Inspiring Challenging Spirited Ambitious 2 / WELCOME 3
Life changing, world shaping
We believe the achievements of our people and the impact our research has on the world around us set us apart. As Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janet Beer, explains, we’ve identified four words – inspiring, challenging, spirited and ambitious – that capture the University’s character and our aspirations for the future.
We are inspiring through its pioneering spirit, global outlook Inspiring people to learn and achieve, we and cultural opportunities, which attract enable them to make the most of life. We provide students to Liverpool. Likewise, we shape a supportive and high-quality environment for our the city through our extensive collaboration people across the University, and a range with local partners. of initiatives ensure that there are equal opportunities for all, including our partnership We are ambitious with Athena SWAN, which celebrates good The University’s research has an impact on employment practice for women working in people across the world. Our global reach science, technology, engineering and medicine. includes our joint venture in China, our Alongside our investment in accommodation partnership in Singapore, and our international and world-class facilities, we are committed to online courses. The significant investment enhancing the student experience through our we have made in Liverpool, and in our new innovative teaching approaches, award-winning campus in London, is facilitating growth at the careers service and postgraduate opportunities. University as we work to enhance our dynamic reputation and performance in a rapidly We are challenging evolving higher education environment. By addressing some of the world’s toughest issues, ground-breaking research across our It has been a remarkable 12 months for us, three Faculties is helping to transform lives, and this year promises to be just as exciting as as evidenced by our performance in the latest we welcome more students than ever before to Research Excellence Framework (REF), where Liverpool following a 20% increase 81% of our research was ranked world leading in applications. The value of our research or internationally excellent. awards has also exceeded £100 million in each of the past two years. This is a fantastic We are spirited achievement as we look to build our reputation Like our city, we celebrate individuality, ingenuity as a global, research-led university to even and enterprise. The city shapes the University greater heights.
www.liverpool.ac.uk 4 / WHO WE ARE 5
Who we are
Ranked in the 22,000 The students on campus Annual research 81% top % original income of of research ranked of universities worldwide redbrick 5,500 world leading or university talented staff Associated with £89 internationally Nobel Prize excellent An internationally renowned Established 9 winners million Russell Group university in 88 A UK leader 10,000 in widening participation th Student satisfaction online students from rates at 85% over 160 countries More than 75% £££££ international 7,400 of our students in the UK’s £££££ and EU students receive a First or 2:1 Research Excellence £££££ on campus from 115 countries 95% Framework (REF), Annual with seven subjects turnover of in the top 10 of our graduates are in £465 employment or further study million (DLHE 2014)
A global alumni network of Committing Award-winning careers service £ .9 million London campus The largest providers First UK university to 195,000 to support students from opened September of online degree establish a joint venture in 200 countries low-income backgrounds 2014 programmes in Europe university in China
www.liverpool.ac.uk 6 / INSPIRING 7
Inspiring
We are passionate about what we do, sparking enthusiasm in others and helping them to achieve their goals.
www.liverpool.ac.uk 8 / INSPIRING 9
A key feature of our research is how the University is continually re-inventing its areas of investigation through changing collaborations in Institutes, Schools, Centres, Groups and Networks. This dynamism, mostly driven from the ground up, is very exciting. Nurturing We are also committed to developing all our staff through a range of initiatives supported by Human Resources. The Athena SWAN our talent agenda provides an important framework to improve the environment for our female members of staff while other programmes are At the University we inspire people in place to help develop our early career staff and our leaders. to learn and achieve and make the most out of life. We aim to provide our staff and Efforts to strengthen the University’s PhD he University is fundamentally programmes are crucial, as this is where our students with the best intellectual, social and about inspirational people and their research and educational missions come physical environment in which to conduct “T achievements, enabled by a physical together most strongly. Most of our Doctoral research, teach and learn. Executive environment that is undergoing a ten-year Training Centres are working with leading programme of improvement, and an intellectual institutions and industrial partners from across Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ken Badcock, environment that encourages research and the world, building on our research strengths, explains how we are supporting our people learning across disciplinary boundaries. creating opportunities for students, and providing imaginative training programmes across the University. Education is supported by world-class facilities, to run alongside the research project. such as modern laboratories for the science- based subjects, and the newly refurbished MBA Our students go on to have remarkable careers, suite in the Management School. Our talented with our alumni including Poet Laureate, Carol staff, using flexible approaches, support and Ann Duffy, and Rose Heilbron, the first woman challenge our students to reach their full to sit as a judge at the Old Bailey. Meeting potential, helping them to become the leaders our high-achieving graduates never fails to of the future. inspire me.”
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Unprecedented The campus has changed popularity virtually beyond recognition since I first arrived in 2011 and there’s definitely more of a buzz The University’s dedication to enhancing the student now. The biggest change in the experience is attracting more applications than ever before. last 12 months has been the new Guild. In September, we re-opened the building after upported by a £600 million phased surpassing both the University’s competitor investment in our campus, the University set (1.3%) and the UK-wide position (2.3%). a £14 million refurbishment, Sis committed to continually improving making our students’ the quality of our student experience, and our It is not only applications for our union one of the best in the approach is already having a significant impact undergraduate courses that have increased; country. Investment in new on our recruitment position. international postgraduate applications have also risen by more than 25%. We accommodation has helped The University topped the competitor set for have a superb platform to build on, and we create much more of a student student applications for 2015 entry, following are considering further strategic initiatives, community feel and provides an unprecedented surge in popularity of our including an even more selective approach an environment that is fun, undergraduate courses. At the first 2015 entry to recruitment, and carefully managed and deadline, applications were up by 20.2%, resourced expansion. friendly and safe.”
