STAFF MAGAZINE | TRINITY term 2018 PAGES 18 and 19 MATHS PAGES TOM ROCKS contributors inSIDE EDITORIAL TEAM

3 Introduc tion: Research & Annette Cunningham Innovation team Internal Communications Manager Public Affairs Directorate 4 Day in the Life: Dr Julia Viebach, Faculty of Law

Shaunna Latchman 6 Solving the Plastic Communications Officer (secondment) Problem Public Affairs Directorate 8 News

Laetitia Velia 11 My Oxford: Senior Graphic Designer Hillier Wise Public Affairs Directorate 12 Teamwork: OTHER CONTRIBUTORS Ashmolean Events

14 Lifeline for Academics at Risk

15 Student Spotlight: Finley Sheppard Gail Anderson Liam Arnull John Kay Head of Communications Ambitious Futures Graduate Internal Communications and Marketing, Department Trainee (seconded from UAL) Manager, Oxford 16 Social Sciences: for Continuing Education University Press Impact Conference and Awards

18 COVER: Tom Rocks Maths

20 CuriOXities Chris Jarvis Rebecca Hedges Stuart Gillespie Education Officer, Administrative Assistant, Head of Research, Impact & 22 Continuing Education Oxford University Museum Public Affairs Directorate Innovation Communications of Natural History Public Affairs Directorate 24 Intermission

26 Open Days

28 What’s On

34 Bookshelf Meghan Lawson Harmanjit Sidhu Abby Swift HR Officer (Policy & Ambitious Futures Communications Officer, Communications), Graduate Trainee Academic Administration 35 Swift Action Personnel Services (seconded from SOAS) Division Cover photo: Dave Fleming

2 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 Read me online at www.ox.ac.uk/blueprint inSIDE A new approach Stuart Gillespie, Head of the new Research & Innovation Communications team in the Public Affairs Directorate, explains how he and colleagues will be helping cement Oxford’s reputation as a world-leading place of research and innovation

Can you tell us about the new structure in the Public Affairs Directorate? Colleagues will be familiar with the News & Information Office within the Public Affairs Directorate (PAD) as the first point of contact for media and communications issues – from research stories to sensitive reputational matters. There are now two teams handling media and communications, one of which has the remit of promoting research, impact and the innovation agenda. PAD has also recruited two new members of staff to manage campaigns as part of our new approach to how we communicate with the wider world – including our strength as a research institution and as a place of innovation. What will the new approach to research communications involve? Fleiming Dave The new approach is rooted in feedback about how the University is perceived University – as well as the international Stuart Gillespie (centre) with by others. This suggested that, given impact and benefit of the research. team members Chris McIntyre and Lanisha Butterfield its undoubted strength in research Over the coming weeks and months we’ll and innovation across the full range of be consulting with colleagues across the academic disciplines, Oxford doesn’t have University on what these themes should the reputation it merits among external be. While this is happening, we’ll continue audiences. We want to help change that. preparing for our opening campaign on AI. After reviewing how we communicate What will happen to research that research, we’ve decided to move away from isn’t part of a themed campaign? our traditional press release-led mainstream Our new approach is about making the best media-focused approach, towards a more – and most impactful – use of our resources targeted strategy. in PAD. But we realise Oxford’s research is We’ll be running creative, digital-led world-leading across the board, so divisions campaigns on selected research themes – will continue to have a first point of contact starting with one on artificial intelligence within the team. We’ll continue to help (AI) this summer – and we’ll be targeting publicise research stories that might not more specialist, engaged, influential fit into a campaign theme but are likely to audiences with whom we can create real generate significant interest and impact impact. This will include specialist media, outside the University. For more politicians and policymakers, and industry By putting resources into themed campaigns information about and funding bodies. we may not, from now on, be able to say this new approach How will you choose the research yes to every request for help with publicity. please contact themes? But we hope that colleagues will see the Stuart Gillespie, We’re looking for research themes that benefits of our new, more targeted approach, Head of Research share a few characteristics: existing cross- and that with the help of communications & Innovation disciplinary strength at Oxford, clear colleagues across the University, there will Communications at external interest, strong Oxford voices still be avenues for anyone who wants to stuart.gillespie@ and demonstrable strategic benefit to the promote their research. admin.ox.ac.uk

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 3 Day in the life of Julia Viebach Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellow at the Faculty of Law

Dr Julia Viebach talks to Annette Cunningham about her role at the University and her photographic exhibition Kwibuka Rwanda (Remembering Rwanda) currently on display at the Pitt Rivers Museum – a translation of research into an art piece that introduces the world of Rwanda’s genocide memorials to the public

4 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 ince joining the University five years ago Public Julia has undertaken various roles. On engagement and arrival she was a postdoctoral research S Julia Viebach engaging with fellow as part of a knowledge exchange Julia Viebach your work in project. This was followed by a Career Development Lectureship and her current an artistic way can make a real Leverhulme Fellowship role. difference In September this year, she takes up a Nyange Genocide new post as Departmental Lecturer at the Memorial, Western African Studies Centre to strengthen her Province, Rwanda regional expertise on Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region. ‘I have transformed this research into the Kwibuka Rwanda exhibition, which aims Like many people, Julia spends part of her to raise further awareness of the 1994 working day responding to emails and Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and dealing with administrative tasks. ‘I usually what we can learn from it.’ try to finish those by lunchtime, so that I have the afternoon to read, write and engage The photos displayed reveal the meaning of with my projects in a meaningful way,’ she memorials for survivors, and shares their explains. attempts to remake their world and be closer to their loved ones. ‘It’s an educational ‘I feel like I’ve had a particularly good opportunity to learn about the pain of day when I accomplish something, distant “others” in a time of heightened be it finishing a draft of an article or xenophobia and indifference to the suffering summarising field notes and thinking about of “others”.’ conceptual frameworks. Julia feels it is vital to work with non- In addition to teaching Transitional Justice academic partners and to reach out to the on the MSc in Criminology and Criminal public and to those communities affected Justice for the Centre for Criminology, most by her research. where she is based, Julia is currently ‘For the launch of the Kwibuka Rwanda pursuing two major research avenues. exhibition and the commemoration event, ‘The first one lies within my Leverhulme I worked with the Ishami Foundation, project Atrocity’s Archives: The Remnants the National Association of Rwandese of Transitional Justice in Rwanda. I am Communities in UK and the Rwandese particularly interested in the narratives Community Association Oxford. that emerge in the archival material of ‘At the exhibition’s launch around 180 the International Criminal Tribunal for interested people stood with the Rwandan Rwanda, and those of Rwanda’s local Gacaca community to reflect on what happened. Courts, from a comparative perspective. It was an absolutely fantastic experience to ‘I explore how themes such as dignity, see people from the University, the general forgiveness and reconciliation are addressed public and the Rwandan community in the archival texts and what different engaging with the exhibition,’ continues narratives emerge about the same crimes.’ Julia. Her second research avenue lies with ‘Many members of the Rwandan her doctoral research regarding the community, many of them survivors commemoration of the 1994 Genocide themselves, were deeply touched by the from a survivors’ perspective. exhibition and felt a direct connection to their own lives and experiences during the ‘I conducted numerous interviews with Genocide. The Kwibuka Rwanda survivors working at memorial sites, (Remembering learning about what memorials and ‘This day made me realise that for us Rwanda) exhibition is commemoration mean to them,’ she academics there is more than getting on display at the Pitt explains. ‘And importantly, why they have published in high-ranked international Rivers Museum until pledged their lives to clean, preserve and journals. Public engagement and engaging 28 September 2018 take care of the remains and bodies of with your work in an artistic way can make www.prm.ox.ac.uk/ their loved ones. a real difference.’ whatson

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 5 Fleiming Dave

Professor Peter Edwards with Dr Zhaoxi Zhang Solving the plastic problem

Stuart Gillespie reports on how Oxford Sustainable Fuels, an Oxford University spin-out company, is working to develop technology that transforms plastic waste into valuable transport fuel

t’s a stark image. A sea turtle lies dead among plastic

Shutterstock debris on a beach, seemingly a victim of our global Ipollution crisis. If the pictures are stark, so are the figures relating to plastic: n an estimated 10m tonnes ends up in the oceans each year n almost 5bn tonnes has gone to landfill since the post- war boom in production n it takes around 500 years for a plastic bottle to biodegrade n less than 10% of plastic is recycled

