OCTOBER 1997

FACE TO FACE WITH BY THE BOOK: NATURE: Fun at the A look back Botanic Garden. Page 9. at an historic year for the FIGHTING FIT: University The Leicester duo fighting Pages 19 to for England. Page 5 21. INSIDE PROPOSALS FOR JOINT MEDICAL SCHOOL THE Universities of Leicester and incorporating in a major fashion the based at Warwick and both to be Warwick are preparing a bid to the Coventry and Warwickshire taught the current Leicester MB Government for a joint Medical hospitals. ChB curriculum, which has recently TIN School. In a joint letter to interested been thoroughly revised to The possible creation of a joint parties in the region, Vice- incorporate the principles undergraduate Medical School is in Chancellor Dr Kenneth Edwards developed by the General Medical anticipation of the strong likelihood and Warwick Vice-Chancellor Council and published in that the Medical Workforce Professor Sir Brian Follett said: ‘Tomorrow’s Doctors’. Standing Advisory Committee will “This collaboration has emerged “We believe this joint recommend that the Government from Leicester’s desire to help development will lead rapidly to a increases significantly the number meet the national need for more genuinely innovative Medical of medical students being educated doctors and Warwick’s long School of a size capable of in the United Kingdom. standing interest in establishing a promoting high quality teaching in le

http://www.le.ac.uk/ At present, Leicester Medical major presence in undergraduate an internationally competitive School has an intake of 175 medicine. research environment through co- students per year. The new “It is envisaged that the joint ordinated further development of proposal would allow an intake Medical School will permit the the strengths of both Universities.” very much greater than that at teaching of two groups of students, The proposal has been present admitted by Leicester, and one based at Leicester and one Continued on page 2

LORD ATTENBOROUGH PAYS TRIBUTE TO DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES

LORD Attenborough paid an of Music will emotional tribute to Diana, be conferred Princess of Wales, at a on Evelyn memorial service held in Glennie, Leicester Cathedral. O.B.E. Lord Attenborough (musician) movingly recalled the and the occasion, on May 27, when degree of the Princess came to the Doctor of University to open the new Letters will Richard Attenborough Centre be conferred for Disability and the Arts. on Neil Flags flew at half-mast Macgregor above the University after Press Association (Director of news of the tragic death of historic occasion. the National Gallery). the Princess. Her visit to A special tribute is planned Members of the University BUL Leicester just weeks earlier on Monday November 10 at are also being invited to was commemorated by a the degree congregation for support the Diana, Princess of special edition of the Bulletin the purpose of awarding Wales Memorial Fund. and the University is honorary degrees to be held (See page 37) considering plans for a in the Richard Attenborough permanent reminder of the Centre. The degree of Doctor Tribute to Princess, see page 3.

BULLETIN: Your award-winning newsletter - Heist Marketing Awards 1996 NEWS

VR SURGERY TECHNIQUE VOLUME 30 NUMBER 1 IS WORLD FIRST A WORLD-first virtual-reality based operation has been developed by researchers at Leicester University and University College London. Professor Peter Bell, head of the Department of OCTOBER 1997 Surgery, hopes to use the technique within eight months to repair damaged arteries, it was revealed NEWS...... 1-13 at the British Association for the Advancement of BUSINESS...... 14 Science conference in Leeds. The technique involves the use of keyhole INTERNATIONAL...... 15-16 surgery to repair a weakened section of the aorta’s OUT & ABOUT...... 17-18 wall. This is currently done using X-rays throughout the operation; surgeons and theatre FEATURES...... 19-21 staff therefore have to wear lead-lined clothes. WELCOME...... 22 The new technique will allow for a virtual patient to be created and for the surgeon to repair FUTURISTIC EXPERTISE: ARTSTOP...... 23 Professor Bell’s technique the weakened section of the aorta - an aneurysm - received nationwide media by following the progress of the surgery on a CUTTINGS...... 24 coverage and could be in monitor. BOOKS...... 25-26 operation within months Professor Bell said that 10,000 people a year are believed to die from ruptured aneurysms in England and Wales. Aortic PEOPLE...... 26-28 aneurysms are presently repaired by placing a stent - a tube of metal - RESEARCH...... 29-34 to support the aorta’s wall and reduce the stress on it. However, the stent has to be traced throughout the surgery using X-rays, and it is this SPORT...... 35 prolonged exposure to radiation that the new technique will help avoid. NOTICES...... 36-37 The new VR systems will allow surgeons to visualise the path of the aorta in the body and the exact location of the aneurysm. The stent is ACADEMIC SERVICES 38-39 monitored as it is taken through the body by magnetic fields emitted CROSSWORD...... Back Page from induction coils on the probe carrying the stent. This, combined with scans of the body, provides the exact location for the stent. BULLETIN The Bulletin aims to publish news and features which inform LEICESTER – WARWICK MEDICAL LINK staff and students of developments affecting the University, and Continued from front cover to report on the decisions of Council and Senate. supported warmly by the Chief Executives of the Coventry and Tell us your news! We welcome stories and pictures from Warwickshire Health Authorities, both because of the potential for individuals and departments, so send your copy to the Editor in improvement of patient services, and also because of the boost it will give to Press and Publications, Registrar’s Office. The closing date for the next issue is Wednesday 15 October for publication in the first the recruitment of doctors in the area and to the relationships that General week in November. The Editor reserves the right to amend or Practitioners will develop with the new joint School. abbreviate copy without notice. The creation of a large Medical School with a strong research base The Bulletin is edited in The Press and Publications Office. providing a wider range of medical expertise available to all three Health Small advertisements (up to 30 words in length) should be Authorities will also have significant benefits in Leicester and Leicestershire. accompanied by cheques, payable to University of Leicester, at the following rates: Approval by the Senates and Councils of both Universities has been given House sales and lettings: £5.00 for further joint discussions, consultations with relevant external bodies, and Other sales and services: £2.00 the preparation of a draft bid document based on the creation of a joint Prices for display advertisements are available on request. Please management structure. contact Kathleen Hughes, Marketing Officer LUSU, extn 1168, to whom all adverts should be sent. Private, non-commercial announcements are carried free of charge, subject to space. The University of Leicester Bulletin includes advertising to Editor: Ather Mirza (Extn 3335) offset production costs. It should be noted that the email: [email protected] University of Leicester does not necessarily adopt or Deputy Editor: Barbara Whiteman (Extn 2676) email: [email protected] endorse the products and services advertised in the People, Books, Research, Cuttings, Notices, Artstop. Bulletin. The Bulletin cannot accept responsibility for any Reporters: Judith Shaw/Jane Pearson errors in advertisements. Design and layout: Julie Bowles The Editor reserves the right to refuse or amend any Pictures: Central Photographic Unit, advertisement. Leicester Mercury, Members of Staff. Printed by Central Reprographic Unit. Newsline: 0116 252 3335 ON-LINE BULLETIN Advertising: 0116 223 1168 Issues of the Bulletin in 1997 are accessible on CWIS via the following web address: http://www.le.ac.uk/bulletin/

2 NEWS

PRINCESS’S VISIT TO UNIVERSITY RECOLLECTED AT MEMORIAL SERVICE MORE than 1,200 people, including members of the University, gathered for a memorial ‘She had this remarkable service at Leicester Cathedral for Diana, and, in my experience, Princess of Wales, where an emotional tribute unique ability to put you at was paid by Lord Attenborough. your ease, making you feel at He recollected the recent visit the Princess that particular moment that had made to the University to officially open you were the one person in the new building for the Richard Attenborough the world to whom she Centre for Disability and the Arts. wished to talk.’ Speaking to a packed congregation, including Lord Attenborough dignitaries from throughout the city and county, Lord Attenborough told how much the visit had meant to the Princess and reiterated sentiments he had expressed a few days earlier in an article he wrote for The Times: “My most poignant memory of that event is the 25 Press Association minutes she spent with a group of severely QUEEN OF HEARTS: The Princess won the admiration of hundreds of people gathered outside the disabled young people, many with cerebral RAC – as well as those inside. palsy and in wheelchairs, who involved her in their dance display. There were no cameras, Dr Eleanor Hartley said: “I understand that the no onlookers - just Eleanor [Hartley], the Princess’s visit to the Richard Attenborough dancers, their helpers and me. This I shall Centre was one of her last public events. We never forget and neither, of course, will the were all very moved by that occasion. The dancers.” Princess of Wales was particularly good at Lord speaking to students on a one-to-one basis and Attenborough her conversation was peppered with laughter had known the and jokes. It seems particularly poignant now.” Princess ever The memorial service, based on the funeral since the early and, in my experience, service, also included tributes from members of days of her unique ability to put you the Muslim, Sikh and Hindu communities in marriage, when at your ease, making you Leicester. Prayers and readings were led by Prince Charles feel at that particular representatives of groups particularly had asked him moment that you were associated with the Princess of Wales, including to coach her in the one person in the Canon Margaret Morris, Diocesan Chaplain for public speaking. world to whom she People affected by HIV, Her Majesty’s Lord- Lieutenant, a young mother and young person He paid tribute Press Association wished to talk.” to her charitable Her visit to Leicester from the congregation, representatives from work, particularly in regard to land mine University was to be the last time Lord Churches Together in Leicestershire, and the victims, her sense of humour, honesty, Attenborough saw her. For him, as for all of us Provost of the Cathedral. kindness, humanity and above all to what he who were present, it is a memory to cherish. termed her empathy. “She had this remarkable Director of the Richard Attenborough Centre

VICE-CHANCELLOR TO HOLD UNIVERSITY-WIDE MEETINGS Wednesday, 29 October 1997 review of its own strategic aims. The next stage of this will be the 12.30 pm -1.30 pm: Clerical/Technical/Ancillary preparation of a consultation document at the beginning of the Autumn 1.45 pm - 2.45 pm: Academic/Academic Related term. The open meetings I have convened will provide an opportunity for LECTURE THEATRE 1 me to outline my current thoughts on the future strategy for the NEW BUILDING University and to hear some immediate responses as a preliminary to the very wide consultation which will happen during the term. THE Dearing Committee has now reported and the Government has In order to give a roughly equal divide of staff I have suggested that two announced its plans to make students responsible for part of the costs of meetings would be appropriate; the first for clerical, technical and ancillary tuition. In the August edition of Bulletin I identified what seemed to me to staff and the second for academic and related staff. If, however, you find be the recommendations of the Dearing Report most likely to have a you are unable to attend at a particular time, please do feel free to attend major impact upon the University. At the same time as the Dearing at the alternative time. Committee has been deliberating, the University has been engaged in a

3 NEWS HUMAN PLACENTA HELPS UNDERSTANDING OF CANCER

A TRANS-ATLANTIC research structure of the ‘on’ structural studies conducted at project is using a protein found in and ‘off’ forms of Leicester University by both the placenta to help scientists to Cdc42Hs. These, Professor Gordon Roberts and understand what triggers cell he says, have given Professor Bob Liddington and their growth to go out of control, partial insight into colleagues on other proteins causing cancers. the mode of controlling cell growth. Dr Mike Sutcliffe of the operation of this In the United States the Chemistry Department is protein. research group identified the collaborating on the study with Recently, the protein, extracting it from the colleagues working at Cornell Leicester/United placenta, and then looked at its University and the Harvard States teams have function. In Leicester, Dr Sutcliffe Medical School tested the precision took this information and used in the United of the model, using computer-based methods to States. the technique of examine the structural details of “Cell growth SWITCHED ON: Dr Mike Sutcliffe of the NMR (Nuclear the protein. in the human Chemistry Department has developed Magnetic Identification of the protein was body, or in any computer-based methods to examine human Resonance) the important initial discovery but protein in order to try and gain an animal or plant, understanding of the causes of cancer Spectroscopy, which now the task is to discover and is regulated by has produced a target exactly where the changes certain protein much clearer picture occur and which drugs can be used molecules controls growth of of the actual 3-D structure. to stop the wayward cell growth. which act as the placenta is a The work complements the biological protein called switches,” Cdc42Hs. How explained Dr this protein works DIANE OVERCOMES CANCER Sutcliffe. “In is not fully humans, this understood, but a TO GAIN FIRST CLASS DEGREE can lead to STUDY: An impression of the molecular knowledge of its A LOCAL woman has overcome switch Cdc42Hs, showing in dark grey cancer if a those regions which change position 3-D molecular cancer to gain a first class degree mutation in the between the ‘on’ and ‘off’ forms structure provides in Psychology from the University. protein turns a greater Diane Wildbur (42) joined the the ‘molecular switch’ permanently understanding of its function.” Psychology Department as a ‘on’. In Leicester, Dr Sutcliffe has mature student in 1993. In “During human pregnancy, one developed computer-based December 1995 she was of the molecular switches which models to predict the molecular diagnosed as having breast cancer and had a mastectomy soon after at Glenfield General Hospital. “I STUDY INTO QUALITY can’t ever remember thinking why me? but I do remember thinking OF CARE why now?” said Diane. CANCER patients in Leicestershire are to be consulted about the Diane’s treatment meant that quality of their care. she had to defer her course for a Researchers at the Eli Lilly National Clinical Audit Centre in the year but she was soon back at her studies and was awarded first class Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care are honours at this year’s degree ceremony. developing a questionnaire about patients’ views of cancer “That put the icing on the cake for me”, said Diane, “but I couldn’t services. Important issues which will be covered in the have done it without the staff at the University and Glenfield Hospital questionnaire include how much information patients are given, and of course all my friends who were always there when I needed the way that the cancer diagnosis is given, and the degree to them”. Diane was also helped by Bosom Friends, the Cancer Support which doctors, nurses and other staff respect patients’ needs and Group. wishes. Diane, a keen canoeist, decided to share some of her skills with The questionnaire will be used from the end of the year as part members of Bosom Friends in a sponsored paddle day. The event took of the accreditation of cancer services across the Trent region, place on 9 August at Hinckley Water Activities Training Centre and where centres/units providing cancer services will be evaluated on raised £1,000 for the Glenfield Breast Care Appeal which aims to build both the quality of the medical care they provide, and on patients’ a new unit on the hospital site. views about the care they receive. “I was pleased to pass on some of the sheer pleasure I get from Two of the researchers, Carolyn Preston and Alison Wynn, canoeing - and raise some money in the process”, said Diane. visited Oncology Clinics at Leicester Royal Infirmary during August “If anyone would like to make a donation to the appeal, please send and September to ask patients to fill in a questionnaire about their a cheque, payable to The Breast Care Appeal, c/o Glenfield General care. From mid September, patients from Nottingham and Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9QP”, said Diane. Sheffield were also be asked to fill in the questionnaire. The study Peter Allen is funded by the NHSE (Trent).

4 NEWS DUO FIGHTS FOR HELEN IS A GLADIATOR PSYCHOLOGY graduate ENGLAND Helen Martin beat off competition from 25,000 TWO members of the University time here at Leicester University applicants to win a place will be fighting for England after - the karate instructor here is as a contender on the winning selection for the national one of the most respected in the popular TV show squad in karate. field. I am already a black belt Gladiators. Claire Burton (23) has and the instructor, Sensei Rick Helen will be seen on combined academic achievement Jackson 7th Dan, has passed on our TV screens in the with sporting excellence - she is many skills to me.” Autumn as she undergoes currently reading for her PhD in Adam echoed the sentiment: “I the gruelling competition Physical Geography after gaining have been involved in karate for which is a test of stamina, her first degree in Geography at a decade, and the tutor at strength and agility. Leicester. Leicester is exceptional - Helen, who worked as Adam Brunton, a researcher in certainly one of the best in the a step and aerobics the Department of Physics and country.” instructor at the Astronomy, was selected for Claire trained four times a University during the England in the kumite section of week at organised sessions at the summer, said the the martial arts combat. University and trained a further selection procedure was Claire has become the two times by herself: “The also very gruelling - Amateur Martial Associations’ training has given me great including an 800 metre national champion in Kata, a discipline and self-control and it run, chin-ups, rope series of specialised moves has been invaluable in helping me climb, interviews and combining blocks and attacks in with my studies. more. different directions, and has also “It has helped me reduce But it was all worth it: “It is absolutely been selected to represent stress, become more focused - as fantastic - the most exciting thing I have ever done!” exclaimed Helen. England in kumite. She came well as being generally calmer third in the women’s plus-60kg and happier. I also feel more section of the karate confident and safer when I am championships organised by the out and about.” FORUM FOR RESEARCH Amateur Martial Associations. A delighted Claire said: “I am INTO AGEING ecstatic - this is a great ACADEMICS and medics October 1997 in the achievement. I owe it all to my from across Leicester are Postgraduate Centre at coming together in a new Leicester General Hospital forum for research into from 1.00 pm. The ageing, the first of its kind in programme will include the city. several talks describing The forum for ageing current research, as well as research is being organised discussion of common by Dr Carol Jagger themes and ways of (Epidemiology) and Dr establishing collaboration in Stuart Parker (Medicine for ageing research in Leicester. the Elderly), in order to There is still room for establish a multidisciplinary anybody else who would like group promoting to get involved with what is information exchange and hoped to be a developing collaborations across the resource.. various disciplines For further information associated with this area. and an application form, Feedback on the idea has please contact Dr Carol been extremely welcoming Jagger, Senior Lecturer, so far, with almost 30 Department of professionals, from fields as Epidemiology and Public far apart as Sociology, Health, 22-28 Princess Road History, Psychiatry and West, Leicester, LE1 6TP Ophthalmology, already (email [email protected]). agreeing to take part. The first meeting of the forum will be held on 29 TOP FORM: Adam Brunton and Claire Burton have been selected for England in karate

5 NEWS CELL TRANSPLANT NEW UNIVERSITY DIVISION OF CURE FOR DIABETES GASTROENTEROLOGY OPENS SCIENTISTS from the University cells sometimes fail to produce NEW £400,00 laboratory facilities at Leicester General Hospital were are searching for a cure for insulin and in doing so cause officially opened in June. The facilities are the result of a joint venture diabetes. Their research, for the diabetes,” she added. between Leicester General Hospital and Leicester University Medical British Diabetic Association “Transplanting islets offers great School to appoint a Professor of Gastroenterology and to establish (BDA), is looking for ways of potential for a cure for future dedicated laboratory facilities at the hospital. successfully isolating insulin generations of people with The facilities include a fully equipped research laboratory, a clinical producing cells for transplanting diabetes.” investigation area and office accommodation. It was funded by the into the bodies of people with It is estimated that islet Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Foundation and will allow diabetes who cannot produce transplantation offers hope of a studies on stomach ulcers and bowel conditions. natural insulin. cure to some 250,000 people The University Division of Gastroenterology based at Leicester General The results of this and other with insulin dependent diabetes. Hospital is headed by Professor Raymond Playford who joined the studies were highlighted by the Campaign for a Cure aims to hospital in March 1996. He is supported by four scientists who undertake BDA to mark the 40th raise £1 million initially to spend laboratory-based research and two clinical scientists who undertake anniversary of the setting up of on leading edge research patient-based research. its Research Fund. The BDA projects expected to deliver launched Campaign for a Cure - significant breakthroughs in the its most ambitious fundraising fight against diabetes over the appeal to date - during National next 10-20 years. But millions Diabetes Week in the summer. more are needed if the BDA is to “Beta Cells, which are part of increase the pace of progress and the Islets of Langerhans in the avoid having to turn away pancreas, produce insulin that is growing numbers of research so vital for processing glucose proposals because of lack of from our food,” explained cash. researcher Sue Swift, of the Department of Surgery. “These

PICTURE OF HEALTH AT MELTON A LEICESTERSHIRE town famed for its pork pies and hunting is OPENING: Professor Playford is pictured with Professor Herman Dowling, the President of the British Society of Gastroenterology, who officially opened the new laboratories, and providing the model for health studies around the world. research associate Denis Calnan. For nearly two decades Melton Mowbray has been the site for a series of studies looking at the changing health of older people. The findings from this research have been published in medical GENE DISCOVERY TEAM journals and presented at conferences around the world. Researchers from the University’s Medical Faculty are AWARDED FUNDING involved in community based studies and recently presented DOCTORS at the University have US to maximise resources in details of their studies at the International Day for the Elderly achieved a breakthrough by order to isolate the defective gene on October 1. identifying in British families the for this lethal disease as quickly as Working with the doctors at Latham House Medical Practice, location of the gene responsible possible. The team also believes Tony Arthur, a researcher from the University, said: “Melton is for the condition primary that the work will provide an ideal site for the community-based studies that have been pulmonary hypertension, which is valuable information on a number carried out over the years. frequently fatal. Now Dr Richard of other vascular (blood vessel) “The town is served by one general practice and the age Trembath and Dr Michaela Aldred diseases including essential breakdown of the population is very similar to that of the have been awarded a grant of hypertension (high blood pressure country as a whole. This means that the local findings can be £143,639 by the British Heart with no obvious origin). generalised to a national level.” Foundation to continue their “Finding the location of the Annual health checks for over-75s, depression, and eye studies and isolate the defective faulty gene was like finding a studies are among the research projects being undertaken in gene which has been located on needle in a haystack. We can now the town. Bina Donegan, a researcher involved in the Melton chromosome 2. concentrate our search for the Eye Study in the University Division of Ophthalmology, said: Although the condition is rare needle in a single bale rather than “We are investigating eye disease among those aged between (approximately 1 in 200,000), its the whole haystack. This is a real 55 and 74 to detect changes in the eye that may occur as a symptoms, which include breakthrough and our findings will result of ageing. We are particularly interested in the link breathlessness, fatigue and chest be extremely important for the between diet and eye problems.” pain, can be severely debilitating. management of PPH families”, Mr Arthur added: “Researchers involved in similar work Dr Trembath, of the Genetics concluded Dr Trembath. outside of Melton are very envious of our high response rates.” Department, and his team are collaborating with doctors in the

6 NEWS

COLD COMFORT THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF WASTE COMBUSTION PRODUCTS THE Institute for Environment and Health at the University has published a new report Health Effects of Waste Combustion Products looking at the possible health effects associated with the incineration of waste. Each year the UK disposes of about 25 million tonnes of municipal solid waste material (household and commercial), of which over 80% goes into landfill sites in the UK. It has been estimated that the energy content of the waste could produce 4000 MW of electricity — enough to supply the needs of 6.5 million homes. The burning process produces gases and other substances which are released into the environment, and the health effects of these emissions need to be clearly understood. The Institute’s report looks at the potential health effects of ten of the numerous pollutants produced by the combustion of municipal, chemical, sewage and clinical waste. The ten pollutants, selected on the grounds of NOT TO BE SNIFFED AT: Research carried out by Dr Mike McKean will further the likely exposure and known toxicity, are five metals — cadmium, understanding of how the common cold affects people mercury, arsenic, chromium and nickel, three organic compounds — dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated A RESEARCH fellow from the time off work, but for children it biphenyls (PCBs), and also fine particles (PM10) and sulphur dioxide. University is investigating the can mean hospital admission, Dr The report concludes that, although these pollutants have been shown effects of the common cold. McKean said. to cause disease or ill-health in circumstances where levels have been Dr Mike McKean has been Dr McKean, a research fellow generally far higher than those arising from waste combustion, there is no infecting volunteers with the virus, with the University’s Department consistent evidence to suggest that people living close to incinerators then put them through a series of of Child Health at Leicester Royal have more ill-health or disease than the general population. tests, all in a bid to find out more Infirmary, is working with adult Nonetheless the report recognises the paucity of current data on the about colds and treatments. It is volunteers within the age range of health effects of these pollutants at background environmental levels hoped that the specialist study, 18 and 40. He said: “The (singly and in mixtures) and calls for more research in this area. The which will look specifically at department has a strong interest in report makes two specific recommendations: people who suffer breathing child respiratory diseases and this In any future research, there should be more emphasis on studying problems when they catch a cold, study is to find out more about the personal exposure of individuals living near incinerators. will offer hope for children who people who, when they have a As different chemical forms of the metals may have varying effects on become desperately ill when they common cold, also develop health, there is a need for more studies which will investigate the exact have a cold. Some 2- 6% of the breathing problems. These aren’t nature of these pollutants in the environment. population are thought to suffer people who have problems with breathing problems when they asthma, they only have breathing have a cold. For adults, it can mean problems when they have a cold.” LIFTING THE LID BULLETIN MARKS OFF TOPIC 30TH YEAR BULLETIN begins the 30th volume of its publication this month - although a University staff magazine has been in existence for much longer. “Volume Number 1 of the present Bulletin was produced in 1968 on type-written sheets with a soft plain cover and consisted of staff announcements and research grants,” said Liz Davies from the Archives section of the Registrar’s Office. Liz, a former deputy editor of the Bulletin, added: “The University College produced a Gazette - the first volume coming out in January 1952. This contained diary dates and awards - and was charged at threepence a copy. The University’s first Gazette came out in October 1957, priced at sixpence. By April 1971, the Gazette cost 5p and the last copy of the Gazette, No.39, came out in October 1974.” Liz added: “The first of the original Bulletins was produced in October 1965 and the last in July 1968 before making way for the modern Alcopops, New Drinks New Dangers?, a conference held at the Bulletin.” University, attracted national media attention and speakers from Bulletin went on line in January 1997 and has won second prize on two across the country. Dr Doug Cameron, front left, of the occasions (1992 and 1996) in a national competition for higher education Department of Psychiatry, is pictured with speakers and publications. delegates at the conference.

