THE YEAR IN REVIEW
2015 - 2016
THE YEAR IN REVIEW 2015 – 2016
“We will continue to focus on getting the simple things right: ensuring a good quality student experience, maintaining a campus that is high quality and fit for purpose and building our long-term reputation for excellent teaching and research.”
Dr John Cater CBE, Vice-Chancellor THE YEAR IN REVIEW CONTINUING TO BUILD
VICE-CHANCELLOR, DR JOHN CATER, REFLECTS ON A YEAR IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND SETS OUT OUR FUTURE AMBITIONS
Being named Times Higher Education ‘University of the Year’ in 2014/15 was extremely successful in raising the public perception of the University – our task for this year has been to fulfil that perception as well as continuing to build on the benefits of a year in the academic spotlight.
One of my personal aspirations and Skills (now the Department for Business, Energy has always been for Edge Hill to and Industrial Strategy) placed Edge Hill in the top two be acknowledged as one of the UK universities for ‘added value’ – where people are at region’s finest institutions and, the beginning compared with the end of their academic in the Sunday Times University journey – which means we’re making a real impact on League Table 2015, we were people’s lives. Add to this strong graduate employment the most improved university, figures and higher than average graduate salaries, and finishing in the top four in the we certainly seem to have delivered against the title of North West alongside Lancaster, ‘University of the Year’. Liverpool and Manchester. So, where do we go from here? In terms of ambitions Applications to study here increased following University for the future, I’d like to see further improvement in the of the Year, particularly in the Faculty of Arts and next Research Excellence Framework in 2021, following Sciences, which saw a 20% rise, and our conversion rate, our sector-beating progress in the last one. I’d also hope the people who ultimately choose to come here, went up to see our strong reputation for learning and teaching to one in three. Edge Hill also continued to rank highly and student experience – which I believe is outstanding for student satisfaction, coming top in the region and joint – reflected in the Teaching Excellence Framework in fourth in the UK in the latest National Student Survey, 2017. I also want to see Edge Hill feature in the World and maintaining our place in the top two among major University Rankings by the end of the decade. universities in the North West that we’ve held for ten of the last 11 surveys. We were also named the UK’s top If we are to capitalise on our tenure as University of the employer in the European Business Awards 2015/16, Year, we will continue to focus on getting the simple recognising our commitment to staff as well as students. things right: ensuring a good quality student experience, maintaining a campus that is high quality and fit for I’m very proud of these achievements but, for me, purpose and building our long-term reputation for the most important measure of how good we are as a excellent teaching and research. We will be judged as university is the personal progress our students make. an outstanding university every year, not just by the Last year, the Department for Business, Innovation Times Higher, but by our students, staff and stakeholders. 2015
AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
UNIVERSITY OF £30M SPORTS DEVELOPING THE THE YEAR COMPLEX OPENS CURRICULUM
As the year commenced, Edge Hill A brand new Sports Centre was A number of new undergraduate held the University of the Year opened at the University by and postgraduate courses were title, awarded in the 10th annual Olympic heptathlete Katarina launched, including Music Times Higher Education (THE) Johnson-Thompson. Production, Popular Music, Awards. Cyber Security and Sports Coaching & Development.
PALATINE COURT HIGHEST QUALIFIED The new Halls of Residence provide ATHENA SWAN AWARD INTAKE GET THEIR EXAM 168 new single-study en-suite RESULTS bedrooms, bringing the total number Edge Hill University has received a of students that can live on campus bronze award from Athena SWAN, Over 4,000 new students achieved to 2,259. the charter that recognises commitment the required entry grades to start to tackling gender inequality in programmes in 2015, a 5% increase STEM subjects in higher education. on the previous year. SAFEST UNIVERSITY In gaining the award, the University IN THE REGION has established an action plan to advance and promote the careers of Edge Hill has been ranked the safest women across a range of disciplines. university in the North West for the fourth year running, according to new survey results published by the independent Complete University Guide.
CAMPUS CELEBRATES FOUR YEARS OF FLYING CHELTENHAM LITERATURE THE GREEN FLAG FESTIVAL
Edge Hill’s beautiful campus retained Edge Hill visited the renowned a prestigious Green Flag award for the Cheltenham Literature Festival and fourth year running. sponsored the festival’s Fiction at 7 series, which provided an opportunity NEW FRONT ENTRANCE to hear a mix of well-known authors talking about their new books. The impressive front entrance to the It was also an opportunity to showcase main building was updated, restoring 7 Fictions, an anthology of work by the elegance of the 1933 original. Edge Hill Associates, containing seven short stories by staff, students and associates of the University. 2016
NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY
CHANCELLOR’S BETTER AT HOME FESTIVAL LECTURE SUITE LAUNCH OF IDEAS
Broadcaster, writer and presenter The first of its kind in the UK, Edge Hill held its first Festival of Clare Balding visited Edge Hill the Better at Home Suite is an Ideas, featuring a diverse range of to deliver a major event in the innovative training resource for events exploring culture, health University calendar, the annual families of children and young and society. The theme for the Chancellor’s Lecture. people with long-term and 2016 series was Imagining complex medical needs developed Better, which explored ways for in partnership with the charity communities, arts and healthcare WellChild. to develop and flourish, even in times of austerity and inequality.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Edge Hill’s Excellence Scholarship Awards were presented to students EXTREME ATHLETE displaying determination, commitment RICHARD PARKS DELIVERS and achievement in their chosen field, PUBLIC LECTURE at a presentation evening held on campus. Richard Parks, former Welsh rugby international turned extreme adventurer, broadcaster and writer, visited Edge Hill to deliver PRESIDENT OF THE BPS a public lecture titled Living Life DELIVERS GUEST LECTURE to the Extreme: Sport, Achievement, Endurance as part of the University’s The President of the British Celebrating Sport events. Psychological Society, Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes, visited Edge Hill to deliver a public lecture titled The Role and Relevance of Psychology in Today’s RECORD LABEL World, as part of the Festival of Ideas. INNOVATION
Edge Hill’s industry-led, not-for-profit SUFFRAGETTE SCREENING record label won Highly Commended TO MARK 131ST BIRTHDAY in the 2015 Times Higher Awards ‘Excellence and Innovation in the A free screening of the critically- Arts’ category. The Label Recordings EDGE HILL MONOPOLY acclaimed film Suffragette took released singles by bands Oranj Son place on campus, coinciding and Feral Love, supported with film, A special edition of the board game, with the anniversary week of the marketing and events created with based on the best-loved places on University’s opening as the first non- student participation. campus such as Hale Hall, the Rock denominational teacher training Garden and the Hub, was launched college for women 131 years ago. and delivered to each Hall of Residence in time for Christmas. FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL
TOP EMPLOYER BEST STUDENT SHAKESPEARE’S IN THE UK EXPERIENCE COMPLETE WALK IN THE NORTH Edge Hill was named as the WEST Edge Hill played an essential role in UK’s top employer in the an international tribute to one of the European Business Awards. world’s most famous playwrights, by Edge Hill was identified as offering The University was the only UK supporting Liverpool’s participation the best student experience in the Ruban D’Honneur recipient in in The Complete Walk organised North West in the Times Higher the Employer of the Year category by Shakespeare’s Globe. 37 short Education UK Student Experience in this year’s coveted awards. films played on screens at city Survey. The University also centre venues marking the 400th climbed four places in the national anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. table to reach the top fifth of all universities surveyed.
PGMI AWARDED £500,000 CONTRACT
Edge Hill University’s Postgraduate SIR CHRIS HOY VISIT Medical Institute was awarded a coveted £500,000 contract by Health STUDENTS RAISE Britain’s most successful Olympian, Education England to supply medical THOUSANDS Sir Chris Hoy, delighted local primary leadership training for the whole THROUGH NSS school students when he visited of the North West region. Edge Hill to introduce and sign copies Students helped raise thousands of his new illustrated fiction series, for the Edge Hill SU RAG (Raising Flying Fergus. and Giving) and three other charities, by completing the National Student Survey to provide feedback about their university experiences. The University pledged to make a charity donation of £5 for every survey completed and, as a result CHINESE NEW YEAR of this initiative, over 50% of final CELEBRATIONS year students filled in the survey raising £7,200. HALLY MCHALLFACE The Confucius Institute celebrated UNVEILED AS NAME OF Chinese New Year by transforming NEW HALLS OF RESIDENCE the Hub into a Chinese Street Market showcasing many different Edge Hill’s April Fool story was aspects of Chinese culture, food included in the Times Higher rankings and entertainment. for the best Higher Education spoofs. It also fooled a local newspaper into believing the prank was real. MAY JUNE JULY
EMPLOYABILITY BEST STUDENT SUMMER AWARDS ACCOMMODATION GRADUATIONS IN THE UK The University celebrated the July 2016 saw more than 3,500 excellent contributions of students, Edge Hill has the best university students graduate from all three employers and alumni towards halls in the United Kingdom as of Edge Hill’s faculties, in 15 supporting graduate careers at the it demonstrates the highest levels ceremonies and applauded by Employability Awards Evening of student satisfaction among 10,000 guests in just one week. 2016. The awards event recognises residents, according to the The University also awarded the progress and achievements National Student Housing ten honorary doctorates to students have made in developing Survey Awards 2016. outstanding individuals. their ability to stand out from the crowd in the competitive graduate jobs market.
LANCASHIRE UCAS FAIR SHORT STORY PRIZE
For the third year running, Edge Hill The annual Edge Hill Short Story Prize SOUND CITY MUSIC hosted the Lancashire UCAS Higher celebrated its tenth anniversary this FESTIVAL Education Exhibition, where over 125 year, and the winner of the £10,000 prize universities from across the UK spoke was Jessie Greengrass with her debut Edge Hill has signed on as the to people about taking their first step collection, An Account of the Decline exclusive industry-connection partner into higher education, and the options of the Great Auk According to One Who for Liverpool’s Sound City music available to them. Saw It. The Edge Hill Prize remains festival for the next three years in an the only UK based award that ongoing effort to develop a platform recognises excellence in a published for aspiring North West musicians. LEARNING AND TEACHING short story collection. CONFERENCE
DRAGON BOAT RACE Edge Hill hosted the 2016 SOLSTICE and Centre for Learning and Teaching Edge Hill hosted the fourth annual Conference, with many previous North West Confucius Institute Dragon keynote speakers returning to help Boat Race at Liverpool Watersports celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Centre. The event saw five dragon boat the SOLSTICE CETL Conference. teams from universities across the North The event welcomed international West battle it out on the water to scoop attendees from China, Australia ALUMNI CATCH-UP DAY the coveted title. and South Africa. Edge Hill welcomed more than 300 YOUNG ENTERPRISE TEAM former students back to campus for WINS NATIONAL AWARD the annual Alumni Catch-Up Day, so they could reconnect with the Wet Fish, a team of second year University and reminisce about Marketing and Computer Science their time on campus. students, won a prestigious award at the Young Enterprise Start Up Final for a unique card game they produced. They competed against the top ten Start Up busineses in the UK and came second, securing a £4,000 investment award. CONTENTS
FEATURES
Building the Future 1 Inside the new £13m Tech Hub
Living Room 5 Designing student residences to meet rising expectations
Growing our Portfolio 9 Launching new programmes to address emerging skills needs and meet student demand
Medical Leadership 13 New leadership programmes for healthcare
Success Story 15 Tackling Stigma 21 Professor Ailsa Cox on the How sport opens doors to appeal of the short story improving mental health Hidden Thoughts 25 Imagining Better 19 Professor Geoff Beattie’s innovative Looking back at the first work on body language Festival of Ideas Combatting Disease 27 International collaboration tackling mosquito-borne diseases
Hillsborough Reflections 29 Dr Howard Davies reflects on the long aftermath of the disaster
Consuming Passion 33 Professor Helen Woodruffe-Burton on consumer behaviour
THE YEAR IN
The Faculty of Arts 37 and Sciences
The Faculty of Education 41
The Faculty of Health 43 and Social Care and Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI) FACTS & FIGURES The Institute for Creative 45 Enterprise (ICE) Finances and 74-80 Key Metrics The Institute for Public 47 Policy and Professional Practice (I4P)
Culture 49
Developing our People 51
Sport 53
Working with Schools 55 and Colleges
AWARDS & APPOINTMENTS
Professors 59
Donors to the University 62
Honorary Graduates 63
Senior Appointments 67
Giving Back 69
Student-led Staff 71 Award Winners
FEATURES
This selection of in-depth articles explores key developments and areas of activity from across the University.
