NEWS 1 162 buzz

June/July 2016 Impactful Innovation 2 PROVOSTNEWS AND VICE-PRINCIPAL’S VIEW Provost and Vice-Principal’s view

At the end of August, after five and a half and debates (from antibiotic resistance years, I will be packing my bags and taking up to the politics of migration); and we have the role of Vice-Chancellor at the University partnerships with some of the world’s leading of Sussex. Although I am thrilled to have been companies so that fundamental research is given such a great opportunity, my departure translated into world changing technologies. is tinged with real sadness at leaving the During this time, too, the University’s University of Birmingham, an institution that physical environment has continued to I have grown to love during my time here. improve, with the new Residences, Library I knew relatively little about the University and Sports Centre being the most visible before I started. Largely because my brother examples and the University has developed and sister had been students here, I didn’t a renewed engagement with the life of the apply to study at Birmingham, and my city – witness, for example, the University sense of the University came from visiting School; new and revived partnerships with

Provost and Vice-Principal, Professor Adam Tickell my sister in the early 1980s (a demo in the local cultural institutions and the largest rain at the Bull Ring and a house party), health trusts; the exceptional support presenting seminars to the politics group provided for public service leaders; and and the Geography department, and a the development of an unmatched local YOUR BUZZ period as an External Examiner in GEES. economic intelligence capacity. We have I arrived at a university with an exceptional started to make impressive strides towards Next edition 3 August 2016 pedigree, probably the most impressive equality for all students and staff, irrespective Copy deadline 8 July 2016 campus in the UK, and with many brilliant of gender, sexuality, ethnicity or disability. Contact us and committed academic and professional For all of these reasons, the University [email protected] staff. And yet, whilst Birmingham might have has established meaningful partnerships been brimming with potential, it was also with other leading universities, most notably Buzz online the case that too many of our staff were Nottingham, Illinois at Urbana-Champaign buzz.bham.ac.uk defensive or almost apologetic: in large and Melbourne – though many others are Follow us on Twitter parts of the University, we lacked the self- significant and will develop further. For all twitter.com/buzzunibham confidence that is essential for greatness. of these reasons, we have had the most Find us on Facebook Over the last five years I have felt successful university fundraising campaign facebook.com/buzzunibham genuinely privileged to watch and be part outside of the Golden Triangle. And for of the transformation of the University of all of these reasons, the University has Birmingham. The University is recognised progressively risen in the league tables, most nationally and internationally as one that recently to 13th in the Guardian (not only develops initiatives that others emulate our highest ever position, but the highest Edited by Matthew Collins across all of our activities. In Education, of any large civic university in the UK). [email protected] our investment in careers and employability All of these achievements have rested has meant that our graduates are fourth upon exceptional contributions by academics Your details best in the UK in obtaining graduate-level and Professional Services colleagues Please let us know if you want extra employment; our students are pleased to and I have often been impressed and copies of Buzz or if you think we need study here, valuing their peers and their sometimes humbled by the dedication, to amend your distribution details. educators; we pioneered the unconditional hard work and loyalty I’ve encountered. offers scheme to highly qualified applicants There are too many people who I’ve worked Views expressed in the magazine are for degrees; we are one of the largest with to name individually, but I wanted not necessarily those of the University educators of postgraduate students in to use my final contribution toBuzz to or a statement of University policy. the UK; we should be proud of the social salute and to thank all of you working All submissions may be subject to and ethnic diversity of our student intake; in this exceptional university for your editing. The Editor’s decision is final. and applications to study at the University support for me over the past few years. are at an all-time high. In Research, the The next decade is unlikely to be as kind Birmingham Fellows scheme has attracted to universities in England as the last two – in over 75 outstanding early career scholars exchange for more government intervention Front cover image: Anne Simper and has been copied in some form or other in our research and teaching we are likely is the Business Engagement Partner by most of the leading universities in the to see substantially less money in real terms for the College of Medical and Dental UK; the Institute of Advanced Studies has and an intensification of the marketisation Sciences. provided a welcome intellectual forum for of our sector. However, I am convinced that interdisciplinary activities; our new and the foundations that have been laid at this existing research institutes are producing great institution means that the University of spectacular science (and winning external Birmingham will thrive in the years to come. recognition); our scientists and scholars are at the forefront of major discoveries Adam Tickell (the Higgs boson, gravitational waves) Provost and Vice-Principal NEWS BIRMINGHAM GLOBAL 3