Harry Anderson President of the Guild of Students
.% increase in applications for 2015 entry
For more information, visit: www.liverpool.ac.uk/study
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Where merit matters Enhancing
As a UK leader in widening participation, we are inspiring employability people from all backgrounds to fulfil their potential. The University is one of the top 25 most targeted universities in the UK by leading graduate recruiters.
he University was founded on the awareness of the life possibilities that university ethos, ‘For advancement of learning education offers children and adults in T and ennoblement of life’, and it otherwise disadvantaged groups, and improve continues to guide us in everything we do. the recruitment, retention and success of We believe that access to education and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. opportunities to learn should be made Our programme of tuition, talks, events and available to all, regardless of background, mentoring includes an alumni mentoring age or financial circumstances. programme for second- and third-year students from widening participation backgrounds, as We have an extensive programme of widening well as a comprehensive package of financial participation (WP) activity which aims to raise support and advice for care leaver students.
Developing the next generation
More than Top of the Russell Group st 9,000 for students from young people low participation 79% participated in neighbourhoods (HESA 2013/14) WP activities ur Careers & Employability team is our activities are underpinned by our interactive in 2013–14 of all academic departments dedicated to helping students achieve careers website. Added to this, our students offer peer Otheir aspirations through a blend of have access to an extensive range of local, mentoring for high-quality advice, guidance and training. national and international graduate recruiters young people undergraduate and voluntary organisations. join our post-16 of young full-time students in A key member of the Association of Graduate 130 Scholars entrants are from their first year Careers Advisory Services and the Russell Group More than 80% of our students use the Careers programme 88% state schools Careers Service Network, we offer innovative of study & Employability Service, which is testament to each year (HESA 2013/14) online support, webinars, face-to-face guidance, our approach and makes the service one of the on-campus events and resources, and all of most popular amongst the UK’s top universities.
www.liverpool.ac.uk 14 / INSPIRING 15
Graduating to great things
We work hard to ensure our students form a relationship with the University that they will want to continue throughout their lives.
ith more than 40 active associations and networks, our global family of Wover 195,000 alumni continues to support the University long after graduation by Although I now live in London, I volunteering as mentors, ambassadors and remain closely connected to the speakers, or providing internships and placements. University and the city. The Alumni In turn, we offer continued careers support, access to an exceptional global network of contacts, team organise a great range of postgraduate study opportunities, free journal events so I can keep in touch with my access, exclusive discounts, and an annual friends and meet other graduates. programme of events all over the world. I’ve been along to several of these in
Alumni are some of the most powerful advocates London and found them a fantastic we have and are testament to the outstanding way of catching up on old times and education they received during their time at networking with other Liverpool Liverpool. Our alumni include the first female alumni in the capital.” Director of MI5, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong and the Joanna Robotham founder of the Stirling Prize for Architecture. BA Hons Music/Popular Music 2002
We also award honorary degrees each year to individuals whose achievements have made a significant contribution to society. Last year we awarded an honorary degree to Bill Clinton, Founder of the Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, for his significant contributions to improving global health care For more information, visit: and protecting the environment, as well as www.liverpool.ac.uk/alumni strengthening education and economies Watch our graduation film at: across the world. stream.liv.ac.uk
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A powerful driver for change
Our University has a long and proud history of philanthropy, firmly rooted in its foundations.
ur current fundraising activity aims supporting a new scholarship programme for It’s always been my ambition to support the very core of our work: undergraduate students which will help the most to become an academic scholarship, leadership and research. talented students access a University place. The O researcher, but for me money Together, donors and researchers are working to Excellence Scholarships fund is aimed at students tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges. who have been predicted AAA at A Level but for was an obstacle. Generous We believe that philanthropy is a powerful whom finance might otherwise prove a barrier. donations from people like mechanism for change, and every one of our Barbara are allowing me supporters has the opportunity to transform our University supporter Barbara Ruddlesden has University and to influence the way that we, and also left a generous legacy gift to support another to fulfil my dreams.” future generations, live. of our programmes, the Sir Joseph Rotblat Alumni Scholarship, which enables us to retain our Dan Brown Supporting life-changing research brightest academic talent. MA Archaeology 2012 The University is creating a research and Sir Joseph Rotblat Alumni Scholarship recipient education facility on the site of the new and Although Barbara was not an alumnus of the improved Alder Hey children’s hospital, Alder University herself, her older brother Ronald and Hey in the Park. The £25 million facility will build younger sister Sheila both attended the University on the University’s position as the UK’s leading from a new dedicated suite. A bequest from in the 1940s and she always held the view centre for research into medicines for children. alumna Elizabeth Gidney (née Bushell) (BA Hons that those students who showed considerable Due to open this year in conjunction with a English Language & Literature 1938, Diploma in promise but were less financially well-off should £237 million hospital development, the facility is Education 1939), who was the oldest surviving be assisted through scholarships. By leaving the being funded by generous donations from our Lady President of the Guild, has also helped to bulk of her substantial estate to help talented donor community, including £1 million from the support the redevelopment of the Liverpool students to undertake postgraduate studies, Wolfson Foundation charity. Guild of Students. Barbara is helping us to nurture the potential Nobel Prize winners of the future. Transforming the student experience Unlocking the potential of the most Over the last ten years, we have completed talented students several large capital fundraising projects and Scholarships make a direct difference to the lives raised in excess of £25 million to support of individual students and, due to the generosity first-rate research and teaching facilities. of many graduates and friends, we have a proud tradition of helping talented students in this way. Last year, alumnus Paul Brett (BA Geography 1965) made a generous gift to our Management Thanks to a £100,000 donation from the For more information, visit: School, which is enabling MBA students to benefit directors of our US Foundation, we are currently www.liverpool.ac.uk/giving
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Forward thinking
Our staff are pioneers in developing innovative, flexible teaching approaches.
