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FEBRUARY 1998
UNIVERSITY CREATES BURSARY SCHEME IN RESPONSE TO CRISIS INSIDE THE UNIVERSITY has responded Leicester, because of the deep and swiftly to the S.E. Asia currency sustained decline in the value of DOUBLE
TIN crisis and has created a Bursary their currencies. We are keen to DELIGHT: Scheme for students from those help as far as we can within the Distinguished countries most affected. financial constraints facing us. personalities The University, where 10 per “The value of the bursaries will to receive cent of the 8,500 full-time be reassessed annually taking into honorary students are International account movement of local degrees. students, says it is responding to currency against sterling. For the Page 3. the ‘genuine need’ of families and academic year 1998/9 the value of students in the region by making a the bursaries is £1,000 for ‘generous and imaginative offer’ to students studying humanities SOUND students after liaising with student courses (e.g.Law) and £1,500 for SCHOLARSHIPS: le
http://www.le.ac.uk/ representatives at Leicester as students paying for higher fees for Renowned well as the University’s partners in laboratory disciplines such as musicians the region. engineering.” provide Leicester University is offering Professor Fearon added: “We funds. bursaries to students from hope that the creation of these Page 6. Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and valuable bursaries demonstrates South Korea as they progress to the concern at the University of the next year of their studies. The Leicester of the financial difficulties bursaries are also available to faced by students and their students in those countries families during this period of ORTON considering coming to Leicester. currency turmoil. PROFILE: Senior Pro-Vice Chancellor “Students who are already Leading Professor Peter Fearon said: “The experiencing acute financial authorities at University is very conscious of the difficulties will be assisted by the Conference. problems facing many University’s Student Welfare Page 18. international students in Leicester, Office where their cases will be and those who plan to study in Continued on page 2 LECTURING ON LAUGHTER THE 1998 Convocation Lecture His long career began at the Derek's awards are many. He promises to be full Hippodrome is a Freeman of the City of of laughs for Theatre, Bolton and London and in 1990 won the everyone as veteran within a few years he Benedictine After Dinner actor, director and had moved to Speaker of the Year. The BUL author, Derek London's West End University recognised his Nimmo is due to where his successes enormous contribution to the HEIST speak on 'Comedy in included Waltz of world of entertainment with an Television'. Derek, the Torreadors, Honorary Degree of Master of who has been a panel Charlie Girl and Arts in 1996. member Babes in the Wood. Everyone is welcome at the of Radio 4's 'Just a Equally at home on lecture which takes place at 8pm Minute' for over 30 the small screen, in Lecture Theatre One of the years - without SPEAKER: Derek Nimmo Derek's numerous New Building on Thursday, 26 repetition or television series have February. There will be hesitation - has a wealth of included All Gas and Gaiters, Oh refreshments afterwards and anecdotes and experiences to Brother, The World of Wooster and admission is free. draw on. Oh Father. First Prize, Internal Newsletters Category BULLETIN: Your triple award-winning newsletter - Heist Marketing Awards ’92, ’96, ’97 february 12/2/98 9:33 am Page 2
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Continued from front page
reviewed by a Welfare Officer according to established practice. The VOLUME 30 University has an excellent record of sympathetic treatment of students facing real hardship.” NUMBER 5 Leicester University is among a small handful of universities with a sabbatical International Students’ Officer and he, along with the welfare team, will be on hand to assist students. The University also has twinning FEBRUARY 1998 links with Malaysia where students can read for the first year of their degree before moving to Leicester for their second and third years. NEWS...... 1-10 FACTFILE BUSINESS...... 11-12 ● Leicester University has over 800 students studying for INTERNATIONAL...... 12-15 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees on campus. ● There are 180 students from Malaysia, 10 from Thailand, 10 OUT & ABOUT...... 16-18 from South Korea and 6 from Indonesia. ● In addition to the Bursary Scheme, the University also provides FEATURES...... 19 10 scholarships annually valued at £2,000, awarded on the basis VIEWPOINT...... 20 of academic excellence. A range of other Government scholarships are also available. PEOPLE...... 21-22 ● Fees for University Courses: Arts, £6180; Science £8250 per year. ARTSTOP...... 23 ● The University has a twinning link with Sunway College which CUTTINGS...... 24 offers courses in Engineering and Law. BOOKS...... 25 The Bursary Scheme was created after close consultation with University staff, agents and partners in the affected countries. The RESEARCH...... 26-27 University also provides a range of scholarships which will still be on offer. NOTICES...... 28-30 It is hoped this Bursary Scheme will actively encourage potential students to choose Leicester and help those already here to complete A.O.B...... 31 their studies. The cost to the University cannot be estimated as yet as it CROSSWORD...... Back Page will depend on the level of recruitment and, indeed, may be offset by the potential increase in international student recruitment through this attractive and generous Bursary Scheme. BULLETIN The Bulletin aims to publish news and features which inform Professor Fearon added: “By acting swiftly and positively with an staff and students of developments affecting the University, and attractive package to students, we have allowed families to be fully to report on the decisions of Council and Senate. informed before they make a decision on their futures. We are genuinely Tell us your news! We welcome stories and pictures from concerned about the formidable financial problems faced by students in individuals and departments, so send your copy to the Editor in Press and Publications, Registrar’s Office. The closing date for the those countries and we hope that they are reassured by the action taken next issue is Wednesday 11 February for publication in the first by this University.” week of March. The Editor reserves the right to amend or Professor Fearon added that it was important to maintain or even abbreviate copy without notice. increase Leicester University’s share of international students: “Students The Bulletin is edited in The Press and Publications Office. from more than 80 countries are represented on campus and the multi- Small advertisements (up to 30 words in length) should be accompanied by cheques, payable to University of Leicester, at the cultural and multi-national nature of University life makes a unique following rates: contribution to the overall development of students as well as in shaping House sales and lettings: £5.00 the character of the University. Other sales and services: £2.00 “Students at Leicester not only attend an international University but a Prices for display advertisements are available on request. Please contact Kathleen Hughes, Marketing Officer LUSU, extn 1168, to city renowned for its international credentials, and this is a trend we wish whom all adverts should be sent. to foster and maintain.” Private, non-commercial announcements are carried free of charge, subject to space. Editor: Ather Mirza (Extn 3335) The University of Leicester Bulletin includes advertising to email: [email protected] Deputy Editor: Barbara Whiteman (Extn 2676) offset production costs. It should be noted that the email: [email protected] University of Leicester does not necessarily adopt or People, Books, Research, Cuttings, Notices, Artstop. endorse the products and services advertised in the Reporters: Judith Shaw/Jane Pearson Design and layout: Paula Curtis Bulletin. The Bulletin cannot accept responsibility for any Pictures: Central Photographic Unit, errors in advertisements. Leicester Mercury, Alan Wood, Chris Nash, The Editor reserves the right to refuse or amend any members of staff. advertisement. Printed by Central Reprographic Unit.
Newsline: 0116 252 3335 ON-LINE BULLETIN Advertising: 0116 223 1168 Issues of the Bulletin in 1997/98 are accessible on CWIS via the following web address: http://www.le.ac.uk/bulletin/
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His research embraces Girls' School and Lady Margaret HONORARY DEGREES FOR economics, philosophy, political Hall, Oxford, where she became science, decision theory, an Honorary Fellow in 1990. DISTINGUISHED FIGURES demography and law. His She received a DM Oxon in 1956 publications include Choice of and a PhD from London THE University is to confer Dr Amartya Kumar Sen has Techniques (1960), Growth University in 1961. A Member Honorary Degrees upon two this year succeeded the Economics (1970), Choice, of many prestigious committees, distinguished personalities at its University's Chancellor, Sir Welfare and Measurement (1982), she is Chairman of the Medical degree congregation on February Michael Atiyah, as Master of The Political Economy of Hunger Research Committee of the 24. Trinity College, Cambridge. (3 volumes) (1990/91), and India: Asthma Research Council and The ceremony at De Montfort Prior to taking up this post he Economic Development and Social has also served as Chairman to was Professor of Economics Opportunity (1995). the UKCCCR from 1991. and Philosophy since 1987, Professor Dame Margaret Among many honours she is an and Lamont University Turner Warwick received the Honorary Fellow of the Royal Professor since 1988, at DBE in 1991, and is a Fellow of College of Pathologists, Harvard University. He was the Royal College of Physicians, Honorary Fellow of the Royal educated at Calcutta of which she was President College of Surgeons, and an University and Cambridge between 1989-92. Honorary Fellow of the Royal University where he gained She has been a Consultant College of Radiologists. the degrees of MA and Physician at Brompton Hospital Publications include Immunology PhD. He was Prize Fellow since 1965, where she has held of the Lung (1978), Occupational from 1957 to 1961, and the posts of Professor of Lung Diseases : Research Staff Fellow from 1961 to Medicine (Thoracic Medicine) approaches and methods (1981), 1963 at Trinity College, and Dean. She is now Emeritus and articles in journals including Cambridge, and was made Professor at the Cardiothoracic Lancet and BMJ. an Honorary Fellow in Institute. 1991. She was educated at St Paul's He was Professor of Economics at Delhi University from 1963 to INCREASE IN 1971. From 1971 to 1977 he worked at the Professor Dame Margaret Turner Warwick. MERIT: London School of Economics POSTGRADUATE DEGREES Hall is for the conferment of and Political Science and from Master's and Doctoral degrees 1977 to 1980 was a Fellow of gained by the University's Nuffield College, Oxford. postgraduate students. Between 1980 and 1988 he held the In a letter to the Vice-Chancellor accepting his Drummond honorary degree, Dr Sen said: Professorship 'I feel, of course, very deeply honoured by your of Political decision to invite me to accept the honorary Economy at degree of Doctor of Letters. I am very grateful to Oxford and you. I look forward very much to the occasion. I was a Fellow am doubly pleased that Sir Michael is your of All Souls Chancellor, and it will give me another College. association with him - I am of course a great He has admirer of Sir Michael. It would also be very nice served as for me to meet you, and also to visit the Leicester President of campus and to have the chance of meeting your many colleagues. I look forward to all of this.' international STUDENTS reading for Master’s and Doctoral degrees will Dame Margaret wrote: "I was honoured to bodies have years of study rewarded when they collect their degrees at receive your letter and delighted to accept a including the the University on 24 February. Doctorate of Science from the University of International A total of 686 students will receive their postgraduate Leicester. I would certainly like to receive this in Economic degrees; this represents an increase of 30% on last year’s person and take the opportunity of visiting the Association figures. University and hear about its progress in these (1986/89), the The first cohort of the MA in Mass Communications by exciting times!" India distance learning will receive their degrees along with other Economic students who have followed one of the range of postgraduate The Honorary Degree of Association (1989), and the distance learning programmes offered by the University. Doctor of Letters is to be American Economic Association Students from around the world, their friends and family, will conferred upon Dr Amartya Sen (1994). In 1990 he was awarded gather for ceremony being held in the De Montfort Hall. and the Honorary Degree of the Agnelli International Prize Students from over 80 countries study at the University and Doctor of Science will be and, also in that year, was more than three thousand read for Leicester degrees in their conferred upon Professor Dame awarded the Alan Shawn own countries by distance learning. Margaret Turner Warwick. Feinstein World Unger Award.
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SET98 EVENTS AT LEICESTER UNIVERSITY
National Week of Science, Engineering & Technology
The following events form part of Leicester University’s programme this year during Setweek (an annual event co-ordinated by the British Association to celebrate nationally science, engineering and technology). Set97 was a great success, with over 6,000 events taking place throughout the country. Setweek begins on Friday 13 March, and lasts for nine days. Wednesday 11 March BBC RADIO LEICESTER/LEICESTER UNIVERSITY SCIENCE WEEK DEBATE (To be broadcast on Radio Leicester on Saturday 14 March, 1.00 pm) 2.30 pm, Lecture Room 1, New Building, Leicester University Monday 16 March FOOD CHEMISTRY LECTURE FOR SIXTH FORMERS 1.45 - 2.45 pm, Rattray Lecture Theatre, Leicester University Wednesday 18 March LEICESTER UNIVERSITY’S DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY -PLANETARIUM SHOW 12.30 - 1.30 pm and 1.30 - 2.30 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 17, 18 and 19 March SETWEEK DISPLAYS AT THE SHIRES SHOPPING CENTRE, LEICESTER: National Space Science Centre Display - Wednesday 18 March Leicester University, Geology Display and Demonstrations - Thursday 19 March During Setweek: WALK THROUGH TIME - VISIT LEICESTER UNIVERSITY’S GEOLOGY DEPARTMENT’S EXTENSIVE MUSEUM OF ROCK FOSSILS IN ADDITION: Tuesday 31 March HOW FIREWORKS WORK! ROYAL SOCIETY FOR CHEMISTRY - SCHOOLS LECTURE (Dr Peter Timms, Bristol University) Time and venue to be announced ALSO BEING PLANNED (DETAILS LATER): INTERNET TREASURE HUNT- With prizes! THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Scientist to speak on Radio Leicester’s Good Morning Leicester programme
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NEWS NUMBERS APPLYING TO HIGHER EDUCATION FALL
BY 15 December 1997, the closing date for number of applicants but the number of applications being received. It is possible that making applications for entry to universities students admitted. the UCAS, CVCP, SCOP leaflet is having the and colleges in the autumn of 1998, Indeed comments have been made to desired effect”. provisional figures show that UCAS had UCAS that some students are waiting to see Moreover, attention is drawn to the fact received applications from 326,220 the details of the new fees and financial that 15 December is not the final closing date. candidates. This compares with 347,037 arrangements before deciding their application Applying after the closing date means that received by 15 December 1996 for entry in strategy. It appears that there has been some universities and colleges no longer guarantee the autumn of 1997, a fall of 20,817 or 6%. considerable misunderstanding among to consider applications but will do so only at Numbers received by 15 December in each potential students of the new financial their discretion. During the applications cycle, year since the inception of UCAS are as arrangements. To this end UCAS, working ie for entry in 1997, some 111,000 people follows: with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and applied after the closing date, many in the six Principals (CVCP) and the Standing weeks or so leading up to the beginning of the 1994 Entry 339,778 Conference of Principals (SCOP), has issued 1997/98 academic year, in order to gain 1995 Entry 346,314 400,000 copies of a leaflet explaining the new admission before fees were introduced in 1996 Entry 340,711 arrangements. 1998. 1997 Entry 347,037 Chief Executive of UCAS Tony Higgins said: 1998 Entry 326,220 “There has been an unprecedented deluge of applications in the few It is important to note that some 26,000 days leading up to the students were admitted to universities and closing date. 52,300 colleges in 1997 over and above the notional forms (or 16% of the LET THE BULLETIN COVER YOUR BOOKS! target. It may therefore be inferred that there total) have been The Bulletin welcomes news of recently-published would thereby be an inbuilt reduction in the received in the last books written or edited by University staff. The book application cohort for entry in 1998. The four days alone. cover, together with any other relevant details, reduction in applicants this year of fewer than There is every should be sent to Barbara Whiteman, Press & 21,000 is not altogether unexpected and might prospect of Publications Office (2676, ara@le). in the end be unexceptional. The important considerable issue, at the end of the day, will not be the additional numbers of SUCCESS ON A PLATE The Registrar's Office held a reception to mark the success of the Bulletin in winning an award for the third time in the Heist Marketing Awards. The Bulletin came first in the 1997 awards - and has been runner-up in 1996 and 1992. Members of the production staff, contributors and members of the External Relations Committee attended the reception where the Registrar and Secretary, Mr Keith Julian, praised the excellent team effort that had led to the success of the newsletter.
