Alumni Issue magazine 10 06 Due south So what’s it really like to visit the Antarctic? We talk to some recent visitors about research, rocks … and what to pack

10 Ethical dilemmas Why teaching ethics is more than just a matter of right and wrong

12 A matter of life and death Transforming maternity care in Sierra Leone, and the extraordinary doctor at the heart of it

18 Spy games Jane Featherstone on Paul Gascoigne, Gene Hunt and Harry Pearce Contents

From the Editor

Following last issue, when we ran a feature on 180,000 our alumni news page called “Leeds for Love,” Readers we were inundated with letters and emails from alumni couples telling us their own stories about how they all met at Leeds, over many different decades. We couldn’t resist printing another one this time.

Here in the alumni team at Leeds, we read Leeds is published every single email, letter, and comment that twice a year by comes from you, whether a question, a query, a the University of memory, or a request to make contact with a long Leeds Alumni lost friend, and while we can only ever publish & Development a small number, we really appreciate finding Team. It is received out about you, your life, and your memories by more than of Leeds. You can also use our Facebook and 180,000 graduates, members and LinkedIn groups to share your stories, memories friends of the and start discussions too. University across the world. This issue, we’re starting in heading south. From Leeds to Sierra Leone, and ultimately to 18 Antarctica. Leeds is about people, their journeys, and perhaps how everyone who’s been here takes Jane Featherstone a little bit of Leeds with them wherever they go. Enjoy! 06 Phil Steel (English 1997) Head of Alumni Relations Antarctic challenge 32 Harewood event

Join the discussion 16 Chinese guests Editorial Team This magazine is also Phil Steel, Editor available for download from Jill Bullock, Deputy Editor www.alumni.leeds.ac.uk Simon Jenkins or can be emailed out www.facebook. Victoria Sheard on request com/leedsalumni 12 Leeds Alumni Thanks This magazine is printed on Linked In Kathy Isherwood on 50% recycled paper @LeedsAlumni Sierra Leone Emma McKeown and mailed out in 100% on Twitter Kate Hitchen at Kudos biodegradable packaging. Correspondence is Views expressed are those welcomed and should be of the contributors and addressed to the Editor at: not necessarily those of the University of Leeds Alumni & Development, If you would EC Stoner Building, like to receive University of Leeds, Design: Appetite this magazine Leeds, UK www.appetiteuk.com electronically and LS2 9JT help reduce our Web: alumni.leeds.ac.uk environmental Tel: +44 (0)113 343 7520 impact, email Email: [email protected] [email protected] Contents Contents Regulars

Leeds alumni 02 History, Haiti, hand-made shoes… and more Leeds for love The latest from Leeds 17 Olympic teams, Climate talks and the Queen’s Anniversary Prize What’s going on 22 Across our departments, including T-rays, dental treatment, robot worms Giving to Leeds 26 Alumni talk about the value of Leeds, and a huge boost for new students The VC 30 What partnership really means at Leeds Forthcoming events 32 What’s on for Leeds alumni in the forthcoming months

Features

Polar expedition 06 Contributing Leeds researchers talk about Antarctic life alumni Ethical thinking 10 Why it’s important to teach ethics – and what that means Henry Gee (Genetics Simon Hattenstone and Zoology 1984) (English 1984) is The rebirth of hope 12 is a Senior Editor of a feature writer for Maternity care in Sierra Leone Nature. His book The The Guardian. Over Kudos to Jane 18 Beowulf Effect: Fossils, the past year he has The Executive Producer behind some Evolution and the Human interviewed Lady Gaga, of Britain’s most-watched TV dramas Condition is forthcoming Max Clifford, Jonathan from the University of Ross, Gary Barlow and The magic numbers 29 Chicago Press. His gothic Paul Gascoigne. He also Why 40647 is popping up all over the place horror mystery By The writes about miscarriages Sea is available right now of justice, and his Goodbye 31 on iBooks and Kindle. books include Out of It Parting thoughts from Dr Sue Jacklin (Sceptre), about a boy and Professor Dick Killington Fergus Walsh (English who went to bed with a

1983) began working headache and didn’t get Cover image: for the BBC in 1984 and up for three years. View towards the Antarctic Peninsula has reported on health, from Davies Dome on science and medicine Kipper Williams (Fine James Ross Island, taken by Dr Jonathan for nearly twenty years, Art 1974) draws for a Carrivick, School of covering topics such as number of publications Geography. stem cells, obesity, HIV/ including The Sunday To see more images of AIDS, malaria, TB, polio Times, The Guardian and Antarctica taken by Leeds researchers visit and cloning. Fergus The Spectator. alumni.leeds.ac.uk/ has had all his genes antarctica sequenced, his heart, brain and other body parts scanned, as well as being vaccinated against bird flu – all to illustrate TV news reports.

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 01 News – Leeds alumni Making history

Centenarian preacher and history graduate recalls his university days in the interwar years More than 3700 Leeds alumni live of the early 1930s and work in China

Sky’s the limit

Carma Elliot CMG OBE (Chinese & German 1987) is Executive Director of Half the Sky, a children’s charity founded in 1998 to enrich the lives and enhance the prospects of China’s orphans. She oversees 51 children’s centres in government institutions, and is currently working with officials on a training scheme aimed at bringing nurturing care to all of the country’s orphans. Her first trip to China was in 1984 as a Leeds exchange student at Shanghai’s Fudan University. Carma said: “Studying Chinese and German at Leeds really changed my life. My experiences then really drove me to look for a career where

Canon John Clayton at his local church in Leeds (picture courtesy of Yorkshire Post Newspapers) Centenarian Canon John day and how nervous everyone Another graduate, the Very Clayton (History 1933, MA was, going up and getting their Reverend Catherine Ogle 1943) is still leading worship at degrees. Afterwards, there was (Textile Design 1982, MPhil his local church, despite retiring a dance in the Great Hall.” Textile Management 1985, as a vicar in 1976. Once a The campus was much MA Theology 1991) is one of month, he preaches at Evensong smaller in Canon John’s day the most senior women in the and takes Holy Communion and many of the University’s Church of England. As Dean of services at the church near his iconic buildings, such as the Birmingham Cathedral, her role Carma Elliot and daughter Isabel home in Bramhope, Leeds. Brotherton Library, had yet to includes conducting services, The Queen presented him be built. “In my day the library managing cathedral finances and I could use my language skills with the Royal Maundy Money was in a room at the back of a working with people across the every day. Being able to speak in recognition of his devotion building near the Great Hall.” city. Catherine’s son, Thomas Chinese in particular has to the Church. Canon John has One particular day Goater, now studies at Leeds. shaped my life in ways I never fond memories of his student that stands out for John is imagined, and I have now lived days, 80 years ago. He said: “In Remembrance Day, 1932. longer in China than I have in my time, there were only 2,000 “There was a protest by a group the UK.” students. I became friends with of pacifists which was dealt A former British Consul- people from other faculties, with quite firmly by the then General, Carma’s 23-year such as medics and engineers. Vice-Chancellor. They were told diplomatic career included These days, I think people tend to stop otherwise they would be postings in Brussels, Paris, Jedda to socialise with people from kicked out of the University. I and Beijing, where she now lives their own departments. remember that quite clearly.” with her daughter, Isabel. “I remember my graduation Picture courtesy of Birmingham Post

02 –– Autumn/winter 2011 Leeds Alumni – News

LEEDS FOR LOVE revisited More tales of relationship building in the alumni community

Thanks to all who responded Taking stock to our Leeds for Love feature in the last issue. Many stories told of love blossoming in lectures, Photographer Richard laboratories and socials, and Hanson (Mechanical some spent time apart before Engineering 1989) recently rekindling the old flame. exhibited images from his three The most enduring visits to post-earthquake Haiti came from Donald Vincent at Central Hall, in London. (Chemistry 1942) and his wife It is just one of his many Hazel (Chemistry 1943) who assignments working for media last year celebrated the 70th and charities; trips that have anniversary of their wartime taken him to 40 different romance which began when countries covering major news they met across a bench in in Leeds from his post on the events and their effect on the Inorganic Chemistry roof of the old botany building Donald Vincent and Hazel Vincent people. Laboratory. in University Road. when they were students at Leeds Richard developed his They both took part in They married in 1944 and passion for photography firewatch duties and Donald have been followed at Leeds by For more, visit: as secretary of the Union reported the first fall of bombs a son and granddaughter. alumni.leeds.ac.uk/leedsforlove Photographic Society. Swimming against Funding the the tide future

Andrew Parkinson (Geography eco-tourism company that is As Director of the Local 1993) runs an eco-tourism both successful and contributes Development Practice Area, business in Mongolia which to conservation of an important Kadmiel Wekwete (Geography aims to conserve Taimen, species has proved a challenge, & History 1976) manages the the largest salmonoid fish but by working with local global technical programmes in the world, under threat communities, especially the of the United Nations from poaching and habitat nomadic herders that range the Capital Development Fund degradation. rivers, we feel we’ve started to (UNCDF). The Fund promotes Andy started his business make some real progress.” microfinance and local to put into practice the Andy’s clients catch, development in some of the conservation and ecology carefully tag and return the poorest countries of the world. principles he learned during Taimen to the river as part of Based in New York, Kadmiel his studies. an ecological study to estimate gives guidance to technical He said: “Establishing an and monitor population size. staff, field staff and programme managers in 48 countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Haiti by Richard Hanson Before joining UNCDF, Kadmiel worked with the He said: “At the start of my United Nations Human second year, someone showed Settlements Programme and as me how to make a black and a Professor of Social Sciences at white print in the darkroom the University of Zimbabwe. at the very top of the Union He said: “Leeds University building, and as soon as I saw opened the world to me because the print emerging, I knew this of its international, diverse was what I wanted to do. and cosmopolitan character. I “I then spent far too much interacted with students from all time in the darkroom, bought over the world which increased my firstN ikon from a little shop my desire to work in other in the County Arcade, and that countries and cultures.” was that really.” Taimen fishing with Andrew Parkinson (right). Photo Ken Tsurusaki.

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 03 News – Leeds alumni

On the ball

Carol Isherwood OBE (History 1982, PGCE 1984) has recently become Regional Manager of the National Game at the Football Association (FA). A leading figure in women’s rugby for over 25 years, she was the first female to be appointed to the IRB Rugby Committee. In brief Carol was a founder member Work by artist and accessory of the Rugby Football Union designer Crystal Fischetti (Fine for Women, and pioneered the Art 2006) has become part of development of the women’s the permanent collection at the game. She was the first captain Shanghai Yuehu Museum of Art of Great Britain and England and was exhibited at the China and, following injury after International Art Symposium. the 1991 World Cup, took up Syn Yee Chin (Electronic & coaching, becoming the first Electrical Engineering 1997) is woman to gain a Level 3 Award. Supervising Electrical Engineer This year she was added to for the replacement of one of the LUU’s Sporting Excellence Hall USA’s busiest bridges. The new San of Fame. Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge will One to watch feature cutting-edge engineering, construction and seismic technology.

