Top 50 in the UK for Research Power Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU

Issue 5 Forecast: A Bright Future NORTHUMBRIAUNIVERSITY NEWS 12 Research under the spotlight PAGES A special supplement exploring our research excellence

These results mark a

‘‘major step-change for

Northumbria, positioning the University decisively ‘‘ as one of the fastest rising institutions in the UK.

Northumbria powers ahead University ranked UK’s biggest riser in research power following national assessment of research quality.

orthumbria University has change for Northumbria, positioning “We therefore wanted to ensure “They represent a step-change in rated as world-leading. The impact made significant progress the University decisively as one of the in our submission to REF 2014 that Northumbria’s research activity and was demonstrated through projects in research, reporting fastest rising institutions in the UK every single bit of world-leading and positioning, demonstrating success in including breakfast clubs in partnership one of the largest rises in Higher Education sector, and creating a internationally excellent work was changing the research aspiration of the with Kellogg’s, and the design of research rated as ‘world-leading’ and N broad and robust platform for the next identified and funded, to provide a institution. They form an excellent health-related websites funded by the ‘internationally excellent,’ according phase of our development in research.” secure basis for future growth. platform for the next phase of our Economic and Social Research Council to the results of the 2014 Research With world-leading research “The improvement in research power research strategy.” (ESRC). A further study looking at early Excellence Framework (REF). identified in every area submitted ranking marks one of the biggest The REF results provide an The University has nearly tripled for assessment, Northumbria has interventions to reduce harmful alcohol steps forward in the UK sector. We external validation of the significant its share of research rated in these demonstrated success across the board. consumption has been adopted by have created the second-strongest developments in research at categories, achieving the largest rise in The volume of research submitted medical practitioners and governments pool of research activity of all modern Northumbria over the last five years. research power in the country. by Northumbria is more than double around the world. universities, achieving critical mass in The University recorded strong results The REF is the internationally that submitted to the last Research Professor Wathey concluded: “REF research that will also drive excellence in Allied Health, History, English, recognised barometer of research Assessment Exercise which took place 2014 has shown that the national in the student experience and in General Engineering, Art and Design, reputation, providing a key measure in 2008. The results also show that research story is one of continuing enterprise. and Communication, Cultural and to determine research funding to quality has risen significantly. improvement against international universities from 2015/16. Alongside Professor Wathey continues: “Our “The results demonstrate the Media. benchmarks. In this landscape, we have the quality of research carried out by strategy since 2008 has been to build University’s success since 2008 in In General Engineering, English and shown ourselves to be one of the fastest universities, REF 2014 also assessed the Northumbria’s research capability and to attracting significant new research History, Northumbria recorded upper- wider cultural, societal and economic establish a secure research base, so that talent while also developing existing quartile scores in the proportion of moving institutions in establishing impact of a university’s research. the impact of excellent research is felt as research staff; they also evidence the research outputs rated as world-leading. a comprehensive research base, Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice- widely as possible across our disciplines strength of research carried out by early In terms of impact bringing societal, achieving a new level in our mission to Chancellor and Chief Executive, said: and can drive excellence across the full career researchers, alongside that of cultural and economic benefit, 73% of be a research-rich, business-focussed “These results mark a major step- range of the University’s activities. established academics. the submissions in Psychology were professional university.”

Apple icon Olympic University agrees INSIDEINSIDE returns to legends visit new partnership campus Northumbria with Unilever 3 23 5 NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS Channel 4 seeks new writing talent Judging is underway to identify raw and diverse writing talent from the north CONTENTS of England, thanks to a new scheme launched by Northumbria and Channel 4, NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS as part of the annual Northern Writers’ Awards. he ‘Channel 4/Northumbria 9 20 University Writing for Television Award’ was launched as a new category in Tthe Northern Writers’ Awards, which are produced by New Writing North. The competition, which was open to complete beginners as well as those who already have some writing experience, will offer two writers the chance to be mentored through the script commissioning process. One of the winning writers will News 1 – 3 be mentored by Lime Pictures in Liverpool, which produces Hollyoaks, Health 4 shadowing the process of script development, from first draft to Business 5 broadcast script. This may lead to a Careers 6 – 7 commission to write an original episode of the serial that will be broadcast Science and Technology 8 – 9 on Channel 4. The other winner will be mentored by RED Production News 10 – 11 Company in Salford (producers of Scott Interview 12 & Bailey and Happy Valley) and will receive advice on script development Research pull out I – XIII and technique. They will also have access to support from top television PG Feature 13 professionals to develop their own News 14 – 18 original ideas for broadcast. Lee Mason, Commissioning Editor International 17 for Channel 4, said: “We are thrilled Red Production Company are behind crime drama Scott & Bailey Culture 19 – 21 to be partnering with Northumbria University and New Writing North on reading submissions from a diverse key organisations, and offering more What’s on 22 this new award. There is a wealth of range of new writers whose work and more opportunities for talented writing talent in the north of England, offers a fresh perspective on life in 21st writers to see their work in production.” Sport 23 – 24 and the opportunity to identify and Century Britain.” The winning writers will be revealed at nurture that talent is incredibly exciting. Lucy Winskell, Northumbria’s Pro the Northern Writers’ Awards ceremony “Lime Pictures and RED Production Vice-Chancellor for Business and in late June at Northumbria’s city Company are hugely respected Engagement, said: “We’re delighted to campus in Newcastle. The writers will companies that have a large amount have launched a new partnership with begin their mentoring processes at Lime of experience and advice that will be Channel 4 to offer this opportunity to Pictures and RED Production Company immensely helpful for aspiring writers. new writers, through our continued in July. They also both share an incredibly work with New Writing North. strong reputation for supporting new “Together we are committed to DISCOVER MORE talent from the north of England. celebrating and supporting writing 361984_2/15 “We very much look forward to talent, growing new relationships with northumbria.ac.uk/creativewriting The Tyne is right Living in Newcastle is one of the main reasons that many students consider studying at Northumbria, and two new national surveys have confirmed that the city offers students some of the best quality of life in the country.

eaders of The Guardian in the country in last summer’s with something on offer for everyone. and The Observer voted National Student Housing Survey. My favourite thing is the location. Newcastle their favourite Second year Geography student Whether it be shopping in the centre, UK city in the 2014 travel Charlotte Hall, who moved to walking along the Quayside, catching Rawards, confirming the results of Lloyds Northumbria from Nottingham, said the Metro to the beach to Tynemouth, Bank University Quality of Student “While attending open days across the or simply grabbing coffee and cake Life Survey, which measures student country, Northumbria was the only at the many cafes and restaurants satisfaction and living standards. place where I felt genuine excitement scattered around the city, it’s hard to be The survey ranked Northumbria for the possibility of studying bored in a place as lively as this. within the UK top ten for having the there – and I definitely haven’t been “My experience as a student in best quality of student life and rated disappointed. The campus really Newcastle so far, has been great. the University as having the lowest impressed me and its proximity to the From living in halls in the city centre, cost institution-owned or sponsored city centre was incredible, especially in to a house in Jesmond, I’ve enjoyed DISCOVER MORE accommodation for students in the comparison to any other university I whatever the area has had to offer! country. had visited. With places to shop, eat, drink, relax To find out more about the outstanding experience at Northumbria come The University was also rated as “I love living in Newcastle – it’s a and visit – Newcastle really does have along to one of our Open Days on 26 & 27 June. To book a place visit having the best broadband provision fantastic city for any student to live in, everything a student could ever need.” northumbria.ac.uk/openday Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU NORTHUMBRIA NEWS 3 Funding the next generation of student entrepreneurs Student start-ups have been given a new boost after the launch of an enterprise and innovation fund at the UK’s number one university for graduate businesses.

orthumbria launched the the University has created more than enterprise and innovation.” initiative at a fundraising 100 new companies, which employ 800 Prior to the dinner, Sir Jonathan, a dinner at its city campus, staff. graduate of Northumbria’s Design for attended by a host of Vice-Chancellor of Northumbria Industry course, spent time on campus, Nprestigious guests, including one of the University, Professor Andrew Wathey, meeting students at the University’s institution’s most well-known alumnus said: “The dinner was a special School of Design with Executive Dean Sir Jonathan Ive, Senior Vice President, opportunity for Northumbria to share for Arts, Design and Social Sciences, Design at Apple Inc. its commitment to enterprise and Professor Steven Kyffin. Sir Jonathan was joined at the innovation and we were delighted to “Our workshops and studios help dinner by more than 150 guests and be joined by our guest of honour and students integrate strategic thinking and alumni including former Scotland alumnus, Sir Jonathan Ive. new ideas, with making, prototyping rugby international Scott Hastings “There is no better demonstration and testing their designs in real time,” and fashion designer Scott Henshall. of an entrepreneurial culture in said Professor Kyffin. “This is one of The fundraising programme included our programmes than the role the our core strengths as a leading School a lively auction of items, each with University has played over the last few of Design and it is vital to the future of a special Northumbria connection, years in supporting the creation of new enterprise and innovation.” such as an original artwork by the last graduate businesses. Providing support The Enterprise and Innovation Dinner pitman painter Norman Cornish, a for more students and alumni to engage was sponsored by brand development longtime friend of the University. in this activity is the purpose of our new agency Xanobia and Yorkshire Bank. Every penny raised at the dinner has fund. It will give more of our students Northumbria offers a range of gone towards a new Enterprise and access to seed-funding to establish and courses for the next generation of Innovation Fund to create and support grow their business ideas, undertake entrepreneurs, including our innovative more entrepreneurial students and enterprise-focused work placements, Entrepreneurial Business Management graduate businesses. The fund builds and access proof-of-concept funding. degree. on Northumbria’s outstanding status “Northumbria has set itself the as the UK’s leading university for challenge of becoming a new kind of graduate start-ups based on estimated excellent university. One way we can DISCOVER MORE turnover. In the last five years’ alone, do that is to continue investing in northumbria.ac.uk/sgenterprise Guests at Northumbria’s Enterprise and Innovation Dinner

Former Scotland rugby international Scott Hastings compered the charity auction

(Left) Graduate entrepreneur Dan Robson with Lucy Winskell OBE Sir Jonathan Ive meeting students at Northumbria NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 4 HEALTH Keeping our doctors healthy A doctor’s job is to look out for their patients’ wellbeing – but how can they look out for their own? A national research project exploring the links between mentoring and doctors’ wellbeing is aiming to find out more.

espite evidence of the benefits of mentoring and General Medical Council guidelines which state that all doctors should be willing to take part, it is not a standard practice across the sector. DNow, in a prestigious £55,000 three-year project funded by the British Medical Association, academics from Northumbria are leading a team working to understand how mentoring may lead to improvements in doctors’ professional and personal wellbeing. The team will work with up to 100 doctors with more than two years’ experience of mentoring as well as those who have recently trained as mentors to gather examples and illustrations of the benefits it has brought. Dr Alison Steven, a Reader in Health Professions Education, who is leading the project, explained: “The health and wellbeing of doctors is crucial both for the individuals themselves, as well as their ability to deliver optimum patient care. Mentoring seems to empower the mentee to unpick issues and develop plans, and learning to be a mentor helps doctors revisit specific communications skills such as listening and giving feedback.” The British Medical Association awards approximately ten research grants worth a total of £500,000 each year to encourage and further medical research. Dr Steven’s project team has been awarded the Joan Dawkins grant, which was bequeathed to assist research into doctors’ health and wellbeing. She added: “As the British Medical Association only awards around ten research grants each year, this is an incredibly prestigious recognition of the impact our work could have, and we feel very honoured indeed. We believe the findings could have a lot of crossover within the health professions and could be of benefit to nurses and therapists, for example.” The team includes colleagues from Newcastle University Medical School, the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. DISCOVER MORE northumbria.ac.uk/publichealth (Left) Dr Alison Steven with Dr Nancy Renfern of Newcastle Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Research reveals court support can shorten children’s care cases Court hearings for children facing care proceedings could be shortened according to new research from Northumbria University. lthough the law states that health and learning difficulties. meant they felt more confident when the majority of care cases She found that when Family Court presenting evidence in court. Given should be completed in Advisers worked with children and these positive findings the Ministry less than six months, many the local authority before proceedings of Justice may wish to debate the Acan last a year or more. These delays began, the court cases to assess their potential value of further involvement not only place significant stress on future care needs were shortened by of Family Court Advisers in the pre- the children and families involved, almost three weeks. proceedings stage.” they can also put a strain on their Dr Holt explained: “It is essential Northumbria’s research in the areas relationship with social workers. that the focus remains on the child of Social Work and Social Policy Liverpool City Council invited in cases relating to their future care. recently received praise in the national researchers from Northumbria to We found a direct link to the early Research Excellence Framework, review their care proceedings after involvement of Advisers to shorter which analyses the quality of research being concerned by delays in court care proceedings in some of the cases undertaken in UK universities. cases. They asked the researchers to reviewed. This means that the timeline Northumbria is now ranked in the UK assess the impact that Family Court for the resolution of care proceedings top 20 for research power in Social Advisers could have on care and will be significantly reduced if Work and Social Policy, with over half adoption proceedings. there is a robust mechanism for the of its research being rated as ‘world- Dr Kim Holt, Head of the completion of detailed assessments of leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Department of Social Work and the child and their family prior to a Communities, analysed 26 cases in case proceeding to court.” which children had experienced long- Dr Holt added: “Social workers term neglect due to parental issues in Liverpool have confirmed that such as alcohol and drug misuse, increased time spent with families DISCOVER MORE Dr Kim Holt domestic violence, crime, mental within the pre-proceedings stage northumbria.ac.uk/socialwork Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU BUSINESS 5 University and Unilever in pioneering partnership Northumbria has announced a formal partnership with Unilever, one of the world’s largest fast-moving consumer goods companies.

he move follows a decade of replicate with other businesses. At a regional collaboration between Unilever and level INNOVATE also supports the North East Northumbria’s School of Design and Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Strategic corresponds with the launch of the Economic Plan. It works because it is extremely TUniversity’s design-led open innovation centre easy for partners to access a unique cross-faculty INNOVATE, based in Gateshead’s Northern resource of research-engaged academics and Design Centre. talented students to solve problems and deliver Under the partnership, academics and solutions. With INNOVATE, multidisciplinary students from Northumbria’s School of Design knowledge is available through one door and are working at INNOVATE to help Unilever under one roof.” establish new and exciting ways of meeting their Paul Howells, Unilever’s Vice President sustainability targets around packaging, water-use R&D for Packaging, added: “For a business and energy. like Unilever, tapping into the latest academic Key projects will focus on areas including new thinking and research is clearly invaluable. We packaging technology and innovation, with are working with Northumbria because we much of the work centred on ground-breaking believe they bring something unique and special research by Professor Raymond Oliver. With which can help us to achieve our long-term more than two billion customers around the goals, particularly associated with sustainability. world using a Unilever product every day, The University already has extremely strong designing for behavioural change will also make design, technology and business capabilities a significant difference. – bringing this together under one roof, Lucy Winskell OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor as INNOVATE has done, makes for a very for Business & Engagement at Northumbria, attractive proposition. said: “We have a strong track record of “The partnership also gives us the opportunity collaboration with Unilever and we are delighted to work with very capable young people to be strengthening the relationship through who may decide that Unilever is the sort of INNOVATE. It is an incredibly exciting organisation they would like to work with, and opportunity to help Unilever hit its sustainability vice versa. An organisation like Unilever is only targets and make a genuine difference on a as good as the talent it attracts, so this is a nice global scale, for our pioneering research to have additional benefit.” positive impact and for our students to gain real world experience at the highest level. DISCOVER MORE “The success of our partnership model developed with Unilever is an approach we can northumbria.ac.uk/innovate Unilever’s Paul Howells with Pro Vice-Chancellor Lucy Winskell OBE at INNOVATE. INNOVATE at Northumbria ‘Sandpit’ sparks new innovation in affordable electric vehicle production at partnership event.

n ‘Innovation Sandpit’ event, It was also attended by the respective the development of ‘Smart Grid looking to combine our research with business and industry leaders to have on renewable energy has city councils and attracted around 50 Technology’ to help manage rising some of the work he is already engaged their challenges unpacked and defined, triggered greater representatives from local businesses. demand on electricity supply from a with in the sector with organisations and real solutions developed which can research collaboration to The aim of the ‘Innovation Sandpit’ growing EV market. such as Nissan.” then be brought to market. Bringing the Ahelp make electric vehicles (EVs) more was to explore new collaborative Professor Putrus said: “This is a Dr Baglee added: “The importance right people together in this way can affordable to a mass market. projects which would be eligible for market with huge opportunities for of working in partnership with be incredibly creative; it’s a great way of ‘Innovation Sandpits’ bring together North East Local Enterprise Partnership businesses in this region, but also clear Northumbria cannot be understated. tapping into a powerful cross-university industry experts and leading academics (NELEP) funding. challenges which need innovative It will coordinate and strengthen the knowledge base. in a collaborative process to address One result has been a research-sharing solutions. Battery costs need to come region’s research and development of “The North East is at the forefront of challenges such as future energy needs. partnership between Northumbria down to promote mass EV ownership, electric vehicles, helping to promote the low carbon and renewable energy Solutions can then be created through and Sunderland University around and we need to make integration of the advancement of new and innovative technologies. A number of collaborative industry-focused research groups. EVs. Professor Ghanim Putrus leads EVs on the electricity grid as smooth as technologies to deliver a wide range of projects are now being set up following The ‘Innovate Low Carbon the Electrical Power research group at possible. This is a key area of research at projects.” this Sandpit to help ensure the region Technologies and Renewable Energy Northumbria, which is undertaking Northumbria, and after the ‘Innovation Lucy Winskell, Pro Vice-Chancellor stays ahead in this important and Generation’ event was held at research on creating more efficient and Sandpit’ event we have found a for Business and Engagement at growing sector.” Northumbria’s INNOVATE hub at the affordable use of batteries to drive down common interest with Sunderland Northumbria, said: “As a hatchery Northern Design Centre in Gateshead, the cost of EVs, making them more University. Dr David Baglee, from for collaborative innovation, the and ran in partnership with Newcastle, accessible to a mass market. Sunderland University, has already Innovation Sandpits are a key part of DISCOVER MORE Durham and Sunderland universities. The team is also looking at visited our laboratory and we are now this offer. They provide a forum for northumbria.ac.uk/innovate NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 6 CAREERS Ones to Watch Northumbria graduates are making a very distinctive mark on the world. Some of the best known global brands are powered by our graduates who are excelling in their various specialisms across a range of different sectors. From Sir Jonathan Ive, Senior Vice President, give your career Design, at Apple, to Britain’s most successful track cyclist and Olympian Victoria Pendleton CBE, and many more, our graduates are really making an impact. Northumbria University the edge News profiles a selection of outstanding students and graduates who are already making their mark in the world as the next generation of ‘ones to watch’…

