| 3 Times Higher/King’s Awards | 4 Baroness Rawlings | 7 King’s Business | 19 Becoming Jane | 20 Proms conference
CommentThe College newsletter Issue no 174 | May 2007 First Honorary Degrees
King’s held its first Honorary Baroness Hale of Richmond Degree Ceremony on 8 March. DBE PC, the first woman to Rooftop art at King’s A unique ceremony for staff be appointed a Lord of Appeal andy lane and students in the Strand in Ordinary (Law Lord), who Chapel celebrated the first time received a Doctor of Law, that King’s has exercised powers Honoris Causa; Professor Sir Alec it has long held to confer Jeffreys FRS, the geneticist who Honorary Degrees of the developed techniques for DNA University of London. fingerprinting and DNA profiling, who received a Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa; and Judith Weir Outstanding academic CBE, a distinguished composer contribution and former Foundation Visiting Professor at Harvard University, who received a Doctor of Music, Honorary Degrees of the Honoris Causa. University of London are The ceremony began with awarded by King’s College a welcome by the Dean, the London to individuals who Revd Dr Richard Burridge, and are of conspicuous merit, was followed by the opening as demonstrated by their address, delivered by the outstanding academic Principal. During the ceremony contribution to their field. citations were given for each The Principal, Professor Rick of the Honorary Graduates by Trainor, says: ‘The fact that Lord (Raymond) Plant (Head we are taking up the power to of the School of Law), Professor award Honorary Degrees for Phil Whitfield (Vice-Principal, the first time is a reflection and Students) and Professor John a reinforcement of King’s ever- Deathridge (King Edward more-obvious status as one of the Professor of Music) and Baroness country’s leading universities. Hale responded on their behalf. ‘The spread of excellence in The Chairman of Council, the distinguished careers of these Baroness Rawlings, gave the Honorary Graduates reflects the closing address. variety of areas in which King’s is ‘We are celebrating the an internationally strong player, achievements of four individuals while the presence of these distinguished in their field. The eminent people emphasises College will be enriched by these the way in which King’s is not associations, and their success only a comprehensive but also a and distinction will be an added Two of the three life-size sculptures of male figures being exhibited on the rooftops of coherent university institution.’ inspiration to our students,’ said two King’s buildings as part of the first major London showing of the work of Honorary Degrees were Baroness Rawlings. Antony Gormley. For more details see page 7. bestowed on The Rt Hon The continued on page 2 News
Principal’s Column
julian anderson our academic links are rapidly University of London continues and breadth of international strengthening. Earlier this to be discussed, and proposed seminars and conferences that month, Vice-Principal Keith changes to the statutes are now the College hosts. In the last Hoggart accompanied the Lord out for formal consultation. few weeks alone, staff at King’s Mayor of London to Malaysia These proposals (which the have organised events about (where King’s is setting up a College Council will formally (among other topics) military new Alumni branch), as part consider in June) provide strategy in the 21st century, of the Lord Mayor’s City of for a streamlined system of the Proms and British musical Learning initiative. governance which places the life, cannabis and mental As we think of higher constituent Colleges at its heart. health, the transatlantic slave education as an increasingly On related issues, in the context trade, stem cell research and global endeavour, the terrible of current reviews by the Parkinson’s Disease, religion Dear Colleagues events that took place at funding council I have firmly and citizenship, and Henry III! The College continues to Virginia Tech continue supported (on behalf of the This is extremely gratifying develop links internationally. to reverberate. I am sure College) continued HEFCE and underlines the role of We have recently welcomed colleagues will be pleased to funding for the University’s the College as an intellectual the Indian High Commissioner know that I have sent a letter School of Advanced Study powerhouse working in the to King’s and as I write a of sympathy on behalf of (and its institutes) and for the service of society both in this number of senior staff are at the King’s staff and students to the libraries in Senate House. country and abroad. University of North Carolina President of that institution. Lastly, I would like to Best wishes at Chapel Hill, with which The issue of the reform of the draw attention to the number Rick Trainor King’s secures £14m DoH funding the college has been awarded £1.9 million for her work with improving diabetes outcomes’. fully established, provides a £14 million from the Department the South London and Maudsley Health Minister Rosie marvellous opportunity for the of Health, as part of the National NHS Foundation Trust and the Winterton said: ‘This significant NHS to carry out research that Institute for Health Research, for eating disorders charity Beat, to new research funding stream, will lead to improved healthcare seven projects looking into areas conduct essential research into which will be worth up to or better healthcare delivery in such as mental health, medicines providing better resources for £75 million each year when the near future.’ for children, diabetes, stroke and the identification and treatment dementias. of anorexia. Also working in conjunction First Honorary Degrees with the South London and phil sayer ‘A significant new Maudsley NHS Foundation research funding Trust a further five Institute of Psychiatry academics have been stream’ awarded grant money: Professor Declan Murphy; Professor Andre Six academics from the Tylee; Professor Robin Murray; Institute of Psychiatry and one Professor Graham Thornicroft; from the School of Medicine, and Professor Til Wykes. have secured around a third of Professor Stephanie Amiel and the overall money – £45 million Dr Khalida Ismail of the Diabetes – from the Department of Health Research Group in the School across 29 different research of Medicine (in collaboration programmes. with the Primary Care Trusts The programmes chosen of Lambeth, Southwark and for funding aim to increase Lewisham, with Bromley understanding of how to manage PCT; the Diabetes Units of and treat these types of diseases King’s College Hospital NHS The Rt Hon The Baroness Hale of Richmond gives a vote of thanks. more effectively, develop new Foundation Trust and of Guy’s treatments and help prevent ill and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation continued from page 1 Degree, Doctor of Social health developing in the first Trust; the Institute of Psychiatry A fourth Honorary Graduate, Sciences, Honoris Causa on place. and the Department of Public Professor Joseph Nye, one of 14 February prior to his delivery Professor Ulrike Schmidt, Health at King’s) have been the world’s ten most influential of the College’s prestigious Professor of Eating Disorders, awarded grant money for ‘Non- scholars of international relations, Liddell Hart Centre for Military was awarded a grant worth pharmacological approaches to was conferred with his Honorary Archives annual lecture.
| Comment | May 2007 News
£30m for national parenting academy
KIng’s, The faMIly and ParenTIng to help children and young Institute, and Parenting UK, have people achieve their potential been awarded £30 million by and so help raise the standard of the Department for Education parenting support still further. & Skills to create a new centre ‘We know a great deal about of excellence called the effective parenting and what National Academy for Parenting interventions work best in what Practitioners (NAPP), which settings, but most of these have will carry out parenting research not yet been tested on a large and provide quality support for country-wide scale in ‘real-life’ parents. Based at the Strand populations. Establishing this Campus it will be launched in Academy will centralise the October 2007. know-how and the manpower to enable the swift implementation of quality parenting support ‘help children and across the UK.’ young people achieve The Government announced the launch of the RESPECT those who deliver services to majority of parenting service their potential’ Action Plan in January 2006 as a parents. providers in the UK. programme to tackle anti-social King’s, the Family and NAPP will provide a central Dr Stephen Scott, Head of the behaviour in society and one of Parenting Institute and Parenting hub for the exchange of ideas King’s Parenting Unit, comments: its commitments was to establish UK have formed a consortium and learning. It will improve the ‘King’s is delighted to be hosting a National Parenting Academy. to establish the Academy. King’s quality of services for parents the Academy. It will bring its The Academy will tackle a wider will provide a top quality research by raising the standard and expertise in training practitioners agenda, as well as RESPECT. programme, the Family Parenting consistency of practice and in approaches proven to work in The National Academy for Institute will use its ability to disseminating the evidence helping all parents bring the best Parenting Practitioners is the review and assess services, and from research. It will also out of their children. It will also realisation of this plan and is synthesize and disseminate provide training and research carry out an ambitious research being established to support the research and Parenting UK will opportunities for those who teach programme to fi nd out strategies development and training of all facilitate direct contact with the parenting skills in the community.
Times Higher/King’s Awards Strategic Plan 2006-16 published
The 2007 TIMES HIGHER awards Psychiatry, won the ‘Young The strategic plan competition has now been Researcher of the Year’ College for 2006-16 is now launched and entries are being Award and was subsequently available. The plan commits the College sought from King’s staff. Now in shortlisted for the Times Higher to strengthening its its third year, these awards raise award. position as a world- awareness of and reward the huge Vice-Principal (Research) class institution contribution British universities Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman over the next 10 years so that King’s make to the economic and comments on the importance is recognised as cultural health of the country. of the awards and King’s one of the world’s The College is keen to submitting entries. ‘The awards leading universities. encourage staff to consider are an important showcase for Copies of the plan entering particularly in these the achievements of British have been sent internally to heads categories: universities and in turn provide of school, heads • Research project of the year the College with an excellent of department, • Young researcher of the year opportunity to demonstrate its members of academic Board, College Committee and the College operations • Young academic author of the great strengths. There is every executive. additional copies are available at Campus receptions or from emma evans in the principal’s offi ce ([email protected]). an electronic version is year. reason to expect that King’s available on the College website (www.kcl.ac.uk/about/mission/). could, and should, do well this The College will also award year. I hope we will be able to put its own prize of £500 to the forward some strong entries.’ successful entrant who will then Submissions of 500 words, automatically be entered for the based on work undertaken See the Times Higher website work that universities do in ICT, Times Higher competition. between 1 July 2006 and 30 June for the full list of awards and entry marketing and the arts. Their Last year Dr James Rubin, 2007, should be sent to Victoria criteria www.thes.co.uk/awards/2007/. awards will be presented at a Lecturer in Psychological Knight, [email protected], This year there are 20 categories dinner at the Grosvenor House Medicine at the Institute of by June. including new ones refl ecting the Hotel on 29 November.
May 2007 | Comment | 3 News
Baroness Rawlings In September, Baroness Rawlings will step down as Chairman of Council, following the completion of the customary three terms of three years each in office. Here Lady Rawlings, the Council’s first woman Chairman, looks back over her nine years at King’s with tremendous affection and pride.
