Top ten in the UK for number of graduates placed in professional jobs Spring 2014 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU

Issue 2 NORTHUMBRIAUNIVERSITY NEWS PAGE Apple Genius Take a look inside the much-talked about 16 biography of Northumbria graduate and Sir Jonathan Ive Apple design genius, Sir Jonathan Ive.

Our Queen’s Anniversary Prize was the only one awarded ‘‘in relation to law this year‘‘ and it carries a level of prestige that the whole University can be immensely proud of.

Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Northumbria University

Northumbria’s Royal appointment for Queen’s Anniversary Prize Award Five Northumbria University students are due to meet The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh as part of a prestigious presentation ceremony.

orthumbria University And in what is likely to be one of 200 students a year undertake access to justice for the North East looking forward to what is bound was recently awarded the highlights of their university supervised work on real legal cases community. At the same time it to be an unforgettable experience. the Queen’s Anniversary experience, five law students from through the Student Law Office in develops students’ professional While it is a huge honour for us to Prize for Higher around 200 who currently work in areas such as employment, family, legal skills through real work-based be there, the award is a recognition Nand Further Education for the the Student Law Office, have been crime, housing, civil litigation and learning that can significantly of the hard work, dedication and outstanding community work of its chosen to accompany the University’s business advice. enhance career prospects. commitment from all the students, Student Law Office. Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor to Since 2008 they have managed over Oliver Lovett, who will be attending lecturers and support staff involved in the Student Law Office – past The award is the highest form of receive the Royal accolade. 3,000 enquiries, represented more the presentation on behalf of the and present. I hope this award will national recognition open to a UK Ben Crystal, Oliver Lovett, than 1,000 clients and secured nearly Student Law Office, said: “I think raise awareness of the invaluable academic or vocational institution, Monika Fortuna, Lauren Hayes and £1 million on their behalf. Through we are all slightly nervous about experience law students can gain and is given in recognition of Alice Carr will attend the event at its casework and partnerships with meeting The Queen and representing through clinical legal education and work judged to be of outstanding Buckingham Palace. leading charities and law firms the the University on such a high profile excellence and with positive impact. As part of their law studies, around Student Law Office aims to improve occasion, but we are also really continued on page 2 continued page 2

Viva Las Vegas Behind the scenes INSIDEINSIDE Talented architecture students Enjoy a photographic tour of rewarded with US trip Northumbria’s Clinical Skills Centre 5 8 NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 2 northumbria news CONTENTS NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 8 10

(Left to right) James Fletcher, Bob Fletcher, Adam Serfontein, Dan Serfontein, Simon Elliot, Harry Elliot

Northumbria News 1 – 6 Business 7 Like fathers, Health 8 Interview 9 World-Class Campus 10-11 like sons Careers 12 – 14 Four students are studying for the same degree their fathers completed at Northumbria more than two decades ago Home and Travel 15 t is not uncommon for sons been interested in my dad’s every year for the past 10 years to Culture 16-17 to follow in their fathers’ career, but originally wanted to help give students a feel for what it’s footsteps, but four students at do a business degree. I’m so glad I like to work in the profession.” Opinion 18 Northumbria have taken this changed to Estate Management at Adam, Dan, Simon and Harry Itradition quite literally. Northumbria though as I’m really were joined on campus recently by What’s On & Social 19 Harry Elliot, James Fletcher, loving it. Bob Fletcher and his son James for a Dan Serfontein and Jonathan “It’s about more than just gaining photo shoot that brought the fathers Sport 20 Yapp are all based in Engineering a degree. There are great links with and sons together (pictured above). and Environment where they are the industry in both the North East Bob graduated with a BSc in General studying Real Estate, Planning and and London, and the course is really Practice Surveying and is now a Estate Management – more than 25 close-knit so you really feel part of a partner at Sanderson Weatherall LLP. years after their fathers graduated community.” Peter Yapp, whose son Jonathan is from the same degrees. Simon Elliot, who is now Head now studying BSc Real Estate, was Their fathers all studied at of Public Sector Consultancy unable to attend the photo shoot, but Northumbria in the 1980s and are for Sanderson Weatherall LLP he had a very good reason. He now now highly successful company in Newcastle, studied BSc Estate runs his own firm in Asia, JS Valuers, directors and business leaders in the Management in the late 1980s. which has offices throughout both Designed and produced by Northumbria Graphics 351304/G/2/14 world of real estate and chartered His son Harry is now in year the Malaysian peninsula and East surveying. one of Planning and Real Estate Malaysia. Adam Serfontein, now a Pro Management, but he is not the only Andy Dunhill, Senior Lecturer Chancellor at Northumbria, member of the family to follow his on Northumbria’s Real Estate graduated in 1987 and went on father’s lead. programmes, added: “The Estate puzzlecorner to become Managing Director Simon said: “As well as Harry, my Management, now Real Estate, of The Hanro Group, one of the eldest son, Sam also graduated from degree is very well established Welcome to the puzzle corner! largest property investment and Northumbria last year and secured and has an excellent reputation The grid below features 17 key words referenced in this edition of Northumbria development groups in the North a job with his very first application. internationally. University News. Can you find them? East. He is also one of Northumbria’s This is quite a validation for getting “This belief is supported by the Governors. a degree in a vocational subject and I number of times we see siblings and L B M R B S R M O H X N S Y H He said: “I’m delighted Dan is was very happy that both of my sons friends follow each other through K V D N Q A S F M X W W U E O studying at Northumbria. I think studied on the modern equivalent the course. These examples of sons it’s great that these young men are of the same degree, although I never following in their fathers’ footsteps T T R E N N S E T P I D R R L following in their fathers’ footsteps. pressured them into this direction.” clearly cements our reputation.” It’s testament to the excellence of the He added: “I have a great F E P I E T X F N M S L V U L Real Estate and Estate Management relationship with Northumbria DISCOVER MORE C I M A E R H O M I D O E T Y programmes here at Northumbria.” University, attending seminars they His son, Dan, said: “I’ve always run and delivering guest lectures www.northumbria.ac.uk/ee K E C D W Y G I G R S V Y C W S Y R T D A N E A Y K U C E O continued from page 1 G W D A I G R W D Y L I B L O allow the Student Law Office to years we know it provides students The Awards Council of the Royal continue to provide access to justice with outstanding preparation Anniversary Trust assesses the N Z O N E O A D E G N A R O D to many more clients in the future.” for employment and career award winners and submits its U U V G O S N K S I B O N Z L Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice- progression.” final recommendations to the Chancellor and Chief Executive of Kevin Kerrigan, Executive Dean Prime Minister who in turn advises G N H E N T E R P R I S E W O Northumbria University, said: “Our at Northumbria Law School, The Queen. It will be presented to Northumbria University Queen’s Anniversary Prize was added: “This award provides the H D G E T A U D A R G U N T P for providing: “a distinctive the only one awarded in relation highest level of recognition for the E K E G A L L E R Y L T M M L contribution to legal education to law this year and it carries a pioneering work of our Student Law providing access to justice in the I U D P Y M Z K X W J U J V Q level of prestige that the whole Office. The social benefit of offering local community.” University can be immensely proud vulnerable people a free and Q U B U T Q C B D E Y T V E T of. It also demonstrates the benefit accessible legal service is substantial of experiential learning where while the student learning BUSINESS GRADUATE QUEENSAWARD students manage real-life situations experience is authentic, challenging CERN HOLLYWOOD SEMINAR under the guidance of tutors who and rewarding.” DISCOVER MORE DEGREE KTPAWARDS SURVEY offer both academic excellence and The Queen’s Anniversary Prize To find out more about Northumbria ENTERPRISE LECTURE SWIMMING professional experience. Having is a biennial award scheme within Law School visit FICTION OFSTED ZONE developed this approach over many the UK’s national honours’ system. www.northumbria.ac.uk/law GALLERY ORANGE Spring 2014 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU northumbria news 3 Students accelerate Gongs galore for Northumbria careers at CERN graduates Two high-flying businesses set up by Newcastle Business School graduates have walked away with a clutch of silverware at the prestigious British Travel Awards.

