Your University. The magazine for alumni and friends of the University of Sheffield • 2007/2008

Rising to the challenge In the spotlight Renaissance Sheffield A meeting of minds

A dramatic return Eddie Izzard finally collects his degree

We have now received our 3,400th gift from a supporter.

Claire Rundström, Development Manager, Alumni Relations, and Miles Stevenson, Director of Development. Miles is in charge of the Development and Alumni Relations Office and the activities it undertakes; Claire manages the full alumni relations programme of communications and events. ‘ Contents Welcome University news 2 to the 2007 issue of Your University magazine. Reflections of the Vice-Chancellor 8 This fifth issue of Your University also marks the fifth anniversary of the Rising to the challenge’ 10 establishment of the Development and Alumni Relations Office. In 2002 only six alumni were making regular donations in support of the University. We have now takes Venice received our 3,400th gift from a supporter, bringing the total to more than by storm 12 £500,000. This generosity has funded 100 scholarships, supported the Information Scientist on a mission 13 Commons building and funded the work of the Alumni Foundation. In addition, more than £500,000 has been received through generous legacies. I am constantly Five years on 14 delighted by the interest and enthusiasm our alumni have for the University and A dramatic return 16 its future. Renaissance Sheffield 18 I wish to take this opportunity to thank our Vice-Chancellor, Professor , for the constant support he has given alumni relations at the University. He has been Once students, now staff 20 proactive in maintaining contact with our graduates, both in the UK and overseas, Fruits of success 21 and taken great personal interest in the work of the Development and Alumni Relations Office. We have invited him to contribute to this issue of Your University A meeting of minds 22 with a reflection on his term of office, which ends with his retirement in December. Convocation 24 We now offer our alumni a range of benefits; see page 30 for details. Each alumnus At the cutting edge of industry 25 or alumna who receives this magazine in the post also receives a membership card, with a unique membership number. Keep this safe and use it when you want to take In the spotlight 26 advantage of the special discounts and services on offer. We are also organising and promoting more alumni events; details and dates are listed on page 31. Global perspective 28 Alumni services and benefits 30 A new feature of this issue of Your University is the Your Notes and News section. Here we have listed a selection of ‘where are they now?’ snippets. I hope that we Calendar of events 31 can develop this section in the future with your support, in conjunction with alumni news that appears on our web pages. Your notes and news 32 Honours and awards 36 Finally, please remember to update your details if anything has changed. Use the enclosed questionnaire, complete one online or log on to Sheffield Reunited and make your changes there (www.sheffield.ac.uk/sheffield-reunited). The Development and Alumni Relations Office is your contact point for the University. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us: Development and Alumni Relations Office Miles Stevenson The Director of Development 277 Glossop Road Sheffield S10 2HB Editor: Kate Horton Public Relations Advertisements are carefully vetted, but the University UK can take no responsibility for them. Design: Epigram Communications and Design Ltd Copyright © 2007 The University of Sheffield TUOS202 Tel +44 (0) 114 222 1071 Cover: Comedian and actor Eddie Izzard (see page 16). Thank you to Ian Spooner, of Student Recruitment, This publication is available in different formats. Fax +44 (0) 114 222 1044 Admissions and Marketing, for this and many other To request an alternative format telephone Email: [email protected] photographs used in this magazine. +44 (0) 114 222 1303. Website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni

www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 1 News University News Our Shared Vision

The University has published a new corporate plan, following the largest ever consultation process across campus. Staff, students and business partners all contributed to Our Shared Vision, which clearly states the University’s mission, its vision, its goals and the measures by which progress towards them will be assessed.

“The University will be firmly positioned amongst the world’s leading universities, recognised for the impact, excellence and distinctiveness of its graduates and research activities.”

www.sheffield.ac.uk/oursharedvision

100 years of the Union

Over 120 former Student Officers, spanning six decades, attended a reunion dinner to mark the Union’s centenary. After a lunch reception, sponsored by Convocation, current Officers organised tours of the building for their predecessors, providing an opportunity to see how their old haunts had changed over the years.

A dinner held in University House concluded with speeches by current Union President Dave White and John Watkinson, President 1952-53. Dave comments, “Over the past 100 years, Former Presidents join current post-holder Dave White (seated, right) at the centenary celebration. generations of students have worked hard to ensure that the Union adds that will enable us to continue to meet Samantha Hay on 0114 222 8601 or value to the lives of its members and students’ needs and to stay on top for email [email protected]. contributes to the success of the the next 100 years and beyond.” University. Last year we were again recognised by the Virgin Alternative Standing up for Guide to Universities as the best Call for Trustees Students students’ union in the UK. The Union has established a Board of Published to mark its centenary, “However, it is important that we do not Trustees in line with its new status as Standing up for Students, written by become complacent or nostalgic. That a registered charity. Alumni with an Dr Helen Mathers, gives a decade is why 2006 saw not only a celebration interest in playing a part in the future by decade account of the Union’s of our past success, but also our latest of the UK’s most exciting and successful contribution to student life. See strategic review, which set out the plans students’ union are invited to contact inside front cover for further details.

2 | Your University 2007/2008 News

Sheffield The University hosts among prestigious Confucius education’s Institute global elite The Chinese government has awarded the School of East Asian Studies a Confucius Institute for the promotion of Chinese language and culture. Deputy Two prestigious global rankings published Prime Minister John Prescott officially opened the institute on 18 January 2007. for 2006-07 put Sheffield among the top 10 universities in Britain and the top 70 This is a joint initiative in collaboration with the Office of Chinese Language globally. And the Virgin 2007 Alternative Council International, Beijing Language and Culture University and Nanjing Guide to British Universities states that University. Together with its partners in China and the UK, the institute will “Sheffield is a top university across work with community organisations, the public and private sector and the the board”. general public across the Yorkshire and Northern England region.

International publication Newsweek ranks The institute has already embarked on a range of China-related activities the University of Sheffield 9th in the UK, including supporting research into learning Chinese as a foreign language, 18th in Europe and 70th worldwide. The promoting the teaching of the Chinese language in primary and secondary global top 100 listings are based on the schools, providing Chinese language training for students, teachers, community University’s performance in the leading and business, and organising seminars on Chinese culture and society. world league tables published by the Times Higher Education Supplement Professor Tim Wright, Chairman of the School of East Asian Studies, said, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. “We are eager to hear from organisations in the public and private sectors about what their needs are and how we can work together to help the whole Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong region to build its links with the world’s most dynamic economy and society. University assessed over 2,000 universities Please contact us via [email protected].” using several research performance indicators, including the number of highly cited researchers, academic performance, articles in the periodicals Science and Nature, and the number of Nobel prize- winners. They ranked Sheffield 69th in the world, 20th in Europe and 8th in the UK.

Major funding success

The Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) is a key source of support for university knowledge transfer. Sheffield was awarded more HEIF3 funding (for the period August 2006 to July 2008) than any other university and was one of the very few institutions to receive the maximum £3m funding under the formula allocations. This formula is driven by levels of current activity and capacity and (left-right) Councillor Mrs Jackie Drayton, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Boucher, Professor Tim Wright, Mr Gong Jianzhong, Consul General, Consulate recognises the established strengths of of the People’s Republic of China in Manchester, and Professor Cui Xiliang, President of the Beijing Language the University in knowledge transfer. and Culture University.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 3 News

Sheffield £4.3m Legends boost for

Helen Sharman OBE (BSc 1984), Britain’s first astronaut, has joined other famous people from or human Helen Sharman’s plaque connected to Sheffield, including Gordon Banks and on the Walk of Fame. Michael Palin, on the Walk of Fame outside . health research Pinnock records Bach The University of Sheffield has been selected for a prestigious Science and Internationally renowned conductor and Trevor Pinnock. soloist Trevor Pinnock chose Sheffield City Credit: Peer Lindgreen. Innovation Award by the Engineering Hall as the venue for his 60th birthday and Physical Sciences Research concert on 16 December 2006. Since his first Council (EPSRC). The award will be visit in 1985 Trevor has developed a special used for a pioneering centre of affinity with the city and with the Department excellence that will bring together of Music at the University. He received an leading chemical engineers and honorary degree in 2005 and brought the biologists. European Brandenburg Ensemble to Firth Hall for a three-day residency of open rehearsals, The new centre, Chemical Engineering lectures and children’s events in the summer Life Science Interface (ChELSI), will be of 2006. The ensemble rehearsed Bach’s based in the Department of Chemical Brandenburg Concertos, which were also the and Process Engineering, and will subject of a new recording made during enable chemical engineers to December and January in the City Hall’s collaborate with biologists at what is Ballroom. The University, , termed the ‘Life Science Interface’. Sheffield City Council, British Land and Wolf Such collaborations in the UK are Safety Lamp are sponsors of this recording, unusual. The vision for ChELSI is that it which will be released by Avie Records in will focus on human health problems, October 2007. with initial projects in areas such as stem cells, kidney diseases and www.avierecords.com reproductive biology. The University appoints new Vice-Chancellor

Professor Keith Burnett CBE, FRS will be the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, taking up his post on 1 October 2007.

At the time of his appointment, Professor Burnett was Head of the Division of Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences at the University of Oxford. Before this he was Chairman of Physics at Oxford, where he has enjoyed a successful career for almost 20 years. He is currently Chairman of the International Science Advisory Committee of the UK’s national laboratories. His research interests are in the areas of atomic, molecular and optical physics.

“The University of Sheffield has a great reputation,” he said, “and I look forward to building upon that and shaping our vision of education in the next decade.” Professor Keith Burnett.

4 | Your University 2007/2008 News

Appeal nets £250,000 for charities

For 15 years, University of Sheffield students have paid an SheffieldVolunteering activities include dry stone walling at Whitley Edge and supporting learning in schools. extra £2 on top of their annual halls of residence bill as part of the Give-As-You-Rent scheme. Charities then bid for grants of Community action between £500 and £3,000 with a panel of students making the final decision on how the money praised is spent. The 2006 figure of £20,813 was split between The Union of Students’ has been recognised for its sustained commitment to 10 organisations working with the local community by winning the Royal Mail Community Impact Award at the homeless, vulnerable and Sheffield Business Awards. disadvantaged people in Sheffield.

The Union highlighted SheffieldVolunteering in their application as their flagship initiative with over 1,000 students each year providing services for 142 community organisations, charities and schools. SheffieldVolunteering has also been cited by the national funding body, HEFCE, as an outstanding model of good practice. Finalist for Rag, the Union’s student-led fundraising initiative, raised over £73,000 for local, national and international charities in 2006. The ‘Sshh’ Campaign was also put major forward as an example of positive relations with local residents. It encourages students to be aware of the consequences of late-night noise. museum Funding boost award SheffieldVolunteering received over £380,000 from the Big Lottery Fund and the Higher Education Active Community Fund and is using the cash to set up new has been schemes and encourage more students and staff to volunteer. Current activities short-listed for the £100,000 include school mentoring, weekly visits to residential homes, and A Nice Time on Gulbenkian Prize 2007 for museums Saturdays (ANTS) – a support project for children who have experienced the loss and galleries. The museum reopened of a parent or sibling. on 14 October 2006, following a massive £19m redevelopment project and has attracted record numbers of visitors. MBA accreditation

The Management School has received accreditation for its MBA programmes from the Association of MBAs (AMBA). The School now joins the world’s elite MBA providers. Professor Keith Glaister, Dean of the School, commented, “This is an international benchmark that validates the global standard of our MBA programme and represents an important step in the building of a world class Management School at the University of Sheffield.” The remodelled entrance to Weston Park Museum.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 5 News

Architecture centenary Sorby’s date 2008 with destiny

The centenary of the School of Architecture will be celebrated with various A controlled explosion demolished the events, including an exhibition, a lecture series, publication of a School history 12-storey Sorby building on 27 August and a series of reunion dinners. Professor Roger Plank, Head of School, wants to 2006. The block had provided hear from former staff and students who may have lost touch with the University: accommodation for thousands of “We are particularly keen to identify architectural works or other achievements students since it was opened in 1963. and examples of past student work for the exhibition. Please encourage people The demise of Sorby is one element with connections to the School to get in touch. They may complete the of the ‘Student Village’ redevelopment online questionnaire at www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/keepintouch, email scheme, which also includes the [email protected] or write to The Alumni Officer, School of demolition of Earnshaw and Ranmoor Architecture, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN. Halls of Residence, together with We want to make this a celebration to remember.” Wolfson Flats and Woodvale Flats. When the project is completed in 2009, a total of 3,540 new study-bedrooms will be in place – 2,360 on the Endcliffe site and The world’s first 1,180 on the Ranmoor site. A video of the demolition is available dissolvable dress to view on our website: visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni and follow A creative partnership between , ICI Professor of Physical Chemistry the links to the Latest News section. at the University, and designer Professor Helen Storey, entitled Wonderland, shows off new materials that can make consumer products less environmentally harmful. Professor Storey has worked with the University of Ulster to develop a series of innovative dissolving textiles based on polymers created in collaboration with the Sheffield Polymer Centre.

