CommUnity Latest University news and events for our local community

February 2010

The , Whiteknights campus At the start of a new year and decade, CommUnity looks ahead Welcome to to a bright future. On this page, Professor Christine Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, explains the importance of the University of CommUnity Reading in a local and global context and how we are well-placed to meet the challenges facing Higher Education Institutions.

In addition to our academic achievements we are very proud of our beautiful campus which many people enjoy visiting. Our cover photograph shows the Harris Garden. Please download our new Whiteknights Visitors Guide pdf (left) at www.reading.ac.uk/about/ about-local.aspx for more information about the campus and see our listings section in this newsletter about Harris Garden Open Days.

Please keep in touch about any community issues. Ann Westgarth 0118 378 4479 or [email protected]

University of Reading – a local and global perspective

The has been part have begun a re-shaping exercise to of the town of Reading for more than reduce our day-to-day running costs a century since its beginnings as an by 4% (a saving of nearly £10 million) extension college of Oxford University whilst focusing our efforts and in 1892. In 1947 the University acquired investing in those areas where we . We subsequently have distinctiveness and recognised added a campus at Bulmershe in 1989 excellence. In this respect we and more recently another at Henley. have much to be confident about; Today the University has over 20,000 meteorology and climate change, students, 4,000 staff and a turnover of food security and sustainable built £220m per annum. environments are all areas of high These sound like large numbers, but social and economic importance where comparison with other UK universities the University of Reading leads the shows Reading to be a relatively field, not just in the UK, but worldwide. moderate sized institution, which in We are also proud of our excellence in 2009 was again named as one of the some of the traditional subjects such as top 200 universities in the world. We philosophy and archaeology. have over seven applicants for every Aside from reducing our running costs undergraduate place and this year we we have been able to obtain investment entered the UK top 20 for the amount funds which have allowed us to create of research grant income we receive. new buildings, replace inefficient 60s These are outstanding achievements buildings and purchase state-of-the-art which we want to celebrate and share equipment (these are ring-fenced funds with the town and community. which are not available for operational to make a meaningful impact on the As we move forward, the higher purposes). By investing in the very best wider economic vitality of Reading education sector faces an increasingly we will continue to attract high quality and the Thames Valley region, and to hard and competitive future. Reading students and staff. knowledge on a global scale. will need to overcome big challenges Through its strength and success, staff *University UK’s report on the economic if it is to retain its position as an and students, Reading is contributing benefits generated by Higher Education Institutions, internationally recognised research around £600 million* to the local November 2009 intensive university. To this end we economy. A century on we continue www.reading.ac.uk Meteorology students reach Student final in national competition Community

Four second-year students from the to help students understand the Awards 2010 University of Reading’s renowned importance of sustainability, including Department of Meteorology were making their own recycled paper. finalists in the prestigious npower Future Emma Camilleri, who teaches at Leaders Challenge, a competition aimed St Martins, said: ‘The project was a at finding the UK’s top four keenest, fantastic idea. The children enjoyed greenest university students. the activities designed to make them more aware of sustainability issues, Katie Bowden, Jenni Akers, James and are keen to implement their ideas Penrose and Becky Stretton make back at the school. For instance, a new up ‘Meteam’. Earlier in 2009 they bike shelter to encourage staff to ride submitted a DVD to npower explaining to work is just one of the ideas that has their project which aimed to promote stemmed from the project. The team sustainability in local primary schools from the University were fantastic. and the wider community. They were Their enthusiasm and thoughts have just one of 10 teams chosen for the final made us all think about what we can do from a total of 70 UK universities. to become more eco-friendly.’ For their project, the team created In December, the team returned to the ‘green teams’ in four local primary Student volunteers help dig Ridgeline schools to see the changes that had community garden schools. They then delivered special been made and to decide which school The Student Community Award aims ‘green boxes’ to the schools, containing had been the most successful. They to recognise the individual efforts of posters, information and other goodies. awarded Park Lane Primary School students who help others by making The school teams had to come up with in Tilehurst with a Watsson Energy a contribution to the local community, ideas of changes in their schools to Monitor so that the school can continue or for acts of kindness or good make them more sustainable, as well with its good work. neighbourliness. as taking part in a poster competition The four schools involved were: between the other schools and doing St Martins Catholic School, Emmer The award has been funded by the ‘Hour without Power’ scheme. Green Primary School, Park Lane donations made to the Annual Fund The teams also took part in a series Primary School and Oxford Road by Reading Alumni. The prize(s) of up of fun, interactive activities designed Community School. to £200 may be awarded to individual students, specific groups of students or student households.