7 NEWS

LECTURER WINS ‘AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE’

DR ANGELA LENNOX, of the Department of ■ provide facilities for training healthcare Teaching Centre, named after the Dean of the General Health and Primary Health Care, is the professionals University’s Faculty of Medicine. first winner of the prestigious new Marshall St Matthew’s Centre, a £1.7million centre The Centre was opened in July 1996 by His Marinker Award for Excellence in General largely funded and Royal Highness, Prince Philip, and has already Practice, intended to recognise and encourage supported by the Fosse enabled a vast innovation and leadership in primary care. Health NHS Trust, now improvement in the range The award was announced by Sir Donald offers a large public and quality of clinical and Irvine, President of The General Medical Council meeting area, coffee social care for the and Chairman of the judging panel, at a shop, play area and community who are celebration dinner. community rooms. The encouraged to become Dr Lennox, a part-time lecturer, has been centre also houses: A involved on a voluntary basis instrumental in conceiving and developing a local GP surgery, drug and and to take ownership of the community “centre” for an economically and alcohol advice centre, project. St Matthew’s socially deprived inner city estate, St Matthew’s. community mental Centre will now be formally While practising in this area, Dr Lennox health team, evaluated over a three year recognised that many of the health problems of optometrist, period to assess the real people living in St Matthew’s were inextricably community paediatric difference it has made to the linked with a high prevalence of poor housing, services, speech and quality of life in the area. social disadvantage and violence. language therapy Dr Lennox was nominated She carried out basic research to establish the services, community for this award by Professor needs of the community and has pioneered the dental services, Robin Fraser, Head of the development of the St Matthew’s Centre - a new chiropody services, AWARD WINNER: Department of General Dr Lennox with her award and multi-functional and purpose-designed building local police office, Professor Robin Fraser, right, and Professor Marinker, Practice and Primary Health aimed to: benefits agency, formerly of the University Care at the University. He said: ■ improve the health, educational and social voluntary groups “I nominated Dr Lennox because needs of the local residents such as Shelter, Home Start and of her vision, determination, ■ create an environment where different Relate, local colleges of education to provide skills enterprise and commitment in conceiving and organisations can work together and can involve training for local residents. almost single-handedly bringing to fruition the St the local community in this work The Centre also includes the Frank Harris Matthew’s Project.” He added: “In pursuing her dream, Dr Lennox has successfully managed to motivate and involve NEW CROSS FOR CHAPLAINCY the local residents in the project. THIRTY people gathered in this group project several symbol of the Christian faith, To maximise the potential of the the chapel to take part in the designs were submitted to represents “the love of God project beyond that of service dedication of a clay Cross by the Chaplaincy, who chose for the whole of creation,” delivery, Dr Lennox ensured that University Chaplains. the Roman Cross, designed said the Rev’d Ian McIntosh. the centre would also act as a focus The sculpture was designed by Roy Spark and executed “It is a fitting symbol for our of multi-agency teaching experience and produced by students of by Jean Macdonald. work in the University and for health professionals at both the University’s Richard The Cross, the central has become our Chaplaincy undergraduate and postgraduate Attenborough logo.” stages. Centre for “The project took two “Furthermore, Dr Lennox has Disability and the years to come to fruition and used her academic credentials to Arts, under the the end result is a fitting contribute to a scientific evaluation watchful eye of tribute to the patience and of the project which is being Organising Tutor skill of the students who undertaken by a multi-disciplinary for Art, Rachel made it, many of whom are academic team over a three year Sullivan, who visually impaired and so period.” retired at the end unable to see the fruits of This annual award of £5,000 has of August. their work. been established by Merck Sharp The Cross was “The project has also been and Dohme in recognition of the the result of a a very worthwhile work of Marshall Marinker who Richard partnership between the directed the MSD Foundation and Attenborough Centre and the Chaplaincy,” retired as Director of Medical workshop, in which he concluded. Education at MSD in 1995. a group of students The service was the last in Professor Marinker was was taught the SYMBOL: The clay Roman Cross, which has become the the Chaplaincy for both Foundation Professor of General language of Celtic Chaplaincy logo, located in the Chapel where students from Roman Catholic Chaplains to Practice and Head of Community the Richard Attenborough Centre, members of staff and knotwork. Out of the University. Health at the University from 1973 friends gathered for the dedication ceremony to 1982.

8 NOTICES

MUSIC BY HAYDN, DVORAK & THE ART OF MUSIC SIR MICHAEL TIPPETT

THE University has announced national music. the new season of premiere “The Lindsays have a special chamber music concerts which relationship with the quartets matches the Philharmonia of Sir Michael Tippett. They Orchestra’s residency at the commissioned and premiered De Montfort Hall. the Fifth and have recently Instead of experiencing the released all five on two CDs. majestic sounds of Tchaikovsky It will be a privilege to hear or Richard Strauss, visitors can them played in turn. get to the nub of musical Challenging they may be, but expression by watching four rewarding they certainly are.” brilliant technicians playing as To open the series on 15 one. October, the Lindsays are Speaking about the recitals, joined by the Leeds Anthony Pither, Director of International Piano Music at the University, said : Competition prizewinner, “Haydn’s six quartets Opus 76 Kathryn Stott, a pianist every mark his achievement in this bit as dynamic as the Lindsays field. At their centre comes themselves. “Their the famous Emperor quartet performance of Dvorák’s Piano with Haydn’s variations on the Quintet will certainly lift our Kaiser’s Hymn. Dvorák’s spirits,” Anthony Pither quartets are heartfelt in their added. IN HARMONY: Anthony Pither with Ho Law allegiance to Bohemia, and in The Lindsays form part of the American Quartet, a sense the University’s new concert of nostalgia - being away from season which starts on Friday ART lovers in Leicestershire and `What is the cutting edge of art?’, his homeland - becomes fused 19 September. beyond are being invited to and includes various contributions with a celebration of American communicate their passion for and discussions on the subject, the subject through a new journal including a foreword written by produced by a Leicester Anthony Pither, Director of Music postgraduate student. at Leicester University. BLOOMING MARVELLOUS! Ho Law - who already has “The cutting edge is to be three bachelor degrees - is found in each individual artist - I currently completing his PhD in have made an attempt to show Spatial Information in the that anyone can be at the cutting Geography Department. edge of art by making this often But he has also found time for elitist world more available to other interests, including his love everyone.” of music and art which he has Having drawn since childhood, combined in a unique way. For Ho took the decision to become Ho Law has spent many hours a serious artist in 1989. Since then enjoying the lunchtime concerts he has channelled his free time put on by the University’s Music and energy into making art department - and drawing the accessible to others. Ho holds a musicians in action. His work is strong belief that art is an currently being exhibited on the essential part of everyday life 10th floor of the University’s which can bring people together Charles Wilson building. and broaden their outlook on life. Ho has now produced a In order to help realise this belief, newsletter, entitled ‘The Cutting Ho set up the Peterborough Edge’, for artists and he aims to School of Art in 1993 and THE Botanic Garden once again played host to a sale of choice bring his passion and energy for organised the first international rare and unusual plants organised by the Leicestershire group art to others. Hyperconference of Arts which of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Said Ho: “I want each took place at Peterborough Gardens. The specialist fair at the Oadby Gardens in Stoughton newsletter to discuss a different Museum and Art Gallery and Drive South raised £2,000 and attracted 1,000 people. This area of contemporary issues in Spalding River Bank Studios year gardeners were again able to buy plants supplied by more the art world. This first edition is earlier this month. than 20 small and specialist nurseries. concerned with the subject Jenny Fry

9 NEWS UNIQUE CENTRE IN HISTORY LAUNCHED

THE University launched a unique centre DIVERSITY: History of reflecting the multi-cultural and multi-faith Leicester is a melting Religions: the nature of the city. pot of faiths and Geza Vermes “Its purpose is to develop notions of cultures from around Lectures. the world. The Hindu, citizenship and world citizenship through proper This series of Sikh and Jain Festival understanding of pluralism”, explained Professor of Lights, Diwali, is books will be Richard Bonney, who is course director of the celebrated in the city developed in new Centre for the History of Religions, Inter- with sparkling parallel to the Faith Dialogue and illuminations Geza Vermes Pluralism. Lectures and The activities of the will be Centre are focused published by on the nature of the Leicester principal world University religions and resulting established in 1994 Press and Cassell Academic. The series is cultural under the patronage of intended as a significant contribution to an area distinctiveness; the His Royal Highness of history which is increasingly recognised as vital history of interaction Crown Prince El to an understanding of many crucial world between these Hassan bin Talal of issues. “The University of Leicester, therefore, religions and the Jordan. has before it an unrivalled opportunity to opportunities and The Crown Prince address some of the most pressing concerns of obstacles for dialogue has enthusiastically our time”, said Professor Bonney. between them. welcomed and The Centre for the History of Religions, Inter- “The new Centre supported Leicester’s Faith Dialogue and Pluralism, which is located in FORGING LINKS: The Leicester Society for Inter-Cultural aims to discover, Understanding is among the many organisations associated new Centre since its the Department of History, is launching jointly through the study of with the new centre in History. Signing the agreement is the inception, and he with the Department of Politics a new MA theory and history, Registrar and Secretary of the University Mr Keith Julian and asked a Senior course in Pluralism and Cultural Identity. Full- the relationship the Rev’d David Clark, chairman of the Society. Also pictured Researcher in his time students will study for one year and part- between religion, left to right are:, Professor Bill Brock; Professor Bonney and Office, Mrs Randa timers for two years. The Centre will also host Mr Asaf Hussain, secretary of the Society. cultural identity, Mukhar, to attend the a seminar in the field of religious and political ethnicity, state Centre’s Inaugural pluralism in association with Leicester’s Society formation and national identity”, said Professor Lecture on his behalf. Professor Bonney, is the for Inter-Cultural Understanding. Bonney. One of the Centre’s main purposes is Editor of the new Leicester Studies in the to attract distinguished researchers from outside Leicester to the University. The Centre hosted the annual Geza Vermes SEMINAR PROGRAMME Lecture in the History of Religions, an important The Society for Inter-Cultural Understanding (SICUL), which was founded in 1992, is a voluntary, public occasion, when leading academics present non-profit making cultural organisation which seeks to be representative of different faiths and their subject area to a general audience. On 28 cultures across the City of Leicester and its environs. Membership is open to all and entitles May, Professor Vermes, who is Professor members to advance notice of all events. Emeritus of Jewish Studies at the University of In the first instance, collaboration between the Centre and SICUL will focus on organising jointly a Oxford and the world’ s foremost scholar on the seminar called ‘Forum on Issues in Pluralism and Cultural Identity’. This will meet six times a year in Dead Sea Scrolls, delivered the inaugural lecture the University of Leicester. It will be open to interested colleagues, members of the public, of the Centre on “The Discovery of the Dead members of SICUL and to graduate students. A joint newsletter will appear three times a year, with Sea Scrolls: 50 Years On”, thereby also the Editorial team provided from the Centre, with appropriate advice and input from SICUL. inaugurating the annual lectures named after Subsequently, other collaborative ventures will concentrate on the multi-cultural and multi-faith him. Dr Julius Lipner, Director of the Dharam dimension of the Centre’s activities, including its M. A. programme, and the objectives of SICUL. Hinduja Institute of Indic Research in the Centre for Advanced Religious and Theological Studies of the University of Cambridge, has agreed to FORUM ON ISSUES IN PLURALISM AND CULTURAL IDENTITY 1997-8 SESSION deliver the annual lecture in 1998 on an aspect All meetings take place in the Octagon Room, Leicester University Chaplaincy at 5.15 p.m. of the history of Hinduism. Students, University Staff and members of SICUL are invited. There will be short presentations The Centre aims to develop links with other (about 20 minutes), followed by refreshments and discussion. academic bodies representing the study of the A £1 charge will be asked for to cover refreshments and publicity for the series. main world religions. 8 October 'What is pluralism?': Dr Ian Harris and Professor Richard Bonney The first example of such collaboration is with 5 November 'What is cultural identity?': Revd David Clark and Asaf Hussain the Islamic Foundation, which is focused on the 3 December 'What is multi-culturalism?': Dr Ashok Jethwa and Mrs Sue Walls relationship between Islam and the West and the 14 January 1998 ' Pluralism in European Cities Today': Paul Winstone issue of pluralism in Islam. The Centre intends 11 February 1998 'Cultural Pluralism and Asian Identities in Britain’: Dr Gurharpal Singh to maintain contacts with the Royal Institute of 11 March 1998 'The Global Ethic: a start or a blind alley?': Revd Alan Race Inter-Faith Studies, Amman, which was

10 NEWS TACKLING RACISM RESEARCHERS TURN TO SUN FOR CLUES A UNIVERSITY medical research patients’ symptoms worsen team is looking to the sun for greatly on exposure to sunlight. clues in the search for a cure for Antibodies to the body’s own the crippling and incurable disease tissues are also found in the Lupus. circulation of people exposed to Staff in the Centre for certain drugs and toxic chemicals Mechanisms of Human Toxicity for long periods of time. are studying the “Fortunately this is relationship between fairly uncommon and sunshine and toxic we know about these chemicals and why the sorts of adverse drug two poison the body’s effects and some of immune system. these drugs are no The disease, which longer used. In the case attacks the immune of the drug-induced system through a disease stopping taking variety of symptoms CARING: Logo of The the drug results in rapid ON THE BALL: Organisers Jon Garland and Mike Rowe at the City stadium with conference ranging from muscle Arthritis and cessation of symptoms. speakers pain and kidney disease Rheumatism Council Nevertheless along with to miscarriages and UV light the drugs are THE Scarman Centre held a conference examining recent initiatives heart problems, affects more than proving useful in our laboratory designed to tackle racism in British football. 20,000 people in the UK. investigations into the mechanisms More than 100 delegates from across Europe attended the event, The disease is mainly caused involved in Lupus.” which received national media coverage. It followed the announcement when the immune system The Arthritis and Rheumatism of the establishment of a Football Task Force to examine key issues of becomes overactive and attacks Council, the medical research concern within the game. its own tissues and the normally charity funding the £91,000 Dr Mike Rowe, conference organiser, said: “From the outset, it has defensive antibodies produced project over the next three years, been made clear that one of the most significant problems to be attack body tissue. highlighted the strides taken in addressed is racism within the sport. Dr Karl Herbert, a chemical Lupus research, during its “Although the infamous chanting that blighted the game during the pathology lecturer, said: “Some research week in June. 1970s and 80s now seems to be all but eradicated from football matches, there is still reason to believe that racism within the game continues. “The new Task Force offers an exciting STUDENTS GET CONNECTED opportunity to change football for the better. The REGIONAL communications company Diamond Cable is to install telephones in student rooms at entire game can reap great rewards from the University as part of a £5m ten-year deal with the University. eradicating racism and encouraging all sections of The state-of-the-art network will enable students to receive incoming messages and make the community to live matches. However, these outgoing calls from their own rooms, instead of sharing communal pay phones. goals can only be achieved if football clubs and All outgoing calls will be made with a pre-paid phonecard, offering significant savings compared authorities develop imaginative proactive to traditional pay-phones. The phonecards will be available in £3, £5 and £10 denominations and approaches. will be widely available across the university. “The conference provided an ideal opportunity The new network will also enable students to telephone fellow students free of charge, and to learn from others’ experience and develop leave messages for each other via the voice-mail service. strategies to force new links with all groups in Mr Keith Julian, Registrar and Secretary of the University, said: “The University recognises this society.” as an important development reflecting our commitment to providing high quality services for our The conference considered the nature and student members. extent of the problem and the role of the game’s “These new facilities represent a major advance. In addition to providing a cost-effective administrators, fans, the police and local telephone service facilitating contact with friends and relatives, the network opens up the authorities. Conference co-organiser Jon Garland possibility of access to the Internet via students’ personal computers. said: “The success of the conference indicates that “This development also means that conferences using the University will have improved those in the game are, at last, beginning to take facilities - the University is already a centre of attraction for many major events and this additional the problem seriously.” resource will enhance our reputation.” Speakers at the conference included Piara Diamond Cable already provides a series of integrated fibre circuits for the transmission of data Power and Ben Tegg of the Kick It! campaign, Eric within the University. Stephen Rowles, Executive Director at Diamond Cable, said: “We are Dunning of the University’s Centre for Research delighted with this contract win which further demonstrates the success we’re having in providing into Sport and Society and Brendon Batson of the services for the larger organisations in Leicester.” Professional Footballers’ Association. The first phase of the system will connect 1061 students and will be in place by the end of October. The network is expected to be complete by the beginning of the next academic year in October 1998.

11 NEWS STUDY ON TV INFLUENCE STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF THE FAMILY RESEARCH carried out for the Broadcasting and unacceptable, good and bad, right and effectively in anti-drug education programmes. Standards Council by Professor Jim Halloran wrong. What might be termed ‘law-abiding Teachers were not highly regarded in this or in and his colleagues at the Centre for Mass inclinations’ with regard to property, honesty other aspects of ‘social education’.” Communication Research stresses the and certain forms of violence appeared to be There was a general acceptance that importance of family relationships in related to a positive dynamic family ethos; this television could be influential, but there were determining the influence of television and is irrespective of television marked differences on the nature and scope of other media. consumption.” that influence. On the whole it was ‘other The research Professor Halloran people’(not the ‘well educated’, or those from confirmed that it is found that closely related ‘good families’) who were considered misleading to talk to the family situation susceptible to influence. Few felt that they, about “the family” - were differences in themselves, or their children had every been there are marked overall lifestyles: “Some influenced, and certainly not negatively. Those differences from of the young people few who admitted to influence emphasised the family to family at all enjoyed an extensive and impact of advertising and to display of affluent relevant levels - varied range of leisure lifestyles, particularly with regard to clothes values, interests, and social pursuits. and fashion. There were even suggestions that attitudes, upbringing, They had plenty to do, this could contribute to theft and dishonesty discipline, views about and consequently had for those relatively deprived in an “unequal, television, control of less time for television, unjust, materialistic society”. viewing, education, which was not a central Professor Halloran said: “Overall the facilities, opportunities, feature in their lives. research confirms that television is seen as an etc. Both television and the important institution, with a potential for As far as the use of family must be seen in influence both good and bad. However, this is television and the this wider social not likely to be a direct influence. The medium Study on TV by Professor Halloran. implications of that use FAMILY ETHOS: context.” rarely, if ever, does anything on its own. The are concerned, the most He added there was quite a nature, direction and extent of what influence it striking and important differences were not widespread parental concern about violence in has is obviously not unrelated to what it with regard to family size, or even family society, and many thought that there was too provides, but the attitutdian and behavioural structure (e.g. single parent), but to overall much violence on television, although there outcomes will be determined by the interaction family ethos - the dynamics of the relationships were few in either generation who considered with non-media factors of which families, with and interactions within the family. that television was mainly responsible for a their varied ethos, are likely to be the most Professor Halloran said: “The importance violent society. prominent. within the family of parents and children having “Sex and pornography, not violence, were “A lesson that may be learned from this similar interests, of discussing television and the main reasons given by both the young research is the recognition that, although related issues and problems of simply talking, people and their parents for parental control of television and the other media must be made eating, going out and having holidays together is viewing, where this occurred. The accountable and accept their responsibilities, relevant not only with regard to the amount overwhelming parental concern was with there is a danger in using them as scapegoats. and nature of television viewing (which are not drugs, which they felt that they did not The real causes of our social problems may be in themselves crucial), but to attitudes and understand. Some thought that television and overlooked if the messenger is solely blamed behaviour as to what is regarded as acceptable the other media should be used more for the message.” STUDY HIGHLIGHTS LACK OF ‘MAGIC MOMENTS’ THE National Curriculum has were more rare. interpreted in various ways, mainly cautious in their requests for any severely limited opportunities for The Use of Discretionary Time in for increasing time for maths and future revision of the existing ‘magic moments’ between pupils the Primary School was a study into numeracy rather than for adding programmes of study,” the and teachers, a study by the how primary schools interpreted subjects which were not part of reports states. University’s School of Education the notion of discretionary time, the core curriculum. In making several has found. and how this related to the The study found that heads felt recommendations, the report Research commissioned by the amount of time given to different stressed and under pressure while concludes: “This survey indicates National Union of Teachers and subjects. many teachers felt primary school that if the Government is serious carried out by Professor Maurice The decision to allocate 20 per was now a less enjoyable in its determination to raise Galton and Professor Ken cent of the curriculum for use at experience for most pupils. standards, it should listen carefully Fogelman discovered that the school’s discretion was part of “There is evidence of to what teachers have to say ‘spontaneous’ encounters that a recommendation of the review considerable stress and frustration rather than seeking to impose help forge the excellent pupils- carried out by Sir Ron Dearing in among teachers. Fear of a new further prescriptive demands upon teacher relationships on which 1993. The survey of 161 schools National Curriculum, planned by them.” effective teaching must be based found that discretionary time was experts, has made some teachers