How would you describe the role of the Crown Estates: I tried to Chairman? persuade him that King’s would I see the role of Chairman be the right choice to become as raising the profile of the the next tenant of the former College outside the academic Public Record Office in Chancery world in parliamentary, Lane. Shortly afterwards I met Sir political, international, medical, Deryck and Lady Maughan, who philanthropic and social circles were immensely generous and at home and abroad. I chair four supportive. I knew immediately Council meetings a year as well that the Maughan Library would as several other committees. The be a tremendous asset. HM The Council is the governing and Queen and HRH Prince Philip executive body of the College opened it in 2002. I am thrilled that established under the Charter and more than 6,000 students can use Statutes of the College. both the library and gardens daily. Since 1999 more than half What do you feel has been your most of the College’s activities have important decision? been relocated in high-quality There have been many, and the new and refurbished buildings at most important is difficult to single the Strand, Waterloo and Guy’s out, but chairing the committee campuses. of 14 people who chose Professor In the past nine years we have Trainor as the new Principal was had a lifelong interest in the arts, Today, it has become more of initiated Honorary Fellowships. a great responsibility. It had to be and I try, too, to contribute to any a whole. As a result it is more They are awarded to individuals a unanimous decision. I had been debates that might affect King’s. outward-looking, with greater by virtue of their distinction in preparing for it for some time. Our For five years I have been diversity. It achieves higher fields outside academic life. Our headhunters were fantastic, not President of the National Council ratings and more students are first was the Duke of Wellington only guiding us but also helping to of Voluntary Organisations, applying. King’s is the rising and the most recent is HRH the ease the difficulties that had come NCVO. This is the main star today in the British higher Duchess of Cornwall. (along with great opportunities) umbrella group for the voluntary education sector. It is great that the College has with the recent mergers. sector: an area in which I have raised well over £44 million since spent nearly my entire life. I I have been there. Being Chairman is just one of your am President too of the British ‘King’s is the rising star’ roles. Can you tell us about your work Antique Dealers’ Association, Any regrets during your time as as a Conservative Peer in the House BADA. A great deal of my time Our international aspirations Chairman? of Lords and your other roles? has been involved in some way have increased, too, as Yes, I would have liked to have As Shadow Minister for with the arts. I was a director for demonstrated by the larger spent more time meeting and International Development more than 30 years of the English number of international students talking to students and attending and Foreign Affairs I am very Chamber Orchestra (ECO) and and by recent collaborative some of the really stimulating privileged to have a platform on Vice Chairman to Lady Diana agreements with other high-quality lectures. I would have which to fight for causes I believe Cooper at Covent Garden on their universities around the world. liked, too, to have secured more in – bearing in mind the party line Benevolent Fund. I also owned The Principal and I have travelled sporting facilities for the students. of course! a contemporary art gallery and to many places meeting alumni Since entering the House of worked for a French art auction and establishing links in America, What do you think the biggest challenges Lords in 1994, the countries that house. I am at present a Trustee Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Oman are for King’s? I have spoken on quite regularly of the Chevening Estate. and South Africa. One of the big challenges will be are Afghanistan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Somerset House. King’s has been Georgia, Mexico and Russia. How has the College changed during What do you see as your greatest lusting after it since 1829. It is I suppose since my European your time as Chairman? achievements as Chairman? important that we should move Parliament days the country I King’s has changed enormously. The greatest is the College’s further up in all the league tables. have been most involved with When I arrived the College was acquisition of the magnificent I’m sure we can make it into the is Bulgaria. I sit as one of the in a very fragile state after the Maughan Library and gardens. top six in the UK. There are also governors on the board of their merger with the United Medical I remember a chance meeting many challenges associated with American University. I have also and Dental Schools in 1998. with the Chief Executive of higher education, such as fees and
| Comment | May 2007 News
Lords debate
King’s academic achievements were highlighted in a House of Lords debate on university funding on 19 April. University chiefs and others connected with higher education, related how their institutions contributed £45 billion to the UK economy and deserved continued strong investment. In the debate, it was shown that universities were vital to the economy and that the sector supported 580,000 jobs and brought in £3.6 billion income from international students alone. From left: 2006-7 KCLSU officersE d Drummond, Daryn McCombe, Jo Williams and Adam Farley with Baroness Rawlings at the House of Lords. Baroness Rawlings, Chairman of Council, spoke international recruitment. graduation ceremonies. I am Conservative Party, fighting in the debate demonstrating We always need to develop moved by them every time and unsuccessfully the 1983 and 1987 how universities make a major new ideas, whilst maintaining our have never missed a year. I have general elections, and then in 1989 contribution by using King’s as high academic standards – and spoken to and shaken thousands being elected a Member of the an example. She noted that the always, always retaining a sense and thousands of students’ hands European Parliament for Essex College had a turnover of more of tradition. – between 400 and 700 students South West. So who can tell what than £387 million, employs graduate at each ceremony, lurks around the next corner? more than 5,000 staff and has What are your fondest King’s memories? and I’ve attended between King’s has been a fantastic nearly 20,000 students: more I have constantly been struck four and eight ceremonies experience. It was a great honour than a fifth of whom are from by the incredible quality of the each year, at the Festival Hall, to be elected as Chairman and overseas. Students contribute academics and students that I’ve Southwark Cathedral and now to carry out the role has been economically, socially and met over the years. I have also at the Barbican. It is always a a tremendous privilege. Being culturally, not only to the made so many new friends. memorable experience. Chairman has been in a way capital, but also to the country. There have been so many even more exciting than being in She also pointed out that memorable events: too many What does the future hold for you? politics because as Chairman you during the last year the College to name all of them. A few that The future is full of surprises. I have a huge responsibility. It is generated research income in spring to mind include the 175th might do some writing and who possible to leave a mark, whereas excess of £110 million through, anniversary celebrations, which knows what might happen at the in opposition politics it is much for example, knowledge were brilliant, and a lecture given next elections? I am always ready harder to achieve anything. Being transfer, spin-out companies by Michael Saakashvili, President to continue to ‘cultiver mon jardin’. Chairman of King’s has been the and partnerships in areas of Georgia, to the largest audience I have never planned for most exciting and rewarding job such as biotechnology. In I’ve ever seen packed into the anything in my life. I never of my life. 2005 King’s won the national Great Hall. Every Georgian in planned to go to university: I As Chairman, I was once told award for Business Initiative the UK seemed to have found didn’t take my A levels until I that you are expected to leave of the Year for its spin-out their way to King’s! I also find was in my thirties, read English the Council and the College in company, Proximagen. King’s the Advent Carol Services very at University College London better shape after your term and also makes a cultural impact: special, and I attend every year. and then did a postgraduate that your successor will be even including highly productive The choir’s singing is sublime and diploma in international relations better. I hope to have been able associations with many major the Gilbert Scott chapel setting, at LSE. I certainly never planned, to achieve these things. arts institutions in London. with just the candle-light, is very like so many others, to have a I am really pleased to be Also, later in the debate Lord spiritual. Finally, the other day the political career. handing the reigns to Lord Douro. Sutherland of Houndwood, opening of the Edmond J. Safra I feel it is absolutely right to have a former Principal of King’s, Lecture theatre with an inspiring an experienced businessman to praised the niche agreement talk on stem cell research was ‘The most exciting and take the College into its next in the pipeline between King’s very memorable. It’s remarkable rewarding job of my life’ phase. Lord Douro has a huge and the Malaysian Government that King’s played such an amount of experience in many to provide leadership training important part in the discovery fields and his wife, Lady Douro, for their future head teachers, of the structure of DNA in the I trained as a nurse, had a has her degree from King’s. It gives which will be made possible early 1950s and that now it’s contemporary art gallery in the me enormous pleasure to know through the reputation and right in the lead again with stem 1970s and 80s and worked for that with him as Chairman and excellence of King’s in the cell research. NATO and the Red Cross and with Rick Trainor as his Principal, field of professional education I think however, that what I other voluntary organisations with his superb team, the College management. actually like best of all are the before working for the will be in really good hands.
May 2007 | Comment | News
King’s funding allocation up 6.3 per cent
Stephen Large, Director of including the South East London Greg Funnell increase in College R funding is Finance, explains the recent Lifelong Learning Network for 3.7 per cent. In addition there is funding allocation which the College is the lead an increase in the Charity Support partner institution. Fund (CSF) component of the The College has now received the The increase in R funding R funding of £2.9 million or 30 annual grant letter from HEFCE includes £3.3 million from per cent, although this allocation setting out recurrent funding the new Business Research is currently subject to review allocations for the academic year Element (BRE), which allocates by HEFCE and may reduce 2007-8. R funding based on research if certain charitable funding The overall HEFCE block income received from UK streams are subsequently deemed grant allocation for teaching and business. Nationally £60 million ineligible for CSF support. research has been provisionally set has been set aside for the new The grant letter also provides at £127 million, an increase of £7.5 BRE component so the College details of special funding million or 6.3 per cent over the has done particularly well from allocations earmarked for specific current year. This is made up of this new funding stream which purposes including £0.8 million an increase in HEFCE teaching is intended to foster greater for widening participation (T) funding of £3.2 million or collaboration between universities initiatives and £0.2 million to 4.9 per cent and an increase in and business. Unfortunately support high cost and vulnerable Stephen Large HEFCE research (R) funding of this is not new money and the science subjects which for the £4.3 million or 8.0 per cent. £60 million has been found by Mainstream QR funding. College relates to Physics. The increase in T funding reducing Mainstream Quality If Mainstream QR and the The total HEFCE recurrent is attributable to increases in Research funding (QR) by an BRE are combined and compared grant for 2007-8, including the medical and dental intakes and equivalent amount, giving rise with Mainstream QR for the block grant and specific funding funding for new student numbers to a £1.8 million reduction in current year the comparable allocations, is £130.3 million.
King’s research online King’s wins top Green Award Nic Delves-Broughton, University Photographer, (c) IPU, University of Bath You can see short films about collaborated with a number of some of the research being Russell Group universities in undertaken at King’s by visiting the Research TV venture which www.research-tv.com Recent makes video news releases and stories include the Desmond Tutu distributes them to TV stations digital archive at the Centre for worldwide. Computing and the Humanities. The films are available as Also, the tenth anniversary podcasts and on Bob Geldof’s of the Department of Palliative recently launched Public TV, Care, Policy and Rehabilitation which shows public sector films is highlighted in a film about its on the internet, two stories about research, teaching and clinical King’s are listed as among the care. Some years ago King’s most watched films on the site. Distance learning dental launch The King’s College London Centre Dental Institute. The Centre of Flexible Learning and the will bring together distance Sara Parkin of Forum for the Future presents Ian Caldwell, Director of Estates, with International Virtual Dental School learning, e-learning and ICT a prestigious Green Gown Award for the College. In the ‘Sustainable Construction’ (IVIDENT) were launched on 13 related educational research in category, King’s won for transforming the Grade 1 Listed Building on the Strand March at a reception in their new an academically led physical and Campus. The award recognised the ‘reduced energy and carbon emissions from a sustainable refurbishment of the historic South Range of the King’s Building’. premises in Strand Bridge House. virtual environment. The seven awards, of which ‘Sustainable Construction’ is one, were sponsored by Together these form a world- The Principal spoke about the Higher Education Environmental Performance Improvement, a HEFCE project. leading distance learning initiative increasing use of distance learning in dentistry. within the Dental Institute and Formally opened by the the university sector. ‘It won’t positive implications for teaching and IVIDENT will adopt an Principal, Professor Rick eliminate other forms of learning and learning in other subjects and innovative approach to delivering Trainor, the Centre aims to but will complement and enrich at other institutions.’ dental education, as well as develop and manage flexible traditional forms of learning,’ he Dentistry, more than any other supporting specialty teaching learning enterprises within noted. ‘The launch of the Centre profession, requires practitioners within dentistry through a flexible the internationally renowned and IVIDENT will have very to regularly update their skills, online environment.
| Comment | May 2007 News
King’s funding allocation up 6.3 per cent Rooftop art at King’s
andy Lane The roofToP InsTallaTIon, Called Event Horizon and hosted by The Hayward, is one of the largest- ever, and most ambitious, urban art commissions. It comprises 30 life-size sculptures of the artist’s naked body created in light- infused webs of steel. They can be seen on rooftops – including two on the roof of the Franklin-Wilkins Building and one on the James Clerk Maxwell Building at the College’s Waterloo Campus – and public walkways across central London, spanning outwards from the Southbank Centre over an area of 1.5 square km. Other buildings taking part include London Weekend Television, the National Theatre and the Shell Centre. They will remain for Visual Art in 1999, Antony He designed the Angel of 1980s his work has focused up until 19 August. Gormley is one of the most the North and the 100 cast-iron consistently on the human Awarded the Turner Prize in celebrated artists working in fi gures of naked men on Crosby fi gure, using his own body as 1994 and the South Bank Prize the UK today. Beach, Merseyside. Since the the starting point. King’s Business launches
on 1 May, KCl enTerPrIses lTd, The research in the College. £110.64 million. This portfolio commercial development and Delivering the College’s of projects includes a wide variety research support company at Strategic Plan, which has of organisations, approximately King’s, was re-launched under ambitions for King’s to increase its 4,000 projects being live at the new name, King’s College income from commercialisation any one time. King’s also has London Business Ltd. and to secure more strategic the highest income from UK business partnerships, can only be Government and the second achieved through the engagement highest income, £13.3 million, a gateway for business of academic colleagues and from UK industry for research to access King’s world- partnership with King’s Business. among London universities. Alison Campbell, Managing class research Director of King’s Business, highly successful in its comments: ‘The dynamic This name better refl ects the commercialisation research environment at King’s role that King’s Business provides means that the ambitions the College with and more clearly for King’s Business are both identifi es the company externally, King’s has been highly challenging and rewarding. We with King’s. King’s Business successful in its recent research will realise our objectives only provides a gateway for business Business Development and commercialisation activity. through productive collaboration to access the world-class research managers are co-located in During the past year alone the with our colleagues and partners. and expertise that the College Schools and in King’s Business College has spun-out three With strong research support offers. The launch of King’s providing strategic and hands- new companies, signed a and commercialisation teams I Business signals a sharper focus on support to the College to major collaborative partnership am confi dent that we can meet within its commercial teams to build signifi cant partnerships with Tate & Lyle, doubled its expectations.’ further develop King’s intellectual with business and increase the consultancy activity and built For further information or property portfolio through translation of research across the upon its considerable partnerships for copies of Acknowledge, which licensing, new company creation, breadth of disciplines at King’s. within the creative industries. In features news about King’s consultancy and the facilitation King’s Business also deals with the 2005-6 fi nancial year, King’s partnerships with business, of collaborative and contract all administrative, fi nancial and Business managed income from contact Susan Foynes research services with industry. legal aspects of externally funded external research projects worth ([email protected]).