Award nominations: Nominations are sought from students, University staff, local residents, or organisations students are involved in, and should normally be made without the student(s) knowledge. The Award Committee, made up of representatives from Reading University Students’ Union, local residents and the University’s Chaplaincy will announce the winner of the award in April 2010. The closing date for nominations is 12 March 2010. Download the nomination form at www.reading.ac.uk/ about/about-scaawards.asp Alternatively, contact Ann Westgarth on 0118 378 4479 for a copy.

The Meteam with schools’ green boxes Celebrating the seeds of a successful work experience partnership

The University’s Summer Enterprise Last summer, University of Reading greatly appreciated by their hosts. Experience & Discovery scheme (SEED) student Emma Lovett worked with Emma, in particular, came out of the is run by the University of Reading’s Alexandra Road Community Day project with so much more than she Careers Advisory Service and offers Nursery. Emma submitted a fundraising hoped for and has clearly made a huge valuable paid summer work experience bid on behalf of the nursery, which impact on a small charity, reliant on for students, as well as providing local resulted in a £15,000 council grant fundraising for their resources. companies and organisations with being awarded for the development ‘We are looking forward to running welcome additional resources. of a new garden and play area for the SEED again next year. With backing children. She also ran a successful from the University’s Alumni Office we fundraising carnival for the nursery will offer 20 local small & medium sized and helped put together a welcome enterprises and charities a £450 bursary guide and marketing materials for new towards supporting their own SEED children and parents. projects. SEED is a fantastic opportunity Emma was one of a number of students for students to apply their academic engaged in SEED projects last year and experience and transferable skills while was the overall winner of the 2009 gaining valuable work experience in the SEED awards given by the University. local community.’ Emma Sowden, Employability Projects If you are involved in a local business Manager at the University of Reading’s or charity and are interested in being Careers Service, said: ‘All of our SEED a SEED host this year, please contact students were full of energy and Emma Lovett (left) receives congratulations from Emma Sowden 0118 378 8354, or Jennifer Ghandhi, Head of Student Services passion for their projects and were [email protected]

Free law clinic launched for Reading through community partnership

A new law clinic for Reading, offering free professional legal advice, is now open. Based at the CommuniCare offices at Cemetery Junction, the monthly free legal surgery provides advice in areas such as consumer, debt, employment and landlord and tenant law. The Legal Advice Clinic is a joint initiative between the University of Reading’s School of Law, top legal firm Shoosmiths, advice centre CommuniCare and LawWorks, a charity which supports the delivery of voluntary legal services by lawyers. Professor Patricia Leopold, University of Reading, said: ‘The University School of Law is keen to encourage students to use the skills they acquire as law students to assist in the community. New community law clinic offers free legal advice Working on this project will provide an additional opportunity for students Sarah Mayhew of CommuniCare of the month from 5.00–7.00pm. Access to use these skills and to develop new said: ‘The law clinic is a very valuable to the free service is by appointment, clinical skills. We are delighted to have addition to the services we provide in call CommuniCare 0118 926 3941 or been involved in helping to establish our endeavour to respond to local need.’ email [email protected], the clinic.’ The clinic is held on the first Thursday putting Law Clinic in the subject line. Robots spark science interest for schoolchildren