“The dresses Helen has created are a metaphor for the beautiful things we create and use but never really think about and just throw away,” said Professor Ryan. “In your lifetime you throw away about 20 tons of packaging material. We want people to think about that. But it has made us think more seriously about science, too. This isn’t about boring labs and test tubes. It’s about turning ideas into reality.”

Detail of a dissolvable dress.

Credit: Paul Grover. Paul Credit: www.polymercentre.org.uk

New Vice- Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam

Professor Philip Jones, a former Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of Sheffield, has been appointed as the new Vice- Professor Philip Jones. Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University. Going, going, gone!

6 | Your University 2007/2008 News

Sheffield to host Bollywood ‘Oscars’ The city was chosen to host the 2007 International Indian Film Academy Awards. The Indian film industry, centred on Mumbai, produces in excess of 800 films each year, twice the number from Hollywood. The awards ceremony was held in the Hallam FM Arena with other events taking place across the Yorkshire region.

Sheffield Graduate Award Scheme

The University has launched a Sheffield Graduate Award Scheme to enable students to earn formal recognition for their wider skills development during their programme of study. It is open to all students, with individuals accumulating points towards a bronze, silver or gold award by taking part in extra-curricular activities.

The striking exterior of the Information Commons. Focus on Tynan The best of Kenneth Tynan’s theatre Information criticism has been brought together in one volume by Professor Dominic Shellard, the critic’s biographer. Commons Kenneth Tynan: Theatre Writings was chosen as a BBC Radio 4 ‘Book of the Week’ in February 2007; it was also welcomes serialised by the Guardian.

Famous above all for his first users championship of the Angry Young Men at the Royal Court and for The Information Commons opened its heralding Brecht, Beckett and Pinter, doors for the first time to students Tynan was the 20th century’s most across the campus on 10 April 2007. influential theatre critic. Included in Born out of completely fresh thinking the book are ground-breaking about learning resources for the 21st reviews of plays by Arthur Miller, John century student, it contains a whole Osborne, TS Eliot and Noel Coward. range of study experiences within a Professor Shellard is Head of the single spectacular building. School of English Literature, Language Located on the corner of Upper and Linguistics and is the principal Hanover Street and Brook Hill, the investigator on the Arts and seven-storey building provides the Humanities Research Council British Library Theatre Archive project. He latest IT resources, including over 400 said, “My interest in theatre criticism PCs and pervasive wireless networking has spanned my entire career and I and IT-equipped classrooms, well- am honoured that Radio 4 chose this equipped spaces for teaching and edition of Kenneth Tynan’s theatre learning, 1,070 study spaces, 100,000 criticism to serialise.” of the most in-demand books, and a 70-seat cafe. www.bl.uk/theatrearchive Professor Dominic Shellard.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 7 Feature

I believe our founders would recognise us as fellow spirits, although so much else would astonish and ‘delight them. Reflections of the Vice-Chancellor’ Professor Bob Boucher has been Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield since 2000. Prior to that, he was Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) for five years. He has spent much of his working life at the University of Sheffield, initially as an academic within the Department of Mechanical Engineering, then as a Head of Department and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic Development and for Research.

Professor Boucher retires from the the children of the working man (and crucial to the regional, national and University at the end of this year. woman), for knowledge which would international economy. We continue He shares his thoughts on life at directly benefit the economy of the to be a force for good. the helm of one of the UK’s great city. Hard pressed individuals made “What we seek to do now is to express research-led institutions and ‘penny’ donations which finally totalled these same priorities in ways which fit considers what the future may £50,000: based on the RPI increase the needs of the modern world. In that hold for the University of Sheffield. that’s £3.5m today or about £15m as sense, I believe our founders would a proportion of earnings! So the “The University of Sheffield is, recognise us as fellow spirits, although University of Sheffield was born largely appropriately to its home city, so much else would astonish and out of the amazing generosity and frequently at the ‘cutting edge’. delight them. And were we able to commitment of people who believed Innovation is part of our daily life. re-visit the University 100 years from in its benefits. Yet in many ways the reflection we now, although doubtless much else will underwent during our Centenary Year “Our mission continues to be that change technologically, I believe these in 2005 reminded us of how much of expressed in our coat of arms; we aim core values will still hold true. our mission remains unchanged. in Virgil’s words ‘to discover the causes “In 2006, we undertook an exercise to “I am always struck by the poster from of things’, to improve the world by define Our Shared Vision as part of our the beginning of the last century, which seeking to understand it. We are still endeavour to improve our planning was attached to the walls of companies delivering education which produces process and unite in key areas of and factories all over the city as funds outstanding graduates who have a priority. Our aspiration continues that were sought to provide a university of global impact in their various fields. We expressed by our Victorian founders, to our own. It looked to a university for provide knowledge exchange in areas firmly position ourselves amongst the

8 | Your University 2007/2008 Feature

The Vice-Chancellor’s top University moments

• Going to Buckingham Palace to receive our third Queen’s Anniversary Prize with the winning team. • Watching the wraps come off the fabulous Information Commons; and the spontaneous applause of alumni in Kuala Lumpur on seeing a slide of the building. • Attending the Sheffield Business Awards Dinner when the Students’ Union won the Royal Mail Community Impact Award for their community work, including SheffieldVolunteering. • The announcement of the Factory of the Future as a huge expansion of the so successful Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing. • The wonderful joy of the events of Centenary Year, capped by a fabulous atmosphere at the Centenary Dinner in the Cutlers’ Hall, attended by staff, students, alumni and friends of the University. Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Boucher.

world’s leading universities, recognised “The University has always been home “Our approach has to be one of taking for the impact, excellence and to great discoveries and innovation. the challenges we face and breaking distinctiveness of our graduates Stainless steel was developed by these down into tangible goals. We and research activities. We have a Harry Brearley, who worked on his have given each of our priorities key wonderful heritage of quality on development in our Faculty of indicative measures which will help which to build, but we also face key Engineering. Crucial work on the us assess how far we are meeting our challenges. We need to develop development of penicillin was carried aspirations. For example, our goal is to student skills and capabilities, attract out in Sheffield by Lord Florey, leading be one of the top five universities in the funding, meet and exceed customer to a Nobel Prize – the first of five UK based on peer review assessment. expectations, compete globally for awarded to scientists with close But we will also measure crucial factors students, staff and partners, as well connections to the University. But like the centrality of an outstanding as manage effectively at times of today’s work requires partnership, often student experience by reviewing how complexity and change within with global organisations such as our many students would recommend the higher education. Advanced Manufacturing Research University as a place to study. Centre with Boeing, sharing research “Yet, in the end, we can only deliver this with world-class private sector by working together. In the modern organisations like Rolls-Royce in the world a Vice-Chancellor has to lead, We continue development of a ‘Factory of the Future’, but a great leader also needs a great or those between the Informatics team united in common purpose, and to be a force Collaboratory of the Social Sciences and the University is built on outstanding the Institute for Public Policy Research, efforts by many talented and hard- for good. or the University and the British Library. working individuals.” ‘’ www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 9 Feature

Rising to the challenge

Environmental research at the University contributes to the global change research agenda.

Ice breaking off a melting glacier.

Sheffield is one of the UK’s leading universities involved in environmental The results of our research are research, attracting annual funding of over £13m for this field alone. The already influencing new technologies, Environment Division, representing policy and practice. 13 academic departments, is the focus for this work, of which global change research is a substantial element. solutions to climate change. Professor Expert Panel on Ozone Depletion, and Professor Malcolm Press introduced his three point the House of Lords inquiry into water Press, Director strategy – Research, Education and management in Britain. of Research, Translation – into the debate. Environment Division, “As regards education, climate change, and Head of the “Our research at the University is environmental change and sustainability Department of Animal innovative, diverse and interdisciplinary. are relevant across the University. An Professor and Plant Sciences, is‘Our conservation biologists work in understanding of these issues could be Malcolm Press. clear that discussions collaboration with economists, a distinctive element of the knowledge of global change psychologists and mathematicians. and transferable skills acquired by our should permeate the University: “It’s my Partnerships with business and industry graduates. And, as a natural progression, view that every undergraduate should are critical to the transfer of research our graduates will act as informed take a module in global change, and knowledge; for example, the Rolls-Royce’ambassadors, influencing public opinion. that’s not just biology and geography University Technology Centre for students but students in all faculties Advanced Electrical Machines and Drives “And thirdly, translation. The results of from Engineering to Social Sciences to and the application of Unmanned Aerial our research are already influencing Arts – it’s relevant to everyone. We have Vehicles for environmental monitoring. new technologies, policy and practice. 25,000 students at the University and we Communicating our findings across should use this resource to take positive “Our research reputation means that the academic world and to the public action in protecting the environment.” we work with policy makers across the through events such as Sheffield Is My board, including the Intergovernmental Planet is ensuring that we contribute He was speaking during Sheffield Is Panel on Climate Change, the Millennium to the worldwide debate on My Planet Week 2007, a showcase Ecosystem Assessment, the Arctic climate change.” for regional manufacturers and Climate Impacts Assessment, the Arctic organisations involved in delivering Council of Ministers, the United Nations

10 | Your University 2007/2008 Feature

Key research strengths Sheffield hosts major The University has identified seven key strengths in climate change research and is concentrating endeavours in these areas: climate

Al Gore addressing change The past as the key to conserving species and habitats? the conference. conference the future The scale of our activities ranges The analysis of fossils to estimate from the gardens of Sheffield to mountains in Mongolia. Former US Vice President and ancient carbon dioxide concen- environmental campaigner Al Gore trations and their link to global www.sheffield.ac.uk/aps/research addressed an international audience of climate change. Using the past as 1,000 delegates at the Cooling the Planet a means of evaluating future Flooding: predicting and conference, the highlight of Sheffield Is projections. managing the risk My Planet Week. Organised by DLA Piper www.sheffield.ac.uk/aps/research Research developing flexible, in association with the University of adaptable approaches to Sheffield, Yorkshire Forward and Understanding the predicting and responding to Renaissance , the event carbon cycle flood risks. focused on ‘Climate Change – minimising We measure and model current http://pwg.group.shef.ac.uk the threat, maximising the opportunity’. and future movements of carbon Al Gore, whose documentary An to work out the influence of Sustainable buildings and cities Inconvenient Truth won an Oscar this emissions on global temperatures year, commented: “I am an admirer of the and vegetation patterns. The built environment accounts for approximately half the carbon vision and determination that has been www.sheffield.ac.uk/aps/research dioxide emitted by the UK – so demonstrated in Sheffield to take this how best can the construction issue on.” During his presentation he Polar Regions as critical sector rise to this challenge? confronted environmental issues in the ecosystems Studies include predicting current world today and their impact on global What happens at the poles is carbon emissions from buildings civilisation. and the deployment of renewable critical because of impacts on ice, He was joined on the stage in the energy technologies. release of greenhouse gases and University’s by Senator changes in ocean currents. We www.sheffield.ac.uk/architecture George Mitchell, DLA Piper global board also study the impacts of chairman, Housing Minister Yvette ultraviolet radiation on Technological solutions Cooper, former Home Secretary David ecosystems. Addressing technological Blunkett, Yorkshire Forward chief www.sheffield.ac.uk/aps/research measures to reduce the executive Tom Riordan and Teresa environmental impact of land, Hitchcock, UK national head of DLA Conserving biodiversity air and sea transport, which are Piper’s Safety, Health and Environmental How does climate change affect major contributors to global team. Deputy Prime Minister John biodiversity and the future warming and pollution. Prescott was a member of the audience. consequences for managing and www.sheffield.ac.uk/eee The University awarded honorary degrees to Al Gore and George Mitchell at the close of the conference.

