UNIVERSITY OF KENT Annual Report 2007 1 Vice-Chancellor’s introduction Contents 2 In with the new 4 Kent in the world 6 Teaching and learning 8 Feature – Jon Williamson 10 Research 14 Working with the community 16 Innovation and enterprise 18 Culture, leisure and sport 20 Alumni and events IBC People and awards Constitution and acknowledgements Introduction

New challenges, new horizons While doing well in many areas, we must not 2007 has ended on an excellent note for be complacent. The competition between Kent. The announcement of a Queen’s UK universities for both students and for Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher research income is high. The vision for the Education, awarded for the work of the University is to keep on improving and we Kent Law Clinic, was closely followed by a are about to start discussing what that really double first in the Times Higher Education means for us as we go into 2008. Certainly, Supplement (THES) Awards with further maintaining high quality of the student recognition for the Law Clinic, winning the experience, increasing volume of Outstanding Contribution to the Community international level research, and embedding category, and the award of Young innovation and enterprise activity are all on Researcher of the Year for Dr Jon the agenda. Williamson, Lecturer in Philosophy. The has many strengths Dr Williamson’s award reflects some of on which we can build to make our vision a the high-quality areas of research within the reality. In doing this, we will concentrate on University. His area of reasoning sounds excellence in all our activities, on enterprise very esoteric but in fact has important in the broadest meaning, contributing locally applications in health care and artificial and regionally both in terms of the economy intelligence, science and mathematics. and in terms of sport and culture. Most In fact, research has been a major focus importantly we will continue to look to during this year as the University has Europe and beyond. This latter outward- prepared for the national Research looking strategy enabled the Sunday Times Assessment Exercise, known as the to say Kent ‘can claim to be Britain’s only RAE. Led by Professor John Baldock, international university’. this exercise has involved all academic departments and the Research Office in Finally, in my first Annual Report as Vice- preparing a review of all the research Chancellor of the University of Kent, I wish endeavours across the University. Our to pay tribute to my predecessor, Sir David efforts to increase the volume of research Melville. Under his leadership the University activity will continue throughout next year grew in size and saw the development of as will our work to support our increasing the campus and the establishment numbers of postgraduate students. of the University of the Transmanche. We all wish David and Lin a happy retirement. Again this year we successfully recruited students at significantly increased numbers across all the campuses. We were delighted that our students gave us an overwhelmingly positive endorsement with an outstanding 89% overall approval rate for Professor Julia M Goodfellow our courses. This result puts us in the top CBE, FMed Sci ten multi-faculty universities in the UK and Vice-Chancellor top in the London and south-east England.

1 In with the new

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2 1 Artist’s impression of Virginia Woolf College 2 Professor Alex Hughes 3 Bill Rammell MP 4 New visual identity

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New staff Alistair Mathie, Professor of Pharmacology At Medway the year included the opening In addition to a new Vice-Chancellor, Kent (Medway School of Pharmacy) of Kent’s Gillingham and Rochester has a significant number of new staff. Louis Passfield, Professor of Sports Studies Buildings. The Gillingham Building was Patrice Pavis, Professor of Drama officially opened in July by Thames Professor Alex Hughes has become the Iain Ramsay, Professor of Law Gateway Chief Executive Judith Armitt. Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Relations. Peter Read, Professor of French The brand-new building houses fully- Professor Hughes was formerly at the David Shemmings, Professor of Social equipped teaching rooms, state-of-the-art University of Birmingham and is an expert Work technology, IT facilities and computer in 20th century French literature. Her brief Chris Shilling, Professor of Sociology suites. The Rochester Building, opened in covers the important international agenda Kenneth Westphal, Professor of Philosophy the autumn, is a £1.5 million renovation of with the University looking outwards to Toni Williams, Professor of Law one of the original Royal Navy buildings Europe and beyond. In addition, John on the site, and provides conference and Macgregor, the British Ambassador to the New buildings meeting rooms, as well as social facilities Republic of Austria, was appointed Dean Over the year both Kent’s growing for students. of the University of Kent at Brussels. campuses in Canterbury and Medway were enhanced by new buildings. In April, the Pilkington Building, a joint Recognising the increasing importance of resource used by students from all four the Medway campus, the new Pro-Vice- At Canterbury work began on a new higher education institutions on the Chancellor Medway is Professor Clare accommodation and teaching building, Medway campus, was opened by Bill Mackie, formerly Head of the Medway Virginia Woolf College, which will contain Rammell MP, then Minister of State for School of Pharmacy. She will be leading over 500 study and studio bedrooms, Higher Education and Lifelong Learning. on formulation of a strategy for all our offices, a communal space for socialising, offerings at Medway, whether alone or in teaching spaces and a 480-seat lecture New visual identity collaboration with other higher education theatre. The aim is to use it principally for In March, Kent introduced a new visual institutions. postgraduate students, and it is hoped identity and logo (the first significant that the building will be backed up with a redesign for 20 years). The logo was New professors School of Graduate Studies, led by a Dean chosen after consultation with staff, Kent Bradley Barnes, Professor of International who will be responsible for the strategic students, and Year 12 students from local Management development of provision for graduate schools, some of whom joined University Michael Calnan, Professor of Medical study and research at the University. staff at a small event to mark the launch. Sociology Jagjit Chadha, Professor of Economics In October planning permission was The visual identity has been created Richard Crisp, Professor of Psychology given for a new Innovation Centre on the by Kent’s design agency partners, Andrew Derrington, Dean of Social Canterbury campus, which will provide UffindellWest, working closely with the Sciences office, workshop and studio units for University’s Design and Print Centre, and Gordana Korolija Fontana-Giusti, Professor innovative small and high-tech businesses was launched in conjunction with of Regional Regeneration (see p17 for further details). redesigned prospectuses. Julien Forder, Professor of the Economics of Social Policy Canterbury also saw the refurbishment of Darren Griffin, Professor of Genetics Rutherford and Darwin College reception Tim Luckhurst, Professor of Journalism areas, and £1 million teaching laboratories in the Department of Biosciences.

