Business School of the Year Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU

Issue 9 Forecast: A Bright Future NORTHUMBRIAUNIVERSITY NEWS PAGE Working with the best in the business 4 Find out more about some of the world’s biggest names who are taking the time to work with Northumbria’s students. Northumbria’s business school named the best in the UK! Northumbria University’s Newcastle Business School has been named the best business school in the UK by the Higher Education sector’s leading publication.

he Business School of the They added: “Following an Year title has been awarded eight-year strategy that involved to Northumbria University a major redesign of the School... The clear focus at the annual Times Higher including creating undergraduate on excellence in TEducation Awards ceremony. and postgraduate programme goals, Judges praised Newcastle Business establishing research-rich and ‘‘terms of student School for undertaking a major review industry-relevant course content, experience, graduate of its courses to ensure they meet the working with employers to create needs of a modern business education, a strong curriculum focussed on employability and saying this was a significant reason ethics and employability... the School partnerships with

for its success in the category. This saw a 41% increase in internship approach also helped the School to opportunities and now has the largest businesses and

achieve the elite double accreditation suite of programmes in the UK professors around by the Association to Advance accredited by the Epas scheme.” the world has ‘‘ Collegiate Schools of Business. This Professor Kevin Kerrigan, Executive prestigious double accreditation has Dean for Newcastle Business School, built a culture of been achieved by less than 1% of said: “Winning such a prestigious innovation institutions worldwide. award is further evidence of the Times Higher Education stated: transformation of Newcastle Business and success. “The fact that their review involved School over recent years. The clear fairly fundamental changes across all focus on excellence in terms of student Professor Kevin Kerrigan, aspects of the school made it even experience, graduate employability Executive Dean, Newcastle more notable. Crucially, it was able to and partnerships with businesses and Business School quantify the impact of the changes in professors around the world has built a terms of staff development, student culture of innovation and success.” Awards host, comedian Rory Bremner, with Professor Kevin Kerrigan and Dr Atul Chauhan mobility and employability, and TURN TO PAGE 2 from Amity University, sponsor of the award. accreditations.”

University Driving research Graduate INSIDE INSIDE Gallery activity forward entrepreneurs re-opens making their mark 8 12 18 NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS CONTENTS Building a bigger, NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS better library – from 9 10 the basement up! A dynamic social learning space has opened in the basement at Northumbria’s City Campus Library – already the second highest rated university library in the UK, 23 22 alongside Cambridge. Northumbria University News takes a look at this outstanding new space which is already proving very popular with students…

ollowing successful upgrades has doubled in size, with 100 extra online and print collections in a to learning spaces at the study spaces and eight bookable study technology rich, professionally Coach Lane and City Campus rooms. It also boasts large plug- supported, 24/7, customer service Libraries over the last few and-play screens and lockers. These excellent environment. Student Fyears, the refurbished basement was combine to complement the existing feedback was immediate and News 1 – 3, 7 – 10, 28, 32 – 33 created as part of Northumbria’s move range of facilities and specialised remains overwhelmingly positive; towards developing a world-class services available across the nine we look forward to further similar Feature: Working with Business 4 – 6 University Library for learning and floors at City Campus Library. These collaborations to ensure that our research. services include online reading students can access the leading edge Environment 11, 30 The learning design of the new lists and the Northumbria Skills library services that fuel excellence in Interview: George Marston 12 basement was directly informed Programme, which helps students to learning and research.” through student engagement and develop their writing, presentations The University will continue Research 12 – 15 feedback from surveys, including and research. to invest in its libraries both at the National Student Survey. Using Professor Jane Core, Director of City Campus and Coach Lane to Science 16, 27 this feedback and analysing library Student and Library Services, said: successfully build on its national Business 17 – 19 activity data, Northumbria’s librarians “Developing our University Library ranking as the UK’s second highest developed new insights into student learning space is critical in ensuring rated library alongside Cambridge. Feature: Best of Conversation 20 needs which revealed a demand for the powerful combination of library This transformation is part of ongoing Engineering 21 new types of learning space to support space, collections and skills that give improvements the University Library collaborative study. Interestingly, our campus based students a leading is making to support learning and Feature: Gender 22 – 23 research also discovered that while the edge and the opportunity to succeed research at Northumbria and create need for greater digital resources has at every level of study. an outstanding experience for its Creativity 24 – 25 increased, it has done so alongside a “This latest learning space design students. Society 26 sustained appetite for print collections embeds the deepest understanding and bricks and mortar spaces. to date of Library-led co-design for DISCOVER MORE Health 29 Delivered in partnership with learning with our students, to offer Law 31 Campus Services, the new basement integrated access to our outstanding northumbria.ac.uk/library Sport 34 – 36

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The annual Times Higher Education employ almost 950 staff and have a Awards are widely recognised as the combined turnover of £62.2 million. most prestigious award ceremony of Most of these businesses are based the higher education sector, attracting in the North East but are trading hundreds of entries every year, nationally and internationally. exemplifying the talent, dedication Newcastle Business School helps and innovation of individuals and and enables individuals to build teams across all aspects of university leadership, management and career life. potential. The School offers 70 Northumbria University was also courses at undergraduate, masters shortlisted for the Entrepreneurial and CPD levels, which are available University of the Year title for its work through full- as well as part-time to encourage students and graduates study, distance learning. They are to start-up their own businesses. delivered at Northumbria’s Newcastle Northumbria is now the number one and London campuses and via a range university in the UK for graduate of overseas partners in countries start-ups based on estimated turnover including Hong Kong, Singapore and fourth based on the number of and China. Bespoke executive jobs created by its graduate start-ups, development courses are also available according to the Higher Education for corporate clients. Business Community Interaction Survey. The University has supported DISCOVER MORE the development of more than 100 graduate companies since 2009 which northumbria.ac.uk/nbs Students enjoying the new Library basement Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU NEWS 3 International students give Northumbria the thumbs up Northumbria University has risen a staggering 26 places to be ranked 3rd he International Student Northumbria and Newcastle as people Barometer benchmarks the have been the friendliest they can be. in the UK for satisfaction levels among overseas students, according to experiences of international I’ve made – and am always making – the latest International Student Barometer survey. students studying in the UK. new friends through the volunteering TIt tracks and compares their decision- opportunities at the Students’ Union. This making, expectations, perceptions also helps me develop my skills.” and intentions from application to Northumbria’s Pro Vice-Chancellor graduation, which helps universities (International), Professor Jon Reast, make improvements that can benefit all said: “It is pleasing to see the sharp students. climb we have made as a university. This Almost one quarter of Northumbria’s result demonstrates just how successful 34,000 students are international. Students Northumbria is at attracting international from 131 countries study courses either at students – a fact endorsed by the results Northumbria’s UK campuses in Newcastle that come from the students themselves. and London, or via partner institutions in “These students return to their home their home countries. countries at the end of their studies Northumbria’s welfare and international and are ambassadors for not only advisers offer overseas students free, Northumbria, but also the North East confidential guidance and support on and for studying in England. The fact a wide range of issues surrounding that they are enjoying their time here at immigration, visas, working in the UK and Northumbria is a very positive indicator student finance. The Students’ Union also of how they will describe their time in provides a range of international, cultural the UK.” and religious societies, as well as the Northumbria University has over opportunity to meet new people and visit 180,000 alumni worldwide. They are based places of interest across the country. on every continent apart from Antarctica, Law and International Business although we do have academics student, Tanvi Rajadhyaksha, agrees undertaking research there! with the findings of the International Student Barometer. Tanvi, who came DISCOVER MORE to Northumbria from India, said: “I International students on Newcastle Quayside have loved my experience so far with northumbria.ac.uk/international The Queen honours Vice-Chancellor Northumbria University’s Vice-Chancellor has been appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Higher Education.

ince becoming Vice-Chancellor and Chief and the All Party Parliamentary Universities Governors, added: “Andrew has been instrumental Executive of Northumbria University Group. Regionally, he is an elected member of the in transforming Northumbria into a new kind of in 2008, Professor Andrew Wathey has CBI Regional Council, serves on the boards of the excellent university, equipped for the challenges transformed the University’s national and NewcastleGateshead Initiative and BALTIC Centre of the 21st century, and he has created an Sinternational prominence. for Contemporary Arts and is a Governor of environment at Northumbria that now demands Under Professor Wathey’s leadership the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. excellence in everything that we do. In the face University has more than doubled its research Professor Wathey said: “I am very honoured of national funding challenges he has led the capacity, moving from 80th to 50th in research power to be recognised in this way, but this award is University through a period of restructure and ranking – the largest rise of any UK university. The for the University as much as for me, and a real change to create a streamlined, flexible and vibrant number of highly-qualified students choosing to testament to the many successes that colleagues institution that will meet the increasing demands come to Northumbria has increased by over 50% at Northumbria have achieved in recent years. My of students and the needs of businesses for years and the University now ranks 34th in England for thanks go to all those – students, staff, alumni and to come. student entry standards. The Vice-Chancellor has partner institutions – who have played a part in “Furthermore, he has made a massive driven Northumbria’s economic, social and cultural Northumbria’s numerous attainments: many great contribution across the HE sector regionally, contribution to the North East and has led growth in things have happened here, and I feel certain we nationally and internationally, fuelled by his the University’s global activity, with developments in will see many more in the future.” determination that Higher Education should Indonesia and London. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Chancellor of transform both individuals and wider society. Alongside his responsibilities at Northumbria, Northumbria University, said: “I am delighted and The award of this CBE is a fitting recognition Professor Wathey serves on a number of national proud for Professor Andrew Wathey. It is a great of Andrew’s leadership, vision and contribution Professor Andrew Wathey CBE bodies and committees. He chairs the Student honour for all he has done and the contribution to the HE community at large.” Loans Company Stakeholder Forum, and is a he has made to both the University and the North Professor Wathey will be awarded his CBE board member of the Leadership Foundation for E a s t .” in March. DISCOVER MORE Higher Education, the Quality Assurance Agency Chris Sayers, Chair of the University’s Board of northumbria.ac.uk NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 4 FEATURE Outstanding Experience Working with the best in the business From Britain’s best-known journalist to the future Queen of England, Duchess of Cambridge diagnostic support to elite athletes, Northumbria students have been while aiding my professional development from a practical rubbing shoulders with some of the perspective. world’s biggest names in recent months. Being able to work with, and learn from, the lab’s the science team has Northumbria University News takes a look at some of the influential been invaluable in understanding people who have taken the time to meet with our students this academic the requirements of working year, and speaks to some of the students to find out how the experience as a scientist in a world-leading has inspired them… organisation and the quality that is demanded.” Sarah added: “Conducting Catherine McKinnell my PhD with the GSK Human Performance Lab has provided me ewcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell, who studied for a PhD student Lee Eddens with the Duchess of Cambridge with a unique opportunity to gain postgraduate degree in Law at Northumbria, met with students applied sports science experience Nwho were keen to find out more about working in Westminster. The ee Eddens and Sarah Browne, at the very top of their sport, in a world-class facility while I students were given an in-depth insight into the role of Parliament and its both doctoral researchers at including Olympic diver Tom complete my postgraduate studies. committees and had the chance to ask questions about the day-to-day life LNorthumbria, were given the Daley, F1 driver Jenson Button and “Providing in-depth sport science of MPs. royal stamp of approval when they golfer Rory Mcllroy. Working at support to elite athletes has The discussion covered a range of topics, from campaigning and debating gave the Duchess of Cambridge an the Human Performance Lab has complemented my academic work to social media. One of the topics which Catherine felt strongly about was exclusive tour of GlaxoSmithKline’s given them new techniques that while accelerating my professional gender inequality in Parliament. (GSK) Human Performance Lab. will improve the quality of their development. Working within a “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Northumbria,” said Catherine. “University The Duchess is an avid sports fan postgraduate research. multidisciplinary team has enabled study helped me develop a number of skills that I have used throughout my and was keen to learn how sport Lee, whose research interests me to learn from colleagues with working life, particularly the ability to take on a large amount of complex sciences can help to improve are the growth and increase of a range of experience while also information and communicate that to different audiences. The Law School has athletic performance. the size of skeletal muscle, said: learning new techniques within changed so much since my time here – the facilities are amazing and it has a Working in collaboration with “The studentship at the GSK and surrounding my research really professional feel about it. I particularly love the courtroom.” the research team at GSK, Lee and Human Performance Lab has area. This has enhanced my Elega Simpson, a second year Law student, said: “I found the Q&A very Sarah are currently involved with afforded me ample opportunities development as a well-rounded informative and relevant to my course – we are currently studying the the scientific support of athletes to help provide cutting-edge sports science practitioner.” constitution and will be moving on to judicial review later in the year, and politics plays a key role in these areas.”

Jeremy Paxman nown for his tough interview style, Jeremy Paxman met with students from Northumbria’s Journalism courses when he was Kawarded an honorary degree by the University in December. After joining the BBC’s graduate trainee programme, Paxman cut his teeth as a reporter in Belfast in the mid-1970s at the height of the Troubles. He then spent eight years as a current affairs reporter for Panorama and Tonight. In 1989, he became anchor of Newsnight – a post he held for 25 years – interviewing some of the biggest names in politics including Tony Blair, Boris Johnson and William Hague. Third Year Journalism and English Literature student, Dylan Bromley, said: “I was really pleased to be given the opportunity to meet one of the most well-known personalities in journalism. Jeremy Paxman was really eager to speak with us and answered all of our questions in great detail. “It was refreshing to see someone so well established in the journalistic field give his time to answer a small group of students’ questions. Was he how I imagined he would be? Well he wasn’t drastically different from how he is when you see him on TV or in an interview, and I think that it is good to know that the personality that he shows in front of the camera is the same as it is in everyday life.” Jeremy Paxman meets journalism students Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU Outstanding Experience FEATURE 5 Working with the The Tongan Rugby World Cup squad with Team Northumbria at Bullocksteads best in the business

Tongan National Rugby Team

hen Rugby World Cup fever gripped the North Second year Geography student, Charlie Burrowes, was could have gone to any other team and they came here East, students from Team Northumbria’s first one of the lucky students selected to train with the team. to us. W and second rugby union teams were invited for “Rugby was one of the reasons why I came here because “If you’d told me ‘come to Northumbria and you’ll play a friendly run-out by the Tongan rugby team. The Tongans I knew it was a fantastic sporting university and this just against a World Cup team’ I would have laughed, but were training in the University’s sports facilities ahead of characterises it,” he said. instead I rolled out of bed to play against a World Cup their game against New Zealand at St James’ Park. “We were asked to train with a World Cup side – they 2015 squad – it was an out of this world experience!”