From left, Julie Davies, designer; Mr Julian; the Vice-Chancellor; Ather Mirza, Editor; Judith Shaw, reporter SWEET SUCCESS: and Barbara Whiteman, Deputy Editor.
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NEWS NATIONAL SPACE SCIENCE CENTRE APPOINTS CHAIRMAN
National Space Science Centre is immensely excited by the appointment of Dr Smith to this very important position. With a wealth of experience in space, technology and business, I am confident that he is the right man and a Domus Fellow of St to guide this important Catherine’s College, Oxford. Dr development towards its launch Smith is a past chairman of the in the new Millennium and United Kingdom Industrial Space beyond.” Committee and until recently he Dr Bruce Smith said: “I am was an executive member of the proud to become Chairman of a Parliamentary Space Committee. project that will give a national Dr Smith, left, with the Vice-Chancellor; leader of MODEL OF THE FUTURE: In the 1960s Dr Smith worked focus for presenting the UK’s the City Council Mr Peter Soulsby and Chairman of the NSSC Steering Group Mr on the Apollo programme in the achievements in space and be a John Eggleston. Chairman of the Council of USA planning how to put a man continuing source of inspiration THE Board of Trustees of the Smith Institute for Industrial on the moon. The company he to the next generation.” National Space Science Centre Mathematics and System founded in 1971, Smith System It is expected that The has announced the appointment Engineering, a collaboration Engineering Limited, of which he National Space Science Centre of Dr Bruce Smith OBE as the between industry and academia; was Chairman until earlier this will be announcing further Landmark Millennium Project’s chairman of the Economic and year, has grown such that it now appointments to its board within Chairman. Social Research Council, and employs over 140 people. the next few weeks. Dr Smith is currently Chairman of the British National The National Space Science Chairman of Industrial Space Centre’s Earth Centre’s interim Chief Technology Securities Limited, a Observation Programme Board. Executive, Mr Keith Beaumont, venture capital company; He is a physicist by training commented: “Everyone at the
STUDENTS’ MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS THE Music Department is delighted that Lord Yehudi Menuhin, who received an Honorary Degree in 1965, and Sir Colin Davis, who received an Honorary Degree in 1969, have each agreed to fund a student’s instrumental lessons to the tune of £1,000, the amount needed to cover tuition fees for three years. At any one time there are around twenty students who are benefiting from free or heavily subsidised music lessons. The scheme, which has been running since 1991, has helped to attract musicians of quality to many departments and to maintain a standard of excellence and enthusiasm in the orchestras and choirs run by student societies in conjunction with the Music Department. Lord Menuhin’s scholarship will be taken up shortly - by a violinist, naturally. Sir Colin Davis began his musical life as a clarinettist and Anthony Pither, Director of Music, has awarded Sir Colin’s scholarship to Ann SCHOLARSHIP: Lord Menuhin receives his honorary degree from Lord Adrian in 1965. Bevington who is currently principal clarinetist in the University Orchestra. Ann is a first-year student reading Law.
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ad hoc recruitment methods.” operated in offering help to JOBSEARCH ROADSHOW Mr Pennington added: “The graduates in their local area careers services in this group of including those who have RECENT graduates in the East that enabled them to compete universities have recognised these attended a university elsewhere. Midlands were able to take more successfully for the careers trends and have collaborated to “This combined effort for advantage of a series of events of their choice. The sessions graduates in the East aimed specifically at them. The covered the skills that employers six universities in this area - seek, creative jobseeking, Leicester University along with effective CVs and application De Montfort, Derby, forms, and succeeding at Loughborough, Nottingham and interviews. Nottingham Trent - are “The initiative is a response to collaborating in a new venture to recent trends in graduate sharpen the job-seeking skills of employment. Many graduates local graduates. takes several months to enter These events, known their preferred occupations and collectively as the Jobsearch need a little help in doing so. Roadshow, were run at the end of Typically, after graduation, they last month by the careers services may take a stop-gap job to earn of these institutions. Graduates enough money to pay off their were able to choose one of four debts before seriously looking for venues - Loughborough, the longer-term careers for which HELPING HAND: The Careers Service aims to help local graduates. Leicester, Derby and Nottingham their degree has prepared them. Mr Martin Pennington, At the same time, there are fewer provide services for graduates Assistant Director of Leicester jobs for graduates with the large under the banner of ‘East Midlands reflects the University Careers Service, said: employers who traditionally use Midlands Universities - Career responsibility to the local “The aim was to take local recent the Milkround and more Guidance for Graduates in the community borne by the six graduates and to put them opportunities with smaller East Midlands’ or EMU for short. institutions.” through an intensive day-long businesses who use more “All university careers series of sessions services have traditionally co- UNIVERSITY KEEPS IN CONTACT
THE University is reaching out to the parents of current students through a new family programme newsletter, Contact. Edited by Development Manager Peter Allen, this publication follows the programme of communications with parents as a result of the recently completed Jubilee Appeal, which, though aimed primarily at alumni, was extended to include parents. Principal Assistant Registrar Mr Nigel Siesage said: “The University has been something of an innovator in this respect, having first carried out an appeal to parents as part of the 1990-93 Library Appeal. That was a postal appeal, whereas the Jubilee Appeal used telephone fund-raising methods, which enabled a dialogue to take place. It has been very successful with the parents, who greatly appreciated the direct contact with the University, and have contributed generously. “It is intended to continue the fund-raising activities with the parents of each new student intake, and to reinforce this relationship with regular newsletters.” The newsletter was posted to the 900 families of first - year students who joined the family programme.
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NEWS UNIVERSITY DISPLAY IS A ROYAL ATTRACTION
A VIRTUAL reality system for youngsters with special needs, developed appropriate interfaces, even the very disabled child can explore a building in the University's Psychology Department, caught the virtually, and make independent choices about where to go and what to see. Repeated exploration of a building can be difficult in reality, but using VR, children can get fully acquainted with a building before they actually visit it. If youngsters need to change school, for example, they can get to know the spatial layout of the new school by exploring a simulation. They are then able to find classrooms, toilets, and other facilities, avoiding the feeling of being "lost". "We have shown that spatial information learned in a virtual environment can transfer effectively to the real equivalent environment. For instance, disabled children from a Derbyshire school explored a virtual simulation of Ash Field Special School in Leicester. When they were taken to Ash Field - for the first time - they knew their way around. In formal tests, they demonstrated accurate spatial knowledge of the school layout." "The children, who had cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy as well as other conditions which limited their mobility, loved using the system and were able to explore the school buildings very well using virtual reality" explained Danae. INTEREST: Prince Charles, with Nigel Foreman and Danae Stanton, at the University's Virtual "They very quickly Reality display at the NEC. became skilled at attention of the Prince of Wales when it was displayed working the computers at a major exhibition at Birmingham's NEC. and discovering the Prince Charles' curiosity was drawn to the project relationship between which had been funded by Action Research and the BT the simulation and the Community Programme and had formed the major part place that they were of research assistant Danae Stanton's Phd thesis. about to visit," she said. Working on the project were Danae, Nigel Foreman and Paul Wilson, all members of the Virtual Reality OPPORTUNITY: Spatial Research Group in the Psychology Department. information learned in a Danae's research has used virtual reality to aid spatial virtual environment can awareness in children who are physically disabled. Using transfer effectively to the real equivalent environment.
CHILD CARE PROBE BY UNIVERSITY EXPERTS MEDICAL experts from this University are conducting a pioneering new study comparing how parents in different circumstances make decisions about caring for their babies. This study will help child care and other medical and support agencies to better understand the reasons why certain decisions are taken by parents. As a result they will be able to offer advice which is more suitable and related to the parents based on their social circumstances. By being better informed practitioners will be better placed to help families. This in the long term will benefit children, and may help to prevent some cot deaths and other problems. Drs Mike Wailoo, Liz Anderson and Stewart Petersen have worked for many years on the ways in which home conditions affect the development of babies. This new study will examine how parents from different social groups make their decisions about infant sleeping arrangements, feeding, parental smoking and the uptake of health services such as immunisation. Dr Petersen said: "It is already clear that decisions are taken in different ways by different groups of parents, reflecting the priorities and pressures of life in differing social circumstances. It is only by understanding these issues that we will be able to help parents reduce risks in ways which recognise the circumstances of their lives, without being judgemental." The project, which started in June 1997, works with families from the St Matthew’s estate in Leicester and from Oadby and Wigston. Parents will be asked about their decisions by other parents from similar circumstances, using questionnaires derived by extensive consultation between the researchers, parents and other health professionals. It is hoped that this system of interviewing will reduce bias and help researchers gain as accurate a picture of the families and their parenting decisions as possible. Dr Anderson said: "It is easy for 'experts' to look from their own perspectives and make judgements about parenting which do not recognise the reality of parents' lives. In this study we aim to learn from the parents themselves how they may be helped to create better environments for their babies."
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NEWS PERSONAL SAFETY AND VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS
FOLLOWING THE LAUNCH OF A NATIONAL REPORT BY problems of security and the The LEA has worked very THE SCARMAN CENTRE ON VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS, potential for violence in schools. closely with Leicestershire DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IN LEICESTERSHIRE, MRS In 1996 Leicestershire schools Constabulary to produce guidance JACKIE STRONG, WHO IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE completed a questionnaire on for schools and police officers on UNIVERSITY COUNCIL, WROTE OF HER CONCERN THAT school security which enabled the issues relating to trespass and THE BULLETIN COVERAGE OF THE RESEARCH OMITTED Education Department to assess nuisance on school premises. This THE GOOD WORK BEING DONE IN THE COUNTY IN THIS the need for training and guidance has been developed FIELD. THE SCARMAN CENTRE RESEARCH FOR THE improved physical security. As a through the work of the GOVERNMENT, PERSONAL SAFETY AND VIOLENCE IN result a successful bid for funds Education Police Liaison Group SCHOOLS, WAS PREPARED FOR THE DEPARTMENT FOR enabled us to offer training to which comprises representative EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT AND THE SUZY three people from every school (a headteachers, governors, police LAMPLUGH TRUST. FOLLOWING IS A REPORT PREPARED teacher, an administrator and a officers and Education BY THE LEICESTERSHIRE EDUCATION AUTHORITY. premises officer) over a three Department officers. It has been year period. The training is commended by the DfEE as an provided by individuals accredited example of good practice and will Leicestershire Education Personal Safety Training and it by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. appear in a new national Authority has taken a very was agreed that Julie In addition, the LEA has utilised document: School Security: Dealing proactive stance in helping Attenborough, one of the officers some of its GEST funding on the with Troublemakers. schools and other educational with responsibility for Health and “Safe School Initiative”. The The Education Authority is establishments tackle the issue of Safety training within the headteacher and chair of keen to ensure that schools take security and personal safety. As Education Department, should governors of every school has an active approach to security and early as 1994, schools received a attend one of the Trust’s training been invited to attend a free half the potential for violent events as copy of the County Council’s courses. She successfully day workshop which gives details an issue integral to the health and “Guide to Property Risk completed the course to become of the initiative. Every safety of our pupils and staff. An Management” which aimed to an accredited SLT trainer in 1996. participating school receives a free active partnership between help establishments provide a In October 1996, Jackie copy of the Safe School Initiative schools, the LEA and the police safer environment for pupils and Whitehead of the Suzy Lamplugh pack which contains advice on will help to ensure that our the work force. Trust was the keynote speaker at setting up a Safe School Group schools are safe and happy More recently it was the LEA’s Conference for Schools and curriculum materials for environments. recognised that the Suzy on Violence at Work. The aim of pupils from Year 1 to Year 11. Lamplugh Trust was doing much the conference was to share good valuable work in the field of practice in dealing with the BRIGHT YOUNGSTERS AT UNIVERSITY You’re never too young to start at Leicester University, as these pictures show. The playscheme run by the Student Welfare section is always popular and captivate the children who take part. Student members of Leicester University Theatre lent a helping hand during a drama workshop as part of the playscheme.
