Su Issue twelvce spring 201c 3 www.mmessu.ac.uk The University for World-Class Professionals

Thomas Heatherwick Creator of the Olympic cauldron on ‘making’ k c i

Opinion Transformation Research & Innovation Meet Our Alumni w r e h t

Professor Ruth Ashford Major changes are Cutting edge dental Heineken manager, a e H

on doing business afoot at the technology research Naheed Younis, a n e l

the ‘right’ way University talks beer E

: o t o h P Contents

Foreword Photo: Heatherwick Studio

P1 Professor John Brooks, Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University News

P2 Round-up of news from across the University Opinion

P5 Dianne Thompson, Camelot CEO and University Chancellor P6 Professor Ruth Ashford on responsible capitalism Transformation

P8 MMU’s commitment to environmental sustainability P10 Old school, new school at the Thomas Heatherwick’s Olympic cauldron, P12 Manchester School of Art Thomas Heatherwick Professor Ruth Naheed Younis, P26 Ashford, P6 P12 His work, his ideas, his inspirations . . . Transformation

P16 Modernist historians in residence at the Toastrack P18 High-tech learning for students Research and Innovation

P20 Pollution research, adoption pilot, and gangs study P21 Recognition for Surface Wildlife research, P20 Lucy’s KTP, P23 Engineering PhD student P22 Ensuring standards in custom- made dental devices Working with Business

P23 Award-winning Knowledge Transfer Partnership Postgraduate Study

P24 Alumni talk about the benefits of postgraduate study Meet Our Alumni Su cc ess Editor - Rachel Charnock P26 Heineken Area Export Manager, Issue twelve spring 2013 Writers - Kat Dibbits, Naheed Younis Success is published by Manchester Gareth Hollyman, P27 Filmmaker Henna Saeed and Metropolitan University Angela Kirk, Laura Styles alumni in the news Design - Steve Kelly Vice-Chancellor Events Photography - Ade Hunter Professor John Brooks P28 What’s on at the University’s Contact us - [email protected] venues

No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from Manchester Metropolitan University Foreword

“The Manchester Metropolitan University remains confident about its future, despite the tumultuous changes created by the free market” Transformation is key to success

t was inevitable that the transition offering from others. Our investment prepare our submission to the national I to a free market for higher broadly takes two forms: we invest in Research Excellence Framework. education, with full fees being the quality of our facilities to support paid by employed graduates through world-class learning and in our staff to The Manchester Metropolitan University personal taxation, would create some deliver high quality teaching. remains confident about its future, instability in the system. The headline despite the tumultuous changes of unfilled university places is one The most visible transformation has created by the free market. The most consequence of the transition, but the been in the physical estate as we difficult challenge is responding to more profound change is the complete our rationalisation strategy – unexpected changes in Government behaviour of applicants and the and within these new and refurbished policy. However, we take a long-term response of institutions. buildings there are leading-edge view about the future success of our technologies for teaching and research. University and continue to make Students are taking more care with their We continue to invest in and develop significant strategic investments, which selection and are using all available Moodle, our online learning platform we believe will benefit future sources of information to determine their and we have increased broadband generations of staff, students and final application. The University is clear access and provide WiFi in most of our graduates – and which you can read about its position in the marketplace, buildings and student residences. about in this issue of Success . offering high quality, high value vocational education for the professions Our investment in staffing has and positioning itself as the ‘University responded to the growing demand for for World-Class Professionals’. our vocational programmes, and we have invested in interns and learning However, in an increasingly competitive support positions. Also, we continue to Professor John Brooks marketplace for students, we must invest in the research capacity of our Vice-Chancellor continue to invest to differentiate our academic staff and are starting to Manchester Metropolitan University

1 News Schools Direct is new opportunity

Birley Fields will be the new home of the Education Faculty from September 2014 chools are queuing up to work others. Manchester Metropolitan is moving quickly to maximise its S with experts at the University’s University is rated ‘outstanding’ at both involvement in the new way forward. Faculty of Education at the start Primary and Secondary – and has been “Schools have chosen us and we are of a major shake-up of teacher training handed 140 places for 2013 on top of delighted about that,” says Helen. “We in England and Wales. its 1800+ quota of BA (Hons) and have done a huge amount of work with PGCE places. our regional schools over many years The Government’s Schools Direct and we have a reputation as an scheme encourages schools to take a “In theory, we should go chasing these excellent partner. greater role in preparing teachers for places, but the schools are coming to the classroom and gives heads the us – 18 of them and 200 applications in “This is an opportunity to strengthen power to choose which universities to the first two weeks,” says Helen Scott, those ties, increase collaborations in work with in awarding qualifications. Head of Partnerships. things like curriculum design and so on, and it may be that the quality of The controversial policy has created an While most educationalists have such collaborations will determine ‘open marketplace’ for trainee teachers misgivings about any ‘dislocation’ of how successful Schools Direct proves with some universities faring better than teacher training from universities, MMU to be.”

Paul Hamlyn Portico Prize Nurse of the Year

Foundation Jean Sprackland, Reader in Creative A specialist nurse and honorary Senior Writing, won the £10,000 Portico Prize Lecturer in Emergency Care has been Professor Pavel Büchler became the for non-fiction. named the best in the country for her only artist outside London to be chosen long devotion to helping burns victims. for the prestigious £50,000 Paul Hamlyn Jean said she was “amazed and Foundation Award. delighted” to win the prize for her book, Jacky Edwards, who received the Strands : A Year of Discoveries on the prestigious Nurse of the Year title at Professor Büchler will receive the Beach , a series of meditations from the 2012 Nursing Times Awards, financial backing over three years to wild beaches between Blackpool was nominated by colleagues after develop creative ideas and grow both and Liverpool. creating a unique patient support group personally and professionally. and adult ‘burn camp’ that helps The prize was established in 1985 by rehabilitate victims. Professor Büchler said: “I felt honoured the Portico Library in Manchester and enough when I heard that I had been Jean is the fourth member of staff from Jackie runs the post-professional Burns nominated for a Paul Hamlyn MMU to win the Portico Prize after John Care programme in collaboration with Foundation Award and I can still hardly Parkinson-Bailey, Terry Wyke and Professor Janet Marsden in the Faculty believe that I have been offered this Andrew Biswell. of Health, Psychology and Social Care. prestigious gift.”

2 Manchester past and present Spreading

he Visual Resources Centre at collections and to demonstrate their a little T Manchester Metropolitan value to a range of different audiences. happiness University has unveiled a new site that allows people to compare “As a historian, I’m particularly past and present views from around interested in the power of photographs Manchester and the University. to evidence change in the urban environment and that’s exactly what the The site is hosted by Historypin, which Historypin site is good at. uses Google Street View technology to overlay old photographs onto their “The map-based approach to modern-day geographic sites. A fader organising content and the integration control allows users to adjust the opacity with Google Street View make it of the superimposed images, and they possible to compare photos of the can interact by saving and sharing their same location taken at different favourites and adding notes. periods, graphically illustrating how our everyday surroundings are in a Images of Oxford Road in 1929, the state of flux.” Royal Northern College of Music in 1976 World-renowned marketer, and Cavendish Street Chapel and The Visual Resources Centre, within the Dr Jonathan Mildenhall, returned to the School in 1972 are among the Centre’s Manchester School of Art, has been University to deliver the inaugural Alan most popular. facilitating the use of visual images for Pulford Memorial Lecture. learning, teaching and research in art John Davis, the Visual Resources and design for over 40 years. The Jonathan, who graduated from the Curator, says that the site offers a rare Centre also has a Flickr site which has Business School in 1990, is Vice and dramatic opportunity to see how our attracted nearly 450,000 views. President of Global Advertising Strategy surroundings have changed over time. and Creative Excellence at the Coca- He said: “I’m always on the lookout for Cola Company. new ways to showcase the Visual www.historypin.com/channels/ Resources Centre’s remarkable image view/id/9230020 He took the packed lecture theatre through ten ‘chapters’ of Coca-Cola strategy, each illustrated with examples Oxford Road, Manchester, 1929 from the brand’s global marketing campaigns, and all with the theme of spreading happiness across the globe.