George Clarke rchitect and well-known TV presenter, George Clarke, praised staff and students at Northumbria during a tour of the virtual reality AVisualisation Suite, part of the University’s Architecture and Built Environment facilities. George is Channel 4’s face of architecture and is best-known for his work on The Home Show, Restoration Man and George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. He wanted to be an architect from the age of 12 and after graduating, trained and worked with FaulknerBrowns in Newcastle, before joining world famous architect Sir Terry Farrell, working in both London and Hong Kong. In 2011, he set up his own practice. After a tour of some of the University’s built environment and design facilities, George said: “I think the whole Faculty is great. What I like is that the Faculty has strong connections with industry and real projects out there. A lot of architectural schools do theoretical pieces of architecture that just stay on paper and never get realised. Everyone involved in this University is trying to create real projects that are being planned and developed and built, so the students are constantly getting the chance to work on real-life project. I think this makes Northumbria very distinctive because there aren’t many other places that are doing it. Some of the universities that do real-life projects do it as a token gesture, but these guys are working on multi-million pound possible developments in the North East as part of their course, which is fantastic.” George Clarke meets architecture students and staff TURN TO PAGE 6 NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 6 FEATURE Outstanding Experience Working with the best in the business

Gennaro Contaldo ood Science and Nutrition graduate Joanna Lacey Joanna said: “Every programme that we run at Food is inspiring people about good food in her role Nation is so important as a starting point to creating Fas Director of Operations at Food Nation, a social a healthier community. It is also lovely being able to enterprise running the Jamie Oliver Ministry of Food continue working with the staff at Northumbria who cookery programme in Newcastle. For the past two taught me whilst I was there and be able to support the years, Northumbria students have competed against new students and hopefully inspire them to have an students around the country to secure a placement at interest in the public health field and food education.” the organisation, and third year Food Science student Placement student Emma added: “As part of my role I Emma Mould is the latest to join the team. often have to analyse recipes, and it’s great that I have Joanna and Emma worked with BBC2 TV chef had lots of experience in dietary analysis already. I have Gennaro Contaldo, who also regularly features in Jamie recently started delivering the cooking skills sessions, Oliver’s shows. They helped children from Walkergate which I love as it’s great to teach others about food and Primary School, in Newcastle, to prepare and cook fresh nutrition.” butternut squash pasta. Joanna Lacey and lecturers Carol Marshall and Julie Young with Gennaro Contaldo

Jane Cummings

ngland’s Chief Nurse, Jane Cummings, visited students have given me some really good examples Northumbria’s Clinical Skills Centre at its Coach of what they are doing and how the training they are ELane Campus, where courses in Healthcare and receiving has given them the confidence to be able Public Health and Wellbeing subjects are taught. to go out and care for people and to react to different Jane delivered a lecture to a packed theatre of scenarios, issues and needs of patients.” students in which she discussed the opportunities Third-year Children’s Nursing student, Emma arising for those in the nursing profession following Sebag-Montefiore, said: “Northumbria offers some the NHS’ Five Year Forward View, before taking amazing opportunities that I’m really grateful to have questions and answers from the students. experienced over the last three years. We felt really Jane met with staff and students representing inspired and motivated after Jane’s visit and it made Northumbria’s various nursing societies, saying: “It’s me really pleased to come into the profession. The really important for me to meet the nurses of the core of nursing will always be – as Jane said – about future and the students I’ve met have been absolutely care and compassion. That’s going to be a key theme Jayne-Anne delivering her public lecture at City Campus Event inspirational. From what I have seen, the facilities for throughout my career, and the career of future nurse education are very good at Northumbria. The nurses.” Jayne-Anne Gadhia Jane Cummings with Professor Kath hrough the University’s popular Public Lecture Series, students McCourt OBE, Executive Dean of Health heard from the Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Money, and Life Sciences and nursing students T Jayne-Anne Gadhia, when she delivered a lecture on banking, innovation and the Northern Powerhouse. Jayne-Anne, who is the most powerful female banker in Britain, led Virgin Money’s bid to acquire Northern Rock and was awarded a CBE in 2014 for her services to banking and the voluntary sector. “I was delighted to have been invited to share my thoughts on the responsibility that banks and businesses more generally have to make a real and positive difference to society,” she said. “Business can be a force for good and I passionately believe that great things can happen when people come together to create a positive outcome for everyone.”

Lord Hodge

ustice of the Supreme Court Lord Appeal Court and a Commercial Judge. He Hodge gave a lecture at Northumbria joined the Supreme Court in October 2013 JLaw School on fraud and its legal as one of its two Scottish Justices. consequences. Prior to his lecture, Lord Natalie Wortley, Principal Lecturer at Hodge met and spoke with law students, Northumbria Law School, said: “Some of helping to share his experiences and our students were able to meet Lord Hodge develop vital links between the Law School to talk about their current studies and and the Supreme Court. their future careers. This was an amazing Lord Hodge was admitted to the Faculty of opportunity for them. Three of our Graduate Advocates in 1983 and appointed a Queen’s Diploma in Law students, who are currently Counsel in 1996. From 1997–2003, he was a working on research projects involving part time Law Commissioner at the Scottish intellectual property law, presented their Law Commission. ideas to Lord Hodge and received valuable Prior to his appointment to the Supreme feedback. One of the students had been Court in April 2013, Lord Hodge was the researching a case that Lord Hodge had Scottish Judge in Exchequer Causes and one been involved in deciding, and it was of the Scottish Intellectual Property Judges. fascinating to hear His Lordship discuss He was also a Judge in the Lands Valuation some of the issues that it raised.” Lord Hodge (Centre) meeting students and staff at Northumbria Law School Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU NORTHUMBRIA NEWS 7 Fashion retailer ‘astounded’ by creativity of Northumbria students Northumbria fashion students have been praised after collaborating on an exciting live project with retailer Urban Outfitters, popular for its quirky clothing, accessories and home-décor items.

econd year Fashion students were asked Third year student Molly Marshall has just to develop a new artisan range for the returned to Northumbria following a year in retailer. This involved designing and industry within Urban Outfitters’ womenswear developing menswear, womenswear, design team in central London. Speaking about Stextile, and constructed knitwear designs that her experience, she said: “During my time at were all recently displayed in the School of Urban Outfitters I got to work closely with the Design’s exhibition space. design team which gave me a great insight into Northumbria Fashion graduates Lizzie working in the industry and for a major US brand. Dawson and Bekki Gregory now hold senior “I was able to build on my experience of positions at Urban Outfitters, working as Head working with a high street brief from my second of Womenswear Design and Senior Designer, year university project and, from my placement, respectively. They returned to the University I am taking forward flat drawing and design as part of the project to meet with the students skills, as well as an industry approach to design involved and offer professional feedback on development. It will be a great benefit for my their work. They also provided valuable real-life CV to enhance my employability in the future insights for students preparing to head into and I have made so many connections during their placement year in the fashion industry. the process.” Following the presentation, Bekki said: “Urban Northumbria University has offered fashion Outfitters were honoured to be part of such a courses for more than 60 years. Throughout the creative project. We were astounded by the level course, students undertake real-life projects and of craftsmanship and creativity showcased by spend a placement year working in industry with the students of Northumbria University. Work leading fashion names, before specialising in shown was beyond the years of experience womenswear, menswear, or textiles and knitwear gained. The level of detail and design was, in design. Graduates have gone on to work for areas, of professional level and the students’ a wide range of global brands such as Ralph understanding of the Urban core consumer was Lauren, Chloe, Tommy Hilfiger, Abercrombie & commendable. We as a company believe it is Fitch, Givenchy and many more. vital to invest time and energy into the future of the fashion industry and thoroughly enjoyed our involvement in this project from beginning DISCOVER MORE to end.” northumbria.ac.uk/fashion Pictured – designs by students Megan Morgan, Chanel Brown and Penny Gibbs Northumbria professor meets Chinese President on UK visit A Northumbria University business expert who advises the Government on UK-Chinese relationships met the Chinese President on his recent state visit to the UK.

rofessor Yu Xiong, of As part of the President’s state investment group SinoFortone has East businesses and as an academic I University is evidence of the city Newcastle Business School, visit, UK Trade & Investment helped secure £5.2bn in UK projects, am able to identify and help overcome council working together to increase was invited to meet President organised an event in Manchester said he will continue to work with the key barriers to help the UK the economic prosperity of the Xi Jinping as a result of for delegates from across the UK to North East stakeholders to help secure Government and this region develop region.” Phis work on investment and trade hear direct from senior members vital trade partnerships with China. solid relationships with China.” Northumbria University academics opportunities for the North East of Chinese companies about their “I can not only help identify Tom Warburton said: “It’s fantastic work with an array of organisations, region with Newcastle City Council. plans and potential opportunities opportunities in this region, but also that one of the UK’s leading experts bringing benefits to the region. These The Council has called on Professor or partnerships. Professor Xiong opportunities for the region and its on business negotiation with China include public sector, multinational Xiong’s expertise and has established was invited by Newcastle City businesses in China,” he said. “The is based here in the city and we’re organisations and small and medium relationships with key Chinese Council’s Director of Investment and £5.2 billion investment announced delighted that he joined us as part of firms, including the likes of the NHS, business partners to identify trade Development, Tom Warburton, to last year has been widely reported as Newcastle City Council’s delegation Nike, IBM, Nissan, Procter & Gamble and investment opportunities for the join him at the meeting. one of the largest investments from to Manchester. Newcastle is part and Unilever. North East with the world’s second Professor Xiong, who as non- China to the UK. I could help bring of the Northern Powerhouse and largest economy. executive director of Chinese trade and more investment to North our relationship with Northumbria DISCOVER MORE northumbria.ac.uk/nbs NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 8 NORTHUMBRIA NEWS ARTS University Gallery reopens with launch of three new exhibitions A triple-header of stunning new exhibitions by emerging artists helped officially reopen the University Gallery at Northumbria.

he re-opening of the University Gallery followed a review of all Northumbria’s exhibition Tspaces to bring the best of the art world to Northumbria and the best of the University to the world. Hope Stebbing and Oliver Perry’s exhibition Your World Tomorrow launched at the University Gallery, while current Warwick Stafford Fellow, Laurence Kavanagh, opened his show, October, next door at Gallery North. Meanwhile, Ross Hamilton Frew revealed exhibition, A Certain Distance, in the project space at Gallery North. Professor Keith McIntyre, Head of the Department of Arts, said: “One of the things that is really exciting about our galleries right now is that we’ve gone through a reshape, a refresh and Artist Hope Stebbing at the University Gallery a redefinition of what we do here. Our core business at the University is Northumbria is a leading player in Associate Dean of Business and these changes to the management of both within the University and the about research, teaching and learning, the North East cultural sector and Engagement for Arts, Design and the University’s exhibition spaces will wider North East community.” and as a consequence of that we’re is committed to investing in, and Social Sciences, Dr Heather Robson, help ensure Northumbria’s position as Northumbria entered the top 10 shaping exhibitions which talk about developing, new artistic talent. The said: “The review was part of the a leading centre for supporting – and universities in the UK for art and the kind of activity we do. University hosts the Woon Fine Art University’s ongoing continuous energising – both creative practice design ‘research power’ following the “For instance, in the University and Sculpture Prize, worth £40,000, improvement programme. Its aim was and academic study.” results of the Research Excellence Gallery we have work from which is equal in value to the Turner to establish how we could increase “We are now working on a Framework 2014. The University Northumbria’s Nueschloss art group offers a wide range of course across Prize. our public engagement with the programme of events and exhibitions and recent graduates Hope Stebbing for 2016/17 that will underpin and these disciplines. The University will also shortly arts and retain our strong cultural and Oliver Perry’s commission for support our core activities of research, announce the latest recipient of the commitment to the University, region Great North Run Culture, and next learning, teaching and business and £20,000 Warwick Stafford Fellowship and beyond. DISCOVER MORE door we’ve got the artist Laurence engagement. and has confirmed that The People “Ultimately, the purpose of the Kavanagh, who has been here for a “Over the coming months we’ll northumbria.ac.uk/arts year as our Warwick Stafford Fellow. Show competition will go ahead University’s gallery and collection is be working directly with students, “All these events provide a platform in 2016. The public competition to support teaching and research, and academic colleagues and our to showcase work, but also to embed it encourages images of people in any to enrich the student experience. By considerable network of partners to into our teaching and learning activity form of art and has a confirmed prize not losing sight of that purpose, and develop a programme of work that for our student community.” of £5,000. making sure it is consistently met, supports talent and creative practice

Art History lecturer, Dr Mark Jackson Warwick Stafford Fellow, Laurence Kavanagh Hope’s piece Together As One Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU BUSINESS NEWS NORTHUMBRIA NEWS 9 Ofsted rate Teach First programme as ‘outstanding’

An Ofsted inspection of a teacher training course provided each First is an independent charity always wanted to teach and Teach First seemed the working with universities to train perfect route for me,” she said. “I liked their vision by Northumbria University has been rated as ‘outstanding’ – inspirational students to teach in low of learning while doing the job and it seemed like an meaning the University has now held this rating for income communities. Northumbria is exciting way to get involved with teaching. I’ve loved TTeach First’s partner in the North East, working it. It was difficult at first but I’ve learned so much. 14 years. alongside schools from 12 local authorities between I definitely want to stay in teaching.” Amble and Darlington. Joanne Clifford Swan, Northumbria University’s After assessing Teach First’s provision in nine Director of Partnerships for Initial Teacher regions across the country, Ofsted inspectors Education, said: “It is especially pleasing that this praised the North East partnership with rating recognises the contribution the partnership Northumbria, stating that its “overall effectiveness… has made to raising attainment and aspiration in in securing consistently high-quality outcomes socially disadvantaged children in the region. We for participants is outstanding.” The high calibre continue to be at the forefront of innovative schools- of students and the close monitoring of their led teacher training and this recognition of our development through their teacher training was work with Teach First, schools and local authorities noted, as was the excellent quality of training reflects our very strong commitment to support and provided. drive high-quality teacher training in the region.” Their report stated: “The enthusiasm and high Northumbria’s education courses are the only levels of collaboration and cooperation in this courses in the UK to be ranked ‘outstanding’ by close-knit partnership are deeply rooted in positive Ofsted for a total of 14 years and are rated 12th in relationships, mutual respect, high expectations and the Sunday Times University Guide 2016. The Teach a shared vision and commitment to improving life First partnership is just one of the routes provided chances for children and young people in the North by the University to support people into teaching East region.” careers. A number of other courses are available at Twenty-three year-old Rachel Wilson is a newly- undergraduate and master’s levels. qualified maths teacher based at The Blyth Academy in Northumberland. She took part in the Teach First North East partnership and praised the course. “I DISCOVER MORE Paul Green (Teach First) with teacher Rachel Wilson and Joanne Clifford Swan at The Blyth Academy northumbria.ac.uk/education

International art world beckons for Northumbria graduate Artist Joanna Hutton has been invited to exhibit at a prestigious European exhibition less than a year after graduating from Northumbria University.

oanna is a graduate of the BxNU edition of EVA International. I applied and Turner Prize-nominated artist Since graduating from the course, Master of Fine Art course, which for the opportunity straight after Christine Borland. It houses a network Joanna has been working as an is delivered in partnership with completing my Master of Fine Art at of internationally active artists, Associate Fellow at Paper Studio BALTIC Centre of Contemporary BxNU, proposing the work I made for academics and curators who provide Northumbria, a unique facility J Art. Following a rigorous application my final show. It is a great opportunity world-class teaching and mentorship for teaching and research in the and selection process, she has been for me to be involved in such a in fine art practice and research. use of paper in relation to fine art, selected to exhibit with an elite prestigious event and I feel privileged Professor Borland said: “We are conservation and archiving. group of artists at EVA International, to have been selected.” delighted to see alumni from our first Northumbria’s Art and Design is Ireland’s biennial of contemporary art, Developed in partnership with graduating cohort amongst the stellar ranked the UK top 10 for research in April. BALTIC, Northumbria’s two-year list of artists participating in this year’s power following the results of the Since its foundation almost 40 years Master of Fine Art course offers EVA International. Joanna will exhibit most recent Research Excellence ago, EVA International has worked ambitious artists the opportunity to her piece from the graduating exhibition Framework. with some of the world’s leading artists participate in a unique postgraduate Milkilling held in the project space EVA International’s exhibition, Still and curators, bringing outstanding degree programme. Centred on the at BALTIC 39 last summer. We look (the) Barbarians, opens in Limerick on exhibitions to audiences on the west vibrant and dynamic studio culture of forward to following Joanna’s career and Saturday 16 April 2016. coast of Ireland. the BxNU Institute at BALTIC 39 in we’re sure she will be the first of many of Joanna said: “I am thrilled to have Newcastle’s city centre, the Institute our graduates to go on to international DISCOVER MORE Joanna Hutton’s artwork been invited to participate in the 2016 is directed by the BALTIC Professor art world acclaim.” northumbria.ac.uk/arts NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 10 NORTHUMBRIA NEWS FEATURE Ceremonial welcome for our new Chancellor Britain’s greatest Paralympic athlete, Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE, was given a cathedral welcome when she was inaugurated as the new Chancellor of Northumbria University.