3 Kent in the world

The Sunday Times , in its 2007 University Guide, said that Kent ‘can claim to be Britain’s only international university’.

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4 1 Europe and beyond 2 A cosmopolitan community 3 University of Kent at Brussels

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A key part of the University’s strategy is Studying in continental Europe opportunities for joint supervision of to look to Europe and beyond. At undergraduate level Kent has exchange research projects with staff in European Internationalisation is key to Kent’s mission programmes with a steadily increasing universities. During the year the School and values, and enables us to be even number of other European universities; of Social Policy, Sociology and Social more competitive in attracting staff and 90 in 15 countries in 2007. New MA Research was accepted into the European students, as an international culture also international double awards were Consortium for Sociological Research, enriches the institutional ethos of the introduced in European Governance and one of only five English institutions to be University. There is, moreover, a correlation International Relations, to augment Kent’s awarded membership. New scholarships between internationalisation and wide range of programmes in areas such were established for postgraduate institutional status. Being explicitly as European culture and languages, students from Romania. international is a cipher of quality, and drama, politics, law, economics, business significantly supports the recruitment and and migration. International partnerships retention of high calibre staff. During the year the Department of European departments and centres Electronics signed an agreement with The Sunday Times , in its 2007 University 2007 saw the launch of the European the School of Electrical Engineering and Guide, said that Kent ‘can claim to be Architecture Research Institute, and the Automation at Tianjin University, People’s Britain’s only international university’. This European Theatre Research Network, Republic of China, where students is a result of recent developments building on links with the Grotowski studying at Tianjin have direct entry to including the University’s expanding Institute in Poland and other links in the final year of Kent’s programmes. Brussels campus and its ‘involvement as Brussels, London and Berlin. This brings one of five partners (and the only non- up to seven the number of Kent’s Kent signed a memorandum of French one) in the bilingual University dedicated European centres. understanding with the George Mason of the Transmanche’. University in Virginia, USA, to develop a … and beyond range of programmes at undergraduate Europe… and postgraduate level. The University of Kent at Brussels Students Kent is still the only English university with Kent is rightly proud of its cosmopolitan KBS in discussions on global a site in Brussels, known as ‘the capital of community. In the 2006-2007 academic agriculture Europe’. In 2007 UKB attracted students year it had over 1,000 EU students and Experts from Europe and the United from over 50 countries, with 60% of its 1,700 students (almost 13% of full-time States visited to students coming from countries outside students) from countries outside the EU. take part in high-level discussions on the the European Union, and also welcomed There were over 120 different nationalities reformation of global agricultural and trade its first Dean, John Macgregor. registered within the student body. policies. The event was held to mark the transfer of the Centre of European The University of the Transmanche Research and projects Agri-environmental Studies from Imperial Launched in 2004, this unique Franco- Many departments and staff run research College London to Kent. British partnership between Kent and four projects in collaboration with other French universities in Lille and the Littoral universities across the world, and Kent Côte d’Opale continues to provide dual offers an increasing number of French and English qualifications.

5 Teaching and learning

“Students are happy with their lot as the latest student satisfaction survey shows.” The Sunday Times September 2007

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6 1 Providing an excellent student experience 2 University teaching prizes 3 Growth in student numbers 4 New innovations in work and learning