5 6 FEATURES
BUILDING THE FUTURE
HOW DO A CAVE, A CAFE AND A STEAM ROOM CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE NORTH WEST?
Imagine paramedic students being able to attend a traffic accident on the M6 without leaving campus. Or surgeons having the opportunity to practice complex surgery without making an incision. With the opening of Edge Hill’s new £13 million Technology Hub, Edge Hill staff, students, local companies and schools can experience any number of virtual situations in the CAVE, a super immersive 3D environment that is creating new and exciting possibilities for teaching, learning and doing business.
The first of its kind in any British university, the CAVE (computer augmented virtual environment) is one of the most advanced virtual simulators. It allows users to view virtual content in an interactive setting, effectively transforming the room into an immersive 3D environment that can realistically replicate real life scenarios in 4k resolution from emergency situations to lab reactions.
As well as allowing students to use virtual reality in their computing, bioscience and geology projects, the CAVE has the potential to support local industries across a wide range of sectors, and contribute to the teaching of STEM subjects in local schools.
The CAVE is just one part of the new low carbon building, which is supported by a £3 million investment from Lancashire Enterprise Partnership. The new £13 million Technology Hub, which features the first CAVE 4k virtual simulator in UK higher education. More than 600 students can be accommodated in state-of- the-art classrooms and laboratories, a Harvard-style lecture theatre and informal study areas at any time, including up to 50 on a specialist Biotechnology floor. The building also includes facilities to support the introduction of new degree programmes in Biotechnology and Food Science over the next two years. “These cutting-edge
Research at Edge Hill will also be enhanced by the facilities and systems Technology Hub, which was officially opened by Sir Robin are an asset for the Saxby in October. Researchers can use specialist bioscience whole community and labs with facilities for histology, microbiology and imaging, an anaerobic chamber, a laser-microscope, MIDI and FAME will help strengthen analysis systems for exploring the characteristics of microbes, our partnerships within and tissue culture and analysis facilities to better understand business and increase disease and develop new treatments. our research capabilities.
The new facilities at Edge Hill will make a major Mark Allanson, contribution to the development of advanced industry in Pro Vice-Chancellor the North West and have a positive impact on the regional economy. An Enterprise Centre will be a focus for business development, with a Start-Up Café where companies can meet students to discuss technology challenges and develop ideas, and a STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Manufacturing) room to support graduate companies and local technology start-ups.
The four-screen CAVE will offer students and businesses the chance to fully immerse themselves in a virtual room. Using real data to replicate reality, users will be able to experience real life scenarios in 4k resolution. The Tech Hub was officially opened by entrepreneur and former Chairman, President and CEO of world-leading technology company ARM Holdings, Sir Robin Saxby.
Hub facts: £13m project The Technology Hub also supports Edge Hill’s commitment £3m investment from Lancashire to widening participation by opening its doors to local Enterprise Partnership 2 schools in areas with traditionally low participation in higher 3,800m , three-storey building education, and showing children the exciting possibilities 600 students accommodated offered by studying STEM subjects in the future. 13 IT-rich teaching spaces Child-friendly features, like giant 3D interactive teaching screens and a programmable child-size robot, will help to bring technology to life for the next generation of The Lancashire Growth Deal: scientists and computing experts. The Technology Hub is part Mark Allanson, Pro Vice-Chancellor, said: “The world of of the Lancashire Growth Deal, technological science and innovation through virtual reality a government initiative to support is advancing at an incredible pace. We’re committed to economic growth in the area, investing in research, technological innovation, computing led by Lancashire Enterprise and biosciences. This facility is a key part of that and reflects Partnership. The Growth Deal our success in producing employable, highly skilled graduates aims to realise the potential of who contribute to the regional economy and beyond. the whole of Lancashire, building on key assets including universities. “These cutting-edge facilities and systems are an asset for the Over its lifetime, the Growth Deal whole community and will help strengthen our partnerships is expected to create up to 8,000 within business and increase our research capabilities. Our jobs, 3,000 new homes and attract collaboration with Lancashire Enterprise Partnership will £280 million of additional public help us to focus on regional skills needs.” and private investment to the county. FEATURES
LIVING ROOM
FROM BONDING OVER DAYTIME TV TO ARGUING OVER WHOSE MILK IS WHOSE – WHY IS STUDENT ACCOMMODATION SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE?
Large communal spaces encourage students to leave their rooms to eat, study and socialise, helping them to form lifelong friendships. Edge Hill’s campus has nearly doubled in size in the past 15 years, allowing the University to devote more space to student living. Today’s high-spec communal Halls, with their flatscreen TVs and free wifi, might be a world away from the blocks of (strictly monitored) single-sex rooms with shared bathroom along the corridor that housed the original Edge Hill students in the 1930s, but the ethos remains the same – to provide the best environment in which to live and learn.
Student accommodation has always been about more than simply bricks and mortar. For many students starting university, it’s the first time they’ve lived away from home, the first time they’ve had to share with people they don’t know, the first time they’ve had to cook, do laundry and clean up for themselves. Living in student accommodation has, for decades, possibly centuries, been a rite of passage marking the beginning of independent adulthood and creating lifelong friendships – so, getting it right is key to a good student experience.
“Personal development is an important part of being a student and something that we take very seriously at Edge Hill,” says Lynda Brady, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience). “We want students to grow and develop as people during their time with us. Learning how to live in and contribute to a community is part of that personal growth, which is why the development of facilities for living, studying and socialising on campus continues to be a key strategic priority for Edge Hill.”
However, as the cost of a university education rises, so do student expectations, and people – students and their families – are no longer satisfied with the tatty student digs of the past, no matter how ‘character building’ they are. Today’s student accommodation is more boutique hotel than grubby flat and Edge Hill’s is among the best in the North West with high-spec Halls of Residence surrounded by lakes, trees and even a beach – all built into an award-winning environment that is designed specifically to meet students’ needs.
Award-winning campus: The University has been granted Green Flag status, the national benchmark for parks and green spaces in the UK, for four years running
Student accommodation was voted best in the UK in the National Student Housing Survey Awards 2016
The Complete University Guide named Edge Hill as the safest campus in the North West for the last four years
Edge Hill was ranked in the top two nationally for ‘good environment on campus’ and in the top three nationally for ‘high quality facilities’ in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2016
The University was ranked in the top ten for student facilities in 2016 by What Uni. FEATURES
Edge Hill’s student village is part of an award-winning green landscape with a lake, a fountain and even a beach, yet it’s just minutes from bedroom to classroom. In 2015 the University added more accommodation to its expanding estate, innovating to meet changing student requirements, hit sustainability targets and provide affordable living solutions for its diverse student body.
“With accommodation the biggest outlay for today’s students, keeping costs down is a major concern, particularly when building the kind of high quality, high-spec rooms that students have come to expect,” says Dave Oldham, Director of Capital Developments. “One of the ways our accommodation remains affordable compared with its competitors is through sustainable construction.”
Edge Hill’s innovative approach to sustainability means that student accommodation is designed and constructed to use less energy and generate lower running and maintenance costs in the long term – savings which can be passed on to students.
The use of CHP (Combined Heating and Power) technology, triple glazed windows and high performance insulation throughout all residential developments has helped make Edge Hill once of the most environmentally-friendly campuses in the UK. “Through benchmarking, we’ve been able to demonstrate that our accommodation developments are 20% more energy efficient than other residential facilities in the higher education sector,” adds Dave.
This year, all first year students wanting to live on campus could be accommodated for the first time. Plans are now underway for a new development of townhouses exclusively for second and third years, allowing more students than ever to enjoy the benefits of campus living – and ensuring they leave university with much more than their degree. FEATURES
GROWING OUR PORTFOLIO
HOW DO NEW PROGRAMMES MEET CHANGING From student to studio: INDUSTRY NEEDS AND KEEP STUDENTS ONE STEP Edge Hill offers a wealth of AHEAD IN THE GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT GAME? opportunities for Music students and graduates to get first-hand experience of the music industry and learn vital skills that will put them ahead in the job market. Students aspiring to work in the music and sports industries now have even more opportunities to develop Composers at Edge Hill their talents and boost their skills with a range of new promotes early-career Music degree programmes introduced this year. graduates as providers of music for commercial and other Building on its innovative sound creation and performance projects, using the University’s degree, Media, Music and Sound, Edge Hill has launched studios, resources, applications a suite of complementary programmes aimed at students with and instruments. a passion for composing, performing, producing and recording music and sound. The new musical portfolio features new BA Music Production students have (Hons) programmes in Music, Music Production and Popular the opportunity to produce tracks Music which make full use of Edge Hill’s sector-leading in Liverpool’s famous Parr Street facilities, including industry-standard technology, recording Studios, used by Justin Bieber, studios and rehearsal rooms, and established music Rihanna, Drake, Coldplay, industry links. Paolo Nutini and Stereophonics.
The University’s recently completed £30 million sports The Label Recordings provides complex has enabled two new undergraduate programmes in insights into the music industry, Sports Coaching and Development and Sports Management involving student volunteers and Coaching, as well as a ground-breaking MSc in Sport, in everything from scouting for Physical Activity and Mental Health, the first of its kind in the new bands to filming their music country. The degrees are industry-focused and draw on Edge videos, doing their publicity and Hill’s successful partnerships with sporting organisations from organising promotional events. Everton FC to Sport England. The University’s record label works on a not-for-profit basis This year also sees further expansion of the University’s to give students real-time case- postgraduate portfolio with a new MSc in Cyber Security studies of launching new talent, and a specialist PGCE in Primary Physical Education. and to date has kick-started the careers of local bands like Hooton Tennis Club, Youth Hostel and Oranj Son. Music students are based in the Creative Edge building which houses industry-standard facilities including TV studios, recording studios, sound-editing studios and a radio studio. Students are provided with the very best realistic working environments in which to enhance and develop their skills.
Students use cutting edge software to record their own compositions and gain knowledge of the technology and techniques necessary for the creation and distribution of music as part of the new Music Production degree. FEATURES
Formed in 2014, Shrinking Minds performed at The Label Recordings Liverpool Sound City Showcase and have already developed a strong reputation in the Merseyside music scene.
FEATURES
MEDICAL LEADERSHIP
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO LEAD IN A CHANGING AND CHALLENGING HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT?
