>.<br />

The School entered the higher echelons<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Business and Management School<br />

rankings in the RAE2008, becoming the<br />

highest-performing new entrant to the<br />

exercise with 85% <strong>of</strong> research outputs classed<br />

as world-leading or internationally excellent.<br />

On the back <strong>of</strong> that ULMS hosted the<br />

9th annual meeting <strong>of</strong> the European<br />

Academy <strong>of</strong> Management Conference<br />

(EURAM) which attracted 800 delegates<br />

from 38 countries and some <strong>of</strong> the world’s<br />

leading business schools.<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Terry McNulty, Director <strong>of</strong><br />

Research in ULMS said: “EURAM was a<br />

major opportunity to raise the international<br />

Biological Sciences, Margaret Turner, Biological Sciences,<br />

Sue Downey, Finance, Anne Audley, Library<br />

(front row, l to r) Ann O’Brien, Facilities Management,<br />

Margaret Grek, Derby & Rathbone Hall, Joan Doran,<br />

Facilities Management, Vice-Chancellor, Lady Newby,<br />

Linda McGarvey, Facilities Management, Ann Murray,<br />

Student Recruitment & Admissions Office<br />

visibility and reputation <strong>of</strong> the School and<br />

the <strong>University</strong> and was a great success.<br />

“The finale <strong>of</strong> the event was a dinner in<br />

the Anglican Cathedral which was a sight to<br />

behold.”<br />

ULMS has led the way for future EURAM<br />

conferences, encouraging leading scholars<br />

to forge new groups, made up <strong>of</strong> academics<br />

with similar interests who will support<br />

emerging scholars and take lead roles in<br />

track organisation at the annual event.<br />

The School is also keen to help establish<br />

the EURAM Doctoral Colloquium as a<br />

recognised event for the doctorial<br />

programmes <strong>of</strong> business schools around<br />

Europe which will enable students to<br />

access an international community <strong>of</strong><br />

management researchers.<br />

Health initiative<br />

wins top award<br />

Debbie Abrahams, Director <strong>of</strong> IMPACT+ and Dr<br />

Scott-Samuel who have been assisted in this<br />

initiative by Research and Business Services<br />

A <strong>University</strong> initiative to improve health and<br />

reduce health inequalities has won an<br />

Impact Award for its benefit to society and<br />

the economy.<br />

Organised by Unico, the Impact<br />

Awards recognise the success <strong>of</strong><br />

collaborative working and the process <strong>of</strong><br />

transferring knowledge and expertise<br />

beyond higher education and public sector<br />

research establishments for the wider<br />

benefit <strong>of</strong> society and the economy.<br />

IMPACT+, the commercial arm <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>University</strong>’s International Health Impact<br />

Assessment Consortium (IMPACT), won<br />

the award in recognition <strong>of</strong> its policy and<br />

service and its capacity to make a real<br />

difference.


In memoriam<br />

The <strong>University</strong> regrets to announce<br />

the death <strong>of</strong>:<br />

Mr Robert (Bob) Molyneux, a Building<br />

Manager in Facilities Management from 1994<br />

until his retirement in 2001.<br />

Emeritus Pr<strong>of</strong>essor George Stanley Nelson,<br />

from the School <strong>of</strong> Tropical Medicine. Emeritus<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Michael Service said: “George<br />

Nelson was one <strong>of</strong> the foremost medical<br />

parasitologists <strong>of</strong> the 20th Century. He came<br />

to the <strong>Liverpool</strong> School <strong>of</strong> Tropical Medicine in<br />

1980 and retired in 1987, but was a much<br />

valued Visiting Pr<strong>of</strong>essor until 1991. He had<br />

gained first-hand knowledge <strong>of</strong> tropical<br />

medicine in the 1950s when he was a medical<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficer in Uganda and Kenya. On returning to<br />

the UK he joined the London School <strong>of</strong><br />

Tropical Medicine and Hygiene before coming<br />

to <strong>Liverpool</strong>. Among the many diseases he<br />

researched were echinococcosis,<br />

schistosomiasis, trypanosomiasis,<br />

onchocerciasis and zoonotic infections. Many<br />

<strong>of</strong> the students he inspired became<br />

distinguished parasitologists.”<br />

Mrs Caroline Physick, who worked at<br />

Carnatic House from January 2006. She<br />

passed away after suffering from cancer for<br />

the past two years.<br />

Mirko Zuzel, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor in the School <strong>of</strong><br />

