Annual Review 2000–2001 Visitor Her Majesty the Queen

Officers of the University 2000–2001 Chancellor The Right Hon the Lord Carrington, KG, GCMG, CH, MC, PC

Vice-Chancellor Professor R. Williams, MA, Oxford; MA (Econ), Manchester

President of the Council P. D. Orchard-Lisle, CBE, TD, DL; MA; FRICS

Vice-President of the Council M. E. Rayner, BSc, MSc, London; MA; DPhil, Oxford

Treasurer D. Luffrum, CPFA

Pro-Vice-Chancellors Professor T. A. Downes, BA, BCL, Oxford Professor M. G. Fulford, BA, PhD, Southampton; FBA, FSA Professor P. J. Gregory, BSc, Reading; PhD, Nottingham; CBiol; FIBiol

Deans of the Faculties Letters and Social Sciences Professor C. C. Brown, BA, PhD, Reading

Science Professor D. A. Rice, BSc, Hull; PhD, DSc, Exeter; CChem, FRSC

Agriculture and Food (Life Sciences) Professor R. J. Summerfield, BSc, PhD, Nottingham; DSc, Reading; Hon Dr. Debrecen; EurBiol, CBiol, FIBiol

Urban and Regional Studies Professor B. Goodall, BSc (Econ), London; FTS

Education and Community Studies Professor D. D. Malvern, MA, PGCE, Oxford; CPhys, MInstP

Registrar and Tutorial Secretary D. C. R. Frampton, MA, St Andrews, FRSA

Bursar R. H. C. Ascott, MA, Cambridge; FIMgt

Director of Information Services A. E. Haworth, MA, Oxford; Diploma in Computer Science, Cambridge; MBCS, FRSA

Director of Finance D. C. L. Savage, BA, London; FCCA

Auditors Messrs KPMG

Image acknowledgements Ray Miller, The University of Reading

The cover image was taken of the new S@il (Student Access to Independent Learning) facilities in the University’s Main Library, Whiteknights, The University of Reading Annual Review 2000–2001 contents

page 05 global

page 09 community

page 13 life

page 21 news

page 25 in brief

page 29 facts & figures Vice-Chancellor’s introduction

The twenty-first century finds The University of Departments both have important clinical roles, Reading in excellent shape, with an £80 million and the Department of Health and Social Care was building programme in place over the last decade, the country’s first to be awarded the maximum a significant increase in external research funding 24 out of 24 score for the teaching quality of its to over £30 million per annum, and land sales and nurse training programmes. other developments which have allowed the estab- The Government is encouraging universities to lishment of a substantial endowment. contribute more directly to economic development The University has strengths in most of the and wealth creation. Reading has a long history traditional subjects but also offers teaching in areas of interaction with business through the applied with few national providers: the Meteorology Depart- nature of many of its disciplines. It has identified ment has been described as the best in western particular growth sectors in the Thames Valley in Europe; only one university can rival us in Land the areas of it, Environment, and Management Management and only two in Construction Manage- and with the help of over £1 million funding from ment; Horticulture, Soil Science and Typography & governments – under the herobac programme – Graphic Communication are other first-class depart- has put in place a Business Development Team ments with almost no uk equivalents; the School of concentrating on these sectors. It has also just Agriculture, Policy and Development, now housed received £789,000 from the Higher Education in first-rate new facilities, combines world-class Innovation Fund for strengthening tech-transfer expertise in Agricultural and Food Economics as infrastructure and a Science Park Feasibility study. well as Agriculture, and also houses the Centre for The University is working with the South East Agricultural Strategy and the Department of Inter- England Development Agency (seeda) and its part- national and Rural Development. ners, local councils and commercial organisations The 2001 national Research Assessment Exercise in its area, to develop the Reading Enterprise Hub. has resulted in fifty-seven per cent of our academic This will have an environmental focus but will also staff in nineteen departments being rated 5 or 5*, encompass the biotech and it strengths of the including all the areas in which Reading is one of Thames Valley and complement the University’s the few national providers. successful collaboration with the Newbury Enter- The University has entered a close collaboration prise Hub – developing strong research links to both with the Eden Project and a £5 million Lottery grant new and established firms to provide better access will go towards rehousing the Rural History Centre, to knowledge through mentoring and technology. with its unique national collection, in dedicated Finally, in recent funding rounds, Reading has premises. Our Food Biosciences School has the best won seed funds to support knowledge-based start-up equipped laboratories in Britain and in this field, companies. The University Challenge Fund offered where demand far exceeds supply, Reading’s £15 million in total and in this round Reading was graduates are valued particularly highly. one of the few new receivers: in partnership with The University is the base for the new Natural Sussex, Surrey, Royal Holloway and Brunel it se- Environment Research Council initiative, the nerc cured £3 million, making a total Fund of £4 million. Centre for Atmospheric Science (ncas): ncas brings together existing groups including the Centre for Global Atmospheric Modelling and the University’s Weather Research Network at Reading and will co-ordinate key environmental issues such as climate change, extreme weather, ozone and air January 2002 pollution in urban areas. Reading is moving in the direction of post- graduate medicine and has much medically-related activity, including a significant breakthrough in the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia; a Human Nutrition Unit; the formation of a Centre for Primary Care and Public Health in partnership with nhs Trusts; a Cybernetics chair in conjunction with Stoke Mandeville Hospital; the Linguistics and Psychology The design of this year’s Annual Review reflects its theme ‘dimensions’ through pictures of the s@il facility on the pages dividing each section of the