Students got to grips with robots and how to programme them during a month-long course from the University of Reading. Dr Mark Gasson, from the cybernetics department at the School of Systems Engineering, brought along a number of robots for a series of masterclasses for Year 11 pupils at Theale Green Community School. They were challenged to get their robots to do a series of activities, including riding down a zip wire, playing football and completing a dance routine. ‘There seemed to be a real spark of interest in the activities,’ said Dr Gasson. ‘These students are potentially the engineers of the future and so it is essential that they get hands-on experience and that we open their eyes to the possibilities. Dr Mark Gasson with Theale Green School students and their robots ‘Young students sometimes struggle with science subjects because they don’t Dr Daniel Rose, of the school’s science involved with science education,’ understand how it applies to the real department, added that he had been he said. world. Using robots in this way involves pleased with the number of girls who ‘The whole group enjoyed the master using physics, maths and computing had attended the sessions. classes and gave them a better under- but in a challenging and stimulating ‘It was great to see their interest and standing of social engineering in physics. way which appeals to a wide range of engagement as it is important to We even caught Year 11 boys smiling students.’ encourage girls to become more and that doesn’t happen very often!’

Running Reading half-marathon for charity

This March, for the first time, Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU) is entering a team in the Reading Half Marathon. 47 students have agreed to take on the challenge in aid of three local charities, Reading Single Homeless Project, Autism Speaks and ReadiBus. With every runner agreeing to raise at least £100 for their selected charity it is a chance for the students to give something back to the town they study in. One adventurous student has even agreed to run the whole 13.1 miles dressed as Reggie, the Students’ Union mascot, in a full body suit. So if you do come down to watch, look out for our six foot rabbit! Reading Half Marathon is on Sunday 21 March 2010. It starts at 10.00am and the route loops through Whiteknights campus, about four miles into the race.

Members of RUSU Athletics Club get ready for training University of Reading announces £30 million development of historic

The University of Reading The £30 million investment in the UK’s future teachers and educationalists. University’s academic infrastructure The Institute of Education is the is undertaking a major will create a new London Road home for number one place to train primary the University’s Institute of Education, school teachers and is ranked amongst refurbishment of its currently located at Bulmershe, which the top 10 teacher training providers trains nearly 1,000 teachers every year. in the country. It is very appropriate London Road campus, The major works programme will start that it will become the main focus of in the summer of 2010. The capital work the redeveloped historic London the original home of the required will include a new electricity Road campus.’ sub-station, new gas and water piping, It is anticipated that the Institute University in the heart new boilers for each building and of Education will be able to take up refurbishment and renovation works occupancy at London Road by 2012. of Reading. of many of the buildings, including the A decision on the future of the Great Hall. Bulmershe site, once a phased Professor Tony Downes, Deputy Vice- withdrawal of all of the academic Chancellor, said: ‘This major investment provision has been completed, has in the University’s London Road campus not yet been taken. However as the is part of the process of consolidating University retains good quality student the University on three campuses. It accommodation at Bulmershe, we will will create a dedicated new home in continue to have a presence there for which to train many of the region’s and the foreseeable future. Image: Stride Treglown Ltd Stride Treglown Image:

Top: Refurbishment work will commence this summer Left: Foundations for the Great Hall were laid in 1905 Above: The Clock Tower Memorial

Image: MERL Collections New Enterprise building at Gate

Artist’s impression view overlooking entrance road.

The University is concluding significantly enhance the University’s The University has selected Kier Property discussions with Kier Property to capacity in this regard. as its development partner in the venture. develop an Enterprise Centre on its The Enterprise Centre builds on The building itself has been designed Whiteknights campus near Earley Gate. the already successful Science and with sustainability in mind. It will be The new Centre will offer 55,000 sq. Technology Centre on the Whiteknights delivered with green features such ft. of high quality space to innovative campus and its existing small business as green and brown roofs to improve and technology-based companies. incubator. In addition, subject to biodiversity, variable speed cooled chillers, The University has a strong record in planning permission, the University solar thermal panels and sun pipes. collaborating with such businesses, seeks to develop a Science and For potential business enquiries: helping them harness the research Innovation Park in Shinfield, which Dr David Gillham, Director Research expertise and business development will also bring together innovative and Enterprise Services skills at the University and providing knowledge and technology-based 0118 378 8978 them with the support, facilities and companies from both the local and [email protected] space to grow. This new facility will international business communities.