George Mitchell (right) receives his honorary degree from the Vice-Chancellor.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 11 A panoramic view of Edale. Feature

1:100 Room 1:10,000,000 Room: sound and with model of video installation showing the proposals for Park Hill. Central room with interactive model. global reach of Sheffield.

The Long Blondes, the Sheffield band with the ‘glamorous punk’ image, and 500 bottles of Sheffield Kelham Island beer featured at the opening of the British submission, Echo City, at the 10th Venice Architecture Biennale. The theme of takes this international showcase for architecture, which attracted 150,000 visitors, was the interaction of architecture and social dynamics in the world’s major cities. Professor Till saw Venice off stiff competition from cities around the country to be invited to curate the exhibition by the . The Long Blondes. Credit for all images: British Council/Gareth Garner by storm The idea for Echo City came from a story about the decoy city built on the hills above Sheffield during the Second World War:

“The exhibition reflects what ‘Sheffield will be made and remade, out of light, out of sound, out of words, out Sheffield is rather good at of images, out of stuff. It will be a city that is here, nowhere, and everywhere. – being slightly maverick, Like an echo.’ energetic and creative. I The collaborators included the cream of Sheffield’s creative industries: wanted to present Sheffield • The Designers Republic (Ian Anderson, media designer) as a city which may not be • Encounters (Ruth Ben-Tovim, Trish O’Shea and Jim Previtt, cross-discipline the most distinguished artists) architecturally but has • Tim Etchells (writer and theatre director, Forced Entertainment) and Hugo Glendinning (photographer, Forced Entertainment collaborator) enormous humanity.” • The Illustrious Company (Martyn Ware, musician and sound engineer) Professor Jeremy Till, • School of Architecture (Professors Jeremy Till and Sarah Wigglesworth) Director of Architecture “We used Sheffield as a vehicle to push around wider ideas about cities and their social dynamics. In this way, it was an echo of many cities, buffeted by the social and technological forces of modernity. The exhibition had Sheffield at its heart, but was about much more than Sheffield; it was about any city,” explained Professor Till.

“An ‘urban catalogue’ was assembled in the four side rooms of the Pavilion, the composition of light, sound and images in each room reflecting urban experience at a particular architectural and social scale; either 1:1, 1:100, 1:10,000 or 1:10,000,000. The central room was a dynamic interactive space in which visitors created their own version of Sheffield – an Echo City.

“It was a fantastic experience to represent Britain at the show and we generated a lot of interest and public participation. The exhibition was also a visible example of the relationship between the University and the city, and I believe we proved that Professor Jeremy Till. Sheffield is worthy to be on the international stage.”

12 | Your University 2007/2008 Profile

Dr Gill Samuels Originally from Lancashire, Gill Samuels read Physiology at the University of Sheffield, graduating in 1966. She completed a PhD in experimental neuropharmacology at the and began her long association with pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer in 1978. In her early years with the company, she worked on several drugs Scientist on including Cardura and Istin, which are used to treat high blood pressure and angina. As Director of Cardiovascular Biology she was a mission a member of the team that created Viagra. Pharmaceutical scientist Dr Gill Samuels CBE was part of In 1995 she became Director of Science Policy and Scientific Affairs, the team that discovered Viagra. This Sheffield graduate working with such institutions as the is now recognised for her crusade as a science advocate. British government and the World Health Organisation (WHO). She retired from Pfizer in 2005 and now sits on several boards and She spoke to Miles Stevenson, “I’m the Chair of the Cheltenham advisory committees, including the Director of Development, about Science Festival which was set up in WHO and the Biosciences Futures sharing her passion for science part to challenge the stereotype of a Forum. She is Chair Elect of the with the wider public. science festival. In effect it’s an arts Foundation Council of the Global festival for science. We aim to get the Forum for Health Research. “It’s huge fun being a scientist. For me great scientific names to give talks and it has provided an entrée into lots of engage in organised and impromptu She was made a CBE in 2002, areas – bench work, the socio-political discussions with the general public. The received one of the CBI’s inaugural arena with governments, NGOs and festival is the human face of science, First Women Awards in 2005 and an multilateral organisations like the WHO, because science is about people and for honorary degree from the University combating world diseases, arts and people. Another festival objective is to of Sheffield in 2006. science projects, communications. I am identify and encourage new young committed to enfranchising the public science communicators, which we on matters scientific. do via FameLab, a national speaking competition sponsored by the National “There are many challenges facing us Endowment for Science, Technology all – both nationally and globally – from and the Arts. pandemic flu to climate change. Science can play a major role in addressing “I’ve been working with the Department these issues but only with the active of Defence Studies at Kings’ College support of society in general. to develop Lodestar, a war Therefore, scientists really do need to game programme which provides a understand and commit to a different, navigational aid for choppy waters and more productive and enabling way of difficult conditions. We plan to run the engaging with people who don’t have a game with 14-16-year-olds and get them science education, who are afraid of to navigate through changing science science and may even condemn it. and politics up to 2015 to deliver the health aspects of the millennium development goals. I am committed “For me, science is a great springboard and platform. Science is an enabler – to enfranchising the French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said, “Our job is the public on not to foresee the future, but to enable it.” That is what science

matters scientific. is all about.” Dr Gill Samuels. ‘ ’ www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 13 Feature

A group of Centenary Bursary recipients with Miles Stevenson (top left) and Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Micheline Beaulieu (standing by the handrail, fourth from top). Five years on

Miles Stevenson, Director information about our alumni, based on to 120,000 people, and via our information received and processed e-bulletins. Letting us have your current of Development, reflects from more than 30,000 questionnaires. email address will ensure that we can on the University’s We have also created an excellent occasionally send you news about website where alumni can update their University developments – for example commitment to alumni details online, download copies of Your we emailed 40,000 alumni a web link to relations. University magazine, read the latest a film of Sorby Hall’s demolition. And we news stories about the University, find will continue to organise a programme ‘lost friends’ through Sheffield Reunited, of events, especially in Sheffield and “I have an emotional attachment to our online alumni directory (where London which both have large alumni. They’ve been part of the more than 8,000 have already concentrations of our alumni. We are University community – and they are registered), or consult our events organising a major Reunion Weekend part of the family.” This is what Professor programme. (see page 31) in Sheffield in September Bob Boucher, the Vice-Chancellor, said 2007 and are encouraging alumni with when I was appointed in June 2002 to During the Centenary Year in 2005, the significant graduation anniversaries (60, set up the Development and Alumni University organised a full programme of 50, 40, 30, 25 years on) to come back to Relations Office (practically from events for alumni in the UK, the United Firth Hall to dine with University friends scratch). Five years on we have made States, the Caribbean and Asia. and see how the city has changed. huge progress, both with our alumni Thousands of alumni reconnected with relations programme and with our the University – and we sent a Centenary We have also made great progress with fundraising initiatives. This has been DVD to 25,000 alumni who couldn’t make fundraising – especially for projects made possible by the hard work of my it to one of our celebrations. which make a real difference to current committed team of professional, students. The funding of higher We are committed to sending our dedicated staff. education is changing and some graduates and friends news about the students do struggle to make ends meet. The keystone in our programme has University – through Your University We have already received more than £1m been the creation of a database with magazine, which is distributed annually in cash from individual supporters. We

14 | Your University 2007/2008 Feature

Alumni donations have enhanced the facilities in the new Information Commons.

The University's first library, housed in the rotunda, was funded by local philanthropist William Edgar Allen.

have used this to provide 100 Many are willing to take out a regular £1,000 can completely change scholarships for talented students who standing order with their bank so that someone’s life. need financial support. Capital projects we can create scholarships and we are So, please do keep in touch. Fill in the throughout the University campus have now able to recognise such donors alumni questionnaire, let us have your also benefited – from new computer through our new gift club, The Silver email address, come to events – and stations, to enhancing the facilities of Arrows Circle, which takes its name if you would like to help with our the new Information Commons building, from the arrows on the University’s fundraising campaigns, please consider to purchasing equipment to train coat of arms. Collectively these smaller making a donation. medical students. And we have gifts are making a huge impact. The distributed £100,000 through the generosity of our alumni is quite Visit our website Alumni Foundation to support student outstanding, and very humbling. One shy www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni music, sport, drama, volunteering donor said that he could only make a initiatives and Students’ Union clubs and “token, modest gift” – it turned out to Calendar of events societies. We have already received be £100,000! I was absolutely amazed. www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/events more than 3,400 donations via our annual fundraising campaigns and a further 1,250 people have contacted us to find out how to remember the Sheffield alumni University (which has charitable status) in their wills. These figures are dramatic are fiercely proud – and we have been hugely encouraged by the positive support we receive. of their University. The feedback I get from Sheffield alumni is that they are fiercely proud of Only a few of our donors are this their University and that their time here wealthy, but all of them are very was a life-changing experience. They generous and even small donations want to be kept informed about what is collectively add up to very large sums. happening here and they want to see their University flourish. An increasing The gratitude of our students to these number of alumni are getting donors is heartfelt. One recipient said involved by providing careers talks to me, “Your donors are so kind. I think and work shadowing and placement ‘that your office exists to make people The brochure opportunities for our students. happy.” It’s amazing how a grant of advertising the Silver Arrows Circle. ’ www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 15 Cover story

A dramatic return Comedian and actor Eddie Izzard could lay claim to the title of most famous ex-student not to graduate from the University of Sheffield. All that changed on 19 July 2006, when he received an honorary doctorate before an audience of Members of the Alternative Productions Society receiving the ‘Students on Stage Award’, jointly sponsored delighted graduands. in 1983 by Cosmopolitan magazine and Lloyds Bank. Eddie Izzard is on the left.