he 11-times gold medal disability, health, welfare and youth Chancellor of Northumbria means winner also received an development. I continue to play a part in that, as Honorary Doctorate in Tanni said: “It’s a massive honour well as highlighting to the rest of the Civil Law during the for me to be made Chancellor of country – and the world – what a Tcolourful ceremony at Newcastle the University, and to have such great place Northumbria is.” Cathedral, in October. She became a wonderful inauguration. The Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice- Northumbria’s fourth Chancellor, ceremony was amazing. It was quite Chancellor and Chief Executive succeeding former Metropolitan emotional and I was made to feel of Northumbria, added: “It is just Police Commissioner Lord Stevens incredibly special. I hope that I can over ten years since we welcomed of Kirkwhelpington, who served the make every student who graduates a new chancellor, so this ceremony University with distinction for ten feel the same as I did. was extremely important and years. “However, for me it’s not just an opportunity for all of us at Tanni Grey-Thompson, who about the ceremony and the Northumbria, and our partners, to was born with spina bifida, has honorary degree – it’s about having celebrate the appointment of Tanni competed in five Paralympic Games an ongoing connection with the Grey-Thompson. Her record of and is acknowledged as one of University – with its students and achievements, in sporting and public the most gifted and courageous its staff. My dad used to always say life, is outstanding and I’m sure she sportswomen of her generation. to me, education gives you choices. will prove a true inspiration to our In addition to her outstanding When I was fifteen I thought he students and staff in the years ahead. Paralympic achievements, she won sounded really boring, until now Both personally, and on behalf of the London Wheelchair Marathon a when I realise he was absolutely the University, I would like to say total of six times between 1992 and right. One of the things that how much we are looking forward to 2002. Following retirement from attracted me to Northumbria was working with her.” athletics she has played a prominent how forward thinking the University role in public life, and was made a is. They are always looking at how DISCOVER MORE Dame for her services to sport in education is going to change and 2005. In 2010 she was elevated to the how they can do things better – and northumbria.ac.uk/news House of Lords as a crossbench peer that’s just how my sports career and takes an active part in debates, was. You’re constantly having to with particular focus on sport, reinvent yourself, so for me, being Tanni Grey-Thompson outside St Nicholas Cathedral

Tanni Grey-Thompson being inaugurated as Chancellor of Northumbria University Ceremonial procession departing from the Cathedral Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU ENVIRONMENT 11 Northumbria University takes a shine to solar energy Northumbria has taken significant steps to increase its use of solar energy to help reduce its carbon emissions.

he University has completed one of the largest installations of solar panels in Newcastle on the roof Tof its Sport Central facility and has also refurbished existing panels on Northumberland Building, which was the first in the UK to be fitted with a solar façade in 1995. The installation of 110 kW panels on Sport Central’s roof – known as a solar PV array – will save the University over 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) per year and £9,000 in electricity charges. This is the equivalent to the emissions made by ten houses. The panels will generate Damon Kent on the roof of Sport Central with the new solar PV array so much power that they will also provide the University with an income to provide the University with Damon Kent, Director of Campus as effectively and responsibly as of research into solar cells. The of around £8,500 per year by selling electricity for another 20 years. Services, explained: “As one of the possible. University is currently working on a surplus electricity back to the National The panels form part of the largest organisations in the region, “The installation of the new solar £2 million project to introduce Grid through the Government’s Feed- University’s ambitious carbon we are committed to environmental array at Sport Central, combined cheaper raw materials into the In Tariff scheme. management plan, which aims to sustainability to ensure that we are with the refurbishment of panels production of solar panels, making The 40 kW panels on reduce carbon emissions by 32.5% leading by example and encouraging on Northumberland Building, them less expensive and capable of Northumberland Building have also from their level in 2005 by the year new ways of thinking in our students will support this work meaning being mass produced. been fully cleaned and repaired after 2020. The University is currently and staff. As such, we have introduced that Northumbria can guarantee being in use for two decades. The assessing the viability of installing a a range of initiatives covering the it is saving over 50 tonnes of CO2 panels currently save the University 150 kW solar PV array at its Coach design and use of our buildings, as emissions each year.” DISCOVER MORE around 11 tonnes of CO2 per year and Lane Campus which, if viable, will save well as the procurement of our goods Northumbria University is one of the repairs will ensure they continue a further 60 tonnes of CO2 annually. and services to ensure we are working Europe’s leading institutes in terms northumbria.ac.uk/sustainability One million bottles saved from the bin Gym-goers have used Sport Central’s water dispensers more than one million times, saving an equivalent number of bottles from going to waste.

ater dispensers were installed in Sport courses and its 3,000 seat arena is home to the Newcastle Central in 2011 to provide gym members Eagles basketball team. During peak term times, more and visitors with free chilled water than 12,000 people visit Sport Central each week. before, during and after their workouts. Sustainability Advisor, Katie Ridley, said: “These WThe machines provide water for users own bottles and machines show the incredible difference that reusing can dispense refillable branded bottles, if required, for a items, such as water bottles, can make. Essentially, we small charge. Less than five years after their introduction, have saved the equivalent of one million containers from the machines have now broken the one million use waste bins or from ending up as litter – all this from just barrier. one building and in less than five years. Sport Central is the University’s £30 million facility for “Additionally, as it is mains-fed water it’s delivered sports, research and teaching. It boasts a gym, multi-use far more carbon-efficiently than bottled water, further sports halls, golf simulators, a 25-metre swimming pool, helping our efforts to improve sustainability together.” 40 metre sprint track and a climbing wall. Its teaching labs are used for nutrition, sport and exercise science DISCOVER MORE

Team Northumbria President Brogan O’Connor at one of Sport Central’s water dispenser northumbria.ac.uk/sustainability NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 12 RESEARCH The Big Interview: Professor George Marston Northumbria University News talks to the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research to find out more about how Northumbria’s success in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework is driving the University’s research activity forward. On the following pages, we take a look at some of our current research projects that are having a global impact.

Q: Can we begin by asking in the income we receive to conduct these multi-disciplinary research what is the Research Excellence research. In the year before REF, our themes to really develop further our Framework, and why is it so quality related research income was reputation, we’re going to find that important to universities? £3.1 million, and this year it has risen we’re bringing in really high-profile A: “The Research Excellence to £6.5 million. That makes a huge academics with excellent research Framework is commonly known as difference in terms of what we can do records. We expect to attract a REF. It is a periodic assessment of to drive research excellence and also number of early career researchers research quality in the UK’s higher in terms of attracting and recruiting in these areas, along with highly education institutions. REF happens internationally leading research experienced research leaders who can every six or seven years and gives a academics into the University.” really deliver for us in these areas.” strong indication of the quality of Q: What will Northumbria be Q: What will the introduction of research going on within individual doing with this additional income these new research themes mean for universities and within subject areas. for research? staff, students and stakeholders? It also drives the quality-related A: “It was very clear when I arrived A: “Increasing numbers of research income which universities here that there was excellence in Northumbria staff are becoming receive from the Higher Education various places within research involved in research. The first thing Funding Council for England.” across the University and that was that will be clear is that we are going Q: How well did Northumbria do confirmed in the REF, but we needed to be working in a much stronger in REF, and why? to be excellent and distinctive in collaborative research environment A: “We had a fantastic performance broad areas. As a result of our with a real change in research culture, in REF in terms of research power, increase in quality-research funding, critical mass in particular areas which was really what we were we will be working to drive multi- and new opportunities for staff and driving at. We jumped 30 places from disciplinary research that will students as these themes grow, which 80th to 50th in the research power deliver distinctiveness in a number is so important. rankings. of areas. These areas – which are “These new research strengths will “There were three key drivers behind known as our Multi-Disciplinary also bring significant benefits to our Northumbria’s success in the REF. Research Themes – are Humanities; students and external stakeholders. The first was strategy; the second Ideate; Integrating Health and Some of the world’s best researchers was investment; and the third was Social Care; Bio-economy; Extreme will be working at Northumbria focus. The strategy was part of Environments; Environmental Global because of our areas of expertise and the University’s major endeavour Justice; Future Engineering; and our growing reputation. This will to become research rich. The Digital Living. mean that our teaching is led by the investment was made through £18 “This will ensure we can provide a best academic brains and is informed million Strategic Investment Fund focus for investment in our research by the very latest in cutting-edge and we have also invested £6 million strengths and tackle difficult societal research. We will be working with in postgraduate research studentships problems. It will also ensure we businesses, industry and societal over the last few years. And of course, develop a really strong collaborative organisations on innovative new you can’t forget focus. It’s very easy environment to deliver the kind of projects in strategically important to take your eye off the ball, but we distinctiveness outside the University areas, such as science, engineering, didn’t. When you combine these that is so important in growing our technology and healthcare. three things with the commitment reputation.” “It will mean that Northumbria of the academics and the excellent offers a truly exciting and vibrant Q: How does success in REF support provided by Research and research environment that is creating and the introduction of multi- Business Services you have a real new knowledge which leads to the disciplinary research help recipe for success.” development of new understanding to improve the University’s and successful new products, Q: What has been the impact of the reputation? processes and services benefitting success in REF for the University? A: “We’re already starting to industry and society.” A:“As REF really drives the quality- see a change in perceptions of related research income that we Northumbria’s reputation which get from the Higher Education is enhancing our ability to attract DISCOVER MORE Funding Council for England, we internationally renowned academics have seen a significant improvement to the University. Once we’ve grown northumbria.ac.uk/research Professor George Marston, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH 13 Researchers use volunteers to support World War One project A global project to research the lives and wartime service of ‘Geordies’ in the armies of Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, and Canada during the First World War has been launched by Northumbria academics.

he Dominion Geordies in of the project will involve collecting will have the opportunity to learn the World War One project information. This will help us build a skills necessary to research these lost – funded by the Arts and comprehensive and fascinating insight ‘Geordie’ lives and to work with other Humanities Research into the stories of so many of the local researchers across the world. We are TCouncil – will consider the migration men and women of the North East confident that anyone who can take histories of ordinary men and who, having left their native land in the time to learn just a little about women who were born in the North the three decades or so before the the scale and impact of the war will East but fought in the armies of the war, found themselves volunteering to be encouraged to play a part in the Dominions. return and fight for the homeland in project.” People with an interest in the First the campaigns of the war across the Northumbria is one of the top World War are being crowdsourced world. By better understanding their 20 UK universities for historical to take part in the 12-month project. complex identities, we hope to get a research, according to the 2014 As ‘citizen historians’, they will be clearer picture of a fascinating aspect Research Excellence Framework. The encouraged to gather information of the First World War that has been University is part of the UK’s only for the research database in the UK almost completely forgotten. Centre for Doctoral Training in the and overseas. The project organisers “It will be an interesting and area of Heritage, which is also funded will use this information to produce challenging project to work on,” said by the Arts and Humanities Research a short film and write a number of Dr McConnel, “And we want to get Council. research papers. as many people as possible involved History lecturer, Dr James – from experienced researchers to McConnel, explained: “The first stage first-time historians. Participants

Who are the Dominion Geordies? The ‘Dominion Geordies’ are service men and women who were born in the North East and George Burdon McKean John George Huntly-Wood fought in the armies of Australia, New Zealand, Originally from Willington, County Born in Blyth, Northumberland, Newfoundland and Canada. Their individual Durham, McKean was a student at the and growing up in North Shields, stories will be at the heart of this project. University of Alberta when the war Huntly-Wood worked as a merchant broke out and served in the Canadian sailor before entering the medical Expeditionary Force. He was awarded profession. He trained at the Royal the Victoria Cross, the Military Medal Victoria Infirmary as a surgeon. When John Simpson Kirkpatrick and, after he was commissioned as an the war began, he was practicing as a Hailing from South Shields, he became the most officer, the Military Cross – making doctor in New Zealand and joined the famous ‘Geordie’ in any of the Dominion armies. him one of only a handful of people New Zealand Medical Corps. He died While serving with the Australian Imperial Forces, who have won all three and survived serving in Egypt. Kirkpatrick earned the nickname ‘the man with the war. the donkey’ after using a donkey to ferry his injured comrades to safety during the Dardanelles campaign. DISCOVER MORE

dominiongeordiesinww1.co.uk NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 14 RESEARCH The real ‘Ex Machina’: The future of artificial intelligence A Northumbria academic looking for the next breakthrough in artificial intelligence and machine learning has been praised for a trio of high-profile research publications.

rofessor Ling Shao, who joined research that will broaden their views.” Northumbria’s Department of Computer Professor Shao, who leads the University’s and Digital Technologies a year ago, Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence Group, specialises in computer vision, machine added: “In the future, researchers in this field will Plearning, pattern recognition, data mining, and try to understand how the human brain works and image/video processing. Professor Shao previously design artificial intelligence algorithms that have worked as a senior scientist for Pahilips Research the abilities close to a human being.” in Eindhoven and has recently published a series of Dr Hubert Shum, programme leader for articles in prestigious research journals, including Computer Animation and VFX, praised one rated in the top 3% in the field of artificial Professor Shao’s recent publications as well as the intelligence. achievements of the research team he leads. Professor Shao’s research team is working on Dr Shum said: “Northumbria has shown its great topics including facial age estimation, human potential in research, especially in the subject of activity recognition, deep learning, person computer science. Over the past few years, I can re-identification, cross-modal image retrieval, see that the academic profiles of staff members and image description using natural language. have dramatically improved. Our research team The team’s work informs teaching across the has made a significant achievement, and has department, ensuring students benefit from this made a name in the computer vision and graphics latest cutting-edge research. research circles. This enables us to attract further Professor Shao said: “What excites me about this research funding and create impacts in the fields.” field is that our research will lead to numerous Northumbria’s courses in Computer Science and applications related to our daily life such as video Digital Technologies are accredited by the British surveillance, security, robotics, internet search Computer Society, enabling graduates to progress and retrieval, and healthcare. Our research is to chartered status. directly related to some computer science courses at Northumbria and our students benefit through DISCOVER MORE research-led teaching and the state-of-the-art northumbria.ac.uk/research

Disaster resilience research ranked in UK top 20 Research from Northumbria University’s Disaster and Development Network has been ranked among the top 20 in the UK for its contribution towards global development.

ince its foundation in 2004, Academics in the DDN have and maintain their livelihoods. Our The most successful of these started in locations where HIV and AIDS has the University’s Disaster and been researching and facilitating work has included research and a resident cleaning initiative that has led to high numbers of orphans. Development Network (DDN) the implementation of disaster risk capacity building activities across reduced cases of diarrhoeal diseases This work – supported by the has influenced the disaster reduction strategies to improve 25 countries for local, national and from an estimated several thousand Economic and Social Research Sstrategies of local governments in community resilience in some of international organisations. This work per year to less than 50. Council, the Department for Southern Africa and South Asia, giving the world’s poorest communities. has gained international recognition, Through their work in Pakistan International Development and community groups a central role in risk Researchers have worked with and its findings have influenced and Nepal, Northumbria researchers the Natural Environment Research identification and management. The communities in Bangladesh, policies worldwide. To be ranked for have addressed the impacts of Council – has influenced the disaster network was the first, and for a long Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan global development impact among the environmental hazards in the strategies of local governments, time the only, UK university research and Zimbabwe to gauge ideas country’s top-performing universities, Himalayas. They have helped to helping to protect the livelihoods of group to be an official partner in the and perspectives on the risks they including Cambridge and University establish the first disaster and vulnerable communities residing in United Nations process to decide face. Using extensive surveys and College London, is a credit to staff at development-focused centre in disaster-prone regions. Northumbria’s a global agreement on disaster risk interviews, they found that community Northumbria.” both countries, which, with support contribution to this field is supported reduction. involvement is vital to supporting In Mozambique, the network’s from their respective governments, through its global MSc and doctoral Their efforts led to judges singling out local governments in identifying and studies into infectious disease risks integrated disaster reduction alumni and annual Dealing with their work from almost 7,000 impact managing disaster risks. found that community involvement activities with local communities. In Disasters conference. case studies submitted to the Research Professor Andrew Collins, who in disease control was more likely to Zimbabwe, their research found that Excellence Framework as one of the top leads the DDN at Northumbria, said: encourage local participation in risk supporting human-rights and giving 20 most impressive examples in the UK. “Disaster resilience is a critical part reduction. In response to the findings, children a central role in activities DISCOVER MORE The Framework assesses the quality of of sustainable development, helping local authorities set up community- were critical in building disaster- research of all UK universities. communities to recover from disasters centred disaster risk committees. resilient communities – particularly northumbria.ac.uk/ddn Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU RESEARCH 15 Antarctic ice at ‘point of no return’? Melting Antarctic ice caused by a warming ocean could raise global sea levels by three metres, research by Northumbria and Edinburgh universities suggests.