Anita Rani (Broadcasting 2000) a number of different channels. Alex Lawrie (Politics & Parliamentary is becoming a regular sight on Reminiscing on her time Studies 1991) is a founder member British television, having just at Leeds, she said: “From the of a number of co-operatives this year reported on the Royal excellent academic facilities, for workers, land users, and housing groups in the UK. Wedding, presented popular including the inspiring library Channel Four art show Four which I loved spending time in, Sally Sykes (English 1983) has been Rooms and the BBC’s India to the thumping heartbeat of awarded Chartered Practitioner status on Four Wheels documentary the city, which I also spent a lot by the Chartered Institute of Public highlighting the challenges of of time in, there’s something Relations (CIPR). Communications growing car usage. for everyone at Leeds and I Director for the Health and Safety Executive, Sally was elected Anita worked as a researcher have very fond memories.” Carol Isherwood is added to the sporting president of CIPR for 2012. before becoming a presenter on Hall of Fame by VC Michael Arthur Stephen Dunn (Economic Studies 1994, MA 1996, PhD 2001) has won ‘Outstanding Contribution’ at A stitch in time the HealthInvestor Awards after developing a model of hospital provision that will see a private sector organisation running NHS Hsing-Ju Lin (林倖如, Design the library, not only reading services for the first time. MA 2004) has started Liebe about fashion and footwear, but Hsing, a women’s footwear also art, history and textiles. TJ (Tae Jin) Chung (Law PhD brand which aims to draw That’s how we were educated, 2009) is CEO at Sentinel Korea, a global business risk consultancy, attention to the artistry and being interested in a variety and Director of the Cyber Policing and quality of traditional of fields has definitely helped Research Center in Seoul. shoemaking in Taiwan. me in my current career.” Her designs are handmade The Radleys, the latest novel by Matt at Juisheng Shoemaking Haig (English MA 1998), has been Centre by Lu voted the nation’s favourite summer 呂光茂 read by viewers of More 4’s The TV Kuang‑mao ( ) Book Club and is shortlisted for the who began crafting Galaxy National Book Awards. shoes more than 30 years ago. Dr Jacqui Webster (Development She said: Studies MA 1995) is Senior Project “During my Manager for Food Policy at the George Institute for Global Health studies I in Sydney, Australia, responsible spent a lot for overseeing food policy research of time and advocacy projects. in Pradeep Kumar Jaisingh (Management 1998) is Managing Above: Designer Hsing-Ju Lin with her Director and CEO of International shoemaker Lu Kuang-mao Oncology, a cancer care and (photo Catherine Shu) — research company with cancer Right: Liebe Hsing shoes centres in Delhi and Mumbai. (photo Catherine Shu) www.internationaloncology.com

04 –– Autumn/winter 2011 The pioneering work of the Institute of “This is a notable achievement Mechanical and Biological Engineering for the University and for at the University of Leeds has led to everyone at iMBE, particularly improved joint replacements, unique Professors John Fisher and Eileen heart valve technology and regenerative Ingham. Both are exceptional scaffolds for vascular repair. The Institute is at the forefront of these areas individuals and servants of the of research – a position which we will University; they and their team maintain and strengthen into the future. richly deserve this great honour.”

— Professor Michael Arthur, Vice‑Chancellor of the University of Leeds Feature – Antarctica To the ends of the earth A century ago explorers reached the South Pole for the first time. Now the Antarctic is a regular destination for Leeds researchers – Henry Gee asks them what’s it like to live and work there

06 –– Autumn/winter 2011 Antarctica – Feature

“The question you it lay over the South Pole, hosting Antarctic Survey (BAS) charter from should be asking,” says forests of conifers and beech trees. RAF Brize Norton via hot, sticky Professor Francis collects fossils of Ascension Island, and one might Dr Jonathan Carrivick, “is plants from the Cretaceous Period even be diverted to West Africa. not what it’s like going to (150-65 million years ago) from the From Ascension one heads to the few areas of ice-free rock on the Falkands. After that it’s a week-long Antarctica – but what it’s continent. Her task is to chart the sea voyage, which ends with the like coming back” changing fortunes of the now-frozen explorers being dropped off on the continent and investigate the how icy shore by landing craft. “It’s a bit and the why of its dramatic change like a Normandy D-Day landing,” What’s it like, then? in climate – and possibly shed some says Jonathan. light on how global warming might A more congenial journey is “Terrifying.” affect it in the future. via the surprisingly busy town 2012 is the centenary of Roald of Ushuaia in the far south of “Going to a supermarket is my Amundsen’s conquest of the South Argentina, and then another flight nightmare,” says Professor Jane Pole – and of Captain Robert Falcon to Rothera, a permanent base Francis. “You just get so bombarded Scott’s ill-fated second place that named for a former Leeds student with smells, the noise, the colour, the ended in tragedy as he and his team who surveyed the area in the 1950s people… nearly always when I come perished on the Ross Ice Shelf on the (see Leeds Connections sidebar). back I have to walk out before I get way back to base. Among the dead Landfall only happens if you don’t very far. It’s just too much. Crowds was Captain Lawrence Oates, who get turned back by the notoriously of people are a bit overwhelming.” accompanied Scott and famously treacherous Southern-Ocean Jonathan is a geographer who’s popped out of the tent with the weather. “We were boomeranged just come back from his first remark that ‘I may be some time’ – about three times before we got field season in Antarctica, where and who had strong links with the there,” says Leeds seismologist Dr he’s been studying the behaviour city of Leeds. A century on, Leeds Graham Stuart, who usually gets to of land-based ice sheets on the retains its connections with the Antarctica via New Zealand. Antarctic Peninsula – how they’ve Great White South. When you finally get there, there behaved in the past and whether Antarctica is easier and safer than is much more to do than admire the their ways are likely to change in it was in Oates’ day – but that doesn’t view. Jonathan and his colleagues the future. Professor Jane Francis mean you can simply buy a ticket spent the best part of two days is a palaeobotanist and seasoned and turn up. Research is carried out ferrying almost a tonne of supplies Antarctic explorer. Since 1989 in the austral summer (our winter) and equipment from the shore to the she’s been to Antarctica about ten and preparations – including packing base camp. The days of Amundsen’s Jonathan Carrivick: “This is a picture I took times, visiting not just the relatively – begin in July. You have to get fit, sled dogs and Scott’s ponies are long of the view towards the hospitable Antarctic Peninsula but pass a physical and be jabbed for over – the workhorse of choice is Antarctic Peninsula from Davies Dome on James the Transantarctic Mountains in the various tropical diseases. Antarctica now the quad bike. Then you pitch Ross Island. The figure middle of the icy landmass. is sterile, but to get there you have to your tent. The expedition works, eats, in the picture is Alan Hill, our British Antarctic Until around 40 million years ago, pass through the tropics. rests and plays in pyramid tents large Survey field assistant.” Antarctica was ice-free, even when The usual way is by British enough to stand up in, and proof

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 07 Feature – Antarctica

against the near-constant wind. And field season wears on. In addition to before you ask, yes, there is a special Marmite, Jane always packs plenty tent that houses a big bucket with a of wasabi paste and horseradish. toilet seat. “When it was particularly “Sardines in tomato sauce with a windy,” says Jonathan, “you’d be very large pile of horseradish,” Jane holding the tent around you.” recalls. “When the horseradish Talking to Jane, Jonathan and goes up your nose you know you’re Graham in the civilized setting alive.” “I started to put Marmite in of a Thai restaurant in Leeds, the everything,” adds Jonathan. conversation naturally turned to Jane recalls having come across food. Meals in the far south are some processed blue cheese triangles based around standard BAS supply that had been hanging around for ten boxes – big wooden crates that hold years, and adding tiny pieces to more enough food to supply two people or less everything. “I never used for 10 days, at a regulation 3500 to like blue cheese before I went to calories per person per day. The Antarctica. Now I really like strong food is dried, packed and stored – blue cheese.” sometimes years before – and the Jonathan says “You end up contents are always the same. “After sniffing around the food boxes, a while it gets incredibly boring,” looking for ingredients that might says Jane. A Full Explorer’s Breakfast somehow have turned up by accident, is porridge, dried milk powder, sugar or combinations that might not and jam. Lunch might be delectable have been tried.” It’s not just taste, combinations of ship-biscuit, peanuts, but texture. “What I really crave raisins and sardines… with Marmite. is ‘crunch’,” says Jane, “because the (“Marmite is critical!” exclaims Jane). food is dried and a bit sloppy. I have Dinner might include dried beef, cravings for celery. And lettuce.” sweetcorn, potatoes and boil-in-the- It’s not just taste that changes Home comforts? bag military-style fare. over the course of a field season. A Accommodation, food and out of the field they are as fit as The chefs on the sea voyage landscape which at first looks barren commuting, Antarctica- fiddles, but look like racoons, their style (images by Jonathan south know all about the rations and monochrome is slowly revealed Carrick – to view more faces tanned except for around their that the passengers will have to live as a patchwork of subtle tones and images, including those permanently goggled eyes. It’s only taken by Jane Frances on for the next two months, and textures, smells and sounds, even and Graham Stuart, then – when they start to warm take pity on them, donating further tiny variations in the sound of the visit alumni.leeds. up – that they notice how badly they ac.uk/antarctica) stores – whose nature isn’t apparent almost constant wind. smell. Others notice it too. Back until they are opened. The surprises One smell you tend not to notice aboard ship, the crew keeps them include such mega-morsels as a 60kg is your own – as explorers don’t at arm’s length until they have put sack of potatoes, enormous packets wash for the whole season with all their clothes in plastic bin liners of bacon, and, on one occasion, a anything more than wet-wipes. “The and showered (“The most amazing catering-sized jar of Branston pickle. one thing I’ve learned never to do is thing is the first shower you have,” Americans and New Zealanders wash your clothes,” says Jane. “The says Jane) and only then will they tend to live life more lavishly, moisture instantly freezes, and stays allow them to be sociable. Although, especially if working from a frozen, even when the clothes are sometimes, they are allowed to permanent base. The American hung up in the stiff southern breeze. have a hot meal first, and on some McMurdo base has a kind of In a tent they drip and drip – but ships, meals are served strictly at set supermarket that Jane used in never dry. When the explorers come times and have waiter service, no order to provision a party of six for matter how badly you smell. “It’s two months in the Transantarctic beyond surreal,” says Jonathan. And Mountains. In addition to the usual somehow terribly British. British-style dried fare she could The last thing Captain Scott did raid the freezer cabinet – fillet … everything is so calm, so beautiful, before he died was write letters home steaks, halibut, lobster tails and you can’t do anything. So I have sat with that were collected when the rescue such delicacies. “It’s a different party arrived. A century later field kind of world,” she says. But lack others for about five hours just looking at teams send messages back to base by of variety eventually takes its toll the scenery – it’s so transfixing radio, and with satellite phones and on tired taste buds, which require laptops one can even get one’s email. ever stronger stimulation as the Jane, though, will have none of it.

08 –– Autumn/winter 2011 Antarctica – Feature

leeds connections

Captain Lawrence Grace Oates (1880- 1912) is a well-known symbol of heroism. It is less widely-known that he came from a prominent Leeds family.

