U NIVERSITY OF L EICESTER N EWSLETTER 2002 AY –M

http://www.le.ac.uk PRIL A

BulThis Issue: • Degrees leof Success • New tinMedical Degree • 80th Anniversary Events

‘Scales of justice BLUEPRINT FOR FUTURE SUCCESS swung too far’ AS UNIVERSITY REACHES ‘PIVOTAL says police commissioner POINT’ IN ITS HISTORY A hard-hitting speech that attacked the criminal justice A blueprint for the future for the future, the University – which assessed as offering Excellent system for allowing the guilty to development of the University of is celebrating its 80th Anniversary – teaching in 18 subject areas. go free, and treating victims and , helping to enhance its is establishing new centres in “This is one of the factors that has witnesses shabbily, was made at position it as one of the foremost science and medicine. helped propel the University into the the University of Leicester by Sir teaching and research universities The University also aims to top 20 universities of the UK, as John Stevens, Commissioner of in the UK, is being established. strengthen its reputation for determined by the Sunday Times the Metropolitan Police. Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert excellence. Professor Burgess said: and the Financial Times. Another Sir John, who is both a graduate and honorary graduate of the Burgess told the University’s Court “The University has achieved an factor is the success of our research University of Leicester, returned to that a site development plan for the unbroken run of 14 scores of activity – the University has the campus for the third public University from 2002 to 2050 was Excellent for its teaching quality from attracted a record of over £33 occasion in a year to deliver the among a number of ways in which the Quality Assurance Agency and million last year for research and in Graduates’ Association and strategic thinking was being shaped has the rare distinction of achieving the national Research Assessment Haldane Society Public Lecture in and developed. five consecutive maximum scores. In Exercise, 84% of staff were deemed celebration of the University’s As part of its programme to build total, the University has been 80th Anniversary. (Continued on page 2) The lecture, The Search for Truth in the Criminal Justice CEREMONY TO MARK System, was delivered on 6 March £33 MILLION INVESTMENT and attracted major national media coverage. AND REFURBISHMENT Sir John’s lecture argued that PROGRAMME the balance of the scales of justice has now swung too far in favour of An official turf-turning ceremony marked the the defendant: “As a result, victims start of a multi-million pound investment in new and witnesses are too afraid to campus facilities at the University. come forward for fear of being put The University, celebrating its 80th Anniversary through the criminal justice this year, aims to enhance its international system. academic standing even further through the “Victims and witnesses are establishment of new centres of excellence in treated so shabbily. They are open science and medicine. to intimidation outside court, The biggest expansion programme since the harassment in the witness box and inadequate recompense for wasted sixties involves a £30 million investment in two time. In consequence, the guilty new buildings on campus, the creation of new are going free, crime is rising and laboratories and the purchase of new equipment. offenders are gaining more and In addition, a £3 million refurbishment more confidence that they will go programme will be undertaken. le unpunished.” (Continued on page 2)

Online Bulletin updated weekly: http://www.le.ac.uk/press/ebulletin University of Leicester Bulletin B ULLETIN N EWS April/May 2002