Shining a light through the Student night Law student, Rebecca Brooks, has been named Volunteer of the Year dances her at the annual Nightline awards ceremony, which celebrates the work of Nightline volunteers way to the top around the country. Rebecca’s hard work and dedication to the confidential listening service was Natasha Watson, a Dance student studying a rewarded at the awards after she was Northumbria University completion award at nominated along with other volunteers Ballet West in Taynuilt, Scotland, has become from Nightline services across England, Scotland and Wales. the only UK finalist to compete in Prix de Nightline is a confidential listening service Lausanne, the most prestigious international at Northumbria Students’ Union, ran competition for emerging ballet dancers. by students for students. Fully trained The BA Hons Dance programme at Ballet West is a volunteers are there to talk to students, three-year programme designed to prepare students whatever their problem or issue may be, for a career in the performance and choreography of and it is open throughout the night, all ballet. The first two years of the programme are part of week during term time. a Higher National Diploma in Dance Performance and Between juggling her dissertation and Northumbria validates the final year completion award. working in the prestigious Student Law Office at Northumbria, Rebecca was Natasha will be one of 39 girls following in the footsteps appointed committee coordinator for of previous winners Darcey Bussell and Carlos Acosta the Nightline service at Northumbria when she attends the competition hosted in Switzerland Students’ Union. Having previously this February. volunteered as the rota secretary, Rebecca Natasha, who is due to graduate this year, has previously has been heavily involved in running the danced with the Scottish Ballet on their 2014 tour of service, organising phone shifts to ensure Hansel and Gretel and became a bronze medallist at the that all students who called the service in a time of need, were answered and 2013 Genee International Ballet Competition. She has listened to. also had an award-winning start to her acting career, Rebecca was nominated for her hard appearing in TV drama Single Father alongside actor David work and innovative schemes involving Tennant, which saw her named ‘Best New Scottish Actress’ the service, as well as solely organising and has also appeared in CBBC series M.I. High. an awards ceremony, congratulating all “I am looking forward to dancing in the competition Nightline volunteers at Northumbria for – I am certain that it will be a tremendous learning their work. experience,” said Natasha. “I feel privileged to have been Rebecca said: “I believe that it is very given this opportunity and am grateful to all those who important that students get involved in have supported me from Ballet West and Northumbria extracurricular activities, in a time where a University.” degree is no longer enough for employers. She added: “I’m enjoying the final year of my degree and “I’ve really enjoyed volunteering for the Nightline service and would urge continue to learn a great deal through academic study students to make the most of their and in the dance studio, developing both technically and time at university and get involved with artistically. Studying a subject that I am truly passionate organisations and societies here. I’m about is a wonderful experience.” having so much fun, whilst also ensuring I’m getting the best start towards my career in the future.” DISCOVER MORE DISCOVER MORE balletwest.co.uk Nightline is open from 8am – 7am, Natasha Watson seven days a week, during term time Call 0191 227 3737 Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU CAREERS 7

Constructing excellence Zambia calling for Architecture graduate Richard Marsden is building a bright future after winning a Northumbria students prestigious national award for his achievements in the construction industry. The 29-year-old company director, who graduated from Northumbria in 2009, was named Young A Northumbria student who Achiever of the Year at the national Constructing Excellence 2014 awards in London. was crowned Miss Newcastle More than 450 industry professionals attended the awards, which recognise the highest standards says she is looking forward of practice in UK construction. Richard, a chartered architect and Building Information Modelling to shaking off her ‘beauty (BIM) coordinator at BDN Ltd, was praised by judges for his passion and commitment. In the few queen’ image when she years since his graduation, he has established his own eco-development company and hosted travels to Zambia to work workshops with students to create a bespoke house-type model that is already being looked at by with orphaned children. international companies. Nicole Bailey, a Sports “I am elated with the award. It makes all the hard work and effort count for something,” Richard Development and Coaching said. “If it inspires one person to become an architect then I’ll be happy.” student, will provide sports Richard, who is from Sunderland, added: “I entered the architectural profession for different reasons coaching to youngsters and than most students. While I have a passion for design quality and construction excellence, I was help raise awareness of AIDS in personally attracted to the wider skills and abilities that architecture provides. communities and schools near “As my father is a builder based in Sunderland, I spent most weekends working on building sites Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. and familiarising myself with the construction business. Through this, I learned that the North She is one of five Northumbria East is rich in potential sites for creative development opportunities. I wanted an architectural students heading out to Africa education that developed my manual and digital communications skills, allowing me to evaluate later this year as part of the and capitalise on these potential sites, and design creative, buildable and imaginative responses to University’s Zambia IDEALS project, project briefs. a partnership with the Wallace “I would advise anyone wishing to become an architect to look at Northumbria’s website, and view Group and UK Sports which uses the range and quality of the architecture projects developed by the students. sport as a tool to empower and “Architecture at Northumbria is ranked in the top 10 in the UK and credit must go to the staff for educate young people. this. Hundreds of talented architecture and built environment students have found success at Nicole and her fellow volunteers Northumbria, and I’m honoured that the University nominated me for this award.” have until July to raise £1,400 Richard’s tutor, Professor Paul Jones, nominated him for each plus a group target of £3,500 the Constructing Excellence North East award, which he to fund the trip. She explains: won before progressing to the national finals. “It is a project the University organises, but the volunteers fund Professor Jones, Chair of Learning and Teaching in themselves.” Nicole Bailey Architecture, said: “Richard is an outstanding individual themselves into a project which makes a real who, since graduating from Northumbria, has succeeded The students will be raising money difference. The range of life experiences offered in blending his creative talents and entrepreneurial flair, for the trip through a wide range of fundraising by this programme really is invaluable. It takes resulting in him taking on leading and influential roles activities across the North East. them out of the typical student experience and in the region’s construction industry. In a very short time “One of the things we are doing is putting on a into an environment where they are involved he has developed cutting edge expertise as a director bingo night,” Nicole says. “We have already asked in incredibly challenging but satisfying work of an architectural and engineering consultancy, as well several shops to donate some prizes. They were with communities who really benefit from their as establishing his own innovative eco-development very generous and donated lots of great stuff for efforts.” company. He is a credit to the University and this award is the night, so hopefully we will raise some cash.” The global volunteering opportunities at testament to his passion, knowledge and confidence.” When her stint in Zambia is finished, Nicole, the University are just one of the reasons Architecture at Northumbria was rated 6th in the UK by who was named Miss Newcastle GB last year, why our students gain more just a degree at The Guardian’s league table, 7th by the Sunday Times, and will fly to Malawi for further volunteer work Northumbria – they have a truly outstanding was also in the top ten of the Complete University Guide alongside her sister, who is a doctor. experience. 2015. Kate Hansbury is the Student and Staff Development Manager responsible for supporting this year’s cohort. She will spend DISCOVER MORE DISCOVER MORE three weeks in Zambia with the group. She said: “The Zambia IDEALS project is a wonderful nusportcentral.com/sport-foundation/ Richard Marsden northumbria.ac.uk/architecturecourses opportunity for our students to really throw zambia-project

Award-winning graduate returns to inspire women entrepreneurs Successful businesswoman and Northumbria graduate, Jo York, returned to the University recently to help mark Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The co-founder of Reframed.tv, a social to do in business. University also teaches you Jo said: “Speaking to people is when you video concept, reflected on a ‘rollercoaster’ about the softer skills, like how to articulate figure out themes. Don’t be afraid of making 13 months as a new start-up, during a session your ideas clearly to others.” mistakes, or receiving some harsh feedback, on Women and Entrepreneurship. Organised Reframed.tv has just won Best New Business as the lessons learned are worth more. Every by NUovo, Northumbria’s Entrepreneurs’ at the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the day is a school day in the start-up world, Society. Year Awards 2014, which is organised by the where testing your ideas and then improving The business was created by Jo, and her co- Women’s Advisory Board. Jo said: “We were on it is all part of the process. We are still founder Kev Price, to make video truly social by thrilled. The award reinforces that Reframed.tv understanding our fit, 13 months in. Businesses allowing its users to sync their comments to is recognised as a great business initiative and should develop and change.” exact moments in the video. Jo described it as: not just a new and exciting idea that people Jo and Kev continue to work with Northumbria “Acting as the glue between social interactions like. We have some great projects coming up.” through the Student and Graduate Enterprise and broadcasters.” Reframed.tv was one of ten companies department and praise them highly. This has Jo provided some valuable advice to those picked from 240 international applicants provided them with access to professional who attended the session, leaving the room for an intense, three-month development services, allowing them to make the most of inspired and motivated: “I learned how to programme run by technology start-up their budget. programme computers here but I also had accelerator network, Ignite. The team had a great lecturer who brought energy to the to prove their business idea was viable and DISCOVER MORE course and made me question why I was worked hard to test assumptions, network and doing things, something which is important speak to people. northumbria.ac.uk/sgenterprise Jo York NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 8 SCIENCE & TECH Investing in excellence The next generation of scientists and engineers will benefit from ambitious £6.7 million investment in world-class STEM education at Northumbria.

he investment will be co-funded by Northumbria launched its innovative Think Executive Dean for Engineering and Environment, related courses at university. It is great news that the Higher Education Funding Council Physics project at a special event at its city campus, Professor Glen McHale, said: “I am extremely Northumbria will be able to provide even better for England (HEFCE) as part of its which featured a range of science experiments and pleased our bid has been successful and that we opportunities and facilities for those students who £200 million scheme to increase the STEM research. It was attended by a number of will see an investment totalling £6.7 million over choose to do their STEM undergraduate degrees Tnumber of high-quality Science Technology the project’s partners and supporters, including the next two years, co-funded by HEFCE. This will h e re .” Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students. Newcastle MP Chi Onwurah. be used to invest in learning and teaching facilities This latest investment, combined with the The University will use the funding to create Chi, who has a degree in electrical engineering, at our city campus, creating new laboratories, Northumbria-led Think Physics project, world-class teaching and research STEM facilities said: “STEM skills are critical for the future purchasing the latest technology and equipment, demonstrates the University’s ongoing vision of at its city campus, including new specialist economy of the country and particularly the North and refurbishing our existing buildings, with the becoming a beacon for students wishing to study laboratories and technologies. East with our industrial and manufacturing basis. aim of transforming our campus into a world-class STEM disciplines and pursue careers in these fields. The news followed the launch of Northumbria’s This announcement is great news, underlining beacon for STEM.” £1.2 million Think Physics project to inspire more Newcastle’s position as a destination for excellent Think Physics Director, Dr Carol Davenport, young people to engage in science and pursue STEM education and Northumbria’s growing role added: “Think Physics aims to encourage more DISCOVER MORE STEM careers. in that.” young people, particularly girls, to study science- Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice-Chancellor northumbria.ac.uk/stem and Chief Executive at Northumbria, said: “This investment of £6.7 million in STEM facilities, co-funded by Northumbria and HEFCE, clearly marks the commitment of this University to driving world-class research and teaching across STEM disciplines, and to drive an increased flow of highly-employable graduates into industry. “Universities have a vital role to play in the Government’s strategy to ensure the UK remains one of the world’s leading scientific nations. “Northumbria’s ongoing investment in developing world-class STEM provision reflects our responsiveness to this growing demand and to the growing collaborative opportunities, in both research and teaching, with industry.” HEFCE announced £200 million funding for 73 UK universities and colleges to ensure Higher Education responds effectively to the increase in demand for STEM studies. This funding will be used to create facilities that will support the development of a greater number of high-quality graduates into industry. Linda Conlon, Chief Executive, International Centre for Life, said: “This is tremendous news from our partners at Northumbria who share with Life an ambition to enhance STEM provision in the region. We look forward to working with them on new and exciting projects which, when coupled with projects such as Think Physics and the MSc in Science Communication, will establish the North East as the place to be for the next generation of UK scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians.” Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU SCIENCE & TECH 9 ‘Girlifying’ science is not the answer Science opens doors to the most incredible careers for young women, according to £1.2m Think Physics project.

his was the message being Director of Think Physics, and her team scientists, technologists, engineers and delivered at the official of specialists. Dr Davenport said: “The mathematicians.” launch of Think Physics at Think Physics team and I feel incredibly The launch was attended by key Northumbria. excited and privileged to launch this partners, businesses, parents and TThis pioneering project, created to innovative project and we look forward schoolchildren. Newcastle Central MP, inspire the next generation of female to making our vision a reality. Chi Onwurah, was also at the event. She scientists and engineers, was brought “In addressing the gender imbalance said: “The jobs, industries, economy, to life at a launch filled with live in STEM, we plan to follow the society and culture of the future will experiments for all ages and world-class guidance of one of our partners, the all increasingly be based on STEM research on display at the University’s Institute of Physics, which makes it subjects. We must make sure they are city campus. clear that simply ‘girlifying physics’ is represented by boys and girls, men and The three-year Think Physics not the solution. It is about showing women if we are to realise their full initiative has been launched to help young people the applications, the real potential. The Think Physics project engage more young people – especially situations and the routes into a range of makes an important contribution to girls and under-represented groups – in exciting careers. Our message to young this.” science, technology, engineering and people is that science opens doors. Linda Conlon, Chief Executive of the mathematics (STEM) from pre-school “To make a success of the project we Centre for Life, one of the project’s key to university and on into their careers. will be working in partnership, drawing partners, added: “This is an exciting Led by Northumbria, in collaboration on external expertise and resources, time for physics in the region and with a range of partners, the project as well as engaging with the excellent we’re delighted to be working with is being funded by a £1.2 million research that is being carried out at Northumbria to deliver this innovative grant from the Higher Education Northumbria. We also plan to take our project that will see young people – and Funding Council for England work out to our partner schools and to especially girls, who are particularly (HEFCE). Launched at the new Think bring visitors into our Think Lab on under-represented in this field – Lab at Northumbria’s city campus, c ampu s .” involved in engaging physics-themed the event involved an impressive Partners include the Centre for Life, activities. Hopefully, this is just the start display of scientific experiments and Institute of Physics, North Tyneside of a legacy that will ensure the North demonstrations for different age groups, Learning Trust, Kielder Observatory East remains a front runner in the with several of the activities directly and Solar Capture Technologies Ltd. engineering and technology fields.” reflecting research currently taking Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Northumbria offers a range of place at the University. at Northumbria, Professor Andrew undergraduate and postgraduate Think Physics was partly inspired Wathey said: “I am delighted the courses in STEM disciplines. by a report from the Institute of University is leading this innovative Physics, which revealed only 21% of and potentially future-shaping project. physics students at UK universities are Over the next three years it will position female. The project aims to address the University and its partners as a DISCOVER MORE this over the next three years under beacon for STEM engagement and an northumbria.ac.uk/stem Young people engaging with science at the launch of Think Physics event the leadership of Dr Carol Davenport, inspiration to the next generation of thinkphysics.org NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 10 NORTHUMBRIA NEWS Northumbria is first in Europe to roll out free safety app Students and staff can now benefit from greater peace of mind as the University launch a pioneering new safety app – SafeZone. The app comes as the University looks for new ways to further ensure the safety of staff and students in an era of 24/7 access on campus.

afeZone works within defined features, its cost effectiveness and how boundaries set by the University it can adapt to meet the needs of the and is connected directly to University and the community. Security. Boundaries can be “Introducing the app sets us Saltered, providing the flexibility to be apart from other universities and used at off-site events and in other demonstrates our commitment to locations outside of the UK. Currently health and safety, making Northumbria it works within the boundaries of City a secure and safe place to study and Campus, Coach Lane Campus, Trinity w or k .” Square, the Northern Design Centre in Outside the defined boundaries, users Gateshead, and Bullocksteads sports can still have peace of mind as the app facilities. connects directly to the local emergency It has three main features which services. can be accessed at the tap of a button: Newcastle has been voted one of the emergency assistance, first aid and safest cities in the UK in recent years. general help. Security officers are SafeZone, developed by CriticalArc, dispatched for all emergency and first has a successful track record in aid requests, while the general help Australia where approximately 300,000 button connects directly to the Campus students and staff across several Services Helpdesk. Users can also check universities, have access to the app. in, to make Security aware of their The fully integrated app is available location. from January 2015 for iOS, Android John Anderson, Head of Security and Windows devices. at Northumbria, said: “We needed to consider what resources we had available to us to support initiatives like DISCOVER MORE 24/7 access. When we investigated using safezoneapp.com or SafeZone, we were impressed with the northumbria.ac.uk/campussecurity A campus security officer at Northumbria

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TAKE THE 5 MINUTE SURVEY, THE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS Complete your survey today, simply check your email and MyNorthumbria page for more information. Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU NORTHUMBRIA NEWS 11 Students clock 30,000 voluntary hours

Northumbria is one of the largest universities in the UK, with an international reputation which has attracted more than 33,000 students from 110 countries. This is fantastic for the North East region – most students are based in Newcastle and their combined spending power provides a huge boost to the local economy, supporting regional employment and businesses. But how else do students contribute? Journalism graduate Rosie Willan investigates for Northumbria University News.

significant contribution members for the project and is to the community. So, what are you made by students is responsible for the running and waiting for? through volunteering. organisation of the sessions as well In the last academic year as recruiting student volunteers. He Aalone, Northumbria students logged explained: “IT Classes has a fantastic DISCOVER MORE 30,000 hours of volunteering work. weekly turnout of regular volunteers The Students’ Union is at the forefront who are praised by attendees for all the For more info go to: northumbria.ac.uk/volunteering of this volunteering effort, overseeing hard work they do. For me, the best the extensive ‘Volunteer Northumbria’ thing about it is the feeling you get programme. afterwards when you know you have Projects range from community made a difference to someone’s life – no work with children and the elderly to matter how small it may seem.” environmental conservation. Many Another big aspect of Northumbria’s of these are student-led or linked to volunteering is conservation – charities and organisations in the North Northumbria’s ‘Eco NSU’ programme East. won the Environmental Category Through these projects, students at the prestigious ‘National Council play an important part in supporting for Voluntary Youth Services’ Young communities in and around Newcastle. Partners Award’ in October 2013. Natalie-Dawn Hodgson, President Students can take part in a wide of Northumbria’s Students’ Union, range of activities from beach clean- explains: “We have a huge variety of ups on the Northumberland coast to volunteering opportunities for students wildlife conservation in and around to get involved in. Unfortunately, a lot Newcastle. Some of the projects also of the positive contributions students involve educating others about the make to society are overlooked in importance of being eco-friendly. A the media, but I think residents in brilliant example of this is the ‘Kid’s Students’ Union President Newcastle recognise and value their Eco Crafts Club’ which sees student Natalie-Dawn Hodgson contribution to the city. It is without a volunteers run regular sessions for kids Students volunteering in Jesmond doubt one of the best student cities in and their parents to make eco-friendly the UK and a huge part of that is the toys and crafts while learning about the friendliness and warmth of the people. environment. I have always felt welcomed and at And the student’s efforts are home here, so it was fantastic to give recognised by Deputy Leader of something back through volunteering Newcastle City Council Joyce during my time as a student.” McCarty, who chairs a monthly This idea of giving something back ‘Students in Newcastle Forum’. The is a sentiment which underpins many meeting is attended by representatives of the projects. One of Northumbria’s from Northumbria and Newcastle schemes currently having a big impact universities, as well as from Newcastle on the community is the ‘Food Bank’, College. which sees students working in “The role that educational institutions, partnership with the West End Food like Northumbria, play in the economic Bank. The centre provides donated food and social development of the city packages to people who may struggle to cannot be underestimated,” explained feed themselves or their family. Joyce. “At the forums, we discuss a Grace Flowers is the project leader range of topics from housing to health as well as Committee Coordinator for with the aim of ensuring that students ‘Volunteer Northumbria’. She said: “We are engaged and valued members of hold weekly sessions with volunteers the community. We know that the vast who sort the food for distribution and majority of students work extremely help give out the food packages. Many hard and contribute enormously to people in Newcastle benefit from this life in Newcastle. I’m always struck by service – it’s a brilliant project because their willingness to give up their time you can see first-hand the effect your and give something back to our city. volunteering has. When we are at the Through volunteering, they play a centre, people often ask if we get paid significant role in creating the kind of for the work we do or if we receive community they wish to be a part of.” any special perks – we don’t. We are Volunteering can also have a big effect honestly just doing our bit to make a on the students’ own lives. These days, difference.” University is about more than just ‘IT Classes’ is another successful gaining a degree and volunteering is a project that is making a difference. great way to learn new skills, grow in During term time, groups of students confidence and boost your CV. More host weekly IT classes for elderly than that, though, it’s a fantastic way people. to meet new like-minded people and Josh Rivers is one of four committee have fun while making positive changes Northumbria students helping to clean up at the beach NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 12 INTERVIEW

In conversation with… Lucy Winskell OBE Lucy Winskell, Northumbria’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Business and Engagement, talks to Journalism graduate Rosie Willan about how she fosters the University’s partnerships across the region and her recent OBE in recognition of her achievements.