Edge Hill has partnered with the Royal College of Physicians to develop an exciting medical leadership and management programme for trainees working in the region. Photography from RCP, copyright Jonathan Perugia “The Medical Leadership programme has really enhanced our reputation the years and our students are showing great progress and in specialist postgraduate demonstrating real transference of theory into practice. The ever increasing demands of clinicians within the health clinical training” services requires strong and resilient leaders; it has been a real pleasure to see these leadership traits grow, develop Professor Clare Austin, Head of the PGMI and be demonstrated through our students’ leadership assignments. The strong partnership between our colleagues at Edge Hill and the Royal College of Physicians has proven to be a winning team and we hope it continues for many years to come.” With a growing reputation for medical education and research, strong partnerships with external organisations Clare adds: “HEE has a mandate from the government and a desire to improve service delivery, treatment, care for ‘Delivering high quality, effective, compassionate care: and health, Edge Hill’s Postgraduate Medical Institute Developing the right people with the right skills and the (PGMI) is starting to have a real influence on policy right values’. The new leadership programme helps to and practice across the North West and beyond. build emotional intelligence in students, which will ensure they are equipped to lead in the right way. Our vision is A provider of leadership training for several years, to develop effective, values-based, resilient and reflective the PGMI focuses on preparing health professionals medical leaders who can play a role in helping HEE fulfil for the challenges of leading in a fast-moving NHS, its mandate. It’s leadership in practice, not just in theory.” where people are constantly having to take on new roles and develop and adapt their skillsets. Up to 300 health professionals are expected to undertake the training each year, and there are opportunities to In February this year, the PGMI won a contract worth half progress on to the PGMI’s MSc in Medical Leadership a million pounds to provide medical leadership training across or other Masters programmes. the North West. The contract, awarded by Health Education England (HEE), will be delivered as part of a long-standing Charlotte Moen, Programme Leader, says: “The medical collaboration with the Royal College of Physicians. leadership programme acts as a catalyst for ongoing personal and professional leadership development. As Professor Clare Austin, Head of the PGMI Management well as providing evidence of continued development, Committee, says: “This was awarded after a competitive tender learning outcomes are mapped to professional development and we feel the award is testimony to our growing reputation competencies. We work closely with HEE to ensure that in the area of medical education and leadership. We were the programme provides the right kind of education that able to bring together our expertise to offer a programme that integrates with people’s ongoing professional development links education and research. It’s not education for education’s and reflects the changing needs of practice.” sake; the programme reflects the reality of working in today’s NHS and has a real focus on making a tangible difference to The new leadership programme builds on the PGMI’s success practice, both during and, more importantly, after the course.” in providing innovative medical and surgical programmes and producing graduates who are able to enhance the The new leadership module, which welcomed its first safety and quality of patient care and use their influence to students in September, was praised by HEE for its deliver practice-based change. As well as a range of Masters curriculum vision, themes and learning outcomes. With programmes in leadership, surgery, dental education, assisted a flexible, personalised approach and emphasis on self- conception, and medical and clinical education, the PGMI reflection and patient-centred outcomes, the programme runs a range of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) encourages doctors and dentists to understand their personal modules for health and social care practitioners. leadership styles and the impact they can have on practice – and, ultimately, on people’s lives. “The Medical Leadership programme has really put us on the map in terms of postgraduate clinical training,” adds Tom Baker, Senior Educationalist at the Royal College Clare. “Edge Hill is becoming renowned for providing highly of Physicians, said: “The Royal College of Physicians was specialised programmes and undertaking collaborative research pleased to be able to partner with Health Education England that builds on our strengths and those of our partners.” and Edge Hill University to design and deliver a medical leadership course for trainees in the North West. We have seen the programme go from strength to strength over FEATURES
SUCCESS STORY
WHAT MAKES THE SHORT STORY SO PERFECT FOR 21ST CENTURY READERS?
At Edge Hill the short story has been around for a long time. literary prizes for single short stories but that didn’t address A focus for research and teaching since the early days of the the problem of getting a collection published. Now there University’s Creative Writing programme, its importance as are more collections published than I can keep up with and a genre is now recognised by the Edge Hill Prize for the Short writers who enter the competition increasingly have literary Story, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. agents and may even have their debut collections published by big publishers. “There has definitely been a growth in confidence in the short story in the past ten years,” explains Ailsa Cox, the ”In the Prize’s tenth year, it was gratifying to announce world’s first Professor of Short Fiction and founder of the Jessie Greengrass, a new writer who has only published Edge Hill Prize. “Writers used to be published by small short fiction, as the winner. She is proof that publishers publishers or specialist imprints but now we’re seeing new are more and more willing to stake everything on a short short story authors like Lucy Wood being published by story collection from an untried author. It’s a mistake for Bloomsbury. Short stories were viewed by big publishers publishers to assume people don’t like short stories as as the precursor to a novel – and that does still happen Jessie’s success clearly shows they do.” – but times are definitely changing.” But what is it about this compellingly concise literary form The Edge Hill Prize has also been transformed over the that makes it so appealing to contemporary readers? Ailsa years. Still the only award to recognise a published short believes it’s partly down to the immediacy of the genre – story collection by a British or Irish author, the Prize a short, sharp shock of words that is perfect for today’s attracted fewer than 20 entries back in 2007. In 2016, technology driven, hectic lives. there were 38 entries with newcomers battling it out with very well-established writers. “We live in the age of the soundbite so short fiction fits perfectly with the way we see the world,” says Ailsa. “Thanks “We initially wanted the Prize to be a way of promoting to mobile technology you can download and read a whole the genre and to give a platform to writers who wanted to story on your commute to work; it’s self-contained and, specialise in the short story,” says Ailsa. “There were already although it’s no less demanding than a novel, you can Head Land, published in 2016 by Edge Hill University Press, brings together the very best of the Short Story Prize in one collection for the very first time.
immerse yourself in it for a short, intense period of time then With this year’s Edge Hill Prize for the Short Story attracting move on. The pace of change means we experience the world more entries than ever, the future looks good for the genre in fragments so the short story, which is like a fragment or that has been variously described as a ‘bullet’, a ‘daisy cutter a snapshot, is ideal for 21st century readers.” bomb’ and ‘the high-wire act of literature’.
But it’s not just the convenience of fewer words that makes “I see the Edge Hill Prize as part of a bigger movement,” short fiction so popular. According to Ailsa, it’s also its says Ailsa. “As well as prizes there are now festivals that playfulness and refusal to conform to literary conventions. support the short story, as well as numerous websites and online communities of readers, writers and publishers “Short story writers see the form as a playground,” she says. dedicated to the genre. It will always be a niche but as long “It doesn’t need to have a linear narrative or follow strict as people continue to love storytelling, there will be a place plots. It can be more experimental because nothing is expected for the short story.” of it. A short story is more about imagery and creating dramatic tension, it’s about playing with language and making loose connections like a montage. Writers can take more risks with a short story and that makes them exciting to read.” “We live in the age of the soundbite so short fiction The success of the Short Story Prize has recently been celebrated in print, with the publication of Head Land, the fits perfectly with the way very first collection of prize-winning and shortlisted stories. we see the world” Published by Edge Hill University Press, the University’s new literary imprint, the anthology includes contributions Ailsa Cox, Professor of Short Fiction from some of the best short story writers working in Britain and founder of the Edge Hill Prize and Ireland today and showcases the wide range of styles, subjects and genres that can be encompassed by the term ‘short fiction’. FEATURES
The world’s first Professor of Short Fiction, Ailsa Cox, celebrates ten years of the Edge Hill Short Story Prize. And the winner is… Over the past ten years, recipients of the Edge Hill Prize for the Short Story have included a scriptwriter, a poet and a journalist, as well as renowned, international novelists and writers who specialise in short fiction.
2007 – Colm Toibin 2008 – Claire Keegan 2009 – Chris Beckett 2010 – Jeremy Dyson 2011 – Graham Mort 2012 – Sarah Hall 2013 – Kevin Barry 2014 – John Burnside 2015 – Kirsty Gunn 2016 – Jessie Greengrass 2017 – to be announced in August… Emy Onuora discussed his new book The Story of Black British Footballers with honorary graduate, writer and musician Peter Hooton. FEATURES
IMAGINING BETTER
HOW CAN WE EXPLORE CULTURE, POLICY AND HEALTH TO IMPROVE SOCIETY AND STIMULATE MINDS?
Imagining Better, Edge Hill’s first Festival of Ideas, featured a diverse range of events exploring ways for communities, arts and healthcare to develop and flourish, even in times of austerity and inequality.
The initiative featured an eclectic range of talks, exhibitions, films and performances examining issues such as children’s rights and citizenship, arts and social justice, innovative strategies for current healthcare issues, racism in sport and cultural identities. And it reflected an important objective which is to create a space in which ideas, discussion and conversation can flow and in turn stimulate reflection and thought. Professor Kate Oakley from the University of Leeds held an event to discuss regional Edge Hill’s Festival of Ideas was inspired, in part, by the development and inequalities, drawing on her work of the internationally respected cultural theorist research about New Labour and the more recent Stuart Hall and built on the University’s tribute to him developments about the Northern Powerhouse on the occasion of his death in 2014. A key part of Hall’s work and his contribution to ideas and the academy was Professor Des O’Neill looked at misconceptions his invitation to think in a multi- or inter-disciplinary way, around medicine and older people, using an and to encourage critical thinking and questioning. example featuring Matisse’s The Snail. Professor O’Neill’s event was held at Tate Liverpool as Imagining Better was programmed by Edge Hill’s three part of the University’s partnership with the arts research institutes – The Institute for Public Policy organisation which also allowed the audience and Professional Practice (I4P), the Institute for to have private access to the Matisse in Creative Enterprise (ICE) and the Postgraduate Focus exhibition Medical Institute (PGMI). Professor Kate Pickett delivered the Third Annual The 2017 Festival of Ideas will run during June. Lecture for I4P looking at inequality, entitled The Enemy Between Us
Inaugural lectures by Professors Tom Cockburn and Paresh Wankhade highlighted aspects of research undertaken within the University and introduced Edge Hill’s academics to the wider community. FEATURES
TACKLING STIGMA
CAN SPORT REALLY IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH AND HELP END THE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS?
Against a backdrop of rising mental illness, particularly among children and young people, and a reduction in mental health services, an innovative partnership between Edge Hill University and Everton Football Club is finding new ways to improve the Mental Health Facts physical and mental health of people in some of the country’s most deprived areas. 1 in 4 people will experience mental illness in any given year Edge Hill has been working with Everton in the Community (EitC), the official charity of Everton Football Club, since 2014. In 2014, 6,122 people aged The partnership aims to benefit the local community through 10 and above died by suicide; collaborative research-led projects around physical activity 76% were men and public health, and student placements to help develop community sport. Around 25% of adults experience depression by The collaboration’s flagship project, Tackling the Blues, has been age 21; 75% of all adult running since March 2015. The sports-based programme, which mental disorders (excluding targets young people aged 8-14 who are experiencing or are at dementia) are experienced by risk of developing mental illness, touches the lives of around 300 age 18, and over one-half are children every week. Now the project is expanding to address not first experienced by age 14 only the mental health of children but also the people working with them. 850,000 children and young people have a clinically “There are growing national concerns about the effect of stress significant mental health and high workloads on the mental health of the school workforce problem in the UK,” explains Andy Smith, Professor of Sport and Physical Activity, who heads up the partnership with EitC. “Mental health 1 in 12 young people self-harm problems are the single biggest reason for sick leave among teachers and for people leaving the profession. There is a blurring Approximately 78% of of the roles between teachers and social workers; teachers are 5-15-year-olds and 35% of under increasing pressure deal with students’ mental health those aged 16 and above issues – often with little or no training – and this is leaving them with anxiety or diagnosable vulnerable to problems themselves.” depression are not in contact with mental health services. This year, Tackling the Blues includes workshops for school staff for the first time, delivered in partnership with the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL). Left to right: Michael Salla (Director of Health and Sport, Everton Football Club), Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale (Executive Chair, Everton in the Community), Jon Jones (Partnership, Development & Engagement Manager, Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University), Andy Smith (Professor of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University) at Goodison Park.
“Teachers really valued the work we were doing with children “Delivering sports sessions and educational workshops through Tackling the Blues, and the ATL approached us for Tackling the Blues really increased my knowledge and to see how we could help its members,” says Andy. “The understanding of mental health issues,” he says. “My overall programme had highlighted a lack of support for teachers experience with Everton in the Community helped me around mental health so we developed a programme to help develop important skills which I use every day in my them look after their own mental wellbeing as well as that job as a Community Inclusion Officer for a charitable of their students.” football organisation.”