6 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 The BBC’sBlue Planet II series brought ‘Given the extraordinary scale and the issue to the attention of millions of rate of expansion of plastic waste, My generation TV viewers earlier this year. With marine we urgently need complementary of chemists life facing ‘irreparable damage’ according strategies. Catalytic chemical recycling have spent their to the UN’s oceans director, and recent techniques such as ours offer substantial careers focusing research emphasising the impact of land- environmental and economic benefits.’ on making plastics based plastic pollution, solutions are OSF was spun out with the help of more efficiently, needed urgently. Oxford University Innovation and has with better In February 2018 one potential solution attracted £1m in seed funding, which properties. Now was turned into a company using Oxford will be used to develop and scale up we must turn research. Oxford Sustainable Fuels (OSF) is the technology. The company hopes to our attention to developing technology that can turn end-of- have begun turning plastic waste into dealing with the life plastic into high-quality transportation fuel within the next few years. Past and legacy of plastic fuel based on advances in a technique known present chemistry DPhil students have waste material as pyrolysis. played key roles in the research advances that have brought the science and the Pyrolysis is the process of decomposing technology to this point – notably the plastic at moderately high temperatures, Fleiming Dave company’s chief technology officer, Dr in the absence of oxygen, to produce an Zhaoxi Zhang. oil-like substance known as pyrolysis oil. So far, pyrolysis oil has found few uses, in part Co-founder Dr Tiancun Xiao, also Solving the plastic problem because of its instability. But the academics of Oxford’s Department of Inorganic behind OSF have developed efficient ways of Chemistry, says: ‘Our aim is to become purifying and upgrading this viscous, highly a key part of the circular economy by reactive substance to produce gasoline, diesel enabling the transformation of waste into and jet fuels. Significantly, the process is able valuable and needed products. To be a part to handle mixed plastics, negating the need of the solution in helping our global and for sorting and separation. local environment is a huge motivation for us. We believe our technology will be It’s a novel use for plastics that would an important element in the fight against otherwise have found their way into plastic waste ending up in the oceans.’ landfill, our oceans, or the atmosphere via incineration. And, as company co- Professor Edwards adds: ‘What’s important founder Professor Peter Edwards notes, it’s about OSF is that it is founded on new a quirk of science that Nobel Prize-winning ways of thinking about plastic waste as a research into the synthesis of polymers – global resource for responsible recycling. the molecules that make up plastics – is My generation of chemists have spent their essentially now being reversed. careers focusing on making plastics more efficiently, with better properties. Now we ‘Proposed solutions to the plastic waste crisis, must turn our attention to dealing with the such as plastic-free aisles in supermarkets legacy of plastic waste material.’ or the banning of all consumer-use, non- biodegradable plastics, are most laudable,’ says Professor Edwards, from Oxford’s Visit http://osfuels.com to find out Department of Inorganic Chemistry. more about the innovative work of ‘However, it will take considerable time and Oxford Sustainable Fuels effort to wean a global society off plastic.

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 7 News Work travel insurance If you travel abroad for work you need to be aware of a new online process for applying for travel insurance and registering your travel details. The new insurance application will be made available over June and July and will route all submitted applications with supporting documentation for departmental authorisation. It should also be used to register travel details. This will enable travellers to be contacted and provided with support by the University in the event of any crisis. The online application New Health and Safety Plan will be accessible from the University’s www. The University has recently adopted a new five-year Strategic Plan for Health and travel insurance website. Check Safety. In promoting the plan, Vice-Chancellor Professor Louise Richardson said: admin.ox.ac.uk/finance/insurance/travel ‘This new strategic plan speaks to the University’s commitment to ensuring that we for updates. Roadshows are scheduled meet the highest possible standards of health and safety performance. I would like to provide in-depth information for to thank colleagues for their time, expertise and professionalism in preparing this staff members responsible for processing document.’ and authorising travel insurance applications. For more information The new plan will shortly be distributed across the University. contact [email protected]

Inspiring Women at Oxford Saïd Blue Plaque unveiling University Diversity Fund 2018/19 Business School On Tuesday 29 May two new Blue Plaques Applications to the Diversity Fund, While businesses face pressure from will be unveiled in the city on University which provides small grants to support investors and the government to buildings to commemorate their relevance projects that promote equality and raise female representation on their in the history of medicine. A plaque at the diversity, are now open to all staff at the boards, Saïd Business School continues Sir William Dunn School of Pathology University. Visit www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ to equip women with the skills and will acknowledge its pioneering work on eop/inpractice/df to find out more. The confidence they need to reach the penicillin. The other plaque, at the former closing date for applications is Monday boardroom. The School regularly hosts Radcliffe Infirmary, marks it as the site of 25 June. insightful events open to students the first clinical trials of the drug in 1941. and the public. Follow the Inspiring Women at Oxford Saïd LinkedIn page (www.linkedin.com/showcase/ Diversity Awards inspiring-women-at-oxford-saïd/) for business news and relevant upcoming New support for carers Winners of the Vice-Chancellor’s events. Diversity Awards were announced at Caring responsibilities can affect us all a ceremony on 8 May at Worcester – they may arise without warning, and College. The biennial awards aim to can be temporary or permanent. You recognise and celebrate the amazing may have an elderly dependent, a child or projects taking place across the partner with special needs, or be juggling University that help to promote equality multiple caring responsibilities. and diversity. Details of the winners and To coincide with National Carers Week many of the nominated initiatives will (11–17 June), the University is launching feature in future issues of Blueprint and new initiatives to support staff with caring on the Staff Gateway. responsibilities, including new options for flexible working and buying additional leave. Watch out for news on the Staff Gateway (www.ox.ac.uk/staff) in June.

8 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 News Research news: Fossil finger reveals how humans spread out of Africa and beyond Scientists have discovered a 90,000-year- old bone in Saudi Arabia, suggesting that humans travelled further than initially thought during the first reported migration into Eurasia. Lead author Dr Huw Groucutt, a British Academy postdoctoral fellow at Oxford, said: ‘The ability of these early people to widely University Images/Natural Museum History Oxford colonise this region casts doubt on long- held views that early dispersals out of Africa were localised and unsuccessful.’ HOPE for the Future Research news: What do Uranus’s cloud tops have in Oxford University Museum of Natural common with rotten eggs? History has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a project Research news: Body temperature Even after decades of observation titled HOPE for the Future – the Heritage, storage improves liver transplant and a visit by the Voyager 2 Outreach and Preservation of Entomology success spacecraft, the planet Uranus has held on to one critical secret: the project. The project aims to rehouse Preserving livers at body temperature composition of its clouds. Now, one and safeguard its nationally significant improves transplant success and can of the key components has finally British insect collections and restore the increase the number of viable donor livers been verified. museum’s Westwood Room to its original available for transplant, which could lead 1860 condition. Additionally, it will to shorter waiting lists for patients and Professor Patrick Irwin from support an extensive community outreach lower mortality rates. Oxford’s Department of Physics and public engagement programme worked with global collaborators Oxford researchers used a technique called centred on British animal wildlife. and found that hydrogen sulphide normothermic machine perfusion in 220 – a gas that smells like rotten eggs – liver transplant patients, using a device dominates the planet’s cloud deck. developed by OrganOx Ltd, a MedTech Volunteer for Oxford Open Doors business spunout from the University The team made the discovery by Oxford Preservation Trust is seeking of Oxford as a result of a collaboration analysing infrared light from Uranus volunteers for Oxford Open Doors on between Professor Peter Friend (Nuffield captured by the huge Gemini North Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September. This Department of Surgical Sciences) and telescope on Hawaii’s Maunakea. annual event, delivered in partnership Professor Constantin Coussios (Institute The long-sought evidence has been with the University, offers the public the of Biomedical Engineering). published in the journal Nature opportunity to explore behind closed Astronomy. doors. If you’re interested in helping for a few hours, please contact s.dawson@ oxfordpreservation.org.uk Research news: Penguin hotspot discovered in Antarctica Looking to promote an article A hotspot of more than 1.5m you’ve written? penguins, discovered on the Danger The Public Affairs team publishes a Islands, East Antarctic Peninsula, range of articles from contributors all suggests that the birds thrive best in across the University on their Medium environments undisturbed by humans. Publication site. Any article published on By comparison, penguin populations the site, which has 21k+ followers, is also in the West Antarctic Peninsula – 100 promoted on our social media channels. miles away and widely used for fishing Visit https://medium.com/oxford- – are in decline, fuelling calls for a university to find out more. Contact marine reserve in the region. [email protected] if you’d like to submit an article for consideration.

