Issue 547 Reporter 1 February 2010 Reach for Excellence Inside

Excellence rewarded: hailed a success Commitment to improving safety in the workplace recognised at VC’s The first evaluation of the Reach for “We’ve been able to do what we do best and Awards for Health and Safety. Excellence (RfE) scheme – which aims to that is focus on giving them the skills and help able young people from disadvantaged confidence to apply to and enter universities A1Pages LANDSCAPE 6-7 POSTER backgrounds to gain a place at a leading like ours. The research shows that Reach research university – has reported excellent for Excellence delivers value for money results. to the sector and it has also had a direct impact on our recruitment – with nearly The research findings* are extremely positive, half of those participants going to research- showing that students on the RfE scheme intensive universities entering Leeds. It were twice as likely to enter a research- widens participation and increases access.” intensive university, achieved higher A-level [continued on page 2] grades and were significantly happier with the guidance they received when making their decision about whether to attend university Wise way to save energy: than similar students not on the scheme. How using OWLs can help monitor Almost half (45%) of the first group of energy use and cut consumption. students to benefit from the project were Page 9 admitted to research-led universities, compared to just one-fifth (21%) of similar students. The programme was also found to boost the likelihood of students entering higher education in any form (87% compared to 65% of the comparison group) and to cement their aspirations towards further study. The results of the evaluation were made public by Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael New bird sighted: A species Arthur at a special reception held at London’s new to science is found in Malaysia. Royal Society in January. Page 14 Speaking at the event, Professor Arthur said: “Through Reach for Excellence we have been able to focus on the brightest and best students – those with academic promise who are likely to thrive in a research- intensive university, but also from genuinely disadvantaged backgrounds.

A participant in Reach for Excellence student gets hands-on experience in a lab. “RfE gave me the confidence “ I feel that I am now prepared and self-belief I required to revise and on the right path to reach my effectively and gain the results I full potential.” ■ Next issue: 8 March 2010 needed for a top university.” Ezra has applied to study Politics and Deadline: 16 February 2010 Kelly, now studying Law International Relations. Reporter / Issue 547 Reach for Excellence hailed a success [continued from front page] Sir Peter Lampl, Chairman of the Sutton Trust, commented: “This is encouraging news for all those who are interested in fair access to university. This thorough evaluation “Students also enjoy subject taster sessions, THE REPORTER of the Reach for Excellence project shows which give them the opportunity to sample is the University of Leeds’ staff magazine that well designed and targeted programmes teaching at undergraduate level and and produced eight times a year. Over really can transform the expectations and experience a new learning environment 8,500 copies are distributed to staff outcomes of bright, non-privileged young where teaching styles are different to across campus. people. Despite the current economic school,” explains Ceri Nursaw, Head of The Reporter is written and produced by constraints, if we are genuinely interested in Access and Community Engagement. the communications team. boosting this country’s shamefully low levels of social mobility, we need to invest more, “Students are encouraged to try a broad http://reporter.leeds.ac.uk not less, in schemes like this. Accessing a range of subjects to ensure they experience different courses before making their STORIES AND LETTERS research-led university remains the surest university applications. For example, there Story ideas and letters are welcomed as way to sought-after and influential careers.” are sessions in English, Law, Medicine, hard copy or in email. The deadline for the RfE is funded by the HBOS Foundation Politics, Business and Enterprise, next issue is Tuesday 16 February. and the Sutton Trust and each two-year Engineering, Geography, Biological Sciences, programme has a cohort of 120 students, Performance, Psychology and Sociology.” EVENTS mostly from families with no history of Please submit events online at higher education attendance. Through *The research was commissioned by the Sutton Trust and www.leeds.ac.uk/events carried out by the National Foundation for Educational W RfE they receive support throughout year Research. The evaluation tracked the first cohort of RfE 12 and 13 studies, including study skills students as they progressed from year 12 to university. DISTRIBUTION AND INSERT ENQUIRIES workshops, pre-entry guidance, financial This included a baseline survey, to gauge attitudes at the Phone Cesca Kulikowski, 0113 343 8373 literacy sessions, mentoring and a five-day beginning of the programme, and a follow-up survey. or email [email protected] Some 114 students in the RfE programme were involved residential summer school. and a control group of their peers were also tracked. EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES The Reporter Communications team Room 12.72 Bright Beginnings E C Stoner Building Leeds LS2 9JT Tel: 0113 343 6699 Fax: 0113 343 6987 gets ready to shine Email: [email protected] “Bright Beginnings has always been very popular with staff and students, and the new, If you would like information in two-storey building will mean that we can alternative formats (eg. large print accommodate a greater number of children, or audio) please contact us. meeting the needs of working and studying parents here at the University,” said Angela The new Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre Foley, general manager of Bright Beginnings. is set to open in April this year, providing “Childcare staff and children have been part improved and enlarged childcare facilities for of the ongoing consultation in the design University staff and students. and development of their new setting. Space The £3.6 million development is situated includes covered play areas that are open in the heart of the campus on Cromer to the outdoors on lower and first floors, a Terrace and has places for 144 preschool natural garden, a heuristic sensory room, a children aged between three months to meeting room for parents and staff training five years. It will also house the school areas. holiday playscheme, which has places for “The Centre offers outstanding provision to 48 children. It will have convenient parking give all able children access to indoor and and drop-off and pick-up areas for people outdoor play experiences that ensure they collecting and bringing their children by car. have the opportunity to explore, discover and Bright Beginnings The expansion of the nursery and childcare investigate the world around them. Open Day facilities will help the University to promote “Each child is allocated a key person who’s gender equality and lift barriers which responsible for recording their development have, in the past, inhibited the progression The Centre is holding an open day on and for planning according to the child’s Friday 9 April, between 10am and 4pm. of female staff and the participation at changing needs, and all staff follow and Everyone is welcome to come and have University of some groups of students. implement the Early Years Foundation Stage a look at the facilities, meet the staff and “This is a physical statement of our framework.” find out more about what the Centre can commitment to family-friendly policies and offer parents. For further information email Angela Foley widening access for students and staff in ([email protected]) or call 0113 343 support of our strategy,” said Professor Steve 1818 or visit www.brightbeginningschildcare. Scott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Students and co.uk W Staff and Chair of the Centre’s Board of Directors. 2 1 February 2010 European recognition for Leeds terahertz expertise

Research into terahertz technology at the University of Leeds has received a major boost with a €2.5 million European grant.

