| 3 Key Treasury announcement | 5 Profile: Karen Stanton | 7 New Fellows | 10 Commemoration Oration 2007

CommentThe College newsletter Issue no 176 | September 2007 King’s Awards recognise success dominic turner As Comment goes to press The Savoy Hotel on the Strand is about to welcome more than 100 King’s staff, students and alumni for an evening of celebration at the 2007 King’s Awards ceremony. This is the first event of this kind that the College has organised; it encompasses a number of existing awards, and some new ones, and aims to recognise the excellence and contributions of the King’s community.

‘An outstanding year of achievement’

‘I hope it brings together members of the King’s community who might not otherwise meet and helps to foster that sense of collegiality which is so important in the life of a university,’ comments the Principal, Professor Rick Trainor. ‘King’s has enjoyed an outstanding year of achievement in many fields, both academic and non-academic, in a range of different areas and our award winners reflect these diverse accomplishments. Congratulations to all of the winners. I hope that this will be the first of many such Baroness Rawlings, Chairman of Council, and The Most Revd Desmond Tutu. Both are attending the King’s Awards event: the former Archbishop will collect his Alumnus of the year award and Baroness Rawlings will present a number of awards at one of her final engagements celebrations of success.’ as Chairman of Council. The event is taking place on 18 September and Adam Boulton, project of the year; Young academic award; Staff volunteer of the year; presented by staff, including the Sky News’ Political Editor and author of the year; Lecturer of Most improved College service to Principal and Vice-Principals, as a member of College Council, the year; Staff member who has students; Greatest student group well as the Chairman of Council, is Master of Ceremonies for the contributed the most to outreach/ achievement; Alumnus of the year; Baroness Rawlings, and members evening. There are 17 award student recruitment; Distinguished Greatest individual contribution to of the alumni and student categories: Young researcher of the supervisor award; Student academic the student experience by a student; communities. year; Media personality of the year; achievement award; Business and the Lifetime achievement ‘The College is also delighted Helen Hudson award; Research development award; Annual giving award. These awards will be continued on page 2 News

King’s Awards recognise success

naresh verlander continued from page 1 Awards which will be presented at to welcome back Desmond Tutu a dinner at the Grosvenor House to the event,’ said Chris Coe, Hotel on 29 November. Director of Communications. ‘The This year’s Lifetime achievement former Archbishop of South Africa award which recognises an is making a special trip to London outstanding record of achievement to collect his Alumnus of and/or service to the College, a the year award.’ substantial portion of which has The Most Reverend Desmond taken place whilst in the employ Tutu DD FKC, former Archbishop of King’s, will be presented to two of Cape Town and Nobel Peace academics: Professor Dame Janet Laureate, took his bachelor’s and Nelson FKC FBA and Professor master’s degrees at King’s Susan Standring. This award in the 1960s. He has been a acknowledges Professor Nelson’s Fellow of King’s since 1978, outstanding services to history and and the KCLSU nightclub at Professor Standring’s numerous the Strand Campus, Tutu’s, is Professor Dame Janet Nelson, joint winner Professor Susan Standring, joint winner of important contributions to the named after him. of the Lifetime achievement award. the Lifetime achievement award. Health Schools of King’s. The winners of the King’s Abraham Reichenberg) and Young categories. They were each There will be a full report Awards for Young researcher of the academic author of the year (Dr awarded a prize of £500 in August detailing all the winners and year (Professor Martin Wooster), Clare Pettitt) are also the recipients and have been automatically including photographs from the Research project of the year (Dr of the College Awards for these entered for the Times Higher event in November’s Comment.

10th in Good University Guide UK first for dental programme

King’s is placed tenth in The outlining their facilities and This month King’s Dental is three years rather than the Times Good University Guide, distinguishing characteristics. Institute will admit medical standard five years, because rising from 17th place last year. There are also alternative profiles graduates to a three-year dental applicants will have studied The guide, published in August, written by students themselves. degree programme – the first many subjects common to ranks 113 institutions according Parminder Bahra, Executive course of its kind in the UK. It medicine and dentistry. to eight criteria, including student Editor of Times Online, said: is aimed at doctors who want to Professor Nairn Wilson, satisfaction and research quality. ‘The guide is already the leading pursue a career in maxillofacial Dean of the Dental Institute, The Times Good University university guide in the UK. Our surgery or oral medicine. comments: ‘We’re delighted Guide has been published every enhanced online offering will There will be eight Dentistry to be able to offer the DPMG. year since 1993 and compares make it even easier for users to Programme for Medical As one of the world’s leading university performance over get information. Throughout the Graduates (DPMG) places providers of dental education, time. In addition to the main year we will be adding content to on offer every year which are the Institute provides a wide league table and rankings by 32 ensure that users have the most funded by the NHS and the range of programmes to suit subjects of study, it also contains comprehensive and up-to-date Higher Education Funding students’ needs, depending on detailed profiles of UK universities advice.’ Council for England. The course their interests and level of entry.’ King’s neurosciences strengthened

The King’s Neuroscience groups. There is a real drive and neurodegenerative diseases like Professor Robert Lechler, Vice- Consortium has been launched enthusiasm from all of the principal Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Principal (Health), comments: to strengthen links and promote neuroscientists in the College to The core of the Consortium ‘We undertook a review of greater collaboration between achieve these goals,’ says Professor will include the IoP’s Department King’s neuroscience expertise, research teams across the College Peter McGuffin, Dean of the of Clinical Neuroscience, which currently sited in different centres in the Institute of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) and includes the MRC Centre for and schools, to determine how School of Medicine and School of Head of the Consortium. Neurodegeneration Research, the best to assimilate all our work Biomedical & Health Sciences. The College is renowned for MRC Centre for Developmental in this field. By establishing this ‘King’s has world class its neurosciences in a number of Neurobiology and the Wolfson consortium the College can neuroscience and this new areas including: developmental Centre for Age Related Diseases. capitalise on its neuroscience initiative will make our expertise neurobiology and how the brain The planned King’s Clinical experience by sharing intelligence much more visible and boost and nervous system develop; Neuroscience Institute will and co-ordinating strategy and opportunities for collaboration psychiatric conditions such as become a major member of the recruitment and so maintain its between our neuroscience depression and schizophrenia; and group as well. leading research status in this area.’

 | Comment | September 2007 News

Key Treasury announcement greg funnell The Chief Secretary to the Mr Burnham said that he wanted Treasury, Andy Burnham MP, to give out a message of more trust gave his first speech in his new role in public bodies and emphasised at King’s on 18 July in which he the need for targets to be more outlined the Government’s new motivating and empowering. He approach to the public sector: saw this as a great cultural shift, giving more power to local councils commenting that this was ‘the start and NHS Trusts and reducing the of a new era with renewed priorities number of public sector targets. to public service delivery’. Under the system, there will be no more than 30 public service A great cultural shift agreements (reduced from 110), committing Whitehall departments The Chief Secretary is the to use their budgets over the three Cabinet Minister responsible years to 2010-11 to achieve the for the 2007 Comprehensive Government’s goals. Spending Review (CSR), which The agreements will be will set out the Government’s monitored using indicators of spending plans through to national and local performance. 2010-11 and the investments and A few will remain as nationally reforms necessary to equip the UK set priorities with clear measurable for the global challenges ahead. objectives. But most will depend The Chief Secretary described on local decisions by councils, Andy Burnham MP gave his first speech in his new role on 18 July at King’s. a radical new approach to the NHS primary care trusts and delivery of public services other service chiefs to set targets different parts of the country. We after the lecture, commented: and set out his vision for a reflecting local needs and priorities. want them to face downwards and ‘I am very pleased that the new relationship between Mr Burnham said: ‘We will outwards, having a dialogue with Minister chose to make this major Whitehall and frontline public avoid wherever possible the more their local communities rather announcement at King’s and services. Local service chiefs crude approach of setting a one- than with the centre.’ welcome what he said about trust will be responsible for setting size-fits-all target that is dropped Professor Sir Lawrence and devolving to the professionals performance objectives and down from on high...The direction Freedman, Vice-Principal but with that there is great answering to local communities of travel is for public services (Research), who chaired the responsibility on the professionals if they are not ambitious enough. to look and feel differently in question and answer session to get it right.’