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 9 News

Honorary Degrees 2018 Seven eminent figures will be awarded honorary degrees at Encaenia on 20 June 2018: Professor Mary Beard is Professor of Classics and a Fellow of Newnham College at Cambridge University, as well as Classics Editor of the Times Literary Supplement, and an exceptionally distinguished historian of Roman cultural history.

Sir Matthew Bourne is known and admired across the world for his remaking of old works – most famously for his all-male Swan Lake, which enjoys global success. He has also choreographed and directed the Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty 20% staff discount offer and Edward Scissorhands. A new contemporary-look gift shop has recently opened Lord (David) Neuberger was President of at the Pitt Rivers Museum offering a vast selection of the Supreme Court of the UK until retiring handcrafted, design-led products. Take your University last year. His legal career to the summit card along to claim a 10% discount off goods. Visit between of the judiciary reflects his exceedingly 21 and 31 May (inclusive) to claim a special staff discount high intellectual standards and analytical rate of 20% (excluding books). abilities. His first degree was in Chemistry from Oxford. National Bike Week – 10 to 18 June Professor Helga Nowotny is Professor emeritus of Social Studies of Science, ETH Watch out for events, offers and training being coordinated (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) by the University’s Environmental Sustainability team as Zurich. She has authored and co-authored part of this year’s National Bike Week on @oxfordenvsust significant books and papers in the field of the science and policy relationship. UniCycle winners Professor Robert Putnam has taught at Harvard University for decades and Oxford beat all other eight universities competing in the was Dean of the John F Kennedy School, UniCycle staff challenge. Thank you to all our 191 participants educating generations of social scientists who helped us scoop first prize by registering more than and political leaders. 11,000 cycling miles on their daily commute.

Martin Scorsese is an American film-maker whose career spans more Staff Matrix than six decades. Scorsese’s films include Taxi Driver (1976), Raging Bull (1980) If you have something to sell, want to recommend a social and GoodFellas (1990). He is also a leading group or rent out a room, you can now add a post to the figure in film restoration. Staff Matrix section on the Staff Gateway (www.ox.ac.uk/ staff). The Matrix invites you to interact with others across Lord (Nicholas) Stern is IG Patel Professor the University – see what others are promoting or recycle of Economics and Government at the your own unwanted goods. There’s an option to add a related London School of Economics, Head of photo under the various categories listed. the India Observatory and Chair of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. He has held Encaenia 2018 previous posts at universities in the UK and abroad, including at Oxford. Tickets are still available for Oxford’s honorary degree ceremony, Encaenia, on Wednesday 20 June. Visit www.ox.ac.uk/encaenia to register.

10 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 My Oxford

Hillier Wise What’s your connection to the city? Following my graduation from the is wellknown University of London, I first arrived at St to everyone Catherine’s College in the 1950s to continue involved with my research in modern history. Encaenia, How did you first get involved with the Oxford Encaenia? ceremony held I joined a merry band of already established in memory of Special Pro-Proctors in 1963, seven years founders and after matriculation, who all helped out. It benefactors of was a delightful way of keeping in touch Hillier being greeted the University. with the University, especially when one by former Vice- went out into the world, and it’s something Chancellor Professor Annette Andrew Hamilton Cunningham I continued. asks Hillier What roles have you carried out? he was persuaded to allow the recording, about his Originally titled Special Pro-Proctors – for posterity, of his rather unusual Latin voluntary eventually renamed Ushers – we took pronunciation of the ceremony, which was work, spanning it in turns to be on duty either inside how it was spoken at Eton over a hundred more than 50 the Sheldonian or outside. As now, we years ago. checked invitations, greeted the VIPs and years, which Then there was the time that Ted Heath helped get everyone seated. When outside received his honorary degree and there has helped to we found ourselves obvious targets for was a noisy (and potentially unpleasant) ensure that photographers – and especially popular demonstration outside. An Oxford Bulldog this annual with American tourists. We also assisted was concerned that I might have a good suit event runs at other ceremonies, such as the giving of on under my gown. However, I’m pleased to smoothly degrees by diploma to the Prince of Wales, report that my suit remained intact! the US president and at the Installation of the Chancellor. What’s been your favourite moment whilst carrying out this great service Has security always been thorough at to the University? Encaenia? It is kind of you to say ‘great service’ but Yes, sometimes more than others. On the I think my old colleagues, and indeed I occasion when President Clinton received myself, would not put it in such a grand his degree, the American security team set way. The music is a large part of the up a special gateway for those officiating as ceremony and one is lucky enough to be well as for visitors. We were subjected to a guaranteed an enjoyable organ recital, and security check on a par with an international the quality of the choir is always Oxford at flight. I was somewhat annoyed by having its best. my mortar board very thoroughly examined by trying to bend its corners. A quite hilarious happening was when the president of Italy received the special degree At the same event I reported a very smartly by diploma from Chancellor Macmillan. dressed woman to security staff for dashing Of course we all stood as the organ played past me clutching a small black case. She the very cheerful Italian national anthem. returned to apologise and explained she was But as we all went to sit after the chorus, the carrying the President’s drinking water. organist launched into the next verse, causing You must have some great anecdotes us all to stand up again very quickly, this from over the years … happened several times. It was like a scene Yes, plenty. On an appallingly wet Encaenia from a Carry On film, but of course noone when Harold Macmillan was Chancellor (he dared to laugh. Paying our respects to the served from 1960 to 1986), his son arrived Chancellor later, he looked up at us and said and turned his academic hood upside down in his inimitable way, ‘The Italian national and a torrent of water gushed out. anthem … just like Italian operetta.’ And I think it was at Harold Macmillan’s It’s all been enjoyable really. And as for the last appearance as Chancellor, when he Encaenia garden parties over the last 50 years was then the first Earl of Stockton, that or so – well, they are quite another story!

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 11 Fleiming Dave

Above (left to right): Wendy Ball, Marie Giraud, Melissa Fanous, Francesca Sconfienza, Cai Marshall, Paul Jeffery, Bettina Zagoritis, Ginger Jansen and Stacey Puffer

It’s not just about hiring an empty venue. The TEAMWORK galleries and spaces are stunning and you are surrounded by a wealth of treasures and knowledge. This is our unique selling point and it’s wonderful to see how people engage with it Wendy Ball, Nights at the Museum Head of Events With opulent and captivating galleries, exhibition spaces, a vaulted café and rooftop restaurant, there is no shortage of venues to impress and inspire guests. Shaunna Latchman pays a visit to the Ashmolean’s Event team to find out how the museum is transformed to accommodate exclusive out-of-hours events for up to 900 guests.

12 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 o what does happen when the doors exceed guest service expectations. The of the museum close at the end of the museum’s exclusive catering partners, Sday? What goes on when members Benugo and Clerkenwell Green Events, of the public are no longer browsing the develop considered menus that perfectly exhibitions and exploring its 67 historic complement each event. galleries? ‘We all need to work collaboratively When many of us may be thinking about to ensure every event is a success,’ says turning the lights off and heading home, Wendy. ‘It’s our job to be ultra-organised, the team are often preparing to bring communicative and flexible in order to the museum back to life – transforming bring all the different aspects together.’ its stunning spaces into a venue for Although the team have their own portfolio exceptional events. of clients and social events to plan and The nine core members of the Events deliver, they are also available to support team cover the diverse range of corporate other public engagement functions such as and commercial functions and social new exhibitions, by arranging private and events, including the many University press views or acting as floor managers on departmental events that are held before the evening of a Live Friday. the museum opens and in the evenings. ‘The Live Friday events are always great. ‘The range of event enquiries are almost as It’s when the museum is open to the diverse as the collections themselves! The public after hours and they are invited to core Event team liaise with clients, internal take part in interactive events. Activities stakeholders and trusted partners to include theatrical performances, creative meticulously plan and co-ordinate events,’ workshops, live music, talks and taking in explains Wendy Ball, Head of Events. the vast collections.’ ‘However, depending on its size, the wider Whether a couple choose the Greek and team involved in the execution of an event Roman Sculpture Gallery to exchange their can grow considerably.’ vows, or a corporate member requires a Seventeen dedicated evening event curator to inspire colleagues with a lecture assistants help with the smooth operational on leadership through art, the Events team running of out-of-hours events and, are one of the many cogs working steadily working together with the Security team, behind the scenes to help bring a client’s TEAMWORK protect the collections and strive to vision to life. Nights at the Museum How can the team help you? How can you help the team? The Ashmolean is more than just a venue; Planning an event can be time-consuming dedicated event managers will assist you on and often a little daunting. Provide as your event journey, helping you to explore much detail as possible when submitting and enhance your guests’ experience. your initial enquiry and then meet with a member of the team to help visualise A 20% venue hire discount will be applied your event. Contact the team by calling to all qualifying University departments and 01865 610 406 or emailing events@ registered societies, plus guests will enjoy a ashmolean.org or visit the website complimentary additional canapé for drinks www.ashmolean.org/venue-hire. reception bookings received in June, July and August.

