School of Social Sciences Supplement Summer 2011
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5755_S3_Network 2011:Layout 1 19/7/11 14:12 Page 1 School of Social Sciences Supplement Nottingham Trent University Alumni Association Summer 2011 Welcome Welcome to this special Network supplement for all former students of NTU’s School of Social Sciences. Like the University itself, the School of Sir David Attenborough with Chancellor Sir Michael Parkinson at the opening of Newton and Arkwright Social Sciences has gone from strength to strength in recent years. I first encountered what was then Trent Polytechnic back in 1980 when I Inspirational surroundings enrolled as a student onto the Diploma in Careers Guidance, and I’ve seen many changes since then. As I sit in World famous broadcaster and Britain’s best known our refurbished department in the Chaucer building, overlooking the natural history film maker, Sir David Attenborough, stunning Newton and Arkwright has officially opened Nottingham Trent University’s development, I still have fond memories of studying in York House in Newton and Arkwright buildings. the 80s, and going on to work as a guidance professional before returning to the University as a member of staff Visitors to Nottingham Trent University It has also triumphed against in 1993. over recent years could not fail to notice international competition to receive a Our course portfolio and research the ongoing transformation of our Civic Trust Award for the outstanding activities have expanded tremendously landmark buildings. The Grade II* listed contribution it makes to the quality and since then and you can read about Newton and Arkwright buildings have appearance of the environment, and for some of the developments in this been part of an ambitious regeneration bringing social, cultural and economic magazine. However one thing that has programme to create a vibrant heart for benefits to the local community. In stayed the same is our commitment to the University’s City site. Designed by addition, the scheme received the title of producing well-rounded, successful the internationally renowned Hopkins Project of the Year at the East Midlands graduates who really can make a Architects, the scheme has delivered Centre for Constructing the Built difference to people’s lives. world-class teaching and learning Environment Awards, and helped the I hope this supplement gives you a facilities as well as reinvigorating the University’s Estates and Resources team taste of life in the School today, and Nottingham cityscape. to receive a prestigious nomination for also the opportunity to reminisce Above all, the campus has been the Times Higher Education Leadership about your time here. I also hope that revitalised, creating an inspiring working and Management Awards 2011. it inspires you to keep in touch – we’d environment for students, staff and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil love to hear your memories, stories and visitors and a clear entrance to the Gorman, said: “Newton and Arkwright successes and to celebrate our University. are a showpiece for urban renewal and achievements together. Since its completion, the project has include some of the most far-reaching won a number of awards, including a green initiatives any university has ever Best wishes, prestigious national Royal Institute of seen.” Ann Allen (Careers Guidance 1981) British Architects (RIBA) Award 2011. Acting Dean of the School of Social Sciences 5755_S3_Network 2011:Layout 1 19/7/11 14:12 Page 2 network school of social sciences supplement Health and Social Care student shines in British Margaret’s Council international awards Health and Social Care student Sabrina Bhundoo has picked up a top story accolade in a prestigious competition organised by the British Council by being named as the East Founder of the Nottingham-based Child Midlands Shine Migrants Trust, Margaret Humphreys CBE was International Student of the Year 2011. awarded an honorary degree by NTU in 1996 As part of the competition, international students for her contribution to knowledge of child care, across the country were required to share stories about their extra-curricular achievements, which illustrate social policy and practice. Now her story is the how they are making the most of their time in the UK. Each student was asked to write a personal ‘letter subject of a film – Oranges and Sunshine. home’ in English, detailing the out-of-class achievements that help make their time in the UK so rewarding. With some scenes filmed in and one person’s fight to have that Mauritian student Sabrina included information Nottingham, the £3 million film tells story known, and to give those people about her voluntary experience within health and how Margaret uncovered one of the some sense of identity.” social care. She has worked in a residential home, most significant social scandals of Oranges and Sunshine opened at learnt sign language and joined the Nottinghamshire recent times – the deportation of cinemas on 1 April 2011, and is Healthcare Community