BIRMINGHAM GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT WITH BRAZIL FAPESP FUNDING – 2016 CALL FOR PROPOSALS Brazil Visiting Fellow profile NORTH Dr Rafael Montoito Teixeira arrived After two successful FAPESP (São Paulo in Birmingham in May and currently AMERICA state research funding council) funding teaches at the Instituto Federal Sul-rio- calls in 2012 and 2013, and with a number grandense, Pelotas, Brazil. Since 2006, of successful ongoing collaborative Rafael has been studying Lewis Carroll’s projects with Brazilian partners having works in order to understand and BRIDGE SEED FUND AWARDS been awarded funds through these calls, decipher his literary-mathematical we are happy to announce that the next universe. As some of his books have We are delighted to have recently round of FAPESP funding will be launched never been published in Brazil and others announced the successful awardees in Summer 2016. FAPESP funding has are out of print, Rafael has been from the third joint Birmingham-Illinois been instrumental in aiding a number of dedicating his time to bring Lewis Carroll ‘BRIDGE Seed Fund’. This annual exciting, ongoing collaborative projects back into academic discussions, as in fund of $200,000 has been jointly around the University on areas ranging Rafael’s words, ‘his stories and his established to stimulate wider academic from Gravity and Gravitational Waveforms, mathematical works are a powerful engagement between the University to Fear Memory Processing. Funding source for the study of mathematics, of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and from this strategic award can be sought language and educational systems.’ the University of Birmingham. for a range of activities including original Rafael is collaborating with Professor From the third call of the BRIDGE research and workshop events, but the John Holmes until the end of July, Seed Fund we have been able to support ultimate purpose must be to develop a studying Carroll’s diaries and letters, 13 projects from across all five colleges collaboration that has the potential to with their intention being to identify in areas including biofuels, brain injury, directly lead to further research funding, thoughts that could characterise him as a migration, and cross-cultural history. supporting activity in Brazil and the UK. pedagogue; someone concerned about This now brings the total number of The Brazil team in International Relations teaching and who used some of his own faculty-driven collaborations in progress will provide a further update and exact characters to discuss the issues he between the two Universities to over details of the fund and the call dates describes in his personal notes. 65 across a range of disciplines. in due course. BRAZIL VISITING FELLOWS ARRIVE AT BRAZIL TRAVEL FUND NEW PVC THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL The Brazil Travel Fund is still open for Fellows from a range of Brazilian applications and offers financial support for APPOINTED universities have now begun to arrive at the a range of collaborative projects, and also University of Birmingham to undertake provides match funding costs related to The University of short stays as Visiting Fellows, working on visits to Brazil for the purpose of developing Birmingham has collaborative research projects with collaborations with Brazilian institutions/ appointed its colleagues from across colleges. The Brazil organisations. The fund may also support first Pro-Vice- Visiting Fellows programme, which is now visits by individuals from Brazilian institutions Chancellor in its fifth year, supports the professional to the University of Birmingham where for International to lead the international development of early career researchers these may help develop collaboration. agenda. Professor Robin Mason joined from Brazilian universities, and enables the University at the end of March 2016. visiting fellows to obtain insight into the If you would like any further Watch this space for more information on organisation and conduct of research, information on the above schemes international engagement from Professor training and administration at the University and for general advice on our Mason in the next UoB Global page. of Birmingham. Furthermore, the scheme engagement in Brazil, please contact acts to support partnership development Catherine Lemon, International with Brazil, which has been designated as Development Manager for the a key strategic country to support the Americas at [email protected] University’s internationalisation strategy. 4 NEWS NEWS

Don’t miss your chance to shape the future of travel to and from APPRENTICESHIP the University SCHEME LAUNCHED The University has launched an The 2016 Travel Survey is now live Once you’ve submitted your answers apprenticeship scheme to create new and provides you with the opportunity you will have the option to be entered opportunities for on-the-job training to tell the University how you travel to into a prize draw to win a number of in a range of fields. and from campus. fantastic prizes ranging from Amazon The first 11 apprenticeships are Running until Thursday 16 June, vouchers to an iPad. now being advertised, including the survey is an effective way to studio production, IT support, and gather details of the different modes Take part at: www.surveymonkey. electrical and mechanical of transport students and staff take co.uk/r/UoBtravelsurvey2016 maintenance opportunities. to travel to campus. Whether you The University has partnered with drive, cycle, walk or take public Babington Apprenticeships Ltd to transport, we’d like to hear from you. Amazon recruit and train the apprentices. The survey should only take five vouchers to Eventually, we hope to create 20 minutes to complete. an iPad up apprenticeships during the first year Results of the survey will help the of the programme. Transport Team make improvements for grabs Specialist training given to the and recommendations to help make apprentices will allow them to gain a your journey more convenient, enjoyable solid foothold in their chosen career, and sustainable. and will allow the University to continue to build a diverse and skilled workforce for the future. Training will also be given to University line managers to enable them to support the apprentices they manage and ONE OF THE UK’S FIRST HYDROGEN ensure they reach their full potential. Details of the apprenticeships FUEL CELL FLEET VEHICLES HAS currently on offer can be found online at www.birmingham.ac.uk/ ARRIVED ON CAMPUS apprenticeships.

You may have spotted this car (a Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell) on campus. It is being used for staff transport and as part of the Date for the diary University’s chauffeur service for visitors. But did you know it’s one Birmingham Professional Forum of the first examples of hydrogen (EU Referendum Special) fuel cell technology being used Wednesday 22 June, solely as a working vehicle 11.00am–12noon in the UK? Elgar Concert Hall, Here on campus, a hydrogen Bramall Music Building fuelling station, unveiled in 2008 The Birmingham Professional to support work carried out at the possible to employ new technologies Forum is a termly event for all University’s Centre for Fuel Cell and such as the hydrogen fuel cell cars in Professional Services staff Hydrogen Research, provides the our day-to-day activities. The University introduced by the Registrar and power for the vehicle. has long been renowned for pioneering Secretary, Lee Sanders. The Stuart Richards, Director of research which results in practical Registrar invites you to join us for Hospitality and Accommodation applications to improve people’s lives this ‘EU Referendum special’ of the Services at the University said: ‘We are and the use of this car as part of our Birmingham Professional Forum, in a unique position here on our main regular fleet is a tangible example of featuring a ‘Question Time’ style campus in Edgbaston, with our own how scientific research can be turned panel of academic experts. hydrogen refuelling station making it into reality.’ NEWS NEWS 5 EU REFERENDUM: IN OR OUT?

On Thursday 23 June the UK will be asked ‘Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?’ in the EU Referendum.