Cancer Studies, Division <strong>of</strong> Haematology for<br />

the past 22 years. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor John Cawley,<br />

Head <strong>of</strong> the Division said: “A graduate <strong>of</strong> the<br />

<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Zagreb, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Zuzel was one<br />

<strong>of</strong> those now rare medically qualified individuals<br />

to become a pr<strong>of</strong>essional scientist committed<br />

to understanding the scientific basis <strong>of</strong><br />

disease. He had a wide experience in<br />

Coagulation and Pharmacology before<br />

committing the latter part <strong>of</strong> his career to<br />

understanding the pathogenesis <strong>of</strong> chronic<br />

leukaemias. His major contributions in this<br />

area were recognised by his appointment to<br />

a Personal Chair in 2006.<br />

In addition to being an excellent scientist,<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Zuzel was a widely read and<br />

cultured colleague devoted to the wellbeing <strong>of</strong><br />

his two daughters, Vesna and Anna. He will be<br />

greatly missed by them and all his colleagues<br />

in the Division.”<br />

‘<br />

Don’t<br />

quoteme<br />

Welcome to Don’t Quote Me, the <strong>Precinct</strong><br />

column which celebrates the <strong>University</strong>’s<br />

wide and varied mix <strong>of</strong> staff.<br />

Don’t Quote Me this month brings<br />

you Jay Newby, a Lifeguard in the<br />

Sports & Fitness Centre.<br />

Where did you grow up?<br />

Kirkby – I moved there when I was one year<br />

old from Walton.<br />

What does ‘success’ mean to you?<br />

Always pushing yourself to achieve a bit<br />

more than you think you can.<br />

What two attributes are most important<br />

in your job?<br />

Good communication skills and a friendly<br />

manner.<br />

What do you get passionate about?<br />

Everybody doing their fair share <strong>of</strong> work.<br />

What do you find most rewarding<br />

about your job?<br />

Varied mix <strong>of</strong> people you get to interact with<br />

and meet.<br />

What work issues keep you up at night?<br />

None really, if it’s nothing I can’t help with,<br />

it’s not worth worrying about.<br />

What are you reading at the moment?<br />

Blind Eye by Stuart MacBride.<br />

My favourite quote is...<br />

Growing old is compulsory, growing up<br />

is optional!<br />

Visit our online shop now, where you can<br />

find a huge range <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong>-branded<br />

gifts and souvenirs. Our range <strong>of</strong> quality<br />

merchandise would make excellent gifts<br />

for parents, relatives, students, graduates<br />

or former students.<br />

’<br />

Never trust....<br />

SatNav.<br />

THE UNIVERSITY OF<br />

LIVERPOOL OFFICIAL<br />

ONLINE MERCHANDISE SHOP<br />

There is always pressure on me to....<br />

Do my job as best as I can, just like anyone else.<br />

I get away with quite a lot to be honest.<br />

Always trust....<br />

Your mum, because she always knows best.<br />

If I had a million pounds I would....<br />

Pay the mortgage <strong>of</strong>f the house and move my<br />

mum and dad to a big house in Corfu. I’d invest<br />

what was left over.<br />

My ideal dinner guest would be….<br />

Me, 30 years from now so I know what to expect!<br />

If you would like to be<br />

featured, or know an<br />

interesting character who<br />

we should contact, email<br />

us at precinct@liv.ac.uk<br />

Buy online – the best way to buy!<br />

visit: http://shop.liv.ac.uk<br />

23


PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES <strong>2009</strong><br />

Dick Strawbridge MBE<br />

Living Green In The 21st Century<br />

Monday 7 <strong>September</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />

As <strong>Precinct</strong> went to press there were still a few<br />

tickets available for this lecture<br />

Tim Smit CBE<br />

Environment Matters<br />

Tuesday 22 <strong>September</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />

Jonathon Porritt CBE<br />

Recession And Recovery: It’s The Ecology, Stupid<br />

Monday 19 October <strong>2009</strong><br />

nio<br />

YEAR OF THE<br />

n<br />

FREE ENTRY<br />

<strong>Liverpool</strong> Philharmonic Hall, 6.30pm<br />

www.liv.ac.uk/public-lectures<br />

CALL 0151709 3789 for a ticket

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