Pictures: Jo Vivian
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NEWS STUDY INTO REFEREEING IS A FIRST
A POSTGRADUATE student at Leicester is undertaking Britain’s first PhD study devoted to football referees and refereeing. Sharon Colwell’s four-year study in the Centre for Research into Sport and Society will start by looking at the history of referees, and their non-professional status. Sharon, from Sheffield, is well aware of the controversy surrounding men in black. She said: “Referees seem to be getting more and more exposure in the press. There seems to be more and more at stake - you only have to think back to last season at Leicester, with Mike Reed’s penalty decision for Chelsea.” Ms Colwell, who is also a qualified FA coach, added: “I’ll be asking them why they do the job, and hopefully talking to referees at all levels.” She will also examine the impact of TV and instant playback facilities - what pressures this puts on referees and how technology can help them reach pic/story: courtesy Leicester Mercury decisions. As part of her study she will help to put together a yearly report for her sponsors, Singer and Friedlander Investment Funds. This report will look at the hot topics of the year, and could cover the use of foreign players, or racism in the game. She will also be writing a thesis on refereeing. Ms Colwell said: “The research could possibly be used to improve the quality of refereeing, and to increase understanding, possibly changing the way people look at referees.”
TACKLING ISSUES: Sharon Colwell
UNIVERSITY CENTRE REOPENING IN NORTHAMPTON
THANKS to a major refurbishment of the University’s Queen’s Building in Northampton, all its Education and Adult Education classes can now be carried out under the one roof. To celebrate the occasion the Centre was formally opened by Vice-Chancellor Dr Kenneth Edwards on January 9. Guests included members of the Northamptonshire Local Education Authority, members of the University Education and Adult Education Departments and members of the University Estates and Buildings Office. Alan Tuckett OBE, Director of NIACE and Vice-Chair of the National Advisory Group for Continuing Education & Lifelong Learning, gave a public talk on Learning into the 21st Century, at the University Centre. The University has provided Adult Education NEW BEGINNING: The Vice-Chancellor, University members and guests at the re-opening of the Northampton facilities in Northampton since the late 1960s, Centre’s Queen’s Building. and the refurbishment of this Centre demonstrates its continuing commitment to the people of Northamptonshire.
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Business Bulletin examines some of the main business stories from the University, and is compiled each month by LUCENT and Press & Publications Office. Any stories or ideas should be BUSINESS sent to LUCENT. (ext. 2696, E-Mail: [email protected]).
AS AN entrepreneurial University, scheme is LINK, which aims to scheme – the DTI’s Tracked the associates will work towards the University of Leicester seeks accelerate the commercial Transport Initiative – a major implementation of new continually to work with business exploitation of research. The collaborative advanced technology technology, management and industry, in both the private initiative focuses on advances in project has begun investigating the processes, information technology and public sectors. science and engineering with application of a number of and so on. For companies with Commerce and industry have particular commercial promise. It modern control techniques to the fewer than 250 employees the benefited, and are benefiting, stimulates collaboration between problems associated with control company contribution will be from a variety of University of industrial and science-based of wheel slip and slide in rail £8300 – £9300 per associate per Leicester services, including vehicles. annum with the rest of the costs collaborative basic research, being borne by the Teaching contract research, Company Directorate. The consultancy, product University of Leicester has been development, involved in Teaching Company management Schemes and has a wide courses, use of spectrum of relevant technology facilities, industrial and expertise for such schemes. training, language Along the same lines, services, European Union funds exist to in-house courses, promote co-operation between distance learning, Small and Medium Sized European courses and Enterprises (SMEs) in member professional development. countries of the European Union The University is continually partners on projects in key areas towards the development of forging new relationships with of science and technology. It also The project consortium technologies to their mutual business and industry through its accelerates the future exploitation comprises European Gas Turbines benefit. Funding may be provided very own Centre for Enterprise, of new processes and the Mechanical Engineering Centre towards the costs of setting up LUCENT. development and profitable (project leader), Twiflex Ltd, GEC partnerships and for Established in January 1988, Alsthom commissioning the necessary LUCENT (Leicester University Centre for Enterprise) helps organisations to benefit from the expertise of the University’s staff and technical resources. Partners range from business and industrial collaborators and voluntary organisations to government departments, on a regional, national and international basis. LUCENT continues to act in a multi-dimensional role which incorporates the following objectives: ADVANCES: The University Department of Radiology is collaborating with an ● acting as a broker for international pharmaceutical company. external commercial organisations Traction Ltd and Leicester research from a interested in accessing University. The project, university or elsewhere. The University expertise which started in February University of Leicester is actively ● identifying research within the 1994, is jointly funded by involved in many research SYNTHESIS: Kate Murray says there are many University that has potential initiatives to encourage industry to work with the DTI and the industrial projects under the EU Fourth for commercial exploitation universities. partners. Framework and would welcome ● recognising opportunities for Another Government co-operation with SMEs in associated commercial marketing of new products and scheme is the Teaching Company providing the research input for developments. services by industry. LINK is Scheme which is funded by the EC collaborative ventures. LUCENT can advise business jointly sponsored by the Department of Trade and The role of LUCENT includes and industry on the Government- Department of Trade and Industry and some of the responsibility to identify, assess, supported initiatives to bridge the Industry and various Research Research Councils. It provides for protect and best exploit the gap between science and the Councils with matching the placing of one or more commercial potential arising from market place, encouraging contributions from industrial associates to work in a company research work within the industry to work with the partners. supervised by an academic with institution. Within this role, academic community. One such Under the auspices of a similar the relevant expertise. Typically technology management and the
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BUSINESS TOUCH OF LOCAL CULTURE
transfer of technology through the licensing of University inventions and know-how to industry continue to have inter-related objectives - one of these being to support the development, manufacture and sale of the invention for the benefit of the public. An example of such technology transfer is the relationship between Nova Scientific Inc., and the X-ray Astronomy Group at the University of Leicester. Nova is what is sometimes called an ‘incubator’ company, with special skills in high-technology areas allowing it to compete effectively for US Government Agency research funding – particularly through the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) scheme. Leicester University is renowned for its space research and it is in this area It was not all work for Chinese students from Hong Kong enrolled on the Doctor of that Nova has been able to Education programme, who visited the University in August as part of a doctoral summer achieve its greatest success, school. They took time off to sample the local game of skittles. with x-ray focusing and high-count rate EDUCATION from a successful trip to China microchannel plate RESEARCH and Hong Kong. Their visit to China was the operation. In practice, the PROJECT University has been sub- last in a series of collaborative contracted to carry out Professor Tony Bush, Director visits between academic staff in modelling and testing in of the Educational Management Northampton, Leicester and the these areas. A Leicester Shaanxi University-owned patent Teachers’ in the area of focusing has University in been licensed to Nova. The partnership with Nova is an China for example of how companies can benefit from the cutting-edge research research into taking place at Leicester University. education. The The relationship between the University and the company is mutually three-year beneficial. Nova has access to our new ideas and expertise, which gives research project them an edge in a highly competitive environment. The University’s X- encompassed Ray Astronomy Group have access to US funding, and through that investigations in access, have the opportunity to evaluate experimentally ‘front-line’ all phases of detectors and optics and so maintain their position in the scientific field. schools, from LUCENT provides a co-ordinating role for marketing and nursery to further administering many of the University’s commercial “services”. Such Tony Bush and Marianne Coleman took part in a conference in education, as well services include contract research, consultancy, sale of products China in 1997 to disseminate some findings of their research. developed in University research laboratories and access to specialist as looking at University equipment, support services and expertise. For example, the University’s Department of Radiology is collaborating with Bracco spa, an international pharmaceutical company based in Milan with a high profile in developing and marketing radiological contrast agents. Their product is currently being tested in several countries for its safety and efficacy. Work within the University’s Department of Biochemistry has led to some interesting developments in the area of DNA products. A world-wide demand for these products has been identified and, during the last two to three years, LUCENT has been actively marketing them to potential users throughout the world. A large marketing network has been established and the products are now sold extensively throughout the USA and Europe. The results speak for themselves. Commercial partnership with LUCENT is of mutual benefit in maintaining the momentum behind The second intake of the Ed D class, Hong Kong 1997. scientific discoveries and making the practical applications of this research available commercially throughout the world. Development Unit of the School special education needs in China ● This article first appeared in Business Interface, Leicester University’s of Education, and Marianne and England. Business Magazine. Coleman, Director of Distance Staff from Leicester have made Learning, have recently returned three visits to China, while their
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International Focus provides an in depth analysis and stories with an international dimension. Any stories or ideas should be sent to INTERNATIONAL FOCUS Jane Pearson, Press and Publications Office, ext 2440. e-mail: [email protected] Having been rooted for thirty named Mass Transit Railway is part of a tiny minority embraced Chinese colleagues spent two years in Leicester University I different from a trip on the by a huge majority - the resident months here in Autumn 1996. wanted a change, and I duly got sightseeing bus. In the end I got a Chinese. There is not just an A report of the research will one. Moving to Hong Kong was a ethnic but a continental dividing appear in a special issue of the line running through the people. journal Compare in 1998. Try as the European may to Following their trip to China, understand and mesh with the Tony Bush and Marianne Chinese there is always, Coleman went on to Hong Kong inevitably, a we and them to teach “Management Stream” situation. Indeed speculation students on the Ed D course. about them is a major pastime While there, they attended a amongst Europeans and other successful Distance Learning Fair westerners in the territory. held at the British Council, which I was lucky to meet highly they hope will attract more articulate English-speaking candidates for the MBA in Chinese at work, and my wife Educational Management by struggled to learn Cantonese and distance learning and the Putonghua (Mandarin), but to say, Doctorate of Education. at the end of the day, that we felt Another side to Hong Kong : Tai O on Lantau Island. we knew or had integrated with TRAINING IN TIGER profound wrench. In some ways it car - madness from the ecological the Chinese, would be an was an experiment. Was one - in point of view, but a preserver of overstatement. We had some ECONOMIES Isaiah Berlin’s terminology - a sanity in most other respects. insights, some understanding, Professor David Ashton and hedgehog, or was one a fox? In Life in Hong Kong is further some friendships, and these were Johnny Sung of the Centre for January 1995 I set out to find the enlivened by the fact that the valuable. Labour Market Studies, with answer. I was to stay in Hong resident European finds himself Turning to the university colleagues from Leeds University, Kong for almost three years. world, I suppose the big are engaged in research funded by The shock of the new came in the Economic and Social Research two parts. On the one hand, Council looking at systems of there was the adjustment to the education and training and their Hong Kong way of life, and on the relationship to economic growth other, there was the adjustment in the Tiger economies. to the university environment in This project has been Hong Kong. Of the first I will not underway for two years and will say much here, except to shortly result in a book. It is one underline the old truth that there of the few studies exploring the is a vast difference between distinctive ways in which visiting a country and living and education and training have been working there. Shopping for used by the Tiger economies to souvenirs is rather different from produce their very rapid shopping for daily necessities. economic growth. Travelling daily on the aptly INSIGHTS, UNDERSTANDING Farewell party for Murray Forsyth - departing by junk from Kowloon. AND FRIENDSHIPS question here, which became more insistent the longer I stayed By Professor Murray Forsyth in Hong Kong, is: what role does As host to more than 850 or should a university have in a international students on campus, society like that of Hong Kong? It the University is always keen to know how they adapt to life in is an extraordinary fact that the Leicester. In the following feature British colonial government the boot is very definitely on the founded a university on the island other foot, as Emeritus Professor of as early as 1911, in the teeth of Politics, Murray Forsyth, spent the opposition from most of the last three years in Hong Kong European business community. coming to grips with a different Lugard, the Governor in question, culture. Hong Kong Island. clearly saw the territory as more
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INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
than just a market place; he manifestation was physical. Kong is repeatedly held up as a HONG KONG wanted to raise the educational Buildings shot up, libraries were free market paradise, but it is Higher education in Hong Kong level of the indigenous population created, running tracks were laid perhaps not so widely recognised has gone through a great not only in technical matters but down, in fact a whole new that it is, and has been from the expansion in the last decade, also in the spiritual realm. campus sprouted while I was start, an administrative state . For similar to that in the UK. The The result was the University there. One was miles away from a hundred and fifty years the number of universities has risen of Hong Kong, which remains the the cuts in England. government and the civil service from two to six, recruiting about doyen of Hong Kong’s universities It was also noisy. The sound of have been one and the same. This 18 per cent of school leavers to-day, and where it is still the pile-driver was never far away system blended British every year. Most universities, possible to - as it never is in administrative traditions with the traditionally, are of British style, Hong Kong.. We also long Chinese predilection for but are gradually adopting the happened to stand bureaucratic rule. The Chinese, American style. The exception is directly on the after all, invented paper. The the Hong Kong University of flightpath into Kai huge managerial problems Science and Technology, which Tak and a stream of created by the growth in was founded in the mid 1980s and huge jets floated population of Hong Kong since is totally run in the American way. slowly over our the war expanded the system. All Hong Kong universities are roof, blotting out On the whole it has worked trying very hard to promote their conversation, extraordinarily well. international reputations. A large before turning and So in coming up against the number of internationally dropping - bureaucratic nature of university renowned scholars are invited as alarmingly - behind life in Hong Kong one was coming visiting or adjunct professors, a clump of trees a up against a deeply rooted part of while the academic staff are asked few hundred yards the Hong Kong way of life . to publish a number of journal away. There was Moreover, in being treated papers in a given period. Starting an amusing themselves on a par with civil from 1998, there will be no new moment when a servants, academics in Hong Kong permanent positions; all the German derive material benefits long lost newly recruited staff are on a professor in my by their colleagues in England. contract basis. Department fled As so often happens, initial, semi- The funding of higher from his office automatic reactions led gradually education in Hong Kong is, in by the fire- to a widening of perspective. general, very good compared to escape because here in the UK. Nearly half of the he thought one The finest building in Hong Kong - the Bank of China Building. A GLIMPSE AT research proposals there will get of the planes HONG KONG funded. There is, however, a lack was heading straight of research staff, with the result catch a whiff of one of Britain’s towards him. It was somehow AND TAIWAN that they are now recruiting more grand old civic universities. In symbolic of the problems of HIGHER people from the mainland of 1963 it was joined by the Chinese higher education in Hong Kong. EDUCATION China. You will meet many more University, on its impressive site Within the University one was by Dr Dawei Gu, Department scholars and students from the in the New Territories. In recent struck most by the dominant of Engineering mainland in the campus than years five more universities have position held by the During December 1997, and before the hand-over, even been created, several out of administration and its values. January, 1998, Dr Gu was invited to though you may not notice much existing polytechnics, colleges and One might grumble at the rise of Hong Kong and Taiwan to visit difference on the streets. institutes. the bureaucracy at Leicester, but universities there and give seminars. The political changes will I was at the Baptist University, it was nothing compared to the inevitably affect education. For founded in 1994 out of an older entrenched bureaucracy I instance, from the next academic Baptist College, but no longer encountered in Hong Kong. year, nearly 75 per cent of denominational . My tasks were Academics tended to be seen as schools will not be allowed to use to build up a European Studies cogs in a centralised machine English as a means of teaching. BA degree - the first of its kind in that worked according to How this change will affect the territory - and to run the precise and meticulous rules. university teaching and research newly founded Department of The circulation of paper was remains to be seen. Government and International prodigious. The meeting of The recent economic turmoil Studies. This was exhilarating, committees was ceaseless. One in Asia has also started to bite. non-stop work. There is an struggled to create some kind of atmosphere of hectic, almost space and autonomy for one’s The USS foundation lost heavily in frenzied activity in Hong Kong, department. the drastic stock market changes, and this seeped into the One learnt to see this in leading to a review of the University. Its most obvious perspective, however. Hong superannuation scheme. In the