The Mental Health for Education events gather information on Edge Hill’s work with EitC is attracting interest from the the real-life challenges facing teachers with a view to informing media and also from public sector, private and charitable future policy and practice. The ATL is planning to roll the organisations across health, education, social work and project out across the UK to improve support, start discussions sport. Andy Smith and Project Lead, Jon Jones, appeared and reduce the stigma around mental health in schools. on BBC Radio 5Live recently to discuss sport and mental health and the subject is to be the focus of a special report Edge Hill’s other key project with EitC, Active Blues, is also on a forthcoming edition of Match of the Day. As a result having a major impact on the local community. The Sport of the partnership, Edge Hill was asked to advise on Sport England and Lottery-funded project, which encourages England’s new mental health and wellbeing strategy, and is inactive men in the most disadvantaged areas to become working with Student Mind and BUCS (British Universities physically active through sport, has recently launched a and College Sport) on mental health training for students. ‘walking football’ tournament, as well as a series of ‘Lads’ The partnership also won the Outstanding Contribution to the Night In’ events at the football club, featuring ex-players. Local Community prize at the 2016 Times Higher Education More than 300 men have been involved with the project Awards for its work on Tackling the Blues. to date, and it is now the subject of a three-year research project to evaluate the impact of the programme on “Sport is a great way to engage people with mental health participants’ lives and how it could be used in the future and wellbeing issues,” says Andy. “The fact that top athletes to help GPs and other health professionals. are now speaking out about their own problems is making mental health an acceptable topic of conversation and The partnership is not only beneficial to local people, it is helping to reduce stigma. Projects like ours are leveraging also offering unique opportunities for Edge Hill students to that and using sport to bring about a change in the way we engage in research and sport development activities. Recent approach mental health from an early age.” graduate Jack Mullineux was involved with EitC throughout his time at Edge Hill and was one of the first cohort to study for the University’s MSc in Sport, Physical Activity and Mental Health. FEATURES
Children from Linacre Primary School visited Edge Hill to celebrate their involvement in the Tackling the Blues programme. The event was run by second year Sports Development and Management students as part of their Event Management module.
FEATURES
“There is a lot more going on with facial expressions than we think,” says Geoff, “and it’s easy to miss vital cues. When you start looking at the accompanying hand gestures you get a much fuller picture of what people are really thinking.”
HIDDEN Geoff’s research took a close look at hand gestures and their role in communication, revisiting and challenging accepted theories and suggesting new ways of interpreting THOUGHTS gesture. Unlike many theorists Geoff doesn’t believe that hand gestures are simply an evolutionary relic left over from a time before language; instead they are an integral part of modern speech.
“Hand gestures are universal,” says Geoff, “even blind DO YOUR HAND GESTURES REVEAL people use them, so they are obviously more than simple MORE ABOUT YOU THAN YOU THINK? visual cues. Many gestures are unconsciously used to describe a word – holding your hands wide apart to express the size of something, or twirling your finger to denote a spiral. My research showed that the hands start preparing for the gesture before the word is formed, to allow the word and the gesture to happen at the same time, suggesting that gesture is closely temporally aligned with the thinking behind speech itself.”
From a raised eyebrow to a tapping foot, body language Geoff’s research shows that gestures convey significant is a major part of the way we communicate. Traditionally, information that isn’t always obvious in speech and that to body language is thought to be concerned with expressing ignore gesture, as many traditional theories of body language emotions and negotiating social relationships but, according do, is to ignore half of the message. This is especially to Psychology Professor Geoff Beattie it is much more important when speech and gesture contradict one another. complex than that. During his time as the resident psychologist on 11 series of In his latest book, Rethinking Body Language: How Hand the reality show Big Brother, Geoff witnessed and analysed Movements Reveal Hidden Thoughts, Professor Beattie many instances of speech-gesture mismatch. He gives an examines different types of hand gestures and offers a example of someone saying the housemates were close while completely new theory of non-verbal communication. simultaneously moving their hands away from each other – the opposite gesture to the one you would associate with closeness. “Some body language does express emotions,” he says, “but some, particularly hand gestures, can reveal unconscious The ability to detect this kind of hidden message in hand aspects of thinking. They can even contradict what the gestures has a wide range of real world implications from speaker is saying entirely. The traditional assumption is that forensic psychology to advertising and business. non-verbal communication is quite separate from speech, but my research suggests that body language and speech are “In the broadest terms, it could be used for ‘mind-reading’,” intimately connected and that critical information can be says Geoff, “because we can inhibit our speech but not our embedded within the bodily movement.” unconsciously generated gestures, and these gestures are a more accurate indicator of our underlying thoughts. Geoff claims that facial expressions are often quite difficult You only have to watch politicians to see this in action. to decode accurately as they are very fast, often less than a The ability to detect deception like this could be very quarter of a second, and known as ‘micro-expressions’. They beneficial in a whole range of settings.” can also be inhibited, making them inadequate indicators of emotional state. These are called ‘squelched expressions’, Rethinking Body Language builds on Geoff’s previous where a kind of false and intentional smile is used to cover research on implicit behaviours, which focused on the true expression. This all means that to read people unconscious racist attitudes that sometimes can be detected correctly we have to be able to distinguish between in body language. Like that work, the implications of this real and false smiles. new research are potentially very far-reaching indeed.
“It’s important that more people know how to identify deception and possible dissociation in attitudes by analysing speech and gesture together,” says Geoff. “We need to be able to decode our politicians, for example. What they do Geoff Beattie is a Professor in the Department of Psychology. Rethinking Body Language is is very subtle but has a major impact on society. published by Routledge. “This is a new theory of communication that goes beyond body language and could open up a whole new line of activity. It shows that our evolutionary past has enormous implications for our current communications – and possibly for our future survival.” FEATURES
COMBATTING DISEASE
CAN AN INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION OF MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES?
After the recent Zika epidemic, a disease transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, Edge Hill’s Dr Clare Strode decided she wanted to carry out further research to discover how we can stop mosquitoes from spreading diseases.
Edge Hill will undertake a £149,000 two-year research partnership with Colombia’s University of Antioquia, focused on addressing the growing world-wide issue of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes.
The grant for the project was awarded by the British Council on behalf of the Newton Fund, part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance programme, which sees the UK use its strength in research and innovation to promote the economic development and social welfare of partner countries.
The study will span eight regions of Colombia and will focus on Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito. The same species implicated in the spread of Zika virus in South America. “Mosquito populations Dr Clare Strode from Edge Hill’s Biology Department is a recognised expert in are becoming increasingly the field of insecticide resistance and said that mosquitos are becoming increasingly genetically resistant to resistant to insecticides due to genetic mutations. insecticides and once they “Traditionally, mosquito populations have been controlled through the use of four become ineffective, there approved classes of insecticides. However, mosquito populations are becoming are no other treatments increasingly genetically resistant to insecticides and once they become ineffective, to replace them with” there are no other treatments to replace them with. Dr Clare Strode, Senior Lecturer in Biology Health workers fumigate against the Aedes aegypti mosquito to prevent the spread of the Zika virus, dengue and chikungunya across South America. Colombia is the second worst affected nation as thousands of people live in slum towns right next to polluted stagnant water.
“The aim of this study is to collect mosquitoes to test their a challenge to hopefully decrease the effects of dengue reaction to insecticides and where resistance is present, in Colombia,” he said. understand the genetic profile of these mutated mosquitos. We can then use this information to make recommendations The Aedes aegypti mosquito is traditionally a city dwelling for controlling the mosquito population in the eight at-risk insect that can breed in a mere capful of water. It is focus regions of the study,” she said. responsible for the spread of Zika virus, dengue fever and chikungunya – none of which can be prevented or treated Dr Strode’s Colombian research partner, Dr Omar Triana- with a vaccine. Chavez from the University of Antioquia, is a recognised specialist in epidemiology and vector biology across South Since joining Edge Hill, Dr Strode has instigated an America and said that dengue, a mosquito-borne tropical international collaboration between the Centre for Disease disease, is having a crippling effect on poor communities. Control US and the University. Based on her extensive knowledge of insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors, “There are approximately 100,000 cases of dengue reported she is currently applying Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) across Colombia each year. With such a high morbidity techniques to resistant populations of triatomine bugs which and mortality rate, the disease imposes severe economic are the vectors of South American Trypanosomiasis hardships on families in poor communities. (Chagas disease).
“With no vaccine available, we have to reduce the mosquito Recently, she has also started working with Merseyside population by protecting people from being bitten and detect Health Port Authority (MHPA), carrying out surveillance dengue cases early. Unfortunately the growing issue of at the Port of Liverpool (PoL) for the presence of invasive insecticide resistant mosquitoes is making it more difficult mosquito species (IMS) that pose a potential health risk to to control the disease. the UK. In connection with this work she is also developing a low cost and effective screening method for used tyres for “The agreement between Universidad de Antioquia the presence of IMS eggs. and Edge Hill University will be an opportunity and FEATURES
HILLSBOROUGH REFLECTIONS
WHAT CAN CRIMINOLOGISTS LEARN FROM THE AFTERMATH OF THE HILLSBOROUGH DISASTER?
In 1990, before the first set of Hillsborough Inquests, the Liverpool Social Services Hillsborough Team had a team meeting in its Anfield Road base. I was a young social worker, inexperienced and yet to face bereavements. At the meeting were Phil Scraton and colleagues from Edge Hill. I knew them already as I was completing an MA in Crime, Deviance and Social Policy there.
They were working on a City Council funded research project into the aftermath of the disaster. They couldn’t have guessed that it would lead to the establishment of the truth, 27 years later. The idea that there would need to be a campaign was difficult for many to imagine. Lord Justice Taylor had published his first ‘interim’ report, in which he placed the blame where it belonged. The truth seemed clear and justice, we naively thought, would follow. One colleague stated it explicitly: ‘I just can’t believe that we won’t get justice’ she said. ‘What the families will get’, Phil replied, ‘is the law’.
The families got the law, but even the law they got was law with a twist. Phil and others have since written extensively about the flaws in those original mini inquests and the ‘full’ inquests that followed but what struck me was the unfairness of legal representation. On one side, families represented by one barrister and on the other, an array of QCs, six of whom represented police interests. Survivors were without legal voice. During cross examinations the victims’ voices were drowned out by parties with the same agenda: to blame the fans. Traumatised survivors who had travelled to Sheffield were publicly pilloried. Police officers could rely on sympathetic questioning in which they were invited to recount episodes of drunkenness, disorder and threat. The evidence gathered on behalf of both Lord Justice Taylor and Coroner Stefan Popper comprised of police statements and recollections that had been ‘summarised’ and edited. Many years later I was working at Edge Hill as a part-time Criminology often fails to recognise harms that are researcher. Phil was my boss. One morning he told me that organisationally based and commercially or politically a police officer present at the disaster had disclosed that grounded. Seldom are they brought to account under his statement had been altered. Evidence had been taken criminal law. Hillsborough has been an acute example of out or amended. Other ‘evidence’ had been encouraged this. There was no safety certificate. Stadia were routinely or exaggerated. This had been systematic. It was to be the unsafe. How could anybody have thought that it was a good turning point. Phil was able to uncover clear evidence that idea to fence people in? Many of the worst organisationally the whole edifice of untruth constructed was rotten. It has based harms are not acute like Hillsborough but chronic. taken all these years for the version of events that emerged Asbestos still kills thousands even though we have known over those months to be overturned and the verdicts of for over a century that it is lethal. We are one hundred accidental death to be replaced with unlawful killing. times more likely to die from air pollution in the UK than by being murdered. These are relatively invisible and silent Hillsborough ended lives and shattered others. It took not because people don’t speak out, but because they are smaller tolls on those like myself who had only passing not listened to or their concerns are dismissed. involvements. But the disaster was at the centre of my life as a social worker and continues to inform my work today This is related to the capacities of organisations to conceal as an academic criminologist. Hillsborough raises four broad truth and produce untruth. The history of the tobacco issues: organisationally rooted harm; organisational deceit; industry is the classic case of dangerous industrialised systems the role of academia in terms of struggle; and the question of information management. Why are we so surprised when of justice and organisationally based harm. organisations distract and lie? Whether because of political, shareholder, management or employee interest, of course the whole truths are often the last thing organisations would want revealed. That has implications for all of us. We are the people who create deliberately misleading emissions software, who implement legal strategies to neutralise asbestos claimants, who invent collateralised debt obligations, who turn back migrants into hazard. We need to understand the roles of authority and compliance in the origins of organisational harm and understand how many of us are ‘silently silenced’.