Review. s@il (Student Access to Independent Learning) has been developed to support student study and to help staff to take increasing advantage of electronic media and communication tools in their teaching and in the learning activities of their students. s@il greatly increases the availability and quality of the it-based facilities on the Whiteknights campus and also dramatically improves the learning environment for students.

The first phase of the s@il facility on the first

floor of the Main Library opened in January 2001. global

06 global

In the summer, Dr Steve This work formed part of a larger expedi- Gurney (Geography), tion, ‘Exercise Siberian Challenge’, organ- conducted research into ised by the Royal Logistics Corps of the the nature and extent of British Army and the Emergencies Ministry glaciation in the Cherskiy of the Russian Federation. In order to assess Mountains of remote north- the possible effects of melting glaciers east Siberia, an area never caused by climate change and global warm- studied before ing, it is important to have knowledge of as much of the glaciation that covers the Earth as possible. Future movement of glaciers can only be predicted with knowledge of their history. Until now, the history of the Cherskiy Mountains has been unknown. From his research, Dr Gurney was able to determine that whilst the Cherskiy glaciers are not undergoing a particularly rapid retreat at present, they were more extensive a few hundred years ago during the ‘Little Ice Age’ (1550–1850 ad). He was also able to map parts of the area for the first time and this work will provide an essential tool for future research. The Expedition also gave a unique opportunity to examine some of the marvel- lous glaciological structures that have been formed by the Cherskiy glaciers. In the short summer of the Siberian sub-arctic, rapid melting of the winter snows on the glacier’s surface forms large slush pools and streams which cascade down the ice until they are swallowed up by crevasses in the glacier. Once inside the glacier, much of the water refreezes to form huge curtains and icicles of clear water ice. With the assistance of the army’s mountaineering experts Dr Gurney was able to descend some 20 metres into one of these crevasses and witness this spectacle at first hand. The expedition patrons were hrh The Princess Royal, Ian McNaught-Davis

east siberian challenge (President of the International Mountain- eering Association) and Alexander Karelin Glaciation in the Cherskiy (a Russian mp). Endorsement and funding Mountain range were received from the Royal Geographical Society and the Foreign and Common- wealth Office. global 07

forecasting weather for plants Caroline Hadley and Dr Tim Wheeler of the Plant Environment Laboratory

Food production in seasonally arid areas is The majority of the world’s inherently risky. The continuing develop- population live in countries ment of seasonal weather forecasting pres- which rely on the regular ents exciting opportunities for agricultural return of the monsoon rains. and environmental planning. A research It is important to know team from the Departments of Agriculture potential climatic variations (the Plant Environment Laboratory) and and how these may impact Meteorology (the Centre for Global Atmos- on key factors such as water pheric Modelling) has been formed to resources and agriculture exploit these opportunities by developing a combined seasonal weather and crop forecasting system. A seasonal crop or weather forecast model has two basic components; a General Circulation Model (gcm) and an application Crop Model (cm). The first stage of develop- ment of the combined forecasting system is to find a robust correlation between weather and the forecast parameter, such as crop yield. For example, we have found a clear relationship between the annual rainfall across India and the yield of the groundnut crops grown across India in the last twenty five years. This relationship is found on spatial scales of the order of hundreds of kilometres. A large area model for groundnut yield has been developed which operates on these scales. At its core is a deterministic cm which is run using gcm probabilistic output in a way that accounts for both the spatial variability of inputs such as weather and soils, and the uncertainty in weather and crop forecasts. Such a novel modelling system will have applications in the manage- ment of the supply of food products, moder- ating the effects of extreme weather years, and planning for the impact of climate change in monsoon-affected countries. Groundnut yield, the result of climatic variation 08 global

mathematics in the DARC

The basic principle of forecasting is that, given that we Weather forecasting, which know today’s weather, we ought to be able to make accu- can be considered as a science rate predictions of weather to come, but this turns out to or something more mysterious, be less than straightforward. What do you do, for example, is a particularly well-known if you do not know today’s weather, or if your information application of meteorology has gaps in it, or is unreliable in some other way? This is an important question, for accurate measurements of the weather are not available everywhere at all times. Even where some information is available, it may be less reliable than data obtained elsewhere. The answer, in case it didn’t spring immediately into your mind, is data assimilation. Data assimilation uses many disciplines and is the subject of a large programme established by nerc at the Universities of Reading, Oxford, Edinburgh and Cambridge. At Reading the Department of Meteorology is, of course, prominent but it may surprise some to find that among the principal investigators in the area is a mathematician. Professor Nancy Nichols leads a team studying the math- ematics of data assimilation. This can help decide how much the predicted weather depends on certain data: if the dependence is strong and the data unreliable, then it is worth some expense to obtain additional information. If particular data which is doubtful do not much affect the outcome, then we can be more confident of the predictions. Data assimilation goes beyond this, for the way in which information is used in the mathematical models of the atmosphere can limit its effectiveness and one of the targets is to reduce systematic errors and bias arising from this source. community