The lecture was closed by Alan's son, Richard Pulford.

After the lecture, audience members took to Twitter to praise Jonathan’s lecture, describing it as “fantastic”, “inspiring” and “incredible”.

Professor Ruth Ashford, Dean of the Business School, said: “We are really honoured to be able to say that Jonathan Mildenhall is a Business School graduate. Jonathan was one of Alan Pulford’s students and so it was really fitting that Jonathan gave an inspirational presentation on ‘Liquid and Linked’ which Alan would have loved.”

3 News

Ottilie Mackintosh (centre) ‘Absolutely fabulous’ debut

Ottilie Mackintosh, who is in her final year of a BA (Hons) Acting degree, played the part of a young Joanna Lumley in Sky1’s Little Crackers .

Ottilie said she did not expect to get the part in Little Crackers , which was her first professional role and Joanna Lumley’s directorial debut.

David Shirley, Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Acting, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for Ottilie and we are really delighted for her. She works extremely hard and is very dedicated to her craft so it is gratifying to see that she is already attracting attention from the industry.” Cheshire graduate Perfect match inspires students

Football legend Tony Whelan made an Students on the University’s Exercise December saw the launch of a new inspirational visit to the University’s and Sport Science courses heard how work experience scheme, Cheshire campus to meet students. Tony started his career in schools mmuXchange, which allows students football in Stretford before becoming an to access ‘bite-size’ chunks of work Tony, who studied for an MA in Sociology apprentice with MUFC where he was to fit around their schedules. at MMU, spoke to a packed lecture lucky enough to play with Bobby theatre about his career, which has seen Charlton, George Best and Dennis Law. Daryl Tavernor, who is studying him go from being the first person on his Marketing Communications and street to fly in an aeroplane to Assistant found a two-day-a-week ‘placement’ Academy Manager at Manchester United. with Souter PR through the scheme, said: “It’s great to have the opportunity to have an experience in a real-life business environment. It complements my academic studies perfectly.”

The scheme, being piloted in the Faculty of Business and Law, offers project work varying from one day to a maximum of 20 days, so as not to interfere with academic studies.

Although all opportunities are unpaid, the service is already proving popular with more than 500 students registering, and businesses and organisations such as Peninsula, Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City Council offering placements.

www.mmuxchange.com

4 Opinion Staying connected

Dianne Thompson CBE, University Chancellor and Chief Executive of Camelot, discusses the merits of networking.

t is not only higher education that One of the keys to a successful career, University also organises a range of I is having to embrace change in and dare I say happy life, is maintaining events around the world. order to meet the challenges of a networks with the people that you free market. As we are seeing far too regard highly. Alumni can take advantage of the regularly in the news, businesses – networking opportunities that MMU even well-established ones – are If you studied at MMU, or one of the provides simply by staying in touch via struggling to survive in the current institutions that later became MMU as I the Alumni and Development Office, economic climate unless they are did, then you are part of a global which promotes events that allow you to willing to adapt. network of over 250,000 alumni. Not develop your own networks, share only is this a huge international alliance business ideas and keep you informed I have often affirmed that businesses with the University as its shared interest, of the latest innovations in your chosen need to be innovative if they want to it is also extremely influential. sector or profession. prosper and grow. Indeed, the ways in which we conduct our business have “The best ‘Stay in touch’ sounds obvious and it changed significantly since I started has become much easier over the working in the 1980s. relationships are years, but ‘good’ people should not life-long ones fade out of your life, and the best Back then, there was no internet, no relationships are life-long ones worth email, no video-conferencing – and no worth nurturing” nurturing. mobile phones. Technological advances have transformed the ways in which we So whether you are in Manchester, communicate and interact with others in More than 70% of our graduates remain London or on the opposite side of the every aspect of our professional and in the North West, contributing to the globe, I hope you will be part of the personal lives. economic success of the region. This University’s network – and I hope to meet means that if you live in the North West, you at one of our networking events. But in the midst of all this innovation, then the bulk of your peer group could and as the rapid growth of social be within reach. Around 20% of our network sites, such as LinkedIn testifies, graduates live in London and the South Dianne Thompson CBE is Chief Executive of we still see great value in the East – and we are working on proposals Camelot Group. She graduated from Manchester Polytechnic in French and English, was a Business relationships we build in the form of our to have dedicated alumni activities in School Lecturer in the 1980s and became MMU’s professional ‘networks’. the capital at some point this year. The third Chancellor in 2011.

5 Opinion Towards responsible capitalism

Professor Ruth Ashford, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, explains why the global drive for social and environmental responsibility in business is having a significant influence on how Business School students are taught.

ur students aspire to become O world-class business leaders, but for the next generation it is not just about how much money they make. To be true world-class leaders, how they make their money must be given equal importance.

As such, I believe business schools have a responsibility to develop business leaders who will make a difference in the way that organisations behave and respond to the challenges of sustainability and corporate responsibility. In order to do so, it is paramount that these subjects are imbedded in the core curriculum at all levels so as today’s students are given the opportunity, via their education, to obtain a balanced view. Through this, we can ensure that business leaders of tomorrow can understand the implications from the triple bottom line perspective, that is, people, planet and profitability.

Unfortunately, as we have seen, not considering the triple bottom line can lead to global negative implications. We are in a recessional environment where cost-cutting has been employed to try to make products and services seem more attractive in the marketplace. But what were the hidden social and environmental costs of transferring production of services to low-cost suppliers in other countries such as China and India? Or what effect did the potential excessive use of hydrocarbons and the exploitation of cheap labour have? Posing these types of questions will be how our graduates begin to understand the implications from the triple bottom line perspective.

6 Many responsible organisations are now acknowledging that they need to consider further their social and environmental impact, as well as their profits. It may be difficult for organisations to measure people and planet accounts in the same terms as profitability – but the manager of tomorrow needs to be able to focus on such issues as well as the traditional bottom line. This, in turn, means employers are now looking for graduates who have expertise, not only in accountancy, marketing, logistics etc, but also sustainability.

Sustainable and ethical business The new Business School and Student Hub The Business School has always been a business leaders capable of managing In May 2012, the Business School leader in its development of students in the complex challenges faced by moved into its new £75 million home – relation to business sustainability and business and society in the 21st century. a new building which showcases ethics. We developed and implemented sustainable credentials in its advanced a range of core units that have been In my recently published progress report environmental technology. This new embedded within all taught for PRME, I laid out how we are building has been designed to utilise the programmes: ‘The Responsible committed to developing students not environmental resources available on Accountant’; ‘The Responsible Manager’ only with excellent academic scholarship site and employs a range of active and and ‘The Responsible Marketer’, where and an entrepreneurial vision but also passive, environmentally sustainable students are exposed to the issues with professional skills and high features which have resulted in it relating to the triple bottom line. standards of social responsibility that exceeding the ‘Excellent’ rating under the will positively impact organisations, BREEAM environmental assessment. We also call on experts from industry for communities and the environment. guest lecture slots to illustrate the The students, therefore, live and breathe application of this knowledge, as well as Our mission is to prepare graduates the life and behaviour of the building in being aligned to professional bodies’ versed in the responsible practices that which they are being taught. Indeed, ethical codes of practices, for example society expects from leaders and dynamic information is presented on an the Chartered Institute of Marketing and managers of business, government and hourly basis relating to the energy used Chartered Institute of Management the professions. Our research should in relation to the building’s ‘green’ Accountants. be not only rigorous and relevant, but targets, thereby alerting students to the also serve society. type of buildings which businesses can now occupy and which can make a The curriculum: Sir Roger Carr, President of the difference to the environment. making a difference Confederation of British Industry and chair of Centrica, recently stated: "We The Business School has redeveloped must demonstrate that we are a its mission and vision to ensure that our In 2010, the Business School signed up generation that is focussed not just on graduates are among a new generation to an UN-inspired global compact called how much money we make, but how we of business leaders and entrepreneurs Principles for Responsible Management make money; we must salvage the who balance profit and growth with Education (PRME) to champion reputation of business”. social and environmental considerations. responsible management education, With this attitude we aim to develop research and thought leadership globally. Manchester Metropolitan University is within our students the qualities of UN-PRME is inspired by internationally determined to develop industry leaders excellent academic scholarship, an accepted values such as the principles of who will make this difference and so we entrepreneurial vision, a set of the United Nations Global Compact. are ensuring that our students are on professional skills and the high They seek to establish a process of their way to this goal – and to being standards of social responsibility that continuous improvement among ahead of the game. will positively impact organisations, institutions of management education in communities and the environment. order to develop a new generation of www.business.mmu.ac.uk