Local students win bursaries in recognition of their special efforts

Winners of the Vice-Chancellor’s and nominated by their school, and should for a lot of his final school year he Alumni Bursaries have overcome have made a positive contribution to continued involvement with his work considerable difficulties or made the life of their school/college. These and other activities. a positive impact in their school nominated students are then selected Another Vice-Chancellor Bursary communities in order to be eligible. for the award by a panel at the winner, from Prospect School, In December they were invited to a University. We prioritise applications represented his school at many key ceremony, held in the University’s Great from those students who have overcome events, and frequently volunteered to Hall, London Road to celebrate their adversity in order to reach their goals. help in school and community events. achievements. One such student, originally at He is studying in English, which is not his first language. Whilst at Students who receive these particular Ryeish Green School, was under 18 school he showed commitment and bursaries must be UK nationals champion for his archery club, deputy determination to balancing academic resident in prior to entry head boy, spent a lot of time helping studies with other commitments. to the University and they must have younger students in their classes and Our congratulations to all those participated in the AimHigher scheme shadowed a doctor at Royal Berkshire students who received bursaries (e.g. HE Summer Schools, Making Hospital as part of his work experience. this year. Progress, HE4me and/or the Berkshire He has a physical disability and is a Compact Scheme). Students are wheelchair user. Despite being unwell Whiteknights Studio Music@Reading Trail celebrates 10 years Reading University Music Society The Whiteknights Studio Trail Concert (WST) celebrates its 10th anniversary on the weekend Friday 26 February 2010, of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 6.00pm June 2010. This year at least University of Reading 50 artists and craftspeople Ensembles including Wind Advance notification: will open studios and Band and Symphonic Wind exhibition spaces to visitors Palmer G10 Theatre, University Summer Concert to show their new work, of Reading, Whiteknights 2010 as well as talk about the campus, RG6 6AH Saturday 19 June 2010, methods they use and how Its aim was, and still is, to Enquiries [email protected] 7.30pm they create their work. promote and encourage Tickets £10/£6 concessions interest in the artistic activities Spring Concert available in advance or on of local people. It is now a well- the door. established and successful 2010 annual event with hundreds of Saturday 13 March 2010, visitors each day. 7.30pm Music@Reading University of Reading Chorus Lunchtime and Symphony Orchestra Concerts Haydn: Creation Every Tuesday during term- Conductor – Stuart Dunlop time from 1.10pm – 1.50pm Great Hall, University of Featuring a diverse mix of Delia Salter: Cloud Rowan detail Reading, London Road Campus, magnificent music from both The WST was conceived in the RG1 5AQ. Tickets (where our own students and visiting summer of 2000 when three applicable) £10/£6 concessions professionals. available in advance or on Free – no ticket required. All local artists (Susanna Beer, Jenny Halstead: Fish Market, Venice Pip Hall and Jenny Halstead) the door. welcome. Please come along The Trail has been sponsored met to discuss the exciting Enquiries: and enjoy. by the University of Reading idea of a walking trail of artists’ Alex Richardson 0118 378 5256 For programme/venue details for the last six years and studios in the area around the [email protected] www.reading.ac.uk/music this year will include even University of Reading, where so more venues and artists. To many talented people live. celebrate its 10th year a special commemorative brochure Volunteers needed will be produced, made possible by additional funding for nutrition study provided by the Co-op’s The Hugh Sinclair Unit of • Willing to attend five Community Grant and the Human Nutrition, in the sessions at the Nutrition Earley Trust fund. Department of Food and Unit over the course of six www.studiotrail.co.uk Nutritional Sciences at the months University of Reading, is • Willing to provide blood looking for men and women samples aged 35–70 years old to take • Willing to replace a number part in a six-month nutrition of foods in your diet with Shane Gunning: Fred and Ginger study to help us understand products we provide how diet and genetic make- Please contact Jan Luff for up influence heart health. more information quoting If you are: ‘The Satgene Study’, • Generally fit and healthy 0118 378 7771. Tom Cartmill: 152 XII (from the Remembered Present series) events | music | museums | sport | activities | children | film | talks Public Cinema: Lecture Series Reading Film Theatre Spring Film Programme Functional foods Good science or marketing hype? February Tues 16 The white ribbon 15 7.15 Professor Bob Rastall Tues 23 Glorious 39 12A 7.30 Thurs 25 A serious man 15 7.45 Tuesday 16 March 2010 March Tues 2 Army of crime 15 7.15 Thurs 4 Bright star PG 7.45 Mon 8 Nowhere boy 15 8.00 Thurs 11 A prophet 18 7.00