An example of a rock instrument. The award – an Advanced Investigator Grant from the European Research Council – is in recognition of outstanding work in the field by Professor of Terahertz Electronics, Edmund Linfield. It is one of Music rings only 105 projects selected across Europe out of 736 applicants in physical sciences and engineering. Professor Linfield will use the funding to study both the fundamental out from rocks science and the potential applications of terahertz quantum cascade lasers. Quantum cascade lasers are small, and potentially Rock music with a difference portable, sources of radiation in the terahertz frequency range of the will soon ring out across the electromagnetic spectrum. Lake District, thanks to a project “The potential uses for terahertz technology are wide-ranging, – Ruskin Rocks - the sound of but are currently limited to niche applications in fields such as nature: the nature of sound – pharmaceutical analysis and astronomy, as most systems on the being led by the School of Earth market are both expensive and physically large,” explained Professor Coniston Water - home of and Environment which will Linfield. “The availability of cheap, compact systems would open up Brantwood, where the finished encourage children to create a new instrument will be played. a wide range of opportunities in fields including industrial process percussion instrument from rocks. monitoring, security screening, atmospheric science, and medicine.” Most rocks simply give a dull thud when struck, but some types of The prestigious Advanced Investigator Grant award scheme is aimed rock ‘ring’ – including a number of those found in Cumbria. With at supporting the very best established research leaders to carry out the help of music and multimedia technologies, the project will pioneering work in their field. Leeds has had increasing success in use real-time digital signal processing to bring out the qualities of the scheme, now in its second year. Professor Linfield’s grant follows the rock sound beyond the range of natural hearing – making an an award in 2009 to Professor Giles Davies – also from the School of innovative percussion instrument. Electronic and Electrical Engineering – and is one of two made to the Rocks will be donated by quarries in Cumbria, reflecting the range University in 2010. of geological time and the different types of rock represented The School has one of the world’s leading research groups in in the region. Local schoolchildren will make quarry visits and terahertz technology and one of the largest university facilities for collect rocks for instruments of their own. As well as constructing terahertz research internationally. It is also one of only a very small instruments from ‘ringing’ rocks, the project will link multimedia, number of laboratories in the world to grow terahertz quantum computer vision, computer music and digital media, to create cascade lasers, using a technique known as molecular beam epitaxy interactive explanations of the geology and musical properties of (MBE). The School’s MBE system (costing around £1million), and the selected rocks. Professor Linfield’s team’s expertise in using it, will underpin the “This project is a great example of bringing together different research funded through this European grant. disciplines to create something that is unusual, exciting and accessible,” said project co-ordinator Bobbie Millar. “The project is designed to make geology fun and understandable by blending it with music and technology.” The project leader is Professor Bruce Yardley, School of Earth and Environment, and geologists with extensive knowledge of the Lake District are also taking part. Other participants are Dr Kia Ng, director of the Leeds University Interdisciplinary Centre for Scientific Research in Music, instrument specialists and the staff at Brantwood (which is hosting the project). Renowned percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie is backing to the scheme, which has been made possible by a grant of nearly £198,364 from Natural England, through Defra’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF). Dame Evelyn Glennie will demonstrate the completed rock instrument at its public launch at Brantwood – the historic home of John Ruskin – on 19 August, and it will then be available for visitors to play. Professor Edmund Linfield in the terahertz laboratory. 3 Reporter / Issue 547

Who was Storm Jameson? Born in Whitby in 1891, Margaret Storm Jameson read English Language and Storm makes Leeds a Literature at the University, graduating with a BA in 1912, before starting her career as a prolific writer and journalist. Her first novel, perfect destination The Pot Boils, was published in 1919. This was followed by many other works of fiction including a trilogy about a family of Yorkshire Storm Jameson Court, the new £27.1 million “Residents – whether they’re students shipbuilders (both her grandfather and on-campus accommodation due to open in or corporate visitors – will enjoy the light, father were shipbuilders): The Lovely Ship September, is a major new facility that will spacious rooms and larger beds,” said (1927), The Voyage Home (1930) and A enable the University to build its reputation Richard Handscombe. “They’ll also have use Richer Dust (1931). as one of the UK’s premier higher education of 24-hour reception services and attractive During her long career she experimented to conference destinations. social and kitchen areas. find literary forms that enabled her to express The impressive two-block, 459-bedroom “This development means that we can her interests in socialism, anti-Fascism, development will offer hotel-style now offer really top-class support to all international politics and exile. As well as accommodation to students during term University schools and faculties looking writing 45 novels, she wrote several plays, time and will also be available to conference for conference venues. As well as offering scores of articles and poems, three volumes delegates during the summer recess. excellent on-campus accommodation, we of autobiography and a variety of memoirs. can provide a full conference management All rooms are fully en-suite, and have a For many years Jameson was president service including marketing, dealing with all telephone, data access point, IPTV facility and of the International Association of Poets, aspects of registration and catering. And, of a safe; 23 rooms are specifically designed to Playwrights, Editors, Essayists and Novelists course, all the income we receive goes to the suit occupants with a physical disability. (PEN). Storm Jameson died in 1986. University, so it makes economic sense to use our conference facilities.”

Richard and his team will be taking the visiting more places on campus this year,” ‘Conference team on tour’ during 2010, so said Richard. “It’s a great opportunity for any Conference University staff will have the opportunity to colleagues thinking of planning an event to see exactly what services and facilities the come along and discuss what they’re looking team on team can provide. The first date of the tour for and let us explain how we can meet their is 25 February, when the team will be in needs.” Parkinson Court between 10am and 2pm. tour For more information on the University’s “We have already taken our exhibition into conference facilities go to some of the faculty buildings to show staff www.meetinleeds.co.uk W what is and will be available, and we’ll be

Fundraising campaign begins First Dry scholarships The University is set to embark on its most ambitious fund raising Four students have been the first recipients of scholarships and programme in living memory. On 21 January the Council endorsed prizes established through a legacy from Dr Avis Dry, formerly of the plans for a £60 million campaign to secure philanthropic gifts for a Psychology Department. range of academic and student-benefiting projects. These range from Dr Dry left a legacy to establish the Florence Swinton Dry MA academic posts to undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and Scholarships in English and the Francis William Dry Prize in Zoology campus facilities such as the new library. in memory of her parents, who were both academics. The campaign will now enter its ‘quiet’ phase – when about half the English students Claire Barrack and Rahul Prasad were the first to total is raised, but without the campaign being publicised beyond receive scholarships, and Zoology students Heidi Neal and Steven a circle of key supporters – with the public launch scheduled for Colin Pace were the first recipients of the Francis William Dry Prize. 2012/13. The campaign, which will run to end of 2015, will attract major new investment to accelerate our progress towards becoming one of the world’s top 50 universities. 4 1 February 2010 Grant success for heart research Two large awards totalling more than £1.3 million have been won by Mark Kearney, Professor of Cardiology in LIGHT, and his team of researchers for their work on diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Professor Kearney was awarded nearly £500,000 from the Medical Research Council, and £830,000 from the British Heart Foundation for research which seeks to establish the causes of heart disease in people with type two diabetes, with a view to developing new treatments for the condition. Heart disease is the major cause of death and disability for people with diabetes, with 80% of those affected dying from Mark and some of his team (l-r): Dr Adil Rajwani, Mark, Dr Afroze Abbass and Dr Matt Kahn. complications associated with heart disease. To put the figures in context, by 2020 there will be 300 million people with diabetes “The extraordinary prevalence of diabetes These receptors are also a target for potential around the world. both in the UK and around the world, make therapies. this research into associated cardiovascular Professor Kearney’s work focuses on the “A focus of our research is on insulin disease extremely important,” said Professor mechanisms that cause cardiovascular resistance in diabetes patients,” he said. “By Kearney. disease. In particular the research focuses changing the lining of the arteries to make on insulin resistance, the hallmark of type Specifically, Professor Kearney is looking at them more sensitive to insulin we hope to two diabetes and obesity. Previous work the insulin receptors in the artery walls of shine a light on what exactly the link between has shown that insulin resistance is linked people with type two diabetes, to work out heart disease and diabetes is.” to patients with heart disease both with and how and why they might be malfunctioning. without diabetes.