Your role is to work with businesses, so in elsewhere over the years. I was overwhelmed what ways does Northumbria University by the kind comments people made about my contribute to the region’s economic and impact on the work we had done together – it social development? was very humbling, and it has reminded me The economic impact we bring to the what a privilege it has been to work with such region is huge. We are one of the biggest talented individuals and great businesses over employers in the region and we have a very the years. large student base, but it’s not just about the You studied for both your undergraduate financial contribution that the University, degree and MBA in the North East. What our staff and our students make. We provide made you stay here and pursue a career in very able graduates and postgraduates to the region? support businesses and help them develop I think the North East is a fabulous place to their workforce and build on their strengths. live, learn and work. I have always lived here I think the really important thing to stress and I just love everything the region can bring. is the ‘Knowledge Transfer’ we provide to I still love to travel and I’ve worked nationally those organisations and people who drive the and internationally in some of my previous North East economy through our research, roles, but home has always been here. innovation and collaborations with businesses. The University has partnerships with a range of institutions and government bodies across the North East, including BALTIC, the Centre for Life and Gateshead Council. How The North East do these partnerships benefit students? is a fabulous We have to ensure that the partnerships ‘‘ are bringing something of real value to the students and that the University offers value place to live, to our partners – in simple terms, the whole becomes stronger than the two parts. So, learn and work. for example, if you’re a Performing Arts student, the opportunity to work with a new I have always

writer who creates a play then translates that onto the stage, and being involved with that lived here

process step-by-step, would enhance your learning experience. Alternatively, a business and I just love student working in a corporate learning ‘‘ partnership with a multi-national would grow everything to understand their subject better, and that experience would improve their long-term the region can employability. One of Northumbria’s main objectives for bring. students is to help give their career an edge. What unique qualities do Northumbria students bring to the job market, drawing on You were a litigation lawyer and have your own business experience? worked in a range of governance roles in public and private organisations. What As a result of working with the partners, our Pro Vice-Chancellor Lucy Winskell OBE with her award made you change your career and how have students have a greater understanding of how these experiences informed your work at a particular business works and are able to Pro-Vice Chancellor, and the interview panel established legal career, I’m thrilled that I made Northumbria? articulate why they want to be in that industry decided I had the right skill set to take up the the change. and what they can offer to it. You can learn so I had a successful legal career with some position – for which I am extremely grateful! What do you have planned to work on next? much in a classroom, but it’s really important national and international roles, but after 27 How has the role developed since you arrived to apply this knowledge in a practical sense years I began to think I had another career Well, where do I start? There’s so much to in 2010? too. Our Employability and Enterprise Plan in me. Through my MBA, I began to learn do. We need to embed our Employability emphasises the need for us to help our students new skills and gain the confidence to reinvent The role has changed a great deal as the and Enterprise Plan to bring more benefits to gain life-long skills and attributes. myself – I really witnessed the power of University has had to respond to the fast- all students. We need to continue to build a postgraduate study first hand. I undoubtedly moving environment around us. We’ve seen culture of graduate business start-ups. We need You were awarded an OBE in the 2014 view the MBA as a stepping stone and used a recession, a massive economic shake-up, to work towards ensuring all of our students Honours List in recognition for your services it to build a portfolio of non-executive changes to Higher Education funding and a rise are able to benefit from placements. We need to the regional economy in the North East appointments. I worked with Professor in tuition fees. As the environment we work to refocus our sports strategy and we need to and to Higher Education. What does this Wathey, Northumbria’s Vice-Chancellor, as in continues to change, we need to be forward build up our business partnerships. Although award mean to you? a non-executive of the Newcastle-Gateshead thinking, flexible and resilient. Personally, I we are already doing lots of this work we’re It means a great deal to me indeed. I have been City Development Company, and learnt continue to learn new things every day and am always keen to do more and to find new and really touched by the most charming letters, so much from him about the University’s pushed outside of my comfort zone all the time better ways of working. We never rest on our cards and emails from a huge number of strengths and its importance to the region. – and that’s a good thing. Although it’s daunting laurels and that’s a big part of our success. people I’ve worked with in the North East and This resulted in my applying for the role of to move to the Higher Education sector from an Top 50 in the UK for research power Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU

NORTHUMBRIA RESEARCH

Turning the pages of our research story “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled,” said the Greek philosopher Plutarch. His words are central to the ethos of all involved in education who are working to stimulate the minds of others. Universities, in particular, further stoke the fire through their aim of creating new knowledge through research.

In moving forward to become a new kind of excellent university, From the initial aim to grow research capacity and capability, the Research from Northumbria has helped to shape improvements in Northumbria has long recognised the importance of enhancing recent national assessment of research excellence gave a powerful patient care and the educational attainment of schoolchildren. We its research capacity. Our vision is to be known as a research-rich, endorsement of the University’s achievements. The Research were the first to harness the power of solar energy and are working business-focussed, professional university with a global reputation for Excellence Framework 2014 revealed that Northumbria had achieved to reduce the costs involved in utilising solar power. Our researchers academic excellence. the biggest improvement in research activity of any university in the have uncovered the secret health benefits of a host of natural, herbal To achieve this goal, Northumbria embarked on a transformative country since 2008. and man made products and they have worked with countless project in 2008 to strategically grow its strength in research. We have Research is integral to everything the University does, and, perhaps businesses to develop and test new product ideas that have invested heavily in research-active staff and high-quality facilities that more importantly, the research we specialise in makes an impact improved their profitability. have helped to generate excellence in all of the University’s activities, on the wider world. Our research is focused on activity that creates including teaching, innovation and employer engagement. and applies knowledge for the benefit of society, culture and the This growing focus on research has helped to shape the University’s economy. Research from Northumbria permeates across all areas of The following pages will tell you more profile. Northumbria has climbed the national league tables and our everyday lives. about the breadth of our research and has received its highest ever ratings for student satisfaction and This special supplement of Northumbria University News has been about the people undertaking it. experience. The University has forged partnerships with leading produced to highlight some of our areas of excellent research and organisations and universities worldwide and is now rated within the bring to life some of the impact we have had on the wider world. We It’s a fascinating story, so dive in… UK’s top 50 universities for research power. have much to be proud of. NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS II RESEARCH How our research impacts the world Northumbria conducts ground-breaking, high-quality research that is responsive to the needs of global communities. Our research has real impact. It changes people’s lives and helps businesses gain an edge over their competitors. It educates the next generation of global graduates and it pushes the boundaries of design, engineering, health and technology – to name a few of our learn from areas of expertise – while contributing to social policy and government agendas. Northumbria University News highlights a few examples of how our research the best is having a global impact…

How eating breakfast Beating online criminals improves children’s We spend so much of our lives online that many of us assume it is safe. In fact, online security is always performance in school under threat and sophisticated programs and systems are needed to maintain the integrity of the Hundreds of school breakfast clubs have been established online infrastructure that we take for granted. across the UK, resulting in a measurable increase in children’s Researchers in the Department of Computer Science & Digital Technologies are experts on protecting web servers and attainment and quality of life, thanks to research from networks, particularly on how to monitor these systems in real time. Their research identified that sonification, using non- Northumbria’s Healthy Living research unit. speech audio as a monitoring tool, is effective for locating and detecting problems in computer systems. Organisations Working in partnership with Kellogg’s, Northumbria psychologists such as the US Naval Research Laboratory, Fraunhofer and CERN are now using this approach. investigated the effect of breakfast club attendance and breakfast Following a Technology Strategy-Board funded project with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the researchers have consumption on children’s behaviour, cognitive performance and social also developed a system to monitor computer network traffic in real time to spot patterns that could signal impending friendships. problems. Researchers worked with Security Risk Management Ltd, an information assurance firm who have identified a They found that children who attended school breakfast clubs integrated number of opportunities surrounding situational awareness. In computer networks, this is being aware of what is going better into their school community and had more positive attitudes towards on within the network to gain an understanding of how events, such as a potential cyber-attack, new information, and their peers and teachers than other children. our own actions will affect it. Their findings were translated into the UK’s first online training programme Researchers provided guidance around online payment procedures, fraud detection, and vulnerability assessment to for teachers, governors, NHS Public Health Advisors and parent volunteers, the Dublin-based online gambling site Star Spreads for whom trust and privacy are essential elements. This culminated resulting in the development of more than 200 breakfast clubs across the UK. in a thorough test of the company’s online system. They also worked with the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), training its digital forensic investigation team in a mix of skills development and best-practice digital Teachers who established breakfast clubs in their schools as a result have forensics investigatory policies and procedures. reported gains in attendance, punctuality, motivation and quality of life of many of the children involved. Thanks to Northumbria’s research, Blackpool Council decided to invest £1.3 million to fund universal free breakfast club provision for all primary school children in 2013/14. Professor Greta Defeyter, the Director of Northumbria’s Healthy Living Helping business to ‘pipe up’ research unit, and lead researcher on breakfast clubs, is a member of several iNPIPE Products (IPP) were helped by researchers from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria to advisory panels including the All Party Parliamentary Group on School Food. increase operational efficiency and turnover. She regularly advises government, industry and academia of the importance of breakfast clubs and the consumption of breakfast on educational The company, which specialises in oil and gas pipeline maintenance products, has reduced the time taken to process performance, nutrition, social behaviours and community cohesion. sales, the number of orders that arrived late and the number of rejected products. These improvements were a result of a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Newcastle Business School, who worked with iNPIPE to improve its Speaking about the impact of this research, Professor Defeyter commented: business processes and to implement an integrated information system. “I am delighted that the impact from our innovative research has assisted schools to develop and deliver breakfast to thousands of hungry children Working closely with staff, researchers identified improvements and developed new ways to make design through to every day of the school week. The continued success of ‘Healthy Living’ production easier and quicker. They also trained staff in new business processes and computerised systems. has enabled my research team to lay the foundations for new, broader iNPIPE also managed to make an annual saving of more than £140,000 in its bi-directional pig products, devices used to and exciting research investigating holiday hunger in children. As a key clean the inside of oil and gas pipes, by reducing the number of rejected products. stakeholder, we are currently preparing a policy briefing on holiday hunger Shari Thomson, iNPIPE’s business development manager, said: “The KTP project has exceeded expectations. The support for Parliament.” of the University’s staff has been invaluable in achieving these outcomes. Culturally, we are now a more open, transparent organisation in terms of decision-making. Working with the Northumbria team on this project has allowed iNPIPE to use their expertise and research knowledge to take the company forward in terms of increased sales, reduction in re-work and waste, and to facilitate a change in the company culture.” Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk RESEARCH III How our research impacts the world Bringing 18th Century literature to a modern audience Researchers from Northumbria’s English department have introduced new audiences to the writings of the 18th Century novelist Laurence Sterne. Through a partnership with the Laurence Sterne Trust, people across the North East and Yorkshire have had the opportunity to explore Sterne’s work through comedy nights and educational workshops. Northumbria is a leading centre for research into 18th Century literature and culture, with a particular expertise on the experimental novelist Laurence Sterne, the author of Tristram Shandy. Dr Helen Williams, an English lecturer, has worked closely with the Laurence Sterne Trust based at Shandy Hall, North Yorkshire. Drawing on her own research and the wider expertise at Northumbria, Dr Williams helped to design a schools outreach programme that complemented the exhibition, Eliza Draper: An Absent Presence, which she also helped to curate. Developed with teachers, the outreach programme focused on the letter writing aspect of the exhibition. Children from three schools in the North East and Yorkshire were invited to Shandy Hall and took part in letter writing workshops. They learned about Sterne’s distinctive writing style and the conventions that structure writing. They also had the opportunity The United Nations follows to produce their own 18th Century letters, digitised on the Dear Sterne blog. Following the success of these workshops, the Trust offers a wider range of workshops for schools and has extended its geographic reach to primary schools outside Northumbria’s lead of North Yorkshire. Dr Williams’ expertise also helped the Trust to secure a Heritage Lottery grant, resulting in the production of The Good Researchers at Northumbria have seen their methods adopted Humour Club. The Club is an ambitious year-long project that offered a series of comedy nights, an exhibition, a period by the UN after helping to redefine professional practice and drama podcast and educational workshops to a broad public audience. The idea was based upon a book recently decision-making in digital records management. Their expertise identified in the Shandy Hall collection about an 18th Century gentleman’s club set up to promote laughter and comedy is such that the University’s research has been adopted by the as a means of living a long and healthy life. UN’s Secretariat’s Archives and Records Management Service Northumbria’s partnership with the Laurence Sterne Trust also provides opportunities for its students, some of whom (ARMS) in its service delivery and strategic planning. have taken on the role of Wikipedians, directing readers to the Trust’s collections through Wikipedia. Additionally, an internship programme has been created giving six students the chance to spend time at Shandy Hall, Dove Cottage and Professor Julie McLeod led the AHRC-funded research project, ‘Accelerating the Literary & Philosophical Society to learn about collecting and curating eighteenth and nineteenth-century prints. Positive Change in Electronic Records Management’, which aimed to better understand the issues surrounding digital records management and to To view a film about how Northumbria recently introduced develop practical approaches to support effective organisational strategies. its 18th Century research to the public as part of the national The research revealed overwhelmingly that people, rather than systems or Being Human festival scan this code. technologies, are at the heart of the challenge, and that possible solutions are complex and individual to each particular situation and organisation. To help practitioners make sense of this, researchers developed a strategic framework to better understand people and systems issues. Professor McLeod said: “This research investigated a challenging, contemporary issue which is important to both practitioners and academics. It is the fact that it is evidence-based that makes it so valuable to organisations such as the United Nations, where the adoption of its proportionate risk-based approach has already had a positive economic impact. “Its innovative combination of research methods and approach to analysis are developing outside-of-the-box thinking and presenting new perspectives on the ‘wicked problem’ of managing digital records. This has captured the attention of practitioners and academics worldwide.”

Driving research through the heart of horror Cult, fantasy and horror festivals have been given an academic twist thanks to researchers from Northumbria.

Working in collaboration with organisers of international In addition to informing the festivals’ core programme, festivals such as Abertoir in Wales, and Offscreen lively interactive lectures were delivered, discussing in Brussels, academics from Northumbria’s Media the careers of actors such as Peter Cushing and inviting department have been instrumental in shaping festival debate on the best British cult film stars. Another programmes, which has contributed to an increase in innovative event was the recreation of the world of video audience numbers. nasties through the construction of a replica 1980s video Northumbria’s research, led by Professor Peter Hutchings, shop in Aberystwyth Arts Centre. This coincided with Dr Jamie Sexton and Dr Johnny Walker, explores themes the 20th anniversary of the Video Recordings Act and of key significance to the festivals such as the history of involved a public talk on 1980s horror videos. European horror cinema and cult fan cultures. The work in this area has also created opportunities Their involvement during the festival planning stages for Offscreen Festival to participate in an AHRC (Arts has allowed the programme to develop within an & Humanities Research Council) funded international educational context, bringing such research to life and research network, and has enabled Abertoir to bid for transforming the audience experience. additional funding from the Film Agency for Wales. NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS IV RESEARCH

Responding to global disasters Northumbria is changing how women and children are considered in global disaster policy and practice. Created by Northumbria academics, the Gender and Disaster Network (GDN) has been providing online resources since 1997 and is used daily by people whose job it is to plan for and respond to disasters around the world. “The aim of the GDN is to empower women and children to endure and then rebuild their lives following natural disasters. For too long, the particular vulnerabilities of women and children were not recognised in disaster policy planning; nor was the pivotal role played by women in the survival of their families and communities post-disaster,” explains Professor Maureen Fordham who co-ordinates the GDN from Northumbria. “The GDN was set up to provide the evidence, knowledge, training and advocacy to change international policy and it has succeeded.” The site, which receives half a million hits a year and has 1,000 registered members from every continent, is supported by UN agencies, and the Swiss and US governments. Its research-based resources and training materials are directly shaping gender-sensitive policies for global disaster planning. GDN has impacted international policy by increasing DISCOVER MORE the profile of gender in disaster management policy and practice. gdnonline.org

Supporting thousands More than £1million of vulnerable and recouped for clients elderly people Based on research developed by Northumbria, the University’s award-winning Student Law Office (SLO) provides a vital service A care home transformed the quality and efficiency for individuals and businesses, many of whom might otherwise of its service to more than 5,000 people thanks to be unable to afford legal representation. research by Northumbria. Run as a full legal advice and representation service, Northumbria Law Valley Care provides a telephone service, which helps elderly and School’s SLO has dealt with over 3,000 enquiries from members of the public, vulnerable people live independently and remain in their homes represented more than 1,000 clients and recovered in excess of £1 million for longer. The service, part of Northumbria NHS Healthcare Trust, clients since 1 January 2008. receives 129,000 calls a year. Northumbria University’s Law School is internationally recognised as a centre Researchers in Mathematics and Information Science applied a of excellence for clinical legal education. In 2013, Northumbria was awarded novel method called Targeted Projection Pursuit (TPP) to Valley Care’s service. TPP is a data analysis technique that groups the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for the data together in clusters that all have similar traits. This can reveal hidden groupings and trends in the data. outstanding work of the SLO. To date, law clinics based on our model have This mathematical and statistical method enabled Valley Care to establish the volume, type and frequency of calls and been established in countries across Europe, Japan, and Bangladesh, the USA identify users at high risk, improving the quality and efficiency of the service without an increase in budget. and, most recently, in Uganda. Professor Maia Angelova, who led the team in the Department of Mathematics and Information Sciences, said: “As a direct The SLO is a catalyst in the North East to encourage more law firms to outcome of applying our research, Valley Care transformed its system for the Call Centre operators. They were able to become involved in pro bono work. In partnership with national pro bono provide more efficient workload planning for call centre operators, more efficient allocation of warden visits, prioritising charity, LawWorks, it works in collaboration with 10 regional law firms, calls to ambulance services and relatives, and eliminating false alarms.” delivering benefits to the community, as well as encouraging a culture of free “The research also provided knowledge about the usage patterns of the technology and valuably identified clients at legal advice in these firms. high risk of falls. Monitoring and allocating special attention to high-risk clients means they can live independently at It also has close links with charities and community organisations. Through home for longer and not go into residential care, which represents a significant saving per year.” a partnership with Shelter, the homeless charity, students provide a national advice service to homeless and vulnerable clients, researching and advising on complex problems. Carol Boothby, Director of the Student Law Office, said; “I am extremely proud of the contribution our students make to the local community, through the Helping reduce alcohol work of the Student Law Office. They are developing not just as law students, but as future citizens, with the skills and motivation to make a difference consumption whatever career path they choose.” Doctors and nurses commonly ask their patients how DISCOVER MORE much alcohol they drink in a week and advise them northumbria.ac.uk/studentlawoffice to cut down if necessary – but did you know that research from Northumbria has been influential in bringing this about? This brief chat with a patient helps GPs and nurses to quickly identify those who may be drinking too much alcohol which places them at increased risk of health issues. They can then offer advice on why and how the patient should cut down their drinking. The approach has proved effective in reducing alcohol consumption in patients identified as being hazardous or harmful drinkers and is now standard practice for NHS professionals. Approximately 1.75 million people a year benefit from this ‘brief intervention’ screening, which was pioneered by Professor Nick Heather, a specialist in alcohol and other drug studies at Northumbria, almost 30 years ago. Northumbria’s research has contributed towards the production of guides and information packs for clinicians and patients. Professor Heather explained: “The evidence clearly shows that alcohol screening and brief intervention in general practice is an effective and cost-effective way of helping people to cut back consumption to low risk levels. If consistently applied in general practice across the UK, this would make a significant contribution to public health.” Professor Heather has worked with the World Health Organisation on a 25-year study to promote the benefits of this intervention internationally. Advice to medical professionals to ‘make every contact count’ with patients has led to NHS staff routinely talking to patients about their lifestyle – even when their presenting problem is not obviously connected to alcohol consumption. They can then take the opportunity to advise on changes to lifestyle. Public Health England has also developed the Alcohol Learning Centre website that provides online resources and learning for commissioners, planners and practitioners working to reduce alcohol-related harm. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) now recommends that alcohol screening and brief intervention is routinely carried out as an integral part of medical practice. Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk RESEARCH V