May 2007 | Comment | 7 International
Panjabi cultural celebration
Greg Funnell the Modern Language Centre celebrations in the Great Hall held a Panjabi cultural evening at the Strand Campus which on 22 March attended by the included speeches, music and High Commissioner of India, stands with displays dedicated to senior members of London-based the Panjabi language and culture. Panjabi organisations and the The High Commissioner of Principal, Professor Rick Trainor. India, Mr Kamalesh Sharma, The event marked the launch congratulated King’s on its of Panjabi as a new language on initiative in teaching Panjabi and the Centre’s programme and the commented on the close historical successful results of its first cohort association between the people of of students. the Punjab and Britain. He spoke of Panjabi as ‘the language that will also unite the generations that ‘A key community are growing up here in London’. ‘Panjabi was introduced at language in demand Traditional Panjabi music in The Great Hall. the request of a group of King’s for the NHS in London’ students, mostly from the identified as one of the key accredited and non-accredited School of Medicine,’ explains community languages in demand courses, including British students Around 100 people, including Dominique Borel, Director of throughout the National Health with no previous exposure to Vice-Principal (Arts & Sciences) the Centre. ‘The importance of Service in London and offering Panjabi language or culture. Professor Keith Hoggart, students, learning a community language it to students of medicine seems King’s is one of only a small journalists from the BBC Asian in today’s multicultural society both appropriate and timely.’ number of universities in the UK Network and representatives has undoubtedly contributed to Since its introduction more to offer Panjabi as an accredited from the Panjabi-speaking the language’s level of uptake. than 60 students from diverse course (half-course unit) on a community took part in the Furthermore, Panjabi has been backgrounds have taken up degree programme. 10 million euros for mental health research Professor Gunter Schumann, by Professor Schumann and latest brain imaging techniques. Head of Addictions Biology at the a team of researchers at the By considering both sets of Institute of Psychiatry, has been Institute of Psychiatry. results the project team aims awarded 10 million euros by the Working closely with to understand more about the European Commission for his colleagues in other higher risk factors for mental health IMAGEN project looking at the education institutions across disorders and addictions so that neurobiological and genetic risk Europe, the IMAGEN team will future generations of teenagers factors for mental health disorders be comparing two sets of results can potentially be prevented from in adolescents. for each individual teenager. developing problems later on. The grant will support a pan- Firstly they will be examining ‘With treatment costs for European project involving some each child’s complete genetic mental health disorders in Europe 2,000 adolescents recruited from make-up, unprecedented in a now topping 204 billion euros across the UK, Ireland, France longitudinal study of this kind. Professor Gunter Schumann a year, this kind of research and Germany for a five-year Secondly they will map each to a series of reward and has never been more pressing,’ period. The project is being led teenager’s emotional responses punishment scenarios using the comments Professor Schumann. Taiwan health delegation visits Guy’s Campus A delegation, led by the research to clinical trials and the human embryonic stem cells and interest in stem cell research Taiwanese Deputy Minister of regulatory procedures associated deposit them in the UK Stem and regulation. Professor Simon Health, visited the UK for the with stem cell research. Cell Bank. Howell and Professor Giovanni purpose of promoting bilateral The delegation were Professor Robert Lechler, Vice- Mann led the delegation on a activities between Taiwanese and particularly interested in sharing Principal (Research), gave an tour of Guy’s Campus and then British academic institutions and expertise on stem cell research overview of ongoing biomedical discussed potential collaboration health authorities. and visited the King’s Stem Cell and translational research at between Taiwanese institutions They visited King’s on 13 Biology Laboratory, headed by King’s. Dr Tzay-Jinn Chen, the and King’s, including the February to learn about the Dr Stephen Minger; the first Deputy Minister of Health in exchange of academic staff and translation of bench-based laboratory in the UK to generate Taiwan, explained the Ministry’s PhD students.
| Comment | May 2007 Profile
Greg Funnell Ann Conlon Ann Conlon is Head of Counselling and Director of Student Services. Comment finds out about the role of Student Services, how Ann and her team work with other parts of the College and why this service is vital to universities…
What is the role of the Student Services? includes students who are actively suicidal, I see it a vital component of a package of those who are self-harming, those with an services for students, the main aim of which is eating disorder, and those who have been to enhance the effectiveness of the student’s physically or sexually abused. In other words education and so enable the individual to you name it, we see it. Each year we see more achieve both their academic and personal students with increasingly severe problems. potential. In recent years, Student Services has During the academic year 2005-6 we saw 880 covered counselling, welfare advice, student students which is 4.6 per cent of the total pastoral responsibilities. I had, however, health and has included interacting with, and population at King’s. become interested in why children couldn’t providing training for, providers of Student function effectively in school and decided to Services throughout the College, plus assorted How do you work with other parts of the College? train as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. strategic planning related to the student Since I was first appointed, I have always experience which the Deputy Director of believed that the role of the Counselling What do you enjoy most about your role? Student Services, Helen McNeely, has been Service in an institution such as King’s, is The fact that it is very varied. Although my taking forward. not just for those students who approach the professional responsibilities both in and service directly, but that it should attempt to outside of the College have increased over the Who does the team comprise? meet the needs of the wider institution. To years, I still very much enjoy the clinical work. Within the Student Services team there that end we have been involved, for many One of the exciting and interesting things is a wide variety of expertise. Many years, in staff training for tutors and produce about working with young people is that a colleagues have been at King’s a long time, a guide to being a personal tutor. little often goes along way. are well qualified and have a great deal of We have run seminars for departmental This therefore enables us to see large experience between them. My counsellor secretaries, hall managers and senior students numbers of students, some of whom need colleagues include psychoanalytically in halls of residence, workshops for human to be seen for longer than others, but the trained psychotherapists, two group analysts, resources, and study and examination anxiety students know they are always free to return two CBT and CAT trained psychologists groups for students. The nature of the work and they do. It is always very satisfying to see and a consultant psychiatrist who is also a of the counsellors and welfare advisers is such change taking place, particularly in the more psychoanalyst. The Counselling team is that we liaise widely with academic staff, worrying, disturbed cases and to see students located at the Strand, Waterloo and Guy’s and as well as with careers and accommodation achieving their potential often by obtaining once a week I visit Denmark Hill. staff, KCLSU, student funding, the chaplains very good degrees. By giving a troubled The Welfare Advisers, led by Paul Cornell, and disability advisers. Since 2004 and the student the experience of being listened to are similarly based on each of the main appointment of a Deputy Director of Student and taken seriously, we are hopefully enabling campuses and although all the team is trained Services, these links have been strengthened them to avoid becoming stuck in the future. to deal with generic welfare issues, two and further developed. members specialise in developing work with international and non-traditional students and Do you provide a similar service for staff? Fact file ensuring student financial literacy. Staff are entitled to use the service but The Health Centre team is based at the unfortunately, we don’t have the resources to Book on my bedside Strand and has just won a well-deserved offer more than a comprehensive assessment I have just finished reading John Quality Practice Award from the Royal College or occasionally a piece of short-term work. Part McGahern’s Memoir and waiting to be of General Practitioners. of the assessment is however to explore with a read are Alan Bennett’s Untold Stories member of staff where they can obtain longer and Marina Lewyaka’s A Short History of Why is it important for universities to have a term help if they need it. Tractors in Ukrania. counselling service? Although the majority of students adapt well Can you describe your career? Favourite holiday destination to university life, an increasingly significant I was originally appointed as Student Venice – it is always magical regardless of number do not and need professional help Counsellor to Chelsea College in 1984 and the season or weather. for a wide variety of reasons, including those was then asked to take over the Counselling who may be trying to cope with normal Service for the newly merged College in 1985. Proudest work moment developmental issues. Our annual statistics My responsibilities continued to increase Difficult to say but one was being consistently show that the four most common and, in 1986, I was appointed as Director of awarded a Commonwealth Universities reasons for students presenting themselves to Student Services. Prior to this, I had taught Administrative Travelling Fellowship in the Counselling team are: depression, anxiety, history in two comprehensive schools and a 1990 which allowed me to investigate relationships and academic problems. The London prison, eventually becoming a Head student services in Australian universities. severity of the problems naturally varies and of Year and Senior Teacher with significant
May 2007 | Comment | Focus
Centre of Medical Law & Ethics
The Centre of Medical Law & Ethics (CMLE) has played a leading part in medical law and ethics since 1978. It is part of the School of Law on the Strand Campus and has strong links with the School of Medicine and the Institute of Psychiatry. It aims to produce research that deepens understanding of controversial medical issues and to raise the level of public debate.
ord Kennet, house of lords, said that CMLE ‘is one of the Lsmall number of such centres or departments in the country which are digging deeper into what is useful for the public good, and at the same time carving out new territory in the subject. Its work is indeed of value and benefit to the nation and beyond’.
Research CMLE’s legal and ethical research covers medicine at the beginning and end of life and many issues in between. Some of the Centre’s academics’ work is highlighted below. Rosamund Scott’s book Rights, Duties and the Body illuminates the difficult issues when a woman’s interest in not having a Caesarian section conflicts with the interests of her baby. She is now working on some of the hard genetic choices reproductive technology has made possible. End of life questions are far philosophy can contribute to dialogue Summit in the European Parliament, the discussed in Penney Lewis’ Assisted Dying & between groups with different beliefs. Atherton Lecture at Harvard, the Tanner Legal Change (featured on the back page of Lectures on Human Values at Princeton, this issue of Comment). Her book has a fair- Public debate and policy the Uehiro Lectures at Oxford, the Kenan mindedness rare in discussions of euthanasia The Centre contributes to debate nationally Distinguished Lecture in Ethics at Duke and will be essential for all sides in the debate. and internationally. It runs two annual series University, the Annual General Meeting Middle of life issues include psychiatric law of public lectures with distinguished speakers, Lecture at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and ethics, as well as research ethics. one on medical ethics and law and one on the opening address at a Royal Irish Academy Professor Genevra Richardson works on global ethics. It is part of an international conference, and one of the Herbert Spencer competence and incompetence in psychiatric consortium on medical ethics, which links it Lectures at Oxford. He also spoke at a patients and brings a knowledge of ethical with Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, and conference on The Future of Life in Monterey issues to bear on this and on other psychiatric with the universities of Oxford, Maastrich and at a conference in Potsdam on Nazism. issues on which she researches, often in and Bar Ilan. CMLE supplied two thirds of collaboration with members of the Institute a King’s group giving evidence to the House Teaching of Psychiatry. Jonathan Glover, the Director of of Lords Select Committee on the Assisted CMLE teaches on programmes in the CMLE, is working on a book on philosophical Dying Bill. Schools of Law, Medicine and the Institute and ethical issues in psychiatry. This will draw Professor Richardson has a remarkable of Psychiatry. It runs courses for members of on interviews he conducted in Broadmoor record of public influence on psychiatric Research Ethics Committees. Its own graduate with patients with antisocial personality policy. She chaired a committee on the new courses are the MA in Medical Ethics & Law disorder. Mental Health Act. The Richardson Report and the MA in Human Values & Contemporary CMLE publishes the Manual for Research proposed fundamental reform of mental Global Ethics. Ethics Committees and works on research health law, based on general principles of ‘The professors and lecturers are incredibly ethics. It will work closely on the regulation medical law and on a deep understanding knowledgeable and passionate about their and ethics of transplant research with the new of ethical issues. It raised the whole level expertise,’ says Amy Sherman, Medical Ethics MRC Centre for Transplantation recently of debate on psychiatric law. Professor & Law MA graduate. ‘They teach in such a awarded to King’s. Richardson is a Fellow of the Royal College style that encourages each student to question CMLE research now includes global of Psychiatrists – rare for a lawyer – and was standards within healthcare and challenges ethics. Selina Chen is working on the idea recently awarded a CBE in recognition of her each student to make healthcare even better.’ of citizenship, including global citizenship. services to public law. ‘CMLE wants its MA programmes to be the Jonathan Glover, one of whose books is Among recent contributions to public deepest, the most wide-ranging and the liveliest Humanity, a Moral History of the Twentieth debate, Jonathan Glover gave the Aubrey in their field,’ explains Professor Glover. ‘They Century, is working on the role of belief Lewis Lecture at the Institute of Psychiatry, are about some of the most interesting and systems in global conflicts, and on how the Keynote Lecture at the European Ethics important questions in the world.’
