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2016

LANCASTER WINS ROSES 2016 Keep in touch www.lancaster.ac.uk/steps

WELCOME CONTENTS

We continue to grow, both at home and overseas. The Ministry of Education in Beijing has approved the establishment of a joint institute with Beijing Jiaotong University. The new campus, called Lancaster University College - Beijing Jiaotong University, will be located in Weihai, Shandong province. Meanwhile, at Bailrigg, we have exciting plans to 17 redevelopment the Management School’s main buildings; more news of this THIS CHARMING MAN? important project will be released over Alumnus Will Thacker talks about the launch of his coming months. 03 second novel and the filming of his Morrissey biopic. 2015 also threw up some big challenges. 09 The Morecambe Bay area can be wet; but PREDICTING on 5th-6th December the rain fell on an THE NORTHERN STUDENTS’ UNION... entirely different scale. A UK record flow of water was recorded in the River Lune, LIGHTS THEN AND NOW bursting its banks and flooding 19 an important electrical sub-station. Professor Jim Wild explains the science LUSU Communications Manager, Bob Hart takes This knocked out power to both city behind the Northern Lights and where and a look at the changing fashions for Lancaster’s and campus. After providing emergency when to see them. Students’ Union. CONFESSIONS OF A accommodation to 6,000 students over COLLEGE PRINCIPAL that weekend, we ended term early; no easy undertaking to evacuate so many Former Fylde Principal, Frank Wareing, describes his people in such a short space of time. long and dedicated service to Lancaster students. Welcome to Steps. It’s been I was tremendously proud of the way staff another very successful year for and students responded to adversity. Lancaster; there isn’t space here 11 Lancaster is a famously modest to share all our good news! institution; but we have plenty to be proud EVENTS AROUND about. While we’ll never rest on our laurels, 05 A few highlights: we received a Queen’s I hope that you will help us to spread the Anniversary Prize last November, for work THE GLOBE message about our quality and ambition. conducted by Professor Tony McEnery ALUMNI TALK A global tour of alumni events in the last year. To get the latest from Lancaster keep and his team in the Centre for Corpus a regular eye on our website. And we A round-up of books published by alumni Approaches to Social Science, presented want to celebrate your successes, too; and Lancaster graduate weddings in the last at Buckingham Palace on 26 February. so please stay in touch, whether through 12 months. Lancaster has also retained its place Facebook, LinkedIn, the alumni website or in the UK’s Top 10 Universities in the by contacting the Alumni Office. recently published Complete University Guide; and we have moved up to 121st Professor Mark E. Smith in the QS World University Rankings. Vice-Chancellor 07 13 WHAT TACKLING THE EBOLA LANCASTER AND ZIKA VIRUSES 21 MEANS TO US Dr Derek Gatherer explains some of the important HONORARY DEGREES Local MP and alumna, Cat Smith and her research into finding new diagnostic standards for Ebola. AND ALUMNI AWARDS father, Alan, come back to campus and Awards presented during the 2015 Graduation Ceremonies. reminisce.

Senior Management Team Celebrate Roses Win 15 Published by: The articles printed here, to the best of our knowledge, were correct at the time of going to press. We cannot Alumni, Development & Events Office guarantee that all articles submitted have been printed and we reserve the right to edit material where necessary. E: [email protected] Furthermore, the views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Lancaster University or the Editor. UNIVERSITY NEWS Additional Contributor: Rachel Pugh Steps is available to view online at www.lancaster.ac.uk/steps as a PDF and a Word document. If you require this magazine in another format, please contact the Alumni & Development Office. Updates from around the University and the alumni office. Produced by Fusiondesign.co.uk

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This heightened geomagnetic activity The orientation of the magnetic field inside Set against this background, auroral displays causes the auroral oval to expand, pushing the CME is crucial. If it is aligned parallel visible from northern Scotland are relatively aurorae southward. If the skies are clear and to the Earth’s magnetic field, then the common, occurring a few times a year. the geomagnetic storm coincides with the coupling is weak whereas if it is antiparallel So if you want to try and see aurorae from hours of darkness, mid-latitude observers the coupling is strong. Unfortunately, this the UK, you might want something to tip the The Science including those in the UK can be treated to crucial parameter cannot be measured odds in your favour. Fortunately, Lancaster auroral displays. until the CME passes the ACE spacecraft University’s free AuroraWatch UK service – So why are auroral displays from the UK so located approximately 1.5 million kilometres aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk - alerts users to hard to predict? Although they can occur upstream of the Earth, only one hour before heightened activity in the UK via email and at any time, the CMEs that cause them are the CME arrives at the Earth. Finally, even if social media. When I’m asked what’s the most common during solar maximum, all the other factors are favourable, cloudy best way to see the northern lights from the Behind Predicting the peak of solar activity that occurs every skies or light pollution can put pay to any UK, it’s what I recommend. That, patience 11 years. They can be fired outwards from aurora being seen from the ground. and a bit of luck.” the Sun in almost any direction, so the We know from historical data that the “perfect Professor Jim Wild teaches on our geometry has to be just right. storm” scenario, where each element of the MPhys and BSc Physics, Astrophysics If it is Earth-bound, predicting a CME’s time chain is maximally geoeffective, can push and Cosmology programmes. of arrival at Earth is not straightforward. aurorae as far south as the Caribbean, but the Northern Lights Uncertainties of around 10 hours are not these occur less than once each century. unusual meaning that a CME could arrive Geomagnetic storms that result in aurorae and trigger aurorae during daylight instead visible from the south coast of England are of darkness. more common, perhaps occurring once every twenty years or so.

“Where should I go to see the northern lights? It’s a question I get asked a lot, usually just after I say that I study the physics of the aurora borealis. More often than not, it is followed by “When’s the best time to see them?”

