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 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 trophy against world-leading AMRC between the University 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 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 . 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. The building also www. universities as they prepare to make the Vice-Chancellor Professor own international friendships this building is at the heart of immensely grateful to the Faculty includes a stunning atrium that sheffield. and emotional journey to leave their Sir Keith Burnett said, “We that transcend geographical and our plans.” and the University.” has been named after alumnus ac.uk/faculty/ organisations engineering family and friends to further Are International’s latest film cultural barriers. support Pam Liversidge (Hon DEng The £21 million, seven-storey The Hon Sir SY Chung (PhD their education at renowned UK is extremely important for our the ‘We Are 2005) was the first woman building houses two lecture Mechanical Engineering 1951, universities. For the first time, relationship with students and to serve as President of the theatres, several flexible teaching Hon LLD 1985), in recognition To watch the videos and International’ cameras go behind the scenes at families in China. Filmed in explore the #standbyme campaign Institution of Mechanical and study spaces, and INSIGNEO, of his generous contribution the UK Visa Application Centre both Chinese and English, it selfie campaign pages visit Engineers and as Master of SCentRO and CISTIB, three of the of US $1 million to the Faculty in Beijing to witness how young gives us renewed respect and www.weareinternational.org.uk the Company of Cutlers in University’s major new research of Engineering.

4 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 5 Round-up

University News

Making history at Court of Appeal Varsity champions again! Initiative to boost China trade Join the digital revolution The University of Sheffield has won the Sheffield The University is developing a series of free MOOCs (massive Varsity trophy for the second year running. Varsity open online courses), which have the potential to educate anyone, 2014 was the 18th clash in the annual sporting anywhere. We have now teamed up with FutureLearn, the first UK- tournament against Sheffield Hallam University, led MOOCs provider, to share our expertise and develop this new and included games played in 42 sports, played in and exciting way of learning. 17 venues across the city over the course of several www.futurelearn.com/courses/discover-dentistry weeks. The final, emphatic, score was 42 to www.futurelearn.com/courses/country-house-literature 30.5 points. www.shef.ac.uk/scharr/prospective_students/moocs The trophy was presented to Sports Officer Emily Dibble in front of over 6,000 spectators at the final match between the ice hockey teams at IN BRIEF the Motorpoint Arena. She said, “I’m so pleased that The University of Sheffield will keep the Varsity The University of Sheffield has been chosen by the from Sheffield, stretched through trophy for a second year. Well done to everyone UK Government to lead a pilot scheme to connect Thriving led by the Vice- Malin Bridge and Lady Justice Julia Macur, Lady Justice Anne Rafferty and Lord Justice who took part or cheered on our black and gold British companies with more than 70,000 Chinese- alumni Chancellor, will Hillsborough, to Maurice Kay. family. Go Uni!” speaking graduates from UK universities through networks return to Beijing Sheffield town Great Ambassador-China internships. It will also Our commitment and Shanghai in centre and beyond. The University of Sheffield Macur (LLB Law 1978). consolidate existing alumni networks in China, to building October 2014. Over 4,000 houses now has the highest number Professor Claire McGourlay and connect graduates with UK companies and relationships were flooded. of graduates appointed to and Rivka Smith, a third-year organisations which operate in China. with our alumni Did you know? the bench after Oxford and LLB Law and Criminology Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Burnett said, across the globe Celebrating Le Cambridge. And for the first time student, went to the Royal Courts “The University has a long history of welcoming is growing year Grand Départ the Court of Appeal had an all- of Justice in London to watch the outstanding Chinese-speaking students, with over on year. We were Sheffield alumni bench for a case first day of proceedings. Rivka 4,500 registered alumni in China and 2,000 enrolled delighted to in early November 2013. commented, “This experience is Chinese students. As host institution for the Great welcome alumni The judges sitting were Lord something that cannot be taught Ambassador-China pilot scheme, we will offer excellent and friends to Justice Maurice Kay (LLB Law by academics. I was proud to opportunities for our Chinese students to acquire receptions in 1964, PhD Law 1971, Hon LLD be there on such a memorable valuable employability skills. Beijing and Tokyo In partnership with 2003), Lady Justice Anne day and honoured to meet “But the scheme will also offer great support to in October 2013: Sheffield Doc/ Rafferty (LLB Law 1971, Hon LLD some of our most prestigious UK companies seeking to develop and expand trade the University Fest, the University The University of Sheffield ice hockey team. 2005) and Lady Justice Julia Law alumni.” links with China. And this will continue as the Great now has 4,500 was one of the Ambassadors return home and progress through their alumni in China It is 150 years since hosts of the Tour careers – creating vital links and long-lasting impact on and over 1,000 the Great Sheffield de Cinema. Firth business developments between the UK and China.” in Japan. These Flood of 1864, Court and the social and business which claimed the Students’ Union Dedicated volunteer is a worthy winner networking lives of at least were the venues events are great 240 people when for film screenings An inspirational alumna was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal The National Fairground opportunities for the poorly and community at a graduation ceremony held in January 2014. Jahaan Archive (NFA) is celebrating former class mates constructed Dale activities. This was Abdurahman (BSc Psychology 2012, MSc Occupational 20 years since its opening at to reminisce about Dyke Dam at one of the seven Psychology 2013) received the honour in recognition of her the heart of the Western Bank their Sheffield Bradfield major projects exceptional voluntary work. She has made an outstanding Library in 1994. The unique experiences and collapsed. Shortly which made up impact through her involvement with Enactus Sheffield – collection of material covers hear about current before midnight, on the Yorkshire a social enterprise which aims to transform lives and shape a all aspects of the culture developments and 11 March, more Festival, part of the better, more sustainable world. and history of travelling fairs successes from than 690 million official 100-day “I was absolutely astounded to hear I had been chosen for the and entertainment from senior University gallons (3.14 billion countdown to award,” said Jahaan. “Volunteering has helped to shape me into the 1800s to the present day. An entertaining series staff. We are litres) of water the 2014 Tour de the person I am today, and it has taught me that sometimes you of events, including talks, films, shows and displays planning further surged into the France’s Grand need to take risks and learn from your mistakes but, above all, of featured collections, is marking the anniversary events for our Loxley and Don Départ, which have the courage to make a difference.” throughout 2014. Chinese alumni Valleys, devastating passed through Jahaan Abdurahman (right) with Rob Avery-Phipps and when a team an area that Sheffield on 6 July. friends from the Tomorrow’s World Project in Lesotho. www.enactussheffield.org www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk

6 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 7 Round-up

University News Research in the News Here is a selection of research stories that have attracted a lot of attention from Inspire, advise, motivate To the city national and international media. Sheffield Alumni Volunteers aims to and beyond create an alumni community that current students can reach out to for advice, inspiration and encouragement. Many alumni already support our students in some way, from providing a career profile to e-mentoring, and we are incredibly grateful for your contribution. Students really benefit from hearing first- hand experience and advice about the transition from University to the workplace, and feel they have a special connection with individuals who have once been in their shoes. Emma Packham The Mobile University bus at In order to communicate this activity Barkers Pool. more effectively and introduce new Explore current opportunities volunteer programmes for even more Following on from the huge and register your interest in alumni engagement, Emma Packham volunteering: www.sheffield.ac.uk/ success of the inaugural Festival has been appointed as our new Alumni alumni/volunteering of the Mind in 2012, the Mobile Volunteer Manager. E: [email protected] University brought research to the streets of Sheffield again last September. For three days, more than 30 academics gave v i s t a is a new e-mentoring resource which introduces research staff 20-minute lectures to packed- and students to mentors who have been successful in a range of careers out audiences on the top deck beyond academia. It aims to help researchers gain honest, first-hand insight of a vintage 1959 double-decker into career realities, and understand the skills, knowledge and experiences bus, kindly lent by the South required to move into a new specialism. To find out more and sign up as a Yorkshire Transport Museum. mentor, visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/ris/ecr/mentoring/vista The talks covered everything from spending cuts to stem cells and heart disease to honeybees. Communicating with the public about our research and teaching Professor Edward Hanna at the Mittivakkat Gletscher in Greenland. Removing financial barriers is an important part of academic life. It ensures that our work has The University is actively engaged in and society that teachers, lawyers, impact and relevance on a local, addressing the economic barriers to architects, doctors and other professions national and international level. Dramatic Arctic ice loss participation for postgraduate students. come from all walks of life, and are able This year’s Festival of the fast FACT: A successful consortium bid to the Higher to reflect and understand the values Mind will take place from Greenland’s longest observed glacier annual average at 1.63 metres water Education Funding Council for England, and experiences of the communities 18–28 September. This dynamic has suffered one of the highest equivalent (a key measurement used led by Sheffield, resulted in a £3 million they serve. This funding is a wonderful collaboration between research shrinkages in its history. Researchers, to determine the size of glaciers across 9 metres grant to attract and support students into opportunity to help talented postgraduates staff of the University and including Edward Hanna, Professor the world). The distance the postgraduate education. who might otherwise not have the option Sheffield’s cultural and creative of Climate Change (Department of The lower end of the glacier had Mittivakkat Gletscher The grant is being used to boost to proceed with their education. We will all industries will deliver a magical Geography), undertook fieldwork retreated about nine metres since take-up of students studying taught benefit from their talents and commitment series of events for everyone surveying the Mittivakkat Gletscher summer 2011. The observation has retreated postgraduate programmes, particularly in the years to come.” to enjoy. on Ammassalik Island in south east programme for this glacier is unique since 2011. amongst under-represented groups such Greenland, which has been analysed as it is a relatively inaccessible and as those from disadvantaged backgrounds, Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/ www.festivalofthemind. every year since 1995. Due to higher difficult place in which to do fieldwork. mature students and people with postgraduate for details of group.shef.ac.uk than normal temperatures, the The team is researching the response Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/ caring responsibilities. postgraduate opportunities. www.twitter.com/festivalmind international team found that the of small glaciers around the edge of geography/staff/hanna_edward/ Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Keith Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/finance/pg www.facebook.com/ total mass loss in 2011–12 was more Greenland – there are several thousand icesheet; research published in Nature, Burnett said, “It is crucial for our country for advice on funding and scholarships. festivalofthemind than 50 per cent greater than the of them – to ongoing climate change. June 2013

8 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 9 Round-up

Research in the News

Warmer springs boost long-tailed Researching social media leads to tit survival potential new IBS treatment