Moles and slower ageing New shop at Strand Campus People with large numbers of replication, and stabilization of the naresh verlander moles may age slower than chromosome ends. expected, according to a 10 year The researchers compared study from the Twin Research telomere length measurements Unit at King’s [see also page 6]. in white cells with the number When present in large numbers, of moles in more than 900 sets moles can increase the risk of of female twins. They found melanoma, a rare form of skin that those with high numbers cancer. However, doctors have of moles (greater than 100) had suspected that people with lots longer telomeres than those with of moles may also have some very few moles (fewer than 25). advantages in view of the fact that The difference between the two they are common in the general mole groups was equivalent to six population. Since moles disappear to seven years of normal ageing with age, the researchers looked (estimated by looking at the at the relationship between the average rate of telomere length loss number of moles and telomere per year in the whole group). length – a good biological The lead researcher Dr indicator of our rate of ageing. Veronique Bataille says: ‘The Exterior shot of the new King’s College London Shop at 171 Strand. The shop began Telomeres, which get shorter as results are very exciting as they trading at the start of the 2007-8 academic session and is open Monday-Saturday with extended hours for special events such as Parents’ Day on 15 September. The shop is a we age, are bundles of DNA found show, for the first time, that moley joint venture between KCLSU and the College. A new range of gift merchandise has been at the end of chromosomes in all people may have the benefit of a developed but the shop will also sell popular ranges from the other Campus shops. The cells and assist in the protection, reduced rate of ageing.’ shop’s merchandise is available to buy online at www.kclshop.org

September 2007 | Comment |  News

Professor leads dementia strategy

Professor Sube Banerjee, Head of the poor rate of diagnosis of one Trust, adds: ‘One of the major Mental Health and Ageing at the of the fastest growing illnesses obstacles is public attitudes to Institute of Psychiatry, is to lead in Britain. There is no test for dementia, which stops people the first ever national strategy to dementia and doctors are not from seeking help. There is tackle dementia. trained to recognise the symptoms. also a problem of professional It will also examine the available stigma, where healthcare drug therapies, setting out new professionals are reluctant to One of the fastest rules on treatments to drive up diagnose the condition. So it’s growing illnesses standards of care. Although there extremely important that this is no cure for dementia, a range programme tries to change public of drugs can slow the progress and professional attitudes and The Department of Health of the disease. In addition, the understanding.’ initiative, which was announced largest and most important public strategy will address the important Approximately 600,000 people on 6 August, will focus on three health and social care challenges issue of stigma. in England have dementia. The key areas: disease awareness, that we face. We need to act now Professor Banerjee, who also figure is set to double in the next early diagnosis and high quality to develop services.’ holds a joint clinical appointment 30 years, with predictions of treatment. Professor Banerjee The National Dementia with the South London and more than a million people with comments: ‘Dementia is one of the Strategy Group aims to improve Maudsley NHS Foundation dementia by 2025. Blood pressure mechanism discovered at King’s

King’s scientists have discovered crucial in this process. the laboratory work, says: ‘It’s trials against heart disease have, on a new mechanism for regulating Now a team in the long been suspected that there is the whole, been unsuccessful. blood pressure. The research, Cardiovascular Division has another mechanism for lowering Dr Philip Eaton, who led which was published in the journal found a novel way in which the blood pressure which doesn’t the team in the Cardiovascular Science and funded by the British protein PKG can be regulated involve nitric oxide or reactive Division, comments: ‘The research Heart Foundation, could lead to independently of nitric oxide. The lipids. To identify this new could lead to the development the development of new drugs for researchers looked at the activity pathway is very exciting.’ of drugs which activate this new combatting high blood pressure. of oxidants such as hydrogen In addition, the research pathway. These drugs might Protein kinase G (PKG) is an peroxide, which are produced offers new insight into the role of also complement a number of important protein in all tissues, in most cells of the body, on oxidants in the body. Free radicals established therapies which work but in the cardiovascular system the enzyme PKG1alpha. They and oxidants, such as hydrogen via the nitric oxide pathway. it plays a fundamental role in discovered that the oxidants cause peroxide, are currently viewed ‘Apart from its impact on blood blood pressure regulation. Much a bond to form between two amino as harmful, causing injury and pressure control, we now plan to is known about how this protein acids which activates PKG and disease. This research suggests that explore the role of this new way regulates blood pressure (as well as this leads to a lowering of blood oxidants may have specific benefits of activating this protein in the other important cardiac functions) pressure. such as controlling important setting of cardiovascular disease, and nitric oxide produced within Joseph Burgoyne, a King’s PhD cellular processes. It could also including the events leading to a blood vessels is known to be student who carried out much of help to explain why antioxidant heart attack.’ £18m to combat mental health stigma

The Big Lottery Fund has The grant will fund a portfolio Professor Graham Thornicroft, announced an award of of national and regional projects Head of the Health Services £16 million, matched by a further under the working title Moving Research Department at the £2 million from Comic Relief, to People, poised to reach some 30 Institute of Psychiatry, comments: Moving People, a mental health million people across England ‘This is by far the most ambitious charity partnership that includes and will include a large-scale programme ever undertaken the Institute of Psychiatry, Mental countrywide anti-stigma in England to include people Health Media, Mind and Rethink. campaign, alongside a dedicated with mental illness right in the This £18 million grant aims website providing information. mainstream of society. We are to change the culture of mental The Institute of Psychiatry’s delighted to have this opportunity health significantly, helping to role will be to provide a to move rapidly towards the improve the well-being of people comprehensive evaluation service eradication of stigma and with mental health difficulties, to measure the impact of each Professor Graham Thornicroft discrimination against people with and altering the public’s attitudes individual programme on public experiences of people with mental mental illness – a fundamental towards mental health conditions. attitudes and through the personal health problems. social change that is long overdue.’

 | Comment | September 2007 Profile

Karen Stanton Greg Funnell Karen Stanton is the College’s Chief Information Officer & College Librarian. Here she tells Comment about her early days as a researcher, her work in the secret service and the new Connected Campus initiative and its many benefits…