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INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
scheme with Leicester University. sentiment shared by most of my Out of a total number of 856 international (non-European) Hopefully, we may see more colleagues. We mostly felt happy students on campus at Leicester University, 32 come from Hong Kong and 24 from Taiwan. Of these, 30 Hong Kong students from Taiwan on our about the unexpected five-day students were undergraduates and two postgraduates, while campus in the future. holiday given to us by the four Taiwan students were undergraduates and 20 government, and as with most of postgraduates. Most popular subject among Hong Kong HONG KONG the Hong Kong citizens, we do students was Business Economics (BSc and BA), while for those not care too much which from Taiwan it was Mass Communications. HANDOVER - government takes control of (1997-98 statistics). HOW DID IT Hong Kong. What we do care FEEL? about is the degree of freedom given to us, and that the chance past, members had two options at for Taiwan students to study We asked one of our Leicester graduates to make a living still exists. retirement - either getting a abroad. Male students have to living in Hong Kong to share his feelings What impressed me most was pension based on the last month’s serve two years in the army and about the handover of Hong Kong to China. the television programme of 30 salary and the length of cannot even get permission to June, when ex-Governor Chris contribution period, or taking a Patten bade farewell to lump sum (the cash-in of the units Government House and thanked accumulated). Now everyone has the staff he had been working to take the second option. Hence, with for the past five years. As the retirement reward will totally the police musicians struck up depend on an unpredictable Auld Lang Syne the two cars market. carrying the Governor and his family did three turns round the TAIWAN front of the house before leaving There are similarities and for the Britannia, where he dined differences between higher with Prince Charles. His day education in Hong Kong and ended with a Beating Retreat Taiwan. ceremony alongside the Britannia. Thanks to the rapid economic I do hope that after the development in the last twenty changeover of sovereignty, Hong years, Taiwan’s universities are Kong has the same degree of also enjoying abundant funding freedom and the Chinese and demand for graduates. You government will give a free hand can see new buildings everywhere for this Special Administrative in the campus. Region. I think this is also a very However, Taiwan follows the important reason for Hong Kong American model very closely, to prosper in the future. I also especially in its teaching and thank the British government who research programmes. Most have really made Hong Kong a senior academic staff were place where more than six million have a holiday abroad until they educated in the USA, though it is A NEW BEGINNING people have been able to live on have completed their military not easy nowadays even for by Andrew Hon Man Lee such a small island without any service. someone with a PhD from a top (MA (Public order) 1995) natural resources for the past 150 This situation is now changing, American university to find a good During the five-day holiday at years, and to thank the British for due to the recent political academic position in Taiwan. the time of the changeover of making Hong Kong so democratization, and a bill is In Taiwan, there are only about sovereignty of Hong Kong, I spent prosperous. under discussion which will allow ten national (state funded) two days at home and the rest students to study one or two universities. Together with many participating in the ceremonial years abroad during their more private universities and events held by some university period. At a recent colleges, they accommodate organisations. meeting with Dr Gu, Professor more than 45 per cent of students During my time at home I Lee, the Dean of Academic Affairs from high schools. In general, the watched the programmes on of the National Cheng Kung national universities are of best television before and after the University, expressed his interest quality, and hence application is handover ceremony. I found I in British higher education and a highly competitive. did not have much feeling for the possible student exchange Up to now, it has not been easy return of Hong Kong to China, a 15 february 12/2/98 9:34 am Page 16
Bulletin is pleased to receive contributions from across the University for Out and About. OUT & ABOUT Send information about what’s happening in your department/unit to Out and About, Bulletin, Press and Publications Office. EMAIL: [email protected] Pic: Alan Wood
PAIRING SCHEME: ‘Minister’ Melly presents ABSA award.
ARCHAEOLOGY CENTRE FOR LABOUR start of the session, Mr George Centre, presented a Request for offers of MARKET STUDIES Ferzoco and Ms Marina Spunta, the commemorative ABSA certificate accommodation CLMS staff have recently School has just welcomed its first to the University’s representatives, The Theoretical Roman returned from their second visit to ever lecturers in Spanish - Mr Xosé Anthony Pither, Director of Music, Archaeology Conference (TRAC) is the United States. In November, Rosales Sequeiros and Dr Helen Margaret Rose, Administrator in an annual event which attracts a Margaret Black and Patrick Laurenson. the Music Department, and Mrs wide range of archaeologists, from Baughan travelled to San Francisco Mr Rosales Sequeriros, who is Diane Faux, a partner of Leicester postgraduates to professors, and with Jon Shears, who is responsible Galician by birth, has been teaching Photostatic. from academics to field for video production in the at the Universities of Buckingham ABSA (the Association for archaeologists. Organised by University’s Audio Visual Services and Oxford. Dr Laurenson comes Business Sponsorship of the Arts) postgraduates at a different Unit. from Cardiff and has held posts was holding a reception to present Although there were a number university each year, this year’s previously at Liverpool and Galway. sponsorship awards under its of objectives for this visit, the two Conference is at Leicester Between now and the start of next Pairing Scheme. It is the second principal functions were to meet University on Thursday 16 and session, they will be helping with such award for the University and course members based in the Friday 17 April. the teaching of Spanish in the Leicester Photostatic, who have United States and Canada, and to Unfortunately, the cost of film interviews and background Language Services Unit and provided generous sponsorship of accommodation is beyond the material for CLMS videos. planning degree-level courses in the Lindsay series for several years. 'traditional' minimum costs under Following a worthwhile teaching Spanish for new which TRAC attempts to operate. weekend, the remainder of the visit joint degrees with The organisers’ aim is to keep costs was dedicated to filming for our French, German to a minimum in order to new promotional video and the and Italian and a encourage as many postgraduates Module 3 video (US version). brand-new BA in as possible to attend - the majority Interviews were held in a number Romance of speakers are postgraduates, and of locations in the San Francisco Studies, the conference forms an important Bay area, and some local footage of involving the platform for their research. San Francisco was also taken to study of two TRAC has always offered floor intersperse the interview languages and space through a network of sequences. the history of postgraduates and staff within Under the watchful eye of Jon art. archaeology, but offers of additional Shears, photographic, sound Peter Fawcett accommodation would be most recording and lighting equipment welcome. Because TRAC does not was carefully (and painfully!) carried MUSICAL OUTLOOK: MUSIC Susan Moate, second-year student in the make a profit, it is unlikely that up and down the hills of San School of Modern Languages, and David Latham, former technician in Francisco by Margaret and Patrick. Links anything more than a nominal the Cell Physiology & Pharmacology Department, performers at the With filming now complete, Jon is Instrumental CARIS Concert. payment could be made, but those editing the videos, which will be In Raising offering accommodation are invited available next year. Funds to attend the Conference party. CARIS Concert - A Patrick Baughan ABSA Presentation ● Repeat Performance? For further details, please George Melly, standing in for Mark Following the successful contact Rob Witcher (2603, MODERN LANGUAGES Fisher, Parliamentary Under- email [email protected]). partnership between the University Spanish comes to Secretary of State for Culture, Rob Witcher and the Leicester Royal Infirmary in Leicester Media and Sport at a lunchtime presenting Mozart’s Requiem at the Following the appointment of presentation in November at the Church of St James the Greater on two new lecturers in Italian at the University of Warwick’s Art 16 february 12/2/98 9:34 am Page 17
OUT & ABOUT
Saturday 13 December, there is the Women’s Club. We already talk of a similar venture arrived in Leicester mid-term, next year. knowing very few people, with In excess of £2,500 was raised problems finding suitable from this concert, which featured a accommodation. A letter from student and past students as the Club informed me of an soloists, the University Choral imminent meeting, to which I Society and the Proteus Chamber went. I have no recollection of Orchestra. The sum raised will go the talk, but I do remember the towards a new CTI Scanner. friendly welcome, and I now Anthony Pither have friends from many University departments. To POLITICS continue to provide this WELCOMING SPEECH: The Vice-Chancellor, Dr Edwards, at the start of the Conference organised welcome, we need those who Looking at the Future by the Centre for European Politics and Institutions. are well established in the of Europe University and Leicester, together A high-profile international particularly with newcomers, so I write to Conference, on The European Paul Winstone, for providing a of the Wine Club and newcomers encourage all women to come Union: Today and Tomorrow, was reception at the Conference. are invited to enjoy good wine and along to our meetings. held at the University in January. Wyn Rees food in a convivial atmosphere. The programme includes talks This was hosted by the Centre for RICHARD Details are available from Dr and activities over a wide range of European Politics and Institutions. ATTENBOROUGH David Russell, Department of topics. Meetings are usually held in The three-day Conference CENTRE Chemistry (2090), or Gail the Gartree/Rutland Room in the focused on the results of the New Music Workshop Andrews, Leicester University Charles Wilson Building, 7.30 p.m. Amsterdam Treaty and the extent In the afternoon of Sunday 22 Catering Services (2203). for 8.00 p.m. Yearly membership to which it has created a blueprint February, Philip Herbert offers Tim Yeoman costs £5. Our forthcoming events for the future development of the string players a chance to play are advertised on CWIS, with a European Union. Discussions through a new work for Oboe and UNIVERSITY selection appearing in the Bulletin’s ranged across the broad spectrum Strings, Songs of the Magi, by WOMEN’S CLUB Dates for your Diary. Newsletters of EU competencies, from Adolphus Hailstork, written in are distributed at Christmas and You may perhaps ask why we have institutional issues to foreign policy, 1987. 7 violins, 3 violas and 3 Easter. a University Women’s Club? Our and from home affairs to monetary cellists are needed - of Grade VII If you wish to find out more aim is to provide an opportunity for union. ABRSM standard and above. To about the Club and its activities, women members and partners of Organised in conjunction with book a place, ring 0116 252 2455. please contact either myself, Anita the University Association for male members of the University Light, Chairman (0116 259 6925), Senior Common Room to meet Contemporary European Studies, SENIOR COMMON or Secretaries, Doonie Swales this event attracted over 120 and get to know each other. We ROOM (0116 270 7161) and Jenny delegates and speakers from the are aware that it can be very lonely Holloway (0116 270 4701). Tempting tastes UK and Europe. It was an moving to a new city, knowing very Anita Light outstanding success and has further The next SCR Wine Club event (a few people, so we also want to reinforced the reputation of Gourmet evening) is scheduled for help newcomers to the University Leicester in the field of European Thursday 12 February in the feel at home. politics. Charles Wilson Building. Members I am personally very grateful to The CEPI were grateful to Leicester City Council, FIRST-AIDER SCOOPS AWARDS Jill Hammersley joined the University’s Engineering Department in January 1984, and became a First-Aider in the Department in 1985 after undertaking a First-Aid Course run by the University and the St John Ambulance Association. In January 1986, she became a member of St John, and is now a Corporal in her Division. In December, she was awarded the following three Divisional trophies:
● Female First-Aider of the Year ● Care & Community Award of the Year ● Pic: Paul M Smith Female Member of the Year Jill acknowledges that if it had not been for the University arranging for her to be trained as a Departmental First-Aider, she would never have joined the St John Ambulance Association. She adds, “St John are always on the look-out for new members, so if you think you would like to join a worthwhile organisation and also have some fun, please get in touch.” Jill Hammersley, Principal Clerk, Engineering IN SAFE HANDS: Department, holding one of the trophies recently awarded to her by the St John Ambulance Association. 17 february 12/2/98 9:34 am Page 18
OUT & ABOUT
SIR MICHAEL TIPPETT haired players and the composer mature and deepen ... they are the association with The Lindsays. In (1905-1998), THE sitting in a cornfield (below). best friend a composer could the 1920s, his first concert LINDSAYS AND have”, he said. experience was hearing Malcolm LEICESTER Sargent conduct the Leicester Symphony With the death of Sir Michael Orchestra. Tippett on 8 January, the world has In the 1960s, lost one of its great composers, and Tippett a creative artist, whose impact is became demonstrated by the University’s closely current music programme. involved with This year, The Lindsays are music playing all five of Michael Tippett’s education in String Quartets. The Third was Leicester, and performed on Wednesday 4 the then Music February in the Fraser Noble Adviser, Eric Building. The very taxing Fourth Pinkett (whose will be played on 25 February, and policy of the Fifth on 11 March. performing The friendship between contemporary composer and the String Quartet music began in 1971, when The Lindsays In particular, Tippett admired In 1990, The Lindsays impressed the were invited to the Bath Festival at the Lindsays’ ability to perform commissioned the Fifth Quartet, composer). In 1970, Tippett wrote a time when Tippett was its Artistic works as though they were being which stands in the forefront of the his Shires Suite for the Director. The Lindsays’ LP played for the first time. “Their composer’s achievements during Leicestershire Schools Symphony recording of the first three performances don’t stand still - his long Indian summer. Orchestra and Chorus. quartets, issued in 1975, carries a they change, vary, Tippett’s relationship with Anthony Pither characteristic photograph of the Leicester goes back further than his long-
UNIVERSITY TO HOLD A ONE-DAY CONFERENCE ON JOE ORTON The University Library, the Department of Adult Education, and the Department of English are joint organisers of a one-day Conference taking place at the Richard Attenborough Centre on Saturday 14 March, which will provide an opportunity to hear leading authorities and theatre practitioners speak about Orton’s life and work, and to see a display of items from the Orton Collection. The recent acquisition by the University of the Orton papers ensures their preservation in the dramatist’s home city. The collection includes Orton’s own annotated copies of published plays, unpublished manuscripts, scrapbooks and other memorabilia. The University successfully completed a race against time to secure the papers currently held by the family, as well as to house, catalogue and conserve them. Guest speakers are John Lahr (author of Prick Up Your Ears and editor of The Orton Diaries), Professor John Bull from Reading University, Jonathan Myerson (creator with John Lahr of Diary of a Somebody), John Fletcher (responsible for the Up Against It radio adaptation) and Michael Grandage (director of What the Butler Saw). A fascinating and comprehensive examination of Orton’s life and work is planned for this Conference, with staff from Leicester University - Dr Richard Foulkes, Dr Timothy Hobbs and Nicholas Furini - completing the line-up of speakers. ● For further details and enrolment, please contact Mrs Wendy Brown, Department of Adult Education (0116 252 5966).