A 20-year-long study of long-tailed tits in Sheffield’s Rivelin Researchers from the Department of Oncology are Valley links rising spring temperatures to their improved investigating how a high dose of Vitamin D3 supplement survival. Like other small animals that live for only two or could be used as a novel treatment to ease the symptoms three years, these birds were thought to die in large numbers of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The pioneering collection during cold winters. The researchers, led by Professor Ben of patient data from social media sites, such as blogs and Hatchwell (Department of Animal and Plant Sciences), social forums, showed that up to 70 per cent of sufferers monitored the population each breeding season to identify posting on this issue reported that the supplement improved survivors and to ring any new arrivals. They discovered that their symptoms. Exploring social media has led to potential birds trying to breed in warm and dry springs have much new leads into treatment and the management of IBS, and better chances of surviving to the next year. When the spring researchers are now conducting a clinical trial as a result of conditions are fine, the birds do not wear themselves out this new insight. looking for food, and are better able to cope with the autumn and winter weather later that year. Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/oncology/units/ New model for urban regeneration surgicaloncology/research/gastro_group; Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/aps/research/res-groups/ research published in BMJ Case Reports 2012 Furnace Park is a one-and-a-half acre plot of derelict land evol-behav; research published in Oikos, April 2014 in the old industrial centre of Sheffield (Shalesmoor). It is now being turned into a community curated space. A team of academics and local project partner SKINN hope to gain  a greater understanding of a major global problem – how to improve urban cultural life. Dr Amanda Crawley Jackson Potential cut in nuclear waste Above right: Dr Amanda (Department of French) is leading the project to explore The UK spends more than £80 million every year storing Crawley Jackson this dilemma through the life of the space with artists, Promising results for  plutonium-contaminated nuclear waste safely. Researchers at Furnace Park. researchers, community groups, local businesses from the Faculty of Engineering have developed a way to and residents. Parkinson’s treatment Above: One of the adult significantly reduce the volume of some higher activity New drugs, which may have the long-tailed tits with wastes, which will reduce the cost of interim storage and Visit www.furnacepark.org potential to stop faulty brain cells identifying rings. final disposal. They have shown that mixing plutonium- dying and slow down the progression contaminated waste with blast furnace slag and turning of Parkinson’s disease, have been it into glass reduces its volume by 85–95 per cent. It also The place of ‘Adam’ in identified in a pioneering study. effectively locks in the radioactive plutonium, creating a evolutionary history NHS 111 increases emergency care use Experts from the Sheffield Institute for stable end product. The current treatment method for Translational Neuroscience conducted non-compactable, plutonium-contaminated wastes involves Our most common male ancestor Researchers from the Medical a large-scale drugs trial using skin cement encapsulation, a process which typically increases walked the earth 209,000 years ago Care Research Unit have cells from people with this progressive the overall volume. – 9,000 years earlier than proposed found that the NHS 111 call neurological condition. They tested over in a previous study. Dr Eran Elhaik handling service increased 2,000 compounds to find out which (Faculty of Science) and Dr Dan the use of ambulance and ones could make faulty mitochondria Graur (University of Houston) used urgent and emergency care work normally again. One of the molecular clock techniques to date services during its first year promising medications identified is a our most common male ancestor, of operation. The team, led by Janette Turner and Professor synthetic drug called ursodeoxycholic known as ‘Adam’, to his rightful place Alicia O’Cathain, was commissioned by the Department acid. It is already in clinical use to treat in evolutionary history. Their findings of Health in England to evaluate the use and impact of certain forms of liver disease, which put ‘Adam’ within the time frame of his NHS 111, a new 24/7 telephone service for non-emergency means that researchers will be able to other half, ‘Eve’, the genetic maternal healthcare problems. Their report highlights that a triage start a clinical trial to test its safety and ancestor of mankind. system designed to be used by handlers without clinical tolerability in people with Parkinson’s expertise will inevitably err on the side of caution; more once funding is secured. Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/ consideration needs to be given to joining up services to nr/putting-adam-in-his-rightful- provide appropriate responses. Visit www.sitran.dept.shef.ac.uk; Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/materials/research/ place-1.342467; research published in research published in BRAIN, wastedevelopment; research published in Journal European Journal of Human Genetics, Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/scharr/sections/hsr/ September 2013 of Nuclear Materials, January 2014 January 2014 mcru/111

10 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 11 Students’ Union Redevelopment Second to None Constantly reinventing itself, the radically revamped – Great times, great music at the Union and multi-award-winning – Students’ Union welcomed We asked alumni for their favourite memories of music. the latest generation of students at the beginning “The West African band Osibisa: “Seeing Nirvana with guests “Paul McCartney and Wings Relive of the academic year 2013–14. I hung around with a number Shonen Knife was a highlight – turned up in a transit van virtually more of African students at the sat exams in the same Octagon unannounced. You could hear memories at www. time and they took great pleasure building not long after.” them rehearsing before the doors sheffield. he transformed in 2010: the whole building is in our enjoyment of the sights Huw Melliar-Smith (BA opened and then we rushed in and ac.uk/alumni/ building is the result now called the Students’ Union and sounds of Osibisa’s ‘criss- Psychology 1992) they just carried on playing.” music_ of a £20 million project, Building. Architect Robert Smith, cross rhythms exploding Paul Higson (BA Geography 1973) memories which has revived who worked on the original into happiness’.” “The Who – the whole Tone of the first glass curtain design of University House, David Wilson (BEng Automatic performance: the music, the act, “Saturday night hops, 1953–55. Red walled buildings in the world. said, “We were pioneers in glass Control and Systems the lighting, the breakages… ” River Dance Band, trad jazz (and University House was opened curtain walling and this was one Engineering 1975) Alan Findlay (LLB Law 1969) and the trumpeter was a Sheffield in 1962, with two refectories of the very first of its type. It Judy (née Wyatt) Findlay (BA student). Crowded dance floor, and two coffee bars in a bid to was a very fresh building design “I remember being so happy at History 1969) hot and sweaty!” reduce the mealtime queues and very simple. It offered some getting one of Morrissey’s roses Professor Alan Dyer #1 experienced in the original of the best views of Sheffield when he flung them out into “The Mojos’ music had a (BSc Chemistry 1954) The Students’ Students’ Union. It was one and still does now. We wanted to the audience not long after the particularly strong beat and I Union was of the 11 buildings – including get as much light in as possible.” staff and the public, improved  Octagon opened as he performed can clearly remember watching “Steeleye Span in 1974 – got me ranked #1 in the and the Hicks The new scheme, designed venues, meeting rooms, various as lead in The Smiths.” the sprung dance floor of the hooked on them for life. I just the National Inside the Building – designed by Gollins, by HLM Architects with the functions of Student Services, Janz Graham (BSc Chemistry and Refectory thrash up and down as loved the music, the atmosphere Student Activities & Melvin and Ward as part of detailed design and delivery and more social and Pure Mathematics 1985) hundreds of us students danced.” was magical and I’m still listening Survey 2013, Sports Zone. the 1953 master plan for by Bond Bryan Architects, study spaces. David Twiss (BSc Physics and to them in 2014!” repeating its the University. incorporates new landscaping “The refurbishment reflects “I’ve never been able to outdo Chemistry 1965) Gerry O’Hara (BSc Geology 1976, success of University House has been and an outdoor amphitheatre the strong partnership between the Union ball of 1968–69. Ever. MPhil Geology 1990) 2012; it was adapted and enlarged on several in front of the , the Students’ Union and the The Moody Blues, the Hollies “Seeing Tori Amos and Radiohead also #1 in the occasions since, with only the as well as an enclosed bridge University,” said Vice-Chancellor and Julie Driscoll… what could be each playing to about a dozen “Best concert: Led Zeppelin, 1971. Times Higher Glossop Road frontage giving a joining the Octagon to the Professor Sir Keith Burnett, “and better (and the first kiss from my people on the same night in Nuff said. Walking back to our Education clear idea of the original scheme. Students’ Union. The new demonstrates our commitment now husband!)” different corners of a very big digs in a snowstorm only added to Student It is now fully integrated into facilities include Inox Dine, to providing an unrivalled Dr Bettie (née Matheson) Higgs event in the Union.” the experience.” Experience the Students’ Union, which was one of the newest restaurants student experience – something (BSc Geology 1971, PhD James How (BA English Kay Freeman (BA Geography and Survey itself refurbished and improved in Sheffield open to students, we’re really proud of.” Geology 1977) Literature 1994) Sociology 1974) ■ 2013–14.

The Students’ Union through the years

1936 1962 1983 1996 2010 2013 Union of Students’ Building opened University House opened: a link block Octagon Centre opened. Completion of £4 million development £5 million refurbishment. £20 million refurbishment, creating the (pictured above in the 1950s) and containing ‘the longest Union bar in the of Students’ Union. Students’ Union Building. named after its benefactor, local country’ joined University House to the businessman JG Graves. original Graves Building.

12 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 13 Elizabeth Watts Interview

Quick fire Sum up your experience The Sound of studying at The University of Sheffield in three words Enlightening, exciting of Success and rewarding. Two exceptional careers in music: two Sheffield graduates. If you were sent to a desert island, what three Soprano Elizabeth Watts and concert promoter Simon Moran things would you take? come under the spotlight. A piano, the complete works of Bach and maybe some soap.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your ne of the foremost sopranos of her generation, at my wedding. In fact, we had my hen night in the Leadmill life, what would it be? Elizabeth Watts (BA Archaeology and [laughs]. I was in the Leadmill a lot – it was my haunt, I Probably strawberry Prehistory 2001, Hon DMus 2013) came to loved the indie night and the cheesy pop nights, and we also pavlova. prominence as winner of the Rosenblatt Song used to go to Hotpants at the City Hall. Prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in Who would be your O2007. She has gone on to achieve international acclaim for Do you think it’s important for the University to keep in dream dinner party her performances and recordings of the music of composers touch with its alumni? guest? as diverse as JS Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Richard Strauss. Yes, I definitely do. Especially for me now after 12 years, you I would really like to meet can get a real perspective about what a university degree the composer Hugo Wolf. What’s your most memorable performance to date? gives you. I came to Sheffield to study archaeology and Everyone goes on about Probably the final at Cardiff Singer of the World as that prehistory but I was able, due to the modular system here, him being really grumpy is the most high-pressure thing I’ve done. Unless you’ve to do some music and pursue my interests. but his music is amazing done that final, particularly as an English or Welsh so he’s a bit of an enigma. competitor, you don’t understand the enormous pressure Was there a defining moment when you decided to follow a in that competition. Also performing in Covent Garden in music career? What book are you 2011, singing under Sir Mark Elder with the amazing I was doing a gig with Worrall Male Voice Choir in Whitby reading at the moment? singer Nina Stemme, and also singing at the Proms is and I’d just finished my dissertation and I thought, do I A book on organic always exciting. want to do a Masters in Cognitive Evolution, which I was gardening. really excited about, or do I want to give singing a go. I Why did you choose The University of Sheffield? thought, yes, I do want to give singing a go. So I went to Where’s your favourite I wanted to study archaeology; I had a short list of places Woolworths and bought a notebook and I decided on the holiday destination? that included both arts and science courses and Sheffield things I thought I should do before applying to music Lake Maggiore in Italy. was one of those places. I remember looking around college. I remember writing down that I should learn music the University and I just really liked it. I really loved the theory, the piano and improve my languages. In a way, I Which comedians make atmosphere in the city and the department so it was a didn’t really need to do those things [laughs] but I think it you laugh? happy mix and a good fit. made me a better singer going into music college. Tim Vine, Michael McIntyre and Eddie What would you say is your fondest University memory? Who has been your biggest influence? Izzard... he’s a Sheffield I have so many. I remember when the Music Department I’ve built a team of people around me. I’ve got a alumnus! was up at Tapton Hall Road. I was sort of a half-honorary performance psychologist, Jayke Branson Thom, who’s music student as I used to hang around with a lot of the been brilliant; I’ve got several coaches, Audrey Hyland, What was the first CD music students. I also remember sitting in the pub always Phillip Thomas; my singing teacher Margreet Honig; Lillian you bought? talking about archaeology with the archaeology students; Watson – my teacher at college – was amazing, just so It was either Oasis, there didn’t seem to be any other course where you just sat many people who have helped and guided me. My teacher Definitely Maybe, or around in your leisure time and had intense discussions in Huddersfield, Patricia Hamilton, was amazing; she Radiohead, The Bends. I remember many a