Eddie Izzard first came to the University remembers, “It was a bit of a nightmare, and television acting has seen him in 1980 to study Accounting and the challenges we were set. Eddie and work with some of the top directors Financial Management, Economics and his mate Rob Ballard were always and actors. He was in the middle of Pure Mathematics – allegedly because pushing the envelope as far as possible.” filming The Riches, a TV series for it had the longest title in the UCCA FX Channel with Minnie Driver as his handbook. “I was born in Yemen, then I Comic reviews such as Sherlock Holmes co-star, when he flew into the UK for was in Northern Ireland, then I was in Sings Western and a five-person re- the graduation ceremony. The film South Wales so I’d really seen a lot of enactment of Ben Hur were just two of Ocean’s 13, in which he plays Roman places. And then I’d been in the south the highlights of Eddie’s creative career Nagel, was released in June this year. for 11 years and I thought I did want to in Sheffield. He took a show to the go somewhere north,” he said. “I could Edinburgh Festival in 1981, which he Eddie has a long-standing interest add up and I wanted to do a course that has described as being the start of a in current affairs and is an ardent I could just do while I concentrated on learning curve on what makes people European, appearing on Newsnight my shows. laugh. After several stamina-building and Question Time to discuss the years as a street performer he became virtues of the single currency and “So I got here and I didn’t do anything a stand-up comic, inspired by Monty European integration. He has also used the first term, but after that I did a Python, Richard Pryor and early Benny his talents to raise awareness and funds show the second term and a show the Hill. His first stage appearance as a for his two favourite charities, Amnesty third term, and then they threw me out, comic was at the Comedy Store in 1987, International and the Prince’s Trust. and I just did loads of shows and slept and within six years he had won a on people’s floors and worked out that British Comedy Award for Live at the Having left the world of accountancy I was going to tell everyone that I was a Ambassadors, with another following in long ago, he now acknowledges that transvestite and that was good, that was 1996 for Definite Article. His appearance some of the course might have rubbed in Sheffield.” in Dress to Kill, shown on HBO, earned off: “I own copyright on all my DVDs him two Emmy Awards in 2000 for which hardly anyone has, apart from He established the award-winning performance and writing. Lucille Ball. But from my very first Alternative Productions Society which stand-up video I refused to give the put on cabaret-style events, poetry His real dream was to act, and soon rights to anyone, which was an excellent readings, dance and travelling theatre those chances came along with offers of accountancy decision. So maybe I got shows: “There was a lot of great energy parts in theatrical and film productions. something out of it.” coming out of the University at that His stage portrayal of Brian in Peter time and I was aware of people like Nichols’ black comedy A Day in the Life He came to the ceremony with his Stephen Daldry and Linda Smith putting of Joe Egg won him critical acclaim father, Harold John Izzard. When asked on some amazing stuff. They were a bit including a nomination for a Tony Award why he accepted the honorary degree, older than me but I wanted something in 2003. Other stage credits include Eddie said, “Well, as much as anything I of that. In a sense I did my own degree.” David Mamet’s The Cryptogram and did it for my father who wanted me to Reuben Grocock of the Drama Studio Marlowe’s Edward II. A move into film have a degree after 25 years.”

16 | Your University 2007/2008 Cover story

I didn’t do anything the first term, but after that I did a show the second term and a show the third term, and then ‘they threw me out. ’

www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 17 Feature

Renaissance Sheffield

The city centre is the re-establish Sheffield’s reputation as a tiveness and winning a place amongst thriving location in which to live, work the leading cities in Europe. Creative focus of one of the and do business,” says Andy Topley, Sheffield is not simply Sheffield One in a UK’s most ambitious Chief Executive, Sheffield One. new guise, but a significantly larger body “Everything is moving ahead with with a much broader and even more regeneration programmes. increasing pace. The trends for challenging role, that of bringing about investment activity and values, office the city’s economic transformation. Step off the train at rentals, private and public sector One of the agency’s first tasks will be and walk through the new concourse confidence, speculative development, to develop a City Wide Economic out into Sheaf Square, with its lettings, retail footfall, and the city Masterplan, which will provide a unified 90-metre-long Cutting Edge steel centre population are all pointing firmly strategic framework for the economic sculpture, dramatic water features and upwards and, according to market and physical development of Sheffield innovative lighting. This space is the start indicators, will continue to rise.” over the next ten to fifteen years.” of the award-winning Gold Route, up A partnership of Sheffield City Council, www.creativesheffield.co.uk Howard Street, via Millennium Square Yorkshire Forward and English and the , to Barker’s Pool. Partnerships, Sheffield One, along with Immediately you are aware that Sheffield Sheffield First for Investment, was city centre is undergoing a dramatic integrated into Creative Sheffield in process of change and development, April 2007. This broader-based, city- Sheffield city a process which started in 2000. wide economic development company The Sheffield Station Gateway is one of is the first of its kind in the UK. centre is the Magnificent Seven projects led by Ian Bromley, Chief Executive, Creative undergoing a Sheffield One, the urban regeneration Sheffield, explains, “We are responsible company which has now reached the for transforming Sheffield’s economic dramatic process end of its designated lifespan. “During performance, delivering city competi- our seven years of operation the look of change and and feel of the city centre have been dramatically altered, helping to ‘development. ’

The Town Hall rising above the Peace Gardens.

18 | Your University 2007/2008 Feature

The Magnificent Seven City Hall & Barker’s Pool Two of the Magnificent Seven projects The principal elements of this project Spread across three adjacent sites in the are now complete – City Hall & Barker’s are complete – the refurbished City Hall Sheaf Valley, next to Sheffield Station, Pool and Sheffield Station Gateway; and the transformation of Barker’s Pool this development comprises a city centre three – Heart of the City, Castlegate and with dramatic fountains, seating and business park for pioneering and the Integrated Transport Strategy – have trees. The surrounding public areas, innovative digital, ICT, wireless seen delivery of major elements with the including Leopold Street, are in the multimedia and software companies next phases either underway or due to process of being developed. The of all sizes. start in 2007; and the remaining two Leopold Square scheme, featuring projects – Sheffield Digital Campus and Grade II listed Victorian school Sheffield Station Gateway the New Retail Quarter – have planning buildings, combines loft-style This is a key component of Sheffield’s approval. apartments with a boutique hotel, regeneration. The £60m project has seen cafe-bars and restaurants. the transformation of the station and its Heart of the City environs into a world-class gateway to the This flagship project incorporates top Castlegate city and South Yorkshire. grade offices, new civic spaces, a This project involves the redevelopment prestigious hotel, residential units, of the markets to create a mixed-use Integrated Transport Strategy leisure facilities and a range of cafes, scheme and utilise the Broad Street The whole public transport system is in restaurants and specialist shops. The and Sheaf Market sites for major new the process of being upgraded and public works element of the £200m office developments. The indoor refocused. The access system in and scheme – the Peace Gardens, market will be relocated to The Moor. around the city centre is being developed Millennium Galleries and Winter Garden, Initial development includes an to create a user-friendly, efficient, all multiple award-winners – forms the £80m scheme for the Broad Street/ integrated public and private transport backdrop for the commercial Exchange Street site, including office network. Projects include the development, St Paul’s Place. City Lofts accommodation, hotel, multi-storey car remodelling of the Central Interchange St Paul’s, the 32- and 9-storey Conran- park and leisure and retail units. and the final phase of the Northern Inner designed residential towers, will add a Relief Road, opening in summer 2007. new landmark to the city skyline by 2010. New Retail Quarter Planning permission has been granted for this £500m development of shops (including a new and bigger John Lewis store), apartments and leisure attractions between Barker’s Pool, Pinstone Street and Moorhead. The aim is to re-establish the city centre as a regional shopping destination. The award-winning Millennium Galleries. The renovated City Hall.

The Cutting Edge sculpture at the entrance to the station. Credit and copyright for all images: Laurance Richardson all images: Laurance for and copyright Credit

www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 19 People

Once students, now staff With 10% of its workforce being Sheffield graduates, just what are the attractions of the University to its employees?

Rosie Valerio Dr Jonathan Rayner (BA 1979), Director of (BA 1989, PhD 1994), Human Resource Reader, School of Management English Literature, Language and “I’m from Sheffield, and came Linguistics back 15 years after graduating as a mature student. It is a “I taught film studies very different experience to in the Division of Adult be part of the administration Continuing Education – you have no idea how the while studying for my PhD. place runs when you are a I then spent time teaching student! Many of the staff at Portsmouth, North East who taught me were still Wales Institute and here, which was a lovely surprise and added to the sense Sheffield Hallam before returning here in 2001. I consider of belonging, not just to the city but also to the University. myself extremely lucky. The students are great and I research and teach in areas that really interest me. I’ve “This is the third largest employer in the city, with over 6,000 recently worked with the National Maritime Museum at staff, so there is a reasonable expectation that we will attract Greenwich, looking at films and the history of the navy. our own graduates. It is also a very good employer with There is a collegiate atmosphere here. Even though the favourable terms and conditions. As a senior woman, I was English School is huge, it still feels friendly and delighted that the University was named in The Times as one enthusiastic.” of the top 50 companies where women want to work, and Opportunity Now recognises us as one of its Gender, Equality and Diversity Exemplar Employers. It’s still great being back here, and I love the challenges and excitement of working Jackie Harrison with so many talented individuals.” (PhD 1996), Professor of Public Communication, Tom Rhodes Department of (BA 1992), Assistant Journalism Studies Registrar, Teaching and Learning “I’ve spent my whole career at the University; Support Unit (TLSU) it’s like a second home. I “The University set up a started as a secretary in Graduate Traineeship Molecular Biology and Scheme in 1993. I got one of Biotechnology, went to Sheffield Hallam to do my the six places and started first degree, came back as an administrator and then work as an administrator. I decided to do a PhD in broadcast news. I was appointed as was obviously in the right a researcher in the new journalism department and have place at the right time. I was steadily progressed, becoming a professor in 2005. offered a permanent post and my career progressed quickly. I now manage the I love Sheffield. The quality of life is fantastic. I can walk to Programme Development and Review Section within the work and my office is just a few minutes from the city TLSU. I’m very happy here; it is an interesting and stimulating centre. I’ve had great mentors and guides and I’ve got to place to be. I also love Sheffield itself which helps me to know so many people – the University is like a village within achieve a good work/life balance.” the city.”

20 | Your University 2007/2008 Profile

Fruits of success

As the nation’s health drive continues, one Sheffield alumnus is reaping the benefits of the push for ‘five portions a day’. Claire Rundström, Development Manager for Alumni Relations, investigates.

project from the start, helping to my kitchen table we’re now a global fund the first two stores, at Stansted company, which is hilarious and Airport and Bluewater. something I find hard to believe. John Heseltine. Seeing the physical form of some Following major investment in the crazy idea I had, seeing my logo, company by Tom Singh of New Look, my design produced and people Lovejuice is the creation of John further branches opened at Manchester actually believing in it Heseltine. In just three years he has built and Gatwick Airports, along with Brent is amazing.” the brand into the country’s leading Cross and thecentre:mk. John says, “In chain of juice bars. Eight are already the beginning of 2006 we wanted to established in airports and shopping grow to 60 stores in two years so we malls, with the prospect of a further had to raise more money. This we did 100 sites in the UK, together with through Smedvig Capital which invested franchises in the Middle East, India £2.3m.” Sheffield’s Meadowhall was and South East Asia. then added to the list of sites.

