Getting to know you

The news magazine for York St John University AUTUMN 2010
Getting to
know you
see page 2
08 11 13
Focus on
Research Centre for Occupation
and Mental Health
Opinion
Richard Noake on Sikhism
and his trip to the House
of Lords
In the spotlight
Professor Pam Dawson,
Dean of the Faculty of Health
& Life Sciences

NEWS
Getting to know you
Vice Chancellor Professor David Fleming joined York St John University at the start
of June, having previously been Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Sunderland.
He has wide experience of university leadership and brings to the role a strong track
record in the Higher Education sector within specialist areas of student experience
enhancement, learning and teaching, international
collaboration, research, third-stream initiatives,
and widening access and participation.
Welcome from Professor
David Fleming
York St John is a true gem and it is an
enormous privilege to have taken up the
position of Vice Chancellor in a university
which has built a strong reputation
and engendered a high regard for its
educational delivery.
I was attracted to York St John because
of its outstanding partnerships and
collaborative activities – working with
hundreds of schools, local government,
the NHS, sports bodies and a wide range
of health and wellbeing providers. In
addition, I am excited to see how our staff
and students are engaged with businesses,
both large and small, and our graduates
are great ambassadors for the University,
as employees or setting up their own
successful businesses.
As the new academic year begins, I look
forward to spending more time getting
to know you all and seeing the University
continue to make a positive impact on a
local, regional and international level.
With warm regards
Vice Chancellor Professor David Fleming
Over the summer Professor Fleming spent time getting to know staff across the campus and meeting
key partners in York and the wider region. Here he is with (clockwise from top left) Jackie Mathers
(right) and Diana Wetherell Terry (left), Dean and Deputy Dean of York St John Business School;
Human Resources’ staff; staff of the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences; staff from Library & Information
Services; and staff from the Facilities Directorate.
New student halls
at Gray’s Wharf
The official opening of the £12 million
development at Gray’s Wharf took
place on 8 September. Situated on a
previously derelict site off Navigation
Road, the 232-room student halls
and its neighbouring development on
Percy’s Lane have received praise for
their contribution to the regeneration
of the local area. Leigh Hankinson,
President of the Students’ Union said,
“The build helps to promote our core
value of working together with the local
community. Students should feel proud
and excited to live here.”
Both schemes have been applauded
by the police and the Safer York
Partnership for their design. The local
community policing team have set up
an office in the halls to serve the whole
Walmgate ward. The development also
incorporates many sustainable energysaving
features. Waste recycling facilities
are available for all students, hot water
is provided by air source heat pumps,
and an intelligent heating system
recognises the non-occupancy of a room
which then automatically lowers the
temperature in order to reduce energy
wastage. The site is also car-free.
Leigh Hankinson, President of the Students’
Union, and the Vice Chancellor cut the ribbon.
Excellence recognised
by national award
The Schools Liaison and Admissions Team
came out on top in the Student Admissions
Team category at the Times Higher
Education Leadership and Management
Awards 2010, held on 17 June at the
Grosvenor House Hotel in London. York St
John was one of six universities shortlisted.
Expressing his delight the Vice Chancellor
said, “I am absolutely thrilled that the hard
work, professionalism and proactive nature
of our admissions and recruitment activity
have been recognised in such a public way
at these prestigious national awards. I offer
my warmest congratulations to the
entire team.”
Brussels
experience
A group of second-year Primary Education
(QTS) students took part in a four-week
School Experience placement in Brussels
this summer. They taught the Belgian
Primary Curriculum in French in a selection
of primary schools. This is a reciprocal
placement with the Haute École Francisco
Ferrer in Brussels; York St John welcomed
two trainees on a similar placement to
teach in York schools in September.
The students take a break during preparations
for their Belgian trip.
Members of the team celebrate their win.
talk
CONTENTS
02 News
08 Focus on…
Research Centre for Occupation
and Mental Health
10 Cooperation for improved
global health
10 Business and society
11 Opinion:
Richard Noake on Sikhism
12 The view from the
Students’ Union
13 In the spotlight
14 Announcements
16 Noticeboard
02
03

NEWS
Sgt Major puts
pupils through
their paces
Hundreds of students from local primary
and secondary schools took part in a
special language showcase event organised
by York St John and held at the Yorkshire
Air Museum, Elvington. Taking the Second
World War as inspiration, the new style of
language learning enabled students to test
out their French and German language
skills, as well as try a whole host of new
languages including Mandarin, Japanese,
Arabic and even semaphore. Instead
of vocabulary tests and traditional role
play, pupils were encouraged to imagine
themselves making contact with the French
resistance, recounting stories as German
prisoners of war and acting as evacuees
coping with food rations. French was
delivered in the form of a drill by York St
John lecturer and former military man, Mark
Sullivan.
Mark Sullivan drills his French recruits.
The Languages Showcase was organised
by Ann Gregory, who recently retired from
the position of York St John Languages
Centre Manager. She said, “I have always
encouraged the learning of languages
for real purposes in out-of-the-classroom
situations and contexts, and I also love the
opportunities to be creative in teaching
and learning by thinking outside of
the box.”
