Annual Report and Financial Statements 2008-09
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To Discover And Understand. Our Annual Report & Financial Statements 2008 – 09. Annual Report 2008–09 Contents 04 — 05 Vice-Chancellor’s introduction 06 — 07 Chairman’s foreword 08 — 13 Report of the Treasurer 14 — 21 Our student population 22 — 23 Our Shared Vision 24 — 25 The Achievement of Excellence 26 — 27 The Frontiers of Knowledge 28 — 29 The Impact of Innovation 30 — 33 The Power of People 34 — 35 The Sense of Belonging 36 — 37 Our University at a glance 38 — 39 Honorary Graduates 40 — 41 Staffing Matters 42 — 94 Financial Statements 03 Annual Report 2008–09 Vice-Chancellor’s Introduction It is my pleasure to introduce the University of Sheffield Annual Report and Financial Statements 2008–09 – an exciting and challenging year of outstanding Professor Keith Burnett Vice-Chancellor achievements in research and teaching across the faculties. In December of 2008, the University Each of the University´s faculties has received the much-anticipated results world-leading research. Information of the national Research Assessment Studies, Politics and Town and Regional Exercise, the peer review exercise to Planning came first amongst other UK evaluate the quality of research in UK Higher Education Institutions for the higher education institutions which quality of their research. A further 11 informs the distribution of funds by the subjects were ranked in the top five. UK Higher Education funding bodies. I am delighted to say that seven years However, Sheffield´s success in research after the previous RAE, the University was not at the expense of our emphasis of Sheffield was among the top ten in on students and quality in teaching and the association of leading UK research- learning. The National Student Survey intensive universities, the Russell Group. (NSS) ranked Sheffield third amongst the Russell Group and many of our The results of the RAE confirmed our highest performing research position as a world-leading university departments also topped the NSS with an international reputation for subject tables. The Quality Assurance research excellence across a wide range Agency (QAA) audit has commended the of disciplines. The quality, breadth and University for its teaching and learning volume of research activity in Sheffield experience and student support was further demonstrated by the fact systems – a process which has Our staff are that research carried out by 93 per cent continued and strengthened over the taking on the great of the University´s academic staff past year in partnership with the Union submitted was internationally of Students. challenges of our recognised and in many cases ‘world- leading’. The University was also among time and making a one of only 10 universities in the country that submitted more than 40 units of real difference. assessment, with over 90 per cent of our eligible staff included in the RAE. 04 Vice-Chancellor’s introduction In particular we have focused on best through to the impact of alcohol pricing This was very successful and, together practice by tutors, and the way we on public health for both young and old. with efficiencies in our use of energy help students develop skills which will and buildings, should enable us to be of particular interest to employers. 2008–09 also saw exciting new address our financial challenges while A formal record of employability, developments on campus. In June, the continuing to focus on our primary areas strengthened by outstanding Lord Mayor of Sheffield officially opened of emphasis – our excellent research volunteering and professional the new Jessop Development – a £33 and outstanding student experience. mentoring, is now bearing fruit at a million project comprising Jessop West, time when graduates of all universities the restored Jessop building and the Our year ended with some farewells. face harsh competition for good jobs new rehearsal and recording studios The Registrar and Secretary Dr David as they begin their careers. for the Department of Music, the Fletcher, retired after a decade of ‘Soundhouse’. The area is now home dedication to the highest standards It would be impossible to cite all the to the departments of History, English amongst professional services at the outstanding work which has been and the School of Modern Languages University where he had himself been carried out by staff and students at and Linguistics, providing an exciting a student. He handed over the baton to the University of Sheffield over the new hub for the Faculty of Arts opposite Dr Philip Harvey who now ably supports past year, but certain themes do stand the Information Commons. Work began me in guiding a large and diverse out. Our staff are taking on the great on the refurbishment of the Library to institution through challenging times, challenges of our time and making a include much needed exhibition space. and who shares my commitment to real difference, particularly in the Away from the main campus, HRH the quality. It was also with real sadness area of climate change. From leading