After graduating in Landscape Design He believes the design skills he gained and Plant Science in 1996, John at the University gave him the edge completed a Masters degree at Harvard when it came to selling his University. There he studied with top idea. “I started my designers including Sir Norman Foster business by designing the and Philippe Starck. He even had logo first and the stores. the opportunity of dinner with This helped, because you can Richard Branson. present something more tangible than figures to the decision makers. I got the first site at Stansted in 2003 Seeing my logo this way. I spent a month living in a van outside the airport and on the first day produced and had to dash to Tesco, having run out of people actually oranges after only two hours.” John is now a non-executive director believing in it is of Lovejuice and is pursuing new ideas under the umbrella of The Hez Group. amazing. He is about to launch a range of bottled alcoholic organic fruit juices called Jucifer, together with Nectar, the Inspired by Jamba Juice, a huge juice non-alcoholic version. Then there’s a bar company in the USA, he returned deal to establish a range of crêpe bars home, believing he could achieve similar and bring Lovejuice to the high street. success in the UK. Fellow Sheffield ‘alumnus, Phil Hall (BA 1996) was also John is still coming to terms with his impressed by the idea – he backed the success: “From initial scribbles at ’ www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 21 Feature

A meeting of minds

With the UK’s largest Professor Geof Tomlinson, Pro Vice- Chancellor for Research and Director dedicated multidisciplinary of North Campus, gives an insight into research facility on the developments on the North Campus. North Campus, the Your University: What’s special University is investing about the North Campus? heavily in its world leading Professor Tomlinson: The investment by the research in convergent University of over £20m, supported by the Science Research Investment Fund, in the technologies. creation of this campus has allowed us to Professor Geof Tomlinson. bring together researchers across the scientific, engineering and medical departments to co-locate here as teams. The result is the encouragement of expertise transfer and faster research breakthroughs with particular strengths in the convergence of engineering and life-science research.

What are the main buildings on the campus? The Kroto Research Institute, which provides facilities for researchers from 20 or so different disciplines across the sciences, engineering and medicine, as well as the Sorby Centre for Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis. And the Nanoscience & Technology Centre, which also houses the EPSRC National Centre for III-V Technologies and the North Campus business incubator, the Kroto Innovation Centre.

What is the remit of the Kroto Innovation Centre? An investment of over £2m, supported by the European Regional Development Fund, provides state of the art facilities and support for high-tech businesses in the region. We offer a flexible combination of business incubator offices, product test laboratories and access to one of the UK’s largest semiconductor cleanrooms, together with business support services. The facility is proving highly attractive to high-technology start-up businesses with initial tenants from sectors including third-generation mobile phones and automotive sensors. We The world’s first ‘Giant Buckyball’ sculpture stands outside the Kroto Research Institute. Scaled up so that one metre of the sculpture represents one nanometer in the molecular world, the sculpture (which is one welcome approaches from alumni who wish thousand million times larger than the molecule itself), represents a pure carbon cage fullerene. Professor to assess the possibilities of locating their Sir shared the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of this new form of carbon, known as ‘buckyballs’. The sculpture is sponsored by an alumnus of the University and his wife (Dr Jack businesses here. and Annetta Horwitz Kushner). www.krotoinnovation.com

22 | Your University 2007/2008 Feature Credit: Dr Anthony Bullock. Credit:

Professor Sir Harry Kroto with the Buckyball sculpture. Colonies of epithelial cells growing on polystyrene fibres. The North Campus.

North Campus research themes and engineering. The Sorby Centre has one of the UK’s largest www.sheffield.ac.uk/northcampus ranging from microscopic bacteria concentrations of electron to macroscopic catchment areas. microscopes, providing a focus for Semiconductor nanotechnology Research at Sheffield has shown that academic and industrial research into As host of the EPSRC National Centre natural attenuation – decomposition interfaces – zones that can for III-V Technologies, the University of organic pollutants by subsurface dominate a material’s behaviour has the UK’s most extensive biodegradation – offers a lower cost (Professor Mark Rainforth). experience of developing compound and less disruptive solution for

semiconductors for lasers, light restoring contaminated land and Tissue engineering and modelling

emitting diodes, solar cells and mobile groundwater (Professors David Lerner Research uses a patient’s own cells to phone networks (lead researchers: and Steve Banwart). grow restorative tissue, overcoming Professors Peter Houston and the shortages of donor organs. Clinical Maurice Skolnick). Recent Future generation materials trials have been undertaken on a achievements include high efficiency Materials that display unusual number of products, the first of which solar cells and cost breakthroughs in behaviours are harnessed to benefit is in commercial production. Extensive lasers for telecommunications and automotive, aerospace and experimental development is medical diagnostics. Extensive manufacturing industries. Research enhanced by powerful computer research is also conducted into modifies these materials at all scales models of the self-organising

development of these devices using from nanoscopic to macroscopic, behaviour of the tissue’s cells low-cost polymer materials (Professor offering components that are part of (Professors Sheila MacNeil and David Lidzey). The inclusion of carbon the structure and also provide sensing Rod Smallwood). fullerenes offers an exciting increase or actuation. Costs are reduced in polymer material performance. through increased use of composite Virtual reality High performance sensors are being materials (Professors Geof Tomlinson Virtual reality provides a powerful created through research into and Costas Soutis). means of recreating and accessing nanomagnetism (Professor environments for scientists and Mike Gibbs). Nanocharacterisation and engineers. From miniscule molecules ‘ nanomanipulation to the vast cosmos, virtual reality ‘ Environmental engineering science Viewing and manipulating samples at allows improved understanding and The behaviour of groundwater, soil extremely high spatial resolution is of stimulates new insights (Dr Daniela and pollutants is studied at scales fundamental importance to science Romano).

“During a lifelong career in “A key feature of the Kroto Research Institute is the science I have benefited greatly interface between engineering applications and research from close multi-disciplinary in the pure sciences. Within a year, these different collaboration. Such collaboration disciplines were being joined up in ways we couldn’t promotes new insights and imagine before, with new proposals already being funded. fosters new approaches which Perhaps the greatest strength of this interdisciplinary accelerate research dynamics. environment is that by mixing excellent scientists and I believe it is the right way engineers from many disciplines, we somehow manage to to approach the emerging raise each other’s game. I think this occurs nanometer scale landscape because collectively we ask questions, test our of materials science which is ideas and propose research methods in ways inherently multi-disciplinary.” that we wouldn’t dream up in isolation.”

Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Harry Kroto Professor Steve Banwart, Department of Civil and (BSc 1961, PhD 1964, DSc 1995) Structural Engineering

‘ ‘ www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 23 Convocation

A special welcome to every new Convocation graduate.

This has been a good year for Convocation. We completed an agreement for the Sheffield University‘ Association of Former Students to join us, bringing their experience of arranging social events and visits to new buildings in the University and elsewhere. We both gain from this. A visit to Information Commons, new home of the undergraduate library, is planned for the 2007 long vacation.’ Convocation’s unique role is to take part in University governance. We appoint 40 members to the University Court, the annual meeting of the University’s stakeholders. Reports on new policies, as well as learning, teaching and research from the past year, here reach the public domain for discussion. Questions asked by our members this year are quoted on our website, along with the answers. These will give you a sense of the issues that concern us, though we take an interest in other matters including employment opportunities for students and student affairs.

Convocation continues to work with the Development and Alumni Relations Office and we are developing stronger ties with the Students’ Union. We are helping to fund Standing Up For Students, the centenary history of the Union written by Dr Helen Mathers, author of Steel City Scholars. Next year we expect to part-fund the refurbishment of the Union’s media centre with its new radio station and newspaper office.

This page is for all our members, but there is a special welcome to every new graduate. Congratulations on obtaining your degree, which has given you a great foundation for the rest of your life. You automatically became a member of Convocation as you graduated – although you may not have realised this in the excitement of the ceremony.

For new graduates and for all our members, our revised website will keep you up to date with what we (and the University) are doing. Notice of our Annual General Meeting held in the spring, visits, stories of graduates who are in the news and University achievements are posted here. If you would like to get involved in what we do, the website is the place to start.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/convocation

Then and now … The Library as it was when housed in the rotunda, with a central control desk from which reading bays radiated. Today, the newly opened Information Commons provides students David Bradshaw with ‘More than a library, more than a study space, more than an IT centre’. Chairman of Convocation Email: [email protected]

24 | Your University 2007/2008 Feature

At the cutting edge of industry The announcement of the £14m ‘Factory of the A national exemplar Future’ as part of the University’s Advanced of environmentally Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing means broader scope for exploring novel friendly building manufacturing themes and technologies. design.

The Factory, due for completion by gone to developing economic regions,” guests at the new building’s dedication early 2008, will house the latest says Professor Keith Ridgway, ceremony on 6 March 2007. Using manufacturing equipment and state of Research Director. Sheffield-made shovels, the two the art production capabilities. These aerospace leaders buried a time capsule will enable companies to trial new The AMRC’s prime partners include the that contains items from the Factory’s manufacturing technologies in a full- world’s leading aircraft manufacturer partners. They then planted two gingko the Boeing Company, aero-engine ‘ scale commercial production facility trees, symbolising the environmental before making significant and high-risk manufacturer Rolls-Royce, and landing sustainability of the Factory and the investment decisions. gear manufacturer Messier-Dowty. The legacy of high quality education and demand for safe, low-cost, lightweight knowledge generation at the University Funding for the project comes from components in aerospace requires that of Sheffield. Yorkshire Forward (£6.5m), European the best manufacturing technology be Objective 1 (£3m), the University of used in order to develop top quality “We are creating a centre that will be a Sheffield and AMRC partner companies. products to market as quickly as national ’exemplar of environmentally The Factory is a key development in possible. The Factory is expected to friendly building design,” says Professor ongoing work to apply world-class attract further investment partners and Ridgway. “Having a zero carbon footprint engineering expertise to real so build on the region’s international is an ambitious but realisable goal, manufacturing challenges. “The AMRC reputation for manufacturing accomplished by incorporating the latest was cited by a government White Paper excellence. in green energy technology such as our as an example of how universities can 60-metre wind turbine for generating work with business and government Barton Moenster, Director and power, temperature control by using to create cutting edge companies. Functional Technology Leader of the natural heating and cooling vents, and Our team have developed new Advanced Manufacturing Research and below ground water heating technology. manufacturing techniques that have Development team in the Boeing We are raising the bar for everyone to resulted in a performance ‘step change’ Phantom Works, and Colin Smith, Rolls- re-examine not only their energy – bringing in commercial orders to Royce Engineering and Technology consumption, but also their energy the region that would otherwise have Director, joined over 60 AMRC staff and generation.”

Professor Keith Ridgway. Artist’s impressions of the Factory of the Future. Barton Moenster, Director, and Functional Technology Leader of Credit: Bond Bryan Architects. the Advanced Manufacturing Research and Development team in the Boeing Phantom Works, and Colin Smith, Rolls-Royce Engineering and Technology Director, with the time capsule.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 25 People In the spotlight

Paul Kathryn Rod Aaron Evans Jones Gammons After Nature is the title of a solo Kathryn Jones (BSc 1976) is Team Playing live in front of thousands of exhibition of paintings and drawings by Leader for the Democratic Republic people one week and attending Business Paul Evans (BA 1983). Dynamic, abstract of the Congo (DRC) and Burundi in Studies lectures the next. This is how images of waterfalls contrast with the Office of Operations of the UN’s singer/songwriter/producer delicate drawings in watercolour and Department of Peacekeeping Rod Aaron Gammons graphite of cell structures. They will Operations (DPKO). Based in New has juggled his time be on display in the Cupola Gallery, York, the major focus of her work is to since starting his Sheffield, in September 2007. The show provide political guidance to MONUC, degree. Now is an opportunity to see the work of an the UN’s peacekeeping operation in a final-year artist described as ‘one to watch out the DRC. student on track for’ by the Guardian. for a First, he During 2006, 25 million voters has already Paul studied philosophy at participated in the first democratic released one the University followed elections in some 40 years. MONUC single, A Forgotten by a fine art degree played a central role in supporting the World, with another a decade later at organisation of this process. Kathryn on the way. Sheffield Hallam. also coordinates the police and human In between, he rights components of MONUC’s “Whilst studying for my degree, spent time rock- 17,400-strong military forces; and she I’ve also built up a reputation around climbing, working works closely with colleagues from Sheffield, had my record played on the as a merchant international partner organisations BBC and performed to over 3,000 people seaman and as such as the World Bank, International in Glasgow for a tour organised by an archaeological Monetary Fund and the Rimmel London, Sugar Magazine and technician at the European Union. Popworld Promotes. My degree has University of Neuchâtel, been vital in bringing out my “My team is Switzerland. “I came to fine art by the entrepreneurial skills – I do all my now focusing back door, having produced cartoon own promotion and marketing, on supporting strips for On the Edge magazine. A as well as managing sales and MONUC as it career as a graphic artist followed. distribution. The Union has helps the new I left my post as creative director of given me a forum to play my government Sheffield based company Vertebrate music, my personal tutor has in addressing Graphics in 2005 to take the plunge offered constant encouragement the daunting and make my living as an artist. and the University print service challenges has been an excellent resource for “My style is abstract, but based on ahead, including my promotional material. Music is powerful, iconic images. Drawings from restructuring the armed my form of creative expression and I’m these provide a graphic framework for forces, protecting human rights, holding really looking forward to seeing what the the paintings, around which I build a local elections and promoting good future holds.” structure of luscious brushstrokes and governance and economic and social opulent colour.” development. We are facing a whole Visit Rod’s website at new set of challenges in helping the www.myspace.com/rodaarongammons, www.pkevans.co.uk Congolese people fulfil their hopes for or download his single from Itunes, peace, stability and democracy. It’s HMVdigital.com, Tescodownloads.com seeing our contribution start to amount or Woolworths.co.uk and listen to this to something positive that makes my ‘potential new David Gray’ (Popworld work all the more worthwhile.” Promotes).