10 | Comment | May 2007 King’s people
New staff in Finance Appointments Ugandan sabbatical The Finance Department has recently recruited two new senior Double presidency Professor Philippa Easterbrook, staff into existing vacant positions. Head of the Department of HIV Valerie Russell joined the and Genito-Urinary Medicine, is College in January as Director about to start a year’s sabbatical of Management Accounting as Head of Research at the Services. Valerie is a chartered Infectious Diseases Institute accountant with a long career at Makerere University in in the banking sector. Valerie Kampala, Uganda. Professor has overall responsibility for Easterbrook will be overseeing the management accounting the research strategy for some of functions across the College the most critical global infectious including financial and business diseases at this state-of-the-art planning. institute within one of Africa’s Nigel Stallard joined the College leading universities. from the London School of The Infectious Diseases Professor Philippa Easterbrook Economics in March as Treasury Institute is a public-private Aids care and prevention through Accountant. Nigel is a chartered partnership housing cutting-edge training and research’. accountant with a degree in clinical, laboratory and training Professor Easterbrook said: chemistry and has overall Professor Andy Adam facilities. It was initially funded ‘I’m delighted to take on this responsibility for investment Andy Adam, Professor of by Pfizer and was established role. The Institute is a very management, trust funds, Interventional Radiology, has through the Academic Alliance exciting new venture harnessing insurances and tax. recently been elected President of partnership of Ugandan, North local and worldwide expertise Both Valerie and Nigel are the Royal College of Radiologists. American and European medical and I’m looking forward to the located in the James Clerk He is also currently serving leaders ‘to build capacity challenge of building its research Maxwell Building. as President of the European in Africa for the delivery of capacity into HIV as well as other Greg Funnell Society of Radiology. It is the first sustainable high quality HIV/ global infectious diseases.’ time the same person has been president of both institutions. Professor Adam takes up the associated with Public Health in three-year presidency of the South London for 20 years and Royal College of Radiologists has always maintained strong (RCR) in September 2007. The links with the College. RCR is the main institution Earlier this year his skills were representing radiologists and recognised nationally amongst clinical oncologists in the UK and Public Health professionals who has important responsibilities, voted him the next President of including education, accreditation the Faculty of Public Health of and continuing professional the Royal College of Physicians development. The European of England. He will take up the Society of Radiology is the only role in June. professional society representing Honorary Professor Maryon radiologists at European level. Davis has been integral to many Professor Adam began his one- research projects in cardiovascular year presidency last month and risk reduction, Diabetes, Access will continue his College work to Care and Stroke. Valerie Russell and Nigel Stallard during both appointments. Professor Adam is also an Professor Deborah Greenspan and Honorary Consultant Radiologist husband John. New Director of HR Services for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS college, The Royal Dental Foundation Trust. Hospital. She is the third King’s Brent Dempster, currently Director The Principal, Professor alumni to achieve this position of Human Resources at Brunel Rick Trainor, comments: ‘We Dental honour at the IADR, the world’s University, has been appointed look forward to welcoming Deborah Greenspan, Professor of leading association for oral and as Director of Human Resource Brent to the College. His Clinical Oral Medicine at the craniofacial sciences. Services. He will be joining the record is outstanding not least University of California, San College in the summer. in terms of customer service. Francisco, has been appointed Honorary Professor Brent has been Director of His appointment completes President of the International Alan Maryon Davis, part-time HR at Brunel University for the membership of the College Association for Dental Research Senior Lecturer in the Division four years. Prior to that he Operations Executive and is (IADR). of Health & Social Care, Guy’s worked in HR roles in the vital in terms of supporting the Professor Greenspan is Campus, has recently been private sector both in the UK implementation of the College’s an alumna of King’s Dental appointed as an Honorary and in South Africa. Strategic Plan.’ Institute’s former constituent Professor at King’s. He has been
May 2007 | Comment | 11 King’s people
Greg Funnell Lawrence Freedman, we honour ALSSS award a colleague who is widely admired for his enormous contribution to Greg Funnell Susan Castillo, Harriet Beecher scholarship, teaching and public Stowe Professor of American service in the field of security Studies, was one of 24 studies.’ Academicians elected to the Professor Freedman has Academy of Learned Societies been Professor of War Studies for the Social Sciences this year. since 1982 and is Vice-Principal The citation referred to (Research), having previously Professor Castillo’s ‘ground- been Head of the School of Social breaking interdisciplinary work Science & Public Policy. He has on race, gender and ethnicity written extensively on nuclear [which is] well-known and strategy and the Cold War, as well widely respected on both sides of as commentating regularly on the Atlantic’ and also stated that contemporary security issues. ‘Susan Castillo has, through the distinction of her scholarly work Sir Lawrence Freedman Giddon Award and her solid record of service to International Studies Association Professor Tim Newton, Head of the the academic community made Professor Susan Castillo (ISA) at a reception in his honour Oral Health Research Group at a significant contribution to the in the United States. the Dental Institute, has been social sciences’. Principal (Research) Professor Professor Freedman is the presented with the Giddon Award Professor Castillo joined Sir Lawrence Freedman. first non-US scholar to receive for Distinguished Research in the King’s from the University of Others are: Professor Janet the award from the international Behavioural Sciences, as the first Glasgow last September. Her Askham; Professor Ben Bowling; scholarly community for his author for his paper entitled The research interests include the Professor Margaret Brown; Dr contributions to the study of social determinants of oral health: writing of the Early Americas; Ivan Eisler; Professor Michael security. In presenting the award new approaches to conceptualizing the Southern Gothic; and Native Gossop; Professor Theresa at the ISA 48th annual convention and researching complex casual American writing. Marteau; Professor Anthea in Chicago, Illinois, International networks. There are currently 11 Tinker; Professor Ken Young; Security Studies Section Vice The prize was awarded by other Academicians at King’s, and Professor Til Wykes. President, Professor Jay Parker, the Behavioural Sciences and including the Principal, The Academy represents the Georgetown University, said: Health Services Research Group Professor Rick Trainor, and Vice- social sciences of the UK. ‘In presenting this award to Sir of the International Association
produced the very best books and Freedom of the City Awards articles in the field of humane Greg Funnell economics and culture over the Templeton Enterprise Award past two years. They are organised
Greg Funnell by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, a US-based educational charity. The Ethics of the Market makes a distinctive contribution to the literature on the morality of the market by synthesizing the work of a number of liberal scholars into a systematic defence of the free market on ethical grounds. This defence addresses questions of social justice, the moral pre-requisites of a market economy, the nature of the needs that the market satisfies and the appropriate boundaries that The Revd James Buxton and Martin Harvey Dr John Meadowcroft should be placed around the In the last few months both A number of ancient John Meadowcroft, Lecturer in operation of the market. Martin Harvey, Site Services privileges are associated with Public Policy in the Department Manager, Guy’s, Waterloo and the Freedom. They include: of Management, has won third International award St Thomas’ campuses, and the right to herd sheep over place in the 2006 Templeton Sir Lawrence Freedman, Vice- Guy’s Chaplain, the Revd James London Bridge, to go about Enterprise Awards for his book Principal (Research) and Professor Buxton, have been admitted as the City with a drawn sword, The Ethics of the Market. of War Studies, was presented Freemen of the City of London and if convicted of a capital The Templeton Enterprise with the International Security at ceremonies at London’s offence, to be hung with a Awards are presented annually Studies Section Distinguished ancient Guildhall. silken rope. to scholars under 40 who have Scholar Award by the
12 | Comment | May 2007 King’s people
for Dental Research on 22 March at their annual meeting in New Marathon success for King’s staff and students Orleans. Professor Nairn Wilson, Dean and Head of the Dental More than 36,000 runners took Samantha says: ‘I meet a lot of Institute, accepted the award on part in the London Marathon, patients with respiratory disease. behalf of Professor Newton. now in its 27th year, on Sunday I hope it will really motivate The paper presents a 22 April. Congratulations to them when I tell them that I new agenda for research in those members of staff and managed to run the London epidemiology and the behavioural students who took part in the Marathon even though I have sciences; in particular it highlights 26.2 mile race. the same condition.’ some of the weaknesses of Li Low, an intercalating Samantha was also interviewed previous research in this area and Nutrition and Dietetics student, on BBC Breakfast News. proposes specific approaches to completed the course in 3 hours Pete Cuff and Stephen Yeung improving the quality of research. and 17 minutes; Annabelle Lovejoy, raised £3,000 for Sense, the first-year physiotherapy student deafblind charity for children. AUA award (3.41); Pete Cuff, Head of Student Stephen comments: ‘I found Development at KCLSU the atmosphere fantastic and (3.45); Paul Gibson, Assistant Intercalating Nutrition and Dietetics student would recommend anyone to Registrar (Dentistry) (4.12); Li C Low who crossed the line in do it but I was one of the many 3 hours and 17mins. Peter Frost, Building Supervisor victims of the searing heat. I on the Guy’s Campus (4.40); Harmer spent more than four would definitely do it again just Samantha Harmer, second-year months in hospital recovering to attain a half decent time!’ medical student (4.43); Stephen from major surgery to remove Professor Milligan ran with Yeung, Fitness and Sports part of her lung. Doctors told her his daughter, Felicity, and they Development Manager, KCLSU she would never be able to run a raised more than £2,400 for (4.57); and Stuart Milligan, marathon but she proved them Tommy’s, the baby charity, Professor of Reproductive wrong and in doing so raised (If you took part and are Biology (5.32). more than £1,500 for the British not listed here, please email The King’s AUA Branch team. Ten years ago, Samantha Lung Foundation. [email protected]) King’s has been awarded an Association of University Administrators Branch Good 1948-1960. The prize is named in ensure that King’s students Practice award. The King’s Branch memory of one of this journal’s have access to the resources and team – Ruth Cawthorne (events), founding editors and goes to opportunities to assist them with Sara Dixon (publicity), Ros Elcombe the best essay submitted for pursuing a career at the Bar. (website), Liz Hutt (Pg Cert) and publication to the Journal of Baroness Hale of Richmond, Liz Telford (Branch Coordinator) Strategic Studies by a junior faculty first lady Law Lord, Visiting – received their award at the member. Professor at the College (since recent AUA Conference at the 1990) and recent Honorary University of Nottingham. Publishing prize Graduand [see cover story], In making the award Chris The Sue Thomson Foundation, addressed guests on the issue Is Hallas, Chair of the AUA which monitors printing output Equality the Death of Marriage?, Regional Coordinators Steering from British universities, has provoking intense dinner Jenniffer Bailey(right) and friend Natalie Group, commended the branch given its Publication Award for Harris from the Adventist Vocal Ensemble. debates on marriage and its role team for ‘promoting AUA and 2006 to All the Gods (Plumbago, in contemporary society. The the professionalisation of HE 2006), a ‘ground-breaking case since Parliament passed an Act Society’s Patron, the Rt Hon Lord management and administration’. study’ of the music of Benjamin to abolish the British Slave Trade Justice Lord Justice Auld FKC, The AUA is the professional Britten by Christopher Wintle and also including performances an alumnus of King’s, paid tribute body for higher education (Department of Music). The by the renowned opera singer to Baroness Hale’s achievements administrators and managers in citation particularly commends Willard White. On 27 March the and thanked the Society for its the UK and Ireland. the typography of Julian Littlewood choir performed again at a special hard work in organising the event. For further information contact (Macmillan) who took his PhD service at Westminster Abbey Liz Telford ([email protected], at King’s. attended by HM The Queen. 020 7848 6348/4104) or visit Jenniffer began singing when www.kcl.ac.uk/staff/aua Singing sensation she was three-years-old and she On 25 March Jenniffer Bailey, has been involved in gospel War Studies prize Acting Residence Manager singing for the past 10 years. David Ucko, Research Fellow at King’s Stamford Street and doctoral candidate in the Apartments, sang four songs with Bar Society dinner Department of War Studies, has the Adventist Vocal Ensemble on King’s students and alumni dined been awarded the Journal of Radio 2’s Good Morning Sunday in the Honourable Society of Strategic Studies’ Amos Perlmutter presented by Aled Jones. Later Middle Temple on 1 March to From left: Bahar Ala-eddini (President Prize, for his article Countering the same day the choir performed commemorate the successes of 2005-present), Baroness Hale and Michael Insurgents Through Distributed on a special Songs of Praise the Bar Society over the past year. Walsh (Graduate from the Law School [2005] and President of the Bar Society Operations: Insights from Malaya programme marking 200 years The Society was set up to [2004]).