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 13 Lifeline for academics

Senior Personnel Officer Ruth Kinahan talks to Meghan Lawson about her role helping to appoint academics from all corners of at risk the globe, including those seeking a safe haven.

uth is no stranger to the intricacies of same reason. Many leading intellectuals international recruitment, including at the time were early patrons of the Rcomplex visa processes or relocating charity, including the economist Sir

a scholar’s family. However, another William Beveridge and several other Fleming Dave strand of Ruth’s work, alongside Dr Heads of House at Oxford. Rebecca Surender, Pro-Vice-Chancellor In 2005 Cara established the UK (Equality & Diversity), is assisting Universities Network to promote academics who face a very different greater cooperation between UK higher kind of hurdle: the threat of persecution, education institutions in their efforts imprisonment or violence in their home to support at-risk academics and to country. promote academic freedom worldwide. Together with her team, Ruth is the Oxford signed up to the Network in central point of contact for academics 2008, which now comprises 117 higher coming to Oxford through the UK education institutions. charity Cara, the Council for At-Risk Ruth Kinahan Academics. Ruth works with colleagues At Oxford, the emphasis on academic across the collegiate University to find freedom drives much of the collegiate temporary homes for academics fleeing University’s support for Cara’s work. ‘Equally important,’ explains Ruth, ‘is grave risks at home. We can be really proud the genuine humanitarian concern for to be a University that The first Cara scholar arrived in Oxford colleagues who are suffering in dreadful is working to provide a in 2014, and a further seven have been circumstances and a strong desire to do safe haven and a chance hosted here since then. ‘Most of the something to help.’ academics we host come from Syria,’ to re-start a career for says Ruth. ‘That’s simply because there Cara receives up to twenty enquiries some people who are are so many Syrians approaching Cara from imperiled academics every week, seriously at risk right now, as the situation there is so the highest levels of need since the 1930s. horrendous.’ Oxford is currently hosting four scholars from Syria, with two more academics Working with Cara, the University funds and their families expected to arrive accommodation, living allowances and this summer from Turkey. ‘It would be research expenses to allow academics lovely to be able to support more people,’ to continue their work, sometimes also says Ruth, ‘but the limitation is related supporting their family, for up to two to funding.’ Additional funds have years. been secured through the University’s Another key facet of the scheme is Van Houten Fund, from the David and mentorship. ‘We provide an academic Elaine Potter Foundation and through an mentor who can help the person academic journal, but further support is continue or restart their research, and needed. also to plan for the future,’ explains Ruth. While the numbers are modest, the ‘This might involve securing an academic chance to continue one’s academic career post in the UK or another country, or – away from the threat of violence or eventually – returning home to help with imprisonment is a true lifeline for many the rebuilding process.’ academics around the globe. For Ruth, The idea is not a new one, at least not the message is clear: ‘I think we can be If you can support at Oxford. In the 1930s several Oxford really proud to be a University that is Oxford’s efforts with colleges opened their doors to academics working to provide a safe haven and a Cara, please contact Ruth escaping the Nazi regime in Germany. chance to restart a career for some people Kinahan at ruth.kinahan@ Cara itself was established in 1933 for the who are seriously at risk.’ admin.ox.ac.uk.

14 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 student Spotlight Finley Sheppard, a third-year undergraduate Geography student at Christ Church, talks to Abby Swift about life at Oxford and, as a transgender and non-binary* student, their thoughts on the University’s recently updated Transgender Policy

What made you apply to study How have you been involved provide a starting point in dealing at Oxford? with the University’s LGBTQ+ with institutionalised transphobia in I applied to Oxford because it was close community? our society. (but not too close) to my home near I initially became the JCR LGBTQ+ What are your plans for the Bristol. The prestige of Oxford and the Welfare Officer at Christ Church, where future? opportunities it gives you after university I raised the profile of LGTBQ+ identities I’ve applied for a number of different were also huge points in its favour. in college, sat on the Welfare Committee jobs, including one in the charity sector and drafted the college’s Transgender What do you enjoy about Oxford and another in the Foreign Office. This Policy. For the last year I have been and what challenges have you summer I plan to go Interrailing for the LGBTQ+ Society’s Trans Rep. This a month; it’s certainly providing great encountered? involves running regular welfare and Oxford has given me the best friends I motivation to get me through all my sports events for trans people, providing finals revision! could have ever hoped for. They’ve been a space for them to just be themselves there for me throughout all the ups and without question or comment – I *Non-binary describes a person who is downs of early adult life and showed me personally found this really valuable not exclusively a man or woman. so many more different perspectives on when I was coming out in first year. I’ve They may choose a combination of life than I ever thought existed. also responded to press requests for the female, male Throughout my degree I have found a Society and liaised with the committee to and gender- number of challenges. There is a lot of help improve Oxford’s student life for all neutral terms work to do, which makes socialising LGBTQ+ people. to describe difficult. Oxford also expects you to be The University has recently their personal comfortable with a lot of things, like gender updated its Transgender Policy expression. formal dinners or subfusc. I’m only and guidance. What impact do you just getting used to it all now! I have, think this will have? however, loved my second and third year The new policy and guidance show the as I’ve been able to work with topics that University’s commitment to transgender motivate me, such as climate change and staff and students, recognising the the EU.

unique challenges they face. It explicitly Fleming Dave How would you describe your references confidentiality, experience at Oxford as someone which is vital in any who identifies as transgender? interaction a I’d recognised that I am non-binary before person may coming to Oxford, but university was the have with first place I came out to everyone as both respect to being bi and trans, which I did first to a group transgender, as of close friends who were wonderfully is assurance that accepting. To other people, however, their details and things have moved a bit more slowly. experiences Most people in college still act confused will be around me, most likely because they do handled with not know how to refer to me. I have found the utmost the LGBTQ+ Society an incredible source sensitivity. The of support. guidance will

Visit www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/ transgender for the University’s updated policy and guidance Finley Sheppard

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 15 Social Sciences making an impact

Illustration by Jack Brougham

Social sciences can be defined as the study of society and how people and relationships influence the world around us. The field’s diverse range of academic disciplines includes politics, economics, public health, archaeology, law and education

he data generated from social sciences its first Impact Conference and Award research is a vital source for many Ceremony in April 2018 at Oxford. Torganisations, including governments Professor Sarah Whatmore, Head of Social and policymakers, helping to make the Sciences explains: ‘We’re proud that the decisions that shape the political agenda University is a world-leading centre for and everyday society. It helps to provide research across the social sciences. Oxford a global response to a diverse range has the highest research income in these of issues, ranging from the causes and fields of any UK university and strives effects of unemployment and educational to bring broad benefit to society, the disparity, to what makes people happy and environment and the economy. how the internet has changed our lives. ‘The O2RB collaboration creates unique To demonstrate the contribution that opportunities and connections for people social sciences research makes to society to share ideas. As a group, we aim to work and the economy, O2RB – a regional together to highlight the impact of the partnership between the University of engagement and research which is carried Oxford, Oxford Brookes, the University of out within our universities on a day-to- Reading and the Open University – held day basis.’