Additional schemes earmarked for progression in 2011-14, subject Haiti appeal to funding, include consolidation of the School of Computing within The University of Leeds is supporting a campus-wide campaign to help Engineering and the School of Humanities in the E C Stoner Building, the people of Haiti, organised by the Disasters Emergency Committee with additional space for the Language Centre in that location and in (DEC). As well the DEC, the regional body of the British Red Cross is the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Building. also actively involved in the campaign. Students and staff have been actively involved in fundraising and campaign management. Leeds research finds new piece of BSE DEC collection boxes are now in cafes and schools across campus. The campaign is being organised by Dr Haseeb Shabbir – H.A.Shabbir@ puzzle lubs.leeds.ac.uk – and his students from the Faculty of Business and A new treatment route for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) biology student Katherine Parker – [email protected].. and its human form Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (CJD) could be a step closer thanks to a discovery by a team from the Faculty of Biological Council approves Estate Strategy Sciences. Council has approved building and maintenance proposals put New research has found that a protein called Glypican-1 plays a key forward in the Estate Strategy document on 21 January. role in the development of BSE. The findings have implications for the treatment of both BSE and the human form of the disease, CJD. Works include continuation of the refurbishment and relocation of Professor of Biochemistry, Nigel Hooper said: “Now we know the facilities in Biological Sciences, refurbishment of Manton Building identity of one of the key molecules in the disease process, we may in levels 8 and 9 for Evolution and Ecology, and the developer-funded the future be able to design drugs that target this.” re-building of St Mark’s Flats. The research was published in PLoS Pathogens and was mainly Schemes prioritised for funding in 2011 are new building on the funded through the Wellcome Trust with support from the Medical Western Campus to accommodate Library storage and the Marks & Research Council. Spencer Company archive and the first phase of improvements for access and facilities for the disabled. 5 Reporter / Issue 547

Gold winners – members of the Mailroom team (l-r): Ray Simpson, Gavin Thompson, Katie Dawson, Jonathan Mapplebeck, David Kime, Nigel Swift and Emma Harris. Safety champions set gold standard Colleagues’ innovation, creativity, responsibility and persistence were some of the qualities recognised Estate Services’ Michael Howroyd receives and rewarded during a ceremony held in honour of the Silver award from the Vice-Chancellor. the prize-winners of the inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Health and Safety.

The awards, which were supported by all the innovative solution, several colleagues showing the problem and eventually, as a campus trade unions and the Health and suffered burns when ladling hot soup into result of Michael’s perseverance, a £3,500 Safety Executive, were introduced as a way disposable cups. Her idea involved removing stairwalking machine was purchased. of recognising staff who have taken practical the webbing from a metal tea strainer, to Bronze award winner was post-doctoral steps to address health and safety issues in create a long-handled soup cup-holder so researcher in Biological Sciences Julieanne their workplaces. The judges were hugely keeping the hot liquid a safe distance from Bostock, who works in a Category 2 impressed by the standard of entries, which hands and fingers. The new tool immediately microbiology laboratory. She saw that came from across the University, so much so cut the accident rate, and has now been COSHH risk assessment forms were that they decided that two entries should be adopted across campus. getting lost and that students were not fully awarded first prize. “I’m the type of person that likes to find understanding or carrying out the details, The joint Gold winners, who each won a solution to a problem, and I knew there despite signing the forms. She created a £250, were the Mailroom team and Tracy must be a safer way of pouring soup into space on the VLE for staff and students Hemingway, team leader at the Ziff Café. the cup,” said Tracy. “I scoured DIY shops to store and share all health and safety The Mailroom team were praised for taking and supermarkets looking for the answer, information, and also included a quiz to the initiative to develop a cheap, sustainable and suddenly realised that an adapted tea test students’ knowledge. This solution and effective solution to problems they were strainer would be ideal for the job. I’m really solved a very real problem in a way that experiencing with safety on routes near pleased that it’s benefited all my colleagues – has enormous potential for the faculty-wide Blenheim Terrace and the Student Union there haven’t been any more accidents since management and dissemination of health building. it was introduced.” and safety information. “We didn’t expect to win anything, so The judges thought that by considering The judges also singled out four entries winning the Gold award is a great reward,” the problem, coming up with an innovative that are team-based and so more widely said Ray Atkinson, assistant driver in the solution, testing and implementing it, Tracy transferable across the University, honouring Mailroom. “The campus is now a safer place achieved a particularly impressive example these with Beacon of Good Practice for pedestrians and road users, and it’s an of dedication to health and safety. certificates. (These will feature in future on-going part of our work to constantly check issues of the Reporter.) Estate Services’ Michael Howroyd received and review how we can carry out our tasks the Silver award and £150 prize for tackling Certificates of Commendation were awarded safely, so it’s a great result all round.” a problem concerning members of the to the ten remaining entrants to recognise The second Gold award went to Tracy, who ‘handy gang’ who were suffering problems as the changes that they had brought about and solved a different kind of health and safety a result of moving items much heavier than their dedication and commitment to health issue when she tested and designed a soup the manual handling regulation guidelines. and safety. cup holder for catering staff. Prior to Tracy’s He gathered photographic evidence

6 1 February 2010

Beacon of Good Practice Winners • Professor Yulong Ding’s Research Group, SPEME • Dr Andrew Goddard and Dr Mark Blitz, School of Gold Chemistry • Tracy Hemingway, Team Leader Ziff Café, RCS • Sport and Physical Activity Service Team • The Mailroom team • Jennifer Parr and Steve Pearson (on behalf of the Nuffield Centre for International Health Silver and Development) • Michael Howroyd, Estate Services Commendation Bronze • Heidi Collishaw and the Clinical Skills Centre team • Julieanne Bostock, Faculty of Biological Sciences • Andrew Ford, Faculty of Biological Sciences • Faculty of Engineering Workshop Tracy demonstrates her • Dr John Corr, School of Geography invention (above) and receives her award (right). • Ben Grigor, School of Healthcare • Institute of Medical & Biological Engineering (iMBE) • Fiona Reynolds, Faculty of Biological Sciences • Antony Durham, ISS • Lee Dalley, Workshop Theatre, School of English • The Communications Team, Administration and Support