about the subject. Also, I lived on Clarkson Street in my first really made sure I went to college with a sound technique. night being given a M arco B year and I remember many a night being given a piggyback I worked at the Virgin Megastore in Sheffield and my What’s your favourite home from the Octagon by my house mates! supervisor, Richard Schofield, taught me so much about way to spend a Sunday piggyback home from orggreve people having unreasonable demands and expectations. afternoon? the Octagon!” Are you still in contact with people? That’s a great lesson to learn when dealing with directors With my husband in Yes, one of the girls I met in my first year was a bridesmaid the world over [laughs]. ›› the garden.

14 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 15 Interview Simon Moran AMRC Apprenticeships The Way to Work I discovered a whole new life The AMRC pioneers a new model of apprenticeships when I came for the needs of manufacturing in the 21st century. to Sheffield and I enjoyed the whole experience.” he latest development at with progression routes to degree level, The University of Sheffield with the support of their employers,” AMRC – a world-leading explained Alison. “We are in discussion cluster of industry- with the Faculty of Engineering about focused manufacturing launching Foundation Degrees in Tresearch and development, training Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and business support – is the AMRC – these will be the first Foundation Quick fire Training Centre. This new facility Degrees offered by the University. We What was the first CD is creating the next generation all want to offer an alternative route you bought? of engineers through a drive to into higher education. The potential [laughs] Well it wouldn’t increase the quality and status of is there for our academically gifted 1 have been a CD; it would apprenticeship training. apprentices to progress from their have been a record! The Led by Alison Bettac, the former programmes here to undergraduate first single I bought was Head of Human Resources at degrees, postgraduate degrees or wner and Managing Director people were friendly. I got to discover a whole by Sutherland Brothers aerospace engineers Firth Rixson and MBAs, and finally PhDs.” of SJM Concerts, one of the new life when I came to University and I and Quiver, Arms of now Director of Training at the new The AMRC Training Centre is a largest UK concert promotion enjoyed the whole experience. Mary. I think the first Centre, local employers approached the unique enterprise in the UK. This companies in the UK, Simon album I bought was a University to work together to restore inspiring example of true collaboration Moran (BA Business Studies What did you do after University? Rod Stewart on vinyl. prestige back to apprenticeships and with local employers illustrates how the O1987, Hon DMus 2013) has worked with a I started the business from my parents’ the engineering sector. The association University engages with manufacturing stream of global acts including The Stone house. I worked 24/7 pretty much from the What is your career with the AMRC and the University, as to deliver economic growth. Alison Roses, Beyoncé, Coldplay, Oasis, One age of 21–30. I had a lot of set backs, which highlight so far? well as Sheffield Hallam University and commented, “I can see this model being Direction, The and Kate Bush (for were minor but turn out to be major when are great the new University Technical College replicated across the country within her 2014 concerts). And he is credited with you don’t have anything to fall back on. Once people to work with, very Sheffield, brings with it backing from five years. We are all motivated to make being the catalyst for the re-formation of pop you’ve done OK in business, you make a bit appreciative and inclusive global businesses – such as Boeing this work, and the feedback from our giants Take That in 2005. So where did it all of money and you can put it in the bank. But in decision-making. I’ve and Rolls-Royce – and links to world- apprentices and their employers is begin? At The University of Sheffield. Simon when you start up, it’s hard. In the early days also enjoyed The Stone class engineering. extremely positive.” ■ produced his first live music event in the you can’t afford to pay people to make your Roses reuniting [in 2011] The purpose-built AMRC Training Students’ Union over 25 years ago. life easier. – I started doing concerts Centre has risen from the site of Visit www.amrctraining.co.uk with them in 1989 so it’s Orgreave Colliery, remembered for the to explore the opportunities for 2 How did you get into concert promotion? Who has been the biggest influence been good seeing them violent clash with police during the 21st-century apprentices. The I was a fan of the group The Farm. I used to on your career? back together. Miners’ Strike in 1984. This location AMRC Training Centre also offers 1 The AMRC Training Centre. go and watch them around the country; then Rob Gretton who managed New Order is now highlights how the region is technical training and leadership  2 An apprentice working on his I got to know them a little bit and said I was one of them. When I was in my second year, What would be your rebuilding its industrial heritage. The training courses. machining skills. going to The University of Sheffield and would I pestered him loads. He said I should go to favourite way to spend first 150 apprentices, from an initial try and get them a gig there. So I got in touch to see him and he took me out a Sunday afternoon? 43 employers including many small to with the Ents Committee at the Union and for a few pints. I persuaded him to let me Watching Warrington win medium sized businesses, started their they weren’t interested. So I just thought, I’ll do a concert, we set the date and I sold out against Wigan or anyone. programmes in January 2014, with an The real deal do it myself. We sold 230 tickets at £1 advance the Octagon – there were about 1,500 people [Simon is a director of additional 40 joining them in April. “Apprenticeships should be the lifeblood of all companies that want a future, and £1.50 on the door, and there were about there. I was just this annoying 19-year-old rugby The first full cohort of 250 will enrol in especially SMEs. I’ve not seen anywhere in 30 years that’s as well run and which 280 people there. I ended up making £40 out of who’d put on a couple of gigs at his Students’ league club.] September. The programmes run for a suits our needs so well.” it, which was pretty good for the time. Union – he didn’t need to help me out. minimum of 26 weeks, with day release Vince Middleton, Chair of Newburgh Engineering The other person is Joe Strummer, who I Who would be your and block training leading to a range What are your fondest memories managed for about five years. Joe had time dream dinner party of qualifications. “I really enjoy training through the AMRC and I would recommend it to anyone of the University? for everyone and he was very talented but guest? “Right from the start I had a vision who is willing to put the effort in to become a first-class engineer.” I just liked living in Sheffield. I thought the with a lot of humility. ■ Bruce Springsteen. that we should provide our apprentices Anthony, apprentice at JRI Orthopaedics

16 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 17 Heritage The JR James Archive Sheffield and WWI History The Impact of The Man in the Know Uncovering 50 years of planning heritage World War I

quite outstanding this is a visual record of Professor several of these scenes with new  innovator and James’ unprecedented access to photographs of how the city looks communicator, planning issues and solutions now: the Now and Then section Above: Professor JR strategic thinker across the country during this is a fascinating glimpse of how ‘Jimmy’ James and policy fascinating 50-year period.” Sheffield has changed – or not. “Aadvocate”: Professor JR ‘Jimmy’ The vast collection of slides International scenes are also Below: James (Hon LLD 1980), the first had remained undiscovered for captured in Germany, France, Then and now: the same view Professor of Town and Regional over 30 years, since Professor the USA, India and Hong of the River Planning at the University, was James’ death in 1980. Alasdair Kong. A set of images of field Don by (left) held in high esteem by colleagues said, “A grant from the Alumni trips provides an entertaining Professor James and students alike. A remarkable Fund supported the 10-week look back at the history of and (right) the archive team. collection of over 3,750 slides, digitisation project. Philip Brown the Department of Town and which he amassed during his and Joseph Carr, both recent Regional Planning itself. ■ career as Chief Planner at the Masters’ graduates in Urban Ministry of Housing and Local Studies and Planning, put the Explore the JR James Government and at Sheffield, archive together. Their hard work Archive. Visit www.flickr. has been discovered in his has ensured that this important com/people/jrjamesarchive old department. collection is The entire archive is now now accessible available to view online and it to a worldwide 50th anniversary gives a unique perspective on audience.” how urban spaces across the UK The archive The Marketing & would also like developed following World War II. contains a Department Recruitment to hear from “Professor James was working large number of Town and Officer, is anyone who during a key period in British of images Regional collecting recognises planning history,” explained of Sheffield, Planning will stories, themselves in Dr Alasdair Rae, who brought including Park celebrate memories and the images in the collection to light. “There Hill and a 1970 its 50th old photos the JR James was money and optimism, and study of the anniversary from the Archive’s you really get the impression by buildings in in 2015. Philip department’s ‘Departmental’ looking at the images that there Broomhill. Strafford, graduates. He section. was a feeling of ‘we can build Philip and this new society’. Together with Joseph have E: [email protected] planning documents and maps, matched up www.sheffield.ac.uk/trp The University of Sheffield total of 153 students also instigated a very popular series of was changed beyond enlisted at the start of lectures to capacity audiences around the war, almost half the city to encourage local recruiting. recognition by the Great joining the Sheffield Over the next few months, the City War (1914–18). The loss of City Battalion – the Battalion and other units drew about students and staff to the ‘Sheffield Pals’. This was 1,100 staff and students (full-time and at a time when there were just 349 full- part-time) from the University. front line and other war Atime students and approximately 1,450 Pals Battalions were localised units, work was devastating, evening students. The idea for forming and often the men came from the same but the conflict also the City Battalion came from two (now social background. The City Battalion unknown) University students, who was very selective in its recruiting – brought with it received great support from the Vice- ‘professional and business men and opportunities for new Chancellor, Herbert Fisher. He took up their staffs’ were requested in one enterprises and research. the cause with Sheffield council and leaflet. The poster, reproduced on page May 1971 August 2013 began talks with the War Office; he 21 and discovered in the Porters’ Lodge ››