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Excellent results in the This is a significant rise from ten years ago accreditation of prior experiential or National Student Survey when there were 10,000 students, and certificated learning, and teaches them The National Student Survey of 2007 shows the success of the new initiatives how to apply academic disciplines to the endorsed Kent’s high reputation as a in Medway and Brussels, plus popular workplace, and to reflect on and explore university providing an excellent student new subject areas such as architecture, professional practice, relationships and experience. sports studies and music technology. The responsibilities. summer saw the launch of a new Centre Kent was ranked the Number 1 university for Journalism, based at the Medway Accolade for Computing in the whole of London and south-east campus. Laboratory academic England, third in southern England as a Sally Fincher, Senior Lecturer in the whole, and in the top ten in the UK for Kent’s pattern of excellent recruitment Computing Laboratory, was one of just student satisfaction – 89% of final-year results continued in 2007, with a positive 14 academics across the country who was full-time undergraduates at Kent are increase of UK numbers against targets awarded the title Senior Fellow by the overwhelmingly satisfied with the quality of and sustained growth in Medway. The Higher Education Academy. The award their courses. In the three years the survey Sunday Times Guide identified the recognises outstanding leadership in has run Kent has consistently been in the Medway increase as part of the initiative teaching and supporting the student top 25% and has improved its position which has brought higher education to the learning experience in higher education every year. Thames Gateway area, a region which is and adds to her previous accolades in benefiting from considerable regeneration. this area. Several subject areas also performed strongly in the survey. Sports science, New innovations in work University teaching prizes business, psychology, politics, other and learning This year five members of staff were creative arts and subjects allied to During the year the University launched a recognised for their work in teaching and medicine all ranked in the top ten in the new Centre for Work and Learning, based supporting learning. UK. English-based studies, art and at the Medway campus. The Centre design, performing arts and management focuses on students who are already at Barbara Morris Prize for Learning Support were ranked within the top 20. work and who want to put their work- – Dr Kirsty Horsey, Kent Law School and Architecture, sports and pharmacy related experience and learning towards Susan Wanless, Director of Music achieved 100% satisfaction rate for the academic accreditation, or who are unable Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty overall quality of the course. to take advantage of full-time study. Teaching Prize – Dr Andrea den Boer, Department of Politics and International Growth in student numbers The Centre offers undergraduate awards Relations and Dr Hannie van Hooff, Department of Psychology Kent now has approximately 16,000 (Certificate, Diploma and BA/BSc) in Faculty of Science, Technology and students across its five campuses, Applied Professional Practice, which are Medical Studies Teaching Prize – Janet including students from its Associated joint with an academic subject such as Linington, Computing Laboratory Colleges: Mid-Kent College, South Kent Computing, Economics or English College and Canterbury College. Language Studies. The work-based learning element allows students to have

7 Feature Jon Williamson, Lecturer in Philosophy, winner of THES Awards Young Researcher of the Year

Dr Jon Williamson is a Lecturer in Philosophy in the School of European Culture and Languages. In November he won Young Researcher of the Year in the Times Higher Education Supplement Awards for 2007.

Jon’s main research interest is in Reasoning is also pervasive across many He hopes the extra publicity from the reasoning. He has published widely in academic subject areas. ‘Reasoning as a award will generate further general the areas of the philosophy of causality, subject was studied by philosophers at interest in reasoning. To tap into foundations of probability, logics and least since the time of the ancient Greeks, increased awareness, in 2007 he set reasoning, and the applications of his but in the 20th century it became up an online gazette, The Reasoner work to artificial intelligence, science and fragmented into a number of disciplines: (www.thereasoner.org), with academics maths, and has attracted large amounts of philosophers study normativity (why from institutes such as University College research funding from bodies such as the should you follow certain rules in order London and Stanford University in the British Academy and Leverhulme Trust. In to reason effectively), psychologists study United States on the editorial board. The 2007 he was instrumental in setting up the how humans actually do reasoning, gazette, first published in May, now gets Centre for Reasoning, the first ever statisticians study probabilistic reasoning, 1,000 downloads per issue. research centre in the subject in the UK, lawyers study legal reasoning, in and establishing an interdisciplinary MA in computer science researchers on artificial Jon does not foresee a future where Reasoning. intelligence study how you automate artificial intelligence takes over from reasoning and various other disciplines humanity. ‘I think in the next few decades How does he define reasoning? ‘The way such as engineering and mathematics we’ll see more and more decisions being philosophers look at it is that reasoning is are also interested. taken by computer, but I don’t think that moving from premises to conclusions on computers will surpass the human brain the basis of reasons, but more generally ‘There’s actually a large number of in terms of versatility. I think that humans you can think of it as any way of forming researchers who are interested in some have this remarkable capability to move an attitude on the basis of what you aspect or another of it. In fact one from one topic to another and reason already take for granted. You take certain complaint I get is when people say to me: effectively in a broad range of situations.’ facts about the world for granted and then ‘if you say that you’re into the study of try and take a stance about something, reasoning what does that make the rest For himself, he wants to explore how in and the process of going from what you of us look like? Unreasoning?’ principle we ought to reason effectively, already take for granted to the new stance and what assumptions we make when is what’s normally called reasoning.’ ‘I’m interested in trying to see whether we we carry out certain forms of reasoning. can build a community of researchers ‘I’m also interested in the applied side, He cites the difference between men and interested in reasoning that doesn’t in testing out ideas in medicine, or women in finding how to get from A to B necessarily respect disciplinary formalisms for reasoning in the sciences. as a good example of different ways of boundaries. People have been pretty keen But hopefully I’m going to stay with what reasoning. ‘There’s a difference because on setting up the Centre for Reasoning. I’m doing at the moment. It’s very exciting.’ you can either reason about directions by I think they like to have an interdisciplinary thinking of where you are on a map and forum where they can take their ideas where you want to be, or you can think in or get new ideas from other disciplines terms of the paths that are open to you that might be of use to them.’ The MA and whether you need to proceed left, in Reasoning also breaks new ground in right or ahead. Pretty much everything we that it is the first one at Kent to cover all do involves some kind of reasoning, even three of the University’s faculties. if it’s not explicit reasoning; it could be implicit such as deciding what item to have on the lunch menu.’