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FEATURES UNIVERSITY STUDENTS HIT THE AIRWAVES
by Juliet Pheasant It will be “an independent voice Students’ Union become a leader supervisor listening at all times. for students”, says Mark. “Part in this field and it will benefit Jennifer is proud of the Leicester University has taken of our licence is to provide everybody. LUSH offers achievements of her team at the to the airwaves with the launch something different, allowing advertising space for local radio station: “Everyone has of the Union’s own student radio students to be creative. Evening companies and station. shows Wednesday 12th November saw the official launch of LUSH FM, Leicester University’s first student radio. The station is based at College Hall and its first licence ran for four weeks, broadcasting from 8am to 2am every day in the vicinity of the University from halls of residence to the city centre. The venture is funded by the Students’ Union, heavily supplemented by sponsorship and advertising from local businesses. The expenditure when LUSH been completely professional, FM first went out in the these are people with real summer term amounted ON AIR: Members of LUSH, the new University Student radio in action. talents.” LUSH has even to £3,670 which included have more specialised music, provides entertainment for local received material from music the £2,500 licence fee and for example indie and rock residents.” Indeed, this is one of companies in London who wish further expenditure has occurred sessions,” he said. the aims of the station, as to help. The success of the on capital costs, payments for the The general style of Jennifer explains: “We have tried station is just reward for the hard Performing Rights Society and programme is a mixture of lively to make it accessible to the rest work, imagination and the Public Performance Licence. chat and mainstream music, to of the Leicester community, not commitment of all those Jennifer McCann is the Station cater for those with a broad just the students.” involved. Controller: “We wanted to taste. In addition to music The station has sparked much So where now for the radio showcase student talent by output, there are religious interest. It began last year but station? Jennifer is enthusiastic offering opportunities for disc programmes reflecting the wide was only awarded an FM licence about the next time LUSH takes jockeying, marketing, reporting ranging student body, and a this year. Mark states: “The to the airwaves: “We hope to and gaining technical skills, rather number of speech based whole studio was set up by a obtain a licence for the Spring than just promoting them as a programmes including drama, team of students. We held a Term, so those interested in group of ‘students’. comedy, reviews and current recruitment fair and people had joining up should keep any eye “It is a rare opportunity for affairs along with regular news to be auditioned and trained. for our next recruitment students to explore radio work, bulletins. Even those who took part last campaign.” They will not be proving invaluable experience as The project is far-reaching, year had to reapply.” The studio short of volunteers; it seems well as something to add to a with advantages for the has a range of professional LUSH can only go from strength curriculum vitae.” University and the surrounding equipment including a record to strength. Eager to discuss the value of area. Leicester University is now deck, twin compact disc player the project were Amanda Shaw, one of only a handful to have its and a mini-disc system. Each President and Mark Worthington, own radio station. Amanda show is monitored; there is VP Communications and the believes “this will help the always at least one trained Executive Controller for LUSH.
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VIEWPOINT ACADEMICS DO KNOW WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT
working for major newspapers barriers are disappearing sharpens WHEN FORMER ITN AND DAILY MAIL JOURNALIST JOHN and found the answer was ... our awareness of the way in CLARE GAINED AN MA FROM THE CENTRE FOR MASS other journalists. which whole new media COMMUNICATION RESEARCH, HE RECEIVED A VALUABLE A famous study examined the conglomerates are being INSIGHT INTO THE WORLD OF WHICH HE IS A PART. THIS effects of the media on ‘floating developed thanks to dynastic REVEALING ARTICLE IS REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM voters’ during election campaigns marriages like Microsoft and NBC. THE UK PRESS GAZETTE AND LION’S DEN COMMUNICATIONS and reached another far reaching It explains why MANAGEMENT, OF WHICH HE IS MANAGING DIRECTOR. conclusion. The press may not be telecommunications companies very good at telling people what will be major employers of to think, but it is stunningly journalists in the next millennium - Media degrees and academics get many academics who understand successful at telling them what to how long will it be before you a lot of flak, particularly from deeply how we journalists go think about. Academics call this have C&W or BT on your CV? cynical old hacks who believe that about our business. They ‘agenda setting’ and it’s one of Awareness of the global media people who live in ivory towers acknowledge the pressure of many concepts where the main marketplace has made me realise and have no experience of deadlines, the sophisticated difference between them and us is acutely what tiny cogs we journalism cannot comment on it relationships with sources, the they have a name for it and we journalists are in these multi- realistically. There are, of course, increasing trend towards market don’t. media machines, when today’s plenty of scholars in, say medieval driven conglomerates own Hollywood history who weren’t around to journalism, and studios, film distributors, ‘After 20 years as a hack, much of it at a experience their subject first hand even have a fair publishers, cable companies, senior level in print and broadcast, I’ve just either, but they don’t pick fights stab at software developers and even obtained an MA in Mass Communications with journalists, so they get a explaining what hardware manufacturers, all from Leicester University and I have a great quieter life. they call ‘the generating more income than the scoop - academics know what they are After 20 years as a hack, much newsmaking news and features we produce. talking about.’ of it at a senior level in print and process’ or Thanks to my studies, I’m now broadcast, I’ve just obtained an how some events are turned into more aware of the links between MA in Mass Communications from news while most aren’t. It’s been strange having elite groups, usually governments, Leicester University and I have a Papers in obscure academic outsiders illustrate and analyse the big business and the media. See great scoop - academics know journals draw attention to these extent to which we as journalists the reporting of Bill Gates’s what they are talking about. matters all the time. For example, ‘construct the world’ - the way meeting with Tony Blair for an I resisted the idea at first, but it one US researcher examined the that just about every story is of ‘a illustration of mutual is now clear to me that there are dominant influences on journalists version of reality’. It’s obvious if backscratching. you compare, say, The Guardian It is of course possible to get and Telegraph versions of the anti much of this information piece hunting Bill, but it happens meal, partly through the pages of constantly in a way so subtle that specialist magazines such as Press we don’t realise we’re doing it. Gazette, but not in such depth, An academic approach gives us and it’s nothing like the complete the tools to examine this process picture. I’ve long been aware of and the language to discuss it. the ‘what, who, where and when’ This type of self-scrutiny in the media world. increases our theoretical Academia has helped me to understanding of our world, but start understand the ‘how and academic study also has practical why’ - which I think are more benefits. For example, knowledge interesting and important of different regulatory systems has questions. almost daily echoes in the UK ● This article first appeared in privacy and media ownership UK Press Gazette on January 9. debate. An appreciation of globalisation and the way in which not just national but also technological
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STAFF DISTINCTIONS researching and writing decisions themselves. Staff distinctions are published in the Bulletin after they have been This is one of a number of part-time judicial appointments held by before Senate and Council. academic staff in the Law Department. Professor Alan Neal is a Professor J Monar (Politics) has been invited to: chairman of the industrial tribunals, David Allen is an immigration ● serve as Member of the Advisory Board of the Research adjudicator, Fiona Cownie is a chairman of the Special Educational Programme on the Northern Dimension of the Common Foreign and Needs Tribunal, and David Bonner, Trevor Buck, and David Pollard Security Policy of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (Helsinki) are members of one or more of the appeals tribunals covering social ● serve as Member of the Research Board of the Institute für security, disability and child support benefits. Europäische Politik (Bonn) Professor White has also been called upon to serve on a Working ● serve again as Member of the Jury of the international doctoral thesis competition organised by the Committee of the Party on the European Convention on Human Rights, which is advising Regions of the European Union for 1998 (Brussels) on the training needed by tribunal judges consequent upon the ● join the standing group of experts of Flexible Integration of incorporation of the Convention into United Kingdom law. the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (München), an advisory body of the German Government. Professor R White (Law) has been appointed by the Lord Chancellor to ARTHUR CHIMES IN WITH NEW YEAR’S serve as a Deputy Social Security Commissioner. [see below] Dr C Hall (Modern Languages) has been appointed dosentti (‘visiting HONOUR professor’) in Germanic Philology at the University of Tampere from 1 Arthur Chimes, who retired from his University post as Chief October 1997. Technician in the Department of Cell Physiology fifteen years Ms C Anderson (Economic & Social History) has been awarded the ago, was awarded an MBE in the recent New Year Honours degree of PhD by the University of Edinburgh. List. This award recognises his campaigning efforts over the Mr T Aplin (School of Education) has been made a Fellow of the Royal past eight years, as chairman of the Boot Homes Action Group, Society of Arts. for the replacement of hundreds of Boot homes in the Saffron Lane area of Leicester. PRESTIGIOUS APPOINTMENT He was appointed as Chief Professor Robin Technician in the laboratory White’s of General Physiology in 1966 appointment (Physiology at that time was to serve as a part of the Department of Deputy Social Zoology). Whilst here, he Security took an active part in Union Commissioner, affairs, particularly in noted above in relation to ASCW Staff (Association of Scientific Distinctions, and Clerical Workers) and commenced in ASTMS. January. The eighteen full- time Commissioners for Great Britain are judges who NEWS OF HONORARY GRADUAND determine Professor W Jwanowska, who was awarded an honorary appeals on issues degree by this University in 1973, has been appointed an of law arising Honorary Citizen of the City of Torun. This honour was under the Social unanimously granted by the City Council. He is the seventh Security and Child Support Acts. There is a backlog of unheard person to receive this title. appeals, and this part-time appointment is designed to help speed up the process. Robin will sit in London, covering the full range of social security jurisdictions (except child-support work). It is possible for the Commissioners themselves to refer cases on to the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords or, in questions of European Law, to the European Court of Justice. In practice, this LET THE BULLETIN COVER YOUR BOOKS! occurs in only a tiny minority of cases, so that the Commissioners The Bulletin welcomes news of recently-published carry the main responsibility for an immense area of law. This covers books written or edited by University staff. The book the distribution of the enormous social security budget, and the cover, together with any other relevant details, adjudication of appeals involving contributory and means-tested should be sent to Barbara Whiteman, Press & benefits and support, thus affecting virtually everyone in the country. Publications Office (2676, ara@le). The work involves considering leave to appeal, giving guidance and direction in appeal cases, conducting oral hearings, and often
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RETIREMENTS OBITUARIES The University has learnt, with regret, of the deaths of the following: LADY DOROTHY SHOCK Pic: Leicester Mercury.
Lady Shock, with (left to right) Sir Robert Kilpatrick, Sir Maurice Shock and Kenneth Bowder.