“It’s not surprising. The northern lights are This process generates aurorae in crown- one of nature’s most beautiful spectacles. like ovals surrounding the magnetic poles. So where is the best place to see them and Although the solar wind is continuous, when is the best time? changes in the efficiency of the solar The northern lights are one of Aurorae are caused by the interaction of the wind-magnetosphere coupling process nature’s most beautiful spectacles. Earth’s magnetic field with the solar wind, modulates the auroral activity. the stream of electrically charged particles Nevertheless, residents of northern So where is the best place to see constantly emitted by the Sun. Because the Scandinavia, Iceland, northern Canada them and when is the best time? solar wind is electrically conductive, it drags and Alaska regularly witness stunning remnants of the Sun’s magnetic field out into natural light shows, weather and darkness PROFESSOR JIM WILD EXPLAINS THIS NATURAL interplanetary space. permitting. But what about closer to home? PHENOMENON When it arrives at the Earth, the magnetic During periods of increased solar activity, field in the solar wind can couple with the aurora can occasionally be seen at much the Earth’s own magnetic field. Ions and lower latitudes than usual, but a particular electrons in the region of near-Earth space chain of events need to occur. Typically, known as the magnetosphere are energised it starts with an eruption of material from by this coupling and some, guided by the the Sun known as a coronal mass ejection shape of the terrestrial magnetic field, (CME). An average CME can include a billion are funnelled down towards the magnetic tonnes of solar material moving at a million poles. Collisions with atoms in the upper miles an hour, crossing the interplanetary atmosphere cause it to glow, with the space between the Sun and Earth in just a characteristic green and red colours of the couple of days. If the magnetic field within aurora emitted by oxygen atoms at altitudes the CME is aligned anti-parallel to the Earth’s, between 100-200km above the ground. then the CME’s energy and momentum can efficiently couple into the magnetosphere, triggering a geomagnetic storm.

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Alumni in Print Alumni Weddings

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HELEN BARBOUR MENESH PATEL ALEX MARLAND DR CHAITANYA NIPHADKAR SOPHIE DUFFY French Studies, 1986 MSc Operational Research, PhD Politics, 2005 MA Human Resource English, 1989 ‘The A to Z of Normal’ 2002 ‘Brain’ ‘Brand Command’ Development & Consulting, ‘Bright Stars’ 2009 ‘Building Organizational Leadership’

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MICHAEL PICKERING JOHN ANDREW TIMOTHY MCCRACKEN BRIAN TERRY REV AUGUSTINE KANJAMALA PhD Linguistics, 1990 Economics/Financial Control, MA History, 2012 Accounting & Finance, MA Sociology and Religion, 1974 ‘The Compass Dances’ 1974 (and Derek Styles) ‘Dumfriesshire in the 1972 ‘Dark Pools’ ‘The Future of Christian Mission ‘Designer British Silver’ Great War’ in India’

1 ZEYU JIANG Logistics and Supply Chain 8 JAMES MICHAEL KENT 15 RICHARD LOUIS PORT Accounting, Management, 2012, Graduate married Marketing, 2007, Cartmel married Auditing and Finance, 2012, Pendle WEIXIAO CHEN TEFL (Teaching English JUNE HIU YING LAI English Language married JESSICA LLEWELLYN Business as a Foreign Language), 2012, Graduate. and Sociolinguistics, 2007, Cartmel. Studies, 2012, Cartmel. 2 GARETH PATTENDEN Accounting 9 EDWARD RIGBY Geography, 2011, 16 BRADLEY PATES Biomedical Science, and Finance, 2006, Grizedale married Fylde married HOLLY ENGLISH 2013, 2008, Grizedale married CARLY AYLING LISA PARKIN Law, 2006, Furness. MBChB Medicine, 2013, County. Fine Art, 2009, Lonsdale. 3 JAMES WEBSTER Geography, 2008, 10 JAMES KEIR History and Politics, 2011, 17 ADAM LOMAS History and Philosophy, Fylde married CLAIRE WALTON Lonsdale married ELEANOR BLANC 2008, Furness married LAURA LEWIS Social Work, 2008, Furness. History, 2012, Fylde. Psychology, 2009, Furness. DR DAVID GOSLING SAMANTHA COLLETT WENDY JONES NAKANISHI NIGEL GRAY MIKE AMBERRY PhD Religious Studies, 1974, MSc Contemporary Sociology, MA 18th Century English, 1978 English, 1971, Medieval and Renaissance 4 PETER MORGAN Psychology, 2008, 11 MIKE CLAYTON-JONES Philosophy, 18 BEN WHITE History and English ‘Frontier of Fear’ 1998, Sociology 1997 ‘How to ‘Imperfect Strangers’ ‘Laugh, You Buggers, Laugh’ Studies, 1997 County married JOELLE-MARIE ALLEN 2008, Cartmel married LUCY DRAKE Language, 2007, Grizedale married Buy Property in Auction’ ‘The Last Plantagenet’ English Literature, 2008, County. Marketing Management, 2010, Cartmel. CAROLINE LEGG Media and Cultural Studies, 2007, Furness. 5 DIMITRIS MITROMARAS 12 MATT CANN Culture, Media & MSc Information Technology, Communications, 2005, Furness married 19 JOE PAULINE Physics with Medical Management and Organisation, 2008, SAMANTHA HALE Law and Criminology, Physics, 2012, Cartmel married Graduate married CLARA MALMROS 2006, Furness. KATIE GROCOTT Media & Cultural MSc Management, 2008, Graduate. Studies, 2011, Bowland. 13 BEN JAMES English Language, 2010, 6 OLLY TRUMBLE International Relations Bowland married HEATHER KERCHAL 20 MARK LORD Law, 2011, Cartmel married and Strategic Studies, 2011, Fylde English Language and Italian, 2008, BRONWYN WHITE Law, 2011, Lonsdale. married ELLIE COOTES Theatre Studies Grizedale. and English Literature, 2011, Lonsdale. 14 SAMUEL MONK Accountancy 7 DANIEL DRIVER, MEng Mechatronic and Finance, 2011, Pendle married Engineering, 2013, County married SABRINA MCNALLY Theatre Studies DR PHILIP MACDOUGALL ALAN DENT David Warwick DR YEMI ADEX ADENIRAN PROFESSOR PAYAL KUMAR Politics, 1971 ‘Naval French Studies, 1976 PhD Education, 1978 MSc Operational Research, Religious Studies, 1987 EMMA COOPER Mathematical Finance, and English Literature, 2011, Pendle Resistance to Britain’s ‘Too Much Toothache’ ‘Chorus Endings’ 1987 ‘ The Unity of ‘Unveiling Women’s Leadership’ 2011, Fylde. (photo credit – Rebekah Jane Growing Power in India 1660- Knowledge’ Photography). 1880’