n the first study of its kind, scientists lost from areas below sea level, but not Northumbria’s research specialisms in carrying out fieldwork in the region on upland areas. The study, published in the Department of Geography. Research have assessed the landscape to Nature Communications, was carried out involves field based projects in cold regions determine how the West Antarctic ice by researchers at Northumbria University across the globe, including Antarctica, Isheet might respond to increasing global and the University of Edinburgh, alongside a range of high Arctic European and temperatures. The researchers were able to the Scottish Universities Environmental Canadian sites, New Zealand, the Alps, gauge how levels of ice covering the land Research Centre. It was supported by the Alaska and Chile. have changed over hundreds of thousands Natural Environment Research Council The Northumbria research group applies of years by studying peaks protruding and the British Antarctic Survey. original techniques to field data collection, through ice in the Ellsworth Mountains on Professor John Woodward, including ground-penetrating radar, new the Atlantic flank of Antarctica. Northumbria’s Associate Dean (Research borehole technologies, meteorological The team assessed changes on slopes and Innovation) in Engineering and monitoring, the use of unmanned aerial at various heights on the mountainside, Environment, co-led the study. He said: vehicles and terrestrial laser scanning. which indicate levels previously reached “It is possible that the ice sheet has passed These are applied, alongside cutting-edge by the ice sheet. They also mapped the point of no return and, if so, the big physical and numerical modelling, remote the distribution of boulders on the question is how much will go and how sensing and laboratory techniques, to mountainside, which were deposited by much will sea levels rise.” address fundamental questions in Earth melting glaciers. Chemical technology – Dr Andrew Hein, of the University of Systems Science. known as exposure dating – showed the Edinburgh’s School of GeoSciences, was Northumbria offers a range of courses age of rocks and how long they had been joint leader of the study. He added: “Our in Geography and is ranked top 30 in the exposed to the atmosphere. findings narrow the margin of uncertainty UK based on research power following The results indicate that during previous around the likely impact of the West the results of the Research Excellence warm periods, a substantial amount of Antarctic Ice Sheet on sea level rise. This Framework 2014. ice would have been lost from the West remains a troubling forecast since all signs Antarctic ice sheet through ocean melting, suggest the ice from West Antarctica could but it would not have melted entirely. disappear relatively quickly.” DISCOVER MORE This suggests that ice would have been Cold, ancient environments are one of northumbria.ac.uk/geography

xperts across a range of at Northumbria Law School, who co- areas including human organised the conference with fellow Gulf War at heart rights, international law, lecturers Dr Conall Mallory and Dr constitutional law, legal David McGrogan, said: “The timing Etheory and history spoke at the Iraq: is critical for a conference of this sort, Legal-Political Legacies conference, with the Chilcot Report due in June ahead of the forthcoming publication or July of this year. The conference of legal debate of the Chilcot Inquiry on the lessons brought together experts to look to be learnt from the conduct of the at the legacy of Iraq, which raises a Leading academics from across the UK travelled to Northumbria conflict. range of significant political concerns, University to discuss the legal and political consequences of military The controversial deployment from prime ministerial power to of British troops in Iraq in March international law and human rights.” action in Iraq between 2003 and 2011. 2003 raised a range of significant Dr Mallory added: “This conference political concerns at domestic and further establishes the University international levels. UK forces were as a powerhouse in relation to withdrawn in 2009, yet the legal and particular areas of research, bringing political legacies of this military action in academics from law, politics, continue, forming the backdrop to geography, history and art. It shows current events, such as the ongoing that the University is not just evolving conflict in Syria and Iraq. in one area but across a series of Running to two million words, Sir different areas.” John Chilcot’s comprehensive review Half of all research outputs in into the Iraq War will be completed Law at Northumbria were assessed in April 2016 and released in the as being either world leading or summer, after a team of officials have internationally excellent in the 2014 carried out national security checking. Research Excellence Framework, Its main focus is on the events leading with Northumbria’s Law School the up to the 2003 invasion, including most improved in the UK in terms of the legality of military action, the internationally recognised research intelligence employedand whether provision. former Prime Minister Tony Blair gave an early undertaking to the then US president, George W Bush, to DISCOVER MORE support the invasion. Rebecca Moosavian, senior lecturer northumbria.ac.uk/law Tony Blair speaking in America during the Iraq War. NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 16 SCIENCE RESEARCH Researcher redefines the rules of chemistry A Northumbria academic could have a significant he Lewis theory of chemical been telling our students that there “So far I’ve had a good response bonding was first published is a right and wrong way of writing to this research. My findings could impact on the teaching of chemistry after he in 1916 and features in all potentially hypervalent chemical lead to parts of textbooks being re- disputed a 99-year-old rule featured in all standard chemistry textbooks. It structures such as nitro groups. We written with existing treatments of Tstates that a nitrogen atom cannot continue to teach this convention hypervalency turned around. We’ve textbooks. have five covalent bonds, as this even though the theory behind it was been teaching this to generation after would break the ‘octet rule’ – a central shown to be wrong 25 years ago. I was generation so it’s quite an interesting part of the theory of hypervalency musing over this after discussing these situation for me to be in, knowing that which has been under dispute since problems in the classroom and decided my research could transform teaching the 1990s. to explore whether there was a way to in future.” After two years of research, Dr settle the controversy. Northumbria University offers an Marcus Durrant, a Reader in the “In science there is a lot of tradition extensive portfolio of courses across Department of Applied Sciences, and to challenge long-held ideas the chemical sciences, including has developed a new definition needs a lot of very detailed research Applied and Pharmaceutical of hypervalency that settles this work. Nevertheless chemistry is an Chemistry, which are professionally argument. His research, published experimental science, so testing new accredited by the Royal Society of in the Royal Society of Chemistry ideas by experiment is the final arbiter Chemistry. Student satisfaction in journal Chemical Science, was in an argument. After measuring the this area is very high, with almost all described as having “exceptional charges in over 200 molecules, I found courses achieving 90% satisfaction or significance for the foundations of that the pattern which emerged was above in the 2015 National Student chemistry.” the absolute opposite of conventional Survey. Dr Durrant, who specialises in wisdom. Although this came as quite teaching and research in computational a surprise to me at first, it allowed chemistry, teaches both undergraduate me to build a new definition for DISCOVER MORE and postgraduate students. He hypervalency based on the way things Dr Marcus Durrant explained: “For generations we have actually are. northumbria.ac.uk/chemistry

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NEW SCHOLARSHIPS* AND ADDITIONAL GOVERNMENT LOANS AVAILABLE * 100 scholarships subject to application and offer acceptance. Terms and conditions apply. For more information visit northumbria.ac.uk/vcscholarships WANT IT. MASTER IT. northumbria.ac.uk/masters Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU BUSINESS BUSINESS 17 Law students’ once in a lifetime opportunity in New York A fourth year law student has returned from New York after undertaking a placement within a well-established university law clinic.

iona Wharram, who studies Fiona said: “Observing an extremely future students to prioritise and try M Law (Exempting) Hons, well respected mediator handle a high their best in this important module. spent six weeks in New York profile case was inspirational and It can lead to securing a once-in-a- studying at the City University incredibly insightful. I’m extremely lifetime opportunity which will set Fof New York (CUNY) School of Law grateful to the CUNY School of Law you apart from many other students. and working in the Mediation Clinic. – and indeed to Irwin Mitchell and I feel honoured to have been the only Among the many highlights were Northumbria for the opportunity. The student from my year to have been weekly visits to both Brooklyn and experience has been life changing. I given this scholarship and would Queens Small Claims Court where she had the chance to live in New York strongly encourage students to do observed Professor Blaustone, the head City for six weeks and spend time well in the Student Law Office to of the clinic, mediate a federal case. at CUNY immersing myself in the have the chance of being awarded this Her placement was made possible American legal system.” placement.” with the help of a £1,000 Travel The scholarship is only awarded to Scholarship from Northumbria students achieving a high enough grade Law School, which was generously from the Student Law Office module match-funded through sponsorship studied in year three, and Fiona praised DISCOVER MORE by Newcastle-based law firm Irwin the advantages it has provided. She Mitchell. added: “I would strongly recommend northumbria.ac.uk/law Fiona Wharram Silicon Valley visionary Northumbria returns to Northumbria is hot in Mexico Silicon Valley venture capitalist Juliet de Baubigny returned to Northumbria Northumbria has recently signed a clutch University recently to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs. of partnership agreements with leading uliet graduated from universities in Mexico as it broadens its Northumbria with a business presence and profile in Latin America. degree in 1990 and started her career with Procter & Gamble rofessor Jon Reast, reputations and we are delighted J before going on to help build high- Pro Vice-Chancellor to have signed these mutually performance management teams at (International) was beneficial agreements with them. global companies, including Google invited to take part in We can enhance the learning and Amazon. Today, she is a Partner Pa Government-led delegation to experience of our students and at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Mexico with a number of Russell staff through reciprocal exchange (KPCB) – a leading California-based Group universities. opportunities. For example, many venture capital firm specialising in After meeting with Mexico’s of our International Business with helping entrepreneurs deliver world- President, Enrique Peña Spanish students study in Spain changing ideas to market. Nieto, Professor Reast signed during their course, but we know Juliet met with senior academics partnerships with Benemérita that many would like to go beyond and students from Newcastle Business Universidad Autónoma de Puebla Europe and this opens doors Juliet de Baubigny (left) with Business students School to discuss internship and (BUAP), and with Universidad for them in different regions of sponsorship opportunities for future Passing on advice to aspiring student the need to set our sights high.” del Valle de Atemajac (UNIVA), Mexico.” Northumbria students. She also entrepreneurs, she added: “Do what Northumbria University actively which will offer student exchange Northumbria University has attended a business generator session you are positive and passionate about, encourages students to take up opportunities, strengthen academic extensive links with universities where students from the School’s new and think big. Don’t underestimate the opportunities to work with businesses ties and encourage greater research worldwide, with partnerships in Entrepreneurial Business Management role technology plays – embrace it and through placements, internships collaboration and funding options. the Caribbean, Singapore, Hong degree pitched ideas to a potential learn the code. Also, be prepared to take and real-life projects. More than 560 BUAP, which has more than Kong, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. business client. risks. Remember, the best time to do employers sponsor students and almost 50,000 students and is the oldest The agreements build on others Juliet said: “I have been really this is when have just graduated and are 50 professional bodies accredit the and largest university in the Puebla in Mexico, including a well- impressed by how much Northumbria starting out – when you have nothing to University’s courses meaning many region of Central Mexico, while established 10-year relationship has developed and grown since I was lose.” students graduate with professional UNIVA is a large privately run with Universidad Iberoamericana here. As a prospective employer it has Professor Kevin Kerrigan, Executive accreditations in their chosen field. This and not-for-profit university in – one of the largest private also been extremely encouraging to see Dean of Newcastle Business School, said: has helped Northumbria to be rated Guadalajara, Eastern Mexico, an universities in Mexico – and just how enthusiastic and engaged the “Juliet’s journey from Newcastle Business seventh in the UK for the number of area where Northumbria believes with the National Autonomous students are, and in the way they work School graduate to Silicon Valley graduates in professional employment on it has an opportunity to extend its University of Mexico (UNAM). together in teams so collaboratively. visionary is an inspiration to our current permanent contracts. presence. It makes me very proud to have and future students. It all started with Professor Reast said: “Both DISCOVER MORE graduated from Newcastle Business her placement at Proctor and Gamble BUAP and UNIVA are leading DISCOVER MORE northumbria.ac.uk/international School, and it’s been a wonderful during her degree and shows the value of universities with international experience to come back.” student engagement with industry and northumbria.ac.uk/nbs NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 18 BUSINESS Graduate entrepreneurs making their mark on the business world

Northumbria University actively Since 2009, Northumbria has supported the ...and have encourages its students and graduates development of more than to start-up their own business and, as a a combined result, is the top rated university in the which now UK in this area*. Northumbria University employ almost turnover of News takes a look at some of the courses and schemes on offer to help our 100 1,000 entrepreneurial students… GRADUATE £62.2 *based on the estimated turnover of these businesses COMPANIES STAFF MILLION Setting business bright sparks on the road to success To ensure the next generation of movers and shakers are fully equipped for the highs and lows that will come with launching their own business, Northumbria University’s Newcastle Business School has developed the perfect platform.

he new 10-week they want to attend, Festibl. enables SPARKTANK course has likeminded people to meet and share been nurturing 11 budding amazing festival experiences that they entrepreneurs who want are currently missing out on.” Ttheir business ideas to become a Meanwhile, 22-year-old Toby Pease reality. The free course is jointly has launched North East Adventure sponsored by Northumbria University Camps for children aged 9-15. and Gateshead Council and has Toby developed his enthusiasm for proven popular with graduates keen the outdoors during a year in the to make it in the business world. Australian Outback, organising It has been designed to support, activities for children in rock- develop and test business ideas, with climbing, sailing, sea-kayaking and graduate entrepreneurs pitching more. Using this experience, he set up their ideas to invited guests from a series of residential adventure camps the business world and being for children, with the first camp due supported by mentors and seasoned to take place during the 2016 Easter entrepreneurs. school holidays. One of the business ideas is a social Toby said: “Some recent statistics network for music festival fans. that show children in the UK spend Festibl., founded by 27-year-old an average of six and a half hours per Danielle Young, aims to encourage day glued to a screen. These activities and enable music fans to go to the are about getting children away from festivals that they want to attend, their computers and playing outdoors without having to rely on their again. SPARKTANK has given me all immediate friends – whose priorities the skills I need to start my business or tastes may be quite different. with limited funding. Danielle has teamed up with fellow The mentors have given me the Northumbria graduate Sam Clegg, 27, confidence to go out and talk to to run the business. The pair strongly customers and they in-turn have believe that there is a gap in the given me important feedback. I’ve market for a festival social network. been in an environment where I can Festibl. founder Danielle Young Sam said: “For millions of people, bounce ideas off other like-minded music festivals represent the highlight people and draw upon the skills of drive and ideas. We supply office test-drove this pilot project and also experience. It is an approach that of the year. But so many people miss others to help launch my business space, a little bit of structure and about the potential for programmes continues to bring considerable out because they have nobody to go successfully.” relentless pressure to engage with like this to make a difference in the success and opportunity. with. If someone wants to go to a SPARKTANK Director and customers. We also introduce them North East.” Not only is this really important to festival but their friends aren’t up for Enterprise Fellow at Newcastle our students and graduates, but also to dynamic local business people who Lucy Winskell, OBE, Pro Vice- it, the likelihood is that they won’t go. Business School, Michael Fowle, to the economy of the North East.” This means that they miss out on the believes accelerator projects like have experience, skills and inspiring Chancellor (Business & Engagement) fun and festivals miss out on ticket SPARKTANK can benefit economic stories to share. at Northumbria added: “Encouraging DISCOVER MORE sales. By matching people based on regeneration in the future. He said: I am really excited about the enterprise and entrepreneurship is a their music tastes and the festivals “Our entrepreneurs come to us with prospects for the entrepreneurs who fundamental part of the Northumbria northumbria.ac.uk/sparktank Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU BUSINESS 19 Graduate entrepreneurs making their mark on the business world Young entrepreneurs lift top national accolade Budding entrepreneurs from Newcastle Business Jules Quinn pictured by Mike Tulip Sage UK Jules Quinn pictured by Mike Tulip School scooped the top prize in a national competition for successful business start-ups.