he Awards Gala Dinner Alistair says his time at in London celebrated Northumbria University led him the UK’s best travel and to establishing his travel company. tourism businesses. “When I was thirty I decided I TUp to 1,000 guests saw graduate needed a career change and travel business Perfect Weddings was top of my wanted list. I had Abroad announced as winner no idea how to go about setting in ‘Best Weddings Abroad & up a travel business – or any business for that matter – so I Honeymoon’ category for the enrolled on the BA (Hons) Travel third year running. and Tourism Management course Meanwhile, Northumberland- at Northumbria. based The Activity Travel Three years of study and an Company picked up three awards. invaluable 12 month placement Danny Waine, 25, from gave me the confidence and the Middlesbrough set up Perfect knowledge to create my own Weddings and Honeymoons activity holiday company and Ltd after spotting a gap in the since then I’ve never looked back.” market during his year-long work Experienced and dedicated placement on the BA (Hons) lecturers, combined with an Travel and Tourism Management opportunity to work and study course at Newcastle Business overseas, means Travel and School. The award topped a Tourism students at Northumbria record year for the business can learn from the best in with sales up over 150% in 2013, highly relevant and engaging Paul Barella, Iain Steers and Liam Dodd (left to right) in one of Northumbria’s specialist labs. against the previous year. environments. The Activity Travel Company, Naomi Kirkup, a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader including Activities Abroad Northumbria has been congratulated for having the most student on Northumbria’s BA (Hons) which offers family-focused Travel and Tourism Management placements of any UK university at one of the largest centres for scientific activity breaks, and The Aurora programme, said: “This is research in the world. Zone specialising in trips to view wonderful news for Danny and the Northern Lights, was set up Alistair and well deserved. Our ERN, the European Masters in Computer Science at who have a real industry focus. by Northumbria graduate Alistair Travel and Tourism Management Organisation for Northumbria, added: “We were Northumbria students fit this bill McLean 11 years ago. It now programme is extremely Nuclear Research, is exposed to technology at the very perfectly, and the University has employs 14 staff – around half popular and I think it works internationally renowned cutting edge, gained unique skills, worked really hard to foster links of whom are also Northumbria so well because it offers a clear Cas the groundbreaking home of and got to meet industry leaders and with CERN and to help students in University graduates. foundation of business and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), company CEOs, while working in an their applications. In the British Travel Awards management education, and birthplace of the World Wide Web, incredible environment surrounded “The management at CERN The Activity Travel Company leadership skills within the travel and as the lab where the Higgs Boson by beautiful countryside. are delighted to see more British won ‘Best Small Holiday Company and tourism industry – it’s the particle was famously discovered. “I’m in regular contact with CERN students in their teams as the main (Family)’ and ‘Best Small Holiday right blend across all levels.” Northumbria excels at giving via email and plan to go back there as technical language at CERN is Company (Activity/Sports)’ for students a head start in their a staff member after I graduate.” English, and that they are happy with its business division Activities DISCOVER MORE careers through work placements Paul said: “It was great to work in the quality of Northumbria’s students Abroad and ‘Best Small Holiday with a difference. One of these is such a multicultural environment. is evident since they keep accepting Company (Adults)’ for The Aurora To find out more see the travel undoubtedly at CERN’s headquarters section on page 15 The placement was a genuinely more and more of them! I can only Zone. near Geneva, on the border of life-changing experience. I plan to congratulate the University and urge Switzerland and France. do a Masters at Northumbria after you to keep up the good work.” Northumbria has seen its total graduating and hope to return to CERN, the world’s largest particle number of student placements at CERN one day.” physics laboratory, has been at CERN double in each of the last three The Science and Technology the forefront of scientific and years – an outstanding achievement Facilities Council described technological development since that has been congratulated by the Northumbria as ‘blazing a trail’ its establishment in Geneva in Science and Technology Facilities for other UK universities in its 1954. As well as several important Council (STFC). relationship with CERN. achievements in particle physics, this Three of Northumbria’s Jane MacKenzie, CERN prestigious institution has also been Engineering and Environment Opportunities Project Leader at instrumental to the introduction of students, who were working at the STFC, said: “The opportunities CERN when the Higgs Boson was offered by CERN to Computing and Internet technology, the development discovered in 2012, have recently Engineering students for training of the World Wide Web, and it is a returned from their one-year and work experience are exceptional, centre for the development of grid placements. but historically UK universities computing. Iain Steers, Paul Barella, and Liam have not made the most of these Gerhard Fehringer, Director of Dodd were all BSc Computer Science opportunities, and there is still a Placements at Engineering and students at Northumbria when they mindset which believes that only Environment at Northumbria, went to work at CERN, known for its Physics students can benefit from said: “We are delighted that four of slogan of ‘Accelerating Science’. CERN. our BSc (Hons) Computer Science Liam said: “I walked into a job as “Northumbria University is blazing students are currently on a placement a software engineer when I returned a trail in changing this perception, at CERN. This clearly demonstrates to the UK because of my placement and the University’s success in the high quality and commitment of at CERN. Northumbria’s excellent placing its Computing students at our students.” relationship with CERN is fantastic CERN is well above the UK average. for students and is a real selling point “CERN’s technology teams want DISCOVER MORE for the University.” students who are outward-looking, Northumbria graduate Alistair McLean Iain, who is now studying for a project-oriented team players, and www.northumbria.ac.uk/ee NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 4 northumbria news

Northumbria picked to screen lecture by leading legal figure Northumbria Law School was recently selected as one of only a handful of venues to host a live screening of this year’s Garner Lecture – one of the UK’s most influential environmental law events.

he lecture was delivered “We were delighted to host a live by Rt Hon Lord screening of such a prestigious Carnwath of Notting event in the environmental law Hill C.V.O, a Justice of calendar, especially as it was the Tthe UK Supreme Court. 25th anniversary of the Garner Northumbria’s selection Northumbria’s high-flying graduates with Julie Nowak, Management Development Advisor, Greggs Lecture. As a professional Law strengthens its reputation as a School, we train the lawyers of the university where students have future and opportunities like this access to leading experts. are always highly illuminating Organised by the UK and stimulating events.” Environmental Law Association Lord Carnwath is an eminent High achievers taste (UKELA) and held in association with the Planning and legal figure having been a Lord Environment Bar, the lecture was Justice of Appeal since September screened on campus and was well 2001 and a Judge of the High attended by students, staff and Court, Chancery Division, from success at Greggs members of the public. 1994. He was Chairman of the Four Newcastle Business School students have recently graduated with Kevin Kerrigan, Executive Law Commission for England Dean of Business and Law at and Wales from February 1999 First Class Honours degrees – and landed full-time jobs with Greggs, the Northumbria University, said: until July 2002. UK’s leading bakery ‘Food on the Go’ retailer.

he good news comes after which includes a two-year paid “Completing the degree has been old managed an employee opinion working for us who are a credit the students completed placement as part of a career- hard work and you do need a lot of survey covering 20,000 staff, and to themselves and Northumbria extended work placements enhancing work-based learning drive and ambition, but it has also completed an intensive training University.” with Greggs as part of their approach. Hannah Casey-Burnett, been an amazing opportunity and I programme to recruit shop managers The BLaCM course is designed to Tstudies. Lewis Calvey, Will Forster and Lewis have loved every minute. Working for London. She is now a trainee help students’ gain a competitive All four graduates were studying Blakey have now all taken up high at Greggs has given me an incredibly Product Manager. advantage in the jobs market on the Newcastle Business School profile management roles at the top valuable experience in the work Kevin Haynes, Head of Learning and develop their confidence as Business Leadership and Corporate North East business. place.” and Development at Greggs, added: independent and self-directed Management Course (BLaCM), Hannah Casey-Burnett said: During her placement, the 22-year- “We have four brilliant young people learners. Hollywood award for Multi award-winning blues musician and Senior Lecturer in Interactive Media Design, Northumbria lecturer Trevor Sewell, has been awarded his second Hollywood Music in Media Award (HMMA).

revor was presented with Northumbria’s Interactive Media the prestigious award for Design course. He has worked in Best Blues Artist in front many London studios including the of a packed celebrity legendary Abbey Road and with a Taudience at the Fonda Theatre, variety of record labels such as EMI Hollywood in November. His and Safari. He joined Northumbria song, ‘The Train’ beat nominations in 2000 and continues to record, from internationally-renowned write, produce and perform on a artists, including Andy Fraser of regular basis, sharing his current legendary rock band, Free, to claim industry experience directly with first prize. students. Trevor said: “I was really pleased to win the HMMA award again and it was fantastic to be at the Fonda Theatre in person and walk the red DISCOVER MORE carpet. “It’s been an amazing experience Scan the code for further and an honour to take British information Blues to the USA. I’m also grateful about Interactive to all the LA radio stations that Media Design. have been playing my music since Trevor’s new album, ‘Independence’ winning the award.” is available now from Amazon, iTunes Trevor, a musician, composer and and directly from Trevor’s website engineer, teaches sound design on www.trevorsewell.com Trevor Sewell at the Fonda Theatre Spring 2014 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU northumbria news 5

IN BRIEF Northumbria welcomes US Ambassador Northumbria’s student design talent was placed under an international spotlight recently when the Ambassador of the United States of America visited the City Campus. During his first visit to the North East, Ambassador Matthew W. Barzun learned about the innovative collaborations between Northumbria’s designers and regional businesses, and met with students from the University’s new American Studies programme. Ambassador Barzun, who is an internet pioneer, also delivered a presentation to staff and students. Matthew Winthrop Barzun Northumbria University named as Centre for