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WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH OTHER WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST LANCASTER UNIVERSITY FOR ALUMNI SINCE YOU GRADUATED? ABOUT YOUR WORK? YOUR DEGREE?

Alan – I lost touch a bit during the 90s Alan – I’m now retired, but in my career Alan – I made my first connection with after my first stint at Lancaster, when I felt I thought I knew life, until I did social Lancaster 45 years ago when I came to career and family took over, but the work. You’re then amazed when you can see a Pink Floyd concert in the Great Hall advent of the internet has enabled me make some difference to someone’s life – in 1971. I then came to study social work to reconnect and a number of my peers to help them fix themselves, even if it’s from 1988-90 before returning to do an from both the Social Work and the MA just a little bit. MA in History between 2008 -2011 after History groups regularly keep in touch. Cat – In my role as an MP everything’s retirement from my career with the Youth Cat – I met my husband-to-be at different and you see the best and worst Offending Team in Cumbria. Lancaster University (Ben) and through my in people. If you can’t actually help them Cat – I recall my Dad bringing home a constituency work I am frequently between yourself you can hopefully point them in prospectus for me to look at when I was Lancaster and London, so have visited the the right direction through your networks. 15 and reading it from cover to cover. University several times since graduating Entering Parliament was strange and I felt Originally I was looking at sciences, (latterly for talks about my work!) I also keep like a ‘fish out of water’. It’s taken me a little but was intrigued by the whole range in touch with alumni through the annual while to realise that I deserve to be there! of options available. I first came onto Labour Club reunion dinner. campus at the age of 2 or 3 to visit Dad WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST (and recall wrestling with my sister on ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR (IN ANY Waterstones floor - though I am much ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE?) better behaved now!) I wasn’t really aware there were any other universities; my Dad I FEEL I COULD HAVE Alan – In my case, my greatest had planted the seed and loved his BEEN AN ETERNAL achievement has been to survive in a experience so much that I had to come STUDENT AS I MISS with my Mum to the Open Day to avoid house with four women! I am also proud WHAT his bias! ALL OF IT, BUT I AM of the fact that I obtained an MA in History PLEASED THAT I HAVE after failing my eleven plus in 1958. WHAT IS YOUR FONDEST MEMORY RETAINED LINKS Cat – That a 29 year old working class girl OF YOUR TIME HERE? from Barrow could be elected as a Labour LANCASTER ALAN SMITH MP in a marginal constituency. Alan – I was so amazed that I got a place as WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO I had failed my 11 plus years ago at school TODAY’S STUDENTS? that I enjoyed every single minute of it. MEANS TO US I remember being overwhelmed at having a IS THERE ANYTHING YOU former Oxford student sitting next to me in PARTICULARLY MISS ABOUT Alan – Enjoy every minute, it will go faster a tutorial, I loved the general camaraderie, STUDENT LIFE? than you think. And remember, whatever evenings at the Waterwitch etc. happens next, you are always a Lancaster Cat – I particularly enjoyed the first year, graduate. Alan – I feel I could have been an eternal the feeling of independence, limited student as I miss all of it, but I am pleased Cat – Don’t waste time worrying about Cat Smith (Gender and Sociology, 2006, Cartmel) has just completed pressure regarding exams and the that I have retained links. revision and exams. I remember some her first year as a Labour MP, having been elected for Lancaster and chance to figure out who you were and no students tried to work themselves into Fleetwood in 2015. Her father, Alan, who also studied at Lancaster, curfews. I was the first one in the family to Cat – I miss having the free time. I took it the ground. recently accompanied her on a visit back to campus where we took the have the full university experience living for granted when I was here so didn’t fully away from home. appreciate it and I actually felt busy at the opportunity to interview them about their student experiences. time. I would like to have time now to enjoy reading for reading’s sake and not just to a deadline.

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WHAT’S A ‘SABBATICAL OFFICER?’

STUDENTS’ UNION Known as Sabbatical Officers or ‘Sabbs’ in old money, these days they’re called Full-Time Officers.

Here’s the SU Executive 1983/4 from THEN AND NOW bottom left, clockwise: Andy Arnfield, Jackie Cawkwell, Andy Broom, Morton Geppert, Sam Walker, Dave Lightman, Charlie Blueglass, Jayne Williams. Centre is THE MORE THINGS Since it was formed (just a few years after mean changing fashions, a barely President Bernard Hughs. the University itself) the Union has made a recognisable campus and a way of Now pared down to six (and looking a lot less CHANGE, THE MORE huge impact on life at Lancaster, combining doing things that’s moved on from the like Littlewoods catalogue models) is the THEY STAY THE SAME. dedicated political campaigning, a deep DIY spirit of yesteryear. commitment to student welfare, a passion for 2015/16 team – from left, back: VP Union If you’d like to find out more about what That may seem a hackneyed phrase, education and an irrepressible sense of fun. Development Tom Stapleton, VP Education but it’s certainly true of Lancaster the Union gets up to, visit the website Ben Harper and VP Welfare & Community That said, some of the things that go on University Students’ Union, writes at www.lusu.co.uk or follow Anna Lee; front: VP Activities Natalie Sutcliffe, these days might not look quite the same Communications Manager Bob Hart. www.facebook.com/lancastersu VP Campaigns and Communications Katie as you remember them. Changing times or www.twitter.com/lancastersu Capstick and President Will Hedley.