(continued from page one) Sir John did not blame the practitioners of law but the system DEGREES OF in which they are obliged to operate: “It means the whole process is like some kind of horse SUCCESS trial where the prosecution must go round the circuit without a fault Honorary graduates Tim Pigott- and the defence only has to leave Smith and Dean Richards MBE one fence standing – the element described how thrilled they were of doubt – to secure a victory.” with their honorary degrees • A full copy of the speech is on awarded on February 7. eBulletin le A total of 1,184 students were awarded postgraduate degrees at the Tigers to host De Montfort Hall. The University also awarded, for the first time, two varsity match posthumous degrees: Battle lines are drawn and teams • Denis Stuart who died on are sharpening their technique for November 6, aged 82. He had the forthcoming clash between completed a PhD within the SUCCESS: Honorary graduates Tim Pigott-Smith and Dean Richards. Leicester’s two universities’ rugby Department of English Local History. teams, as part of the University of His widow, Barbara, received the Wyggeston Boys and often visiting “I feel humbled at following those Leicester 80th anniversary Doctorate on behalf of her late De Montfort Hall – as he paid tribute who are more distinguished who celebrations. husband. to the achievements of the students. have received Honorary Degrees Leicester Tigers is to be the prestigious venue for the Rugby • Johanna O’Leary, a course member Dean Richards added: “It is a real from the University of Leicester. I did Union game between the on the Centre for Labour Market and special honour to be awarded not know that the pleasure I have University of Leicester and De Studies’ MSc in Training and Human this honorary degree – it is not received through playing and Montfort University on Friday 3 Resource Management, who died on something I expected. This ranks managing in my years at Leicester May at 7 pm. January 6. right up there at the top with Rugby Club over the years in any The bar will open at 5.30 pm, Actor and director Tim Pigott- anything I have achieved – I have way shape or form, would put me in with generous sponsorship from Smith recalled his childhood in thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony the position to receive an honour Everards. Tickets costing £3 are on Leicester – as a student of and the occasion. such as this.” le sale from the Leicester Tigers, local Everards pubs and from the Students’ Union at both the University of Leicester and De VISIT BY OFFICIALS OF THE MINISTRY OF THE Montfort University. Fans are urged INTERIOR TURKEY to arrive promptly as spectators will be on the Crumbie Stand, Officials of the Turkish Ministry of Language programmes in the the scheme and following discussions maximum capacity 8,000, which the Interior visited the University of English Language Teaching Unit. All with Professor Will Light, Mr Martin is not all seated. Leicester to see the 26 students are trainee regional governors. Kenworthy, Director of ELTU and Dr Further details are available on the University of Leicester website they have sponsored to study during The Ministry of the Interior intends Mike King of the Scarman Centre it is http://www.le.ac.uk/sports/news.ht 2001/2. Five of their employees are to send around 100 students to the anticipated that the University of ml, in Tigers and University taking one-year Masters courses in UK each year for the next 5-10 years. Leicester and Ministry of Interior will publications and the regional the Scarman Centre and a further This is the first year that the University sign an agreement of continued co- press. le 21 are taking intensive English of Leicester has taken students under operation. le

BLUEPRINT FOR FUTURE programmes which are proving to be “The University has been engaged University of Leicester would SUCCESS AS UNIVERSITY very popular, including Criminology, in a comprehensive programme of continue to play a strategic role in REACHES ‘PIVOTAL Film Studies and Management widening participation over a number regional affairs, particularly by linking POINT’ IN ITS HISTORY Studies. We have also been of years and is working in in with key businesses and successful in a national competition collaboration with other universities, organisations. (continued from page one) to launch two successful Foundation colleges, schools and community “The University of Leicester is a to be conducting research of national degrees for classroom teaching organisations to increase major employer, has an annual and international quality. assistants and in security opportunities for participation in turnover of £130 million and plays a “This year, there has been record management.” higher education. pivotal role in raising the profile of recruitment with 2,400 new Professor Burgess also highlighted “This remains our firm the city, county and region. In undergraduates and the number of the University’s commitment to commitment. We will continue to celebrating our 80th Anniversary, we students registered with the widening participation and lifelong focus on those communities that stand at a pivotal point in our University has risen to its highest learning – areas of activity that had have been identified nationally as development. I have every ever total – 18,500. won particular praise from Education facing particular barriers to higher confidence that this University, “We have launched a number of and Skills Secretary Estelle Morris education.” thanks to its staff and students, is new undergraduate degree during her visit to the University. Professor Burgess added that the going to be an even greater success.” le