8 9 Research

Cryptococcosis is the initial defining illness in 88% of AIDS patients in southern Africa, and this grant may help to identify additional ways of diagnosing and treating this infection.

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10 1 Glass as a bone regenerating material 2 100,000 new stars 3 Combating a sugar-coated killer 4 National Survey of Prejudice

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National Survey of Prejudice Glass as a bone Combating a sugar-coated Professors Dominic Abrams and Diane regenerating material killer Houston of the Department of Psychology Average life expectancy in the Western The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans were commissioned by the UK world has increased significantly; to allow can infect the human brain leading to a government’s Equalities Review to people to remain active and to contribute disease, cryptococcosis, which is usually undertake a National Survey of Prejudice. to society for longer, the need for new fatal if untreated. It is ‘dressed to kill’ with The survey is the first to have attempted a materials to replace and repair worn out a sugar coat that protects it against attack comprehensive comparison of prejudice and damaged tissues becomes more by the human immune system. Dr Fritz affecting six different equality strands – important. Bioactive glass is studied for Mühlschlegel, of the Department of disability, age, religion, race, sex and its ability to promote bone regeneration Biosciences, was awarded £400,000 by the sexuality. and fuse to living bone, creating strong Medical Research Council to investigate the implants, but the exact mechanism by molecular detail of how production of the In March, Professor Abrams presented which the materials promote bone growth fungal sugar coat is regulated. Previously a selection of key findings at a British and the requirements for optimisation of his team discovered how carbon dioxide Psychological Society seminar. They their properties are as yet only partially in the human body influences production show that prejudice exists towards many understood. of the sugar coat. Almost 40 million people different groups, and constitutes a worldwide are infected with HIV and more significant society problem, but it is a The Functional Materials Group in the than 60% of these live in sub-Saharan mistake to characterise prejudice as School of Physical Sciences received a Africa. Cryptococcosis is the initial defining a single phenomenon. People may be £255,000 additional funding grant from illness in 88% of AIDS patients in southern prejudiced against one minority but not the Engineering and Physical Sciences Africa, and this grant may help to identify another, and hold and express prejudice Research Council to continue its work on additional ways of diagnosing and treating in different forms ranging from overt investigating new forms of bioactive glass this infection. hostility to subtle undermining. foams and polymer composites of the glass. The aim of this research is to 100,000 new stars Taken together with other research the develop materials that will promote bone A team of astronomers that includes findings suggest two primary areas that regeneration in load-bearing sections Dr Dirk Froebrich, Lecturer in Astronomy require effort to tackle prejudice: firstly, of the skeleton. The research is in and Astrophysics in the School of Physical the need to focus on the nature of collaboration with the University of Sciences, has discovered a closely-packed relationships between different groups, Warwick, Imperial College London and group of about 100,000 starts located and secondly the need to look at the way University College London. 30,000 light years away in the inner parts people apply particular images and of our galaxy. Star clusters are among the stereotypes to specific groups. oldest objects in our galaxy and provide clues not only to the early age of the universe but also to the history of the galaxy, showing the imprint of events such as galaxy collisions, galaxy cannabilism and galaxy mergers. Only about 150 globular clusters are known within our galaxy.

11 Research cont’d

Ten years after Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris people are influenced by conspiracy theories about her death even though they do not necessarily know it.

A medical and cultural Freud’s Art – Psychoanalysis Conspiracy theories and history of leprosy Retold Diana’s death Professor Rod Edmond, who was Janet Sayer, Professor of Psychoanalytic Ten years after Princess Diana died in a appointed Head of the School of English Psychology in the School of Social Policy, car crash in Paris people are influenced during the year, produced a book on the Sociology and Social Research, produced by conspiracy theories about her death history and culture of leprosy. Leprosy is a a new book: Freud’s Art – Psychoanalysis even though they do not necessarily know disease with a very low level of infection, Retold , which retells the story of it. This finding was part of the first but which has repeatedly provoked psychoanalysis through art. She moves psychological examination of the impact revulsion and fear. This book explores how from the major founders of psychoanalysis of conspiracy theories carried out by these reactions were refashioned in the such as Freud, Jung and Klein, through Dr Karen Douglas and Dr Robbie Sutton modern colonial period, and how Britain art-minded developments of their ideas, of the Department of Psychology and and its colonies isolated victims of the to recent theories, in order to highlight the reported at the British Psychological disease in ‘colonies’. The book, titled importance of psychoanalysis together Society conference at Kent in September. Leprosy and Empire: A Medical and with painting and the visual arts to The researchers discovered that while Cultural History , also examines literary understanding the centrality of visual people accurately judge the extent to representations of leprosy in Romantic, imagery, fantasy, nightmares and dreams. which others are influenced by conspiracy Victorian and 20th century writing. theories, they are unaware of the extent to Cross-border tourism which their own attitudes have changed. Major grant to investigate research The results provide a potential explanation complex systems The Centre for Tourism in Islands and for an interesting paradox: why do Professor Peter Welch and Dr Fred Barnes Coastal Areas, set up at the Medway conspiracy theories endure when there is of the Computing Laboratory, working in campus in 2006, won a grant from the no factual support for them, even when collaboration with researchers at the British Academy to carry out a pilot study they fly in the face of established facts? University of York, were awarded of cross-border tourism in Malaysia, combined funding of £1.1 million to Singapore and Indonesia. The project, led Conferences investigate and develop tools for the by Dr Mark Hampton in partnership with Over the year Kent staff have run and simulation of complex systems named Professor Amran Hamzah of Universiti spoken at many national and international ‘CoSMos’. The project aims to provide Teknologi Malaysia in Johor Bahru, conferences. There were three notable tools to allow researchers to study, model assessed the impact of a rise in cross- conferences on the Canterbury campus. and simulate complex systems, involving border travel and tourism in the three The National Critical Lawyers Conference, millions of individual interacting countries, a development which is giving a in February, on the topic of ‘human rights, components. An example could be major impetus to trade and investment in human wrongs’ attracted people such as simulating biological reactions without the Asia Pacific region. The team Tony Benn, Michael Mansfield QC and using humans or animals, observing measured the economic impact and Helena Kennedy QC. In May, a conference behaviour and using those observations to assessed whether the local workforces on childrearing in the age of ‘intensive improve the underlying models, and then and communities were well placed to parenting’, run by Professor Frank Furedi comparing the simulations to expected capitalise on cross-border tourism. and Dr Ellie Lee of the School of Social results. Ultimately the study could help advise on Policy, Sociology and Social Research, future tourism policy in the region. attracted coverage around the globe including the Washington Post and Australian television. In the autumn the