May 2007 | Comment | 13 Obituaries
Alan Howard 1949-2007 of his immediate colleagues in King’s. I respected him as a Alan and I were born on 8 May 1949 national representative. But more in Highbury, London, identical than that, I liked him. You mourn twins among the four sons of a colleague; you lose a skilled and James and Violet Howard. knowledgeable representative. I After a succession of varied mourn someone I considered a jobs as a photographer, including friend, as well as a colleague.’ stints in retail, portraiture and the Up until his death Alan was Royal Commission for Historical a key participant in the Pay & Monuments (a forerunner of Modernisation programme both English Heritage) Alan found his at local and national level. true niche at King’s. He joined Alan was a source of great as an assistant photographer in encouragement, inspiration and the Department of Zoology in advice to all who met him, and 1969. His skills as a photographer we will all miss his ready wit and were greatly utilised throughout instant solutions to any problem. the transition of Zoology into I have been asked countless times the multitude of reorganisations what it is like to be a twin and taking in the Botany Department, have always answered ‘what’s it the Division of the Biosphere, the like not to be a twin’. I now know School of Biomedical Sciences that it is only half the fun. and culminating with the School Peter Howard, Department of of Biomedical & Health Sciences. that the union branches of the immediately, resisting compulsory Geography It is in his role as the Branch three colleges were swiftly redundancies until a negotiated Secretary of ASTMS, MSF and integrated and united. His settlement could be reached, There will be a memorial service Amicus, that most members of inclusive approach made him the during protracted discussions to celebrate Alan’s life at 15.00 the College would have met Alan. ideal candidate when the post of lasting for almost two years. It on 30 May 2007 in the College Alan was always an enthusiastic Branch Secretary became vacant says much for Alan’s negotiating Chapel, Strand Campus. Alan’s supporter of fair play and was in the early 90s. style that the College Principal at tribute fund, www.justgiving.com/ elected as the departmental Within months of becoming this difficult time, Arthur Lucas, Alan_Howard has raised £2,647 representative for Zoology in Branch Secretary, the College paid the following tribute on for the Stroke Association. The the early 70s. During the merger announced its Strategic Plan, hearing of Alan’s untimely death: fund has now been extended to with Queen Elizabeth and detailing large numbers of ‘I respected Alan. I respected 21 June. Alan’s family would Chelsea colleges in 1985, Alan redundancies. Alan’s leadership him as a person. I respected him like to thank all those who have was instrumental in ensuring skills were in evidence as a very effective representative already contributed.
(c) Mark Pepper/The Times 2007 earl Jellicoe 1918-2007
Lord Jellicoe came to King’s with a highly distinguished war record, a background of substantial achievements in politics and public service and a very successful career in business. As Chairman of the Delegacy and then Chairman of the Council of King’s (1978-86), Lord Jellicoe oversaw the introduction of the 1980 Royal Charter through which University of London King’s College and King’s College Theological Department were re-united as a single constituent college of the University of London with a single, independent, governing Council. He also presided over the reuniting of King’s College Hospital Medical School with Queen Elizabeth College and status as a leading independent the way for the College’s further King’s College London, and was the merger with Chelsea College multi-faculty college within the major growth and development in involved in the reunification with in 1985. These confirmed King’s University of London and paved the 1990s.
14 | Comment | May 2007 Obituaries
Professor Robert psychiatrists to introduce the novel drug clozapine to the UK in Kerwin 1955-2007 1989. This was to prove a much better treatment for chronic Robert Kerwin, Professor of schizophrenia than conventional Neuro Pharmacology, died on 8 antipsychotics. February 2007 aged 51. Another important initiative Rob Kerwin, was a rare was the Maudsley Prescribing psychiatrist – at home in the Guidelines which Rob initiated. neuroscience laboratory and the It is important for patients to out-patient clinic. He contributed receive the best drug in the right to our understanding of the dose for their condition. Sadly, biological basis of schizophrenia, many psychiatrists get out of date and to improvements in its and don’t know which the most treatment. appropriate drug is or what dose Rob studied medicine at to use. The guidelines set out Cambridge and did his PhD what these were and have had in neuroscience at Bristol. He the largest ever sale of a British then trained at the Institute psychiatric textbook. of Psychiatry at the Maudsley Rob was awarded many Hospital. Within three years prizes for his research, for of starting psychiatry, he had example, the International become Senior Lecturer and Award for Psychopharmacology Consultant, an unheard of rate of of the American College of promotion. New grants and new Neuropharmacology, amongst researchers flowed into his unit at others. Sadly, in latter years breakneck speed. By 1995, he was Rob struggled through cardiac Professor of Pharmacology. procedures and hip replacements, Rob pioneered a number of studied the brains of deceased respond to which drug. The latter always sustained by the love fields. Firstly, with Lyn Pilowsky people with schizophrenia pharmacogenetic work resulted in of his wife Fiona and his three he used SPECT brain imaging to (obtained with care and full the establishment of a commercial young daughters. He was an show how the effects of different consent), showing how the company, Theragenetics. academic star whose brilliant best antipsychotic drugs could be molecular structure was abnormal. Rob never forgot that the illuminated poorly understood attributed to their differential Thirdly with Maria Arranz, purpose of all this research was aspects of mental illness, he will effects on the brain receptors. he developed genetic tests to to improve the care of patients. be much missed. Secondly, with Ian Everall, he determine which patient would He was one of the first two Robin Murray, Professor of Psychiatry
Cliff Blakey 1921-2006 support for academics engaged Cliff was at first faced with in the Great Discovery and antiquated electrical equipment Helen Hudson It was a long time ago – probably who, in another age, may have but it was made clear to him back in the sixties – that an become one of them. by Randall that he had great memorial invitation to the ‘Fizziks Party’ In January 1947 Cliff was plans to alter this place beyond A memorial service for Dr was posted on the noticeboard interviewed by Professor recognition. Helen Hudson FKC (1919- in the basement of King’s. It Randall, Dr Champion and Dr The ‘College Servant’ 2006) will be held in the was this basement in which a Wilkins for the post of eventually evolved into College Chapel, Strand team consisting of a few clever a ‘College Servant’, in a laboratory technician Campus on Tuesday 29 young men and one clever other words technician and had to deal with May at 17.30. Attendees are young woman made the greatest whose task was to assist in electron microscopes, kindly requested to be seated ever contribution to science: establishing a laboratory X-ray machinery by 17.20. The memorial the discovery of the structure for biophysics (a new and other essential service will be followed by of DNA. topic). The laboratory equipment. He worked a reception in Chapters and One of the organisers of that was eventually built closely with distinguished the Somerset Rooms, South party was master technician Cliff in the great black names at King’s such as Range, Strand Campus with an Blakey, known as Spiderman hole left by a German Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind informal opportunity to share Blakey, the founder of Fizziks, bomb in the College Franklin, Raymond recollections of Helen. a subversive branch of science quadrangle and was Gosling and many To help in the organisation inhabited by people with a dream come true others familiar to every of this event, please contact bright minds, gentle sense of for John (later Sir John) student of the history Emily Carter in the Alumni humour and modestly practised Randall, already well- of DNA. Office if you are planning to generosity. Generations of known for his crucial Cliff retired in attend by Friday 25 May. past students and researchers contribution to the 1983 and died on Email emily.carter@kcl. remember him as the technician development of radar 8 December 2006. ac.uk or phone 020 7848 4430. who provided essential technical during WWII. Dr Seweryn Chomet
May 2007 | Comment | 15 Flashback
Thomas Hodgkin & the abolition of the slave trade A symposium on the life of Thomas Hodgkin was held at Guy’s Campus on 20 March in commemoration of the abolition of the slave trade. Here James Buxton, Chaplain at Guy’s and one of the speakers at this event, refl ects on Hodgkin’s life.