12 NEWS FLIGHT OF FANCY? BETTER BY DEGREE DAVID Martin, Labour European MP for the Lothians and Vice- President of the European Parliament, has been awarded an MA. After being appointed to the European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee (after a distinguished period on the Institutional Affairs Committee) at the beginning of the present Parliament David thought he should update his legal knowledge. He decided to take a postgraduate degree in European Management and Employment Law. He studied for his degree, by distance learning, through the International Centre for Management, Law and Industrial Relations at the University, whilst carrying out his full parliamentary duties. Lothian's European MP has just been awarded an CUCKOLD: The northern oriole MA - with distinction - in engages in extra-pair mating European Management and Employment Law A BIOLOGY student from from Leicester. He Leicester turned ‘peeping already has a B.A. (Hons) Tom’ while perched up to 100 in Economics from feet high in trees - to discover Heriot-Watt University. Pic: Neville Chadwick Photography a story of infidelity among songbirds. Postgraduate David CALL TO SAFEGUARD Richardson spent three CLINICAL ACADEMIC CAREERS springs in California watching the northern oriole mating, ACTION must be taken to improve opportunities and incentives for nesting and rearing its those who wish to pursue clinical academic careers in university young. His study, in medical and dental schools, according to a new report. conjunction with the A total of 35 recommendations are made in the report by an University of California, BIRD’S EYE VIEW: independent Task Force, chaired by Sir Rex Richards, former Vice- David Richardson would be reveals that birds take perched up to 100 feet high to study birds Chancellor of the University of Oxford. The Task Force was set up by sexual opportunism to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals to investigate new heights. He found: factors which might put off young doctors and dentists from choosing • male birds normally defended He said the females may clinical academic careers. The role of clinical academics typically the territory around their nests prefer older males in order to get combines treating patients, undertaking medical research and teaching from rival males the best possible genes. Mr junior doctors and dentists. • mature males let younger males Richardson had to capture the The Task Force argues that unless steps are taken to ease the nest nearby - because they knew adult birds to take blood tests and pressure on clinical academics, the future training of the nation’s they would be able to copulate then compare them with the doctors and dentists could be under threat; it would also be with the younger bird’s mate blood of the nestlings in order to increasingly difficult to maintain an internationally competitive medical The study bears out an earlier prove his theory. This involved an research community in UK universities. study by Professor Terry Burke, elaborate method of luring the Vice-Chancellor Dr Kenneth Edwards, who is Chairman of CVCP’s Professor of molecular ecology, birds in order to capture them. Medical Committee, said: that suggested younger female The DNA fingerprinting “We are pleased to receive this important report and to sparrows preferred mating with techniques to identify the birds congratulate Sir Rex Richards and the Task Force which he chaired on older birds. were developed at Leicester. what they have achieved. The report represents an immense amount Mr Richardson found that these The Biology Department has of work and the recommendations are of considerable significance to extra-pair copulations occurred studied bird paternity in several all parties. CVCP’s Medical Committee will give the report careful very quickly, and were solicited by species and has helped to draw up consideration and will wish to open early consultations with the the female bird: “The female a league table on infidelity in the Department of Health, the Department for Education and shivers her wing tips and tips her bird kingdom - the swan is totally Employment, the Higher Education Funding Councils (HEFCs) and tail up. It’s all over in three monogamous while every female others. I am pleased also to acknowledge the tremendous support seconds - and is done very among the reed buntings is from the Wellcome Trust, which provided most of the funding for the surreptitiously.” unfaithful at some point. Task Force, and from other Medical Research Charities.”

13 Business Bulletin examines some of the main business stories from the University, and is compiled each month by LUCENT and Press & Publications Office. Any stories or BUSINESS ideas should be sent to LUCENT. (ext. 2696, E-Mail: [email protected]).

such as pneumonia. Exactly how SUPPORT FOR the drugs work has remained TRAINING something of a mystery. More than 250 students from The work in Leicester is sixth form colleges across a collaboration between Leicestershire attended a the groups of Professor special conference as part of Bob Liddington and Dr their induction to the General Tony Maxwell, both from National Vocational the Department of Qualification (GNVQ) in Health Biochemistry. and Social Care. The breakthrough achieved The one-day conference, on by the team is the determination of September 25 at the the structure of the part of this University, was aimed at NEW HOPE IN FIGHT from bacteria which is an important enzyme which interacts with the students following the AGAINST ‘SUPER BUGS’ target for antibiotics. drugs. This will make it possible to qualification at both advanced Scientists at the University One of the recently successful discover how the quinolones work and intermediate level. It was have struck a blow in the battle groups of antibiotics is the and will greatly help in the design of organised by a consortium of against bacteria. quinolones which include the drug more potent antibiotics in the seven employers from the Although there are now many ciprofloxacin. These drugs attack future. Health and Social Care industry antibiotics available on the market The Department, section. and most bacterial infections are through Leicester Sylvia Caddick of the treatable, there is a rising tide of University Centre for Leicester City Cluster resistant bacteria which can Enterprise (LUCENT), Vocational Education Support withstand many of these drugs. has made details of this Group, which facilitated the Research scientists and drug structure commercially consortium, commented “This companies are fighting a continuing available to industrial is the first conference of its kind battle to find new drugs to keep groups. This has enabled in Leicestershire and it could such bacteria at bay. Diseases such the groups to generate not have taken place without as tuberculosis and meningitis are significant income to the commitment of the among those which are causing further the programme. employer consortium. We are concern, and bacteria such as Speaking about the delighted that Leicester multi-drug resistant Salmonella research, Dr Tony University has agreed to host have found their way into the HOPE: Professor Liddington, left, and Dr Maxwell. Maxwell, a Lister the conference as an indication human food chain. an enzyme within bacteria which Institute Jenner Fellow, said : “The of their support for this new A report published in Nature then causes their death. The work will greatly assist in qualification and recognition describes how the Leicester quinolones are used in medicine to understanding how current drugs that some advanced level researchers have worked out the treat urinary tract infections and work and will potentiate the design students may wish to progress structure of part of an enzyme infections of the respiratory tract of new, more potent agents.” to Higher Education courses.”

‘TECHNOLOGY CAR BOOT SALES’ small and medium-sized companies. Professor Holloway said: PRAISED IN PARLIAMENT This is often not an easy task. There are “The conference examined Initiative at Leicester University forges links things than can be done. The chemical the development of specific between industry and Universities industry has for long been active in this technology areas as well as Work being carried out at the University has sphere, and the initiative of the Royal ways of selling and been singled out for praise in Parliament - for Society of Chemistry in running a series marketing technical the second time in months. The work of the of conferences and exhibitions, expertise and technology University’s Chemistry Department in forging imaginatively titled ‘Technology Car advancement for smaller new links with business, industry, academia and Boot Sales’ is to be commended. It companies.” government was commended by Lord Tombs in could be emulated by other learned He added: “It has been a House of Lords Parliamentary Debate. societies in other disciplines.” very exciting to be involved This follows praise in Parliament for ecological Lord Tombs was referring to the with the implementation and work being carried out by the Zoology second such conference to be held at WAY FORWARD: Professor development of this new type Department in Kenya. Leicester, organised by representatives Holloway said the conference at of meeting. There is a relaxed Lord Tombs spoke out during a debate on of the DTI, the Royal Society of Leicester marketed expertise and atmosphere and a strong sense The Innovation-Exploitation Barrier. He Chemistry, the Institute of Chemical negotiated collaborations of collegiality - of academics and commented on an initiative at Leicester aimed at Engineers, representatives of several industrialists wanting to assist encouraging new networks and collaboration chemical companies and Professor John each other, wanting to find common ground between various chemistry sectors. Lord Holloway of the University’s Chemistry where they can work together and trying to Tombs said “... small and medium sized Department. It was attended by 65 industrial understand each other’s problems. There is no enterprises are too often unaware of university chemists, 40 academics and 15 representatives doubt that new bridges are being built.” resources. Universities have to market their of national funding bodies to ‘sell’ their expertise skills to a diverse and pre-occupied audience in and negotiate collaborations.

14 International Focus is a new addition to Bulletin providing in depth analysis and stories with an international dimension. Any INTERNATIONAL FOCUS stories or ideas should be sent to Jane Pearson, Press and Publications Office, ext 2440. e- mail: [email protected] UNIVERSITY HAS GLOBAL IMPACT THROUGH both its recruitment and its with Greek students, of whom there are many Order also offers a range of distance learning research interests Leicester University’s at Leicester, but all European nationalities are courses. Other subjects already - or shortly to influence stretches across the world. represented on the campus. be - available by distance learning include Mass Latest figures available (1996-97) show that The Socrates European exchange Communications, Law, Education, Sociology, more than 800 students from 71 non-European programme every year brings some 200 Psychology, Archaeology, Social Work and countries are studying at the University. The students from other European countries to Museum Studies. ten countries most represented are (in order) Leicester, as well as giving a similar number of The largest numbers of distance learning Malaysia, Singapore, Israel, Cyprus, Hong Leicester students the opportunity to spend students live in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kong, Kenya, Turkey, Nigeria, Taiwan and Malaysia, Israel and Taiwan. Japan. Students from Taiwan, Turkey and In terms of international research and Japan are almost all postgraduates, with professional links overseas, the Press and Malaysia and Turkey heading the list for both Publications Office regularly sends out press taught Master’s and research degrees. releases to newspapers worldwide. In Among international undergraduates, addition a brief glance at the Research pages of degrees cover 48 subjects, chiefly Law, the Bulletin reveals many more new research Economics, Electrical and Electronic projects which will have international impact in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and the future. Medicine. Areas we have targeted include Africa, the International students (excluding Europeans) Middle East, Europe (East and West), the follow taught postgraduate courses in 31 United States of America, South-East Asia and departments or centres, with the highest India. Topics encompass all aspects of numbers studying for the degrees of MBA, MA University life, including new and established in Mass Communications, MSc in Finance, research projects, prestigious visits , MA/Postgraduate Diploma in Museum Studies, conferences and student news. MA/postgraduate Diploma in Diplomatic This new international section of the Bulletin Studies and MSc in Marketing. is intended to reflect the immense range of Research-based postgraduate courses part of their course in Europe. international interests at Leicester University attracting students from overseas range across With a total of more than 3,500 distance and to provide a platform not just for news 26 departments, with the Management Centre, learning students (2,500 from overseas), the items but also for international higher School of Education, Centre for Mass University is now one of the leading providers education issues which can be explored in Communication Research, Geology and English of distance learning education in the UK. some depth. topping the list. Seventy per cent of distance learning Please send any items of news or suggestions Europe also features strongly on Leicester’s students take business and management of issues you would like to see covered to Jane international scene, with substantial numbers courses offered by the Management Centre Pearson, Press and Publications, Registrar’s of students taking both full-time and distance and the Centre for Labour Market Studies, and Office, telephone extension 2440, fax 2485, learning courses. Britain is specially popular the Scarman Centre for the Study of Public email [email protected] AN INTERNATIONAL WELCOME Leicester University continues to kind of accommodation 100 students onto the maintain its reputation as one of the is available, how to apply four-week pre-sessional best UK universities for orientation for it and what costs are language course. These and support services for international likely to be involved in students arrived from all students. Below, Student Welfare student life in Britain. over the world, from Officer Rosemary Gibson outlines The Student Welfare Austria to Taiwan, to take some of the ways in which Office also sends them this course, which offers international students are helped to information on the a mixture of language feel at home and to give their best to availability of English practice, essential study their studies. language classes, skills, cultural insights and immigration practical help in settling in. The University prides itself on the requirements, travel and It introduces students to welcome it extends to new general student services. the academic differences international students. Knowing The excitement of that may exist between how strange students can feel on the first few days can HAPPY DAYS: 1997 students on the pre-sessional language course Britain and their own arrival in a new country, this sometimes quickly give way taking an evening off to enjoy a pub quiz. The students pictured here countries, and can be a key to support begins the moment they to home sickness, came from Germany, France, Tanzania, Pakistan, Taiwan, Norway life in Britain generally. and Singapore. arrive at Heathrow Airport, with a especially considering the Students have this free bus service to the University. British weather in October! While and make students feel at home as opportunity to improve their Even before arrival, students we cannot guarantee warm soon as possible. English skills and develop the study coming to Leicester from overseas sunshine, we know it is important At the beginning of September strategies needed to work are advised well in advance what that we provide a warm reception this year we welcomed more than efficiently and effectively once their

15 INTERNATIONAL FOCUS

main course begins later in the get to know each other and begin banks, local police, careers and month. to form friendships. catering services. The whole day At the same time, we help them The Orientation programme was rounded off with a ceilidh in to adjust very early to the everyday was extended this year and took the Students’ Union, guaranteed to side of their new life, for instance place during the week before the break the ice. by registering them with a doctor, start of term. Students arrived on On Friday that week the introducing them to the University Wednesday 25 September, and the students were introduced to the support services and showing following day they had talks on rigours of Registration, followed by rounded them the wealth of experiences student services available at the an introduction to the Library and off with a celebration dinner in the the city of Leicester has to offer. University, ranging from the Computer Centre facilities. Charles Wilson Building that This period is not all work, and Student Health Centre to the Everyone agrees, the quicker they evening. several social events are also Chaplaincy. We also ran an can get on line the better! Through all these programmes arranged so that the students can information fair including the In the afternoon they enjoyed a we enable students to settle tour of the city, followed by a civic quickly and happily into their new reception hosted by the Lord life in Leicester, and allow them to Mayor in the splendour of the City concentrate on their all-important GLITTERING PRIZES Rooms. The whole event was studies. Engineering student Thean San Khaw’s graduation this year is the culmination of four star-studded student years. INTERNATIONAL NEWS In 1993 he was awarded a Sunway College Entrance Scholarship to attend the Leicester University Foundation Engineering course at • NEW HONOUR FOR PROFESSOR Sunway College in Malaysia. He emerged as the top student, full of Richard Camp, Professor of Dermatology, has been elected as President of praise for the Leicester University Foundation Engineering Course the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR), with effect from there. October 1997. The ESDR is one of the three major dermatological The following year he was again awarded the Sunway College research societies in the world, the other two are based in the USA and Entrance Scholarship to attend the first year of the Leicester University Japan. B Eng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering at Sunway College. Again, he emerged as the top student and was also awarded the Leicester • VISITING RESEARCHER FROM CHINA University Engineers’ Association Prize. Subsequently he received two The Department of Engineering is delighted to welcome Dr Zhang Zu- scholarships for his second and third years - Sheng, who has been awarded a 12-month Royal Fellowship to conduct the prestigious British High Commissioner’s research at Leicester University. Chevening Award and the Leicester Dr Zhang comes to the Department of Engineering from Shanghai Jiao University Scholarship for Sunway College. Tong University in the People’s Republic of China and his field is Biomedical During his second year he was Engineering. He has recently been researching Nonlinear Analyses for nominated by the Second-Year Board of Dynamical Characteristics of Ventricular Fibrillation. Examiners for the Faculty of Science Prize. The Royal Fellowship Programme for China was inaugurated by Her It will by now be no surprise that he Majesty the Queen in 1986. It is aimed at enabling a limited number of continued to do well in his third year and outstanding young Chinese scientists to contribute to China’s development was named as the best student in the through research in the UK. The programme also aims to foster scientific Department of Engineering. collaboration and international exchanges between the two countries. Consequently he was awarded the Institution of Mechanical Engineers “Best Student” certificate. • SINGAPORE VISIT His final-year project, entitled “A During his visit to Singapore in August, Tony Pearson, Director of the Numerical Study of Laminer and International Office, met all the students who were due to come to STAR STUDENT : Thean San Turbulent Boundary Layers” won him Leicester via Insworld, an agency which has worked with the University for Khaw on the day of his degree the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ the past ten years. congregation, July 1997, in front of the Project Prize. In consultation with his Tony Pearson was joined on this occasion by Ian Jarvis, of the University Engineering Building. supervisor, Dr Shian Gao it was Department of Engineering, and together with some current Leicester entered in the INA Engineering Student students from Singapore, they provided an opportunity for new students to of the Year Award, and has so far been shortlisted for the southern find out all about the life on campus they were about to undertake across regional final in this industrial competition. the world. It was also a reassuring occasion for Singaporean parents, He now leaves student life to work at Dell Asia Pacific Sdn, a enabling them to meet members of staff and students at their son’s or subsidiary of the Dell Computer Corporation in Penang, Malaysia, as a daughter’s new University. New Product Introduction Engineer. Speaking of his student years, Thean San Khaw said, “I would like to • CAMBRIDGE PHD FOR FORMER SUNWAY add that it has been a privilege to study in the University of Leicester, as STUDENT it has helped me to mature mentally, socially and emotionally. The past two years have been the most memorable years of my life. With that, I News has come from the Faculty of Law that R Jayakumar Nayar was would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the University and its awarded the degree of PhD by the University of Cambridge in July this year. staff for giving me the opportunity not only to attain a degree in Mr Nayar was among the very first cohort of students to arrive in the Faculty Engineering but also a degree in life. Thank you.” of Law at Leicester under the arrangements with Sunway College, Malaysia. He graduated in 1990 with first class honours and currently holds a lectureship in Law at the University of Warwick. 16 OUT & ABOUT

Bulletin is pleased to Modelling Bureau at the receive contributions University of Warwick. from across the University Professor Lee’s paper, ‘A long for Out and About. run structural VAR model of the Send information about UK economy’ was written as part what’s happening in your of an ESRC-funded project which department/unit to aims to build a small model of the Out and About, Bulletin, UK economy. Delegates at the Press and Publications Conference included members of Office. various academic teams involved EMAIL: [email protected] in building macromodels of the UK, plus staff from the Bank of England, the Treasury, and ECONOMICS international research From June to September... organisations involved in Early June saw a visit by Dr macromodelling. Bipasa Datta to the Memorial Dr Rob Ackrill and Dr Dean University of St Johns, Garratt presented a paper at the Newfoundland, to present a University Association for paper at the Canadian Economics Contemporary European Studies Association Conference, ‘Bargaining, Incentives and the This multidisciplinary (UACES) Research Conference sponsored by the Congress of Theory of the Firm’. Conference, sponsored mainly by at Loughborough University on Learned Societies. Dr Datta’s Mons, Belgium hosted the 8th the Belgium National Foundation 11 September. paper, ‘Strategic Monitoring by International Conference on the for Scientific Research, was The paper entitled ‘Rules, an Ex-Post Informed Principal’ Foundations and Applications of attended by international leaders Discretion and National Policy discussed the way private Utility, Risk and Decision Theory in the fields of Economics, Autonomy under Economic and information can be used to during the first week of July. This Sociology, Mathematics, Monetary Union’ provided a extract more rent from some was attended by Professor Clive Psychology and Management rationale for the proposed fiscal agents but can limit rent from Fraser, who presented a paper, Science. and monetary restrictions for others following further ‘Risk, Insurance and the Demand Also at the beginning of July, those economies joining a single information from different for Irreplaceable Commodities: Professor Kevin Lee gave a paper currency. sources. Dr Datta was also The Case of Children’, and was at the Annual Conference In particular, Drs Ackrill and involved with the paper Discussant of two other papers. organised by the Macroeconomic Garratt asked why a stability pact may be needed and considered whether EMU prevents ELAINE ROBINSON – REPORTING FROM LONDON governments using the economy for their own ends. They believe Elaine Robinson, Administrative Assistant for CHMS, the Council of Heads of UK Medical that EMU would not prevent Schools and Deans of UK Faculties of Medicine, the body responsible for representing at a governments trying to manipulate national level the interests of Medical Schools, has moved to a new London office. Her new their economies to gain base is at Woburn House, Tavistock Square, also home to CVCP. maximum benefit following the As an active member of the Equal Opportunities Committee and whilst at Leicester University, introduction of a single currency, Elaine co-authored a report for CUCO (Commission on University Career Opportunities) with rather that the nature of the Dr Barbara Bagilhole (Loughborough) entitled A Report on Policies and Practices on Equal manipulation would change. Opportunities in Employment in Universities and Colleges in Higher Education. The main findings Janet Wimperis of the survey show, for example, 96% of Universities now have Equal Opportunities Policies. However, the Report emphasised it is time to take action on MASS COMMUNICATION the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of these RESEARCH policies. Elaine also conducted a survey in the Medical School Professor James Halloran from on Women in Medicine for her Masters’ degree and is the Centre has been awarded a continuing her commitment to Equal Opportunities and personal grant of US$18,000 managing diversity with her PhD research in which she is from The International Olympic examining the experiences of women returners. Committee and The International Elaine also worked as a Research Associate in the Eli Lilly Council of Sport, Science and Centre and her paper with Dr Hilary Hearnshaw Physical Education in support of ‘Developing the Role of Primary Care Audit Group Leads’ his research on the implications has been accepted for publication in Education for General of the media coverage of sport Practice. for young people. Elaine is looking forward to commuting to London for a The research will focus on the change, but will miss her friends at Leicester. part played by the media • This report is obtainable from CUCO (CVCP, Woburn coverage of sport in (a) attracting House, 20 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HQ). young people to specific sports and in encouraging their

17 OUT & ABOUT participation in sporting activities, SCARMAN CENTRE talks concerning the Scarman and (b) the development in The Scarman Centre for the Centre receiving Masters’ and young people of knowledge, Study of Public Order recently PhD students and also attitudes and images about other hosted a visit by a delegation collaboration on short courses in people and other countries in from the Thailand Police Cadet public order, policing and risk relation to Olympic ideals. Academy, led by Commissioner and security management, both This represents a further Chidchai. The Commissioner is in Leicester and Thailand. This development of Professor pictured below (centre) together visit was a successful result of Halloran’s work on The Media, with Dr Mike King, who co- Professor Sallie Westwood's trip Sport and International ordinated the programme to Thailand last November as Understanding, a subject on (second left), and Andrew Willis well as the Scarman Centre's which he made the key-note (right). The programme included excellent Internet pages. presentation at the Pre-Olympic Scientific Congress in Dallas prior to the Atlanta Games. TOP SPOT: Russell Watkins, Keeler Prize winner. OPHTHALMOLOGY The Keeler Prize is an annual out of 114 candidates from 23 award given to the best all-round Medical Schools in the UK and fifth-year Leicester medical Ireland competing in the Duke student in Ophthalmology. The Elder Prize Examination. award - a biomicroscope lens The Division of from Keeler Limited - was Ophthalmology would like to presented to this year’s winner, offer Russell many Russell Watkins. congratulations and wish him In addition to winning the good luck in the future. Keeler Prize for Ophthalmology Katrina Wong in Leicester, Russell came second

ALUMNI OFFICE KPMG YESTERDAY ONCE MORE The years rolled away for 130 former students of University TAX AND College Leicester and King Charles College at a War Years Reunion recently. PERSONAL FINANCIAL The Leicester students who had been joined by evacuees from the London college in the 40s gathered in the Charles ADVISORY SESSIONS Wilson building to catch up on each other’s news and peruse old photographs and memorabilia. The reunion, organised by Audrey Symons, Roy Johnson, Audrey Cooper, and Muriel Johnson, was the culmination of a lot of FREE INITIAL ADVICE is available on detective work. ‘Our biggest task was to trace people’, said personal tax, investment planning and any Mrs Symons, ‘even now we know some people have escaped area of personal finance. the net’. Most of the graduates had not met for 50 years and they defied the sweltering heat to enjoy a full day of nostalgia and formal dinner in the evening. For an appointment at KPMG One couple had come all the way from Canada to attend telephone David Norman on 0116 256 6000 the reunion; Charles and Valerie Moreland now live in British Columbia, but had made the journey just to see old friends again. Sir David Attenborough, also a student in the 40s, was KPMG - Accounts and Business Advisers Peat House, 1 Waterloo Way, Leicester LE1 6LP unable to attend but sent his best wishes. It is hoped that further reunions of graduates from the War Years will take place in coming years. KPMG Peter Allen KPMG is a trading name of KPMG Peat Marwick which is authorised by the Institute of Charted Accountants in England and Wales to carry on investment business.