SUN ON THE STEPS EPIC EVENTS You may remember attending one One thing that hasn’t changed LUSU STAFF CELEBRATE ROSES WIN 2016 of the many events organised by the at Lancaster is that Alexandra Union during your time at Lancaster Square is THE place to be on a – many of them still exist, but have sunny afternoon. changed in character over the years. But it might not be quite as you Freshers’ Fair has become an epic remember it...The phrase ‘it’s grim up experience sprawling out of the Great north’ was created for this grainy image Hall and into the surrounding buildings. from the ‘70s with its brooding sky and Grad Ball has changed a bit too – check out austere fashions. These days it’s brighter, this civilised bunch gathered in the Great whiter and glossier, with the Learning Hall way back in 1989. This year’s event will Zone replacing the cubicle seminar be in Blackpool Tower Ballroom, featuring a rooms of Bowland. number of live performances including the Hit Parade’s Fuse ODG.

POLITICS, PROTESTS ...AND POSTERS The Union still loves to MOVING THE GOALPOSTS campaign on a wide variety of HAIR TODAY GONE issues, but the social media age Improving facilities, improving has changed how and where it TOMORROW equipment and a greater takes place. understanding of the mental Bob Hart arrived at County and physical benefits of Here are a bunch of student College as a fresh-faced youth exercise mean there’s never protesters in the city centre in the back in 1998 - the year many been a better time to do sport mid-70s, bemoaning cuts to grants. of this year’s intake of new at Lancaster. students were born. These days protests are much more Compare this shambolic football match likely to be made on campus and He graduated from Lancaster at Fylde in the ‘70s to the professionalism broadcast on Twitter. But as you can with a degree in English in 2001. you’ll see at Lancaster these days. see from the photo, one thing that After leaving to pursue a career in 2016 is a home Roses year, which hasn’t changed at Lancaster is liberal journalism he returned older, wiser meant building a stadium for the Women’s use of posters. and balder in 2014 as the Students’ Football 1sts clash with York at the Union Communications Manager. opening ceremony and for other fixtures.

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House of Lords Reception Abuja April 2016 Alumni Dinner June 2015 Media Event, London October 2015

Alumni Private View

Art Exhibition

June 2015

Mumbai February 2016 EVENTS Cake and Music Society Careers AROUND Alumni Concert May 2016 THE GLOBE March 2016

Dubai Pendle Reunion October 2015 August 2015

Seoul Dinner Grizedale Reunion March 2016 March 2016

Here is a small selection of the events that have taken place over the past 12 months. The alumni office continues to extend its range of events for Lancaster graduates Public Lectures in conjunction with our alumni group representatives from all over the world. Throughout Visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/alumni/groups to see if there is an alumni group near you Hong Kong the year or contact [email protected] if you are interested in helping co-ordinate one. October 2015 Keep in touch with all our events online www.lancaster.ac.uk/events

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RESEARCHERS FROM LANCASTER ARE HELPING TO CARRY OUT IMPORTANT RESEARCH INTO FINDING NEW DIAGNOSTIC STANDARDS FOR THE EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE AND THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT ZIKA. Tackling the Ebola and Zika Viruses

Dr Derek Gatherer has hailed ‘a major step forward’ in the diagnosis of the disease after working with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardisation organised an international study to produce a standard test for Ebola virus infection and Dr Gatherer from the Faculty of Health and Medicine at Lancaster was a member of this study team.

He said: “ At the completion of this study Similarly, the Zika virus, carried by Dr Alain Kohl, from the Medical Research Its clinical profile has symptoms we now have a standard diagnostic test Aedes mosquitos and previously a Council-University of Glasgow Centre for resembling a dengue-like febrile illness which can be distributed to labs around slow pandemic, is on the rise across Virus Research, is leading the work, along and Chikungunya viruses, but some the world so, in the event of another the Americas and its rapid spread is with colleagues from Brazil at Fiocruz in recent cases have also displayed 1947 suspected outbreak, we can very rapidly causing serious concern to health Recife, into how the Zika virus interacts microcephaly and Guillain-Barré year in which Zika tell whether the suspected cases are officials. Researchers at the Universities with the cells, and understands the syndrome. virus was discovered true positives or not. This is a major step of Glasgow and Lancaster (led by Prof virus genetics to support these efforts. Dr Gatherer states “There are many in Uganda. forward in Ebola virus diagnostics and Steven Sinkins) are stepping up work on Dr Kohl’s review paper on Zika is also unanswered questions – has the virus what we hope is that in the future we mosquito-borne viruses into the study co-authored by Dr Derek Gatherer. changed in some way to be more won’t have any more large Ebola virus of the Zika virus (Flaviviridae), a much Although the virus is not particularly infectious? Were the newly observed outbreaks like the one we had in West neglected illness, and aim to develop life-threatening, current data suggests symptoms merely unnoticed before Africa over the last couple of years.” improved diagnostics, therapeutics and the Zika virus is behind a recent tenfold due to low case numbers? Do the new 14 The Ebola reference reagents produced a vaccine in the absence of no current increase in the number of cases of observations of sexual transmission number of confirmed by the National Institute for Biological treatment. microcephaly – a serious brain birth and the presence of virus in non- cases of Zika in humans from 1947 to 2006. Standards and Control (NIBSC) and defect – in parts of Brazil. And, as more symptomatic blood donors mean that endorsed by the WHO can now be and more people are infected, different the virus could sustain itself in a human used in laboratory tests by the scientific symptoms emerge. population without the need for mosquito community around the world. NIBSC was First discovered in Uganda in 1947, the transmission?“ asked by WHO to produce 2 standard Zika virus arrived in Southeast Asia by Dr Gatherer believes that in the next 1.4m tests for Ebola reference reagents. mid-century. It then spread across the 12 months they hope to have at least The first detects active Ebola infection. Pacific Islands, reaching South America preliminary answers to some of these number of suspected Zika cases worldwide The second measures Ebola antibody around 2013. Since then, it has spread questions. “In the meantime, we can only levels following infection, and helps to find since 2007, the vast rapidly northwards. urge normal precautions are observed majority since 2014. out who has had the virus and recovered. when visiting mosquito-infested areas The Ebola antibody standard will be used of the Americas, especially for pregnant around the world to screen for potential DR DEREK women.” new outbreaks. GATHERER