7 Transformation Green credentials When it comes to environmental sustainability, the Manchester Metropolitan University has a powerful story to tell.

Outstanding energy We re-use efficient Business and recycle School and 30% of Student Hub our waste Encouraging sutainable travel Top 10 in

We are working Green hard to place environmental Universities sustainability at the heart of league table our curriculum Eco Campus Fairtrade Bronze University Award Reducing our carbon footprint We reduce by 50% by water use 2020 by collecting rainwater

Green roofs create local wildlife habitats

8 he University is now ranked as success that it has now been adopted T one of the UK’s greenest by Manchester City Council. universities after rising to 10th place in the People and Planet Green Increasing staff and student awareness of League in 2012. environmental issues features highly in the University’s Corporate Strategy , as In the same year, MMU also managed to does the aim of minimising the win a Green Gown Award in recognition environmental impact and greenhouse “This gives our students the best of excellence and best practice for emissions from the University’s estate . possible leg up in a world where environmental sustainability in the higher The most effective way of reducing costs sustainability is king. I would urge staff education sector. The award named the and cutting carbon emissions is to ensure and students to take any opportunity to University as international winner of existing and new buildings are energy get involved with MMU’s eco adventure.” ‘continuous improvement and efficient. The major campus rationalisation institutional change’, acknowledging a from seven to two campuses involves Despite an already impressive list of campus-wide commitment to the construction of several new buildings green credentials, the University is not sustainability, physical improvements to and the refurbishment of existing ones – resting on its laurels. environment and carbon reduction and and whether new or refurbished, all changing attitudes across the staff and University buildings are now strictly The coming year will see major building student communities. monitored by an energy rating scheme. work continue at the new £139 million Birley Fields development which will be The Green Gown judges said: “The whole Hundreds of thousands of pounds have the new home of the Faculties of institution – from students to Governors been invested at the All Saints campus Education and of Health, Psychology and the wider community – has united on Oxford Road in solar technology and Social Care. The design of the new together under the banner ‘Let’s Make a and green roofs to increase insulation campus commits to the three zero Sustainable Planet’. This is an extremely in the winter and absorb the sun’s policy – zero waste, zero energy and powerful journey, full of passion and rays in summer. A further £110,000 is zero water – and using the most pride and it is a deserving winner.” being invested in solar energy at the advanced technology, a pioneering Cheshire campus. energy centre on site will generate John Hindley, Head of Environmental combined heat and power with Strategy, said: “Many of our campaigns The new Business School and Student boreholes providing natural, untreated and initiatives are aimed at, and often Hub, at the All Saints campus, which water to heat and cool the buildings and run by, staff and students. This has led opened last year, features a host of supply the campus. to an institutional-wide change in green technologies including rainwater attitudes. recycling and the use of water from John continued: “Our actions so far in boreholes for heating. no way suggest the end of the project, “Winning hearts and minds is a major rather a continuing growth and evolution part of MMU’s sustainability Over at the new Manchester School of in our approach to sustainability and our programme. We are transparent in what Art building there are features such as responsibility as a University.” we do and constantly communicate rainwater harvesting systems which what is happening in our various reduce the energy and chemicals initiatives. This has helped us nurture needed to produce treated water, and sustainability-literate staff and students which also reduce the demand on rivers Sustainable that truly stand out from the crowd.” and groundwater. credentials n Reduced our carbon footprint A wide range of environmental initiatives Almost 94% of students now regard by 19.8% since 2005 – that’s has been organised at the University, MMU as an eco-friendly university and 4,900 tonnes annually including the ‘Student Switch Off’ this is proving important to the campaign, which encouraged students increasingly environmentally-aware n Cited as the leading practitioner in halls of residence to reduce their undergraduates coming through the in Manchester’s 2012 review of energy use, resulting in a saving of 102 doors each year. carbon reduction tonnes of Carbon Dioxide in 2011 alone. n Our yearly water consumption Student Union President, Ben Atkins, has decreased by nearly 15% The ‘Give it don’t bin it’ campaign in said: “Sustainable knowledge is since 2008 halls of residence encouraged students becoming essential in both our work and to send their unwanted items to local personal lives. With MMU embedding n There are 1,136 square metres charities. The scheme has reduced sustainability into every part of the of green roofs on our campuses waste to landfill by 50 tonnes since its student experience it has never been – the largest in Manchester launch in 2009 and has been such a easier to be a ‘green living student’.

9 Transformation

he new Manchester School of Old school, T Art is one of the most exciting educational buildings in the country, according to the Dean, new school Professor David Crow. The £34 million scheme is just the latest eye-opening addition to the rapidly- changing landscape of Oxford Road as This year the Manchester School of Art Manchester Metropolitan University will open the doors of an innovative, spends £350 million unifying all its new building and will celebrate its Manchester provision on one site. 175th anniversary. As you would expect for a prestigious art school, the architecture and layout are both beautiful and innovative but it is the atmosphere which truly sets it apart.

“The building has an open village atmosphere where we can see each of the discipline’s work in progress,” says Professor Crow. “It also has a factory aesthetic in keeping with our Manchester heritage of creating, designing and making things.”

The industrial feel is everywhere: in the huge ‘aircraft hangar’ doors, in the ‘gang-plank’ bridges between floors, the huge exposed-concrete pillars and the staggered light wells which allow sunlight to wash down through a cavern-like interior.

A stunning rooftop, courtyard area, described as “one of the coolest places in Manchester” is a chill-out area and features outdoor lighting, astro-turf and student-designed furniture. Two huge lantern windows in the roof let light flood through to the ground floor. The multiple-height lobby houses a cafeteria, which links to studio areas via three pivoted steel doors. A top floor gallery is also double-height with seating for 180 and a perfect venue for the School’s hugely successful Fashion Show.

Like all new MMU buildings, it is environmentally friendly, naturally ventilated and using novel heat recycling and rainwater capture systems.

The University’s Manchester campus grew up around the Manchester School of Art after it moved here from its first home at Manchester Art Gallery. The splendid Victorian building is still a

10 Grosvenor Building working part of the School and sits comfortably alongside the new concrete and glass building in typical old-meets- new Manchester style.

The School was founded in 1838 – the first regional art school in England – and made its name providing skilled artisans for the textiles industry during Manchester’s industrial revolution. It is a heritage which is worn proudly as part of the School’s modern branding. All new students are welcomed in their Fresher week to a show at Manchester Art Gallery where they meet the cream of the city’s artists and creative employers but can also hear a potted history of the School, which is peopled by the likes of LS Lowry, Adolphe Valette and the Pankhursts.