Lady Dorothy Shock, wife of Sir Maurice Shock, Vice- MARKING RETIREMENT: Professor Charles Phythian-Adams retired at the end of the Chancellor of the University from 1977 to 1987, died on academic year 1996-97 after 31 years of service to the University. He is pictured at his Sunday 11 January The funeral service was held in the retirement party in October with staff from the Department of English Local History, Chapel of Lincoln College, Oxford at 12 noon on Monday 19 during which he was presented with a rare and handsome atlas covering the whole of England and Scotland at half-inch scale. January. MR A E FENWICK JIM KELLY Arthur Fenwick died on New Year’s Day after a short illness. Jim Kelly, a plumber in the Maintenance Section of the Estates and Arthur was a plumber in the Maintenance Section of the Buildings Office, has retired after 23 years’ service in the University. Estates and Buildings Office from August 1969 until he As a craftsman, his abilities were well known, and his contribution to retired in April 1992. He was popular with all his colleagues the University and to his colleagues is a record of which he can be and with many other University staff, by all of whom he will intensely proud. be sadly missed. He was noted for his willingness to tackle Jim’s contribution extended far beyond simply doing his job. From any job and highly respected for his ability by fellow the outset, he was heavily involved in setting up the University Branch plumbers and engineers. His knowledge of the University’s of NUPE. He served with distinction on the Negotiating Committee drainage system was quite remarkable. He was devoted to for over 20 years. The growth and success of the local branch owes his family. much to him. During that time, Jim negotiated many deals resulting in One of his keenest interests was the Second World War, major benefits to the manual and ancilliary staff. which he lived through as a teenager and ,at that time, Noted for his humour (in particular, his practical jokes) and joined the Home Guard. He would no doubt have generosity, he has given pleasure and support to many throughout his appreciated the following epitaph used during the War: years here. His colleagues and friends recently attended a reception to “One less at home, one more in heaven.” wish him a Jim Shaw long and happy retirement.
UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION: Jim Kelly, with Ron Hodgson, friends and colleagues.
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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENTS IN THE REGION ARTSTOP
28 February. Still not inspired? Concert Orchestra at the by Julie Evans, Scarman Centre Then Leicester's own (and I Symphony Hall, Birmingham. A for the Study of Public Order quote) 'King of highly presentable assortment Romance', includes Rachmaninov's Piano WHAT better way to beat those have a brand new Englebert Concerto No 2, Kachaturian's post-Christmas-gut-busting-blues show (19 (including Humperdinck, Adagio from Spartacus and than heaving yourself off the discussion after the makes a return Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty couch and visit to his roots Waltz. getting out for on 12 February If you prefer your art of the a brisk laugh to set the mood purely visual kind, then the and a healthy for Valentine's Castle Art Gallery in Nottingham shot of culture. Day. has an exhibition entitled Love The Phoenix Continuing Hearts, running until 1 March. Arts takes the theme, the This is a presentation on the centrestage this region is choc- themes of love, romance and month, as not ful of romantic rejection, selected from works only is it events. The by regional artists and crafts Comedy Festival dark selection people and the museum's LET’S TWIST time again, but is at The Royal permanent collection. Why not AGAIN: The the Centre is Theatre at make a day of it - shop at the celebrating its Featherstonehaughs’ new show at Northampton - Valentine's Showcase for 10th birthday - Phoenix Arts is Tess of the jewellery and cards to set your and we're all influenced by the D'Urbervilles - loved-one's heart a flutter, then invited! A heady work of the until 28 February - take them for a Love Lunch at mix of dance, expressionist artist, a passionate and the Museum Cafe - which theatre, cabaret, Egon Schiele. compelling love includes such delights as Robin's film and music is story of an Advance and Passionate on the cards, so innocent country girl whose life is Potatoes. take your pick. torn apart by cruel fate. On the So - a few suggestions to get Ken Campbell lighter side, guaranteed to stir you out of the house - no more returns to the soul are Valentine's Love Mr Couch Potato - unless you're Phoenix Arts from Classics from the London a comic poet of course! the Royal Court with his Theatre Stories (8 Pic: Chris Nash February). Using excerpts from his previous mind-boggling KPMG solo shows, Ken tell stories of his show) & 20 February) for the life in the theatre over the past anniversary event. The Daily TAX AND three decades. The comic poet, Telegraph heralds the company John Hegley, is taking an inward as being '...at the apex of the PERSONAL FINANCIAL look at himself - and finds he's a British dance hierarchy' and I'll potato. His show on the 8 not argue with that. ADVISORY SESSIONS February will apparently involve De Montfort Hall is doing its’ 'singing, much spoken verse, bit for the comedy cause, with movement and some basic novelist and Fantasy Footballer French'. Nice. 'If they weren't so David Baddiel's first one-man funny they'd be locked up', event, The Too Much FREE INITIAL ADVICE is available on advises Time Out, who voted the Information Show, on 6 personal tax, investment planning and any Peepolykus Theatre Company February and with the Hooch area of personal finance. one of the top five shows at Comedy Store Tour, which Edinburgh Festival '96. Their ventures north of the M25 on 11 present offering, I am Coffee, is February. For those with more For an appointment at KPMG a healthy slice of absurdism classical tastes, the Leicester telephone David Norman on 0116 256 6000 whose daredevil inhabitants Symphony Orchestra performs apparently glimpse a mysterious on 7 February (Strauss, Der futuristic force, capable of Rosenkavalier Suite and Smetana's KPMG - Accounts and Business Advisers achieving salvation for mankind Vitava). Not to be outdone, the Peat House, 1 Waterloo Way, Leicester LE1 6LP as we career towards the new Philharmonia’s programme on 28 millennium - available only on 11 February is a tempting one - February. Those magnificent Mozart's Piano Concerto No 20, KPMG men,The Featherstonehaughs, and Mahler's Fifth Symphony on KPMG is a trading name of KPMG Peat Marwick which is authorised by the Institute of Charted Accountants in England and Wales to carry on investment business.
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We are looking for contributors to this section. If you wish to review the cuttings, please contact Barbara Whiteman CUTTINGS on ext 2676. WHAT THE PAPERS SAY THOSE of us who suffered from you for breaking bad news, but I post-Christmas excesses can draw do think it helps.” Hundreds of cuttings pour into the Press Office at Leicester comfort from Dr Douglas From one kind of blues to University from around the world chronicling the activities of Cameron’s study which shows another. A piece in Chic magazine staff and students. Peter Allen, Alumni Office, reviews a that it wasn’t really our fault (December issue) says post-natal selection of cuttings from recent weeks. (Sunday Times, 9 November mums can beat the baby blues if 1997). You didn’t have a they are emotionally supported by hangover, you were a victim of their parents and friends. One in ‘bad bar syndrome’ - caused by ten women are affected by post- legal practice course at DMU. As under the official tax regime, too much noise and bright lights. natal depression and psychologists we know, McDonalds has a long- these activities would generate an Salty snacks, overactive radiators, at Leicester have found that a standing interest in the legal extra £30 billion in revenue. Not and boxing matches on TV are woman’s parents are her greatest process. all areas of the black economy some of the signs to watch out for allies in overcoming it. In this era of New Labour we would survive this process and in a ‘bad bar’, according to the Staying with babies, the Express have the people’s this and the useful services may be lost. senior lecturer in substance abuse (29 November) carries a story people’s that. Now the Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it’s who has produced a booklet for entitled ‘Mrs Mop Mamas’on the University’s Terry probably the licensed trade. The study nesting Venus, provides evidence in according to the battle against Dr Martin alcohol abuse and TERIALS Barstow of T ON FIBROUS MA the Physics shows how we can all NEW REPOR be persuaded to drink and Astronomy Department. less with a few simple EARLY WORKS OF JOE ORTON ARE Martin told the Leicester changes to the pub environment. instinct Mercury (22 December) that They say the Referee’s decision experienced READY TO BE PUBLISHED recent alleged sightings of is final, but how many of you by expectant UFOs were more likely to be football fans would agree that this mothers. One the bright light of Venus decision is always the right one? A study believes that this urge to Cavanagh has produced a survey confusing hopeful X-Filers. The new project by a Leicester clean the house and redecorate is of ‘people’s art’ according to brightness causes the planet to student may help to change all part of a wider phenomenon - Museums Journal (November). appear much closer than it that as the subject of Sharon PMP - primary maternal The research aims to document actually is, and people in cars have Colwell’s PhD is those infamous preoccupation. Dr Berryman the stories behind the city the illusion that the light is men in black. Sharon who is from the Psychology Department monuments in Liverpool, following them. Martin provided attached to the Norman Chester disputes this and points out that Birmingham, and around the a lone voice of reason in an Centre for Research into Sport the problem with not country. otherwise spooky feature on the and Society, will be talking to experiencing PMP is that you just We mustn’t forget that the A46 UFO mystery. referees and investigating the end up feeling guilty because University is an excellent venue Puns are alive and well in the possible role of video playback you’re not hoovering constantly. for conferences from around the local media and the South London facilities. (Leicester Mercury, 17 Two stories to get your world and December’s issue of Press (7 November) attaches the December). Mcteeth into - Andrew Taylor, a Pet Product Marketing rather tasteless headline ‘Far- Another piece in the Leicester graduate in Politics has become demonstrates this. The sighted plan for blind’ to a story Mercury (16 December) reveals the UK chief executive officer of International Marine Seminar took about a new technique for that the University Medical School McDonalds. Franchise World place here with guest speakers enjoying art developed at our own is once again ahead of its (December) carries the story of including the acclaimed marine Richard Attenborough Centre. contemporaries. expert and The ‘touch and see’ method of Around 80% of author Martin interacting with a piece of art is patients nationally Moe Jnr. being used by the Clapham-based receive very little NEW COURSES FOR NEW YEAR The Sunday Art Through Touch group. The information about Times (30 RAC continues to lead the field in prognosis and November) disability and the arts, long may it delicate situations can be GREENHOUSE 2 OPENS carries startling news continue to do so. handled carelessly. Leicester’s about the black Finally, the Northampton medical students economy - Chronicle and Echo (18 December) are bucking this income highlights the variety of courses trend as they generated from available from the University via receive training in TRAINING TO TELL THE WORST drugs, its Northampton centre. clinical methods - prostitution and Language lessons, historical including how to crime as well as studies, English and Art are on break bad news. Lecturer Dr Paul how Andrew joined the burger from cash-in-hand jobs such as offer as well as courses on life in Lazarus said, “there does seem to chain as a management trainee 16 decorating, childminding and the Outer Hebrides, eating be a shift towards doctors being years ago and now, at the age of household services. Dilip disorders, poets laureate and willing to break the news rather 39, has reached the top. Jeremy Bhattacharyya, based here at the heraldry. It just goes to show that than hiding”. Fourth-year medical Burditt is another graduate to University and an expert on the there is something for everyone at student Bilal Patel who trained at benefit from the burgermeister, subject, says that the unofficial Leicester. Leicester said, “I don’t think any he has received a £1000 economy is worth around £90 amount of training can prepare scholarship to help him study for a billion this year alone. If brought 24 february 12/2/98 9:35 am Page 25
BOOKS
THE PRIMARY CURRICULUM stress he or she suffers. The Learning from international younger the children, the more their immediate needs and interests will perspectives appear to compete with remote Edited by Janet Moyles and Linda long-term societal needs likely to be Hargreaves (School of Education) emphasised in a national curriculum. The first part of the book offers a Routledge, February 1998, £13.99 framework for thinking about primary (paperback) curricula, while the second part Available from the Bookshop presents a range of international views on the primary curriculum from South (IBSN 0-415-15832-X) Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South- Designed for ease of use by students,this East Asia, Europe and the USA. The book is concerned with the relationships and book is a course text for Leicester tensions in education between children’s University’s distance learning course, MA needs and societies’ demands, tensions in Primary Education. which primary teachers everywhere face on The editors, Janet Moyles, Senior a daily basis. Lecturer in the School of Education, and The existence in many countries of Dr Linda Hargreaves, Lecturer in the national curricula might be expected to School of Education, have sought to ease part of the stress felt by teachers by present a range of international prescribing what should be taught and, perspectives on the interplay between possibly, how it should be taught, thus childhood, curriculum and classroom removing from them the individual practice. Janet Moyles’ previous responsibility of ensuring a broad and publications include Beginning Teaching, balanced curriculum for each child. If, Beginning Learning (OUP, 1995). however, the content and methods suggested by a national curriculum seem to the teacher to be inappropriate or irrelevant to children’s needs, the teacher may be faced with a conflict likely to increase the levels of