13 STEPS 2016 - 14 Keep in touch www.lancaster.ac.uk/steps University News

LANCASTER TO OPEN NEW CHINA CAMPUS THIRD SECTOR WITH BEIJING JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY THE CAMPAIGN PLACEMENT SCHEME HOW YOUR MONEY IS SPENT SO FAR... SUPPORTS GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY Defying Dementia is a community- supported campaign designed to Thanks to Friends Programme funding, change the world that we live in and Lancaster University students have make a real difference to people’s benefitted from a unique project lives, by tackling the big threat previously only offered in Scottish that is presented by brain diseases, universities. The project, developed such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s within the Faculty for Arts and Social and Motor Neurone Disease. Sciences, offers students a range of work-based learning opportunities which enhances the employability of Lancaster University students.

Replicating a successful 4 year Scottish Lancaster University has received approval from the Ministry of Education in Beijing Funding Council project, Third Sector to establish a joint institute with its highly ranked partner Beijing Jiaotong University Internships, the initiative has successfully: (BJTU). The new campus, called Lancaster University College - Beijing Jiaotong • Offered paid work experience and University, will be located in Weihai in the Shandong province. development opportunities for students • Promoted the third sector as a graduate Chinese and international students will excellent student experience and many of career option be offered undergraduate programmes Lancaster’s resources will be available to There are currently no drugs available • Enabled students to make a valuable University Projects Awarded over £72,000 of Friends Programme Funding in Computing, Design, Engineering and them. Academic standards will be subject that cure these diseases, none contribution to the work of regional and Environmental Science from September to rigorous quality assurance including that prevent them, and only a small national third sector organisations The Friends Programme provides funds The Friends Programme disbursement 2016, co-delivered by Lancaster and BJTU continuous moderation of assessment number that can delay their advance, The funding provided nine placements to use across campus for projects that committee met in December and were setting and marking. academics. Masters courses in Computing depending when in the course of the during 2014/15 for students from fall outside statutory funding but are vital overwhelmed by the number of high and Engineering will be available from 2017 Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith disease they are taken. departments across the Faculty for Arts to the life of the University. This is made quality and innovative projects happening and courses in Business, Accounting & possible by donations from alumni and across campus. After much deliberation welcomed this new development: “I am Defying Dementia was founded and Social Sciences, two were kept on in Finance and Logistics are also planned. delighted that students in China will be able permanent graduate roles and one secured a friends of the University. they agreed to fund the following projects: Graduates will receive a degree from in order to progress a promising to benefit from Lancaster’s and BJTU’s joint Alzheimer’s drug into human clinical longer term placement. All placement hosts both institutions. pledged further opportunities for placements expertise which is built on internationally trials in November 2014. Now, during 2015/16. Lancaster is committed to providing very strong track records of delivery in over a year later, this drug is close Faculty/Department Project students at Lancaster University College education and research.” to being in human trials, thanks to - Beijing Jiaotong University with an All Colleges Social learning and engagement through inter-college tremendous public support, which competitions means that we can carry out pre- clinical safety trials. Students’ Union Inclusivity and Sport: Raising the profile of Women’s and We have also started to fundraise Activities Disability Sport at Roses 2016 for more of our ground-breaking Colleges and ‘Get Sorted’: an online programme for building student LUMS SPACE PROGRAMME research into neurodegenerative Student Life resilience and addressing mental health issues diseases. School of Law Alumni awareness and engagement Our world-ranked Management Total raised for the School is embarking on an ambitious neurodegenerative research infrastructure project, adding is over £11,000. Research and Enterprising Alumni Programme MATTHEW AITCHISON Enterprise Services significant new space to the School, as With an ageing population more well as redeveloping existing facilities. families are going to face the “I am especially proud of leading a team to Green Lancaster Outdoor cleaning station at the heartbreak caused by these Green Lancaster EcoHub Reflecting on pioneers who have helped create a brand new Facebook group, where diseases that destroy memory, shape the future we know today, it is our I had the chance to manage people and personality and movement. Lancaster Institute for Education outreach: workshop for A level drama teachers intention that, with your help, we will create develop innovative strategies. This role tested Contemporary Arts a community that inspires and encourages Our first fundraising project, to fund my leadership skills, and greatly improved my the next generation. the safety testing to get an extremely confidence.” Matthew Aitchison. Placement Lancaster Environment Double cropping energy and food in rural Tanzania promising drug into human clinical Student 2014/15 Centre With initial designs approved, we’re looking trials is making real progress: To read more about Matthew’s experience for input on how we make our spaces Politics, Philosophy Richardson Institute Internship Programme please visit his blog dukes-lancaster.org/ inspirational and functional places in which So far we have raised over and Religion a-word-from-a-work-placement-student/ to lecture, learn and collaborate. £65,000 of the £165,000 target needed for Professor David If you work in the Third Sector and would Psychology Psychology Volunteering Programme Visit www.lums.space or follow us on social Allsop’s Alzheimer’s Drug. like to discuss placement opportunities media to share your ideas and suggestions Donate online: for students within your organisation with the architects and project team. please contact: Kate Dunbavan www.lancaster.ac.uk/ [email protected] defyingdementia For more details visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/giving

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FILMING AND CO-WRITING A FEATURE- LENGTH BIOPIC ABOUT MANCHESTER MUSIC ICON MORRISSEY IS THE KIND OF BREAK FOR WHICH MOST YOUNG WRITERS WOULD GIVE THEIR EYE TEETH. This Charming Man?