The decision being made by the UK At the time of writing the University is due electorate will have wide-ranging and long- to host a series of debates, featuring Leave lasting consequences, economically and and Remain speakers, on some of politically. The University is taking a neutral the biggest issues of the campaign: stance in the referendum campaign by n On migration, the debate Beyond acting as a facilitator of informed debate, Borders: How would a Brexit impact designed to enable the whole University UK immigration? is expected to include community: staff, students and members of external speakers as well as leading the public to make a well informed choice academics working in the area from before entering the polling booths. the Institute for Research into The University, like many large Superdiversity (IRIS) organisations, is directly affected by the n On security, the question posed was: EU. For example, a significant proportion Is the UK more secure inside or outside of our students and staff are EU citizens, the European Union? The panel is and programmes such as Horizon 2020 expected to feature internal and external and Erasmus provide a framework for academic experts as well as other international research collaboration and external speakers for student exchange and study abroad. n On Health and Social Policy, this The University, in conjunction with the debate is expected to cover diverse Guild of Students, is encouraging students aspects of health policy and how the and staff to register to vote in the EU EU affects the NHS through initiatives Referendum. Registering to vote takes such as the Transatlantic Trade and just a few minutes on the gov.uk website. Investment Partnership (TTIP) In mid-May the Guild marked voter registration week with a programme of Alongside these events, a number of activities ranging from ‘goats for votes’ the University’s academic experts have and a film festival, to a Eurovision Party been commentating on the referendum and a student-led debate. debate on issues such as the UK’s role The University has facilitated, or has in Brussels, the role of women, economics, been host, to a number of debates and and foreign policy. Their commentary has other events that have been designed been collected together on our referendum to address some of the biggest issues website: www.birmingham.ac.uk/BhamEU of the debate such as migration, security, and has been featured on a wide range economics, and social policy. These of print, online and broadcast media. events have ranged from a debate on the Referendum activities will continue economic aspects of a potential Brexit in right up to Referendum Day, including the Business School to a debate in the the Birmingham Professional Forum on fringes of the recent BE Festival, focusing Wednesday 22 June, so please watch on the culture and the arts and how they the website for further details of events may be affected by leaving the EU. and the latest commentary. 6 FEATURE: CAMPUS DEVELOPMENTS FEATURE: CAMPUS DEVELOPMENTS transforming

‘More than 3.5 our billion years of history campus brought to life’

Green Heart consultation – have your say!

The consultation on the Green Heart project is now well underway – but there is still plenty of time for all staff to have their say on what should be included. The researchers have already spent three days on site talking to staff, students and visitors to find out what they think should be included in the dramatic new space at the centre of our campus. These three days are now being followed with polls and online activity at the project blog www. uobgreenheart.com where everyone can leave comments and join the debate. The consultation is also active on social media via the @uobgreenheart Artist’s impression of the Green Heart, looking towards the new Library Twitter account. Results from the consultation will be fed directly into the design process for the Green Heart currently underway. Work on the Green Heart will begin this autumn, after the new library opens its doors. The old library will be demolished, and work will then begin on the landscaping of the area where it currently sits, as well as what is currently the north car park. Pedestrian access around campus will be maintained at all times. The second phase of work will begin in early 2018, with work to improve the University Square area. The entire Green Heart is anticipated to be finished by autumn 2018. Once work is underway, the consultation researchers will return to campus to demonstrate how the feedback they have received has informed the design of

the project. Artist’s impression of the Green Heart, looking towards Old Joe

Lapworth Museum – opening soon!

By the time you read this, the Lapworth the museum, which dates back to 1880, grant of £1.5 million and the generous Museum of Geology will be just days away making it one of the oldest specialist support of University of Birmingham alumni, from its reopening on 10 June. Following geological museums in the UK. Visitors plus a number of grant awarding bodies, a £2.7 million redevelopment, the will enjoy a state-of-the-art museum trusts and foundations has made the new-look museum will soon be ready to experience with light and airy spaces redevelopment possible, with the museum welcome people of all ages through its enhancing the setting of the displays, and a having been closed since autumn 2014. doors to see more than 3.5 billion years of new range of innovative new interactive Visit the museum’s website history brought to life. and tactile experiences – all completely www.birmingham.ac.uk/lapworth to find The redevelopment makes full use of the free of charge. out more details about the reopening original features and display cabinets of A major Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) programme. FEATURE: CAMPUS DEVELOPMENTS FEATURE: CAMPUS DEVELOPMENTS 7

Library book move is underway

The move to the new library has moved be moved until after a big step closer with the first books the completion of the being placed on the shelves in the main exam period to new building. minimise disruption The book move kicked off at the to students. Guild of Students President Jack Mably places the fi beginning of May with Guild of Students The move will take rst book in the new library President Jack Mably placing the first over two months to book on the 62km of shelving within complete, and the result will be a far Law Libraries, will be closed – the new facility. Jack’s book was placed more intuitive layout of books and and this will enable many of the open in the Research Reserve in the lower journals in the new library, which will access texts to begin their journey to ground floor where some 50km of be easier to navigate. the new library. The Music Library will shelving is housed. The Research As the book move gets underway in then close on 17 June. Reserve will be the first section of the earnest and following the completion of During this period of transition, new library to be shelved, while students exams, the Main Library will start to close a fetching service will be available are still using open access texts in the gradually. By the time this edition of Buzz for those who need access to books Main Library, Education, Music and Law lands on desks, floors 2–5 of the Main which have moved, until the new Libraries for revision. These books will not Library, along with the Education and library opens in August.

CTL decision draws closer

An application for planning permission for the Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) has been lodged with Birmingham City Council, marking an important step forward for the project. The Council is expected to make a decision on the application this summer, paving the way for construction to start later this year. The new build will follow the opening of the first phase of the CTL project, which has seen space in civil and mechanical engineering Artist’s impression of how the CTL will look transformed into an engineering lab – due to open for teaching this autumn. The new building will incorporate a wet lab, dry lab and e-lab, and will be located between the Learning Centre and the Biosciences Building. The new state-of-the-art facility, along with the heavy engineering lab, will enable us to rethink entirely the way STEM subjects are taught. It will make more effective use of staff time and resources through the efficient use of practical teaching space, innovations in teaching delivery and the reinvention of practical classes. This will allow students to benefit from transformational teaching in a space designed to encourage and facilitate collaborative and interdisciplinary working.