David Law and Justine Gray at the Autodesk University event in Las Vegas. Doctoral Training Northumbria has led on a consortium bid with the University of Sunderland that has secured £1.2m from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). This substantial grant sees the Northumbria-Sunderland consortium named as a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), providing postgraduate research opportunities that are directly engaged with industry. As a CDT, Northumbria and Sunderland will offer training, skills Viva Las Vegas for and capacity for art and design postgraduate research, building on existing partnerships with BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and Sunderland’s National Glass Centre. student experts Find Two high-performing Northumbria students have been rewarded for their hard a PC work and specialist skills with a trip to Las Vegas to meet with architecture experts Northumbria students from around the world. can now look online at any time to find out where Sc Architectural was fabulous. The classes on offer process by analysing how active computers, specialist Technology students David provided a fantastic insight to many the expert students are. David and software, printing and IT Law and Justine Gray were fields within the design industry, Justine are very active as expert facilities are available. invited to the international from architecture to manufacturing, students, not just regionally and Bevent in Las Vegas as a reward for and games design to multimedia, and nationally but internationally, and IT Services have launched a their expertise in using specialist the opportunity to speak with fellow they share their knowledge with new information page which can be software, Autodesk. The duo have students from around the world, other students and in some cases accessed from home or via MyNorthumbria. It will enable students to see become so adept at utilising the industry professionals, and the with professionals on a regular basis. how many computers are free, where you can find them, and the opening software that they have been sharing creators of the software itself opened This is an excellent achievement.” hours of the lab or building they are based in. their knowledge with other students a lot of doors. Autodesk is a world leader in Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/itresources or click on the IT Resources & on their course. “It’s an event I would never software for the architecture, Computer Availability link on your MyNorthumbria page. The annual Autodesk University have been able to afford to attend engineering, construction, event in Las Vegas, part of a global personally. I would like to thank manufacturing and entertainment Student Expert programme, brings both Autodesk’s Student Expert industries. Northumbria’s together international experts in a programme and Northumbria Architecture and Built Environment Global recognition wide range of fields for hundreds of University for their kind generosity.” students have been involved with the sessions to build relationships and Dr Emine Mine Thompson, a Autodesk Student Expert programme for students exchange knowledge on the use of Senior Lecturer in Visualisation at since 2011. the software. the Department of Architecture and Entrepreneurial Business Management students at Newcastle Business Northumbria University made a Built Environment, at Northumbria School (NBS) have won a “High Impact” award for an internationally-focused contribution towards David and University, said: “David and Justine initiative during the recent Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW). Run by Justine’s travel costs, with Autodesk were selected because they have been DISCOVER MORE charity Youth Business International, GEW helps young people start up their own businesses. The students organised Global Innovation Challenge, which covering the remainder of the part of the Autodesk Student Expert To find out more about Architecture and included networking online with fellow entrepreneur students from five expenses. programme since 2011. the Built Environment at Northumbria, different countries. Nina Jussila, who graduated in Finland on a similar course David said: “The whole experience “Autodesk goes through a selection visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/abe and is now coaching NBS students, said: “With 35,000 events across 125 different countries, winning was a real achievement.” Northumbria students in clean-up project Engineering and Environment students have been working with young offenders on a social enterprise project to improve flood management around Newcastle. Dr Peter Glaves, Director of Enterprise and External Engagement Enterprise Fellow in Engineering and Environment has been working with undergraduate students on The Skill Mill run by Newcastle Youth Offending Team and the Environment Agency. The Skill Mill Ltd allows young offenders to repay the community by carrying out essential maintenance along the water ways, including litter and debris removal, building new water channels, and improving drainage. The Skill Mill project was shortlisted for an Evidence Award at the Youth Justice AJ Conference in November. More than 140 young people have Justine Gray and David Law with experts at the international conference. taken part since it was launched. NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 6 northumbria news Top of the class for Northumbria’s Teacher Training The Government’s regulator for assessing teaching standards across the UK has given Northumbria University’s Teacher Training programmes a resounding thumbs up for the twelfth year running – the only university to sustain this record in the UK.

From left, Phil Smith, Chairman of the Technology Strategy Board with Matthew Hancock, Laura Warwick, Frances O’Brien and Matthew Lievesley Double glory for graduate-led partnerships FSTED, the government seen. To my knowledge, this is an department responsible unprecedented success rate and a Two Northumbria University Knowledge Transfer Partnerships – for assessing the real coup for our university. quality of education “The North East Partnership managed by graduates – have received national awards for improving Oand Teacher Training, has rated has a real pedigree for offering the lives of older people in the North East. the Northumbria University- training that prepares excellent managed North East Partnership’s teachers for classrooms and this Teacher Training programmes latest OFSTED assessment reflects nowledge Transfer as ‘outstanding’. In addition, the that. The Partnership is just that – a Partnerships (KTPs) partnership’s Physical Education true partnership with the schools, provide opportunities training has been rated ‘outstanding’ which means that Northumbria for university graduates in every category – one of only graduates leave us with a real-world Kto lead on projects that place three PE courses in the UK to academic expertise and research understanding and appreciation of achieve this standard. at the heart of business and public what it means to be a great teacher.” The North East Partnership sector innovations. In securing Professor Kath McCourt, provides a school-centred one of these paid opportunities, Executive Dean for Northumbria’s initial teacher training (SCITT) graduates gain invaluable industry Health and Life Sciences said: “We programme for graduates. Trainees experience to kick-start their career who successfully complete the all remember a favourite teacher in a competitive market place. programme are recommended from our school days; someone who The annual KTP Awards – for qualified teacher status (QTS) inspired us to work harder and push which highlight the best in the and gain either a professional ourselves further. I take great pride country – recognised the work of or postgraduate Certificate in in the knowledge that the quality of two Northumbria graduates on Education. The partnership consists our programmes is helping to create partnerships with North Tyneside of 29 secondary schools across the new generation of favourite Council and Age UK Newcastle. eight local authorities in the North teachers - each of whom will Jo Rose, project manager of the East, with Northumbria University nurture the students who will study North Tyneside Council KTP, won Phil Smith, Chairman of the Technology Strategy Board, with Jo Rose. working as the managing agent for with us in years to come. the Business Leader of Tomorrow the Partnership. “To be the only university in Award for her project that helps Meanwhile, the partnership During the three year KTP, Laura’s The inspectors made particular the UK to have sustained an older people live independently between Northumbria, Age UK input has helped to embed service reference to the Partnership’s outstanding review since 2002 in their own homes. The category Newcastle and Northumbria design principles within Age UK “rigorous quality assurance is a real achievement and I’d like recognises the individual talents graduate and KTP Associate Laura Newcastle and in the national procedures” and the “consistently to extend my congratulations to and achievements of Associates Warwick, using service design to strategy that guides all 330 Age UK high outcomes for trainees who, while working on their KTP everyone who has been involved. change the culture and service partner organisations. Innovations including their high levels of project, demonstrate the potential delivery of Age UK Newcastle, Such is the demand for our high- have seen the charity implement a attainment and exceptional to become a future business leader. was chosen by the UK Research quality teacher training, that we new ‘Telephone Neighbourhood completion and employment rates Jo’s award recognises some of Councils to receive a KTP award receive ten applications for every Service’ to support older people over time.” the innovations she has helped in the RCUK Knowledge Base one place on our programmes. Jim Clark, Head of Department to shape, including developing a Impact category. The category living in the community. for Education and Lifelong This ‘outstanding’ assessment relocation strategy for over 1,000 recognises and celebrates the Both Laura and Jo have been Learning said: “It is fair to say that from OFSTED means that we can older people in North Tyneside, process of transferring knowledge supported throughout their OFSTED has given our teacher broaden our appeal further and and securing funding for a pilot and expertise from the research partnerships by academics in training a glowing review - and attract more of the highest-quality project to address the emotional base of higher education and the Design and Health who have perhaps one of the best I have ever students to study at Northumbria.” factors facing older people when public sector for the wider benefit helped them to merge theory with moving home. of society and the economy. practice to achieve real impact. Spring 2014 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU BUSINESS 7 Northumbria partnership backs small businesses Northumbria University has recently hosted a conference in partnership with key business support groups in the region to help SMEs and social enterprises access finance.

Orange representatives, Françoise Escoffier and Alexis Trichet meet Northumbria design students Josh Allsopp and Kirsty Green (centre) Student designers imagine the future for Orange Design students from Northumbria University are representing the

UK in a prestigious international design competition run by Orange. Lucy Winskell, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Business and Engagement