2 University of Leicester Bulletin April/May 2002 B ULLETIN N EWS

the early Etruscans to the Human mutation CENTRE FOR TUSCAN Renaissance through to the present millennium. It aims to deepen our rates tied to STUDIES ESTABLISHED understanding of the artistic, literary, weapons tests social and economic aspects of the New research from the region. Department of Genetics and “At the University of Leicester, international collaborators has there is considerable expertise and uncovered alarming information interest across the disciplines in this concerning the impact of nuclear important region. Many of the tests on people. University’s scholars devote much of Exposure to radioactive fallout their research to diverse aspects of from nuclear weapons testing in Tuscan culture and history. This has the late 1940s and early 1950s led to the creation of the Centre, roughly doubled inheritable which will facilitate and enhance mutation rates in the Kazakhstan collaborative research both within population living near the test site, the University and with scholars and according to a study conducted by institutions worldwide. the international research team. “The Centre is fully supported by People living around the the Faculty of Arts at the University of Semipalatinsk test site received Leicester, where there is considerable the bulk of their exposure from four interest across the disciplines in surface explosions carried out Tuscany. The Centre’s Board of Studies between 1949 and 1956. is constituted of representatives from Yuri E Dubrova and colleagues departments such as History of Art collected blood samples from three (Professor Alison Yarrington, Dr generations of the Semipalatinsk HONOUR: George Ferzoco receives the Regional Council of Tuscany’s Silver Thomas Frangenberg), Social and population, uncovering a 1.8-fold Medal in recognition of his outstanding achievement and contributions to Economic History (Dr Peter increase in the germline mutation Tuscan life and society. Pictured with him are Professor Riccardo Nencini, rate for the first generation President of the Regional Council of Tuscany and Dr Carolyn Muessig, Senior Musgrave), English (Professor Gordon Lecturer at the University of , and a collaborator of the newly Campbell, Professor Martin Stannard), exposed to the surface blasts. established Centre for Tuscan Studies at Leicester. Museum Studies (Professor Susan Mutation rates show a steady Pearce), as well as Modern Languages decline after the 1950s, however, A major new Centre for the History, given by the Director of the (Professor Sharon Wood and Dott and the authors suggest that the academic study of a region that Centre George Ferzoco. He said: Marina Spunta). ban on surface nuclear testing has, for centuries, been popular “Throughout Europe, few regions “The Centre will develop our after 1963 “has been effective in with writers, artists and visitors was over the centuries have had such knowledge and understanding of reducing genetic risk to the population.” le launched at the University. cultural and commercial impact as Tuscany through a variety of Major political figures from the Tuscany. Britain has, for centuries, interdisciplinary perspectives. The UK and Italy attended the launch of had strong links with and been relationship of Tuscany with adjacent Centre for the Centre for Tuscan Studies on enchanted by this historic area. regions and other countries, whether Quebec Studies February 14. “The Centre for Tuscan Studies through trade, commerce or artistic hosts successful The event included a public recognises the distinctive and and literary influence will also be lecture, Massa Marittima Reveals its pervasive influence of Tuscany from explored by various projects.” le conference A one-day conference on Aspects of Quebec Culture and Politics, organised by the Centre for NEW MEDICAL DEGREE AVAILABLE Quebec Studies in conjunction with the Groupe de recherches et The Leicester Warwick Medical The Leicester-based MB ChB Nursing, Physiotherapy, Optometry, d’etudes sur le Canada francais, School is launching a new four-year course for graduates in the health Health Psychology, Radiography attracted an appreciative medical course based at the sciences and health studies is (Diagnostic and Therapeutic), audience of undergraduates, University of Leicester. This is aimed expected to attract more than 300 Podiatry, Mental Health, postgraduates, academics and at health science and health studies applications. With just 64 places Occupational Health and Midwifery. members of the public on March graduates working in the health available, applicants will be An opportunity to find out more 9. The papers covered, legal, sector and undergraduates about to expected to have at least an upper about the four-year MB ChB at the linguistic, geographical and graduate in those disciplines. It second-class honours degree in a University of Leicester will occur literary topics. The conference complements the Medical School’s health science or related subject. during the Medical School was generously supported by the existing four-year programme for Honours degrees that will be Information Day at the University, on Canadian High Commission and biological sciences graduates, considered include Health Science, Wednesday, May 1 2002 between the Quebec Government Office in offered at the University of Warwick. and the Health Studies such as 10 am and 4 pm. le . le

3 University of Leicester Bulletin B ULLETIN N EWS April/May 2002

ANNIVERSARY VISIT

An editorial contingent from the THES visited the University – as part of the 30th anniversary of their paper and the 80th anniversary of the University. It mirrored a visit in 1972 when Leicester was the first university visited by an editorial team from the newly-founded paper. Editor Auriol Stevens was joined by journalists Steve Farrar, Tony Tysome, Mary Cook (news editor) and editorial assistant Lynne Williams. They met with the Vice-Chancellor and other members of the University during the day- long visit on March 7. le DOUBLE ANNIVERSARY: The THES delegation with the Vice-Chancellor and members of the Press Office. NOBEL PRIZE WINNER GIVES LECTURE