10 community

AHRB award for Victorian architect

Researchers in the Department of Continuing Education won two grants to produce a book on a major Victorian architect

Tutor Dr John Elliott and a group of mature students were awarded £5,000 from the Arts and Humanities Research Board and £1,900 from the Marc Fitch Fund to research and publish a book about Henry Woodyer. The project team was formed five years ago by Dr Elliott when a group of students who had completed their Certificate in History of Art and Architecture enthusiasti- cally took on the task of producing a book on George Edmund Street, a Victorian architect. Fired by the success of the project, which was completed in two years, they immedi- ately started on the more ambitious one of researching the national and international work of Henry Woodyer. Dr Elliott said ‘The great thing about working with mature students is that they come with such a wide range of abilities: project management, marketing and publi- cation design. The task of teaching such a group is very much a matter of drawing out the strengths and abilities already there and then grafting on the academic knowledge and research skills. When the job is well done the results are spectacular.’ Team members were responsible for editing, marketing and sales and the University’s Photographic Unit took many of the illustrations.

Pupils from South London increase participation in Higher Education Boroughs attended a HEFCE- by under-represented groups. Some twenty- funded residential Summer five academic departments provided work- School at the University in July shops, lectures and other activities designed to give the seventy-nine participants a greater understanding of undergraduate Organised by the University’s new Widening study. Activities included personal skills Participation office, the Summer School was workshops and teambuilding exercises to aimed at increasing aspiration and achieve- improve participants’ confidence. The Study ment in young people identified as ‘gifted Advice team assisted them in producing and talented’ by their Local Education poster presentations of their experiences. Authorities. Nationally, 6,000 young people A careers evening, which included employer

summer school aged fifteen and sixteen attend Summer panels and a formal dinner, was very effec- Schools each year as part of the Govern- tive in demonstrating the wider benefits of undertaking degree study.

HE ment’s Excellence Challenge which aims to medieval stained glass

Rare panels of medieval stained glass were discovered among an army museum collection in Arborfield, Berkshire

The reme Museum houses collections comprising electronic equipment and vehicles belonging to the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Dr Brian O’Callaghan, Head of the Depart- ment of Continuing Education, who has a special interest in medieval stained glass, tracked down the panels after finding a reference in an old guide book to some medieval glass at West Court, a country house near Finchampstead. The panels are extremely rare and parts of the glass originally came from Canterbury Cathedral. Three panels, which depict the legend of St Vincent, date back to the thir- teenth century. During the Middle Ages stained glass was considered a major art form and the Thames Valley is a rich source. Stained glass window, reme Museum, Arborfield

business development team

A new business team will develop sity’ said team manager Ann John- links with commerce and industry – stone. In addition, the team supports both small and medium size firms the range of business services on offer and larger national and international in the University: companies • graduate industrial placement; Initially the team is focusing on • the Teaching Company Scheme: the environmental, life sciences, helping companies undertake information and communications strategic projects by covering some ict technology ( ) and business and of the costs and providing University management sectors – all growing academic supervision; areas of expertise within the univer- sity and important for economic • the Science and Technology Centre: success in the South East. A team providing an ideal location for high of specialist business development technology companies; officers dedicated to each of these • conferences: offering a range of sectors is now in place. facilities, purpose built for effective ‘We want our expertise to benefit presentation and participation. local companies and the Business Development Team is here to discuss any potential links with the Univer- www.rdg.ac.uk/res/Business/business.html 12 community in scottish circles

Stone circles are a well-known and much visited class of prehistoric monument, but it is surprising how little we know about them. Many remain undated and unexplained. One of the greatest concentrations is in north- east Scotland, where about seventy-five examples still survive in Aberdeenshire out of a projected total of well over one hundred. Several are in state care, yet they have hardly seen any modern investigation – curious as A Scottish monument they have a most distinctive character. They described locally as a consist of single rings of upright monoliths, ‘total wreck’ has been graded in height towards the south or south- impressively restored west and they focus on an enormous flat under the guidance of block known as the ‘recumbent’ stone, some Reading archaeologists weighing over twenty tons. Most sites were aligned on the position of the summer moon, but the ring of upright stones did not exist in isolation, for inside many of these were transformed by fire before they were monuments there was a considerable cairn. taken away for burial somewhere else. The Department of Archaeology has When the monument went out of use, it investigated three of these sites on behalf was ringed by a massive stone circle with of Historic Scotland, who funded the work. a 6.5 ton block at its focal point. Every The main excavation was at Tomnaverie eighteen and a half years the moon would on Deeside where the monument had been have illuminated the centre of the site. damaged by quarrying before it was taken Excavation at two other Aberdeenshire into state care nearly eighty years ago. monuments, at Cothiemuir Wood and Our excavation revealed a complicated Aikey Brae, showed that a similar sequence sequence of events. Tomnaverie was first of events had taken place there. used as a cremation pyre something over At the end of the work the fallen four thousand years ago. The pyre was on stones at Tomnaverie were replaced in their the level surface of a low hill and was em- original positions, using the results of the bellished by the construction of a massive excavation as a guide. The interior of the rubble platform or cairn. This was open at monument has been turfed and the quarry the centre where the remains of the dead is being refilled.