ust five design schools from which matches the philosophy of prestigious design schools, Orange aving been rated Speaking at the event Lucy three countries – France, the Design at Northumbria very well. hopes to stimulate innovation, fourth in the UK Winskell, Pro Vice-Chancellor United Kingdom and South This means the project is not about anticipation and creativity at its in Sir Andrew for Business and Engagement, Africa – have been selected imagining how technologies will very source and in a way that Witty’s review of said: “Northumbria University is J to participate in the third edition work in the future but exploring provides a real stepping-stone for Huniversities and growth for acknowledged as being among of the Orange Young Designers what kind of future we really want. students. establishing start-up companies the very best at supporting start- Competition. Northumbria Only then can we consider how Pierre-Yves Panis, Director of last year, this support reflects the ups in Sir Andrew Witty’s Review University’s design school is the digital technologies can help to Design and User Experience at University’s determination to of Universities and Growth, so only UK institution to be invited bring those ideas to life.” Orange, said: “Design at Orange is help its own graduates become we recognise the opportunity to enter the telecommunication The competition entries will be focused on customer-experience the successful entrepreneurs of that securing sustainable funding operator’s international judged by a prestigious panel of above all else. This means stepping tomorrow. Indeed, there are 114 brings small businesses and competition, entitled ‘Orange experts, presided over by Margaret into the shoes of technology users Northumbria graduate business social enterprises. spreads your wings’. Stewart, Director of Product in order to think about new ways start-ups currently trading with “We are backing this Young designers are challenged to Design at Facebook, and including to make their experiences more almost 780 employees. conference because small take a fresh look at personal digital professional designers, industry practical, more intuitive, simpler `Show Me The Money’ businesses and social enterprises space and how it will evolve in the experts, sociologists and journalists. and even more memorable. was delivered jointly by The are vital to the health of our short to mid-term. Entrants must The judges will examine the ideas “For us, it makes perfect sense Federation of Small Businesses regional economy, and we must imagine the future in the form of a and concepts presented by students, to ask design students, who are (FSB), the North East Social do all we can to ensure their filmed scenario that explains how deciding on the winning projects in ideally positioned both as users of Enterprise Partnership (NESP) cloud computing and cloud-based March. technology and future designers, ability to grow and flourish is and the University to help services will help people in their Three prizes of €5,000 each will for their vision and empathy on all not undermined by a lack of understand the sources of daily lives. be awarded. The Design for all these areas.” affordable finance.” finance and how to gain access. Eleven Northumbria students prize highlights the most accessible Ted Salmon, North East Small businesses and social from Design for Industry, Fashion project, Embodiment supports an Regional Chairman, Federation enterprises regularly cite access Communication and Interactive innovation that could rapidly be to affordable finance as one of of Small Businesses, said: Media Design programmes will on the market, and Vision rewards the main barriers to growth. “The role of small businesses develop their UK competition tomorrow’s innovations that go Government research has also in the North East can’t be entries. During a three-month beyond the frontiers of today’s shown that almost a third of underestimated. The 134,000 project the students are supported knowledge. small businesses we have in the by Northumbria designers and A series of exhibitions to promote small businesses view obtaining region employ 333,000 people academics in close collaboration all the projects presented by the DISCOVER MORE finance as one of their biggest and contribute £24bn to the with Orange’s professional young designers, providing the challenges. The findings are regional economy. We know that marketing and design teams. public with an original insight into For the latest news mirrored by research from Social accessing finance at an affordable The Northumbria team emerging design trends, will take on the competition Enterprise UK, which shows and to find out 39% of social enterprises see cost is one of the biggest showcased their concepts to senior place after the awards ceremony. more about design difficulties in accessing finance as barriers our members and social representatives from Orange when For Orange, the competition at Orange, scan they visited City Campus. reflects their overall policy to use this code. hampering their activities. enterprises face. Working in Matthew Lievesley, Reader in design as a key ingredient for With a strong demand-led partnership with NESEP and Human Centred Problem Solving improving customer experience. focus Northumbria is committed Northumbria University we For more information about studying wanted to show what finance was at Northumbria, said: “Orange are By facilitating close co-operation Design and Fashion at Northumbria to delivering real solutions to this clearly passionate about design that between their marketing and design University, Newcastle, visit clear business need. available and how to get it.” puts the interest of the user first, teams and some of the world’s most www.northumbria.ac.uk/design. NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 8 HEALTH

BEHIND THE SCENES The Clinical Skills Centre Did you know that Northumbria University has its very own hospital ward right on campus?

The operative environment supports learning in pre, peri and postoperative care Play explores the impact of dementia Academics from Northumbria have brought

Simulation allows for practice before entering the real world of care to life research exploring the impact of dementia with the theatrical production, he Clinical Skills Centre, located at the heart of Northumbria boasts one of the most advanced skills Coach Lane Campus, is a focal point for Health environments for teaching and learning nationally, Jack and Jill & the Red Post-box. and Life Sciences students. A centre devoted to ensuring that students’ learning experiences evolve in excellence in health related professions, it is a collaboration with developments in modern healthcare ealth and performing delighted that we have the will Tplace where Northumbria students can develop practical delivery. arts students were and support of organisations such skills in a simulated and safe hospital environment. invited to watch as the Alzheimer’s Society and The Centre is the result of the University’s continued WATCH and reflect on the the North East Dementia Action commitment to creating an interactive environment that Hperformance – a collaboration Alliance. will equip students with a diverse range of skills. between Northumbria University, “With Prime Minister David Edinburgh University and Cameron’s 2012 ‘Dementia For more information, enjoy a virtual Skimstone Arts – to benefit Challenge’, there is a political tour of the Centre by scanning the code their studies through practical will to make life better for people assignments and Q&As. living with dementia. Additionally, The production, which is initiatives such as the Alzheimer continuing to tour in the region, Society’s ‘Dementia Friends’ encourages the audience to training aim to give people an think about how they live and awareness of how they can make a work alongside those in their positive difference”. communities who have a diagnosis The original research and of dementia. It is hoped that the premier performance was funded story will support both families by NHS North of England and healthcare professionals who Commissioning Support Unit. may be dealing with some of the issues raised. Dr Cathy Bailey, one of a team of researchers from DISCOVER MORE Northumbria University involved in the production, said: “This Jack and Jill & the Red Post-box will is an important project for tour to Stockton and Gateshead from Northumbria as it builds on our 27 February. For further details, and information about future performances, long-term ambition to achieve please visit www.skimstone.org.uk Dementia Friendly Community For more information about Health at status, identifying us as having Northumbria University, visit high awareness of the implications www.northumbria.ac.uk/hces of dementia and being more Anyone requiring further information inclusive for those living with the about living with dementia should condition. This status would be contact the Alzheimer’s Society in a first for the region and we are Newcastle on 0191 274 2727. Real NHS equipment for real skills training Students putting themselves into a patient’s world Spring 2014 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU INTERVIEW 9

Northumbria works with over 560 employer partners. What are your top tips for students to give their CV a competitive edge and impress In conversation with… future employers? It’s important that students graduate with experience and knowledge but also with flexibility and the ability to Professor Andrew Wathey continue learning. Work placements, internships or volunteering are important. Additionally, NU News talks to Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice-Chancellor and postgraduate studies are becoming increasingly important to employers, Chief Executive of Northumbria University, about the North East, and research shows that those with a master’s degree, coupled graduate CVs and Northumbria’s plans for the future. with relevant industry experience, really stand out from the crowd. Northumbria is proud to be in the Newcastle has been voted Best City Northumbria is home to award- We’re making Northumbria’s design graduates top 10 nationally for the number for Students three times. In your winning architecture including City include Sir Jonathan Ive (the genius of graduates entering professional opinion, what are the best things Campus East and Sport Central. real strides in behind the iPhone and iPad) and employment, and we will continue to about living, studying and working It also boasts one of the top ten Rob Law MBE (founder of the open up additional opportunities for ‘‘building our our students to ensure they graduate here? architecture programmes in the Trunki). What’s the one gadget or country. What are your favourite product that you can’t live without? with a truly competitive CV. The quality of life here is very good research, and pieces of architecture in the region? providing residents with a safe Without doubt it has to be the iPad! using this to What are you looking forward to lifestyle that’s full of variety and Durham Cathedral is astonishing, It’s transformed my life. It’s amazing

most as Vice-Chancellor? culture. It’s easy to get around, as is Hadrian’s Wall and its history. benefit our to think how many Northumbria with many attractions well within However, moving forward to more students must own a Jonathan Ive We’re making real strides in building students and‘‘ to walking distance for students and modern architecture, the truly iconic gadget. And I can’t wait to see what our research, and using this to staff - especially around our City buildings of the Quayside have drive excellence the next world-changing design from benefit our students and to drive campus. There’s also a real ‘zing’ to added to the region’s international one of our future graduates will be. excellence in everything that we do. the city, thanks to the regeneration of profile, including the BALTIC, The in everything that I’m also looking forward to seeing the waterscape along the Tyne, and Sage Gateshead and the Millennium we do. the effects of our new IT strategy. the huge cultural scene that we’re Bridge. Of course, I also have For our people, this strategy will probably most famous for. I certainly to mention Northumbria’s City give them the tools they need to think Newcastle is the buzziest of the Campus East development that succeed, while for our students it will big Northern cities. houses our business, law and design support and enhance the delivery of programmes. It is symbolic of the learning wherever and however they Approximately 35,000 students central role the University plays study including the use of podcasts, from over 130 different countries in raising the City’s capability and video lectures, distance and online study with Northumbria. What do confidence and marks us out as an learning. It will also further improve you think attracts them to the UK? institution that is truly civic in its our connectivity to our international roots. sites such as Indonesia, Singapore There is a saying “In Britain, 100 and Hong Kong. miles is a long way but in the US, The University was recently awarded I am incredibly excited by the huge 100 years is a long time”. Students the Times Higher Education Award amount of activity under way to coming to the UK do appreciate the for Excellence and Innovation in the shape our future as a new kind of North East’s sense of history and our Arts. Why is collaborative working excellent university. What am I most connectedness. London is only 2 so important to Northumbria? looking forward to? Well – the fact hours 40 on the train from Newcastle that the best is yet to come! meaning that you can explore many We play an active role in the region’s of the country’s attractions from our cultural sector, which in turn creates North East base. greater academic and industry opportunities for our students and The University has invested £30m staff. Owing to our investment in in Sport Central – a flagship sports partnerships in this area, particularly facility based in the heart of city in relation to BALTIC, Northumbria campus. Why is sport important to was recently one of only 18 centres Northumbria? in the country funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Sport promotes health and wellbeing, This funding will create a number and our flagship Sport Central of studentships resulting in life- facility is accessible to our staff, changing opportunities for some students and the wider community. of the nation’s most talented new A lot of our student volunteering researchers in the arts. connects with sporting and wellbeing activity. Sport Central also houses The Council’s award is an indicator cutting-edge research facilities of our growing research strengths for students and academic staff in arts disciplines, building on our which will drive excellence in our award-winning collaboration with sports degree programmes. What I BALTIC, and will significantly look forward to is seeing how this enhance our interaction with the research changes the way we live. creative economy. Professor Andrew Wathey, Cutting-edge research in health and Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, sports science has the capacity to Northumbria University shape the way in which we all live, work and play.

