The magazine for alumni and friends of City University London 2016 issue INSIDE Immigration: what needs to change? Joining the University of London federation Meet the alumni funding the arts The extraordinary courage of Syrian journalist Zaina Erhaim. Plus: Professor Dame Wendy Hall, Jaz Rabadia MBE and other inspiring stories of City’s female staff and alumnae Wonder women Contents 1 Welcome City Magazine 2016 Letter from the Director The magazine for alumni and friends of 2 Dispatches City University London, produced by the The latest news from your alma mater Development & Alumni Relations Office. 8 Research Editor Leading research from across the University Chris Lines Contributors 18: Extraordinary women Anthony Coleman, Jessica 12 Diary Holland, Alex Marshall, An update on City’s global alumni network Mickella Nikoi Design and production 16 Fundraising Fabrik Brands Inspiring projects made possible by the Print and distribution generosity of City alumni and partners Sterling Solutions Photography Hayyan Alyousouf, 18 Cover story: City’s extraordinary women Sarah Beighton, Keith The story of some of City’s most inspiring Christensen, Sophie Göst, and impressive female staff and alumni Thomas Hammond (front cover), Karen Hatch, Mark McNulty, Tarynne 24 5 to watch 24: 5 to watch Quirk, Peter Schiazza, City alumni going places Reenat Sinay, Roger Sinek, Elizabeth Starling, Julia Massey Stewart 26 A new chapter Illustration Fifty years on from receiving its Royal Charter, thelongandtheshortofit. City prepares to join the University of London co.uk Imagery on this 30 Funding the arts page, from top: Cover star Zaina Erhaim, Alumni discuss the business side of the pictured in Aleppo, Syria; art world as City marks 40 years of cultural City Law School alumnus and creative industries at the University and former chemistry tutor Andrew Lomas; Princess 26: University of London Anne, Her Royal Highness 32 The immigration debate The Princess Royal, the Two City academics discuss one of the long-serving Chancellor of the University of biggest UK news stories of recent times London; City academics Professor Daniel Wilsher 34 Business with a social purpose and Dr Iosif Kovras. City Magazine speaks to Alex Skailes, Director of Cass Centre for Charity Effectiveness 36 In profile Guardian political editor and City alumna Anushka Asthana 32: Managing immigration Welcome Welcome These are exciting times for City. students and alumni who hail from City in numbers EU countries. We would like to offer Results from the National Student Survey (NSS) show that City is now them our heartfelt support during this the top university in London for difficult time of national transition. undergraduate student satisfaction. It appears negotiations on the terms of Over the last three years, we have had the UK’s exit will proceed gradually, so the largest increase in undergraduate there should be plenty of time for City City’s Alumni Office satisfaction of any UK university. to raise issues of concern and influence is now in contact debate. Higher education is a UK success with over 130,000 Our estate is also transformed. We now former students in have the largest student sports facility in story and City is determined to ensure that our collective voice is heard when central London in CitySport on Goswell 202 Road and our students are benefitting difficult political decisions are being countries from state-of-the-art lecture theatres, made. For the weeks and months ahead some of which are underground, making it is very much ‘business as usual’ for City the very best use of our space. and we will stay focused on our purpose: transforming the lives of our students, And the entrance to the University creating new knowledge, supporting on Northampton Square is being business and the professions and dramatically remodelled, refurbished contributing to the global good of society. and extended so that it will be lighter City confirms its commitment to its 87% and more welcoming to our students of current students and guests. We expect the new entrance European staff, students, alumni, indicated their to open in the autumn. colleagues and partners as it seeks to satisfaction with influence positively future policies and their experience at According to the Research Excellence decisions relating to the UK’s exit from City through the 2015 Framework (REF) 2014, we have doubled the EU. We will be in touch to let you National Student Survey the proportion of our total academic know how you can help in this process. (City’s best ever result) staff producing world-leading or One immediate opportunity is to internationally excellent research to support efforts to reassure students 40 per cent. And later this year, City will that London remains a welcoming city join the University of London federation, through the @studylondon Twitter an elite group of universities with a account and using #LondonisOpen. global outlook. If you haven’t been back for some time, why not pay us a visit? This edition of City Magazine brings you You will be impressed! up to date with many of the other exciting 74% things happening at City. Please make student participation We have for the first time been ranked sure we have your email address so you rate in the National in the top 20 (and 4th in London) in the can receive our regular monthly updates Student Survey Guardian University Guide 2017, while (again the highest City on developments and information The Complete University Guide 2017 has ever achieved) on events you might wish to attend. recently ranked City the top university Hopefully we will see you at one of them. in London for student satisfaction. The Financial Times European Business School Rankings list Cass Business City’s response to School MBA courses among the top 40 in the world. the EU vote Between 2012 On a more disappointing note, the The University has provided and 2016 over vote in June for the UK to leave the detailed advice for staff, current David Street European Union came as a shock to students and prospective £130M the vast majority of us at City and was Director students on its website at has been invested profoundly disturbing to our many staff, Development & Alumni Relations Office www.city.ac.uk/eu-statement in City’s estate City Magazine 1 The past 12 months rank among the most significant in City’s Dispatches recent history, with a knighthood for the Vice-Chancellor, the announcement that City is to join the University of London, a best-ever NSS result and Guardian ranking, continued estate improvements and an Oscar-winning alumnus. Knighthood for the Vice-Chancellor KNIGHTHOOD City University London’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Professor Sir Sir Paul Curran, has been Paul Curran, honoured with a knighthood in pictured at the 2016 New Year Honours for his investiture ceremony at his wide-ranging achievements Buckingham in higher education. Palace. Sir Paul received his knighthood from Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in May. He said: “The knighthood is a great honour, not only for me but for all of City’s staff, students, alumni, partners and friends. “The investiture proved to be an amazing and a profoundly humbling experience. I am immensely grateful for the life-changing effect that higher education had on me, for the encouragement of my many colleagues and for the support of my wife and daughter, who have been with me every step of the way.” Sir Paul is a transformational university leader who has used his commitment to academic excellence to improve the quality of higher education at three universities. He was a pioneer in satellite Earth observation as a NASA research scientist, an academic geographer and an adviser to the European Space Agency. He served for “It’s been a real joy receiving so many past few years we have doubled the many years as a member of the Natural letters, cards and emails from people,” proportion of our staff producing Environment Research Council and said Sir Paul. “Some have been really chaired its Audit and Risk Assurance world-leading and internationally touching.” Committee. He is a former Chair of the excellent research, modernised our Higher Education Funding Council for Among the first to offer congratulations estate and increased the satisfaction England Workforce Report and member were Rob Woodward, City’s Pro- of our students by more than any other of the Quality Assurance Agency Board. Chancellor and Chair of Council university in the country.” He is currently President of the Remote and Alderman the Lord Mountevans, Alderman the Lord Mountevans said: Sensing & Photogrammetry Society Lord Mayor of London and Chancellor “I am so thrilled that our Vice- and Chair of the Review Body on of the University. Chancellor has been honoured in Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration, Woodward said: “I know that my this way. Sir Paul personifies the Universities and Colleges colleagues on Council and across City a commitment to excellence, Employers Association and The will join me in congratulating Sir Paul professionalism and service that Conversation UK. on this prestigious recognition. City are the hallmark of both our great University London is being transformed University and the City of London.” under Sir Paul’s leadership. In the 2 City Magazine Dispatches Alumni and staff honoured HONOURS A full list of City staff, alumni and Health; Pim (Pamela) Baxter (MA Head of Disabled Children’s Services honorary graduates recognised Arts Administration, 1990), Deputy for