Accredited
training for
governors
(left to right) Professor Julian Stern, York
St John University; Sue Pagliaro, Head of
Governor Support, City of York Council; Vice
Chancellor Professor David Fleming; Kersten
England, Chief Executive, City of York Council;
Jill Hodges, Assistant Director, City of York
Council; Pete Dwyer, Director of Adults,
Children and Education, City of York Council;
Katie Fussey, Partnership Development
Officer, York St John University
The University has joined forces with City
of York Council to allow York’s school
governors to gain access to a new training
and development scheme. They now have
the opportunity to apply for their learning
to be accredited by York St John and
work towards a Foundation Certificate in
School Governance. The training has been
developed in response to the increasingly
demanding role of governors and the
Education White Paper Your child, your
schools, our future: building a 21st century
schools system. Praising his experience, one
student governor commented, “This course
has provided me with a sound base to go
on and will serve my school well. An added
bonus has been the opportunity to gain
Paul Mills was born in Cheshire
in 1948. He has held writing
fellowships at Manchester
and Leeds universities and a
Fulbright exchange fe lowship
at Santa Cruz, California. Until
recently Paul taught at York St
John University. His publications
include four books of poems and
The Routledge Creative Writing
Coursebook. His plays have been
performed at West Yorkshire
Playhouse and the National
Theatre. He is a painter as well
as a poet and lives in Ripon,
North Yorkshire.
Paul Mills was born in Cheshire
in 1948. He has held writing
fe lowships at Manchester
and Leeds universities and a
Fulbright exchange fe lowship
at Santa Cruz, California. Until
recently Paul taught at York St
John University. His publications
include four books of poems and
The Routledge Creative Writing
Coursebook. His plays have been
performed at West Yorkshire
Playhouse and the National
Theatre. He is a painter as well
as a poet and lives in Ripon,
North Yorkshire.
accreditation from the University.”
ISBN 978-1-906613-16-7
ISBN 978-1-906613-16-7
9 781906 613167
Paul Mi ls was born in Cheshire
in 1948. He has held writing
fellowships at Manchester
and Leeds universities and a
Fulbright exchange fe lowship
at Santa Cruz, California. Until
recently Paul taught at York St
John University. His publications
include four books of poems and
The Routledge Creative Writing
Coursebook. His plays have been
performed at West Yorkshire
Playhouse and the National
Theatre. He is a painter as we l
as a poet and lives in Ripon,
North Yorkshire.
‘Paul Mills’ poems are confident, perceptive,
entertaining and assured.’
– Ian Parks, PQR
Boost for
creative
businesses
York St John is collaborating with Bar Lane
Studios and Science City York to develop
an innovative partnership that will see
the growth and development of over 100
creative businesses in the city. The initiative
has so far provided eight new businesses
with a space to undergo the internship
programme.
The scheme held its first ‘PechaKucha’
networking event on 21 August; and the
partnership is launching a sector specific
mentoring programme, workshops
and masterclasses. Jenny Hall, Creative
Business Development Manager, said,
“The partnership offers access to physical
space, specialist business skills and advice,
along with helping to build a sense of
community.”
www.barlanestudios.com
Central to the title poem is the long human
struggle for survival against ice and cold. The
poem makes contact with our present climate
crisis, as well as suggesting a dimension
which is more personal.
The keynote of Paul Mills’s new book is
affirmation, but also uncertainty – a day and
night experience for the speaker of ‘Women
in a munitions factory’, from a group of
poems based on archive film. His reaction
to his daughter’s psychiatric illness and her
recovery is the subject of the powerful poem
sequence, ‘21/2001’.
Poetic response
Voting for Spring is Paul Mills’ latest
collection of poems, a number of which
are based on his response to footage in
the Yorkshire Film Archive. Paul taught
creative writing and literature at York St
John for 25 years before becoming a
freelance writer.
www.paulmillswriting.co.uk
‘Paul Mills’ poems are confident, perceptive,
entertaining and assured.’
– Ian Parks, PQR
‘Paul Mills’ poems are confident, perceptive,
entertaining and assured.’
– Ian Parks, PQR
‘Mature, philosophical and adventurous
work… Paul Mills strikes me as one of the
few poets writing today who is fully prepared
not to play safe.’
– Paul Munden, PN Review
‘Mature, philosophical and adventurous
work… Paul Mills strikes me as one of the
few poets writing today who is fully prepared
not to play safe.’
– Paul Munden, PN Review
‘Mature, philosophical and adventurous
work… Paul Mills strikes me as one of the
few poets writing today who is fully prepared
not to play safe.’
– Paul Munden, PN Review
Central to the title poem is the long human
struggle for survival against ice and cold. The
poem makes contact with our present climate
crisis, as well as suggesting a dimension
which is more personal.
Central to the title poem is the long human
struggle for survival against ice and cold. The
poem makes contact with our present climate
crisis, as well as suggesting a dimension
which is more personal.
The keynote of Paul Mills’s new book is
affirmation, but also uncertainty – a day and
night experience for the speaker of ‘Women
The keynote of Paul Mills’s new book is
in a munitions factory’, from a group of
affirmation, but also uncertainty – a day and
poems based on archive film. His reaction
night experience for the speaker of ‘Women
to his daughter’s psychiatric illness and her
recovery is the subject of the powerful poem
Paul Mills Voting for Spring
Paul Mills Voting for Spring
Paul Mills Voting for Spring
Voting for Spring
Paul Mills
Voting for Spring
Paul Mills
Voting for Spring
Paul Mills
MBA is great news
for York’s economy
The city’s first Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
programme was launched by York St John Business School in
September. The MBA can be taken either full-time on an intensive
12-month programme or part-time (over two to five years).