Dean of Science Professor John portrayed in the modern world. He Fothergill introduced Professor Sir showed how “scientifically Harry Kroto to give the Faculty of illiterate” much of the public are Science Public Lecture “Science – and how science is often “dumbed a round peg in a square world”. down” and misrepresented in the Professor Kroto, adopting his media. usual entertaining style, gave a He showed video footage of wide ranging lecture. As well as workshops he holds with children mentioning Buckminsterfullerene, around the world – which included the new form of carbon which he some novel uses for the “buckyball” discovered in 1985 for which he model! He also showed some won the Nobel Prize, he spoke extracts from films that his Vega passionately about the way in Trust has made and that are PRESTIGIOUS: Professor Fothergill and Professor Sir Harry Kroto. which science and engineering is available over the internet. le BIRTH DEFECTS LEICESTER FOOTBALLERS DOUBLE IN IVF BABIES SET TO SHOWCASE TALENT IN CHINA A new study has found that genitourinary, chromosomal and babies conceived through musculoskeletal defects. An audience of up to 3 million is The players will be coached by assisted conception procedures Report co-author, Jenny expected to watch a football team former professional footballers Ted are more than twice as likely to Kurinczuk, from the University’s from the University in an exhibition Nethercot and Martin Roderick, and be diagnosed with major birth Department of Epidemiology and match just weeks before the World managed by Leicester’s Sports and defects in their first year of life. Public Health said there were many Cup finals. Recreation Manager, Colin Hide. The research in Australia, factors that might increase the risk Footballers from the University The scale of the welcome that published in the New of birth defects. will take part in the first-ever UK awaits the University’s touring party Journal of Medicine, also found “These factors could include the university football tour to China has already been indicated by the that these babies were more likely relatively older age of infertile between the 17th and the 26th securing of a Chinese provincial to have multiple major defects. couples, the underlying causes of April 2002. television deal for one of the three Major birth defects were their infertility and the medications Leicester’s hosts in China will be ‘goodwill’ matches that are to be apparent in 8.6% of infants used to induce ovulation and the Fuzhou-Napier College, which played against the host institutions. conceived by intracytoplasmic sustain conception,” Dr Kurinczuk specialises in teaching English, This live broadcast will attract a sperm injection and 9% of babies said. Business Studies, and Applied television audience of approximately conceived by in-vitro fertilisation “It might also be associated with Computer Technology and is part of three million people. compared with 4.2% of naturally the procedures themselves such as Fuzhou University. The university The group is seeking sponsorship conceived children. The infants the freezing and thawing of is a prominent educational for the tour. Contact: Kevin Briggs, conceived by assisted conception embryos or the method of establishment in China with +44 0116 252 3557, email had more major cardiovascular, fertilisation.” le 20,000 students. [email protected] le 4 University of Leicester Bulletin April/May 2002 B ULLETIN N EWS

NOSE-ON-A-CHIP AIMS TO CHILDREN SET TO JOIN IN MIMIC THE REAL THING 80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS A team of UK researchers has Electronic noses have been embarked on an ambitious project to around for some years, and are used Children are being invited to the quite daft in places. I’ve been build the world’s smallest electronic in the food, beverage and perfumery University of Leicester as part of its described in the past as doing nose. The aim is to combine the industries. However, the machines 80th anniversary celebrations. stand-up for kids!” odour sensors together with the are large, have limited sensitivity Award winning author Chris Part of the talk will promote his signal processing components on to and need to be re-calibrated d’Lacey, a member of the new book The Salt Pirates of a single silicon chip, around a frequently. University’s staff, will share his Skegness, which is due out shortly square centimetre in size. The “We are hoping we can improve experiences of the world of fiction at and is aimed at children around the instrument would require very little on existing systems by following the special event on May 25. age of eight plus. This will involve power and could be held biology much more closely,” says Dr The event, featuring a the audience dressing up as some comfortably in the palm of the hand. Tim Pearce of University of Leicester combination of slides, audience of the wild and wacky characters in If the project succeeds, it is Department of Engineering, who is participation and talk is also likely the story and enacting scenes from expected that the technology would co-ordinating the research. “The to appeal to ‘big kids’ out there! the book. have many potential applications in information processing of our system Chris, who operates the confocal The talk will take place on areas such as environmental is very much inspired by how the microscope at the University, said: Saturday May 25th from 2-3pm in monitoring, healthcare and food olfactory system works in nature.” “The talk is strictly informal and the Ken Edwards Building. Children safety. In common with most existing everybody is welcome. It will be large and small are all welcome to The project is being carried out by electronic noses, the sensing part of funny (hopefully!), and probably attend. le scientists and engineers from the the device will consist of arrays of universities of Leicester, Warwick electrically conductive polymers. and Edinburgh, with funding from However, the new system intends to the Engineering and Physical process and interpret the signals in a Sciences Research Council. way much more akin to biology. le eBULleTIN News at your fingertips LEICESTER LECTURER TO WALK INCA TRAIL