he 13-strong team of applying for graduate positions students – who are after completing the programme. currently in their second It has been developed with the year of the Business Team Academy in Finland’s TSchool’s pioneering Entrepreneurial Jyväskylä Institute of Science and Business Management (EBM) Technology, whose percentage of course – were victorious in a two- graduates starting new businesses week long competition against is five to 10 times higher than those other UK universities. from traditional higher education During the National Customer institutions. Weeks competition, teams from Lucy Hatt, EBM Programme Forbes names across the country compete with Leader at Newcastle Business their products and services to get School, said: “It’s the first time the most customer visits, offers and Customer Weeks has been run deals, with each scoring different nationally and as one of the graduate among most levels of points. The team with the first universities to start a Team most points wins. Academy programme in the UK to The winning team, Concept date we are particularly pleased that Enterprise, from Northumbria beat one of our teams took the prize and influential in Europe off tough competition from other by such a large margin. leading university business schools “We are very clear that this A Northumbria graduate who received support from the University to start-up and won by a sizeable margin with a programme is for people who her own business has been named as one of Europe’s brightest lights in retail by range of products and services, two want to learn about doing of which are targeted at gym and business entrepreneurially, to be Forbes magazine. fitness enthusiasts. entrepreneurial employees, as Student Curtis Pratt, who led the well as for those who want to be ashion Marketing graduate Hill, Zoella founder Zoe Sugg and really exciting, and we’re doing a lot team, said: “We’ve been building entrepreneurs. Jules Quinn founded design- actress and United Nations Goodwill of distribution abroad. People love the the business since March 2014 “The North East has got the led tea company The TeaShed Ambassador, Emma Watson. ‘cute British’ tea.” and we’re thrilled to have won the potential to be a fantastic hub of five years ago, after coming Well known for its work in Forbes editor, Randall Lane, said: National Customer Weeks final. entrepreneurial activity in the Fup with the idea for the business while supporting students and graduates to “Researching, vetting and launching “We are really diverse as a group; country. We want to be the centre on her placement year in industry. She become entrepreneurs and to start-up Forbes’ first ever 30 Under 30 Europe we have people who are quiet but of entrepreneurial learning and the has now been selected as one of the their own business, Northumbria’s list was an incredible task. We scoured creative and those who are outgoing place that people come to learn how best new names in European business Student and Graduate Enterprise team the continent to find the most talented who make great salespeople. As to behave entrepreneurially.” by the prestigious international supported Jules to set up The TeaShed millennials and, with the help of our there are 13 of us this allows the Pioneering courses like the EBM magazine Forbes, which is known as she was finishing her degree in 2011 expert judges, are proud to honour team to build a big pot of ideas and programme have helped to cement for its annual lists featuring the most since then the team have provided 300 of the most important young develop those ideas on an ongoing Northumbria’s position in the top powerful people and businesses in the Jules with ongoing support. Jules entrepreneurs, creative leaders and basis.” 1% of business schools worldwide world. has developed and expanded the brightest stars in Europe right now. The EBM course is an innovative by gaining double accreditation Forbes’ first ever 30 Under 30 company to introduce new ranges and Lucy Winskell OBE, Pro Vice- new programme aimed at those from the Association to Advance Europe list features young innovators, products. Now focussing her efforts Chancellor for Business and aspiring to set up and run their Collegiate Schools of Business entrepreneurs and leaders in Europe on the international market, with a Engagement at Northumbria, own businesses, or those who wish (AACSB), an international hallmark across ten categories including media, distributor in Japan and many direct added: “Having supported Jules to stand out from the crowd when of excellence. industry, policy, technology and overseas customers, she currently from the fruition of her idea, to the finance. To be selected for the list they employs 16 people and her products development and continuing roll- needed to demonstrate leadership are stocked in a number of high profile out of her business, we are delighted and disruption in their field, national retailers including Selfridges, to see her reaping the rewards for entrepreneurial mind-set and results, Fenwicks and Lakeland. her hard work. Her achievements in STUDENT AND GRADUATE ENTERPRISE and the likelihood of changing their Speaking about her success, Jules such a short space of time have been Northumbria offers a unique service providing free enterprise skills field over the next half-century. said: “It came out of the blue! I was remarkable, and the fact she has been training and start-up support for students and graduates. A variety Jules was named one of the top contacted a few months ago after recognisd by Forbes as one of the of support is available from mentoring, workshops, enterprise 30 names in Europe in the area of they found me on the internet. It’s leading names in retail in Europe is placements and free office space to help you get your business idea retail and ecommerce. She is in good just amazing. Everyone knows about testament to the outstanding efforts off the ground. The team recently opened a new drop-in advice company, with the other names the Forbes list, not just in the US, but she has made’.” centre, based next to Castles highlighted by Forbes including all over the world, so this gives the restaurant in Ellison Building. DISCOVER MORE singers Adele and Ed Sheeran, sports business a lot of credibility. Tea sales DISCOVER MORE stars Andy Murray and Jessica Ennis- are growing internationally, which is northumbria.ac.uk/sgenterprise the-teashed.co.uk NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 20 NORTHUMBRIA NEWS

The Conversation is a collaboration between editors and academics to provide informed news analysis and commentary that’s free to read and republish. At Northumbria, our academics have been working with The Conversation to produce independent, quality current affairs journalism on some of the latest topics to hit the Five performances that show Bowie’s acting is worth a news. Here are some of our top picks… second take In the aftermath of superstar David Bowie’s tragic death, Film lecturer Andrew Ross takes a look at five of his key performances on screen in films and TV. He explains why these roles – which are often overlooked in light of Bowie’s musical career – add to our understanding of the performer’s enigma and allure.

Why don’t we wipe mosquitoes off the face of the Earth? The mosquito is the prime suspect behind the sudden arrival and explosive spread of the Zika virus in Central and South America. It’s safe to say these deadly insects aren’t particularly likeable, even to the greatest of nature lovers. But their destruction isn’t as straightforward as people may think, as Dr Mike Jeffries, Geography Teaching Fellow, In defence of Britain’s last lion tamer explains. Facing the threat of closure and greeted by protesters at every turn, Thomas Chipperfield’s circus – the last in the UK featuring wild cats – is heading towards the end of the road. Ron Beadle, Professor of Organisation and Business Ethics, writes in defence of Britain’s last lion tamer.

How to close the North-South divide between secondary schools The chief inspector of schools and head of Ofsted, Michael Wilshaw, made headlines when he expressed concerns regarding the effect the North-South divide is having on secondary schools outside of London. Michael Jopling, Professor of Education, discusses how schools in the North and Midlands can replicate the success of those in the South of England. Why the Republicans’ know-nothing outsider candidates are still on top With the US Presidential election campaigns in full flow, the Republican candidates are causing the biggest stir in the media. Professor Randall Stephens, Reader in American Studies, discusses the highs and lows the party have experienced so far and what could happen next.

British diaspora: urban migrants who changed the world Amid the uproar about refugees and migrants trying to make their way to the UK, it’s easy to forget that the British Isles also have a long history of outward migration. Dr Tanja Bueltmann, Reader in History, looks at how British migrants have influenced countries around the globe.

Don’t bulldoze Britain’s brutalist housing – it’s culture you can live in With a number of Britain’s ‘brutalist’ council estates set to be bulldozed for DISCOVER MORE regeneration, Sebastian Messer, senior lecturer in Architecture, argues that they should be saved. He explains how saving them from demolition will preserve a period theconversation.com of architectural heritage as well as creating spacious, affordable housing. Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU ENGINEERING 21

National construction The architecture company sponsors of success student A first year student has successfully secured a Senior Architecture lecturer David Morton was recently named a Senior Fellow £10k sponsorship with national construction of the Higher Education Authority and was also celebrating after securing more company Taylor Woodrow, which will include than £8,000 worth of training for students and staff from specialist software placements throughout her course and a giant Autodesk. Northumbria University News caught up with David, who was guaranteed job when she graduates. also the architect behind IKEA’s BoKlok homes, to reflect on a successful year.

Q: What were your highlights from 2015? A: “Last year was a busy one, from presenting a keynote speech at the European Building Information Modelling Summit in Barcelona at the beginning of the year, to being invited to speak at the national Royal Institute of British Architects lecture series on design through production, looking at the cognitive journey in architectural design. “On an international level of Isabella Ponton recognition, my Visiting Professorship for the Formación y Consultoría BIM in Barcelona was a great achievement ivil Engineering student qualities have been recognised so that I’m super proud of. I have also Isabella Ponton was early in her career,” he said. “It is been invited to the European Summit only five weeks into her a testament to her tremendous to present another keynote speech on course when she won the self-motivation and willingness to research I’m currently completing on Clucrative sponsorship. give life a go, rather than to wait to ‘Digital Praxis in Studio Learning’, The opportunity means that be asked. She has been proactive which I feel is key to retaining Isabella will begin her career in one in taking steps to improve her lot and continuing the esteem that of the largest housebuilding and in life.” Northumbria has internationally in general construction companies Northumbria offers Civil architecture.” in Britain, helping to give her a Engineering as an undergraduate fantastic head start in her future course with pathways into a Q: You were also made a Senior career. wide range of mechanical and Fellow of the Higher Education “I heard about the scholarship constructional engineering work, Academy. How does it feel to get David Morton from the Institution of Civil from water storage and provision, such recognition? Engineers website and my dad to the delivery of energy systems A: “I’m extremely proud to have my students I feel it is paramount enhance existing forward-thinking encouraged me to apply for it”, said and iconic structures. gained my Senior Fellowship as these to ensure that I continue to develop approaches to developing students’ Isabella. “After finding out I had an There is currently an international are only given to members that have and grow my own learning to ensure digital skills in design.” interview I was extremely excited, shortage of civil engineers to fulfil an established record relating to high levels of currency in what I Q: How is Architecture at especially as the interview was held global need, which means that teaching and learning and who are deliver to my students. With that in Northumbria progressing this year? at the ICE headquarters in London. graduate job prospects are strong. leading on these areas at the university mind, the last year has brought me A: “Working with Professor Paul I didn’t feel the interview had Demand for talent is expected to in which they work. This award very close to finishing my PhD here Jones, the teaching team have further gone particularly well so when I rise further as economies across came after my recent promotion to at Northumbria. This explores the developed the links between practice found out that I had been awarded the globe recover, giving civil Learning and Teaching lead for the way in which we learn and explore and academia this year by developing the scholarship I was extremely engineering students like Isabella Department of Architecture and Built architectural design via digital our 5Live Studio projects in the overwhelmed. a great opportunity to build a Environment. practice. I have published over 22 masters (M.Arch) course. This is “Being sponsored by Taylor rewarding career. “I am hugely proud of these research outputs from this research where teaching staff work directly Woodrow means that I am “Knowing that Taylor Woodrow achievements, but still feel that being and have directly embedded this with the students on live projects with expected to work for them after is making this commitment to me runner up for two years running in into my lectures and studio teaching, real clients to develop schemes that graduating, and the thought of already is almost unbelievable and the Northumbria Students’ Union allowing my students to experience will be built. What better examples already having a job after university makes me even more enthusiastic Awards for ‘most inspirational research-led teaching.” could you possibly want as a student takes a huge amount of pressure off about my degree,” said Isabella. lecturer’ was the best recognition that Q: You recently secured an award going into the world of architecture and allows me to concentrate more “For me, civil engineering isn’t I could achieve. As these awards are from Autodesk that will benefit our than a completed building on your on my degree. It is difficult to put just a degree choice; it is an interest directly from the students I teach, students. Can you tell us more about CV!” the feeling into words,” she added. and a passion so to have this I feel this really shows people at this? Northumbria is ranked 12th in the Dr Alan Richardson, Reader recognised by such a big player in Northumbria and other universities A: “Autodesk is a multinational UK for Architecture in the Complete in Mechanical and Construction the industry is amazing.” regionally and nationally that we are giant specialising in software for the University Guide 2016. Engineering at Northumbria, creating great learning environments.” architectural, engineering, construction, praised Isabella on her outstanding Q: What are your priorities in the and media industries. The funding from achievement. DISCOVER MORE coming months? Autodesk is a mark of the ingenuity and “Isabella has the makings of a very DISCOVER MORE northumbria.ac.uk/civilengineering A: “As the person standing at the front approach we have in the Department successful young woman if these of the class directing the learning of of Architecture and is being used to northumbria.ac.uk/architecture NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 22 GENDER

Ensuring women make their mark As the world prepares to celebrate International Women’s Day on Tuesday 8 March, Northumbria University News takes a look at some of the research and activities underway at Northumbria to deliver new opportunities for women and encourage progress towards gender parity. Where are the women in the media? Progress towards the equality of men and women in the media has virtually ground to a halt in the UK and across the globe since 2010, according to a recent study led by a Northumbria academic.

he Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) is the disappointing, and show just how far we still need to go before world’s longest running and most extensive research women in public life are given the same focus as men. The media initiative in news media. The shocking findings of its – rightly or wrongly – is increasingly important in shaping the way latest report revealed that women make up just 24% of we lead our lives. If girls and young women don’t see sufficient Tthe people heard, read about or seen in the media – exactly the media coverage of women in public life, it becomes even harder to same level found in 2010. Furthermore, the report –led in the UK persuade them to challenge stereotypes about the world of work.” and Europe by Karen Ross, Professor of Media at Northumbria The GMMP’s report included data from 114 countries. It – discovered a global glass ceiling for female news reporters in suggests that media companies should establish gender policies newspaper bylines and broadcast reports, with just 37% of stories and that issues of gender inequality should be included in reported by women, the same level as a decade ago. journalism education and training courses. Additionally, it states Professor Ross explained: “The first GMMP survey was that more research studies are needed to better understand conducted in 1995, and again at five-year intervals after that. newsroom cultures and how they affect women and men’s Between 1995 and 2010, there was a slow but steady improvement professional practice. in the visibility of women in the media. However, these recent Northumbria University’s research in the area of communication, results show that progress has slowed down significantly and cultural and media studies was highly rated in the 2014 Research there is even evidence of regression. At a time when we have more Excellence Framework, which measures the quality of research female presidents and prime ministers worldwide than ever before, in UK universities. Almost three quarters of the research women only comprise 16% of sources of subjects in political news undertaken in these subjects was rated as being world leading or Professor Karen Ross stories. There is something very wrong with this picture.” internationally excellent in quality. Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North and a Professor Ross, who teaches in Northumbria’s Department of Northumbria law graduate, has previously spoken out about Media, Communication and Design, will be publishing her new DISCOVER MORE the lack of women in top Government positions. Speaking in book, Gender, Politics, News, later this year. northumbria.ac.uk/mediacommdesign response to the GMMP findings she said: “These findings are very A festival of feminist ideas To celebrate International Women’s Day and the power of women, Northumbria University’s Gender & Society Research Hub is organising a series of events featuring women, women’s work and the broader women and feminist agenda. The eight-week programme features film screenings, debates, reading groups and panel discussions. Most events are free, but you will need to book a place. Contact [email protected] for more information

‘Deeds Not Words’ – Lesbians in feminism suffragette walk Wed 20 April Sun 6 March ‘Words to inspire deeds’ – International Women’s Day pop-up feminist reading Screening: Suffragette group Tue 8 March Mon 25 April Feminist magazines and Murder She Wrote: print culture gender and crime writing Wed 16 March Thur 28 April Feminism, activism Representing the Women’s and social media Movement: Films from the Tue 12 April Sisterhood and After project Fri 29 April Female news broadcaster Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU GENDER 23

Northumbria receives

Ensuring women make their mark prestigious award for gender equality

Student journalist nominated for national radio award Journalism student Lizzie Longley