16 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 Award-winning projects at Oxford a The winning projects below provided some inspiring examples of the difference social sciences research makes to individuals, communities and societies both in the UK and abroad: Impact Champion Professor Lucie Cluver and the Young Carers team, Department of Social Dr Rachel Condry, Centre for Policy & Intervention – Making Impact Criminology – Forging Public Awareness Matter for Vulnerable Adolescents across and Developing Policy Responses to Sub-Saharan Africa Adolescent to Parent Violence Professor Cluver and her team have b Dr Condry created the first and only used their research to demonstrate (to date) large-scale study of adolescent that a combination of economics to parent violence (APV) in the UK, and social support (‘Cash plus Care’) providing systematic evidence of the in Sub-Saharan Africa has a strong size and scale of the problem. Guidance impact on reducing adolescent HIV created for the Home Office based on risk behaviours. Partners including the research has been used by statutory UNICEF, USAID and governments are and voluntary agencies across the UK, supporting the programme, benefitting leading to changes in local practice. two million adolescent girls. Excellence in Impact Award Early Career Impact Champion c Winners Dr Shona Minson, Centre for Professor Abigail Adams and Criminology – Safeguarding Children Professor Jeremias Prassl, Department when Sentencing Mothers of Economics and Faculty of Law – Dr Minson has brought significant Access to Justice and the Economics of attention to the need to consider the Rule of Law children whose mothers are Research by professors Adams imprisoned; her research has shown and Prassl was instrumental in the how little they are considered at overturning of employment tribunal sentencing. Her films and briefing fees at the Supreme Court. Adams papers, which have been embedded d (an economist) and Prassl (a lawyer), across the justice system, have led to explored whether adverse economic changes in sentencing processes. barriers could constitute a barrier to justice in UK and EU law. They (a) Dr Rachel Condry – award presented by collaborated directly with the senior Alun Edwards. (b) Professor Abi Adams – barristers on the case, which was won award presented by Professor Peter Kemp. (c) in July 2017. Professor Lucie Cluver – award presented by Dr Joy Todd, ESRC. (d) Dr Shona Minson –

award presented by Dr David Mills John Cairns All photographs:

Impact Conference and Awards

The conference and awards were set up Professor Whatmore concludes, ‘These to explore and highlight the breadth and awards celebrate the time and effort depth of work being carried out in the four spent by social scientists to make a universities through case studies, workshops difference in the world. and shared learning openings. ‘The expertise of our academics is The conference sessions were aimed at needed more than ever with global issues encouraging researchers to think up like environmental change, economic innovative ways to ensure their research and political challenges and inequality continues to make an impact. demanding responses founded on excellent research. Oxford continues The standard of the award submissions to provide both the evidence and was extremely high, with five winners and inspiration for new policies to address nine of the submitted projects being highly these challenges.’ commended. Find out more about the University’s Social Sciences Division at www.socsci.ox.ac.uk

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 17 Fleming Dave introduction to Tom Rocks Maths

Maths is often a subject that incites fear and apprehension, but this is far from true for St Hugh’s Mathematics tutor (aka the Naked Mathematician), as Dr Tom Crawford tells Shaunna Latchman

18 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 hile some avoid arithmetic at is linked with an Oxford college, with the There is often all costs, Tom fully immerses hope that this connection will encourage no relevance or Whimself daily teaching maths to students to explore the possibility of relatability in the first and second year undergraduate attending university. students at St Hugh’s College. He also the way maths ‘The aim is to have sustained contact with arranges activities for St John’s College is taught, that’s the same group of students over five years,’ as the Access and Outreach Associate for why people says Tom. ‘There are still students who Science, Technology, Engineering and struggle to haven’t thought about university, or maybe Maths (STEM) for the Inspire programme. enjoy it it’s not the norm in their family or area Another activity is planning and filming to attend university. So, we explain what content for his own outreach programme – it is, how it works and the positives and Tom Rocks Maths. negatives. We want to inform and inspire ‘It was the subject that felt most natural to them.’ me’, explains Tom, who first realised his love Tom is responsible for arranging all for numbers aged seven when his class had STEM events across the year for 60 been set ten long multiplication questions. students in each year group. He calls on He raced through the whole book. However the expertise of his colleagues at Oxford it wasn’t until he received ten A*s in his as well as encouraging a partnership with GCSEs that he began considering an the University of Cambridge and several Oxbridge education. ‘Academically there universities in London. ‘The syllabus isn’t much of a difference [between Oxford includes various topics such as the science and Cambridge]’ Tom comments, ‘but of food and using maths to improve diet.’ Oxford felt more like home.’ During Tom’s famed Maths vs Sport talk, Later, after completing his PhD in Applied students are encouraged to participate in an Maths at Cambridge, he was offered an on-stage penalty shootout – but only after internship with public engagement team, learning about the mathematical makeup the Naked Scientists. The group strip behind such a pivotal moment in a football back science to help make a complicated game, of course. theory easy to digest. Weekly podcasts are broadcasted through BBC Radio 5 Live and Tom believes maths is made more accessible ABC Australia, where audiences reach up to by relating it the world around us. He one million listeners a week. encourages his students to question things, like why bees make hexagonal shapes in Tom saw an opportunity to bring his their hives and how many Pikachus it takes appreciation for maths to the masses, but to light up a lightbulb. he wanted to do it with a twist. Eager to move away from the stereotypes of maths Whether visiting schools up and down being a serious subject taught by older men the country to deliver talks, recording in tweed jackets, he thought ‘what is the the weekly dose of Funbers for BBC radio best way to make maths less serious? Doing – fun facts about numbers that we didn’t it in my underwear!’ And so, the Naked realise we secretly wanted to know – or Mathematician was born. in front of his class of students, Tom is certainly making waves in the world of Since joining St Hugh’s, Tom continues to maths. break down day-to-day activities on his YouTube channel to prove that maths is an integral part of everything we do. His passion for engagement doesn’t end there. The Inspire programme, part of the Link Colleges initiative, is a series of events, Tom Rocks Maths visits, workshops and online contact for Find the answer pupils in years 9 to 13. Tom works with the to the lightbulb non-selective state schools in the London question on his boroughs of Harrow and Ealing. website www. tomrocksmaths. The Link Colleges programme simplifies com and his communication between UK schools and YouTube channel the University. Every school in the country @tomrocksmaths

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 19 Margaret Cameron – portrait of girl Julia Margaret Cameron (1815–79) was a photographic pioneer and one of the first to use soft light, making for artistically blurry and realistic portraits. Many examples of her work can be found in photo albums held at the Bodleian Library, including a compilation for the English dramatist and poet Sir Henry Taylor.

20 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 curioxities Sappho to Suffrage: Women who dared, currently on show at the Weston Library, celebrates female scientists, authors, political activists, composers, pirates and photographers. Shaunna Latchman and Rebecca Hedges highlight their favourite artefacts from this free exhibition which marks 100 years since the Representation of the People Act

Suffrage materials The exhibition includes photos, ephemera, posters, scrapbooks, postcards and games relating to the UK Women’s suffrage movement and activities such as rallies, education and fundraising. They include this ticket for a rally as well as a banner for the Oxford Women’s Students Society for Women’s Suffrage.

Fragments of poems, Sappho Suffragetto (22. 1910s) One of the earliest personal voices of world literature, Sappho celebrates This board game is the only known love and beauty as greater than all the surviving copy and was donated to the armies of Homer. Her poetry, all but Bodleian by games collector Richard lost for nearly two millennia, were Ballam in 2016. It was produced by brought to life again by fragments such the WSPU to raise money for the as these from a papyrus roll dating to suffragette campaign. 2nd century AD, found in excavations Players, representing either the of the rubbish dumps of Oxyrhynchus suffragettes or the police, aim to take in Egypt from c1896. control of the named buildings.

A public meeting A photo postcard showing a prominent member of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), Mrs Drummond, in a boat outside the House of Commons inviting MPs to attend the 1908 Hyde Park demonstration. This was the first grand-scale meeting to be organised by the WSPU and came to be known as ‘Women’s Sunday’.

The Imprisoned Suffragist Leaders The full exhibition, showcasing women’s A postcard from 22 May 1912 stories over the decades, raising awareness of ‘The Imprisoned is on display at the Suffragist Leaders’, Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst and Emmeline and Weston Library until Frederick Pethick Lawrence. February 2019 University of Oxford Bodleian Library, All photographs:

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 21

An alfresco tutorial: tutor F W Cuthbertson with students of the 1911 summer meeting Education for all Gail Anderson, from the Department for Continuing Education, explains the department’s origins, reveals some of its better known participants and describes its modern offer

xford University’s Department for Continuing Education got its start O140 years ago, under the name Oxford Extension – an initiative aimed at spreading educational opportunity beyond the walls of the University. The impulse sprang from the general educational reforms of the latter Victorian era and from that period’s growing sense of social awareness. More and more citizens were being granted the vote and access to education was a national imperative. The early days of the programme saw Oxford Dons jumping on trains to deliver weekly lectures at more than 150 Extension centres scattered from Lands End to Carlisle. For many, Oxford Extension was an intellectual lifeline that connected

Fleming Dave them to a wider world of ideas and higher Students taking a break from the creative writing masters course education.