HAVE BEEN FASCINATED BY THE the Hodgkin family, my great great great fi gure of Thomas Hodgkin (1798-1866) grandfather Thomas Fowell Buxton (1786- Isince I fi rst came across the fi ne portrait 1845) – who appears standing on the far left of of him by Phoebus Levin, in the Gordon the back of the fi ve pound note), succeeded in Museum, at the Guy’s Campus. With his gaining their goal of formal abolition. penetrating eyes, and the sombre dress of a A giant step forward, but at a considerable Quaker, he presents a somewhat forbidding and controversial price: the planters of the appearance, and all the evidence is that this West Indies were compensated for their loss, was accurate. whilst the slaves themselves got nothing. He was a formidable scholar, physician, Furthermore, though European nations had pathologist, social reformer, philanthropist, ceased the trade, the number of enslaved and dedicated member of the Society of Africans transported annually across the Friends (Quakers). He was fascinated by Atlantic by other countries (especially the human society and the natural world, and United States) was actually rising, and profi ts always original in his thinking – hence his from the trade were greater than ever. well-known achievements in medicine – his Hodgkin was extremely disturbed by pioneering work with the stethoscope, and this trend, and was passionately involved in his revolutionary observations of human promoting the ‘black colonization’ model, as organs, diseased and healthy, which lead to exemplifi ed by Liberia, founded by former his groundbreaking work in pathology and of slaves from the USA in 1821. course, the disease of the lymphatic system Hodgkin and his friends reasoned that it that was subsequently named after him. Thomas hodgkin was only by promoting ‘modern civilization’ ensuing departure from Guy’s was a tragedy (western-style free trade, agriculture, humanitarian concerns for the hospital and indeed for the course of education and civic organisation) in Africa that Very appealing to me is the way in which medicine in the 19th century. conditions for the fi nal ending of slavery could he combined all this, with his humanitarian be achieved. concerns. He never held back from speaking slave ownership his mind on the social evils of his time. For Hodgkin grew up in a family and social great legacy example, he was deeply concerned about environment where issues around slavery This approach was allied to the original views the cruel exploitation of children in English were hotly debated. Though he was only nine that Hodgkin had developed in relation to his factories, and the plight of poor Jews in years old when the slave trade in the British passion for indigenous peoples of the USA. London and in Palestine. But it was his Empire was abolished (1807), the issue of He was fascinated by their culture, language enlightened admiration for the indigenous slave ownership was very much on the agenda and traditions, but believed that they would Indians of North America that cost him dear. in his formative years. Many of the Hodgkin continue to be vulnerable to exploitation and He had learned that the Hudson Bay family’s friends and relations were convinced abuse by the colonists, unless they could build Company mistreated the people of that area, abolitionists, and Hodgkin shared their up their own resources and administration. and his advocacy on their behalf brought passionate opposition to slavery, and believed It was such views that led to his founding him into confl ict with Benjamin Harrison, that a huge debt was owed to Africa, and of the Aborigines’ Protection Society, which Treasurer of Guy’s Hospital through the fi rst her stolen children, by the British and other sought to protect and promote the interests half of the 19th century. Harrison was on the slaving nations. of indigenous peoples throughout the British Board of the Company, and took umbrage His own views, however, were controversial. Empire. In terms of Hodgkin’s philanthropic at Hodgkin’s views. He was also horrifi ed He believed that complete abolition would work, this was his great legacy. It continued to when Hodgkin rode to work in a carriage, cause economic disaster and social chaos. He play a valuable role in advocating for religious accompanied by an Indian chief, in full criticised the transitional arrangements that and ethnic minority groups, until it merged ceremonial dress, feathers and all. were formulated, in relation to the 1833 Act with the Anti Slavery Society in 1909. Add to this, Hodgkin’s lectures on healthy to abolish slavery, and he even proposed at living to working class men in the East End, one point, that slaves should be paid prior to The will to survive and Harrison wanted him out. All these factors abolition, so that they could buy their own contributed to Harrison’s refusal to promote freedom. on 11 May, to mark the Bicentenary of the Hodgkin to the important position of Assistant The Abolitionists (led, as it happens abolition of the Transatlantic slave Trade act (1807), the Florence nightingale school Physician at Guy’s Hospital. Hodgkin’s by a close family friend of of nursing & Midwifery and the equality & diversity department held an evening did you know? of oration, music and dance for staff and a thermometer belonging to Thomas hodgkin was recently presented to the Gordon students in the Great hall. The event told Museum at Guy’s Campus by paul hodgkin, Thomas’ great great great nephew, who the story of the slave trade and the slaves’ has followed his ancestor into medicine as a Gp. The thermometer is now on display resilience, determination and will to survive. next to hodgkin’s stethoscope.
1 | Comment | May 2007 Around the College
Building a face Arts and cultural collaborations London Centre for Arts and assist broadcasters in Cultural Enterprise, the producing quality program- university initiative promoting ming and academics seeking exchange of knowledge and to address audiences beyond expertise with the capital’s arts the College. and cultural sectors, has recently • Broadway meets Harlem – a awarded King’s seed-funding to Serious Music Producers develop four new collaborations collaboration to explore the with key organisations from relationship between migration London’s music, radio, film and and the evolution of jazz in visual arts sectors: early 20th century America. • Mediatheque in Context – a • Extreme Pasts, Absolute Presents British Film Institute project – an Arts Council collaboration consisting of public events to bring the medieval past in which academics from creatively into the present the School of Humanities will and future, by making links Students worked to build anatomically correct models of faces using soft and hard modelling contextualise new film, with contemporary artists. wax over plastic replica skulls. TV and documentary releases. ‘It is very easy to take something renowned medical artist and • Academics in the Media: For further information contact to pieces, but it is very difficult sculptor Richard Neave to build Radio & Research – a Radio Katherine Bond (katherine. to put it all back together again anatomically correct models Academy collaboration will [email protected]). unless you understand how of faces using soft and hard it is made.’ This comment modelling wax, and working perfectly sums up the philosophy over plastic replica skulls. The underlying a recent three-day wax they used was a formula course on Building a Face hosted consisting of microcrystalline wax, Virologist & MP paired by the Department of Anatomy a small amount of beeswax and Greg Funnell and Human Sciences. marble dust. The combination of these elements produces a material that is non-toxic and One of the first tasks easily worked by hand when it was to fit glass eyes has been warmed. One of the students’ first tasks was to fit glass eyes so that Four students undertaking the more superficial structures an MSc in Maxillofacial and relating to the eye and the orbit Craniofacial Technology in the could be handled reasonably Dental Institute (course co- easily. The students all found ordinator, Dr Trevor Coward), that the course reinforced their worked with the world- anatomical knowledge. Andy Love MP visits King’s Dr Kate Bishop in the Department of Infectious Diseases at Guy’s.
Dr Kate Bishop of the Department Love in his constituency. News in brief of Infectious Diseases took part The Royal Society scheme has this year in The Royal Society been running for six years and Childcare support New research council MP-Scientist pairing scheme. more than 100 scientists and MPs The Equality & Diversity A new research council was Andy Love MP (Labour, have taken part. It aims to build Department recently hosted established on 1 April. The Edmonton) visited Kate at King’s bridges between parliamentarians four Childcare Advice roadshows Science and Technology recently to learn more about her and some of the best science at three campuses. Specialist Facilities Council has been work on HIV. Kate’s own research research workers in the UK. adviser Irene Pilia explained the formed from the merger of interests focus on understanding Dr Bishop thought the scope of the service and provided the Council for the Central the mechanisms of cellular experience was extremely comprehensive information Laboratory of the Research resistance to viruses, and how worthwhile: ‘I think it’s packs. Irene advises on issues, Councils and the Particle viral proteins try to counteract the important that politicians are such as childcare costs, tax Physics and Astronomy body’s resistance. properly informed about the credits, and negotiating flexible Research Council. Its remit Dr Bishop had previously issues that concern scientists working arrangements. For will cover all the programmes, spent a week with Andy Love in and about scientific issues that further information visit activities and facilities Westminster, observing the MP affect the public. I’m also keen www.kcl.ac.uk/equal-opps/childcare. previously operated by these on select committees and being to understand more about html or contact Irene (irene.pilia@ councils, as well as responsibility introduced to Parliamentary parliamentary practices and to see kcl.ac.uk or 07940 702 134). for research in nuclear physics. bodies with an interest in science. the kinds of things MPs have to She also spent a day with Mr deal with every day.’
May 2007 | Comment | 17 Around the College
The Northern Ireland Troubles
In proportion to its size, Northern between the security forces and Northern Ireland Office 1990-7). Ireland may be the most heavily paramilitary organisations remind On 1 March a seminar was researched area on the planet, and us of the painful legacy of the held with Laurence McKeown, the turbulent decades between Troubles – no longer ‘current a former IRA prisoner who spent the civil rights movement of the affairs’, but not quite safely 70 days on hunger strike in 1981, 1960s and the peace process of ‘history’ either. who discussed the transformation the 1990s continue to attract Since 2002 these tensions of the republican movement from interest from historians, political have enlivened one of the ‘armed struggle’ to constitutional scientists and sociologists. most popular courses in the politics. A week later Lord Department of History, ‘The Trimble, ex-First Minister of Northern Ireland Troubles’, the Northern Ireland Assembly, Visits from guest taught by Dr Ian McBride. offered a personal account of speakers have become Largely by accident, visits from the negotiations leading up to guest speakers have become a the Good Friday Agreement. In a regular feature regular feature of the course, Lord Trimble future years Dr McBride hopes beginning with Lord Brooke of beginning of the peace process to record these ‘witness’ seminars Ongoing inquiries into Sutton Mandeville (Secretary of and a Fellow of King’s) and on video, as a cumulative resource Bloody Sunday and ‘collusion’ State for Northern Ireland at the Sir John Chilcott (Head of the for students taking the course.
Hermione Lee speaks at King’s DNA updated & online Greg Funnell Hermione Lee, acclaimed biographer A newly updated online exhibition, momentous discovery. It also of Virginia Woolf, gave a talk about her recently published biography of ‘DNA: The King’s Story’, charting resulted in a Nobel Prize for Edith Wharton, Edith Wharton and the College’s key role in the Professor Maurice Wilkins, one biography as part of the ‘Life Writing discovery of the DNA double of the King’s team, in 1962, along at King’s’ series of talks by prominent helix structure in the 1950s has with Watson and Crick from biographers and autobiographers. Hermione Lee’s book is the first been relaunched. For the first Cambridge. Others who worked biography of Edith Wharton by a time it also includes a specially on the discovery at the Strand British woman writer. It challenges designed series of downloadable Campus included: Rosalind the accepted view, showing Wharton’s teaching resource packs for Franklin, Ray Gosling, Herbert lifelong ties to Europe and displaying secondary schools to enable Wilson and Alec Stokes. her as a tough, erotically brave, startlingly modern writer and woman. students to learn more about the The exhibition was first For information about the final talk in discovery. The exhibition also launched in 2003 to mark the the series see What’s on or contact includes rarely seen photographs 50th anniversary of the discovery Max Saunders, Department of English of equipment, laboratories and of the double helix structure of ([email protected]). key staff, notably Maurice Wilkins DNA. and Rosalind Franklin. Visit the DNA exhibition at: Scientists at King’s played www.kcl.ac.uk/about/history/ a fundamental role in this archives/dna/ King’s hosts legal event ruth sargison The first International Graduate labour law. Lively debate ensued, Legal Research Conference took as delegates grappled with diverse place at the Strand Campus from topics such as the Jyllands-Posten 12-13 April. The conference, cartoons, cross-border labour supported by the School of Law negotiations, and Big Brother. and the Graduate School, was The conference was officially organised by PhD students to opened by the Principal, Professor enable the exchange of ideas Rick Trainor, and the Head of the between legal researchers from School of Law, Lord (Raymond) around the world, and facilitate the Plant of Highfield. Describing the presentation of work in progress. event as an ‘important initiative’, Ten subject sessions took the Principal expressed his place over the two days, with two pleasure that the College was streams running simultaneously. hosting it. Conference organiser, The event kicked off with a Cian Murphy, comments: ‘The A recent photograph showing the Philips micro-camera used by Rosalind Franklin and Ray session on human rights in the event went smoothly and everyone Gosling of King’s to produce ‘Photograph 51’ which helped reveal the double-helix structure of 21st century and another on found it very productive.’ the DNA molecule.