William Thacker finds himself juggling that challenge at the same time as preparations begin for the launch of his second novel, Lingua Franca. Speaking from Manchester during the filming of Steven, William (English Literature/Creative Writing 2008) acknowledges the confidence and self-assurance he gained as an undergraduate.

He says: “It was about meeting other JACK LOWDEN AS ‘MORRISSEY’ young people from all walks of life, and IN THE FORTHCOMING FILM being free to be myself. And there were a lot of talented people to learn from.” Discipline and hard work has got him to the point where he’s co-written Steven with director Mark Gill (Oscar-nominated for The Voorman Problem) with whom he also co-wrote the short film, Full Time, winner of the Best Film award at the 2014 Shanghai International Film Festival In part his pragmatic attitude comes from having an artistic family background – his father David Thacker is a theatre director and his mother Margot Leicester a stage actress. William had always wanted to write and saw leaving North Alongside a rich social life, and the The high-pressure job meant he would William came up with the idea during a Shooting the Morrissey film has the London to attend a semi-rural university demands of his studies, he still found write his first novel, Charm Offensive, in late-night chat at Lancaster, where he potential to open all sorts of doors for campus in the North West as a way of time to write; the feedback and the dead of night when the need for focus would hash and re-hash ideas with fellow William. The cast includes Jessica Brown broadening his experience. encouragement he received from was absolute. His second novel Lingua students from diverse backgrounds. He Findlay (Downton Abbey) and Jack But perhaps the defining characteristic Lancaster persuaded him to push his Franca, published in May 2016, is about posited the dystopian idea (to a sceptical Lowden (War and Peace) whom William of William’s experience at Lancaster writing ambitions to a new level and to a branding agency that renames towns audience) that towns could one day sell describes as “an actor whose charm was the activities which had nothing to go to Manchester University to do an under corporate sponsorship. It is set in their name in order to manage spiralling and depth brings something really do with his course. He worked at the MA in Creative Writing. To pay the rent, Stella Artois (better known to most of us debts. His later experiences working as exciting to the role”. Oxfam bookshop, where he encountered he took a part-time job assisting disabled as Milton Keynes) and sees Barrow-in- an agency copywriter would affirm his He adds: “We’re confident the story memorable characters; he volunteered students, which brought him into contact Furness become Birdseye-in-Furness. prediction. “PR, branding and marketing will connect with many people, not just as the assistant editor of the student with Mark Gill (then teaching Film at Lancaster is one of the few places to get a gentle bashing,” he says of the Smiths’ fans.” newspaper Scan, dipped his toes into Salford University) and another job with escape William’s black comedy, novel. “It’s a world stuffed with jargon and For more Steps features visit university radio and loved to explore the an online news agency churning out 25 “perhaps out of loyalty”, he explains. with special names for very simple things.” www.lancaster.ac.uk/steps surrounding countryside. articles a day. “Looking back, it instilled a certain discipline and focus. I managed my time more effectively and of course, drank lots of coffee.”