Stones from Tomnaverie life

14 life

Reading and Toyota collaborate for a cleaner environment

Toyota Motor Corporation is sponsoring a major program of research work in the Centre for Surface Science and Catalysis at The University of Reading

This work involves use of the high temperature stm This project is approximately half completed and (Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy) facility at the the team has been successful in imaging particles

University to image surfaces at atomic resolution. of Pt and Pd on TiO2 oxide surfaces, with and Lean-burn engines are more fuel-efficient than other without BaO present. The reaction work will types of petrol engine. Toyota has invented a new commence shortly. kind of catalyst which enables them to reduce the The team is aiming for a very successful emissions from cars with lean-burn engines. This outcome to the project. Europe is legislating for is very difficult to achieve due to the high oxygen cleaner fuels in the near future, with a target of levels in the exhaust gas from such vehicles, which 10 ppm S in 2007, and this will enable these cata- deactivates normal catalyst systems. The Toyota lysts and improved versions to be used. We hope invention incorporates a so-called NOx storage the collaboration will result in improved under- component which enhances the conversion of this standing of the surface chemistry and hence to environmentally-damaging molecule. This catalytic improved catalysts for this environmentally system is used on Toyota cars throughout Japan. important technology. However, in the West we currently use fuel with very high sulphur levels (~400 ppm S) compared with Japan (up to 50 ppm) and the catalyst becomes inefficient at high S levels. Toyota is therefore very interested in gaining a molecular level view of how S poisoning and NOx storage occur. Hence their interest in working with Professor Bowker’s group who have a world-class facility for surface studies and especially stm. Currently Mr Masaru Ishii from Toyota, Japan is carrying out his work on this project in the laboratory in the Department of Chemistry, working towards his PhD. He works together with a postdoctoral fellow who is also funded by the company. The objective is to image particles of plat- inum and barium oxides at the surface of a model Atomic resolution image of catalyst at very high resolution, and in particular a copper oxide surface, etched to look for changes occurring during reaction with by formic acid. The bright NO and SO2. points are individual atoms life 15

antioxidants, cell suicide and coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease is the most common form of death in the UK. Reading’s School of Animal and Microbial Sciences is investigating a function of Vitamin C that may have very relevant results Cells treated with oxidised ldl for 24 hours

The underlying cause of coronary heart disease is the build- up of cholesterol in atherosclerotic lesions in the walls of the arteries in the heart. Cholesterol comes from low density lipoprotein (ldl) in the blood. The main theory to explain why atherosclerotic lesions form is that ldl gets into the arterial wall and is then made ‘rancid’ by an oxida- tive process involving free radicals, in a similar way to old fat becoming rancid. There is currently a great deal of interest in the ways in which cells in the body actually actively decide to commit suicide, which has the scientific name of apoptosis. Apop- tosis occurs in atherosclerotic lesions, and macrophages and Cells treated with oxidised ldl for 36 hours smooth muscle cells are two of the cells that are affected. Oxidised ldl is known to be capable of persuading both of these types of cells to commit suicide. Ms Lynda Harris and Dr David Leake in the School of Animal and Microbial Sciences, in collaboration with Professor Giovanni Mann at King’s College London, are looking at the effects of vitamin C on apoptosis caused by oxidised ldl. They have shown that vitamin C protects smooth muscle cells against apop- tosis caused by oxidised ldl, but that it actually makes it worse in macrophages. It may be that the suicide of smooth muscle cells is a bad thing in atherosclerotic lesions, because it weakens the arterial wall and may lead to the tearing of the wall that leads to a heart attack. The suicide of macrophages may arguably be a good thing, however, because it would stop the macrophages from releasing dangerous enzymes that would break down the arterial wall. Vitamin C may there- fore in theory have a beneficial effect by decreasing the ldl Cells treated with oxidised for 48 hours suicide of smooth muscle cells, but increasing the suicide of macrophages, in atherosclerotic lesions. The team is now trying to work out the exact details of how vitamin C affects apoptosis in these cells. Clinical trials are currently underway elsewhere into the effects of giving patients with coronary heart disease vitamin C and the results of these trials should be very interesting, whatever they show. 16 life