12 1 Cross-border tourism research 2 Professor Rod Edmond 3 Freud’s Art – Psychoanalysis Retold

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1 Department of Anthropology hosted a strong international conference on suicide bombers in the Middle East, run by Marcello Mollica, Marie Curie Intra- European Research Fellow, and chaired by Glenn Bowman, Senior Lecturer in the Department.

Other conferences hosted or run by Kent staff covered topics as diverse as Rudyard Kipling; professionals working with people who have alcohol problems; a street arts colloquium; international linguistics; cancer informatics; crime, culture and control; coastal tourism; comparing the health of people in south- east England and northern France; asylum reception conditions for refugees; British travellers and equestrian enthusiasts in Greater Syria and Arabia; gender and human rights; work-based learning; partner schools; the Constant Prince ; current trends in HE assessment; British Psychological Society.

13 Working with the community

Kent Law Clinic has had a remarkable year. Winner of the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category in the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) Awards 2007, its work has also been recognised with the award of a Queen’s Anniversary Prize to the University.

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14 1 Outstanding year for Kent Law Clinic 2 Sport in Medway 3 Kent IT Clinic 4 New links with Kent CCC

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Outstanding year for Kent Kent IT Clinic Staff and students from Medway’s Centre Law Clinic The Law Clinic’s technology counterpart, for Sports Studies ran a pre-season fitness Kent Law Clinic has had a remarkable the Kent IT Clinic, was also recognised session for Kent County Cricket Club’s year. Winner of the Outstanding when it was awarded Technology first-team players, at the St Lawrence Contribution to the Local Community Enterprise Kent’s ‘Enterprise and Training county ground. category in the Times Higher Education Award for Excellence’ under the category Supplement (THES) Awards 2007, its work of IT Support. The award recognised the In brief has also been recognised with the award ‘considerable achievement of KITC Patricia Debney, Lecturer in Creative of a Queen’s Anniversary Prize to the consultants’ in delivering services on Writing in the School of English, was University. behalf of Medway Authority. A good appointed the first Canterbury Laureate. example of KITC’s work was the contract The Laureateship is intended to raise the The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes are they were awarded by the Medway profile of literature and writing, and get awarded, within the honours system, for Learning Partnership for a new website more people involved in a range of exceptional contributions by institutions in aimed at adult learners in Medway. The literary and cultural events. the higher and further education sectors website offers advice to adults about to the wider community. The Law Clinic types of degrees and other qualifications. Postgraduate Multimedia student Liz is being honoured for ‘enriching the Valentine produced an award-winning academic study of law through a University makes £3 million DigiGuide for the Museum of Canterbury. casework service to the community’. pledge to sport in Medway The Clinic’s innovative approach, which The University has pledged £3 million of Kent and other higher education has also contributed to its THES award, funding towards the refurbishment of the institutions in Canterbury became part is to provide a free legal service, allowing Black Lion Leisure Centre in Gillingham. of the Canterbury Council Accreditation the students (under the supervision of The plan is to turn the Black Lion into a Scheme, for local landlords offering a legally qualified academic) to take centre of sporting excellence which will student accommodation in the area. responsibility for clients’ cases from be central to the hopes of both Medway interviewing to advocacy. Council and UKM to be key players in Café Scientifique was launched in the 2012 London Olympics, and the new Canterbury. The Café is a forum for Students benefit from the strong funding was announced at a special promoting public engagement with commitment to social justice and a public Olympics launch event in January. science, and the meetings take place service ethos fostered by the Clinic and outside traditional academic venues – gain not only academic credit but also an New links with Kent CCC usually in cafés, bars and restaurants. invaluable insight into how the law works In March the University and Kent County In January Canterbury Student Radio was and an added boost to their CVs. Cricket Club (KCC) formally agreed a launched, the first student-run FM radio partnership that will hopefully address station in the country, and the first to be Last year the Law Clinic established an conflicting priorities in talented students awarded a community radio licence from office at Medway, and this year the who are unsure whether they have a future Ofcom. combined total awarded to its clients by in sport by providing a high-quality and litigation or negotiation as a direct result complementary programme of both sport of students work exceeded £1 million. and academic study.