22 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018

Today’s Department for Continuing Education offers more than 1000 part-time programmes and courses each year. Topics range from International Human Rights Law to Archaeology, and from Literature to Nanotechnology. More than 14,000 students enrol annually – students as young as 18 to well into their 90s. When it comes to reaching beyond the city of Oxford, the Internet has replaced the network the railway provided in the department’s early days. The diverse range of courses attract online students from more than 120 countries worldwide. The courses taught in Oxford include summer schools, professional development, short courses and part-time Oxford award or degree programmes. Harper Lee attended the International Graduates’ Summer School in 1948. Lee’s father wanted her to study law, but

agreed that she could come to Oxford for Centre History University Images / Oxfordshire Oxford a summer to indulge her love of literature, philosophy and history. The six-week Roger Bannister collapsing after breaking the four-minute mile record, at the Iffley Road Sports programme was taught by some of the Track, 1954 University’s notable scholars, including Helen Gardner (later Dame Helen Gardner), the first woman to hold the post Did you know…? of Merton Professor of English Literature Today’s at Oxford, philosopher and political In 1913 Vera Brittain attended a series of Extension lectures Department theorist Isaiah Berlin, and Professor C M in her hometown of Buxton, given by historian J A R for Continuing Bowra, noted classicist and Professor of Marriott, who was then Secretary of the Extension Delegacy. Education offers Poetry at Oxford. Marriott recognised Brittain’s talent and encouraged more than Lee returned home from her Oxford her to apply as an undergraduate to Oxford. She entered 1000 part-time summer, dropped out of law school, moved Somerville College in 1915 to read English. She later became programmes to New York – and began to write. She is an English Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurse, writer, and courses best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning feminist and pacifist, best known for her 1933 memoir each year bestseller To Kill a Mockingbird which was Testament of Youth. published in 1960. At around the same time, a class of Extension students from Longton formed the North Staffordshire Miners Educational After a long and distinguished career in Association, allowing hundreds of miners in isolated neurology, and after serving as Master of communities to benefit from the University’s outreach Pembroke College, Sir Roger Bannister efforts for many decades. (who sadly passed away in March this year) embarked on part-time study in his retirement. He took numerous short courses in philosophy, history and international relations, and received his Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing in 2009. Bannister told fiction tutor Dennis Hamley that after breaking Inspired? Want to find out more? the four-minute mile, the medicine and Visit www.conted.ox.ac.uk to learn more about the department’s notable alumni, and the college mastership, gaining his creative to discover the full range of programmes offered by the Department for Continuing writing diploma was the fourth great Education challenge of his life.

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 23 intermission A glimpse into the lives of members of the University outside of work

Helen Morley, Communications Officer (part-time) at the School of Geography and the Environment In my opinion Hogacre Common Eco Park is Oxford’s best kept secret. Just a ten- minute walk from the Head of the River, this community-run space was once Corpus Christi College’s sports field. However, for the last seven years it has been home to OxGrow, a community veg garden, forest school, meadow and orchard with beehives and – every summer – a café pops-up in the pavilion! This is where I come in. Every Sunday from May to October I prepare, with a team of lovely helpers, a host of vegetarian and vegan treats. Sustainability and community are at the heart of Hogacre Common and the café, so we use locally farmed and organic veg wherever possible. It’s wonderful to see people enjoying my food amid the beautiful and peaceful surroundings of Hogacre. I always hope that people leave inspired to eat more vegetarian food or to get digging and growing their own veg. Or, as it’s Oxford’s only wind-powered café, to build their own wind-turbine. Find out more at cafeathogacre.com

Liz Green, Events & Alumni Officer at the Faculty of Music

Although I had never played football before, I started up a team with a couple of other women – which we named Jackdaws FC. We had no experience and very little interest in the ‘beautiful game’ but we really wanted to find out what all the fuss was about. Three years on and Jackdaws FC play every Thursday at 8pm at the astroturf pitch on Jackdaw Lane in East Oxford. The team has grown, picking up lots of new members of various professions, ages and backgrounds. Our training sessions are fun and generally just a great excuse to meet new people – and the fact that we do a little exercise at the same time is a bonus. We’ve entered a few tournaments now (our best score line has been a draw) but it’s the taking part that counts, right? If you’re interested in having a laugh, feel free to come along. I promise belly laughs aplenty! Liz Green (far left) with her team Find out more at www.facebook.com/JackdawsFC

Lauren Pounds, Administrative Assistant, Public Affairs Directorate

Outside of work, and in between looking after my two children, I love to dabble in the art of the chocolatier. I adore chocolate. Eating it, of course, but also exploring its history, the science behind the tempering process and achieving delicate flavour balances to make the perfect chocolate bar. After attending a course at the UK Callebaut Chocolate Academy, I caught the bug for making chocolate. I have since dedicated my spare time to producing delicious bars, buttons and lollies. I created my home-based chocolaterie, Cocoa Criollo, to channel my pastime into something slightly more commercial, producing chocolate for anything from food fairs to weddings. Being a chocolatier is a constant learning curve – there is always something new to learn – and this is where my true enjoyment lies. Find out more at www.cocoacriollo.co.uk

24 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 Matt Smart, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team, Research Services

Outside of work I’m an artist and sculptor. Using fibreglass, bioresin, molehills and cloths I create large, lightweight modern pieces which are robust enough to cope with enthusiastic audiences at music festivals and at public installations. My sculpture Growth (pictured) is an example made from dried molehills and polyester resin, on a metal and wood frame. At the Oxfordshire Artweeks gallery competition Change the World, at Oxford Town Hall, two of my exhibited sculptures won three prizes, including the Grand Prize. Building on my works with garden arts trails and a solo exhibition, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to be included among the 400 artists of Europe’s biggest Street Art festival this year, creating new engaging visions. A recent commission was to produce a wall piece of a record label’s logo for their birthday extravaganza – the three-metre promotional sculpture will soon feature at the music distributor’s flagship UK outlet in London. Another recently commissioned sculpture, celebrating earthly circularity, is currently on display in Australia. Onwards … Find out more at www.mattsmart.org/ sculptures

If you’d like to share details of a pastime or project you’re involved with in your spare time, please send your submissions to [email protected]

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 25 Oxford Open Days

Open Days offer our potential students the opportunity to visit Oxford’s colleges and subject departments, providing valuable insight into our degree courses and a taste of Oxford life. Harmanjit Sidhu asks the event volunteers about their experience of sharing their enthusiasm for the University with prospective applicants, their friends and families

a b c d

26 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 Open Days are a great chance We always enjoy University Open Open Days give us the opportunity for students to find out more about Days, as it brings a different type of to welcome prospective students to a courses, especially for those subjects visitor to the Information Centre on wonderful city. Most of the students that aren’t on the school curriculum. Broad Street. Not only the prospective come with a list of colleges they want to From attending a sample lecture, students looking for the colleges and see but I always try to persuade them to to talking to the tutors and current departments, but also their families who look beyond the obvious choices and to students, it’s a real opportunity to we help to make the most of the day. visit some of the more modern colleges get to know an institution. Having It’s not just about providing information or those that are further afield, as well. had my own children go through the about the University – we also get to Jo Lateu (f) application process recently, I know help them discover what Oxford has to Administrative Officer, AAD how important Open Days were to offer. Administration team my family. They allow prospective Kamil Paneque (c) students to get a true feel for an Customer Services Manager, Oxford I have assisted with collecting and institution. Visitor Information Centre returning brochures, setting up banners Professor Peter Jeavons (a) and refreshments for Peartree Park & Deputy Head of Department, I have volunteered for several years Ride and briefing volunteers as well as Department of Computer Science now. I love the opportunity to meet liaising with Open Days coordinators, and Tutor at St Anne’s College so many visitors, however briefly, and Oxford Bus Company staff and the to play a part in making their visit to Oxford City Council. Volunteering for Oxford a really positive experience. Open Days is a great way to get out of It’s hard not to get swept up by the offices and labs and remind ourselves My main duties normally include excitement and energy of the young what the University is about: helping providing directions, answering people who visit and the Open Days people realise their potential and questions and handing out brochures. always remind me how much the dreams. It’s great to do something different University has to offer. Virginia Ross (g) and move out of your comfort zone (I Genieve Boon (d) Head of Finance and Administration am usually desk-based). I feel proud Financial Accountant (retired), Undergraduate Admissions Office to represent both the University and the wonderful city of Oxford. It’s It’s always an exciting time in the city a wonderful opportunity to meet I particularly enjoy taking part and the Oxford Bus Company is proud colleagues from across the University because, having been through the to be part of such a special part of the and improve your knowledge of process, it gives me a chance to dispel year. We provide a special welcome on Oxford and the numerous colleges and myths about the University and help our Park & Ride services that is fitting to departments. to positively change the dialogue welcome potential students to a world- Jane English (b) about Oxbridge. I still remember class university. There is always a buzz on Team Administrator, Environmental the impact that a warm, welcoming the buses and around the city during the Sustainability, Estates Services student helper had on me when I was Open Days and it is great to see so many thinking about applying. young people visiting Oxford seeking to Maninder Sachdeva (e) fulfil their hopes and dreams. Student Ambassador Phil Southall (h) Oxford Bus Company Managing Director