Creating a brighter future Digitising the construction industry Research carried out at Northumbria on the performance Northumbria is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for Building Information Modelling of photovoltaic systems (PV) – the most commonly used (BIM), which is bringing construction into the digital age. BIM is the structured creation, sharing, use technology for converting sunshine into electricity – has played and re-use of digital information about a building throughout its entire lifecycle. This involves the use an important role in helping to meet the UK’s target of reducing of 3D design models that are created and managed using a range of technologies. carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Northumbria is a pioneer in PV research. In 1994, the University installed the country’s first PV façade, providing data on their performance in UK weather conditions. This generated a unique field of expertise at Northumbria and led to the involvement of the research team in the Domestic Photovoltaic Field Trial between 2000 and 2007. This project remains the most comprehensive study of domestic PV system performance in the UK, and the data and insights from it continue to be used to inform a number of government policies that have encouraged PV implementation. Professor Nicola Pearsall said: “It is now not unusual to see PV systems on houses all over the country, but at the start of the Domestic Photovoltaic Field Trial there were only a few installations. “As part of the project, we analysed the performance of 370 individual systems at 24 locations around the UK. We were particularly interested in the electricity yields of the systems and their contribution to the demands of the houses on which they were installed. These results were then used in the development of subsequent programmes for the development of PV systems such as we see today. We also gained a lot of insights into the way BIM Academy at Northumbria is an innovative joint on the construction industry with the potential to PV systems were perceived and understood by the households in the study.” venture between the University and Ryder Architecture. It transform the procurement of buildings and infrastructure. is impartial and industry-facing, and undertakes research, The confirmation of two further awards in BIM-related consultancy, software development, outreach and training. areas is expected in March 2015. BIM Academy works closely in the UK with industry “Northumbria’s research activity and its role in BIM bodies such as RIBA Enterprises and has been recognised Academy have also reflected in the recent REF results. Our internationally, winning both the Build Qatar Live and Build BIM work was submitted as one of the three impact case Sydney Live competitions. studies required for the Architecture, Built Environment Professor David Greenwood, of the Department of and Planning unit of assessment, which returned an Architecture and Built Environment, said: “Northumbria’s ‘excellent’ result in terms of impact with more than 25% of excellence in BIM has resulted in a number of research its research classed as ‘world leading’.” funding awards, primarily collaborative industry-led projects funded by Innovate UK (formerly the Technology Strategy Board). One project, the ‘Digital BIM Toolkit’, led by DISCOVER MORE National Building Specification, will have a major influence bimacademy.ac.uk

Research that changed the way health Helping people information is provided online with Parkinson’s Northumbria researchers proved that people using the internet to search for health advice to walk often rejected high-quality medical information from reputable sites, such as the NHS, in favour of those with information provided by people with similar experiences. Around the world, people with Parkinson’s are better able to walk thanks to research The ground-breaking research, which was funded their own. Their findings showed that people were from Northumbria University. by the Economic and Social Research Council, made more inclined to trust health information if it was The RESCUE research project tested the movements easier and at a more normal a big impact on the future development of health accompanied with the views and experiences of effectiveness of a rehabilitation technique speed for short periods of time. websites in the UK and Europe after being published others, rather than information only from professional known as ‘cueing’ to help people with in 2007. sources. This has since become known as ‘peer-to- The findings of this significant study are Parkinson’s and measured its effect on now incorporated into the evidence At the time, the health industry believed that patients peer’ healthcare. mobility to improve their walking. base used to produce clinical guidelines would only trust health information if it came From the patients’ perspective, only organisations that Parkinson’s is a neuro-degenerative for physiotherapists, as well as in from ‘reputable’ sources such as drug companies, they deemed to be ‘impartial’ could generate trust. disorder affecting the area of the brain physicians or government, but Northumbria’s This meant that advice given by drug companies information guides for health and social known as the basal ganglia, which is research findings turned this on its head. would be regarded with scepticism even though it care staff, patients and carers. Guidance responsible for coordinating complex on cueing, developed by Northumbria’s Psychology researchers, led by Professor Pam Briggs, was subject to strict legal control. movement sequences, such as walking. RESCUE project, is now being used by had previously looked at how consumers trusted The research was pioneering at the time and was The brain should naturally generate physiotherapists across Europe, the ecommerce websites before focusing on trust in soon picked up by the pharmaceutical industries, internal ‘cues’ that regulate the timing and Middle East, North and South America health websites. They examined the way that more charities and the NHS, who revised their website and size of each movement. However, people and Australasia, as well as daily by than 2,000 people used the internet to search for patient support materials accordingly. with Parkinson’s can find that their body’s individuals with the condition. health information on topics including high blood Professor Briggs explained: “We take it for granted natural rhythm is disturbed. Their steps Dr Anna Jones, one of the lead researchers pressure, the menopause, the MMR vaccine and these days that we can find useful information, advice can become smaller, their walking slower on the project, is a physiotherapist hormone replacement therapy. and support from like-minded others online, but at and they may find that they begin to with clinical experience of neurological They found that people immediately rejected most the time this research was conducted, those in the shuffle or even freeze on the spot. NHS and drug company websites in a matter of health professions hadn’t realised the enormous In collaboration with researchers in rehabilitation. She explained: “RESCUE seconds and preferred instead to use sites which had potential of such peer-to-peer healthcare.” Belgium and The Netherlands, the was acknowledged as a ground-breaking piece of high quality research. Outcome personal stories and advice from people with the The research team continues to provide advice and Northumbria-based project team worked data about the effects of cueing on same problems and concerns. work with a wide range of different organisations in with people with Parkinson’s in their mobility can be incorporated with similar Users questioned the motivation of drug company the public, private and third sector on how best to homes. They found that by introducing data from other trials to generate best sites and rejected the NHS websites available at the create engaging online health content. auditory and visual cues, such as a beat from a metronome or lines on the ground, evidence guidelines for rehabilitation time due to their generic content. Users were also They are currently working with the Oxford-based patients could focus their attention on practice. Armed with this information, hugely turned off by advertising. health charity, DIPex, which provides patient walking and it became easier to keep their therapists, people with Parkinson’s and The researchers showed that people were drawn experience websites, to develop a new framework for feet moving. The cues triggered the use their carers, can decide together how best to sites where they could read content from patient engagement and a new set of web-design of other areas of the brain not affected to use cueing to help their mobility in contributors who shared similar experiences to guidelines around peer-to-peer healthcare. by Parkinson’s, helping to make their their everyday lives.” NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS VI RESEARCH Developing the careers of new researchers Northumbria has been working steadily to increase its research profile in recent years. Thanks to this strategic push, the University has made a significant investment to recruit more research-active staff and encourage more early-years researchers to develop their careers here. Northumbria University News spoke to two researchers to find out why they were attracted to Northumbria. Dr Richard Morton Leverhulme Trust Early Career Research Fellow in the Department of Mathematics and Information Sciences

After spending his entire academic career from a Hawaiian volcano, will be the world’s largest solar undergraduate to post-doctoral research at telescope when built. Sheffield University, Dr Richard Morton was Richard’s achievements have been recognised intrigued when he saw an advert to become an by the Royal Astronomical Society who Anniversary Research Fellow at Northumbria. awarded him the Society’s Winton Capital Richard, who was keen to develop his career and Prize in January. The Society describes him as become an established independent researcher, “a scientist of exceptional talent and promise, specialises in solar physics. His research aims to who has already made significant contributions understand why the Sun’s outer edge is much to magnetohydrodynamic wave theory and hotter than its surface. magneto-seismology of the Sun. He has led a “I admit I didn’t know a huge amount about number of original studies… and has been a Northumbria before the advert, other than it tireless and effective communicator of his research being seen as very forward thinking and always to the general public.” looking to improve and better itself,” he said. “It “My career really has changed a lot since I arrived was an amazing opportunity to come here and be at Northumbria,” said Richard. “From working independent after working for someone else, and for someone else before I arrived, I’m now the University really does offer a lot of support to collaborating with colleagues at institutions Dr Robbie Duschinsky researchers to drive forward.” including NASA, America’s National Center for Since arriving at Northumbria in 2012, Richard has Atmospheric Research, UCL, St Andrews and applied for grants and received an independent Queens University Belfast and also mentoring Dr Robbie Duschinsky Leverhulme Trust fellowship. He is part of a a PhD student who is helping me with my own consortium that has received £2.5 million from research projects. I’ve been very well supported Research and Innovation lead and Reader in the Department of Social Work and Communities the Science and Technologies Facilities Council from immediate colleagues through to senior to work on the development of cameras and management and I’m excited to make a success of Dr Duschinsky joined Northumbria from be a highlight of the job. I’ve learnt so much from data monitoring for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar my work on the telescope before it is completed Cambridge University in 2011 as a Lecturer in my colleagues.” Telescope. The telescope, which sits on the top of in 2019.” Social Science for Social Work. Since then he has He added: “When I began at Northumbria in 2011, had over 40 articles published or accepted for the research profile of Social Work was relatively publication, as well as six book chapters and three low in comparison to how things stand now. There encyclopaedia articles. He has also edited two has been growing strength in research around books, three journal special issues, and organised child safeguarding, intellectual disabilities, and two international conferences. family justice – with publications blending theory Today, he is the Research and Innovation lead for with practice accepted in high-impact journals, the Department of Social Work and Communities and successful applications for contract income and is the Principal Investigator on a new £391,000 and research grants. Wellcome Trust project looking at attachment “Teaching in the department has also become theory and its use by clinicians and social workers increasingly enriched by research activity, as have concerned with infant mental health. our relations with local partners and stakeholders. “The position of Northumbria as a ‘Professional As an illustration of the growing capacity in University’, developing knowledge which can be research expertise, the department had four PhD used by practitioners, really was central to my students at its formation in 2012, and now has decision to move here,” said Dr Duschinsky. a PhD community of 11, with further expansion “Northumbria has one of the largest and most anticipated in 2015. There are also lots of exciting well-regarded Social Work programmes in the projects afoot for the future. For instance, the country. It covers all levels – from a professional department is collaborating with colleagues in undergraduate degree, to CPD opportunities for Law to organise an international conference on current practitioners, to full-time and part-time Family Law in 2016, a high-profile cross-Faculty doctoral study. project with implications both for academic research and for contemporary practice. “I have a real interest in understanding how psychological knowledge regarding children “In general, it feels like the research profile of the and families moves into professional practice Department of Social Work and Communities, and policy. For this reason, the opportunity to as well as the Faculty as a whole, has changed collaborate with colleagues in the Faculty from a dramatically in the last three years. It has felt a real variety of professional backgrounds continues to privilege to be a part of it.” Dr Richard Morton Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk RESEARCH VII Did you know…?

Northumbria University creates and applies knowledge that transforms lives and makes a powerful cultural and economic impact.

Don’t believe us? Then just consider that this is the University advance our understanding of the world around us through that boasts the current senior vice-president of design at partnerships with the European Space Agency, CERN and Apple and lead designer behind both the iPhone and the the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and working as part of the iPad among its alumni – two of the most revolutionary British Antarctic Survey to identify undiscovered new forms consumer products of the last decade. of life in one of the most remote places on the planet. We’ve Other universities might make such a boast and sit back even developed a formula for making the perfect cup of tea! and relax. Not Northumbria. Our researchers are helping to

Hello… is it tea you’re looking for? Tea bags Want the perfect cuppa? Northumbria researchers precisely calculated the optimum formula to make the perfect cup of tea, following research commissioned by Cravendale Milk. Findings concluded that the best method was to add boiling water to the tea bag in A little of what you fancy really is good for you! a cup, leave for two minutes then remove Red wine and chocolate the bag, add the milk and leave for a further six minutes until it reaches Northumbria researchers found that chemicals in both wine and the optimal temperature of 60C. chocolate increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain making complex calculations easier and quicker. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/ science-news/8577637/How-to-make-the- The chemicals became more effective when consumed together, perfect-cup-of-tea-be-patient.html so next time you pour yourself a medicinal red wine, why not have a chocolate or two as well! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1384196/Red- wine-chocolate-good-mind-scientists-claim.html Cherry pick your best cure http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/8495528/Red-wine- Cherry juice and-chocolate-can-boost-your-brain-power.html Researchers at Northumbria found that drinking Montmorency cherry Here’s some sage advice concentrate significantly reduces Sage the painful effects of gout. Sage has been found to boost levels of a chemical that Tart Montmorency cherries are helps transmit messages within the brain. rich in compounds that possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant Northumbria academics worked alongside colleagues at properties, reducing the negative Newcastle University to conduct research which revealed effects of gout. people performed much better in a word recall test when they were given sage oil tablets. So take the weight off your feet, have a glass of http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3189635.stm the concentrate and uric acid levels in the body will significantly reduce in just a few hours. Prepping for an interview? https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/news- This could get you out events/news/2014/09/drinking-montmorency- of a sticky situation… cherry-concentrate-reduces-effects-of-gout/ Chewing gum Chewing gum has been stuck with a bad reputation in the past. However, Northumbria researchers have found that chewing gum could give you that much needed boost when prepping for an interview. The act of chewing has been found to improve short and long term memory by up to 35%, as the exercise of chewing is believed to Its ‘thyme’ to think again about rosemary be enough to raise a person’s heart Rosemary rate and increase the flow of oxygen One of rosemary’s main chemical components has been found to to the brain. Perhaps it is time for be related to an individual’s thinking ability. teachers to accept that chewing gum will be sticking around? Researchers at Northumbria University found rosemary oil improved both speech and accuracy and although less pronounced, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ the component also had an effect on mood. uknews/1387660/Chewing-gum- boosts-brains-performance.html http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120224194313.htm NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS VIII RESEARCH Lack of women in news broadcasting Karen Ross, Professor of Media at Northumbria, recently presented evidence at a House of Lords inquiry into women, news and current affairs broadcasting. Professor Ross’ research, funded by the European Institute for Gender Equality and Global Media Monitoring, showed that men dominate decision-making positions across many major European media organisations. Northumbria Journalism graduate, Rosie Willan, caught up with Karen to find out more.

Why do you personally believe this gender inequality colleagues and share ideas and research findings. exists in the broadcast media industry? It’s important to present these ideas in a way that students can relate The argument most men would put forward – even if they wouldn’t to and being research active also means keeping up-to-date with put it forward explicitly – is about merit. I don’t buy that. We have changes in the media landscape. Using examples from current TV more female students graduating from journalism courses and series’ or issues trending on Twitter keeps topics fresh and makes the entering media industries than men, yet all the research shows that subject relevant and meaningful. the higher up the hierarchy you look, the fewer and fewer women Northumbria has fantastic facilities for practicing are still working in the industry. It’s impossible to explain why this broadcast journalism and our Media courses are happens unless there are structures within these organisations that prevent women from progressing to senior positions. That is the accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council reality and that is sexism. (BJTC). What advice would you give to your students, particularly female, who hope to make it in this industry? Where does the UK stand compared to other countries I think the key piece of advice to any student is to tell them, ‘you can on this issue? do it!’. For women, remember that your training is the same as that Our research analysed women’s occupation of decision-making experienced by the men, that you are at least as good as they are. positions across all the public service broadcasters in the 28 EU It’s not an easy call but the only way in which we are going to see Member States as well as in a range of private media organisations: real change is by more women – and men – wanting to make that the UK’s performance was somewhere in the middle. However, there change and that can only happen from the inside. wasn’t an enormous variation across the countries sampled and none performed particularly well - the average score for women in senior This article was originally published in positions across the board was around 30%. Behind the Spin magazine. How does this research inform your teaching at If you’d like to read this interview in full, Northumbria? please scan the QR code Being an active researcher necessarily informs your teaching because Professor Karen Ross you can incorporate examples from your own research to animate DISCOVER MORE your lectures and seminars. I can talk authoritatively about new developments in the field because I speak at conferences, meet northumbria.ac.uk/mediacourses Psychiatrists seek help from legal eagles Legal experts at Northumbria are helping psychiatrists understand changes in the law that affect defences in murder cases.

Senior lecturer Nicola Wake and The defence of diminished Principal lecturer Natalie Wortley are responsibility underwent significant part of the University’s Centre for changes in 2009. It is now only available Evidence and Criminal Justice Studies. where a defendant claims an abnormal The centre brings together researchers state of mind, arising from a recognised with people working in the criminal medical condition, substantially and civil courts, including judges, impairs their ability to understand the police officers and expert witnesses, to nature of their conduct, form a rational examine legal issues. judgement, or exercise self-control. The academics recently led a session Unsurprisingly some conditions entitled, ‘Partial Defences to Murder: that are medically recognised are Where are we now?’ at the Grange highly likely to be rejected by courts. Annual Conference, organised by Kleptomania, exhibitionism and Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist paedophilia are examples of conditions Professor Keith JB Rix from the that are included in the World University of Chester. The conference Health Organisation’s International was an opportunity for psychiatrists and Classification of Diseases Manual but psychologists to discuss changes in the which courts are unlikely to accept as a “Our session at the Grange Annual to keep abreast of changes in the law. Conference was an opportunity for us law on homicide. partial defence for murder. Conference is important because I am pleased that The Grange Annual to explain how the new defences are Psychiatrists are often asked to provide Nicola Wake, Senior Lecturer and many psychiatrists are asked to provide Conference, attended by psychiatrists being interpreted by the courts, which evidence about defendants charged MLaw Year One Director, said: “The evidence about a defendant’s medical and psychologists engaged in is important for expert witnesses who with murder, which can reduce the changes were designed to update condition and may be asked whether medicolegal work, had the benefit may be called to testify in such cases. sentence to manslaughter if a jury the partial defences but the wording a defendant lost self-control, and so it of discussing changes in the law on “It also gave us an opportunity to agrees. This can include evidence about of the new defences raise important is important that they are aware of the homicide with two of the country’s find out how easy or difficult the new their state of mind or whether they had legal questions for the court and do changes to the defences of Diminished leading authorities on the subject.” provisions are for psychiatrists to work a medical condition at the time. These not appear to have made the role of Responsibility and Loss of Control which Natalie Wortley, Deputy Director for with in practice.” are referred to as partial defences. psychiatrists or lawyers any easier. might rule out some of the medical Northumbria’s Centre for Evidence and However recent changes to the law “In a recent case, a defendant conditions they cite in evidence.” Criminal Justice Studies, added: “The means that psychiatrists and defence attempted to claim that voluntary acute Conference organiser Professor Keith JB Centre for Evidence and Criminal Justice lawyers need to be up-to-date with intoxication was capable of satisfying Rix said: “The continuing professional Studies brings together academics and DISCOVER MORE which medical conditions are covered the requirements of the partial defence development of psychiatrists who practitioners, including lawyers, judges To find out more about by the partial defences and which are for murder but this was rejected by the assist the courts in the administration and expert witnesses, to exchange ideas studying law at Northumbria not. court. of justice makes it necessary for them and encourage research. The Grange visit northumbria.ac.uk/law Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk RESEARCH IX Consequence Homelessness or cause? Anti-social behaviours such as drug and alcohol abuse are often the consequence, rather than across the the cause of homelessness, according to a series of studies from Northumbria.