ur students have the passion and opportunity to design a degree tailored to suit curiosity to become absorbed in their their specific interests, academic strengths Osubjects, and we are proud to offer and career aspirations. Currently, individuals a vibrant environment where teaching and can choose to study one or two subjects from learning are driven by research excellence and a growing selection of more than 30 academic take place at the cutting edge of disciplines. areas, deciding for themselves how much weight The emphasis of our approach is on flexibility, each subject has within their programme. breadth and providing students with a range of multidisciplinary skills that will help them to stand LIFTUPP out when they graduate. We offer a range of The University’s dental students have access to creative and forward-thinking teaching methods an innovative online assessment system, LIFTUPP, to suit students at every stage of their career. which helps them to plan their studies, review progress with lecturers, receive detailed feedback, Honours Select and log their own e-portfolio of work. It gives Students from the Faculty of Humanities and students a real sense of responsibility for personal Social Sciences benefit from Honours Select, learning and progress, and for the management an innovative and flexible pathway that allows of their patients’ care – all vital skills for their them to combine different subjects from across future career. the Faculty. Honours Select offers students the Centre for New and International Writing The Centre for New and International Writing in the University’s Department of English promotes a global literary dialogue through the study of creative writing. Our Miriam Allott Visiting Writers The Honours Select initiative is Series, held annually in the School of the Arts, particularly important because the has featured some of the most exciting writers and thinkers from across the world, including key to 21st-century employability Singapore, India, France, Canada, Morocco, lies in positioning yourself at the Finland and Iceland. In the true spirit of cultural intersections between academic exchange, the Centre aims to bring the best of subject disciplines.” both British writing and international writing to Liverpool, and allows students from all disciplines Diane Appleton to explore their creativity, either as part of their Careers & Employability Service studies or in addition to their course.
www.liverpool.ac.uk 20 / INSPIRING 21
Supporting the leaders of the future
We provide a supportive environment where all staff are encouraged to achieve their potential.
he University attracts the best and we set up in response to evidence indicating that brightest early career researchers female researchers in the early stages of their T as we understand how important a career would benefit from additional help. supportive environment is for them to flourish The network creates a knowledge sharing and develop into leaders in their chosen field. environment where members can discuss the We offer innovative programmes, support systems unique challenges and opportunities they face and training alongside mentoring schemes, in their careers. networking opportunities and workshops to help individuals successfully establish themselves as We are also proud to be a member of the Athena independent researchers. SWAN Charter, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice for women working One of the University’s support systems is the in science, engineering and technology in higher Female Early Career Researcher Network, which education and research.
Dr Sophia Latham was recently allows flexibility for raising a Our Doctoral The University leads 14 cutting-edge scientists who appointed to a tenure track young family – a juggling act Training Centres Doctoral Training Centres are capable of competing for fellowship on a part-time basis many people face. that are designed to give the best jobs and research at the University’s Institute of students the skills they need opportunities. Infection and Global Health, Working part-time has its own to address some of the world’s a few weeks after returning to challenges, particularly how toughest challenges – from We also have Marie Curie work from maternity leave. to best prioritise in reduced climate change and energy Initial Training Networks hours. Ultimately, I hope to to global health issues and and research student cohorts “My research explores how return to work full-time and social sciences. in major centres, such as the new technologies interact continue to develop my cross- MRC Centre for Drug Safety with the policy environment disciplinary research interests. Funded through various Science, which bring together surrounding new and The supportive environment research councils, the centres a critical mass of knowledge emerging infectious disease I’ve experienced at the Institute enable postgraduate students and technologies in order to outbreaks. The fellowship is makes this a realistic aim.” to access a breadth of research advance understanding of an incredibly exciting career across multiple institutions, adverse drug reactions. opportunity for me, but also helping to develop them into
www.liverpool.ac.uk 22 / INSPIRING 23
Challenging
We want to learn more, discover more and know more, so we immerse ourselves in the possibilities, question every assumption and relish the debate.
www.liverpool.ac.uk 24 / CHALLENGING 25
strength lies in bringing together academics from across our three Faculties. In regenerative medicine, for example, our stem cell research involves engineers and biologists as well as social scientists.
Joining a research-led university means Research with students benefit from a high-quality education, learning from inspirational figures who challenge and encourage them. Students have the impact opportunity to work with people who have changed the world, and so they believe they can do it too. Like our staff, they are delivering The University engages in ground-breaking research with impact. And with around 85% of our postgraduate students gaining employment research that addresses some of the world’s in major UK and global organisations, we are toughest challenges. Here, you can share he University’s research is ‘Life fuelling industry at all levels in companies such ideas with your peers in our international Changing, World Shaping’. An as AstraZeneca and Sky TV. “T example that illustrates this perfectly network of partners. Pro-Vice-Chancellor, is the vaccination we developed for rotavirus, If the University’s research is relevant, it will Professor Dinah Birch, explains how you which substantially reduced the number of deaths attract industry, and therefore organisations will from rotavirus infection in Sub-Saharan Africa. invest in our work. Our Knowledge Exchange can work with the University to learn The impact of the vaccination programme was programme is integral to our students’ in ways that will change your life, evident very quickly, and it is now part of routine education and the research of our staff. vaccinations in the UK. For example, the University’s collaboration and the world we live in. with Unilever has seen huge benefits for the Our research has tangible effects on the world University and the wider economy of the region. around us. The University performed remarkably well in the latest Research Excellence Framework The University is competing in a crowded (REF), which is a crucial benchmark for how we marketplace, so we need to ensure our are performing internationally in comparison to environment has the quality that will continue our peers. We are excelling globally in research to attract world-leading researchers. At areas including material science, chemistry, Liverpool, our people have access to top-class computing science and clinical pharmacology, facilities and networks of like-minded people. to name just a few. We will support our researchers to compete with the very best as they discover more, Cross-disciplinary research is essential for solving question the world around them and face major global challenges, and the University’s global challenges head on.”