Tell us about your career. Nottingham as their Chief Information Officer I first became interested in information until January this year when I joined King’s. I services whilst in a summer job at the BBC on really enjoy working in information services in Oxford Road in Manchester. I was working universities. It places you are at the very centre as a researcher for a Radio 4 programme on of academic and administrative activities and travelling around southern Spain presented by the work is extremely varied, one minute you Alan Whicker. Unfortunately I didn’t get to are discussing the possibilities presented by visit Spain but discovered that the more bizarre digitising our archive and special collections, facts I uncovered, the more likely they were to the next, how you can transform the application appear in the programme. With my postgraduate process for prospective students by developing qualification in librarianship and information an online tracking system. and receive information about training and staff science now under my belt and tempted as I was development events. by the offer of a permanent job, I declined and Tell us about the Connected Campus. headed off to pursue a career in the information The Connected Campus is a newly established Why is this important? world working for the government. framework to align King’s ISS and technology These are just four of the projects contained After many months of secret service vetting initiatives with key objectives in the College’s within the Connected Campus which has I joined the Government Communications Strategic Plan. The Connected Campus recently received investment from the College Headquarters, GCHQ in Cheltenham, initially framework sets out the development of an over a three-year timeframe. In the simplest in the geographic information services and innovative e-environment for King’s, delivering terms if you think about the way you undertake map section, which involved lots of plotting! many of the components of a virtual campus. your day-to-day research and teaching, or how At this stage I began working with computing, As a virtual campus, the Connected Campus students undertake their learning, alongside initially programming but then moving on to becomes our ‘sixth campus’ and will be some of the everyday administrative tasks computer systems analysis and design. GCHQ’s developed to sit alongside our physical estate. that you perform, the Connected Campus computing capacity was constantly expanding, The Connected Campus is made up of a is intended to transform that activity by this was the era of the Cray supercomputers, number of projects to improve our information using technology to improve our working and it was an exciting time to be involved in and IT services. For the academic year 2007-8 environment. large-scale computing projects as IT moved these include: a College e-communications Many universities are now using technology in from huge mainframe machines, locked away in project to introduce a new College email system this way and we are aiming to ensure that King’s vast computer rooms, to becoming the standard and electronic calendar, including replacement can be at the forefront of these developments. tool on everyone’s desk. I was seconded to of the current Webmail service, introduction of This is the start of a period of intense and work at the Home Office and then the Ministry facilities for instant messaging and texting and a challenging activity within ISS as we set about of Defence, on projects to introduce new IT central look-up directory of email and telephone delivering the Connected Campus framework. systems into the workplace and I soon began to addresses alongside support for portable appreciate the impact IT could have on the way handheld devices; a new computing desktop for people worked. Professional Services staff and students, in the Fact file first instance, that provides access to software How did you move into HE? and personal files from any machine both on Book on my bedside table In the mid-90s I decided to move into and off Campus, enabling staff and students to Who moved my Blackberry? by Lucy information services in higher education. I work from any location – this project is called Kellaway. This book makes me smile. It had seen the benefits that IT had brought to ‘King’s Computing Anywhere’; a central facility reminds me that we have become obsessed large-scale government research projects and to store data which is both secure and reliably with keeping in touch with our email and was attracted by the potential to use IT as a backed up, our ‘Manage Data Once’ project messages. I’m currently reading The Villa in tool to support teaching and learning. I took will mean that staff have facilities to store and Italy by Elizabeth Edmondson. up the post of Assistant Director for Learning retrieve their files and personal data from one and Research Support within the Information location instead of using multiple drives and Favourite holiday destination Services department at the University of storage mechanisms; and our ‘Access King’s’ The Amalfi Coast, Italy. I like everything Birmingham and was involved in one of the first project will provide a one stop shop for students about Italy. convergence projects in UK higher education, and staff to gain access to information and bringing together library, archive and IT services. There will be a single log-in to services Proudest work moment services into one department. I left Birmingham such as the library catalogue and the WebCT e- The best moments are all about team work. to join the University of Nottingham as Deputy learning system, as well as the ability to change As a Director of ISS I’m always proud of the Director for Information Services, then to your personal details in the HR system, receive commitment staff show in going the extra Sheffield Hallam University as Director of your payslip online, view your research grant mile to provide a good service. Academic Support Services, before returning to finances, see announcements from the College

September 2007 | Comment |  Focus

The Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology Unit The Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology Unit has been part of King’s Division of Genetics & Molecular Medicine since 2006. It has a team of 40 members of staff and is led by Tim Spector, Professor in Genetic Epidemiology.

he Unit was initially set up at St Thomas’ Hospital in 1992 Tvia grants from The Wellcome Trust and Arthritis Research Campaign among others. Its initial focus was genetic influences on osteoporosis, asthma and allergy, and hip arthritis with the help of twins whose study enables a range of unique approaches to the understanding of genetic and environmental influences on disease and their interaction. From humble beginnings the Unit has grown steadily over the years and now has the most detailed twin database in Europe with records of 10,000 twins from across the UK and extensive data on a range of disease markers. This is the only UK wide adult twin database and it incorporates all active participants from the only previous adult twin registers in the UK – the Aberdeen Twin registry and the Institute of Psychiatry database. The Unit’s research is focused on the genetics of complex diseases, in particular age-related diseases, and its current main focus Some of the 700 pairs of twins at the twins' party in 2006. is the genetics of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, the musculoskeletal Wellcome Trust, Arthritis Research Campaign, volunteers to look at how all these genes are system and ageing. The Unit also carries out the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences expressed. This, combined with our genotype research into sight and miscellaneous areas such Research Council, the European Union and information and more than 1,000 different as skin disease, immunology, gastroenterology Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. These clinical measures of phenotypes, gives us an and behaviour. projects cover diverse research areas such as the amazing matched resource for uncovering the genetics of rheumatic diseases, obesity, short- function of human genes for common diseases.’ Research sightedness, strokes and ageing. Integral to the Unit’s work are the twins This year the Unit was awarded three Media interest themselves who are tremendously supportive. Wellcome Trust Programme Grants into the The Unit publishes a large number of papers in Their data provides a clearer insight into how genetics of ageing and obesity as well as three highly ranked journals with an average of 40 genes influence not only certain diseases but also grants from the European Union. One of these, papers annually. aspects of personality such as humour, sexuality the TREAT OA project, explores the genetics The work of the Unit has also been widely and religious beliefs. Research is carried out and treatments of osteoarthritis. These new reported in the media with more than 200 either by one-to-one consultations or regular grants total more than £14 million and will articles in major newspapers over the years and questionnaires sent to the twins to record every enable the Unit to continue to grow. appearances on various television and radio aspect of their health and behaviour. ‘This is an exciting time,’ says Professor Tim programmes. The latest press releases have A party to celebrate the twins’ contribution Spector, Head of the Unit. ‘We now have major included studies into: the relationship between took place in 2006 in the grounds of St funding for the next five years to explore in moles and telomeres (a marker of biological Thomas’ Hospital. The party brought together detail the genes involved in common diseases. ageing) [see page 3] and osteoarthritis, social 700 pairs of twins, making it the largest ever We have been helped by the Sanger Centre status, obesity, and smoking; the link between gathering of twins in the UK. to obtain genome-wide scans on 2,500 twins finger length and sporting potential in women; The Unit is proud to count among its which means we have one third of a million and the genetics of entrepreneurship, female participants the oldest identical twins in the markers to verify all 25,000 human genes. We infidelity and orgasm. UK. The pair are 99 years old. hope to publish shortly genome-wide scans The Unit is currently collaborating with more on traits and diseases such as osteoarthritis, than 160 institutions from around the world Exciting time osteoporosis, bone size, muscle mass, lipids and and is always looking for new collaborators as The Unit is currently involved in more than musical ability. well as twin volunteers. For further information 12 concurrent studies with grants from a ‘In 12 months we will also have unique data visit the Unit’s website www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/ number of organisations including The from muscle and fat biopsies of 10,000 twin medicine/depts/twinresearch/

 | Comment | September 2007 King’s people

FBA New College Fellows & Honorary Fellows

greg funnell all photos by tempest graduation photography King’s held six Graduation Ceremonies in July at The Barbican. In her last Ceremony as Chairman of Council, Baroness Rawlings and the Principal, Professor Rick Trainor, awarded Fellowships to 20 new Fellows and Honorary Fellows of the College and more than 2,500 students were awarded their degrees before 7,000 guests.

The new Honorary Fellows are: Professor Charlotte Roueché Dr Mario Vargas Llosa Mr Othman Benjelloun, Chairman Professor Genevra Richardson CBE and CEO, BMCE Bank Morocco Sir Martin Jacomb, Chairman, Genevra Richardson, Professor of Share plc and the Canary Law, is one of 48 academics who Wharf Group, Chancellor of the have been awarded the prestigious University of Buckingham Fellowship of the British Academy, The Hon Tessa Keswick, former the national academy for the Director of the Centre for Policy humanities and the social sciences. Studies British Academy Fellowships The Rt Hon Lord Kingsland, Deputy are awarded to scholars who have High Court Judge and Shadow ‘attained distinction in any of Lord Chancellor since 1997 the branches of study which it Mr Malcolm Lowe-Lauri, Chief Dr The Hon Paul Zuckerman Professor Peter West FRS is the object of the Academy to Executive, King’s College promote’. Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Professor Richardson has three Mr John-Dmitry Panitza, founding main areas of research interest: board member of the American administrative justice, law and University in Bulgaria psychiatry and the regulation of Baron David de Rothschild, biomedical research. Chairman of Rothschilds She was awarded a CBE earlier Continuation Holdings AG and this year in the Queen’s New NM Rothschild & Sons Limited Year’s Honours in recognition of Dr Mario Vargas Llosa, writer, her services to public law. novelist, playwright and Professor Joseph Nye is one broadcaster of 10 overseas scholars elected Sir Robert Worcester, founder,