Sport Central Arena BALTIC Newcastle Gateshead Quayside City Campus East NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 10 FACILITIES A world class I WANT campus The Campus Services team have been busy over the past year working on improvements and new developments to keep our campus evolving to cater for the modern-day needs of our students, staff and visitors.

The many unique rooms and buildings that inspire the minds of the future are set across three sites: City Campus, Coach Lane and the training ground at Bullocksteads. Recent The Zone investment in Gateshead is also providing A stylish new 24/7 space for Engineering and a new creative space for students, academics Environment students was recently unveiled on and businesses at the Northern Design Centre, City Campus. and the town’s highly anticipated Trinity Square The Zone (pictured below) is a large multi-purpose student accommodation complex is set to open this student space, specifically designed to meet the needs of summer. There are further developments taking place in Engineering and Environment students. It has 50 IT stations, the capital too – ensuring that Northumbria has bases in the large tables for group work with interactive TVs, docking heart of the UK’s top two student cities – Newcastle and London. stations for laptops, and comfortable seating for relaxing and socialising. The Zone has 24-hour student access by swipe Take a look at what the Campus card and will also be used for exhibitions and events. Services team have been up to over the last twelve months.

Castles Restaurant The campus boasts contemporary catering facilities at City Campus East, Coach Lane and on Northumberland Road. The University has also recently invested in a major refurbishment of Castles Restaurant, at the heart of City Campus.

The new-look Castles is now open, offering students, staff and visitors a range of seating styles in vibrant new surroundings.

Coach Lane Work has been underway to improve and expand the reception area at Coach Lane West, providing a bigger and brighter welcome for students, staff and visitors as they enter the buildings.

This complements the recent £1.4m refurbishment of the Coach Lane Library (pictured left). Spring 2014 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU FACILITIES 11

Trinity Square This modern, 993 bedroom accommodation complex is now close to opening – with its first student residents arriving in summer 2014.

Set to be a vibrant new development, A new show flat is now open on Trinity Square boasts a multi-screen campus in Ellison Terrace for anyone cinema, Tesco Extra, restaurants, cafes wanting to take a look. Design & Media and shops. Please email The accommodation itself is set five [email protected] facilities floors above street level, creating a to arrange a visit. A substantial renovation programme was launched last year to safe and exclusive lifestyle for students improve facilities for media and design students. and Northumbria visitors. Landscaped outdoor spaces will boast a MUGA WATCH The developments were put in place to increase and refresh spaces (Multi Use Games Area) and running for students, encouraging more open plan working and ensuring that route, while the Hub, located on students work in closer proximity to postgraduate and staff research the ground floor of one of the five activities. Additional bespoke facilities have also been created to accommodation blocks, will offer Scan this code to view benefit individual programmes. The work has taken place in Squires students versatile spaces for work a video of the Trinity Building, near the Students’ Union, and the Design Building on City and play. Square accommodation Campus East.

Physics Lab Whether it’s measuring the speed of light or searching for planets capable of supporting life, Northumbria University’s physics and astrophysics students will be at the cutting-edge of science thanks to investment in new facilities.

The specialist laboratory in Ellison Building on City Campus has been created to enhance the experience of new students on Northumbria’s physics programmes, BSc (Hons) Physics, and BSc (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics.

Future Student developments Since the opening of our £30m Engagement Centre Sport Central facility, Northumbria has been voted one of the best Our Student Engagement Centre is the first point of universities in the UK for sport. contact for students entering Newcastle Business School. As part of our commitment to further The facility supports and encourages all types of experiential enhancing the student experience, we learning, including volunteering, placements, internships and are now in the process of demolishing business clinics, which all have a very positive impact upon the old Sports Centre to make way for student employability and ensure career prospects remain high. future developments. Work began at the end of January and will be completed on 4 April 2014 with the Sports Centre car park reopening on 7 April. NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 12 CAREERS

BIM Academy Managing Director, Peter Barker (front row, fourth from right) with staff and students Academy helps students build successful careers Graduates are gaining a distinctive edge in their careers thanks to a unique joint venture at Northumbria University.

uilding Information He said: “My experience at Build Live events are worldwide Modelling (BIM) has BIM Academy has not only been competitions held to demonstrate taken the construction fundamental to the direction and how new technology is industry by storm in recent development of my career, it has also revolutionising the way buildings are Byears and BIM Academy, based given me the technical ability and designed, built and used. They also at Northumbria, has helped the foundation of management skills that show the potential for collaborative UK become a world leader in this I am now building on, and deploying working and public engagement. innovative field. on flagship projects internationally. BIM is a process involving the BIM is the imminent future of the BIM brings together digital structured sharing and coordination construction industry and it is a huge information and 3D models to of digital information about a advantage for Northumbria students design and realise a building project building project throughout its entire to have such an innovative venture through its entire lifecycle, often lifecycle, from design, procurement involving global teams and projects. on site.” BIM Academy Managing Director and construction to the operation Northumbria students have directly and management stage. benefited from being at the forefront Peter Barker said: “BIM Academy This involves the use of coordinated of this emerging sector, with teaching is delighted to have supported 3D design models enriched with data informed by the latest technology the skills development of many talented graduates over the last three which are created and managed using and industry developments. years who have gone on to pursue a range of interoperable technologies. As a result, many of the graduates successful careers with a wide range BIM allows the development and BIM Academy has worked with have An image of BIM Academy’s award-winning Build Sydney Live 2013 proposal of construction organisations across testing of a digital prototype of a gone directly into high-profile jobs the globe. building in advance of its physical since the initiative was launched for the new $1 billion Sydney He said: “BIM Academy was “BIM is probably the biggest realisation, thereby delivering greater three years ago as a joint venture Convention and Exhibition Centre at delighted with this result. We have force for positive change in cost certainty, eliminating error, between Northumbria University Darling Harbour. achieved success in previous BIM the construction industry in a improving programme duration and and Ryder Architecture Ltd. For the first time ever, the judges generation. competitions, but this is the first time reducing risk. Northumbria’s engagement “We’re proud of our role in helping had to delay their final decision we have really tested the potential for with industry and strong focus As a joint venture, BIM Academy the UK and, in particular the North overnight; such was the level of multidisciplinary working across the on enterprise and cutting-edge is an independent and impartial East, emerge as a world leader in this competition. But in the end BIM globe. knowledge provides graduates with Academy was announced as the body that undertakes consultancy, innovative field.” “We were able to work intensively a great advantage in their careers. winner in what organisers described research, software development, The news comes just weeks after across multiple time zones with Initiatives like BIM Academy BIM Academy picked up its latest as ‘the closest fought Build Live event training, education and support for our colleagues at Ryder, AECOM, have been instrumental in the accolade when they were named the so far’. the entire construction industry. dRofus, KyKloud and Colour and development of graduates. One of overall winners of the 48-hour Build Peter explained how his team, those to have benefited from BIM Sydney Live 2013 competition. including Northumbria University produce a wealth of information Academy is George Mokhtar, a BIM Academy competed with staff, collaborated with colleagues about the design, construction and DISCOVER MORE Masters graduate in Architecture teams from around the world in an from Norway, Australia, New operation to meet a very challenging For further information go to: who has secured a senior role at ‘against the clock’ virtual challenge Zealand, and the UK to create the brief in a landmark location in www.northumbria.ac.uk/bim and Turner and Townsend. to create the best building proposal winning proposal. Sydney.” www.bimacademy.ac.uk Spring 2014 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU CAREERS 13

£1 million give your career the edge boost for Internships graduate careers at Northumbria