G10 Palmer Building. Numbers limited to 400 Members £4.50 (membership £9 for academic year) Concessions available. Non-members £5.50 Tickets available on the evening from the box office The Dolche Vita café is open for refreshments until 9.00pm Enquiries: 0118 378 7151 Email: [email protected] www.readingfilmtheatre.co.uk

Facing up to Rome Discoveries at Calleva, Silchester Professor Michael Fulford Tuesday 27 April 2010

Nowhere boy – Monday 8 March at 8.00pm

New bus service links Whiteknights and Bulmershe campuses Free – all welcome Students and staff at the University University and Reading University 8.00pm, Palmer Building, Whiteknights of Reading have been given an extra Students’ Union, provides an hourly campus, University of Reading incentive to use the new bus service 19. direct link between the main campus and the Bulmershe Campus. Enquiries: 0118 378 7109 A special fare of £1.20 – saving 50p a Timetables are available at the [email protected] journey – is now available on the new usual collection points throughout www.reading.ac.uk/publiclectureseries no.19 running between the University’s the University. Whiteknights and Bulmershe Campuses. More information at The service, created by Reading www.reading-buses.co.uk/university Buses following discussions with the events | music | museums | sport | activities | children | film | talks Café Scientifique Reading University Come and explore the Materials and latest ideas in science and Photographic Society technology in a friendly information at the bar atmosphere. Join in the origin of life debate or sit back and enjoy Professor Howard Colquhoun the evening - just come with an open and enquiring mind. Monday 17 May, 7.30pm

Chimps aren’t us Why worms rule – so why do we the world want to give them Dr Dan Carpenter human rights? Monday 14 June, 7.30pm Jeremy Taylor

Monday 15 February, 7.30pm All Café Scientifique Reading events take place at Déjà vu Psychotherapy Bar and Eatery (61 St. Mary’s without a therapist: Butts, Reading, RG1 2LG; 0118 957 3500) on selected Monday a 21st century evenings throughout the year solution and start at 7.30pm. There is no Dave Purves entry fee and all are welcome. For more information: Monday 15 March, 7.30pm www.reading.ac.uk/cafesci or

contact Dr Lucy Wallace ‘Furrow’ by Matthew Ager (detail) How can maths 0118 378 7391 help us understand [email protected] Exhibition more about Café Scientifique Reading is Monday 8 March – Friday 12 March biology? supported by the University of Palmer Building Foyer, Whiteknights campus. Free. Reading and the Thames Valley Dr Marcus Tindall Reading University Photographic Society is Branch of the British Science proud to announce our first public photographic exhibition. Monday 26 April, 7.30pm Association. Each year the society produces a photobook, showcasing some of the best work from our members over the academic year.

Exhibitions at the Museum of English Rural Life

Village voices The art and craft Both exhibitions are open: Tuesday to Friday, 9.00am– 11 January to 25 April of Suttons 5.00pm, Saturday and Sunday, The sights and sounds of a 15 February to 9 April 2.00–4.30pm and admission is free. village community, Sonning A chance to see a selection and Sonning Eye, over the last of the colourful publicity Museum of English Rural century. produced by this iconic Life (MERL), Redlands Road, Free tours of the exhibition by Reading firm, and to learn Reading, RG1 5EX the curators are available at more about what happened Enquiries 0118 378 8660 2.00pm on 19 February and behind the scenes. [email protected] 20 March. Please book. www.reading.ac.uk/merl events | music | museums | sport | activities | children | film | talks The Friends of Ure Museum of Archaeology the University Pick up a pot Tuesday 16 February, 2.00–4.00pm of Reading Take the chance to hold Ancient Greek objects. Learn about different styles and The Friends’ association was formed in designs and follow our pot-trail around the 1927 and thrives with 550 members. Its Ure Museum. main aim is to promote the welfare of the University, and to foster its relations with the neighbourhood and the wider Treasures of Egypt community. Thursday 18 February, 2.00–4.00pm

Find out about the objects which were buried in the tombs of Ancient Egyptians. Design your own tomb and make your own treasures to put in it and take home.