The research suggests that contrary “Crime and substance misuse were to common belief, unexpected frequently responses to, rather than life events could lead to anyone causes of, homelessness” Adele becoming homeless. continued. continents Researchers Adele Irving and However, for other homeless Dr Jamie Harding looked at people interviewed, existing anti- the life histories and causes of social tendencies had led directly homelessness of over 80 people in to them being on the streets, as An internationally acclaimed screenwriter, editor and journalist is Newcastle. They spoke to homeless they had been evicted from the exploring homelessness in Newcastle and Nairobi with a Northumbria people about their experiences, as parental or marital home, rented well as staff from North East local accommodation and hostels. academic. Kenyan writer Billy Kahora is working with Laura Fish, Senior authorities, hostels and support “It was clear that some homeless services in the area about the people had anti-social tendencies,” Lecturer in Creative Writing, on an ambitious research project that management of homelessness. says Adele Irving. “Almost half of stretches from North East England to North East Africa. They found evidence of anti-social those interviewed reported that behaviour on the part of homeless they had rarely attended school and people, with high incidences of gained few, if any, qualifications. drug and alcohol abuse, mental Many had experimented with drugs The pair are setting up a collaborative writing and research health problems, violent behaviour, and alcohol in their early teens, and project that will take a comparative look at homelessness in familial breakdown, negative social some exhibited violent behaviours.” both cities. Homeless people in Newcastle and Nairobi will take networks, unemployment and part in creative writing workshops in order to share their stories Sadly, for this group of homeless dependency on benefits, begging, and their voice. people, problems of anti-social sex work and crime. behaviour could be traced back Following his six-week stint as a Visiting Writer at Northumbria, However, the research indicated through a lifetime of exclusion, Billy Kahora shares his experience with Northumbria News. that these problems were often characterised by traumatic Why is homelessness and home such an important caused by homelessness itself. childhood experiences, including theme in your work? Roughly half of the homeless parental addiction, bereavement, My work tries to look at how order and chaos are intertwined people interviewed had previously going into local authority care, in Kenyan lives, how tenuous and temporary any form of lived ‘normal’ lives, with high levels neglect and physical and sexual order remains because of socio-economic and socio-political of educational achievement, abuse. circumstances in my part of the world. I’m curious about the positive family relationships, long According to Adele, research unpredictability of Kenyan urban lives - and the building of periods of stable employment and indicates that punishing the things (a home, a profession, relationships) that other parts of no pattern of substance misuse or homeless for their antisocial the world take for granted and how quickly stability can flitter criminality. behaviour often only serves to away because of the way the Kenyan world works. “For these people, the pattern further exclude them from society, I’m interested in how building stability in one’s life often of their lives had been radically and push them into committing hinges on amorality, immorality, corruption and even blind Kenyan writer, Billy Kahora changed by a significant life event more anti-social acts. luck; how this leads to dysfunction, and how little industry, – such as bereavement, relationship “Instead of punishing homeless kindness and creativity is rewarded when these are the things What are your thoughts about Northumbria breakdown or redundancy – which people, which only reinforces these that build homes, families and societies. University? triggered addiction, followed by behaviours, policymakers need eviction or the repossession of a Most of my public engagements have been at Northumbria to give greater attention to the What do you and Dr Laura Fish hope to achieve in home,” said Adele Irving. your research project on homelessness? University and there’s been an amazing kindness and structural and systemic barriers - in professionalism in all my dealings. In these cases in particular, anti-social the areas of housing, welfare and Firstly, we are setting up a collaborative writing and research behaviour was often a consequence employment - facing the homeless,” project between Newcastle and Nairobi and will do a What advice would you offer to creative writing of being homeless, and not the she concluded. comparative take on homelessness in both cities. We hope to students at Northumbria? cause. For example, some people Further studies conducted by set up respective creative writing workshops for the homeless Discover your narrative voice as soon as you can and build on reported turning to drugs and Adele Irving and fellow researcher in both cities, and hopefully produce some collaborative that. Think carefully about how you manage time in all you alcohol as a coping mechanism Oliver Moss have highlighted the creative writing between the two cities by the homeless. do and be very clear how much time writing will feature in to numb the cold and get them experiences of homeless people How did you begin your writing career? everything else in your life. I think if one figures out what voice through living on the streets or to in the North East through the they want to write in and how much sacrifice writing requires cope with hostel environments. I started writing seriously at Rhodes University, Grahamstown production of a series of maps, in time and energy as compared to other things - then, they Others stole food and drink for where my majors were Journalism and English. I did some created by former Innocent Drinks are on the right track. survival. In other cases, homeless creative non-fiction in my final year of Journalism School and creative, Lovely JoJo. This research people reported committing crimes won a short story prize at the Grahamstown, Writers Festival Why is creative writing important in terms of was shown as an exhibition as in order to avoid sleeping rough, which is part of the larger Arts festival. I then sent a short story sharing stories with an international audience? part of the Economic and Social with prison often seen as a short- Research Council’s 2014 Festival of to Kwani Trust in 2004 that was accepted and when I got back Creative writing offers structures, spaces, media reach that term housing solution. Social Science in 2014. to Kenya wrote a long non-fiction piece on a Kenyan whistle- bridge communities, peoples, national borders and regions. blower and this really set me on my way. I became an editor at All other forms of storytelling rarely have these structures Kwani and since then have been writing creative non-fiction - other forms of storytelling seem confined to their unique Making an impact Academics from Northumbria’s and short fiction. So, my time at Rhodes and my first years localities. Creative writing travels. department of Social Sciences have conducted extensive back in Kenya were pretty key. What inspires you to write? research relating to homelessness which has had a direct What has been the reception to you in the North impact on the services available for vulnerable people. My immediate inexplicable Kenyan world in both its material East? Is this your first visit to this part of the To view a case study, scan the code. realities, and its possible imaginaries. This always makes me country? want to reconstruct that world on its own terms through its Imaging homelessness Scan the QR code to see Buzz Everyone I’ve dealt with has been amazingly kind. Audiences own aesthetic, beauty and language. Feed’s report on the project and the artwork that has been for the public events I’ve done have been great. It is an created in conjunction with service users. incredibly warm place (with the people). Eight years ago, I Do you have a favourite quote? lived in Edinburgh for about a year and a half and I passed James Joyce: ‘The sentence is the greatest invention of through here several times on my way to London. civilisation.’ NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS X RESEARCH Discovering the benefits of drinking cherry juice In recent years, Northumbria researchers have discovered that drinking a concentrate of Montmorency cherry juice can improve the quality and duration of sleep and that it can help elite athletes to recover after undertaking intense exercise. Now they have discovered that the same substance also reduces the effects of the painful condition gout.

Tart Montmorency cherries are proven cherry concentrate, uric acid levels in to be extremely rich in a number urine had increased by around 250%, of plant compounds that possess indicating that it was being prepared anti-inflammatory and antioxidant to be quickly expelled from the body. properties. As such, they have been the Similarly, uric acid levels in blood had focus of numerous studies to assess the decreased by around 36% eight hours health benefits they can bring. after drinking the concentrate. Dr Glyn Howatson, a physiologist in Dr Howatson explained: “The study the Department of Sport, Exercise shows that uric acid was quickly and Rehabilitation who has previously clearing from the body with lower levels undertaken research into Montmorency evident following consumption of the cherry concentrate, was keen to test Montmorency cherry concentrate. We whether its consumption could affect demonstrated a drop in blood uric acid, uric acid levels which are known an increase in urinary uric acid and a to respond to anti-inflammatory reduction in an inflammation marker in medication. just a few hours. Gout is an extremely painful condition “This is an exciting first step to applying that occurs when excess uric acid this intervention to a clinical population crystallises in the joints. Although uric that suffers from gout. acid is a naturally-occurring substance found in the body, the condition caused “While the condition can be managed by excess levels can be extremely with pharmacological agents, more and debilitating for sufferers. more people are increasingly reluctant to use them because of potential side Working with PhD student Phillip Bell, Dr Howatson invited 12 healthy effects and are keen to use natural participants to drink either 30ml or interventions.” 60ml of the cherry concentrate mixed The findings were published in with water and tested how it affected The Journal of Functional Foods and the levels of uric acid in their blood and received significant global media urine. Just two hours after drinking the coverage. Dr Glyn Howatson Smart phone scans for cancer A Northumbria PhD student is designing a smart phone app that can detect leukaemia.

Worawut Srisukkham, a postgraduate Computer Science number dying from the cancer. Once his project is complete, and Digital Technologies student, is working on an ‘e-health Worawut hopes it will help to prevent unnecessary deaths technology’ project aimed at developing a mobile phone from the disease caused by delayed diagnosis and treatment in application that can examine blood sample images to diagnose isolated and deprived areas. cancer. A microscopic lens attached to the smart phone would “Our aim is to use the high-performance and technology of take an image of a blood slide. The app would then screen the smart phones to help in health care,” Worawut added. “Doctors slide for evidence of leukaemia – a blood cancer. working in remote areas could use the technology to screen Once created, Worawut’s smart phone app could be used patients in their community and refer those with an abnormal for initial diagnosis of people living in remote rural areas in result to the larger medical facilities.” developing countries. It would allow rural doctors to locally This project further demonstrates Northumbria’s commitment analyse blood samples on site and refer patients to the city to research with impact and is just one of the innovative hospitals for treatment or further investigation as required. initiatives taking place in the department of Computer Science Worawut said: “Creating a phone app that can perform this and Digital Technologies. screening role would be a low cost and efficient solution to detect leukaemia in remote and resource-poor regions.” DISCOVER MORE In 2012, approximately 352,000 children and adults around To find out more about postgraduate research opportunities go to: the world developed some form of leukaemia with a similar northumbria.ac.uk/pg Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk RESEARCH XI Fundraising? Follow the crowd!

She’s ‘in’ with the ‘in crowd’. Northumbria researcher Dr Jo Briggs has broken new ground with the first academic study exploring crowdfunding in the UK.

From raising cash for charitable Dr Briggs added: “There are now causes to generating finance for literally hundreds of crowdfunding arts projects – crowdfunding has platforms, and whilst there are some become a global phenomenon challenges within the competitive in recent years. Northumbria has sector there are huge opportunities launched a one-year investigation for founders and funders which I into the rapidly growing means want to explore, both in a UK and of fundraising, led by Dr Briggs, specifically North East context.” an expert in digital media theory Crowdfunding campaigns to and practices and Anniversary generate money for cultural Research Fellow in Media and projects, social innovation, business Communication Design. start-ups and lending have been The project, which includes experts reported widely in the media. Last from Northumbria and Belfast, has year a crowd-funding campaign been awarded a £100,000 Empathy to bring back 1970s clay character and Trust in Communicating Online Morph for an online series reached (EMoTICON) development grant its target after just eight days. from the Economic and Social Aardman Animations set up the Research Council (ESRC). £75,000 campaign on Kickstarter Crowdfunding is a way of raising to help fund 12 new one-minute finance by asking a large number episodes. Other crowdfunding of people to each donate or projects have financed major invest a small amount of money art projects or new businesses, to collectively fund a project. filling a crucial gap where public Project founders design an online sector funding and bank loans are campaign, tell their stories in increasingly restricted. promotional videos and promote Commenting on the successful their project more widely through funding proposals, ESRC Chief Fit for travel social media in the hope of inspiring Executive Professor Paul Boyle said: Undertaking research that has an impact on people and communities is a and motivating people to donate “As a new generation grows up in prime focus for Northumbria. A new study has uncovered how healthcare or invest. a world where digital interaction Dr Briggs said: “The largest and most is the norm, there is so much providers can improve the ways they deliver services to Travelling well-known crowdfunding website to understand about how our communities who face particular struggles accessing healthcare. is US-based Kickstarter. Launching identities and relationships are a campaign for a new product or shaped by our online activities. I’m service on this platform is a great delighted that the ESRC is funding Due to their transient lifestyle, Travellers that if Travellers were provided with to services. Due to past experiences way to test the market and generate these projects, backing researchers such as Romani Gypsies, boat dwellers outreach workers who understand of discrimination or rejection, many pre-sales before having to invest from a variety of disciplines and and circus people tend to have low their unique needs and culture, they Travellers are deeply suspicious of any time and money in developing a institutions to address these incomes, poor housing conditions would be more likely to increase their form of authority, particularly when this product or exhibition. fascinating issues, and building UK and little continuity with healthcare participation with healthcare providers, comes from outside their community. research capacity in these areas for “However, this shift in the project providers. As such, they often have leading to improvements in their health. This is particularly crucial when they the future.” lifecycle means that seemingly high ‘socioeconomic inequalities Evidence also suggested that the more need to talk to healthcare workers successful artists or small businesses Dr Briggs’ team brings together markers’ meaning they are more likely the outreach worker is trusted by the about personal issues they would not don’t always anticipate the number experts from various fields to suffer from poor health and have community, the more likely they are to normally share with anyone outside of pledges and end up working to examine this new techno- a lower life expectancy. According to be successful at promoting healthier of their very close circle of friends and laboriously for two or three years economic/business model. Her one government statistic, just 30% of behaviours. family. to create and distribute promised co-investigator in the research is Irish travellers live beyond their 60th Following publication of their report “Travellers want to have trust in rewards to thousands of funders. Dr Patrick McCole, an online trust birthday. in The Journal of Public Health Research, the people they deal with and will It is important not to over- in e-commerce and marketing The National Institute for Health the team will now work with healthcare sometimes travel great distances to promise during the money-raising specialist, based at Queen’s Research was keen to improve access to providers to help them design and see a contact they have a rapport campaign and to price everything University Belfast. healthcare for this ethnic minority group commission the most effective kind of with. Taking the time to develop meticulously, factoring in postage Northumbria offers a range and commissioned a £300,000 project outreach support. these relationships is crucial to ensure and packaging and platform and of courses in media and to understand how services had been Susan Carr, a Professor of Public Health the effectiveness of new outreach payment systems at around 10%.” communication. provided in the past and recommend Research at Northumbria and Associate interactions and interventions.” Northumbria researchers will look ways to improve it in the future. Director of Fuse, explained: “Our at the reasons why investors give DISCOVER MORE Researchers from Northumbria and research has shown that developing DISCOVER MORE money to some projects over To find out more go to: others, considering factors such as Fuse, a virtual research centre that trust between Traveller communities To find out more about postgraduate northumbria.ac.uk/ brings together staff and students from and healthcare providers is at the research opportunties go to: trust and empathy. mediaandcommunicationdesign the North East’s five universities, found absolute core of improving access northumbria.ac.uk/pg NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS XII RESEARCH The big interview Professor George Marston

Professor George Marston was appointed as Northumbria’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research & Innovation in August 2014. Born and raised in Newcastle, he studied at Oxford where he graduated in Chemistry in 1984, before completing a doctorate in 1987. He then spent two years as a Resident Research Associate at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center near Washington DC before returning to Oxford as a post-doctoral researcher. After a brief spell at the University of Leicester, he moved to the University of Reading in 1995, where he worked in a number of roles before progressing to Dean of the Faculty of Science in 2011. Today, Professor Marston is an active member of the Royal Society of Chemistry with current research interests focused on particle formation in the lower atmosphere, and the climate impact of fluorine-containing compounds. Northumbria University News catches up with him to discuss the importance of research to students, businesses and the world in which we live.

Northumbria describes itself as a research- How has Northumbria’s research impacted rich university. Can you elaborate? on the world around us? In my mind, the phrase ‘research-rich’ signifies Research at Northumbria has a huge impact, that research permeates all our activities as a whether that impact is societal, cultural or university. Research doesn’t sit in a special little economic. The REF has highlighted some areas box on its own; it is integral to what we do. To where we have particular strength. For example, in be effective, we have to think about research, Psychology, 73% of our submissions were judged learning and teaching, business engagement and to be 4*. This means it is outstanding in terms of its internationalisation as a package. impact, reach and significance. All of Northumbria’s core activities are underpinned An example of our impact includes the creation by research. From the teaching in our classrooms, of more than 200 school breakfast clubs across studios and workshops to our partnerships with the country, thanks to a training programme and businesses and community organisations; sharing extensive research conducted by Northumbria academic expertise allows students, the community academics. This research investigated the effects of and the commercial sector to respond effectively to breakfast club attendance on children’s behaviour, the world’s current issues and concerns. cognition and social friendships. There is a simple question we have to ask Our research around alcohol reduction through ourselves: does Northumbria University have the GP screening also demonstrates the significant critical mass of high quality research to justify our impact of our work. This research has been used claim to be a research-rich organisation? We can’t by Public Health England to set up the Alcohol answer this question internally; we need external Learning Centre – a website that provides online verification. That verification came in December, resources and learning for commissioners, planners when results from the Research Excellence and practitioners working to reduce alcohol- Framework (REF), the UK-wide assessment of related harm. The research has also had a strong research quality in UK universities, were published. impact on medical practitioners and policy makers The results demonstrated that Northumbria had globally. massively increased its research activity since 2008 You have previously worked as a Resident in terms of both quality and quantity, and has high Research Associate with NASA, and a post- proportions of world-leading and internationally doctoral researcher at Oxford University. excellent research in all of it research areas. Could you share some of the highlights Furthermore, the Times Higher Education magazine from your own research career? reported that the increase in our market share The research I was involved with in Oxford and of the nation’s research power since 2008 is third while at NASA was really interesting. It involved behind UCL and King’s. It also reported that we topics such as airglow chemistry and the chemistry are the biggest climber in research power ranking, of planetary atmospheres that did not have the across the whole of the UK, having leapt 30 places direct application to real-world problems that from 80th to 50th. This is a very significant step my subsequent research has had. There were forward for the University. many technical and mathematical challenges to What the REF results show is that we have the overcome and I am very proud of what I achieved quality and volume of research activity necessary under the inspiring supervision of Professor Richard Professor George Marston to underpin Northumbria as a research-rich Wayne at Oxford and Dr Lou Stief at NASA. university. However, the highlight for me — and I suspect course, while I led the project, it was very much a It showed that while theory can be really powerful, many researchers might mirror what I say here — So how exactly does research-rich learning team effort. it has to be grounded in observations of the was the first paper I published where I could say I benefit our students? world around us; Hubble debunked Einstein’s had led the research from start to finish. All aspects Finally, can you name a piece of academic ‘cosmological constant’, a fudge factor Einstein University teaching is about more than getting of doing good research are difficult — which research that has had a significant impact included in his theory of general relativity students to know facts and learn basic skills. It is puts our excellent REF results into context — but on your life personally? about instilling in them an ability to apply their because he couldn’t believe that the Universe was leading research is particularly challenging. I remember when I was young being astonished knowledge and understanding to new problems, expanding. This research had a huge impact on I had managed to secure funding for a PhD by the research that Hubble did to show that which, in the world of work, may be outside of me personally in terms of my understanding of the student and a post-doctoral research associate, the Universe was expanding. It was fascinating their discipline. world around us, but was also part of the reason I and we were working on a problem related to because it addressed one of the biggest wanted to be a scientist. Northumbria’s approach to research-rich learning the reactions of ozone with organic molecules in questions there is, but also showed how embeds this way of thinking into students’ views of the lower atmosphere. We were able to provide careful measurements combined with a real what education is about. So research-rich learning evidence for the generation of a particularly understanding of fundamental physical principles DISCOVER MORE prepares students to tackle the difficult questions important reactive species in these reactions could tell us something about the relationship For more information about Northumbria’s REF 2014 and challenges that they will encounter in their and published the results in Geophysical Research between Earth and galaxies millions of light years results, see the story on page 1 or visit chosen career. Letters, a high profile journal. Very satisfying! But of away. www.northumbria.ac.uk/research Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU STUDY 13 Postgraduate Study: Professor George Marston How to master a competitive CV • Northumbria launches new postgraduate loan – available now • Up to £10,000 to support tuition fees, living and accommodation expenses • Postgraduate students can earn £200,000 more than those with undergraduate degrees