“These awards are another part of this brilliant campaign. Thank you for taking them so seriously. You are shining examples to other colleagues and I hope that other members of staff will take up the Ongoing commitment challenge and apply for next year’s awards. “Health and safety is still at the top of Council and my agenda and we The Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Arthur hosted the event, mustn’t be deflected. It’s as important as ever.” describing the awards as the Health and Safety Oscars. Explaining how the awards had come about, he said: “Shortly after my Gary Tideswell, Director of Wellbeing, Safety and Health, commented: appointment I spoke to members of the Health and Safety Executive “I’d like to thank everyone who applied and offer my congratulations and other colleagues who expressed their concern about health and to all the winners. The sheer quality of these applications shows that safety at this University. We decided there needed to be a major effort the ‘me + you’ message has really been taken to heart and we’re very to address permanent cultural change in attitudes to health and safety. impressed by the dedication of staff to health and safety.” “It’s not just about achieving this kind of change, but how you embed “This is the first time we’ve run these awards,” said Lee Dewhurst, it and get people to take responsibility. The University – working with Head of Health and Safety. “We’re already planning the 2010 Awards the campus unions which were effective partners in creating the – we know there will be unsung champions within the University improvements – has run all sorts of health and safety initiatives to community and would encourage them to apply later this year. keep people alert, with lots of new training and inductions for new “Other universities are watching closely to see if they can use this staff. I’m pleased to say that the campaign is working; we’ve almost model in their own campuses, so we’re really setting a standard that halved the number of serious accidents and figures are continuing to others will wish to follow.” fall towards the Russell Group norm. Making campus a safer place The University’s refurbished Security Control Room complete with increased and upgraded CCTV monitoring capabilities has been officially opened by Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, Sir Norman Bettison. The project, aimed at making the University campus and other facilities a safer place for students, staff and visitors, involved installing 32 new CCTV cameras, upgrading 67 existing cameras and total refurbishment of the control room. Sir Norman said: “The University of Leeds has a massive campus; it is like a small town in itself. With a daily population of some 35,000 people and 572 buildings, the upgraded CCTV will be a very effective tool in reducing crime, whilst improving confidence. This investment is testament to the University’s commitment to make the campus a safe environment and, if any crime does occur, it will be invaluable to the police investigation.” Steven Exley, head of security, commented: “The purpose of Security Services is to provide a safe environment to study and work. Our staff now have the benefit of the latest technology to help them protect our campus. The new CCTV system has already helped lead to the arrest of cycle thieves and burglars.” Sir Norman Bettison opens the refurbished Security Control Room. 7 Reporter / Issue 547

Lisa with some of the bikes for hire under the Velocampus scheme. Bike hub promotes pedal power A new bike hub to encourage and support staff and students who wish to cycle to and from campus got off to a tremendous start when it launched recently. The bike hub offers route advice, cycle safety “Now, with the bike hub, we can offer all training and weekly drop-in maintenance bike users – not just those in the Velocampus sessions, as well as access to the popular hire scheme – the opportunity to build their Velocampus Leeds bike hire scheme, which road confidence and learn more about bike provides bike hire for up to 350 students. maintenance.” The hub is located on the University’s main Velocampus is part of UTravelActive, a campus at the end of the E C Stoner Building million-pound project funded by The Big near the large covered bike storage area. It Lottery, the two universities, NHS Leeds is also available to students and staff from and Leeds City Council, in partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University. sustainable transport charity Sustrans. “We’re the first city in the UK to have a For more information on UTravelActive, Velocampus student bike hire scheme on contact Lisa Brannan at l.r.brannan@leeds. such a large scale, and we’re already giving ac.uk or on 0113 343 6573 or visit www. Hub club (l-r): Lisa Brannan; Rachael Elliott, transport other institutions advice on how similar leeds.ac.uk/utravelactive coordinator, Leeds Met; Mark Robinson, LCC cycling W officer; James Dixon-Gough, sustainability officer; Tina initiatives could work for them,” said Lisa Kelly, UTravelActive project officer, Sustrans. Brannan, UTravelActive project manager. New Policy on Dignity and Mutual Respect The University has developed a new policy and procedures on Dignity and Mutual Respect which sets out how all University members are expected to conduct themselves, and provides clear procedures and actions should behaviour fall short of this. This policy and set of procedures was developed jointly by the University and the three campus trade unions – UCU, UNISON and UNITE. It was produced in response to requests from staff asking for greater clarity on acceptable behaviour and how to respond to bullying, harassment or victimisation. The full policy document can be viewed and printed off via www.campus.leeds.ac.uk/ newsincludes/newsitem6705.htmat Alternatively, ask your line manager or human resources manager to print a copy off for you. For more information contact [email protected] Tel: 0113 34 37905 W 8 1 February 2010 Wise way to save energy Energy bills in student residences could be slashed student to student,” said Emily. “Last term thanks to the installation of ‘OWLs’ – realtime wireless the heaviest energy consumers used around electricity monitors that show exactly how much six times more than the most energy efficient occupants! electricity is being used. Monitors have been installed in three “Long-term we hope that the monitors will blocks of the Leodis residences in the city encourage students to use energy more centre and with each flat being monitored carefully and, if the expected reductions as a whole. Each flat consists of six en- do result, the monitors could be installed in suite bedrooms and a kitchen/living area. other residences and buildings on campus.” The year-long project is being organised by student Emily Bradley (Earth and University staff are also being encouraged Environment), who is on a placement with to use wireless electricity monitors in their the University’s Sustainable Development homes to save energy and money and can department. purchase an award-winning OWL monitor for £29.95 – a 15% discount on the normal Each monitor is attached to the mains supply price. For information visit www.theowl.com and electricity usage is transmitted to an and quote promo code LEEDS15. LCD screen, where it’s displayed clearly in W pounds and pence, and in kilowatts. The monitors help to reduce electricity use by Win an OWL changing behavioural habits, because people can immediately see the impact of turning off What are your favourite energy- lights or electrical appliances. saving suggestions? We have ten OWL energy monitors to give “It’s too early to draw any conclusions about away to the originators of the ten how having individual monitors affects how best suggestions. Simply email students use energy, but we have already your ideas to energysave@leeds. noticed that energy use differs widely from ac.uk marking the email ‘OWL Emily shows off one of OWL monitors. competition’ or post them to the Reporter, 12.72 E C Stoner Building, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT.