18 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 19 History

Firth Court in 2009, is one of the items care of The University of Sheffield Royal visit on show in the Sheffield & The First Library (Special Collections). King George V visited the University World War exhibition at Weston Park on 28 September 1915 to inspect Remembering Museum (until 1 March 2015). Medical supplies the laboratories and workshops The City Battalion became part of An all-female team in Chemistry in Applied Science, and attended a WWI the York & Lancaster Regiment as the supervised the production of a meeting of the Sheffield Committee 12th (Service) Battalion. The recruits large quantity of an anaesthetic on the Munitions of War. This group Sheffield Cares initially trained for about five months drug, ß-eucaine, which had met daily from May 1915 to co- for the Wounded at Redmires Camp, Lodge Moor, before formerly been manufactured ordinate the efforts of 116 steel firms An exhibition moving on to other camps around the exclusively in Germany. in order to expand local describing the work of country. Today, traces of their trenches Professors’ wives ran the Sheffield munitions’ production. the Third West Riding Field Ambulance are visible at Redmires Camp, a site University Hospital Supply on the Western Front is on show in the still regularly used by today’s Officers’ Depot in Western Bank; a Surgical Glass manufacture Medical School. It also investigates how Training Corps (OTC). Appliance branch was formed in The glass industry was in crisis more than 70,000 wounded soldiers It took over a year to train the men the Faculty of Engineering. because so much specialised glass were treated back in Sheffield. There for active service. In January 1916, had been imported from Germany is a display of medical artefacts and they arrived in Egypt to help guard Major William Barnsley Allen and Austria and there was a lack copies of The Lead Swinger, to which the Suez Canal. Some months later, VC, DSO, MC and bar of scientific expertise in the UK. Ambulance members contributed they were sent to France and took (1892–1933) Hundreds of industries used articles, poems, sketches and cartoons. part in the Battle of the Somme at William Barnsley Allen (MB ChB laboratory glass, and binocular glass Venue: Social Space on C Floor, Serre in July 1916. The assault was Medicine 1914) enlisted with the Third was in demand by the military. At the Medical School a strategic disaster and many were West Riding Field Ambulance. His instigation of Professor Turner, the Date: Exhibition runs until killed or wounded. The remaining City actions at Mesnil, on the Somme, University established the Department 23 December 2014 Battalion members were moved to on 3 September 1916 resulted in of Glass Manufacture (later Glass the award of the Victoria Cross: other regiments. Technology) in the autumn of 1915. Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/ “The first shell…exploded the medicine/medicsinthegreatwar Members of today’s OTC will visit ammunition and caused several Within a year, Sheffield was the the Somme during a 12-day battlefield casualties. Captain Allen saw the national centre of glass research for full details. tour in August. George Sharman, a occurrence, and at once, with utter and development. third-year Politics student and Senior disregard of danger, ran straight War memorial Subaltern, explained, “As well as across the open, under heavy Belgian refugees A memorial to the 200 students and locations such as Ypres and Albert, shell fire, commenced dressing A sudden influx of refugees after the staff who died in World War I was we will visit the Sheffield Memorial the wounded, and undoubtedly German invasion of Belgium resulted unveiled as part of the University’s 21st Park and Railway Hollow Cemetery by his promptness saved many in offers of voluntary aid across anniversary in 1926. It now stands in of them from bleeding to death. He near Serre, where so many members the country. In November 1914, two Firth Hall corridor, and will be a feature himself was hit four times…” (The of the City Battalion lost their lives. of the Heritage Open Day on London Gazette). He was one of the  University houses on Western Bank We will lay a wreath in their memory were made available and became 12 September 2014. On the wall nearby most decorated British medical officers Clockwise on behalf of those currently serving in of the war. from top left: known as the University Belgian are the medals of Alan and Leslie Sheffield OTC.” Major William Hostel, which was in use until Hobson, who were killed in action. Munitions Barnsley mid-1916. They were presented by their father, Allen; Engineering was responsible for Sir Albert Hobson (Hon LLD 1920), a Alphaeus Abbott Casey recruitment (1895–1916) the production of gauges for the poster; the Lydia Henry former Treasurer and Pro-Chancellor. Alphaeus Abbott Casey was a second- Admiralty and carried out research University (1891–1985) He also left a bequest of £5,000 for the year student (‘Physics, Pure Math, for the Ministry of Munitions. It also trained non- Lydia Henry (MB ChB Medicine 1916, sports pavilion at the Norton Playing recruitable Geogr’) when he joined the Sheffield trained over 1,000 un-recruitable men MD Medicine 1920, Hon DSc 1978) was Fields in memory of his sons. men to City Battalion. He kept a detailed in shell-turning. Metallurgy developed machine one of the first two female graduates diary – between 1 January and 24 the production of cupro-nickel, used shells in in medicine at Sheffield. At the end of March 1915 – which gives a rare insight in the manufacture of bullets, and its own her internship, she joined the Scottish workshops; into the training regime at Redmires trained over 500 workers. Electrical Women’s Hospitals Committee and For further information and Lydia Camp. Sadly, he was killed in action Engineering was heavily engaged in Henry. served as an assistant surgeon in Steel City Scholars: the centenary with the Battalion’s ‘A’ Company aeronautical inspection and helped to the hospital set up in the Abbey of history of the University of Sheffield, during the attack on Serre and has no train anti-aircraft gunners – a training Page 19: Royaumont, north of Paris, within Helen Mathers (James & James, 2005) Soldiers known grave. He is commemorated on simulator was erected in Firth Hall, reach of the Western Front. She was marching the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing which included a ‘travelling through awarded the Croix de Guerre by the Sheffield in the Great War, Peter Warr of the Somme. His diary is now in the Zeppelin searchlight’. Sheffield. French Government. ■ (Pen and Sword Books, Autumn 2014)

20 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 21 Lab to clinic Cutting-edge research

Restoring Sight We share the same desire to combine clinical work and research to make passion for translating cutting- eye. Although the clinical results are impressive, patients better.” edge research out of the lab and relatively few patients have access to this into the clinic is driving a dynamic treatment as there are so few centres capable of partnership between The University delivering this therapy. Sheila wanted to find a way of Sheffield and the LV Prasad Eye to simplify this technique to reduce the costs and AInstitute, Hyderabad. Corneal disease is a serious increase availability. Her team developed materials problem in India, often leading to impaired that are currently used in dissolvable sutures and eyesight or even blindness. The interdisciplinary spun them into thin membranes that the corneal team is developing economical and accessible cells will attach to and grow on. The laboratory methods of repairing damaged corneas with development and evaluation of this membrane is funding from the Wellcome Trust’s Affordable now complete. Healthcare in India scheme. The next step is to receive permission from the “There are many thousands of patients in India regulatory authorities in India to undertake the who lose their sight or lose a lot of their sight first ‘in man’ pilot study, using the surgical skills because of scarring over the front of the cornea,” of Dr Sangwan at the Institute. If the patient has explained Sheila MacNeil (PhD Medicine 1976), scarring in only one eye, the surgeon can take a Professor of Tissue Engineering at Sheffield. small piece of tissue from the critical region of “The cells that cover the cornea are effectively the unaffected eye – the limbus, the border of the completely transparent and, as long as you’ve got cornea and the sclera (the white of the eye), cut a continuous coating of them, you’re fine. But if this up finely and use tissue glue to fix the pieces injury occurs, due to disease or a chemical accident on to the membrane. The cells will then grow – unfortunately very common in India due to out from these tissues to regenerate the accidents at home or at work – then you’ll end up damaged cornea. with scar tissue.” The success of the relationship developed One of Sheila’s research associates, Dr Pallavi between the University and the Institute has led to Deshpande, made the first contact with the LV another Wellcome Trust-funded project. Professor Prasad Eye Institute when she was developing Stephen Rimmer and his team at Sheffield are a contact lens for delivering cells to repair the developing a system to quickly diagnose the cornea during her PhD. This not-for-profit eye cause of corneal infection. They have worked health facility operates in 120 sites across the for a number of years to develop polymers to state of Andhra Pradesh. One hundred ‘primary’ which antibiotics are linked. These polymers are clinics assess patients’ needs; the more serious designed to trap bacteria and the resulting ‘fly-trap cases are referred to 11 ‘secondary’ clinics, with the bacteria’ can then be removed from a wound. The most serious moving to three ‘tertiary’ centres. new research will extend this work to include a The focus of the Institute’s research and training detection system for fungi. Relating this work to programme is its centre of excellence corneal ulceration should result in early and rapid at Hyderabad. diagnosis of the cause of infection, leading to more Sheila explained, “The Institute is one of only effective treatment. 12 centres worldwide that offer such a high level Sheila commented, “Our work with the LV Prasad of clinical expertise. There is no lack of really Eye Institute allows us to combine high-level, motivated staff, led by Dr Virender Sangwan. creative research at both sites to address major They work to overcome massive clinical problems clinical problems in India. This is an immensely and are committed to making a difference. I was positive relationship that shows the potential for delighted to see that we share the same ethos, the further UK/India collaborations.” ■ desire to combine clinical work and research to make patients better.” During the last two decades, worldwide research into creating replacement cultured corneal cells has relied on specialist tissue culture expertise, clean room technologies and access to tissue Centre for Biomaterials and Tissue banks for sourcing the amniotic membrane on Engineering www.cbte.group.shef.ac.uk which these cultured cells are delivered to the LV Prasad Eye Institute www.lvpei.org