as the natural hand. Each finger has force and slip sensors in the tip. If the object slips, this generates vibrations that are detected by slip A lightweight prosthesis that sensors and the hand automatically tightens looks and behaves like a human its grip until the sliding stops. The controller hand has been developed by circuit board is housed within the hand which Peter Kyberd (Cybernetics), in is covered by a silicone glove cast from a real collaboration with European hand. An example of the hand is at the new colleagues Birmingham Think Tank Science Museum which opened in October 2001. Some hands are being used by people who attend the Limb Centre in Oxford. One device is a hybrid of the hand with a wrist and elbow produced by the Bio-engineering unit at the Princess Margaret Rose Hospital Edinburgh, by David Gow, the director. Coincidentally, this device uses the same net-working systems whose applications were pioneered by the Cybernetics Department. Peter Kyberd is a visiting fellow at the Oxford Orthopaedic Engineering Centre and Devising a mechanical replacement for the works with Dr Paul Chappell (Southampton human hand represents a considerable chal- University). Both teams are also collaborating lenge. The principle behind the hand is to with a Swedish company in order to extend use microprocessors to undertake the func- the work to a fully modular arm. In this, every tions that control the fingers, while the user joint has an independent controller, with gives only overall commands to open, close, overall control by a master controller coordi- hold using simple signals. The prostheses’ nating the actions of the joints, in response fingers curl continuously from open to to simple instructions from the wearer. closed, and the thumb follows the same line Commercialisation is expected by 2003.

Work in the Human Nutrition Group on the positive benefits of dietary fats has resulted in novel findings regarding the mechanisms by which the fats found in oily fish can be protective against heart fat disease The group is particularly excited about a new project in which has been funded jointly by the bbsrc and the dairy industry and which will milk study the health benefits of life 17 the intelligent hand

a particular fat, called conju- larly novel since it will not animal products and their gated linoleic acid (cla). cla only involve feeding cla to reduction or elimination is only found in the meat and volunteer human subjects, but from the diets of many dairy products of ruminant will also involve collaboration people, means that the intake animals (cattle and sheep). with researchers in Agricul- of cla has almost certainly Studies in animals have ture (Chris Reynolds and declined over the past twenty shown that feeding cla David Beever). Chris Reynolds years. This research will produced dramatic reduc- and David Beever will study strengthen the scientific basis tions in certain tumours and how they can alter the fats for making future recommen- reductions in body fat and fed to cattle to increase the dations for dietary fat and the blood cholesterol when fed at amount of cla in meat, milk best means of enriching the modest to high amounts. The and dairy products. diet through high-quality study that will be conducted The work is important animal foods. at Reading and led by Dr because previous emphasis Parveen Yaqoob, is particu- on harmful effects of fats in 18 life

While it is still too early to assess the full fundamental impact of the Charter of Fundamental Human Rights of the European Union, which is for the present only a declaration, The University of human rights Reading has been involved in a conference to clarify its impact on international agreements

The character of the drafting of the Charter of from across Europe an opportunity to question Fundamental Human Rights has attracted consid- four key Convention participants. These were erable attention and has already influenced eu Peter Altmaier, a cdu member of the German Parlia- decision-making. This process involved a special ment; Professor Pedro Bacelar de Vasconcelos, the Convention with an unusually diverse membership, Portuguese Goverment’s representative and, for the including members of the national parliaments and period of Portugal’s Presidency of the eu, the Vice- meps as well as representatives of the Member State President of the Convention’s Presidium; Lord governments. It consulted widely with a broad Bowness, a Conservative Peer; and Professor Stefano range of ngos and took the novel step of making its Rodotà, who represented the Italian government of deliberations as public as possible, posting all the the time. various drafts and other papers it produced on the All four believed the convention method web. It also avoided holding votes in order to obtain had forced people to argue rather than simply as broad agreement as possible. The Convention bargaining with each other, and seek for a degree method has now been adopted as a model for of mutual understanding. However, the result had considering the future shape of the Union. been less an agreement on a set of underlying Euro- Last February Professors Richard Bellamy of the pean principles, as some commentators have hoped, Politics Department and Emilio Santoro of Florence than a compromise, reflecting reciprocal conces- University’s Department of the Theory and History sions in the light of continuing cultural and ideolog- of Law, with funds from the European Commission, ical differences. This conclusion reflects research the esrc ‘One Europe or Several?’ Programme and on the convention by a Reading PhD student, Justus the Italian Research Council, hosted a conference Schonlau, who also helped organise the conference. in Florence that gave academics and PhD students

Fundamental human rights conference, Florence life 19

More than 30 scientists from Europe, North America and Japan met at the University to plan the achievement of Species 2000, one of the more elusive goals in modern biology