26 | Your University 2007/2008 People

Dr Vanessa Professor Alexzandra Toulmin Sir Gareth Hildred Five years’ research by Dr Vanessa A love of diving and Toulmin (BA 1988, PhD 1997), of Roberts archaeology combined the National Fairground Archive, perfectly when culminated in the publication of Electric Professor Sir Gareth Roberts (DSc Alexzandra Hildred Edwardians: The Story of the Mitchell 2002), who was Vice-Chancellor of the (BA 1978) joined the and Kenyon Collection (BFI Publishing University of Sheffield from 1991 to 2000, staff of the Mary Rose 2006). The book complements a series died on 6 February 2007, aged 66. Sir Trust in 1979. “I learnt of DVDs of these ‘local films for local Gareth was an enthusiastic promoter of to dive at the sub aqua people’ as well as over 100 shows that opening up higher education, especially club at Sheffield. I was Vanessa has curated across the UK, to young people with no background to involved with the Ancient Europe and the USA. encourage them, and was renowned as History Society and invited an energetic ambassador for the Dr Toby Parker, an expert on marine “The response to the films has been city of Sheffield. archaeology, to speak. That started fantastic. This is living history, a dynamic my interest in this field, which way of looking at Edwardian social Nationally his is very different to the history. I’m now developing the process influence was prehistory I studied for of working with a live audience by enormous. He was my degree. producing entertainment shows. These the driving force involve real acts, such as the human behind the setting “I was first appointed as PA ostrich, that link back to the collections up of the Dearing to Dr Margaret Rule, who led of the National Fairground Archive. Inquiry into the the project to excavate and Blackpool is the perfect place to do funding of higher raise the ship – one of Henry this, the home of the Winter Gardens education, was VIII’s warships – in 1982. I was and the Pleasure Beach. president of the on board every time she dived to Science Council and the wreck. I became a supervisor on “The archive itself is was on numerous national site involved with the salvage and opening its doors committees, including the prime recovery and then a co-head of to more visitors. minister’s Advisory Council on Science the Department of Research and We are based in and Technology. He was also chairman of Interpretation. As Curator – Ordnance the University the committee of Vice-Chancellors and I am now responsible for the collection Library and Principals from 1995 to 1997. of weaponry, which accounts for a a new quarter of the 19,000 objects found development is Sir Gareth arrived in Sheffield with an so far. a ‘front of house’ international reputation in physics and reading area engineering, having been a professor “We are fundraising to create a purpose opening in of electronic engineering at Oxford built museum around the ship. We hold December 2007. The University and Director of Research at one of the most important collections collection continues to Thorn EMI. His involvement in the life of of 16th-century objects anywhere in the grow – with over 80,000 images, in Sheffield and the region was extensive, world and they deserve to be displayed addition to audio and video material, particularly in the fields of health care and interpreted effectively.” journals and magazines, fairground and community regeneration. He was www.maryrose.org ephemera and nearly 3,000 a member of Sheffield Development monographs.” Corporation, Sheffield Health Authority and the Regional Development Agency www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk for Yorkshire and the Humber. He was knighted in 1997 for services to higher education.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 27 World News

Gl bal perspective

Alumni celebrations fundraising programmes in Africa. Nobel Laureate across ‘The Pond’ Philanthropy for universities is attends receptions developing across the continent; in April Over 80 alumni gathered in 2007 a delegation of administrators Nobel Laureate Dr Richard the grand surroundings of from Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Roberts was the special the Hyatt Roof Salon for an Uganda visited Sheffield to learn more guest at an alumni reunion alumni reunion in Toronto. about the work of the Development and held in Singapore. He spoke Co-host and guest speaker Dr Maureen Alumni Relations Office. about his experiences at Sheffield McTeer (MA 2003) welcomed her fellow and the benefits of staying in touch alumni to the event, which was the first and supporting the University. of its kind in Canada. We look forward Caribbean Dr Roberts also attended an alumni to building stronger Canadian links in gathering in Kuala Lumpur, organised the future. honorary degrees by the University in celebration of Malaysia’s 50th anniversary of Dr Maureen McTeer with the Vice-Chancellor. Nobel Laureate independence. The Vice-Chancellor Derek Walcott announced that the University has received an established the Dato Dr Ikmal Hisham honorary Albakri Scholarship Fund to help degree from Malaysian students study at Sheffield. the University Dato Dr Albakri (CertArch 1955, DipArch at a degree 1956, LittD 1992) was the University’s ceremony first Malaysian Architecture graduate. which took Contact the Singapore Alumni place in St Association at email Lucia. The Vice- [email protected] or visit Chancellor said, A group of US alumni enjoyed views of Derek Walcott. www.shefalumnisg.org. the Golden Gate Bridge as they joined “Derek Walcott Contact the University’s South East University representatives in San is the most Asia Office via [email protected]. Francisco. Hosted by the Vice- renowned and respected English- Chancellor, Professor Bob Boucher, speaking poet in the world today. It is and Nobel Laureate Dr Richard Roberts fitting that he received the award here (BSc 1965, PhD 1968, DSc 1994), the in St Lucia, land of his birth and a event brought together alumni from source of inspiration for so many of his across California and as far afield as wonderful works of poetry and drama.” A Cuban Kansas, Texas and Massachusetts. The Professor Boucher also awarded an perspective evening was a celebration of Sheffield’s honorary degree to cricketer Brian Lara An international ongoing links with the USA and the at a ceremony in Trinidad. One of the conference, success of the University of Sheffield in most gifted cricketers in the history of America fundraising campaign, which hosted by the game, Mr Lara is also Ambassador the Political has raised over $130,000 so far for for Sport for scholarships and campus developments. Economy the Republic of Research Centre Trinidad and Rene Mujica Cantelar, Cuban Ambassador to the UK. and the Tobago and has Department of established the Politics, attracted academics and charitable Pearl politicians to discuss ‘Social Democracy and Bunty Lara in the Post-Bipolar World’. The Cuban African links strengthened Foundation to Ambassador to the UK, Rene Mujica address health Miles Stevenson, Director of Cantelar, and Silvia Blanca Nogales, First and social care Secretary and Head of the Scientific and Development, spoke to over 100 issues. delegates at a fundraising conference Cultural Office at the Embassy of the held in Ghana in 2006 to encourage the Republic of Cuba, spoke on the current development of alumni relations and Brian Lara. social developments in South America.

28 | Your University 2007/2008 World News

Czech links the European Commission, following a such as the lion dance, live traditional strengthened competition between 2,500 higher Chinese music and band performances, education institutions. and performances of Beijing opera. Jan Winkler, the Ambassador Hongtao Guan from CSSA said, “We for the Czech Republic, visited Sheffield Dörte Stevenson, Socrates-Erasmus believe that our Chinese New Year gala to celebrate the University’s strong Institutional Co-ordinator, is keen to is not only an important cultural event, links with Czech institutions and to hear from Sheffield alumni about their designed to bring China’s unique encourage further international Erasmus experiences; email customs to Sheffield, but will also break research collaboration. He met staff [email protected]. down barriers and promote Chinese in the Department of Archaeology. students’ influence on University life.” The department, in collaboration with Moravské Zemské Muzeum in Brno, is Chinese Blades conducting research into the biological in town and cultural identity of Europe’s first Students from the University met star farmers. Mr Winkler also took part in players of the Chengdu Blades football a discussion with staff, students and team at . Chengdu Blades, members of the public on ‘The Czech a leading football club in China, is Republic and the EU: Three Years On’, closely associated with Sheffield United, which was chaired by Sheffield’s Lord who hold a majority share in the team. Mayor, Mrs Jackie Drayton. The special event was organised in celebration of this and the close ties The traditional lion dance in full flow. the University and the city already have with China. The students also met Sheffield United player Li Tie and Ding Junhui, China’s leading snooker player. Sheffield They also put questions to Chengdu remembered Blades’ Director Tony Xu and Head in UAE Coach Li Bin, as well as enjoying a full Chinese buffet and Tsingtao beer. Dr David Fletcher, the Registrar and Secretary, hosted a reception at the British Embassy in Dubai for 30 alumni and friends of the University living in the United Arab Emirates. Guests were Jan Winkler, the Ambassador for the Czech Republic, meets Sheffield students. joined by the artist Brendan Neiland and Hisham Al Madhloum, the Head of the Directorate of Art, Emirate Sharjah. Erasmus success The University is actively developing links with the UAE, and Dr Fletcher was The University of Sheffield delighted to meet so many alumni with is an active participant in fond memories of Sheffield. Erasmus, the European Commission’s education programme for higher The Chengdu Blades with University representatives. education students, staff and Brendan Neiland (left) with Hisham Al institutions. Many Sheffield students Madhloum. take the opportunity to spend some Chinese New Year time studying within the European celebrated in style Union; and in return the University welcomes more than 400 students The Sheffield Chinese each year from partner institutions. Students’ and Scholars’ Association These exchanges are an integral part (CSSA) organised a gala celebrating of course programmes and full Chinese culture and traditions in the academic recognition is given. Sheffield Octagon Centre to celebrate the start has been chosen to feature as one of 20 of the Chinese New Year. The evening Erasmus success stories in Europe by included Chinese dance performances

www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 29 Services

Alumni services and benefits The University of Sheffield offers a range of Services services and benefits exclusively to our alumni.