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Unrivalled expertise Identifying new drugs to treat Ebola Researchers from the Institute of Infection The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences ranks among and Global Health, in collaboration with Public Health England, have investigated new ways to the top 100 universities in the world for clinical, identify drugs that could be used to treat Ebola pre-clinical and health subjects. virus infection.
The team looked at which proteins inside a cell are critical for the functions of Ebola virus and are ‘hijacked’ by the virus to promote infection. Identifying these proteins allowed them to find out e offer a first-rate research whether any drugs were already in existence that environment with unrivalled access Tsetse fly genetic code could block the function of the particular protein. Wto technology platforms and academic sequenced Their recently published research has shown expertise, and our research continues to grow, how existing therapeutics can be identified and with new funding awards increasing by more potentially repurposed for anti-viral therapy. than a third to £73 million in 2013/14, including Geneticists at 14 awards valued at greater than £1 million. the University have been part Through our partnerships with the NHS, industry of a ten-year Developing nanomedicines for HIV therapy and academia, we have the scale and expertise project that to drive future growth, bringing economic benefits has successfully sequenced the genetic code and delivering significant improvements in human of the tsetse fly, making major advances in An estimated 34 million people around the and animal health. disease control possible. Unique to Africa, the world are infected with HIV; however, global flies can infect people with sleeping sickness, manufacturing capacity for some commonly which damages the nervous system and is fatal used drugs is insufficient to meet the needs of all if left untreated, killing more than 250,000 patients requiring therapy and there is a lack of people each year. suitable formulations for children.
£73 million Traditional methods of control such as To address this, a team from the Institute of in research funding pesticide spraying are expensive and difficult Translational Medicine and the Department to implement. The genetic information will of Chemistry are applying nanomedicine allow researchers to develop alternative formulation strategies to develop the strategies to control the disease. Almost 140 antiretroviral medicines to combat HIV infection. 200 publications scientists were involved in the sequencing and This will enable reduced doses by increasing classed as world leading annotating of the tsetse fly, and the findings, the amount of drug absorbed into the body. in REF 2014 called the International Glossina Genome Nanomedicines can deliver small quantities of Initiative, have been uploaded to a free a drug, which has the potential for cost savings, genomic database so that scientists around fewer side-effects and the treatment For more information, visit: the world can use them for research. of more patients with existing drug supplies. www.liverpool.ac.uk/health- and-life-sciences
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State-of-the-art simulation The Institute for Risk True innovation software and facilities and Uncertainty
The Faculty of Science and Engineering connects research Combining in-house and partner expertise The nature and consequences of disasters with emerging technologies, the University’s and real world problems are becoming strengths, technologies and experts from a unique, broad mix Virtual Engineering Centre is the only increasingly complex. To fully understand of disciplines. This allows us to develop innovative solutions centre of its kind that fully supports and and address these challenges, we need delivers the accelerated development of new to work together at the intersection and approaches to tackle many of today’s complex social, products, technologies and processes across of disciplines. economic and environmental challenges. the product life-cycle, reducing risk and maximising efficiency and sustainability, and The Institute for Risk and Uncertainty delivering powerful solutions to business brings together a multidisciplinary team ur thriving research community and research organisations. to offer expertise and methodologies with enables our experts to explore novel which to quantify, mitigate and manage risk Oconcepts and take their research The Hydra Foundation also offers a and uncertainty in many fields and industry into new, ground-breaking directions. The revolutionary Immersive Simulation System sectors. One of its focus areas is the design outcome of REF 2014 demonstrated growth in to allow students to practise and improve of mechanisms and structures for optimal world-leading research in the Faculty. Chemistry decision making, communication and sharing of risks and benefits among various achieved a ranking of second in the sector, leadership skills in an environment that parties, for example in large energy projects. with half of its activity judged as world leading; replicates the complexities of real critical The results will provide a basis for informed Computer Science was fifth; and Earth and incidents. High Performance Computing investment, operating and policy decisions. Ocean Sciences was eighth in the sector for (HPC) facilities, available via the Hartree the proportion of world-leading publications. Centre and the Virtual Engineering Centre, also support the demand for complex, multi-physics simulations, driving The Stephenson Institute real-time simulation and enabling 637 thousands of different scenarios to be postgraduate research students evaluated in shorter timescales. Solar electricity holds the promise of power Nature. Our solar cell efficiency record of 16.5% generation with free fuel and zero CO2 is unequalled in the UK. emissions during operation. Yet the costs are high, and to stay in business, companies often 5 ESPRC-funded have to sell solar panels at below cost price. The Doctoral Training Centres Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy aims to change the physics and chemistry of solar cells to make them genuinely cheaper and Highest Science and Technology to help create a self-sustaining market for cost- Facilities Council grant portfolio effective photovoltaics. in the UK
We have also developed a new low-cost processing route for thin film solar cells that has For more information, visit: been the subject of a patent and a paper in www.liverpool.ac.uk/science- and-engineering
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Challenging our Microfinance policy in rural India
Research undertaken by Dr Supriya Garikipati world view from the Management School has identified that microfinance is most beneficial to women when it enables them to enhance The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is an their livelihoods and participate in the local enterprise economy. It also highlighted that important influencer in the social, political and cultural more than 80% of the loans in Andhra Pradesh, life of the city region and the UK, and makes a significant India, did not meet these conditions. contribution to enhancing the University’s research profile. Using these research findings, Supriya directly lobbied the government of Andhra Pradesh. This has had an impact on banking organisations and other stakeholders within the microfinance industry and led to the cross a broad range of disciplines, introduction of the Livelihood Enhancement we explore the impact of human The integrity of UK elections Plan (LEP), used at the time of loan application. A behaviour and structures on the Supriya’s research impacts 500,000 women past and the present from diverse viewpoints. per year who join the programme, enabling We use our knowledge to imagine different Two studies by Dr Stuart Wilks-Heeg participants to enhance their livelihoods. futures