Species 2000 is a unified catalogue of the 1.75 million known species of living organisms species 2000: on earth. Such a catalogue is fundamental to tasks such as developing world-wide conser- vation strategies or understanding invasive catalogue of life species from other continents. With its planned coverage of plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms, the programme has been dubbed the ‘Catalogue of Life’. The two main organizations working on the task are Species 2000, a global network based in the uk and Japan, and North America’s Integrated Taxonomic Informa- tion System (itis). The Chair of the Species 2000 team is Professor Frank Bisby of the School of Plant Sciences. The significance of the Reading workshop was that after the success of a cd-rom prototype containing data from both organizations released last April, they joined forces. The workshop was jointly funded by the uk Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (bbsrc) and the Biological Resources Division of the us Geological Survey (usgs). itis and the Species 2000 member organ- isations have already collated basic reference data on 250,000 species, and plan to reach 500,000 by 2003. The biodiversity infor- matics tools to be developed include inter- operative systems to bring together data from sources around the world, and data- base ‘workbench’ tools to speed up the creation of the catalog itself. Another priority is developing better ways of dealing with different classifications of the same groups of organisms. All of these tools have to be integrated with processes for keeping the system up to date as the taxonomy changes through time. 20 life body storylines

New research at the Over the last five years, Maggie own movements and the care- University reveals a Turp, Lecturer in counselling, taker’s ability to receive and fascinating picture of has been exploring some of the respond to those movements how infants respond connections between physical forms an important part of an to and ‘embody’ the and emotional aspects of health. evolving story. Adult living handling they receive In her research and writing, she provides opportunities to sustain draws on very detailed observa- a sense of proper embodiment tional studies of infants growing associated, according to psycho- up in ordinary families and on analyst D. W. Winnicott, with her own clinical experience as a ‘good enough’ early experiences. counsellor and psychotherapist. It also offers the possibility of Her findings and comments are repairing damage, resulting collected together in a new book perhaps from neglect, abuse or Psychosomatic health: the body and general parental unresponsive- the word. ness. Case studies taken from Infant observations suggest the author’s own practice show that the experiences of respon- how an exploration of his or her sive touch affect all aspects own ‘body storyline’ can lead to of infant well-being and are psychological change, which may reflected in posture, physical in turn be reflected in engage- vitality, psychological well-being, ment with new and enjoyable and social and cognitive develop- physical activities outside the ment. From the start, the infant’s consulting room.

international law

Professor P. R. (Sandy) brought together interested brought before it against states Ghandhi co-authored a lawyers and members of the who have agreed to the Optional report on the International public to increase awareness Individual Communication Criminal Tribunal for of the subjects. Procedure. The monitoring body Rwanda (ICTR) Professor Ghandhi has been makes detailed observations of actively involved in a number of how a state is complying with its aspects of international human international obligations under rights law recently. He takes a the Covenant. The objective of the report was particular interest in the work of He has also been actively to observe the procedures of the the Human Rights Committee engaged in the campaign to ictr to ensure their fairness. He of the International Covenant on persuade the uk to sign and also took part in several related Civil and Political rights (iccpr). ratify the Optional Protocol to seminars and chaired one that This is a monitoring body that the iccpr which would allow included the participation of meets three times a year to individuals to bring cases against several judges of the ictr and examine reports submitted by the uk to the Human Rights International Criminal Tribunal states who are parties to the Committee in Geneva under the for the former Yugoslavia. This treaty and individual cases Covenant of 1966. news

some large paintings to be observed closely

Professor Stephen Buckley, Head His art resonates on many levels, of the Department of Fine Art, involving the viewer through a exhibited some of his works in the vibrant use of shape, colour and John Madjeski Art Gallery, Museum materials. He is a painter who of Reading from February to constantly reinvents the medium September. through varying methods such as Professor Buckley’s first solo ripping, shredding and even burning. show of the millennium was entitled He has had over sixty solo exhibi- ‘Some large paintings to be observed tions worldwide and is represented closely’. His work has had a great in over twenty national collections impact on the art world since it first including Tate Britain. appeared in the 1960s while he was studying art at Durham University as a student of Richard Hamilton. D’Arizona (above), 1985, oil on canvas on softboard & wood, 229 × 305cm news 23

honours for 2001 Robert James Gurney, Professor of Physical pilot programme Geography and Director, the Environmental Systems Science Centre in the University, in CALS was awarded the obe for services to Earth Observation and to Environmental Science, in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. The Centre for Applied Language Studies (cals), now part of the School of Linguistics and Applied Ms Jacqui Cannon, a Visiting Senior Language Studies, has designed and implemented Research Fellow in the Department of a thirty-week programme of scientific writing Construction Management and Engineering instruction by electronic delivery. was awarded an obe for her services to the The purpose of the programme was to construction industry and to the housing improve the writing skills in English of a group of sector. Ms Cannon already holds an Order researchers in science and social science for whom of Merit from France. English is their second language. Being busy Mr Michael Harvey, Visiting Lecturer in researchers, they did not have time to attend a the Department of Typography & Graphic classroom-based language course. Distance instruc- Communication and well-known type tion was offered by posting tasks on an electronic designer was awarded an obe for his discussion board, and by individual email tutoring services to art. with regular feedback on drafts and tasks by cals tutors, Anne Pallant and Paul Thompson. As the need grows for researchers to reach the international community through publishing their findings in English, it is important to develop the capacity to respond to these and similar writing needs, by electronic means. It is clear that devel- oping the writing skills of researchers without having to displace them from their work is an attractive proposition, from both the practical and financial point of view. Mr James Cracknell (left), graduate of the University in Geography, 1993, was awarded an mbe for services to rowing.

honorary degrees Honorary degrees were awarded to:

Mr Ian Maclean, University photographer for forty-seven years, presented for the Honorary Degree of Master of Philosophy by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Fulford.