In April Alan Bevington one of the non-clinical lecturers in the Division of Renal Medicine is walking the Inca Trail in Peru as a sponsored charity trek to raise badly needed support for the National Kidney Research Fund (NKRF). This poses a considerable challenge because, at a maximum elevation of 4,050 metres above sea The latest news, features, pictures In recent weeks, eBulletin has level, altitude sickness is a serious and views are carried on eBulletin, carried stories on: potential problem. The NKRF is the the new on-line news and • Leicester’s theory on Jupiter’s single largest source of funding for information service from the Press aurora research into kidney disease in the and Public Relations Office. • A veteran University Challenge UK and, like many charities, has Launched on March 1, the edition event been hit since 11th September by is updated each week and carries a • Anime and Manga in the low interest rates and fall in the wealth of information. There are links Students’ Union value of its investments. For that to higher education stories and the • Sports Personality award for reason all sponsorship for this trek portal provides opportunities to post member of staff will make an important contribution stories in their entirety. • Multiculturalism debate at to maintaining the fight against For example, the whole of Sir John University kidney disease. Steven’s speech was posted on the There is more being posted on For more details or sponsorship site the morning after he had eBulletin each week. Stay up-to-date forms please contact Alan on delivered it at the Graduates’ with the news via: extension 73-8041 or email TREK: Alan Bevington will raise Association – Haldane Society event. http://www.le.ac.uk /press/ebulletin/ [email protected]. le funds for kidney research. 5 University of Leicester Bulletin P EOPLE April/May 2002

Star Lecturer Up for reward excellence in teaching and APPOINTMENT National Award learning in the higher education sector. The scheme is administered Gerald Porter has recently taken A University of Leicester lecturer is in by the Institute for Learning and up a new appointment as the the running for a £50,000 award Teaching in Higher Education (ILT) on Institute of Lifelong Learning’s after being nominated for a National behalf of the Higher Education Director of Studies based at the Teaching Fellowship. Funding Council for England and University’s Northampton Centre. Professor Clive Ruggles is a Department for Employment and Gerald comes to this exciting Professor in Archaeoastronomy in the Learning in Northern Ireland. It is position having been involved in School of Archaeology and Ancient open to all higher education Adult and Continuing Education for History, and has been at the institutions in England and Northern over seventeen years, both as a University for 19 years. His work is Ireland. le part-time tutor and Manager in mostly concerned with Community Education in archaeoastronomy, the study of beliefs Northampton. Learning and is planning three new and practices concerning the skies in He graduated from the certificate courses for the new the past. Clive is one of 82 entries for University of Leicester in 1976, academic year together with an the 2002 National Teaching through Nene College, later expansion of the curriculum and the Fellowship Scheme. Nominees are completing a Master’s Degree with programme at the Centre. chosen by their own institutions for the University in 1989. He has Gerald would like to hear from their excellence in teaching. Twenty worked at Northampton College of any University staff interested in winners will be selected by a national Further Education as Community tutoring courses at the Northampton advisory panel on May 21 and the Education Development Officer Centre. He can be contacted via awards will be presented at a high within Northampton. email [email protected] or telephone profile event in London on July 9. He is very committed to Lifelong 01604 251 804. le The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme was launched in 2000 to