and explore the choices communities, from the School of Histories, Languages organisations and governments make. We and Cultures have explored electoral deploy both intellectual and emotional arguments malpractice and electoral registration. The to communicate our findings, experiences and first study examined the ‘modernisation’ Archaeology: Castell Henllys and the Pembrokeshire Coast concerns to enrich and inform society and of UK electoral processes under the stimulate the debate on how we can change Labour government, including the National Park social, political, economic and cultural introduction of postal voting on demand. behaviour for the better. The research demonstrated that electoral fraud was greater than had previously Within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, The research and reconstructions benefited the been recognised. Stuart also examined the Castell Henllys is a visitor centre that turns park through integration of the results into its Student numbers have grown by UK’s electoral register, establishing that the clock back to the Iron Age. The park visitor resources, educational programmes and there had been a long-term decline in the has been on the archaeological radar since management plans, developed with guidance 50% completeness and accuracy of the electoral Dr Harold Mytum, the University’s Director from the Castell Henllys project. As the Celts are between 2010 and 2015 registers nationally. of the Centre for Manx Studies, started a feature of the national history curriculum at excavating its grounds in 1982. The project Key Stage 2, the Castell Henllys facility has now The findings were discussed and cited lasted 26 years and included the design been included as part of the history component More than in Parliament Select Committee reports and completion of three archaeologically of the new curriculum for Wales and the and by government ministers during the supported, reconstructed roundhouses and previously unvisited site has become a major passage of the Electoral Registration and one four-post structure. educational centre and local tourist attraction. 20% Administration Act through Parliament of staff submitting to REF were in 2011–13. For more information, visit: early career researchers www.liverpool.ac.uk/humanities-and-social-sciences
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Collaborative thinking
We are committed to making our research and s one of the UK’s top research-led The Heseltine Institute technology available to our partners for the benefit universities, we are actively engaged Responding to new challenges and opportunities A with a wide range of private, public in an environment of uncertainty and diminishing of regional and national economies. and third-sector organisations. resources demands intelligent, collaborative thinking. The Heseltine Institute connects The Business Gateway is the first port policymakers and practitioners to the best of the of call for companies who wish to benefit University’s policy research and the full breadth from the University’s vast breadth of expertise. of its local, national and international networks. Our experienced team help organisations Our goal is to help build prosperous and to achieve their objectives through sustainable futures for places and enable them collaborations and access to appropriate to manage the impacts of global economic, areas of the University. We can help transform environmental, social and cultural change. ideas into creative solutions, new technologies, strategies, policies, applications, products Nano Investigation Centre or skills. Supported by the Northwest European Regional Development Fund, the Nano Investigation Centre Helping businesses to thrive at Liverpool provides regional SMEs access to the The University’s Knowledge Transfer University’s most advanced and powerful electron Partnerships help businesses to work in a microscopy facilities. We also offer advice and full mutually beneficial, grant-funded partnership technical support from our experienced analysts with our academics or researchers to achieve and material scientists. The Centre is key in their strategic goals. We also offer world- solving the day-to-day issues that often prevent class shared research facilities through the companies from developing novel products Technology Directorate, providing the resources and processes. businesses need to help turn good ideas into ground-breaking research. Centre for Global Eco-Innovation A UK market leader for SME-led innovation and Supporting clinical trials high-level skills development in the areas of low Our Clinical Trials Research Centre provides carbon, sustainability and energy, the Centre for a support and advice service to NHS Global Eco-Innovation brings together research professionals and academic researchers for and expertise from the University of Liverpool, NHS research. Clinical trials units provide Lancaster University and Inventya Limited expertise in trial design, costing, contracts, with SMEs in the development of energy and conduct, analysis, information systems, resource-efficient products and services. randomisation, patient/public involvement and health economics, regulations and publications For more information, visit: at each stage of the trial process. www.liverpool.ac.uk/business
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Spirited
We share the same restless curiosity and creativity, the same energy and enterprise that drive our great city.
www.liverpool.ac.uk 36 / SPIRITED 37
It is vital to share our work with the public. Our staff and students contribute to local communities, and we also have links with primary and secondary schools to engage young people and raise awareness of the opportunities higher education brings. A pioneering Liverpool has the fastest-growing economy in the UK outside of London, and the University has played a huge role in contributing to university this. The Management School is focused on working with businesses to develop business know-how and leadership skills. The University is at the centre of one of the The University’s active research community has also helped to attract SMEs and we have close UK’s most dynamic cities. Like Liverpool’s many links with larger organisations. pioneers before us, we are driven by t the University we have a talented pool a quest for knowledge and share the same of individuals who have the freedom to The city’s law and accountancy firms draw “A explore new ideas. A sense of invention heavily on the University for recruitment and our energy, curiosity and determination that and creativity informs many of our disciplines so students benefit from placements and further define the city. Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor, that students can apply their education in ways opportunities with local cultural organisations. that make a difference to society. One of our biggest challenges is to continue to Professor Fiona Beveridge, explains how attract employers and support the development the University’s connection to our city impacts The University’s research is likewise outward of highly skilled jobs in the region. Our students looking and relevant to the world around us. love the city, and they are eager to remain in the lives of those around us. We help organisations to understand the impact Liverpool long after they graduate. of their activities, for example we evaluate the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s influential The University’s innovation and creativity have outreach programme; a spin-out from the contributed to our city’s recent renaissance. University runs reading groups in hospitals and Our people are positive, friendly and dynamic, prisons to bring the health benefits of reading and they are full of ideas. We will always strive to patients and prisoners; and the University’s to be what our city needs.” collaboration with the city’s museums has led to a number of interactive exhibitions that have a direct relevance to local people.