Jackie Mathers, Dean of the Business School, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for
York’s leaders and managers of the future to access a high quality MBA course on their
doorstep. The MBA aims to develop a broad understanding of a range of business
functions and how they perform at operational and strategic levels. There is a strong
emphasis on the application of theoretical knowledge in the workplace through the
use of case studies and work placements, and the course is ideal for people working in
small and medium sized businesses as well as larger and international organisations.
Like many of the courses available at the Business School it has already attracted
students from throughout the UK as well as overseas.”
Focus on
employability
The York St John Psychology team was
one of a select group of psychology
departments invited to contribute to a
national employability event in London,
which was sponsored by the Higher
Education Academy Psychology Network.
It focused on preparing psychology
graduates for employment in the
next century.
Dr Jacqui Akhurst and Frances Dodd
from Psychology ran a session called
Putting Career Psychology Back into
the Employability Equation, where the
participants could hear about the practical
benefits of the online Psychology Card
Sort, as developed by Jacqui.
(left to right) Dr Jacqui Akhurst,
Paul McGivern, Frances Dodd, Matt Dawkin
and Jemma Towler
Three second-year students – Paul
McGivern, Matt Dawkin and Jemma Towler
also joined the team and contributed
to the presentation by talking about
their experiences of using the card sort,
both before and after their recent work
placement. This enabled them to assess
the changes in their skills and reflect on the
overall benefits of the work placement.
Widening
participation
Green Apples project update
The summer term saw the
Schools Liaison team deliver a
number of on-site visits as
part of the city-wide Green
Apples project.
The aim is to work primarily with
students in Years 9-11 to demystify
Higher Education, raise awareness of
the routes into Further and Higher
Education, increase self-confidence and
self-esteem, raise aspirations and build
skills.
In May York St John hosted a Year 9
visit from two York schools to introduce
their students to the Green Apples
programme, university life and the
options ahead. The students worked in
groups to design a poster to promote
their ideal university course, considering
entry requirements, course content,
practical experience gained and
teaching methods. Ideas included a
paper aeroplane design course, fashion
and photography, game design and
butchery skills.
Seven primary schools from York visited
the campus in July as part of a project
to introduce career-related learning
into primary schools. Pupils played
course bingo, packed a suitcase to take
to university and played a giant board
game to teach them about studying,
student lifestyle, the Students’ Union and
the range of courses on offer. Teacher
feedback included, “It was lovely to have
great, enthusiastic students showing
us around and encouraging Higher
Education. It made the day a very
positive experience”.
in a munitions factory’, from a group of
ISBN 978-1-906613-16-7
sequence, ‘21/2001’.
£9.95
combine intense vividness with philosophical
04
Together these poems reflect his ability to
poems based on archive film. His reaction
move between the remote and everyday, to
insight.
9 781906 613167
to his daughter’s psychiatric illness and her
recovery is the subject of the powerful poem
sequence, ‘21/2001’.
Together these poems reflect his ability to
£9.95
9 781906 613167
£9.95
move between the remote and everyday, to
combine intense vividness with philosophical
insight.
Together these poems reflect his ability to
move between the remote and everyday, to
combine intense vividness with philosophical
insight.
05

NEWS
Challenging stereotypes
More than 50 media students from Norton College took part in a project at York St John
to design posters aimed at challenging commonly held misconceptions of young people.
The Year 10 students worked with Faculty of Arts’ staff, Craig Walton, York St John’s
Graphic Designer, and other professional graphic designers, responding to their GCSE
Media Studies brief to produce a poster which promoted positive images of young people.
The students showed off their designs at a special lunch at the end of the week.
Dave Rees, Media Studies teacher at Norton College, said, “The students welcomed the
chance to challenge the negative ways that young people are usually portrayed in the
media, and produced a series of posters that are really powerful. They had a fantastic
week at York St John and used the opportunity of working with media professionals to
consider their own career options for the future.”
Internship success
(left to right) Nicole Vogwil, Norton College;
Sarah Nicholson, Voice and Influence Officer,
Young People’s Service, City of York Council;
and Joe Armer, Deputy Member of the UK
Youth Parliament for York.
The Graduate Internship scheme at York St John is going from strength to strength,
following the successful award of funding from the Higher Education Funding Council
for England and Yorkshire Forward last year. Amanda Adey, a 2009 Product Design
graduate, gained a position at the Yorkshire Museum during its recent refurbishment.
She has been involved in the preparation of new learning material and designed her own
display. Other interns have been placed with companies including York Castle Museum,
York Art Gallery, City of York Council, Yorkshire Film Archive, United by Design and NYBEP.
Funding has now been secured to provide another 12 internships, so please let 2010
graduates know about the scheme. They should e-mail graduateinternships@yorksj.ac.uk
with their details and they will be added to the mailing list. The team would also like to
hear from anyone who may know of an employer who would benefit from an intern:
please forward any details to Suzanne Dickinson, Internship Co-ordinator,
E: graduateinternships@yorksj.ac.uk, T: 6519.
Football fever
Davies learnt how to blow the infamous
vuvuzela at the Green Point stadium in
Cape Town.
Davies Banda, Senior Lecturer – Sport
Policy & Development, attended a
Coaching for Hope conference in
Cape Town, South Africa, during the
2010 FIFA World Cup. Davies, who
is a Programme Advisory Committee
member of the charity, was a keynote
presenter focusing on the monitoring and
evaluation of community-based football
programmes. As part of the international
volunteering and development charity
Skillshare International, Coaching for
Hope programmes involve the delivery
of coach education and HIV awareness
and substance abuse education to young
people across West and Southern Africa.
Amanda Adey
Skydiving
for theatre
charity
Robert, Hannah and Kerry; and Nick
on their big day.