His father William owned land close to what are now the University’s Weetwood playing fields, and the family divided their time between homes in Leeds and Putney, London. After studying at Eton, Oates served in the Boer War with the Sixth Inniskilling Dragoons and was chosen to join Captain Scott’s ill-fated Polar expedition both for his skill with horses and his willingness to put up £1,000 toward the cost. Despite frequently clashing with Scott, he was chosen as a member of the five-strong party to make the final push to the Pole, arriving there five weeks after the rival Norwegian expedition. On their dispiriting return, weakened by scurvy and frostbite, Oates left his companions with the words: “I am just going outside and may be some time” – sacrificing himself in the hope that they might make better progress without him. His body was never “Part of the joy of going is to be cut found. There are memorials to Oates in off from the rest of the world for two Meanwood and in Leeds Parish Church. months,” she says. “One of the best moments is when the plane or boat disappears and you’re totally alone. John Rothera (Geography 1956) is one It’s liberating. I’m there for about of very few people who actually have a three days and I stop thinking about part of the planet named after them. the rest of the world. You realise that Rothera Point is now home to an your world has shrunk to this little airstrip and a major British Antarctic island, the rocks that you’re going to Survey base – but when John visited work on, and that’s it. In the field I the area it was utterly uninhabited. think about three things, the weather, “After graduating I saw an opportunity to the rocks … and what I’m going to join a surveying expedition to the Antarctic, have for dinner.” and I was delighted to be accepted,” he recalls. “It was a very beautiful place, “When the wind stops you notice mostly snow-covered but with some areas it and that’s when you have an of exposed rock where we were able to ‘Antarctic Day’. That’s when the wind explore and camp. I spent two years there drops and it’s perfectly still, the sky working alongside a geologist and then a is blue, and the sun is shining, and further year working up the results with everything is just incredibly peaceful. the Directorate of Colonial Survey.” John’s was the first detailed survey Nothing moves. Icebergs are glinting of the area, and as a result the name like fairy lights and everything is Rothera Point was soon adopted by the so calm, so beautiful, you can’t do United Kingdom Antarctic Place-Names anything. So I have sat with others for Committee. “That was the normal practice about five hours just looking at the at the time, but I was very proud.” scenery – it’s so transfixing.” After completing this work, John went into town and country planning in Dorset and Hampshire, until his retirement 14 years ago.

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 09 Feature – Ethics A question of ethics

hould a football team be tick,” says Dr Jamie Dow, deputy thrown out of the FA Cup director of the Ethics Centre. if one of its players used a What A new model was developed to S performance-enhancing drug enable trainee medics to be taught in an earlier tie? collaboratively both by academics Would it be ethical for a mining from philosophy, with expertise in company to fund an African village do you ethics and moral reasoning, and by hospital, if it guaranteed them doctors and clinicians with expertise excavation rights over an area of in medicine and relevant experience land, rich in gold, or is this bribery? think? to bring the subject alive. Is it wrong for a job applicant to Ethics is now embedded into change his mind about accepting a many other degree programmes post, simply because he has received at Leeds besides medicine, from a better offer elsewhere? computing to journalism, and These are just a few of the right from students’ first year, as dilemmas which students are Jamie explains. “We start with encouraged to tackle during classes Ethics in business and an introduction to how ethics are in ethics, which are bringing new relevant. We develop students’ insights to subject areas right across the environment reasoning skills by looking at issues campus. related to their own studies such as Save for those in medicine, A major DIY chain is contacted by plagiarism, or whether working on alumni who graduated before 2000 environmentalists who explain that one of its team-based assessments – where each are unlikely to have experienced suppliers of garden furniture uses mahogany team member gets the same mark – anything similar during their time at from a central American forest. Though a legal obliges every student to work as hard Leeds. Even for those training to be trade, it is adding to the deforestation of an area as their more motivated colleagues. health professionals, the ethical side rich in biodiversity, and is threatening the way As students move into subsequent of medicine was largely bolted on of life of local communities. The pressure group years and become more confident we to their studies, rather than integral go into greater depth on some of the to everything they learned. “It was has released the information to the press. serious issues of medical ethics. really just a box which they could “It has really worked. It makes Imagine you are leading the company’s the content of these courses really procurement team: rich and robust and so much more engaging and relevant.” • Should you be concerned about this at all, The opportunity to roll this What exactly given that the supplier is acting legally? out across campus came when the is ethics? • Even if you are, should your company dictate Higher Education Funding Council environmental standards to its suppliers? for England (HEFCE) invited Ethics refers to our standards of Universities to bid to establish right and wrong – morality, good and • How much consideration should be centres of excellence in learning and evil, virtue and vice, fairness and given to environmental issues when this teaching. A Leeds collaboration, obligations to others. supplier has the lowest cost and highest drawing on our experience in These standards inform our daily quality garden furniture on the market? medicine, secured the funds to conduct, constrain us from rape, establish the Inter-Disciplinary theft, assault and slander, while • Is it possible to assess the cost of the furniture Ethics Applied (IDEA) Centre giving us a moral compass that to the environment in terms of the loss of for Excellence in Teaching and embodies our basic rights to life, habitat for plants and animals that support Learning, and to apply this approach privacy and freedom from harm. the ecosystems on which humans depend? to a range of disciplines – including Ethics embeds honesty, compassion business, engineering, dentistry, and loyalty into our relationships with • Should companies be allowed to import biology, computing, environment, other people. environmental resources from developing accountancy and journalism. Applied ethics is the study of countries to be consumed in the UK? HEFCE’s faith in the project was how we can use these basic beliefs justified – and though their funding and concepts in our everyday lives, • Does a company need to have values of the project has now ended, the and how our decision-making can higher than the law when dealing Centre is working towards being be informed by ethical reasoning in with environmental issues? self-financing.N ow simply the Ethics the practical situations that we face Centre, it has grown in both size and day-to-day. scope, reaches more students than

10 –– Autumn/winter 2011 Ethics – Feature

In its sixth year, the Ethics Centre at Leeds now covers a broader range of topics than any other university ethics centre in the world. So how exactly can you learn ethics, and why is it so important?

ever, and is running Masters courses “It’s about putting the technical of its own. While some universities abilities and the ethical abilities into around the world have larger the same head.” centres, or expertise concentrated What From small beginnings, the on particular academic areas, none Centre now employs a Director, two engages with such a broad range of lecturers, two teaching fellows, a topics as Leeds. would you full-time knowledge transfer officer, Different subjects take different as well as four administrative staff. approaches – for broadcast All the academic staff are active journalism students, their most choose? researchers. concentrated ethics teaching is a Additionally the Ethics Centre year two module on the ethics of works with academics in subject journalism; in the Business School areas, where they need to tap into the subject is introduced in various their specialist expertise. ways that culminate in a dedicated Their workload has ballooned. third year module. But in each case The Centre has advised major the tutors look to develop students’ Ethics in sports companies and external bodies, held understanding and explore issues workshops for the local business crucial to their area. and medicine community, shaped the ethical Overwhelmingly, undergraduates code of the Royal Academy of value the fresh dimension this is St. Martin’s Under 15s have reached the All- Engineering and carried out “ethics bringing to the studies. “Students Ireland hurling final for the first time, and audits” for both HEFCE and the tend to be quite idealistic and think despite star players Adrian and Brendan having Higher Education Academy. that ethics is relevant,” says Dr Dow. broken fingers from the previous game, they The Centre supervises PhD “On the other hand, you do insist they want to play. Brendan’s father, students researching topics as varied get some who have been watching a doctor, suggests he could give the boys a as decision-making, alternatives to programmes like The Apprentice painkilling injection to get them through the the internal combustion engine, and and have the wrong perception assisted suicide. In addition the Centre of what is needed to succeed in game. Desperate to take part, the boys agree. runs two dedicated MA courses – one business and life. Equally some in healthcare ethics, the second an who are focused on the technical Imagine you are the coach responsible for online course in professional ethics aspects of their subject and would this team: which has attracted students from all rather concern themselves with the over the world. technical knowledge and let someone • Should you let Adrian and Brendan receive A guiding principle behind its else make the moral decisions. the injections and play with broken fingers? work is that professional people • What difference does it make that the need the tools to reason for doctor is the father of one of the boys? themselves, and prepare for any scenario. “When faced with ethical • What if the players concerned were not star issues, as they will be in their players and could be easily replaced? working lives, we don’t want them to simply freeze like rabbits in the A guiding • Should it be the boys’ decision headlights,” says Jamie. whether they take part? There are no simple answers, principle is that • Are they old enough to make this decision and either. “Simply passing a module won’t help them deal with a situation professional to consent to the injection – and if not, should which might be quite different to the people need the you allow the parents to make that decision? one in the textbook. They need to • Is it possible to justify the claim that reason for themselves, and develop they should be considered competent a clear understanding of the values tools to reason they should be implementing. It’s to refuse to play but should not be for themselves, facing people with challenging case competent to choose to play? studies and, by working through and prepare for them, form a justifiable response. “We’re developing skills, not just any scenario dumping a lot of knowledge in their heads.”

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 11 Feature – Dr Samuel Kargbo Coming back to life

Maternity health in Sierra Leone is undergoing a transformation – Fergus Walsh meets the remarkable doctor who is overseeing the change

12 –– Autumn/winter 2011 Dr Samuel Kargbo – Feature

“They would all be carrying guns – Kalashnikovs or the like. The child soldiers were given cocaine, ephedrine and other drugs. They’d be high on these drugs which made them irritable and trigger-happy”

t was not somewhere I had had stayed working in Sierra Leone facing me in Sierra Leone were expected to bump into a fellow throughout its bitter and bloody civil insurmountable. Now I can climb the Leeds alumnus. I’d travelled war. He brought basic health services mountains.” I six hours north of Freetown and vaccines to children, which Leeds staff have fond memories on mostly red dirt roads with my meant negotiating his way across of SAS Kargbo. One of his tutors, Dr cameraman. rebel lines. His life was frequently in Kamram Siddiqi said: “I remember In 2008, Sierra Leone had been danger. him talking very passionately about singled out by UNICEF as having “Sometimes the checkpoints the plight of those caught up in the the highest rate of child mortality were run by boys as young as 11 or Above: Dr Samuel civil war. He struck me as someone Kargbo (photo: Oxfam) in the world. One in four children 12,” he explained. “They would all — who cares deeply for his country and died before the age of five. I’d been be carrying guns – Kalashnikovs Opposite page: his people.” People waiting in line for interviewing the doctor at a newly or the like. The child soldiers were medical care on the launch Earlier this year I returned to opened maternity hospital in Kabala. given cocaine, ephedrine and other day of free health care at Sierra Leone and was struck by how the Women and Children’s The doctor, not one of many. drugs. They’d be high on these drugs Hospital in Freetown much the country had improved After my cameraman had gone which made them irritable and (photo: Faye Melly) since 2008. off to get a few other shots of the trigger‑happy.” There is now free healthcare for maternity ward, I stayed talking to Like everything else, this was all pregnant women, breastfeeding Dr Kargbo. I would have carried on said with a smile. Despite the horrors mothers and children under five. talking to him all day if I could. he must have witnessed, SAS Kargbo The rates of child and maternal This is a man who could have got remains genial; there is often a laugh mortality are still among the highest work in any number of countries. as he speaks. in the world. But they have fallen But he had chosen to remain in Sierra You need to be an optimist in significantly. Leone, working for extremely low Sierra Leone. I wonder how else it I did not expect to see Dr Kargbo pay, to try to make a difference. would be possible to work year after again but soon discovered that he Dr Samuel A.S. Kargbo – known year as a doctor in one of the world’s had been promoted to a key position as SAS (pronounced to rhyme with poorest countries, witnessing patients in the health department, as Director ‘lass’) because of his initials – was dying for the lack of the most basic of the Reproductive and Child certainly making a difference. We medicines. Health Programme. filmed as SAS performed a caesarean Dr Kargbo managed to win the delivery in the hospital’s operating trust of the combatants on both sides theatre. of the civil war. He trained rebel There were no high-tech soldiers to be medics, performed monitoring devices. The hospital had surgery, administered medicines and no X-ray machine, no ultrasound immunised children. scanner or intensive care facilities. By 2008, the war had been over Before Leeds I often Even so, the staff were saving for six years but there was still a huge lives. The next hospital was several amount of reconstruction needed – thought the challenges facing hours’ drive away across bumpy hence new facilities like the hospital me in Sierra Leone were roads: no use if immediate medical at Kabala. help was required. It was during our conversation on insurmountable. Now I Dr Kargbo explained that the the maternity ward, more than three healthy baby boy he delivered that thousand miles from Leeds that SAS can climb the mountains morning would almost certainly have Kargbo and I realised we had both died, perhaps his mother too, had once lived in the Hyde Park district. the emergency happened before the In the tropical heat of Sierra hospital opened. Leone, he recounted the pleasant He was one of just two doctors mornings he’d spent walking across providing medical care for a region the park to get to Leeds’ Nuffield This time we met in Freetown, of nearly 300,000 people. The other Centre for International Health. He in a crowded children’s hospital. medic was an ophthalmologist, gained a Masters in Public Health in Two beds were pushed together and which left Dr Kargbo doing most of 2005. these were shared by four or five sick the surgery. “Leeds was a great experience youngsters, some of them with their I’ve been covering health and for me. It made me realise the inner arms attached to drips. medical stories for the BBC for potential that I had and gave me “Free healthcare has made a huge around 20 years and I wrote at the the confidence to look at problems difference,” he said. “Now mothers time that he was perhaps the most and realise that these were simply are not frightened to bring their remarkable doctor I’ve ever met. opportunities for change. Before children to the hospital and we are Dr Kargbo explained how he Leeds I often thought the challenges able to treat them more easily.”