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ARCHAEOLOGY ENGINEERING GENERAL PRACTICE this project is to identify how Dr M Palmer Prof A R S Ponter nurses and other health care Dr F M Cheater Funding for Assistant Secretary CEC contract support: Safety case professionals working in the The development of an audit on thermal load HT reactor protocol for the prevention of falls £17,298 Association for community may provide an in the elderly Industrial Archaeology The contract is a contribution to a effective service by speaking to wide ranging study, both £7,010 Fosse Health Trust experimental and theoretical, of potential users. BIOCHEMISTRY the failure of structural £3,863 Queens Nursing Fosse community health care trust Dr N S Scrutton components when subjected to Institute has seconded Lyn Juby, Strategic engineering of complex histories of temperature. EPIDEMIOLOGY & PUBLIC physiotherapist at Loughborough morphinone reductase and PETN Although the problem is centred HEALTH community hospital to work one around certain design issues in reductase for biotransformation and Dr C Bailey day a week in the Eli Lilly National biosensor applications nuclear reactors, the work is also applicable to power generating Dr S Ablett Clinical Audit Centre. In Morphinone reductase and PETN collaboration with the team in the reductase are related enzymes. plant in general. The University of UKCCSG Primitive Morphinone reductase has Leicester’s contribution is a study neuroectodermal tumours trial III centre, she will develop an audit potential use in the industrial of the attenuation of measured Primitive neuroectodermal protocol containing evidence- biosynthesis of opiate-based drugs temperature signals due to various tumours are highly malignant linked criteria for preventing falls effects. If temperature histories and bacterial organisms expressing tumours of the brain occurring in the elderly. PETN reductase have applications are measured using standard mainly during childhood. in the bioremediation of industrial methods, there is a need to Approximately 80 children/year wasteland. The grant is to fund understand how much of the signal are diagnosed in the UK and GENERAL PRACTICE work focused on solving the 3- is lost in the measurement therefore international co- Dr T Coleman dimensional structures of both process. This allows an operation is necessary to make Auditing health promotion success enzymes by X-ray crystallography interpretation of the experimental therapeutic advances in such a rare by encouraging GPs to document and improving the properties of results in terms of possible failure condition. smoking cessation: Influence on each enzyme, by rational protein modes and informs measurement GPs’ advice giving Treatment traditionally consists engineering methods, for use in strategies. the above applications. The grant £3,333 CEC via NNC of surgical removal followed by For seven years health promotion provides support for three years Limited radiotherapy. Improvements in payments have been made to GPs and is jointly funded by BBSRC and these methods of treatment have in an attempt to encourage them EPIDEMIOLOGY & PUBLIC the Defence Evaluation Research HEALTH resulted in 6 out of 10 children to undertake health promotion Agency of the MoD. Ms J McGarry now being cured of their tumour. activity. Unfortunately, there is no £173,124 B B S R C Recent work has shown that evidence that these payments have Identifying the needs of older carers BIOCHEMISTRY various drugs are also active stimulated general practitioners’ Dr R Patel Julie McGarry (Research Associate, against these tumours. The activity which is likely to promote Investigation of the role of Department of Epidemiology & UKCCSG on behalf of the population health gain. This calcium/calmodulin - dependent Public Health) has recently International Society of Paediatric project will evaluate whether a protein kinase II and the protease in received a Queens Nursing Oncology (SIOP) is co-ordinating a new kind of health promotion the destruction of mitotic cyclins Institute Award for Innovation. major international study in which payment can actually influence £151,938 Wellcome Trust The award will enable Julie to the effect of adding chemotherapy general practitioners’ clinical BIOCHEMISTRY carry out a qualitative pilot study to the treatment of this tumour is behaviour in a way likely to Dr P C E Moody to explore the experiences of being studied. The study has been improve the health of their older carers. The project, which funded since May 1992 by the patients. This is the first time that Crystal structures of three B-helical acetyltransferases will be undertaken in Melton Cancer Research Campaign and researchers have made a serious £140,656 B B S R C Mowbray, will form a part of the the current grant represents attempt at evaluating the efficacy larger body of research that continued funding for one further of health promotion payments to BIOLOGY already exists at the Melton site year. GPs. Dr D Twell looking at the health and social £27,101(supp) Cancer Research £15,438 Leicestershire Health Joint project with CEE/FSU research Campaign needs of older people. GENETICS expenses Around 1 in 8 people over the EPIDEMIOLOGY & PUBLIC Dr K Tamaki £3,500 Royal Society age of sixty-five are providing HEALTH Prof A Jeffreys some form of informal care of Mr A J Arthur CHEMISTRY Analysis of mutation at the highly Dr P S Monks which more than a quarter are Depression in elderly people: A unstable human mini-satellite B6.7 devoting at least twenty hours a structured approach to The Southern Ocean Atmospheric £77,982 Wellcome Trust identification and management by Photochemistry EXperiment 2 week to caring. The impact that the primary health care team (SOAPEX 2) - An experiment to this has on the health of older GENETICS study atmospheric cleansing by free carers, and the specific needs that £9,222 (supp) NHS Executive Trent Dr J Ketley radicals and peroxides older carers may have, is not fully EPIDEMIOLOGY & PUBLIC The campylobacter jejuni RACR £32,825 N E R C understood. There is a paucity of HEALTH regulatory system: Characterising the regulon and its role in adaptive available information on the Prof M Clarke ENGINEERING responses and intestinal colonisation particular experiences of older Research associates in health Prof J P Gostelow £161,460 B B S R C economics at the Leicester unit of Effects of unsteadiness on transition people who are caregivers. As the Trent Institute for Health and laminar separation in more and more caring is carried MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER Services Research turbomachines out by older people at home, they SCIENCE £55,233 (supp) NHS Executive Trent £110,527 E P S R C themselves suffer from age-related Dr M Ainsworth health problems. The purpose of Numerical analysis of adaptive,
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robust, finite element methods for MEDICINE AND THERAPEUTICS singularly perturbed systems of Prof D P De Bono PDES ADVERTISE IN THE BULLETIN Discretionary Chair Fund Mathematical models of many Small advertisements, maximum thirty words, are welcome for £2,100 (supp) British Heart physical phenomena take the form inclusion in the Bulletin. A charge of either £2 or £5, depending Foundation of singularly perturbed systems of on the item advertised, is made for each advertisement partial differential equations. MEDICINE AND THERAPEUTICS submitted by a member of staff or a student of the University. Exact solutions are scarce in Dr M D Fotherby The cost to other Bulletin readers is either £5 or £10. realistic applications. Accurate approximate solutions are difficult Effect of weight loss on regression of Departments wishing to take a page or more in the Bulletin can to construct due to the highly left ventricular hypertrophy do so at a cost of £50 per page exclusive of Graphics charges. localised features characteristic of £567 (supp) Glenfield Hospital Pat Bone, Press & Publications Office (0116 252 2415, email: such systems. The project will Charitable Fund [email protected]) will be pleased to receive develop efficient approximate advertisements. solution methods for such MICROBIOLOGY & problems, based on the finite IMMUNOLOGY element method. Dr C R A Hewitt PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY ● In the December issue of the £73,550 E P S R C Research Fellowship Prof D Llewellyn-Jones £121,828 Midlands Asthma Comparative & synergistic study of Bulletin the following: MEDICINE & THERAPEUTICS & Allergy ATSR-2’s and the vegetation Prof D P De Bono Research Association system’s response to changes in PSYCHOLOGY Telomere lengths & vascular cell vegetation cover - Phase I Dr D Hargreaves ONCOLOGY behaviour £8,129 Centre National Music & consumer behaviour Prof W Steward Doctors often tell patients they D’Etudes Spatiales Bioequivalence study of are as old as their arteries. Recent SURGERY Should have read: capecitabine (RO 09-1978) protocol PSYCHOLOGY advances in Cancer Research have BP 15572 Prof P R F Bell Dr D Hargreaves / Dr A North suggested that each cell in the £7,500 Roche Products Renal transplant fellow body has a kind of biological clock Ltd £46,468 (supp) Leicestershire Music & consumer behaviour or mileometer called a telomere, General Hospital ONCOLOGY which records the number of Many apologies for this error, times that cell has divided. As the Prof W Steward Research Office number of divisions increases the Audit of colorectal cancer cell grows old and when a certain £3,604 (supp) Leicestershire Health number has been reached it will PATHOLOGY probably die. Cells in the walls of Prof I Lauder blood vessels may vary in their Salary costs for Dr Hussa in Baden relative age according to the £39,000 Leicester amount of stress and damage to Haematology which the vessel has been Research Fund subjected. This may be important PATHOLOGY in determining the onset of Dr J H Pringle coronary artery disease and also in Prof I Lauder deciding the most appropriate form of treatment. We propose Studies on the induction and regulation of cell death in lymphoma to use a new technique to and leukaemia measure the age of cells in blood £60,000 Pilgrim Health NHS vessels and thus to try to predict Trust (Boston their behaviour. We shall study Leukaemia and telomere length in human vascular Cancer Fund) specimens obtained during cardiac PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY surgery. Differences in replicate Dr R E Cole age of vascular cells may explain Alkali halide why patients respond in different deposition/performance tests for ways to vascular interventions. MCP detector assembly Relating the telomere lengths of £4,285 Nova Scientific Inc. cells in adult vessels to the telomere length of cells that behaved in a particular way in vitro PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY should also give insight into the Dr R E Cole ways in which in vitro observations Technical support services can be applied to clinical £455 Nova Scientific atheroma. Inc. £21,000 British Heart Foundation
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NOTICES
DESIGN-A-CARD COMPETITION Engineering Medicine and health care Members of the University are invited Safety or environmental studies to submit images suitable for use on Science and technology University Christmas and greetings Fellowships in the categories listed above are for cards. Designs, featuring either a two years, with the exception of medicine and University image or clearly identifiable healthcare, in which three-year Fellowships are as the University, can be in any offered. Fellowships are tenable from October 1998. medium. Name, department (if Applications are sought from candidates intending applicable) and home address should to pursue research at UK institutions. Applicants appear on the back of the entry. must hold a PhD or MD qualification awarded within There is no limit to the number of the past four years, and Fellowships are not open to entries per person. candidates holding academic posts at universities, or From entries received, equivalent positions at other research establishments. three designs will be Only in exceptional circumstances will applications be selected by the judging considered from candidates who are over 35 years of panel. Each winner will age. The awards will provide an appropriate salary for receive publicity and a £25 the full duration of the Fellowship. book token as a prize. Further details and application forms, for which an A4 Entries should be sent to stamped addressed envelope, marked ‘Post-Doctoral’ is Barbara Whiteman, Press required, can be obtained from the Secretary, Lloyd’s of & Publications Office, not London Tercentenary Foundation, Lloyd’s, One Lime later than Friday 26 June. Street, London EC3M 7HA. The closing date for The results of this completed applications is Friday 27 March. competition will appear in the October issue of Bulletin, after THE ROYAL SOCIETY which unsuccessful entries can be 6 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG collected from the Press & Publications Office. Thursday 12 February The Croonian Lecture: The University reserves the The Role of Reversible Protein Phosphorylation in right to use the images selected Human Health and Disease for promotional purposes. Professor Philip Cohen Profits from the sale of cards (to be repeated at the University of Newcastle on will go to CONTACT (Leicester Wednesday 18 February) University Students’ Community Action Group). Wednesday 18 February and Thursday 19 February Discussion Meeting: The Molecular Basis of Signal Transduction in Plants LEICESTER POETRY SOCIETY Organized by Professor Nam-Hai Chua, Dr Alistair Hetherington, Dr Richard Hooley and Professor Robin Irvine Adult Open Poetry Competition To register for the Discussion Meeting, contact the Science This competition, which is to be adjudicated by Anne Stevenson Promotion Section, The Royal Society, 0171 839 5561, ext (whose Selected Poems have recently been published, and who has 2574/2575 (email: [email protected]). written a biography of the poet, Sylvia Plath), offers prizes of £200, £100, £75 for first, second and third places, plus a Leicestershire Award of £50. All winning and commended poems will be published in the Society’s 1998 Anthology. DEGREE CONGREGATION Entry forms (closing date 30 April) and further details are available A Degree Congregation will be held on Tuesday 24 February at from the Competition Organiser, Leicester Poetry Society, 15 3.00 p.m. in De Montfort Hall, at which higher degrees in the Braunstone Avenue, Leicester LE3 OJF. following Faculties will be conferred: Faculty of Arts Faculty of Science LLOYD’S OF LONDON TERCENTENARY FOUNDATION Faculty of the Social Sciences Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships Faculty of Law Lloyd’s of London Tercentenary Foundation is a charitable trust. Its’ Faculty of Medicine principal objective is the advancement of medical, scientific, technical Faculty of Education and Continuing Studies and business-related education and research. In support of this objective, the Trustees intend to award a limited number of Research Fellowships (probably not more than three) in the following categories:
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NOTICES
Tuesday February 10 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY School of Modern Languages Research Seminar: French Identity: the Position of the “Harkis”. Geraldine Enjelvin, Nene College. 4.30 pm. A MORE COMPRHENSIVE LIST OF EVENTS Attenborough 909. IS AVAILABLE ON CWIS Tuesday February 10 Leicester Early Modern Seminar: Running the hospitals: Institutional INAUGURAL LECTURES charity and employment in early modern Italy. Brian Pullan, University of Tuesday February 10 Manchester. 4.30 pm. Octagon Room, The Gatehouse (Chaplaincy Mantle Plumes: Implications for the Evolution of theEarth.. Centre, University Road). Refreshments served. Everyone welcome. Professor Andrew Saunders, Professor of Geochemistry. Tuesday February 10 5.30 pm. Lecture Theatre 1, New Building. Department of Geography Research Seminar: Soil and climatic change: A view from the Great Wall of China. Dr Rob Kemp, Department of Tuesday February 17 Geography, Royal Holloway. 4.30 pm. Seminar Room F75a, Department Mathematics - Art or Science?. of Geography. Professor Rick Thomas, Professor of Mathematics and Computer Tuesday February 10 Science. 5.30 pm. Lecture Theatre, New Building. Leicestershire Classical Association Meeting: The Image of Women on later Roman and early Christian Sarcophagi. Dr Janet Huskinson, Open Tuesday March 3 University. 5.15 pm. Attenborough Building. Babies, Bags of Sugar and the Art of the Possible. Professor David Field. Professor of Neonatal Medicine. Wednesday February 11 5.30 pm. Lecture Theatre 1, New Building. Department of Economic and Social History Lunchtime ‘Brown Bag’Seminar: Conceptualising social action as ‘resistance’ in the study of Tuesday February 10 colonial history. Clare Anderson. 12.45 pm. Attenborough 802B. All Chaplaincy Lecture 1998: welcome. Please bring your sandwiches/coffee etc. Offers to lead God in the University. discussion or organise a session during the Summer Term will be gladly David Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity, University of received. Please contact Huw Bowen ext. 2883 or email [email protected] Cambridge. Wednesday February 11 5.15 pm. Lecture Theatre 3, New Building. Lunchtime Concert: Student Recital. 12.45pm 10th Floor, Charles Wilson Building. Thursday February 26 Wednesday February 11 Convocation Lecture: School of Archaeological Studies Seminar: Floodwater farming in the Comedy in Television. Wadi Feynan, southern Jordan. Professor Graeme Barker. 4.30-6.00 pm. Derek Nimmo (Actor, Producer and Author). S207 Attenborough Building. 8.00 pm. Lecture Theatre 1, New Building. Admission Free. All Welcome. Refreshments afterwards. Wednesday February 11 Leicester University Chaplaincy Forum: Cultural Pluralism and Asian Wednesday February 4 Identities in Britain. Dr Gurharpal Singh. 5.15 pm. Octagon Room. Concert: Juliet Edwards (piano), Chi-Yu Mo (clarinet), Emma Bell Students, staff and members of SICUL are invited. Short presentation (soprano). Schubert, Ireland, Barber, McCabe. 12.45 pm, Richard followed by refreshments and discussion. (£1 charge to cover Attenborough Centre. refreshments and publicity for the series).