Looking to the future, the School will play Polytechnic days may recall (hopefully “Academically, the School hopes to an equally important role in the digital with affection) the Cambridge Street build on its reputation for innovation revolution, training artists and designers site, or Didsbury. Cambridge Street, which was acknowledged in 2012 with for the creative, digital and new media where Mick Hucknall among others, the Sir Misha Black Award for Innovation industry which is forecast to create nearly studied Fine Art and Graphics, has in Design Education. Plans to add 20,000 new jobs in the city by 2020. been long since demolished, while interdisciplinary opportunities to our students of drama were formerly based taught postgraduate programme will David Crow added: “We are very proud at the old Horniman Theatre, in School continue our strategy of linking our of our illustrious past and will continue Lane, famous for Opportunity Knocks research strengths to our curriculum.” the Manchester tradition in the fine arts and the performances of young Bernard and contemporary crafts. Hill and Julie Walters. Both areas were Architect Tom Jarman, from Feilden incorporated into the main School site in Clegg Bradley Studios, said their vision “We understand that the future is digital, the 1990s. had been to “redefine spaces for art so we need to add a digital capability to education”. these areas as well as provide media The students who will use the new and design professionals for the BBC, School can look forward to an altogether Tom is especially proud of the concrete for ITV and other growth areas in the different experience with ‘everyone pillars, which rather than being left bare, city. We are investing millions in digital under one roof’ and the whole layout are in places embellished with the studios, laser cutters, rapid prototypers designed to engender interdisciplinary designs of Victorian tutor, Lewis Day, and hi-tech equipment for filmmaking, and collaborative working. using special moulds. “Lewis Day’s animation and graphic design.” designs were for wallpaper; we Professor Crow said: “Students will find pioneered a new technique to adapt It’s a far cry from the multi-site recent their own favourite spaces to work in, them in concrete as we thought it history of the School. Alumni from the and we will work around them.” important to celebrate the School’s heritage,” he said.

The new building ties in with the School’s 175th anniversary, which it plans to celebrate with 175 events in the city throughout 2013. “The celebrations will be a timely reminder of the influence that the Manchester School of Art has had on the cultural output of the region and its wider influence both nationally and internationally,” added Professor Crow.

www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk

11 Thomas Heatherwick The ideas man Visionary ‘maker’ and Manchester Metropolitan University graduate, Thomas Heatherwick, talks to Success about some of the influences and highlights of his career to date. k c i w r e h t a e H

a n e l E

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12 The Olympic cauldron Photo: Heatherwick Studio

homas Heatherwick has said but on a larger scale. I was very much “It’s very important to T that the Olympic cauldron took thinking of Manchester School of Art take responsibility for inspiration from his time when I designed it. My time there was a studying at Manchester School of Art. breakthrough for me and I’m yourself and your enormously grateful.” The 8.5-metre structure made up of 204 ideas to take them copper components – one for each of ‘Making’ is a word Thomas uses a lot, ” the participating countries – has so much, in fact, that it has become the forward become emblematic of last summer’s title for his new book, an overview of his London Olympics. studio’s output to date. And ‘maker’ describes what he does better than the And to create the massive components, more limited ‘designer’, ‘architect’ or “As I got older I discovered that the world Thomas used a large-scale version of a ‘engineer’. Limitations are not, it is fair of ideas was sliced up into something technique he learned while studying to say, what the Heatherwick Studio called art, something called science, towards his degree in Three is about. something called engineering . . . but still Dimensional Design at MMU. the thing that held it all together for me “I’m wary of the word ‘designer’,” says was ‘ideas’ and that’s what we try to “I had some really fantastic metalwork Thomas. “The thing I was interested in focus on in the Heatherwick Studio. You tutors in 3D design who really as a child was ideas, as we all are. can’t study ‘ideas’ though, and the word influenced the cauldron. We worked Newspapers, art, scientific ‘design’ was a verb that seemed to fit with repoussé hammers and copper to breakthroughs – we’re all fascinated because whether you design a city or a raise shapes. Making the copper by the future, which is an accumulation thimble your intent and strategic thinking elements for the cauldron was the same of ideas. are the same.”

13 Thomas Heatherwick

Restless imagination “I was trying to find somewhere to do a London bus degree that would cross over the three Thomas’ interest in how things are dimensional world,” he says. “I was very made started when he was a child in interested in designing buildings, but I North London, although his early couldn’t relate to the thing called experiments did not involve building ‘architecture’. I felt that wasn’t for me. things so much as pulling them apart. Instead, Thomas signed up to study “I took a lot of things apart – I was Three Dimensional Design at curious,” he says. “There seemed to be Manchester School of Art: “The scope a lot of jumble sales in the 1970s, so of the course seemed generous and to you could get hold of what felt like be at an interesting point, and that valuable pieces of equipment – giant proved to be true,” he says. Photo: Heatherwick Studio cash calculators from the Sixties, for example. We lived in a rambling house “There were some tutors who were very sponsorship – an engineer from the and were able to collect these items.” open to what their students might do. Manchester School of Architecture gave They let me experiment and sort of up a lot of his free time to help me. It Aged 12, he had the idea of making hybridise the course. Good tutors give taught me the importance of doing furniture from the giant inner tubes of structure, but they also know when to things that aren’t immediately expected double decker buses, and duly took stand back and let you break that because people are more willing to help himself to the local depot to see if they structure. I wasn’t rebellious in that way you. It also taught me what a generous would give him some to experiment with, – I didn’t need to be.” place the University can be when it’s which they did. It seems his parents were working well. none too concerned by their adolescent At the end of his second year, Thomas son turning their house into a workshop. took a risk and gambled his entire final “I had to run everywhere that year, year on just one project. But this wasn’t which took people by surprise, because “When I was little I was allowed space any project. Already showing the usually people only run like that if it’s a to try things out. There was no-one breadth of vision which would make him fire alarm!” creating blocks or asking me what I a star in his field, Thomas decided he wanted to be when I grew up, which I wanted to make a building. And when normal University opening think can be a curse for children,” he hours weren’t enough, Thomas admits: says. “I didn’t feel like I had multiple “I thought there was a gulf between the “The caretakers would let me stay very choice boxes to tick. I could make up worlds of making and designing – and I late and then would let me climb back my own answers – and my own felt I should straddle that,” he says. “I also over the wall to keep working.” questions for that matter.” felt that if there’s anywhere to experiment, University should be that place. After finishing school and completing a Optimism and national diploma, Thomas started to “I think people were amused that invention search for a suitable degree, and he felt someone was going to make a real as strongly about what he did not want building so the tutors let me use their Despite Britain’s ongoing financial to do as what he did. room to make phone calls to get difficulties, Thomas says that designers and makers have a responsibility not to UK Pavilion make excuses for why projects do not get off the ground.

“It’s easy to blame the world around you for stopping you doing things and saying ‘they wouldn’t let me’,” he says. “When I proposed to make a building my tutors tested me by first saying ‘No’, which made me really look at the logic of why I wanted to do it and then go back to them. It’s very important to take responsibility for yourself and your ideas to take them forward – it’s your job to inspire people to support you.”

He gives several examples of recent Heatherwick Studio projects which have Photo: Iwan Baan

14 The Rolling Bridge Where to see a ‘Heatherwick’

Boiler Suit – Visitors to Guy’s Hospital, in London, cannot fail to notice the bespoke tiled cladding system made from high grade stainless steel frames woven through with braids which won the 2007 Building Better Healthcare Photo: Steve Speller Award for Public Space.