Corresponding Fellow of the MORI and Chancellor, Dr Kevin Zilkha Professor Philip Whitfield British Academy. Professor Nye University of Kent is widely recognised as one of the Dr The Hon Paul Zuckerman, foremost thinkers on foreign policy. Development Economist and Dr George Szmukler, Head of the King’s College London In February he was presented with Foreign Honorary Member of the Health and Society Network Dr Kevin Zilkha, consultant the first Honorary Degree of the American Academy of Arts & and former Dean, Institute neurologist and Trustee, King’s University of London, awarded Sciences of Psychiatry, King’s College College Hospital Medical by King’s, prior to delivering the London Research Trust, (former student Liddell Hart Centre for Military The new Fellows are: Professor Frank Walsh, Honorary of Guy’s Hospital Medical Archives annual lecture. Professor Robert Lechler, Vice- Professor (and formerly School) Principal (Health), King’s Professor) at the College, and College London Executive Vice President, Wyeth Graduation ceremonies for Distinguished Professor Tak Lee, Head of Research students in the School of Department of Respiratory Professor Peter West FRS, Medicine and Dental Institute Supervisor Awards Medicine and Allergy, King’s Professor of Theoretical Physics, were held at Southwark King’s has 1,300 graduate research College London Department of Mathematics, Cathedral in June. students drawn from around the The Hon Olga Polizzi, Vice- King’s College London world. Each year, on average, Chairman, College Council Professor Philip Whitfield, Vice- [For reasons of space we are 400 complete their degrees and Professor Charlotte Roueché, Principal (Students), King’s unable to print all the photos graduate. This year the Graduate Professor of Classical and College London of the Honorary Fellows and School recognised the important Byzantine Greek, King’s College Professor Gwyn Williams, former Fellows.] role that supervisors play in these London Dean, School of Medicine, success stories via a new scheme,

September 2007 | Comment |  King’s people

the Distinguished Supervisor Awards. The winners are: Obituaries • Dr Peter R Ellis: School of Biomedical & Health Sciences (Biochemistry/Nutritional Professor Lyn Pilowsky the Maudsley. She was a warm, at this point that he became well Sciences Research Division) 1961-2007 outgoing and unique person, known among the academic • Professor Timothy Newton: who was loved by her patients, community and established (Dental Institute; Oral Health to whom she always gave her his reputation for independent, Services and Dental Public Health) best. Her illness stopped her from critical thinking. During the • Professor Simon Gaunt: School continuing her clinical work, and 1990s he had a number of of Humanities (French) this she always regretted. influential policy roles in the air • Dr Jonna Kuntsi: Institute of Those who were privileged and central staffs, culminating Psychiatry (SGDP Centre) to work with Lyn will miss in the Assistant Chief of • Professor Susan Brain: School her friendship, her academic Defence Staff, before a spell of Medicine (Pharmacology, leadership, her gift for laughter as Commandant of the Royal Cardiovascular Division) and fun, and her unwavering College of Defence Studies. • Professor Alison While: School of personal and professional Although he could have Nursing & Midwifery integrity. gone higher he decided to retire • Dr Lev Kantorovich: School of Dr James Stone, Institute of from the RAF and start a new Physical Sciences & Engineering Psychiatry career as an independent writer (Physics) and consultant. After a spell as head of the Royal Institute For further information contact Lyn Pilowsky, Professor of Air Marshal Lord of International Affairs, where Chan Ha ([email protected]). Neurochemical Imaging and Garden 1944-2007 he frustratingly spent most of Psychiatry at the Institute of the guardian his time on a financial rescue Psychiatry, was a pioneer in mission, he joined King’s as a Appointments the use of molecular imaging Visiting Professor. This gave in psychiatry. In her first study him the contact with academics Dean of RAF College using these methods, she and students he enjoyed but the demonstrated that the use of freedom to take on projects that very high doses of antipsychotic interested him. He was soon drugs in schizophrenia, a practice established as an unusually well commonly used in treatment- informed commentator on all resistant patients, conferred no defence issues. additional benefit to standard His work on European doses. This finding alone resulted defence, much of it undertaken in a dramatic reduction in drug- for King’s, and his scepticism induced side effects in these about the Iraq War made him patients. This study set the tone a natural choice to become the for Lyn’s subsequent research, Liberal Democrat spokesman which was always aimed at Tim Garden joined King’s as a on defence in the Lords from improving the quality of patients’ Visiting Professor in 2000. He 2003. He thoroughly enjoyed lives. She thought that the had joined the RAF after reading his new role, bringing to it development of more effective Physics at Oxford, and was soon the application, intelligence drugs, with fewer side effects, flying V-bombers. He could enthusiasm and humour that he Dr Joel Hayward should be the primary aim of later claim that he was one of the had brought to everything he King’s defence scholar Dr Joel schizophrenia research. few people discussing nuclear did, managing at the same time Hayward has been appointed As well as being a researcher, deterrence who had actually been to maintain a first-rate website. Dean of the Royal Air Force Lyn was an excellent clinician. part of the deterrent force. After He died shortly after being College. Dr Hayward is Head of She developed a national taking an MPhil in international diagnosed with incurable cancer. the Air Power Studies Division, antipsychotic review service relations at Cambridge he Sir Lawrence Freedman, Professor part of The Defence Studies and went on to found the first became the RAF’s Director of of War Studies and Vice-Principal Department, a team of eight air early onset treatment service at Defence Studies in 1982. It was (Research) power specialists who have been based at the prestigious Royal Air Force College in Cranwell since decade teaching at various officer new buildings, teaching posts, preparation for the forthcoming 2005. Dr Hayward described his cadet colleges and command and scholarships and research at King’s. second major fundraising Campaign. appointment as ‘a rare privilege staff colleges around the world. Head of Fundraising Julia Head of Arts and Sciences and honour’. Bestowed with Chadwick has 14 years of Fundraising Dale Cooper, has eight the rank equivalence of Group New fundraising team members fundraising experience in the years’ experience of fundraising in Captain, the Deanship makes Dr The Development & Alumni university and charity sectors. the voluntary sector, including at Hayward the principal advisor Office recently welcomed two Julia has run fundraising homeless charity Shelter. He will on academic matters to the new members of staff, who will campaigns for St Martin-in- be working to closely support the Commandant of the RAF College. help to attract funding individuals, the-Fields and Cranfield School College’s priorities across the Arts Dr Hayward has spent over a foundations and businesses to fund of Management. She joins in and Science disciplines.

 | Comment | September 2007 Flashback

The Smith family: stationery and service This account of more than a century of service given to King’s and King’s College Hospital through three generations is drawn from a new book on the history of the College’s governing body [see page 11].

© National Portrait Gallery, London King’s College London Archives he first Smith to become a King’s Council member (from 1867 Tto 1891) was the son of the founder of the newsagent firm.The Right Hon William Henry Smith (1825-91) initially wanted to train as a clergyman but his father set him to work in his news agency in the Strand and at the age of 21 he became his father’s partner. By 1862 Smith the younger had secured exclusive bookstall rights on all the important English railway systems, excluding from them all material that he judged corrupting or sensational. Henry James wrote of a Smith’s bookstall at a London terminus: ‘It is a focus of warmth and light in the vast smoky cavern; it gives the idea that literature is a thing of splendour, of a dazzling essence, of infinite gas-lit red and gold. A glamour hangs over the glittering booth, and a tantalizing air of clever Maquette for a plaque of Lord Hambleden at the Strand new things.’ Campus.

