Annual Review 2009 2 Contents Who’s Who Schools of Contents the University Honorary Officers Full information and contact Vice-Chancellor’s preface 4 President details of our academic The year in pictures 6 Professor Sir Martin Evans FRS Schools can be found at For our students 8 the University website For the advancement of knowledge 10 Vice-Presidents Ms Menna Richards OBE www.cardiff.ac.uk For our communities 12 Mr WH John MBE People and organisation 16 Lady Jones Parry Welsh School of Architecture Partnership and community 18 Mr Huw Edwards Cardiff School of Biosciences Estates and information infrastructure 20 Chair of Council Cardiff Business School Investment 24 Professor Sir Keith Peters FRS Cardiff School of Chemistry Communication 28 PMedSci New faces 30 Cardiff School of City and Vice Chair of Council Regional Planning Appointments and distinctions 32 Mr Dick Roberts OBE University in numbers 34 Cardiff School of Computer Treasurer Science and Informatics Strategy Map 36 Mr Hywel Jones CBE Financial performance 37 School of Dentistry Visitor Grants, gifts and donations 38 Cardiff School of Earth Rt Hon Sir Anthony Evans QC and Ocean Sciences Honorary International Cardiff School of Engineering Vice-President Professor Zhong Binglin Cardiff School of English, Communication and Philosophy Vice-Chancellor Cardiff School of European Studies Vice-Chancellor Dr David Grant CBE School of Healthcare Studies Deputy Vice-Chancellor Cardiff School of History Professor Peter Blood and Archaeology Cardiff School of Journalism, Pro Vice-Chancellors Media and Cultural Studies Cardiff University Main Switchboard and Dean Cardiff Law School 029 2087 4000 Health and Estates Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Cardiff University Innovation Network Professor Malcolm Jones Learning 0800 801750 Education and Students Manufacturing Engineering [email protected] Professor Jonathan Osmond Centre www.innovation-network.org.uk Research Cardiff School of Mathematics Development and Alumni Relations Division Professor Teresa Rees CBE 029 2087 6473 School of Medicine [email protected] Staff and Diversity Cardiff School of Music Professor Terry Threadgold www.cardiff.ac.uk/alumni School of Nursing and Research & Commercial Division Engagement Midwifery Studies Professor Ken Woodhouse 029 2087 5834 / 029 2087 9626 Cardiff School of Optometry [email protected] Dean of Strategic Futures and Vision Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies Professor Peter Halligan Welsh School of Pharmacy Cardiff School of Physics and Directors Astronomy Strategic Development School of Postgraduate Medical Louise Casella and Dental Education Human Resources, Safety, Cardiff School of Psychology Health and Environment Cardiff School of Religious Jayne Dowden and Theological Studies A wide range of information about Cardiff University can Physical and Financial Cardiff School of Social also be found on our website at www.cardiff.ac.uk Resources Sciences Mike Davies Comments and suggestions regarding this review are Cardiff University School welcome and should be sent to: Information Services of Welsh Martyn Harrow Sandra Elliott, Director, Communications and International Relations Division, Deri House, 2-4 Park Grove, Cardiff Registry, Governance University, Cardiff, CF10 3PA. and Students Dr Chris Turner Tel: +44 (0)29 2087 6299. Written and produced by the Public Relations Team. Designed by www.brand68.com, Cardiff. 4 Vice-Chancellor’s preface Vice-Chancellor’s preface Cardiff University has enjoyed another year in the forefront of international academic achievement. At a time of global economic challenges, the University has the confidence to invest in its future. This confidence is shared by the many partners keen to work with us on research, teaching, business ventures, public policy and community initiatives. From the past year’s evidence, large Within a few months of the This was particularly pleasing as the Prize numbers of people see Cardiff University establishment of the MRC Centre, recognised the Group’s practical results as an outstanding place for study, one of its members, Professor Julie in tackling violence with partners in the research and collaboration. Williams, was making worldwide local community, as well as its research This endorsement is shown in many headlines for a breakthrough in the strength. The Group is just one of many ways. There are the numbers wishing genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease. examples of University studies benefiting to study here. More than 33,500 Our international research partnerships public policy. Another is Professor Sir people applied to join undergraduate cover the full range of our academic Mansel Aylward, knighted in the New courses last year and a record number activity. Last May, the then First Minister Year’s Honours List for a lifetime’s service of successful applicants achieved top for Wales Rhodri Morgan joined us to public health and healthcare. grades. Demand for postgraduate places for a live link-up to the launch of the All these successes have been achieved is also