17 STEPS 2016 - 18 Keep in touch www.lancaster.ac.uk/steps

IT’S BEEN FUN! ALL CHANGE PRESENTED AROUND CONFESSIONS OF A AMONGST OTHER THINGS (MAINLY THERE HAVE BEEN THE UNLOOKED FOR “FANTASTIC ONE OR TWO CHANGES: 2600 OPPORTUNITIES” MASQUERADING - At the start of his Principalship the AS ALMOST INSUPERABLE colleges still ran the bars (but not at a STUDENTS COLLEGE PRINCIPAL PROBLEMS) IN THE COURSE OF HIS profit level required by the university). APPOINTMENT, HE ESTIMATES HE Today they are run centrally as part WILL HAVE: of the University’s retail services. TO THE CHANCELLOR AT THEIR GRADUATION - Welcomed about 3,000 first year The old Fylde residences had just been students to Fylde College. demolished (no, not an Extrav that had got out of hand) and a reduced - Presented around 2,600 final year number of on-campus Fyldeans were students to the Chancellor at their housed in accommodation in Pendle TAKEN PART IN Graduation. and Grizedale. Now Fylde offers high - Acted as Area Safety Officer for 9 quality accommodation to nearly 500 College Extravs. (as a pirate, wizard, students in its new residences. castaway, cowboy, A&E assistant, etc.). 9 ROSES - That statistical excerpt from one - Taken part in 9 Roses Principals/ Principal’s experience probably Provosts competitions (bowls, archery, encapsulates the main responsibilities petanque, more bowls, bar sports, PRINCIPALS/PROVOSTS of the role, but it doesn’t quite capture COMPETITIONS clay pigeon etc.). those aspects which made the - Worked with 10 JCR Execs and 12 appointment tremendously enjoyable JCR Presidents (we got carried away and rewarding (if at times a little with the democratic process one year). frustrating). PROVIDED ACCOMMODATION TO - Acted as college photographer at (lost count) Carter Shield competitions and inter-college matches. THE HIGHLIGHTS 500 - Welcomed back a lot of Fylde alumni who wanted to re-capture lost youth THE ROLE OF THE COLLEGE STUDENTS for a weekend or two. PRINCIPAL AT LANCASTER IS A CHANCE TO: IN THE NEW FYLDE RESIDENCES -  Share the lives, hopes, aspirations LOTS OF MEETINGS! (and anxieties), successes (and failures) and personal development of some of most creative, intelligent, dynamic and BUT IT HASN’T ALL BEEN AS TOUGH motivated young people you are ever ATTENDED AS THE ABOVE – THINK OF THE FUN likely to meet. TO BE HAD IN: - Work with some of the most - Attending 32 meetings of the Senate committed and motivated staff in 27 (which represents about 100 hours of the University. your life you’ll never get back). - Contribute to the University’s strategic MEETINGS - Attending 27 meetings of the Colleges aims relating to student engagement and Student Experience Committee and involvement, international OF THE COLLEGE AND STUDENT (or whatever it was called at the time). integration and student welfare. EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE - Attending 25 meetings of the College - Be part of something which helps  FRANK WAREING RETIRED IN JULY 2015 AFTER 9 YEARS AS FYLDE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL. Principals’ Group. distinguish Lancaster from most - Chairing 5 meetings of the College other Universities. He had worked at the University since 1992 in the School of Independent Studies, Department of Principals’ Group (but his therapist - Feel part of something which is ATTENDED Applied Social Science and the Alumni Office. He graduated from Lancaster in 1976 (Politics and says the nervous twitch will eventually constantly developing, but which International Relations, Fylde College). He was appointed Principal of Fylde in 2006. For the last diminish). has managed to maintain its ethos of eighteen months before he retired he was appointed Senior College Principal with responsibility - Chairing 30 meetings of the College putting concern for student well-being 32 at the top of it priorities across all for co-ordinating preparations for the first review of the college system at Lancaster since 1997. Syndicate. 50 years of the University’s life. - Preparing 2 bids to the University’s MEETINGS new strategic and financial planning OF THE SENATE system and preparing one college (ALMOST 100 HOURS!) self-evaluation document for the 1992 I WOULD NOT HAVE MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE WORLD! 2015 College Review in 2014.