Northumbria University is ieran Gill graduated from launching a £1.1m project Northumbria last year with a First in Journalism and to help its graduates start up English Literature and a year businesses and gain employment Kof internship experience under his belt. He was recently selected as one of only experience as interns. two successful interns from across the UK to work as a trainee sports reporter he University already runs a scheme with the world’s biggest online newspaper called Enterprise Campus which - the Mail Online. helps students and graduates establish their own businesses, and last year NU News caught up with Kieran to turn Tpiloted an internship scheme which saw 81% the tables on the budding reporter and of interns permanently recruited at the end of put him in the spotlight… their placements. Now, funding from the European Regional Tell us about your studies at Development Fund (ERDF) will enable Northumbria – did you enjoy your time Northumbria University to deliver a new here? project that will support current students and I loved my time at Northumbria. It’s a recent graduates to develop 30 new businesses. top university with everything you’ll ever The project will also provide interns to small need, and you can’t beat Newcastle as a businesses, with up to half of the cost of their city. It was worth every penny. salary being paid by the University. What were the biggest highlights How did you find out about the Mail A government report looking at how How did your time at during your time as Team Northumbria Online scheme and how did you secure universities are supporting growth in the Northumbria prepare you for a career media intern? a place on it? economy named Northumbria the fourth best in journalism? Reporting on the Stan Calvert Cup was After graduation, I did a post-graduate university in the UK for supporting graduates The most influential person in prepping an experience I’ll never forget, not least course with the Press Association. in starting their own businesses. Since 2008, me for a career in journalism was my because Simon allocated me the outdoor While on that course I applied for the more than 100 companies have been established sports tutor and media manager, Simon hockey and football games during a Mail Online scheme. The interviews with the support of the University. They employ Rushworth. He was pivotal in my time at blizzard! Stan Calvert is a big highlight were intense and very demanding. I’m almost 800 staff and have a combined turnover Northumbria. Simon manages a student in Team Northumbria’s sports calendar, humbled to be given the chance on such a of £54 million. Most are based in the North East sports media team giving us internship where we take on Newcastle University in huge platform which averages more than but are trading nationally and internationally. and volunteering opportunities, reporting a range of sports. The passion of both sets eight million browsers a day. One example is Lemon Moose Games which mainly on Team Northumbria matches of students was overwhelming. was established by Games Programming (the University’s competitive sports What will the scheme involve? students James Mintram and Tomasz team). I’ll be working at the Press Association Kandziora. They approached the University’s Operations Centre in Howden, Yorkshire. Enterprise Campus scheme with their idea to How did you get involved in the From then, I’ll spend a short while in develop gaming apps for mobile phones three Team Northumbria internship Kensington at the head office for the years ago. After receiving support they are programme? Mail, before spending four months in now successfully trading and have recruited a Simon delivered a talk on the either Manchester, Liverpool, Hull, Stoke Northumbria intern themselves. advantages of the programme or Cardiff – all cities with high sporting James said: “We had started to design and and writing for the University agendas. develop games for mobile phones while sport website. I joined up studying. After approaching the University we and reported on football, Finally, why should students consider were given support to develop our business plan volleyball, basketball, voluntary opportunities? as well as free office space on campus to run our hockey, golf, netball - you These days it’s so true that you need business for a year. name it. Writing for Team more than qualifications to make it. And “As our reputation has grown we are attracting Northumbria, taking Simon’s gaining work experience is invaluable if more clients so we took an intern on for a ten- sports journalism module and you’re looking to go into journalism as week period. It worked so well that we took him watching Newcastle Eagles at it is a 24-7 job. I had three internships on permanently when the scheme ended and we Sport Central on a weekly basis during my time at university – writing hope to further expand in the next six to twelve made me realise which direction I for Team Northumbria, the Talented m ont h s .” wanted to take with journalism. Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and Lucy Winskell, Northumbria’s Pro Vice- a football website called Touchline Talk. Chancellor for Business and Engagement, said: It made life hectic, but was definitely Kieran Gill “Universities play a vital role in contributing worthwhile. towards economic regeneration through the creation and application of innovation and new knowledge. DISCOVER MORE “We are committed to working with businesses Scan the code to improve their productivity and performance. to find out more The ERDF award to further develop this activity about sports is a clear indicator of the quality and calibre volunteering and internship of our students and the support we provide to opportunities at them and to businesses.” Northumbria University

DISCOVER MORE For more information visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/graduatesintobusiness NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 14 CAREERS PhD case study: Forensic scientists work on DNA murder mystery case Ever wonder what you esearchers from chance that the DNA had degraded Northumbria University’s too much over the years for us to might get involved with Centre for Forensic obtain the mitochondrial DNA during PhD study? Science have been trying profile we were looking for. Rto identify the victim of a gruesome “Fortunately this was not the case This is one example 1930 murder case. and with the successfully obtained A male body was found in a DNA results we were able to exclude of a project that blazing car in Northamptonshire in William Briggs as the victim in was investigated November 1930. Traveller Alfred this case. For now, the identity of Rouse was hanged for the murder of Alfred Rouse’s victim still remains a by academics and his victim who, to this day, has not mystery.” PhD students from been identified. Dr Eleanor Graham added: Last year, the descendants of a man “Projects such as this highlight the Northumbria and named William Briggs approached fact that forensic DNA analysis is Northamptonshire Police in an not confined to ‘catching criminals’. Leicester Universities. attempt to re-open the case. Briggs DNA analysis also has a critical role Further your studies had left his family home at around to play in the identification of those the same time the crime was who have been killed during criminal and you too could find committed and was never seen or DNA there was a strong chance that been the victim of the murder. acts, accidents or natural disasters, yourself cracking open heard of again. His family always a comparison could be made with the However, the analysis revealed which have occurred recently, or believed he could have been the DNA of Briggs’ descendants. an uncontaminated DNA profile, many years ago.” age-old mysteries with victim of what had become known as Dr Eleanor Graham and PhD opening the possibility that a match cutting-edge technology. the Blazing Car Murder. student Victoria Barlow in could be identified in the future. With the help of Northamptonshire Northumbria’s Centre for Forensic Victoria Barlow said: “I was thrilled Read on for the facts Police, the University of Leicester Science were asked to analyse the to be given the opportunity to assist behind this intriguing and The Royal London Hospital, samples to see if there was a match on this historic case, which offered DISCOVER MORE the family were able to access tissue that would identify Briggs as the the chance to solve an 83-year-old Scan here to find murder case… samples taken from the victim during victim of the Blazing Car Murder. mystery and bring some closure to out more about his post-mortem examination. The results revealed no consistency the family of William Briggs. our MSc Forensic If the 83-year old samples with the DNA of Briggs’ family “The sample type itself was Science Course contained enough mitochondrial members, meaning he could not have challenging and there was every Earn The Business Plan £200,000 Competition more with a Masters * You could expect to earn £200,000 more with a Master’s over a 40 year working life - 2014 or £5,500 more a year - than someone only wants YOU! holding a Bachelor’s degree. * Source: Sutton Trust Report (Feb 2013) Do you want to start your own business sometime in the future? Perhaps you already run a business or secretly see yourself as the entrepreneurial type?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions then you could win £1,000. give your For further information please contact Graham Baty, Enterprise Manager career an extra edge Tel 0191 243 7396 Email [email protected] www.northumbria.ac.uk/postgraduate www.northumbria.ac.uk/businesschallenge2014

Spring 2014 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU HOME & TRAVEL 15

With an international reputation for design, and significant The Love Mirror; investment in entrepreneurial start-ups, there’s no wonder the Love Chair Wellington; Northumbria graduates have gone on to create cutting edge Loved Up Chair; products and innovative services that are loved far and wide. and the Love Console Table Created by the Deadgood Studio

A design company founded by Northumbria 3D Design graduates.

From £345 For the home... www.deadgoodltd.co.uk

Paccup Current Northumbria English Language student Marcus Gentle is part of a team of four friends who have created Paccup – a service aimed at easing the transition from home to university. Paccup provides bedding, towels and kitchen utensils direct to students’ new accommodation.

Prices range from £20 for a Bathroom Paccup to £120 for a combined Paccup delivery (Bathroom, Bedroom, Kitchen and Comfort)

www.paccup.co.uk

The M Lamp Designed by 3D Design graduate David Irwin

The M Lamp is a simple yet beautiful tool for life and work. Its dimmable LED emits ample brightness for late-night work or for reading in bed.

The M Lamp is available from Juniper in three colours: Matte Black, Glossy White and Vibrant Orange. www.juniper-design.com/products/mlamp

Rate My Roof A new website by Northumbria business student Owen Dixon Rogue landlords and dodgy digs can be a nightmare – but this new For the website will help you find your dream home. RateMyRoof.com has property reviews written by student tenants who rate properties on condition, safety, cleanliness, location and responsiveness of landlords. www.ratemyroof.com traveller...

The Activity Travel Company Black + Blum Travel and Tourism graduate DFI (Design for Industry) graduates Dan Black and Martin Alistair McLean set up the Activity Travel Blum are the team behind Black + Blum, a product design and Company 11 years ago consultancy company The award-winning company includes Activities Keep your books in order and add some fun Abroad offering family-focused activity breaks; to the shelf with James the bookend. and The Aurora Zone, which specialises in trips to view the Northern Lights. £15.50 www.black-blum.com Prices vary.

www.activitiesabroad.com www.theaurorazone.com

Perfect Weddings and Honeymoons Ltd Graduate Danny Waine set up his award- winning business after spotting a gap in the Rob Law MBE market during his year-long work placement Trunki while studying BA (Hons) Travel and Tourism Management. The company offers bespoke These clever suitcases provide hours of fun for wedding packages all over the world. jet-setting children and their frazzled parents! Prices vary. Prices from £37.99 www.trunki.com www.perfectweddingsabroad.co.uk NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 16 CULTURE

CRIME STORY • 31 May – 1 June • Northumbria University Jony Ive We’ve commissioned The Genius a crime and it’s up to Behind you to solve it! Northumbria University and New Writing North are following the Apple’s success of the 2012 Newcastle Writers’ Conference with Crime Story, a crime fiction festival aimed at aspiring and established writers and crime readers. Greatest he weekend-long enigmatic girl smiling down festival will include from the bloody wall. And so discussions, workshops begins the crime story… and panels all themed With their murder scenario in aroundT a fictional crime. From hand, Crime Story participants Products initial investigation to final will get an in-depth look at sentencing, participants will be how the criminal justice system able to directly access expertise works... and how it sometimes doesn’t. from Northumbria academics Crime Story is an unmissable By Leander Kahney representing law, criminology, opportunity for any lover of health and forensics. Invited crime fiction – from aspiring This new biography offers a detailed guest speakers and best-selling portrait of Northumbria University writers to curious crime fans crime authors will also be graduate, Sir Jonathan Ive – Senior wanting to peek behind the on hand to guide delegates Vice-President of Design for Apple and covers of their favourite fictional through the writing process. the man behind some of the world’s world. most iconic products, including the In a scenario written by Ann The festival takes place right on iPhone, iMac, iPod and iPad. Cleeves, prize-winning author of campus and tickets are available the Vera Stanhope series (now a for all interested students, staff Before you read on, we feel it’s our major ITV series starring Brenda and members of the public from duty to point out that the weather in Blethyn) and the Shetland Island 14 February 2014. Newcastle isn’t always dreary! Quartet, a young man is found The following extract is taken dead in a locked room. He from Chapter 2: A British Design leaves behind a grieving foster DISCOVER MORE Education focusing on Jony’s time at mother, a landlord who keeps For further information, or to book, Ann Cleeves Northumbria University. to himself, and a picture of an a place visit www.crimestory.co.uk.