OBITUARIES paved the way for European Years of Freedom – the story of developments in the way animals are Summerhill School and A S Neill. Ray The University has learnt, with regret, of the death of the following: reared and treated and opening up had taught maths in that school, and today’s market for organic produce. later in Buckinghamshire and in Mr L G Wayne 1963 and August 1967, died in Among her many awards, medals Devon before coming to Leicester Leslie George Wayne, known to January. In 1967 he took up an and prizes – she was the first woman where he eventually headed Section many at Vaughan College and at the appointment as Professor of Education elected to the Swedish Academy – B of the PGCE course. School of Education, died on at the University of Keele. was an honorary Doctorate of Letters He was a man of great diversity of January 13. From February 26, from this University, which she accomplishment – in writing, Professor M Symons 1990, Les was employed as a received in 1978. teaching, lecturing, as an artist – but Martyn Symons, who held the post of Porter, based initially at Vaughan self-effacing to a fault. A Professor of Physical Chemistry from Mr R E Hemmings College and then at the School of mathematics scholar at Trinity 1960 to 1988, died on January 28. Ray Hemmings died on January 31, Education. Unfortunately he had to College Cambridge, he became an He was Head of the Department of aged 79. He joined the University in retire early – in February 1998 – RAF navigator in World War II, Chemistry from August 1978 to July September 1963 as a Lecturer in due to ill health. winning the DFC for successfully 1980. He served in an associate Education at the School of Prior to joining the University Les bringing damaged planes back home. capacity as Research Professor from Education, and was promoted to a had a variety of jobs. He worked as He reflected ruefully on this when 1988 to 1991 and continued to hold Senior Lectureship in September a baker for eight years, and, for six later he became very active in the that title on an honorary basis until 1973. He retired in September years respectively, as an HGV driver Campaign against the Arms Trade. 1993. An obituary will appear in 1982, but continued to work at the He was keenly interested in history and a fork lift driver. He was also a eBulletin in due course. University as an Associate Teacher private hire driver. Although Les until September 1983. too, and his last book – a study of the spent the greater part of his Astrid Lindgren Ray was a member of staff at the period that led into parliamentary University employment at Vaughan Children’s author Astrid Lindgren, a School of Education during the key reform of the 1830s – was published College, he was a well-known national hero in Sweden, died on years of the development of the as recently as 2000. character at both sites, and he will January 28. She was known around Leicestershire Plan. This was a Ray Hemmings is survived by his be remembered by many – the world for her book, Pippi buoyant time for teachers’ wife Delia, daughter Debby and son colleagues, staff and students. Longstocking, which was translated professional groups and he was Tom, and by grandchildren Katy and Jim Shaw into many languages and established known nationally for his editorial William. Anyone wishing to make a her as sympathetic to children’s likings work in the Association of Teachers donation in his memory may do so by Professor S J Eggleston for vigorous, larger-than-life events. of Mathematics and on the Leapfrogs marking it as such and sending it to Professor John Eggleston, a Lecturer She was also an indefatigable Mathematics publications and Campaign against the Arms Trade, and later Senior Lecturer in the campaigner for statutory rights of associated television series. He was 11 Goodwin Street, London N4 3HQ. School of Education between May farmyard animals – the result of which also known as the author of Fifty Dr Clive Sutton 6 University of Leicester Bulletin April/May 2002 P EOPLE