22 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 23 PhD experience Mentors To Discover the Causes of Things Postgraduate researchers contribute to society r Gemma Satterthwaite (PhD Cardiovascular  through innovative discoveries and new Medicine and Genomics Dr Gemma D Satterthwaite 2001) is the Director – Oncology, understandings. We compare and contrast the and Sarah AstraZeneca, a multinational Dawson. Sheffield experiences of two successful PhD pharmaceutical company. She graduates and two current PhD students. is also involved in mentoring activities and is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University. She met Sarah Dawson (BSc Biomedical Science 2011), a third-year PhD student in the Department of Cardiovascular Science who r Sam Whitehouse that side moving alongside the is investigating pulmonary (MChem Chemistry 2002, day-to-day enjoyment of being arterial hypertension. DPhD Chemistry 2007) is in the lab. Your own enthusiasm the Chief Operating Officer of motivates you – you’ve got to be Dr Gemma Satterthwaite QuantuMDx, a medical devices interested in what you’re doing! I considered multiple company developing hand-held Self-motivation and flexibility institutions. However, during diagnostic and sequencing are so important. my interview at Sheffield I just technologies. He is also a keen clicked with the group and the supporter of the University’s SW The project has to produce research objectives. It was a mentoring programmes. He met for you – how much data will natural progression to move on Paul Jarman (MChem Chemistry you produce, is it high impact, to a PhD here from Newcastle. 2011), a second-year PhD student transferable to industrial I find cardiovascular medicine in the Department of Chemistry applications? A PhD does take really exciting and the PhD who is researching ruthenium a phenomenal amount of work process gave me a good training, year on placement with is absolutely the right thing and platinum complexes that and dedication, and I think not just in the essentials for the GlaxoSmithKline in Stevenage, to do. It gives you much more bind to DNA. it is also important to have project but also more general so I had exposure to industry as scientific confidence, it is a breathing space to look at skills such as public engagement well as academia. I had access actually fun!, and it’s all about Considering a Dr Sam Whitehouse You learn industrial engagement or how and communication, all of which to some amazing equipment long-term return. A PhD is a PhD? the basics as an undergraduate your research is applicable in I’ve used throughout my career. alongside the cutting-edge step to something and a process See ‘Removing and you don’t really know other fields. research at Sheffield. This which allows you to find out a financial about research until you’ve had Sarah Dawson I really wasn’t provided me with a unique lot about yourself as a scientist. barriers’ on a project to do yourself. I was PJ There are times when it sure that research was perspective and gave me an Also, the opportunities available page 8 for advised to carry on to a PhD; can be claustrophobic and something I wanted to do but I excellent foundation for for talking to people about the details of PhD I spent some time checking having someone outside of took part in the SURE [Sheffield future collaborations. research are hugely important opportunities other universities but the that environment – either your Undergraduate Research and are excellent training for at The fact I could do a PhD across supervisor or a mentor – is Experience] scheme in my SD The PhD was something the future. University of two departments – Chemistry incredibly helpful. It’s also second year as an undergraduate I really wanted to do, even Sheffield. and Molecular Biology and great being in a department and it really changed my mind! though I had quite a hefty debt SD I’ve been involved in talking Biotechnology – encouraged me like Chemistry where there is a SW If you can’t present your I wanted to carry on, taking from my undergraduate degree, to school children and training Become a to stay. Being able to speak both good mix of people at all levels work it’s going to stay hidden.  advantage of the enjoyment of which was a bit daunting. I lab apprentices – all useful mentor ‘languages’ really does help now. of their research and careers. I organised conferences in Paul Jarman research. Some people might was successfully put forward experiences. The University See ‘Inspire, and Dr Sam I’m always looking for things to Turin and in Brno, which were do a PhD with a focus on for a Medical Research Council runs careers programmes for advise, Whitehouse. Paul Jarman A certain project differentiate myself as you have great excuses to get out of their future career; I wanted Scholarship and a University researchers and it is always motivate’ jumped out at me when I to make your mark. I’ve been the lab! And once you have to develop my skills while Scholarship. I’m looking ahead helpful to hear from outside on page 8 was in the fourth year of my involved with the University’s your PhD, no one can take it investigating a subject I am because a PhD opens so speakers to understand what’s for details of undergraduate degree. I’m Enterprise Zone and taken part away from you. You develop a really interested in. many doors. possible once I graduate. There’s vista, one of very aware that a project’s in BioTechnology YES, tremendous feeling of pride in a good support network, which the University’s potential for producing papers is a national competition the achievement, which never GS My funding meant GS Yes, all of my colleagues can be very helpful when things mentoring important, and you need to get for entrepreneurs. leaves you. that I spent my second who have done a PhD say it don’t work in the lab! ■ programmes.

24 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 25 Governance Convocation citybooks Keep it local

Your Convocation A Fresh Look

have previously made reference to the changes needed encourage the development of Sheffield seen through the eyes  in Convocation and members who have attended the Alumni Relations. We continue of five authors, a photographer, a All photographs Irecent AGMs have heard me explain the thinking on to fully support such a proposed of Sheffield by how we are going to move forward. move and we hope that this video artist and students from the David Bocking Both myself and the late Peter Downey, when we each will provide an opportunity for for citybooks. held the post of Secretary of Convocation, were in the Convocation to be fully integrated Department of Germanic Studies. fortunate position of being able to make available to inside the alumni organisation. Convocation the requisite administrative facilities for In such circumstances there The result? An intriguing, amusing, running the organisation. With the advent of the 21st would be little purpose then in disconcerting portrait of the city. century and in particular the electronic maintenance the maintenance of two separate of the membership database and the e-methods for organisations and the expectation citybook Sheffield is an online communication the proper professional administration would be that Convocation could Brian Wrigley of Convocation could in reality only be carried out by effectively wind itself up, safe in alternative travel guide, an artistic the University. the knowledge that the University impression that is far removed from The creation of the Alumni Office in 2002 has helped through DARE would be continuing to promote and foster enormously in creating a permanent ongoing base for good relations with its alumni. the traditional image of the Steel City. servicing the needs of the graduates of this University. It is hoped that the way forward may be finally agreed There is also a need to recognise that whilst Convocation by the Council meeting in July 2014. Because of this, is purely the graduates of the University, the Alumni is a Convocation has not yet fixed a date for its 2014 AGM. We much wider constituency including all those students of will be informing members when the date has been agreed heffield is the only UK Christmas, allotments, Castle the University who have studied here and received by email – as in previous years – and the date will also be city represented in the Market, knife grinders at work, recognition of any sort. publicised on the Convocation website www.sheffield. EU-funded citybooks rock climbing, the Record The University recognises that our alumni are significant ac.uk/convocation/index. Please check the website for project, coordinated Collector in Broomhill, nightlife stakeholders in the life of the University. Since 1905 further news. Sby the Flemish-Dutch House on West Street. The nostalgic there have been many different groups which have deBuren, a cultural centre in images of photographer David played a major part in promoting Alumni Relations and Brussels. The artists and writers Bocking, the contemporary short maintaining contact with former students. Whilst this was Brian Wrigley involved in citybook Sheffield films of Dominic Green, the principally Convocation, a great deal of work had been Chair of Convocation were selected by Dr Henriette pieces of writing by Abdelkader done by, and contact maintained through, the Sheffield Louwerse, Senior Lecturer in Benali, Agnes Lehoczky, Helen University Association, Hall Associations, International Sudoku Dutch, who explained, “As a new Mort, Rebecca Lenaerts, Joost Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, each column, Groups, Departmental Alumni Groups and the University and each 3x3 square contains all the digits from 1 to 9. Sheffielder myself, I thought Zwagerman and students from Development & Alumni Relations Office. Over the last 10 Crossword and sudoku solutions this was a great opportunity the Department of Germanic years the University has been steadily investing in Alumni (see Extracurricular on page 38) to introduce the city to the Studies have produced a truly Relations and providing an increasing amount of resources Across Down rest of Europe. The project has diverse set of impressions. 3 4 5 8 1 9 2 7 6 to help and encourage former students to remain engaged 8 Aerospace 1 Research also encouraged our students citybooks are an entertaining 9 8 6 2 5 7 4 1 3 with the University and to play a key role in its future. 9 Animal 2 Roberts to break out of the University and informative way to explore 2 7 1 4 3 6 9 5 8 Statistically over the coming decade the Alumni body will 11 Engineering 3 GPRG environment and share their the lesser-known cities of 8 3 7 5 4 2 6 9 1 almost double in size. Because of the electronic composition 12 Era 4 Economics work in the real world.” Europe. Each is available as 1 2 4 9 6 8 5 3 7 of the membership database, students’ details are added to 13 Arctic 5 Anniversary The city has over 175 woods a webtext, e-book and audio 6 5 9 1 7 3 8 4 2 the database upon obtaining their award, whereas for those 15 Monkeys 6 Images Sudoku and over 2 million trees. But book in Dutch, English and 9 2 3 8 6 students who finished at the University prior to 2002 (and 16 The 7 Alexandra Fill in all7 the squares in the grid so that5 each1 row, each4 column, Sheffield has far more to offer French, alongside a series of and5 each1 3x3 square3 6 contains2 all4 the digits7 from8 19 to 9. were not then registered) it is a much more difficult job to 17 Stich 10 Denny than green spaces or its historic 24 photographs and a City 4 6 8 7 9 1 3 2 5 obtain their contact details. The end result is that a large 18 Solar 14 Cutting steel heritage. It also has a very One Minute video. The project majority of the members whose details are held are in the 22 Rivelin Edge rich cultural life. It is fascinating is developing as more cities 5 9 8 7 6 1 3 2 age range 21 to 35 compared to the numbers of members 23 Maurice 16 Tornadoes 4 to experience the citybooks become involved. At Sheffield, 7 9 4 2 6 8 whose age range is at the more mature end of the scale. This 26 Arts 19 Lucas 1 3 5 version of the city as seen by Henriette has encouraged her 4 2 6 5 8 3 1 7 9 means that the whole composition of the graduate body is 27 Graham 20 Bessemer Sheffielders born and bred, by students to take part in literary Experience changing and this has been recognised by the University 28 Asia 21 Canals 8 7 5 3 1 9 2 6 4 people who choose to live and translation, and their results citybook Council, which set up a special group to discuss current and 29 Eye 24 Mantel 1 4 9 8 2 6 5 3 7 work here, and by those who form part of the citybook. “The Sheffield future Alumni engagement activities. Convocation was of 31 Steel 25 Kay 6 3 2 4 5 7 9 8 1 visit for a short time. How is project has triggered many new at www. course represented on that group. 33 Eagles 30 Jess 9 5 1 6 7 4 8 2 3 Sheffield perceived by insiders cultural relationships,” she said. citybooks.eu/ We have advocated since the first Alumni office in the 34 Star 32 Lee 3 6 7 2 9 8 4 1 5 and outsiders? “Being encouraged to share your en/cities/p/ 1980s the creation of an Alumni Board, similar to the 35 Russell 2 8 4 1 3 5 7 9 6 The sun rising over the output with a wide audience is detail/ Careers Board in the University, which would help and cityscape, the hunt for Father incredibly empowering.” ■ sheffield

26 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 27 Alumni Profiles alumni news Alumniand notes news In Profile Exploring the diverse group of people associated with The University of Sheffield

“I chose to study an MBA in the fun and made many friends – and doctor and paramedic to the scene two wonderful electives. Most of all I UK – I am the first person from my got a better understanding of British of serious incidents, which has been appreciated the breadth of the course family to study abroad – as I wanted culture and people. shown to give patients the best chance and the willingness of the Medical more management knowledge and “Communicating with people every of survival. He is also Consultant in School to think laterally. We were skills, and to get an international day is my favourite part of my job Emergency Medicine, Pre-hospital Care exposed to areas of life and medicine perspective on my chosen subject. now. The high speed changes in the & Emergency Preparedness with Barts few other medical schools considered It also offered me a chance internet industry in China make me Health NHS Trust. He has featured important. We went down working to learn English in an international energetic and full of passion. Weibo in several television series, including mines, to steel factories, went out with environment and gain Business School plays an important Trauma and Trauma Uncut for the BBC, the Police and Ambulance Service, networking opportunities. role in online marketing. We have and Trauma Doctors for Channel 5. spent time at high-security mental “I was attracted by the reputation educated thousands of enterprises, hospitals. All of it was priceless. of The University of Sheffield, government organisations and “Sheffield was my first choice and “I was brought up on the Isle of and one of my Chinese friends individuals on how to utilise Weibo I was thrilled to be offered a place. Man and watched the TT motorcycle recommended it. I’d been in and the new media. The South Yorkshire region had a races. Even as a child, it was obvious for a year beforehand, and I wanted “Just like Facebook and Twitter in rich array of hospitals that helped that accident patients had problems to experience life in a different British western countries, Weibo is so popular support the Medical School with from the point of impact. Waiting for Lisa Wang city. I did make a good choice! and commonly used in Chinese clinical attachments. Access to patients an ambulance to transport the rider MBA Business Administration 2005 “Highlights from the MBA included people’s daily life. It is a crucial was never a problem. On clinical to hospital was wasting so much time the case studies we did of some well- platform for business and education attachment in Rotherham I was – they needed the hospital to come to The founder and Director of the Weibo Business School, Lisa Wang is a key figure known multinational firms, including when they plan to attract consumers virtually the only medical student in them. That’s what we do at London’s in the internet boom in her native China. Rolls-Royce, Carrefour and Shell. or users. Students can communicate Dr Gareth Davies the hospital. The patient/student ratio Air Ambulance. Everything we could Sina Weibo – essentially China’s Twitter Sometimes we visited a factory and with people about life and study MB ChB Clinical Medicine 1988 was fantastic! do in hospital is done at the roadside, – is the country’s most visited social chat did on-site research, which I really abroad. And also they can share what “I loved the near daily trek to from putting patients to sleep, to site with 400 million registered users enjoyed. I had a part-time job in the they have found with their parents on Dr Gareth Davies is the Medical Director the anatomy lab and two hours of operating, to giving blood. I hope that, (March 2014). Students’ Union, where I had lots of Weibo, easily and quickly.” of London’s Air Ambulance. This was anatomy dissection in preclinical in five years’ time, new treatments the first air ambulance team in the years, the six-week attachment to will mean patients will survive where UK to take an experienced trauma A&E at the Northern General and the historically there was no hope.”