Our 2018 Open Days take place on 27 and 28 June and 14 September. If you are interested in volunteering, which involves helping people find their way around the city (a full briefing is provided), please email the team at [email protected] after first checking with your line manager. All help is welcomed – everything from just a couple of hours to a full day.

e f g h

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 27 what’s n Find out which events are recommended for your diary by colleagues from some of our popular visitor venues

CONCERTS Oxford Proms Various locations The City of Oxford Choir: 10 to 23 August Summer Songs £10+ Merton College Chapel Drift back in time with some of the most Saturday 30 June, 7.30pm talented musicians of our generation in £15, concessions available this celestial collection of works. Held Several members of University staff over several days, these mesmerising meet once a week to sing in a chamber concerts deliver something for everybody. choir of around 35 singers. Performing www.oxfordproms.co.uk four concerts a year, under the musical direction of Duncan Aspden, they sing FAMILY-FRIENDLY a range of classical repertoire ranging from Byrd to Britten. Voice coach Bate Collection Family Gamelan William Purefoy works with the whole Concert choir during some of the rehearsals as Holywell Music Room, Holywell Street well as providing individual singing Sunday 10 June, 3–4pm lessons. Adults £5, children free, available on the Interested in finding out more? They’d door love to hear from you at secretary@ www.music.ox.ac.uk oxfordchoir.org. Wildlife Walk http://oxfordchoir.org University of Oxford Botanic Gardens, www.facebook.com/CityOxfordChoir High Street Kreutzer Quartet with Lyndall Thursday 19 July, 6.30–7.30pm Gordon: Music and Virginia Woolf £15 St Hilda’s College, Cowley Place Walk amongst the curious habitats found Saturday 2 June, 6.45pm at Oxford’s Botanic Gardens to discover £18+ some of the world’s most diverse plants Music inspired by the literary excellence and animals. of Virginia Woolf, the Kreutzer Quartet www.obga.ox.ac.uk/event/wildlife- explores the classical influences to Woolf’s walk work and includes a pre-concert talk. http://jdp.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk LECTURES AND TALKS The Oxford Philharmonic’s 2018 Walk & Talk on Marley Fen with Dr Piano Festival Curt Lamberth Various locations and prices Wytham Woods (meet in the car park) 28 July to 5 August Saturday 26 May, 10am The city welcomes some fo the world’s Free most distinguished pianists and teachers An insight into this ecologically valuable for an inspirational series of concerts, wetland’s 7,000-year history, with masterclasses and lectures. information about the rare plants and oxfordphil.com/oxford-philharmonic/ animals that live there. piano-festival-2018 www.ox.ac.uk/event/fen-ecology- and-history

28 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 Left: J.R.R. Tolkien aged 19 Find out which events are recommended for your diary by colleagues from some of our popular visitor venues Jeff Slade Ashmolean Museum University Images/Botanic Garden Oxford

A Lab of One’s Own: Science and Women in Science: Portraits, Suffrage in the First World War Archive Material, Trails and Talks COMPETITION The Weston Library Museum of the History of Science, Wednesday 27 June, 5–6pm Broad Street We have three pairs of tickets to Free Ends December give away for the performance of With 2018 marking the end of World Part of the museum’s year-long celebration 84 Charing Cross Road on Monday War 1 and the right to vote for women of women throughout history who have 18 June at the Oxford Playhouse. in the UK, this event delves into the contributed to our knowledge of the Hollywood and Broadway actor dramatically changed lives of women universe. Stefanie Powers stars as Helene Hanff post-war. www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/exhibits alongside Clive Francis as Frank Doel www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whatson/ in this bittersweet comedy about the whats-on CITY EVENTS true story of a transatlantic friendship. EXHIBITIONS Oxford Green Week To enter the prize draw to win a pair Various locations of tickets, please email your contact America’s Cool Modernism 16 to 24 June details to [email protected] by Ashmolean Museum Free Friday 8 June. Ends 22 July The University joins other partners, www.oxfordplayhouse.com/ £12+ including event coordinator Oxford whats-on Step into the roaring 20s at the height City Council, to celebrate all things good of the Jazz Age with this impressive and green across the city. Sign up for a display of loaned work from the diverse range of events including walks Metropolitan Museum of Art, New to spot swifts soaring across the roof York, and the Terra Foundation for tops. American Art, Chicago. oxfordgreenweek.org/about-oxford- www.ashmolean.org/ green-week americascoolmodernism Oxford Summer Mela Settlers Leys Pools and Leisure Centre, Museum of Natural History Blackbird Leys Ends 16 September Sunday 17 June Free Join the Oxford Mela, a free family From early settlers to modern-day festival of dance, music and food which Want to find out more? Brits, explore the dynamic story of our celebrates diversity in the city. Visit www.ox.ac.uk/events-list for changing population as revealed by www.facebook.com/OxfordMela details of a wide range of great events genetics, archaeology and demography. Cowley Road Carnival taking place across the University open www.ox.ac.uk/event/settlers Cowley Road to everyone Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth Sunday 1 July Visit www.museums.ox.ac.uk/ St Lee Gallery, Weston Library, Broad Free content/family-friendly-events for Street Soak up the party vibe with this more information about family activities 1 June to 28 October amazing collaboration of singing, taking place at eight University venues Entry is free but ticketed - tickets can dancing and celebrating along the Visit https://talks.ox.ac.uk for details be booked in advance online Cowley Road. of a diverse range of events, talks and An exhibition exploring Tolkien’s www.cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk workshops. Each event listing indicates amazing legacy from his genius as an whether it is open to all or only to artist, poet, linguist and author to his members of the University academic career and private life. www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whatson/ whats-on Left: J.R.R. Tolkien aged 19 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 29 advertisements

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Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 31 advertisements

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• Two unique locations • Variety of meeting and • Accessible central seminar rooms England locations • Ideal for teambuilding • Excellent transport links and summer events

To find out more visit: sbs.oxford.edu/conference Email [email protected] Telephone 01865 288846

Begbroke Science Park Department for Continuing Education INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISERS Department of Engineering Science Nanotechnology Programme

Part-time MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care Tel: (01865) 848770 Fax: (01865) 849543 e-mail: [email protected] Short Courses in Nanotechnology website: www.oxfordadvisory.com Nanomedicine: Science and Applications Mon 19 March - Fri 23 March 2018 Our association with the University Clinical Translation and Commercialisation of Oxford is now in its 25th year. of Nanomedicine We have extensive practical knowledge of Mon 2 July - Fri 6 July 2018 its various pension and benefit schemes and are ideally Introduction to Bionanotechnology placed to assist those who wish to maximise their Mon 8 October - Fri 12 October 2018 pension and tax-free cash from USS, OSPS or NHSPS; or perhaps need help to understand the recent changes Part-time online Postgraduate to pensions legislation and how this might affect Certificate in Nanotechnology their retirement planning. Please contact us to arrange an initial consultation Comprising three modules: at no charge or obligation to take further action.

• The Wider Context of Nanotechnology Retirement Planning Savings & Investments Critical Illness Cover • The Fundamental Science of Nanotechnology Personal Pensions Ethical Investments Income Protection Inheritance Tax Holistic Financial & Life Assurance • Fundamental Characterisation for Nanotechnology Guaranteed Funds Trust Planning Mortgage Broking Now taking applications for 2018 YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP For further details and application forms, visit: UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

www.conted.ox.ac.uk/nano For mortgages, we can be paid a fee; usually 0.75% of the loan Email: [email protected]. Tel: +44 (0) 1865 286955 subject to a minimum of £1,500, or by commission.