A final year Journalism student from Northumbria University has been Northumbria University has received a nominated for a national award that recognises her talent for broadcasting. prestigious national award, which recognises and celebrates support provided for women’s izzie Longley has been is sponsored by the Broadcast “I’m so glad I studied at shortlisted for Student Journalism Training Council (BJTC), Northumbria. It’s the best thing I academic careers in science, technology, Journalist of the Year title in the UK’s largest independent could have done. I’m excited to start engineering, mathematics and medicine the prestigious Independent journalism accreditation body which my career but really sad to be leaving LRadio News (IRN) awards, which are accredits Northumbria’s journalism university,” she said. “The lecturers subjects (STEMM). run in association with Sky News. courses. have been so supportive – they will The awards celebrate and showcase The IRN judges aren’t the first to always make time to help you if stablished in 2005, the Athena SWAN award is part of the very best journalism in UK spot Lizzie’s talent. Mark Davenport, you need it and really go above and a national charter designed to advance gender equality commercial radio – and this year Programme Leader for Journalism beyond to make sure you have the in academia. Institutions which meet Athena SWAN has seen a record number of entries, at Northumbria, whose industry best possible experience. And you accreditation demonstrate their commitment to ten key making Lizzie’s achievement even background includes 12 years as a can completely trust their opinions principles, adopting them within their culture, policies, practices and more remarkable. senior producer with ITV Tyne Tees, because they have had successful E action plans. Lizzie submitted a piece of radio said Lizzie has a flair for broadcasting. careers as journalists themselves. Northumbria is already strongly committed to gender equality. Think news which looked at the debate He explained: “Our journalism course “For me, the biggest thing I’ve gained Physics is a collaborative project funded by HEFCE using physics around the provision of sexual consent aims to give students practical skills over the past three years is confidence. to inspire young people – particularly women – to work and study workshops for young men in UK like interviewing technique, writing At school, teachers said I had no in these disciplines. The University also runs the NUWise network, universities. The 20-year-old travelled across a range of media and audio and confidence but the academics here established to support and develop the careers of female staff and PhD around the country to interview key video editing. We also ensure they are really make you believe in yourself and students working in science, engineering and technology areas. individuals, recording and editing all given an insight into theories so they feel like you can achieve anything you The Athena SWAN accreditation process, led by Professor Glen the footage herself – while studying for can understand and analyse news. put your mind to.” McHale, Executive Dean of Engineering and Environment and the final year of her degree. She was “Lizzie has brought those skills Northumbria’s Journalism course Professor of Applied & Materials Physics, included a rigorous over the moon to find out that all the together and combined them with her has been designed to give students assessment of many factors associated with equality of opportunity, hard work paid off. own drive and determination and her hands-on experience of TV, radio, training and promotion for women. On the back of this award, the “I couldn’t believe it when I saw my nomination is the fruit of her efforts. online and print journalism, working University will continue to address any inequalities in these areas. name alongside the other nominees – I She has shone as a radio reporter, as with the likes of BBC, ITV, the Daily Professor McHale said: “Ensuring a positive culture which supports kept having to double check, then I well as a TV presenter, and I think Telegraph and Real FM. Lecturers, like career progression and values all of our colleagues – irrespective of rang my mum and burst into tears,” we’ll be hearing and seeing a lot of Mark, have all worked as Journalism gender – is critically important for the future of the University. The she said. “I’ve wanted to be a journalist her in the industry in the very near professionals. This ensures students engagement and hard work of colleagues in the self-assessment team since I was 10-years-old so to be f utu re .” graduate with a rounded portfolio has been an inspiring example of our one-University culture. We all graduating from university in a few The winners of the IRN awards will of professionally published work. realise our Athena SWAN journey has only just begun, but it will help months with so many opportunities be announced on Thursday 10 March Recent graduates are working for to create a brighter future for all.” ahead of me is just a dream come at a ceremony in London, hosted by organisations including GQ magazine, true.” Sky News and Sky Sports presenter Mirror Group and Frank Public The Student Journalist of the Year Sarah-Jane Mee. For Lizzie, this will Relations. DISCOVER MORE award recognises an individual be the perfect networking opportunity student who excels in producing ahead of her graduation – which she DISCOVER MORE northumbria.ac.uk/athenaswan and presenting news content. It admits will be bittersweet. northumbria.ac.uk/journalism NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 24 CREATIVITY Students make a splash in innovation festival A grueling 24-hour challenge saw exhausted design students exploring our relationship with water and how to use it more sustainably.

s part of the 2015 Development Manager, Chris Jones, question: “the economy is changing Disruptive Innovation who said: “I was incredibly impressed — what do I need to know, experience Festival (DIF), with the energy and creativity of the and do?” Northumbrian Water teams taking part. Northumbrian Mark Bailey, Director of Innovation Atasked students with identifying Water is committed to encouraging the Design at Northumbria, added: how and why water is wasted by responsible use of water, and the ideas “Completing this 24-hour challenge households and businesses. developed over just 24 hours were was demanding, but also a great The students were asked to develop innovative, exciting and something we learning experience and I’m delighted innovative ways to encourage can explore further as we continue to with the way the students applied behavioral change during the 24-hour work with Northumbria University. themselves to the tasks. This is also long challenge. They worked overnight Partnerships like this are part of a our second year as a key partner in to address the issue and produce short wider collaboration around innovation the Disruptive Innovation Festival and videos to highlight their findings, and creativity that Northumbrian we are hugely excited to be involved with solutions including smart kettles Water has with universities across the again. It means we can showcase our that would avoid overfilling, creating region, all of which helps many areas research expertise and what we can interactive and fun renewable water of the water industry.” offer to business in a range of subject bottles for children, and overcoming DIF 2015 was an online, open- areas, on a global scale and to new common misconceptions around the access event staged over three weeks markets.” quality of tap water versus bottled by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. water. The festival invited thought leaders, DISCOVER MORE The videos were presented to entrepreneurs, business, designers, Northumbrian Water’s Research and makers and learners to explore the northumbria.ac.uk/design Design students with Chris Jones of Northumbrian Water Northumbria lights fuse for economic growth A major new project is being launched to explore how the creative, digital and IT (CDIT) sector in the North East can be developed in order to play a leading role in the region’s economy. Northumbria University News finds out more…

ew £3m Creative Fuse North East workforce development, as well as highlight ways growth across the creative, digital and IT sector project is jointly funded by all five in which the region’s universities can support by bringing together the unique expertise of of the North East’s universities – the sector more effectively. The project will the North East’s universities, local authorities, Northumbria, Newcastle, Durham, draw on expertise from more than 40 academic businesses, artists and cultural organisations. NSunderland and Teesside – with the Arts and and business support staff from across the five “Northumbria’s achievements in the Research Humanities Research Council. institutions, in subjects including creative arts, Excellence Framework 2014 and our reputation The universities will work with the North East’s cultural heritage, digital humanities, business, for world-class research, design innovation, “Creative Fuse North East combines the research 12 local authorities, as well as businesses, artists, and cloud computing. business engagement and award-winning strengths of the region’s five universities with a cultural organisations and partners, to research Creative Fuse North East builds on a similar partnerships, puts us in an excellent position to range of local authorities, cultural, creative and how the CDIT sector can ensure it has the right project in Brighton, which was launched in 2011 contribute to this exciting, collaborative project.” digital sector partners in ways that will facilitate skills for a sustainable future. The project will and was used to leverage European funding. Northumbria was the UK’s biggest riser in new interactions between researchers and also look at how the skills within the region’s A recent report highlighted that, as a result of research power in the 2014 REF, climbing businesses, education and entrepreneurship. CDIT sector can benefit the wider regional the Brighton Fuse project, Brighton and Hove’s 30 places from 80th to 50th, with significant “A multi-disciplinary range of subjects are economy. This could include placing creative digital and creative economy is now worth more improvements in the arts, humanities, and involved from the initial scoping work, business practitioners in businesses in other sectors as a than £1 billion to the city each year. Research creative disciplines. For example, Art and analysis and networking through to potential way to increase innovation. carried out by Brighton Fuse also showed that Design was ranked in the UK top 10 for research platforms for deeper engagement between The 30-month project will begin by mapping ‘fused’ businesses grow three times faster than power while English and History were rated creativity and economic growth.” the creative, digital and commercial landscape unfused businesses. 15th and 20th respectively for the quality of their of the North East in terms of the mix of skills, Northumbria University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor research publications. Creative Fuse will draw on knowledge and support available. Work will then (Research and Innovation), Professor George Northumbria’s expertise in these fields. DISCOVER MORE be carried out to identify opportunities for more Marston, said: “Creative Fuse represents a real Professor Andrew Thompson, CEO of the effective use of resources and best practice in opportunity to sustainably build innovation and Arts and Humanities Research Council, said; northumbria.ac.uk/research Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU CREATIVITY 25

Paula Hawkins, the author of psychological thriller The Girl on the Train, will headline this year’s Crime Story festival at Northumbria University, delivered in partnership with New Writing North.

Best-selling novelist to pen ‘whodunit’ for Northumbria crime festival

he unique festival draws procedure, and a head on Northumbria’s brimming with new world-class expertise ideas. in criminology, law, “Crime Story gives Tforensic science and creative writers the kind of access writing to explore the facts behind to senior detectives, the fiction. This year’s Crime Story blood-spatter experts will be headlined by author Paula and forensic psychiatrists Hawkins – who attended the that most of us could festival at Northumbria herself in only dream about. I 2014. Less than one year later, her found it fascinating and book debuted at number one on invaluable and have been the New York Times bestsellers list. It has gone looking forward to the next one ever since, so am on to sell almost five million copies in the UK absolutely thrilled to have been asked to come up and USA alone and a film version is currently in with a murder scenario for this year’s event.” production. Northumbria’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business This year, Paula will return to Northumbria and Engagement), Lucy Winskell OBE, said: “I to headline the innovative festival programme, was delighted to hear that international best- which provides readers and writers of crime selling author Paula Hawkins will be headlining fiction rare access to University experts in the Crime Story 2016. I’m sure Paula will write a fields of forensics, criminology, pathology and fascinating and compelling whodunit for our law. As well as appealing to crime readers and experts and audience members to investigate fans of TV series such as Serial and Making a during the course of this unique day-long Murderer, the festival also offers crime writers festival. a unique opportunity to meet and work with “Crime Story draws on the University’s teaching publishing industry leaders, and professionals and research expertise across criminology, in the field, to challenge and improve the criminal law, forensic science and creative authenticity of their writing. During the day- writing, to explore the facts behind the fiction. long event, which will be held on Saturday 11 Paula’s involvement in this year’s event is hugely June, audience members and experts will also be exciting news and a real endorsement of this invited to pick apart a fictional crime created and innovative festival’s appeal to writers, readers, written by Paula, specifically for the festival. academics and professionals in the field.” Paula said: “I attended Crime Story in June Northumbria offers courses in a wide range of 2014 on a whim. I thought the concept sounded disciplines related to this special event, including interesting – a group of crime writers and readers criminology, criminal law, forensic science and get together to try to solve a fictional murder creative writing. aided by a handful of experts – detectives, forensic specialists and legal experts. I expected DISCOVER MORE to have an entertaining weekend. I didn’t expect to walk away with ten A4 pages crammed with crimestory.co.uk detailed notes covering all aspects of police northumbria.ac.uk/courses Paula Hawkins, who will be headlining Crime Story 2016 NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 26 SOCIETY Sounding off on street homelessness Interactive signage has been installed around Newcastle city centre to help raise public awareness and understanding of street homelessness, thanks to staff from Northumbria University. UK youth justice

ounding Off, which was The project is supported by the into the lives of those we might created by Northumbria Economic and Social Research see living or sleeping rough in is out of step, academics Oliver Moss Council (ESRC) and Newcastle Newcastle. and Adele Irving, is an City Council, which has been “While we make no claim to the Sinteractive walk through the working with Oliver and Adele to chosen ‘stories’ being typical or streets of Newcastle, covering the support their research. The Council representative, as every episode say legal experts reasons behind how people become runs a daily outreach service of rough sleeping is different and homeless. It highlights some of the to prevent street homelessness, devastating for the individual At a major conference held at Northumbria key issues they face, from begging, looking for people who are asleep concerned, they nonetheless addictions and offending, to how on the streets or who look as if they draw attention to some of the University, legal experts called on the Government criminal justice and other services have been sleeping rough. They most acknowledged risk factors to follow the example of other countries and stop respond. encourage people to take up offers pertaining to rough sleeping. The sound-walk is the first of its of accommodation and go to a day Responses from key stakeholders, criminalising children as young as ten. kind in the UK and was installed at centre to have food, a hot drink and meanwhile, offer a sense of some of locations around the city including a shower. Most people can be found the challenges and complications lthough there has been a Nicola Wake added: “Youth justice Newcastle’s Central Station and temporary accommodation within of tackling homelessness among reduction in the number can, of course, be an extremely City Library, Northumberland a day. people with often complex of young people entering sensitive area, especially for victims Street and Pilgrim Street, each However, as the Sounding Off needs. As one stakeholder notes, the youth justice system in of youth crime and their families. chosen for its significance to project demonstrates, preventing supporting those sleeping rough is Arecent years, little progress has been However, if we are to cut reoffending, homeless people. Each location and tackling homelessness is rarely as simple as providing a roof made in reducing reoffending, with children should not be treated like is marked by an interactive QR often complicated by individual over their heads.” 67 per cent of young people leaving adult criminals. They need education code which is accessible via circumstances, statutory duties and The sound-walk was curated custody reoffending within a year. As and support – not to have their life smartphones. It allows passers- funding arrangements for different for the ESRC’s Festival of Social the Government announced a review chances seriously undermined by a by to gain a unique insight into categories of people at risk of Science which aimed to provide into youth justice – in particular, criminal record.” how people participating in the homelessness. an insight into how the country’s reoffending – leading judges and Northumbria Law School organised project became homeless. They Oliver Moss, Senior Research leading social science research authorities on youth and social justice the conference to provide a forum have shared their experiences of Fellow in the Department of Social influences social, economic and gathered at Northumbria Law School for exploring the latest research and sleeping rough and the challenges Sciences, said: “At this time of political lives. for the Age of Criminal Responsibility developments in understanding the they face moving on from this the year, encounters with visible conference. challenges facing young people in through a range of multimedia street homelessness are especially DISCOVER MORE Speaking at the conference, senior conflict with the law. It is expected content, including audio files and poignant. The aim of Sounding law lecturers, Dr Raymond Arthur that the outcomes of the conference photographs. Off is to offer just a small glimpse northumbria.ac.uk/socialsciences and Nicola Wake, stated that it is will be of interest to a wide “totally unacceptable” that the UK audience including law students, can still treat children as young as researchers, policy makers, judges, ten as criminals, especially if the lawyers, psychologists, psychiatrists, Government is serious about how to criminologists, educators, as well as best tackle reoffending. professionals in many other subjects Dr Arthur said: “The aim of this who address the subject of childhood, conference was to encourage debate youth and criminality. and discussion on the current age of The School one of the largest law criminal responsibility in England and schools in the UK, with a national and Wales. This low age is seriously out international reputation for excellence of line with other nations, including in legal education. The School’s most other European countries Centre for Evidence and Criminal and international human rights Justice is recognised as a global standards. It is also at odds with other research centre, bringing together responsibilities and human rights. academics, judges and lawyers to “For instance a young person undertake research of value and must be 16 years old before they can interest to academic and practitioner consent to sexual relations, including communities in the UK, and other EU consensual sexual relations with and common law countries. another young person. A young person cannot join the armed forces until they are 16 years old. They must DISCOVER MORE be 18 years old to buy cigarettes or alcohol, get a tattoo or vote.” northumbria.ac.uk/law Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU SCIENCE 27 Space researcher soars into the stratosphere A PhD student is celebrating stratospheric success for his work in helping combat astronauts’ back pain when they return home from space. Northumbria University News spoke to Andrew Winnard to find out more…

he effects of zero gravity in to develop a device to help combat and create solutions for everyday space mean that astronauts these back problems. Known as citizens. It’s an honour to receive often find themselves FRED, the device can also be used by the award for something I feel so suffering from back pain. those suffering with severe lower back passionately about and in such a TTheir body weight is not loaded pain or muscle wastage issues. competitive, innovative and exciting in the same way as it is on Earth, Andrew has been working on live industry. I’d be thrilled if my FRED leading to their spinal discs becoming experiments with members of the research was eventually used as part of deconditioned. Although they public at the Centre for Life and everyday medicine.” exercise to try to counteract these has caught the attention of industry Dr Nick Caplan, a Reader in Health effects, astronauts need to undergo representatives for his work. He has and Rehabilitation in the Department rehabilitation for a number of months been awarded a travel scholarship by of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, when they return to Earth to rebuild the Aerospace Medical Association said: “The European Space Agency’s their strength. to present his research at their annual Space Medicine Office has prioritised Northumbria University is a world conference in Florida and received spinal and core health as one of its leader in astronaut spinal health and the prestigious Evetts Award for his key developmental areas and is now rehabilitation research, and academics outstanding contribution to UK space funding us to develop FRED further, are constantly looking at how their life and biomedical sciences at the which is fantastic news and testament research relates to healthcare on 2015 UK Space Conference. to the hard work and dedication Earth. He explained: “Significant parallels invested by Andrew throughout his Andrew Winnard, who exist between every day back pain PhD studies to date.” studied Biomedical Science and and the rehabilitation an astronaut Physiotheraphy before embarking receives after being in space. There is DISCOVER MORE on a PhD, has been working with considerable scope for the equipment researchers and members of the public to help people outside of the industry northumbria.ac.uk/sportrehab PhD student Andrew Winnard OPEN DAYS Want to know what it’s like to be a Northumbria student? Come and visit us: Friday 1 and Saturday 2 July 2016 Saturday 24 September 2016 Saturday 29 October 2016 Saturday 26 November 2016