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Our collaborations with local authorities, fellow How we shape universities and NHS partners have led to significant developments in our city, with profound Liverpool effects on the health and welfare of patients. Tackling health inequalities The University’s Institute of Psychology, Health The University is committed to driving and Society, including the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)-funded Collaborations knowledge and supporting trade for Leadership in Applied Health Research and and investment in our city. Care North West Coast (CLAHRC NWC), led by Professor Mark Gabbay, is at the forefront of a new initiative that will adopt a revolutionary The University is driving the city’s knowledge in the Local Enterprise Partnership, the Mayor’s approach to improving services for all patients. economy through close collaboration with fellow Knowledge Quarter Development Zone Board and universities, industry and the NHS, helping the Daresbury Science Park, to name but a few. The NIHR CLAHRC NWC brings together the NHS, Liverpool City Region compete in the global local authorities and the universities of Liverpool, business world. The city’s research base alone Liverpool’s reputation as a city of culture helps us Lancaster and Central Lancashire. Its aim is to is engaged in delivering £470 million of research to attract many of our students, and likewise, we undertake high-quality research and accelerate activity per year alongside worldwide partners. We are committed to working in our local community the translation of its findings into service also play a huge part in the city region’s economic to enhance Liverpool’s reputation both here in the improvements, generate wealth, and engage development organisations, holding key positions UK and globally. industry to improve patient health and care. Liverpool has some of the most demanding health
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PHILIP VILE challenges in England. This funding ensures we can meet these challenges head on, and start to plan effective interventions and policies which will greatly improve the quality of life of patients.
Connecting SMEs to an innovative scientific infrastructure Located in the city’s Knowledge Quarter, the new Liverpool Bio Innovation Hub (LBIH) will help SMEs working in the area of personalised medicines. The University was awarded £20.47 million by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to create the contemporary 6,200 square metre incubator space, which will include laboratories and offices and allow commercial access to the latest biobank technologies and equipment. The Hub will foster collaborative working between researchers at the University, NHS partners and SMEs to ensure that medical research is translated into tangible benefits for patients.
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Driving knowledge IMAGE BY FACT LIVERPOOL exchange
We have a culture of support and collaboration that influences and helps the communities in which we operate.
ur local partners benefit from the The £15 million hi-tech business hub, Sensor University’s expertise through contract City, will house and support companies as Oand collaborative research, student they develop novel sensor systems integrating projects and placements, volunteering, and sensors, firmware and advanced algorithms. access to world-class facilities. Sensor City will position Liverpool as an Interchange internationally leading centre for the Interchange is a registered charity based at the development, manufacture and spin-out of new University which links student researchers and sensor systems. Backed by the Liverpool City Voluntary Community Organisations (VCOs) from Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the Greater Merseyside in participatory work-based project is set to create a cluster of 300 new research projects. businesses and more than 1,000 jobs in emerging technologies over the next ten years. The initiative offers students the opportunity to conduct ‘live’ projects such as field research, The Centre for Architecture Liverpool Network feasibility studies or project coordination as part and the Visual Arts (CAVA) of Knowledge Exchange (LiNK) of their curriculum for VCOs in sectors including Interdisciplinary research by CAVA and its The Liverpool Network of Knowledge Exchange housing, family, and health and social care. cultural partners, which include FACT, Tate (LiNK) is a pioneering training programme The LiNK placement was a great At the same time, these organisations are given Liverpool, National Museums of Liverpool and designed specifically for postgraduate students opportunity for me to engage in an access to a talented pool of individuals and English Heritage, investigates the role of digitality to develop their research, professional and actualised project, realising unseen are often provided with project reports giving (such as computer-aided design, audio-visual interpersonal skills by undertaking short evidence of social impact, which is frequently quality of space or moving image visualisations) placements with key cultural partners in the city. aspects of my research, and brought needed for successful funding applications. on the design of contemporary urban spaces. up new ideas for my PhD.” Using a range of methods and techniques, The scheme provides opportunities for both Pooya Sanjari Sensor City including mapping, filming, projecting, 3D the University and the cultural industries to PhD Student Architecture The University and Liverpool John Moores animations and augmented reality, the aim collaborate in the mentoring and training of University have successfully bid to create one is to provide insight into the representation new researchers and to participate actively of four University Enterprise Zones in the UK, with of and engagement with architectural and in the co-production of knowledge and £5 million match funding from the UK government. urban forms, narratives and practices. sustainable impact.
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Ambitious Our ambition sets us apart as we expand our global reach, invest in our future, and influence the world around us.
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by world-leading researchers at the forefront of their academic disciplines and they have access to award-winning facilities. This research-led approach to learning and teaching makes us distinctive, while the increase in student numbers enables us to invest even more in our staff, facilities and key services.