Mrs J Sylvester-Bradley widow, Marion, retired from the acquire qualifications ran through City Even in death, Simon made a Joan Sylvester-Bradley, an enthusiastic University library some years ago. and Guilds classes, GCSEs, A Levels, contribution to life. The twenty people supporter and friend of the University and a BA at Sheffield Hallam before from the Centre for Urban History Mr S Littlewood and wife of the late Peter Sylvester- coming to Leicester to study for an who attended the funeral in Simon Littlewood, who was reading Bradley, the first F W Bennett MA in Urban History. Simon’s Chesterfield recognised that their for a PhD in Urban History, died on Professor of Geology, died on February innovative project was progressing shared sorrow was tempered by a February 27. In Steel and the City: 8, aged 84, after a short illness. An well before his death, aged 32, from stronger sense of friendship and a The Birth of the Vertical City, he obituary, by Professor David J Siveter, an epileptic fit. recognition of the human qualities produced a fine Master’s thesis in appears in eBulletin at As a grand mal epileptic sufferer for that Simon represented. As scholar which he drew together diverse http://www.le.ac. uk/press/ebulletin/ many years Simon might have and friend, we miss our gentle giant. historical strands to explain the Professor Richard Rodger people/obitsylvesterbradley.html complained about his lot. He never cautious approach adopted in Britain Dr K E L Simmons towards skyscraper technology in the did. In fact, this gentlest of individuals Emeritus Professor B Simon was invariably considerate to fellow Ken Simmons, who joined the twentieth century. He would mutter Professor Maurice Galton has University in August 1970 as a how these elements were difficult to students, frequently asking them written a personal appreciation of Research Associate in the Department reconcile and then, typically, would about their work and occasionally Emeritus Professor Brian Simon, of Psychology, died in February. He do so by writing with great clarity. offering an idea or confessing to his who died on January 17, retired in November 1980. An Simon was a perfectionist. In 2000 own limitations in a way that made aged 86. This appreciation ornithologist and a prolific writer on he received the award of a three-year them feel less vulnerable. Simon appears in eBulletin at the subject, he edited and contributed doctoral studentship from the ESRC volunteered for tasks in the Centre for http://www.le.ac.uk/press/ebulletin/ to the several volumes of The Birds of to study the relationship between Urban History, and edited the CUH people/obitbriansimon.html le the Western Paleartic. He was also an graphics, typography and the Newsletter. He was very dependable, ardent fan of the music of English development of the advertising a quality that was recognised by composers and was a keen member of industry in urban Britain, 1870- members of the Chesterfield Central the Elgar Society. His funeral took 1914. For a school leaver without Methodist Church where he was a place in Leicester on March 5. His qualifications, the hard adult route to voluntary youth worker.

D ATES FOR YOUR D IARY

INAUGURAL LECTURES University of Leicester’s 80th Anniversary The following Professorial Tuesday May 21 timetable of events April – May 2002 Inaugural Lectures are to be 21st Century Vocational For the whole of the academic held in Lecture Theatre 1 of the Education in the UK: What Would year, the University of Leicester is Ken Edwards Building at 5.30 Dickens Think? Professor Lorna celebrating its 80th Anniversary pm. These Lectures are open to Unwin, Centre for Labour Market with special celebratory events the public and free. Studies. commemorating the historic occasion when the first university Tuesday May 28 Tuesday April 30 was created in Leicester as a Public Services: Competitive Dealing with Pride and University College. The following higher education in Leicestershire. Markets. Professor Erika Prejudice: Sense and Sensibility in events also appear on CWIS. Friday April 19 will focus on the Szyszczak, Department of Law. the Education of Children and Proposed events – still at the University’s 80th anniversary, Young People with Emotional, planning stage – can be viewed at Saturday April 20 will focus on Tuesday May 7 Social and Behavioural http://www.le.ac.uk/press/ the 140th anniversary of Vaughan The Gut Life: A Generic Difficulties. Professor Paul Cooper, 80th.html. College. Details from Cynthia Perspective on Infection. School of Education. Brown on 0116 252 5063. Professor Julian Ketley, Friday April 19 – Department of Genetics. Tuesday June 11 Saturday April 20 Wednesday May 1 Professor Sharon Wood, School Tuesday May 14 Event at Vaughan College – Social Sciences Faculty Lecture: of Modern Languages. Contributions from various Higher Education and the The Macrophage: Jack of all speakers to mark anniversaries of Changing World of Work, Richard Trades of our Immune System. Tuesday June 18 Vaughan College and University Pearson, Director of the Institute Professor Loems Ziegler- RNA Splicing: The Joker in the College. Material from oral history for Employment Studies. 5.00pm. Heitbrock, Department of Genome. Professor Ian Eperon, recordings to give a sense of Lecture Theatre 3, Ken Edwards Microbiology and Immunology. Department of Biochemistry. le Leicester in 1982 and the 1920s Building. Open to the public and and of development of adult and free. 7 University of Leicester Bulletin D ATES FOR YOUR D IARY April/May 2002