‘Ruler of the Queen’s Navee’ Smith was elected to parliament for Westminster in 1868. When he entered Disraeli’s cabinet in 1877 as First Lord of the Admiralty the appointment of a tradesman to be ‘Ruler of the Queen’s Navee’ was mocked in Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore. In 1885 he was elected MP for the new Strand constituency, which he continued to represent until his death. In 1887 he became Leader William Henry Smith by ‘Pet’, circa 1877. of the House of Commons and in this role was influential in aiding King’s in the debate as Treasurer, he moved the motion to abolish Jeremy Hardie CBE MA FKC. over the establishment of a teaching (‘Albert’) religious tests for both teachers and Council University for London. members, which came into effect through The Hon David Smith CBE (1907-76) was Known affectionately as ‘Old Morality’, the King’s College London Act of 1903. The the younger brother of the third Viscount Smith was renowned for his common sense laboratories in the Department of Anatomy, Hambleden, and the fourth member of the and perception, although a fellow King’s built over the Chapel at the Strand Campus, Smith family to be active on behalf of King’s. Council member, the Prime Minister William were named after him. He was a director of the family company and Gladstone, called him ‘dunder-headed’. He Smith was also a generous donor to King’s also Chairman of WH Smith & Son (Holdings) became a life governor of King’s College in College Hospital. When WH Smith & Son Ltd. He was a member of the King’s Delegacy 1879 and was also a member of the managing bought the land north of the Aldwych then (which governed the College at this point) from body of King’s College Hospital. occupied by the Hospital he selected and 1966 to 1976 and its Chairman from 1972 to William Frederick Danvers Smith FKC (1868- donated a new site for it at Denmark Hill. He 1976, and he was also a member of the Council 1928) succeeded his father in 1891 as MP became a Fellow of the College in 1907. He is (which governed the King’s Theological for the Strand and held this seat until 1910. said to have had reserved manners and a deep College) from 1972 to 1976. He succeeded his mother, who had been sense of duty and to have been even-tempered Jeremy Hardie CBE MA FKC, director and created first Viscountess Hambleden just and compassionate, but not to be bluffed. then Deputy Chairman of the WH Smith after her husband’s death, as second Viscount William Henry Smith, third Viscount Hambleden Group between 1994 and 1999, followed the Hambleden in 1913. He was also head of the (1903-48), son of the second Viscount and company’s long tradition of strong support family firm and helped to create a network of Governing Director of WH Smith & Son Ltd, for King’s. He served as a member of Council bookshops. was a member of the Delegacy from 1928 to from 1996 to 2002 and Vice-Chairman of the Smith gave lifelong service to King’s. In the 1935 and Chairman of King’s College Hospital Council for five years until 2002. He held a 1890s a gift of £5,000 from him enabled the from 1936. He spent much time and energy in number of board positions with prominent College to stave off bankruptcy and was the helping to convert the Hospital from peacetime companies as well as WH Smith. first of several magnificent donations. In 1898, to wartime footing. Christine Kenyon Jones

September 2007 | Comment |  Around the College

Commemoration Oration 2007

On 31 October The Right Lord Bingham will speak The event starts at 18.00 in the author and poet GK Chesterton. Honourable Lord Bingham of about The Rule of Law and the Great Hall, Strand Campus. For a Subsequent speakers have Cornhill KG FKC will deliver the Sovereignty of Parliament. He is ticket please email [email protected] included author CS Lewis, former 2007 Commemoration Oration. one of the most senior judges in The Commemoration Oration Prime Ministers Clement Atlee, All members of the College are the UK, and has been Senior Lord is one of the highlights of the Harold Wilson and Tony Blair invited to come together for of Appeal in Ordinary since 2000. College year. Now an annual and former Archbishop of Cape an evening of celebration and He was a member of College celebration at King’s, the first Town and Nobel Prize winner intellectual stimulation. Council from 1989-93. Commemoration orator was Desmond Tutu. News in brief MP awards certificates Greg Funnell Principal’s fora an opportunity for attendees Local MP Kate Hoey presented The dates for the next fora are: to meet others working in the certificates to 80 Uni4U students Tuesday 30 October, Prideaux financial, business and law at a celebration event on 20 July Lecture Theatre, Main Hospital communities. If you know in the Franklin-Wilkins Building, Building, St Thomas’ Campus; any alumni who work in the Waterloo Campus. She has been Wednesday 31 October, Small City who may be interested the Labour MP for Vauxhall since Lecture Theatre, IoP Main contact Sally Ford in the 1989 and is constituency MP Building (lunch in seminar room Alumni Relations Office for the Waterloo, St Thomas’ 3); Monday 12 November, ([email protected] or ext 4342). and (part of the) Denmark Hill Great Hall, Strand Campus; campuses. and Thursday 15 November, WHO Centre The Principal, Professor Rick Henriette Raphael function The Department of Oral Trainor, opened the proceedings in room, Guy’s Campus. All Medicine within the Dental front of an audience of 200 people, talks begin at 13.00 except St Institute was re-designated as welcoming students, family and Thomas’ which starts at 12.30. a World Health Organization friends to King’s. Making the link A sandwich lunch is available Collaborating Centre for with other widening participation Kate Hoey MP presents certificates to successful Uni4U students. half an hour beforehand. Oral Cancer & Precancer projects in the College, the for a further four-year period Principal praised Uni4U students’ achievements of the students Media training from June 2007. The Head of achievements and expressed the and role of Uni4U at King’s in The Biotechnology and Department Professor Saman hope that more local people would providing these novel learning Biological Sciences Research Warnakulasuriya has functioned be able to benefit from the Uni4U opportunities for local people. Council (BBSRC) is offering as the Director of the Centre for project at King’s. Uni4U, a widening participation free media training to BBSRC several years and has directed Kate Hoey, a great supporter project which ‘opens new doors grantholders and PhD students. and overseen the progress of these types of initiatives, to adult learning’ is based in the Three introductory one-day of a range of global research commented that she was impressed Florence Nightingale School of courses in central London are partnerships on this topic. by the scale of the project, the Nursing & Midwifery. being offered this autumn on 27 September, 2 October and 20 KILT conference November. The course is tailor- The first Learning and Teaching made and uses experienced Conference, facilitated by KILT Alumni Sports Day practising radio and print (King’s Institute of Learning and journalists to introduce scientists Teaching), was held at Waterloo The King’s College London enable alumni teams to recruit new to the workings of the media Campus on 4 July. This was an Association is holding an players and allow King’s to further and to provide training in opportunity for staff to raise Alumni Sports Day on Saturday develop its already flourishing interviewing and communication the profile of teaching across 29 September to provide an alumni sports programme. skills. For more information the College through discussion opportunity for the large number of From 19.00 there will be a contact the BBSRC Media and debate. The conference alumni sports teams to compete with black tie dinner in the Great Hall Office on 01793 413299 or email was opened and introduced current undergraduate students. At at the Strand Campus. Tickets [email protected] by Simon Lygo-Baker, Acting the end of the day successful teams are priced at £55 and include a Director of KILT. The event will be presented with the first set of drinks reception with a live band, Networking reception was well supported with more Alumni Sports trophies. followed by a three-course dinner. Alumni who work in the City are than 100 participants including A full range of sports is planned After dinner there will be a party invited to attend a networking external learning and teaching at the New Malden sports ground with a DJ in the Waterfront Bar. event at The City of London specialists from other Russell including rugby, football, netball For more information contact Club on 6 November (18.30- Group universities. Next year’s and hockey, and supporters are Paul Mould (paul.mould@kcl. 21.00). The evening will include conference will take place on encouraged. This will be the first ac.uk) or Michael Walsh wine and canapés, and provide 4 March. fixture in the alumni sports league, ([email protected]) or which is to be a regular event, to call 020 7848 3447.