32 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 advertisements

Kellogg College Summer School University of Oxford and Conference Discount Card

Supporting the University Card The Kellogg College

. Discount twork Expiry Date: 30/09/2016ed ar 10% nd commission ers a al off romotion ms, p 106 High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BW Tel: 01865 247414 Hub Café ite Sale Exclusions: Enjoy freshly brewed coffee in Oxford’s first Passivhaus!

Don’t miss out on 10% discount cards for your students Serving light lunches, The Kellogg College Hub is and delegates to use at the University of Oxford Shop. sweet treats and snacks, located in the grounds of as well as a range of hot Kellogg College, between To order your discount cards please email: drinks, the Hub Café is the 62 and 64 Banbury Road, perfect place to meet with Oxford, OX2 6PN. [email protected] friends and colleagues. Set in our tranquil grounds in leafy North Oxford, the 106 High Street, café is open to everyone. Oxford OX1 4BW www.oushop.com

KelloggCollege-CollegeHub-88x120.indd 1 06/04/2018 12:19 New College ChoristerDo you Openlove singing? Day

For boys who love singing! Join our choristers for an afternoon of music and fun – and find out everything about life in New College Choir. Meet the director, Robert Quinney, and talk to choir and school staff, and current chorister parents.

Do you love singing? A New College choristership unlocks the door to an extraordinary life for musical boys: they sing to professional standards, experience at first hand Photo: KTBruce the unique treasure-house of the choral tradition, and benefit from a musical education which lasts a lifetime. Choristers receive substantial Games scholarships at New College School – www.newcollegeschool.org.

information sessions To register: download a form from the website or contact: dressing-up [email protected] / 01865 279108 singing tea Saturday 9 June at 4.30pm ‘family friendly’ evensong in New College’s in New College Chapel medieval chapel. for boys aged 2-6

for more details see www.newcollegechoir.comor phone 279519

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 33 OUP bookshelf University authors

One of the many benefits of the close relationship between the University and Oxford University Press (OUP) is the steady stream of books written by University Professors and Fellows that are published by OUP (and, of course, by many other publishers). John Kay, Internal Communications Manager at OUP, shares a small sample of the works published by the Academic division of the Press this year

Peter Atkins Fellow of Lincoln College. 2016 recipient of the American Chemical Society’s Grady-Stack Award Marina Warner for science journalism Fellow of All Souls College, Honorary Fellow of Lady Conjuring the Universe Margaret Hall, and Fellow of the A reflection on the question of where the Royal Society of Literature and natural physical laws that govern our universe the British Academy. Awarded came from. Peter Atkins explores the origin of a CBE for services to Literature the conservation of energy, electromagnetism, in 2008 classical and quantum mechanics and of Fairy Tale: A Very Short thermodynamics. He sketches out how the Introduction laws of Nature can spring from very little. Or From wicked queens, beautiful arguably from nothing at all. princesses, monsters and Published March 2018 goblins to glass slippers, magic keys, and mirrors, the Jaś Elsner characters and images of fairy Professor of Late Antique Art at the University tales have cast a spell over of Oxford and Humfrey Payne Senior Research readers and audiences, both adults and children, for centuries. Fellow at Corpus Christi College But what is a fairy tale? Where do they come from and what do The Art of the Roman Empire they mean? In this Very Short Introduction, Marina Warner – AD 100–450 digs into a rich hoard of fairy tales in order to define a genre In this revised edition, part of the Oxford and evaluate a literary form that keeps shifting through time History of Art, Professor Elsner discusses both and history. Roman and early Christian art in relation Published February 2018 to such issues as power, death, society and religion. It investigates the role of visual arts in the period, as well as the great diversity of paintings, statues, luxury arts and masonry being produced. Jan Zielonka Professor of European Politics Published May 2018 and Ralf Dahrendorf Professorial Fellow at St Antony’s College Ian Goldin Senior Fellow, Oxford Martin School, and Counter-Revolution; Professor of Globalisation and Development Liberal Europe in retreat Development: A Very Short Can open society survive? Is Introduction Europe disintegrating? Will Europeans feel secure again? The Very Short Introduction series has sold European models of democracy, more than nine million copies worldwide capitalism and integration are during its 21-year history, and OUP has not in sync with new complex published more than 500 separate titles. networks of cities, bankers or Here Ian Goldin considers the contributions migrants. Liberal values that that education, health, gender, equity and made Europe thrive for many other dimensions of human wellbeing make decades have been betrayed. to development. It discusses why it is also Counter-Revolution is a bold attempt to make sense of the necessary to include the role of institutions extraordinary events taking place in Europe today. and the rule of law as well as sustainability and environmental concerns. Published April 2018 Published March 2018 34 Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 e Blueprint contacts Blueprint is published for Swift action the staff of the University of Oxford by the Public Affairs Directorate. For all general Chris Jarvis, Education Officer at the Museum of Natural History, enquires or to suggest an item explains why we are encouraging volunteers to report sightings for a future issue, please of swifts in the city and how we are aiming to inspire the next contact us using the details generation of conservationists below

t’s May at last, which brings the welcome which include replacing roof tiling and Blueprint return of the swifts, our screaming filling small gaps, result in a shortage of Public Affairs Directorate isummer visitors. Here at the museum we vital hollows and cavities for nesting. University Offices eagerly await the return of these long- Wellington Square Project volunteers will survey their distance migrants. OX1 2JD local area for signs of swift screaming [email protected] Not only because, to so many of us, parties and nest sites. This will help give they herald the start of summer, but a greater understanding of where our also because the swifts that nest in our summer visitors nest and the rough size Subscriptions tower are part of the longest running of the city’s population. We will share this To subscribe to Blueprint, either in print or online, visit www.ox.ac.uk/staff/staff_ continuous study of any bird species in information with our partners at Thames communications/subscriptions the world. Their nesting in the museum Valley Environmental Records Centre, the tower’s ventilation flues for more than 60 City Council and the University’s Estates years has provided scientists with a rare Services Department. They will mitigate Advertising opportunity to study these fascinating any possible disturbance to the sites For details of how to advertise in but elusive birds. Live webcam footage identified and incorporate nest sites into Blueprint, visit www.ox.ac.uk/staff/ at www.oum.ox.ac.uk/swifts.htm is any new builds in these areas. staff_communications/blueprint/ screened throughout the nesting season. advertising In addition to identifying and conserving This year, as part of the Oxford Swift existing nest sites, a new swift tower full City project, we’ll be finding out even of nest boxes will be built later this year. Distribution more about Oxford’s swifts. In 2016 the This will be installed at University Parks If you have any queries about distribution Heritage Lottery Fund granted £83,700 in time for our 2019 visitors. please contact [email protected] to the RSPB and its partners to work on Another strand of the Lottery bid has the two-year Swift City project in Oxford. enabled us here at the museum to develop Feedback With the number of swifts in the UK and deliver free sessions to schools We’d love your feedback about this falling by 47% since 1995, the project – inspiring the younger generation magazine – it will help us to shape future aims to help combat the decline of these about swifts’ natural environment and issues. Please send your comments to iconic birds and learn more about the conservation. These sessions include their [email protected] population that briefly stays here. seasonality, migration habits and the Swifts are truly Olympian birds; landing changing nations and biomes that they fly Please recycle this only to breed, they can fly at least 560 over. publication when miles a day gathering food – sleeping, you have finished We hope this will encourage children eating and even mating on the wing. They reading it. to think about the importance of also rely on humans for their survival, biodiversity, the ecosystems around them nesting almost exclusively in urban and the connections with ecosystems The opinions expressed in Blueprint are areas. But, with the worrying decline in further afield. We also aim to highlight those of the contributors and are not numbers, the swift faces an uncertain conservation as a global issue and that necessarily shared by the University of future. these are not just ‘our’ swifts. They also Oxford. Advertisements are vetted, but One possible cause of the swifts’ belong to and enrich the skies of every the University accepts no responsibility for them and their inclusion does not imply decline may be a lack of nesting sites. nation they pass over, from here to endorsement by the University Demolishing old buildings, or renovations southern Africa, on their epic migration. of the goods or services advertised.

Visit www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/projects/oxford-swift-city to find out more about the Oxford Swift city project – including how to volunteer Printed by Oxuniprint on 135gsm Infoset to record where swifts are flying and nesting

Blueprint | Trinity term 2018 35 (Almost) everything you ever wanted to know about data privacy

If at any time you handle personal data, you need to know how to: collect it share it use it store it The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies from 25 May 2018, giving us an opportunity to strengthen how we handle people’s data.

Find out more about how to make personal data safer: www.ox.ac.uk/dataprivacy

Making personal data safer