15 Innovation and enterprise

An Innovation Centre on the Canterbury campus is a major plank in Kent’s strategy to encourage innovation and enterprise within the University and to make it more attractive for graduates to stay and work locally.

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16 1/2 Master’s degree in computer consultancy 3 Information security and biometrics 4 Creative consultancy launched

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2007 – the Year of Innovation region’s regeneration. An Innovation Centre The Department played a key role in for Kent on the Canterbury campus is a major plank forming the United Kingdom Biometrics The University is committed to generating in Kent’s strategy to encourage innovation Institute which was launched in April significant economic, social and cultural and enterprise within the University and to (UKBI). The UKBI is the UK’s only central benefits for Kent and the South East. make it more attractive for graduates to resource for industrial biometric expertise To reinforce its reputation for being an stay and work locally. and world-class research. innovative university it launched ‘2007 – the Year of Innovation for Kent’. The year The University has worked closely with Creative consultancy included a number of workshops, briefings Canterbury City Council, the South East launched and conferences, overseen by Kent England Development Agency and Creative Events is a new branch of Enterprise, the University’s ‘point of Canterbury Enterprise Hub over the year to the School of Drama, Film & Visual Arts contact’ department for organisations bring the project to this stage. Construction based on the Medway campus. This year, wanting to access its knowledge and is expected to start in spring 2008 and the following a funding bid by Kent Enterprise, expertise. The Year of Innovation was Centre will open in summer 2009. it launched a consulting and brokering supported by Kent County Council. service which will help businesses, local Master’s degree in computer authorities and other organisations put New Enterprise strategy consultancy together imaginative and artistic events. Kent Enterprise also launched a new The Computing Laboratory launched a The service will enable businesses to three-year strategy. The aims are: new MSc in IT Consultancy. It is the first access local artistic talent and expertise, • to develop its reputation and income programme in the country to combine or provide consultancy in areas such as through new national and international academic study with practical experience product launches, innovative workshops, partnerships in a real consultancy, the Kent IT Clinic. In and community events. • to provide support for small business addition to the work experience, students and regional regeneration activity are offered a range of modules on the Thinker in residence • to provide opportunities for staff and technical, legal and business aspects of Dr Andrew Fearne, Principal Research students to gain experience of IT consultancy. Fellow at Kent Business School, has been enterprise. appointed Thinker in Residence by the Industrial support for South Australian government. Dr Fearne’s Planning go-ahead for new information security and expertise is in consumer behaviour and Innovation Centre biometrics value chain management, and he will In October planning permission was given The Department of Electronics made an focus on the food and wine industries to for a new £5.5million 3,638m 2 Innovation agreement with the Softpro Group, a help make them more innovative, efficient Centre on the Canterbury campus. The leading vendor of systems for capturing and competitive in world markets. Centre forms the first phase of a and verifying handwritten signatures, to technology park and the development support the MSc programme in Information represents a major economic boost for Security and Biometrics. Softpro is based East Kent, providing sought-after high in Germany with subsidiaries in North quality, flexible premises essential for the America, the UK and Asia-Pacific, and provides biometric solutions that are increasingly used in industries such as banking, insurance, retail, government, health, life sciences and defence.

17 Culture, leisure and sport

Crowds of over 5,000 made the most of a sunny day to watch 27 acts around the campus.