the range of activity that SEE is involved in, and multiple timelines highlighting key events that link to its research. There will also be an exhibition space to display artefacts. An intelligent energy usage display will give realtime information about energy New SEE buildings look good consumption in pre-defined zones across the Staff and students from the School of “As the greenest building on campus, our building, including what proportion of power Earth and Environment (SEE) have begun new home provides the perfect setting to is being generated by photovoltaic panels. to move into their new and refurbished tackle the challenges and opportunities The building houses an interactive seismic building, bringing together all the School’s that lie ahead in the coming years,” said Dr display and will also host a Met Office departments under one roof for the first time. Andy Dougill, Head of the School of Earth weather station and Met satellite output. and Environment. “Our aim is to ensure The £23.5 million project involved full An official open day is planned later in the the School remains at the forefront of refurbishment of the old Earth Sciences year, and will include an exciting itinerary of research and education on a broad range of building, together with the addition of a events celebrating the School’s standing as environmental and societal issues in 2010 purpose-built research block, staff offices an international leader in research and the and beyond.” and meeting rooms. It also houses laboratory evolving degree programmes offered. Visit facilities, new student work areas and has the Commissioning of displays in the new www.see.leeds.ac.uk for more details. W best energy efficiency rating of any University building is now well under way, and the building. foyer will include large images representing

9 Reporter / Issue 547

We’re keen to receive your letters on a wide variety of topics, from campus life to political and social issues in the wider world. Please Letters note that all letters will be published at the Email: [email protected] editor’s discretion, and may be edited for or post to: Reporter, room 12.72, Employee Communications, E C Stoner Building. brevity. The letters policy is available online.

A GROWING CONCERN the cherry trees were planted in the 1950s they took real care of my wife, who is also Is the Reporter able to offer an explanation for and some had already had to be replaced disabled, and me. What came across was the cutting down of trees outside of the Union because they were at the end of their life. that they felt part of what was going on and and nearby buildings? These were one of The 12 existing trees will be replaced by a not a little proud of us who were graduating. the few remaining photogenic features of the new tree avenue of some 36 new trees. We When I came out after the ceremony they campus, and will be a great loss. They also hope that the new trees will flourish and were waiting like a couple of Yorkshire aunties offered a habitat for birds and other wildlife. provide an enhanced environment for all to wish us well and check that we were OK. campus users – including the birds and Is the University on a mission to gain entry So when you spoke about “the Leeds family” wildlife. Further details of the scheme are into the league table of top 50 ‘World’s Ugliest in your speech it didn’t ring hollow to us, as available on Campusweb. Campuses’? If so, they are going about it well. so many of these things often do, because It may be time for Tree Preservation Orders Estates Department we had seen it ourselves that day. It wasn’t to be placed on the few remaining trees on their job to be the face of your University that campus, before Leeds becomes a lunar THE LEEDS FAMILY day but they acted as if it was and they did landscape dominated by revolting concrete not let you down. I have no real idea how The following letter was received by the Vice- constructions in the name of ‘progress’. to find them but I hope you can somehow Chancellor from a graduate. let them and their managers know that I hope the trees were not cut down for safety I received my diploma from you at 1.45pm in they contributed to my graduation in a very reasons, and that the likely subsidence the Great Hall on 17 December. special ‘family’ way. when the roots rot does not cause expensive damage to some of the more attractive I am writing to thank you and all your staff for Very best regards. buildings on campus. making it a very special day and to mention Tom Hendrie two staff members in particular. I should School of Medicine 2009 Dr David Bond explain that I was one of the graduands School of Earth and Environment Reply: As a result of receiving this letter, who uses a wheelchair and owing to the the Vice-Chancellor has written to the two Reply: Both the Charles Morris Hall and inclement weather coming over the Pennines colleagues concerned – senior supervisor Earth and Environment extension involved we were late and somewhat lost. Ruth Hindmarsh, and cleaner Hazel developing protected green space under I stopped and asked for directions from two Kershaw – personally thanking them for Leeds City Council planning policies. The of your cleaning ladies, Ruth and Hazel, their help. He said: “It is truly heart-warming Council agreed that the current development who work on the lower ground floor of the to see the lengths you went to in order work in University Square, which will replace Parkinson Building. They both put their to ensure that this student and his wife and improve the green and public space on mops to one side and whisked us to get our managed to fully enjoy what must be one of campus, was a suitable replacement. tickets and robes, pushing me up the many the most important days in a person’s life. It Members of the University were given the ramps, showing us the very well-hidden lifts is not everyone who would have taken the opportunity to view the original proposals and and shortcuts and getting us to the Great time to do something that does not fall within gave very helpful comments, including some Hall on time. This wasn’t their job, they could their work remit and your quick thinking is a concerns about the loss of trees. However, just have pointed us in the right direction but credit to you both and the University.” Small science – big opportunity for businesses

A unique opportunity for forward-thinking The project is part-funded by a £1m climate. Partnerships with Nanofactory companies to develop new products investment from the European Regional universities will connect the expertise of or processes based on latest emerging Development Fund as part of its three-year academic researchers with the needs of the technologies is being launched by the Yorkshire and Humber programme to create region’s companies, helping them explore region’s Nanofactory. jobs and increase business competitiveness technology and potentially apply for a range in the region. of external funding opportunities.” The Nanofactory brings together nanotechnology experts from the Universities “Nanotechnology is ‘small-scale science’ The project is launching a series of of Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Sheffield that enables the unique properties and sector-specific workshops this year which Hallam and York, and its Director is behaviours of particles and materials to will provide a forum for companies and Professor Richard Williams, Pro-Vice- be applied in a diverse range of sectors,” nanotechnology experts to brainstorm ideas Chancellor for Enterprise, Knowledge explained Professor Williams. “However, for research and development, and ideas that Transfer and International Strategy. It aims to financing research to drive nanotechnology are generated may form the basis of future form partnerships with companies interested innovation forward is often out of reach grant applications. in exploring new business opportunities for small and medium enterprises – SMEs based on latest advances in nanotechnology. – particularly in the current economic