Renowned for its beer called Design for Industry], furniture EXHIBITIONS (Newcastle Brown Ale), design, fashion, graphic design and football team (Newcastle United) and animation. The department is well “horrible weather, Jony’s new home equipped with lots of tools and was a vibrant, industrial port city. technology. ‘The designers are able When he arrived at the city, Margaret to use a range of materials – wood, Thatcher ran the country, and the paper, plastic, metal, leather, kevlar, mainstays of the city’s economy, cotton, you name it,’ said Professor shipbuilding and coal, were in Paul Rodgers, who lectures on design decline. at Northumbria, though he didn’t Despite the rain and Mrs Thatcher, teach Jony. ‘They have access to all Newcastle had a reputation as a party these machines – drilling, sawing, town. Roughly a sixth of the city’s fastening, stitching, etching, burning, inhabitants were students and the you name it. And they receive really city centre was home to many bars good training in those workshops, and nightclubs. In 1985, Jony’s first backed by a technical staff.’ year in university, the British music The ID department at Newcastle, Elizabeth Blackadder: Prints. Ørnulf Opdahl: New Paintings scene was as lively as ever, especially founded in 1953, gained recognition in the North, where bands like in the 1960s, in part because of Staff, students and visitors to Northumbria don’t have to travel far to soak up The Smiths and New Order gained

its close ties to British industry. some culture. With internationally-renowned art right on campus, the University national attention. Within a few years, According to another alumnus, the city’s nightclubs would be host Craig Mounsey, who completed the Gallery and Gallery North are artistic hotspots open to the wider public. to a rave scene, thumping to the course a year before Jony, ‘Newcastle Why not check them out over your lunch break? dynamic electronic dance music that had the reputation for being the “ Jony came to love. best… They won everything. All of University Gallery Gallery North Now known as Northumbria the design teachers at school would University, Newcastle Polytechnic parade the work from Newcastle as Ørnulf Opdahl: Elizabeth Blackadder: Colour/Boundary was (and still is) regarded as the top being the standard. New Paintings Prints and Lucy Jones: until 21 February college in the United Kingdom for ID. These days, the design school 7 February – 28 March. Looking Out, Colour/Boundary explores the has about 120 staff and admits concept of colour using references * Northumbria’s design department Born in 1944, Ørnulf Opdahl lives Looking In: about 1,600 students from more as diverse as cinema, landscape is now housed in the award-winning and works on the island of Godøy Portraits and and cartography featuring five than 65 countries. The department, City Campus East design building, with (God’s Island), on the west coast Landscapes artists: Caroline De Lannoy, Sharon then and now, is housed in a tall space in Squires. of Norway near Ålesund where Hall, Clyde Hopkins, Mali Morris building called Squires Building*. he was born. 4 April – 23 May. and David Sweet. The exhibition ‘It was a rather brutal big building Dame Elizabeth Blackadder’s but was a great place for creativity DISCOVER MORE Strongly influenced by the is supported by Arts Council magnificent coastal landscape masterly use of printmaking in general,’ said David Tonge. ‘It was Jony Ive, The Genius England. surrounding him, his paintings allows her to depict everyday shared with fine art, fashion and Behind Apple’s reflect the threatening power objects with spontaneity and craft just over the corridor. This was Greatest Products is of nature but can also resemble ease. By contrast, Lucy Jones DISCOVER MORE before industrial design had become published by Penguin and is priced at paradise on earth, of winter is a painter of provocative For full details on all gallery listings, visit fashionable.’ £14.99.Copies are nights and starlit skies. self-portraits and unpeopled www.northumbria.ac.uk/universitygallery Each floor of the building is available on campus landscapes of raw, wild beauty. and www.northumbria.ac.uk/gallerynorth dedicated to a different design at Blackwells Bookstore, or can be discipline: ID [Industrial Design – now purchased online by scanning the code. Spring 2014 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU CULTURE 17 The Business of Performance There’s no doubt about it – the acting world is a competitive and DISCOVER MORE challenging industry. But there’s far more on offer for the Performing Arts graduate than A new MA in Theatre and Performance landing a part in Corrie or treading the boards in the West End. Practice is being launched in September. This new venture is Many Northumbria graduates have carved out high-profile acting designed to give students invaluable careers finding employment in TV, film and theatre. Others, professional experience bridging the however, have become their own boss, launching successful gap between undergraduate study and the creative industries. cultural businesses and in turn creating even more acting and To find out more about Northumbria’s theatrical opportunities. NU News looks at the work of four performing Performing Arts courses visit arts graduates making waves in the industry. www.northumbria.ac.uk/arts

Becky Zimmerman and Stephanie Noble A successful funding application to the Business Enterprise Fund Performance graduates in Bradford secured £15,000 to Founders: One Day Creative kick-start the business. One Day Creative Education now works Amy Golding with over 500 schools across the After studying a range of specialist education companies. country using drama to educate modules, year three Performance At that point they had already children on subjects as diverse as Amy Golding students at Northumbria are gained extensive industry e-safety, environmental concerns Drama and Applied Theatre graduate offered the freedom and support experience – such as the delivery and historical events. to create and deliver their very of international projects including Founder: Curious Monkey own cultural project. It was this community work in Romania. element of the course, alongside Becky said: “We wanted stability DISCOVER MORE work experience with regional and the chance to employ a wider dance agency, Dance City’s range of business skills. I believe To find out more about their work, An organisation creating new accessing rehearsal space visit www.onedaycreative.com Creative Projects team, that that strong performers are usually opportunities for students is and delivering projects in the inspired Becky and Stephanie to strong communicators – and I Curious Monkey founded by Amy community during my time at look beyond acting and explore think this is why I enjoy the sales Golding. After several enjoyable Northumbria really set me up for the world of theatre in education. and marketing elements years with Live Theatre (one the world of work”. The two entrepreneurs launched of business today.” of Northumbria’s key cultural The practical facilitation, as One Day Creative Education partners), Amy was looking for a well as covering topics such in 2013 following several years new challenge. Curious Monkey as fundraising, evaluation, working for other theatre in was born to bring together her production and management DISCOVER MORE love of working in community – all crucial skills require to take settings and the professional on many roles – added a real directing experience gained at edge to Amy’s graduate CV. She Becky Zimmerman (right) Live. added: “I urge Performing Arts and Stephanie Noble The company brings to life students to make the most of stories that deserve to be told, their university days and the vast and this has taken Amy as far range of resources on offer at as South Africa to work with Northumbria.” young women from the Eastern Cape creating a production that was performed at South Africa’s National Arts Festival and within a DISCOVER MORE number of male prisons. Amy points out that the course For further information, or to book, visit at Northumbria provided her www.curiousmonkeytheatre.com with a strong grounding for her Check out Curious Monkey’s latest project Beats North blog here: professional career. She said: “Having practical experience, http://beatsnorth.tumblr.com

Ali Pritchard Drama and Scriptwriting graduate Founder: Alphabetti Spaghetti

“Original, off the wall and clever”. This In launching Alphabetti Spaghetti, is how the BBC described Alphabetti Ali has had to put into practice Spaghetti’s debut production in the wider business skills that he 2012 – a great start for this new developed through degree modules writing theatre company founded by such as Arts and Entrepreneurship Northumbria graduate Ali Pritchard. and Professional Directions. He is The company was formed to create now responsible for writing funding opportunities for new talent and bids, pitching for sponsorship, bridge the gap between study and running and programming a venue, employment. And it’s working! commissioning new writing and of Taking over the upstairs space in a course, his biggest passion, writing city centre venue, Ali has created a and directing new work. public platform for writers, directors, actors and set designers. He’s already seen one of his new discoveries snapped up by a leading actor’s DISCOVER MORE agent, immediately securing work For more information, and to find with an internationally-renowned out what’s on, visit theatre company. www.alphabettispaghettitheatre.co.uk A scene from a production by Alphabetti Spaghetti NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 18 OPINION

your feedback Have matters your say

It’s the time of year when Northumbria students are being asked to give feedback on their programme and their experience at university.