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First Medway Boat Race Cathedral concert In the spring the The year saw the first ever Universities at In March the spectacular surroundings of hosted a touring exhibition, ‘International Medway Boat Race, between students of Canterbury Cathedral reverberated to an peace, the pen their sword: an exhibition the Universities of Kent, Greenwich, and equally spectacular work, the Saint-Saëns of entries to the Ken Sprague Trust Canterbury Christ Church, based at the Organ Symphony , performed by Cathedral International Cartoon Competition’. The Medway campus. Master of Choristers and Organist cartoons, on issues concerning peace, Dr David Flood and the University’s social justice and human progress, were Organised by the Universities at Medway Symphony Orchestra. It was part of an submitted by almost 200 cartoonists from Students’ Association (UMSA), with evening of French music which included 40 countries, including China, Azerbaijan backing from the Medway Council, the the University Chorus performing and the USA. event attracted several hundred Gounod’s Messe Solonelle de Saint spectators, in spite of unfriendly weather. Cécile . Hockey gold In January three Kent students were part Kent’s women’s crew defeated their rivals Print exhibitions of the gold-medal winning Great Britain at Canterbury Christ Church in the day’s Two print exhibitions drew on material ladies hockey team in the Australian Youth first event, the ‘fours’ race, while from the University’s print collection. Olympic Festival. Natalie Seymour (Psychology), Hayley Brown (Biomedical Greenwich’s boat beat Kent in the men’s ‘Spectres of Painting’, on the Canterbury Science) and Natasha Brennan (English ‘eights’ event. All the students taking part campus, provided an exciting opportunity Literature) are all holders of a University had only been training for a few months, to see works in print by many of the Ladies Hockey Scholarship, jointly and the race over the 2.6km course on the leading French artists and printmakers awarded with Canterbury Ladies Hockey River Medway was the first for all of them. of the 19th century. ‘Dreams and Club. Hayley Brown scored the first goal Nightmares’, in the Canterbury Museum, as the GB team beat the hosts Australia The prizes were presented by British rower featured a print bought for the collection 4-2 in the final. Alison Mowbray, who won a silver medal in by a £2,000 grant from the Allen Willett the Quad Scull event in the 2004 Athens Foundation, which was chosen by Olympics. students on the undergraduate Print BBC broadcast for lecturer’s Collecting and Curating module. music The sun shines on Artsfest Paul Fretwell, Lecturer in the Centre for The third annual Artsfest on the Cartoons on show Music Technology, received a national Canterbury campus was even bigger and An exhibition of Giles’ cartoons went on audience for his latest musical work, Wall better than its predecessors. Crowds of show at the Canterbury Royal Museum of Stone , when it was broadcast on BBC over 5,000 made the most of a sunny day and Art Gallery. Held to mark the transfer Radio 3. The piece featured in the Riot at the beginning of June to watch 27 acts of the Giles archive to Kent’s British concert series in London and Manchester around the campus. The evening ended Cartoon Archive, the exhibition drew on which was aired as part of Radio 3’s with a bang, with a spectacular display of unseen material from Giles’ own private concert series. fireworks on the Eliot slopes, overlooking collection, to give a unique insight into the the floodlit cathedral. man and his work. Before its transfer to the University, Giles’ private archive had been in storage since his death in 1995.

18 1 The sun shines on Artsfest 2 Print exhibitions 3 Hockey gold 4 First Medway Boat Race

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19 Alumni and events

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Open lecture series hits Alumni reunions America new heights House of Lords reception 2007 saw four alumni events in North Kent’s popular series of open lectures In September more than 180 Kent alumni America: Toronto in April, Washington welcomed a glittering array of high-profile from 1965 to 2007 met at a private DC in May, Los Angeles in October and speakers and distinguished academics. reception at the House of Lords. Guests Orlando, Florida in December. These Professor Lord (Robert) Winston attracted included Madame Fu Ying, Chinese events have been hosted by the University a record audience in March when he Ambassador Extraordinary and of Kent in America, Inc, the University’s spoke on the future of humankind. Plenipotentiary to the UK, plus alumni from alumni association in North America. France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the UK and Other speakers included Lord (Paddy) the USA. The reception was the first Kent Phonathon Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamden, former event for Professor Julia Goodfellow after The 2007 Phonathon campaign finished leader of the Liberal Democrats; Harriet taking up her post as Vice-Chancellor, and in November. The 33 student callers Lamb, Director of the Fairtrade she thanked the alumni for their continuing contacted almost 1,800 alumni, receiving Foundation; Dr David Starkey, broadcaster support for and involvement with the a generally positive response. Money and historian; HSH Prince Radu of University. raised by the campaign goes towards the Hohenzollern-Veringen, Special Annual Fund which supports students Representative of the Government of Music reunion through scholarships, facilities and Romania; and Ambassador Albert Rohan, Also in September 80 alumni and friends equipment and special projects. Previous Deputy Special Envoy of the UN Secretary gathered at the London Coliseum to campaigns have raised over £20,000 and General for the Future Status Process for celebrate music at Kent. The event marked it is hoped to do much better this year. Kosovo. Distinguished academic speakers the 20th year at Kent of Susan Wanless, included Professor Lord May of Oxford; Director of Music, and was also attended Benefactors’ Garden Party Professor Stefan Collini and Professor by Dame Anne Evans (patron of the Music In July the third annual Benefactors’ Simon Baron-Cohen, University of Scholarship Scheme) and Chancellor Sir Garden Party was held at the Vice- Cambridge; Professor David Norbrook, . Alumni came from as Chancellor’s residence ‘Crossways’ to University of Oxford; and Kent’s own far as Switzerland to be present at the thank the individuals, companies and Professor Bill Gullick from the Department evening of reminiscing and music-making, trusts who have supported the University of Biosciences. and to join in a rendition of the Hallelujah over the past year. Chorus which raised the roof! Most departments within the University run their own open lectures. New for 2007 was the School of European Culture and Languages’ Distinguished and Popular Lecture series, which included a mix of Kent staff and visiting lecturers, discussing topics such as ‘the new atheism’, ‘machines that reason’ and ‘the art of the sitcom’.