strong, with some 7,000 graduates Herschel Space Observatory, built by an in the face of an extremely difficult now pursuing courses and research at international consortium in which the economic climate. As the annual Cardiff. We have just established the School of Physics and Astronomy took accounts show, the University’s own President’s Research Scholarships, a a leading role. The University has also financial position is sound. We had an multi-million pound package to help strengthened links in Malaysia, China in-year surplus of £14.4M thanks to talented new researchers undertake and the US, where we had a significant action by a large number of staff in challenging projects. presence at Washington’s high-profile reducing costs and maximising income. The University continues to enjoy the Smithsonian Festival. However, we must expect further cuts in support of funding bodies, charities Honours and prizes are another strong Government higher education funding and business, prepared to invest in indicator of the regard in which Cardiff over the coming years. Further savings the excellence of our research. The University is held. Professor Graham will be necessary if the University is to last year saw a trio of major awards to Hutchings of the School of Chemistry avoid a deficit. create three new centres seeking new was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society Our innovation, education and approaches to curing disease. A total (FRS) for his work on gold catalysis. The investment will also play an important of £4M was invested to create the MRC FRS title is one of the highest honours in role in regenerating the economy. To Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics the academic world and Cardiff is proud that end, in March 2009, we joined and Genomics, £10M for the Arthritis now to have nine holders, the latest forces with four other Welsh universities Research Campaign Biomechanics and being the distinguished physiologist to make the St David’s Day Declaration. Bioengineering Centre and £2M to Professor Ole Petersen, the new Director We pledged to work together to help establish the Cardiff Cancer Research of the School of Biosciences. create a vibrant knowledge-led society UK Centre. Another major award, a Queen’s and economy for Wales. Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education, went to the Violence and Society Research Group. Annual Review 2009 5 One of the Declaration’s commitments We reaffirmed this vision recently was to continue with ambitious capital following wide consultation and the investment programmes, which will resulting University Strategy focuses on bring direct benefits to the economy. the key priorities that will determine our Good progress has been made on many success. You will find the Strategy is a projects within Cardiff’s own Campus recurring theme throughout this Annual Horizons programme, including the Review, underpinning all our activities Cochrane Building for health students and future plans. on the Heath Park Campus and the new I believe Cardiff is as well positioned extension to the School of Biosciences. as any university in the UK to face the An outline planning application has been challenges of the coming years. My submitted for our proposed new research confidence is founded on the talent and campus at Maindy Park and we hope to dedication of our staff and students and make further announcements about this on the co-operation and encouragement development very shortly. of our partners and stakeholders. May I Our commitment to sustainability is close this preface by thanking you all for just as vital as our commitment to the enormous contribution you continue economic regeneration. The University’s to make. first-ever Sustainability Week, held in November, highlighted the wide scope of our research in this field, from waste Our vision is to be management in the developing world to understanding the Earth’s climate in the one of the world’s past. As an employer, our own successes Dr David Grant CBE in managing energy, water and waste Vice-Chancellor leading universities were recognised in last year’s Green with an academic League Table of universities. Our vision is to be one of the world’s community leading universities with an academic recognised for community recognised for its its international international distinction and impact. distinction and “”impact. 6 The year in pictures The year in pictures 1 2 3 4 6 5 7 1 2 3 4 The University’s Main Television presenter and Professor Graham Hutchings, Argentina’s international rugby Building celebrated the 100th Honorary Fellow Carol School of Chemistry, was team geared up for a test clash anniversary of architect Vorderman opened the elected a Fellow of the Royal with Wales by taking on the William Douglas Caroe’s vision redesigned ultra-modern Society, second only to a University team at Llanrumney being formally opened on Trevithick Library, which Nobel Prize in prestige, for playing fields in Cardiff as final October 14, 1909 by the Earl features open study spaces, a his pioneering work on gold preparation.