Paper House – Faced with the task of taken into account comparatively small explores the idea of a building with no creating somewhere both secure and budgets, including the Olympic cauldron. corridors. At the same time, his cauldron aesthetically pleasing for newspaper has been dismantled and the copper sellers to ply their trade in Kensington “The London Olympics had a fraction of components are being delivered to all the and Chelsea, Thomas created bronze the budget of Beijing,” he says. “That competing nations across the world. kiosks which can be seen on the streets gave us the opportunity to rethink what of Sloane Square and Earl’s Court. an Olympic cauldron could be. And at “We had that idea because it felt to us the United Expo in Shanghai for the UK that the opposite legacy would be a big Pavilion – The building created by Thomas for his final year project was government, where we won the prize for cauldron in an Olympic park that wasn’t subsequently bought by the Cass the best pavilion, we had half the allowed to be lit and would have pigeon Sculpture Foundation and is still on budget of other countries. I think if you droppings all over it and that seemed display at the park in Goodwood, can be strategic about what you are really sad,” he says. West Sussex. doing and how you are doing it, anything can happen. “The Olympics was an amazing time The Rolling Bridge – Pedestrians when 204 countries came together hoping to cross the Grand Union Canal “In Shanghai I felt a duty to try to show and we wondered if we could have at Paddington Basin on a Friday the things that Britain is famous for, more enduring power by making a afternoon can do so via Thomas’ which is having ideas. It’s really cauldron that would evaporate, in the award-winning rolling bridge, which important not to become cynical – ideas same spirit as countries coming uses hydraulic rams to uncurl from a only happen if you’re an optimist.” together and then going back. I was so circular to a straight position. pleased that the International Olympic Thomas has just redesigned the iconic Committee agreed and the UK Thomas Heatherwick: Making by Thomas London bus and is currently working on a government agreed. The pieces Heatherwick is published by Thames & Hudson, new university building in Singapore which are arriving everywhere now.” £38.00. www.thamesandhudson.com Thomas Heatherwick Becomes the Timeline Commissioned youngest Thomas receives to create person to be world-wide attention temporary appointed a for his design of the Royal Designer Graduates with structure for the Olympic cauldron façade of Harvey for Industry and torch. The work Born in a BA (Hons) Creates the Receives an Graduates from Nichols during and is the of the Heatherwick London on in Three innovative honorary February MA course at London Fashion subject of the Studio is the subject Attends Dimensional ‘zipper bag’ doctorate 17th the Royal Week. His BBC’s Imagine of a retrospective at the Rudolf Design from for French from College of Art. winding ribbon programme the V&A, in London. Steiner Manchester luxury goods Manchester Establishes design won him Heatherwick also School Metropolitan label Metropolitan Heatherwick a D&AD Yellow published his first University Longchamp University Studio Pencil, their book, Making 1970 top award 2006 1984 1992 1994 2000 2007 2012 1997

15 Transformation Modernists in residence

Later this year, Hollings Faculty will move from its current location in Fallowfield to the All Saints campus, but before it does the Manchester Modernist Society has taken up residence in the Toastrack to chronicle its history.

embers of Manchester web ‘museum’. Discoveries include studied or worked at Hollings with M Modernist Society have been photographic contact sheets from memories or photos of their time at the helping to commemorate fashion shoots on the Toastrack roof, Toastrack to get in touch.” Hollings Faculty’s final year at the iconic staff portraits and instructional videos building by acting as a catalyst for a filmed in the early 1990s. Although the Toastrack was only number of creative projects involving officially opened in 1962, two years after students from a variety of University “The building is full of interesting and the building was completed, the history departments, as well as inviting curious items,” said Modernist Society of the Faculty stretches back to 1901, collaborations with artists. co-founder, Jack Hale. “We want to when the Central Girls and Women’s share some of the more interesting Institute was founded at Birley Street As a special marker of the Toastrack’s objects and their stories and we will be High Grade School. 52nd year, the modernists will select encouraging the staff and students at 52 items from around the building and Hollings to suggest their own favourites. The Institute taught a wide range of archive them on a regularly updated We are happy for anybody who has courses, with the Manchester Guardian

16 in 1913 praising its two-year staff of Her Majesty the Queen at ‘Housewives Diploma’, which included Buckingham Palace. subjects such as ’cheap cookery’, ’middle-class cookery’ and ‘under- During the 1970s the College started to clothing cutting’. In the true spirit of the build links with Manchester Polytechnic, Blitz, in 1940 the Institute taught a and offered courses in the study of course called ‘Make-do-and-Mend’, and tourism for the first time. The course in the 1950s students produced a cake was introduced with support from the for Prince Charles’ first birthday. Isle of Man tourist board, including a field study tour of the island to enable a In 1951 the Institute became known as report to be made on its potential the Domestic and Trades College, but expansion as a tourist area. Today, of Computer-generated image of the new with classes of 40 or 50 crammed into course, the island is one of the most CAD Drawing Suite cramped classrooms, it soon became popular holiday destinations in Britain. clear to principal Elsie Hollings that larger facilities were needed and she In 1977 the College became part of set about persuading council bosses to Manchester Polytechnic, but the Hollings move the College to Fallowfield. name was kept in Elsie’s memory.

It was a thankless task, but Elsie From September, the Hollings Faculty will succeeded; the Toastrack was born and be based at the refurbished Cavendish she was awarded an OBE in 1960 for her South and Righton buildings, at the All services to education – something which Saints campus. The Faculty’s new home her friend Lady Simon said was always a is adjacent to the Manchester School of cause of some embarrassment to her. Art, and overlooking Grosvenor Park .

The buildings were designed in 1958 by Hollings Dean, Colin Renfrew, said: City Architect L (Leonard) C Howitt who “The move to All Saints will provide us Computer-generated image of the Fashion Product Development Studio was also responsible for re-modelling the with a newly refurbished environment in interior of Manchester Free Trade Hall the heart of a world-class University after the original was destroyed in WWII, campus which will give us an enticing Hollings Faculty offers the largest and designing the Crown Courts in Crown offer to prospective students, an concentration of undergraduate and Square. The Hollings buildings were enhanced experience for our current postgraduate programmes in food, completed in 1960 and officially opened students and a superior working clothing, hospitality and related fields in in March 1962 by Princess Margaret. environment for all staff members. the UK. Sadly, Elsie was already suffering from cancer and was too poorly to attend the “We will also have the opportunity to www.hollings.mmu.ac.uk ceremony. In July 1962 she died, and develop new relationships with our years later the College was renamed the fellow peers in other faculties and Follow the Modernists’ residency at Hollings College for the Food and hopefully create some new and www.thetoastrack.wordpress.com Fashion Industries, in her honour. amazing joint research initiatives.”

The Toastrack was made a Grade II listed building in 1998, but on its completion split opinions, with A E Henshall, Educational Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, dismissing the building as an “architectural monstrosity”. In the other camp, renowned architectural historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner proclaimed it as “a perfect piece of pop architecture.”

