Second The Sound The Impact 12 to None 14 of Success 19 of World War I Welcome to the latest Two exceptional music 100 years on, we see transformation of careers: graduates how The University of the award-winning Elizabeth Watts and Sheffi eld was changed Students’ Union. Simon Moran. by the Great War. You r UniversityALUMNI MAGAZINE • 2014/2015 WE aRE NUMBER 1 IN STUDENT EXPERIENCE Contents Welcome FEATURES 12 Second to None Constantly reinventing I hope as you read itself, we take a look at this year’s magazine the radically revamped – and multi-award-winning you will feel some of – Students’ Union the inspiration that 12 14 24 it is my privilege to 14 The Sound of Success share in every day.” Soprano Elizabeth Watts REGULARS 19 and concert promoter Simon Moran come under 04 University News Left: Vice-Chancellor the spotlight Professor Sir Keith Burnett 09 Research in 17 The Way to Work the News ne of the great joys of being Vice-Chancellor is the constant inspiration Traditional 22 Restoring Sight provided by the energy and imagination of our students and staff. apprenticeships at the A dynamic partnership 28 In Profile Sharing the excitement of our students winning the Varsity trophy against world-leading AMRC between the University Sheffield Hallam, hearing the news that, yet again, we have been ranked Training Centre and the LV Prasad Eye 30 Dates for Oamongst the top five for student experience and teaching, or learning about cutting- Institute, Hyderabad Your Diary edge research that is having a real impact on the world; all of these examples provide 18 The Man in me with concrete evidence that your University is living up to its mission to make a the Know 24 To Discover the 32 Your Notes real difference to the lives of our students and the society of which we are a part. I Uncovering 50 years Causes of Things and News hope as you read this year’s magazine you will feel some of the inspiration that it is of planning heritage Two successful PhD my privilege to share in every day. graduates and two 36 Honours 19 The Impact of current PhD students and Awards Our mission is unchanging but the environment in which we must fulfil those World War I discuss their experiences objectives is evolving rapidly. Indeed, there are those that question whether 100 years on, we see 38 Extracurricular traditional models of universities will become obsolete as technology changes the how The University of 27 A Fresh Look potential ways of learning. We have, of course, already moved a long way from the Sheffield was changed citybooks: a new 39 A Legacy ‘chalk and talk’ models of yesteryear, but I, personally, continue to believe that the by the Great War perspective on Sheffield with Impact benefits of being ‘at University’ are a precious gift for students and teachers that 29 we must not throw away lightly. We need to continue to be innovative and nimble to ensure that the University remains a relevant and compelling proposition, and that will mean investing in our future. For example, this year, construction began on an A note from your editor £80 million Engineering building that will provide outstanding 21st-century teaching facilities for tomorrow’s students. I feel very proud to (page 4), the first of its kind, is be an alumna and starting to gain real momentum. Read Your As we look forward we have recognised that we need to reach out more actively to have the privilege It has been both an honour our worldwide alumni, and seek to use your skills and experience (as well as your of writing to you and a challenge to re-design the University generous donations) to help this University remain excellent and relevant to the for the first time publication. I do hope you enjoy ever-changing world. We are investing in our central alumni relations’ office and, for as Editor of the reading this issue as much as I online! example, introducing new initiatives aimed at making it easier for alumni to volunteer new look Your University magazine. have enjoyed being a part of Your alumni their time and expertise to benefit students and the University more generally. I hope Before taking on my new role its production. magazine is that you will respond to these efforts and also tell us what we can do to help you as at the University, it had been also available you carry the reputation of Sheffield into the wider world. almost ten years since I visited Thanks online. If you would prefer to opt out of the University campus and I was receiving the print edition please email Over the coming year I look forward to meeting many of you at alumni events both in delighted to see so much progress. [email protected], subject: the UK and around the world. The Students’ Union has gone Your University Online, and be sure to from strength to strength (page 12) include details of your preferred email Thank you for all your support. to become the best in the UK, the Sarah Hopkins address. We will send you an email AMRC Training Centre (page 17) is (BA English Language with when next year’s edition is available. In offering real opportunities to young Linguistics 2003) the meantime, you can see this year’s and enthusiastic students, and the Alumni Relations Marketing and magazine here: ‘We Are International’ campaign Communications Officer www.sheffield.ac.uk/youruniversity Keith Burnett 2 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 3 Round-up University News Championing international students We Are International takes off across the UK We are No.1 The University of Sheffield is the experience including ‘high quality number one university in the UK for facilities’, ‘good accommodation’ and 1 Abdul and Khafi student satisfaction in this year’s ‘good Students’ Union’. 2 Olivia and Olivia Times Higher Education Student Students also scored the University 3 Sara and Hazel Experience Survey. highly in the ‘student support’, 4 Dipta and Pavel 5 Gloria and Divya More than 14,000 students from ‘well-structured courses’ and 6 Sara and Siung universities across the country took ‘library services’ categories which 4 7 Richard and Anna part in the survey which highlights the demonstrates Sheffield’s progression institutions that shine in the way they in a variety of areas over the past year. 1 2 3 cater for students’ needs. This year These results reaffirm The The University of Sheffield rose two University of Sheffield as a unique places beating the University of Bath place to study and a global leader and the University of East Anglia to in research and teaching, as well the top spot – while the Universities as an institution giving students an of Oxford and Cambridge were ranked unrivalled rich experience in a city fourth and sixth place respectively. unlike any other in the UK. In addition to being voted number Visit www.sheffield. one overall, the University was judged ac.uk/news/nr/sheffield- top in a number of attributes which number-one-the-student- are key individual measures of student 5 6 7 satisfaction-1.374022 group of students and people in China go through understanding for the huge staff from The University the visa process and become decision Chinese families make A of Sheffield went to the students in the UK. when they send their children to Engineering graduate school now open House of Commons on 19 March ‘We Are International’ grew out study in the UK. 2014 to unveil a groundbreaking of a unique partnership between “It is important for us to show The latest addition to the Faculty Hallamshire. Speaking after a film, which helps the most UK universities, the British that talented Chinese students of Engineering – the Pam tour of the new building, she said, talented students from across the Council and the Home Office. The – who are so crucial to our Liversidge Building – has been “I am keenly aware of how hard globe better understand how to aim is to celebrate the value of universities and to the UK – will named after one of the city’s best everyone in the University works apply to study at the UK’s leading international students to the UK be welcomed and treated well known engineers. Professor Mike to encourage and enable women universities. This is part of the – financially and culturally. The when they come to study with us.” Hounslow, Pro-Vice-Chancellor to play their role in the economic ‘We Are International’ campaign Chinese video follows the highly In support of the campaign, of Engineering, said, “Pam has and social life of both our city started by our University, and successful film shot in India last hundreds of students and staff made a real mark in the world of and our country. The honour of Pam Liversidge (centre) with Professors Elena now supported by more than 80 year, which aimed to help the across the country are also taking fast FACt: engineering and has been a great having this prestigious building Rodriguez-Falcon and Mike Hounslow of the Faculty universities and organisations. most talented Indian students part in the #standbyme selfie supporter of the University. It’s named after me is one of the of Engineering. The new film focuses on two better understand the process of campaign, which gives people an incredibly exciting time for most special and significant I talented Chinese students applying to UK universities. the opportunity to celebrate their 100 engineering at the University and have ever been awarded and I am ventures.