18 FEATURES CELEBRATION AND ACHIEVEMENT by the University of Leicester since 1957. It When the Engineering Department was Jubilee Year began with Bulletin makes the long list of achievements all the more established in 1961, the degree syllabus was reflecting on the origins of the remarkable. The principal benefit of highly distinctive, being essentially non-specialist University. Brian Burch concludes the independence was, of course, the power to and, as Professor Parkes put it at the time, series of Jubilee features by describing grant Leicester degrees in place of the London “different in concept” to most other engineering the post 1957 expansion of the external degrees which the College had offered. courses. Other examples of innovation include University. During 1956/57, a scheme of first degrees the development of courses in combined was worked out, followed by the creation of studies, where Leicester was among the first to HEN the University obtained its regulations for Leicester higher degrees. The offer honours degrees, and the range of degree Charter of Independence in May undergraduate syllabuses were, from the outset, courses in the biological sciences, where W1957, there were numerous distinctive and often innovative. The University students benefited from the co-operation celebrations to mark the event. It was the set out to develop courses which offered a wide between independent departments brought culmination of some 36 years of effort to bring range of subsidiary subjects alongside the main together under the umbrella of a School. to Leicester its own fully-fledged University, and degree subject, to encourage students to read the City of Leicester and the County, as well as more widely and to develop their own particular ROM time to time, of course, student the University itself, could view the success with interests and abilities. demand or professional fashion has some pride. With just over 800 students, the Over the years, the University has sometimes F required major overhauls of what were new University was still very small - only the been at the forefront of new in their day innovatory courses; the social University College of North Staffordshire (now sciences degree, for example, underwent a Keele University) was smaller - and there were radical reconstruction in 1979 to better meet many more hurdles to overcome on the way to the demand for single-subject degrees, and the University of today. As Professor Simmons more recently the Engineering course has been put it in his New University (1958), “the making overhauled to meet the needs of the profession. of a University ... is an extremely long and slow These few examples among many relate to process.” undergraduate courses: similar innovation can The achievement of a Treasury Grant in 1945 be seen in the development of Masters’ had secured the financial future of the University degrees, for example in new subject areas such College and later the University, and state funds as Local History and Museum Studies, and were already, by 1957, the largest element in more recently the remarkable spread of the University’s income. But, as every University distance-learning opportunities in a wide range has discovered, dependence in such large of subjects. measure on government funding carries with it A pre-requisite for a wide variety of degree an inescapable penalty, of vulnerability to the courses after 1957 was a steady increase in shifts and fashions in government policy towards the number of students, and in 40 years higher education. Not long after independence, student numbers have increased more than the University’s Annual Reports reflect deep ten-fold; in 1956/57 full-time student concern at government’s growing numbers were 816, by 1994/95 they were interventionism 8,516, and in addition the University had towards the over 1,500 part-time students and nearly universities. Such 2,000 distance learners. The increase in the matters were, and University estate has been scarcely less The are, essentially ROYAL OCCASION: dramatic. In 1957, the main campus political, and it must Charter, left, and, above HM The consisted of the Fielding Johnson Building, be left to future Queen, with Lord Adrian, at the College House, and one new building, then historians to reach a opening of the Students’ Union known as the Astley Clarke Laboratories. balanced judgement Building in 1958. During the next 40 years, more than a on the rights and dozen major new academic buildings would wrongs of what thinking in various appear on the University Road/Lancaster Road successive areas of the site, with a number of others elsewhere - and governments have curriculum. In the this is to say nothing of the substantial growth in done. One thing is, social sciences, for student halls and houses in Oadby, Knighton, however, clear, and example, the Freemen’s Common and Putney Road. Amongst that it that since 1981 at University offered a all the growth, in student numbers, courses, and least the trend has been degree which covered a buildings, the most significant single event was to require universities to do more with less, and wide spectrum. The University had been among undoubtedly the opening of the Medical School alongside the reduction in institutional funding to the first to develop courses in sociology; a in 1975. As Sir Fraser Noble put it at the time,of cut state support for students themselves. separate department was created in 1959 and all the foreseeable changes in the University, this This background of repeated and often under Professor Neustadt (who was promoted is the one which will make the most significant contradictory shifts in government policy to his Chair in 1962), Leicester became what a contribution to the life and future welfare of the towards the universities, needs to be borne in later critic described as “the cradle of British local community, and have the most mind when considering the 40 years of progress sociology”. considerable impact on the University itself.

19 FEATURES VIEWPOINT

HE siting of a Medical School in Leicester was due to several factors, not least the poor state of Health Service provision in TLeicester, but academically one crucial determinant was the very high standing the University had achieved in teaching and research in the sciences on which Medicine would depend, notably the biological sciences. The University’s research successes in many subject areas are one of the most striking features of its first 40 years. Research did not begin in 1957, of course: pre-war, the College had produced research, even in the sciences, and from 1945, with the growth in staff numbers and the slow but steady by Brian Burch, O.B.E. growth in the number of research students, research had flourished. The WHEN the debate about a University for writings of Professor Hoskins, for example, in Local History, were already Leicester re-started in earnest in 1917-1918, well-known by 1957, and just after the War Professor Stewardson had there were many views about what sort of begun to lay the foundations for the Physics Department’s later institution the city needed. In 1912, Dr Astley achievements in X-Ray Astronomy and Space Science. But post- Clarke had talked of making “liberal independence, the University’s continued expansion facilitated the growth education” available to all, and of a College of research in all disciplines. One later characteristic of Leicester’s approach which would be closely linked to the local has been the creation of Centres for advanced study, some, like Museum community. Studies, linked to the development of post-graduate professional It became clear during the later debate that these two ideas were seen by qualifications, others, like Victorian Studies, to support inter-disciplinary some as in conflict. Many local businessmen and civic leaders envisioned a work in their field, and still others, like the more recent Centre for College which would teach a curriculum and in a way which would be Holocaust Studies, to develop research in a specialised area. directly appropriate to Leicester’s industries, and where research would be But the simplest similarly targeted. George V, when he visited Leicester in 1919, talked of indicator of the “that contact between research and industry which is of vital importance to University’s our future prosperity”. On the other hand, some argued for a University achievements in more closely modelled on the Oxbridge tradition, a community of scholars research is the amount studying the arts and humanities as well as the pure sciences, dedicated to of funds won in the training of minds rather than the training of industrial workers. research grants. The issues debated then are not unfamiliar today. Today’s universities Although the impact of have been forced, by government policy, to deliver on “relevance” and inflation makes “standards”; higher education has to justify itself in terms of immediate and comparisons a little measurable economic benefits to society at large, and students have been misleading, the figures conditioned to seek these values rather than be concerned with the are nonetheless unfashionable and outmoded values of scholarship and learning for its own striking. By 1963 sake. annual research Somewhere along the road we have lost the plot. In seeking wider access income had grown to higher education and to improve the country’s vocational and only to about technological skills, we have created a large number of institutions which £130,000; by 1966/67 have been forced to accept the same kind of mission and the same set of Sir T.A. Fraser Noble, Vice-Chancellor 1962-76. (from a the figure had risen to criteria for excellence. Universities, their staff and students, are all to be painting by Kathryn Kynoch) £253,000, and the judged one against another, and we have created a “market” (another Vice-Chancellor could declare that “big science has begun to make its keyword for higher education in the 1990s) where students can move from mark.” Today, research income is in excess of £22M, over one-fifth of the course to course and even institution to institution, where obtaining a University’s income. Inevitably, the largest research awards fall to the degree becomes like a shopping expedition and all that matters is “value for sciences, reflecting the costs of scientific investigation, and without question money” - except that no-one knows how to measure “value”. Research has some of the best-known of the University’s research (in terms of the to look increasingly to industry to fund “relevant” studies, while pure science popular press at least) is in areas such as genetic fingerprinting and space and the humanities are starved of public support. science. But that should not obscure the fact that over the last forty years Clearly we need more and better further and higher education, but why there have been impressive achievements in almost every area of research, does it have to be judged by a single set of criteria? What we seem to lack is in fields as diverse as urban history, football hooliganism, and the water diversity linked to parity of esteem. The argument is not that an Oxford industry. degree in Greats is better than a former Polytechnic’s degree in Media Studies, but that properly nurtured and financed, each could provide the HE University has inevitably widened its horizons beyond the City ideal and necessary higher education for certain kinds of student, and both and County of Leicester, from which today only a small minority of are potentially as valuable to a modern industrial society. T students are drawn, but it has continued to value its links with the It is a curious feature of British education that we are actively encouraging local community. A permanent bond between them is the Medical School, a diversity of schools to meet pupils’ differing needs and abilities, but we are now providing so much of the clinical care to the region, but there are many creating a university system which is to be judged by a single set of criteria other ways in which they interact, not least for the simple reason that much and outputs. Many institutions have developed individual characters and of the University’s spending (now over £100M a year) is on salaries, goods unique features, but these are in danger of being steam-rollered by the drive and services within the greater Leicester area. It is entirely fitting that one of for uniformity. How much better to build on the differences, and offer real the major successes of this Jubilee Year was the joint University/City choice and diversity of excellence. Millennium bid for the National Space Science Centre. It is surely a project • The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily of which Dr Astley Clarke and his co-founders of the University College those of the University or of Bulletin would have approved.

20 FEATURES A YEAR OF REFLECTION, CELEBRATION AND VISION LANNING for the Departments reflected this Lectures series and the entertaining gala Jubilee Year started just excellence in their contributions Jubilee Open Day. performance of What Pas Departments were throughout the year, often in the Attendance at the Open the Butler Saw was finalising their RAE submissions form of lectures by distinguished Day was lower than we attended and enjoyed and, apart from the September visitors to the University. had expected; perhaps by Joe Orton’s sister. Convocation celebrations, We started the year somewhat a number of visitors The last big event concluded just before the Report anxiously, aware that pressure on were saving themselves before the Degree of the Dearing Review was staff time for the galaxy of Congregations was the published. Its main life span was was greater celebrities who shared production of the Alan Bennett accordingly marked by the two than ever, our celebrations in the play Forty Years On in which the most significant events for the and that for early summer: David schoolboys in the cast were University in its recent history. the first part Attenborough, provided by Lancaster Boys It seemed once we had started of the year Heather Couper, School. The Millennium that it was a year of many nerves would Patrick Moore, Michael Commission gilded the arrival of jubilees, and we capitalised on a be on edge Nicholson, and John summer by announcing an award number of these in our own as we Simpson. of £23 million. Jubilee celebrations: the awaited the The University also One highlight of the year was bicentenary of the birth of RAE launched the successful undoubtedly the opportunity Schubert and the centenary of the outcome. appeal to secure the taken to award honorary degrees death of Brahms provided the The early to some of our opportunity for some old part of the most successful favourites to be played with great programme CHAIRMAN: graduates. It is a distinction by the Lindsays in their was largely Professor White tribute both to 1996/97 series. The School of musical, but reflected on the the individuals Education celebrated its fiftieth our many successes and to the of Jubilee Year. anniversary in a series of three confidence University that lectures in the Fraser Noble Hall grew as the their distinctions against the backdrop of the year progressed. There was arise in the Jubilee logos proclaiming fortieth a good RAE out-turn, and the context of and seventy-fifth anniversaries. new building for The Richard broadcasting, For reasons best known to Attenborough Centre was commerce, themselves, the space science, Students’ Union chose and chemistry. to ignore the seventy- By including fifth anniversary of the those who had National Union of worked for us, Students. CELEBRATIONS: Among we were even able to include an We chose the the highlights of Jubilee Year astronaut in Jeff Hoffman, who theme of reflection, were Open Day and the has, like many others, worked so Celebrity Lectures. Below, celebration and vision tirelessly in support of the Michael Nicholson. in marking the National Space Science Centre. seventy-fifth The Jubilee Year enabled anniversary of the first us to reflect on the visions students embarking on of the past and to degree courses at celebrate our visions for what was then a the future. The anxiety University College, which marked the start of and the fortieth anniversary of delivered on time at the turn of the venture became a the granting of the Royal Charter. the year, and formally opened celebration of individual The vision of the City fathers in later in the year by the Princess of and collective success. The deciding to establish higher Wales. University is in good shape education in Leicester as a to respond to the memorial to those who had died PTIMISTIC noises challenges of the Dearing in the Great War has been continued to emanate Review. rewarded by the transformation O from the Millennium Robin C A White in less than a century from small Commission about the National Chair, Jubilee Steering College to a medium-sized Space Science Centre, though this Committee University with an international project understandably kept Nigel Orton papers for the University reputation for its teaching and Siesage away from a number of Library in another anniversary research across the whole range our Committee meetings. Spring year: thirty years since the death of subjects it provides. Many saw the start of the Celebrity of Joe Orton. A highly

21 WELCOME A message to new students

From Dr Kenneth Edwards, Vice-Chancellor From Amanda Shaw, President of the Students’ Union It is a great pleasure to welcome you warmly to Leicester University and HELLO... Welcome to Leicester University, and Leicester University the City of Leicester. My colleagues and I hope that you will find your Students’ Union. As a student here, you are automatically a valued time here enjoyable, stimulating and fruitful and that you will take full member of the Union; which works to provide you with all the advantage of all that University life has to offer. services, entertainment and advice you will ever need during your We hope that you will adapt quickly to your new life here, and soon time here. feel part of the academic community, which is both educationally The Students’ Union is run by students, so we need and welcome stimulating and, at the same time, intimate and friendly. We are proud of your input. Any involvement is greatly encouraged. You can get our achievements, which have earned us a reputation for excellence in involved at any level. It is not only rewarding but also vital to the both teaching and research. running of the Union. The Union works for you, but it cannot be run When national assessments of teaching quality in individual subjects without you. We need to know what your needs and wants are have been made, we have consistently scored well. The same is true of (however trivial they may seem to you). the results of national assessments of research quality, and the Our Sabbatical offices are open to you, so please feel free to come achievements of University academic staff in areas of research such as and see us whether it be for a moan, advice, or a cup of tea. There genetic fingerprinting, space exploration and urban and local history have are five Sabbatical officers, each with different responsibilities - brought us international fame. Finance and Services, Education and Welfare, Communications, It is of course the teaching and learning which concerns students most, International, and President. and you will benefit from some major recent developments in this area. The Union is the place to go for anything from a pencil to laundry The modular system now applies to all years of undergraduate courses facilities, or even a pint. As far as entertainment goes, we have one of and it is well established and brings major advantages for students. While the best Union night-clubs in the country, along with several bars and retaining all the rigour of the traditional Honours Course, the structure games facilities. If you are looking to try a new hobby or continue an we have devised brings increased flexibility in the construction of course old one, we have a multitude of clubs and societies. As far as sports syllabuses; standardisation of workload; clear course objectives and clubs are concerned, we have clubs to cater for all tastes from tennis assessment requirements, and regular feedback on performance. You will to scuba diving. see around you the results of the major building programme undertaken The Union is also committed to providing information services and in recent years, the biggest expansion since the 1970s. We have been advice regarding your welfare, so please don’t worry if you have any able to provide new and improved teaching facilities, a considerable problems, there is always someone who can help. extension to our excellent residential accommodation as well as If you are interested in finding a job, then come and register at our enhancing the social, sporting and recreational provision. These projects, Student Employment Centre and we will be happy to find you part- which represent a huge investment in the University’s future, will greatly time work either on campus or outside. enhance facilities for students. Please remember that whatever your interests or needs are we are There will be times during your student career when you may need here to help you. help. The University has a wide range of student support services which Good luck, and remember... Enjoy yourselves! are here to assist you if you have queries or worries about your studies, housing, financial matters or health. The staff are there to help you - but From Peter Cottingham, Leicester Promotions remember that they will expect you to make the first move. On behalf of Leicester Promotions, the Marketing and PR Agency for the City, may I welcome you to Leicester. From Colin Marshall, Leicester is a City full of surprises and I hope that part of the enjoyment of your time in Leicester will be discovering those things which help to I Manager, Leicester University Bookshop Bulletin make it the lively and creative place it is. Like everyone else in this special issue of the University Please help us to forge even stronger links between the City and the would like, on behalf of the University Bookshop, to welcome you to University. As a result of those links, the City has been awarded £23.5 Leicester and hope that your time here is pleasurable and rewarding million from the Millennium Commission to build the National Space both academically and socially. You will at some stage have to find at Science Centre in Leicester. This reflects Leicester University’s prominent least one, and we hope both, of the bookshops located on the position in space science and the City’s central and accessible location campus. within the UK. For Arts, Social Sciences, Languages and Law books, the Charles Second and third-year students will tell you that the City is full of life, Wilson Building Bookshop at the top of Mayor’s Walk is the place to and I invite you to discover the variety of good night life yourself. Clubs look. As well as academic books, this shop sells paperback fiction and and pubs, like Mosquito Coast and The Charlotte are home to an after- non-fiction and a selection of hardback general books. It also sells dark scene that is the envy of other major cities. The Haymarket Theatre stationery, greetings cards, phone cards and postage stamps. develops productions which go to the West End only after we have For Scientific, Technical and Medical books, plus Psychology, enjoyed them. We have cabaret venues hosting hot new performers and, Education, Social Work and Museum Studies, then the Medical if sport is your scene, the Sporting Capital of England can complement Sciences Building Bookshop is the place to visit. what the University provides with first-class facilities for everything from Both shops are open Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. in athletics to mountaineering. term time (5.00 p.m. during vacations) and 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Leicester is one of the most cosmopolitan and culturally diverse cities in Saturdays. The highly-trained staff are, by and large, harmless and will Britain, which helps to enrich the entertainment, social life and festivals of do whatever they can to help you, so don’t be afraid to approach one the City. Leicester is Britain’s first Environment City and if environmental if the book does not appear to be on the shelf. Particularly in issues concern you, this is the ideal place to take part in campaigns, October, it is difficult for us to keep all our books on display, and research and celebrations which can really make a difference. some may be held elsewhere in the shop, so please ask if you can’t Whatever your interest, Leicester Promotions can help you. For more find something! The bookshops are owned by Leicester University information, visit the Tourist Information Centre in Every Street, or and any surplus made is returned to the University. telephone 0116 265 0555. 22 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENTS IN THE REGION ARTSTOP

by Anthony Pither, Department of Music You may have caught the Stan shipwrecked in Illyria". Tracey Quartet there on 2 "A must for lovers of all things October. If not, on 12 October, French", includes most of us, I Between the awful (or "awfully Christoph von Dohnanyi, includes four musicians associated with the guess. But will you be there, on good") holiday photos and next music by Richard Strauss, Sibelius "Jazz legend, Ronnie Scott, 10 October at the Y, for Sans year's holiday bargains come the (Violin Concerto) and recreate the music and spirit" of Frontier's presentation of Le region's autumn arts brochures. Mendelssohn's Italian the man. On the same evening, Marriage [sic] de Figaro? The Let's start close to home. Symphony. the University's Richard performance is in French, Everyone knows that Mozart On 10 October at De Montfort Attenborough Centre hosts Clarke naturellement. At the same venue played billiards; some of you may Hall, Ashit and Hema Desai and Peters' show, Unforgettable, the (22 October), there is Dead know that Mahler and Schoenberg musicians perform folk music from story of Nat King Cole. At the Man's Heart, based on the classic played table-tennis. But until I Gujarat at the time of the festivals Fraser Noble Building on 18 film, 'Shane'. This is a brand-new began exploring the mysteries of of Navratri and Diwali. Ashit October, Keith Smith has devised script, written for New the composer Dvorák - for the Desai is one of India’s most an evening entitled Fabulous Fats Perspectives Theatre Company by Lindsay String Quartet's ninth celebrated based around the Charles Way. consecutive season at music of ‘Fats’ Waller. If you are prepared to travel, the University - I Marilyn Middleton- the RSC at Stratford has a host of wasn't aware that he Pollock is the earthy events: musicals, operas, drama was an obsessive singer about whom and family entertainment, from trainspotter. I've not Billy Connolly has Shakespeare's Antony and seen any photos of the given his approval: Cleopatra (13-18 October) at the man sporting a front "she's nothing less Swan Theatre to 42nd Street (27 pocket bulging with than stupendous!" October-1 November) at the notebook and biros; Vocal music of a Royal Shakespeare Theatre itself. and when were anoraks different hue can Meanwhile, the Royal Theatre invented anyway? More be sampled at the Northampton expects to disturb importantly, would this Richard audiences with Ibsen's Ghosts recent discovery Attenborough from 10-25 October followed, a influence my listening? Centre on 25 little too hastily perhaps, by The Lindsays have no October when Northern Stage's "pulsating" truck with jackets of any the London production of Orwell's Animal type. In Leicester, at any Adventist Farm (28 October-1 November). rate, they shun evening Chorale pays its For those of you who still dress, preferring to first visit. believe in the old-fashioned idea of communicate directly, There is no a lunchtime, the city (taking over getting straight to the heart denying the from the county) provides high- of the music, powerfully standing of quality concerts, fortnightly on and demonstratively. Leicester's Thursdays at the Museum and Art Quartets by Michael Haymarket Gallery, New Walk. On 16 Tippett, Haydn and Dvorák Theatre. October you can listen to Richard fill six programmes held in Between 7 Harpham and Nigel Clayton in a the Fraser Noble Hall. In the and 11 varied programme for oboe and first, on Wednesday 15 October you piano while, on 30 October, the October, the Lindsays are can see Hull splendid Coull Quartet plays joined by the equally dynamic, Truck's "dose Haydn's Bird Quartet, Schubert's Leeds International Piano The Farmer’s Bride - A love story that explodes of therapy Quartettsatz and Beethoven's MOVING AND MAGICAL: Competition prizewinner, like a bombshell in the peaceful world of post-Edwardian England - at the for the 90s", Harp Quartet. Kathryn Stott, in Dvorák’s Haymarket this month. Gym and The University's own lunchtime radiant Piano Quintet. Tonic. In series is held weekly on The only comparable classical Gujarati folk contrast, from 22 October - 22 Wednesdays. It gets under way on music group to appear in Leicester singers and composers, and can be November, the Haymarket is 8 October with the Archduke in the coming months is the heard on the soundtrack of featuring its own production of Trio, when, free of charge, you Philharmonia Orchestra which has Richard Attenborough’s film Into the Woods, Stephen can bask for nearly an hour already begun its residency at the Gandhi. Sondheim's fairy-tale musical - listening to Schubert's E flat major De Montfort Hall. Leicester's record for co- "Once upon a time, in a far off Piano Trio. In an age when This month the Orchestra ordinating jazz events has, on the kingdom, lived a maiden"... anything of importance is expected presents two overtly-popular whole, been eclipsed by Upstairs, in the Studio, there's The to be fitted on to one side of A4, programmes: on 12 October promoters in Nottingham and Farmer's Bride, by Ged McKenna or despatched by email, Schubert's Christoph Eschenbach conducts Derby. Change may be on the (9-11 October): "Charlotte, a "heavenly length" may bring a new the Grieg Piano Concerto and way with recent successes at the Y young dairy maid, uncertain of her dimension to your life - at least for Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony, (the venue is within the YMCA own feelings”... and later this a day or two. while on 20 October the building in East Street just across month (21-25 October), Twelfth Orchestra's principal conductor, the road from the railway station). Night - "Identical twins are