Despite the controversy over its appearance, the college went from strength to strength, with students finding jobs in many top London hotels, and one even finding a place on the

The Toastrack and ‘Fried Egg’ at Hollings Faculty

17 Transformation Students at centre of high-tech learning

Manchester Metropolitan University, which is running one of the most successful virtual learning platforms in the UK, continues to put students at the heart of its rapidly evolving learning technologies.

efore he leaves for University in After lectures, over coffee or on the bus As the YouTube generation reach B the morning, Computer home, Mohamed can pick up his university age, the challenge has been Science student, Mohamed smartphone or iPad and recap on his to engage them in ways of learning they Abusaid, checks his timetable, opens lecturer’s notes and slides, go over his can relate to. The answer is coming in his emails and scrolls through the tutor’s comments on his assignment loud and clear that the best approach to day’s learning materials. Over and look ahead to next week’s lectures. this is by using the media and habits breakfast, he can power up his laptop they most prefer to consume. MMU’s and get a taste of today’s topics and “Your Moodle page acts like your £350 million capital investment tasks, prepare questions, reserve University social hub,” notes the 21- programme is not all about bricks and library books and maybe even see year-old. “There are forums to chat to mortar, but about creating the best related articles and news clips. your peers and all the content you need learning environments. is available on the site or by using an For those of us long since graduated, external link.” “The University has invested heavily in the idea of hearing your lectures before what we call personalised online they start, or watching video of the “I like the fact that material is split into learning,” explains Dr Neil Ringan, coming week’s practicals seems weird weeks, so you can look ahead to what’s Assistant Head of Learning Research and wonderful. Welcome to Moodle, coming up and see how everything Technologies (Learning Innovation). “This MMU’s virtual learning environment! links up.” starts with the student, and we have

18 conducted extensive research which one misses a detail, or it can be viewed “It’s got students has put us way ahead of the game.” later at the student’s leisure. thinking creatively Part of the package is physical Similar work is going on in Dental about resources and investment – PC suites, WiFi Technology, in Law and Healthcare connections, even a network which where student ‘practicals’, for example sources which is would allow students going back home administering medicine, can be for a weekend to access their University watched and checked frame by frame fantastic for their WiFi. But it is the Virtual Learning to perfect a technique. development as Environment (VLE) – Moodle – an open source, flexible online platform, which Like all technology, Moodle is, of independent thinkers” has become the main focus of course, only as effective as the people increased student activity and using it, so the University has a learning satisfaction, and has earned the innovation team of 12 academic experts University a Guardian nomination for encouraging and assisting lecturers in so, and it may well be down to ‘pester Student Experience Initiative of the Year. creating their resources. power’, whereby students who get a great deal from one tutor demand the The statistics are mind-blowing – Some teams, like Exercise and Sport same from others. Neil Ringan says: peaking at around 450,000 hits a day – Science have gone even further by “You can provide staff with all the the 24/7 system has 30,000 individual handing all 200 BSc distance-learners training in the world, but the most users and 19,000 registered mobile an iPad with iBooks, custom-made by effective way of upping their game is via users. lecturers for use ‘anytime anyplace’. pressure from students to deliver.” Lecturer Damian Keil said: “Given the “What they really like is the fact that it’s variety of our student population, this Again, it’s all about expectations and a one-stop shop. Students just log in might be at the training ground in today’s students want more than they and they have everything at their between sessions, on duty in had in the Eighties and Nineties – and fingertips to support their studies – Afghanistan, or sitting on the sofa while they want it now. timetables, deadline calendars, past the kids watch TV.” exam papers, corrected scripts, the lot,” “I don't think I can live without it now,” added Dr Ringan. So is all this technology raising Mohamed adds. “It’s become an standards of learning? It would appear essential in my study life.” Feedback is split between praise for Moodle and demands for more. “Because students value the VLE, they are constantly pushing the envelope. In our day, students just accepted reading lists as gospel, but now they are asking for alternative materials, whether they’re website links or clips or audio.

“In this sense, the VLE is empowering, it’s got students thinking creatively about resources and sources which is fantastic for their development as independent thinkers.

“Also, because the system is open source, we can respond and go out and find a plug-in that performs a function that students want. For example we are just launching a new YouTube-type interface to mesh with Moodle.”

Video is a game-changer. In Accounting and Finance, video of lecturers Kieran Maguire and Nick Scott writing a balance sheet is multi-purpose; it can be broadcast on a big screen so no-

19 Research and Innovation Wildlife at risk Dozens of species of wildlife are at risk from low levels of pollution, according to new research.

he levels at which air pollution Professor Dise, said: “One of the Tharm species may be drawbacks of previous studies is that significantly lower than most field experiments to establish previously thought, according to limits on pollution are near the Dr Richard Payne and Professor populated, and polluted, areas where Nancy Dise from the Faculty of most scientists live. It may be that long- Science and Engineering. term exposure to even medium levels of pollution have already changed Together with colleagues at Lancaster these ecosystems. University and the Open University, more than 100 individual plant species’ “In this latest research, we studied reactions to nitrogen deposition at many grasslands along the natural 153 grassland sites across Europe gradient of pollution across Europe. were studied. And we found that, even at the cleanest sites, low levels of pollution had an They found that many species, effect on the abundance of some particularly wildflowers such as plant species.” creeping buttercup, harebell, yarrow, and autumn hawkbit, were much less Nitrogen is released from fertiliser, abundant in areas with high nitrogen intensive animal production units, levels, such as central Britain, the industry, and vehicle exhausts. Netherlands, northern Germany Emissions are converted in the and Brittany. atmosphere to nitrogen-rich water droplets, which acidify and fertilise Particularly surprising was the discovery the land when they fall back to earth that many species declined at very low as rain and snow. levels of pollution, often below the legally-recognised ‘safe’ level. Their The scientists’ latest reseach paper was findings suggest the impacts of published by the Proceedings of the pollution may be more widespread than National Academy of Science of previously appreciated. the USA.

Adoption pilot Dr Katherine Runswick-Cole, of the In a paper published by the British Research Institute for Health and Social Journal of Criminology , Dr Hannah Adoption ‘parties’, at which prospective Change, says that early findings from Smithson, Dr Rob Ralphs and Dr Patrick parents meet children in need of a new their pilot project indicate that such Williams say that not only does the family, significantly increase the success could be replicated in the UK. blanket use of the term ‘gang’ to refer chances of a match, according to to any young people committing violent researchers from the Faculty of Health, crime draw funding away from more Psychology and Social Care. Gangs study basic problems, it also creates a vicious circle whereby communities Evidence from the USA suggests that Academics from Sociology and are driven to claiming that more crime adoption activity days are twice as Criminology in the Faculty of Humanities, is gang-related in order to get much- effective as any other method of family Languages and Social Science say that needed resources. finding for children, with 30 per cent of indiscriminately categorising young children placed after such days, people as being part of a ‘gang’ results They say that the overuse of the ‘gang’ compared with less than 15 per cent in grassroots problems such as poverty label risks criminalising the behaviour through normal channels. and lack of education. of young people.

20 International recognition

Surface engineering PhD student, Carolin Struller, has won a prestigious award for a paper on a coating that could see cost savings in the food industry.

arolin Struller won the John premier industry conference that Bobst CMatteucci Technical Excellence attend annually and I had the opportunity Award for Best Vacuum Web to join them for the first time this year. I Coating Paper at the recent AIMCAL definitely enjoyed it and the chance to (Association of International Metallizers, present my paper. People who’d read it Coaters and Laminators) conference before said it was good but I didn’t expect in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. to win the award so I was very pleased.”