Dan Walker “In terms of an event, the highlight was the World Cup quarter final BA History 1998 MA Journalism Studies 1999 between Ghana and Uruguay in 2010. The whole of Africa wanted Ghana Catherine Faux year training, racing in the summer R ichard M elik The face of Football Focus, the to make the last four but they were months, and I confess to being a Medical student BBC’s flagship football show, Dan denied by a handball by Luis Suarez crammer for exams. I’m grateful for a Walker also has his own TV show and then lost on penalties. I have Catherine Faux was the fastest short-term memory but it does make on BBC World and a slot on Radio never seen a crowd or a nation so female amateur at the 2013 Ironman for a very stressful exam period! 5 Live. He is a Patron of the emotionally involved in a game World Championships in Hawaii. She “I’m planning to race an Iron distance University’s Elite Sport of football. completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile in Germany later this year, just before Performance Scheme. “I love my sport but would also cycle and 26.2-mile run in a staggering graduation and starting work. I want like to branch out into factual nine hours and 15 minutes. She is to compete in my first two years as “The highlight of my broadcasting entertainment, possibly a quiz, and supported by the University’s Elite a junior doctor. After that is a good career so far has to be the Football I am writing a book at the moment. Sports Performance Scheme and has opportunity for a break to see where Focus show we did in Afghanistan in I feel my biggest responsibility is been a triathlete since her second year. sport may take me. It’ll be an incentive 2013 – that will stay with me for a long bringing up our three children in the She bought her first bike with the £500 to get through the night shifts and time. I went there with footballers right way. That is far more significant prize money from a pharmacology long hours. John Hartson and Kevin Kilbane. than any of the other stuff. I plan to essay competition. “My ultimate sporting dream is to be Some of the people we met were take them all on the paternoster lift on the Ironman World Championships amazing and the lives they live are in the Arts Tower later this year... it’s a “I do find a balance between my studies podium and be World Champion. truly inspiring. life-changing experience.” and the triathlon – I spend most of the There, I said it – eek!”

28 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/20152014/15 www.sheffield.ac.uk/aluminiwww.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 29 Alumni news

y Annual Alumni Reunion The day includes a tour Reunion Luncheon for Dates for Your Diar of the campus, led by Alumni Office staff and the classes of 1955 and 1965 current students, a sparkling drinks’ reception and Satuday 20 June 2015 2014 four-course dinner in . Due to popular On campus Exclusive Benefits for Alumni demand, there will be the opportunity to ride the Alumni celebrating special anniversaries of 50 Don’t miss out on the benefits of staying in American Alumni Reunion iconic Arts Tower paternoster lift. Once at Floor and 60 years since graduating are invited back to touch with us. Saturday 23 August 2014 18, guests can take a few minutes to enjoy the campus for this special event. Invitations will be • Reunions and events – exclusive invitations The University Club, New York breathtaking panoramic view of the city. sent out in the New Year to all those from these to events both on and off campus. All Sheffield alumni in the US are invited to the We are also excited to announce that, for the class years for whom we have contact details. • Free borrowing rights at the Library – annual American reunion. first time, we have an alternative, informal option apply for free membership of the library Email [email protected] to offer guests alongside the black-tie dinner. We scheme, which enables you to borrow will be putting on an evening BBQ in Bar One, American Alumni Reunion books from , Students’ Union. August 2015 (date TBC) St George’s Library and the Health Annual Alumni Reunion www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/events/specialevent California (venue TBC) Sciences Library. Saturday 13 September 2014 Email [email protected] Sheffield alumni in the US are invited to • Postgraduate discount – as a Sheffield On campus the annual American reunion. graduate you can benefit from a 10% Join us for the Annual Alumni Reunion in Email [email protected] discount on tuition fees if you decide to September! We will be celebrating the anniversary study with us at postgraduate level. years for the classes of 1989, 1984 and 1974. • International alumni loyalty discounts Annual Alumni Reunion for further study – rewards worth £1,000 Saturday 12 September 2015 per year of study are available for all Pop Tarts Reunited On campus University of Sheffield graduates and Saturday 13 September 2014 Celebrating the anniversary years their siblings, spouses, and sons and On campus of 1990, 1985 and 1975. daughters for all years of study. Relive all your best memories from your University Graduates’ Presentation • Business support – do you want to set up a days at the one-and-only alumni Pop Tarts Ceremonies business? Alumni can access University of Reunited! All Sheffield alumni are invited back to Thursday 23 & Sunday 26 October 2014 Pop Tarts Reunited Sheffield Enterprise and their free business the Fusion and Foundry for a night of Shanghai & Beijing Saturday 12 services up to five years after graduation. pop pleasure. The University would like to offer all our graduates September 2015 • Careers advice – continue to use the the opportunity to attend one of these special On campus Careers Service and receive bespoke presentation ceremonies to celebrate their Come back to Sheffield for a career advice up to three years Alumni Texas Mixer success with family and friends. Even if you very special night; relive the after graduation; all alumni can Saturday 18 October 2014 have previously attended a graduation ceremony best parts of your student access myVacancies (www.shef. Austin, Texas (venue TBC) in Sheffield you are still welcome to attend a days at Pop Tarts Reunited. prospects.ac.uk) to search for jobs. More details to follow. ceremony in China. For more information visit • Discounted hotels and cottage hire – Email [email protected] www.sheffield.ac.uk/graduation/china enjoy a 10% discount with cottages4you and receive a discount at a number of hotels in Sheffield. Hong Kong Alumni Reception • Inox Dine – situated on Level 5 of the Sunday 19 October 2014 2015 Please visit our Students’ Union Building, Inox Dine is Island Shangri-La Hotel Reunion and Events an independently run restaurant serving Alumni Reception for alumni based Alumni Reception at the House of Lords pages online at www.sheffield. contemporary British food with an in Hong Kong, hosted by the Vice- Tuesday 10 February 2015 ac.uk/alumni/events to find international twist and Sheffield Chancellor Professor Sir Keith House of Lords, London a full calendar of events; for alumni receive a 10% discount. Burnett. For further details email The evening will include a tour of the Houses of further details email alumni@ • Wedding venue discount – choose from [email protected] Parliament and a drinks’ reception overlooking the sheffield.ac.uk. four stunning wedding venues at The River Thames. We are delighted that The Rt Hon University of Sheffield, including Firth Court, the Lord Krebs FRS will host the evening. Many of our events are and receive an alumni discount. Heritage Circle Lunch More details to follow. advertised by email so please Friday 24 October 2014 ensure we have your up-to-date For full details of what is available to you, On campus email address if you wish to be please visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/ A special lunch served in the Sheffield Alumni Pub Quiz invited. If you do not have access alumni/services. magnificent Firth Hall for those April 2015 (date TBC) to the internet or email and would For some of these benefits you may need alumni who are interested in London like to be informed of our alumni to show your Alumni Membership Card; if leaving or have left a gift in their Pit your wits against fellow Sheffield alumni events, please call 0114 222 1079 you haven’t received your card yet or need a Will. Email d.meadows@sheffield. at the third London pub quiz. Who will win the and we will add you to our events replacement, please email alumni@sheffield. ac.uk or call 0114 222 1073. 2015 trophy? mailing list. ac.uk or call 0114 222 1079.

YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/aluminiwww.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 31 alumni news Alumniand notes news Your notes and news We are always interested to discover what our alumni are doing now. To have the chance of appearing in Your Notes and News, please complete the section on our Here is a small selection of news from people who have been in contact Update Your Details form at www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/keepintouch or with us or who we have spotted in the media. email [email protected] with the subject ‘Your Notes and News’.

Georgia, and has been elected to the 1960s Board of Directors of vehicle security 1990s suppliers LoJack Corporation. Professor Martin Cadwallader (BA Dr Lee Elliot Major FRSA (BSc Physics Geography 1969) Is Vice-Chancellor for Ann Cairns (née Ibbetson) (BSc Pure 1990, PhD Physics 1994) Is Director of Research and Dean of the Graduate Mathematics 1978) Is President of Policy and Development at the Sutton School at the University of International Markets, MasterCard Trust, the think tank dedicated to Wisconsin-Madison. and was included in BBC Radio 4’s fighting educational inequality. Woman’s Hour Power List 2013. Helen Stratford (BA Architecture 1994) Eddie Chan (BEng Civil and Structural Won the LKE Ozolins PhD Studentship 1970s Engineering 1978) Is Director of the 2013 for her research on Performative Chinese National Healthy Living Architectures. Centre, an organisation which promotes healthy living and provides Matt Widdall (BSc Chemistry 1994) access to health services for the Is a senior investment manager with Chinese community in the UK. Business Growth Fund in Manchester. Union Ball, 1964.