18 | Comment | May 2007 Around the College
Becoming Jane News in brief national science week surrounding medical research An event was held at Guy’s involving animals and chaired Campus for the British a lively discussion with the Association’s National Science students on the subject. Week in March, introducing students from local schools to film, wine, language biomedical research and talking The Modern Language Centre about the use of animals in is running two new courses as research. Dr Richard Siow of part of its summer programme: the Cardiovascular Division language and wine tasting; and organised the event entitled language and European cinema. Experimental approaches to Participants will familiarise understand diseases and develop themselves with grapes and treatments in collaboration wines whilst improving their released on 9 MarCh BECOMING Romance: Jane Austen’s Evolving with the Physiological Society. French, Spanish or German. Jane, the eagerly anticipated Views on Nature and Society’. Professor Clive Page of the The cinema course starts with fi lm about the life of celebrated Division of Pharmacology and an introductory discussion in novelist Jane Austen, is based Therapeutics introduced a new English, followed by a language upon a biography by former ‘a remarkable feat of DVD from the Physiological class centred on a fi lm. Visit King’s English student, Dr Jon research’ Society which looks at the issues www.kcl.ac.uk/mlc/summer Spence, Becoming Jane Austen: A Life published by Continuum Books. He was also a historical Professor Ormond comments: consultant on the fi lm. ‘Jon’s biography, Becoming Jane Jon Spence, an American Austen represents a remarkable Alumni Weekend 2007 student, came to King’s in 1971 feat of research, drawing upon and was a postgraduate under obscure documents, letters and The fourTh annual aluMnI alumni will be able to engage the supervision of Leonée journals to create an exceptionally Weekend, 8-10 June, gives staff in debate, through a series of Ormond, now Professor Emerita readable and lively book, which an excellent opportunity to lectures on far-reaching public of Victorian Studies. His PhD even has something of the catch up with former students policy issues. is entitled ‘From Prudent to detective story about it.’ and colleagues. The Weekend Highlights include a wine features a series of events for reception and evening of music former students and staff of the performed by the King’s College College: while all alumni are London Symphony Orchestra Student recruitment DVD welcome, this year’s Weekend is in the historic Middle Temple. aimed especially at musicians, Alumni can visit the newly The MarKeTIng deParTMenT has lawyers, and the classes of 1981-3 reopened Royal Festival Hall, recently completed work on a and 1957-8. explore behind the scenes at new student recruitment DVD, For many the appeal of the the Royal Courts of Justice, and working in conjunction with an Weekend is the chance to relive attend a lecture in the Old Bailey external production company their time at King’s, and meet Courtroom on the current crisis called Spectrecom Films. up with old friends. But the in the British prison system. This DVD, ‘Discover King’s’, focus is not all on nostalgia. As For further information has been shot in a documentary a reminder that King’s is very contact the Alumni Offi ce on style and features fi lmed much a forward-looking College, 020 7848 3053. discussions between groups of King’s students from a mix of disciplines and levels of study, as well as quotes with staff and shots UG Prospectus 2008 from around King’s campuses and The undergraduate prospectus 2008 London. It aims to provide a feel has been published and is being mailed to schools and colleges throughout the for what it is like to be a King’s uK, europe and the rest of the world. student and deliver key messages but will be sent to key users 75,000 copies have been produced in about King’s, to complement around the College with a central total. if you have any feedback about information held in prospectuses stock held by the Marketing the prospectus please contact olivia davenport (olivia.davenport@kcl. and the web. Department and available ac.uk). To order bulk copies visit the The DVD has been devised for on request (contact olivia. College prospectus orders page use by staff at student recruitment [email protected]). (www.kcl.ac.uk/staff /prospectus-form. events, at King’s or externally, There are six short fi lms on the html). individual copies are available at but could also be used with other DVD and staff will be able to pick receptions. The online version of the 2008 prospectus is also live (www.kcl. audiences if appropriate. and choose which fi lms to show ac.uk/ugp). Copies of the DVD are limited, from the menu.
May 2007 | Comment | 19 Around the College
Festival of Social Science Posters from World War One Greg Funnell The Archives team has installed a new exhibition in the main foyer of the King’s Building (opposite the Great Hall), Strand Campus. The exhibition showcases a new acquisition for the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives: more than 100 official British recruitment and fundraising posters from World War One. They belonged to the Reverend Kenneth G Hamilton (1892-1975), who collected the posters during the war. Subsequently kept hidden away, many are in excellent condition. The exhibition explores the various means by which the posters Three of the speakers: Helen Roberts (left), Norman Glass and Janet Grauberg. persuaded the public to contribute to the war effort using striking imagery. ‘Policy makers use evidence only however, the job of researchers when it suits them’. This was to try and bring reliable evidence the motion at a debate hosted to bear on the policy process and at King’s by the UK Centre to challenge the active misuse or for Evidence Based Policy and suppression of evidence. Practice and sponsored by the Opposing the motion were Proms conference first Economic and Social Research David Walker, editor of The Greg Funnell Council as part of the Festival of Guardian’s Public magazine, and Social Science 2007. The debate Janet Grauberg, Development was chaired by Ken Young, Director of the Public Manage- Professor of Public Policy. ment and Policy Association. ‘The point at issue was whether They argued that evidence is the selective use of evidence essentially ‘an anti-political word’. is something to be regretted It reflects an ‘epistemologically or gloried in,’ says Professor absolutist’ attempt to give one Charlotte Humphrey, Director type of knowledge precedence of the Centre and organiser of over all others and is in direct Professor John Deathridge (right) and Nicholas Kenyon, Controller, BBC Proms, Live the debate. conflict with the right and Events & Television Classical Music. Norman Glass, Chief Executive duty of politicians to pick and of the National Centre for Social choose between many sources The first international King’s Hope and Glory, it’s much more Research, spoke for the motion, and construct a proportionate conference in partnership complex.’ seconded by Helen Roberts, response on the basis of ‘their with the BBC and the British Other academics from Professor of Child Health at City expertise in the adjudication of Library, explored the impact of the Department involved in University. interests and values’. Research ‘the world’s greatest Classical the conference include the They accepted that selectivity can contribute but it cannot music festival,’ the Proms, on internationally renowned in the use of evidence is part of claim a unique status as the musical culture. The Proms and composer and conductor, George the human condition, and that it determinant of good decisions. British Musical Life is devoted Benjamin, Henry Purcell is unrealistic to expect politicians A large audience raised many to the Henry Wood Promenade Professor of Composition; Roger to abandon strongly held positions issues and in the final vote the Concerts and was held at the Parker, Thurston Dart Professor in response to research results motion was carried. The debate British Library from 23-25 April. of Music; and Daniel Leech- that are often highly contingent, is to become an annual event More generally, it raised questions Wilkinson, Professor of Music. uncertain and contestable. It is, at King’s. about the role of classical music in today’s world. The Head of the Department The role of classical of Music, John Deathridge, King music in today’s world Libraries boosted by bequest Edward Professor of Music, King’s libraries are set to benefit learning resources that the College introduced the main conference from a generous bequest from can make available. themes as convener of the The event was opened with a former student. Dr William S Every year, the College conference: the Proms History addresses from the Principal, Dunbar (Law, 1990) recently left benefits significantly from being (including early rare recordings Professor Rick Trainor, Lynne King’s almost £37,000 in his will, remembered in this way. Staff who and wartime); the importance of Brindley, Chief Executive of which will go towards providing a would like further information radio and television; repertory; the British Library, and Jenny range of information services. about leaving a legacy to King’s festival and ritual and public and Abramsky, Director of BBC Radio According to Vivien Robertson, or who would like to discuss private funding. and Music. Site Services Manager, Maughan their plans should contact Annette Professor Deathridge explains: Music Matters, BBC Radio 3’s Library & Information Services Bullen in the Development ‘I don’t think people realise how flagship classical music magazine Centre, Dr Dunbar’s bequest will Office (020 7848 4700 or rich the subject is. It’s not just programme, featured the make a welcome addition to the [email protected]). about Prom concerts and Land of conference on 28 April.
20 | Comment | May 2007 Research
Programmed for obesity Ill-treatment and torture
Research from the Division of Dr Metin Basoglu, Head of Trauma Reproduction and Endocrinology Studies at the Institute of shows that obesity during Psychiatry, had his new research pregnancy could ‘programme’ study Torture vs Other Cruel, children to be fat in later life. Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment Professor Lucilla Poston and published in the March issue of Dr Paul Taylor presented the the Archives of General Psychiatry research at a recent conference in in the US. Budapest entitled Early Nutrition Dr Basoglu and colleagues stress positions, did not seem to Programming and Health Outcomes interviewed 279 survivors be substantially different from in Later Life. They talked about of torture from Bosnia and physical torture in terms of the how animal studies have shown Herzegovina, Republica Srpska, severity of mental suffering they that the nutrient environment Croatia and Serbia between cause. during fetal and neonatal 2000 and 2002 to examine the Interestingly there was development may permanently distinction between various forms little to distinguish the long- alter gene expression so that of ill-treatment and torture during term psychological outcome a child may be born with a captivity in terms of their relative of both forms of ill-treatment. predisposition to obesity and high psychological impact. The study’s authors raise the blood pressure. Professor Poston, Head of the The research concluded that ill- question of whether these Nutrient-gene interactions Division of Reproduction and treatment during captivity, such forms of psychological, non- have been implicated for some Endrocrinology, said: ‘It appears as psychological manipulations, physical interventions should be time in the development of that both states of undernutrition humiliating treatment and forced prohibited by international law. obesity but this research, which and overnutrition in early life will be published in full later can permanently alter the genes this year, points towards the involved in fat metabolism important role of the mother’s and in the control of appetite. Mapping the invisible diet during pregnancy and early We are now searching for the post natal life. mechanisms involved.’
First student suicide study
The first in-depth study of Public Policy, says: ‘Universities student suicide in the UK, need to acknowledge the impact written by researchers at King’s of a student suicide on the and the University of Central whole community, including Lancashire, has highlighted the university staff, and staff Dr Ignacio Ferreras, Lecturer and clusters of galaxies. need for universities to review should be supported by their in the Department of Physics, ‘The galaxies we studied and promote the availability of institution to access external presented new research and maps serendipitously lie in front their student support services sources of support.’ of the distribution of ‘ordinary’ of quasars, which are bright during the summer months. Responding to the need and dark matter in nine galaxies sources of light but even further The RaPSS (Responses and highlighted in the RaPSS out to a distance of five billion away. The gravity of the galaxy Prevention in Student Suicide) research, PAPYRUS, the light-years from the sun, taking and the dark matter distorts study carried out an in-depth national charity for prevention advantage of a rare astronomical the quasar light, causing the analysis of 20 student suicides of young suicide, is developing phenomenon known as quasar to be seen as two or four which occurred between May a training aid, for use by ‘gravitational lensing’ at the Royal images. The placement of these 2000 and June 2005. universities, to help staff in Astronomical Society National mirage images, studied using The main findings showed higher education institutions Astronomy Meeting (NAM) 2007. new theoretical techniques in that: three quarters of student identify and support vulnerable Speaking at NAM, the largest gravitational lensing, makes it deaths studied occurred students. In the form of a DVD and most important astronomy possible to measure the total during summer; indicators of and support literature it will meeting in the UK, Dr Ferreras, mass, effectively a dark matter suicide risk include ‘search for provide practical guidance in explained: ‘Most of the matter in telescope!’ perfection’ and ‘fear of failure’; recognising suicidal feelings and the Universe is not the ordinary By analysing the starlight both prevention and responses how to help. kind made up of protons, neutrons from the galaxies using stellar need consideration to reduce Anne Parry, Chair of and electrons, but an elusive ‘dark evolution theory, it is possible suicide ‘ripple effect’. PAPYRUS, said: ‘We hope the matter’ detectable only from its to measure the stellar mass. Jill Manthorpe, Professor findings will be used to promote gravity. Like a tenuous gas, dark Combining these ideas with of Social Work in the Social the need for early intervention matter is all around us – it goes archival data from the Hubble Care Workforce Research Unit, and that the recommendations through us all the time without us Space Telescope, Dr Ferreras and School of Social Science & will be implemented.’ noticing – but tends to collect in his colleagues were able to make large quantities around galaxies dark-matter maps.