10 | Comment | September 2007 Around the College

The Council: a portrait

helen senior A hANDSoMe, fully-IlluSTrATeD have served King’s in this way, 56-page book, The Council: a as well as a wide variety of the portrait, has been published by ‘great and good’ who have been the College to record and members. celebrate the role of the Council. The publication also features The publication describes fi ve ‘snapshot’ descriptions of the major contributions made King’s and its governing body to the College by its governing in key years of the College’s life; body over 180 years, and was articles about the contributions to written by Dr Christine Kenyon King’s made by families such as Jones of External Relations, with the WH Smith dynasty [see page research in the College Archives 9] and the Twinings of tea fame; by Michal Sofer. It traces how the a timeline showing important Council’s role and membership events in the College’s history; have adapted over this period and a full list of all those who have to changes in the College, in been members of the Council and education and in society. Mini- Delegacy. The illustrations include biographies of nearly 40 individual many portraits and some newly Council (1998-2007), following loan from Tess Morey in External members of Council include those photographed objects from the her fi nal Council meeting in the Relations on 020 7848 3004. The of WE Gladstone (the Council’s College’s Archives. chair, and in the presence of the Principal’s Offi ce is despatching longest-serving member) and the The book was presented to next Chairman, Lord Douro. copies to friends and supporters three other prime ministers who Lady Rawlings, Chairman of the Reference copies are available on of the College. Art for the Planet: a new College competition

SuBMISSIoNS Are INvITeD froM STAff Submissions should be the South Range on the Strand Weston Street, London SE1 3QD and students for the fi rst annual unframed, A2 in size or smaller. Campus and the winning entries with the name, Department and art competition, organised by the Wall sculptures should be mounted will be exhibited in public areas email address of the originator on Estates and Facilities Directorate on a card or board backing which of the College. the back. Submissions should be with the support of KCLSU. is able to be hung on a wall and Submissions should be sent to made by 14 January and judging The subject of this year’s made of clean recycled materials. the Estates and Facilities Offi ce, will take place by the end of competition is Art for the Planet, Finalists will be displayed in 3rd Floor, Capital House, 42 February 2008. with the theme of climatic change, the impact on the planet and imaginative ways of solving it. FREESPACE at King’s showcases the arts The main prize for the fi nalist in each category will be £500 with a special student prize, a President’s Award, which will be a KCLSU event pass for a year. Ian Caldwell, Director of Estates, comments: ‘I thought it would be good to raise the profi le of both art and climate change in the College, given there is an interest in both and much hidden talent waiting to be discovered.’ The two categories are: painting, drawing, cartoon or other work on paper; and collage or wall sculpture using recycled material. The judges will be Sally Taylor, Director of the London Centre for Arts and Cultural Enterprise, Michaela Crimmin, who runs the Arts and Ecology programme at On 27-29 July the fi rst FREESPACE event showcasing music, art and dance with opportunities to take part in workshops and participatory performances took place. Organised by Somerset House, a number of the events were held at King’s Strand Campus. The Great Hall the Royal Society of Art, Professor was the venue for indoor jam sessions and hands-on music learning with musicians Tomorrow’s Warriors. young artists expressed their Rick Trainor, Principal, and Adam creativity via graffi ti and drawing workshops. A giant work of street art in the Quad (pictured) was the centrepiece of the FREESPACE Farley, President of KCLSU. event. Artist steve dixon also led a number of Draw a Dancer workshops in the South Range.

September 2007 | Comment | 11 Around the College

King’s Summer School Research tools rewarded

King’s Business has just concluded a £24,000 research tool licensing deal with Santa Cruz Biotechnology in the USA for a panel of HIV monoclonal antibodies. Professor Michael Malim FRS, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, developed the antibodies when he was a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania which has subsequently assigned all rights to the antibodies to King’s. The antibodies have been raised against Professor Michael Malim FRS Students at King’s Summer School. the HIV-1 Gag, Vif, integrase and REV proteins which all play most common are reagents such King’s fourth summer school, workshops and one-to-one course important roles in the proliferative as antibodies, enzymes, animal organised by the Widening and careers advice. success of the HIV-1 virus in models and molecular biology Participation Office, started on Samantha Paxton, Widening humans. and proteomics reagents but there 3 July with more than 50 gifted Participation Manager, explains: King’s Business can potentially is also potential for licensing of and talented 16-year olds from ‘We hope it gives students the idea generate income for King’s teaching packages and software London taking part in an extensive of the richness of university life researchers who have developed programmes. For further four-day programme which in London and that they had the valuable research tools. Research information contact Michael provided an insight into, and chance to taste both work and play tools are anything used in the Jorgensen (michael.jorgensen@kcl. flavour of, university life. in the life of an undergraduate, performance of research. The ac.uk). The programme was made with diverse talks and activities. up of academically-themed I am extremely pleased with the sessions across three campuses wide-ranging programme we and further afield with lectures on were able to organise with some of Rory Bremner comes back the London Eye. Other activities King’s top academics and thank all included talks, lively discussions, a those staff who gave up their time Staff are invited to join alumni co-host Adam Boulton, Political debate, demonstrations, practical to help us.’ and friends of the College on Editor at Sky News. 18 October, when noted comic A raffle on the night will satirist and King’s alumnus include prizes donated by Rory Bremner FKC (French Kumuka Worldwide, Sea New ERG initiatives and German, 1984) will host France, British Airways London a fundraising dinner in aid of Eye, the Southbank Centre and A number of Exciting initiatives monitoring station with two NOX student facilities and activities. the Hard Rock Café, and will are taking place within the analysers will monitor the air. This glamorous black-tie event raise further funds for KCLSU. Environmental Research Group, Meteorological sensors will also will be held in the Great Hall Tickets for this event cost £80 part of the Pharmaceutical monitor the impact of prevailing at the Strand Campus, where per person (or £750 for a table Sciences Research Division. weather conditions. To measure guests will enjoy a drinks of 10). For further information The Group is working closely the difference in air quality the site reception and three-course or to purchase tickets please with the London Borough will collect one year’s data before dinner. After dinner guests will contact Nathalie Debono in the of Camden to investigate the the wall is painted and compare it be entertained by Bremner’s Development & Alumni Office efficiency of NOX (nitrogen with a year’s data after the paint unique brand of satire as he (020 7848 3396 or nathalie. oxide) reducing paint. The paint has been applied. discusses current affairs with [email protected]). contains titanium dioxide (TiO2), The site is in the heart of a strong photocatalyst that breaks Camden’s busy business district down NOX into nitrates in the inside the congestion charge be sent directly to desktops via Gary Fuller comments: ‘We are presence of sunlight and water zone. It experiences high NOX RSS feeds which will provide always seeking new ways to get vapour. The results of the trial will concentrations with low dispersion a notification if any sites in the air pollution information out to provide useful information about conditions. These are the optimum network measure ‘moderate’, high’ the public. Up-to-date public what effect the photocatalytic conditions under which the paint or ‘very high’ pollution. information is an important part paint has on its surrounding should work. The Group has also set up of the air quality management environment and if the results are The data from the site will dedicated feeds for each local process; raising awareness of favourable it could help battle air be updated on this website – authority in the network enabling pollution incidents and helping pollution. www.londonair.org.uk – for the council officers and members people to minimise the impacts of A wall at an enclosed area at trial period. The ERG has also of the public to view the latest air pollution on their health. We Central Saint Martins College recently upgraded the LondonAir measurements from all of the sites believe that the LondonAir is the will be partially painted with website so that the latest air in their area. first air quality network in Europe photocatalytic paint and a pollution measurements can now Air quality monitoring manager to provide an RSS service.’