The University’s global attitude also distinguishes us from our competitors. Our A global students have the opportunity to be mobile and experience different cultures, which helps to prepare them for the global marketplace. Our attitude joint venture university in China, Xi’an Jiaotong- Liverpool University (XJTLU), our wide range of online master’s and doctoral programmes, along Liverpool staff, students and graduates ur ambition is to exceed the with our campus in London, have given us a expectations of our students, staff competitive edge and a sense of distinctiveness. are ambassadors for ambitious and original “O and partners. We aim to provide the I want us to be ambitious and continue to build thinking, and the University gives you best environment and support, and to empower on and create new, exciting partnerships. Our our staff and students to be the best they can global strategy also contributes to the diversity the confidence to succeed. Deputy possibly be. of our campus in Liverpool, thereby enhancing Vice-Chancellor, Patrick Hackett, talks the cultural experience of staff and students. about how the University’s global attitude Investment is critical to achieving our strategic objectives. In addition to recruiting 400 additional For the first time, the value of our research and commitment to our people sets us apart. staff since 2012/13, we have enhanced the quality awards has exceeded £100 million in each of the University’s estate, facilities and public of the last two years. This and our success spaces. The significant investment in our campus in REF 2014 support our long-term vision. is contributing to an enhanced sense of wellbeing, Higher education is increasingly competitive, which is also leading to better outcomes in particularly if you want to be a globally our research activity and facilitating growth in successful university. I believe the next ten years students – 30% since 2008/09. will be transformative, presenting us with many new opportunities. Universities are a force for Our student applications have increased by good and benefit society, the economy and 20% this year, in addition to an 18% increase the individual. We will continue to be a globally last year. We are confident the investment we competitive, research-led university that offers a have made, along with excellent marketing and truly rewarding student experience. We have an communications activity, has directly contributed opportunity here to really make a difference, now to this rise in demand. Our students are taught and in the future.”
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Investing in our campus
We are committed to ensuring that we offer ur modern, 100-acre campus is situated The University’s Management School has also in the heart of Liverpool’s Knowledge been transformed through the creation of a a truly world-class student experience, investing O Quarter near the city centre. We also dedicated suite in the new Brett Building, which £600 million in our teaching, research and have a second campus for our School of Veterinary features the latest audio-visual equipment, Science at Leahurst in Cheshire, with two working break-out spaces, careers interview rooms, residential estate over a ten-year period. farms, a world-leading equine hospital and a small exhibition spaces and social zones to support animal teaching hospital. our MBA students.
In Liverpool, our Harold Cohen Library is It is not only our teaching and research spaces undergoing a £2.6 million refurbishment, while a that have benefited; we have also invested £1 million pound investment in the Sydney Jones £250 million in high-quality accommodation, both Library has funded new self-service areas to make on and off campus. We recently finished building it easier for visitors to access its collections. new sustainable accommodation at our city centre campus, and we are currently developing The teaching environment for science-based a self-contained student village at our Greenbank subjects has also been transformed with an site in Aigburth, which will include catering and investment of £23 million in centralised teaching sports facilities. laboratories. This new facility has enhanced the overall student experience through the creation of a modern, high-quality and vibrant laboratory environment. Supporting interdisciplinary science, the laboratories are an innovation in the HE sector and are transforming teaching in the £23 physical sciences, including Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences and Archaeology. million investment in teaching The University, Unilever and the Higher Education laboratories Funding Council for England (HEFCE) are also co-investing £65 million to establish the Materials Innovation Factory – a new type of ‘knowledge factory’ based on a strong partnership between industry and academia. The new facility, which is £250 expected to be fully operational by the summer of 2016, will provide unparalleled open access to a suite of advanced equipment, technical staff and million academic expertise at the forefront of materials investment in student chemistry research. accommodation
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A global university
Here, you can conduct research that has Achieving your career goals a positive impact on people and the planet and with online learning expand your world view with our international As Europe’s largest provider of online degrees One of our students is entrepreneur Jim Wagstaff through our partnership with Laureate Online, (MBA 2013) from Alabama, who is Managing network of academic partners. we offer 25 fully online master’s and doctoral Director of the Singapore-based Jam Factory degrees in a flexible, international and management consultancy, and is currently collaborative learning environment aimed studying an online DBA. at helping global working professionals to enhance their career prospects. niversity staff, students and graduates are global citizens. From our Chinese Ujoint venture university to our Arctic research stations, American exchanges to our online programmes, we have connections across I chose to study with Liverpool the world, offering staff and students incredible because the idea of accessing such opportunities to study and work abroad. a prestigious university through an
Ranked in the top 125 of universities in the online vehicle was very attractive. I world by the QS World University Rankings, we could do it in any place, at any time, have partnerships with overseas governments, and pretty much from any device. research institutions and industrial partners which create a platform to work with the best in The programme was challenging, but the world. By pooling resources and expertise you have access to great resources with our partners, we are actively embracing innovation and addressing some of the world’s and I was able to put into practice most pressing challenges. what I was learning immediately.”
We will continue to expand our global reach, Jim Wagstaff and offer new opportunities and challenges to MBA 2013 future generations of graduates and academics.
7,400 international and EU students from 115 countries currently 10,000 studying at Liverpool students study online
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Our partner in China
Our focus is on building partnerships with leading institutions across the globe that can provide the best opportunities for collaborative research and study.
n 2006 the University opened Xi’an Jiaotong- organisations, including 84 Fortune 500 Liverpool University (XJTLU) in partnership with companies. XJTLU has a number of research IXi’an Jiaotong University – a top ten university priorities, such as health technologies, in China. sustainable urbanisation, and nanotechnology, and SIP provides opportunities for extensive XJTLU has been a phenomenal success and research and knowledge exchange initiatives. has grown rapidly since it was established nine years ago, with more than 7,400 students There are currently almost 1,000 undergraduates now studying subjects including Computing, from XJTLU completing part of their degree at Maths, Engineering, Architecture, Biological Liverpool, while the number of postgraduates at and Chemical Sciences, Business and Civic Liverpool from XJTLU has almost trebled in the Design. XJTLU offers a unique international last year, bringing a fantastic international flavour educational experience, and brings together to our campus. Our relationship with XJTLU excellent research practice and expertise from also gives our students the opportunity to gain both institutions, giving students the skills and experience in the world’s second-largest economy knowledge they need to secure careers in a by replacing a year or a semester in Liverpool with global marketplace. one in China.