Each session: £3 per child (accompanying adult free). Booking required. Suitable for families with children aged 6 and over. Enquiries: 0118 378 6990

Stained glass window, , [email protected] Whiteknights campus www.reading.ac.uk/ure Twice a year the University provides a venue for members to hear talks from eminent academics, with tea to follow. The Friends regularly arrange visits, and events such as concerts and Heritage Trails. The Yearly Meeting, usually addressed by the Vice-Chancellor, is held in the Summer Term. A full programme is planned for 2010, including an event at the University 3G floodlit Boat Club and a special garden visit. The Friends are also invited to events organised by the Alumni Office, and to Five-a-side pitches public lectures at the University. Membership, open to anyone, is • Best quality and price in Reading through subscriptions of £12 pa for • One-off (non-member) booking £50 • Block / member bookings £40 individuals, £20 for couples, and £25 • Can accommodate seven-a-side games for companies and organisations. These funds are applied to an annual Book online at www.sport.reading.ac.uk programme of Friends’ Grants. or call 0118 378 8799 Examples range from ceremonial SportsPark, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Shinfield furniture for the Great Hall to paintings Road, Reading, RG6 6AH (for sat nav please use RG6 6UR) and cabinets for academic departments, a safety boat and oars for the Boat Club, £10 off non-member bookings and covers for the SportsPark cricket before 28 February 2010 pitch. Please quote ref. CU28FEB10 when making your booking New members are always welcome. Contact Mrs Brenda Morris, Secretary, 0118 378 8006 The University of Reading SportsPark is open to students, staff and members of the [email protected] public all year round www.sport.reading.ac.uk events | music | museums | sport | activities | children | film | talks Harris Garden Hilary James and friends: Open Days 2010 songs, stories and traditions You are welcome to visit the We are delighted to announce a further series of concerts and workshops at the Harris Garden, situated in about 12 Museum of English Rural Life, hosted by internationally renowned folk singer and quiet acres to the south corner of musician Hilary James and one of the world’s foremost mandolinists, Simon Mayor. Whiteknights campus.

Open from 2.00–6.00pm on the following dates (except 10 October open 2.00–5.00pm) in aid of the following charities.

11 April National Gardens Scheme 9 May Duchess of Kent House Charity 13 June St John Ambulance Brigade 11 July Air Ambulance 8 August Belshazzar’s Feast British Red Cross 12 September Sex, drink and death in Singer, melodeon and anglo-concertina Hardy Plant Society/Friends of Harris maestro, John takes his audience on a Garden 17th century England remarkable journey through the country 16 March, 7.30pm calendar in music and song. 10 October Reading University Playgroup Tickets £15 and £12 (concs) – save by buying tickets for all three concerts for £36 or £30. The sands of song Tonight’s special guest Tim Healey, popular Featuring Belshazzar’s writer and broadcaster, explores the Feast (Paul Sartin and Paul colourful and raffish side of English social life during the tumultuous era of the Hutchinson) English Civil War and Restoration. 22 June, 7.30pm Tickets £15 and £12 (concs) The Victorian village band Hilary traces the history of English Rural workshop Life in song: bell-ringing, country dancing, 18 May, 6.15–7.15pm high days and holidays, love, lust, loss, landscape and labour. Free. Booking required. Whatever your level of ability, bring an instrument and Special free, pre-concert event for become part of the Victorian village ticket-holders (please book when you band. John Kirkpatrick will concoct a fun buy your tickets): arrangement to suit everyone. In conversation with Belshazzar’s Feast 6.30–7.10pm

The Victorian farmer’s A rare opportunity to meet this highly year in song respected and hugely popular musical and witty duo in the intimate setting of MERL. Featuring John Kirkpatrick Paul Sartin sings and plays fiddle and oboe 18 May, 7.30pm while Paul Hutchinson plays accordion. Tickets £15 and £12 (concs) – save by buying [email protected] Photo courtesy Matthew Wood. tickets for all three concerts for £36 or £30. 0118 378 8660 www.reading.ac.uk/merl www.friendsoftheharrisgarden.org.uk events | music | museums | talks