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 13 Feature – Dr Samuel Kargbo

Until 2008, Sierra Leone had been singled out by unicef as having the highest rate of child mortality in the world – one in four children died before the age of five Sierra Leone

I was in Sierra Leone to report on case: “I remember a few years ago pneumonia and diarrhoea, two of a pregnant woman was brought to the biggest killers of children in the the hospital. She had been in labour developing world. for four days and was dying. We The country had just begun operated but it was too late to save to immunise children against her or her baby. For me it was a pneumococcal disease, the leading turning point. I read every book I cause of severe pneumonia. could find on how other African There is no doubt the vaccine countries were trying to improve will save lives. But Dr Kargbo was maternity care and I knew it was pressing hard for a second new vital to get women living in remote vaccine to be introduced against villages to come to hospital well rotavirus, the leading cause of before the delivery.” severe diarrhoea. Dr Kargbo pioneered the My report was timed to go out introduction of ‘birth waiting homes’ the night before a vaccine summit in in Sierra Leone. Towards the end London in June being attended by of their pregnancy, women are David Cameron, the philanthropist encouraged to come to hospital and Bill Gates and government stay there to deliver. representatives from across the world. It’s a marked move away from the So what was SAS Kargbo’s use of traditional birth attendants, message to the donor nations, who who often have no formal medical were being asked to pledge more training. It has helped reduce both money for immunisation? maternal and neonatal mortality. “It is a matter of conscience. If Sierra Leone may now have the vaccines exist then they should free healthcare but it still faces be made available. During the war huge challenges, not least the acute I had to cross rebel lines in order to shortage of medical staff for a immunise children. Now we are a country of nearly six million. country at peace, surely we owe it to “The lack of consultants is a Top: Fergus Walsh the children to give them the vaccines huge problem,” said Dr Kargbo. interviews SAS Kargbo leeds they need.” “We have two or maybe three for a BBC report — Dr Kargbo now attends gynaecologists, one paediatrician and Opposite page (top to connections international meetings on public no psychiatrists. Hospitals rely on bottom): Signwriting; launching free health and said he often felt many unskilled staff and the doctors healthcare in Freetown (photos: Faye Melly) SAS Kargbo, who is married with a son of embarrassed when Sierra Leone’s we have are far too busy.” 12 and a daughter aged 10, is clearly an poor record was shown in So the medical links between inspirational figure to many he meets. comparison to other developing Leeds and Sierra Leone are highly “When I met SAS I was immediately countries. It was another motivation valued. SAS Kargbo told me that the struck by his passion and commitment,” to keep trying to improve the majority of public health specialists says Faye Melly (History 2002). A healthcare system. there had done some training in management consultant with KPMG she arrived in Sierra Leone in 2009 Earlier this year on a trip to the Leeds, which was held in high esteem. on a 15-month sabbatical. United States he visited the Children’s For us working in public health Part of the Tony Blair Africa Governance Hospital in Boston, recognised as one we say, “Leeds is the best and then Initiative, she was there helping with the of the world’s most advanced centres there’s the rest!” introduction of the free healthcare policy. for maternity and paediatric care. “Being fellow Leeds alumni was a “I saw the paediatric department great point in common. SAS has huge credibility because he has worked his way and thought I would be the happiest up through the system and knows exactly man alive if we could have just what healthcare staff experience and a tiny bit of their equipment and what they need. He works tirelessly, under the expertise to use it. I know our During the war I had to cross rebel lines enormous pressure to ensure the health healthcare will not be as good as that to immunise children. Now we are at system improves. Working with him was in the United States or Europe but both a real pleasure and an inspiration.” peace, surely we owe it to the children to Faye rates her time in Sierra we can do a lot better. Our people Leone as the most fulfilling of her deserve that.” give them the vaccines they need career to date; “It was an incredible That begins with improving privilege working alongside such maternity care. He recalls one tragic talented and dedicated people.”

14 –– Autumn/winter 2011 Dr Samuel Kargbo – Feature

Sierra Leone: War and rebuilding

Civil war broke out in Sierra Leone in 1994 as rebels from the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), were led over the Liberian border by their leader, Foday Sankoh. Although ostensibly politically inspired, the fighting centred around control over the diamond-rich areas of the country. Rebels and government forces both profited from the sale of diamonds to traders linked to international markets, which served to perpetuate the war. Hence the use of the term 'blood diamonds.'

After the controversial deployment of foreign mercenary firms, several failed UN interventions and a series of coups, the fighting was finally brought to an end by the British intervention in May 2000, which restored order to the capital and reinstalled the democratically-elected president. “Since the end of the fighting, attempts at addressing the past to move the country forward have involved the formation of a truth and reconciliation commission and the trial of former rebel leaders like Sankoh,” says Dr Alexander Beresford, from Leeds' School of Politics and International Studies. “Despite a period of relative peace and stability since 2000, however, Sierra Leone remains one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world.”

Leeds' Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development has trained 18 health professionals from Sierra Leone. Many worked at the district level, where services are provided and managed for the general population. The Masters in Public Health programme focuses on preparing health professionals for work in managing both district services and national disease programmes. This is particularly important for a country like Sierra Leone, which has had to rebuild its infrastructure after the end of the civil war.

Professor Andrew Green visited the country twice, just after the end of the civil war in 2002, where he was asked to work with senior health officials to help them draft a health policy. “One of the pleasures of the work, as is so often the case working in such countries,” he says, “was the opportunity to work alongside alumni such as Dr Kargbo and see their skills in action.”

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 15 News – The latest from Leeds Chinese athletes guests At Leeds The University will host hundreds of Chinese athletes preparing to take part in the Olympic Games in London in 2012

Birthday honours for Keith

The University honoured Yorkshire businessman and philanthropist Dr Keith Howard with an Honorary Degree at a special event to celebrate his 80th birthday, hosted by the University, Opera North and Yorkshire County Cricket Club. The Honorary Doctorate of Laws was conferred during a dinner for 100 people in Opera North’s Howard Assembly Room – itself named in his honour. China has selected Leeds as its and Wakefield for hockey. “We have outstanding Dr Howard, who holds both official training base before the Other athletes coming to facilities on campus and more bachelor's and master's degrees Olympic Games – and athletes, Leeds will be representing their than 1,500 students from from Leeds, is the owner and coaches and support staff from country in fencing, athletics, China at the University, and I at least 11 sports will be based swimming, women's water know we will provide a superb in the city as they acclimatise to polo, women's handball, tennis, training camp environment conditions in the UK. boxing and taekwondo. Among for these world-class athletes. The majority will stay in our them will be 100m hurdler Our staff and students will give halls of residence, while training Liu Xiang, who is a sporting the Chinese team a wonderful in our own facilities and superstar in China and among reception and I hope be inspired those of Leeds Metropolitan the favourites to win gold in by our involvement with the University, Leeds City Council, London. 2012 Olympics.” and venues further afield such Vice-Chancellor Professor as Dalby Forest for mountain Michael Arthur said: “This is a biking, Bishop Burton near great honour for the University Beverley for modern pentathlon and the city of Leeds.” practising medicine The Centre will offer can look forward to a much majority shareholder of Emerald training for existing NHS improved learning environment Group Publishing, one of staff across the city, as well with better facilities – and for the world's leading scholarly Health professionals, trainee as the next generation of patients this will mean they are publishers in business and doctors and student nurses can nurses, doctors and healthcare looked after by better-prepared management, with an annual now sharpen their skills in a workers. Facilities include a and more confident staff.” turnover of £33 million. state-of-the-art training centre simulated four-bed ward plus He is chairman of the in Leeds. mocked-up treatment and Opera North Future Fund, The new Clinical Practice observation rooms, allowing which has supported Centre, a joint venture between staff and students to practise research opportunities Leeds Teaching Hospitals different procedures in realistic for undergraduates in the NHS Trust, Leeds Foundation surroundings. University's Faculty of Partnerships Trust, NHS Ruth Holt, Chief Nurse at Performance, Visual Arts Leeds, the University, Leeds the Leeds Teaching Hospitals and Communications, and Metropolitan University and NHS Trust, said: “The Clinical enabled the appointment of the Open University was funded Practice Centre is an enormous the inaugural members of with a £2.85 million grant from step forward for academic the University's Academy of the Yorkshire and Humber training here in Leeds. Health Cultural Fellows. Strategic Health Authority. practitioners at all levels

16 –– Autumn/winter 2011 The latest from Leeds – News

Wheelchair rugby teams clash at Leeds

One of the fastest and most Engineering brutal Paralympic sports came to the University of Leeds in Pioneers’ Prize the summer when Olympic bronze medal holders Canada took on the Great Britain The Institute of Medical and team at wheelchair rugby. Biological Engineering has won The match, which was the Royal seal of approval as eventually won by Canada, a winner in the 2011 Queen’s was one of the high points of Anniversary Prizes. a six-day pre-London training The prizes, awarded camp, during which the every two years, are Britain’s two squads trained together highest recognition for an in the University's flagship academic institution. sports facility, The Edge. Led by professors John Around 60 athletes and Fisher and Eileen Ingham, the officials made the trip to Institute is the UK’s leading Leeds for the camp and the bioengineering research Canadians will be back in institution and has pioneered Leeds in April, before a of residence, Storm Jameson. training needs of our team and, research into medical devices final camp leading up to the Andy Van Neutegem, in particular, the flexibility and and regenerative therapies. Games themselves in August performance director for accessibility of the excellent Its research into three main 2012. During each camp, the Canadian Wheelchair Rugby, facilities and accommodation. areas – joint replacements, Canadian team – who were said: “After careful evaluation, Their sport and supporting spinal interventions and tissue placed third in Beijing – will the University of Leeds was facilities are certainly to engineering – has created new stay at the University's new hall chosen as it best met the international standards.” products and interventions available to surgeons to improve patients’ lives. top university climate talks volunteer award