It is to the credit of colleagues at Edge Hill that their efforts have contributed so much to the success we have witnessed. The success of Eileen Berrington, Sheila Coleman, Ann Jemphey, Margaret McAdam, Phil Scraton and Paula Skidmore is a reminder of the importance of committed and sustained research in a democratic society.
Finally, it is worth observing that getting to the truth should have been easy. The fact is that 96 people were killed by an unsafe stadium in an unsafe industry, complacent planning prioritising ‘order’ over safety and wretched decision- making. Lives could have been saved even after the crush had contingency planning and the rescue operation been adequate. What always struck me about Hillsborough was that the truth was there right in front of people. It was in the daily accounts I listened to from survivors. It was on TV and CCTV. The truth should have been the easy bit. The difficult bit should be ‘justice’. We face very real difficulties as to what ‘justice’ means when we are dealing with organisationally based harms. Who is criminally responsible and to what extent? You can prosecute an organisation but you can’t put it in prison. There is differential justice between individuals who can be imprisoned and the organisations they work for.
After all these years I actually can’t say much about Hillsborough itself. I wasn’t there. I didn’t lose anyone, although I came to know people who did. They are people who really know about Hillsborough. But we all have a duty to think about the issues around Hillsborough, organisational harm, the deceit that follows and about how truth and justice are defined and achieved. What is clear is that neither should ever have to take 27 years to attain.
Written by Dr Howard Davis Senior Lecturer in Criminology
Howard Davis worked as a social worker for Liverpool City Council’s Hillsborough Team between 1989 and 1993. Photo caption FEATURES
CONSUMING PASSION
ARE WE WHAT WE BUY? The compulsion to consume is nothing new. The need to buy things, even if we don’t need them, has been part of human society for as long as people have had disposable income. Whether it’s the Victorians’ obsession with sugar or today’s preoccupation with the latest phones or designer shoes, what we buy shapes our sense of who we are – or, more importantly, who we want to be.
Professor of Marketing and recently-appointed Director Helen’s research into the role of consumption in people’s of the Edge Hill Business School, Helen Woodruffe-Burton, lives encompasses areas as diverse as the role of Christmas has been studying consumer behaviour for more than in consumer debt and the impact of mobile phone ownership 20 years. Author of a pioneering study that looked at among farmers on the Bangladeshi local economy. consumerism from a feminist perspective, she believes that there are fundamental differences in the way men “What links all of my research is that it is posited on the and women consume material objects. interests of the consumer,” says Helen. “My work isn’t there to help big companies make more money. Hopefully, it can According to Helen, the language we use to describe help people understand their own buying behaviour and consumer behaviour is very important. “Women who influence consumer policy makers while, at the same time, struggle to control their buying behaviour are ‘spendaholics’ informing organisations; helping them to become more or ‘shopping addicts’,” she explains, “while men are seen socially responsible and better at meeting consumer needs.” as ‘collectors’ or ‘connoisseurs’. If you have a house full of things you don’t really need, the problem is the same, Helen’s recent inaugural lecture, ‘You Are What You it’s just the perception that is different.” Consume: Consumption, Materialism and Self in the 21st Century’, looked at the way consumer behaviours have A former marketing professional in the service industry, changed over time, taking the audience on a journey from Helen did a PhD that focused on retail therapy, which was a time before the internet and social media to the age of an emerging concept at the time. Hailed as the first academic instant consumption and FOMO (fear of missing out). literature on the subject, her work received significant media attention, and led to a desire to understand how people, and “There has always been pressure to consume, it’s just more women in particular, use consumption to shape their identities. public now. If you look at advertising from 100 years ago, the promises are still the same. Buy this and you will be happier, “I started to realise there was much more of a stigma more successful, more popular. We know that material attached to female overconsumption,” says Helen. “Men possessions alone don’t bring happiness, yet the evidence can be affected by these issues but it generally isn’t talked shows that consumers persist in resorting to spending their about, or it’s talked about differently. So, I started to think way to imagined satisfaction. about the broad question ‘what is the role of consumption in women’s lives?’ As a marketer, and also as a feminist and “The interesting thing is that research shows that people who mother, I’m concerned about the way women are treated in lose everything in floods or fires often don’t replace all their the marketplace.” stuff. Perhaps it takes that to realise that possessions are not the key to happiness, that true happiness lies in being, With a passion for methodology and finding new approaches not having. Create more memories, don’t buy more things.” to looking at subjects, Helen wanted to see how marketing would look through the lens of feminist scholarship. Building on 90s feminist methodologies she developed new methods to examine consumer behaviours in a deeper way. “There has always been “I liked the idea of using approaches that are not pressure to consume, traditionally used in business, such as narrative data – the stories people tell – to inform my research. Today my work it’s just more public now. can include methodologies drawn from anywhere – health, If you look at advertising psychology, creative writing – if they help me understand from 100 years ago, the people’s experiences and analyse their behaviour. I really believe Business Schools can learn from other disciplines.” promises are still the same” Helen Woodruffe-Burton, Professor of Marketing and Director of the Edge Hill Business School
THE YEAR IN
This section looks at the events of the year from the perspective of our Faculties and Institutes, to give an overview of the rich and diverse mixture of research, learning and teaching across the University. We have also selected some key strands of activity to explore: this year these are Culture, Sport, Working with Schools and Colleges and Developing Our People. THE YEAR IN
THE FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
BIOLOGY BUSINESS SCHOOL COMPUTER SCIENCE
Research in Biology focused New Director of the Business The Computer Science on trees and seas this year. School, Professor Helen Department signed a New appointee André Antunes Woodruffe-Burton, who was memorandum of agreement obtained the first insights into the appointed in March this year, for joint research with ETH viral communities of the deep-sea gave her inaugural lecture on Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute anoxic brines of the Red Sea, while ‘Consumption, Materialism and of Technology). As part of this Anne Oxbrough looked at the the Self in the 21st Century’, collaboration, the Department is impact of mixed stands of native providing an overview of her involved in nervousnet, a project and non-native tree species on internationally-recognised research on social sensing that aims to epigaeic arthropods in plantation into consumer behaviour. create an Internet of Things forests. platform, a connected network Other research included Dr of people, vehicles and buildings Lime trees were the subject of Hien Tran’s study into the that can capture and share data Professor Paul Ashton’s study, effects of a country’s constitution between them. which looked at the segregation on entrepreneurship and the of two species of limes in British formation of new companies, The Department has also been woodlands and how this can and Dr Mehmet Pinar’s work on extremely active in knowledge be related to changes in the developing new methodologies exchange and enterprise. environment over time. for assessing multi-dimensional Following the completion of a wellbeing. Professor Paresh Knowledge Transfer Partnership Wankhade (pictured) carried out (KTP) with Business Insight 3 in research into emergency services July 2016, the partnership’s final management which led to his report was assessed and graded recent appointment as the lead to ‘outstanding’ by Innovate UK. the Senior Advisory Board of The The project will be added to the Larrey Society, the UK’s first cross- national shortlist from which KTP sector ‘think tank’ established to Case Studies are developed. influence the shape of 21st century emergency medical services. ENGLISH, HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY LAW AND CREATIVE WRITING CRIMINOLOGY In Geography, the NEON English, History and Creative consortium (Northwest Earth Sports law expert Professor Richard Writing is celebrating a year Observation Network), a regional Parrish (pictured) from Law and of successes. The recently- research network led by Edge Hill Criminology was appointed by established Edge Hill University staff, won a highly competitive European Commissioner Tibor Press marked ten years of the grant from the British Ecological Navracsics to the EU’s High Level Edge Hill Short Story Prize with Society to run a workshop on Group on Sports Diplomacy and its début publication, Head Land, ‘Europe’s Earth Observation co-authored the resulting report, a collection of stories by previous Sentinels’ at its annual conference. Sports Diplomacy. Richard was prize-winners, which was launched The session looked at the use of also awarded a highly prestigious at the Edinburgh Book Festival. satellites in habitat monitoring, Jean Monnet chair. Billy Cowan’s play Caretakers bringing together the disciplines (pictured) won a Stage Edinburgh of remote sensing and ecology. The Department has also Award 2016 among excellent contributed to a number of reviews, while fantasy writer Dr Joanne Egan’s field-based influential reports and books Peter Wright contributed research in Washington state, including Professor Andrew to a companion guide to tabletop USA was published in Quaternary Millie’s, Volunteering within the role playing game Cthulhu Science Reviews, shedding light on Police: Experiences of Special Britannica: London Box Set, the potential impacts of volcanic Constables and Police Support, which has received numerous eruptions on the terrestrial written following research funded award nominations. environment, while Professor Paul by Lancashire Constabulary; Dr Aplin (pictured) delivered a Public John McGarry’s book, Intention, Historian James Renton was Lecture, ‘Where’s the swamp Supremacy and the Theories of awarded a Jean Monnet Research gone, for peat’s sake?’ at the Royal Judicial Review; and a chapter Fellowship this year, and the Geographical Society in London. authored by Alana Barton and Department also hosted a number Howard Davis in C Wright Mills of literary events including and the Criminological Imagination. Professor Alisa Cox’s Being Human Festival in Liverpool, and Andrew McInnes and Michael Bradshaw’s ‘Edgy Romanticism’ symposium, which will be followed by a journal special edition. THE YEAR IN
MEDIA PERFORMING ARTS PSYCHOLOGY
Research in the Media Two award-winning collaborations The psychology behind social Department covered a diverse in Performing Arts have resulted media was the focus for range of subjects from animals in innovative theatre productions. two research projects in the in film to arts and wellbeing Dramaturg Bill Hopkinson, in Department of Psychology this to video-on-demand (VOD). partnership with Equal Voices year. Dr Linda Kaye and Dr Professor Clare Molloy co-curated Arts, Deaf Aotearoa and the Helen Wall explored how emojis an exhibition on animals and University of Waikato, created can aid online interaction, and the media at the Animal History At the End of My Hands, a Joanne Powell used MRI scanning Museum in Los Angeles, and bilingual theatre work for deaf to help DJ and presenter Sara presented her research at the and hearing audiences in New Cox discover whether Facebook British Library. Professor Philip Zealand. Professor Helen Newall ‘friends’ are real friends for a new Drake’s AHRC, Nesta and ACE- collaborated with TiQ Theatre TV programme, ON. funded project exploring the use Company and Blacon Primary of VOD to release independent Schools on a practice-as-research Rebecca Monk’s work on alcohol films continued, with presentations community reminiscence project, and behaviour found that the in Europe and America. Best Days of Our Lives (pictured), smell of alcohol may make it which was performed at Chester harder for people to control their Professor Owen Evans Cathedral. The project continues actions. The research, published co-organised a symposium on the ‘Cultural Capital in Telling in Psychopharmacology, aims to community wellbeing initiatives Tales’ initiative which aims to increase understanding about at Tate Liverpool, and also raise awareness of local issues the way context affects substance took part in Common Ground, and provide communities with abuse behaviours. a national arts and humanities improved access to the theatre. research festival. Clare Heney and Carl Hunter’s collaborative work Other collaborative work in the included two practice as research Department includes Dr Lena projects exploring the interface Simic’s international research between music, memory and place, project on Performance and while Jenny Barrett’s work on the the Maternal, bringing together centenary of the controversial artists working in the fields of live US film, Birth of a Nation, was art and performance who make presented at the Bluecoat Gallery performances about their and the International Slavery maternal experiences. Museum in Liverpool. SOCIAL SCIENCES SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY In Social Sciences, Dr Zana Vathi (pictured), in her role Sport and Physical Activity’s as International Expert on partnership with Everton in the Migration, has undertaken several Community, the official charity of consultancy projects looking Everton Football Club, continues at migration in and across the to change lives through its key Western Balkans region. This year projects, Tackling the Blues and these have included a project on Active Blues. Research into the unaccompanied minors in this impact of Tackling the Blues ‘Most Outstanding area and a situation analysis of (pictured), a sport-based mental Contribution to the migration and social protection in health awareness project for young Community’ Albania and its impact on children, people, won the Times Higher funded by Terre des Hommes, Education Awards 2016 ‘Most Tackling the Blues Times Higher Education an organisation that works with Outstanding Contribution to the Awards 2016 children around the world. Community’ prize. Active Blues, a three-year National Lottery- These groundbreaking research funded project to address physical projects have the potential to inactivity and poor health among influence regional and global men in North Liverpool, has policy making as they highlight introduced a Walking 5-a-Side the impact of internal migration tournament this year, and secured on families and children, and the the support of former Everton failure of social protection systems players to encourage more men to respond to the needs of internal to get involved. migrants despite the complex legislation in place in the Researchers have also worked affected countries. in partnership with Les Mills International to evaluate its school-based ‘Born to Move’ physical activity and fitness programme. The project involved four West Lancashire primary schools and aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the programme in Year 6 children. THE YEAR IN
THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION Under the guidance of new Dean, Dr Lynnette Turner, Faculty staff and students had the opportunity to engage with the Faculty of Education continues to grow and diversify the controversial and topical subject of Fundamental British to meet the needs of children, trainee teachers and the school Values – a key part of the government’s education agenda workforce locally, regionally and nationally. – at a one-day conference on campus. The event also took a critical look at Prevent, the government’s counter-terrorism The launch of new programmes in 2017 to extend the strategy, and discussed its impact on schools. Faculty’s portfolio – the BA (Hons) Education Studies and BA (Hons) Working with Children (5-11) – puts Edge Hill The Primary Science team went on a voyage of scientific at the forefront of changes to education training. Drawing discovery with Science under the Stars, a free festival of on the University’s strengths in education research, the talks, interactive activities and exhibitions from local and programmes aim to provide graduates who are equipped UK science organisations. Designed to tie in with Tim to respond to today’s changing and challenging Peake’s journey in space and co-funded by The Tim Peake educational landscape. Foundation, the free event attracted more than 500 children, teachers and local families. In the year that saw a heart-warming letter from former Edge Hill trainee Ruth Clarkson to an autistic student go viral, the The Primary Education Team continued its cultural Faculty demonstrated its ongoing commitment to training engagement activity throughout the year. As well as working and supporting excellent practitioners who are dedicated to closely with National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside ensuring the best education for all children. The University on the National Gallery’s Take One Picture project, which welcomed the Music Educators & Researching of Young aims to inspire cross-curricular work in primary schools Children (MERYC) UK Conference, to campus. Hosted in through art, the team has also organised activities and partnership with Early Years Education, the one-day practice enhancement opportunities at museums, galleries and event focused on nurturing musicality as part of lifelong outdoor learning settings across the North West. learning in and through music. THE YEAR IN
THE FACULTY OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE AND POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL INSTITUTE (PGMI)
The Faculty launched an innovative undergraduate programme combining Nursing and Social Work. The unique four-year programme provides students with the opportunity to gain two professional awards: graduates will be able to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in one of the fields of Adult, Children’s, Learning Disabilities or Mental Health Nursing and be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Social Worker.