Professor Sir Frank Kermode, fba, Department of English, presented for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by Professor Patrick Parrinder.

The Rt Hon the Lord Hurd of Westwell, ch, cbe, pc, Home Secretary (1985–9) and Foreign Secretary (1989–95), presented for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Tony Downes.

Ms Billie Whitelaw, cbe, actress presented for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters, presented by Dr Mary Bryden, Department of French and Joint Director The Rt Hon the Lord Hurd of Westwell of the Beckett Foundation. 24 global designed to inform

Two students from the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication helped to get informed views on science policy across to government and opposition

When the Institute of Biology Professor Peter Caligari (far wanted an eye-catching pres- right) of the Department of entation for the views of its Agricultural Botany: ‘We Affiliated Societies on needed a professional, high- national science policy, Kelly profile presentation of Science Mason and Pauline Lock, both Policy Priorities 2001 and so we third years, took on the task turned to the Department against a tight deadline. of Typography & Graphic Science Policy Priorities 2001 had Communication. Their work

8.0 The status of science

The Affiliated Societies are concerned as to the status of British science within society. This is a multi-faceted problem to be designed and printed experience programme and includes: 3 a. Funding (as AIDS, BSE, Brent Spar, b. Remuneration (whichper is explored quotas, GM crops, etc., all have eco- below) above) nomic and political consequences that arguably require the best political rep- c. ready for a high-profile meant that we could be Status within Government. Though resentation in Cabinet. In theE. US,coli for science concerns are represented in instance, there is the Office of Science, fishing the Cabinet through the President of and Technology Policy within the White Ho the Board of Trade, there is no direct use, headed by the White House representation, yet issues such as Science Advisor. d. Status within Whitehall. The Office of confident of an innovative Science and Technology has a pan- launch to representatives of Departmental remit, though operates from within one Department itself. Investment in science Indeed despite its remit, it has little control over how Departments allocate approach but with a high their resources. seventy-five scientific bodies. 8 0 00 Gra 7 nd 00 T s 0 ota m l r Sc e 6 i t 0 en 00 ce 8 , E / ng 7 50 in 8 00 ee 9 ri 1 ng 4 & n 0 i 00 Te ch s no n lo o 30 g i 0 y l 0 l re level of professional skill – i a Science Minister Lord Sains- l- m 2 te 00 rm £ 0 s pen 10 d 00

0 19 84 19 86 19 bury (second from left) and this we got. The printed If the UK is to lead the World 8in8 environmentally friendly technologies… If its 19 food is to be safe and its farms productive90 (so freeing land for wildlife)… If health care technology is to continue to advance…Ye If 1the nation’s environmental quality ar 99 (da 2 is to improve… If Britain is to develop a high-technology/high-incomete economy fin 19 anc 94 in the 21st century… then the past one and a half decadesial of real-term decline yea 1 r b 99 in investment in science as a proportion of GDP needs to be reversed.egi 6 ns) 19 98 booklet was certainly 2 Liberal Democrat spokesman 00 0 20 02 Evan Harris (second from right) successful and was com- also spoke. The Chair of the mented on favourably by Science Policy Board at the many of those attending the Institute of Biology is launch’.

science education award

Professor John Gilbert, Professor of Education, has been awarded a prestigious accolade by the American-based National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST)

Professor John Gilbert has been awarded narst’s ‘Distinguished Contribution to Science Education Through Research’. The Association is the senior pro- fessional organisation for science education research worldwide and this is their highest recognition. He is only the fourth non-us citizen to receive this award in its fifteen year history. The citation states that the award is for his ‘continuing contribution over the last twenty years of his career to science education through exemplary, high quality research, which has provided notable leader- ship and made a substantial impact on science education.’ in brief

26 in brief

Violinist Mieko Kanno

quietly composing

In October, the Music Depart- played in open spaces around ment welcomed Dr Dorothy Reading during the spring of Ker as an ahrb Fellow in the 2001. The central performer Creative Performing Arts. was violinist Mieko Kanno. Dr Ker carried out a Year of Reading residents were asked the Artist project, ‘Music for to contribute their sugges- Quiet Spaces’, supported by tions for a location that repre- the University in association sented a ‘quiet space’ for with Southern Arts. The them. These were included project centred around five on a Quiet Spaces Map of performances of music Reading which was con- composed especially to be structed during the project.