Kerry Sorby, Dr Nick Rowe and Robert Avery,
of the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences
(HLS), completed a tandem skydive on
21 August in aid of Out of Character, the
theatre company comprising people who
use mental health services (see Yorktalk
Summer 2010, page 11).
The skydive was organised by Hannah
Spring, also an HLS staff member, who is an
experienced skydiver. The trio completed
their jump at the Black Knights Parachute
Centre in Lancaster from 14,000ft, with
Hannah solo jumping with them to offer
moral support. Nick said, “The most
terrifying moment came as I dangled my
legs over the edge of the plane, ready
to jump and stared 14,000 feet down
through the clouds. The most exhilarating
moment was a few seconds later as I fell
through the clouds, clinging desperately (as
if it would somehow help me) to the straps
of my harness!”
The team has raised over £300 so far; they
are planning to organise another jump
which will be open to York St John staff.
Details will be announced early next year.
Dean loses
his hair for
charity
A team from York St John, including
Dean Armstrong, YSJ Active Instructor,
nine students and Sports lecturer
Mark Sullivan, took part in Trailwalker on
Saturday 17 July. They walked 100km
non-stop within 24 hours across the
South Downs in aid of Oxfam and the
Gurkha Welfare Trust. With less than
a week to go before the event on 17
July, Dean was £300 short of his £500
fundraising target. To encourage more
sponsors, he promised to shave off his
hair if he reached the amount. True to
his word, Dean had his hair shaved in
front of ‘supporting’ staff members.
Dean before – and after.
Fun in the sun
Jem rowed the demanding endurance
course of 12.5 miles and Andy walked and
jogged 7.5 miles along the river bank.
A great time was had by all in the early
morning sunshine.
Reverend Jeremy Clines and
Professor Andy Smith
The Vice Chancellor’s Initiative to raise
funds for student clubs and societies
received a boost from a race down
the Ouse. The Reverend Jeremy Clines
and Professor Andy Smith, Director of
Development, undertook the sporting
challenge on foot and by boat on
25 August.
Jem, who left York St John at the end of
August after 11 years to become Anglican
Chaplain at the University of Sheffield,
said, “Students experience the full breadth
of emotions by participating in clubs and
societies. Sponsoring their facilities can
make a huge difference to their memories
of friendly, healthy and competitive
recreation.”
If you would like to support this initiative
donations can be made via
www.justgiving.com/ProfAndySmith
06 07

FOCUS ON…
Research
Centre for
The Research Centre for Occupation and Mental Health (RCOMH) is an
international focal point for people committed to increasing research that
will influence practice in the field of occupation and mental health.
The centre – established some 18 months ago at York St John University –
is a response to the College of Occupational Therapists’ ten-year strategy for
occupational therapy in mental health services, Recovering Ordinary Lives.
08
Occupation and
Mental Health
The RCOMH team: (back row, left to right)
Dr Alison Laver-Fawcett, Hannah Spring,
Sue Copeland; (front row, left to right)
Dr Katrina Bannigan, Dr Carolyn Dunford
“Our everyday activities
or occupations are critical
to our mental health and
wellbeing”
“What we do – our everyday activities or
occupations – are critical to our mental
health and wellbeing,” says Dr Katrina
Bannigan, Reader in Occupational Therapy
at York St John and Director of RCOMH.
“However, whilst we know this to be true
within the profession, there is little research
to help us understand why this is the case.
We have therefore taken the audacious
step to build up a coherent community of
researchers to generate the evidence. We
have a long-term vision for the centre: to
establish a recognised research community
with well-developed research programmes
that are routinely influencing practice. As
Recovering Ordinary Lives states, we are
working to build ‘a firm evidence base for
occupational therapy interventions’.”
York St John acts as the administrative focal
point for the research activity conducted
by RCOMH’s partner organisations. Katrina
explains, “The University is so enterprising
in its approach and response to ideas; it is
small enough so you know people across
the campus who can help you make things
happen. I don’t think RCOMH could have
been set up anywhere else. We’ve been
developing RCOMH’s infrastructure during
2009-10 and established governance
arrangements with our steering group so
that our work feeds into the University’s
research structures. Marketing have been
very helpful, working on our website
presence and monthly e-bulletin, The Bridge.
“We are capitalising on our personal links
with practitioners from around the world
and already have a database of some 500
interested individuals. We are in touch with
colleagues in Australasia, Europe, the US and
South America, and are trying to broaden
our links with eastern countries to make
sure we are inclusive. The emphasis is on
developing networks to sustain our research
activity.”
The latest research project to be completed
and disseminated is EAGER (evaluation
of the impact of the implementation
of government policy on occupational
therapy using assertive outreach as an
exemplar), which received a £70,000
grant from the College of Occupational
Therapists. “Working on projects such as
this obviously develops my own Principal
Investigator skills,” says Katrina, “which
in turn is invaluable in informing my
support of PhD students as well as our
undergraduate programmes. I’ve involved a
group of our undergraduates in developing
an international survey of occupational
therapists. This has been a meaningful
education opportunity for them as they have
gained a sense of what real research involves
and been introduced to the community of
practitioners.”