Artist’s impression of the new CTL 8 FEATURE: WELLBEING FEATURE: WELLBEING

Your campus:

Your Wellbeing Picnicking in secret gardens, lazing atop ancient Roman fortresses, exploring campus culture trails, participating in blood-pumping 1 sports, or a spot of fruit picking; what’s your lunchtime pleasure?

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Metchley Roman Fort L H 6 2 I K F 2 5 E J D C 1

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Tweet us @BuzzUniBham 10 your pictures of our trees of interest, campus sculpture, and your favourite picnic Sculpture Trail spots #CampusWellbeing G Woman for Heidelberg, bronze A Equestrian Statue of King George I, bronze H The Reading Girl (La Garibaldina) B Mermaid Fountain (indoors, Muirhead Tower) C Beethoven, Virgil, Michelangelo, I Ancestor I, bronze Plato, Shakespeare, Newton, Watt, Faraday J Engineering Frieze, stone and Darwin, stone frieze K The Wrestlers, sculpture, bronze D King Edward VII, marble bust (indoors, L Faraday Aston Webb) M Portrait bust of Dame Hilda Lloyd E Girl in a Hat, bronze (indoors, Medical School) F Heraldic Shields from Mason College, stone FEATURE: WELLBEING FEATURE: WELLBEING 9

W Explore Winterbourne The evidence around diet, exercising and ‘Winterbourne is a beautiful garden and is not too far away from taking the time to relax from day-to-day anyone working at the University to walk in and enjoy the smells pressures, and the positive effects these and sounds of nature – a great way to spend a lunch break! can all have on our health and wellbeing And it’s free for staff too! I returned to my desk invigorated and is well established. Our picturesque campus provides plenty of opportunities ready for the afternoon.’ – Anonymous for us to indulge these determinants of health; so allow Buzz to share some of these and tempt you to leave your desk, 7 get outside, get active and make the 3 4 most of your lunch break. 5 5 Lunch spots Looking for a picnic spot? Head to The Vale, a brisk 15-minute walk northeast of campus. See the dramatic Cedar and Sweet Chestnut trees and enjoy a picnic by the lake or at the seating area outside Recommended lunch spots! the Shackleton building. In late summer/ early autumn Discovery apples and Victoria 6 1 Metchley Fort plums will be ripe for picking. 2 Staff House 3 Aston Webb C Block 2 4 Aston Webb C Block Did you know that the grounds outside 5 Arts the Medical School are part of the remains 6 Secret Garden of the Metchley Fort, an ancient Roman 7 Business School fort built around 2000 years ago, shortly 7 after the Roman invasion of Britain? W Today, with its gentle grassy concaves, 6 Trees of Interest it provides an ideal spot to have your 1 Cherry Tree lunch and soak up the sun. 8 2 Deodar Cedar 3 Common Beech Getting cultural 4 Alder and Willow If you’re a culture enthusiast then you’ve 5 Cedar no doubt experienced the wonderful 6 Wych Elm Barber Institute of Fine Arts and the 7 Sweet Chestnut Cadbury Research Library and will be eagerly anticipating this month’s re- 9 opening of the Lapworth Museum of Fruit Trees Geology! You may not be aware, however, 1 Pear and Apple 7 Pear that we also have ‘campus culture trails’ 2 Apple 8 Almond – ideal for getting some moderate exercise. G 3 Plum 9 Apple 11 4 Apple 10 Pear The ‘Blue Plaque trail’ details the 5 Pear 11 Plum influential achievements by the many 6 Apple brilliant men and women who have worked at the University of Birmingham since its earliest days. The ‘Eduardo Paolozzi trail’ A little more steam to let off? introduces you to the prolific sculptor, UoB Sport run 30 and 45 minute group exercise classes running midday- printmaker, collector and teacher, whose 2.00pm. Spin, body pump, yoga and pilates (plus much more) are work explores a life-long fascination with available during lunchtime hours. After work an outdoor Bootcamp runs popular culture, science and technology. on Tuesday and Friday, 5.00–6.00pm, or if you fancy a swim, you can for The ‘Sculpture Trail’ (see map) allows £3.50 at the Munrow (without the need for a membership outside of you to discover the wealth of styles, term-time). Squash and Badminton courts, and the 3G pitches are also subjects and shapes of the University’s available for hire. For more information visit: www.sport.bham.ac.uk sculpture collection. For more information on the culture trails, visit: www.birmingham. ac.uk/culture/collections/culture-trails.aspx 10 FEATURE: B-FILM FEATURE: B-FILM

DID YOU SEE THE PTERODACTYLS IN CITIZEN KANE?

That one’s on us, but usually these little gems are reserved as an ‘added-extra’ for the audiences of B-Film; the University’s booming research centre bringing academia and film to the city of Birmingham.Buzz caught up with Dr Andrew Watts, Professor Rob Stone and Dr Michele Aaron, architects of B-Film to find out about its inaugural year.