19 STEPS 2016 - 20 Keep in touch www.lancaster.ac.uk/steps Honorary Graduates In Memoriam

Each year, Lancaster awards honorary degrees to people with an outstanding, international He is a former Head of the Sociology Elaine Dodson (nee Smith) - (Educational or leading national reputation in their field. The following awards were made in 2015: Porsche Ellis, Department, Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies, 1977, Furness)- passed away who worked in Sciences and University Dean of Research, on the 15 December 2015 at the age the central alumni and made a significant contribution to of 60. After graduating she went on to office between the establishment of the Academy of complete a postgraduate diploma in Library 2001 and 2008 Social Sciences. John not only guided the and Information Science at Birmingham sadly passed away development of the Sociology Department, Polytechnic. From 1995 she worked as on 30 April 2016 which he joined in 1972, but also the the Learning Resource Centre Manager at St Catherine’s direction of research in the wider community at Myton School, Warwick. of Sociology itself, with interests that Hospice in Rob Dunkley (Accounting and Finance, crossed disciplinary and national boundaries. Preston, aged 40. Porsche was a 2001, Pendle) passed away suddenly on He provided enthusiastic and inspirational key member of alumni staff and was 13 December 2015. Rob was a valued support to students and colleagues over Professor Dieter Bimberg of Professor Roy Harrison an Intikhab Alam Khan is an Professor Georgina Mace involved with many alumni activities mentor on the Lancaster Career Mentoring five decades. the Technical University of Berlin, atmospheric chemist, is the internationally renowned and CBE FRS a population biologist, including editing the Steps magazine programme and his enthusiasm towards is a leading European figure Queen Elizabeth II Birmingham widely respected Pakistani is Professor of Biodiversity and and co-ordinating the alumni careers Brian Heron, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman helping his mentees was much appreciated. in the field of semiconductor Centenary Professor of cricketer who made his first-class Ecosystems at University College, fair, and, as such was well known to of Council from 1997 to 2003, died He will be missed by fellow mentors and all physics and nanoscience. Environmental Health, at the cricket debut at the age of 15. London. many Lancaster graduates. peacefully on 11 February 2016. Brian those who knew him at Lancaster. University of Birmingham. retired in 1990 as Chief Executive of a Philip French, Observer film critic and major subsidiary of Turner and Newall. Honorary Degrees in July 2016 honorary degree recipient passed away Richard Watts-Tobin, retired member of He was Chairman of the Working Party will be awarded to: aged 82 on 27 October 2015. Please visit staff sadly passed away on 26 April 2016 on Corporate Governance set up by the Professor Bernard Silverman www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/27/ after a long illness. Richard started with the Committee of University Chairmen in the Louise Casey philip-french for his full obituary published Physics Department in 1967 and retired in late 80s, and he was a keen amateur sailor. Dr Mo Ibrahim in the Guardian. 1996, however he continued to work on a His period of office included the start of Dame Fiona Reynolds part-time basis until 1999 the developments at Alexandra Park and Dr Jayne Steel (English & Creative Writing, Tessa Ross Dr Chris Paice, who was a member of the the refurbishment of the colleges, a major 1995, County, MA Creative Writing, PhD Computing Department for 40 years, sadly review of the Chapter and Statutes, and the English) died on 10 October 2015 aged passed away on 21 April 2016. Chris joined appointment of Professor Paul Wellings as 57. Jayne had a long association with the Professor Hugh Montgomery Gillian Tett is the US Managing Professor Scott Zeger is one of the then Department of Computer Studies fourth Vice-Chancellor. university, latterly as a member of staff. a renowned experimental Editor of the Financial Times the world’s leading biostatisticians, Jayne was an unforgettable presence in the as a Research Associate in 1969-70 moving Dr Richard Xiao (Linguistics and English particle physicist, is the Director and has established an enviable whose research involves the Department. Flamboyant without ever being on to a Lectureship and retiring in 2009. Language) passed away on Saturday of the Thomas Jefferson reputation as a commentator on development of novel statistical a show-off, effervescent but also in some Chris was acting Head of Department in 2 January 2016. Richard started his career National Accelerator Facility. financial markets and economics. methodology. ways shy and reserved, she brought a terrific 1977-78 and Head of Department 1979-82. in China and first came to Lancaster to study sense of intellectual fun, creativity and towards his PhD, which he received in 2002. Tim Holmes, Food Operations Manager, mischief to the teaching of the discipline. He stayed on as a Research Associate until long serving colleague to the University, Visit the Steps website to read a tribute 2007, and returned as a Lecturer in 2012 passed away on 18 April 2016. Tim worked written by Michael Greaney www.lancaster. after working at UCLAN and Edge Hill. at the University for over 40 years and ac.uk/steps/obituaries Alumni Awards was well loved by his team. The University In 2014, he took early retirement due to ill thanked him for his outstanding work health, having been promoted first to Senior Charlie Pottins (History, 1973, Furness) Lecturer and then to Reader. The University’s Alumni Awards recognise Lancaster graduates who have made a substantial contribution in their field and have over the years with a Staff Award at the passed away on 15 September 2015. Charlie came to Lancaster in 1969 and was developed an outstanding international or national reputation amongst their peers. The following awards were made in 2015: degree congregations as part of the 50th Lindsey Tasker (Economics, 1991, Cartmel) a part of that generation of working-class Anniversary. died suddenly on 1 January 2016 aged 45 mature students, with a strong grounding in after being diagnosed with cancer. Judy Merry (English, 1970, County) left-wing politics and trade unionism, which After graduation, Lindsey was accepted passed away on 27 March 2016 after had a major impact on the culture of the new onto a graduate scheme with Barclays Bank battling cancer for two years. She worked university. He was also a gifted organiser and undertook a number of roles over a 12 extensively for the BBC, both in radio and and was instrumental in establishing the year period. He also held senior leadership TV. She taught English, Radio Production Socialist Society on campus. His blog can positions with Halifax Bank of Scotland, and Media Studies at a variety of Further still be accessed www.randompottins. Lloyds Bank and Asda. Most recently Education Colleges in the North West and blogspot.co.uk lectured for the Journalism degree at the Lindsey was a HR Director at Wm Morrisons. Dr Andy Bailey passed away on University of Central Lancashire. She led Raymond John Lawrence died on training in how to interact with the media 28 June 2015 following a short illness. Manav Kumar Barbara Daniels Rainer Hersch Dr Hugh Reeve Kathleen Reid OBE Paul Stewart 30 December 2015 at the age of 90. He was in both industry (with AMTV) and in the Andy was a former Head of Department Agarwal (English, 1986, (Economics 1985, (MA Management (Geography, 1996, (English, 1977, Professor of Marketing at Lancaster from voluntary sector. of the Management Development Division (MSc Management, Furness) represented Cartmel) is an award- Learning and Cartmel) is Deputy Bowland) is one of 1 August 1965 until summer 1988, thereafter and subsequently Director of the Centre 2000) is President England in women’s winning stand-up Leadership, 2005) is Head of Office in the most successful Professor Emeritus. Ray was awarded the John Urry, distinguished Professor, for Strategic Management at Lancaster and Director of cricket from 1993 to comedian, pianist a General Practitioner the Department and popular children’s first chair in Marketing to be established died unexpectedly on 18 March 2016. in the Management School (LUMS). Dynamic Drilling, a 2000, and was part and conductor. and Chief Clinical for International authors working in John embodied the tradition of world in the UK. He was particularly fond of family-run business of the World Cup- Officer of the NHS Development’s Britain today. class Sociology that he was central to mathematics and classics, areas in which he which operates six winning side of 1993. Cumbria Clinical mission in South creating at Lancaster. continued to read long after his retirement. rigs with ONGC, The Commissioning Group. Sudan. Fortune 500 National Oil Company of India.

Alumni Awards in July 2016 will be awarded to: Michael J Dormer, Sam Hodges, Jane Lingham, Victoria Peterkin and David Shackleton For full obituaries please visit www.lancaster.ac.uk/steps/obituaries

21 STEPS 2016 - 22 YOUR ALUMNI NETWORK

ALUMNUS (PL. ALUMNI, FEM. ALUMNA) N. A FORMER STUDENT

KEEP IN TOUCH GET INVOLVED JOIN OUR ALUMNI BENEFITS AND SERVICES Register on our website, like Come back to campus, NETWORK Lancaster continues to our Facebook page and join give a talk, mentor students We have over 138,000 offer ongoing careers the alumni LinkedIn group. or help to organise alumni graduates in over 180 support, discount at the Keep your details up to date events – there are plenty countries. Join your local sports centre, use of library to receive newsletters, Steps of ways to keep your links group and come to events services, scholarships and magazines and invitations. with Lancaster. or contact us about starting competitive accommodation www.lancaster.ac.uk/alumni www.lancaster.ac.uk/ your own! rates (on campus and at alumni/help www.lancaster.ac.uk/ Lancaster House Hotel). alumni/groups www.lancaster.ac.uk/ alumni/benefits

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

3 SEPTEMBER 22 OCTOBER BEIJING LANCASTER Alumni and students speaker event Law Reunion 22 SEPTEMBER 7 DECEMBER NEW YORK LONDON Welcome to new graduates Sir Roland Smith lecture

Our events programme is continually updated. Make sure we have your email address and location so we can send you notification of events in your area. You can also check online at www.lancaster.ac.uk/alumni/events