December saw George Osborne unveil “There are many more people who Somebody who credits postgraduate new measures concerning postgraduate would love to take up further study study for furthering her career funding for 2016. However, but who cannot afford to pay the fees. development is Sophie Haagensen, How to master a competitive Northumbria’s postgraduate students I think more funding in this area will Northumbria MBA (Master of Business needn’t wait another year to access make a huge difference in the number Administration) graduate, Head of funding for their course as the University of people who are able to continue Strategy and Planning for Atom Bank CV for the creative industries has launched its own loan scheme - their studies.” and former Deputy Director of the Roles in the creative and cultural sectors are highly available with immediate effect. Finance remains one of the biggest North East Local Enterprise Partnership In the current economic climate, concerns for students considering (LEP). sought after. So how can graduates stand out from investing more money into your pursuing a postgraduate qualification. Sophie said: “After studying Biology at the crowd and land their dream job? Northumbria education can feel like a big risk. However, many studies show that a undergraduate level, I gained a couple graduate Jenny Dewar talks about how her Master’s Undergraduate students have already postgraduate qualification increases of years’ management experience invested time and money into their your earning potential, so students can which prompted my decision to degree gave her the extra edge to succeed. degree, so why go on to further study? expect a return on their investment. return to University to study a Master’s Jenny Dewar, Company Manager, Jenny Dewar “There are countless benefits that Indeed, research conducted by the in business and a few years later I Curious Monkey Sutton Trust in 2013 found that students come with taking your education to completed an MBA through distance After completing a degree in Performing with a postgraduate degree could earn the next level”, explains Chris Crame, learning. My postgraduate studies Arts, Jenny accepted a general admin role over £200,000 more than those with 26, a graduate of Northumbria’s MA developed a range of practical and for a year to help pay the bills. However, she undergraduate degrees over a 40 year in International Development. “For theoretical competencies which have couldn’t deny her love for the arts and applied working life (www.suttontrust.com). me, the biggest issue when I was supported me in roles spanning all for a place on Northumbria’s MA Cultural considering further study was whether Currently, universities offer support areas of business, from operations Management course to build on her skills. a Master’s would help me become to some individuals in the form through to strategy. “While I was studying Performing Arts I worked more employable. I didn’t just want an of bursaries and scholarships, but “When employers hire postgraduates, with bands and promoters putting on gigs in extra qualification, I wanted a course there has been no loan scheme for they are not just investing in the Newcastle,” Jenny explained. “And I started to that would set out a pathway into postgraduate study – an issue Osborne individual,” added Sophie, “They are realise that I was more interested in arts management roles, than being an employment. addressed in December. Additionally, investing in the breadth of knowledge artist myself.” It was the strategic and organisational aspects of the course “Although my two degrees are in in response to students’ concerns, and skills that this person can share with that really appealed to Jenny, along with the opportunity to gain hands-on different disciplines, my Master’s helped Northumbria has also launched a brand the whole organisation.” experience managing events, running festivals, fundraising and delivering me develop many of the elements new scheme to provide additional Postgraduate courses at Northumbria marketing activities. support for students residing in the I had studied as an undergraduate, are available on both a full and part The final part of the course saw her undertake a placement with a music PR North East. Northumbria’s loan package and it made them more relevant to a time basis on campus, while some company, and, soon after graduating, she landed a role with Brian Debnam, will allow full-time postgraduate specific profession. It allowed me to courses are offered on a distance an arts consultant who works with organisations across the world. Currently, students to access funding of up to focus my skills development according learning basis to create flexible Jenny works as company manager with regional theatre organisation, £10,000 to cover the cost of tuition to the graduate roles I was interested in study options. Curious Monkey (founded by Amy Golding, a graduate of Northumbria’s fees, as well as supporting living and applying for.” Drama and Applied Theatre course). Jenny said: “Curious Monkey aims to accommodation expenses (terms and Chris now works as a Student bring stories to life that deserve to be told. We work with people in our conditions apply). Recruitment Administrator for DISCOVER MORE local community and communities around the world to find stories that So, with the availability of financial Northumbria, a role that involves To find out more go to: are important to them.” One of the company’s most notable productions is international travel, visiting prospective support, and an increasingly attractive northumbria.ac.uk/masters Mamela, produced by Jenny and directed by Amy. This award-winning play students in their home countries CV on the horizon, the next question is opened in South Africa and has since toured to venues across the UK. what to study? to understand their expectations in Aside from boosting Jenny’s credentials and kick-starting an international relation to Higher Education. “The motivations for studying at Northumbria graduate career, studying at postgraduate level has also given her the confidence and During his studies, Chris found postgraduate level vary depending Sophie Haagensen skills to continue to develop her role. “The structure of the course, which that many of his fellow students on the individual” says Northumbria’s encouraged independent study and widened my perspective of the arts as were already gaining employment Marketing Director, Adam Dunlop. an industry, really instils in you the desire to get as much out of situations as experience. He continued: “A lot of “While many students sign up to a you can. My role with Curious Monkey is evolving all the time and the skills I people on my course were working Master’s straight after graduating from developed on my MA have given me the confidence to know that whatever alongside their studies – the lectures their degree, others may have already the challenge, I can figure it out. And I love that!” were taught in the evening to gained extensive work experience. accommodate this and the lecturers It may be that they are looking for a DISCOVER MORE were extremely supportive in career change, or simply want to study northumbria.ac.uk/pg scheduling around students with other a subject they are passionate about.” commitments.

Over 100 fully-funded Master’s places Want to further your study and worried about the added cost? Northumbria has over 100 Master’s bursaries worth over £1 million up for grabs. The new scheme is open to undergraduate students who enrol for postgraduate study in 2015/6 (subject to certain criteria). To find out if you are eligible and for further details, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/masters

Award-winning play Mamela NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 14 NORTHUMBRIA NEWS

IN BRIEF International recognition for Fuelling the iSchool innovator A pioneering academic has been named the winner of an international award for her outstanding contribution to records and information management. Professor Julie McLeod, from Northumbria’s iSchool in the regional economy Department of Mathematics and Information Sciences, received the 2014 Emmett Leahy Award at the ICA Conference in Girona, Spain. Northumbria is one of only five universities in the UK, 18 in Europe and 59 worldwide to have been awarded the globally recognised status of iSchool. The iSchools organisation is a collection of Information Schools dedicated to excellence in advancing the information field. Julie, who is Professor of Records Management, has been a key figure in Northumbria’s iSchool and was presented with the award for her pioneering work in records management education. Make mine a double! An innovative eco project aimed at transforming former young offenders into environmental guardians has won two national awards in 24 hours. The Skill Mill Ltd, supported by Northumbria’s staff and students in partnership with Newcastle Youth Offending Team, picked up The Children and Young People Now Award for Youth Justice and the John Hawkins Award at the annual Youth Justice Convention. The initiative sees former young offenders trained to protect the environment and give back to their communities by carrying out water and land management projects such as stream clearing, which helps to reduce flood risks. As an engine for growth and a driving force behind enterprise and Dr Peter Glaves, Enterprise Fellow and academic lead for The Skill Mill at Northumbria, said: “To innovation, Northumbria is a pillar of strength for the North East win one national award is impressive; to win two economy. Northumbria University News looks at some of the reasons why. says a great deal about the innovative approach developed by the Skill Mill.” For more information go to www.theskillmill.org

n his ‘Growth Review’ of the UK economy, Survey published in June 2014. Indeed, this next people together like this is proving a creative published last year, former Government generation of entrepreneurs has built a combined way to innovate, solve problems and deliver Arming students Minister Lord Adonis outlined how turnover of £54 million, creating, in the past five solutions for a range of partners in the public universities form a core part of the nation’s years alone, more than 100 new companies and and private sectors. It also presents a wealth of with world-class Ieconomic infrastructure through their world- 800 jobs – many in the North East. career-enhancing collaboration opportunities for leading education, science and research. They are As a £226 million business, Northumbria is a students and staff. skills also a key source of support for Local Enterprise major contributor to the North East economy in Beyond the North East, Northumbria’s regional Partnerships (LEPs) as they roll out their regional its own right. Annual procurement spend by the impact reflects the role played by Higher A scheme that brings together Northumbria’s strategies. And through its economic footprint, University is around £60 million, supporting up to Education nationally. In a recent report entitled engineering excellence with the best and and collaboration with business partners, 2,900 suppliers, around 1,000 of whom are North The Impact of Universities on the UK Economy, it brightest talent from the Armed Forces and Civil Northumbria is making a significant and positive East businesses. is estimated that the sector directly contributes Service has been renewed for a further five years. contribution to North East growth. Then there’s the combined spending power of around £18 billion to UK GDP each year. Northumbria is one of only 12 universities in the Northumbria is acknowledged as one of more than 27,000 campus-based students and Furthermore, for every 100 full-time jobs created UK to run the Defence Technical Undergraduate the top universities in the UK for supporting over 3,000 staff. Most of these students live in within universities, another 117 are generated in Scheme (DTUS). This initiative sees the Ministry graduate entrepreneurs. In a recent example, a and around Newcastle, including up to 4,500 the wider economy through knock-on effects. of Defence (MoD) sponsor first degrees in new Enterprise and Innovation Fund created international students, while 95% of staff live, The report says that in 2012 universities in the engineering and information science disciplines by Northumbria raised tens of thousands of work and spend in Tyne & Wear, Northumberland UK generated revenues of almost £30 billion, for future technical officers in each of the three pounds at a launch event attended by world or Durham. Their presence helps to create with overseas income from international Armed Services and the Civil Service. famous alumni including Sir Jonathan Ive, Senior and sustain jobs and prosperity for supply students reaching almost £5.7 billion. University Professor Andrew Wathey, Northumbria’s Vice President Design at Apple Inc, and former chain partners, local retailers and other service expenditure in the same period was £26.7 billion, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, and Scottish rugby international Scott Hastings. The providers. largely through the employment of more than MoD Defence Academy Operations Director, new Fund will encourage more students and Furthermore, through a range of collaborative 378,000 staff. Colin Evans, signed a new Memorandum of alumni to engage in business start-up activity. It partnerships the University is helping local Northumbria offers a range of courses for the Understanding to continue DTUS for another five will provide access to seed-funding to establish businesses innovate, expand and compete globally. next generation of entrepreneurs, including our years. and grow business ideas, undertake enterprise- Through the new INNOVATE centre at innovative Entrepreneurial Business Management The DTUS scheme gives recruits destined for focused work placements and enable access to Gateshead’s Northern Design Centre, for example, degree. a career in the forces access to Northumbria’s proof-of-concept funding. Thanks to initiatives Northumbria connects businesses with its leading courses in Mechanical Engineering, Electronic such as this and a strong focus on employability, academics and students. One of the facility’s Engineering, and Computing, as well as Northumbria is currently the number one main distinguishing strengths is how easy it is for opportunities to broaden their university university in the UK for graduate start-ups businesses to access – it offers multi-disciplinary DISCOVER MORE experience through paid work placements, based on turnover, according to the Higher expertise and world-leading research, all through To find out more go to: adventure training and sport. Education Business and Community Interaction one door and under one roof. Bringing the right northumbria.ac.uk/sgenterprise Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU NORTHUMBRIA NEWS 15 Bringing IKEA to the classroom The creator of IKEA’s ‘flat-pack homes’, David Morton, talks about making the change from international architect to teaching the next generation at Northumbria.

here can be few more rewarding feelings for an Above: David’s 3D design for IKEA’s BoKlok homes architect than to see their Right: David Morton designs become a reality. As the Below: IKEA’s BoKlok homes in Gateshead Tformer lead architect for IKEA’s affordable BoKlok homes range, David Morton has had that pleasure on a global scale. But little did he know that the true impact of his creations would be expressed to him on a much more personal level. “A single father came up to me in tears to personally thank me for creating a home he could afford because it meant he could have his daughter stay with him,” David recalls. “It absolutely floored me in a really good way and as a father myself I was nearly in tears too. In moments like that you realise what you’re drawing on paper really makes a massive difference to people’s lives.” David, who is now a senior lecturer in Architecture at Northumbria, became IKEA’s youngest ever lead architect in 2006 on the BoKlok range. It was launched to create affordable housing across Europe and help people get onto the property ladder. From the original development in Sweden, BoKlok has been rolled out in the UK and across Europe, including in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany, and has sold more than 6,000 homes. “You can build the entire structure and most of the internals in 24 hours,” David says. “In 2-3 weeks you have a finished house. Combined with a total price of less than £71k and you can see why the homes have proved so successful for IKEA.” The BoKlok design was submitted to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and accepted into the British Architectural Library in Information Modelling, involves the now being explored at an increasingly programme of the series,” David recalls. exploration has been somehow lost in London. Elements were also used coordinated use of digital information deeper level,” he says. “The learning and “He has the same passion for design the digital generation, but I hope to in the construction of the 2012 about a building, including 3D models, teaching landscape is changing in terms and building things as I do. It was like pass on that enthusiasm and inspire my Olympic Village. After a number of right through its lifecycle from idea to of students’ requirements as a reflection having a great friend around to chat students. years commuting between his native finished project. of new societal goals. What is expected about cars while driving both the Minis “Architects have a real gift. We create North East and IKEA’s headquarters He says: “It is a completely different in today’s environment is now different and Brian’s 458 Italia. Fantastic fun.” the backdrops to people’s lives, where in Europe, David decided to make a way of working. It is far more realistic than five years ago, with students As an internationally respected they live and work. I think it’s important change and move from professional as you can question everything and requiring a change and deeper learning academic and architect, David has to keep sight of that and it is moments practice to learning and teaching. explore the ‘what ifs’ of your building to their journey.” found himself in increasing demand. like those with that father than remind “It felt really good to give something project using design tools that are David’s appetite for understanding He is a visiting professor at El Cesi in you of that, even more than the awards back,” David says. “It is a great feeling parametric and responsive to your ideas how things work and fit together Paris and has been asked to appear and accolades.” to bring my experience from more than and changes. informs another of his passions. His as opening keynote speaker at this Architecture at Northumbria was seven years of training and 20 years of “BIM is moving so fast as a medium lifelong obsession with cars has seen year’s International BIM summit in rated 6th in the UK by The Guardian, 7th professional practice into the classroom. that every time you think you have him purchase and refurbish all three of Barcelona. Despite his occasional by the Sunday Times, and was also in I love working with students, it’s a super reached a point with it, the game moves the original Minis used in the classic globe-trotting, David remains firmly the top ten of the Complete University creative atmosphere.” on again.” film The Italian Job with Michael Caine. rooted in the North East where he can Guide 2015. David teaches on Architecture, David is also an active researcher. This led to an interested collaboration pass on his enthusiasm and expertise To find out more about Architecture Architecture Technology and Masters Alongside Professor Steve Lockley, he with Northumbria Honorary Graduate, to a new generation of architects at at Northumbria come along to one of of Architecture programmes. He also is currently exploring, via his PhD, the AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, for the Northumbria. our Open Days on 26 & 27 June. became one of the original members pedagogy of using BIM in design and Discovery Channel in the Cars That He says: “Growing up, I really enjoyed of BIM Academy, the unique joint studio teaching. Rock series which aired last year. taking things apart to see how they DISCOVER MORE venture between Northumbria and “The boundaries of the learning “It was fantastic to work with Brian worked. More importantly, I enjoyed Ryder Architecture. BIM, or Building journey in the academic studio are and be interviewed by him for the first putting them back together again. This northumbria.ac.uk/architecture NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 16 NORTHUMBRIA NEWS Students take summer market by storm Three Northumbria students have launched a holiday business and become the University’s most successful Enterprise placement to date, achieving a turnover Left to right: Graham Baty, Enterprise Manager at Northumbria, with in the region of £100k in its first year alone. students Harley Gibb, Warren Pearson and Ben Trattles (Front).

ummer Takeover, which approach allows students to grow He said: “We realised the need for a industry professionals. students have what’s needed to become launched in 2013, was created and test their own business idea with company offering working holiday Ben said “I can honestly say that we successful entrepreneurs when provided by students Ben Trattles, support from the Student and Graduate packages which provide the security wouldn’t be where we are today without with the right tools and I’m incredibly Warren Pearson and Harley Enterprise team. of booking each component with a the help of the University, both from excited to see what the future holds for SGibb. The business caters to young Northumbria believes it is responsive reputable UK company.” the skills gained from our courses and the three of them”. travellers who wish to work abroad by support like this that led to it being When the trio returned to the UK, the support they have given us to get For more information on Summer offering working holiday packages to named the number one university in they turned their love of travel into Summer Takeover off the ground.” Takeover, please visit summertakeover. party destinations. Via the web page, the UK for graduate start-ups based their livelihoods. Graham Baty, Enterprise Manager com. travellers can book everything in one on estimated turnover according to As part of the Enterprise placement at Northumbria, said: “The University place. the Higher Education Business and Summer Takeover received full access is committed to developing the Ben completed an Enterprise Community Interaction Survey. to Northumbria’s free on-campus entrepreneurial and enterprising skills placement, rather than a traditional Ben realised a gap in the market office accommodation and to specialist of its students. DISCOVER MORE industrial placement, as part of his when planning to work abroad with his business mentors, benefiting from free “We’re thrilled at the success of Business with Marketing degree. This business partners Warren and Harley. marketing and legal mentoring from Summer Takeover, it shows our northumbria.ac.uk/sgenterprise £1.1 million employment scheme sees graduates land their dream jobs