Friday May 3 Office in the Percy Gee building or Contact Leicester’s Tourist Advance Notice: Varsity Rugby Match: University of from the Leicester Tigers ticket Information Office for details. Monday June 24 Leicester v De Montfort University, office. For more information contact Saturday May 25 Annual Chaplaincy Lecture (theme Tigers Ground, Welford Road. Matthew Weir on poverty/international debt), to be 5.30pm Bar open 7pm Kick-off. 0116 271 9144 or email Talk by Author Chris D’Lacey. For given by Paul Boateng, MP, Financial Tickets will be priced at £3.00 in [email protected] children of staff of the University of Secretary to the Treasury. 5.30 pm. advance and £5.00 on the night. Leicester. 2.00 – 3.00pm. Lecture Ken Edwards Building Lecture Tickets are available from Manor Wednesday May 15 Theatre 1 or Lecture Theatre 3 Theatre 1. Road Sports Hall, Charles Wilson Campus Tour, with Registered Blue (depending on numbers), Ken Sports Hall, Sports Association Badge Tourist Guide Diana Courtney. Edwards Building.

APRIL staff and current students, see the O’Brien. 12.45pm. Music Room, Challenges. Professor Sir April 22-29 campus and facilities, visit 10th floor, Charles Wilson Building. Charles George, Medical University accommodation. To Director, British Heart Open Week at the Second Hand book a place, receive a programme, Monday May 13 Foundation. 5.30 pm. Lecture Bookshop, Percy Gee Building. or for further information, contact Theatre 1, Maurice Shock 12.00 noon – 2.00 pm each day. British Association for the Jacky Wetzig or Lucy Durling Medical Sciences Building. An introduction for academic staff Advancement of Science (local (0116 252 2674, email Reception in the Foyer following to the services of the Second branch meeting): Risk Assessment [email protected]). Lecture. Hand Bookshop. for Chemicals in the Environment. Wednesday May 1 Dr Len Levy, OBE, Head of Tuesday May 21 Monday April 29 Toxicology and Risk Assessment. Medical School Information Day – Department of Geography British Association for the 7.30 pm. Council Room, New Walk for prospective medical students. Seminar Series 2001/02: Issues Advancement of Science (local Museum (Princess Road West Places are limited. Contact Jacky in Migration Research. Professor branch meeting): On the Scented entrance). Wetzig or Lucy Durling (0116 252 Gareth Lewis, Department of Trail. Dr Tim Pearce, Department 2674, [email protected]). Geography. 4.30 pm. F75A, of Engineering. 7.30 pm. Council Monday May 20 Seminar Room, Department of Room, New Walk Museum Tuesday May 7 Frank May Clinical Sciences Geography. Details from (Princess Road West entrance). Lecture: The Fight Against Heart Vanessa Greasley (0116 223 Department of Geography Disease: Successes and Future 1777, fax 0116 151 3854). Tuesday April 30 Seminar Series: The Role of Automated Zone Design in Leicester Early Modern Seminar: Computing Social Geographies. Religion and Nation in the Early Professor David Martin, British Association Festival of Science at Modern Period: Some Central Department of Geography, the University of Leicester European Evidence. Robert Evans, Southampton. 4.30 pm. F75A, University of Oxford. 5.30 pm. Science and the Quality of Life Seminar Room, Department of History of Art Slide Geography. Details from Vanessa Room, Attenborough 1707. Come to the BA Festival of developments in research to a Greasley (0116 223 1777, fax Refreshments available. All Science for the chance to debate, general audience. 0116 151 3854). welcome. Further details from discuss and dissect the scientific The BA Festival of Science John Coffey ([email protected]). issues which have an impact on 2002 takes place at the Wednesday May 8 your life. The BA Festival of University of Leicester from Science is one of the UK’s biggest September 9–13. For full details, Lunchtime Concert: Aquila MAY science festivals. It attracts 400 including a preview of some of Winds. Jo Conquest, flute, Sophie Wednesday May 1 of the best scientists and science the topics up for discussion Cash, oboe, Rebecca Bailey, communicators from home and each day, visit: http://www. University Open Day: An insight clarinet, Sophie Hesselman, abroad who reveal the latest britassoc.org.uk/the-ba/ into student life and the degree bassoon and Roz White, horn. courses on offer, with an French quintet music and opportunity to meet academic euphonium solos played by Robert A list of all events can be viewed on CWIS

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