The international launch for RCOMH took
place at the 15th World Federation of
Occupational Therapists’ Congress held in
RCOMH
RCOMH is a partnership between:
• College of Occupational Therapists
Specialist Section in Mental Health
developing partners (a service user
research organisation)
• Northumberland Tyne and Wear
NHS Trust
• South London and Maudsley
NHS Foundation Trust
• Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys
NHS Foundation Trust
• The Retreat
• York St John University
www.yorksj.ac.uk/rcomh
Santiago, Chile, in May 2010. The response
was extremely positive and the event was
supported by Sharon Brintnell, the President
of the World Federation of Occupational
Therapists. Katrina has had contact from
people responding to the event, saying
how they appreciate feeling part of a wider
community and are now more excited about
their own careers. There are relatively few
occupational therapists (for example, there
are just 1,500 students in the UK at any
one time) that it takes a development like
RCOMH to provide the focus for a global
peer group.
Katrina adds, “We are already looking
ahead to ensure that RCOMH has a long
life with various programmes of research
on stream. By developing networks that
occupational therapy graduates can link
into we can ensure that RCOMH influences
the development of services, translating
policy into practice – both nationally and
internationally.”
Current RCOMH research programmes
• Arts and creativity (Dr Sarah Cook,
Sheffield Hallam University)
• Occupation, mental health and
boredom (Hilary Williams, South London
and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust)
• Occupation and mental health in
forensic and prison services (Dr Crystal
Grass, Dalhousie University, Canada;
Associate Professor Louise Farnworth,
Monash University, Australia)
• Occupation and older people’s mental
health (Dr Alison Laver-Fawcett,
York St John University)
• Occupation and working with people
with psychosis living in the community
(Simon Hughes, Tees, Esk and Wear
Valleys NHS Foundation Trust)
• Work, mental health and well being
(Dr Katrina Bannigan, York St John
University)
08
09

Cooperation for
improved global health
The Faculty of Health & Life
Sciences is collaborating
with Leonard Cheshire
International and the Centre
for the Rehabilitation of the
Paralysed (Bangladesh), which
support projects in health and
education.
Corinna Klaentschi is the Faculty Placement
Development Officer and 27 final-year
Occupational Therapy students have
undertaken a 12-week international
placement to date. Emma Walker returned
from Uganda in July 2010 and comments
on her experiences.
“Katalemwa Cheshire Home for
rehabilitation services is a nongovernmental
organisation (NGO) providing
both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
services to children from birth to 18 years
A successful career in the manufacturing
industries – as a production manager –
gave Chris Mortimer many experiences
that she is now using to inform her
part-time PhD studies. A Senior Lecturer
in Leadership at York St John Business
School, she is also Head of Programme –
MBA and MA Suite. Here she explains her
interest in leadership theories.
“I wanted to do something completely
different after 15 years in business and
started an English Literature degree at
York St John in 2003. As I reflected on my
reading, I started to apply the theories
of philosophers such as Jacques Derrida
to my previous experiences. I hadn’t
fully appreciated how I was perceived by
my male peers within the management
structure – I was the only female manager.
old. I worked predominantly with children
who had a neurological diagnosis, focusing
on improving fine and gross motor skills
through a range of positioning, weight
baring and coordination exercises. I also
assessed children in their homes and
communities, gaining valuable insight into
the challenges facing disabled children in
developing countries.
“I had the chance to enjoy Kampala’s
nightlife and travelled around the country
visiting OTs at other NGOs and government
hospitals. On World Environment Day 2010
I was invited to attend the annual naming
ceremony of the silverback mountain
gorillas in Rwanda and met President
Paul Kagame.
“I believe that my time at Katalemwa has
not only enabled me to develop my clinical
skills and expertise but also equipped me
with the skills and sensitivity needed to
Business and society
Although I was successful, I was on the
margins, seen as using my mothering
instincts to manage my team. Only when
I came to university did I start to question
this attitude and, having achieved a high
first for my degree, I decided that I would
like to develop my thoughts further
through a PhD, looking at leadership
models and reflecting on the methods of
Michel Foucault.
“I conducted my field study at the Ryedale
Folk Museum, using this as an example
of how the museum sector is taking on
leadership models from business to function
effectively in our society. I discussed with
the director how he felt pressured to
adopt accepted practices to enable him
to communicate with the Heritage Lottery
Fund. There was a real culture clash.
Emma Walker
work effectively within a multicultural
British population. My experience will have
a lasting positive effect on my future career
and become a unique selling point that will
stand out to potential employers.”
“We need a socially engaged business
model that is inclusive. I was very
interested when I read David Cameron’s
speech introducing the Big Society
that he didn’t mention business at all.
Business is intrinsic to society – you can’t
separate it out. Looking back a century,
Joseph Rowntree said that business has a
responsibility to society. I’m fascinated by
how we’ve got to this position and how
we can change it.”
Chris Mortimer
Opinion
A deep interest in Sikhism took Richard
Noake, Head of Subject – Theology &
Religious Studies, to the House of Lords
in May 2010. He explains why.
I found myself in the House of Lords on
21 May at an event hosted by Baroness
Cox. I had been invited by the Sikh
Education Council (SEC) as part of their
300th anniversary celebrations of the life
of Banda Singh Bahadur (1670-1716).
For many Sikhs, Bahadur is viewed as a
hero who, some say, established the first
Khalsa Republic in the region of the Punjab.
Three centuries on, the Sikh community are
bringing his story to a wider audience.
I gave a short lecture, focusing on issues of
identity and the impact of Bahadur on Sikh
thought and practice today.
I can imagine some of my colleagues asked
– and are still asking – why was I invited to
such a prestigious event? I initially thought
it was a spoof. I do teach about the Sikh
tradition and it would be relatively easy to
find that out on the web, but there must
be more eminent people than me out
there. When I pieced the various threads
together it taught me a lesson – not to
underestimate the things we do and are
involved in.