10 Leader column Professor Michael J P Arthur University Vice-Chancellor

The decision to launch a fundraising campaign in the wake of a recession might appear optimistic. Those urging universities to find new sources our strategic ambitions, because they can vague assurances, followed by cuts totalling of income to plug the hole left by public make a difference. £915 million by 2012/13 (for more on this spending cuts might, alternatively, conclude see http://www.leeds.ac.uk/comms/financial/ The refurbishment of our beautiful art gallery, that we’ve rushed hastily into a concerted cuts/index.htm). together with a bequest of important 20th effort on fundraising. century artworks, is one such example, But as chair of the Russell Group, I decided In fact, we haven’t jumped, and weren’t courtesy of the late Audrey Burton. The it was time to put this issue into the public pushed. We have been working hard since Ziff family’s generosity extends across the domain to try and secure from government 2005 to revive the philanthropic tradition campus and over decades, most notably in the answer to one simple question – Will on which the University was built, laying the landmark student services building which you please stop at £915 million? Timing, it the groundwork for launching a fundraising replaced the grim Victorian police station seems, is everything; on a slow news day, campaign and a new, long-term, sustainable conditions in which many of our student- the story was ‘splashed’ by the Guardian source of income. They have established facing staff used to work. Sir Jimmy Savile’s and subsequently picked up on the following good relationships with influential supporters support is enabling talented medical students days and weeks by TV, radio, newspapers of the University across the globe, from to follow their passion for inquiry and research and across the internet. Thousands of words, America to Australia, Canada to Hong Kong, at undergraduate level, and there are other dozens of news clips, and sound bites, three and found another 48,000 graduates to add donors who wish to remain anonymous. ministerial articles, numerous speeches and to the 100,000 or so we knew about. references in the House and even – we’ve The fundraising working target has been set been led to believe – a Cabinet discussion A feasibility study has been carried out at £60 million over five years – a relatively poured forth. Sadly, there is still a deafening involving staff, students and potential donors modest sum against an annual turnover of silence on that one simple question. to identify how we can make a compelling some £500 million – but it would more than case for philanthropy to support our strategic double the amount we have every year to So we still don’t know what the extent of imperatives and enhance our research, spend on strategic developments,* so it will the cuts will be, but we remain determined teaching and learning and estate. Four broad have a massive impact. Council gave the go- that they will not sweep away the enormous research areas have been chosen – human ahead earlier this month and the campaign progress we have made. I am passionate health; arts and culture; climate change and now begins with a ‘quiet’ phase (where about the future of this University and our environmental sustainability; and the social fundraising begins in earnest but there is staff and students, and I will ensure that sciences – within an over-arching theme little external publicity). The external launch we do everything in our power to protect of inspiring and engaging our students. follows in 2011/12 by which time we hope us from what is to come. As we went to These encompass some incredibly exciting to have raised over half the target sum. If we press, the University and UCU were holding projects, everything from an academy of are spectacularly successful, we can revise discussions with help from the Arbitration, cultural fellows which will bring outstanding this upwards. Conciliation and Advisory Services aimed early-career artists to the city, to increased at resolving the union’s dispute. Both A fundraising campaign would have been investment in the diagnosis and treatment sides I believe are genuinely trying to unthinkable five years ago. Its launch is a of viral, cardiovascular and neurological find a solution; at the end of the day, it is reflection of the high esteem in which our diseases. important that a university such as ours staff and students are held and the self- proceeds by agreement, guided by our Philanthropy cannot replace core funding, confidence generated by a great deal of hard values of openness, transparency, honesty, whatever politicians claim. From many work, strategic focus and success. We have fairness, collegiality and upholding academic conversations I’ve had with potential donors, come a long way and, with a little help from freedom. it’s clear they never want to pick up the our friends, we will continue on this positive essential business they believe government, trajectory – notwithstanding the many *Current spend on the transformation and academic students or industry should fund. They challenges we face. development projects is around £7 million including support for the Wolfson thermodynamics laboratory, want to invest in us because they can add Months of fairly intensive behind-the-scenes the China office, Fulbright scholarships and a host of excellence to our great qualities, to our learning and teaching developments; ‘transformation’ political lobbying by universities, individually activities and to our estate. They want to research is supported in the areas of new and collectively, about the value of higher pharmaceuticals, water, food security, future workplaces invest because they can help us increase our education and its critical role in helping the and cancer. impact and academic strengths to achieve UK out of the recession had secured some 11 Reporter / Issue 547

Giuseppe Fontana (LUBS) contributed to an article in the Yorkshire Evening Post looking at whether seasonal spending increased and, if it did, whether this was a good sign. “This is a medium-to-long-term issue. A recent study showed that the economy will Dr Matthew Treherne, School of Modern not return to pre-recession levels until at least Languages and Cultures, was interviewed 2013. The trouble is that it takes a long time In the about Dante for the BBC Three Counties radio for the effects of the economic downturn, programme an Encyclopaedia of Everything. like high unemployment, to filter down to the news ordinary man in the street”. Professor David Looseley, Professor of Contemporary French Culture in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, took part in a live TV debate on the French news Vice-Chancellor Michael Arthur continued to channel, France 24. The programme, vigorously lobby against further cuts to the Culture: A Public Realm, looked at how the higher education budget. He was interviewed French model of cultural policy (ie, funding on Radio 4’s Today programme and Radio and other support for the arts) differs from Leeds, and in the Sunday Times, discussing the British and US models, asking “Is France the potentially devastating effects that right to try and protect its cultural heritage?” government cuts to the higher education budget could have on the country’s future The healthiness, or otherwise, of school prosperity. Together with Russell Group’s Kevin Theakston, Professor of British meals was back on the menu for discussion director general Wendy Piatt, he authored Government, School of Politics and following the publication of research by a a major article for the Guardian on the International Studies, featured in team from Leeds Institute of Genetics, Health same theme, the main points of which were Radio 4’s Beyond Westminster being and Therapeutics. The team, which was led reported on the paper’s front page. The key interviewed about a report he produced by Dr Charlotte Evans, found that just one messages were also reported across other for the Association of Former Members per cent of school lunchboxes contain food media, including the Financial Times, the of Parliament. Researched and co- that meets the nutritional standards set for Yorkshire Post and the Independent. authored with colleagues Ed Gouge and their classmates on school meals. Dr Evans Vicky Honeyman, the report looks at the appeared on GMTV, Today on Radio 4 and The legacy of Thatcherism is the subject experiences of retiring and defeated MPs. many local radio programmes. The story of a new book by Dr Dan Coffey of Leeds Professor Theakston discussed the issues was also picked up by the national press, University Business School (LUBS) and MPs leaving Parliament at the 2010 election including the Daily Telegraph, Guardian, Carole Thornley, of University of Keele, will face as they adjust to life after politics. Sun, Express, Mail and Times. Globalization and Varieties of Capitalism: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00phzvl/ New Labour, Economic Policy and the Abject Beyond_Westminster_02_01_2010/ W State. An article by Dr Coffey outlining the premise of the book – that the introduction of Professor Duncan McCargo (School of Politics free market principles in the 1970s did not and International Studies) was interviewed for ‘rescue’ Britain and, in fact, created some of the BBC World Service about the ongoing tax the economic problems we are experiencing feud between Cambodia and Thailand. An today – appeared in the Yorkshire Post. The article by Professor McCargo about the little book was also the subject of a feature in the reported Malay Muslims’ separatist campaign Independent on Sunday. in the southern provinces of Thailand appeared in the Guardian. www.guardian. Dr Kara McKechnie (School of Performance co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/01/thailand- and Cultural Industries) contributed to malay-muslims W a BBC Radio Leeds feature celebrating Alan Bennett’s 75th birthday. She was Radio 4’s In the News featured an interview interviewed on the Graham Liver show with Professor John Fisher (iMBE) in its talking about Bennett, his recent work and programme New Age. The programme a new documentary. She is the author of the examined whether the increasing number 2007 monograph Alan Bennett, part of the of older people poses a threat or presents television series, for Manchester University an opportunity for different kinds of new Further details of press coverage can Press and has published widely on Bennett’s business to help people age more healthily be found at http://mediacuttings.leeds. work. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/ and happily. ac.uk/index.aspx W p005bmyt/Graham_Liver_04_12_2009/ W