Leeds was shortlisted for the PhD geography student Kristina The University’s Stanley and prestigious Sunday Times Diprose was chosen as one of Audrey Burton Gallery has been University of the Year award, ten young people to represent recognised nationally for the announced at the start of the the UK at United Nations work of outstanding volunteer new academic year. climate negotiations in South Elizabeth Stainforth. Leeds was the only Africa in November. The 'Volunteers for Museum institution in the Russell She talked to negotiators Learning' award scheme is run Group to be shortlisted for the and politicians from all over jointly by the British Museum award alongside Essex, Robert the world, questioning and and the Marsh Christian Gordon, Exeter, Bath and challenging them about the Trust and recognises the huge Tens of thousands of people Surrey. Bath took first prize. work being done in their own contribution that volunteers have received improved joint At the same time, Leeds rose countries to reduce carbon make in helping museums to replacements based on this from 26th to 24th in the Sunday emissions, joining the debates engage with their visitors. research; its unique valve Times national league table. about climate. Kristina said: Elizabeth, who now works replacement technology has The citation for Leeds “I’ve been an avid climate part-time at the gallery and given a new lease of life to said the University was “ahead change campaigner since at the University library, was patients suffering chronic heart of the curve in announcing a I arrived at Leeds as an recognised for her work as a conditions; it has pioneered partnership agreement with undergraduate and have learned volunteer during 2010, when regenerative biological all students” – and highlighted about its impacts on many parts she organised and delivered scaffolds for vascular repair. Leeds’ focus on student of the world. This is an amazing educational workshops and The award will be presented employability. opportunity. The decisions trained other volunteers to lead by the Queen in February. made in South Africa will affect workshops aimed at inspiring More: See VC's view on page 30 our generation for decades to young people who might not come.” She is supported by normally engage with local campaigning body the UK heritage to visit galleries – and Youth Climate Coalition. even aspire to attend University.

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 17 Feature – Jane Featherstone

Queen of Intelligence

18 –– Autumn/winter 2011 Jane Featherstone – Feature

Jane Featherstone, the woman behind some of the UK’s most talked-about television dramas, speaks to Simon Hattenstone about student life and the end of Spooks

ane Featherstone (German and to India. They briefly returned then of the cool kids, but I did like dance History 1991) is happily gabbing were off again, this time to Germany. music.” When she wasn’t dancing, away about Spooks, her super- The bravest decision, she says, she was drinking in the Hyde Jsuccessful television series. was that her parents (mum was a Park, Royal Park or much missed “We have many writers on nurse) put their children in a German Newlands. Spooks, but only two producers have school. They could barely speak a In her last week at university lasted the full 10 years.” I stop her, word, and within months they talked in 1991, Jane returned from a job mid-flow, and point out she should like natives. Jane says this gave her a “The ability to see the interview in London as Paul Gazza be talking in the past tense. After all, confidence that has stayed with her world in a different Gascoigne’s PA. Gazza was just way was the most 10 series on she has just killed off for life. valuable thing that’s about the most famous footballer on the intelligence thriller that regularly “It’s pretty brave. I put so much ever happened to me” the planet, and her first job out of had seven million viewers. The blood of the risk-taking and enjoyment of uni was keeping his affairs in order. drains from her face, and she really the new that we all have as a family Not an easy task. He was injured does look spooked. down to my dad saying ‘let’s just go’ at the time and drinking heavily, “Oh yes, don’t remind me. I and my mum saying ‘OK, great’. The but she says it was a wonderful sometimes worry if that was the ability to adapt, to see the world in a experience, and paved the way for wrong decision …” Jane pauses, different way and have experiences everything else. gathers herself together, corrects beyond my circle of British life was What are her memories of her tenses, and continues talking the most valuable thing that’s ever Gascoigne? “Him lifting his shirt about her input as producer. “That happened to me.” and wobbling his tummy. He is the bit I love … the opportunity In her teens, Jane’s family moved wasn’t playing and was getting fat. I to sit around and come up with to suburban London and she was remember him giving wads of money stories that have some kind of global determined to head north for to his mum. I had to memorise his resonance and were political in some university. It was the Eighties. The card number to get money out of way, but were disguised as thriller country was divided by Thatcher, and action. It was a rare treat. unemployment was three million Actually now I don’t know how to and the poll tax riots were round the do that in another genre.” corner. “I was a bit leftie socialist, She sounds slightly panicked, but wanted to go up there, away from she shouldn’t be. After all, the former the suburbs, and I did love it.” History and German student, and She lived in James Baillie flats, Nearly all my best friends are current chief executive of Kudos Film then Manor Terrace and after a year & Television, has been responsible away in Germany where she’d made from Leeds. I didn’t carry that for any number of successful series, some money working, she went up- including Life on Mars, Ashes to market and moved to Kelso Gardens many friends from school Ashes and Hustle. behind the University. Jane loved her time at uni, and Jane returned to the University forward. I went to Leeds and has recreated a mini campus at a couple of years ago to talk to found that’s where I felt more Kudos, working with a number students about her career and was of friends from Leeds. Hers is an astonished at their current comforts. at home, with the people there inspiring story – she wanted to go “You do get a bit ‘in my day’ about into telly, didn’t know the right it, but apparently students have en- people and the careers adviser wasn’t suite bathrooms and central heating encouraging. She then did a test and hot water. I’m not joking, but to tell her the most suitable career we never had any heating, ever. You – the green cursor flashed on the could die if you lit the gas. I paid £20 computer, and prison officer came a week, or was it £18? Then in the the bank to put bets on for him.” up. She laughs. She got into telly fourth year I splashed out and went Then there were some very drunken eventually through a mix of fluke, to £25.” evenings… Amazingly, Jane says, opportunism and hard work. “I used to go to the Warehouse. she could keep up with him. “Yeah She thanks her father for the I read last week that the Stone Roses because I was a student, and as a family’s get up and go. That’s just were there in '87. I was talking student you really could drink a what he did when she and her two to Dan and Diederick, who both LOT.” siblings were young. Jane was born work here and were at Leeds, and She made contacts in TV with in Scotland where he was a chemist we don’t remember that. The Mile people making documentaries about working for an oil refinery. When High Club was the big one. I did a Gascoigne, and was offered a job she was four, he moved the family lot of clubbing. I really wasn’t one as runner and secretary for a show

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 19 Feature – Jane Featherstone

called Superchamps, about kids on motorbikes. The company was tiny, so she did a bit of everything. From there she moved to Hat Trick Productions to work on Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Drop the Dead Donkey. “Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin at Hat Trick are brilliant producers and writers, so I worked for them for two years. I just loved it. That’s when I worked out that this is what I can do – storytelling. With hindsight I realised that was the reason I loved

Jane’s history. Television producers, unlike Above: Some of innovations was to kill off its stars. handy hints to the ever‑changing film producers, are much more cast of Spooks. She says the format grew out of becoming a top involved in the creative aspect than — necessity – they couldn’t sign up big Below: Paul Gascoigne the fundraising side.” during his England names for long enough. “It soon TV producer In 2000, Jane joined Kudos. heyday (photo: Getty) occurred to us that the format was Despite some stinking reviews for strong enough to sustain recasting. the first series ofSpooks, which We didn’t know that would happen, * Say yes to every opportunity. If she developed, it became a huge and that was revolutionary. We’ve offered the chance to become PA hit. Success was followed by more killed 15 of our main characters,” success – Life on Mars, Hustle, Ashes she boasts. Doctor Who, eat your to world-class footballer, prankster to Ashes, The Hour. But it is Spooks heart out. “Often characters we and drinker, take it. “Who’d have that she remains most proud of. brought in fulfilled the same kind of thought working as Gazza’s PA and The series started soon after 9/11, role, but you could have a whole new and many of its storylines have been dynamic because there are only so making Superchamps were good fuelled by the resultant paranoia many frickin crises you can throw at ideas? But they opened doors.” and distrust between East and one actor and one character.” West. “9/11 happened four weeks So why did Jane, who has two before we started shooting. The toddlers, decide to kill off such an * Follow your instinct at all times. show would not have been the same assured money-spinner? “It’s always right. Everything if it hadn’t happened. In fact we’d “It’s really hard work and it that has not quite worked in probably not be sitting here now.” requires a lot of focus. I hoped I’d One of Spooks’ greatest always have the courage and dignity my career has been when I’ve to end on a high with Spooks. I not followed my instincts.” loved it so much, I couldn’t bear the thought that one day people would say ‘you know what, this isn’t as * Take risks, and know what risks good as last year’.” they are. “What can really go I hoped I’d always have the courage Is there a sense of loss? wrong? If you’re comfortable “I feel genuinely sad about it and dignity to end on a high with cos it was enormous fun to make. in your life and you’re happy, Spooks. I loved it so much, I couldn’t I loved the people who worked on then, if it all goes wrong, it bear the thought that one day it, and it was 10 years of my life. A doesn’t really matter.” quarter of my life.” Jane is already people would say ‘you know what, looking to the future, though. There this isn’t as good as last year’ are two brand new shows, Eternal * The do as I say, not as I do rule. Law and Nemesis on the cards. “Have babies younger than I did.” In 2007 Kudos was bought out by Elisabeth Murdoch’s Shine Group

20 –– Autumn/winter 2011 Jane Featherstone – Feature

the great leeds linkup: no degrees of separation

Name: Diederick Santer Degree: Psychology 1991 Role: Producer Met Jane through student theatre in Leeds. Produced EastEnders, was script editor on Where the Heart Is and was head-hunted by Jane. Has now set up production company Lovely Day under the Kudos umbrella.

Name: Dan Isaacs Degree: Dentistry 1990 Role: Chief Operating Officer, Kudos Met Jane through student theatre in Leeds. After graduation went to drama school and film school then worked on business affairs at ITV. Head‑hunted by Jane to work at Kudos.

Name: Omar Madha Degree: English 1990 Role: Director Met Jane through student theatre in Leeds. Directed seasons five and six ofSpooks .

Name: Rachel Ford Degree: Politics and Parliamentary Studies 1992 Role: documentary filmmaker and journalist. Directed several episodes of Spooks.

Name: Peter Bowker for an estimated £15 million. As one with Alan Bennett, and the great More from the Kudos stable Degree: English Literature of the four directors, it made Jane writer came round to their house in Top: Philip Glenister a fairly wealthy woman. Something London’s Islington for supper. “He as Gene Hunt in and Philosophy 1981 Ashes to Ashes Role: Screenwriter she’d not planned for – yes, she sat next to me in my own kitchen; — says, she has worked hard and loves for me that was one of the highlights Below: 1950s Wrote Occupation for Kudos. her career, but she has never been of my career. Meeting Alan Bennett drama The Hour money-oriented. in my own kitchen. A Yorkshireman Name: Juliet (Roberts) Tzabar In fact, she says one highlight has as well.” Degree: English 1992 nothing to do with her work at all. Role: Specialist on children’s digital Her partner, the documentary maker Archie Powell, recently made a film media with a broadcast tie-in.