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20 People and awards

Honorary graduates Clive Arundell, Director for Centre for Music Constitution Technology – membership of BAFTA The constitution of the University is set out in its Professor Sir Graham Catto, Doctor Royal Charter, Statutes and Ordinances. of Science Inogwabini Bila-Isia, PhD in Biodiversity The Court meets once a year to receive the Tracey Emin RA, Doctor of Letters Management – a National Geographic University’s Annual Report and Accounts and, Society/Buffett Award for Leadership in as appropriate, to appoint a Chancellor of the Sir Michael Gambon, Doctor of Letters University. The Court’s membership includes Peter Hawkes, Doctor of Science African Conservation representatives from many sectors of the local Professor Richard Holmes, Doctor of Professor Ian Bruce, Professor of and national community as well as staff, student Nanobiotechnology – honorary doctorate and graduate members. Letters The Council is the executive governing body Michael Mansfield QC, Doctor of Laws from the Universita degli studi di Urbino of the University and comprises lay and staff Lady Northbourne, Doctor of Letters Matthieu Chauvin and Dan Doctors, members and students, with a non-executive, lay undergraduates – Townsend prize for majority. The Statutes of the University define the John Reilly MBE, Doctor of Civil Law powers and responsibilities of the Council (and Professor Lord (Colin) Renfrew of environmental activities on campus of the Court and the Senate, see below). By custom Kaimsthorn, Doctor of Letters Sanjay Gubbi, MSc student in DICE – joint and under the advice of the Higher Education first prize for the best talk by a student at Funding Council for England, the Council has Nitin Sawhney, Doctor of Music responsibility for the ongoing strategic direction of Polly Toynbee, Doctor of Civil Law the 21st Society for Conservation Biology the University, approves major projects and receives Kennedy Wong, Doctor of Civil Law Annual Meeting, in South Africa regular reports from Committees and Executive Professor Abdulrazak Gurnah, Professor of Officers acting under statutory or delegated powers. Deaths English and Postcolonial Literatures – 2007 The Senate is the academic authority of the Professor Peter Brown, former Professor Radio France International (RFI) Temoin University and comprises academic staff and du Monde Prize student members. It directs and regulates the of Computer Science teaching and research of the University. Professor Graham Clarke, Professor Kent Hospitality – achieved level two of The business of the University is conducted of Photographic Studies Investors in People, one of only two in accordance with the seven principles identified organisations in the UK to do so by the Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life Professor Roger Jennison, Emeritus (selflessness; integrity; objectivity; accountability; Professor of Physical Electronics Jenny Martin, BSc in Biological openness; honesty; leadership) and follows the Professor Les Little, Emeritus Professor Anthropology – OUP Achievement in further advice about governance from the Biosciences Award Committee, the Higher Education Funding Council of Millimetre Wave Astronomy for England and the Committee of University Professor Andrew Williams, Emeritus Medway campus – winner in Building Chairmen. The Council maintains a Register of Professor of Organic Chemistry Renovation category in Kent Design Interests of its members and staff of the University. Awards, ‘highly commended’ rating in The Government’s response to the Dearing Report on Higher Education (February 1998) endorsed Awards and achievements the Medway Regeneration and Renewal a recommendation that the Council should be awards, prestigious commendation in reviewed at least once every five years. A review The community of staff and students at the Royal Town Planning Institute awards of the Council’s effectiveness was undertaken and Kent is made up of remarkable people. discussed at its strategy meeting in February 2001. Professor David Melville, retiring Vice- These are just a few of the awards and The review was generally extremely positive; some Chancellor – KBE minor changes were made with the intention of honours they have achieved over the year, Professor Ann Netten, Director of the further improving the Council’s operational in addition to those listed elsewhere in this effectiveness. The next review of the Council will Personal Social Services Research Unit report. Details of the many prizes awarded be in 2007/2008. Enquiries about the constitution – elected to the Academy of the Learned and governance of the University should be for student academic achievement are Societies for the Social Sciences directed to the Secretary of the Council. published each year in the University’s July Professor Bob Newport, Professor of Congregations programme. Materials Physics – honorary DSc from the A Report of this length can only indicate very briefly Top awards for Kent Union University of Leicester some of the principal achievements and activities which Professor Ian Swingland, founder of the took place during 2007. Kent Union was the overall winner of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Best Bar None awards. The awards are for The University also produces another Report relating to Ecology – OBE Finance. If you would like a copies of this please students’ union bars across the UK that contact Communications & Development Office, The UltraSoC Technologies Ltd, a Kent spin-out show good practices and policies on Registry, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ. company – finalists in Running the Gauntlet responsible drinking. In addition Kent Union Published by the University of Kent. 2007 became the first students’ union in the UK Designed by the University Design and Print Centre. Liz Valentine, postgraduate student in to achieve Investing in Volunteers status Photography by Simon Jarratt, David King, Multimedia – five awards in the Student Artists impression © David Morley Architects from Volunteering England, its Student Interactive Multimedia Competition and Advice Centre achieved the full Community Printed by xxx. Best of Festival at the Broadcast Education Legal Services Quality Mark, and it retained The information contained in this Report was correct at Association awards its Investors in People status. the time of going to press. The University reserves the Mike Wilkins, retiring Director of Sports right to modify or cancel any statement contained in it and accepts no responsibility for the consequences of – MBE any such changes. University of Kent The Registry, Canterbury Kent CT2 7NZ www.kent.ac.uk