Dr Charles Julian (MA Information Simon Roberts (BA Geography 1996) 1940s 1950s Studies 1978) Is Director of the Paul Has completed a three-year Meek Library/Assistant Professor of photography project creating a Bernard Bloom (BSc Chemistry 1945) Bernard Gallagher (BA English Library Science at the University of comprehensive survey of Britain’s Members of the 1988 ballroom With many happy and vivid memories Literature 1951, DipEd Education 1952) Tennessee at Martin. dancing team. piers, published as Pierdom (Dewi of his war-time years spent at Western Played retired estate worker Bill The University’s CCTV service, 1971. Lewis Publishing 2013). Bank and Crew Hall, Bernard (Benny) Molesley in the highly popular TV David Clarke (BSc Tech Chemical Bloom is hoping to establish contact series Downton Abbey. Professor John Brooks (BSc Physics Engineering and Fuel Technology 1979) Dr Colin Miller FICR (BSc Physiology Joe Twyman (BA Politics 1998) with others of similar vintage to share 1970, PhD Physics 1974) Will retire Is an Appraisal General Manager at BP. and Zoology 1983) Is Senior Vice Is Director of Political and Social reminiscences. If interested please Professor Charles Fairhurst (BEng as Vice-Chancellor of Manchester President, Medical Affairs of BioClinica Research for Europe, the Middle East email [email protected] or call Mining Engineering 1952, PhD Mining Metropolitan University at the end Roy Jeans FIPA (BA English Literature Inc, Pennsylvania, and was invited and Africa at opinion pollster YouGov. the Alumni Office on 0114 222 1043. Engineering 1955, Hon DEng 1997) of 2014. 1979) Is Chief Executive Officer of to attend and present at Data to Has been made an Officer of the Grey Scorpion, which specialises Knowledge to Action, an event co- Claire Gaffney (née Moulds) (BA Legion of Honour by the French Rt Hon David Blunkett MP (BA Politics in providing interim management hosted by the White House Office of Business Studies 1999) Was named Government, for his commitment to 1972) Is a Visiting Professor in the services to media-based businesses. Science and Technology Policy. Outstanding Freelance Practitioner French-American relations, and in University’s Department of Politics. for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire at the particular his extensive contribution Andrew Davies (BA Business Studies Chartered Institute of Public Relations and leadership in nuclear waste and Dr Yvonne Hoy (née Broadbent) 1985) Is Chief Executive of construction PRide Awards 2013. rock mechanics. (BDS Dentistry 1973) Is a member of 1980s services company Wates. the Medical and Dental Board of the Health Professions Council of Dr Antony Brooke (BSc Microbiology Professor Fionn Stevenson (DipArch South Africa; she also serves on the 1981, PhD Microbiology 1984) Architecture 1985) Is the new Head Registrations Committee for Foreign Is Development Director of of the University’s School Nationals wanting to practise in biotechnology company CBio. of Architecture. South Africa. Susanna Chiu (BA Economics 1982) Ewan Mochrie (BEng Civil and Phil Horlock (BSc Psychology 1977) Is the first woman in almost 40 Structural Engineering 1987) Is founder The Union Executive of 1956–57, with Is President and Chief Executive years to secure the senior position of and lead trainer of Inspire 360, a neuro- The staff/student garden party, One of the performers at the 1990 President Narayan Swamy (seated, fourth Officer of bus manufacturer Blue President of the Hong Kong Institute linguistic programming provider based 24 June 1948. from left). International Cultural Evening. Bird Corporation, based in Fort Valley, of Certified Public Accountants. in Manchester.

32 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 33 alumni news Alumniand notes news

Your notes and news

Lucy Russell (BA Sociology 2003) playing English graduate Steve in the Alumni honours Honorary degrees Is a buyer for Topshop. Chinese sitcom Ciao Britain. Birthday Honours 2013, 2014 The University of Sheffield confers Mark Sekree (BA Philosophy and Mary-Jess Leaverland (studied Music honorary degrees (or degrees honoris Economics 2003) Is a chartered and Chinese Studies 2008–10) Muriel Kimmons (née Jackson) (BA causa – as a ‘mark of honour’) on financial planner and Fellow of the Sang at the official opening of the History 1959, DipEd Education 1960) people who have given distinguished Personal Finance Society. refurbished Students’ Union (see page Awarded an MBE for services service or brought distinction to the 12). She has signed a publishing deal to education. University, the City of Sheffield or the Wei Su (MA Print Journalism 2005) and is recording two albums. region. Alumni who received honorary Has launched a law firm in the USA, Simon Marsh (MA Town and Regional degrees from the University in 2014: Wei Su Global Advisors, specialising in Ben Cook (BSc Economics 2011) Planning 1989) Awarded an MBE for investor immigration. Is co-founder of Clever Tykes, a series services to local government and to The Most Revd Dr John Hiang C of fiction books for children which communities in the UK. Chew (PhD Biblical Studies 1983, Hon Claire Blackburn (BA Journalism introduce life skills’ characteristics LittD 2014): Chairman of the Board Studies 2007) Is the Communications through positive entrepreneurial Nicholas Nicolaou (BA Business Studies of Governors of Trinity Theological T Officer for international humanitarian role models. aka z 1977) Awarded an OBE for services to College, Singapore, and a former

organisation Action Against Hunger. umi U emura promoting British business interests, Bishop of Singapore. Akhil Viz (MEng Aerospace arts, education and the English In 2004, the Florey Building (right) Dr Nathan Adams (MChem Engineering with Private Pilot language in Sri Lanka. Paul Firth (BA Law 1981, Hon LittD 2014): completed the fourth side of the Quad. Chemistry 2008, PhD Chemistry Instruction 2011) Represented Great commercial lawyer and businessman, 2012) Is a postdoctoral researcher in Britain at the 2013 Vichy ETU Dr Cynthia (Cindy) Sughrue FRSA and former Pro-Chancellor of Molecular Biology and Microbiology Challenge Long Distance Triathlon Dr Joanne Harris (PhD English Language 1993) Awarded the University . 2000s at the University and also develops European Championships. an OBE for services to dance. demonstrations for live shows and Dr Janet Barnes (BA English 1975, Hon Paul Mason (BA Music and Politics 1981, Dr Rebecca Hill (BSc Chemistry 2001, TV, including the BBC’s Bang Goes the James Mahon (MA Broadcast LittD 2000)Awarded a CBE for services Professor Tilli Tansey FMedSci, Hon LittD 2014): Culture and Digital PhD Engineering Materials 2005) Theory and The One Show. Journalism 2012) Is a reporter at WDEF to museums in Yorkshire. Hon FRCP (BSc Zoology 1974, PhD Editor at Channel 4 News. Is a staff scientist in analytic News 12 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Zoology 1978, DSc 2011) Awarded an development at Fujifilm Diosynth Tom Brooks (LLB Law 2007) and Pete The Rt Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP OBE for services to research in the Dr Jim O’Neill (BA Economics 1978, MA Biotechnologies UK, and was Dowds (LLB Law 2007, PgDip Legal Tom Newman (MEng Systems and (studied Economic and Social History medical sciences and to the public Economics 1980, Hon LittD 2014): former shortlisted for the Science category of Practice 2008) Are co-founders of Control Engineering 2013) Achieved 1979) Created a Knight Bachelor for understanding of science. Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset the Women of the Future Awards 2013. online cleaning company MOPP. a place on the graduate programme political and public service. Management, and known for coining of Meggitt, the FTSE-100 global Allison Tennant (PgDip Clinical the BRIC acronym (Brazil, Russia, India Matt Lamy (BA Journalism Studies Anthea Thompson (LLB Law 2008) engineering group specialising Professor Sir Paul Collier (Hon LittD Supervision 2005) Awarded an OBE for and China). 2001) Is chief writer at Cycling Active Has been called to the bar in the Grand in smart engineering for 2008) Created a Knight Bachelor for services to offender health. and was named Writer of the Year in Court of the Cayman Islands. extreme environments. services to promoting research and Kathryn Riddle (née Foster) OBE, JP IPC Media’s Editorial Awards 2013. policy change in Africa. Professor Wendy Tindale (PhD (BA Sociology 1967, LLB Law 1986, Hon Heather Poore (BSc Geography 2009) Alisha Rouse (BA International History Medical Physics and Clinical LittD 2014): Chair of NHS North of Steve Morris (BEng Aerospace Is Youth Volunteering Coordinator and International Politics 2013) Was Emeritus Professor Tony Crook AcSS, Engineering 1984) Awarded an OBE for England cluster, and a former Pro- Engineering 2002) Is a Flight at environmental awareness charity named Student Reporter of the Year in FRTPI, FRSA (PhD Town and Regional services to healthcare. Chancellor and Chairman of Council Lieutenant with the Royal Air Force Global Action Plan. Student Media Awards Planning 1989, Hon LittD 2013) Awarded of the University. Aerobatic Team and was commended 2013. She is a former editor-in-chief of a CBE for services to housing and Charlotte Triggs (née Parsons) (LLB on the Association of Colleges’ 2013 the Students’ Union’s Forge Press. charitable governance. Law 1977) Awarded an OBE for services Alev Yaraman (née Ozen) (MSc Glass Gold Awards Roll of Honour. to law and order especially prosecution Technology 1971, Hon DEng 2014): a 2010s Stephen Glass (BEng Mechanical of rape cases. member of the Board of Directors Dr Vicky Chico (MA Law 2003, PhD Engineering 1992) Awarded an of Turkish glass and chemical Law 2007) Is a Lecturer in Law at the Dr Maria Gallo (EdD Education 2010) OBE for services to defence David Truesdale (MA Town and producer Şişecam. University and represented Team GB in Received an HS Warwick Research equipment acquisition. Regional Planning 1977) Awarded an the 2013 European Triathlon Union Age Award in Alumni Relations for MBE for services to the community Group Championships. Educational Advancement 2013 for Professor Van Gore (BA History and in Oxford. ‘Outstanding Published Scholarship’ Politics 1969, MA Politics 1971) Awarded Dr Simon Meek (MChem Chemistry from the Council for Advancement and a CBE for services to higher education. Professor John Warner FRCP, For further information on how 2003, PhD Chemistry 2006) Support for Education. FRCPCH, FMedSci (MB ChB Medicine to nominate someone for an Is an Assistant Professor in the Dr Joanne Harris (PGCE Education 1968, MD Medicine 1979) Awarded honorary degree, please contact Claire Rundström, Head of Alumni Relations, Chemistry Department at the Richard Heathcote (BA Chinese Studies Graduation 2013 1987, Hon LittD 2004) Awarded an MBE an OBE for services to food University of North Carolina. 2010) Launched his acting career by for services to literature. allergy research. email: [email protected]

34 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/20152014/15 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 35 alumni news Alumniand notes news Honours and awards Staff and students from the University continue to be recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise.