Wednesday February 4 Wednesday February 11 Evening Concert: Lindsay Series. The fourth in a series of six concerts University Women’s Club: The British Garden in India. Dr Judith given by The Lindsays. Haydn, Tippett, Dvorak. 7.30 pm. Fraser Noble Roberts. 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm. Charles Wilson Building. Building, London Road. Ticket information from Margaret Rose on 0116 Saturday February 14 252 2781. Evening Concert: Voces Intimae Quartet. Beethoven, Szymanowski, Thursday February 5 Dvorak. 7.30 pm. Fraser Noble Building. Department of Economics Staff Seminar: The economic causes and Tuesday February 17 consequences of civil wars. Professor Paul Collier, University of Oxford. School of Modern Languages Research Seminar: Authors and Print 4.30 - 6.00 pm. New SR 324. Publication in Renaissance Italy. Brian Richardson, University of Leeds. Thursday February 5 4.30 pm. Attenborough 909. The Geographical Association - Leicester Branch. Meetings joint with Wednesday February 18 Department of Geography. Problem Coasts of Europe - processes and Lunchtime Concert: Margaret Fingerhut, piano. Bach, Debussy, Poulenc, impacts through case studies. Dr David Brew, British Geological Survey. Granados. 12.45 pm. 10th Floor, Charles Wilson Building. 7.30 pm. Bennett Building. Non-members welcome.
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NOTICES
Wednesday February 18 Wednesday March 4 School of Archaeological Studies Seminar: Metals make the world go School of Archaeological Studies Seminar: Ethnoarchaeology and round: northern Italy in the Bronze Age. Mark Pearce, Nottingham. pastoralism in eastern Spain. Joan Segui & Paul Beavitt. 4.30-6.00 pm. 4.30-6.00 pm. S207 Attenborough Building. S207 Attenborough Building.
Thursday February 19 Wednesday March 4 Department of English Local History Seminar: The End of a Great Estate: Leicester Physics Centre Lecture: Philosophies of Science and of the Honor of Grafton in the Twentieth Century. Dr Philip Riden, Nene Technology. Professor Paul Gostelow, Department of Engineering. 7.30 College of Further Education. 2.15 - 4.00 pm. Seminar Room, Marc Fitch pm. Lecture Theatre A, Physics Department. House, 5 Salisbury Road. Saturday March 7 Saturday February 21 Evening Concert: Helix Ensemble. Gibbon, Martinu, Jones, Evening Concert: Margaret Fingerhut, piano, Proteus Chamber Mendelssohn. 7.30 pm. Fraser Noble Building. Orchestra. Sibelius, Greig. 7.30 pm. Fraser Noble Building. Tuesday March 10 Tuesday February 24 School of Modern Languages Research Seminar: The Literary Canon: its Leicester Early Modern Seminar: The Two Queens’ Bodies: Saints and Origins, its Peculiarities, its Uses. Professor Richard Littlejohns. 4.30 pm. Heralds in Royal Funeral Ritual. Dr Philip Lindley. 4.30 pm. Octagon Attenborough 909. Room, The Gatehouse. Refreshments served. Everyone welcome. Tuesday March 10 Tuesday February 24 University Women’s Club: Older Mothers. Dr Julia Berryman. 7.30 pm Department of Geography Research Seminar: Madness, memory, time for 8.00 pm. Charles Wilson Building. and space: a nineteenth-century imaginative geography. Professor Chris Philo, Department of Geography and Topographic Science, University of ADVANCE NOTICE: Glasgow. 4.30 pm. Seminar Room F75a, Department of Geography. Wednesday March 18 Sternberg Lecture Series: Sir Sigmund Sternberg, The Value of Interfaith Wednesday February 25 Dialogue. 5.15 pm, Rattray Lecture Theatre 1. For further details, phone Department of Economic and Social History Lunchtime ‘Brown Bag’ 0116 252 2800. Seminar: The wages of whiteness, the costs of blackness: race as a tool for historical analysis. Nahfiza Ahmed. 12.30 pm. Attenborough 802B. All welcome. Please bring your sandwiches/coffee etc. SMALL ADS Wednesday February 25 Lunchtime Concert: Kenneth Page, violin. James Walker, piano. Dvorak. IN AID OF THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION 12.45 pm. Charles Wilson Building. Western Line Dance
Wednesday February 25 Friday 27 February, 8.00 - 11.30 pm School of Archaeological Studies Seminar: The demography of classical GEC Marconi, Scudamore Road, New Parks Greece: numbers and models. Graham Oliver, Liverpool. 4.30-6.00 pm. Tickets and further information from Pam Thornett (0116 252 2611) S207 Attenborough Building. Wednesday February 25 SENIOR COMMON ROOM University Women’s Club: Annual Dinner. Speaker: Dr Mary Stott. Members are reminded that the Senior Common Room 7.30 pm for 8.00 pm. Charles Wilson Building. subscription of £11 will be deducted from this month’s salary. Wednesday February 25 Anyone who wishes to withdraw from the SCR should contact Evening Concert. Lindsay Series. The fifth in a series of six concerts Mrs Janice Lydall, Estates and Buildings Office (Extension 2506). given by The Lindsays. Haydn, Tippett, Dvorak. 7.30 pm. Fraser Noble Building, London Road. Ticket information from Margaret Rose on 0116 252 2781. GENUINE BARGAIN : ACCOMMODATION Saturday February 28 SAVE OVER £2,000! REQUIRED Evening Concert: University Singers & Proteus Chamber Orchestra. Peugeot 106 XL 1.6 Automatic A visiting American Senior Handel’s Athalia. 7.30 pm. St James the Greater, London Road. 3-door hatchback, power Researcher and his wife would Tuesday March 3 steering, remote central locking & like to rent a furnished flat near School of Modern Languages - Annual Modern Languages Lecture: airbag. As new - P-reg, but driven the University of Leicester from Speaking Proper: the Grammar of Everyday Conversation. Michael less than 800 miles April 1998 for 6 months. McCarthy, Nottingham University. 5.15 pm. Attenborough Lecture (elderly lady owner). If you able to help, please Theatre 1. Open to all. Cost £10,460 - Now selling for contact Sarah Laband, £7,995! Department of Genetics. Wednesday March 4 Tel: Ext 3641 (10 am - 2 pm) Tel: 0116 252 3379 Lunchtime Concert: Phillip Gillbert, piano. Amanda Pyke, mezzo- or 01664 424699 (evenings) or Fax: 0116 252 3378 soprano. Poulenc. 12.45 pm. 10th Floor, Charles Wilson Building. 0116 9363423 (weekdays) email: [email protected]
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A.O.B A WAY WITH WORDS
I am surrounded by novelists and novelists manqué. Everywhere I turn Faber was only a semi-colon away. another one pops up. For instance, on reading the latest alumni I will track down Mike’s books and read them. Needless to say, I magazine from my old college, Royal Holloway, I desperately want them to be unmitigated rubbish. The other published came across the following entry from one of my novelist I know has produced contemporaries (I’ll give him a nom de plume, as three novels, two seems appropriate): ‘Mike Courgette: (BA of which I have History). Since graduating from RADA, Mike has read and both of made numerous television appearances and his which are far from second novel is about to be published by Hodder rubbish (damn!). and Stoughton’. His second novel, for goodness Tim Willocks (his sake. Not a slim volume of poetry languishing real name as I’m not unpublished in a drawer somewhere, not a going to say anything couple of articles in his university magazine but nasty about him) was a novel, nay, two novels! When I knew him ,he the older brother of was a rather diminutive, muscle-bound my school friend Pete. Mancunian ,with a penchant for spot cover-up The Willocks family cream. Any literary inclinations were, shall we was characterised by say, not obvious. I, on the other hand, was an tall chunky males, with English student, steeped in the finest a passionate interest in traditions of Joyce, Conrad and Nabokov. In the films of John my cardigan and slippers, I would peck out Carpenter, the novels of stories on my manual typewriter and publish Steven King, the music them in the student magazine - surely a large advance from Faber & of Johnny Cash and a lifetime subscription to the comic 2000AD. Many a Friday night was spent down at the cinema in Stalybridge, catching the latest X-rated bloodbath, terrifying ourselves before a bag of chips and the long walk home. At this time Tim was a flame-haired punk, glimpsed occasionally in between his medical studies; little did we know. As the jacket photo to his blockbuster novel about a prison riot, Green River Rising shows, Tim is now a pre-Raphaelite artist in a Savile Row suit. His books are hugely cinematic and apparently Green River Rising is currently being filmed in Hollywood. Rumoured to have dated Madonna (I’m not making this up), Tim manages to combine his writing with his ‘proper job’ as an addiction expert. It is rather spooky to read something by someone you have known and whose cultural adolescence you shared. And it makes me wonder why I haven’t produced a similarly feted piece of literature. While I was pondering on that, insult was added to injury. A week ago, my colleague here announced that she was a quarter of the way through her novel and is writing 1,000 words a day. Will no-one rid me of this plague of novelists?
Peter Allen
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Bulletin competitions are open to all readers except those involved in its production. Photocopying this page for entry purposes is permitted. Only one entry per person. CROSSWORD
PRIZE CROSSWORD 21 by Seivador THE SENDER OF THE FIRST CORRECT ENTRY PICKED IN THE DRAW WINS A THREE-COURSE LUNCH FOR TWO IN THE CARVERY. THE SENDER OF THE SECOND CORRECT ENTRY PICKED IN THE DRAW WINS TWO TICKETS TO A FILM EVENT AT PHOENIX ARTS.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Clues Across 1. A familiar step unsettled Daddy (13) 8. Curl a tinkle, so to speak (7) 8 9 9. Expensive soak (5) 10. Therefore undergoing section (4) 11. Don gives old coin in return for fish-eggs (8) 14. Sharp price for salt (8) 10 11 12 15. Maybe university’s official chapter-heading (4) 13 17. Speaker’s alternative introduction, before and after - about time! (6) 19. Furtive female to go about giving charity, for one (6) 14 15 21. A representative little devil (3) 22. Micawber did hang after series of deliveries (9) 16 23. Compassionate, like smitten dervish? (13)
17 18 19 Clues Down 1. One who’s upset if not precise, to a tee (13) 20 2. It’s great to be flying about - an American bird (7) 21 22 3. Manage to draw the line (4) 4. Cure worked into date (8) 5. Bug member of party (6) 6. Freeze cold that’s outside (3) 23 7. Managed smashing fiancée (13) 12. Therapy’s right: sick team under canvas (9) 13. Say, would protection be afforded by O.E. escort? (8) 16. Out East is not taken by Noël’s Englishmen? (6) EYE SPY COMPETITION 18. When to enclose the tree (5) 20. Some dame should become engaged (4) DOES this ring any bells? If it does, send Winner of Prize Crossword No. 20: a note of its location H P Marsden, Finance to Barbara Whiteman, Press & Publications, by Entries (in a sealed envelope - clearly marked) to Monday 16 February. PRIZE CROSSWORD COMPETITION, A £15 book token PRESS & PUBLICATIONS OFFICE, FIELDING JOHNSON BUILDING. will be awarded to the winner, following BY NO LATER THAN NOON ON MONDAY 16 FEBRUARY a draw from correct NAME: ______entries received. The picture was DEPT: ______taken by the Central Photographic Unit. EXT. NO: ______
PRIZE DONATED BY LEICESTER UNIVERSITY BOOKSHOP PRIZES GIVEN BY LEICESTER UNIVERSITY CATERING SERVICES & PHOENIX ARTS
WINNER OF LAST MONTH’S COMPETITION Anne Hunt, Library PRIZE CROSSWORD 20 SOLUTION January’s photograph featured the grill cover to the drain at the base of Across: 6 Stymie. 8 Plover. 9 Wake. 10 Terrapin. 11 Antimacassar. the water feature outside the 13 Onomatopoeia. 15 Colorado. 17 Kale. 18 Ersatz. 19 Nosing. Library building. Down: 1 Strain. 2 Impetigo. 3 Spermatozoon. 4 Coma. 5 Denier. 7 Extravaganza. 12 Stockist. 13 Odours. 14 Island. 16 Opal.
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