The PGMI has attracted significant internal and external funding this year, including four successful applications for Research Institute Thematic Awards (RITAs) involving multi-disciplinary collaborations with NHS partners.
The PGMI continues to invest in future researchers. It hosts a Health Education England/National Institute for Health Research Integrated Clinical Academic Programme Internship, and continues to develop its Masters by Research, with students being sponsored by local NHS employer trusts. Both programmes are designed to support health professionals aiming to develop a clinical academic career. The PGMI also hosts an increasing number of PhD students including three Graduate Teaching Assistants under supervisory teams from the Faculty of Health and Social Care, the Departments of Psychology and Computer Science and the Business School, in collaboration with external partners. The PGMI has attracted significant internal and external funding this year, including four successful applications for Research Institute Thematic Awards (RITA)
The Institute further strengthened its reputation for delivering North West. These programmes are supported by Health innovative education courses to enhance medical practice this Education England North with leadership training delivered year. Its MCh (Masters of Surgery) programme, delivered in collaboration with the Royal College of Physicians. in partnership with Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, and with accreditation from the Royal The PGMI’s increasing influence on healthcare at a strategic College of Surgeons, recruited its first cohort of International level was demonstrated this year by representation on the Training Fellows, while a sister programme, a unique MMed regional Innovation Agency board and the newly formed (Masters in Medicine), has also been introduced. Liverpool City Region Health and Life Sciences board, and its collaboration with NHS R&D North West on a The PGMI is developing its provision in Medical Leadership Collaborating for Care research catalyst event designed to and Medical Education for trainee doctors across the stimulate cross-disciplinary research and knowledge sharing.
The Faculty of Health and Social Care’s purpose-built building houses some of the best facilities in the country. The teaching and learning resources provide leading clinical skills facilities and ward simulations with industry standard equipment to give students as realistic a learning experience as possible. THE YEAR IN
THE INSTITUTE FOR CREATIVE ENTERPRISE (ICE)
A strong year of collaborative research and events further strengthened Edge Hill’s connections with the digital, creative and cultural sectors.
The University’s ‘Creative Campus’ welcomed academics, researchers and creative practitioners from across the world to share their expertise and ideas with Edge Hill staff, students and the public.
Among ICE’s many notable guests on campus were award-winning novelist Jonathan Coe, who discussed his latest novel as part of the Edge Hill Festival of Ideas, and film maker Terence Davies, who gave a sneak preview of his latest film, A Quiet Passion, a biopic of poet Emily Dickinson. Oscar-winning producer Mia Bays also spoke to local schoolchildren about education for young women at a screening of the films He Called Me Malala and Suffragette.
Guest speakers, including film producers Roy Boulter and Sol Papadopoulos, hit the North to take part in a series of events, Round Tables and discussions exploring the concept of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ in the context of film and cultural policy.
Building on the successful partnership with Tate Liverpool, a second series of ‘In Conversation’ events included a discussion on the Tate’s Jackson Pollock exhibition with international curators and art experts. Following last year’s collaboration on the Leonora Carrington exhibition at the Tate, Edge Hill commemorated the renowned Lancastrian painter by naming a new building in her honour.
ICE Director, Professor Roger Shannon, shared his experience of film producing, film funding and film policy creation at an event in Birmingham. His talk, ‘35 Years of Film: In and From Birmingham and Liverpool,’ drew on his varied film career from 1980-2015.
The Institute also supported a number of conferences on campus, showcasing the range and international reach of the creative industries research undertaken at Edge Hill. Among these was the European Network for Short Fiction Research Conference organised by colleagues in Creative Writing on the theme of ‘Reading and Writing Short Fiction Across Media’. ICE is based in the Creative Edge building which is used for many public events. It houses industry-standard facilities including TV studios, recording studios, animation studios, sound-editing studios, a radio studio, photographic studio and Multimedia laboratory. THE YEAR IN
THE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (I4P)
Edge Hill continues to strengthen its reputation for promoting the co-production of ideas between practitioners and researchers though the Institute for Public Policy and Professional Practice (I4P).
The Institute was recently endorsed in an external review by Professor Anne Edwards from Oxford University, who highlighted its “significant potential” to inform and influence policy and practice.
A year of successful collaborations included work with the Webb Memorial Trust to explore what a ‘Good Society’ would look like. As part of the research, the Institute hosted a series of UK-wide events to discuss the response of civil society to poverty and inequality in the UK, culminating in two events in the Houses of Parliament for politicians, academics and practitioners.
The three-year partnership with Rochdale Community Champions continued with members of the group recording a drama documentary in Creative Edge, based on the themes of poverty and exclusion, giving them access to Edge Hill’s film production expertise and equipment.
As well as an expanded public lecture programme this year, I4P also hosted the second national conference on arts, culture and wellbeing, attracting delegates and speakers from across the UK. The event at the Tate Liverpool highlighted the importance of creating sustainable research and knowledge exchange networks and presented Edge Hill as a positive partner in its approach to collaboration. Responding to change and innovation in public policy, I4P has become the point of contact between the University and a number of key agencies across the region. These connections offer the capacity for the University to listen and to facilitate conversations and reflect the skills and expertise located across the whole University.
The I4P External Advisory Group has grown during the year to include members with both academic and professional insights. As well as providing an important opportunity for the University to ensure the work of I4P is held accountable, its meetings also provide a deliberate As part of the research, the opportunity for discussion and sharing of ideas from city Institute hosted a series of regions and elected mayors on important subjects such as the impact of the spending cuts and the consequences of Brexit. UK-wide events to discuss the response of civil society to poverty and inequality in the UK. THE YEAR IN
CULTURE
A vibrant 12 months in the cultural life of the campus included a record-breaking year at the Arts Centre, with both student and external audience numbers increasing. Some of the most distinctive touring work in the programme featured Edge Hill alumni as performers: JV2’s 2016 Dance Triple Bill featured Daniel Brown, and Company Chameleon’s critically acclaimed The Beauty of the Beast featured Theo Fapohunda – both recent graduates. Naughty Corner Productions, formed by Drama graduates Mike Dickinson and Jemma Lynch, performed their 4-star-reviewed show Not the Horse to a sellout audience in August and Phina Oruche returned to the campus with her show, Identity Crisis, which had its origins in her postgraduate work.
The University had a presence at a number of festivals around the country, including a partnership with Cheltenham Literature Festival presenting a week of Fiction at 7 evenings with authors including Clare Mackintosh (I Let You Go), Ruth Ware (In A Dark, Dark Wood) and Sarah Moss (Signs for Lost Children).
Our ongoing partnership with Tate Liverpool continued with students gaining free access to a world-class exhibition programme including The Imagined Museum, a collaboration with Centre Pompidou and MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst Frankfurt. Visitors entered a fictional scenario in which the exhibited artworks were about to cease to exist, to be preserved only in memory. This concept was explored at an In Conversation event with curator Darren Pih, one of a series organised on the campus by the Institute for Creative Enterprise (ICE).
The University’s work with Liverpool Sound City Festival as Industry Connection Partner once again gave students roles in a major music event, including documenting performances, creating dance-based interventions and getting behind-the-scenes insight to the running of stages curated by Edge Hill’s The Label Recordings.
Professor Des O’Neill at Tate Liverpool to deliver his lecture ‘The Art of the Demographic Dividend’ for Edge Hill Postgraduate Medical Institute .
THE YEAR IN
DEVELOPING OUR PEOPLE
Creating a working environment where everyone is The University continues to improve its learning and supported to deliver outstanding performance and share development (L&D) provision to ensure all staff can achieve in the success of the University remains at the heart their potential. As well as organising a programme of of Edge Hill’s strategy. more than 400 L&D events and piloting a new Leadership programme, the University retained its Customer Service Staff are encouraged to support each other’s development Excellence Award for L&D for the 12th year running, through a Teaching Fellow Network which works across and highlighting its commitment to staff development. within Faculties to support the development of learning and teaching and to share effective approaches. Fellows deliver Recognised since 2010-2011 as a Gold-standard employer by CPD sessions on a range of topics including learning and Investors in People, the national framework for best practice teaching, technology, personal tutoring and international issues. in people management, Edge Hill has, this year, been There are currently 53 Institutional Learning and Teaching awarded two more high-profile accolades for its dedication Fellows, three of whom are also National Teaching Fellows. to staff development. The University received the Athena SWAN Bronze Award, which recognises commitment Edge Hill’s fifth Research Capacity Building programme, to advancing the careers of female academic staff and a peer-supported scheme which helps staff and research promoting gender equality, and was Highly Commended students to develop their capacity to engage in research, by Campaign for Learning for its Learning at Work has been complemented by specialist sessions, designed and Week activities. hosted by Faculties, to target the specific research needs of each Faculty. These initiatives are informed by the national Edge Hill staff recognised this commitment in the latest Staff Researcher Development Framework. For the third year Survey, in which more than 80% reported being satisfied with running, in recognition that women are under-represented in their learning and development, being encouraged by their senior leadership positions in Higher Education, Edge Hill manager to engage in development activities, and feeling University has funded places on the Leadership Foundation trained to do their jobs well. for Higher Education’s Aurora Programme, a women-only leadership development programme. THE YEAR IN
SPORT
Another great year for sport at Edge Hill culminated in the opening of a new £15 million indoor sports centre, providing top of the range facilities for students, staff and the community. The sports centre, which is the final phase of Edge Hill’s £30 million sports development, was opened by Olympic heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson and sports philanthropist Barrie Wells, while former World Champion runner Steve Cram CBE cut the ribbon on the new athletics track.