‘We’ve spent the last year building up the at the Midlands Arts Centre, which of academia and film – that frightful word profile of B-Film within the University and launched last summer. ‘studies’ – and in essence ‘provides them in the city itself. B-Film is a forum for Sponsored by the by the CAL Impact with a very un-scary way for them to get collaborative discussion around research, Fund and the AHRC project ‘Voices of an added extra that they are surprised to funding, and connecting the University War and Peace’, it returns this September find that they love.’ Rob adds: ‘When we with the city and its public. It brings (15th–18th) bigger and better and now first were asked by the Electric our initial together a wide range of scholars, city-wide at the MAC and The Electric discussions were “please don’t be too postgraduate students and academics Cinema. ‘The Festival showcases some of dry or too academic”, but the audience from the College of Arts and Law,’ explains the most exciting and important films from response has been terrific. I did Citizen Professor Rob Stone. around the globe. Its special screenings Kane; I presented the facts (such as four These are its foundations, but it is bring together acclaimed directors and pterodactyls flying past in a serendipitous clear that this is more than a high-level producers, activists and academics to instance of back projection) and drew a academic-focused film project; it’s about extend the discussion of film’s power to parallel between the story of Kane and that the uniting power of film in bringing effect change. Grounded in research, the of Donald Trump. The audience are so disparate audiences together to festival also provides a forum for screening appreciative and it serves to highlight the experience new things – new ideas, new films arising from B-Film related research enduring relevance of film.’ perspectives, new cultures and new art. projects, enhancing the potential for the Indeed, ‘the beauty of B-Film lies in its University,’ says Dr Michele Aaron. collaborative approach offering a viewpoint CUBAN EVENINGS across multiple disciplines; from history Another regular on the B-Film circuit, this and politics to psychology, film provides a CINEMATIC TIME MACHINE time at the city’s Mockingbird Theatre, is a great focal point,’ says Dr Andrew Watts. In 2016 a grant from the British Film monthly Cuban cinema (Cine Cubano) For something that’s only been in Institute facilitated a partnership with the evening, proving hugely popular not least existence in its current form for a year, Electric Cinema, the UK’s oldest working with the city’s Cuban population. In fact B-Film has built an impressive reputation, cinema, to deliver a year-long season of B-Film’s audiences are as diverse as its evidenced in the surge in student enquiries films spanning 12 decades. The Cinematic members’ research interests and the films and applications and in the praise it Time Machine collaboration, which has they exhibit – ‘audience diversity is part of receives from its partner institutions in the featured classics such as Citizen Kane, B-Film’s greater mission in bringing city of Birmingham. King Kong, The Bicycle Thieves, The Red people together, and what we’ve found is Shoes, Rebel Without a Cause, and Gone that we’ve got people – politically-minded with the Wind have all sold out and done people – who typically wouldn’t go to the SCREENING RIGHTS wonders for raising the profile of B-Film. MAC or The Electric coming in from the It’s the connection with the city’s diverse The audience are treated to introductions Screening Rights Festival. I think that’s communities that is at the heart of the to the films by members of B-Film which, been one of our big successes. Film is for project. Dr Michele Aaron runs the four- according to Michele, helps to remove the - and should be enjoyed by - everyone,’ day flagship Screening Rights Film Festival audiences’ trepidation about the bridging smiles Rob. FEATURE: B-FILM FEATURE: B-FILM 11

‘B-FILM HAS BEEN INTEGRAL ‘IT WAS A REAL PLEASURE TO BE PART OF THE B-FILM EVENT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE RECENTLY, AND HAVE THE CHANCE TO REFLECT ON THE CINEMATIC TIME MACHINE. PROCESS OF HAVING MY WORK ADAPTED FOR THE SCREEN. THE KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING ANOTHER OF FOR THE FILMS THAT WE HAVE MY NOVELS, ‘SPILT MILK, BLACK COFFEE’, ADAPTED FOR THE PROGRAMMED HAS SHONE SCREEN. THIS TIME I’VE ADAPTED THE WORK MYSELF, FOR THE THROUGH EVERY TIME ONE FILM COMPANY MIGHTY ATOM. I HOPE IF WE DO MANAGE TO OF THEIR MEMBERS ATTENDS MAKE THE MOVIE SOON, THEN I CAN TO COME BACK TO THE A SCREENING. THEY HAVE WONDERFUL B FILM AND DISCUSS IT.’ ADDED AN IMMENSE AMOUNT Helen Cross – author of ‘My Summer of Love’ OF VALUE TO THIS HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE.’ Jonathan Glen – The Electric Cinema

The inaugural annual B-Film public lecture will be held on 14 January ADAPTATION SERIES One recent innovation, which is proving very 2017 in The Electric Cinema. B-Film’s focus extends beyond public popular and generating a lot of interest, is The guest speaker will be the engagement. Back on campus Andrew an audio-visual PhD where candidates can internationally renowned scholar hosts the Adaptation Series, which is create a documentary alongside a 30,000- Professor Linda Williams, Professor driving postgraduate opportunities, and word thesis. Andrew also points to the in Film and Media and Rhetoric at inspiring plans for a cross-college MA centre’s structure as something that really Berkeley. Funded thanks to a programme on adaptation, bringing together appeals to students – ‘in nourishing the collaboration between B-Film and expertise from a range of disciplines. Says way we build cross-college collaboration, the Department of Film And Creative Andrew: ‘The Adaptation Series is different it works as a good structure in which to Writing at the University, the event because it brings together academics nurture mentoring and relationships will include a special presentation and individuals involved in making the between more senior members of staff and from Professor Williams, a screening films themselves; the authors.’ So far they postgraduate students. Earlier this year of a film of her choice, and a Q&A have hosted ‘My Summer of Love’ with students held a PG social evening, allowing with the audience. author Helen Cross (who has now become them to build networks, and which serves This is the first of what will be a Creative Fellow in Arts and Law), and as platform for them to organise their own an annual event, bringing world ‘Gemma Bovery’ with author Posy postgraduate community-led events.’ renowned scholars at the cutting Simmonds, a film linked directly to final Exploring B-Film’s potential is the next edge of Film Studies to the University year module. step, and they are keen to extend beyond of Birmingham. Beneath the surface of B-Film lies an the College of Arts and Law and draw on impact-driven research catalyst. Rob perspectives from across the University. DO YOU LIKE HAVING explains how B-Film has helped with A partnership between the University of A GOOD TIME? external funding bids and is harnessing Leeds’ Centre for World Cinemas and potential for the University: ‘When you Digital Cultures and Routledge publishers, Then you need a good watch! You can apply for external funding you’re often developing a collaborative book series, catch B-Film at The Electric Cinema: asked to describe the research context will look at re-mapping world cinema and  Sunday 19 June, midday and before B-Film it was very difficult to extend B-Film’s reach outside of the city. Breathless, with an introduction pinpoint a research culture in film studies. Rob concludes: ‘What’s defined B-film the by Kate Ince Now it’s easy because B-Film provides last year is the wonderful unpredictability  Sunday 26 June, midday a very visual demonstration of that. Having of what opportunities are coming next. Dr Strangelove, with an introduction academic interdisciplinary collaborations Now we want to understand what its by James Walters is revealing where we have potential potential is – we want it to become a  Sunday 3 July, midday to go for major funding.’ beacon for film studies in the UK and Badlands, with an introduction Empirically its impact is evidenced in the to get it into a shape where it responds by Rob Stone considerable rise in postgraduate student seamlessly to those opportunities and numbers and in the number of applications ensures B-Film continues to grow You can book tickets at: and informal enquiries that reference B-Film. and develop.’ www.theelectric.co.uk/programme.php 12 FEATURE: SHAKESPEARE FEATURE: SHAKESPEARE Shakespeare