May 2007 | Comment | 21 Media watch
Contested waters 9/11 admission Blair’s legacy Troop withdrawal The Shatt al Arab waterway Dr John Gearson, Reader in Benjamin Bowling, Professor of As Tony Blair was expected between Iraq and Iran was Terrorism Studies, discussed Criminology and Criminal to announce the return of the subject of interviews for reports from the Pentagon that Justice in the School of hundreds of troops from Iraq, Richard Schofield, Lecturer in Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Law, discussed the Prime Michael Clarke, Professor of the Department of Geography, the alleged mastermind of the Minister’s legacy on crime Defence Studies, discussed on Channel 4 News, CNN, 9/11 attacks, has admitted his and the developments in the decision on Radio 4’s Radio 4’s PM and Today role in them and 30 other plots the legal system since 1997 Today programme. Professor programmes, BBC World in a hearing at Guantanamo on Canadian Broadcasting Clarke also appeared on the Service’s The World Today, Bay, on Sky News. Corporation’s The National. BBC Ten O’Clock News. Radio 5 Live and National Public Radio. Crew capture British troops Mobile society Government plans Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor Sir Lawrence Radio 4’s Analysis programme Professor of Naval History Freedman, Vice-Principal examined the increasing Enver Solomon, Deputy in the Department of War (Research), believes there is mobility of people and goods Director of the Centre of Studies, appeared on the a basic peace problem of law and how it has been vital for Crime and Justice Studies, BBC 10 O’Clock News and and order in Iraq, and there is global development. Professor appeared on Sky News BBC News 24. He was also a limited amount the British Tim Butler, Head of the and BBC News 24 and was quoted in The Times on the can do about it. Speaking on Department of Geography, interviewed on Radio 5 significance of the body Radio 5 Live Breakfast he said took part in the discussion Live, discussing government language of the British Royal the difficulty the British have arguing that the more many proposals for criminal justice. Navy crew in Iran. is that the politics of Iraq is people have to move around determined in Baghdad and routinely, the more they may not in Basra. come to prize a home base. Pregnancy stress 24/7 society Research by Dr Veronica Dr Richard Howells, Reader Heart growth Migrant ban? O’Keane, Head of Section of in Cultural and Creative Perinatal Psychiatry, into Industries, discussed whether Dr Stephen Minger, Director Dr Satvinder Juss, Reader the natural rise of stress we were advancing towards of the King’s Stem Cell in Refugee Law & Human hormones during pregnancy a 24/7 society on BBC Radio Laboratory, was interviewed Rights, explained on BBC was discussed on Channel 4 Scotland News Week. by Radio 5 Live, BBC World Service World Have Your News. Dr O’Keane was also Asian Network Radio and Say that it is disgraceful and interviewed on Capital and the New Scientist, about the disreputable for Australia to Virgin radio stations and Wagner’s Ring breakthrough at Imperial consider banning the entry of coverage from the Institute College London and Harefield people arriving with Aids. of Psychiatry conference on Michael Portillo interviewed Hospital of growing part of a this subject featured in The John Deathridge, King Edward human heart from stem cells. Guardian, The Financial Times, Professor of Music, for a BBC2 Cannabis link Daily Mail, The Sun, Metro, and television series on Richard BBC News Online. Wagner’s Ring programmes. Body shortage Dr Louise Arseneault, Lecturer Professor Deathridge in Development Psychology, appeared in episodes on the The shortage of human bodies took part in a documentary Pain relief Götterdämmerung, Die Walküre for use in anatomy teaching into possible links between and Siegfried. was the subject of a Sky cannabis and schizophrenia in Robin Murray, Professor of News interview for Professor young people. The interview Psychiatry, was interviewed on Susan Standring, Head of was televised across the BBC News regarding the use Sedatives danger Department of Anatomy and French Canadian network on of cannabis in pain relief. Human Sciences. the major science programme Clive Ballard, Professor of Decouverte. Age Related Disorders, was Baby boomers interviewed on Channel 4 News Israel and Syria about his long-term study See www.kcl.ac.uk/headlines A three-part series on BBC4 into a controversial class of Dr Ahron Bregman, Teaching for the latest media Are we having fun yet? included drugs called neuroleptics and Fellow in the Department of coverage or on Campus one programme on baby Alzheimer’s patients. This was War Studies, discussed the noticeboards. Comment is boomers in which Professor also reported in The Guardian, strategic balance between Israel keen to know of any staff Simon Biggs, Director of the The Times, Daily Mail, Daily and Syria and the prospect of featured in the media, Institute of Gerontology, Telegraph and BBC News war between these countries on call ext 3202 or email appeared. Online. Media Line News. [email protected]
22 | Comment | May 2007 Student news
sportsground with more than Naval historians visit Venice 200 students taking part. The competition pitches King’s medical students (KCLMS) against the rest of the College students (KCL) over a variety of sports to find the ultimate sporting champions. ‘As usual the competition for the Macadam Cup was intense and yet friendly at the same Studies in their first football time. KCLMS were winners for fixture in ten years at King’s New the third time in a row, but this Malden sportsground. was definitely the closest and Playing in red shirts and black most exciting competition so shorts and with strong support far. A great time was had by all!’ from the home crowd, the War commented King’s Sportsgrounds Studies team were on top for Manager John Grant. the first 30 minutes. Despite Students from the Department history students from King’s KCL won the men’s football, their best efforts, including of War Studies BA, MA and the opportunity to interact the netball and the tennis. a disallowed goal, it was still PhD programmes (pictured with mid-career naval officers KCLMS won the men’s and goalless at half time. above) took part in a two-day in an academic environment women’s hockey, the squash The match intensified in the academic event at the Italian where lessons learned in the and the fencing. The closest second half, and the established Naval War College (Istituto di classroom could be set alongside competition of the day was Peace Studies team finally got the Studi Marittimi Militari, ISMM) experience gained in service. Ultimate Frisbee which KCLMS breakthrough after 70 minutes. in Venice. At the same time Italian eventually won. Unfortunately War Studies could The fieldtrip to the lagoon of naval officers at the College The last outside event was not come back and the first the ‘Doge’ was organised by the could exercise their English the Tug-O-War, noisily supported leg ended with the result 0-1. Laughton Naval History Unit in language skills and explain the by both sides, with the victors King’s student Hassan Dodwell cooperation with the Research roles and missions of a modern being KCL. was awarded man of the match Centre of the ISMM. The visit navy to keen King’s students of for his ‘battling and skillful’ was designed to give naval seapower. performance. War vs Peace In the second leg the King’s team won 1-0 bringing the match commented Lord (Raymond) King’s Department of War Studies to a 1-1 stalemate. Penalties were Mooting success Plant, Head of the School of Law. took on the University of then taken and Peace triumphed Bradford’s Department of Peace 4-3 to lift the Tolstoy Cup. King’s students won the national round of the Jessup International French double Law Moot Court Competition New KCLSU officers for the second year running. King’s French Department has had The Jessup moot is the a double success in this year’s RH Greg Funnell biggest international mooting Gapper Postgraduate Essay Prize, competition in the world, with a national competition run by the more than 500 teams competing Society for French Studies. for a place in the finals in the US. The prestigious prize was won Despite strong competition, by Luke Sunderland, a third-year the King’s team – Jack Macaulay, PhD student in the Department, Qudsi Rasheed, Kartikeya Tanna for an essay on A Failed Double and Lilly Wong – won every Act: Lancelot and Gauvain in the round unanimously, beating Lancelot-Grail Cycle. Thomas teams from LSE in the semi- Hinton, who is in his first year finals and University College of research in the Department, London in the grand final. was placed second for his essay The team had further success What, if anything, is specifically with awards for individual Occitan about Occitan narrative? performance. Both students are supervised by The team then went on to Professor Simon Gaunt. Four full-time sabbatical Tom AbouNader (VP Participation represent the UK as national officers/trustees and four & Development); and Peter champions at the final at the student trustees were recently Ellender (VP Communications). Fairmont Hotel in Washington Macadam Cup elected and will take office on Salman Awan, Ingrid Francis, DC. The team was beaten in 1 August. From left: Adam Farley Daryn McCombe and the final by Sydney University. The third annual competition for (President); Jo Williams (VP Christopher Mullan are the new Nevertheless, ‘this is a really the Macadam Cup was held on Representation); student trustees. outstanding performance,’ 21 March at the New Malden
May 2007 | Comment | 23 Books
Three favourite... churches near the strand Campus As recommended by Trudi Darby, Deputy Head of Administration (Arts & Sciences)
st Clement danes The bells of this RAF church in the Strand still ring Oranges and Lemons every three hours: from the Classics Department you can hear them quartering the day. Look out of the windows and you see the white church Biblical Traditions in Understanding Social Assisted Dying & Legal with its phalanx of guardian Transmission Inequality Change statues: Gladstone in front, Air Marshalls Dowding and Harris edited by Charlotte hempel and professor Tim Butler, head of the penney Lewis, reader in Law behind him, while Samuel judith Lieu, professor of new department of Geography Johnson stands with his back to Testament studies The question whether assisted the eastern end of the church, Understanding Social Inequality dying should be legalised is often engrossed in a book before he This volume, which was takes as its starting point that treated as one which transcends strides down Fleet Street. launched at King’s last year, is social and economic inequality is national boundaries and diverse now attracting very favourable increasing again after a long post- legal systems. As a result, the Temple Church reviews and includes personal war period in which industrialised important context in which Pass Johnson, go into the tributes to Professor Michael societies became more equal. individual jurisdictions make Temple, and here are another Knibb, who taught for 37 years It attempts to map the decisions about assisted dying set of guardians: effi gies of at King’s, latterly holding the dimensions of that inequality and the signifi cance of the legal the Knights Templar, resting Samuel Davidson Chair of Old and how social scientists have methods chosen is often lost. eternally in the distinctive Testament, now vacant. understood it. In particular, it This book concentrates not circular nave of this medieval The book includes 18 essays, brings together sociology and on the issue of whether assisted church, relaxing after their written by colleagues and friends human geography and argues that dying should be legalised, labours if a little battered after from Europe and the USA, place has become an increasingly but rather on the impact of more than 700 years. Here they covering a range of topics chiefl y important focus for attempts to the choice of a particular legal listen to the choir giving its focussing on Second Temple understand this new trend. route towards legalisation, lunchtime concerts and absorb Judaism and the transmission It is argued that places used to including constitutional rights, the secret peace and calm, just of Biblical traditions, areas where be largely formed by the social the defence of necessity used in a few yards from Fleet Street. Professor Knibb’s own work is classes which inhabited them the Netherlands and a French internationally acclaimed. whereas over the last 25 years proposal based on compassion, st dunstan in the west Dr Charlotte Hempel was space has been at the centre of the as well as legislative approaches Cross back over Fleet Street a former doctoral student of restructuring of cultural, social and from Oregon and Belgium. and squeezed into a tiny site Professor Knibb’s and Professor economic relations in Britain and This examination suggests that is St Dunstan in the West: Judith Lieu was a colleague for other industrial societies. greater caution is needed before no spire for this little gem many years. The authors argue that, to some relying on the experience of one where William Tyndale once Other King’s contributors are extent, the concerns of human jurisdiction when discussing preached, but a lace-like corona Dr Eddie Adams and Dr Deborah geographers with ‘the spaces of proposals for regulation of of an open tower that traps the Rooke, both members of staff, fl ows’ and sociologists with ‘the assisted dying in others, and the sky in its trelliswork. Two giants and Professor Ronald Clements, identity of displacement’ have possible consequences of such guard its bell: Gog and Magog, a former Samuel Davidson moved past each other without regulation, thereby demonstrating wearing gilded loincloths and Professor, whose own essay making much contact. A major the need to explore the legal carrying gnarled clubs, with charts the origin of the study of theme has been to bring these two environment in which assisted which they strike the quarters. Hebrew and Old Testament at traditions together to understand dying is performed or proposed King’s in 1832 and the particular how the new forms of mobility in order to evaluate the relevance Let us know your three favourite role of Samuel Davidson and of and immobility have been of a particular legal experience to things related to a Campus. Alexander McCaul. interacting in different regions. other jurisdictions. Email [email protected] leiden: Brill, 200 sage oxford university Press
Comment is the College’s regular newsletter, edited by the Public Relations Department and designed by the Corporate Design Unit | Comment is printed on paper produced with 80 per cent recovered fi bre| Articles are welcomed from all members of the College, but please note that the Editor reserves the right to amend articles | Copy for the next issue can be sent to Julie Munk, Public Relations Department (ext 3075), James Clerk Maxwell Building, Waterloo Campus, or emailed to [email protected] by 27 June.
24 | Comment | May 2007