Another sporting hero to grace the campus was British Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy who gave a reading from his new children’s book, while MP and former Shadow Secretary of State for Mental Health, Luciana Berger, joined staff and students to see mental health project Tackling the Blues in action.
The project is part of Edge Hill’s innovative partnership with Everton in the Community (EiTC), the charity of Everton Football Club. Tackling the Blues aims to build mental health resilience and awareness in young people through sport and more than 300 children aged 8-14 have taken part in the programme since its launch in January. Edge Hill is also working with EiTC on a National Lottery-funded project, Active Blues, encouraging inactive men in deprived areas to become more physically active, and a partnership with the Association of Teachers and Lecturers Union to help address mental illness in young people and education professionals.
Edge Hill’s sports facilities provided an impressive backdrop for some high profile events during the year, including the West Lancashire Triathlon (600+ participants), Sport Relief Mile (500+ participants) and the West Lancashire Schools ‘Olympic Games’, which involved more than 800 local school children. The University also hosted the netball and running events at the 2016 European Corporate Games, showcasing its sports facilities to more than 500 competitors from the UK and beyond. The sports complex consists of a sports hall, 25-metre swimming pool, fitness suite, aerobics studio, and sauna and steam rooms, as well as one of the largest running tracks in Europe, 3G pitches, netball and tennis courts, an athletics field and a 2.5km Fitness Trail. A wide range of departments take part in the Summer Residential events so Year 12 students can select the subject area they are most interested in pursuing at university, in order to get a real insight into what it would be like to study that subject.
The Lancashire UCAS Higher Education Exhibition allowed prospective students to enjoy the campus, talk face-to-face with exhibitors, and ask questions about choosing a course, applying through UCAS and getting started with student finance. THE YEAR IN
WORKING WITH SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
Engaging with the students of tomorrow was, once again, a key part of Edge Hill’s outreach programme, and this year activity with schools and colleges increased by nearly a third.
More than 350 Year 12 students came to campus for Summer Residential events in 2016. The three-night, four-day academic tasters are proving to be a great success, with the majority of students that attended last year going on to apply for a place at Edge Hill. The University also held a series of one-day sessions for Year 12 students preparing for university, focussing on both the academic and pastoral aspects of student life.
The University hosted the Lancashire UCAS Higher Education Exhibition for the third year running, welcoming representatives from more than 110 UK universities to advise people thinking about taking their first steps into higher education. Staff in Edge Hill’s Student Recruitment team also held two ‘Meet your Market’ events, giving Year 12 and 13 students the opportunity to share their views of the recruitment process and influence future strategy.
Edge Hill continued its support for the school workforce through a Teacher and Careers Advisor Conference and Teacher Networking events in Manchester, Liverpool and Preston, where delegates got to share information and build contacts with fellow teachers as well as senior Edge Hill staff.
Newly qualified teachers also benefited from Edge Hill’s ongoing support with a series of conferences aimed at helping them through their first year in practice. Former Edge Hill trainees took part in workshops on subjects as diverse as mental wellbeing and resilience, communicating with parents, leadership and employability, as well as hearing from keynote speakers and other newly or recently qualified teachers.
Finally, Edge Hill’s hardworking Student Guides were voted ‘Student Team of the Year’ at the Edge Hill Employability Awards in recognition of their contribution to the University’s work with schools and colleges. They were praised for their impartial, positive advice regarding the University and its courses, and their honest guidance for students who are just beginning their University journey.
AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
This year the University has marked the inauguration of Professors in disciplines ranging from History to Computer Science, celebrated the achievements of exceptional staff in Student-Led Staff Awards, and awarded Honorary Doctorates to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their fields. Further senior appointments demonstrate the University’s attractiveness to the very best leaders and innovators.
Alumni, friends and former staff support Edge Hill in many ways, one of which is financial contribution – here we acknowledge with gratitude this year’s donors. AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
PROFESSORS
Profiles of some of our most prestigious Professors, experts in their field and true assets offering their expert knowledge and experience to the University.
ALYSON BROWN Associate Head of Department and Professor of History
Order and disorder in English prison history Professor Brown is a crime historian with a particular interest in the history of prisons and prison disorder, and she has published widely in this field. Her inaugural lecture examined the causality and impact of prison riots and the considerable public and media attention they have attracted.
STUART FAIRCLOUGH Professor of Physical Activity Education
A revolving door between physical education and exercise science: Reflections on 15 years of children’s school-based physical activity and health With research interests in physical activity promotion in schools, sedentary behaviour and health, Professor Fairclough has published a large number of peer-reviewed papers on these topics. His inaugural lecture reflected on school-based physical activity research from the dual perspectives of a physical educator and an exercise scientist. PAUL POTRAC Professor of Sports Coaching
“They never told us it could be like this on the course!” Professor Potrac is the co-author of several books and the Associate Editor for the Sports Coaching Journal Review, and his current research focuses on how coaches, performance analysts and athletes understand their respective working environments. His inaugural lecture focussed on the development of his research in understanding coaches’ working relationships.
MARK ANDERSON Professor of Computer Science
Dispelling the Myth: The Art of Computing Professor Anderson has been involved with computing projects all over the world, and his work contributed to the Department being identified as having internationally recognised research in the 2014 REF. His inaugural lecture discussed the misconception that Computing is a boring subject, and explored the merging boundaries between the adaptations of Computing and the growing opportunities for enhanced expression in the field.
DAVID PEIMER Professor of Drama
Violence and Grief in Contemporary South African Theatre As well as publishing widely, Professor Peimer has won a number of prestigious awards for playwriting and directing, and has directed over 30 plays in countries across the world. His inaugural lecture highlighted some of his recent research in postcolonial thinking, cultural identity and memory to help further our understanding of post-apartheid theatre. TOM COCKBURN Professor in Social Sciences and Head of Department
Childhood Studies, Childhood Sociology and Social Justice As well as publishing his book Rethinking Children’s Citizenship, Professor Cockburn has spent over 20 years researching children, youth and childhood, and is well published in both national and international journals. His inaugural lecture reflected on the contribution that childhood studies has made to social justice, and he discussed the social inequalities and injustices experienced by children in the world today.
PARESH WANKHADE Professor of Leadership and Management (Business School) and Professor in Computing
Strategic leadership for the management of emergency services: Case for a new research agenda Professor Wankhade is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Emergency Services, and his research focuses on analyses of leadership, and organisational change and culture within the emergency services. His inaugural lecture analysed the current state of management research on emergency services and addressed the fragmentary nature of the emergency community. AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
DONORS TO THE UNIVERSITY
Donations to the University help current students to realise their ambitions by contributing to the Alumni Fund, which supports two initiatives designed to make a real impact and lasting difference to students’ lives: the Alumni Scholarship programme and the University’s Hardship Fund.
We would like to thank the people who have made donations this year.
Ann Bowden A W Meredith Anne Moule Anne Pagendam Christine Bennett Dorothy Bearne Dorothy Collings Eileen Brown Esther Owen Eunice Trill Glenys Harrop Dr John Cater Margaret Ducker Olive McComb Ruth Caine Sylvia Rhodes Sylvia Rothwell AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
HONORARY GRADUATES
2015 - 2016
Honorary awards conferred at ceremonies in December 2015 and July 2016. DAVID MORRISSEY CATHY ASHTON MARK FLINN Honorary Doctor Honorary Doctor Honorary Doctor of Arts of the University of the University
BAFTA-nominated actor David The Right Honourable Baroness Former Edge Hill Pro Vice-Chancellor Morrissey was recognised for his Cathy Ashton of Upholland was Mark Flinn was awarded an Honorary ongoing contribution to UK drama, made an Honorary Doctor of Edge Doctorate of the University in television and film by being awarded Hill University in recognition of the recognition of his service to an Honorary Doctor of Arts by powerful influence her political roles higher education. Edge Hill University. have had in encouraging peace and stability around the world. After joining the University in 1992, Acknowledged by peers and Mark served as a Pro Vice-Chancellor institutions as one of the finest actors She was created a Life Peer in 1999 for 17 years, retiring in July 2009. He of his generation, David has achieved as Baroness Ashton of Upholland was instrumental in the transformation excellence in the world of film, and became the Parliamentary of Edge Hill into the successful television and the performing arts. Under-Secretary of State for both University it is today, playing a key role His standout performances include the Department for Education and in historic milestones such as gaining Being Human, Captain Corelli’s Skills and the Ministry of Justice taught degree powers, research degree Mandolin, The Deal, and most recently under Tony Blair’s premiership. In powers and University title. in his iconic role as The Governor 2007 she was appointed Leader of the Since retiring, Mark has jointly in The Walking Dead. David’s acting House of Lords and Lord President of authored the history of the University, career started at the Everyman Theatre the Council in Gordon Brown’s first A Vision of Learning, and published in Liverpool, where he was born and Cabinet. In 2009 Baroness Ashton Wide Horizons, celebrating the raised, and his continued commitment was appointed First Vice-President University’s 80 years in Ormskirk, and to his North West roots is evident in of the European Commission and Temporary Darkness: Edge Hill in World his consistent support of Liverpool’s the inaugural High Representative War One. As well as being heavily film culture, and his close creative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and involved in creating the University’s relationship to both the Everyman Security Policy, winning global praise archive, Mark also founded the Mark and the Unity Theatre. for her work as a negotiator in difficult Flinn Scholarship. international situations. RHIANNON EVANS JOHN RIGBY JUDGE CUNO TARFUSSER Honorary Doctor Honorary Doctor Honorary Doctor of the University of Arts of Laws
Former Edge Hill Pro Vice-Chancellor St Helens-born conductor John Rigby International Criminal Court judge His Professor Rhiannon Evans MBE was was awarded an Honorary Doctor Excellency Judge Cuno Tarfusser was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the of Arts by Edge Hill University at recognised for his ongoing contribution University in recognition of her service a ceremony held on the campus. to Edge Hill University’s Department of to higher education. Law and Criminology by being awarded The acclaimed conductor began his an Honorary Doctorate of Laws. Professor Evans was a Pro Vice- career in musical theatre and has Chancellor at Edge Hill University been musical director for a long list Judge Tarfusser has contributed from 1994 to 2008, significantly of prestigious productions. He is significantly to the Department, developing the institution’s higher currently the Musical Supervisor for collaborating on research projects, education provision by establishing the The Phantom of the Opera US tour and delivering keynote speeches first Access to University and Women and for Les Misérables in London at international conferences held Returner courses in the area. Moving and Korea. John’s formidable list of by the University. Judge Tarfusser to the North West from Brighton in projects include Die Fledermaus for was appointed to the International 1979, Professor Evans was a Senior Opera Holland Park, Viennese Whirl Criminal Court in 2009 as a presiding Lecturer and Head of Faculty at Wirral with the Orchestra of Opera North, judge of the Pre Trial Chamber II, Metropolitan College. She has served and Summer Classics with the Royal and has overseen many high-profile on numerous national and regional Philharmonic Orchestra. When asked cases. In addition to his court work, committees and founded the Rhiannon about his personal contribution as a he lectures and presents widely at Evans Poetry Award on her retirement conductor to classical anthems, he said conferences in Italy and elsewhere to to reward and celebrate students who “to try and demystify them in some share his expertise on issues of court display promise as creative writers. way and present them in a way that is management and international criminal In the 2009 New Year’s Honour List, accessible for people to appreciate, law. His decisions are regularly cited by Professor Evans was awarded an MBE and realise that classical music needn’t academic scholars and practitioners in for services to higher education and be elitist, nor does it need to be international criminal justice, criminal widening participation. dumbed down”. law, public international law and human rights. CLIVE EMSLEY COLIN AND WENDY PARRY PAUL LEWIS Honorary Doctor Honorary Doctors Honorary Doctor of Philosophy of Education of Arts
Emeritus Professor Clive Emsley Colin and Wendy Parry OBE were Internationally regarded as one of the was awarded an Honorary Doctor of awarded with Honorary Doctors of leading musicians of his generation, Philosophy by Edge Hill University Education by Edge Hill University for classical pianist Paul Lewis was in recognition of his enormous their efforts in promoting peace and awarded an Honorary Doctorate contribution to criminal justice community education in the wake of Arts from Edge Hill University. historical research. of a family tragedy. Recently appointed CBE in the 2016 Professor Emsley has published On 20 March 1993, Colin and Wendy’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, Paul has widely and has been instrumental in 12 year old son, Tim, was involved in consolidated his reputation as one of the emergence of the history of crime an IRA bombing attack in Warrington, the world’s foremost interpreters of the and policing as a significant field of and died four days later. Keen to central European classical repertoire. academic study since the 1970s. ensure that their son did not die in The son of a Liverpool docks worker Professor Emsley was a co-founder vain, Colin and Wendy established the and a local council officer, Paul has and co-director of the International Foundation for Peace charity in 1995. not forgotten his roots, regularly Centre for Comparative Criminological The charity works with people from performing in the North West. Research at the Open University from all backgrounds by helping them to It was here that Paul supplemented 2003 until 2009. He was also President develop the skills and understanding his self-taught hours at the keyboard of the International Association for to be able to resolve conflict through by eagerly borrowing vinyl recordings the History of Crime and Criminal non-violent means, and also provides of famous pianists from his local Justice for 12 years. He has made training and guidance to leaders and library. Paul studied with Joan Havill numerous appearances in the media, managers, on how to deal with past, at the Guildhall School of Music and including authoring the BBC History present and future conflicts. In March Drama in London before going on to online pages on crime and policing and 2000 Colin and Wendy opened the Tim study privately with Alfred Brendel. appearing on Who Do You Think You Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Centre in His numerous awards have included Are advising Twiggy about an ancestor Warrington; a safe place where people the Royal Philharmonic Society’s with a criminal record. can learn about non-violent resolution Instrumentalist of the Year, of conflict. two Edison awards, and three Gramophone awards. AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
SENIOR APPOINTMENTS
HELEN O’KEEFFE Head of Primary and Early Years Education
Helen has been a member of Edge Hill’s Primary and Early Years team for eight years. In this time she has held a number of different roles. Her current research focuses on developing the resilience of Initial Teacher Education trainees prior to placement, and she examines the support available to primary school children who have a father in prison. Helen has worked in both mainstream and SEND primary school settings, and she has been involved with several high-profile charities working with children with a range of social, emotional and physical needs.