400 at the University of Birmingham A Shakespeare anniversary is always a big event in editing; the wider corpus of Renaissance drama; or early modern literature in history, the Shakespeare any Shakespearean scholar’s calendar, and this year Institute has someone who specialises in these areas. is no exception as we mark 400 years since the Bard’s Our Shakespeare academics are involved in a whole death. For months the University’s Shakespeare Institute mix of research projects. For example, Professor Ewan Fernie collaborated on the sell-out Odes to has been involved in planning and contributing to the Shakespeare concert, which took place at the Holy anniversary weekend celebrations that took place in Trinity Church (also the resting place of William Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare) during the anniversary weekend. The concert featured actor Sam West performing Garrick’s 1769 Ode to Shakespeare with the Ex-Cathedra Established in 1951, the University of Birmingham’s choir performing Arne’s original music; in the second Shakespeare Institute, renowned as one of the world half a newly commissioned masque by the Poet research leaders in Shakespearean and Renaissance Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, was performed to music drama, is tucked away in idyllic Stratford-upon-Avon, by Sally Beamish. just a few steps away from the Royal Shakespeare As well as continuing their research, our Institute Company (RSC) and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. scholars have been making headlines globally. To get The Institute building, Mason Croft, was once home to a sense of the how our Shakespeare expertise helps to novelist Marie Corelli, and since 1996 the site has further our reach and bring Birmingham to the world, housed a purpose-built library boasting a huge an array of Shakespeare-related media coverage took collection of works, including 60,000 volumes (some place in the national and global press. During the 3,000 early printed and rare books), archives and anniversary weekend in April, Professor Michael manuscripts, and audio-visual collections. Dobson was interviewed by the Daily Mirror, Sky News, Professor Michael Dobson is the Institute’s director, the Irish Independent, BBC History Magazine, Oxford and if you were to have a cup of tea with Michael you University Press and German broadcaster ARD, and would quickly learn from him just how much the Institute posted articles for Oxford University Press, and the is a hive of world-class activity. As Professor Dobson British Library. Professor Fernie featured on BBC says, the Institute is: ‘the best place on Earth in which Online debating why we should celebrate the Bard, to explore the impact Shakespeare’s work has had while Dr Chris Laoutaris wrote articles for the Times across four centuries of world culture.’ Higher Education, BBC History Magazine, Oxford The research interests of its fellows have never been University Press and was interviewed on the BBC and so breathtakingly diverse. Whether you’re interested in Mexican News agency, Notimex. Dr Laoutaris also Shakespeare and medicine; Asia; religion; textual participated in a documentary on Shakespeare’s FEATURE: SHAKESPEARE 13