12 1 February 2010 Our people

Professor Patsy Stark has been appointed Professor of Clinical Education; Director of Clinical Skills in the Faculty of Medicine and Health. Previously Professor of Medical Education at the University of Sheffield, her research areas and expertise lie in curriculum development; clinical skills and professionalism. Professor Stark was also Consultant to the British Council in Egypt where she worked with several medical schools to help them develop and enhance their undergraduate medical curricula. She remains a consultant to a number of medical schools in the Middle East and Australia.

Simon Warner, School of Music, gave a talk at the Dulwich Picture Honours Gallery in London entitled Mapping the Beat: Rock, Literature and Send your honours to [email protected] the Counterculture. The lecture explored the relationship between popular musicians and Beat Generation writers. The presentation formed part of the gallery’s Contextual Lecture Series 2009-10, That Angus John Robertson, Principal Fellow in Was The Sixties That Was: 1957-1969. Clinical Illustration, Leeds Dental Institute, The ESRC has awarded a grade of ‘Outstanding’ to Professor Duncan has been awarded an MBE for services to McCargo School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), for his healthcare. Angus has been a practising research project ‘Interpreting Political Violence in the Thai South’. The clinical photographer for more than 36 years, grade indicates a project has fully met its objectives and has provided and has specialised in dental photography an exceptional research contribution. The end of award report is since he joined the University in 1985. publicly available on www.esrc.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/index.aspx W Angus has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Institute of Medical Illustrators (IMI) and the Assessment & Learning in Practice Settings (ALPS) received profession. He served as Honorary Secretary for more than 17 years a prestigious award at the mobile learning industry’s Handheld before becoming Chairman in 2007, and was made a Fellow in 2001 Learning Awards for Innovation. and an Honorary Fellow in 2009. Attended by more than 1,500 international delegates, the Conference In 1993, IMI awarded him its most prestigious award, the Norman K is the world’s leading event about learning assisted by mobile Harrison Gold Medal. He has also been a Director of the Committee technologies. ALPS, based in the Faculty of Medicine and Health, for the Accreditation of Medical Illustration Practitioners since 1991 won the ‘Best Innovation’ Award in the Tertiary, Further Education and was elected Chairman of the National Board of Registration of and Higher Education category. Via a mobile device, ALPS has Medical Illustrators in 1996 and in 2007. provided over 900 students and staff with secure access to IT Angus said: “I’m still recovering from the shock of opening the systems and network coverage. envelope, but am absolutely delighted that my peers consider me in The mobile users, including students from nursing, medicine, such a way that I was put forward for this honour.” radiology, and dentistry at the University, are able to create and securely store work whilst out on clinical placements, and keep in Professor Martin Conway, Director of the Institute of Psychological touch with their academic tutors and peers. Sciences, has been invited to be one of the Psychology representatives on the Economic and Social Research Council Research Committee. Congratulations to the Leeds Marmots, four Leeds undergraduates “I’m very much looking forward to joining the committee,” said Martin. who made it to the final of the nPower Future Leaders Challenge. “It will be hugely interesting to access all the grant applications. I’ll also The environmentally-themed competition saw the Marmots visit be involved in policy formation – in particular, I’m going to be reviewing schools to talk about sustainability, local sourcing and eating the current support offered to early year researchers and how this can seasonable produce: they produced a cookbook, a website – www. be improved.” carboncuttingcooking.com – and involved children in cooking and thinking about nutrition. The European Union has announced that Professor Alastair Hay of “Overall, it was a very positive experience for the team, even though the Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Leeds Institute of Genetics, Health they narrowly missed out on the first prize. We’re extremely proud and Therapeutics, has been appointed as a member of the Scientific of them and their achievement,” said Professor Stephen Scott, Pro- Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits to Chemical Agents. Vice-Chancellor (Students & Staff). He has also been asked by the Department of Energy & Climate W Change to serve a further term on the Chemical Weapons Convention Linguistics student Claire Cashmore won two gold medals in new National Authority Advisory Committee (NAAC). world record times at the IPC World Short-Course Swimming Championships. Claire won the 100m individual medley, setting a Dr Gabrielle Lynch, School of Politics and International Studies time of 1min 11.83 seconds, and also won silver medals in 100m (POLIS), has been elected to the council of the African Studies breaststroke SB8 and 200m individual medley SM9. She joined the Association of the United Kingdom (ASAUK). ASAUK is the national 34-point 4x100m relay squad to win gold in a new world record of subject association for Africanists within the academic community. 4mins 56.23 seconds. Its mission is to advance African Studies, facilitate the interchange of information, research and ideas in this field and coordinate activities Amendment: Further to the announcement in Reporter 546, Professor John by and between people and institutions concerned with the study of RG Turner is from the Institute of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Africa. www.asauk.net/ W 13 Reporter / Issue 547

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New bird species sighted The ‘Spectacled Flowerpecker’ – a bird species new to science – has been found in the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah, Malaysia by Dr David Edwards, a Fellow at the Faculty of Biological Science, and two tour leaders. The small, wren-sized bird has never been recorded and has yet to be given a scientific name. “It was the kind of moment you dream of – like we’d won the pools and the World Cup on the same day,” said Dr Edwards. “We hope the announcement of our discovery will lead to our ultimate goal: conservation of the new species and large tracts of its habitat, which is under threat from clearance for oil palm agriculture.”