HELEN WOODRUFFE-BURTON Director of the Business School
Helen is a Chartered Marketer and an elected Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, who joined Edge Hill in September 2015 as a Professor of Marketing after working in higher education for 20 years. An internationally recognised researcher and author, Helen has published widely on consumption and consumer behaviour and also on methodology, gender and intersectionality. She is also a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Marketing Management and a reviewer for a wide range of national and international journals and conferences. NIK BESSIS Head of Computer Science
Nik is a Professor of Computer Science. He has published hundreds of works, and has won four best paper awards as well as chairing international events and delivering keynote speeches. His current research focuses on social graphs for network and big data analytics, as well as on developing data push and resource provisioning services. He works with universities across the globe running research initiatives, and he has led several projects worth over £3 million. Nik is also the founding Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Distributed Systems and Technologies.
SALLY SPENCER Director of Clinical Research, PGMI
Sally joined Edge Hill in autumn 2015 as a Professor of Clinical Research PGMI, with the aim of driving the growth of research activity within the Faculty of Health and Social Care through collaboration with external public and private sector organisations. Her research focuses on patient- reported outcome measures and evidence-based practice in clinical research, and she has worked with a number of other universities to achieve this. Sally is also an Editor for two Cochrane Collaboration groups, has co-authored a number of systematic reviews, and has received grants for two clinical trials funded by the National Institute for Health Research.
LANA ORR Head of the Directorate Office
Liverpool City Councillor Lana joined Edge Hill in December 2015 after working for several years to promote literacy and independent reading in primary schools. Lana previously worked as a researcher for Stephen Twigg, MP for Liverpool West Derby, and now leads for Mayor Joe Anderson on Primary Education, focusing on levels of numeracy and literacy across Liverpool. She has worked on a campaign called ‘City of Readers’ for a number of years, which seeks to promote reading for pleasure and ensure every primary school child in Liverpool leaves school with the ability to read, and she is also the trustee of a charity called the Big Help Project. AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
GIVING BACK
IN AN AGE OF INCREASING SELF-ABSORPTION AND WITH SO MANY OTHER DEMANDS ON THEIR TIME, WHAT MOTIVATES SOME YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVOTE THEIR SPARE HOURS TO HELPING OTHERS – AND HOW IS EDGE HILL CELEBRATING THESE EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS?
In 2009, the University established a Scholarship to mark the installation of its first Chancellor, Professor Tanya Byron. Chancellor’s Scholars this year The aim was to recognise students who showed the kind include students who have: of attitude and attributes that reflected the Chancellor’s Overcome personal challenges to own personal values and her role as a champion of diversity excel on their courses and provide and equality. support to other students
The result was the Chancellor’s Scholarship, Edge Hill’s most Raised Edge Hill’s sporting prestigious and highly competitive Scholarship. Each year it profile by competing nationally or rewards students who make an outstanding contribution to internationally or by introducing the life of the University, particularly in the areas of race, new sports to the University disability, gender, sexuality, religion, anti-poverty, anti- ageism or any form of anti-discrimination. Driven change through the Students’ Union or Student Societies Students are nominated for the Scholarship by their peers or members of Edge Hill staff, and winners are selected Acted as an ambassador for the by a Panel which includes Professor Byron herself. University in their creative pursuits
This year, 11 students impressed the Chancellor with Contributed to the development their passion and commitment to raising the profile of the of their course and the success University through their actions. Some have overcome of their peers personal barriers to access higher education and have gone on to inspire others to achieve their potential. Some juggle Volunteered hundreds of hours vital volunteer work with caring and studying commitments, for Edge Hill or for charitable while others seek to improve the student experience at organisations including RASA Edge Hill, not just for themselves and their peers, (Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre) but for generations of students to come. in Liverpool, The Alzheimer’s Society, Listening Ear and Counselling Matters. Chancellor’s Scholarship winner, Michael Cartmell, overcame a serious brain injury and had to relearn how to walk and talk, but this didn’t stop him playing a variety of sports, gaining numerous qualifications and volunteering hundreds of hours. AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
STUDENT-LED STAFF AWARD WINNERS
Sixteen outstanding Edge Hill University lecturers, personal tutors and support staff have been named winners in the Student-Led Staff Awards 2016.
Now in their sixth year, the University and Students’ Union developed the awards to recognise those who go above and beyond to make the teaching and learning experience even better.
They give students the opportunity to thank the members of staff who they feel deserve recognition for their hard work and commitment to student satisfaction.
PERSONAL TUTOR: SUPPORT STAFF:
Claire Farquharson Emily Joseph Faculty of Arts and Sciences – Sport and Physical Activity Faculty of Arts and Sciences – Biology Lecturer in Sports Therapy Departmental Administrator
Eleanor Davidson Ian Macadam Faculty of Education – Primary Education Student Services – Accommodation Team Assistant Head of Primary Education Night Support Officer
Shelia Ollerhead Debbie Hirons Faculty of Health and Social Care – Nurse Education Faculty of Health and Social Care – Placement Support (Adult Field) Team, Professional Support Services Associate Head Placement Programme Hours Co-ordinator SPECIAL RECOGNITION – LECTURER:
Marianne Erskine-Shaw Faculty of Arts and Sciences - Psychology PhD Student & Associate Tutor
LECTURER:
Dr Charles Knight Claire Norcott Faculty of Arts and Sciences – Business School Faculty of Education – Primary Education Senior Lecturer in Management Senior Lecturer in Primary English
James Hewison Juliet Thomas Faculty of Arts and Sciences – Performing Arts Faculty of Health and Social Care – Nurse Education Student Experience Director Programme Co-ordinator, MSc Nursing
Dr Jennifer Woodward Dr Peter Leadbetter Faculty of Arts and Sciences – Media Faculty of Health and Social Care – Applied Health Lecturer in Film Studies and English Literature and Social Care Acting Associate Head and Programme Leader, Ruth Rayner BSc (Hons) Health and Social Wellbeing Faculty of Education – Professional Education Associate Tutor Dr Tony Keating Faculty of Health and Social Care – Applied Health Martin Pickett and Social Care Faculty of Education – Secondary Education Programme Leader, BSc (Hons) Psychosocial Analysis Secondary PGCE Mathematics Course Leader of Offending Behaviour
FACTS AND FIGURES
Figures taken from the Report and Financial Statements quantify the successes achieved by Edge Hill over the past year. Financially Edge Hill is one of the best managed universities in the sector, achieving a level of surplus that enables the University to continue to invest in facilities. Full-time applications have continued to rise despite the decline in the number of 18-year-olds in the population, making this the best year for recruitment since 2011. And satisfaction levels, always high for Edge Hill, exceed the national average. FACTS AND FIGURES
FINANCIAL WORTH OF THE UNIVERSITY
£147.316 £162.796 £171.240 MILLION MILLION MILLION 2013 / 2014 2014 / 2015 2015 / 2016 Total number of students
2016 15,543
Applications for full-time undergraduate programmes
2016 19,767
2015 19,133
2014 18,931 FACTS AND FIGURES
93 OF STAFF RATE THE UNIVERSITY AS A GOOD OR EXCELLENT EMPLOYER What students think: NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY 2016
Scores in the 2016 Survey continued at a high level, including:
PERSONAL 4.37 DEVELOPMENT 5
TEACHING 4.25 QUALITY 5
ACADEMIC 4.28 SUPPORT 5
LEARNING 4.37 RESOURCES 5
Teaching quality
TOP 10 IN THE UK FOR TEACHING QUALITY IN THE TIMES/SUNDAY TIMES GOOD UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2017.
Student employment: 2013 / 2014
of Edge Hill University’s full-time first degree graduates find work or further study within six months of graduating 95.3 (above the national average) FACTS AND FIGURES
TOTAL INCOME & SURPLUS FOR RE-INVESTMENT Surplus for re-investment £17.899 MILLION
2013 / 2014
Total income £115.376 MILLION
Surplus for re-investment £21.247 MILLION
2014 / 2015
Total income £123.935 MILLION
Surplus for re-investment £21.637 MILLION
2015 / 2016
Total income £128.127 MILLION
PUBLICATION CREDITS
Produced by: Edge Hill University Corporate Communications team and contributors from across the University
Designed by: Black&Ginger www.blackandginger.com
Photo credits: Stuart Rayner, 7/8: Ironbird 11/12: John Johnson 13: RCP/Jonathan Perugia 21/22: Everton in the Community 28: Getty Images 26 (Hands), 30, 32, 33, 38: iStockphoto 26: Geoff Beattie: Phil Tragen 37: Professor Paul Ashton 38: Caretakers: Truant Theatre 39: Tate sign: Tate; Phone: Shutterstock Timeline: Cheltenham: Kevin Fern; Hally McHallface: Olivia Walker; Best Student Accommodation: Ironbird 4