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 21 News – Department round-up What’s going on A selection of news from our University departments

Business School Dentistry Money for nothing? A reason to smile Banks whose chief executives A pain-free way of tackling receive substantial option-based dental decay that reverses the compensation are more likely damage of acid attack has to carry out risky takeovers been trialled on patients in and mergers, analysis of US Leeds Dental Institute. When bank acquisitions from 1993- painted onto the tooth, a fluid 2007 shows. Regulators should containing peptide P 11-4, consider limiting the option- designed by researchers in the based incentives that bankers School of Chemistry, seeps into receive, the researchers claim. the micro-pores caused by acid Francesco Vallascas, Lecturer attack and attracts calcium, in Banking and Finance, said: regenerating the tooth's mineral. “Our results show a clear link Professor Paul Brunton (BChD between executive pay and risky 1984), who is overseeing the 01 behaviour in banks. Regulating testing, said: “If these results Electronic and bankers' pay is an issue that can be repeated on a larger Electrical Engineering deserves consideration, no patient group, then I have no A ray of light matter how controversial.” doubt that in two to three years Leeds researchers are part of During the period studied, this technique will be available the first team to produce T-ray chief executives were offered for dentists in their daily ‘pulses’, rather than a continuous increasingly large amounts of practice.” The study is being beam, from a quantum cascade risk-based compensation. funded by credentis ag who laser, opening up new ways have licensed the technology. for T-rays to image natural and synthetic materials. T-rays Computing are a band of radiation in the 02 Life-saving robot worm Earth and Environment electromagnetic spectrum that who scaled Everest in 2005, Dr Jordan Boyle (Computing The heart of the matter falls between radio waves and will assess the psychological PhD 2010) has built a giant The inner core of the Earth is visible light. They can detect benefits of taking on a unique robotic worm that can wiggle simultaneously melting and impurities in chemical and physical challenge and how this its way around obstacles. It freezing due to circulation of biological materials. Researchers might contribute to overall sense is modelled on the C.elegans heat in the overlying rocky are looking into a technique of wellbeing when recovering nematode, a tiny worm that mantle, according to new known as terahertz time-domain from physical trauma. She uses an ultra-simple nervous research. The findings are based spectroscopy, a particularly said: “There has been a lot of system to control the way it on numerical modelling and sensitive way of probing materials emphasis on the positive effects moves. “A future version of this contribute to understanding using pulses of T-rays. Professor of regular, structured exercise robot could potentially navigate of the structure of the inner Edmund Linfield said: “The on day-to-day physical and through irregular gaps and holes core, previously only seen with potential for T-rays to provide psychological wellbeing, but in buildings damaged by fire, seismology. Study co-author Dr new imaging and spectroscopy there has been little research to explosions or earthquakes,” Jon Mound said: “We can't go techniques for a range of explore the potential benefits he says. “Given the correct and collect samples from the applications, such as chemical of less structured, more 'skin', the next version should centre of the Earth, so we have and atmospheric sensing, or demanding physical pursuits.” also deal with different to rely on surface measurements medical imaging, is immense.” environments such as water, and computer models. Our new snow or mud.” The robot has a model provides a fairly simple Geography rigid 'backbone' with a series of explanation to measurements Psychology Capturing carbon springs providing flexibility and that have puzzled scientists for A mountain to climb The world’s forests remove allowing it to adapt blindly to years. It suggests that the whole A group of soldiers recovering 8.8 billion tonnes of CO2 per any obstacles that are preventing dynamics of the Earth's core from serious injury as a result year from the atmosphere – it from moving forward. are in some way linked to plate of service in Afghanistan equivalent to nearly a third of tectonics, which isn't obvious hiked to the summit of Mount annual fossil fuel emissions from surface observations.” Kilimanjaro as part of a – according to new research. research project. The research, Regrowth of trees on deforested carried out by Dr Shaunna lands in the tropics removed a

Burke, an expert mountaineer further 6 billion tonnes of CO2

22 –– Autumn/winter 2011 Department round-up – News

£119bn New estimates show the care provided by friends and family members to ill, frail or disabled relatives is now worth £119 billion every year

annually between 1990 and 2007, but deforestation released 10.8 billion tonnes annually. The findings suggest the world's forests play a much larger role in the carbon cycle than previously thought. In recent years, Leeds has become a world centre for understanding the carbon dynamics of tropical forests. A research group, founded by Professor Oliver Phillips, together with collaborators in 03 more than 30 countries, has discovered large and persistent carbon sinks in tropical forests.

Medical School Going viral Researchers, funded by Cancer 05 Research UK, have used a 01 Injured soldiers tackling the hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro library of DNA to create a 02 Forest in Ecuador (credit Abel Monteagudo) vaccine that could treat cancer. 03 The ‘wormbot’ developed by Dr Jordan Boyle 04 Researchers involved in the study The vaccine was made by of the protein E5, produced by putting the DNA library inside the human papilloma virus 05 Engineering students develop the haptic a vesicular stomatitis virus, technology for use in keyhole surgery which stimulates an immune 06 New mathematical models predict how polymers will flow based on the connections response that tracks down and between their molecules kills tumour cells. It has already (credit Dow Chemical) been used to successfully treat mice with prostate cancer. 04 06 Professor Alan Melcher, co- the project looked at what the size. Professor Ward and his Islands is needed. The mosquito author of the study, said: “The remains tell us about society, team have also developed species Culex quinquefasciatus, biggest challenge in immunology such as the relationship between a patented manufacturing accidently introduced to the is developing antigens that bad teeth and social status. process, called extrusion/ islands in the 1980s, is capable of can target the tumour without The event was part of the three lamination, which sandwiches transmitting WNV, a potentially causing harm elsewhere. By year You Are What You Ate the gel between an anode and dangerous disease for the using DNA from the same part project, funded by a Society cathode at high speed to create archipelago's unique wildlife, of the body as the tumour, Award from the Wellcome a highly-conductive strip that researchers have found. Dr inserted into a virus, we may Trust and run in partnership is just nanometres thick. It Simon Goodman said: “Once be able to solve that problem.” with Wakefield Council and seals the electrodes together WNV has been introduced onto the University of Bradford. avoiding excess solvent and the Galápagos, it would be much liquid electrolyte. The research harder to contain. Therefore History was funded by the Engineering the best strategy is to have strict Remains of the day Physics and Physical Sciences Research preventive measures to reduce the Members of the public handled A gel of an idea Council and Yorkshire Concept. chance of the disease reaching skeletal remains dating back A new type of polymer gel that the islands in the first place.” to the medieval era to find can be used to make safer and out what they teach us about more cost effective lithium Integrative and healthy eating. The remains batteries is being trialled by Comparative Biology Mathematics showed how a wide variety of Polystor Energy Corporation. Island intruder Plastic fantastic common diseases linked to poor The 70% liquid electrolyte gel, New research on the risk posed Researchers have developed nutrition leave their mark on developed by Professor Ian by West Nile Virus (WNV) new mathematical models that the body. Co-ordinated by food Ward FRS, Research Professor shows renewed vigilance over could revolutionise the way historian Dr Iona McCleery, of Physics, can be cut to any the biosecurity of the Galápagos plastics are developed, saving

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 23 News – Department round-up time, energy and money. Until became the first to produce now, polymer resins such as sufficient amounts of E5 to low-density polyethylenes were enable researchers to study it often developed first and then in detail. They have already a use was found for them later. discovered that E5 forms a The new models predict how ring-like structure that is able polymers will flow based on to puncture cell membranes, the connections between their creating what is known as a string-like molecules. Dr Daniel 'virus encoded ion channel'. Read, who led the research, said: “This breakthrough Professor Theo Raynor means that new plastics can Mechanical Engineering In the news be created more efficiently and Touching subject Brain waves with a specific use in mind, Engineering students have Research by the School of Medicine with benefits to industry and developed a proof-of-concept and the Universities of Edinburgh and the environment.” The research system which could help Dundee into how the brain protects was carried out with Durham cancer surgeons to remotely itself when its blood supply runs low University, LyondellBasell and ‘feel’ tissue during keyhole has been featured in the Scotsman, Dow Chemical and was funded procedures – an important Science Daily and the Yorkshire Post. by the Engineering and Physical way of locating tumours and Skin cancer genes link Sciences Research Council finding out if they are malignant Findings by Leeds Institute of and the European Union. Waved albatros on the Galápagos Islands or benign. The system is Molecular Medicine that three contain information on safe use controlled using a haptic device particular genes are linked to an and possible side-effects. As the which can apply forces to the increased chance of developing skin Sociology and Social Policy legislation does not apply to user’s hand. The computer cancer was widely covered in the national and international press, The cost of care existing stocks, these products model calculates the forces appearing in the Scotsman, the New estimates show the care could be on the shelves for a that would be experienced as Daily Mail, the Mirror, the Yorkshire provided by friends and family number of years. Also, products the virtual instrument probes Post, and covered by the Australian members to ill, frail or disabled that do not make overt health a simulated organ and feeds Broadcasting Corporation. relatives is now worth £119 claims are regarded as 'foods' these back to the user. “The billion every year. A new report, and escape the legislation. system these students have D deficiency risk Professor of Dermatology Julia carried out with charity Carers Professor Theo Raynor, who led developed is an encouraging Newton-Bishop’s research findings UK, shows there are around the study, said: “The best advice step towards solving one that people with fair skin who burn 6.4 million people in the UK to consumers is 'buyer beware'. of the main disadvantages easily in the sun may need to take providing care, each saving the Any substance that affects the of keyhole surgery,” said supplements to avoid Vitamin D state £18,473 a year on average. body has the potential to do Professor David Jayne, deficiency was covered by the BBC, Professor Sue Yeandle, who co- harm if it is not taken correctly.” Senior Lecturer in Surgery. Daily Mail and Yorkshire Post. authored the report with Dr Lisa Go ahead for GM wheat trial Buckner, said: “As our society The news that Defra has given the ages and more people live for Molecular and Politics and green light to a tightly controlled longer with illness or disability, cellular biology International Studies trial of genetically modified wheat we must address the important Protein is the key Terror on trial following research by the Centre for question of how to provide and Yorkshire Cancer Research and Dr Brad Evans (Politics of Plant Sciences was covered in the Telegraph and the Yorkshire Post. fund the support carers need.” Cancer Research UK are to International Resources & fund a pioneering investigation Development MA 2002, Politics Key to life in meteorites into the treatment of cervical and International Studies PhD School of Chemistry Astrobiologist Healthcare cancer. It will focus on using 2008) has been running a Dr Terry Kee has found meteorite Herbal essence therapeutic drugs to target Ten Years of Terror symposia fragments containing a precursor to Researchers found that prior to a specific protein, called E5, through The Guardian news a key chemical that allows biological cells to capture energy from their a new EU law, brought in this which is produced by the human website. The project, which surroundings, reported the Telegraph. year, the majority of over-the- papilloma virus. Scientists brings together the world’s counter herbal products did not at the University recently pre-eminent thinkers on Bipolar research politics, arts and culture, is The Yorkshire Post reported on also being held at a number of research led by Dr Steven Slapcote, high profile venues, including of the Institute of Membrane and Systems Biology, which has identified the Guggenheim, in New York, an abnormal level of an enzyme and The Hague. It is part known as NKA in sufferers of of Dr Evans’ wider research bipolar disorder and two new drugs project, Histories of Violence, which could be used to treat it. which provides an open access resource centre to explore the Chinese boom Research by Leeds University wider problem of violence Business School and the in the context of theory, China‑Britain Business Council film, art, literature, theatre pinpointing 35 cities in the interior and personal testimonies. of China where a new, affluent group of consumers is fuelling booming demand for goods and services has been reported by the Herald Scotland.

More department news: alumni.leeds.ac.uk/news

24 –– Autumn/winter 2011 A precious pint of blood > A century of Leeds expertise > A brilliant piece of fabric > A bedside life-saver...