Carolin attended the conference with Having completed her Master’s in Bobst Manchester, the UK division of Munich, Carolin began working on her the global supplier of equipment to PhD, in the Faculty of Science and packaging manufacturers in the folding Engineering’s Surface Engineering group, carton and flexible materials industries. which has strong ties with many industrial She has been working with Bobst since partners including Carolin’s collaboration 2008, when she took a five-week with Bobst. She says: “I enjoyed my time placement in Manchester as part of her here in Manchester during my placement, Master’s degree at the Technische and working with Bobst has been really Universität München. beneficial for my studies over the past four years.” She has built up a lasting The prestigious AIMCAL awards connection which has led to her working recognise the best technical papers very closely with the company. And she showcased at the event. Carolin manages a relationship with one of presented her paper on Aluminium Bobst’s customers, Innovia Films, who Oxide Barrier Layers on Polymer Web, are the only producer of BOPP film in covering the effects of various the UK. parameters on barrier levels for aluminium oxide deposition onto BOPP Carolin hopes that the process of using film via reactive evaporation. an aluminium oxide coating on BOPP film will open additional sales markets BOPP film is bi-axially oriented for the company, as well as produce polypropylene which has good clarity, cost savings and environmental UV light and chemical resistance. The advantages over traditional transparent clear material also has scuff and acid barrier films. She says: “The aluminium resistance. The transparent aluminium oxide coating can be produced on a oxide coating serves as a barrier layer modified metallizer and thus result in against water vapour and oxygen, and versatility as one machine can be used the coated film can be used for end for two processes, opaque aluminium products in food packaging metallization and transparent aluminium applications, including baked goods oxide coating, without compromise. and microwaveable products. Bobst sells to a worldwide market and so there are huge possibilities.” Carolin was delighted and surprised to win the AMICAL award, saying: “It’s the www.sci-eng.mmu.ac.uk/rei2

21 Research and Innovation Cutting your teeth

Research in the University’s dental technology centre could make a huge impact in the dental profession.

he dental technology centre, manufacture using ISO 9001:2008 there Chris says: “The use of recycled alloys T in the Faculty of Science and is a need for quality control measures in shows a significant increase in porosity Engineering, has courses the laboratory and surgery to confirm indicated by black spots shown in an franchised in the UK and internationally, necessary standards.” electron micrograph. We found that while its research underpins wide porosity occurrence is dependent on areas of dental technology. The project aims to develop quantitative alloy type and restoration factors.” methods to identify defective Chris Maryan, Principal Lecturer in manufacture. The work is sponsored by Cobalt-chromium alloys demonstrated maxillofacial prosthetics and Medimatch, the UK arm of an more microstructural stability than nickel- technology, is currently leading research international dental laboratory business chromium alloys. All metal restorations in the development of quantitative and based in China. Medimatch are seeking made out of nickel-chromium alloys tend qualitative analytical methods to assure methods they can use in their business to have more porosity than ceramic the quality of custom-made dental to validate their standards independently. bonded restorations. devices. The MMU supervisory team of Chris For both types of alloys, recasting Most dental crowns are still handmade Maryan, Steve Horne, Rebecca Taylor procedures resulted in a change in and labour costs are a key factor. The and Joanna Verran from Healthcare elemental composition. Nickel- international postage rates and ease of Science has been trying to reproduce chromium alloys demonstrated transport have enabled a four-day faults that can occur using different reduction in chromium and tantalum turnaround to the UK from many parts of manufacturing techniques and re-use of values, while cobalt-chromium alloys the world at lower manufacturing costs dental alloys. Specimens were cast demonstrated reduction in silicon and of between 10 and 50% of those in the using different alloy combinations, and molybdenum values. UK. The benefits to dental practices in were polished according to reducing budgets are significant. manufacturer recommendations. Chris concludes: “Recasting base metal alloys causes microstructural and But Chris says that if there are problems Optical and Scanning Electron compositional deviations which might with these devices they are potentially Microscopy (SEM) techniques were have an adverse effect on dental compromising patient health, and the used to assess porosity, while X-ray restoration quality, so continuing work professional standing of the technicians. Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was will focus on the impact of recasting He says: “There are many excellent used to determine surface composition, procedure on alloy biocompatibility and overseas manufacturers, but formal and SEM with Energy-Dispersive X-ray mechanical properties.” education, training and regulation vary (EDX) spectroscopy was used to widely. Although many laboratories identify bulk composition. www.sci-eng.mmu.ac.uk/rei2

22 Working with Business Award-winning partnership

The University has won a major award for the way it transfers knowledge to industry.

partnership with international Catherine has already led to significant Lucy was nominated for the award by A security firm ATG Access® improvements in marketing practice the ATG Access management board and is a resounding success and strategy development at the firm. was interviewed by a panel comprising a and has earned recent graduate, director at Fujitsu, the leader of the Lucy Foster, a Business Leader of “Having academic insight to review the BBC's digital marketing strategy and the Tomorrow Award. business processes at each planning head of the KTP initiative in the UK. stage along with the embedding of a Lucy, a graduate of the Business more formal structure is of great benefit ATG Access has grown by 70 per cent School, was judged the outstanding to a fast developing and growing over the last year and has now become researcher in the UK in one of hundreds business like ours. We are now looking one of the world's leading suppliers of of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at using other resources from MMU to high security bollards and barriers. (KTPs) set up to transfer university-level make improvements in wider areas of skills to small and medium growth the business, such as projects “I left University with businesses. management, research and three career wishes development, and engineering.” Judged by a panel of chief executives, and my involvement the award acknowledges the Lucy completed her 18-month contribution made by Lucy and the attachment at the firm in October in with the KTP has University to the company's success parallel with an MSc in Marketing and helped me to achieve over the past 18 months. has now taken up a full-time post with the company. them all” Lucy, a first class honours graduate in Marketing Management, worked with She said: “I left University with three the Haydock-based business under the career wishes and my involvement with Knowledge Transfer Partnerships offer innovative solutions to help supervision of Dr Catherine Ashworth, the KTP has helped me to achieve them organisations develop and improve Senior Lecturer in the Department of all – a good salary, funding for my products, processes and Marketing, Operations and Digital Master’s and to stay in Manchester. competitiveness through the best Business, to bring the latest marketing use of technology and skills. The thinking to the company. “Working in a commercial environment scheme places graduates in the and conducting research which is of host organisation, supported by Glenn Cooper, President of ATG use to the business and the University an academic supervisor. Access, said: “The positive impact of has made the experience all the more www.mmu.ac.uk/business the ‘new eyes’ of both Lucy and worthwhile.”

23 Postgraduate Study Advancing your career

The benefits of investing in postgraduate study.

Anthony Woods MSc Management (part-time) Business School Faculty of Business and Law

unding his MSc and studying authorised access to one hundred Management’ were hugely relevant, F in his own time has paid internal managers allowing Anthony to thus enabling Anthony to implement dividends for Anthony Woods, gain invaluable details for his research what he was learning on the course who now has a new career in Human project. Being able to ask managers directly into his day-to-day environment. Resources. Knowing that gaining a about their experiences and gain further qualification would help him understanding of their thought Since graduating, Anthony has moved progress his career, Anthony decided processes too was a fundamental part away from the Operations side of the to study for an MSc in Management. of the research project. business into Human Resources. He found that having an MSc to his name Initially his employers were unaware of Anthony found that working for a really got him noticed in the his studies as the impetus to study national organisation undergoing a organisation and gave him a very came from Anthony himself. However, major restructure, and leading this impressive CV. by the second year, when he needed to change, was particularly challenging carry out a piece of workplace research whilst studying. However, the units on www.business.mmu.ac.uk they were really supportive. In fact, they ‘Change Management’ and ‘Financial

The benefits of postgraduate study at Manchester Metropolitan University

n highest concentration of n staff at the forefront of their fields Visit us postgraduate taught courses in sharing the latest academic thinking Postgraduate Courses Fairs are held the North West four times a year in March, May, n more than 200 postgraduate September and November. n flexible programmes with full-time taught programmes and dozens To check dates and book your place: and part-time options in most of research areas www.mmu.ac.uk/study/ course areas n many courses are recognised by postgraduate/visit n close links with business and professional bodies and associations Find out more employers helping you get industry For all postgraduate information: relevant experience www.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate

24 Kirsty-Marie Hicks experiences and knowledge I gained from the MSc, I do not think I would PhD student be where I am now, completing a PhD Exercise and Sport Science in Physiology. Cheshire campus “Alongside my PhD, the University has fter graduating from the allowed me to progress in the applied University with a BSc (Hons) setting where I now provide scientific A support at local football clubs. I know in Sport and Exercise Science and then an MSc in Exercise and that I can take the academic skills I Sport (Physiology), Kirsty-Marie have gained from staying in higher decided to expand her knowledge and education into my future career, whether expertise by embarking on a PhD in that is in applied science, research Human and Exercise Physiology. or teaching.