• Free annual Your University • Find a friend – if you’d like to get in • Alumni Travel Programme – magazine. touch with an old University friend, IMA Travel are offering alumni the we may be able to help. chance to go on some special tours • Sheffield Reunited – our online in 2008, with leading academics from alumni directory. • Sheffield Alumni Bulletin – regular the University. For further details e-newsletter with the latest news call 0208 940 4114, visit Reunions and events – we can help • and events. www.imatravel.com/sheffield/index you with your reunion, from offering or see the back cover of this advice on the type of event and – a stunning • weddings magazine. venues, to publicising the event and venue for your special day. Contact putting you in touch with old friends. Deborah Tilbrook or Katy Alcock for details on 0114 222 8991/8910. Benefits

Remember to keep your new of 38% off the standard double/twin Republic of Ireland call 1-800 55 31 55, membership card, enclosed with this room rate. Please email to book from Europe call issue of the magazine, to ensure you don’t [email protected] or call the hotel 0800 185 2428. Remember to miss out on a range of benefits. on 0114 278 2068 quoting ‘University quote ‘Exclusive Rate’. of Sheffield’. • Library services – the University • Cottages4U – alumni receive a 10% offers a free External Borrower Service The Marriott Hotel, Sheffield – discount on bookings with from the Main Library to alumni. alumni receive discounted room rates. Cottages4U. Please call 0870 192 1774 Please call the hotel on 0800 221222 and quote ‘SHEF10’. • Sports facilities – special discounted quoting ‘University of Sheffield’. membership rates are available for The Rutland Hotel, Sheffield – • Avis Rent A Car – Avis is offering alumni at all the USport sport facilities. alumni receive a discount rate of alumni preferential discounted car 20%. Please email rental rates worldwide. To book • IT discounts reservations@rutlandhotel- please call 0844 581 0136, quoting Viglen Sheffield Alumni Programme sheffield.com or call the hotel on your Discount Number AWD X225266. – Viglen are offering alumni discounts 0114 266 4411 quoting ‘University of on a wide range of their IT products. Sheffield’. • Students’ Union Lifetime Membership – for just £10 you can Please visit InterContinental Hotels Group – www.viglen.co.uk/specialoffers/sheffield top up your Alumni Membership Card alumni enjoy a 25% discount off bed & to give you lifetime membership of the or call 08705 386 386 quoting breakfast weekend stays at over 300 ‘ST015-S’. Students’ Union. This gives you life participating Crowne Plaza, Holiday access to the Union building and Inn and Express by Holiday Inn hotels • Hotel discounts facilities including club nights and throughout the UK, Europe and the bars, enables you to sign a friend into Mercure St Paul’s Hotel and Spa, Middle East. To book from the UK call the Union and you can join your Sheffield – alumni receive a discount 0870 400 8135, to book from the favourite Union society.

Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/services to keep up-to-date with the latest range of services and benefits available and for further details on all of the above. Remember – we can only keep you informed of what’s on offer if you stay in touch! So please keep us informed of your current address and email by completing the enclosed questionnaire, update online at www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/keepintouch or contact [email protected], tel: 0114 222 1079.

30 | Your University 2007/2008 Calendar Calendar07/08 of events The Alumni Relations The following events are planned for the forthcoming year: team organise a number of events • Alumni Anniversary Reunion, Saturday 8 September 2007 The first Sheffield Annual Alumni Reunion will take place this year. All graduates throughout the year. are welcome – especially those from the anniversary years of 1947, 1957, 1967, 1977 We can also help you and 1982. Activities during the day will be followed by a dinner in Firth Hall. plan and promote your Email [email protected] or call 0114 222 1043 for further details. own reunions and help • SUA North West Branch Annual Lunch, Sunday 30 September 2007, Old Hall Hotel, Buxton you trace friends from Please contact the Branch Secretary, Mrs Joan Evans, on 0151 334 1299 if you your time at the wish to attend. University. • Pop Tarts in London, October/November 2007 Get back to the good old student days with a cheesy Pop Tarts night to remember. Visit www.poptartslondon.co.uk. Our Reunions and Events section at www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/eve • SUA Annual Christmas Lunch, Saturday 1 December 2007, Tapton nts includes a guide on how to plan Masonic Hall, Sheffield a reunion. You can also add your Please contact Barry Sampson on 01909 567214 or email event online, so that we can promote [email protected]. it for you. We’d then like to hear how • Alumni Dinner, February 2008, London it went, so we can include a report Following on from the success of previous Alumni Dinners at the House of on the site. Commons, we are planning another occasion at a prestigious London venue. Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/events, email [email protected] or There are also links to the call 0114 222 1079. University’s Conference Office, who can help with booking • Convocation AGM and SUA Annual Dinner, Saturday 12 April 2008, accommodation or function rooms. Sheffield Visit www.conferencesheffield.com, Details to be confirmed – visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/convocation or contact email [email protected] Brian Wrigley, email [email protected] or call 0114 276 6166. or call 0114 222 8822. • Alumni Reception, May 2008, London If you do not have access to the We will be hosting a special reception for alumni who graduated in the last internet or email and would like to 15 years at a venue in London to be confirmed. Invitations will be sent out be informed of our alumni events, via email so please ensure we have your correct address. please contact us (on 0114 222 1079) • Department of Architecture 1958-1963, 45th Anniversary Reunion, and we will add you to our events June 2008, Dublin mailing list. Please contact Barry Wheat on 0114 289 0018 or email [email protected]. • Retired Staff Dinner, July 2008, Firth Hall, Sheffield Drinks reception in the Quadrangle (weather permitting!) followed by dinner in Firth Hall. If you’re a retired member of staff and would like to receive an invitation, please email [email protected] or call 0114 222 1079. • Alumni Anniversary Reunion, Class of 1948, 58, 68, 78 and 1983, 13 September 2008, Firth Hall, Sheffield If you’re from the class of one of these years, you’ll be celebrating 60, 50, 40, 30 and 25 years since completing your studies. We invite you to join us in Sheffield, catch up with old friends and see what new developments are taking place on campus. Celebrate in style with a drinks reception and dinner in Firth Hall. The fountain in the Quadrangle, Firth Court. Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/events for details.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 31 Alumni News

Your Notes and News

We are always interested to discover what our alumni To have the chance of appearing in Your Notes and News, please are doing now. Here is the latest news from a small complete the section on our online selection who have been in contact with us or we Update your Details form at www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/keepintouch have spotted in the press. or email [email protected] with the subject ‘Your Notes and News’. 1950s 1960s

Leo Soloman (BSc Mathematics 1952) Professor A former musical director of the (BSc Chemistry 1960) University Rag Show is now Chairman of Is the new President of the Royal the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Society of Chemistry and has been Youth Orchestra and musical director awarded a CBE for services to of GCDYO Swing Bands. polymer chemistry. An organic materials chemist, he is currently a Rag procession in 1953. Dr Alan Wood research professor at both Durham (BEng Civil University and Eindhoven University Engineering of Technology. 1955) Is behind the Psychology's first computer, the Elliot 903. Jack Burkitt (BEng Mechanical project to build Engineering 1963) the New Travelled to New Zealand to see a Fiona Martland (BSc Botany Brooklyn Bridge water turbine he worked on during a and Mathematics 1969) across the River year’s work experience at Markham Was awarded a Winston Churchill Don in Sheffield. and Co Engineers in Chesterfield in Travelling Fellowship in 2006 to Sir Frederick Holliday 1958. The turbine in Waipapa is still travel to China to look at school (BSc Zoology 1956) working today. and university education. The former Vice-Chancellor of and retired Chairman of Dr Hisham Tawfiq (BEng Northumbrian Water won the Lifetime Mechanical Engineering 1964, Achiever Award at the North East MEng 1967) Business Executive of the Year Awards. Is the Cultural Attaché for the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq Dr Jack Kushner (American Year in Canberra, Australia. Abroad student 1959-60) As a pioneering David Bland (PhD Economic neurosurgeon, Jack has History 1968) been honoured on many Is Master of the Company of occasions for his services Insurers in the City of London. to healthcare. But he He was previously the recently won a more University’s Dean of Social unusual feather Sciences and a to his cap; the Pro Vice-Chancellor. impressive title of ‘Best Newcomer’ at the World Dr Jack Dance-O-Rama Las Vegas. Kushner and dance partner. The under construction.

32 | Your University 2007/2008 Alumni News

1970s 1980s

The British Dr David Shaw premiere of Dr Cathryn Hickey Masaniello (BSc Geology 1973) Furioso by (BSc Chemistry 1981) Has been appointed to Reinhard Has been appointed as Keiser, 1973. the board of directors Operations Director of at Odyssey Resources SummitSkills, the Sector Ltd, a Canadian based Skills Council for the building junior mining company. services engineering sector.

Jon Bond (BA Professor John Marsh Architecture 1974) (PhD Electrical Is partner with Engineering 1983) John Bryan (BA Is the elected President for Architecture 1982) of 2007-08 of the IEEE Lasers and Bond-Bryan Architects, Electro-Optics Society. John is a Sheffield based practice involved with co-founder and Chief Technical much of the new development across the Officer at Intense Ltd and Professor Student rally, 1982. city, including projects for the University. of Optoelectronic Systems at the Dr Elizabeth (Tilli) Tansey University of fellow and lecturer (BSc Zoology 1974, PhD Zoology 1978) Glasgow. at the Open Has been elected a Fellow of the Academy University and of Medical Sciences. Chris Rhodes Adjunct Professor at Hon Dr Lowell Lewis (BSc Chemistry Washington State (MB ChB Medicine 1976) 1984) University, USA. Is Chief Minister of the Caribbean island Has held a of Montserrat. number of roles Caroline Stockdale with Alliance & (BA Politics 1987) Professor Paul Curran Leicester since The former Students’ (BSc Geography 1976) joining them in Union President (1985) Has been awarded the Patron’s Medal by 1988. He is is the Executive the Royal Geographical Society (with the currently their Vice-President of Institute of British Geographers). He is Managing Broomhill, bought byThe the Fox Union and inDuck 1988. in Global Human Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University. Director of Resources for Warner Retail Banking. Music in New York. Guy Thornton (BA Architecture 1977) Has been named a Senior Associate at the Chris Morton Simon Marsh (MA Town and New York office of international architects’ (BSc Psychology 1986) Regional Planning 1989) firm Brennan Beer Gorman Architects. A partner at Abbeydale Brewery in Is Head of Planning and Regional Sheffield, he competed in the Three Policy at the Royal Society for the Michael Lip Peaks Race, taking a barrel of Protection of Birds. (MA Landscape Architecture 1979) Abbeydale Moonshine to the top Is co-founder of Malik Lip & Associates, of Ben Nevis to raise money for the Wayne Garvie (PhD Economic a landscape architecture consultancy National Osteoporosis Society. and Social History 1989) and environmental planning company Is BBC Worldwide’s Director of in Malaysia. Craig Baxter (BSc Zoology 1986) Content and Production. He was Took part in a dramatisation of previously the BBC’s Head of Kevin Cox (BSc Chemistry 1979) a selection of Darwin-Hooker Entertainment. Is President of Avecia Biologics and letters at a Royal Society meeting. Chair of UK Trade and Investment's Biotechnology Dr Janet Sumner Dr Janet Sumner and Pharmaceuticals (BSc Geology Sector Advisory Group. 1987) Presented the Professor Gillian Bates BBC2 programme (BSc Genetics 1979) Nature’s Calendar Has been elected a Fellow in December 2006. of the Royal Society. She is a research Student protest, 1977. www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 33 Alumni News

1990s 2000s

Dr Nahi Yousif Yaseen Elizabeth Watts (BA Archaeology (PhD Virology 1990) and Prehistory 2001) Is the Director General and Professor Represented England in the 2007 Cardiff in Cancer Genetics at the Iraqi Singer of the World competition. The Centre for Cancer and Medical soprano was one of the 25 competitors Genetics Research. selected from more than 1,000 entrants.