Every minute, life-saving blood transfusions are carried out worldwide, thanks to over 100 million voluntary donations of blood. Yet due to impurities and traces of disease, not all these precious gifts of life can be used.

Last winter, the UK almost ran out of Type-A blood altogether. We urgently need to find ways to make sure health services can use all the blood they receive.

The solution? Textiles.

Leeds has been researching textiles for over a century. Now NIRI, in our Centre for Technical Textiles, is creating sophisticated new fabrics to filter out impurities from blood – which can then be transfused at the bedside. So life-saving supplies can reach as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.

You can help to make it happen - with a gift to the Footsteps Fund.

Just 40 gifts of £40 could fund a whole month of doctoral research into this vital area.

Send back a donation with the ‘Update Your Details’ form with this magazine.

Alternatively, give online at www.alumni.leeds.ac.uk/give or text ‘STEP03 £3’, ‘STEP03 £5’ or ‘STEP03 £10’ to 70070.

(Texts are charged at your carrier’s rate, in addition to your donation, and you must have the permission of the person who pays the bill in order to text. Text donations are handled by Justgiving in partnership with Vodafone so that 100% of your donation is received by the Footsteps Fund). News – Giving to Leeds face to face

Peter Hendy (Economics and Geography 1975) and Amy Byard (Broadcast Journalism 2011)

eter Hendy’s rationale Peter’s background is similar: for funding scholarships “My parents weren’t rich but is simple: “I’m not when I went to University I P interested in giving got a grant. Most of my fellow money to buildings. I’d rather students were from places like support kids who wouldn’t Liverpool and Doncaster and otherwise have been able to get we’d probably never have gone if to University.” we’d had to pay.” Peter has been Commissioner Peter joined London of Transport for London since Transport as a graduate trainee, 2006. We’re overlooking the city eventually becoming managing from TFL’s boardroom, where director of CentreWest London Amy Byard has come to thank Buses Ltd, where he led a him for his support for her management buyout. He later education. became Deputy Director of FirstGroup and returned to Transport for London in 2001, becoming Commissioner five years later. As a nation we should They are talking as London be supporting and reels from street violence: “We should nurture bright young nurturing bright young people and get them to use people. One of the best their innate ability,” said Peter. “If there’s no hope and no things you can do is to opportunity – that’s why people get people to use their smash things up.” Leeds changed them both: “I and she tells Peter about this innate ability came with a streak of inverted life-changing experience: “It — Peter Hendy snobbery,” says Peter. “We was monumental. Having If you get a good mix decided to drink in the pubs, the experience of travel was like the locals. We thought thoroughly educational, but of people together, the student union was the the highlight of it for me was those barriers dissolve. establishment, which was definitely the children. It gives Amy is one of 195 students completely wrong actually.” you such a perspective on your That’s possibly the who have received Centenary Amy smiles: “I had a hostile own life.” most useful lesson I’ve Alumni Scholarships since attitude to people with money. I She also became a powerful learned at University the donor-funded scheme learned that I was just as capable advocate of scholarships, began in 2004, and she of success as anyone, regardless working on the call team and — Amy Byard received £1,000-a-year as an of social circumstance. If you get talking to alumni about their undergraduate. “Your support a good mix of people, barriers experiences at Leeds, and how meant I was able to work hard dissolve.” they might help other students. and concentrate on my degree, Peter sees this as an example “We should shout about these rather than worrying too much of how University aids social scholarships and the good they award reflected the work she did about debt.” mobility: “Where else would you do. It’s great to talk to the alumni with children from an under- Amy came from a challenging get that opportunity and that and tell them how their support achieving Leeds school. background – yet managed to experience; think it through and can make a difference.” You may Amy has now started work secure the A-levels she needed change your view?” The memory have received a call from her; you in PR, and remains grateful for a place at Leeds. Even so, of how Leeds shifted his horizons may even have been contributed for the head-start given by the her family was unable to offer is a driving factor behind Peter’s to the £33,000 which she raised. scholarship: “It has changed financial support for her studies: support for students: “I’m very Her one scholarship helped start my life. Hopefully when I have “I had no security blanket but fortunate – why wouldn’t I give another 11. a family, it will have changed I didn’t want to let that be a something back?” Amy’s success at Leeds was theirs too. ‘Thank you' will barrier to coming to University.” Amy did the same. She took underlined by two awards. never quite sum it up.” Three years on, Amy graduated three jobs, and saved for a flight The Access Programme Award with a First – the only student in to Uganda where she spent a recognised her success in her her class to do so. month working with children studies; the Mentor of the Year

26 –– Autumn/winter 2011 Giving to Leeds – News

An Inspirational Journey Climbing Kilimanjaro to raise money for dementia research at Leeds In brief

Doctoral training A gift of £750 from an alumnus Francis Teer’s father was a will enable a PhD student in brilliant and respected deputy medical engineering to take up a headmaster, who loved the secondment in Leeds’ Doctoral outdoors. But his career and Training Centre in Tissue Engineering his life were both cut short and Regenerative Medicine, which brings together postgraduates and by Alzheimer’s, and he died established academics to develop before he reached the age of 60. effective clinical therapies for the Franky knew that the University treatment of disease and disability. of Leeds is at the forefront Secondments give early-career of research into dementia, of researchers vital exposure to which Alzheimer’s is just one of practical research through working on real-life medical problems, and many forms. insights into how to give new ideas He decided that the best way the best chance of success. to honour his father would be to climb Kilimanjaro, a journey his Law legacy sends students to China father would have loved to make A legacy from John Loftus (Law with him, and raise money to 1967) enabled ten students to join a summer school in Shanghai. His benefit research at Leeds. Franky £5,000 gift, along with a donation of has already raised nearly £2,000 £5,000 from law firm Slaughter and towards his £3,400 target. May, funded a two-week visit to the East China University of Politics and You can support Franky, or set up Law where they took part in lectures, your own fundraising page for the legal and business-related visits and Footsteps Fund at Leeds at www. cultural activities. One student said: justgiving.com/universityofleeds “Lectures enabled us to understand how Chinese culture is reflected in law. The areas covered in contract law will be invaluable when conducting The gift of Calling full time business in China in the future.” learning on the Big Match New chair in End-of-life-care The University has appointed a new chair in Palliative Medicine, thanks to support from local hospice St A gift of £900,000 from Our Big Match appeal ended in We have spoken to Gemma’s. Professor Michael Bennett Lord Laidlaw of Rothiemay July 2011. You helped us raise 32,266 Leeds Alumni will lead a new Academic Unit of (Economics 1963) will support more than £1 million and benefit about the Big Match Palliative Care at the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, a teaching students from less privileged from the government's match and research institute within the backgrounds during the first funding scheme. The student callers School of Medicine. He will be year of their studies. leading research to develop and consumed 11,376 His gift provides scholarships For more information visit test innovative treatments aimed at cups of tea during the of up to £6,000 to students who alumni.leeds.ac.uk/bigmatchfacts improving the care of patients with Big Match appeal win a place at the University an incurable illness. St Gemma’s will fund the new research unit for The Big Match appeal through its pioneering Access five years and Professor Bennett will to Leeds scheme, which works has funded 88 future 109 Centenary work as a Consultant at the hospice. with schools and communities medical professionals Alumni Scholarships to encourage young people to funded during the New Footsteps aim high. With bursaries given Big Match appeal The Alumni Annual Fund has changed 44 Centenary Alumni directly by the University, these its name to the Footsteps Fund, Scholars so far have reflecting that donations are helping students will receive £9,000 in graduated with a 7 Olympic hopefuls students to follow in the footsteps year one – equivalent to their of alumni and take the first steps on first or a 2:1 and 21 sports teams tuition fees from 2012. their own journey. More than 2,000 Lord Laidlaw has also supported since 2008 alumni have already supported committed to give £250,000 Since 2009 there has been an 87% the Footsteps Fund this year. In to Research and Leadership increase in the number November, 90 donors attended The Big Match the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships of digitised texts Scholarships for arts students, appeal helped to Reception where they met some of enabling undergraduates to join available to students support 117 student the students whose lives have been research projects during their across the University community projects changed, thanks to your support. summer vacation.

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 27 Feature – sustainability Lucky numbers?

28 –– Autumn/winter 2011 sustainability – Feature

Something strange happened on 15th October. A single mysterious number started appearing in various locations across campus. Was this some kind of code? A secret message? A student prank?

ver the following weeks, the message became clear: 40,647 is the total O number of people based on campus: the population of a sizeable town. Leeds is one of the world’s leading centres for research into environmental impact and sustainability, but we need to make sure our own house is in order. 40,647 people and more than 100 buildings add up to around 70,000 tonnes of carbon from direct emissions annually. Leeds has now committed to reducing emissions by 35% by 2020/21, compared to 2005/6 levels. 40,647 marks the start of a high-profile campaign to spread the message about how much energy could be saved if staff and students work together. What about the impact of the installation itself? Well the paint Big numbers: can you is water soluble, biodegradable spot the locations? and environmentally friendly. The This page: Clockwise from top: Parkinson straw bales will be used at Leeds Court, Western Campus University Union's community food (Business School), close to the Sports growing project at Bardon Grange. Centre, Chancellor’s The polystyrene numbers will be Court (by Roger Stevens Building), between used as art materials by the School the Union building of Art and Design. and Botany House. — Facing page: by the Edward Boyle Library For more, visit: italladdsup.leeds.ac.uk

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 29 Vice-Chancellor’s View VC’s view

Professor Michael Arthur on the student experience

’m sure you will have great six months after graduation, 92.6% All Universities must do this, but memories of your time as a of our class of 2010 graduates were for us, it’s building on something student at Leeds. One of the already in graduate-level employment we have long done, driven by a I traditions of which we’re most or continuing their studies. On this determination to make a place at proud is that of giving students measure, we’re not just ahead of the Leeds accessible and achievable to something different and distinct to curve, we’re ahead of Oxford. those of sufficient talent, whatever that of other universities. These are timely successes. As their background. Helped by the Whether it’s the cultural we prepare for a seismic change donations which you have given dimension of the library’s special in University funding, where our to support a range of student collections and our gallery, seeing students will be paying tuition fees scholarships, it’s a curve we’ve been live music in the Refectory, being of £9,000 a year, everything we can ahead of for several years. given a close-up connection to cutting do to stress not only the value of At the same time, we’re spending edge-research – or just sharing a higher education – but specifically the £12m on teaching facilities, new vibrant, cosmopolitan city-centre benefits of studying at Leeds – will be equipment and field trips to enhance campus with students of all academic invaluable. Though our students will the student experience for everyone. disciplines – the Leeds student not have to begin paying these fees We have exciting plans to renew our experience is a special one. until they graduate, their expectations libraries for the digital age; additional As one of our alumni you’ll feel of higher education will be increased. teaching staff across the University this more keenly than anyone. will reduce class sizes and improve It’s tradition that continues to this the feedback we give. day. Our new Partnership Agreement Our commitment to putting formalises the academic relationship research at the heart of the learning which we have with our students. It experience is perhaps best exemplified sets out what they can expect from us A survey showed that six by our plans to recruit 50 new and each other, and what we expect academic chairs, leaders who can of them. months after graduation, 92.6% integrate outstanding student Drawn up with representatives education with world-leading of the students’ union, its name of our class of 2010 graduates research and help us to demonstrate reflects the fact that learning here is were already in graduate-level our commitment to academic very much about partnership. Our excellence in everything we do. students may only join us for three employment or continuing We know we’re already moving or four years of study, but they are in the right direction. The recent our partners in a learning experience their studies. On this measure, National Student Survey showed inspired and informed by our that the overwhelming majority of research. we’re not just ahead of the our students were ‘very satisfied’ This is not only something we’re or ‘satisfied’ with their experience proud of, and something we feel curve, we’re ahead of Oxford at Leeds. Across all categories – builds on Leeds’ rich traditions; it has including teaching, academic support, also put us, in the university sector, learning resources and personal “ahead of the curve”. Those aren’t my development – our scores were up words; they’re the view of the Sunday on the previous year. Our financial Times, which shortlisted Leeds for its projections are good, our research University of the Year award. The vast reduction in Government income is rising, and the 35,000 Leeds was the only institution in funding for higher education (our visitors to campus during our recent the Russell Group to be shortlisted teaching budget will be cut by open days are clear proof that Leeds and we rose two places in the 80% over the next few years) is not remains a popular place to study, newspaper’s national league table. what we would have chosen, but it learn and live. The Partnership Agreement and our does enable us to do more – much We’re determined to stay ahead of focus on the employability of our more – to help bright students from the curve. graduates were singled out for praise. disadvantaged backgrounds to study Our record for developing at Leeds. We will work with more adaptable, employable, rounded, schools, colleges and young people forward-thinking graduates ready than ever to encourage them to aim for the world of work is a source for a place at Leeds; those students of pride; the alumni I meet both in from the least well-off families will Leeds and around the world are its be entitled to £12,000 assistance over living proof. A survey showed that their three years at Leeds.