Northumbria’s ’Graduates into Business’ project was designed to help create 30 new graduate businesses and provide graduate interns for more than 50 small businesses in the region. The University supports businesses to recruit interns by contributing up to 50% of the graduate’s salary costs. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the scheme is a resounding success with many graduates offered permanent roles upon completion of their internships. Northumbria University News spoke to a number of graduates and From left to right: Michelle Mone OBE – co-owner of Ultimo Brands, Ben their employers to find out how the scheme has benefited them. Ridgway – Business Development Director, iam-sold, Jamie Cooke – Sales Director, iam-sold, Frank Webster – Vice Chairman, Finders Keepers Charlotte Thorpe, Sophie Atkinson, Restaurant Ben Ridgway and The Skill Mill Design Associates Jamie Cooke, iam-sold After graduating with a 2:1 in Crime Science, Charlotte began a Sophie Atkinson graduated with a First Class Honours in Interior Graduates who wish to start their own businesses can also benefit six-month internship with The Skill Mill – an innovative social Design and found a six-month graduate internship at design and greatly from the support the Student and Graduate Enterprise team enterprise which finds employment opportunities for ex-young installation company Restaurant Design Associates (RDA). Now offer. Northumbria graduates, Ben Ridgway and Jamie Cooke, offenders aged 16-18. she’s over half way through her placement and hasn’t looked back. started property auction business, iam-sold, five years ago. “The job is incredibly varied and I’m picking up new skills all “I feel like I’ve learnt a great deal in the three months I’ve been The company employs 60 people from its Kingston Park office the time,” explained Charlotte, “Some of the tasks include writing with RDA and have had the opportunity to work on a vast number and recently announced plans for expansion after winning the funding bids, looking after accounts and updating the website. It’s of very different projects,” explained Sophie. prestigious Sunday Times ‘Estate Agency of the Year’ award for Best a lot of responsibility but I’ve learnt so much already in the short “Studying at Northumbria has really helped to prepare me for the Supplier. time I’ve been here.” world of work – all the projects I completed as part of my degree Company Director Ben Ridgway, who studied Estate The organisation, which focuses on environmental services that have helped me come into RDA more confidently and with a Management at Northumbria, attributes much of this success to the benefit the community, has close links with Northumbria and is knowledge of this industry.” support the business received from the University in the early days. planning to take more students on placement over the coming Nick Bradley, Design Manager at RDA, said: “One big advantage “The Graduate Enterprise team were instrumental in the start- months. of this project is that it gives employers the opportunity to up of iam-sold,” explained Ben, “They provided us with ongoing Director David Parks added: “Charlotte has joined The Skill Mill experiment with the creation of new junior roles in their business support, access to consultants and helped to find crucial funding. at a very exciting time as we look to expand the project in locations with less risks. This was certainly the case for us as we didn’t Without them, the business would not be the success it is today.” across the UK. As such, Charlotte’s role is very challenging but necessarily want to create a new permanent role for someone The company has taken on a number of Northumbria graduates absolutely vital to the work we do. We are delighted to have her on without first testing the water. As it happens, Sophie is progressing through graduate internship schemes with great success. b o ard .” very well and at this point I’m quite confident there will be a Jamie Cooke, Director, added “Graduate internship schemes, All this hard work has paid off for the team – and for Charlotte, permanent position for her at the end of the internship.” like NGIB, bring real benefits to companies like ours, allowing who has found her dream job. She hopes to stay at The Skill Mill Sophie added: “It’s important that graduates understand that they for quicker expansion in a competitive market place. We are very for as long as possible after the placement ends. do not have to move away from the North East to find their dream excited about the expansion of iam-sold – we have a fantastic team She said: “I love working here – it’s really exciting to be part job. After studying in Newcastle for three years, I didn’t want to here and it is always great to build on our successes by providing of something like this at the very start. Last year, I even had the leave so taking a placement through this project was the ideal extra jobs in the region and beyond.” chance to attend an awards ceremony in London – we won the solution. Being welcomed into a family-run, growing company is a Children & Young People Now award for Youth Justice. I can’t wait fantastic way to a start a career in something I love.” DISCOVER MORE to see how the organisation develops in 2015.” To find out more about this scheme go to: northumbria.ac.uk/graduatesintobusiness Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU NORTHUMBRIA NEWS 17 Ghana TV show winner heads for Northumbria Reality TV contestant Anthony Kofi Annan has won a place at Northumbria University, after triumphing in The Challenge.

he 27-year-old from Ghana education destinations in the world, joins two other winners from and over the years I have applied to the education show to have study Master’s degrees and even a PhD secured positions at UK there. I have a couple of family folks in Tuniversities. Following a format similar the UK as well who have told me a lot to the BBC’s The Apprentice, rivals on about the culture, the people and the The Challenge in Ghana competed opportunities available out here. against each other over three months in “Taking part in The Challenge was a range of televised tasks and interviews. a completely new experience for me, One such task involved selling white particularly having to speak in front unmarked T-shirts, where they of cameras. Besides the nervousness, were assessed on revenue raised and however, it was intellectually stimulating marketing strategies. Anthony’s team and a great skills-building exercise. decided to use the T-shirt as a platform Working with team members from to create awareness on the prevention of diverse educational and professional the Ebola virus, and for greater impact backgrounds meant that I had to employ they collaborated with a Government a lot of people skills to motivate and institution in Ghana championing a drive team success. Overall, I would similar cause. say I have grown more confident, am a Now in its sixth series, the highly better team player and hungry for more Anthony Kofi Annan is greeted by Northumbria staff on his arrival in Newcastle popular show is run in partnership success. The Challenge also taught me with the British Council and offers fully that there is always a reward for those enriches university life by creating company Tigo in collaboration with the change direction in their career or give sponsored postgraduate scholarships who dare to dig deeper; if nothing at all, an even more vibrant and creative British Council Ghana and supported it an extra edge, or for those who have a as prizes. Anthony will now join they have enough soil to spare.” learning experience for all students. by Northumbria University, the burning passion for their area of study. Northumbria’s Newcastle Business Rob Carthy, Director of International Their presence also helps to inspire the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen School this month to study MSc Development at Northumbria, said: development of global graduates here Scotland and the University of Salford Business with Financial Management “I’m delighted to welcome Anthony to at Northumbria, with the skills and at Manchester. The show was produced He said: “I’m really looking forward Northumbria, and to congratulate him outlook to succeed in an increasingly by GhOne TV, a Ghanaian based to studying at Northumbria, spending on his success in The Challenge. I’m sure international labour market.” multimedia company”. DISCOVER MORE time in Newcastle and exploring the he’ll have a fantastic time here. The Challenge 2014 was sponsored Postgraduate study at Northumbria is To find out more about postgraduate region. The UK is one of the best “Having international scholars by Ghana-based telecommunication designed for those students who want to study visit: northumbria.ac.uk/pg

Temperature check And I would walk 5,000 miles… Diego Carlos Yarza Calatrella has become Northumbria Law School’s first distance learner from Uruguay. He graduated in December following completion of the LLM International reveals happy students Trade Law course and even made the journey to Newcastle to personally hand in his dissertation. Diego said: “After all of the effort I had put into my dissertation, I wanted the chance to experience the University first-hand and meet my tutors and fellow students”. from around the world Diego is currently a legal advisor for the Uruguayan Chamber of Commerce, following previous posts at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Northumbria has recorded some of the sector’s highest satisfaction levels among its Ministry of Tourism. Distance learning provided Diego with the opportunity overseas students, according to the latest International Student Barometer (ISB) survey. to broaden his knowledge of International Trade Law whilst continuing to maintain his family and work commitments in Uruguay. he ISB (Summer 2014) learning experience to be 88%, living student community and I want to Distance learning is becoming increasingly popular with students, and canvassed the views of experience 90%, and support experience assure all students that we will be using Northumbria offers more ways for you to study flexibly no matter where you over 34,000 international 93%. International postgraduate these results to help us to continue to are in the world. Distance learners have access to the latest technology in order students at 59 universities research students scored Northumbria’s grow and improve our support for all to provide a seamless learning experience. Tacross the world. Graduate School at 99%, ranking it 1st students.” Diego ignore: “A distance learning programme allows you to continue to They were asked how they felt in the ISB. An impressive 88% of students would enjoy your life alongside working and studying hard for modules, essays and about various aspects of their chosen Professor Peter Francis, Pro Vice- recommend Northumbria as a study coursework. Your Programme Support Coordinator helps you adapt to studying university, ranging from the quality Chancellor Learning & Teaching at destination which is well above the ISB via electronic learning. You have access to materials on the e-learning portal of lectures to how safe they feel in Northumbria, said: “Colleagues across average score of 78% and reflects the and may also receive free print copies to your home address. the town or city in which they are the University, as well as the Students’ University’s commitment to delivering “My experience with my tutor was great. I always received a prompt response based. The survey is available to all Union, have worked hard to improve the best possible experience for its to any queries. They were helpful to contact for advice on my performance and international students at Northumbria the international student experience students. also when preparing for my final dissertation.” and aims to capture a true reflection of and I am delighted to see these their experience. responses. The International Student DISCOVER MORE Northumbria has performed very Barometer is a valuable tool which DISCOVER MORE strongly in the most recent results, helps us to understand and respond to northumbria.ac.uk/distancelearning showing overall satisfaction with the the needs of our increasingly diverse northumbria.ac.uk/international NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 18 NEWS Leading arts figures honoured

Northumbria recognises the achievements of Live Theatre Director Max Roberts and Scandinavian painter Ørnulf Opdahl in its winter congregation ceremonies.

oth were awarded honorary degrees after being nominated by staff for their accomplishments, their links to the University, and their inspirational qualities. Max Roberts, Artistic Director of Newcastle’s Live BTheatre, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in recognition of the international profile he has created for the region through theatre. Collaborating with many world-class writers including Lee Hall, Alan Plater, Tom Hadaway, Peter Straughan and CP Taylor, Max’s work has placed the region’s distinctive identity, rich social history and vibrant culture at its heart and provided a springboard for the region’s finest artistic talent. Ørnulf Opdahl, one of Scandinavia’s most significant landscape artists, received his degree as Honorary Doctor of Civil Law. His celebrated paintings can be found in many public and private exhibitions around the world and have been exhibited at Northumbria University’s galleries in London and Newcastle. Northumbria’s summer Congregation ceremonies will take place in July.

DISCOVER MORE Ørnulf Opdahl northumbria.ac.uk/academicregistry First for Newcastle Business School in Hong Kong

Northumbria’s Newcastle Business School has awarded its first Honorary Doctorate in Hong Kong, as it continues to develop its academic offering and international profile in South East Asia.

he Honorary Doctorate of Northumbria University’s Civil Law was presented Newcastle Business School has been to Mrs Carrie Yau, the partnering with SHAPE since 2002. Executive Director of the The partnership provides top-up THong Kong Vocational Training degree programmes in a number of Council (VTC), in recognition of specialisms including Finance and her contribution to the promotion of Investment Management, International vocational education, skills and in- Business Management and company development in Hong Kong. International Hospitality and Tourism Mrs Yau joined VTC in January 2013 Management. More recently Business after a distinguished 30-year career (with Law) and Food Science and in public service in the Hong Kong Nutrition courses have been added. government, serving in major policy Kevin Kerrigan, Executive Dean areas including security, building for Newcastle Business School and and lands, education and manpower, Northumbria Law School, said: “Our transport and health and food safety. partnership with SHAPE is extremely In each role her achievements and important to us. We have a shared contribution to public services and set of values and a commitment to education have helped to shape ensuring students on our courses have an outstanding learning experience and and build Hong Kong’s civic and develop the skills needed to succeed educational infrastructures. and prosper as international graduates The award was bestowed by competing in today’s global markets. Northumbria Pro-Chancellor and “It was also wonderful to make a Chair of Governors, Mr Chris Sayers at bit of history by conferring the first Northumbria’s Academic Congregation honorary doctorate at an overseas Ceremony at the School for Higher congregation on Mrs Yau – an award and Professional Education (SHAPE), she so richly deserves.” which is part of the VTC organisation. This year more than 460 graduates completed a degree programme offered DISCOVER MORE by the University of Northumbria in collaboration with SHAPE. northumbria.ac.uk/nbs Carrie Yau receiving her Honorary Doctorate from Northumbria’s Pro-Chancellor, Chris Sayers Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU CULTURE 19 Charlie Hardwick: Bringing a career to Live Northumbria recently awarded Live Theatre’s Artistic Director, Max Roberts with an honorary degree for taking North East talent to global audiences. Charlie Hardwick, Emmerdale star and Northumbria graduate, is just one of the talented artists Max has worked with since Live Theatre was founded in 1973. She talks to Northumbria University News about how the theatre company, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2013, played a vital role in her career.

“ first came into contact with Live Charlie’s professional career was Elvis, Live’s collaboration with Hall has through my youth theatre”, Charlie launched after she was spotted by seen performances taking place all over said. “We didn’t have drama or a director when presenting her the world, with his most recent hit, music on the syllabus at high dissertation production. As a result, The Pitmen Painters being performed Ischool. I loved it all as a young child by the time she finished university on Broadway, and subsequently as far but that all stopped when I got to high she had a full-time job as an actor at afield as New Zealand. school.” Luckily, a council-funded youth Sheffield Crucible. She returned to the Following its New York success in theatre was set up to encourage kids like North East in 1988 and quickly wrote 2010, Pitmen Painters cast member, Charlie, who didn’t have access to the a letter to Max asking for an audition Lisa McGrillis (another Northumbria arts, to take part in theatre. with Live. By January 1989, Charlie was graduate) performed alongside Charlie She added: “I remember Live performing in her first professional in a production at the Customs House performing for us at youth theatre. It production with the company, entitled in South Shields. The play, entitled was a production of Happy Lies and Hair in the Gate by writer Michael The Awkward Squad, was directed by it changed my life entirely.” The play, Chaplin. Ten years and almost twenty Northumbria Performing Arts lecturer, written by C P Taylor, a playwright and Live Theatre productions later, she went Fiona MacPherson. Northumbria’s lecturer on Max Roberts’ course when on to perform in the hit show, Cooking arts department currently boasts a he studied at Northumbria in the 70s, with Elvis, a black comedy by Billy staff team who are highly active in the told the story of a little boy in Tyneside Elliot writer Lee Hall. She said of her industry, something that Charlie feels Charlie in the Live Theatre production of Cabaret and a little girl in India. Charlie said: “I time at Live: “I am never happier and is vital for university teaching. She didn’t even know you could get Geordie more fulfilled than I am in the rehearsal said: “Unless you can practice, you may as the character contracted the virus. And Live Theatre certainly isn’t a actors until I saw Happy Lies. It ignited room at Live with Max and the cast. In as well not turn up. You have to have This was one of the reasons I wanted to bad place to start. Its current season me. From that point on, it became my the early days we were like an ensemble, people out working in the field. Let’s act in the first place - to raise awareness includes a play by another Northumbria ambition to work for Live Theatre.” which meant that we were used to face it, you can read a book about sex, of important issues.” graduate, Paddy Campbell, writer of the Charlie’s career began at Northumbria working together and could cut straight but it doesn’t make you good at it!” Charlie credits university for giving award-winning hit, Wet House. This new in the early 80s, studying Creative and to the chase.” Something Charlie’s had a lot of her the confidence to succeed in this production, entitled Day of the Flymo, Performing Arts. She said: “The course It’s for these reasons that Charlie practice at is portraying Val Pollard in highly competitive industry, where will be performed by members of Live’s was quite radical and political at the is continually drawn back to Live Emmerdale, a role she has played for she is now a hugely popular household youth theatre alongside professional time. It gave me a grounding in the Theatre, her most recent performance over ten years. So does it continue to name. “I don’t think I’d have half the actors. And as Charlie’s career history kind of accessible, relevant, hard-hitting being just last year, taking part in Lee challenge her? “Playing a character for confidence I have in my ability had I suggests, this could well be the place to drama that I wanted to share with other Hall’s screenplay series. She said: “Live a long-running series isn’t like going not studied to degree level. I was 22 see tomorrow’s stars in action. people.” Charlie also credits her time started out as a company working out on stage in the same role, in the same when I started university and it gave me at University for allowing her to step of the back of a van. Basingstoke was show every night,” Charlie explained. a real boost.” outside of her ‘normal’ life and take a the furthest south we went! Max then “We get new storylines every fortnight So what about performing arts DISCOVER MORE look at it from afar. “University gave me commissioned Cooking with Elvis and the character continually evolves. students today? Any advice? Charlie a clearer understanding of where I was which toured to Edinburgh where it Over the last year, Val was involved in a said: “Go and see everything you To book tickets for Day of the Flymo, and from, what I wanted to do, and how I was snapped up by a producer and storyline that raised awareness of HIV possibly can. From readings, to huge find out more about Live Theatre’s current wanted to get there.” taken to London.” Since Cooking with and sexual health among older women, productions, everything!” season, visit www.live.org.uk

Charlie in Attachments at Live Theatre The cast and crew of Cabaret with Charlie (Front row, second left) and Max Roberts (front row, third right) NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 20 CULTURE When being disruptive is a good thing Northumbria recently curated a programme of events on behalf of the Disruptive Innovation Festival – a global, online festival that brought together thought-leaders, entrepreneurs and businesses to inspire positive change to the future economy. Here, Mark Bailey, Teaching Fellow in Northumbria’s Design department uncovers the real meaning of Disruptive Innovation.

isruptive Innovation’, ‘Breakthrough Innovation’, ‘Game-changing Innovation’ – these are the buzz- words of today’s business leaders seeking commercial advantage. It’s worth pausing for a moment to consider Djust what disruptive innovation is, and whether it really is right for all situations. There are many definitions of innovation. In essence they all converge around the same theme - bringing bright ideas to life in order to create positive change. Disruption, on the other hand, has negative connotations of breakdown and failure. Disruptive innovation, however, breaks something that already exists to create a better future solution. An example of such disruptive innovation can be found in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Boeing had to respond to two challenges: the commercial challenge posed by Airbus entering the super-sized airliner market with their A380 and the social challenge posed by increasing environmental concerns and passenger demands for ever-increasing levels of comfort and service. With these in mind, Boeing came up with a blueprint for a new aircraft that simply could not be produced using conventional approaches. With nearly a century of expertise in aluminium aircraft construction (as well as vast factories and established supply-chains devoted to this approach), and with minimal experience in alternative production methods, Boeing took the brave decision to completely disrupt their business, and the market, by developing the Dreamliner; an aircraft that could meet their ambitious brief if manufactured using advanced plastics. While Dreamliner has attracted some negative press, it has been a huge success, and Boeing’s competitors are left playing catch-up. In everyday life, disruption is uncomfortable, challenging, troublesome and unwelcome. Similarly in commercial life, the greatest business leaders recognise that only disruptive innovation will bring about meaningful change when maintaining the status quo is unsustainable. Boeing found themselves thoroughly disrupted by the Dreamliner programme having to develop all- new management competencies, knowledge and skills in order to deliver their goal - a game-changing new product. The result is not just a new product and a challenge for competitors to respond to, but more importantly, a changed organisational culture in which innovation can flourish. Consumers aren’t always ready to accept disruption. They need to see tangible benefits that speak to their particular circumstances in order to buy into something new, especially if they are being asked to pay more than they do for an established product. Smart businesses recognise this and tend to operate on three levels of innovation (often described as incremental, radical and disruptive) in order to protect their short, mid and long-term interests. Of course, innovation for commercial gain should not come at the expense of social benefit; the two are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, the most responsible of organisations see them as mutually inclusive. Unilever, with whom Northumbria has a creative partnership working collaboratively on their Sustainable Living Plan, have placed social benefit at the core of their corporate strategy. This strategy is so simply expressed that all employees can rally around it: [Unilever will] ‘help more than a billion people take action to improve their health and well-being. Halve the environmental footprint of the making and use of our products as we grow our business. Enhance the livelihoods of millions of people as we grow Mark Bailey our business’. As a business, they know that they need to be working at all three of stakeholder behaviour. Successful innovation requires a blend service providers. While they learn to use, and develop, innovation levels of innovation and their people need to establish a culture of context-specific specialist knowledge given meaning through practice approaches, methods and tools, the main purpose of innovation. Their very ambitious Sustainable Living Plan design. It is for this reason that the MA/MSc Multidisciplinary of their education is to enable them to develop as individuals gives employees permission to innovate, to take risks and push Innovation (MDI) was developed and runs through the with the knowledge, skills and confidence to venture into the boundaries – to become uncomfortable! University’s INNOVATE scheme at the Northern Design Centre in unknown. We do not seek to create purely disruptive innovators, As an innovative University, we have a responsibility to launch Gateshead. but rather ‘responsible innovators’ - innovators who consider the future leaders into the world with a clear understanding of the MDI is an intensive one year programme that brings together consequences of their innovations, who understand when to be role of innovation in business and society and with the capacity graduates with specialisms in design, technology and business disruptive and when to be incremental. to develop and deliver positive change. Innovation is not a solo- to learn together through engaging in real-world problem act and it isn’t the sole preserve of designers. In an increasingly defining and solving. The students work on projects with clients complex world, innovation is necessarily collaborative and ranging from regional start-ups and SME’s to global corporations DISCOVER MORE multidisciplinary. It capitalises on scientific and technological and across all sectors, from charities, social enterprises and WATCH: To watch a film about Northumbria’s MDI course, discovery, as well as business know-how and a deep understanding Government departments to global manufacturing companies and visit: northumbria.ac.uk/mdi Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU CULTURE 21 Turning

Little Crackers – Beda Higgins Synopsis: Inspired by the author’s experiences as a nurse over the the pages... last thirty years, and written with compassion and imagination, Little Crackers is a collection of quirky, surprising tales which raise questions about how we care for the most Books by our talented vulnerable members of our society. Beda Higgins is a graduate of Northumbria’s MA Creative Writing students and academics course. Available at WH Smith. RRP £8.99.