The Clergy of the Church of England database has attracted clergy database over £500,000 from the Arts and Humanities Research Board and will fill a major gap in our knowledge of what wins top AHRB was then one of the most important professions. Project directors are Dr Stephen Taylor from Reading, Dr Arthur funds Burns King’s College London and Dr Kenneth Fincham from the University of Kent. Between 1540 and 1835 the Church was the single most A major new technology project important employer of educated males in England and in the Department of History will Wales. An understanding of the dynamics of the clerical provide an invaluable research tool profession is central to the interpretation of the develop- for all historians investigating the ment of society and religion and the history of the profes- Church, its clergy, its living and sions, to regional studies and to biographical investigation patrons for almost 300 years in of artistic, scientific, administrative, political and economic England and Wales activity in England and Wales. Digitised versions of healthnet museum, archive and Univer- sity collections are to be avail- conference able on the Internet. The Berkshire Record Office and The University’s Rural digitised The first Healthnet Confer- History Centre have won ence at the Royal Berkshire £283,000 to put maps of versions of Hospital in April proved to be the county and material a showcase of the University’s concerning the history of University flourishing health-related farming on the web. Reading research. Overall, almost fifty Museum Service and The collections people attended including University of Reading Archive nineteen from the local hospi- won £105,000 to put their tals and Health Trusts. Three Huntley and Palmers collec- University Health Fellows tions on biscuit and cake gave their first presentations making online. on the progress of their research to date. Susie Lund of the East Berkshire Commu- nity Health Trust spoke about her exploration of the pallia- tive care needs of Asian cancer patients in Slough, Susie Townsend detailed progress on her research into ‘Arthritis in focus: perceptions of staff and patients’, while Eleanor Simpson described the initial stages of her work on the dietary management of type 2 diabetes. Both are from the Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospital nhs Trust. A wide variety of health-related research is undertaken at the University with collaboration between University depart- ments as well as with uk health professionals. 28 in brief

Darwin initiative award

The Darwin project is focusing on the application of seed science to forest conservation and regeneration

The prestigious Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species funded by the uk Depart- ment of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has made two awards to The Univer- sity of Reading to support training and research in biodiversity conservation in Morocco and Vietnam. The Vietnam project is being led by Professor Richard Ellis and Dr Tran Dang Hong from the University’s Department of Agriculture. The Darwin project is focusing on the application of seed science to forest conservation and regenera- tion. Deforestation in Vietnam has been considerable, and it plans to restore forest cover to 40 per cent of the country by 2010. In Morocco, Dr Stephen Jury and colleagues in the Centre for Plant Diversity and Systematics will be working to draw up an inventory of Moroccan plants and select those most in need of conservation. facts & figures

30 facts & figures facts and figures

Student numbers 2000–2001

thousands 02468

7,667 total 4,342

4,144 Letters & Social Sciences 1,289

1,741 Science 637

525 Agriculture & Food 467

746 Urban & Regional Studies 1,148*

511 Education & Community Studies 801

undergraduates *figure includes students registered for distance learning postgraduates courses provided by the Management Unit

Research grants and contracts From research councils, industry, eu and other sponsors

£ millions 05101520 25

1998–1999 £17,969,000

1999–2000 £18,365,000

2000–2001 £20,832,000 facts & figures 31

Careers information First destination of 2000 graduates at 3 January 2001

First degree

percentage 010203040506070

employment 69.4

further study 19.9

still seeking employment 4.3 or further study unavailable for employment 6.1

overseas returners 0.3

Higher degree

percentage 01020304050607080

employment 83

further study 10.7

still seeking employment 2.5 or further study unavailable for employment 3.5

overseas returners 0.2 32 facts & figures

financial summary

Income Total £117,985,000

£ millions 010203040

funding council grant £39,957,000

fees and support grants £24,828,000

endowment income and interest £4,097,000

residences and catering £16,673,000

other general income £7,555,000

research grants and contracts £20,832,000

other services £4043,000

Expenditure Total £118,749,000

£ millions 01020304050

academic departments £51,964,000

academic services £6,796,000

premises £13,147,000 (excluding residences and catering) administration and central services £11,605,000

residences and catering operations £13,988,000

research grants and contracts £16,347,000

other expenditure £4,902,000 For further details of the University’s activities and copies of all the companion volumes to this publication:

The Information and External Relations Office Registrar’s Division The University of Reading PO Box 217 Whiteknights Reading RG6 6AH

Telephone 0118 931 8005

Email [email protected]

Website address www.reading.ac.uk

The cover and text pages of this publication were designed, art directed and typeset by Liz Powell and Claire Renard, students in the University’s Department of Typography & Graphic Communication

Printed by Herald Graphics, Reading There are three companion volumes to this publication:

Accounts 2000–2001 Financial statements for the year to 31 July 2001

Proceedings 2000–2001 Contains detailed reports of the activities of all University departments

Publications 2000–2001 A complete list of publications by members of the University for the calendar year 2001