14 1 February 2010 www.leeds.ac.uk/events Noticeboard Christen Købke: Danish Master of Light Professor David Jackson (School of Fine Art) is curator and catalogue author of a forthcoming exhibition of paintings by Danish artist Christen Købke (1810–1848). Christen Købke: Danish Master of Light is the first exhibition outside Denmark to focus on Købke’s work. It opens at London’s National Gallery in March, before moving to the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh, where it will run from 5 July–3 October 2010. Emphasising Købke’s original and experimental outlook, the exhibition focuses on the most innovative aspects of his work – including outdoor sketching, his fascination with painterly immediacy, and treatment of light and atmosphere. The exhibition features around 40 of Købke’s most celebrated works, spanning a variety of genres, including landscapes, portraits of family and friends and depictions of Danish national monuments. Købke was a pre-eminent painter in his country and arguably one of the greatest talents of Denmark’s Golden Age. With the exception of one journey to Italy, he spent almost his entire life in and around the Citadel in Copenhagen, where he found the principal themes of his art. Købke’s work demonstrates his ability to endow ordinary people and places and simple motifs with a universal significance, creating a world in microcosm for the viewer. The project was the recipient of a major AHRC grant and is supported by The A.P. Møller and Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation, Copenhagen. The exhibition runs from 17 March–13 June 2010 in the National Gallery in London. For more information visit http://nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/kobke W

For full details about all lectures in the series, visit: http://marksintime.marksandspencer. Celebrating the Games – com or contact Jenny Irvine on 0113 343 Olympic lecture series 7654. W The second Olympic lecture series is now running at the University. Subjects include Fairtrade Fortnight developing textiles for elite sport, the Cultural This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight runs from Olympiad, the philosophy of the Olympics, 23 February until 8 March. The theme for and the media and Olympic sport. Senior the fortnight is The Big Swap, encouraging officers of the London Olympic Organising Richard Gillies consumers to swap their usual purchases for Committee – Wilben Short, Leeds alumnus fairtrade equivalents and Head of Transport for 2012, and Neil M&S: there is No Plan B Walker Head of Community Relations for M&S A range of fairly-traded goods, together for 2012 – will also provide different with information about the principles of fair perspectives on the challenges of the London Richard Gillies, Director of Plan A at Marks trading, will be available on 22 February in the 2012 Games. and Spencer, will deliver the second of Parkinson Building between 10.30am-4pm. Tickets are free. For more information go to the M&S lectures at the University on 24 For more information go to www.fairtrade.org. www.leeds.ac.uk/olympics W February. uk W Timed to coincide with Fairtrade Fortnight, Public Seminars – Centre his talk – There is No Plan B – will focus on Opera North – exclusive corporate responsibility, sustainability, fair for Criminal Justice Studies trade and how M&S works with customers half-price ticket offer – How Tony Blair fed and suppliers to combat climate change. Tuesday 9 February University staff can purchase exclusive the feral beast of the media and savaged The next lecture – From Leeds Market HALF-PRICE Opera North tickets to Gilbert the criminal justice system – Professor Jon to Global Market? M&S in Yorkshire and and Sullivan’s Ruddigore and Mozart’s Così Silverman, University of Bedfordshire and Beyond 1884-2009 – is on 9 March. It will fan tutte, as part of the Dare collaboration. ex-BBC Home Affairs correspondent be given by Dr Kevin Grady, Director, Leeds Enjoy a night out for as little as £5 per Monday 1 March – Youths’ Experiences Civic Trust and Professor Katrina Honeyman, person! Just quote ‘Dare More’ and give of Discrimination, Social Marginalization and Professor of Social and Economic History, your staff ID card number when you call the Violence – Dr Susan Wiltshire, University University of Leeds. Leeds Grand Theatre box office on 0844 848 of Leeds 2720. To book your place visit www.survey.leeds. Seminars will be held in Beech Grove House ac.uk/lecture_series Following registration See www.operanorth.co.uk for more and start at 5pm. All are welcome and no you will receive e-mail confirmation of your information on productions and dates. W pre-registration is necessary. For further place and details of the event venue. W information please contact: a.crawford@ leeds.ac.uk 15 FAQs

Paul Lawrence Health and Fitness Officer SPORTS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (SPA) SERVICE

What does your job at SPA entail? And the most challenging? How will job responsibilities change as a I look after the day-to-day operations and Obviously with The Edge opening in spring, result of The Edge? future developments of the SPA facilities this has created some challenges! It’s been All staff – new and established – will go at Cromer Terrace, the Strength and a real effort to make sure SPA has been able through a training programme so that Conditioning Centre, Clarence Dock and to continue to offer people the facilities and everyone is starting from the same place. Oxley Hall residences as well as our new classes they want, whilst preparing for the We’ll also be having training in maintaining site, The Edge. That means organising new building at the same time. At such an the pool and pool safety, plus a new focus on all the ActiveClass timetables, staff rotas, exciting time, though, it’s a great challenge customer service. maintenance and cleaning programmes, to face. What’s your most frequently asked and staff development, as well as monitoring The new sports centre is called The Edge. question? use of the facilities and making sure we give How did you come up with the name? It used to be ‘When’s the new building customers a valued service. We had workshop sessions over a six- opening?’, now it’s ‘How much is it to be a I also work closely with the counselling month period with staff and students to member?’. service in our Lifestyle and Wellbeing develop the name and the brand. The name I can’t tell people yet about prices as they’re programme; they refer clients to me who is distinctive, it reflects our cutting-edge currently being finalised but I do know that may benefit from advice about how to adopt facilities and we’re situated on the edge of new memberships will be available to buy a healthier lifestyle. campus, so The Edge seemed to fit the bill. from 10 March. Details will be available on How did you come to work at SPA? How’s the building work on The Edge our website very soon – that’s www.leeds. Between 2004-7 I studied Sports Science progressing? ac.uk/sport. and Physiology at the University, and started It’s all going according to plan. Even What advice would you give people working part-time at the SPA as a fitness the recent bad weather didn’t affect the struggling to keep to their fitness instructor. Before I graduated I was offered timetable too much. The builders – Willmott resolutions? a job as fitness co-ordinator. I knew it was a Dixon and their sub-contractors – have been Have a goal. Choose a target to work towards really vibrant, lively place to work, so I was fantastic. and tell people what you aim to do – that way more than happy to join the team. What’s planned for the official opening you’ve already made a verbal commitment. What are the most rewarding things about ceremony of The Edge? Then commit your time; put aside slots in your job? I can’t give too much away, but the opening your diary and stick to them. Getting into Helping people to live and maintain a is set for 4 May and there’ll be a full a routine is key, both for your lifestyle and healthy lifestyle, and seeing how a few programme of events leading up to it. fitness. If you get stuck, give me a call! simple changes can really enhance people’s What are your own goals for 2010? wellbeing. It’s proven that regular exercise What are you most looking forward to about I used to do a lot of cross-country running is a great way of building confidence and The Edge? and now I’m beginning to train for a triathlon; increasing energy, and I can see that The whole building is going to be fantastic. I’d like to complete one this year. Then, my happening as I work with people. It will be one of the largest fitness facilities in the higher education sector and it’s a next aim is to do an Ironman triathlon– that’s I also really enjoy being part of such a great massive opportunity for our students and a 2.4 miles (3.86 km) swim, a 112 miles team – everyone in SPA, whatever their role, staff, and for us to attract more people to get (180.25 km) bike and a marathon (26.2 is encouraged to voice opinions and suggest fitter and healthier. miles, 42.195 km) run, raced in that order ideas, and you know that others in the team and without a break! will listen and consider what you say. For more information go to www.leeds.ac.uk/ sport W

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