Christopher Dingle Satsuki Fuji (BA Chinese Studies 2001) (BMus Music 1993) Satsuki Has recently had his book The Life Is working for the British Fuji. of Messiaen published. Christopher Education Office in Tokyo, is Assistant Course Director at responsible for developing Birmingham Conservatoire and a and supporting academic member of the review panel for St George's Library, opened in 1992. links and exchanges BBC Music Magazine. between Japanese and Dr Lisa Lilley (BEng Chemical UK institutions. Daniel Gordon (BA Modern Process Engineering 1995) Luke Howitson History and Politics 1994) Is F1 Project Manager for Shell (BA French Studies 2001) France responsible for the planning Has set up his own production Is International Business Development and logistics of getting their petrol company, Verymuchso. The film- Manager at information resource company maker has made three films about to the F1 race track. Lexis Nexis Martindale Hubble. North Korea including the award- winning The Game of Their Lives, Lucie Cave Dr Joseph Dervan (PhD Molecular about the North Korea football team (BA English Literature 1995) and Genetic Medicine 2002) who took part in the 1966 World Cup. Is a Feature Editor of Heat magazine. Has been promoted to the position of Director of Protein Chemistry at Protalex, Rachel Newsome Simon Roberts a biotechnology company. (BA English Literature 1994) (BA Geography 1996) Is Editor of the magazine Dazed and Is an award-winning photographer Anuj Khanna Confused. who recently published his first (MBA 2002) Firth Court at night. book Motherland, a photographic Is Marketing and Joel Firth (BA Architecture 1995) record of modern Russia following Communications Is Managing Director of Firth his year’s journey across the Director for the Associates, an architecture practice country. Netsize Group, a in Lytham, which designed the award- global wireless winning National Railway Museum in Angela Murray solutions enabler. Shildon. (BSc Psychology 1999) He was recently Has had her book, Through the appointed by the Eyes of a Street Child, pub- Mobile Data lished. She currently works Association as for Toybox, a Christian charity their Mobile Media working with Latin American Group Director. street kids. Tridivesh Singh Maini Paul Gill (BA Politics 2002) (MA Economics 1999) Has written a book, South Asian Works in the charity CAFOD’s Cooperation and the Role of the Punjabs, international office. He which has received a good response in recently ran in the Great India, Pakistan, the UK and USA. Ethiopian Run to raise Jemma Walton money for CAFOD. (BA English Literature 2003) Is now Feature Writer for the Peterborough Evening Telegraph and recently won the Feature Writer of the Year Award 2006 at New synthetic turf pitches installed in 1993/94. the Eastern Media Awards.

34 | Your University 2007/2008 Alumni News

The award- winning ICOSS building. Honours Sir Michael Holroyd (LittD 1993) Adrian Vinken Awarded a Knighthood for services (BA Philosophy 1975) Jamie Hodge to literature. Awarded a CBE for services to (BA Japanese the arts. Studies and Professor Jim Feast Politics 2004) (BSc Chemistry 1960) Dr Frank Neal Is the Events Awarded a CBE for services to (MB ChB 1950, MD 1996) Manager at polymer chemistry. Awarded an MBE for services to healthcare. the Fabian Provost Stephen Tomlinson Society. (MB ChB 1968, MD 1976) Dr Bernard Knowles Laurel Truscott (Diploma in Landscape Awarded a CBE for services to (BSc Geology 1956, DipEd 1960, Planning and Design 2005) medicine. PhD 1971) Is a landscape architect for LDA Design, Awarded an MBE for services to David Davies (BA Politics 1969) the community. London, and is currently working on the Awarded a CBE for services to sport. Thames Gateway project.

Richard Trueman (MEng Chemical Engineering 2005) Was named Best Chemical Engineering Student at the 2006 Science, Engineering and Technology awards. Obituaries Robert Arthur (BA Social and We have been informed of the Richard Mitchell (graduate, BEng Political Studies 2005) following deaths in the past Automatic Control and Systems Was awarded the University’s Chancellor’s year. Please contact Engineering 1988) Medal 2006 for his voluntary work as a [email protected] Peter Mottley (graduate, BA History student with the Sheffield Children’s with any enquiries. Project, helping children from and Philosophy 1960) Basil Deane, James Rossiter Hoyle disadvantaged backgrounds. Dr Francis Orton (LLD), Registrar Professor of Music 1968-1974 and Secretary 1978-1982 and a Claudia Albertini (MA Dr G Arthur Fieldsend (MB ChB member of staff from 1966 Advanced Chinese 1952), Chairman of Convocation Studies 2005) Professor Sir Gareth Roberts 1998-2002 Works in China for (DSc 2002), Vice-Chancellor 798 Space, the leading R Douglas Haigh (BEng 1936, MEng 1991-2000 (see page 27) contemporary arts 1937), Treasurer and President Jean Ruddock, Professor of venue in Beijing. of SUA’s North West Branch for Education 1982-1994 45 years (26 as President) Felicity Hay Meredith Thring, Professor of Simon Hallam (BA Journalism Fuel Technology and Chemical (graduate, BA Politics 1995) Studies 2006) Engineering 1953-1964 Was a triple winner in Alan Johnson, Professor of Surgery Dr Henry Turner (BSc 1941, PhD 2006. She was named 1979-2003 Reporter of the Year in 1949), Chairman of Convocation the Guardian Student Professor Gwyn Jones (PhD 1941), 1993-1997 and President of SUA Awards, together with member of staff 1939-1941 Press Gazette Student Journalist of the Year and Student News Writer of the Year.

Hattie Dean (MSc Statistics 2006) Is pursuing her sporting career and competed in the 3000m steeplechase at the SUA News 2006 European Championships in Sweden. The main item on the agenda of the Sheffield University Association (SUA) Wei Su (MA Journalism 2006) Annual General Meeting, held on 26 February 2007, was “It is proposed that Has been busy writing and recently the SUA shall become the Social arm of Convocation.” There was published the first volume of her memoirs, unanimous support for the proposition. Beijing Kid, about growing up in Beijing.

www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni | 35 Staff and Students

Honours and awards Staff and students from the University of Sheffield continue to be recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise.

Holly Castleton, a Mechanical Telegraph, the Guardian, Independent Professor Claire Lewis (Medicine and Engineering student, won the Ford on Sunday, The Sunday Times and the Biomedical Sciences) was awarded WISE Prize at the Young Woman New York Sun. an honorary Engineer of the Year 2007 awards. degree by the Professors Freddie Hamdy (Urology) University of Simon Cook, an Accounting and and Pamela Shaw (Neurology) have Oxford for her Financial Management student, won been elected Fellows of the Academy contribution to first prize at the Yorkshire and Humber of Medical Sciences. the field of Shell STEP awards. tumour The architects (CPMG) of the inflammation Gordon Duff, Informatics Collaboratory of the research. Professor Claire Lewis. Florey Professor Social Sciences (ICOSS) building of Molecular won a gold medal at the International Dr Sally McArthur (Engineering Medicine, was Green Apple Awards 2006 for the Materials) received the Silver Medal as knighted for Built Environment and Architectural part of the 2006 Medals and Prizes services to Heritage. The award was made for organised by the Institute of Materials, public health. their visually striking, low-energy, Minerals and Mining. The award was Professor sustainable design. made for her outstanding contribution Sir Gordon Duff. and dedication to biomedical A team of five students Ryan Jendoubi engineering, both at home and abroad. Professors Richard Eastell (Clinical (Japanese and Politics); Emily Sciences), Barry Hancock (Genomic Hounslow (Biology); Sven Beresdorf Professor Malcolm Press (Animal and Medicine), Richard Jones (Physics (International Politics and East Asian Plant Sciences) is President-elect of and Astronomy), Tony Ryan Studies); William Christophers the British Ecological Society and will (Chemistry) and Jeremy Till (Architecture); and Xin Xin Cao take up the role in September 2007. (Architecture) all feature for the first (Accounting and Financial time in the 2007 edition of Who’s Who. Management) were named Make Your Elena Rodriguez-Falcon (Mechanical Mark champions at the national final Engineering) was awarded the £10,000 Rachael Elder, in London. Their electronic reminder Engineering Teaching Prize by the Royal a Chemical and device, Planimal, beat entries from Academy of Engineering. Process 108 other teams from 32 universities. Engineering Steel City Press was named Best PhD student, Jill Jesper (Nursing and Midwifery) Student Newspaper at the National won a gold won the Robert Tiffany International Student Media Awards 2006. medal in the Award for her role in a project that women’s relay provides training for teachers and Stuart Tanner, Emeritus Professor of at the World health professionals who work with Paediatrics, was awarded a CBE for University disabled children in Kiev, Ukraine. services to medicine. Orienteering Championships Professor Richard Jones (Physics Professor Paul White (Geography), held in Kosice, and Astronomy) has been elected a Pro Vice-Chancellor, was awarded the Rachael Elder. Slovakia. Fellow of the Royal Society in Edward Heath recognition of his exceptional Award for his The second volume of a biography of contribution to the field of polymers contribution to William Empson (William Empson: at surfaces and interfaces. geographical Against the Christians), written by research on Professor John Haffenden (English Koorosh Korfi, a Medical Genetics Europe by Literature), was picked as Book of the student from Iran, was awarded the the Royal Year 2006 by several national Valerie Broomhead Prize for Geographical newspapers including the Daily exceptional achievement in science. Professor Paul White. Society.

36 | Your University 2007/2008 Alumni merchandise Special commemorative print by Joe Scarborough – Our University As its contribution to the University Centenary in 2005, the Sheffield University Association commissioned renowned local artist Joe Scarborough to paint a new work. Our University, evocative of the University past and present, is now on public display in the entrance to University House. Unsigned prints measuring 19” x 17” are available to purchase. Unframed and packed in protective cardboard tubes, they are priced at £15.00 each (incl VAT) plus p+p (£2 UK; £2.50 Europe; £3 rest of world).

The University Sterling Silver Ruler

With the Sheffield Tudor rose hallmark and To place your order for any of the above the University crest. £41.00 each (incl VAT) merchandise, either download the plus p+p (£2.50 UK; relevant order form(s) from £6.00 Europe; www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/merchandise £7.00 rest or contact us on +44 (0) 114 222 1079. of world). Please send completed order forms and your payment to: Development and Alumni Relations University tie Office (Merchandise), The University of Sheffield, 277 Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HB, UK In 100% silk with multiple University shields. Payment by cheque or £ sterling draft made £18.00 each (incl VAT) plus p+p (£1.00 UK; payable to ‘The University of Sheffield’. £1.30 Europe; £1.70 rest of world). Alumni Travel Programme At the instigation of some of the academic staff of the University of Sheffield, the Development and Alumni Relations Office has teamed up with IMA to create a number of special tours for alumni and friends. The tours are designed to be educational and entertaining for like-minded travellers. IMA is the leading operator of alumni tours in the UK, bringing decades of experience to bear in arranging that vital combination of learning and leisure which makes our tours so memorable.

The Magical Islands of the Galapagos 20 March-1 April 2008 Professor Tim Birkhead (Department of Animal and Plant Sciences) will accompany this tour of the ‘enchanted islands’ of the Galapagos. After a stopover in the Andes – visiting Quito and the Avenue of the Volcanoes – we join our privately chartered ship for

eight days and thread our way to all the main islands to see the boobies, frigates, sea lions, giant tortoises and so much more. We also offer a pre tour into the Amazon Rainforest. From £3,220 per person (depending on cabin choice).

Cruising to Ephesus – Turkey 14-28 June 2008 Led by Dr Paul Halstead (Department of Archaeology), this cruise on our exclusively chartered private yacht concentrates on the classical sites which enrich Asia Minor’s beautiful shores, as we consider the archaeology of the cultural hinge of the ancient world. Great figures from the past like Herodotus, Mausolus, Alexander, Lysimachus, Trajan and Hadrian haunt the columned splendour of these Graeco-Roman cities along the Turquoise Coast. £1,490 per person.

For itineraries and brochures on these tours contact: IMA Tel: +44 (0) 20 8940 4114 13 The Avenue Fax: +44 (0) 20 8332 2456 Kew Richmond Email: [email protected] Surrey TW9 2AL Web: www.imatravel.com

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