30 –– Autumn/winter 2011 profile Signing Off

Dr Sue Jacklin Professor Dick Killington Assistant Director of Sport and Physical Activity Professor of Virology Education Retiring after 34 years Retiring after 39 years

Also: Also: • Worked with the Student Union • Pro-dean for Learning and the University Sport Centre and Teaching, Faculty of • BUCS award, Outstanding Biological Sciences Contribution to Higher • Warden, Henry Price Building Education Sport • Country Adviser, Brazil

Looking back over my time at Leeds, with so I have shared learning, teaching and pastoral many changes over that time (sports facilities experiences with many thousands of Leeds for one!), it is clear that some things never students. For those of you who lived in Henry change – the passion and enthusiasm of the Price from 1981 to 2011, rest assured that students remains constant. your secrets are safe with me. For those of you I have had the privilege of working with whom I taught, thank you for laughing at my some amazing people, staff and students, and very poor jokes! would love to hear what you are doing now, I would love to hear from you – either to and your recollections of your time here. relate anecdotes or to let me know what you are up to these days.

Post your best wishes and memories of Sue at: Post your best wishes and memories of Dick at: alumni.leeds.ac.uk/suejacklin alumni.leeds.ac.uk/dickkillington

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 31 News – Forthcoming Events Forthcoming events What’s on for Leeds alumni Social Reunion Reception Trip/Travel Talk/SeminarProfessionalArts and CultureSport over the next few months

JANUARY The big debate: Freedom of expression vs the Pip Dickens: New Work right to privacy Opening Night: Tuesday Monday 12 March, 6.30-9pm 17 January, 6-8pm Mishcon de Reya, Summit House, 18 January – 14 April 12 Red Lion Square, London Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery WC1R 4QD Contemporary painter and As politicians, lawyers, artist-in-residence at Leeds journalists and police consider Pip Dickens creates new the culture, practices and ethics work inspired by Michael of the press in the wake of the Sadler’s gifts of Kashmiri News of the World hacking shawls to the University, scandal, we ask ‘Who guards now held at the University’s the guardians? Are we any Textiles Archive (ULITA). the wiser?’ All alumni with an > For further details visit interest in the legal or media www.leeds.ac.uk/gallery professions, or the topic are invited to attend our open debate, led by a panel of lawyers Leeds University Old and journalists, chaired by Students’ Association Deputy Head of the School of LEEDS ALUMNI SPRING RECEPTION London AGM Law, Professor Ian Cram, and Sunday 29 January, 3pm Partner at Mishcon de Reya, AT HAREWOOD HOUSE Calthorpe Arms, London Tony Morton-Hooper (Political The Leeds University Old Studies 1976). The discussion Students Association has been will be followed by networking Thursday 19 April 7- 9pm > Tickets £30 per person arranging events and activities over drinks and canapés. The State Rooms and Booking opens on Tuesday 3 in and around the London area > Tickets £10. Booking is Terrace, Harewood House, January. for alumni of the University essential. Go to alumni.leeds. Nr Leeds Early booking is advised as since its formation in 1912. ac.uk/pn/law places are strictly limited > To book, or for more information The University is holding a Book online at about the association, contact special reception for Leeds alumni.leeds.ac.uk/harewood LUOSA London secretary Chris Alumni London pub quiz alumni in the historic and or call 0113 343 7520 Pudsey on chrispudsey@ Thursday 29 March, beautiful surroundings googlemail.com or 01727 6.30pm team registration, of Harewood House. 864981, or visit the LUOSA 7pm quiz starts This will be an exclusive London website at Counting House, 50 Cornhill, opportunity to meet the www.luosa.org.uk London, EC3V 3PD Vice-Chancellor, Professor Form a team with your family, Michael Arthur; senior staff march friends and work colleagues, from the University and other come along and see if you Leeds alumni in one of the Edinburgh reception have what it takes to be quiz treasure houses of England. Wednesday 14 March, champions. Give your grey 6.30pm matter a work out and be in the Experts will be on hand University of Edinburgh running for a top prize. Teams to talk about the house, its Leeds comes to Edinburgh! can be made up of up to six history and its renowned Meet up with fellow Leeds people but the captain must be collections of paintings and alumni and graduates from the a graduate of the University. furniture, and guests will also other Russell Group universities Questions will cover a whole be able to enjoy Harewood’s (the group of 20 leading range of topics, but one or two magnificent Terrace, one of research intensive institutions might just have a Leeds theme! the most beautiful Victorian in the UK) at a drinks and > Booking and further details at formal gardens in the country. networking reception. alumni.leeds.ac.uk/pubquiz Wine and canapés will be > Booking and further details at served during the evening. alumni.leeds.ac.uk/Edinburgh

32 –– Autumn/winter 2011 Forthcoming Events – News

Sport Next issue

may Society of Old Devonians international Olympics reunion dinner Treasures on Paper Saturday 16 June EVENTS at Leeds Opening Night: Tuesday 1 Devonshire Hall 2012 sees the Olympics May, 6-8pm Join us once again for the and Paralympics Games 2 May – 28 July annual reunion dinner at For those outside the UK, we take place in the UK. Leeds Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery Devonshire Hall. The event have a regular programme students and alumni will Highlights from the University is a fantastic opportunity to of alumni-led international be taking part and we’ll Art Collection’s wide- reminisce with friends about events taking place in tell you who to watch. We ranging works on paper, your time at Devonshire. Enjoy countries all over the world. will also show you just including early English dinner at the Hall and have Within the last year, graduates watercolours, 20th century drinks in the bar afterwards. of the University have got how many connections drawings and recent prints. > alumni.leeds.ac.uk/devonshire together to share their the University has to the > For further details visit memories of Leeds, make new London 2012 Games. www.leeds.ac.uk/gallery friends and business contacts Do you know any Leeds in South Korea, Hong Kong, graduates who have the US, Canada, China, competed, or are hoping Weekend of sport Japan, Vietnam, Brazil and to compete in the Olympic Saturday 5 and Qatar among others. Many or Paralympic Games? Sunday 6 May more events are planned for Sports Day at Weetwood Playing 2012. Visit alumni.leeds.ac.uk Fields on Saturday, VIP morning at website for more information Learning The Edge on Sunday. and booking details, and Alumni will be taking on make sure we have your up-to- revolution student teams in a host of sports, date email address so we can Is teaching and learning now including football, hockey, invite you! If you should find all just podcasts, iPads and rugby and netball. As always, there is nothing planned near Facebook? Next issue we’ll the bar will be open and there you, why not arrange your look at the Leeds learning will be an all-day barbecue own event? Just get in touch experience, and how it’s on the terrace on Saturday. to find out more. We have changed over the years. All alumni, family and friends alumni in most countries, We’d love your stories about are invited for a free swim in The from Gabon to Guatemala, your own experiences of the Edge pool on Sunday, 9-11am. Albania to Argentina. lecture room, the classroom > Book at www.alumni.leeds. or the lab at Leeds. What ac.uk/sportsday and www.alumni. Alumni lounge at the was special about it? leeds.ac.uk/freeswim University Open Day Friday 22 June and LUOSA EVENTS june Saturday 23 June, 1pm-3.30pm Riley’s hall Leeds University 1913 Room, Great Hall LUOSA organises a wider We’d like your memories Liturgical Choir — Tenth If you’re bringing your son or range of activities for former of the Riley Smith Hall – Anniversary Concert daughter to the University Open students. This year members whether events, drama Sunday 3 June, 3pm, Day, take advantage of your visited the European productions, meetings. Great Hall alumni status by relaxing in Parliament in Strasbourg. What did it mean to you? Alumni are invited to see LULC, the tranquil setting of the 1913 > For a report on the one of the finestU niversity Room, next to the Great Hall. Strasbourg visit, and to find choirs in the country, in a Join us for exclusive access to the out more about LUOSA and Let us know at concert celebrating its 10th alumni parents’ lounge, a perfect its activities visit alumni.leeds. [email protected] Anniversary. Membership place for you and your family ac.uk/luosa write to us at is drawn from the staff and to take a break after exploring student community, and this our campus. Complimentary Alumni and Development concert will include alumni refreshments, including Team, University of Leeds, who have performed with cream teas, strawberries and For a full list of all events, Leeds LS2 9JT the choir over the years. The cakes, will be available. including class reunions and or post your comments at conductor is Dr Bryan White. > For booking and further details international events visit alumni.leeds.ac.uk > For more information and visit alumni.leeds.ac.uk/openday www.alumni.leeds.ac.uk/events booking: music.leeds.ac.uk/lulc

Autumn/winter 2011 –– 33 Leeds scholarship > Headingley home > Late nights in Edward Boyle > Discovering my vocation > Led to this…

For Cheryl, Leeds wasn’t just the place where she could begin to realise her dreams – it was the first place she could properly call home.

Cheryl’s £1,000 per year scholarship, provided by the Footsteps Fund, was a life-saver. It gave her the financial security to move away from a troubled family background and begin to discover what her true potential really was. She discovered a true love of teaching and mentoring. In her vacations she began working with our Access Academy - to reach out to other young people in the same situation as she had been in, and show them what could be possible for them, too.

Now, just 2 years since she graduated, Cheryl is already an inspirational teacher. And all from a scholarship of £1,000 per year, provided by donations from Leeds alumni.

Just 25 gifts of £40 to the Footsteps Fund will provide a whole year’s scholarship for another student like Cheryl. Please give today, and help another student follow in her footsteps.

Send back a donation with the ‘Update Your Details’ form with this magazine.

Alternatively, give online at www.alumni.leeds.ac.uk/donate or text ‘STEP05 £3’, ‘STEP05 £5’ or ‘STEP05 £10’ to 70070.

(Texts are charged at your carrier’s rate, in addition to your donation, and you must have the permission of the person who pays the bill in order to text. Text donations are handled by Justgiving in partnership with Vodafone so that 100% of your donation is received by the Footsteps Fund).