• Find out about our courses • Take a tour of our campus • Look around our accommodation • Meet our staff

For up-to-date event information on all of our Open Days visit northumbria.ac.uk/opendays NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 28 NORTHUMBRIA NEWS Choose your bedroom Students applying for University accommodation can now select the exact room and residence they will live in, thanks to Northumbria’s brand new real-time Student goes above room booking system. Applicants can also view the flat’s occupancy to get a better idea about their future flatmates. Alastair Reekie, Head of Student Accommodation, said: “Living in halls is a key part of the Northumbria experience and we want our students to be excited the call of duty about their new homes before they arrive. Our new system allows them to picture exactly where they will be living from the point of application.” DISCOVER MORE to help ill man northumbria.ac.uk/accommodation A nursing student who cared for a mentally ill man who was self-harming on public transport has spoken to Northumbria University News about the £20,000 art prize open incident. for applications econd year Mental Health “He was attempting to escape you a good knowledge and the Applications for The Woon Foundation Prize are now open to all UK Nursing student, Kerry the bus from the back windows. ability to assess the level of risk in undergraduate Fine Art students who are in their final year of study. Dickson, was travelling I calmed him down and phoned a situation like this. Although I’m Northumbria law graduate, Wee Teng Woon, funds three major prizes and home on the bus when the police, who sent two officers not a fully qualified nurse yet, I discretionary commendation prizes each year to the value of £40,000 through Sshe became concerned about to meet the bus at Haymarket Bus do think my course has provided his family’s foundation. The first prize is a year-long £20,000 fellowship which the welfare of a passenger. Kerry Station. When they arrived, they me with the skills I needed to de- includes mentoring from staff from Northumbria and BALTIC Centre for sat with him and offered him told me they had taken him to escalate the situation that day.” Contemporary Art – the two institutions who jointly host the Prize. reassurances after hearing that he the Royal Victoria Infirmary that After hearing about the incident, There are also two runner-up prizes of £9,000 and £6,000 plus a further £5,000 had been diagnosed with paranoid morning to be sectioned under Kerry’s tutors were quick to praise judges discretionary award. Applications can be made up until 31 March 2016. schizophrenia, which was causing the Mental Health Act but he had her actions, presenting her with an him to suffer delusions and hear escaped. I just hope now that the award in recognition of her quick- DISCOVER MORE voices. man will be okay and get the help thinking response. However, he grew increasingly he needs.” Sandra Moran, Senior Lecturer www.woonprize.co.uk distressed and began to self-harm, Students on Northumbria’s in Mental Health and Kerry’s saying he was hearing voices Mental Health Nursing course tutor, said: “Kerry has clearly telling him to strangle Kerry. She divide their time between demonstrated that she has the core succeeded in calming him down the lecture theatre and work qualities and values that contribute Does advice help while contacting the emergency placements in NHS, private and to excellence in mental health services for further assistance. community care settings to give nursing, reflecting a high level to reduce stress? Kerry said: “As a student mental them practical experience and the of compassion, dedication and health nurse, I felt I had a duty of essential skills required for going commitment to supporting people Researchers at Northumbria University are taking part in a study examining the care to the man – especially when into the world of nursing. In fact, who are vulnerable. These are the impact the Citizens Advice Bureau can have on people’s health. he told me he had walked out of the Kerry had just finished a 12-hour qualities that we actively seek when The Gateshead office of the national charity, which offers free advice to help ward he was on. Some onlookers shift at St George’s Hospital in interviewing potential candidates people with their financial, legal, consumer and other problems, will work with told me to stay away from him, but Morpeth when she boarded the to undertake nursing studies in the research team to evaluate its services. The 18-month study aims to capture the reason I got into mental health bus. mental health.” the impact that using the service has on health, particularly on stress and anxiety nursing was to care for people and She said: “Being on placement levels. to reduce the stigma around mental and learning about different mental DISCOVER MORE Senior Research Assistant, Natalie Forster, said: “People using Citizens Advice health issues. health issues and medications gives Bureaux often suffer from stress and anxiety. While the service is very efficient at northumbria.ac.uk/nursing capturing data about how they support clients, there is currently little or no data on the subsequent impact that accessing advice can have on people’s health.” DISCOVER MORE

northumbria.ac.uk/publichealth

Lecturer named ‘Mentor of the Year’ A Northumbria lecturer has been named UK Mentor of the Year for helping change perceptions of a male-dominated industry. Hannah Furness, a Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Built Environment, has been at Northumbria since 2011 after spending six years working in industry. She was one of three women to pick up awards at the prestigious Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards in London. She said: “I was very honoured to be named as Mentor of the Year, as I am passionate about supporting and encouraging students and trainees from all backgrounds to realise their full potential and to widen participation in the profession.” DISCOVER MORE Mental Health Nursing student Kerry Dickson northumbria.ac.uk/architecture Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU HEALTH 29

Bringing life- saving surgery to Sri Lanka

A Northumbria University academic is taking the lead role in bringing heart and lung transplants to Sri Lanka – a country where this life-saving surgery has not previously been available.

lthough it is hard more professional biomedical to believe, no heart scientists to work within Sri transplant has ever Lankan hospitals and clinics taken place in Sri or to undertake research and ALanka and there has only been development in the pharmaceutical one lung transplant, back in 2011. and medical testing industries. Anyone requiring such life-saving Professor Clark explained: “We surgery would have to travel are fortunate to have a vibrant abroad and pay prohibitively transplant programme here in high costs. However, this is about the UK and in other westernised to change as Stephen Clark, a countries, so for many people it Professor of Cardiothoracic may seem unusual to hear that Surgery and Cardiopulmonary other countries have not been Transplantation in Northumbria’s able to provide this life-saving Department of Applied Sciences, surgery before now. We have is working to establish the been working with Sri Lankan country’s first ever heart and lung doctors for over two years to form transplantation programme. the Sri Lanka Society for Heart Professor Clark, who is also and Lung Transplantation which Director of Cardiopulmonary has now been approved under Transplantation at Newcastle’s Sri Lankan law. Sri Lanka aims to Freeman Hospital, is mentoring becomes a centre for excellence in Sri Lanka’s College of Surgeons transplantations for neighbouring through their first operations. He countries.” will lead a team of surgeons in the Julie Edgar, Associate Dean UK who are providing training, (International) in Health and Life advice and practical support to Sciences, said: “It is fantastic that Sri Lankan surgeons undertaking Professor Clark is playing such these life-saving operations. a leading role in making these His work is a further step forward life-saving operations accessible in the University’s links with Sri for people in Sri Lanka. I have no Lanka. The University has worked doubt that his work will enhance in partnership with BMS Business the long-standing relationships the Management School, for more University has with organisations than 12 years, delivering a range throughout Sri Lanka and South of courses that allow Sri Lankan East Asia.” students to access a UK-quality higher education in their home country. The organisations recently announced the launch of the DISCOVER MORE Northumbria Biomedical Science northumbria.ac.uk/ degree that will help to educate appliedsciences Professor Stephen Clark Professor Stephen Clark NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 30 ENVIRONMENT Geographer in the mist

A final-year student put his studies into practice during six weeks helping communities in Uganda thanks to a bursary from Northumbria.

eter McGowran was inspired recommend Big Beyond too. They tourism, sustainable development to embark on an African are switched on to many issues and community development. This adventure after studying surrounding sustainable and local will give him extra experience – not sustainable development development. least taking human geography and Pduring the second year of his “It was studying modules such as development concepts and processes Geography degree. He volunteered to Sustainable Development in Africa out of the academic classroom into help a community in Uganda through and Disasters and Development at the applied world of conservation, charity Big Beyond, which specialises Northumbria that inspired me to do agriculture and tourism economic and in programmes to help create social something which could boost my CV community development overseas.” and environmental sustainability as well as make a positive, albeit small, The University’s Disaster and in rural communities in the most impact. Development Network has been remote parts of the world. As well “I ended up working mostly in researching and facilitating the as volunteering in conservation and conservation work, but also a bit disaster risk reduction strategies education, Peter was able to visit the with education and enterprise, to improve community resilience Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, though these projects were all inter- in some of the world’s poorest home of the critically endangered connected. For example, I would communities. Researchers from the Mountain Gorilla. This incredible trip work with a local project coordinator University have previously worked was made possible by a bursary from by loaning seeds to local farmers. I with communities in Bangladesh, Northumbria, which was awarded to also prepared and taught a lesson in Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan Peter in recognition of his academic a local school about the benefits of and Zimbabwe to gauge ideas and performance. Peter enjoyed the composting – how it works and why perspectives on the risks they face. experience so much that he plans everyone should do it, especially in an As a result, Northumbria’s research in to go on and study for a Masters in agricultural area such as this.” this area has been ranked among the Disaster Management and Sustainable “This trip, combined with what I top 20 most impressive examples in Development. He will also document have learned studying geography at the UK for its contribution towards his trip in the next edition of the Northumbria, has inspired me to global development by the 2014 Geographical Association’s newsletter, continue my interest in this topic. Research Excellence Framework. Geography Matters. I’ve decided to study a master’s in Northumbria offers students a When asked about his trip, Peter Sustainable Development and Disaster variety of life-changing volunteering said: “If you are someone interested Management here next year, with a opportunities in the UK and abroad. in travelling and understanding the view to pursuing a career in the field.” To find out more about volunteering world, but also passionate about Dr Richard Kotter, Senior Lecturer go to: northumbria.ac.uk/study-at- being able to change it for the better, in Economic and Political Geography northumbria/student-life/volunteering I can’t recommend Geography at at Northumbria, added: “Peter Northumbria enough – as well as spent a really productive spell DISCOVER MORE Above: Geography student Peter McGowran in Uganda a volunteering experience such as volunteering abroad in Uganda to Top Right: The endangered mountain gorilla the one I took part in. I would really further and deepen his interest in northumbria.ac.uk/geography Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU LAW 31 Distance learning Kitty in offers fast-track to the middle An expert in animal law at Northumbria legal career University has called for a revolution in how so called ‘pet-custody’ decisions are made in divorce proceedings, following an increase in the number of cases.

hile many divorcing to resolving pet custody disputes. couples come to a She explained: “More and more mutual agreement separating couples with pets are over where the seeking legal advice and want to Wfamily dog or cat will reside fight for custody of their pet when following a relationship breakdown, their relationship breaks down. some consider their family pet to be The emotional bond between the just like their child and struggle to pet and at least one of its human agree who should keep it. carers triggers the dispute, which The law currently treats domestic cannot be resolved by simply buying pets as personal property, much another pet of the same breed and like a car or a piece of furniture, type. A car, or a similar possession, meaning that a property law test is just a thing. It can be replaced, but decides the question of pet custody. not a family pet. This is in sharp contrast with the “Pet custody is not discussed perception of many pet owners who at law schools when students are Sarah McKenzie (centre) with Johanne Pedersen, Senior Commercial Lawyer and Austin Woods, Director of Legal at Home Group see their pet as a close companion learning about family law and or member of their family. there is nothing in student text An innovative distance learning option is allowing Northumbria law student, Deborah Rook, Principal Lecturer books. It’s an issue that is becoming at Northumbria Law School, has more prominent – not just among Sarah McKenzie, to become a fully qualified solicitor two years early. called for a change in the law celebrities but for other people governing pet custody decisions. In – and I think the current law is he new learning approach able to devote half of the week on circumstances and the way I like to her paper, Who Gets Charlie? The inadequate to decide cases fairly.” means the 27-year-old the training contract is fantastic and learn. Studying this way while in full- Emergence of Pet Custody Disputes Deborah is now looking to speak could complete both her effectively means I can aim to become time employment has also given me in Family Law, she states that the to people who are in the process studies and her training a fully-qualified lawyer two years a real-world appreciation of law and law “needs to adapt and apply more of fighting for custody of their pet, contract in just six years instead of sooner than would have been possible T how it can work in practice.” suitable rules in determining pet or who have been involved in a pet eight, while continuing as a full-time through other more traditional routes. Professor Kevin Kerrigan, Executive residence disputes”. custody dispute in the past, to help administrator at Newcastle-based “Of course studying while working Dean for Northumbria Law School, Deborah wants to persuade the build on her research. charity, Home Group. full-time is challenging, however, said: “This is a really interesting courts in England and Wales to Northumbria is the most improved Ordinarily, a student who studies this is something I really wanted to route to legal qualification and I am take a more flexible approach that law school in the UK in terms of this course while working would have do and Northumbria Law School delighted that our distance learning does not rely on the application of internationally recognised research to complete a part-time degree over has made the whole learning process course, together with the progressive pure property law principles. Some provision and half of all research four years, followed by two years on straightforward, engaging and attitude and support from Home courts in the USA and Israel have outputs in law – where Deborah is the part-time Legal Practice Course. enjoyable. The quality of the online Group, is helping Sarah achieve her already taken an approach that based – have been assessed as either They would then have to apply for lectures and tutorials, and other career aspirations. We are continually considers the ‘best interests of the world leading or internationally a full-time training contract, which technology-based teaching they have developing technology enhanced animal’. The paper does not state excellent. would usually last for a further two developed has been fabulous. I am that pets are the same as children, years. As well enabling Sarah to lucky enough to have been entered learning, both for convenience and but suggests that the existing ‘best qualify as a solicitor earlier, this route onto the Law School Honour Roll for because we know that when used DISCOVER MORE interest of the child’ test could to qualification means she can also top performing students for the past well it can be an incredibly powerful support and justify a new approach northumbria.ac.uk/law put her developing legal knowledge three years so it is entirely possible to teaching tool. So it is pleasing to and skills into practice throughout her achieve success while studying this receive such positive feedback from studies. less traditional course. Sarah on her online experience with Sarah currently works as an “It’s also been a great experience the course.” administrative support to Home getting to know the other distance Northumbria Law School has a long- Group’s commercial team and PA to learning students online, some of established reputation as an innovator the Director of Legal Services. Upon whom are from as far away as Canada. in Legal Education and offers a variety qualification in three years’ time In one group project for public law we of routes to study its courses, on full- she hopes to take up a position as were all sharing emails and working time, part-time and distance learning a qualified lawyer in the company’s on joint presentations at 7:30pm on options. The University was awarded legal team. She says that without the a Sunday evening as it was the only the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary innovative course from Northumbria, time we could get together online. It Prize in 2013, for the pro-bono and the support from her employer, was challenging at first but was good community work of its Student Law she would struggle to find the time to experience of working outside of my Office. pursue her career goals. comfort zone and adapting working She said: “Home Group, and the practices. legal department in particular, have “I would certainly recommend it DISCOVER MORE been enormously supportive and to others considering a legal career. accommodating. The fact that I am It’s ideal for me, fitting in with my northumbria.ac.uk/law NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 32 TRAVEL Graduate runs marathon Olympic odyssey

A Northumbria University graduate donned his running shoes for an epic challenge which saw him run races in every Olympic city around the world over the past four years.