In 2007, Theology & Religious Studies
at York St John published an edited book
entitled Community Identity: Dynamics of
Religion in Context; I contributed a chapter
on the Sikh community based in York. It was
a small scale piece of work that highlighted
a number of challenges faced by this
community. I was helped in my work by
our University faith advisers, Dr Darminder
and Mrs Gurdeep Chadha. Then, in 2009,
Professor Gary Craig (University of Hull) was
commissioned to research ethnic diversity
in York by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation
(Mapping rapidly changing minority ethnic
populations: a case study of York). In the
course of his research he interviewed
Darminder who told him of my work. I sent
him a copy of the book. When his report
was published, I was delighted to find my
research had been referenced.
The final thread relates to the St Wilfrid
Lectures that I have helped develop with
Ripon Cathedral. Our closing speaker of
the 2009 series was Dr Inderjit Singh, who
spoke on the role of the Church from a
Sikh perspective. In the course of a journey
from York station to Ripon I enjoyed a lively
conversation with Dr Singh, which included
reference to some of the work I do in
relation to the Sikh tradition. Dr Singh has
close links with the Sikh Education Council.
It transpired that SEC had made these links
and decided I might have something to
contribute to their celebrations. It was an
enormous privilege to be included in the
evening and SEC have said they would like
to continue working with me, with the
possibility of some further writing arising
out of the experience.
So, you might think the
impact of your work
is minor, but don’t
underestimate where it
might lead!
Richard Noake with Baroness Cox and Dr Pargat Singh, Chair of the Sikh Education Council.
10
11

The view from the
Students’ Union
The Students’ Union was given a facelift over the summer months, in time
to welcome its members at the start of the new academic year. And the
interior of the building has also been developed, including a complete
refurbishment of the Union Shop, which was officially opened by this year’s
Union President, Leigh Hankinson, on 17 September.
The Sabbaticals for 2010-11: (left to right)
Leigh Hankinson, President; Katie Knowles –
Vice President Education and Welfare;
and Jason Chappelhow – Vice President
Student Activities.
12
We want to show that the Union is more
than just a bar,” says Leigh. “My main
concern is to make our international
and mature students feel completely
integrated into our student body. One of
the developments over the summer has
been the inclusion of six computer points
in the café area so that people can come
here to work or browse the Internet as well
as socialise. We are also doing a massive
re-jig of the events calendar, offering events
during the day, not just the evening. I’ve
been talking to Greg Christie, our Mature
Learners, Part Time Learners and Post
Graduate Officer, to make sure that mature
students feel welcome.”
Fresh initiatives include a National Curry
Week and an International Film Day. Soap
Box is another new project. Every Tuesday,
students will be able to debate current
campus issues with the Sabbaticals, Union
Council members and invited guests. These
could range from library facilities, to the
amount of face-to-face time with lecturers,
to the number of available computer
points. Not only will students be able to get
on their soap boxes – they will also be able
to get their fix of the latest soap operas,
courtesy of a big screen TV.
Fundraising to support the Union’s many
clubs and societies has already received a
boost this year from the Vice Chancellor’s
Initiative, a new fund established by
Professor David Fleming. Leigh explains,
“We have used the donation to support
five key areas: new spring flooring for the
cheerleaders; the boat house has been
refurbished, and a new rowing launch;
new lighting and sound has been fitted
in Temple Hall; we’ve set up a £5,000
coaching fund to allow students to
apply for courses or bring in professional
coaches; and we’ve set up an honours
board and trophy cabinet to highlight our
achievements. My impressions of the Vice
Chancellor have been great so far – I’m
impressed by how student focused he is.”
“We want to show
that the Union is more
than just a bar”
In the spotlight
Professor Pam Dawson, Dean of the
Faculty of Health & Life Sciences
What attracted you to
York St John?
I’d been at Northumbria University for a
long time – most recently as Associate
Dean in the Faculty of Health, Community
& Education Studies – and I was ready for
a new personal challenge. York St John has
achieved such a lot in the short time since
it was awarded university status; the Faculty
of Health & Life Sciences has strong subject
areas; and I felt that there was great
potential to further develop the learning
and teaching and research offered here.
When I was doing my research into York St
John, no-one had anything negative to say –
it was a consistent, positive message about
this being a great place to be a student
and a member of staff.
How will you tackle the
current challenges in
Higher Education?
I’m a very resilient person – the glass
is always half full! I will try to see
opportunities as we move into difficult
times; we don’t need to batten down
the hatches. I see it as my role as a member
of the University’s senior team to look for
potential developments and ways forward.
York St John has a fantastic reputation for
widening participation, and that’s one area
I’m passionate to explore further, especially
in relation to workforce development.
I believe I can help to steer the Faculty
through the challenges ahead and I’ve got
great, experienced colleagues who are
keen to take their subject areas forward.
What are your research
interests?
My professional background is in
physiotherapy and I’ve got 20 years’
experience of working in the Higher
Education health sector. I’ve an active
research profile with a focus on the
rehabilitation of older people. I’m well
published, mostly on falls and falls
prevention. I work in a multidisciplinary
way, with occupational therapists, medics
and nurses; increasingly my work has
placed the service user at the heart
of a research partnership to improve
interventions and healthcare. Within
the Faculty, I will be developing my
understanding of our existing research
base and its many strengths, and assessing
how we can move forward, developing
productive partnerships with external
agencies to attract more project funding
and PhD students. Research feeds into the
whole student experience and should be
evident in our teaching and learning.