he National Student Survey • Improved shuttle bus service and the Northumbria between City/Coach Lane University Student campuses Satisfaction Survey are • New Arts and Design facilities in nowT open and eligible students on Squires Building undergraduate programmes are being asked to give their opinions • Modernised Castles Restaurant on the University. But what’s the • New student Zone for Engineering difference between the two? and Environment students The National Student Survey is sent to final year students at every • New Student Engagement Centre university in the UK by Ipsos Mori. for Business and Law students The findings of this national survey But that’s not all! We’re also working are used to help students choose on the following exciting projects where to study. which you’ll hear more on over the CALLING NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS The Northumbria University next 12 months… Student Satisfaction Survey is sent to most undergraduate students at all • Developments in the use of other levels and run by Northumbria technology to enable you to staff. The questions are similar to submit assignments and receive those in the national survey and feedback electronically help the University management • Improved Library resources for to understand areas where it can courses via a new online reading develop your learning experiences. list service Feedback from the surveys has helped to make many improvements • Improved Student Self-Service for students. Here are just some system with access to standard which have been made over the last letters and templates to inform us year… of changes in circumstances • Improvements to your timetables • Improved ways of working together with you and the Students’ Union • Launch of the Blackboard Mobile App and upgrade of the Blackboard As you can see, your feedback really system does matter, so be sure to fill in your survey when asked! • More PCs across campuses • Increased access to e-books • Launch of the NU Student Charter • Upgraded WiFi access DISCOVER MORE • Refurbishment of Coach Lane’s For more information visit Library and main reception mynsu.co.uk/survey Spring 2014 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU WHAT’S ON & SOCIAL 19 what’s on

Enjoy a gig at the Students’ Union, cheer on your team at Sport Central or learn something new at a Northumbria public lecture. And do it all right here on campus.

@NUundergaduate Students’ Union • Gigs Sports We’re the cooler young sibling of the main University Twitter account. Cornel Campbell meets Newcastle Eagles Our feed is for current students and those looking to study at Soothsayers Doors 6.30pm, tip off 7.30pm. Northumbria. Check out some of our recent Tweets below and join in 20 February, 8pm @ Reds Bar Sport Central by following @NUundergraduate. Legendary Studio reggae singer Cornel 7 February Newcastle Eagles ‘The Don Gorgon’ Campbell plays his first ever v Sheffield Sharks Newcastle show, teaming up with one of the 14 February Newcastle Eagles UK’s greatest reggae bands the Soothsayers. v London Lions This is a must for all fans of sweet reggae music. 21 February Newcastle Eagles Featuring tunes from last year’s Nothing v BBL Trophy Quarter Final Can Stop Us, this string of shows is a musical melting pot that draws its inspiration from 7 March Newcastle Eagles Jamaica, England, America and Africa. v Plymouth Raiders See www.mynsu.co.uk for more info 14 March Newcastle Eagles v Leicester Riders 21 March Newcastle Eagles Lecture Programme v London Lions 4 April Newcastle Eagles v Sheffield Sharks Vera Baird QC, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria Fixtures correct at time of going to press. 11 March, 6.30pm, City Campus East, Business and Law Building Vera will reflect on the challenges facing the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Northumbria Police in a period of austerity in public expenditure.

WW1 Series

18 February, 4 March, 8 April, 13 May – Various venues A series of free lectures on the impact Netball Superleague WATCH of the First World War. Team Northumbria compete in the Netball To see more Superleague at Sport Central. Fixtures run about life at Inaugural Lectures until May. For further details see story and Northumbria QR code on page 20. Scan the QR code Professor Gwyneth to visit Doherty Sneddon our YouTube channel. 19 March, 6.30pm, CCE1 Stan Calvert Cup 2 March – various locations on www.youtube.com/northumbriauni Professor Jonathan Blackie Northumbria and Newcastle university 26 March, 6.30pm, CCE1 campuses. Professor Susan Carr For more information, visit www.nusportcentral.com 2 April, 6.30pm, CCE1 Professor Roy Sandbach 52 15 10 30 April, 6.30pm, CCE1 ❤ ❤ ❤ To book a place, or for further information, email [email protected]

Exhibitions ❤46 ❤11 ❤7 ❤8

City Events @NorthumbriaUni

To find out more about what’s on and We see it. We snap it. We filter it. We post it. Do we need to say anymore other than get following us and things to do in NewcastleGateshead visit hashtag any of your insta pics showing life on campus using #NorthumbriaUni www.NewcastleGateshead.com If you’re on the move download the #NUTakeoverTuesday We want to make Tuesdays all about you on To Have and to Hold ‘NewcastleGateshead City Guide’ App social media! This is your University and we’re always looking for cool stuff to help show how great Until 8 June, Shipley Art Gallery, through the App Store or Google Play. uni life really is. Gateshead If you’re feeling social log onto Have you discovered the best burger place in town? Produced a piece of artwork or music you’d A collection of over 200 vintage bags and purses www.geordielandmap.com to view a live like to showcase? Been to a great gig at the Students’ Union? Let us know by emailing your tweets, curated by Northumbria University Senior guide of NewcastleGateshead for what’s images, and vines to [email protected] and every Tuesday (starting 4 March) we Lecturer in Fashion, Gael Henry. happening and join in the conversation! will post out a selection of the best content on our undergraduate Twitter and Instagram using #NUTakeoverTuesday. For full details visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/nutakeovertuesday NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS Spring 2014 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU 20 University Sport

Give your career the edge How Sports Media Volunteer, Kieran Gill, Sport landed his dream job 13 University pools student talent Northumbria University’s student swimmers are on course to make a splash in 2014 after a breakthrough tournament in Sheffield.

he new-look squad Based at Northumbria’s Sport “I’ve worked with Louise before came from nowhere to Central pool, Graham’s squad and I appreciate the chance to work finish sixth overall at features eight students on sport with her again. We have a good the BUCS short course scholarships. The University’s relationship stretching back three or Tchampionships. And that result lifted groundbreaking scholarship scheme four years. Northumbria to seventh in the BUCS backs talented athletes across a range “I love Newcastle as a city. It is standings across all sports – six of sports – offering financial and such a great place to live and study places above fierce rivals Newcastle practical support to those seeking to and I’m so happy here. The whole of University. combine elite level competition with University life is great and being a Led by GB Paralympic coach Louise higher education. sports scholar helps in terms of the Graham, the Sport Central swimmers Jack Bridge, who starred for support I receive.” had high hopes of making waves in Great Britain at the London 2012 “It’s great to see a team working South Yorkshire. However, the mixed Olympics, is in the first year of out of Sport Central’s pool making squad of able-bodied and disability a Leadership and Management such a big impression on the national Team Northumbria’s Performance Scholars (L-R) Harriet Lee, Jack Bridge athletes exceeded expectations to bag degree at Northumbria. The 100m stage and everyone at Northumbria is and Larisa Yarovaya 10 golds and 20 medals overall. breaststroke specialist finished fourth excited about the future of swimming “I was delighted with the in the SB9 category final on his at the University.” performances of the team at the short Olympic debut and already has his course championships,” said Graham, sights set on Brazil 2016. a member of last summer’s London The 19-year-old student said: “It’s a 2012 Paralympic swimming coaching fantastic opportunity for me to study staff. and swim at Northumbria. I’m based DISCOVER MORE “BUCS is a national event that in the business school and at Sport To find out more about Northumbria’s attracts many of GB’s finest athletes Central and the facilities within both sports scholarship scheme, and we certainly held our own.” are fantastic. visit www.sportcentral.com Students net super chance British netball’s biggest names return to Tyneside in 2014 as Sport Central hosts its latest Superleague season.

orthumbria In addition the club has University students recruited the core of Northern will be at the heart Ireland’s squad ahead of this of the action with summer’s Commonwealth Nfour familiar faces back to Games in Glasgow – offering ENJOY fight for top flight glory. Sports Ulster’s finest the chance to get scholars Leah Kennedy, Kayley much-needed match practice Moss, Emma Woodings and against top flight opposition. every minute of Darcie Worsdale will combine “There’s no doubt the their studies with a punishing Commonwealth Games make schedule of practice and this season’s NSL bigger than competitive fixtures. most,” Darcie added. Sport Academy But the crack quartet “There will be internationals benefit from a package of from all over the world bidding top class support from Team to seal their places in Glasgow Northumbria in a bid to in the next few months and that balance their busy lives on and time last year but there’s no can only increase the level of off the court. getting away from the fact that I competition. We’re hoping for Sport Central, Northumbria University New Zealander Emma, missed it,” she said. some thrilling matches at Sport midway through the second “I would watch the other girls Central starting with the visit of Suitable for ages 8 - 14 years year of her law degree, is tipped running out in front of a big Celtic Dragons.” to make a big impression crowd at Sport Central and @NUSportAcademy following an injury-ravaged think that could be me.” 2013. And returning star Darcie TN have bolstered their ranks – who graduated with a maths with the signing of Aussie DISCOVER MORE  0191 227 4700 degree last summer before enforcer Georgia Beaton. embarking on a Masters course And crowd favourite Toetsie For fixture [email protected] – cannot wait to get back into Kambatuku will be shooting information the NSL mix. for glory after the Namibian scan this www.nusportcentral.com/sportacademy code.  “I made the decision to step star returned to study at down from Superleague this Northumbria.