XJTLU is based in the world heritage city of What’s more, we are developing an exciting Suzhou, which has a population of four million new programme in which students can follow a and is located half an hour from Shanghai by China Studies programme as part of their regular bullet train. The campus is located in Suzhou Liverpool degree. Staff and students in Liverpool Industrial Park (SIP), one of Asia’s most can also learn Mandarin and experience a taste of successful business parks – a hub for foreign Chinese culture at our Confucius Institute – a focal investors, and home to 3,300 international point for all China-related activity in Merseyside.
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A global network
Our partnerships help students around the world access high-quality, internationally recognised qualifications.
ogether with our global research The University will continue to build on these Criminology in Singapore collaborations, the University has foundations to expand our global presence When Rachel Toh graduated in 2010 with a The programme is the result of a partnership T achieved a strong overseas presence further, providing even more access to our Diploma in Accountancy, she realised she wanted between the University of Liverpool, the through the development of a growing network programmes worldwide. a job that felt meaningful, so she joined the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and of teaching partnerships. Singapore Police Force. Her passion and hard work Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry, and is the soon paid off and she was awarded a sponsorship first undergraduate degree in Criminology to be to pursue a BA Honours in Criminology and offered in Singapore. International Partnership India Fellowship Programme Security with the University. Programmes The India Fellowship Programme offers The University has developed a number opportunities for up to ten outstanding of programmes that enable PhD students early career and established researchers The programme enhances my to spend up to two years at an international from India to strengthen their experience of analytical and decision-making partner institution during their studies. research and teaching at the University in an Partners include some of the world’s most international research-enriched environment, skills and has allowed me to gain prestigious universities and research institutes further strengthening our strong links a comprehensive and deeper including the Agency for Science, Technology with institutions in the cities of Bangalore, understanding about the nature of and Research (A*STAR), Singapore; National Hyderabad, Kolkata and New Delhi. crime, the reasons for its occurrence, Tsing Hua University, Taiwan; RIKEN Institute, Japan; and Xi’an Jiaotong as well as the relationship between policing and crime. University, China. Links with European partners When I return to work I will be Science without Borders Institutions in the EU are among the most offered a chance to assume frequent collaborators with the University, a leadership position as a Senior The $3 billion ‘Science without Borders’ supported by more than €80 billion of funding scheme aims to boost science and technology from the EU’s flagship research and innovation Officer. I have no doubt that the skills in Brazil by sending 75,000 Brazilians overseas programme, Horizon 2020. Designed to drive and knowledge I obtain in my three on year-long student placements. More than growth and new jobs in Europe, Horizon 2020 years of study will prepare me for the 300 Brazilian students have already chosen supports research and development across higher level of work I will be expected Liverpool through the programme, making universities and industry with an emphasis us one of the most successful universities on excellent science, industrial leadership and to perform.” in the UK. tackling societal challenges. Rachel Toh Criminology and Security student
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Bringing Liverpool to London
Our new campus in London offers an exciting range of professional and industry-focused opportunities in the heart of the capital.
lose to the financial centre of the city, the thought leaders, industry professionals, students, University of Liverpool’s London campus alumni and those seeking to drive their career Cis another key hub in a global network, or business forward to network, study and and a global attitude, that has already delivered work together. pioneering activities in China and online. Students are already benefiting from a suite of It is perfectly located to strengthen the University’s vocationally focused programmes in, for example, links with the professions; staff can take Accounting, Finance and Architecture; excellent advantage of premium facilities that provide a links to the professions and industry; opportunities Our London campus is … fantastic environment to bring together academic for placements; and enhanced career support from one of the UK’s leading employability teams. The very first cohort of London-based Accounting Professional Connected Career focused students graduated recently, with many finding Students can boost their Our staff and students can Our students have access to roles with leading organisations such as Deloitte, employability through a benefit from excellent links a range of careers support from Grant Thornton and the Bank of East Asia. portfolio of professionally with and access to London- an award-winning Careers & orientated and industry based employers, industry Employability team, including The University of Liverpool in London is open informed programmes. In and third-sector institutions, webinars, on-site events and MIKE TORRINGTON PHOTOGRAPHY MIKE TORRINGTON for business, ideas and innovation. As well as Accounting and Finance, our exemplified by support from training, all designed to help offering executive and postgraduate education unique blend of professional the Institute of Chartered our students’ aspirations informed by the latest leading research, as you and academic qualifications Accountants in England and become a reality. would expect from a Russell Group institution, enables students to fast-track Wales (ICAEW) for our flagship we can provide employers with bespoke, agile their future. Accounting programme. and responsive short course training to help meet immediate needs. Global Premium The campus is another key Learning and networking Find out more at: hub in the University’s global opportunities at Finsbury www.liverpool.ac.uk/london network and attitude. Close to Square are supported by Small conferences, seminars, meetings and For more information, networking events are supported through a the City, it is perfectly located premium facilities, developed visit: www.liverpool. dedicated events team. For more information for professionals. with the professions in mind. ac.uk/study/london contact: [email protected]
www.liverpool.ac.uk Want to know more? Contact us now and see what we can do for you. www.liverpool.ac.uk UofLTube @livuni @livuninews
THE UNIVERSITY IS A MEMBER OF THE ELITE /MAY 2015 RUSSELL GROUP OF RESEARCH-LED UK UNIVERSITIES