12 | Comment | September 2007 Research

Science performance Asthma-obesity link

Claire Haworth and Professor better at science than women. Robert Plomin at the Institute The researchers aimed to assess of Psychiatry have published whether there are sex differences a paper into the differences in the genetic and environmental between male and female science influences that impact on performance in primary school. individual differences in science Published online in the performance, and whether International Journal of Science these differences are present Education, this paper A Twin in early science development Study into the Genetic and in primary school. Environmental Influences on Using a very large Academic Performance in Science representative cohort of more in nine-year-old Boys and Girls than 2,600 pairs of twins from is important as it is the first the Twins’ Early Development behavioural genetic investigation Study, the researchers showed of science performance. No other that in the early school years researchers have looked at the there are no mean differences in Scientists at King’s have in the journal Proceedings of the relative influences of nature and science performance (ie boys are discovered a protein that is known National Academy of Sciences. nurture for science performance not significantly better than girls to increase appetite in cells closely The number of people with before. at science) and also there are no associated with asthma, suggesting asthma has increased in recent There has long been debate aetiological sex differences (ie a mechanistic link between asthma years in many countries, including about the under-representation the same genes/environments and obesity. the UK, which coincides with a of women in scientific careers, influence science performance Researchers from the MRC- rise in the incidence of obesity. and there have been suggestions in boys and girls and influence Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Scientists have been investigating that men are simply intrinsically performance to the same extent). Mechanisms of Asthma whether the two conditions may investigated the molecules be connected. Asthma is more produced by Th2 cells – common in obese people and specialised immune cells. They obesity often precedes asthma, found that in addition to producing suggesting that increased weight HRT alternative proteins which cause asthma, the is not simply a result of inactivity Th2 cells also produce a protein caused by asthma. Foods like soya, dark chocolate, encoded by the gene PMCH (pro- The researchers will now look tea and red wine, which are melanin-concentrating hormone) at possible genetic polymorphisms, rich in polyphenols, can have a which is known to increase or variations, of PMCH to see the beneficial effect on cardiovascular appetite. The research is published role they play. health, and could even provide postmenopausal women with potential alternatives to long-term hormone replacement therapy Hot weather and suicide (HRT). Professor Giovanni Mann Dr Lisa Page, Clinical Lecturer the relationship between daily and Dr Richard Siow from the and Researcher at the Institute of temperature and daily suicide Cardiovascular Division presented Psychiatry, is the lead author in a counts in England and Wales their findings recently at the Life Low concentrations of soy new study that finds an increased over 10 years (January 1993 to Sciences Conference in Glasgow. isoflavones may be of use to risk of suicide during hot weather. December 2003) and although Their group has investigated the postmenopausal women because The research was published in the researchers did not find a spring cardiovascular benefits of soy of their increased binding to August issue of the British Journal or summer peak in suicide, once isoflavones – natural plant-derived a specific oestrogen receptor. of Psychiatry. temperatures rose above 18ºC, compounds which can mimic the Professor Mann comments: ‘The This study sets out to assess with each extra degree C increase actions of the female sex hormone American Heart Association has in average temperature there oestrogen. cautioned that women on long- was also an associated rise in all The researchers have found that term treatment with HRT have suicides of 3.8 per cent and of 5 low concentrations of isoflavones an increased risk of cardiovascular per cent in violent suicides. increase blood flow by releasing disease. At this stage we cannot There are three mechanisms the dilator nitric oxide from say that isoflavones and related by which higher temperatures endothelial cells lining the blood polyphenols are a cure-all for could cause suicide – sociological, vessel wall. These compounds also symptoms associated with biological and psychological, stimulate the activity of protective menopause, but eating a well- which the researchers explore. antioxidant genes which remove balanced diet rich in isoflavones The effects of high temperatures dangerous ‘radicals’ associated may provide protection against on suicide counts will probably with an increased risk of heart increased oxidative stress in become more important as global disease and stroke. menopause and ageing.’ warming continues.

September 2007 | Comment | 13 Media watch

Armed forces Foiled attacks Youth crime Moliere Research by the King’s In the week following the foiled Following the shooting of the Professor Ginette Vincendeau, Centre for Military Health terror attacks in London and 11-year old boy, Rhys Jones, Head of Department of Film Research about the overstretch Glasgow, Dr John Gearson, in the Liverpool area, Will Studies, reviewed Moliere dangers facing British Armed Reader in Terrorism Studies, McMahon, Centre for Crime and – a film about the French Forces Personnel in Iraq, was spoke to Sky News, BBC News Justice Studies, was interviewed playwright’s life – on Radio 4’s reported by The Guardian, 24, BBC World TV, CNN on Al Jazeera English. Front Row. Daily Telegraph, The Times, International, CNN USA, Independent, Daily Mail and Press Association TV and BBC BBC News Online. The Radio London, BBC World Radiological threat ADHD academics involved, Professor Service Radio and BBC Radio Nicola Hotopf, Professor Roberto Wales. Brooke Rogers, King’s Centre Dr Tamsin Ford, Clinical Rona and Dr Nicola Fear were for Risk Management, was Training Fellow, was interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s interviewed on BBC Radio interviewed on Radio 4’s Today programme, Sky News, Diet advice 4’s 6 O’ Clock News about the Am I Normal? about the use ITV and BBC television news. medical and governmental of medication for children Sensible eating of more familiar capabilities for dealing with diagnosed with attention fruits and vegetables is a better radiological terrorism. deficit hyperactivity disorder Moles approach than focussing on (ADHD). superfoods, argued Professor Tom People with a large numbers Sanders, Head of the Nutritional Medical degree of moles may age slower than Sciences Research Division, Harry Potter people with fewer moles, on BBC One’s The One Show. BBC Radio 4’s PM ran a research from Dr Veronique Professor Sanders also offers his feature on the graduation of The latest Harry Potter novel Bataille of the Twin Research expertise on the Channel 4 series the first students from King’s was the subject of a Sky News Unit suggests. Dr Bataille Cook Yourself Thin. Extended Medical Degree interview with Dr Richard was interviewed by BBC Programme. Pamela Garlick, Howells, Reader in Cultural and Radio 5 Live, Radio 2’s Chris Course Director, and three Creative Industries. Evans Drivetime, BBC Radio Brain training students – Linda Onyema, Scotland and BBC Southern Isaac Shepherd-Prince and Counties Radio. Professor Tim Dr Yulia Kovas, Researcher, Canh On – were interviewed. Cannabis education Spector, Head of the Twin Institute of Psychiatry, tested There was also an article on Research Unit, was interviewed the latest craze in video games the degree programme in Robin Murray, Professor of about the study for BBC Radio –‘brain training’ on BBC Radio The Independent’s Education Psychiatry, was interviewed 5’s Drivetime. 4’s Today programme. Dr Kovas Supplement. on BBC1’s 10’ Clock News said there have been no studies about The Lancet paper on to determine brain age and the cannabis and psychosis and Knife crime concept does not exist. Addiction unfound called for education rather than re-classifying cannabis. The extent of Britain’s violent Dr Vaughan Bell, Institute crime epidemic is revealed Nuclear capability of Psychiatry, hit out at in new figures that show the an ‘infuriating and self- Crime perception number of street robberies A controversial plan by contradictory’ article in the involving knives has more than Australia to sell uranium to Journal of Mental Health. Following the publication of doubled in two years. The India was discussed by Pete The piece refers to an alleged the crime figures by the Home study, by the Centre for Crime Zimmerman, Professor of psychological addiction called Office,P rofessor Mike Hough, and Justice Studies, is based on Science and Security, on ABC ‘Internet addiction disorder’. Director of the Institute for the government’s own statistics News. Professor Zimmerman He told CNN it is impossible Criminal Policy Research, was and was the lead report in The also contributed articles for the for people to be addicted to interviewed on the BBC1 News Sunday Times. Financial Times and The New the internet as it is neither a about public perception of York Times. substance nor an activity. levels of crime. Extremist cells CBT Beckham’s fitness Dr Peter Neumann, Director of the Centre for Defence Studies, Professor Paul Salkovskis, Duncan Critchley, Lecturer in See www.kcl.ac.uk/headlines was interviewed on Sky News, Clinical Psychologist, Applied Biomedical research, for the latest media coverage Fox News, ZDF (German participated in an interview argued that by aiming to play or on Campus noticeboards. TV), More 4 News, CNN and and phone-in about Cognitive for both his club and country, Comment is keen to know Swedish public television about Behavioural Therapy and its David Beckham could be of any staff featured in the terrorism, extremist cells and applications on the BBC Radio pushing himself too hard too why attacks fail. 2 Jeremy Vine Show. soon, on Sky News. media, call ext 3202 or email [email protected]