23 We are looking for contributors to this section. If you wish to CUTTINGS review the cuttings, please contact Barbara Whiteman on ext 2676. WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

popularity stakes, becoming one of the most “famous” men in Japan. As Hundreds of cuttings pour into the Press Office at Leicester Scotland on Sunday comments, his popularity has led to him “being asked for University from around the world chronicling the activities of his autograph in the streets”. Obviously boy bands and film stars have staff and students. Jo Taylor, Department of Museum Studies nothing on a six-foot Scotsman. reviews a selection of cuttings from recent weeks. You must remember Kevin Whately, the homesick boy-next-door in the 1980s drama Auf Weidersein Pet, or in ITV’s Peak Practice. What you may not know is that his elder brother, Frank, was another The vacation period was a quiet time for Leicester University graduate and in the news this month news. However, it was pleasing to see directing Aurelius: The Valiant Apprentice for the National graduates, current students and staff of Students gain Youth Music Theatre. The Newcastle Journal reports that the University appearing so regularly in by day Mr Whately is a drama teacher, but by night the various national and local papers. their degrees transforms into ‘director extraordinaire’. The theatre A veritable smorgasbord of group he heads started life as the Children’s Music achievement is on display this month Theatre, starting with Jane Dalton, who at just 25 has been appointed as touring Curator of the Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham. The festivals, with Richmond and Twickenham Times report that the new Curator Prince promises “a diverse collection of high-quality exhibitions”; her Industry Edward degree in History of Art, Italian and French here at Leicester becoming its obviously establishing a platform for her future success. patron in If, like thousands of other people across the UK, you’ve 1985. Perhaps gone through the stress of the high point buying or selling your in the group’s life was the production of The Threepenny home, help may be at Opera on Broadway, sponsored by Andrew Lloyd hand from a Leicester Webber and winning a critic’s choice award in the graduate. David Orange, process - all in day’s work for Mr Whately. self-made millionaire at a Students in A plea for help from viewers of Peak mere 35 offers his Practice/Heartbeat/Emerdale Farm and all the other valuable (and naturally not ‘countryside’ programmes currently littering our inexpensive) advice as the screens appears in various papers. Robert Fish, a PhD Tamworth Herald reports scramble to student in the Geography Department is carrying out this month. Mr Orange’s a study aiming to discover why programmes like this new self-help book for “have such appeal”, so the Whitby Gazette reports. those amongst us who live The study is not simply to do with TV in fear of the words ‘estate avoid fees programmes, but as Mr agent’ shows how to make Fish suggests in the others pay for your move. Coventry Evening Telegraph, Creatively titled “Save Money Buying and Selling your is concerned with “ the Home”, it comes with a complementary video courtesy changing role of the British of Barclays Mortgages, just in case you don’t believe all countryside”. Anyone that you read. interested? You know From a lesson in house-hunting to a lesson in where to go. relaxation, which comes courtesy of the Independent, The news from the trees is this month examining the benefits of “quality time” that birds are no longer the with pupils in schools. A Leicester University study, monogamous creatures once carried out for the National Union of Teachers, thought to be - or so says suggests that taking time out from the rigor of David Richardson. David, education for “spontaneous activities” could lead to a studying for a higher degree at fourth “R” being added to the curriculum - Leicester, spent many months “recreation”. The study indicates that there is room hiding up various Californian within the National Curriculum to accommodate trees in an attempt to study the this non-teaching period as most schools are Northern Oriole’s mating meeting the requirements of such subjects as behaviour over a period of English and Mathematics. The move would mean a three years! As the Daily

Leicester Mercury returning back to basics in every sense of the word. Telegraph reports, he has In Japan, a country littered with achievers, one discovered that even the lowliest man (literally) stands out - Henry Wallace, Scotsman, ex-Leicester creatures cannot remain faithful University Economics graduate, no relation to “Braveheart”, and new head to one mate. A table has now been drawn up of “infidelity in the bird of the Mazda Corporation based in Hiroshima. Taking over the running of kingdom, from the totally monogamous swan, rising to the Red Bunting, of Mazda, as part of the Ford Motor Company in 1995, he has risen in the which every female is unfaithful at some point”. A case of “Bye bye birdie”?

24 BOOKS

CHURCH AND STAGE IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND ‘Covers all the Richard Foulkes subjects in an (Department of Adult Education/Department of English) introductory Cambridge University Press, July 1997, £37.50 physics course’ (hardback) Available from the Bookshop (IBSN 0-521-45320-8) a subject is introduced in During the reign of Queen class. This book bridges that Victoria, herself an ardent gap - it contains every type of playgoer as well as Supreme problem likely to be Governor of the Church of encountered at this level, so England, a remarkable by attempting these exercises rapprochement was effected and learning from the between the church and the solutions, students will gain theatre. At the beginning of her confidence in solving class reign considerable antagonism problems and improve their existed between these two grasp of physics. institutions, but by the end The book is split into two reconciliation was almost parts. The first contains the complete. problems, together with useful summaries of the main results needed for In a wide-ranging account of solving them. The second part gives full solutions to each problem, often this multifaceted subject, Dr accompanied by thoughtful comments. Subjects covered include statics, Foulkes explores the Newton’s laws, circular motion, gravitation, electricity and magnetism, implications for the theatre of electric circuits, liquids and gases, heat and thermodynamics, light and the great religious movements waves, atomic physics, and relativity. of the period: Tractarianism, Christian Socialism and ‘Gives clear, step-by-step solutions and Latitudinarianism. This central relationship is seen in the context of other includes summaries of key theories and important themes in Victorian cultural history such as censorship, formulas’ urbanisation, transport, leisure, self-improvement and women’s emancipation. The problems are drawn from many fields, including physics, chemistry, ‘This book also contains illustrations from the biology, engineering, medicine, and architecture. The book will be invaluable to anyone taking an introductory course in physics, whether at period and will be of interest to students and college or pre-university level. scholars of theatre history and Victorian studies.’ JUSTUS VON LIEBIG. The Chemical Gatekeeper The volume contains portraits of significant churchmen (Keble, Professor William H Brock (Department of History) Newman, Manning, Maurice, Kingsley, Stanley, Farrar and Headlam), Cambridge University Press, August 1997, £50 dramatists (Bulwer Lytton, Charles Reade, Tennyson, H A Jones and Shaw), actors (Macready, Phelps, Wilson Barrett and Irving) and actresses (hardback) (Fanny Kemble, Helen Faucit and Ellen Terry). These were influential Available from the Bookshop (IBSN 0-521-56224-4) figures who participated in the search for a common culture which One of the founding fathers of organic chemistry and also a great preoccupied the nineteenth century. teacher, the German To the Victorians the church and the theatre were important parts of scientist Justus von Liebig everyday life. In this study, the two institutions are explored in relation not (1803-73) transformed only to each other but also to the social, economic and intellectual scientific education, medical movements of the period. practice, and agriculture in Great Britain. Bill Brock’s fresh PHYSICS WITH ANSWERS - 500 Problems and interpretation of Liebig’s Solutions stormy career, based on ten years’ research in German, Professor Andrew R King (Department of Physics & British and American Astronomy) and O Regev libraries, shows how he Cambridge University Press, August 1997, £50 moved chemistry into the (hardback), £16.95 (paperback) socio-political marketplace, Paperback available from the Bookshop (IBSN )-521-48369-7) demonstrating its significance for society in food Physics with Answers contains 500 problems covering the full range of production, nutrition and introductory physics and its applications to many other subjects, along public health. with clear, step-by-step solutions to each problem. No calculus is Through his controversial required. Students often have difficulty in solving practical problems after ideas on artificial fertilisers

25 BOOKS PEOPLE and recycling, his theory of disease, and his stimulating suggestions BIRTHDAY PARTY concerning food and nutrition, he warned the world of the dangers of failing to recycle sewage or to replace soil nutrients. Forty-three colleagues and friends of Ann ‘At long last a study that takes Liebig off his Conolly met with her pedestal as ‘hero of chemistry’ and shows him for a lunch party in the Charles Wilson as a thoroughly engaged and political human Building on 23 July to being concerned with agricultural celebrate her improvement, environmental preservation, eightieth birthday. The guests included personal profit and the future of mankind.’ present and former Roy Porter, Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine colleagues, former students from as far back as the Liebig also played the role of an elder statesman of European science 1950s, by commenting, via popular lectures and expansions of his readable collaborators from Chemical Letters, on such issues as scientific methodology and other universities, materialism. This is the first biography of Liebig in English since 1895. and botanical friends from around the SCULPTURE CONSERVATION - Preservation or country. On top of all Interference? the other notable University anniversaries Edited by Phillip Lindley (Department of History of Art) this year, 1997 is also the 50th anniversary of Ann's arrival at Scolar Press, September 1997, £35 (hardback) Leicester. She was appointed as Lecturer in Botany in 1947, Available from the Bookshop (IBSN 1-85928-254-7) when the Department of three staff was still in the Fielding The field of Johnson Building and running an Honours course in Botany sculpture for about five students per year. She saw the Department conservation has grow, move to the Astley Clarke Building, then in 1967 move long been a to the Adrian Building, and become one of the founding contentious one. departments of the School of Biological Sciences. Ann The decision not officially retired in 1982, but since then has maintained a daily to restore the routine of research at her desk in the herbarium. Elgin marbles in Ann's specialisation is in two areas. Her expertise in the 1816 marked an identification of macrofossil remains in peat and in important break archaeological sites has set up a network of collaborators in with previous other Leicester Departments and in other universities, many procedures and dating back over several decades. Her interest in today the types of phytogeography and British field botany, together with her ‘restoration’ long association with the Lleyn Peninsula and Bardsey Island, practised from the has resulted in a high annual car mileage, and a very wide Renaissance circle of friends and collaborators, both amateur and onwards are professional, within the Botanical Society of the British Isles. avoided in favour Ann Conolly's enthusiasm, commitment and sense of of ‘conservation’. humour remain undiminished, and the Department hopes to However, see her each day in the Department (when not in North conservation Wales) in the future. practices Carol Webster themselves are often highly problematic and the distinction between restoration on the one hand and conservation on the other is not always clear. This collection of twenty essays by contributors to the international RETIREMENT GIFT conference in Liverpool, edited by Dr Lindley, shows that there are few unequivocal answers to the cultural, ethical and legal problems posed by Eric Singer, who retired last year after many years as Chief sculpture conservation. Powerfully contrasting attitudes are reflected in Technician in the Botany Department, has written to thank his these essays, some of which also scrutinise the institutional frameworks friends and former colleagues for their support and friendship within which modern conservation takes place. through the years at the University. In his letter, he also wishes to Taken together, the essays make clear the pressing need to establish thanks to go to those who contributed towards his gift, The PC procedures through which conservators, scientists, curators and Study Bible Reference Library Plus, with which he is very pleased. administrators can all co-operate in the interests of preserving our Carol Webster sculptural heritage for the future.

26 PEOPLE

OBITUARIES The influence of Sturt and Lawrence in particular led him to propose a curriculum for the majority of pupils which, though non-academic, was The University has learnt, with regret, the deaths of the following: rigorous in its demands for excellence in arts, crafts and practical activities - a folk culture redefined for an industrial society. GEOFFREY BANTOCK It was this commitment which helps to explain Bantock’s persistent Geoffrey Herman Bantock, ambivalence to the emerging New Right as manifested in the Black born 12 October 1914, died Paper of the late 60s and early 70s. Having been the standard bearer on 1 September 1997. He was of conservative educational thought for more than a decade, Bantock educated at Wallasey seemed slightly embarrassed by some of his more extreme followers. Grammar School and Although he sympathised with the New Right’s views on universities Emmanuel College, and secondary schools, he maintained that its castigation of modern Cambridge. In his final years methods was ‘not really good enough’. He wrote, “What we need is a at school he was Head sober and careful analytical presentation of the Conservative case”. Prefect. His early career was At the University of Leicester Bantock took his statutory periods as spent teaching English in Director of the School of Education. Detailed administration did not suburban boys’ grammar come naturally to him, but he nonetheless played the leading role in the schools, at Ealing and at Ilford. establishment of a new teacher training college, Nene College, in In 1946 Bantock was Northampton, and was delighted to observe its continuing appointed to a lectureship in development and progress within the influence of the University of English at the City of Leeds Leicester. Training College. Four years Students and pupils testified to the excellence of Bantock’s teaching; later he moved to a its rigorous intellectual content and compelling presentation; his lectureship at the then University College, Leicester, where later he distinguished appearance and fine speaking voice made him an became Reader in Education, and subsequently, Professor. impressive lecturer. Throughout his career Bantock emphasised the importance of In 1950 he married his wife, Jean, one of his students at the City of scholarship in the field of education and, above all, the centrality of Leeds Training College who was a gifted primary school teacher, English in the development of young people’s creative and cultural especially of children with learning difficulties. abilities. His early critical writing included a full-length study of L.H. Professor Gerald Bernbaum and Emeritus Professor Margaret Mathieson Myers, in whose novels he identified a controlling intelligence exemplifying the quality he valued so highly in education. It was, THOMAS A SHEARER however, Bantock’s writing and broadcasting on educational issues Readers will be saddened to hear of the death of Tom Shearer at the which made him a significant figure in the 60s and 70s. In a series of age of 54; his long fight against a battery of respiratory diseases finally books: Freedom and Authority in Education (1952); Education in an ended in Glenfield Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit on 30 July 1997. Industrial Society (1956); Education and Values (1965); Education, Tom was a student in the Classics Department from 1961 to 1964, Culture and the Emotions (1967); and, Education, Culture and Administrative Officer in the Department of Engineering from 1968 to Industrialisation (1968), Bantock adopted ostensibly conservative 1988, and a Senior Administrative Assistant in the External Relations positions, at odds with the educational thinking of that period, with the Office from 1988 to 1991, when failing health forced him to take early context of his day to day work at the School of Education at Leicester, retirement. He had been Senior Tutor/ Sub-Warden in Stamford Hall and with the changes taking place in Leicestershire schools. At a from 1975 - 1995, Clerk to Convocation from 1968/69 till he became theoretical level he emphasised the independence of academic Chairman in 1992. disciplines, the authority of academic disciplines and hence, therefore, I taught Tom as a student; he was a good Latinist and gained an the authority of the teacher. He believed that achievement derived upper second, but it was for his pleasing eccentricities that I remember from disciplined learning and that children could not be expected to him. For example, when translating from English into Latin he would understand the benefits of the learning experience until this had been illuminate the first letter as if he were in his fine italic hand composing thoroughly undertaken. Bantock was also a conservative in his views the modern equivalent of a medieval manuscript. During his period as a on much popular culture, believing that teachers owed their pupils a student, he edited Ripple to a standard in the eyes of some of us never revival and redefinition of the folk culture which had sustained and subsequently excelled. Stylishness was always a characteristic of Tom’s, enriched the lives of people in the past. a stylishness both of form and content. Not for him dry bureaucratic Bantock’s position on a range of educational and cultural issues prose - whether penning a notice for the Engineering Department, or departed sharply from much mainstream thinking and writing in the 60s accepting an invitation for dinner, the acceptance written on a scroll in and 70s; he remained a persistent critic of those who espoused the idiosyncratic Italian, or writing an editorial for the Convocation Review - importance of choice, the interdisciplinary curriculum and immediacy of all was done with a somewhat orotund elegance. experience on individual levels, and egalitarianism, comprehensive After a few not very happy years as a teacher in South-East London, schools and de-streaming at a policy level. he returned to Leicester University as Administrative Officer in the A reserved and private man, Bantock suffered from being forced to Department of Engineering. This was an act of faith on both sides; enter the political debate of that period, conducted as it sometimes Tom did not even have ‘O’ Level Maths and, I am told, then supposed was in a malicious fashion. He was frequently under attack, sometimes that you could mend a punctured inner tube by sticking a piece of in a highly personal way which he found hurtful and puzzling. Such elastoplast over the hole. In the event, Tom proved to be a very attacks were extremely unfair as there was a further element in successful Administrative Officer, adding a dash of panache to Bantock’s thinking, perhaps eventually more significant than his efficiency. arguments about discipline and authority; that was his commitment, In 1988, he transferred to the External Relations Office, where the originating in the writings of George Sturt and the novels and essays of work was more closely related to his other interests. Those who knew D H Lawrence, to children’s creativity in art, drama, music and writing. him only latterly will be unaware that as a younger man he had some

27 PEOPLE

It has to be said that Tom could sometimes be a difficult colleague and friend: ‘coolnesses’, as he would term them, sprang up, but would be as quickly dissipated, usually with the exchange of bottles of wine. Central to Tom’s life was his Roman Catholicism; at one time he wanted to become a priest, but he eventually realised that his true vocation was working with and for students. He was also passionately attached to his native Salford and intended to retire there in 1998. He is buried there in the family grave at Worsley. Duncan Cloud

• A memorial service for Tom Shearer was held on Convocation Day, Saturday 20 September at 3.00 p.m. in Queen’s Hall of the Percy Gee Building. Included in the poems and readings reflecting Tom’s interests and personality, which were read during the service, were some of his own work. The service was conducted by Father Fabian Radcliffe.

MICHAEL READ The funeral service of Michael Read, who had recently completed the first year of the B.A. Geography course, was held at St Mary’s Church, Tom Shearer, as Chairman of Convocation, welcoming Professor Malcolm Bradbury, guest Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent on Friday 29 August at 1.00 p.m. Donations in speaker, Annual Convocation Lecture 1994. his memory may be made to the Meningitis Research Foundation - all enquiries to Joseph Edwards & Sons, Funeral Directors (01270 882097). surprising outdoor pursuits. On teaching practice, he took over the MR P P J KAVANAGH school angling club. I recall him tearing about Oadby on his Norton The University has learnt of the tragic death of Mr Peter Kavanagh. Commando 750, and cards would come from various points on the Mr Kavanagh, who graduated in 1991 with an LLB in Law with French, Hejaz Railway between Damascus and Ma’an at a time when Syria, died in the train crash at Southall on Friday 19 September. Lebanon and Jordan were definitely not part of the package holiday scene. Italy, particularly Piedmont, Lombardy and Rome with its environs, he loved and visited almost every year. He became known to a wider circle of staff because of his work for the Senior Common Room Wine Club over some twenty years. As Treasurer, he guided the Club through troubled waters and even before he became Social Secretary, with his encyclopaedic knowledge of wines, especially Italian, he organised a series of unforgettable wine tastings and dinners - he was himself no mean cook. However, it is for his work for students that he most deserves to be remembered. Tom was proud to be a graduate of Leicester University; he was determined to help students while they were here and weld former students together and to the University. He became a tutor in Stamford Hall in 1970 and subsequently Senior Tutor - he only gave up in 1996 when scarcely able to leave his rooms. He was devoted to his students, particularly those of Spinneys House of which he was for many years in charge, giving unstintedly of his time, hospitality and even money to any who were in some kind of trouble. Many past students became his loyal friends, as the large numbers at his celebratory dinner in 1995 demonstrated. Colleagues from outside the Hall still remember fondly the General Gordon Lectures which he sponsored, and sometimes himself gave, for which he always provided a generous supply of wine. These lectures were an excuse for Tom to share with his friends and students his interests and expertise, which included, as well as subjects already mentioned, transport history and African exploration. These continued for some fifteen years, and only ended when a French royalist priest delivered a ninety-minute sermon on the sanctity of Marie Antoinette. However, it was on Convocation that he left his most enduring mark. For many years its Clerk and ultimately its Chairman, Tom worked tirelessly to bring together former students, particularly students from Stamford Hall, supporting regional meetings and raising money for such causes as improving the Library collection and the amenities of the Putney Road Student Houses. He was immensely loyal to Convocation, and for many years had done much constructive work unseen.