S imon W right In the Will Venters News category The Professor Distinguished Alumni Awards of the Royal Television Society Student Awards, students from These awards give the University served as Chairman of Convocation on three Journalism Studies took the top the opportunity to acknowledge the separate occasions. Through that position he three places: first place went toLiana achievements of alumni who have made was a member of the University’s Council. Lonsdale for her documentary Work outstanding contributions to business and To nominate one of our alumni for Hard, Train Harder, Amy Durrant community life. They were established in this annual award, please submit their was named runner-up, while Adam 2011 to honour the memory of Professor biographical information and a letter of Hancock and Aimee Smith jointly Robert Boucher (Hon DEng 2009), the nomination (of no more than 500 words) claimed third place. former Vice-Chancellor who set up the to: Claire Rundström, Head of Alumni Development and Alumni Relations Relations, The University of Sheffield, 1 Helen Mort (English PhD student) Office in 2002. Development, Alumni Relations & Events, 40 was shortlisted for the TS Eliot Peter Downey (BA Geography 1960, PgDip Victoria Street, Sheffield, S10 2TN, or email Prize for her poetry collection Education 1961), who sadly died in March [email protected] with the subject Mrs Jennifer Downey (right) with entitled Division Street. (Also see 2013, was posthumously awarded a Professor Mrs Rosemary Boucher. ‘Professor Robert Boucher Distinguished p27 for Helen’s contribution Robert Boucher Distinguished Alumni Alumni Award nomination’. to citybooks.) Award ‘in recognition of his outstanding The deadline for nominations to be service to The University of Sheffield and his longstanding considered for an award in 2015 is 28 November 2014. Bryony Page (Animal and Plant support for the University community and its students’. Sciences student), British Ladies He was Clerk of Convocation from 1967–76, a member of Further details can be found at www.sheffield.ac.uk/ Trampolining Champion 2013, took the University Court of Governors from the mid-1960s, and alumni/distinguished_alumni_awards 2 3 4 individual gold at the Trampolining 1 Dr Fay Hield 2 Professor Keith Ridgway CBE 3 Terry Croft MBE 4 Bryony Page World Cup held in Denmark.

Professor Keith Ridgway CBE Obituaries Professor Steven Armes, Professor Professor Andrew Geddes (Politics), (Advanced Manufacturing Research Alumni and friends of the University Professor John Baker Dr Brian Jones David Beerling and Professor Tom Emeritus Professor Jenny Hockey Centre with Boeing) has been made may submit obituaries – for an alumnus/ Member of staff in the Department (MMedSci Microbiology 1984) Bridgeland of the University’s Faculty (Sociology) and Professor Charles Pattie an Honorary Fellow of the Royal alumna or former member of staff – to of Pure Mathematics 1969–99. Member of staff in the Medical School of Science were named Fellows of the (Geography) were named Academicians Aeronautical Society. Development, Alumni Relations & Events 1962–96. Royal Society for their exceptional of the Academy of Social Sciences. for inclusion on our website. Please Emeritus Professor Bruce Bilby contribution to science. Dr Padam Simkhada (Health and email [email protected] Member of staff in the Department Geoffrey Mitchell In the New Year Honours 2014, Related Research) received the We have been informed of the of Mechanical Engineering 1957–84. Member of staff 1969–94 and former Professor Michael Braddick Professor Kate Gerrish (Nursing and Confederation of Epidemiological following deaths of University staff in Director of the Division of Adult (History) and Professor Glynis Jones Midwifery) received a CBE for services Associations’ Award of Global the past year: Professor David Chappell Continuing Education. (Archaeology) were elected Fellows of to nursing and Professor Pamela Shaw Health Research. Member of the staff in the Department the British Academy. (SITraN) received a Damehood for Dr John Allison (PhD Chemistry 1955) of Economics 1979–2006 and Head Charles ‘Chuck’ Phillips services to neuroscience. (Also see p35 The University of Sheffield was Member of staff in the Department of of Department 1999–2002. Member of staff in the Department Terry Croft MBE (Faculty of Science) for Alumni Honours.) shortlisted for four Guardian Electronic and Electrical Engineering of Corporate Information and is included in the Science Council’s University Awards 2014 in the 1959–86. Gwen Cochrane Computing Services 1974–98. list of 100 leading UK Emeritus Professor Peter Hannon categories of International Project, Member of staff 1962–83 (former practising scientists. (Education) received an honorary Diversity Initiative, Comms Campaign Emeritus Professor Bernard Argent Vice-Chancellor’s Secretary). Eric Rose degree (LittD) from The University of and Employability Initiative. (BMet Metallurgy 1953, PhD Metallurgy Member of staff in the Department Professor Vikram Dhillon (Physics Sheffield in recognition of his work in 1956, DMet Metallurgy 1979) Member of Professor David Howe of Automatic Control and Systems and Astronomy) received the improving the role of parents in their The University of Sheffield was staff in the Department of Materials Member of staff in the Department Engineering 1968–95. Jackson-Gwilt Medal 2013 from the children’s education. shortlisted for the Entrepreneurial Science and Engineering 1967–90. of Electronic and Electrical Royal Astronomical Society for his University of the Year and Engineering 1977–2008. Emeritus Professor Eric Sainsbury contributions to the development With her band The Full English, Outstanding Contribution to Professor Peter Artymiuk OBE (CertHE Adult Continuing of novel astronomical Dr Fay Hield (Music) won the Best Leadership Development awards Member of staff in the Department of Joanna Hilda Hunter Education 2003) instrumentation and his work Album and Best Group categories at at Higher Education Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Member of staff in the Department Member of staff in the Department on high-speed photometry. the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2014. Awards 2013. since 1985. of English Language 1964–86. of Sociological Studies 1961–87.

36 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/20152014/15 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 37 Crossword and sudoku puzzles A Legacy Alumni news with Impact AcrossExtracurricular 8 Course which is part of 11 28 The University of Sheffield 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Across (9) is one of Europe’s leading 9 _____ and Plant Sciences, centres for research on East 8 9 part of The University of _____ (4) 10 Sheffield’s Faculty of Pure 29 Department in the 11 Science (6) Sheffield’s Children’s 11 One of the six faculties Hospital (3) 12 of The University of 31 Sheffield is historically 13 14 15 Sheffield (11) associated with the 12 Period of time in production of this Sheffield (3) material (5) 16 17 18 19 13 And 15 Across. High Green 33 Sheffield indie rock band (6,7) team (6) 20 21

15 See 13 Across 34 30 Down was a _____ 22 23 16 And 14 Down. Sculpture in of the 2012 London Sheaf Square (3,7,4) Olympics (4) 24 25

17 Honorary Professor of 35 The University of Sheffield 26 27 28 Philosophy at The University is a member of the ______of Sheffield (5) Group of leading UK research 29 30 18 And 16 Down. The universities (7) 31 32 University of Sheffield’s 33 recent discoveries about Down these pave the way for new 1 In 2010 Her Majesty 34 35 technologies in renewable the Queen opened The fusion energy (5,9) University of Sheffield’s 5 The University of Sheffield has been of Sheffield, who became Chair of the 22 One of the five rivers which £18 million _____ institute awarded six Queen’s ______Prizes Board of the (5) Sheffield is at the confluence in translational for outstanding achievements (11) 20 Converter at Kelham Island From left: A performance by students from Hispanic Studies; An Archaeology workshop at Heeley City Farm; A Mechanical Engineering student. of (7) neuroscience (8) 6 Picture Sheffield has thousands of Museum which is a symbol of 23 And 25 Down. Lord Justice 2 1993 Nobel Prize winner, a digital _____ from the 1850s to the Sheffield’s engineering heritage (8) of Appeal and graduate of The graduate of The University of present day (6) 21 Sheffield waterways (6) University of Sheffield (7,3) Sheffield (7) 7 Queen who opened the Firth Court 24 Author of Wolf Hall and graduate of By leaving a legacy to The University 26 ____ and Humanities, 3 The University of Sheffield’s Building in 1905 (9) The University of Sheffield (6) It is always a pleasure to take of Sheffield in your Will, you will provide another one of the six centre of excellence 10 University of Sheffield building 25 See 23 Across alumni, former staff and friends on faculties of The University of for applied research on named after the first Professor 30 Ennis, one of Sheffield’s greatest a lasting gift for future generations. Sheffield (4) groundwater (4) Sudokuof Zoology (5) athletesSudoku (4) tours of the campus, to relive 27 Herol, the top boxer who 4 Part of TheFill University in all the squares of in the14 gridSee so 16 that Across each row, each column,Fill in all the squares32 Child, in the the grid crime so that fiction each row,novelist each andcolumn, You can inspire a student or member of memories, revisit an old trained at Brendan Ingle’s Sheffield’s Facultyand each of Social3x3 square contains16 See 18 all Across the digits from 1 to 9. and each 3x3one square of The contains University all the of digits Sheffield’s from 1 to 9. staff to broaden their horizons, go that gym in Wincobank (6) Sciences (9) 19 Former lecturer at The University alumni (3) department or see the revamped extra mile and influence someone’s life Students’ Union. Giving you a first- for the better. Sudoku hand experience of the campus 1 9 7 9 8 6 3 4 Fill in all the squares in the grid so However large or small, your support today can help to clarify your that each row, each column, 5 4 1 3 7 8 thoughts on the most effective use and each 3x3 square contains all the has the potential to maximise the 6 8 5 3 of your future gift.” digits from 1 to 9. Sheffield Experience for a fellow member 5 1 8 4 David Meadows, Development Officer The puzzle on the left is easy and the of your University’s community. for Legacies one on the right is difficult. 1 2 6 3 7 4 9 5 3 6 9 3 4 6 3 8 1 1 9 8 To talk through your ideas in confidence or to request a copy of our Legacy brochure, please contact: David Meadows, Solutions 5 1 2 4 7 4 Development Officer for Legacies, Development, Alumni Relations & Events, The University of Sheffield, 40 Victoria Street, The crossword and sudoku 6 8 7 9 2 1 5 6 Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK,Tel: +44(0)114 222 1073, Email: [email protected], www.sheffield.ac.uk/legacies solutions can be found on page 26. The University of Sheffield is an exempt charity X1089

38 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/20152014/15 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni 39 Reasons to Be Proud of The University of Sheffield

The University has a long tradition of providing an environment in which academics and students can fully develop their talents and ambitions, often in unexpected ways. From literature, sport and film to law, politics, engineering and science, we nurture people whose work has made a real difference to our world, including five Nobel Prize winners.

We are ranked the number one University in the UK for Student Experience in the latest Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey, with our students also rating our Students’ Union, accommodation and support services among the best in the country.

We are rated 71st in the world in the 2013 QS World University Rankings, 13th in the UK in the 2013–14 Times Higher Education World University Rankings and are ranked in the top ten UK research-intensive universities (2008 Research Assessment Exercise).

We value international students and are passionate about ensuring that their contribution to our economy and culture is recognised. Our ‘We Are International’ campaign has led to MPs of all parties calling for the government to rethink its immigration policies for international students.

Our Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing is shaping the future of global advanced manufacturing. We’ve recently signed a land deal at Sheffield Business Park to create a critical mass of hi-tech, advanced manufacturing businesses along the Parkway corridor – a move which will ensure we continue to be at the heart of advanced manufacturing in the UK and a key player on the global stage.

Development, Alumni Relations & Events University of Sheffield 40 Victoria Street, Sheffield, S10 2TN Tel: +44 0114 2221071 Fax: +44 0114 2221044 email: [email protected]