14 | Comment | September 2007 Student news

development, teamwork and self- end of 2004 to encourage new Volunteering Gold confidence in a supportive and fun Henley success partnerships and collaborations environment. between those universities and Describing his volunteering Students Matt Neame (Institute the arts and cultural industries work, Kartik says: ‘Through of Psychiatry) and Rob Irving in London. Part of its role is my volunteering I have gained a (American Studies) cruised to to enable both academics and real sense of achievement. I have victory at the Henley Royal students to develop better learnt valuable organisational Regatta (4-8 July). Competing in business skills for working and leadership skills by being the the University of London coxed in these industries and, for the manager of one of the teams. Not four team, they won the Prince last three years, it has run a only has it made the past two Albert Challenge Cup beating the Summer School for students from years at uni more rewarding, but University of British Columbia, all eight partners. it made me stay when I really did the Canadian champions, and the Survival Skills for working consider throwing the towel in. I’m University of Cambridge in their in the arts and cultural sectors incredibly thankful to the College semi-final and final. The Regatta was this year’s theme. The week and Students’ Union as well as is open to teams from around brought together a wide range of the charities for giving me the the world and this University of experts from across these sectors opportunity to volunteer for them.’ London team is only the third to talk to students about the Shelley Rowley, Volunteer university coxed four to lift the cup. general skills needed to work Programme Worker, comments: in those fields. ‘Kartik is a fantastic and dedicated Feedback was extremely Three of the Gold Award winners (from left): volunteer, this Gold Award from positive. One King’s student, Katherine Carroll (Imperial College London), Summer School Kartik Muthusamy (King’s) and Roxana Student Volunteering England Oyinda Fakeye, commented: Carlisle (University of Bristol). is very well deserved for all the LCACE (London Centre for Arts ‘The panel discussions were very work he does and the time he and Cultural Enterprise) is a insightful and I really enjoyed Kartik Muthusamy, a second-year gives up for young people and consortium of eight London- the visits. I wasn’t aware of the Engineering student, has won disadvantaged children. We are so based universities including array of activities offered at The a prestigious Gold Award from proud of him.’ King’s. It was established at the Roundhouse for under 26s.’ Student Volunteering England. In honour of this award, Kartik, who works with disadvantaged young From Bangkok to Brighton by tuk-tuk people, attended a dinner at the House of Lords on 19 July and was A King’s student who travelled chosen to give a talk to the Lords by tuk-tuk from the British about student volunteering. Embassy in Bangkok to Brighton Student Volunteering England’s has written a book about her Gold Awards are the only experiences, Tuk Tuk to the Road. nationally recognised awards Jo Huxster (Medicine) and her where students’ achievements are friend Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent honoured by their peers. Kartik kept an online diary throughout was one of eight winners of Gold the 98-day trip. The book is an Awards from London. edited version of their blog and Kartik is a football team includes tales of armed guards manager for a volunteering in Laos, landslides in China project called Street League, a and marriage proposals in charity which uses sport to help Russia. The book is illustrated young adults from disadvantaged with stunning photography of backgrounds to achieve their their travels. potential. They work to engage They drove the 12,500 miles and inspire individuals through in Ting Tong, their bright pink a range of sporting projects. As a performance-enhanced three- team manager Kartik’s main duties wheeled tuk-tuk. The pair drove King’s student Jo Huxster (right) and her friend Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent with their tuk-tuk. include registering new players, through Thailand, Laos, China, completing the registration of all Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, with tuk-tuks. After a trip in one MIND, because I suffered players at training, picking a team Poland, Czech Republic, around Bangkok, I decided that from depression in my for the matches and ensuring Germany, Belgium and France one day I would like to drive one adolescence and was personally they arrive on time, knowing all at an average of 150 miles a back to England. The trip was helped by them.’ match details as well as generally day meeting local people and an experience of a lifetime. As They have spoken about encouraging the players. travellers on the way. They well as travelling to remote areas their experiences on television Kartik also volunteers every also raised £37,368 for the and meeting interesting people, programmes including This Sunday on a project called, KEEN mental health charity MIND we had the opportunity to raise Morning and Richard & Judy. London. KEEN London aims in the process. money for MIND and increase In November 2006 they won to provide sports and recreation Jo comments: ‘I travelled to awareness about mental health Cosmopolitan magazine’s ‘Fun, to children with special needs, Thailand in 2002 and fell in love problems. We wanted to support Fearless and Female’ award. promoting physical and social

September 2007 | Comment | 15 Books

Three favourite... Art galleries near the Strand and Waterloo campuses As recommended by Dr Richard Howells, Director of the Cultural and Creative Industries Programme

Courtauld Institute of Art gallery, The Strand This is an absolute gem of a gallery, right next door to the Strand Campus. It’s not just the strength of the collection (including works by Gaugin, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Renoir, Thomas Becket: Friends, Film Music and Beyond: Overcoming Modigliani – to say nothing Networks, Texts and Cult Writings on Music and the Depersonalization & of the Courtauld’s star turn: Screen, 1946-59 Feelings of Unreality Manet’s Bar at the Folies- Professor Anne Duggan, History Bergère). It’s also a quiet, Department Christopher Wintle, Department Professor Anthony David et al, uncrowded part of the beautiful of Music Institute of Psychiatry Somerset House, and admission Becket’s life was lived on a is free to King’s staff . European stage, his dispute Between 1946 and 1959, the most This book was produced by the with Henry II of England was outspoken voice in British fi lm Depersonalisation Research Unit The National gallery, Trafalgar Sq conducted in a European setting. music was that of Hans Keller at the Institute of Psychiatry Quite simply one of the fi nest The 15 studies published here (1919-85), the celebrated Austrian and Maudsley Hospital. art galleries in the world. It’s refl ect not only the global reach of critic who emigrated to London Depersonalisation disorder is home to many iconic works the subject but the international in 1938. He argued passionately characterised by persistent or – my advice is to go ‘little and reputation and wide-ranging for ‘the need for competent fi lm recurrent episodes of ‘detachment often’ and focus on just one or expertise of their author, whose music criticism’, laid out the main or estrangement from one’s self’. two paintings at a time. Look edition and translation of the topics of the time, and studied the The individual may feel like an for the disguised symbolism Correspondence of Archbishop contribution of all the main British automaton, or, in a word ‘unreal’. in the ‘Arnolfi ni Wedding’ or Thomas Becket (Oxford, 2000) composers and many others besides. Symptoms of depersonalisation the anamorphic skull in ‘The and acclaimed biography (Thomas His principles were extraordinarily and derealisation in the general Ambassadors’. If you’ve already Becket: London, 2004) have prophetic, and are essentially the population are common but done that, just luxuriate in established Professor Duggan as same as those taught today. prevalence of clinically signifi cant the countless Old Masters. the doyenne of Becket studies. More than this, he was a depersonalisation is probably one Admission to the permanent Based almost exclusively on the personal friend of many of the to three per cent. collection is refreshingly critical examination of manuscripts fi lm composers, and in particular At present there is no free; occasional blockbuster and texts, this important collection championed William Alwyn, established treatment but there exhibitions carry a charge. includes signifi cant studies on the Arthur Benjamin and Alan are medications available which papal curia, Becket’s household Rawsthorne as well as the more help some. The clinic developed a The hayward gallery, Southbank in exile, the fl orilegium gallicum, established names – Auric, cognitive-behavioural approach to This is the place for the the authorship of Becket’s letters, Bernstein, Britten, Thomson, treatment thanks to psychologists unexpected in a revitalised the coronation of the young Vaughan Williams and Walton. Dawn Baker and Elaine Hunter. Southbank Centre. The King Henry (1170), Henry His knowledge of all their work While helpful to many patients Hayward showcases new works, II’s reconciliation at Avranches was extraordinary. In 1959 he also there emerged a clear need for a commissions and installations. (1172), the explosion of Becket’s devoted a combative column to self-help book. Sometimes gimmicky, cult across the Latin West, the ‘television music’. This latest addition to the occasionally inspiring, never transmission of hagiographical This important collection popular ‘Overcoming...’ series dull! Exhibitions are usually and liturgical texts to France, forms a vital complement to the takes many elements from the free of charge, with some staged Germany, and Portugal, and contemporary Composing for the CBT approach plus others which outdoors. the role of diverse agencies Film by Hanns Eisler and Theodor have proven utility in anxiety and of dissemination: Henry II’s Adorno. It also provides an depressive disorders. It off ers a Let us know your three favourite daughters, for example, in Saxony, unparalleled account of a great age simple step-by-step-guide and things related to a King’s Campus. Castile and Sicily. for fi lm music, especially in Britain. information to suff erers. Email [email protected] Ashgate: Aldershot Plumbago/Boydell & Brewer Constable & Robinson

Comment is the College’s regular newsletter, edited by the Public Relations Department and designed by the Corporate Design Unit | Comment is printed on paper produced with 80 per cent recovered fi bre| Articles are welcomed from all members of the College, but please note that the Editor reserves the right to amend articles | Copy for the next issue can be sent to Julie Munk, Public Relations Department (ext 3075), James Clerk Maxwell Building, Waterloo Campus, or emailed to [email protected] by 3 october.

16 | Comment | September 2007