What are your
immediate priorities?
I want to make sure we recruit fully to
target and provide the highest quality
learning and teaching experience. I will
prioritise quality in everything we do. I’m
really looking forward to working with our
external partners who provide a learning
community for our students. We need
to have strong partnerships with local
employers; I have a key role in networking,
engaging with the outside world, listening
to what employers need, and making
sure our students have the right attributes
to achieve graduate employment or to
enhance their current job performance.
Professor Pam Dawson
What are your
impressions of York St
John so far?
Everybody has just been so friendly, so
welcoming. This is an exciting time to join
the University, under the leadership of a
new Vice Chancellor and as we undergo a
corporate strategic review. There is a sense
of expectation around the place. I’m also
looking forward to meeting our students
and welcoming the new intake.
Do you manage to
have time for activities
outside work?
I try to stay fit and healthy. My family and I
have owned and cared for horses for a few
years now and I ride purely for pleasure
and relaxation – though not as much as I’d
like! I also love to walk, especially in the
Yorkshire Dales and up on the moors. At the
end of the working week I enjoy spending
quality time socialising and catching up
with friends.
13

ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Helping you keep ‘fit for work’
New occupants for Science City York Phoenix Centre
Judy Purton and Dr Helena Johnson
ready to give staff tips and advice on how
to remain fit for work.
York St John Cares
The University has
joined York Cares,
a partnership of
the city’s leading
employers committed
to making York a
better place through
volunteering.
York Cares partners with over 200 local charities to build an
engaging and coordinated volunteering framework that addresses
York’s community needs, particularly in areas of disadvantage.
The charity matches the interests, skills and expertise of
employers and employees to community projects where they
can have most impact. The activities include listening to primary
school children read, one-off projects to transform community
buildings and urban green spaces, visiting the elderly, and
collecting for homeless people at Christmas, as well as a
number of special initiatives. York St John staff and students can
now volunteer to take part in these activities.
Visit www.yorkcares.co.uk to find out more.
World Physical Therapy Day took place on
8 September. To mark the occasion, the
Physiotherapy team in the Faculty of Health
& Life Sciences were stationed outside the
Staff Common Room in Holgate to raise
awareness of the role of physiotherapists as
movement, physical activity and exercise
experts. They also gave advice on reducing
the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and
how to fit manageable exercise into a
daily routine at work.
Dr Helena Johnson, Head of Subject –
Physiotherapy and Health Studies and
Vice Chair of the Council of the Chartered
Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), explained,
“Simple things such as using the stairs
instead of a lift, changing position regularly
interspersed with simple stretching
exercises, and having a short walk at
lunchtime instead of sitting eating at your
desk can prevent poor work habits. Lack
of exercise is a significant risk factor for
chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke,
cancer, chronic respiratory diseases
and diabetes.”
Advice and tips can be found in the
leaflets produced by the CSP as part of
their Move for Health campaign. Look out
for the following in your department:
Easy Exercise Guide, Fit for Work
(for desk-based staff) and Fit for Active Work
(for manual occupations).
Accredited e-learning
programmes now
available
York St John has recently become a SEDA
(Staff and Educational Development
Association) Accredited Centre: two accredited
programmes in e-learning for staff were
launched in September.
Emma Johnston, Deputy Director of HR (Staff Development),
explains, “The strategic importance of e-learning has become
even more apparent by the move to Moodle, e-submission
and e-marking. SEDA allows individuals to convert prior
learning/projects into an award, at the same time as providing
routes for colleagues to develop new skills. It also allows staff
to link the SEDA Award clearly to the Professional Standards
Framework via a nationally recognised award.”
Visit www.yorksj.ac.uk/flc/seda.aspx for more details.
Over the summer a new group of creative
enterprises made themselves at home in
the Phoenix Centre, Science City York’s
incubator unit based on the campus. Taking
up their residency mid-way through the
development work taking place on campus,
the businesses have the following skills
to offer:
Sujeewa Alwis of Serenib Ltd Serenib
develops software that delivers actionable
insights from social media.
Stu Goulden and Samantha-Kay Foster
of Live&Love magazine Passionate
publishing and design, specialising in
creativity with a conscience.
Dom Smith of Soundsphere magazine
Soundsphere is an online and print
publication specific to alternative music
(rock, goth, electronic and heavy metal)
in the north of England.
York St John’s scholarship programme
– SPARK – has supported students
from a wide variety of backgrounds to
study at the University since 2005. This
assistance has included scholarships for
new students; helping students who
experience unexpected hardship; funding
placements and exchange visits; and
enabling students to prepare for the world
Dario Grandich, Lawrence Dudley, Andy
Fitch, James Hall of Snapshot Media
Snapshot Media is a multi-disciplined digital
media company, specialising in corporate
design, website development, internet
marketing, application development
and more.
Carl Letman of Agathon Productions Ltd
Agathon is an independent production
company, which specialises in making high
quality factual, educational and corporate
videos for clients in the public, private and
third sectors.
Keith Findlater of Keith Findlater
Photography. Film and digital photography
using technical and creative experience
with digital media.
www.scyphoenixcentre.co.uk
SPARK: Supporting students since 2005
Valentine Nkoyo
of work or to start their own business.
Last year over £40,000 was awarded to
students, including three fully funded
international scholarships.