Duke of York opened the Rolls-Royce that we learned of the sudden loss of international partnership work on the Factory of the Future, a new site for the our colleague and friend, Professor Bob Greenland ice sheet to research highly successful Advanced Boucher, who served as Vice-Chancellor focusing on the development of Manufacturing Research Centre which from 2001 until his retirement in 2007. alternative aviation fuels, Sheffield continues to expand its activities on the He is sorely missed. has been deeply involved in addressing Advanced Manufacturing Park to the vital environmental questions. vital benefit of the local and regional And so we continue the work begun economy. and continued by others who fervently For example, Dr Andrew McGonigle believe in the value of what we do at from Geography was awarded the Of course, 2008–09 has been a year the University of Sheffield. It is my prestigious Rolex Award for Enterprise in which no Annual Report can afford pleasure to add the many achievements for his design of an unmanned, small- to ignore wider economic realities. of the last year to an honourable record scale helicopter which helps safely and Recognising a projected deficit in our of educational excellence in Sheffield, reliably predict volcanic eruptions finances – a situation common to many and I look forward with confidence to weeks, even months in advance, UK universities such as ours – the continuing this into the future. potentially saving thousands of lives. University made the decision to take early preventative action to ensure Professor Keith Burnett We are also making significant our financial sustainability through a Vice-Chancellor contributions to health and well-being. voluntary programme to reduce staff This year, the University opened a £12 numbers. million research centre which will lead UK research into Motor Neurone Disease, and other degenerative Sheffield has been deeply involved illnesses. We also opened the Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, named after in addressing vital environmental the late Sir Edward Mellanby, Chair of Pharmacology at Sheffield in 1920. The questions, from leading international Centre will study diseases ranging from osteoporosis and bone cancer in adults partnership work on the Greenland ice to brittle bone disease in children. It also sheet to research on the development complements work on health policy ranging from effective treatments for of alternative aviation fuels. common dental problems in children 05 Annual Report 2008–09 Chairman’s Foreword Over the past year, the University of Sheffield has once again Kathryn Riddle proved its quality and Chairman international standing. The Research Assessment Exercise To be part of this activity is an ongoing confirmed world-leading academic privilege. I have also been impressed to excellence in each of our faculties, and see how the University of Sheffield has several departments were ranked top responded positively and with vision in their subject area throughout the to the wider economic challenges. whole of the United Kingdom. The hard Measures taken this year to reduce work of academic staff in the pursuit of staff costs through voluntary means knowledge and understanding also went will, I have no doubt, place this University hand-in-hand with teaching and learning, in a stronger financial position to protect as student satisfaction ratings continued the quality of research, learning and to be excellent. application of which we are all justifiably proud. However, this knowledge did not stop within the University. Our outstanding Kathryn Riddle research is constantly being translated Chairman into real impact, both on the lives and well-being of people and in economic growth. The work of our medics and scientists has led to significant breakthroughs in the treatment of breast cancer, the care for the elderly and how we support those who are being cared for at home. Our scientists and social scientists have engaged with the most challenging environmental issues of the day, and this work will benefit not only our own generation but those to come. 06 Chairman’s foreword 07 Annual Report 2008–09 Report of the Treasurer Financial Review Funding Council Grants have increased by £10.6m to £132.6m, although £7.8m of Income and Expenditure Account this is due to the accelerated deferred The University group has an operating capital grants relating to the valuation. deficit of £10.2m (2007–08: £12.2m Excluding these accelerated grant operating surplus) and a historic cost releases, Funding Council Grant income deficit of £2.8m (2007–08: £19.8m has increased by 2.25%. surplus). Total income has increased to £403.3m from £381.3m. Total Tuition fees and education contracts expenditure has increased to have increased by £11.0m to £112.4m. £413.5m from £369.1m. This is the third year of the introduction of variable fees with most home Kim Staniforth Included within the 2008–09 financial undergraduates now paying the new Treasurer year results are two items of particular fee levels and these have generated note, which influence comparatives.