“I have always wanted to work in the “I would recommend anyone with a field of exercise and sport science and slight interest in exercise and sport completing my undergraduate degree science to consider MMU, as the level at MMU’s Cheshire campus only fuelled of academic support, experiences and this desire. opportunities they offer is phenomenal.” genetics laboratories and a sports “I stayed at MMU and completed my MMU’s Cheshire campus is home to a injuries clinic – all of which makes this MSc in Physiology, where not only was new £10 million Exercise and Sport the ideal place for sport-related the teaching of an incredibly high Science Centre which is fitted with the postgraduate study. standard but the level of research was latest testing and research equipment, also world class. Without the including an altitude training chamber, www.cheshire.mmu.ac.uk

Tracy Minshull racy Minshull is the Head of “The learning cuts across everything and Commissioning and Strategy gives you a real foundation to build on. I MSc Leadership (part-time) T for Bury Adult Care Services. now know I have not just the experience Business School She joined Bury Council in 2010 after but also the academic knowledge to Faculty of Business and Law working for many years in the third back up the experience – this really gives sector with a national youth charity. you the confidence you need to be able Tracy applied for her present senior to use these skills in the workplace. management role halfway through her time at MMU and believes the “The Master’s doesn't just focus on confidence gained from studying at reading the texts and doing the Master’s level gave her the boost she assignments, it's very much how you are needed to apply for the position. going to go back to work and embed the learning in your own organisation. Your own experience is as much a part of the course as the university input itself.

“The learning I've experienced at MMU is also having an effect on my colleagues. All the teams I manage are being introduced to the ideas and methods I've studied and they are now holding their own peer support groups. The knowledge is filtering through the department and my hope is that this will continue down the line. The Master’s has taught me a great deal and it's satisfying to see the benefit of this study continuing to spread beyond my office door.”

www.business.mmu.ac.uk

25 Meet Our Alumni All in the brew

Naheed Younis, Area Export Manager at Heineken, is mentoring students as an Alumni Ambassador.

ost students would brands on which to spend their money. “I made lots of life-long friends and it M probably say their dream “We call them ‘weekend millionaires’,” changed my life,” he says. “That’s why I job was one which involved he says. “People go out less but they recently decided to get back in touch tasting beer – and that’s exactly what trade up when they do.” with MMU and put something back in to Naheed Younis does for a living. help the students.” Naheed studied Business Studies and As Area Export Manager for beer giants Finance at Crewe and Alsager College Four students will have the chance to Heineken International, Naheed’s job is of Higher Education, now part of MMU’s take part in a two-month project helping mainly in sales but also includes Cheshire campus. to develop a beer brand in the research, pack design, commercial Manchester market, including visiting planning, glasswear design, fonts . . . “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do pubs and supermarkets to look at price and tasting. at the time. I had been enjoying student points. Naheed will also act as a life and thought working in the drinks referee, give them days out in the field But while Naheed admits that his job is industry sounded cool,” he says. “I’m with his staff and provide a mini a student’s dream, he says it is also quite a social person and I thought it assessment centre to coach them. very hard work. would be a good fit.” “The key was to offer a real-life project “It’s a multi-million pound investment After starting out as a graduate trainee so they can differentiate themselves and your head’s on the line,” he says, at Grand Metropolitan – now known as from all the students applying for roles naming his biggest challenge so far as another drinks giant, Diageo – he in the summer. There is more his current project – the introduction of moved to Whitbread where he spent competition now and new graduates three new beers into the British market. eight years before being headhunted by have to work harder and smarter.” Heineken in 2002. “I have full responsibility for making To find out more about becoming an them live and breathe,” he says, adding Naheed says that the time he spent Alumni Ambassador and mentoring that despite the recession, British drinkers in Crewe was fundamental to who he students, please contact the Alumni are increasingly looking to premium has become. Office at: [email protected].

26 enna Saeed was honoured Hwith the inaugural Emerging New talent Talent Award at the O2 Media Awards North West for her investigation into the lives of gay Filmmaker Henna Saeed comes under the spotlight. people across the world.

Henna, who studied for an MA in Film- making was presented with her award by ITN anchorwoman Natasha Kaplinski.

She said: “I was glad to be among the top three, but I thought that getting up on that stage in front of all those top journalists I had reached what I wanted – I didn’t mind at that point whether I won. But when they showed us representing our universities I really wanted to win. Everyone was so proud of MMU – a lot of the journalists there came here and it was amazing to be a part of that.”

For her documentary, Henna travelled abroad and spoke to many gay people to find out how they were treated outside the UK. She said: “I believe in picking up things that are a bit controversial – I think it’s the duty of the media to look at things that are left in the dark. I felt I knew people that were leading a double life and I wanted to make a film looking at their problems.”

Since receiving the award, Henna has returned home to Pakistan, where she will teach at the University of the Punjab, before taking on a role with one of the country’s television networks.

Krissi Bohn Fiona Fontes Oli Randell BA (Hons) Acting 2004 PGCE Art and Design 2006 BA (Hons) Financial Services 1998 Tutors at Manchester School of Theatre Fiona, who is Head of Art at Terra Nova Business School graduate, Oli Randell, were among the first to hear that Krissi School in Cheshire, took her Year 7 was named future pro·manchester’s had landed the part of Jenna Kamara in class to a workshop with graduate Professional Innovator 2012. The award Coronation Street . “She was training for Nicola Dale, who was in the last issue of recognises innovative flair in rising stars a job in the NHS when she called us to Success as one of the alumni exhibiting from Manchester’s financial and say she was coming back up North. It’s in the First Cut exhibition at Manchester professional services community. fantastic for her,” said the Head of School. Art Gallery. Oli is Managing Director of Local Other acting alumni who have starred Her class won first prize in the 7-11 Business Partners, an innovative in Coronation Street include Kevin years category and had their work business advisory firm which provides Kennedy (Curly Watts), Sue Cleaver shown as part of the exhibition. finance, HR and marketing experts to (Eileen Grimshaw) and Debra North West small businesses. Stephenson (Frankie Baldwin).

27 MMU Events What’s on

Axis Arts Centre The Holden Gallery Cheshire Campus Grosvenor Building Crewe Green Road Cavendish Street Crewe CW1 5DU Manchester M15 6BR Bookings: 0161 247 5302 www.holdengallery.mmu.ac.uk www.axisartscentre.org.uk Until Thursday 14 March Tuesday 5 March An Exhibition Kate Tempest: Wasted Investigating the role of viewer in the Debut play from hip-hop musician and gallery space. performance poet Kate Tempest. Friday 12 April – Thursday 23 May Thursday 7 March creation/destruction juice and MaJiKer: Flesh and Bone Exploring the similarities between Experimental musicians combining creative and destructive acts. Erasure mash-ups and three-part harmonies. Saturday 15 June – Wednesday 19 June Saturday 16 March and Degree show Sunday 17 March Work by Manchester School of Art final J Fergus Evans: my heart is year students. hitchhiking down peachtree st One-man show about living far away from home. Special Collections Sir Kenneth Green Library All Saints Capitol Theatre Manchester M15 6BH Mabel Tylecote Building Info: 0161 247 6107 Cavendish Street www.specialcollections.mmu.ac.uk Manchester M15 6BG Booking: 0161 247 1306 Until Friday 22 March www.capitoltheatre.mmu.ac.uk Art Nouveau Highlights from the collection. The Capitol Theatre’s summer season will be announced online shortly. Monday 15 April – Friday 21 June Mr Dedman’s Victory Suit Contemporary work by Ant Riviere and Amanda Ravetz.

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