Many of the students who benefit from
SPARK work hard to give something back
to the University. We estimate that these
students have done voluntary work in
the Development Office to the value of
£10,000. In the last two years, two SPARK
Scholars have been awarded Adult Learner
of the Year Awards for the Yorkshire &
Humber Region – Julie Bagwash (2009)
and Valentine Nkoyo (2010). There are
videos of SPARK Scholars on the alumni
web pages at www.yorksj.ac.uk/alumni
For further information about SPARK
please contact Brett Arnall,
E: b.arnall@yorksj.ac.uk, T: 6432.
Continued from back page
Katie Heavisides Senior Administrator,
Pro Vice Chancellor’s Office
Karen Hickman Staff Devt Adviser –
Leadership & Management,
Human Resources
Rachael James Cleaner, Facilities
Wynn James Cleaner, Facilities
Carissa King Administrator,
YSJ International
Wendy Knowles Disability Services
Manager, Learning Development
Barbara Kybett School Partnerships
Officer, Education & Theology
[incl logo]
Melanie Lang Lecturer,
Health & Life Sciences
Louise Larkinson Senior Lecturer,
Health & Life Sciences
Rita Marcalo Senior Lecturer, Arts
Claire Martin Human Resources Advisor,
Human Resources
Chris Mayers Professor of Occupational
Therapy, Health & Life Sciences
David Moulds Director, YSJ International
Gary Mulholland Senior Lecturer,
YSJ Business School
Hisashi Nakamura Project Officer,
YSJ International
Barbara Pavey Senior Lecturer,
Education & Theology
Gary Raitt Cleaner, Facilities
Julia Smith YSJU CETL Analyst,
Learning Development
Christine Spear Cleaner, Facilities
Dung Tong Cleaner, Facilities
Helen Trist Head of Subject – ITE,
Education & Theology
Nathan Walker Lecturer, Arts
Dianne Willcocks Vice Chancellor,
Vice Chancellor’s Office
14
15

NOTICE BOARD
Events
For a comprehensive list of all events
including the Town & Gown lecture series,
Ebor lectures and one-off lectures and
readings please go to
www.yorksj.ac.uk/events
Staff development
Full details of all staff development courses
and events can be found on the Staff
Infohub. If you wish to book a place, please
contact Staff Development on T: 6571
or E: staffdevelopment@yorksj.ac.uk
Welcome to the following new
members of staff
Richard Bayton Reception Assistant, YSJ
International
Sarah Bercusson Lecturer, Arts
Keith Brighty Senior Lecturer – Business
Management (Marketing),
YSJ Business School
Pamela Bustard Graduate Intern –
Opportunities Gateway,
Learning Development
Irene Chu Lecturer, YSJ Business School
Chris Cullwick Chaplain,
Learning Development
Abi Curtis Lecturer, Arts
Pam Dawson Dean of Faculty,
Health & Life Sciences
David Fleming Vice Chancellor,
Vice Chancellor’s Office
Simon Ganderton Welfare Adviser,
Learning Development
Janet Gardner Information & Help Desk
Assistant, Learning Development
Stephen Kirby General Builder, Facilities
Danlu Liu International Officer,
YSJ International
Joyce Mackay Senior Lecturer,
YSJ Business School
Greig Mill Senior Lecturer,
YSJ Business School
Lynsey Norman Homestay Co-ordinator,
International Office
Wendy O’Connor Re-ablement
Development Project Leader,
Health & Life Sciences
Martin Pliener Senior Lecturer,
YSJ Business School
Stephen Precious Joiner, Facilities
Marie Stansmore Senior Lecturer,
Education & Theology
Zahra Tizro Lecturer,
Health & Life Sciences
Haydn Tomlinson Lecturer,
Health & Life Sciences
Scott Wall Human Resources Advisor,
Human Resources
Kate Wicker Research Assistant,
Education & Theology
Katie Wood EFL Tutor/Teacher Trainer,
YSJ International
We would like to thank the
following staff for their valuable
service to York St John and to
wish them all the best for their
future endeavours
Mike Best Lecturer, Arts
Stuart Billingham Pro Vice Chancellor,
Pro Vice Chancellor’s Office
Freda Brier Lecturer, Education & Theology
Helen Bromley Senior Lecturer,
Education & Theology
Tom Butler Technical Services Manager, Arts
Julie Cattle Senior Lecturer,
Education & Theology
Jane Charlton Senior Lecturer, Arts
Pam Clark Lecturer, Education & Theology
Roger Clark Senior Lecturer, Arts
Jem Clines Chaplain, Learning Development
Stevie-Lee Croft Cleaner, Facilities
Elizabeth Davenport Widening
Participation Development Officer,
Learning Development
Stefanie Downes Project Manager RIFL,
Vice Chancellor’s Office
Carolyn Dunford Senior Lecturer,
Health & Life Sciences
Zoe Fallows Cleaner, Facilities
Sue Fearn Cleaner, Facilities
Alison Freeman Senior Acquisitions &
Database Assistant, Learning Development
Pauline Gacal Dean of Faculty,
Health & Life Sciences
Susanna Garforth Senior Lecturer,
Education & Theology
Kevin Gash Lecturer, Arts
Ann Gregory Languages Centre Manager,
YSJ Business School
Continued on page 15
Contact Yorktalk
Any comments, news or stories for the Winter 2010 issue?
Please contact Amy Hey in the Marketing Office on T: 6466 or
E: a.hey@yorksj.ac.uk with your suggestions by Friday 29 October.
This magazine is also available online and in other formats. Please contact
the Marketing Office on T: 6960 or E: marketing@yorksj.ac.uk