Our research

Professor John Jowett is editing a digital version of the New Oxford Shakespeare, while Professor Michael Dobson and Dr Abigail-Roskin Woodall are co-editing the Arden Performance Editions of Shakespeare, where texts of the plays are specifically designed for actors. Michael is also writing a book about the presence of Shakespeare in the repertoires of national theatres worldwide. Professor Ewan Fernie is publishing a co-authored book ‘Macbeth Macbeth’ – which is a response to Shakespeare’s play and turns into its own entirely new fiction. Dr Chris Laoutaris published his book about Shakespeare and the ‘self-styled Countess’ Elizabeth Russell, who nearly destroyed the Bard’s career when she succeeded in getting the Blackfriars Theatre in London closed down in 1596. Dr Laoutaris 400 at the University of Birmingham is now working on a project about the creation of Shakespeare’s First Folio of 1623. London for the British Council’s ‘Shakespeare Lives’ Bucharest, and Craiova, and Professor Ewan Fernie initiative, as part of the BBC Shakespeare Festival. conducted seminars in Belgrade and gave a sell-out The 400 anniversary celebrations in Stratford-upon- public lecture from which 200 people had to be Avon over the weekend of 22 April also featured turned away.’ University of Birmingham Shakespeare Institute The University of Birmingham is still developing its students. Since 2014 the University has been working relationship with all things Shakespeare, as 2016 also with BBC Radio 3 around plans to mark the anniversary marks the opening of the iconic studio theatre The Other and played an important role in securing coverage for the Place in Stratford-upon-Avon. The opening of the theatre entire celebrations including the Ode to Shakespeare is a key milestone in a five-year collaboration between the concert at Holy Trinity Church. BBC Radio 3 were in RSC and the University. As a founding partner and funder residence over the whole weekend with a pop-up studio of the theatre, the University and its students will benefit at The Other Place Theatre, and students took part in a from using the space to perform, undertake classes with special edition of ‘Words and Music’, where they were RSC artists and practitioners, and stage performances. asked to perform some of Shakespeare’s poetry on the Some of these activities kick off in June with a three-day subject of youth and age. ‘page, stage, and screen’ festival of performance And it does not stop there, as Professor Michael and workshops for students from the College of Arts Dobson told us: ‘Professor Ewan Fernie and I were and Law. interviewed on BBC Radio 3 during the interval of the But activities around the Shakespeare 400 sell-out Garrick Ode concert. Actor Sam West and I also celebrations are not over yet. In July our scholars will discussed The Winter’s Tale on BBC Radio 3’s Free be taking part in the World Shakespeare Congress, an Thinking programme. international conference for academics and students of ‘Dr Abigail Rokison-Woodall judged the BBC’s Shakespeare from across the globe. It will be hosted Eurovision Shakespeare event, and arranged the partly in Stratford-upon-Avon and partly in London at the Shakespeare Institute’s BBC touch-table project at BBC Globe Theatre, with world-renowned scholars, Birmingham in the Mailbox. She also appeared on the playwrights and actors performing and hosting seminars. National Theatre’s pre-show broadcast for NT Live, As It is events like this that put Shakespeare and the You Like It, in cinemas worldwide talking about University of Birmingham’s Shakespeare Institute firmly Shakespeare at the National Theatre. on the map. Now we only have to wait another 50 years ‘Our Shakespeare Institute scholars have been until the next anniversary of the Bard’s death and just travelling this term giving lectures, doing interviews and 48 years to commemorate 500 years since the birth of writing various articles for media at home and abroad. William Shakespeare. The First Folio, of which the Professor John Jowett has been speaking in New University is now guardian of one priceless copy, will Zealand; I gave interviews and lectures in Zagreb, turn 400 in only seven years’ time… 14 CAMPUS CURIOSITIES AND CHANCELLOR’S COLUMN NEWS AND VIEWS

CAMPUS CURIOSIT?ES

Chancellor’s column In April this year I chaired the Westminster Higher Education Forum on enterprise and entrepreneurship in higher education. This highlighted to me how the University of Birmingham has been ahead of the game since its foundation in 1900, as the first university in the United Kingdom to offer a degree in What is it? Commerce. In fact my own Mermaid Fountain by William Bloye (1890–1975), 1960, Campus Collection of grandfather, Squadron Leader J. D. Fine and Decorative Art Italia, graduated in Commerce in 1931 from the University of Birmingham. Where is it? Today the Birmingham Business Guild of Students School is one of the few institutions This exuberant bronze fountain is a sculptural interpretation of the mermaid from in the world that has a triple the University of Birmingham’s coat of arms. The mermaid was chosen because it accreditation, a rare achievement. I am featured on the crest of the precursor of the University, Mason Science College. proud to say that Professor Simon The College borrowed her from the crest of its founder, Sir Josiah Mason. Collinson has recently been appointed Chair of the Chartered Association of The joyful figure offers a welcoming reception to all. Her face is smiling, her arms Business Schools. outstretched and her body curves up to the sky. She is riding stylised waves on At our University Annual Meeting top of a layered bowl, shaped like a scallop shell with lily flowers. in March, it gave me enormous pride that two of the scientists who recently William Bloye studied at the Birmingham School of Art and was a member discovered gravitational waves, of the Birmingham Civic Society. As Birmingham’s unofficial civic sculptor he proving Einstein’s theory of relativity, worked on many commissions for the city and the University. Other commissions were Andreas Freise and Professor for the University include the Medical Faculty’s coat of arms sculpture and the Alberto Vecchio of the University of School of Engineering frieze. Birmingham School of Physics and Astronomy. They were the stars of the Please see http://rcc-redmarely.tumblr.com to find out more annual meeting! about the Mermaid Fountain. You can also visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/rcc It is no wonder that the University to find out more about the Research and Cultural Collections. of Birmingham is central to the newly launched government initiative, the Want to explore campus sculpture? Midlands Engine. See pages 8 and 9 to follow the Sculpture Trail! CAMPUS CURIOSITIES AND CHANCELLOR’S COLUMN NEWS AND VIEWS 15