ravel and Tourism After graduating from Northumbria organisations in tourism, and as a Management graduate in 2002, Michael, 35, worked at result I’ve always been able to follow Michael Long has taken Stansted Airport and Olympic my chosen career path.” part in 23 sporting events Holidays before landing a job with Northumbria is ranked seventh in Tin every host Olympic city. He came online travel giants, Expedia, which the UK for the number of graduates up with the first-of-its-kind challenge owns Hotels.com. He now manages in professional employment and in 2012 after the London Olympics the Hotels.com affiliate programme on permanent contracts and 94% and ran his first race in Athens, across Europe and has been juggling of students are in work or further Greece. He will end this year in Rio, his marathon challenge with working study six months after graduation. Brazil, where the 2016 Games will also full-time. He has even managed to Many of the University’s courses, be taking place. squeeze races into weekend-long trips. such as Michael’s, offer students the Michael explained: “I didn’t really go He said: “I’ve taken my time as opportunity to spend a year working running when I was younger – I was holiday and where possible, when in industry, to gain real-world a swimmer and a hockey player, but I racing in Europe, I’ve flown out on the experience and get their career off to a quickly caught the running bug and Friday night, registered on Saturday, running start. entered a marathon in Athens, where run the race on Sunday and flown I was born. back Sunday night in time for work DISCOVER MORE “After that I received a book about the next day.” the Olympic Games, starting with Speaking about how his degree runalltheolympics.blogspot.co.uk the first Games’ revival which took has helped his career, he said: “I place in Athens in 1896. Because I recommend Northumbria as a place was so into running and travelling at to study all the time. the time, a friend of mine said that “The Travel and Tourism he wouldn’t be surprised if I’d already Management degree at Northumbria Top to bottom: run a race at every city that has hosted was brilliant, especially the placement Michael Long in Berlin, an Olympic Games. So I took a their year where I worked at the Civil Seoul, Sydney, advice and spent the next four years Aviation Authority. It gave me Munich, Moscow, doing just that.” a fantastic overview of so many Montreal and Barcelona Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU NEWS 33 Unique new law course in strong demand from Irish solicitors

Northumbria Law School joins forces with the Law he Law School, which is the Northumbria Law School to offer relationship with the Society. This largest in the North East Irish students an innovative and partnership reflects the growing Society of Ireland to deliver an innovative masters of England, has recently flexible programme unique to the success of our international activities.” course to Irish students. signed an agreement with Irish market. The programme gives The Northumbria Law School has a Tthe Law Society of Ireland to jointly academic credit for the solicitor national and international reputation deliver the Advanced Legal Practice qualification while providing for excellence in legal education. LLM course. The announcement of participants an opportunity to reflect Students learn in authentic civil this unique two-year distance learning on their own chosen area of practice and criminal courtroom facilities, course for Irish solicitors has already in an academic setting. including a real criminal courtroom proven popular, attracting more than “With the next student intake donated by the Courts Service. Third three applications for every place. scheduled for early 2016, the year students also work on real-life It allows solicitors to develop their Law Society of Ireland sees its cases for members of the public existing expertise and knowledge, collaboration and relationship with through the Student Law Office – a and enhance their skills in research, the Law School at Northumbria hugely innovative service which won a analysis and problem solving – all University continuing for many years.” Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2013 for directly relevant to the needs of a Dr Mark Brewer, Acting Associate modern legal practice. Students are Dean, International, for Northumbria its outstanding community work. The also assessed by a dissertation, which Law School, added: “We are delighted prize is the highest honour that can be gives them the freedom to choose to be working with the Law Society given to a further or higher education a research topic directly relevant to of Ireland, the professional body for establishment. their own practice. solicitors in Ireland. We are honoured Ken Murphy, Director General and proud to be the first and only of the Law Society of Ireland, said: British university to have an academic DISCOVER MORE “The Law Society of Ireland has partnership with the Society and Dr Mark Brewer (centre) with TP Kennedy and Rory O’Boyle of the Law Society of Ireland entered into this collaboration with look forward to a long and successful northumbria.ac.uk/law

Professional rugby players successfully tackle business degrees

Two Newcastle Falcons alcons captain, Will Welch, and prop year’s cohort of rugby players has excelled in their Alex Rogers, celebrated after gaining the studies and taken a significant step toward their future players swapped their innovative BA Leadership and Management goals. It’s worth adding that they are graduating from playing kit for academic (BALM) degree. a globally recognised business school, and one which FDesigned in partnership with the RPA, the course has just been named as the UK’s Business School robes to graduate, encourages students to draw upon their leadership of the Year – all of which can add to their CVs and thanks to an innovative skills as sports professionals. It recognises the enhance career prospects.” demands of a modern regby professional, by offreing RPA Personal Development Manager, Mandy partnership between them the flexibility to study around their sporting Thompson, added: “It’s fantastic to see so many of our Newcastle Business career, and equips them with a leading business members, both past and present players, working so degree to help secure a successful career after rugby. hard around their playing careers to achieve brilliant School and the Rugby The players join over 70 others who are currently results and begin their journey towards a successful Players’ Association studying or who have already completed the course. post-rugby career.” Will said: “It’s great to have completed my degree The University’s partnership with the RPA also offers (RPA). Northumbria and graduate from the University. The club are the opportunity to study for a work-related masters University News finds very keen to encourage us as players to think about degree in leadership and management as well as an our lives after rugby so I’m really pleased I took advanced diploma in performance and coaching, out more... the opportunity to do the course. It will open up both of which have been specially designed to support options for me when I eventually stop playing and professional rugby players in the next stage of their I’d encourage anyone to consider studying with the careers. University and its top class teaching and facilities.” Guy Brown, formerly of Newcastle Business School and now Director of Northumbria University’s DISCOVER MORE London Campus, said: “Our partnership with the www.northumbria.ac.uk/rpa RPA has been hugely successful, and once again this

Will Welch NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 34 UNIVERSITY SPORT Karate kid praises University Sport Coaching student Paul Lineham has won a number of medals at national and international karate tournaments while studying for his master’s degree. Northumbria University News spoke to black-belt Paul about how he balances competing with postgraduate study.

epresenting the University “It’s been a whirlwind year,” he Paul praised the support he has in the Karate Sport England said. “I’ve been competing, working received from the University, adding: national championships, full-time, studying and teaching. I am “I heard so many good things about the course and once I applied for my Paul has brought home doing my master’s part-time and it can be really hard to juggle training with undergrad and completed my degree, silver and bronze in the team events R my studying and work commitments I wanted to stay on to further my and bronze in the individual senior so I need to work around things, education. I would not think of doing heavyweight category. He also won but as I am doing a sports coaching it at any other university as the staff, two golds and the overall bronze degree I have been able to try new the course and place are amazing. medal in the International Karate types of training that have helped me “Newcastle is a bubbling city and the Union Championships which were and the pupils I teach.” University has fantastic facilities. If held in Portugal. Students on the Sports Coaching anyone is aspiring to be a coach or has interest in sport, Northumbria is the Paul, originally from Leeds, chose course develop a detailed knowledge place to be. It has amazing lecturers, to study at Northumbria because of of athlete development, coaching and sporting theory that helps them world class facilities and world class its reputation in sports education. He to inspire young people, adults and learning.” stayed on to study a master’s degree communities through sport. There is after graduating and eventually also an opportunity to gain additional DISCOVER MORE hopes to become a lecturer in Sport qualifications in first aid, safeguarding Coaching. and disability awareness. northumbria.ac.uk/sportcoaching Paul Lineham Northumbria turns Leading European role for up heat on Premier Northumbria sports lecturer League refs A Northumbria Two football officials prepared for the University sports South American heat by training in lecturer has been Northumbria University’s state-of-the-art elected to the environmental chamber. prestigious role of he environmental “Michael and Gary Vice-President of the chamber recreates underwent repeated tests European Association conditions from that will improve their sweat around the world, response, their heat tolerance of Sport Management Tallowing athletes to acclimatise and most importantly their (EASM). prior to competing in cold, hot perception of that strain. It was or humid conditions, or at high a privilege to work with them Ruth Crabtree with the board of the European Association of Sports Management and this project shows the altitude. uth Crabtree, a Principal Europe on the world stage and it is also With specialist physiology, important role the University Referees, Michael Oliver and Lecturer in Sports Management a pleasure to be working with some of biomechanics and nutrition laboratories; can play in supporting elite Gary Beswick, who officiated and Development, is the key people in the world associated strength and conditioning suites; and at the FIFA U-17 World Cup level sports performance.” responsible for the with sport management. It is an exciting an indoor sprint track, Northumbria in Chile, visited Northumbria Michael, who became the international development of time and a great opportunity to learn, is ranked as one of the top ten sport to help prepare for the hot youngest referee in Barclays R develop and implement good practice Premier League history in Northumbria’s Department of Sport, universities in the country. These world- and humid weather of South internationally. I hope to support August 2010, said: “The Exercise and Rehabilitation. She has class facilities in the £30 million Sport America. Northumbria’s rich history of providing opportunity provided by received worldwide attention for her Central facility are all available for student The heat acclimation tests sports courses by developing links Northumbria University and research, in sport tourism, focusing on learning and research activity. were overseen by Dr Martin and partnerships with other leading Professional Game Match the management of national parks and Many courses are accredited and Barwood, Research Fellow in universities across Europe.” Officials Limited was very tourism in Australia, North America and endorsed by professional national Northumbria’s Department Professor Goran Fahlstrom, President much appreciated. It allowed us New Zealand. governing bodies and students are of Sport, Exercise and of the European Association of Sport to acclimatise to the conditions Already a member of the executive able to undertake work placements at Rehabilitation. He explained: Management, added: “Ruth has made “Exercising in the heat can be we experienced in Chile and board of the World Association of Sport organisations including the Football provided us with a fantastic great efforts for EASM over a number of Association, the International Olympic really debilitating if you are Management, and an advisor to the years. Her impressive global network is of base to perform to the best of Committee and organisations including not prepared for how you will African Sport Business Association, significant importance to me as President, our abilities.” Adidas and England Netball. respond. Officiating is full of Ruth was appointed Vice-President of and to the Board. Her intercultural high intensity exercise efforts DISCOVER MORE the European group at the Association’s awareness and ability to work with which put the officials at a high annual general meeting. people from many different countries is DISCOVER MORE risk of heat illness. northumbria.ac.uk/sportrehab Speaking about her new position, she extremely useful. I am delighted that she said: “It is a great honour to represent has been elected Vice-President.” northumbria.ac.uk/sportrehab Spring 2016 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU UNIVERSITY SPORT 35 National cricketing Northumbria at forefront of diet officials bowled over and exercise research by student’s success A Northumbria University sports student has been awarded a prestigious national award from the England and Wales Cricketing Board.

dam Nichol, a 20 year old awards before becoming the Junior been able to achieve such an award. Applied Sports Science Coordinator at the club. “My course is perfect for me as it’s with Coaching student, In this role, he is responsible for very practical and the skills I have was presented the coaching more than 70 juniors at learnt are transferable into the world ANational Young Volunteer of the Year his local club. He also works with of work. I am thoroughly enjoying award at the Natwest Outstanding the Under 11 performance squad at my time at Northumbria.” Service to Cricket Awards (OSCAs) Northumberland Cricket Board and Angela Hibbs, Programme Leader ceremony. is involved with national sporting for Sport Science with Coaching, said: The OSCAs form part of the charity, Chance to Shine, coaching “It is fantastic that Adam has been England Cricketing Board’s (ECB) young children in local schools. recognised at a national level for all volunteering programme, with the The ECB described Adam as a the hard work and dedication he has annual awards ceremony rewarding young person who has ‘worked shown to the sport. Adam is a shining the contribution that volunteers make tirelessly to revolutionise the junior example of the type of student that we Paul Lineham to the game. section of Ashington Cricket Club, work to develop over the three years Adam, who was also runner-up in turning the club around from being of the Applied Sport Science with the National Coach of the Year award, on the brink of disaster to where it Coaching course.” has been a member of Ashington is now, with four sustainable junior Some of the world’s leading researchers shared Leading European role for Cricket Club since he was just three t e am s .’ years old. He started coaching at the Adam said: “Without the support DISCOVER MORE their breakthrough findings about the best age of 12 and went on to complete of the Sports Science and Coaching methods to encourage weight loss and improve his Level 1 and 2 ECB Coaching Department, I know I would not have northumbria.ac.uk/sportrehab Northumbria sports lecturer sporting performance at a major conference hosted by Northumbria University.

ith popular diets such as low carb/high fat, Paleo and intermittent fasting regularly featuring in the news, the experts debated how diets, supplements and exercise can affect health and sporting performance at the annual WInternational Sport & Exercise Nutrition Conference, which was held at Northumbria for the fourth time. Speakers and delegates from more than 35 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, India, Russia, Singapore and Cameroon came to the University to present their latest research. Other topics under discussion included the ethical and practical challenges involved in working with competitive athletes, eating disorders in sports and how popular training and recovery supplements can improve performance. One of the speakers was Professor John Saxton, Head of Northumbria’s Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, who presented his research into breast and prostate cancer survivors. He found evidence that making changes to diet and exercise activity can improve the quality of survival in these cancer types. This is just one of the studies that have contributed to Northumbria being ranked top 20 in the UK for research power in sport and exercise sciences, according to the Research Excellence Framework 2014. Professor Saxton said: “Northumbria University has once again attracted top-level speakers from around the world to share the very latest knowledge and insights into how diet and exercise can improve health in everyone from elite athletes to recovering patients.” The University is fitted with some of the best facilities in the country for sport and exercise research, including specialist physiology, biomechanics and nutrition laboratories, as well as the £30 million Sport Central facility which includes strength and conditioning suites, an indoor sprint track and a 25-metre swimming pool. DISCOVER MORE

northumbria.ac.uk/sportrehab Adam Nichol with England batsman Eoin Morgan NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 36 UNIVERSITY SPORT We’re the UK’s most SPORT improved university for sport

Northumbria Geography student Charlie Burrowes (right) playing against the Tongan national team World Cup experience for Team Northumbria players! Northumbria University students enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime after being invited to train alongside the Tongan Rugby World Cup team. Northumbria University News finds out more…

ugby World Cup 2015 their annual Clash of the Titans match I’ve rolled out of bed to play against a great reflection on the University and Kyle Willoughby from Tonga Rugby organisers selected against rivals, Newcastle University. World Cup 2015 squad – it’s an out of a phenomenal achievement. We were Union’s management team praised the Northumbria as the official However, the big highlight was the this world experience!” enormously proud to host them. support the team received from the base for the Tongan team Tongan teams’ invitation to Team Leadership and Management He added: “This has been an University, saying: “The University Rafter judging the University’s state- Northumbria’s first and second rugby student, Alex Westgarth, added: “The amazing experience for our students went out of its way to look after us and of-the-art facilities as being suitable union teams to go on a friendly head- whole squad was buzzing. Running – how many students can say they it’s been wonderful. The facilities are for this prestigious international to-head run-out against the World around, being involved and seeing get the opportunity to train against brilliant and gave the guys a good basis some of these top quality players when tournament. Cup squad at Bullocksteads. a World Cup team? It’s fantastic to train on ahead of our game against In the days before their World Cup Second year Geography student, you aspire to be at that level yourself is and I know this is a day that they’ll the All Blacks.” game against New Zealand at St Charlie Burrowes, was one of the great. They were a lot bigger than the remember for a long time. Also, Northumbria’s sports facilities are James’ Park, the Tongan national side lucky players selected to train with lads we usually play against!” the legacy we have from this is ranked top 10 in the UK and are open used Northumbria’s outdoor pitches the team. “Rugby was one of the Northumbria’s Director of Sport, to members of the public, as well as at Bullocksteads and strength and reasons why I came here. I knew it Colin Stromsoy, said: “I think it says phenomenal. A lot of the strength and staff and students. conditioning facilities in Sport Central. was a fantastic sporting university and everything about where we are with scrummaging equipment we were And if they weren’t busy enough this just characterises it,” he said. “If sport at Northumbria that we can given by the RWC organisers was left preparing for their own critical game, you’d told me ‘come to Northumbria attract a team of Tonga’s calibre to for us to use after the Tongans left, DISCOVER MORE the Tongan players also found the time and you’ll play against a World Cup train at the University, using all of the which will really benefit our students to cheer on Northumbria students at team’ I would have laughed, but today services and facilities we have. It’s a in the future .” northumbria.ac.uk/sport