28 RESEARCH

EXTERNAL GRANTS MAY/JUNE ECONOMIC & SOCIAL which will produce estimates of the HISTORY state of the system under observation. (held over from previous issue) Dr H V Bowen This observer will be a source of knowledge for the diagnostic process. and host cellular communication in the From Trade to Empire: The East ARCHAEOLOGY The work will be carried out in immediate vicinity of pathogen India Company 1756-1813 Prof G W Barker conjunction with Perkins Technology infection. In this project we propose Between 1756 and 1813 the British East Wadi Faynan Project in Jordan Limited and Lucas Advanced Vehicle two complementary approaches to India Company, a private monopolistic Systems. £ 4,925 British Institute at Amman identify immediate early genes involved commercial organisation, established a in the HR elaborated by the effective large territorial empire in South Asia. Amount reported in April bulletin. BIOCHEMISTRY triggering of the RPM1 mediated As this happened , the company Perkins Technology Limited Dr C R Bagshaw disease resistance signal transduction acquired considerable territorial Prof N B Jones pathway. We will use arbitrary primed revenues, established an army that was Single molecule enzyme kinetics: Dr S K Spurgeon PCR fingerprinting of RNA to identify larger than the regular British army, and Application to myosin ATPase immediate early genes transcriptionally began (reluctantly) to take responsibility Dr M J Pont Muscle contraction and many other activated/repressed during the disease for local administration and Diagnostics & control in diesel forms of cell motility are driven by the signal transduction response and will government. This project seeks to powered systems - Studentship interaction of two proteins, myosin and examine how those within the company also attempt to identify potential £ 5,696 (Supp) Perkins Technology actin, fuelled by ATP hydrolysis. In the regulatory protein kinases which are in Britain responded to these new last 5 years it has been possible to post-transcriptionally activated during (and unexpected) circumstances, and it Dr A Whitehouse observe the interaction of a single the hypertensive response. concentrates on the processes of Investigation of damage & failure myosin molecule with an actin filament £ 153,323 BBSRC administrative reform and management during thermo-mechanical loading to generate a minute mechanical reorganisation that occurred within the of discontinuously reinforced metal displacement associated with a single Company’s headquarters at East India matrix composites contractile event. Researchers are now BIOCHEMISTRY (MEDICAL) House in Leadenhall Street, London. I Metal matrix composites are very trying to correlate this step with Prof R C Liddington have previously explored the financial, attractive materials for the aerospace chemical events at the active site of Crystallographic studies of PDZ business and political dimensions of the and automotive industries because of myosin. This project seeks to develop domains: Integration of cellular Company’s late-eighteenth-century their low weight and high stiffness ways of measuring the time course of responses transformation from trader to ATP hydrolysis at the level of single characteristics. There is considerable The PDZ domain is a recently sovereign, and this new work is myosin molecules so as to correlate interest in replacing conventional steel discovered protein recognition module intended to draw these different with mechanical events. Using and aluminium alloy components with present in a variety of proteins involved threads together by way of a final fluorescent ATP analogues, it is possible composites. However, in order for in signalling pathways through the cell. preparation for the completion of a to observe directly the binding and these materials to be utilised safely it is Our atomic resolution structure detailed study of the Company’s turnover of single ATP molecules by essential to have a detailed knowledge determination by X-ray crystallography domestic affairs between c.1750 and sparsely distributed myosin molecules of how they respond under combined of the first such domain shows that it c.1820. on a microscopic slide. The method thermal and mechanical loading has a compact fold with a conserved £ 1,544 British Academy involves laser excitation of the situations. Most research on these hydrophobic pocket which forms a fluorophore by total internal materials has concentrated on their binding site for the intracellular tails of reflectance, to reduce background EDUCATION tensile behaviour. However, in reality membrane-bound receptors and ion signal, and detection using a highly Prof M J Galton/Prof K they are likely to be subjected to a channels. This structure paves way for sensitive CCD camera. The technique Fogelman/Dr L Hargreaves/Mr C variety of different modes of loading, studying related domains and their may have general importance in Comber and certainly in automotive or complexes with peptides. These studies improving the sensitivity of other aerospace situations, fluctuating will define the atomic level interactions, Evaluation of “superhighways” enzyme assays by many orders of temperature. and together with the biochemical and initiative magnitude and DNA sequencing at the In the present research investigation modelling studies, will define the £ 3,500 NCET single molecule level. will be carried out on silicon carbide structural determinants of recognition reinforced aluminium composite £ 149,928 Wellcome Trust and specificity. ENGINEERING subjected to compression and torsional Dr L Y Lian £ 151,888 BBSRC Prof N B Jones stresses, combined with thermal Coenzyme A and chloramphenicol Dr S K Spurgeon loading. In this way a greater insight into the micromechanisms of damage binding to chloramphenicol CELL PHYSIOLOGY & Dr M J Pont acetyltranferase: An NMR study of PHARMACOLOGY and failure can be obtained, and hence a Diesel engines have become a common hydrophobic mutants Dr L F Donaldson/Dr B D Grubb better understanding of how these source of power, both of vehicles and materials react in a wide variety of £ 1,400 Nuffield Foundation Spinally acting prostaglandins: Sites for static equipment because they fuel situations. of expression of prostaglandin efficient, robust and reliable. It is Dr W U Primrose £ 2,780 Nuffield Foundation receptor subtypes and their role in important that diesel engines run in Isolation and characterisation of an spinal nociceptive processing their correct condition and be properly enzyme of the folate biosynthesis £ 91,903 Arthritis & Rheumatism controlled in order to maintain EPIDEMIOLOGY & PUBLIC pathway Council efficiency, low pollution and high HEALTH £ 1,400 Nuffield Foundation reliability. This project will bring Dr C McGrother CHEMISTRY together modern techniques in Information Officer BOTANY Dr P S Monks diagnostics and control to provide good control as well as monitoring for £ 32,596 Fosse Health Trust Dr M R Grant Photochemical control of ozone in incipient faults. Identification and characterisation the troposphere Dr C McGrother The problem will be approached by the of immediate early genes involved £ 3,000 Nuffield Foundation Study of informal care & in the elaboration of the use of adaptive models. These modes perceptions of need & quality of hypersensitive response in plants will have varying levels of detail ranging palliative care in Leicestershire - CHILD HEALTH from the overall system down to sub- The hypersensitive response (HR) Stage 1 Dr C L P O’Callaghan systems, components and parts will be induces rapid changes to host cell £ 19,999 Leicestershire Health described using Fuzzy methods. physiology and metabolism in a highly The historical development of the Prof G Parker coordinated programme of cell death. metered dose inhaler for Part of the scheme will involve the Clearly this process requires intimate respiratory drug delivery design of a nonlinear control system. Dr R Olsen This will involve a software “observer” cross-talk between pathogen and host, £ 21,218 Wellcome Trust Parenting & disability: The role of 29 RESEARCH informal & formal support networks of the Mediterranean and Near East. Prof J Walls out-patient basis”. The equipment to We will study the formal and informal £ 1,400 Nuffield Foundation The Mechanism of Albumin be issued needs to be comprehensively supports available to disabled parents, Endocytosis by Proximal Tubular assessed as accurate. The purpose of the proposed study will be to and the types and amounts of both GEOLOGY Cells demonstrate the new equipment’s formal and informal support that is It is recognised that the degree of Prof B F Windley clinical effectiveness, safety, patient needed to support disabled people in proteinura often determines the TUVA - Mongolia - Central Asian acceptability and cost-effectiveness. their role as parents. The research outcome in patients with chronic renal mobile belts involves interviews with 100 disabled disease. In order to understand the £ 27,500 Hutchings Healthcare parents (and other family adults) in the £ 3,444 INTAS underlying mechanisms, it is necessary East Midlands. We are keen to learn to determine the nature of albumin PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY about the impact of impairment on, MASS COMMUNICATIONS endocytosis by proximal tubular cells, Prof S W H Cowley amongst other things family life, the and to determine which intracellular Prof J D Halloran Contract for experimental work responsibilities of family signalling systems are involved in that The importance of the media spectroscopist members, and the expectations of process. children. We are interested in coverage of sport for young people £ 51,168 JET Joint Undertaking £ 20,619 Leicester General Hopsital comparing the experiences of parents £ 11,027 International Olympic Prof S W H Cowley with physical and mental impairments, Committee and in comparing single- and dual- OBSTETRICS & Eiscat Svalbard Radar software parent households. In addition, we will MATHEMATICS & COMPUTER GYNAECOLOGY development try to understand the ‘journey’ of a SCIENCE Dr A W F Halligan £ 20,000 CLRC family from onset of disability by Antenatal surveillance of Dr G Lowe Dr D J Raine carrying out 12 case studies of parents hypertensive pregnancies - Grant in A CSP approach to the analysis of recently disabled. In addition to adding Aid of Research Unified models of active galactic empirical evidence to debates about security protocols nuclei Approximately 15% of all pregnancies how to promote independent living, the Commercial use of the Internet is are complicated by hypertensive £ 770 Nuffield Foundation research will help those purchasing and becoming more and more prevalent. It disorders. This condition accounts for providing health and social services to, is vital that operations associated with Dr M J Turner between 12 to 24% of all antenatal understand the holistic needs of families such usage are performed securely: that Travel Grant admissions and is responsible for up to with disabled parent(s), and to identify is in a way that ensures both secrecy 50% of all antenatal care after 20 £ 6,400 British Council Japan the barriers to effective joint working in and authenticity. weeks’ gestation. The Confidential providing those services. Mr A Wells Such secure operations may be Enquiry into Maternal Deaths has £ 193,437 Department of Health achieved using security protocol: this is identified hypertensive disorders as Impact - Innovative micro- an exchange of messages between being among the commonest causes of electronic sensors & advanced CCD GENERAL agents, with goals such as establishing a Maternal death. The underlying technology PRACTICE/EPIDEMIOLOGY & cryptographic key, or authenticating principle of antenatal care as we know it £ 123,106 PPARC via Imperial College PUBLIC HEALTH one agent to another. These protocols was introduced in the early part of this are designed to operate in an Dr A D Wilson Century with as its primary objective PRE-CLINICAL SCIENCES environment where an industry may be Dr F Cheater intensive surveillance for the able to interfere with messages passing Dr C D Ockleford Dr A Lennox development of hypertension during in the system. Experience shows that it Dr A Whyte Prof G Parker pregnancy. Despite almost 80 years of is very hard to design these protocols Ms A Drewett antenatal care, the recently published Distribution of plasminogen correctly-many protocols have been Audit Commission study of maternity activator & inhibitor in conceptus Policy Research Programme: St suggested, only later to be shown to be services indicates that there is still a real products Matthews evaluation seriously flawed. uncertainty about the optimal number These awards represent the Royal £ 86,210 NHS Executive Trent Recently a method of analysing security of antental visits necessary to provide Society’s input to a programme funded protocols using the process algebra CSP safe and appropriate antental care. The jointly with the Chinese Academy of GENETICS and its model checker FDR has been most recent Confidential Enquiry into Sciences. The programme is in its third Dr M A Jobling developed. This method has proved Maternal Deaths identified five women year and supports the final visit of Dr very successful at identifying attacks who died during pregnancy who Molecular analysis of the 12f2 Colin Ockleford (Department of Pre- upon protocols. The purpose of this developed hypertension between the (DYS11) human Y - chromosome Clinical Sciences) and Dr Steele of the project is to develop these ideas, to prescribed optimal interval of antenatal specific polymorphism Department of Health, London, to make the techniques easier to use, and visits. China and Professor Lui and Dr Hu of The most important event in the history to extend their scope. For all these reasons, the most the State Key Laboratory for of Europe was arguably the arrival of £ 53,557 EPSRC commonly performed antenatal Reproductive Biology, Chinese agriculture from the Near East, screening tests are blood pressure Academy of Science to complete their beginning about 10,000 years ago; this measurement and urine analysis for research in Leicester. The research is lead to population growth and the MEDICINE & THERAPEUTICS/ proteinuria. Unfortunately, these focused on understanding the molecular development of stable and sophisticated LEICESTERSHIRE HEALTH screening tools are imprecise and often mechanisms of implantation and civilisations. Debate has centred on Prof C M Castleden incorrectly identify patients at risk and parturition opportunities for improving whether this was a spread of Neolithic Dr S G Parker miss patients who have the condition. reproductive health. people themselves, displacing the Dr R Hsu This leads, in the case of incorrect indigenous Palaeolithic hunter- £ 5,720 Royal Society District Stroke Services - identification, to over-management and gatherers, or simply a spread of the Coordinator unnecessary hospital admission and ideas of farming technology. Patterns of SOCIAL WORK Please note Dr Parker and Dr Hsu’s protracted length of stay. It may also polymorphic DNA markers can be used involvement in this project. lead to missing patients who are truly at Prof P J Aldgate to investigate this question genetically, risk. Risk Assessment and the Y chromosome allows us to Amount reported in April bulletin look specifically at paternal lineages, Stroke Association A practical, patient-centred solution to £ 3,000 NSPCC intensive in-patient surveillance is to since it is passed down only from father Dr H Ward to son. This grant is for the detailed MEDICINE & THERAPEUTICS issue automated blood pressure monitors and automated urine analysis Refocussing children’s services - analysis of a Y-specific polymorphism, Dr R I Norman thought to be a marker for these equipment to patients to use in their Looking after children in need Vacation Scholarship - Ms P L Smith “Neolithic’ chromosomes, and currently own homes. This concept will be £ 20,000 North Lincolnshire Homestart found at high frequencies in populations £ 750 Wellcome Trust known as “in-patient monitoring on an

30 RESEARCH

SOCIOLOGY EXTERNAL GRANTS JULY methods for studying the structural basis Mr N D Jewson of the specificity of these enzymes and ADULT EDUCATION absent from higher organisms, and Diamonds, ethnicities & global the student supported by this grant will therefore presents an excellent target for markets: The role of the Jain Dr D Parson apply these to one particular enzyme in antibacterial agents. Our atomic Community in the international The archaeological investigation of its family, the most abundant such resolution structure determination by X- diamond trade All Saints' Church, Brixworth, enzyme in human liver. The objective of ray crystallography of a major fragment Northants:- Research Leave Scheme the work is to reach a sufficient level of £ 1,000 Dr N K Shah Trust of E. coli DNA gyrase provides the basis understanding of the enzyme to be able The history of All Saints’ begins with its for studying its mechanism and the to predict its action on new compounds Prof A Phizacklea foundation as a monastery around atomic resolution interactions with and hence facilitate the drug design Mr N Furini AD675. The church itself was built candidate drugs. These include the process. Evaluation of Leicestershire Youth about 10 years later and the surviving quinolones, the bacterial toxin CcdB, and £54,000 Glaxo Wellcome Training Trust Fund building still incorporates much of the peptides derived from phage display, all original fabric. It is one of the most £ 4,151 Leicestershire TEC Ltd of which may provide new leads for drug complete and significant Anglo-Saxon discovery. BOTANY churches still in regular use. Prof J Draper SURGERY £135,436 BBSRC Archaeological observation, recording Development of a generic Prof P R F Bell and excavation have taken place over the BIOCHEMISTRY chemically-inducible promoter for The molecular biology of last 20 years under the auspices of the use in field crops aneurysms Brixworth Archaeological Research Dr A Maxwell £198,168 BBSRC £ 24,000 George Davies Charitable committee. The programme of research Identification of novel peptide Trust aims to elucidate the development of the inhibitors of bacterial DNA gyrase Dr M R Grant church and to investigate building using phage display Mechanisms of action of Dr R F L James methods and sources of building stone in £19,974 (supp) Wellcome Trust hypersensitive response genes Identification of breast tumour the period before the Norman £24,500 Hort Research antigens Conquest. Dr David Parsons, who BIOCHEMISTRY The high recurrence rates experienced represents the University of Leicester on Dr G C Whitelam the Committee, is the Co-ordinator of Dr P C E Moody in cases of breast cancer have led to the Development of diagnostic tests for Research, and has directed the survey of Design of 06methylguanine DNA development of generalised therapies BSE the standing fabric. The present stage of methyltranferase inhibitors; to boost the immune system following At present there are no reliable, live- primary therapy. Although these have the investigation is concerned with the crystallography of drug-ligand computer analysis of the survey data, complexes animal tests for bovine spongiform some impact there is a real need to encephalopathy, BSE. Such a test might with the intention of identifying and Drugs that damage DNA by alkylation understand the nature of the target be possible using antibodies that are dating the various construction phases, are used in cancer treatment. molecules that can be used to generate specific for the BSE agent. However, the and with the integration of the other Unfortunately cancer cells can develop an immune response in patients which low abundance of the BSE agent in forms of evidence (including mortar resistance to these drugs by producing will lead to the destruction of residual infected brain tissue, together with analyses, tree-ring dating and geophysical large amounts of 06methylguanine DNA tumour cells following surgical removal difficulties in its purification and low prospection), leading to the publication methyltranferase. This fascinating of the primary tumour. These immunogenicity of the agent have of a substantial monograph. protein repairs alkylation damage by molecules could be used to develop a prevented the development of such £6,206 British Academy transferring the alkyl group to itself in a “vaccine” to prevent recurrence of antibodies by conventional means. secondary tumours. Over a period of once-only process. If inhibitors of this Synthetic antibody repertoires made in time we have been developing a system ANAESTHESIA activity can be administered at the same time as the anti-cancer drugs, than the test tube and not involving the use of for identifying tumour specific Dr D G Lambert molecules which will stimulate a treatment will be more effective. Some animals, provide an alternative source of protective immune response and we The effects of nociceptin on inhibitors of this repair protein are specific antibodies for many applications. would now like to apply this to breast glutamate release already undergoing clinical trials. As yet These repertoires are constructed from cancer which provides a perfect model £37,016 Wellcome Trust there is no automatic structure for the engineered antibody-encoding genes in a to test the system. human enzyme, however the structure process that mimics the immune system. One significant advantage of synthetic £ 19,592 Breast Cancer Campaign ARCHAEOLOGY of a very similar bacterial protein has been determined. We will humanise the antibody repertoires over conventional Dr D Mattingley parts of this bacterial protein that binds antibody production methods, is that a ZOOLOGY The Leptimus Project, Tunisia to the drugs and determine the atomic pure target antigen is not necessary in Dr T A Burke £1,800 Society of Antiquities of structure the complexes. We will then order to obtain an antibody that Genetic benefits of mate choice & London be able to understand the way these specifically recognises the antigen. life history decisions in the inhibitors work and be able to improve This project, a collaboration with Dr H Mauritsen cooperative breeding Seychelles them. scientists at the Central Veterinary Warbler Research Account £27,020 Cancer Research Campaign Laboratory, will involve screening of £ 236,464 NERC £5,294 Carlsberg Foundation synthetic antibody repertoires for antibodies that are specifically diagnostic BIOCHEMISTRY (MEDICAL) BIOCHEMISTRY (MEDICAL) for the abnormal bovine prion, the BSE Dr S A Prigent agent. Any such anitbodies will be Prof W J Brammar Lister Institute Research Fellowship evaluated for use in tests. Vacation Scholarship - Ms Rachel £186,449 Lister Institute £46,302 MAFF via ADAS Evans Prof G C K Roberts £1,000 Wellcome Trust CELL PHYSIOLOGY & NMR & mutagenesis studies of PHARMACOLOGY Prof R C Liddington substrate binding to cytochrome Drug discovery & DNA gyrase: P450 3 A4 - Studentship Mr R Ward Dr J L Blank Structural biology & design Cytochromes P450 are enzymes which Dr R A J Challis applications form the body’s first line of defence Signalling pathways linking G- DNA gyrase is a bacterial enzyme that against exogenous chemicals. They are protein-coupled receptors to catalyses the introduction of supercoils therefore important both in toxicology hypertrophic and hyperplastic into DNA. It is essential in bacteria as it and in the design of new therapeutic responses in airways smooth muscle is required for DNA replication, but it is drugs. We have developed NMR Narrowing of the airways occurs in

31 RESEARCH asthma and this is partly brought about these studies to growth factory/tyrosine CHEMISTRY in this type of asthma and most children through a thickening of the smooth kinase-linked receptors coupled to the Dr A P Abbott with ‘viral wheeze’ do not progress to muscle layer. This permanently phospholipase g systems. In particular the usual form of allergic asthma. There Room temperature salts decreases airways diameter and is an Lee will investigate the kinetics and acute is surprisingly little information on the exacerbating factor contributing to the regulation of this cell signalling and how it £4,500 Johnson Matthey mechanisms of viral wheeze and on the severity of asthma. This study will “cross-talks” to the G-protein linked CHILD HEALTH/PRE-CLINICAL most appropriate means of preventing provide valuable information on how systems. and treating this condition. SCIENCES airways thickening might occur, and what The research could provide new clues to The children’s Asthma Centre in the are the best ways of treating people with Dr E S Anderson/Dr M P Wailoo/Dr regulatory targets that could be suitable S A Peterson Department of Child Health has been asthma to prevent this. for intervention by new therapeutic established in order to carry out research £11,800 National Asthma Campaign agents. Child care decisions by poor mothers into the mechanisms and treatment of - can they be changed £56,940 Wellcome Trust asthma in young children. The award CELL PHYSIOLOGY & This is one of the many studies in which from Henry Smith’s Charity has PHARMACOLOGY/ we assess the impact of social conditions permitted the creation of a New Senior CELL PHYSIOLOGY & and lifestyle on parenting behaviour and BIOCHEMISTRY/PATHOLOGY Clinical Research Fellowship (at Senior PHARMACOLOGY their subsequent effects on child Lecturer level) over a 5-year period in Dr R J Evans/Dr C A Pritchard/ Dr MEDICINE & THERAPEUTICS development, growth and ultimately order to establish a research programme E C Conley Dr J M Quayle/Dr D Lodwick/ morbidity and mortality. Comparisons in this field. The post will form the Generation & study of deficiency in Dr N W Davies will be made between poor socially nucleus of a research group linking the PZXI receptor for ATP Expression of cloned ATP sensitive chaotic households where poverty several departments within the £34,408 MRC potassium channels present in adversely affects the biology of children, University. smooth muscle and apparently stable families whose £368,516 Henry Smith's Charity via Prof S R Nashorski children enjoy better health. Uniquely Potassium selective ion channels present Medisearch interviews will be carried out by the local Coupling of human muscarinic M5 in cell membrane of smooth muscle cells resident parents to minimise bias, and Prof M Silverman receptors to different g-proteins in the wall of arteries are important reveal the true nature of poverty and its This is a partnership grant with Roche regulators of blood vessels diameter, and Children's Asthma Research Centre effects on parental attitudes to important Bioscience, Palo Alto, USA to work on therefore ultimately of blood flow and £28,327 Medisearch child care practices such a infant feeding, the signalling properties and regulation of blood pressure. For instance activation sleeping arrangements, cigarette smoking human muscarinic M5 acetylcholine of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in Mrs D Wensley/Prof M Silverman and use of preventative health services. receptors. It has been well established the smooth muscle cells underlies a large A randomised controlled trial of that the human genome encodes for 5 G- part of the dilation caused by some £39,565 Foundation for the Study of guided self-management protocols protein linked receptors that recognise neurotransmitters and hormones. Infant Deaths for school-children with asthma: Are and initiate transmembrane signalling in Conversely, inhibition of these channels peak flows useful? CHILD response to the chemical transmitter may underlie constriction by some HEALTH/EPIDEMIOLOGY & Although peak-flow measurement is acetylcholine. The physiological agents. The recent cloning of ATP- recommended as a basis for guided self- PUBLIC HEALTH WITH THE consequences range from slowing of the sensitive channel allows this regulation to management in asthma, there is little UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD heart rate, smooth muscle contraction, be studied at the molecular level. evidence that this ‘objective’ measure is many forms of cell secretion as well as Because the ATP-sensitive potassium Dr C S Beardsmore any better than symptoms as a guide to signalling within the central nervous channel is the target of clinically used Dr J R Thompson treatment. We will conduct a 3 month system. Although there has been drugs, including some used to treat An investigation to test the randomised controlled trial in which 60 intensive investigation of M1-M3 angina and diabetes, a better hypothesis that infants demonstrate children use peak -flow plus symptoms, receptors, M4 and M5 sites have lacked understanding of how this protein is a transient loss in ventilatory whilst the other 60 use only symptoms to sufficiently selective drugs and little is regulated is crucial to drug development. response to changes in inspired guide their management. By comparing known of their regulation. We shall £29,372 MRC oxygen the clinical outcome we will learn address this using a variety of whether peak-flow recording is useful £22,736 Foundation for the Study of experimental approaches to investigate Prof P R Stanfield and which values of peak-flow (if any) Infant Deaths molecular aspects of signalling in cells Ionic selectivity and gating of inward should be taken as the basis for changing expressing recombinant M5 receptors. rectifier potassium channels - CHILD HEALTH treatment. Hopefully, this work will provide more Fellowship for Dr So £29,383 National Asthma Campaign information on the diversity of Dr S Kotecha This grant provides a two year travelling acetylcholine action and provided clues Dr D Field fellowship for Dr Insuk So, an established ECONOMIC & SOCIAL for Roche Bioscience regarding the physiologist from the Seoul National Innovo Trial HISTORY (URBAN HISTORY) development of drugs that can select University, Korea. The grant enables him £7,500 MRC via London School of Prof P A Clark between the subtypes. to work in the department of Cell Hygiene Dr D A Reeder £88,638 Roche Bioscience USA Physiology & Pharmacology on the Dr C O'Callaghan British & German Towns during the molecular mechanisms underlying the Prof S R Nashorski Panda Clinical Trial early phase of the Industrial opening and closing of potassium ion £18,250 ML Laboratories Revolution Regulation of tyrosine kinase-linked channels and the way they select for receptors coupled to phospholipase potassium ions over other ions present in Dr C O'Callaghan £2,800 (supp) British Council C gamma & CAZ+ signalling - Prize the cytoplasm of mammalian cells and in Epidemiology Registry of Cystic EDUCATION Studentship - Mr L Weldon the extracellular fluid that surrounds cells. Fibrosis Mrs T Jarvis This is a Wellcome Prize Studentship in Dr So is expert in the physiological which Mr Lee Weldon will investigate properties of cardiac muscle and of the £5,466 Roche Products Ltd Scicentre Project - Grant in Aid of aspects of phospholipase C mediating Research smooth muscle cells of the vasculature Prof M Silverman signalling in cells. Cells can communicate and the gut. Potassium ion channels are The project builds on joint research Viruses and asthma in young children via transmembrane signalling using cell involved in the regulation of the electrical already carried out at Leicester surface receptors and the phospholipase excitability and contraction of these Virus infections, such as the common University School of Education and C enzyme family is integral to many such muscle cells. Dr So’s fellowship cold, are responsible for almost all Curtin University, Perth Western systems. The group in Leicester had establishes a link between physiologists in asthma attacks in young children. Australia. Sponsorship from the been particularly interested in how these Leicester and the highly rated Korean Although these attacks are seldom life- Australian Department of Industry, systems are regulated and has provided institution. threatening they represent an enormous Science & Technology has already cost, not only to the Health Service but much recent evidence on how G-protein £80,842 Wellcome Trust enabled some of the findings to be made linked receptors regulate phospholipase b also in terms of disruption to family life available to Australian teachers in a form isoforms. This studentship will extend and employment. Allergy plays little part suitable for classroom use. 32 RESEARCH