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There has been much ado about Shakespeare as part of the 400-year legacy celebrations. The Independent, BBC and Fox News spoke to our experts at the Shakespeare Institute, and Dr Chris Laoutaris penned an article for BBC History Magazine on the enduring popularity of the Bard. On the weekend itself, Professor Michael Dobson and Professor Ewan Fernie were interviewed live on BBC Radio 3. As the EU referendum campaign gathered pace, a range of Birmingham experts were called upon by the media including; Dr Tereza Capelos who discussed stress and the referendum in the Daily Express, Dr Nando Sigona who wrote about the refugee crisis for The Independent, Professor Isabelle Szmigin who talked to BBC Radio 5 Live on the effectiveness of the much-reported government leaflet on the referendum, Professor Scott Lucas who spoke to BBC World Service on Obama’s views on the referendum, and Professor Tony Yates who was interviewed in the Daily Mail about whether the Bank of England should be involved in the ‘Brexit’ debate. With the official launch of the Birmingham-led National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Professor Arri Coomarasamy was interviewed by BBC Breakfast, Sky News, and a number of national newspapers. Research led by Dr Anna Phillips and Professor Janet Lord, which feeling social... found that administering flu vaccinations in the morning is more In February we launched a new photography challenge on effective than in afternoon, was covered by BBC, the Guardian and Instagram to encourage followers to share their inspiring The New York Times. images of the University. Dr Simon Dixon was interviewed by BBC Radio 4, The Times A theme is set at the start of every week, and followers are and the Guardian on his findings that the strategic planting of encouraged to tag their images #hellobrum to join in. trees on floodplains could reduce flooding by up to 20%. Themes have included ‘Study’, ‘Books’, ‘Revision’ and ‘My Professor Hisham Mehanna’s innovative scanning-led surveillance, Time at Birmingham’ and have seen students, academics and that has been found to reduce the need for invasive surgery in even library staff all joining in and sharing their campus photos. patients with head and neck cancer, led to an interview on BBC Every week four of the images are chosen and shared on the Radio 4’s Today Programme. University’s Facebook page to an ongoing gallery of images and new themes. The work of Dr Guy Davies, who used data from the NASA It is an easy way of ensuring the hashtag is always populated Kepler space telescope to discover a class of extrasolar with great photos, showcasing what it’s like to live, work and planets whose atmospheres have been stripped away by their study at Birmingham. host stars, was featured on the BBC and in the Daily Mail. profile in myownwords Anne Simper… for theCollegeofMedicalandDentalSciences(MDS). facilitate academicandindustryresearchcollaborations sabbatical IstartedattheUniversityinAugust2014to and businessstart-upgrowth.Followingashort my ownbusinessesfocusedonmarketingconsultancy difficult, sooveraperiodof18yearsIsetupandran of Birmingham. for theBindingSite,aspin-outofUniversity the transition.Ibeganmycareerasanexportmanager at theUniversityofWarwick,whichenabledmetomake science, soIreturnedtotheUKandcompletedanMBA decided thatIwantedtogointothemanagementof I technician –anewfieldofstudyatthetime.However, two yearsIworkedasageneticengineeringresearch decided acareerinresearchwasn’tquiteforme.For my supervisorleft,anditwasaroundthistimethatI virology. IhadstartedaPhDincancerresearchwhen University ofWesternOntariotocompleteanMResin Rotary GraduateAmbassadorialScholarshiptothe Liverpool whereIstudiedmicrobiology.wasawardeda I grewupinBoltonandattendedtheUniversityof with over60additional companies. the Collegewe have collaborativeresearchprojects GlaxoSmithKline, Celgeneand Novartis, andwithin on multipleresearchprojectswith AstraZeneca, extends ourinfluence.We’recurrently working multinational pharmaceuticals,diagnostic andbiotech source ofincome,industrycollaboration with of overallresearchawards.Aswellasprovidinga exploded, withindustryawardsaccountingfor10% to strengthenourimpact.InMDS,collaborationhas evolving andwe’reincreasinglyturningtoindustry partnerships toflourish. society, andBEplaysacriticalroleinenablingthese the benefitofitsresearchbasetoeconomyand is increasinglyimportantforacademiatodemonstrate patient benefit.Intoday’scompetitiveenvironmentit academia totranslateresearchfor–inMDS’scase are anexcellentwayofbridgingthisgapwhileallowing development capabilities,andthereforecollaborations sectors havereducedtheirin-houseresearchand research toprovideimpact.Concurrentlymany collaborating withindustryandhelpingtranslate on developinganddiversifyingsourcesofincome, councils, theBusinessEngagementteamisfocused recently awardedtheBUAFTAforNewcomerofYear. for theCollegeofMedicalandDentalSciences,was Anne SimperistheBusinessEngagementPartner In timesofreducedfundingfromresearch After havingchildren,workinggloballywasvery My role is aided by the fantastic facilities we have My roleisaided bythefantasticfacilitieswehave The mind-setaroundworkingwithindustryis

consecutive season! team havejustbeen promotedforthethird (though wetrynot toappearso)andourladies Worcestershire tennisleague; we areverycompetitive and mixeddoublesteamsinthe Herefordshireand sports. IplayforBromsgroveTennis Clubintheladies cycling, andparticipatinginavariety ofdifferent real difference. across professionalserviceswhowanttomakea inspiring peopleworkinginbothacademiaand for self-development,andwiththeamazing environment inwhichtowork,withmanyopportunities we’ve madesofar.TheUniversityisaveryenriching that peopleintheUniversityappreciatedifference that wecanmoveforwardandit’sencouragingtosee engagement andfinance.Itisonlybyworkingtogether the College,aswellmycolleaguesinbusiness and therestofprofessionalservicesteamwithin I couldn’thavewontheawardwithoutacademics confirmation thatwearegoingtherightdirection; team spirit,andwhatisreallypleasinghaving reading thenomination.WithinMDSthereisafantastic for NewcomeroftheYear,andIfeltveryhumbled all offeringsomethingspecial. approaches toinflammationresearchandrarediseases specialities suchasourworld-leadingliverunit,novel the wealthofexpertisebehindthem,andparticular attractive, butnoneofitholdsrealsubstancewithout small geographicalarea.Thesefacilitiesarehugely Research Facilityforearlyphasetrials,alllocatedina Centre, theAdvancedTherapyFacility,andClinical Partners, theITM,HumanBiomaterialResource working incollaborationundertheBirminghamHealth co-location –wehavecliniciansandacademics trials. Industryarecontinuallyimpressedbyourunique us accesstoamassivecohortofpeopleforclinical multi-ethnic populationofover5millionpeople,giving products adopted.TheWestMidlandshasastable end ofthetranslationalspectrum,focusingongetting Academic HealthScienceNetworkwhoarerightatthe throughout theNHS,andinITMwehave companies isgettingtheirproductsaccepted circle translationalresearch.Akeychallengefor big advantagethatwehaveistheabilitytodeliverfull- all aboutbringingproductstomarketquicker,andthe industry. TheInstituteforTranslationalMedicine(ITM)is here oncampusthatmakeusreallyattractiveto Outside ofworkIlovebeingoutdoors: gardening, I washonouredandprivilegedtoreceivetheBUAFTA

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