Befriending Scheme in thousands of children from the UK to available to buy on DVD from 25 July addition to her studies to gain a real insight into the Australia. Almost single-handedly, 2011. caring profession. As one of 12 regional winners she against overwhelming odds and with travelled to London on Wednesday 13 April to have her little regard for her own well-being, extraordinary achievements honoured in a national awards ceremony. Margaret reunited thousands of Sabrina was one of more than 1,200 individuals families, brought authorities to from 118 countries to enter the ninth annual account and drew worldwide International Student Awards. The awards are a major attention to an extraordinary initiative from the British Council that shines the miscarriage of justice. spotlight on international students and their Actress Emily Watson, who plays contributions to life in the UK. Margaret in the film, said: “It’s an Sabrina said of her voluntary work: “I related to amazing story – very powerful and people in the residential homes in which I worked by compelling. It was one of those listening to them actively, showing empathy and things that just felt right from the off. valuing them for what they are. It is the people who I It’s about bearing witness to the support that have made me a winner and I have terrible abuse of innocent children gained a lot of self-esteem and confidence.” that could have gone without notice Emily Watson as Margaret Humphreys Sabrina receives a £1,000 prize for winning the regional award. “I am delighted to have won this competition, I was really not expecting to do this well but thought I would give it a go,” said Sabrina. Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council, said the letters home written by the entrants were both poignant and inspiring. He said: “The students have immersed themselves in life in the UK and are making a huge contribution not just to their campuses but to the wider community. The British Council is delighted to recognise their considerable achievements.” “I witnessed how service users felt important when they were listened to, shown respect and treated with dignity. They grew in self-esteem and their faces lit up with smiles.” Sabrina Bhundoo Actors Hugo Weaving and Emily Watson star in the film 2 get involved at www.ntualumni.org.uk 5755_S3_Network 2011:Layout 1 19/7/11 14:12 Page 3 Exploring religion, youth and sexuality For the first time, researchers have carried out a detailed study around sexuality and religion and how these issues affect and influence the lives of British 18-25 year olds. Experts, including Dr Michael Keenan from examined young people’s experiences of sexualities however they wished, while Nottingham Trent University’s School of living in British society and how they others believed sexual expression should be Social Sciences and Dr Andrew Kam-Tuck understood and managed their gender limited to marriage or a committed Yip and Dr Sarah-Jane Page from the School identity in relation to their religious faith. relationship. Despite the diversity in of Sociology and Social Policy at The The research shows that nearly a third of opinion, most salient was the support University of Nottingham, spent two years young people think celibacy is fulfilling, expressed across the board for investigating the attitudes, values and while nearly two thirds are committed to monogamous relationships by 83.2% of experiences of sex and religion among treating heterosexuality and homosexuality the sample. young adults. on equal terms. Meanwhile lesbian, gay, Their experiences in connecting their The project “Religion, Youth and bisexual and transgendered participants religious faith and sexuality were diverse. Sexuality: a Multi-faith Exploration” received reveal that there are psychological and Some had experienced tension and conflict. funding of nearly £250,000 from the Arts social costs to living their everyday lives, Others were able to deal with any conflict and Humanities Research Council and the particularly within religious communities. by compartmentalising faith and sexuality. Economic and Social Research Council. It Dr Yip said: “The aim is to document and While there were also participants who had involved nearly 700 young people from six disseminate the voices of religious young found a way of accommodating both. different religious traditions (Buddhism, adults - exploring how they understand their NTU’s Dr Keenan said: “The majority of the Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism sexuality and religious faith, and the religious young adults felt their religion was and Sikhism), as well as young adults of significant factors that inform such a positive force in their lives, and many felt mixed-faith. It highlighted the challenges understandings, as well as the strategies that their faith was the most important they face in reconciling their sexuality and they have developed to manage their influence on their sexual values and their religion, and the concerns they have sexual, religious, youth and gender practices.