Spring 2015 Edition
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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.