Funding from ICI will now enable similar synthesis of evidence from several Since 1990, Gps have received payments Services in the Lagging Regions of material to be produced for British sources) will be developed in a to promote healthy lifestyles amongst the EU) teachers. The pack will show how group strategically important application of the patients. Unfortunately, there is no The poorer regions of the European tasks and accounts of women and non- social sciences, namely use of social evidence to suggest that GPs have begun Union find difficulty in competing in Caucasian scientists can widen young scientific evidence of the outcomes of the undertaking health promotion activity European markets with their farm and children’s ideas of scientists. The health services. This will involve: which is likely to be of value to patients’. non-farm products and services. activities also involve children discussing i) conducting systematic reviews of This study will evaluate the effects of a However, with the recent upsurge in photographs of women, disabled and studies of outcomes important for new method of health promotion. consumer concern with the ‘health’ of non-Caucasian scientists and non- effective implementation of health and £102,606 NHS Executive Trent food, a market opportunity is opening up scientists at work. Strategies to ascertain social policies, specifically in the areas of in quality food products which may be and widen teachers and children’s views patient satisfaction and patient-based Dr K Khunti extendible to other non-food products of technology using questionnaires, a outcomes for health services and health Diabetes care in General Practice: and services. This research aims to link picture quiz and children’s writing will promotion, and Factors influencing the provision of the promotion of regional images with also be suggested. ii) inclusion of qualitative as well as good quality care quality products and services and so £5,000 ICI Chemicals & Polymers quantitative evidence in the synthesis, in Diabetes is a common chronic condition develop the wider-marketing of the in general practice with a prevalence of goods and services produced in the ENGINEERING order to avoid inefficient exclusion of results of qualitative studies from meta- known diabetes of 1-2%. Changes in the poorer regions. Dr J A M Bleijs analyses and failure of each to make full management of diabetes have reflected £1,746 CEC via University of Coventry Power-electronic network interface use of results obtained in the other. more general trends in the management for medium and large scale photo- Dr P Fisher The approaches taken here will include of chronic diseases with a shift in the voltaic arrays the use of statistical methods able to balance of responsibility from secondary Cumulative impact of wind turbine Photo-voltaic (PV) conversion of solar model the variability of results between to primary care. However, there are generation energy is rapidly becoming a cost- the different types of study or sources of large variations in the performance This project examines the work fro the effective means of producing pollution- evidence. The methods used will allow between general practitioners in the siting of wind turbines in wind ‘farms’. free electrical power. For domestic and expert reviewers to incorporate their provision of care of patients with diabetes One aspect of the work examines the industrial use the DC output power of assessments of the results of the mellitus. policy of the siting in terms of countryside PV cells must first be converted into AC qualitative studies with due regard to The aim of the study is to examine the protection and visual impact. power that matches the existing supply study quality. Development of provision of care of patients with diabetes Fundamental to this ids the identification network. The aim of the project is to appropriate methods for the elicitation of and to determine the importance of of locations which can see the sites. This determine the requirements for an the expert opinions will play an important patient and practice factors in explaining is conveniently achieved within interface between medium-to-large scale role. Sensitivity of the overall results to the variations in routine care of patients Geographical Information Systems, which arrays of PV cells and the 3-phase the expert opinion included will also be with diabetes. use a digital representation of the network, ensuring optimal energy investigated. £8,206 Royal College of Gps elevation of the landsurface, but such conversion and power quality. £92,160 ESRC elevation models are notoriously £125,467 EPSRC Mr K Stevenson inaccurate. The work being done at What factors are related to carrying Leicester is concerned with the Prof I Postlethwaite GENERAL PRACTICE & out successful clinical audit in measurement of the accuracy of the PRIMARY HEALTH CARE Simultaneous H-infinity feedback General Practices? areas determined to have visibility of the Dr F Cheater/Dr R Baker/Dr C stabilization - TMR Fellowship £2,800 Leicestershire Health sites. Preston/Dr H Hearnshaw £30,008 CEC £2,200 Countryside Commission for GENETICS The adaptation of the patient career Wales via Macaulay Research ENGLISH LOCAL HISTORY diary for use with patients receiving Prof C P Kyriacou & Consultancy Dr G R Jones cancer services Structural & functional analysis of Saints' Cults: Towards a national A new instrument to measure patients’ circadian clock genes GEOLOGY Dr P K Harvey/Dr M A Lovell electronic atlas - Fellowship views of their care through the health In insects, two genes period and timeless £21,846 Aurelius Charitable Trust care system as a whole (the patient represent critical components of the 24- Enhanced core-log integration career diary) has been developed through hour clock which underlies the temporal through shipboard optical 360 Dr G R Jones the NHS R&D interface programme. expression of behaviour and physiology. degree core scanning & downhole Saints' Cults: Towards a national Unlike other research instruments, the The two genes were initially isolated in FMS images for better constrained electronic atlas diary has been designed to elicit patients’ fruitfly, and a model about how the structural analysis ODP LEG 173 views across health settings. The aim of £20,989 Leverhulme Trust period and timeless protein act together Through a programme of drilling, coring the project is to adapt the existing diary to generate the clock has received wide and downhole measurements the to provide specific information about EPIDEMIOLOGY & PUBLIC support. However, it appears that in objective of Ocean Drilling Programme patients’ experience of their care HEALTH other insects, for example, the housefly, (ODP) Leg 173 is to determine the provided by cancer services. As part of Dr J Botha the way the period and timeless genes nature and structure of the passive the accreditation process of cancer units control behavioural rhythms is rather ocean-continent crustal transition off the Health Care Epidemiology and centre in Trent, the diary will be used different. This grant will focus on how west coast of Iberia. This project will £50,658 (supp) Leicestershire Health to assess whether patients’ view of evolution has altered the relationships employ a novel technique in which the cancer services are meeting agreed Prof M Clark between the regulation of these genes curved outside surface of retrieved core standards. and the biological clock. Biological Computer Officers samples is digitally imaged and then £15,625 NHS Executive Trent rhythms are very important in both insect matched to formation MicroScanner £87,132 Leicestershire Health and human behaviour, and have many (FMS) borehole images. From this Dr F Cheater Authority industrial, medical and agricultural procedure it will be possible to Evaluation of an audit protocol in applications. This basic research may determine the true orientation of the EPIDEMIOLOGY & PUBLIC trust-wide audit uncover some of the evolutionary secrets cores so that subsequent core HEALTH (WITH OXFORD £2,794 Fosse Health Trust of the 24-hour clock. measurements of geological features, UNIVERSITY) £158,683 Human Frontier Science such as the orientations of veins and General Practice & Primary Health Programme fractures, can be interpreted with respect Prof D R Jones/Ms M Dixon/Dr K Care with De Montfort University Abrams to their correct geographic orientation. Dr T Coleman/Dr A Wilson GEOGRAPHY This approach has not been attempted Meta-analysis of qualitative and Dr I Bowler before at sea by the ODP, but the quantitative evidence Providing financial payments to GP's for documenting smoking cessation: Ripple (Regional Images & the correct reorientation of at least some of Methods of meta-analysis (quantitative Influence on GP's advice giving Promotion of Quality Products & the cores would provide important

33 RESEARCH structural constraints on current models overproliferation of the cells of the outer Eosinophil adhesion under flow tissue during the course of an infection of the Iberian margin. layer (keratinocytes) and infiltration of conditions with the aim of identifying possible £25,473 NERC this layer by a specific population of blood £39,155 National Asthma Campaign targets for disease control. cells termed CD8-positive T £143,423 Wellcome Trust LAW lymphocytes. This project will involve a Prof B Williams Dr P Torremans novel approach to the analysis of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Trial OBSTETRICS & keratinocyte proliferation, and research International Law, Public & Private Many patients with high blood pressure GYNAECOLOGY into interactions between keratinocytes £2,400 (supp) British Council develop an increased thickening of the Dr F Al-Azzawi and T lymphocytes in culture. The wall of the heart, known as left Hands on hysteroscopy course Dr P Torremans project, which is supported by Astra ventricular hypertrophy. We now The prevalence of menstrual disorders The problems that Poland will face in Charnwood, is aimed at identifying novel recognise that the development of left during natural cycles and while on adapting to European Community therapeutic targets which might form the ventricular hypertrophy is a very strong hormone replacement treatment environmental law & the lessons to basis of a long term drug development. predictor of the future likelihood of heart mandate thorough endometrial be learned from the UK experience £126,740 Astra Charnwood disease or stroke. Importantly, however, assessment and appropriate sampling. we also recognise that many of the drugs £2,400 (supp) British Council Dr A M Gershlick The advent of hysteroscopy and its that we use to treat high blood pressure introduction into a clinical practice has Dr P Torremans Grant in Aid can bring about a reduction in the facilitated such a goal but made it more Current problems in European £20,071 Cook Incorporated thickness of the wall of the heart and this practical when the proceedure has been Community law & policy is associated with a reduction in the risk Prof J F Potter established to be carried out under local £2,400 (supp) British Council of heart disease or stroke. For these anaesthetic. The gynaecology research The prognostic implications of reasons identifying hypertensive patients group at the Department of Obstetrics & Each of the three agreements allowed a cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity, with left ventricular hypertrophy is Gynaecology at Leicester University has group of Leicester academics from the blood pressure variability and important so that we can ensure that introduced this technique on a wider Department of Law to carry out joint autonomic function assessed over 24 they receive the most appropriate scale and it has grown to become one of research with their Polish counterparts. hours following acute ischaemic treatment. Recently a new class of the largest facilities in the country. This was primarily done by means of stroke antihypertensive drug has been Developments in our unit include new research visits. Up to now three visits £12,375 Glenfield Hospital Trust R & developed which appears to be sampling techniques using the Leicester from Leicester to Katowice and two D Fund remarkably well tolerated. There is also Endometrium Sampler to be used. under from Katowice to Leicester have taken theoretical evidence, that these agents hysteroscopic guidance which allows place. Normally there is one Dr B J Rathbone may be particularly effective at reducing more specific sampling of areas of representative for each of the projects on Study into the role of H pylori in left ventricular hypertrophy which would interest. Given the substantial savings to each visiting team. At the end of the peptic ulcer disease and gastric potentially be of considerable benefit to be made as a result of deployment of this third year of these joint research projects cancer patients receiving them. We have been approach, as well as the remarkable we intend to organise two conferences, £5,584 Leicester Royal Infirmary funded to conduct a study to analyse the shortening of the waiting list for these one in Leicester and one in Katowice. effectiveness of one of these new women, we decided that if training is Dr I B Squire antihypertensive agents on the reversal of offered to gynaecologists in training it will MEDICAL PHYSICS Capricorn Study - Clinical Trials left ventricular hypertrophy in patients benefit a wider sector of the population Dr R B Panerai/Prof D H Evans with hypertension in Leicester. We hope £70,000 Smithkline Beecham Plc in Trent and Nation-wide. that this research will enable us to better Non-invasive arterial blood pressure The objectives of the course include: monitoring neonates Prof J Walls/Dr W Pickering/Dr A define the most appropriate treatment to Bevington be given to patients with this particular 1. theoretical introduction into methods Low Blood Pressure (BP) is a common of endometrial surveillance with the The effects of glucocorticoid complication of hypertension. complication in sick new-born babies, advantages and disadvantages of each receptor blockade by RU384686 £15,000 Astra Pharmaceuticals Ltd and may result in inadequate blood flow technique. to their brains and other organs, which in upon the skeletal muscle wasting of MICROBIOLOGY & 2. methods of hysteroscopic assessment turn lead to long term disability. metabolic acidosis IMMUNOLOGY and potential risks of the procedure Currently the BP of sick new-borns with Patients with kidney failure are subject to Prof P H Williams more serious conditions is monitored by numerous changes in their biochemistry 3. a practice on dummy uteruses so that inserting a small tube or catheter into including an inability to remove acid, a by Molecular analysis of expression & the trainee will gain confidence in one of their arteries, but this is not product of cell chemistry from the body. regulation of adherence factors of handling the equipment always reliable and carries a risk of These changes have many effects, one of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli 4. Practice is offered on a one to one infection and other complications. The which is malnutrition with loss of muscle Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) basis on patients who volunteer to object of this project is to develop a new mass; the most important predictor of are the major cause of bacterial diarrhoea participate in the course with the other method of arterial BP measurement survival for patients on dialysis among infants, especially in the candidates observing the steps via a which is completely non-invasive. This programme. developing world. Reports from the closed circuit television system. new system will allow continuous Previous work in this department has Indian subcontinent, for example, suggest £10,000 NHS Executive Trent monitoring of BP babies who may benefit shown that muscle wasting occurs due to that as many as 1 in 5 children in urban from the procedure, but who are not a state of excess acidity rather than and rural slum areas may die before the Prof D H Taylor considered to be so at risk as to warrant kidney failure per se. It is also known age of a year of severe persistent (i.e., Drug Provision the insertion of an arterial catheter. If the that glucocorticoids (a form of steroid lasting 14 days or more) diarrhoea £1,000 Perth & Kinross NHS Trust technique proves reliable enough it may hormone) must be present for this effect caused by EPEC infection. Colonisation also be possible to replace the invasive to occur. The aim of this study is to of the intestine by EPEC results in the PATHOLOGY (CHEMICAL) method in babies who do require an block naturally occurring glucocorticoids inability to absorb nutrients from food, Dr J V Hunt ‘arterial line’ for other clinical purposes. and in the death of intestinal tissues with an agent which binds to their cell Protein-specific oxidation & altered £69,543 Action Research leading to protracted fluid loss. This sets receptor to determine whether this will lipoprotein cell interaction: Protein up a vicious cycle of diarrhoea and prevent the muscle wasting process. oxidation & atherogenesis malnutrition which is all too often fatal for MEDICINE & THERAPEUTICS If successful this will lead to similar infants. This grant continues Wellcome £19,459 British Heart Foundation Prof R D R Camp approaches in patients with kidney failure Trust support to my laboratory over hopefully increasing both their quality and Dr H Pringle CD8-positive T lymphocytes: several years during which we have quantity of life. therapeutic targets in psoriasis? developed a detailed understanding of Investigating the vitamin D receptor & certain candidate response genes Psoriasis is a common skin disease which £44,011 National Kidney Research the mechanisms by which EPEC affects about 20,000 people in Foundation provokes such dramatic damage. The £2,500 (supp) Leicestershire Dermatological Leicestershire. Major abnormalities in Dr A Wardlaw next step is to investigate the ways in the affected skin include profound which the bacteria stick to intestinal Research Fund Continued in the next issue 34 of the Bulletin SPORT THE CASE FOR HEALTH-ENHANCING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

IN the last edition of the Bulletin Ivan changing lifestyle behaviours is enormous, streets, local parks and play areas back to Waddington clearly articulated the case against complex and unlikely to happen in the short children as places to play safely, with challenging sport as a healthy and expensive pastime but term and yet has to be pursued if only to ensure and imaginative play equipment as seen in noted the economic and health gains of exercise that our children do not have to work solely to commercial theme parks but which require little for those over 45. I hope to encourage readers, provide carers for their longer living relatives adult supervision. Adults closely supervising particularly those now lying on their couches who are becoming unnecessarily physically children greatly reduce the opportunities for with their 'tinnies', of the case for a more active incapacitated from ever younger ages. 'risk' play - imagine how being watched and lifestyle and that if future projected NHS costs Most of us, even regularly active adults, are constantly entreated to be careful would have are to be reduced our target should include painfully aware of the speed with which 'fitness' restricted the quality and enjoyment of your young people. is lost and the hard slog and effort needed to adventure play as a child! In recent years the notion of what contributes regain it. Even for those who enjoy physical Educational: Invest in the training of primary to an active and healthy lifestyle has broadened pursuits this demanding and often painful teachers, coaches and others who are involved to encompass any type of physical activity or 'training' period is endured purely because the in developing the physical skills of children. exercise that is likely to enhance one or more longer term benefits - easier to 'compete', injury Increase the time allocated to curriculum P.E. - components of health-related fitness - not only prevention, minimal muscle fatigue and post- currently most children have less than 2 hours cardio-vascular, skeletal and muscular health exercise stiffness - are worth the effort. For per week in which time they are required by but, importantly, psychological health, normally sedentary adults trying to improve statute to be taught dance, gymnastics, games, particularly self-esteem. fitness it is this slow process that deters them, athletics, swimming, and outdoor and I hope readers are aware of the recent and particularly the knowledge that if they interrupt adventurous activities. As a parent you realise ongoing Health Education Authority campaign their programme for as little as 10 days then how slow skill development is even when Active for Life which has been targeted at the they will have lost any health gains. Past children have regular private lessons in selected adult population; its aim to encourage every able campaigns failed because the 'no pain - no gain' activities. The school-based programme should adult to do at least 30 minutes of moderate approach incorporating fitness testing concentrate on developing a whole range of activity (this can be accumulated) on at least 5 predominated; recent campaigns are more physical skills so that children develop the days of every week. As well as the traditional realistic: fitness assessment is low key - competence and confidence to choose to take sporting and exercise routes other physical participating regularly at moderate levels of part in sports, activities and exercise activities (e.g. brisk walking, cycling, intensity within each individual’s comfort programmes. It is vital that the teaching is gardening, housework, dancing) zone are emphasised. Nevertheless, structured so that the experience is enjoyed - are being promoted in many of progress has been slow in raising the process is far more important in this their advertisements to awareness - in increasing activity approach than the product. In the later years of encourage adults to think it levels, even slower. secondary schooling the games played during possible to meet this To paint an even bleaker lesson time should concentrate on a selection target with only minor picture - current research that are easily organised, have facilities locally adjustments to their with children is indicating available and can be pursued into old age (largely daily routines. that while some are very non-contact sports). The notions of 'play' and It is clear from active others do little or no choice must be preserved and compulsion research that in order to increase activity; childhood obesity is eliminated if greater uptake is to be achieved. levels of activity participants must be increasing; many young children have been Youth policy: Start a dialogue with young able to achieve targets with little extra effort and shown to possess at least one modifiable people about the facilities and opportunities they that the activity must be enjoyable and the coronary heart disease risk factor and many would like to have available to them in their local rewards valued. Even with targeted groups who have symptoms of psychological distress; these communities. Ease of access is known to be a have been prescribed exercise programmes in findings suggest that an increasing percentage of key determinant of participation in and order to improve chronic conditions, and where this group will develop the chronic diseases adherence to active leisure pursuits. This will health gains have been attained as a direct result currently found in the adult population unless demand the co-operation of leisure planners and of participation, there are low levels of lifestyles can be changed - and exercise has a local authorities plus the national will and adherence. proven record of prevention and improvement financial backing to provide facilities (and The sad fact to be faced is that being active as in cases of illness in all the above areas. facilitators) for young people that they will be a free leisure time choice is not a high priority Compulsory exercise through traditional encouraged to develop to suit their needs. for many people. This, combined with physical education has failed to develop a nation Particular care must be taken to listen to girls increasingly less active daily routines, is causing of active adults (to be fair to the P.E. profession and provide for them as they have been shown great concern to health and social welfare it is only in recent years that the concept of to be much less active than boys and from an professionals. In order to function effectively educating for an active lifestyle has emerged and earlier age. and maintain independence we need to exercise subsequently become their responsibility). Any All these ideas will need considerable funding our bodies in particular ways regularly worthwhile campaigns to encourage more to implement. Dare I mention the lottery? throughout our adult lives. Most adults know adolescents to be more active are going to be Most facility developments would be admirable this but behave as if they are exempt - by chance expensive and must be developed with, not for, projects encouraging the development of adults they will keep their youthful appearance and young people if they are to meet the needs and 'fit' for the challenges of the new century. I also physical functioning without effort. The reality aspirations of the children of the twenty-first believe investing in our young people will reap of the ageing process is ignored until functioning century. its own rewards in due course. Did I mention is impaired and normal routines are no longer My personal response would be: quality of life? within individuals' physical capacity. The task of Environmental: Find a way of giving the Angela Wortley