Change Lessons from the CEO: Real People, How I left The National Grid – Real Change – Johan Coetsee and Patrick Flood Guy Mankowski Synopsis: Managing change can be one of the biggest Synopsis: Set in 1980s Manchester, this novel challenges for business leaders and managers. Using a tells the story of fictional frontman Robert wealth of real stories from CEOs about how they managed Wardner who mysteriously vanished a year major change initiatives—and the lessons they learned after his post-punk band ‘The National Grid’ along the way— this book gives professionals and business found fame overnight. Twenty-five years later students powerful and effective guidance on successfully – after rumours that Wardner was murdered managing change initiatives in any organisation. by an obsessed young fan – word spreads that the singer is alive and planning to re-emerge. Dr Johan Coatsee is a Senior Lecturer in Organisation Sam, a journalist who helped publicise the and Human Resource Management at Newcastle Business band in the early days, is commissioned to find School, Northumbria University. Wardner and give him the chance to tell his Available on Wiley. RRP £29.99 story for a book. But in the process, Sam may in fact be planning his own murder. Guy Mankowski is a PhD student on Invisible Crimes and Social Harms – Northumbria’s Creative Writing course. Pam Davies, Peter Francis and Tanya Wyatt Available on Amazon. RRP £8.99. Synopsis: This new collection of chapters – part of the Palgrave Macmillan series Critical Criminological Perspectives - explores the reasons for the continuing invisibility of much crime and asks what can be done about it. With a wide range Gladio – Steve Chambers of fascinating case studies and examples, this volume is an essential resource for lecturers, researchers, students and Synopsis: When a policeman is killed outside Menwith Hill practitioners of criminology, as well as anyone interested in RAF base at the height of the miners’ strike, TV journalist debates about crime, harm and social justice. John Bradley is convinced it’s a miner who’s had enough. When he investigates, he discovers a conspiracy involving Dr Pamela Davies is Teaching Fellow and Programme subversion, covert surveillance and state sponsored Director of Criminology at Northumbria University. murder. Set in 1984 and based on real events, Gladio is a Professor Peter Francis is Pro Vice-Chancellor fast-moving conspiracy thriller. (Learning and Teaching) at Northumbria University. Steve Chambers is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at Dr Tanya Wyatt is Senior Lecturer in Criminology Northumbria University. at Northumbria University. Available at Foyles. RRP £7.99. Available at Waterstones. RRP £65.00.

How to Live (Book 1 – How we Are) – Strange Music – Laura Fish Vogue On Designers: Vivienne Westwood – Vincent Deary Linda Watson Synopsis: This novel provides a bio-fictional portrait Synopsis: The first book in the How To Live trilogy, How of the Victorian poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Synopsis: The latest in Vogue’s On Designers series We Are explores the power of habit and the difficulty of whose family made their fortune from a Jamaican looks at what makes Westwood one of the fashion change. Over decades of psychotherapeutic work, Deary sugar plantation. Set in the late 1930s, shortly after industry’s most influential names. Written by has witnessed the way that people get stuck, struggle the abolition of slavery, the story is narrated by three renowned fashion writer and author Linda Watson with new circumstances, and eventually transform women – Kaydia and Sheba, a maidservant and – who assisted Westwood on two collections – this their lives and get better. Drawing on his own personal labourer at the plantation, and Elizabeth herself. As book looks back on the iconic British designer’s punk experience, and a range of literary, philosophical and Elizabeth struggles to come to terms with the source of origins, remembers some of her most daring and cultural sources, Deary has produced a universal her wealth and privilege, both Sheba and Kaydia fight risqué designs and explores her still-flourishing career. portrait of the human condition. to escape a tragic past which seems ever-present. Linda Watson is a Reader in Fashion at Northumbria Dr Vincent Deary is a Health Psychologist at Dr Laura Fish is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing University. Northumbria University. at Northumbria University. Available on Amazon. RRP £15.00. Available at Blackwell’s Bookstore on Available on Amazon. RRP £7.99 Northumbria’s City Campus. RRP £16.99. NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 22 EVENTS/WHAT’S ON what’s on The city There are hundreds of shows, exhibitions, concerts and festivals happening in Newcastle each week. Here are just a handful… as a playground Students’ Union Public Lectures Exhibitions and Festivals Coquelin Miguel Unless otherwise stated, lectures begin at 6.30pm for an hour and are held in Lecture 18 February Theatre 002, Business and Law Building, City Jonathan Yeo Portraits at Student sessions at Habita Campus East. Refreshments are available the Laing Art Gallery – every Monday from 7pm, from 6.00pm. Shown until 15 Feb 2015 featuring happy hour and special deals. The Scope of Reform for One of world’s leading portrait artist, Offences Against the Person – known internationally for his portraits Brofest #3 Professor David Ormerod QC on celebrities such as Sienna Miller, Kevin Spacey and Stephen Fry. 27 February – 1 March 18 February 2015 Skateboarders should be celebrated, not treated A classic rock and metal festival Law Commissioner for Criminal Law and Skating@Life featuring NWBHM legends like anti-social hooligans, according to academics Evidence Professor David Ormerod is Until 22 February Blitskrieg, High Spirits and the responsible for Criminal law, Evidence and at Northumbria. reunion of Mythra – Let’s rock! Visit Newcastle’s only outdoor ice rink Procedure. at the Centre for Life before it’s too late! r Michael Jeffries, Sebastian celebrating their contribution to the Curves Messer and Dr Jon Swords, c it y.” Lines of Desire – Maker Faire UK, 20 Feb and 28 March from Engineering and The research also found that skaters Professor Keith McIntyre International Centre for Life Environment, recently add to the social capital of the cityscape, For the very best in Drum & Bass, 4 March 2015 25 – 26 April 2015 published, Playing Outdoors: The with suggestions of authorities Beats & Breaks. D NPA Basement Studio Theatre, Room A global, family friendly festival of Importance of the City as a Playground working alongside skaters to sustain Coffee House Sessions 0023, Lipman Building, City Campus West invention and creativity, bringing for Skateboarding and Parkour. their scene as a positive benefit to Every Thursday. Professor of Fine Art, Northumbria University together more than 300 hackers, This research looks at skateboarders as city regeneration. With many skaters Keith McIntyre. crafters and inventors, with exhibitors aspirational figures - ‘everything society showing true entrepreneurial interest Coffee House Sessions returns. including staff and students from wishes young people could be’ – and in creative industries such as video and The revolutionary tour circuit Northumbria University. challenges the approach of various city photography, it has also been suggested which brings live music back councils across the country who created that perhaps this could create a cool, to university campuses, was Game On 2.0, International skate parks on the outskirts of cities, to youthful buzz which so many cities launched by Huw Stephens from Centre for Life deter skaters from the city centre. BBC Radio 1, with the sessions crave as part of regeneration. showcase emerging UK artists. 23 May – 1 November Dr Jon Swords, Programme Leader Dr Michael Jeffries, teaching fellow From Sonic to Samus, Mario to for BA Geography, said: “There is often in the Department of Geography, Big Fresh Quiz of the Minecraft, Game On 2.0 is the world’s a complete misunderstanding of the added: “It is easy to mistake skaters Week biggest collection of playable computer skateboard community, but despite as a problem, but they are in fact an Every Sunday, games from the past 60 years. preconceived ideas, skaters are in fact important part of a city, with the vast a valuable part of our society. They are majority of skaters very respectful of the 8pm, entry £1 Gallery sociable as they learn how to interact areas in which they use.” Sundays are all about chilling with friends; entrepreneurial, often out and relaxing with your mates running their own competitions, and Tyneside Reborn – The Rt and what better place to be than Frans Widerberg: are generally, very healthy and active DISCOVER MORE in Habita with the chance to win Hon the Lord Heseltine CH The Art of people. Instead of trying to restrict some mega cash prizes. 10 March 2015 Re-Enchantment skaters, local authorities should be northumbria.ac.uk/geography St Patrick’s Day 1pm – 2pm, The Great Hall, Sutherland 6 February – 2 April 2015 Tuesday 17 March Building, City Campus West. Refreshments available from 12.30pm Widerberg, the spiritual All day party. Join us for some descendant of Munch, unleashes All fixtures at Sport Central, City Campus refreshments… What’s gender got to do with upon an unsuspecting world Sport images bathed in blazing light. NEWCASTLE EAGLES Karaoke it? – Effecting Change through Gendered Disaster Risk This is a light which as pure as Doors 6:30pm, tip off 7:30pm – Sport Central Never mind The Voice – Thursday energy seems to propel a series of Newcastle Eagles v Durham Wildcats 13 February nights are karaoke night. Step up Reduction – Professor Maureen extraordinary dramas. to the mic! Fordham Newcastle Eagles v London Lions 20 February Peter Lanyon: Newcastle Eagles v Surrey United 27 February Soul & Funk Fridays @ 29 April 2015 The Mural Studies Newcastle Eagles v Cheshire Phoenix 6 March Habita Professor of Gender and Disaster Resilience, Northumbria University Maureen Fordham 10 April – 22 May 2015 Newcastle Eagles v Bristol Flyers 20 March Featuring new and old skule hits was a founding member of the Gender and and Perez the Bongo man. Newcastle Eagles v Manchester Giants 27 March Disaster Network and advises on gender Louise Bourgeois: and disaster policy within the United Autobiographical Series BASKETBALL MEN Nations. 18 April – 22 May 2015 Team Northumbria vs Leicester Warriors 15 February Team Northumbria vs Medway Crusaders 22 March Team Northumbria vs Tees Valley Mohawks 5 March BASKETBALL WOMEN Team Northumbria vs Leicester Riders (Pre Eagles) 20 February Team Northumbria vs Sevenoaks 28 February Team Northumbria vs Sheffield Hatters 7 March Team Northumbria vs Barking Abbey 28 March VOLLEYBALL MEN’S SUPER 8’S Team Northumbria vs Sheffield Hallam 21 February Team Northumbria vs Solent 1 7 March Team Northumbria vs London Lynx 1 8 March VOLLEYBALL WOMEN’S SUPER 8’S Team Northumbria vs City of Salford VC 21 February For more information on these and other events in the area, visit Team Northumbria vs Swiss Cottage 8 March www.newcastlegateshead.com/whats-on Visit nusportcentral.com for kick off times and latest info. Spring 2015 • northumbria.ac.uk • #iwantNU NEWS/SPORT 23 Running research unveils the secrets of Jamaica’s sprinting success Northumbria experts have travelled to the Caribbean to lead a project looking at why elite Jamaican sprinters are so successful.

orthumbria is ranked in person’s running speed. the top 30 in the UK for Kris explained: “We specifically excellence in sport and wanted to look into the success of exercise science research Jamaican elite sprinters – the best of the Nand academics have recently been best – because the country has so many investigating just how the small nation record holders for sprint events. We flew – which has produced some of the to Jamaica where we took measurements world’s fastest athletes, including record- from an elite track and field team in breaker Usain Bolt – is so exceptional at Kingston, as well as from a large sample sprinting. of everyday Jamaicans. Working with researchers from “The findings show us there is a Germany and New York, Kris McCarty, relationship between knee symmetry a research fellow in the department and running speed, although it is not of Psychology, and Mark Russell, a known at this stage if the sprinters senior lecturer in Sport, Exercise and are great because their knees are Rehabilitation measured the knees of symmetrical, or if their knees are more than 70 elite Jamaican athletes symmetrical because of the time spent including Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, who practicing and training.” holds two Olympic gold medals in the Although scientists can already look at 100-metre sprint, and Nesta Carter, the the symmetry of the knees in childhood man with the fifth-fastest 100-metre to predict how fast a non-trained person record. will run when they are older, this is the For comparison, they measured the first time that any research has isolated a knees of 116 non-sprinters who were variable that predicts sprinting speed in the same age and sex, and similar in size current athletes. and weight and found that the sprinters’ knees were much more symmetrical than those of the non-sprinters. DISCOVER MORE Thirty sprinters specialising in the northumbria.ac.uk/rehab 100-metre race, which does not require Scan this QR code for more them to turn corners, were found to information on the work of have the most symmetrical knees of Northumbria’s department all. This means that the symmetry of of Sport, Exercise and Jamaica’s record-breaking sprinter Usain Bolt the knees and the ankles impacts on a Rehabilitation. Olympic legends line-up on campus Two of the world’s most famous sporting legends have visited Northumbria to discuss the latest research into the impact of exercise and nutrition in sport.

ir Chris Hoy, the most successful recovery in athletes. Other presenters “The fact that both Sir Chris Hoy and Olympic cyclist of all time and covered topics including protein and Haile Gebrselassie attended is testament Haile Gebrselassie, the world’s carbohydrates in athlete diets; how diet to the impact of the research we are all greatest ever distance runner, and exercise can impact on gut health; undertaking and its importance for elite Svisited the University to take part in what it takes to run a marathon in two athletes.” the International Sport and Exercise hours and which fatty acids are essential Northumbria is one of the original Nutrition Conference 2014. It is the third for health and performance. providers of sport degrees in UK higher time that the prestigious conference has Dr Stevenson said: “This is the world’s education for over 30 years and in UK been held at Northumbria in recent years. only international conference covering Higher Education. Sports graduates The conference brought together leading both sport and nutrition and so it’s a have included successful medal- academics and researchers from countries great coup for Northumbria – not only winning figures including Olympic including Australia, New Zealand and to host it for the third time, but because cyclist Victoria Pendleton, Paralympic Canada to present the latest evidence into it brings some of the leading names in champion Stephen Miller, Olympic the effects of diet and exercise on health sport, exercise and nutrition research to athlete Steve Cram and international and performance. our campus. rugby players Jamie Noon and Martin Northumbria’s Dr Emma Stevenson, a “We’ve made such impressive Corry. Reader in Sport and Exercise Nutrition, investments in our facilities and the was one of a number of speakers conference was a fantastic opportunity presenting their research findings at the to showcase our position as a leader in DISCOVER MORE conference. She discussed research into sports, exercise, nutrition, recovery and To find out more about sport at Northumbria, how certain ‘functional foods’, such as rehabilitation research to some of the come along to one of our Open Days on 26 & 27 Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy cherry juice and beetroot, can help to aid most prominent experts in the field. June or go to: northumbria.ac.uk/sport NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY NEWS 24 NORTHUMBRIAUNIVERSITY SPORT NEWS We’re the UK’s most SPORT improved university for sport Team Northumbria targets repeat victory Northumbria University sports teams will fight to retain their winners crown Northumbria’s Stan Calvert Cup-winning sports teams when the Stan Calvert Memorial Cup kicks off this month. ast year Team Northumbria making a decisive move on the pitch, 2015 event with Northumbria’s Netball claimed a memorable victory in the Team Northumbria family pulled first team taking on their Newcastle the annual sporting competition together with one goal in mind. I think counterparts at Sport Central. between Northumbria and everyone involved will remember 2014 “Concluding the Stan Calvert Cup with LNewcastle Universities for the first time as the year we restored some much- netball is a first for this year and we’re since 2007. Now the pressure is on to needed local pride to our national hoping it will prove to be a popular finale repeat their success, keeping the much sporting success. However, as holders we in a venue designed to host the biggest sought after cup out of their rivals’ hands now face a different kind of pressure!” sporting fixtures,” added Colin. for another year. The Stan Calvert Memorial Cup is Last year Northumbria broke into the “As a University we are ranked in the one of Britain’s biggest inter-city varsity top 10 of the British Universities and top 10 nationally for sport but a Stan events with hundreds of students taking Colleges Sport (BUCS) league table for Calvert victory was the missing piece of part in fixtures across 24 sports. Over the the first time after huge investment in the jigsaw,” explained Colin Stromsoy, course of six days the series of sporting campus facilities. It ranked 8 overall Northumbria University’s Head of Sport. events are watched by thousands of and won the Bucs Most Improved “Everyone knew we had been waiting spectators. This year’s Stan Calvert University for Sport award in July. far too long for a win and there was Cup fixtures start in the final week of The unprecedented run of success in Northumbria has been delivering Sport a collective will to succeed last year. February and culminate in a day of inter-university competitions follows an degrees for over 30 years and is one of DISCOVER MORE Whether it was the students cheering on exciting action on Sunday, 1 March. investment totalling more than £40m in the original providers in UK Higher nusportcentral.com from the sidelines or their class mates The final whistle will be blown on the facilities and staff over recent years. Education.

Volleyball stars Sky Sports cameras trained on Team Northumbria ‘smash it’ at Northumbria as Netball Superleague returns for the 2015 season. Northumbria University has been recognised as a wo of Team Northumbria’s home fixtures have new hub for volleyball development and excellence. been selected for coverage with the games against Loughborough Lightning and Hertfordshire t a time when volleyball is highest level. Teenagers from across the Mavericks going out live from the University’s currently going through North East worked with London 2012 Tstate-of-the-art £30m Sport Central facility. a period of post-London Olympians Peter Bakare and Nathan Netball Superleague brings together the very best in 2012 restructuring, French, as well as American college homegrown and overseas talent with eight teams from as ANorthumbria has become one of only players Whitney Phillips and Christina far afield as Cardiff, Surrey and Bath competing for the five UK institutions to gain the honour Dorismund, before watching Team end-of-season championship title. Founder members, Team of Volleyball England Senior Academy Northumbria’s Super 8s squads in action Northumbria, feature new signings Hayley Mulheron and status. It was announced during a against London Polonia. Nicole Styles. Mulheron starred for Scotland at last year’s launch event at Sport Central, the “We have been established as a centre Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Australian Styles University’s £30 million sports facility, for excellence for some time now,” signed from New South Wales in December. The defensive which saw Northumbria’s elite volleyball explained David Goodchild, Head pair join Northumbria sport scholars Leah Kennedy, Kayley players welcome the region’s leading of Volleyball at Northumbria. “The Moss and Emma Woodings in a strong line-up aiming for a junior players for coaching sessions new Senior Academy Programme top four finish. and advice on how to progress to the is a fantastic opportunity for young All of the University’s sports teams and individual student volleyball athletes to train and develop athletes compete under the name Team Northumbria and in a performance environment whilst it has a long and distinguished history of success. Current studying at university in Newcastle. students include London 2012 Olympic volleyball players The introduction of Senior Academies Peter Bakare and Lynn Beattie, British record holder for extends the existing England Talent 50m and 100m breaststroke Dan Sliwinski, and Paralympic Pathway and will be the springboard for swimmers Jack Bridge and Harriet Lee. Former Northumbria athletes who could go on to represent sporting legends include Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton England in senior competitions. It also and Paralympic champion Stephen Miller. prepares them to play professional volleyball abroad, be that indoors in a club environment or on the beach in DISCOVER MORE European and World tours events.” Netball Superleague tickets are available via Sky Tickets, Maria Bertelli, GB Olympian, school from Sport Central reception or and youth commission president and by emailing [email protected] former Team Northumbria player added: “I think this is great news and will be a fantastic opportunity for young Forthcoming fixtures athletes. From my own experience, my time at University was so important in TN v Loughborough Lightning TN v Hertfordshire Mavericks my development – it’s where I realised 16 February (7.45pm, live on Sky Sports) 2 April (6pm, live on Sky Sports) what it would take to make the step into TN v Manchester Thunder 6 March (7.30pm) TN v Surrey Storm 13 April (7.30pm) high performance volleyball, and where I obtained the degree that I’m now TN v Celtic Dragons 21 March (6.30pm) using for my life after elite sport.”