35 NOTICES

UNIVERSITY SIGNS NEWSPAPER COPYING LICENCE ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY’S FOREST LANDSCAPE INTERNET The University has recently signed up to a licence which permits staff and students to SURVEY OFFERS A CHANCE TO SEE SCOTLAND FROM A make photocopies of newspaper articles for management and teaching purposes: until DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE now this has been unlawful. Copying by an individual for research or private study The University of Aberdeen’s Department of Forestry is looking for volunteers to take remains a lawful act. Copying for teaching purposes includes copying with a view to part in its 1997 Internet survey research project. Over the next three months, this projection on a screen. survey will investigate public preferences in respect of a wide range of landscapes and The new licence is issued by the Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA), which is ‘alternative’ forest management systems. The resulting data will also be compared with sponsored by the Newspaper Publishers Association Ltd. The University’s decision to that obtained by conventional door-to-door surveys. take out the licence follows advice from the CVCP, who have spent more than a year The survey, which involves assessing images viewed on the computer screen, is open to discussing the terms of the licence with the NLA. anyone with a computer that has access to the internet, and all taking part are Thirty-five national, local daily and Sunday newspapers are covered by the licence, and automatically entered in a prize draw - the first prize is either a one-hour flight over include both broadsheets and tabloids: a full list is available on the Library’s news Tayside or a selection of books about Scotland. pages on the CWIS. The only notable exceptions are The Times, its supplements, and To find our more, visit the survey site: other papers in The Times Group: for them, the position remains as before. http://www.abdn.ac.uk/~for275 CENTRE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION STUDIES (CHES) SPECIAL DEGREE CONGREGATION Institute of Education, University of London Commencing at 11.00 a.m. on Monday 10 November, a special Degree AQE: Academic Quality Enhancement 1997-98 Congregation for the purpose of awarding honorary degrees will take place in the Richard Attenborough Centre for Disability and the Arts. A new programme, specially designed to meet the staff development needs of academic The degree of Doctor of Music will be conferred on Evelyn Glennie, and academic related staff in universities and colleges, includes many courses leading to O.B.E. (musician), and the degree of Doctor of Letters will be conferred credits towards qualifications in higher education. There are courses for new lecturers, on Neil Macgregor (Director of the National Gallery). for the continuing professional development of experienced lecturers, heads of academic departments, and other more senior academics moving into senior Further information will be circulated to departments in due course. management. The programme, which takes account of Dearing Committee recommendations, aims THE ZENECA LECTURE to complement institutions’ own staff development activities whilst providing opportunities for a wide range of issues to be addressed, including the changes resulting New Building, Lecture Theatre 1, Wednesday 22 October , 5.30 p.m. from the rapid spread of new information technology. The Revolution of the 70s: Putting Molecular Biology to Work For full details of CHES Short Courses 1997-98, please contact Janet Harding, AQE by Sir Kenneth Murray, F.R.S. (Biogen Professor of Molecular Genetics at the Secretary, on 0171 612 6362. University of Edinburgh) The Zeneca Lecture is the fifth and final in a series on the theme of Science into Industry. All are welcome to attend. UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER WOMEN’S CLUB The aim of this Club is to provide an opportunity for women members and partners of male members of the Senior Common Room to meet and get to know LIBRARY PERIODICAL CANCELLATIONS each other. Newcomers are assured of a friendly welcome. The 1997-98 The following proposals for the cancellation of periodical subscriptions have been programme includes talks and activities across a wide range of topics. In addition, received: ‘interest’ groups, meet on a regular basis. Membership forms and further details From the Department of Psychology: can be obtained from V Gostelow (0116 270 5513). Journal of Research in Personality £118 The 1997-98 programme commences with a meeting at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday 9 Physiology and Behaviour £1,243 October at the Leicestershire Musuem and Art Gallery, New Walk, with a talk From the Clinical Sciences Library: entitled On Her Majesty’s Service: The Role of Painters in Victorian Society. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology & Supplements £368 Any department objecting to the cancellation of one or more of these titles should contact David Welding, NOVARTIS FELLOWSHIP TRUST AWARDS Technical Services Librarian, within one month of the appearance of this notice. Any European Fellowship Awards for Academic Staff (1998-99) objections should be accompanied by a willingness to provide the funding to continue Awards for Collaboration in Europe for Academic Research Groups (1998-2000) the subscription by an alternative cancellation or some other means. These awards relate to posts/collaboration with research groups in the life science fields of chemical, biological or medical sciences. Further details and application forms can be PLANNING APPLICATIONS provided by the Secretary, The Novartis Fellowship Trust, Hulley Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 2NX (01625 610421). The closing date for applications is 1 November The following planning applications have been submitted to Oadby and Wigston 1997. Borough Council by the Head of Client Services and the University Surveyor: A single detached house on Plot 11A Southmeads Close, Oadby CENTRE FOR LABOUR MARKET STUDIES – FOURTH Demolition of ruined farm buildings at Southmeads Road, Oadby ANNUAL CONFERENCE A planning application for an extension to the Percy Gee Building Redfearn Bar has The Centre’s Annual Research Conference on Friday 31 October, Training and been submitted to Leicester City Council by the Students’ Union. Development: Bringing Theory and Practice Together, this year concentrates on globalisation, gender, training and the workplace, and promises a variety of new research findings and ideas. The Conference aims to bring together a mixture of GRADUATE PSYCHOLOGISTS’ GROUP (LEICESTER) academics, practitioners and policy-makers to allow a stimulating interchange of views Are you a recent Psychology Graduate living in or around Leicestershire? and shared experiences. Contact Cheryl Gagin on 0116 252 5907, email Do you wish to broaden your knowledge through interesting talks and lively [email protected], for further details. discussion? RUN FOR MENCAP Need some support through course/job applications? Team up and run for Mencap in the 1998 Flora London Marathon. Mencap - the charity Wishing to widen your social circle with pub visits and meals out? that works on behalf of people with learning disabilities - is able to guarantee places for Then why not join Leicester’s Graduate Psychologist’s Group, where a warm and companies willing to sponsor a staff team. Runners are required to raise sponsorship friendly welcome awaits. money. Mencap also offers places in the Marathon for individual runners. For further For further information, contact: Hailey (LGH) on 0116 249 0490 Ext. 4731 or Penny details, call 0645 777 779 or write to Run for Mencap, Freepost, London EC1B 1AA. (LRI) on 0116 252 3254.

36 NOTICES

THIRD ANNUAL PRINCIPLES OF FRACTURE Europe. Mr Patrick Bailey, FRGS. 7.30 pm. Bennett Building. Non-members welcome. MANAGEMENT COURSE Sunday October 12 A five-day residential course from 17-21 November at The Glenfield Hospital NHS Evening Concert: Clarke Peters. Unforgettable: The Story of Nat King Cole. 7.30 pm. Trust offers a comprehensive overview of fracture management for Senior House Richard Attenborough Centre. Tickets: £10 (£7.50) Telephone 0116 252 2455. Officers and Registrars about to commence a career in Orthopaedic Surgery. Wednesday October 15 In addition to lectures, it offers ‘hands on’ fracture fixation, practical sessions and demonstrations of human anatomy. For further details, contact Mrs Julie Salter, University Chaplaincy: Food for Thought 1. The Bible, fact or fiction? Lunch and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, on 0116 256 3050. discussion. 12.35-1.25 pm. The Gatehouse. Wednesday October 15 Evening Concert: Lindsay Series. The first in a series of six concerts given by The SPONSORED PARACHUTE JUMP - APPEAL FOR Lindsays, with Kathryn Stott (piano), Peter Cropper (violin), Robin Ireland (viola), VOLUNTEERS Ronald Birks (violin), Bernard Gregor-Smith (cello). Haydn, Tippett and Dvorak. 7.30 pm. Fraser Noble Building, London Road. Information and tickets available from Gerald Smith, Sponsored Events Organiser for the registered charity, Baby Life Support Margaret Rose on 0116 252 2781. Systems (BLISS), is appealing for volunteers to take part in a nationwide parachute jump programme, the proceeds of which will be used to buy incubator units and Saturday October 18 associated equipments needed to save the lives of premature and sick new-born Evening Concert: Fabulous Fats starring Keith Smith ('Mr Hefty Jazz'), Marilyn babies. Anyone interested should contact him on 01630 658470 any day between 9.0 Middleton-Pollock and the Hefty Jazz Quintet. 7.30 pm. Fraser Noble Building, a.m. and 9.0 p.m. London Road. Tickets: £8 (£6; £3). Telephone: 0116 252 2781. Wednesday October 22 CHRISTMAS APPEAL Public Lecture: The Zeneca Lecture. The Revolution of the 70’s: Putting Molecular Biology to Work. Sir Kenneth Murray, FRS, Biogen Professor of Molecular Genetics at Staff in the University Administration will again be given the opportunity the University of Edinburgh. 5.30 pm. Lecture Theatre 1, New Building. to make donations to charity instead of sending Christmas cards to other Saturday October 25 colleagues. This year the beneficiary will be the Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. University Chaplaincy: Chaplaincy Day Out. Walk, talk, and meet new friends. 10.00 am - 4.00 pm. The names of those donating will appear in the Bulletin, and those administrative staff wishing their names to appear before Christmas Saturday October 25 should send their donations to Vivienne Paul in the Registrar’s Office by Evening Concert: London Adventist Chorale. 7.30 pm. Richard Attenborough Friday, 14 November. Cheques should be payable to: Centre. Tickets: £10 (£7.50) Telephone 0116 252 2455. Diana, Princes of Wales Memorial Fund Sunday October 26 Departments which wish to run similar schemes should contact Vivienne University Chaplaincy: Gatehouse Gathering for student societies. 8.15 pm. Paul on 2411 as soon as possible. Monday October 27 Leicestershire Classical Association Meeting: Plutarch and the women of Roman Greece. LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND GARDENS TRUST Dr Lin Foxhall. 5.15 pm. Attenborough Building. (Note to members: The AGM will precede this lecture at 5.00 pm). The two counties of Leicestershire and Rutland have a rich heritage of fine gardens Wednesday October 29 and designed landscapes, many of which are relatively unknown. In order to promote their appreciation and conservation, the Leicestershire and Rutland Gardens Trust has Evening Concert: Lindsay Series. The second in a series of six concerts given by The recently been established. Lindsays. Haydn, Tippett and Dvorák. Iinformation and tickets available from Margaret Rose on 0116 252 2781. The Trust aims to develop a skills base for research and records, to disseminate knowledge gained, and provide informed advice on proposals for development or Friday October 31 restoration. The success of the new Trust, which has been granted charitable status, Music Department Special Event: Charles Moore Collection of Instruments. The depends on a strong and extensive membership. For further details of forthcoming Curator, Dr Stephen Weston, will attempt to identify and date any instrument which events and membership application forms, please contact the Secretary, Henry members of the public may wish to bring. Room 1806, 18th Floor Attenborough Woolston, 33 The Nook, Whissendine, Rutland LE15 7EZ (01664 474235). Building.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY EVENTS ARE ALSO LISTED ON CWIS SMALL ADS

OCTOBER Wednesday October 1 CAR FOR SALE Leicestershire Classical Association Meeting: Pliny and Tacitus. Dr Miriam Griffin, Rover 216S,1989, 4-door, metallic blue, 108k miles, 5-speed, sun Somerville College, Oxford. 5.00 pm at Leicester Grammar School, 8 Peacock Lane, roof, 6 months’ tax, 8 months’ MOT, new clutch and tyres. Leicester. Please notify attendance: 0116 262 1221. £750 ono Friday October 3 Contact: H Zhu Telephone: Ext 5133. Evening Concert. Joanna MacGregor (piano). 7.30 pm. Richard Attenborough [email protected] Centre. Tickets: £10 (£7.50) Telephone 0116 252 2455. Wednesday October 8 Leicester University Chaplaincy: The Launch. A service to begin the Academic year FOR SALE (with the African Caribbean Choir). Speaker: Fr Malcolm McMahon (Dominican Prior FLORIDA Provincial). The Idea of a University. 7.30 pm. Fraser Noble Hall (London Road HP Laserjet 4 Plus laser printer 3-bedroomed bungalow. entrance). with one year maintenance Sleeps 6/8. Heated pool. Thursday October 9 remaining. £200. Disneyworld 6 miles. The Geographical Association - Leicester Branch, (Meetings joint with Department of Contact Arts Faculty on Telephone: 01189 340685. Geography): From the Canaries to the Faroes: Living on the Edge of a Centralising Ext 5317 (a.m. only).

37 ACADEMIC SERVICES

Computer Computer Centre

A UNIVERSITY-WIDE adjusting and extending the service in the campus network. Part of this money has future. The first priority is to establish a already been used to rewire Open Access User PRINTER ACCOUNTING reliable, robust service using the current Areas in the Charles Wilson (3rd floor) and SYSTEM equipment and structure. Thereafter Geology. The remaining funds are primarily for consideration will be given to extending the deployment of ethernet switching as a From the start of term, all computer printing in service to include other printers such as colour mechanism for enhancing bandwidth on the the Open Access User Areas has been and high quality devices. campus network. The procurement of this controlled by a central accounting and charging equipment is scheduled for the end of this system known as UnipriNT. Any registered calendar year. user of the irix, PCFS or MacFS services may NETWORKED CD-ROM send a print “job” to the standard A4 laser print SERVICE queue where it will be held for up to 4 hours. CWIS OFFICER To print the job, the user must go to any of the The Library and Computer Centre are jointly RESIGNED 17 Print Stations in the 15 Open Access User working on the provision of a CD-ROM service Areas and release the output by means of a which will be available to PCFS users across the Chris Hankins has resigned and now left the Library Copycard. campus network. The first phase of this University. Chris joined the Computer Centre The operation of the print accounting system service is now available and it provides access in August 1994 as our first CWIS Officer. and the use of the Copycards is described in to a small number of CD-ROM titles including: Although some of the work had been the Computer Centre Information Sheet English Poetry (600-1900), Who’s Who (1897- completed on the required architecture of the IS.No.27. All users of these printers, whether 1996), Oxford English Dictionary, Index to CWIS before Chris’s appointment, he has been students, staff or external users, will need a Methods in Enzymology and Family Spending responsible for the design and organisation of Copycard in order to print. A database of all (1989-1994/5). the data in our current system. registered users of UnipriNT is maintained Further development of this service is The growth and popularity of our CWIS is centrally and the actual rate of charge depends planned, to provide additional titles and better mainly due to Chris’s enthusiasm for on the type of user and the number of pages integration with the PCFS service. developing the CWIS and integrating it into our they have printed during the year as indicated daily lives. His work has involved contact with in Information Sheet IS.No.27. HEFCE LAN/MAN nearly all departments in the University and his In addition to providing a mechanism for willingness to provide support will be missed charging for “open” printing throughout the INITIATIVE 1997-98 greatly. We wish him every success and University, UnipriNT provides a For the second year running we have been happiness in his new job! comprehensive accounting and monitoring successful in submitting a bid for the HEFCE system. The data produced and the system as LAN/MAN Initiative. £108,000 has been a whole will be monitored with a view to secured to provide enhancements to the

Library Library RETIREMENT OF LIBRARIAN FOR LAW AND OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS The University Library is about to say farewell to one of its most Rashid is held in high regard both within and beyond the long-standing and respected members of staff. Rashid Siddiqui joined University. He was one of the founder members of the British and the staff of the Library in 1966, having gained a LL.B.degree in Irish Association of Law Librarians, and has recently been made a Life Bombay and a postgraduate diploma in Librarianship in London. His Member of the Association in recognition of his contribution to this arrival coincided with the establishment of the University’s Law specialised branch of librarianship. Within the University, generations Department, and Rashid helped to establish the Library’s collection of of students in the areas of Law and Social Sciences have had reason to Law materials. Because the relevant version of Dewey then did not be grateful for his patient and skillful help, and it is this aspect of his meet the needs of the collection, Rashid devised a new classification work that Rashid has said that he will miss. scheme, a modification of Dewey, which is still in use. In fact, although Rashid retires from his post in the Library on 30 Initially Rashid’s responsibilities were diverse, but, with the opening September, he will continue to teach a module on Islamic culture at of the present building and reorganisation of Library functions in the Vaughan College and will carry on his work as Adviser to Muslim early 1970s, he became one of three members of what was then the students. Thankfully, therefore, Rashid’s many friends will not have Reference Department, specialising in Law. In 1976 he also assumed to say a complete goodbye to him. responsibility for Official Publications and later for some areas of Social Sciences. The Library became a European Documentation Centre in 1968, and the EDC material is now an extensive and much- used collection.

38 ACADEMIC SERVICES

Official Publications Service New CD-ROM: Facts about Britain The University has appointed Helen Browning who is currently 1945 to 1995 Assistant Librarian for Law and Official Publications at Essex University as Information Librarian (Law and Official Publications) This is an electronic compendium of information about Britain here with effect from 1st January 1998. One major effect of the inter- produced by the Central Office of Information and HMSO. It is based regnum will be that, from 1 September, the Official Publications mainly on some volumes of Britain: An Official Handbook and on 15 Enquiry Service on the 2nd floor of the Main Library will operate, titles in the Aspects of Britain series. Over 3 million words of text are subject to staff availability, on temporarily limited hours, from 11 a.m. supplemented by tables, maps, charts, diagrams and photographs. until 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. The Library regrets the The CD-ROM is now available on the standalone workstation in the inconvenience this will cause, which is inevitable when a small team of Main Library; for further information, contact Peter Woodhead. specialists loses one of its number, and will reinstate the full hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. as soon as is possible. Changes to Embase Another major impact of the hiatus is that the usual programme of Embase, the electronic version of Excerpta Medica published by seminars for postgraduate students on the use of printed and Elsevier, is currently available on BIDS for university staff and electronic sources of information will need to be rescheduled for students. Elsevier have declined to renew the Embase contract on when the new specialist is in post. Arrangements to do this can be BIDS; this service will therefore finish on 30 September 1997. made through Stephen Rawlinson, Head of Information Services (int. From 1 September 1997, a new Embase service will be available via tel.2055, e-mail sr22@le), who will also be the point of contact for the BIDS Gateway using OVID software. (If you already use Medline matters that would otherwise have been taken up with Rashid. on CD-ROM in the Clinical Sciences Library, you will be familiar with the OVID interface.) Electronic Information Sources For more information, please contact: British Library OPAC 97 Sue Spriggs (Medicine and Toxicology), x3101, [email protected] You can now use the British Library OPAC 97 service to gain free Lindy Wilson (Biological Sciences), x2055, [email protected] access to over 8.5 million bibliographic records for material held both Sue and Lindy will be pleased to provide group training sessions in in London and in Boston Spa. This service can be used for tracing your department to demonstrate the features of the new service. material prior to visiting the Reading Rooms at either site, or for carrying out personal literature searches. The London catalogues National Libraries Week 3-8 include material covered by the original British Museum Catalogue (c1450-1975) and its successors, and the catalogue of Printed Music November (1981 to date.) Boston Spa Catalogues give details of Document The Library is planning events to mark National Libraries Week. We Supply Centre holdings of books and reports from 1980, conference hope that events will include: proceedings from 1964, and journals from c 1700. To access the • Visits behind the scenes of library sections OPAC, point your Web browser to http://www.opac.bl.uk and click • Celebration of the arrival of the Joe Orton collection on Search the Collections. For further information, contact the • Presentations on areas such as Conservation Information Librarian for your subject or visit the British Library web • The launch of the Internet for NHS staff at Clinical Sciences Library site at http://www.bl.uk • A lecture on school libraries and information sources for teachers More information to follow on CWIS.

Below, retirement reception for Rashid Siddiqui.

39 Bulletin competitions are open to all readers except those involved in its production. Photocopying this page for entry purposes is permitted. Only one entry per person. CROSSWORD

PRIZE CROSSWORD 17 by Seivador A THREE-COURSE LUNCH FOR TWO IN THE CARVERY WILL BE AWARDED TO THE SENDER OF THE FIRST CORRECT ENTRY PICKED IN THE DRAW.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Clues Across 1. Signal to come and burn over (6) 8 4. Fish course is to circulate around the settlement (6) 9. Fish dish’s able to be stewed with basil? Oui! (13)

9 10. Penniless diner with time to be inactive (5) 11. A source of music can be irritating to entrain (7) 12. Gardener’s tool: bird to be excited (6) 10 11 14. Primate’s kiss is the high point (4) 17. Using no O, Arabic one? that’s wrong (9) 19. Gaspard’s place for spring (3) 20. Fruit re-made an entry for D_ anniversary (13) 12 13 14 22. Girl, French, unclothed: turning to ice (6) 23. It’s hard to support a refrain (6) 15 16 Clues Down 17 18 19 1. Associated with weavin’! (6) 2. Searing satire? Caution to be exercised (13) 3. Small hooter wrung towel (5) 20 21 5. Butler can change after tea - that’s to take you sightseeing (9) 6. Get wrong member - one’s inferior put up (13) 7. There, too, old mates - they act the goat! (6) 8. Is HM unable to exceed a trot? (6) 22 23 13. With contribution from lecturer, it could manufacture carbolic acid (7) 15. Non-Aryan reported to lie, in The Sun (6) 16. Embargo embracing any sort of tree? (6) 18. Do one to escape nonsense (4) 21. Financial arrangement doesn’t get off the ground (3)

EYE SPY COMPETITION PRIZE GIVEN BY LEICESTER UNIVERSITY CATERING SERVICES Entries in a sealed envelope - clearly marked PRIZE CROSSWORD COMPETITION, PRESS & PUBLICATIONS OFFICE, FIELDING JOHNSON BUILDING. BY NO LATER THAN NOON ON Wednesday 22 October.

NAME: ______

DEPT: ______

EXT. NO: ______

PRIZE CROSSWORD 16 SOLUTION

All at sea? Try to determine the location of this photograph, Across: 1 Kindergarten. 8 Eight. 9 Proffer. 10 Tarantula. 12. Nee. supplied by Central Photographic Unit, and send in your 13 Mantis. 15 String. 17 Nap. 18 Esperanto. 20 Article. 22 Tense. answer to Barbara Whiteman, Press & Publications, by 23 Haberdashery. Wednesday 22 October. A draw from correct entries Down: 1 Kleptomaniac. 2 Niger. 3 Extensive. 4 Gypsum. 5 Rio. determines the winner of a £10 book token. 6 Effendi. 7 Greengrocery. 11 Arthritis. 14 Naphtha. 16 Append. 19 Nonce. 21 Cue. WINNER OF LAST MONTH’S COMPETITION The August/September Eye Spy Competition featured the WINNER OF PRIZE CROSSWORD NO. 16: water feature outside the Library. The winner was Amir Michael Corin, Academic Office Nojoumian, a research student from the Department of English.

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