The free magazine for The University of Manchester
5 March 2007 Uni LifIessue 7 Volume 4
Martin Amis appointed Professor of Creative Writing Features Letter from the President News
News Manchester’s students Martin Amis appointed most wanted page 3 Martin Amis, arguably the leading novelist of his generation, has been appointed Professor of Creative Writing at The University of Manchester. He will be in position in time for the launch of the Centre for New Writing, due to open in September.
Amis will run postgraduate seminars at at Manchester has long been one of the best in the the Centre and will also participate in country, but the foundation of the Centre and the appointments of Martin Amis and Patricia Duncker Research four public events each year, including mean that we will continue to attract – and provide Village found near a two week summer school where a terrific apprenticeship for – talented new Stonehenge writers will teach MA students from the novelists, poets and critics. Martin and Patricia are UK and abroad. both writers who are interested in the broad swim page 7 of contemporary culture, so the Centre will be a He will be based in the School of Arts Histories and prominent platform for the best new creative and Cultures, also home to the leading literary theorist critical writing being produced in the UK.” When the new University of Manchester was We now face the major, unavoidable challenge of and critic, Professor Terry Eagleton. founded in October 2004, it was on the firm addressing these two deficits – one structural, the Award-winning novelist and short story writer His reputation, established over three decades, has understanding that no-one in their right mind would other strategic - in order to bring the University Patricia Duncker, who came as the University’s first been built on a constant flow of significant, often have gone through the inevitable complexities of budget back into surplus by the end of the 2007-08 Professor of Creative Writing in January, previously controversial, novels – he is currently working on his merging two successful institutions merely for the financial year. On top of these planned deficits, held the Chair at East Anglia. The Irish poet Vona twelfth. In addition, he has published collections of Profile sake of creating a single, larger institution. salary costs, anticipated to increase seven per cent in Groarke is another new appointee. 2005-06, actually grew by ten per cent because of a short stories, highly-rated critical essays and Martin Amis Project Unity was not about size. It was inspired by a combination of the national pay settlement, pay and countless articles on a wide range of issues and has This is Martin Amis’s first academic post. His major opportunity for “step change” improvement - grading and incremental progression. University won a string of literary awards. He is best known famous novelist father, Sir Kingsley Amis, also page 10 encouraged by a once-in-an-institutional lifetime overheads were also higher, particularly because for his “informal trilogy” Money (1984), London became a teacher, holding appointments at chance to contemplate a thoroughly energy costs more than doubled. Fields (1989) and The Information (1995). Swansea, Princeton and Cambridge. transformational agenda. What drove it was a willingness to entertain a singularly ambitious In an overall budget of around £600 million, such ”At 57, I feel ready for a fresh milieu and I think I Professor Alan Gilbert, President and Vice- vision, and the courage to ask, Why not? deficits are manageable, provided that we take the may have something to offer as a teacher,” he says. Chancellor, welcoming his appointment, says: “It necessary action; indeed, the bulk of this financial “It has always been a quiet ambition of mine. I have will be a wonderful opportunity for our creative In planning our transformational journey, we knew management task was created deliberately in the written a lot of fiction and a lot about fiction, so I’ll writing students to learn their craft from so from the outset that the key to success was going to best interests of the University. But active, effective be bringing a dual perspective to it. I am also keen distinguished a novelist. We already have a major Contents be largely about people. The immense talent already action is now an absolute necessity. Operationally, to find out about that shadowy and inscrutable presence in creative writing, but this appointment present in the University had to be nurtured and that makes a managed programme on a significant demographic group – the young.” confirms this as one of the leading places in the grown. Creating an environment in which that could scale of voluntary early retirements and voluntary world to study it.” 3 News happen was the bedrock of the Manchester 2015 severances inevitable over the next 18 months. It John McAuliffe, co-director with Ian McGuire of the Agenda . But we also knew that creating such a also places a premium on cost efficiency and new Centre, says: “The creative writing programme See pages 10 and 11 for a Profile on Martin Amis 7 Research transformational environment would mean bringing challenges us all to maximise revenue growth. in new, virtuoso people – some of them genuinely 10 Profile “iconic” in status – whose presence would help us Transforming a very good university into a great one build higher and higher levels of excellence. was never going to be affordable if all it involved was Martin Amis appointing wonderful new people and investing in Accordingly, we have stressed the importance of 12 What’s On the development of people already on staff. Building attracting outstanding people at all levels, from PhD a profile of singular excellence was always going to 14 Reaching Out candidates and post-doctoral fellows to professors involve “re-profiling”, not just growth. Re-profiling Manchester’s students and principal investigators. We have sought a much enables the recruitment and development of 16 Museum Piece smaller group – Nobel Laureates and others of excellent people to proceed by enabling other equivalents standing – around which to build colleagues, less comfortable with an ambitious “step remain most wanted virtuoso teams. The aim consistently has been “step change” agenda, to leave the University, voluntarily THE University of Manchester has colleagues throughout the University and change” improvement in the quality of what was and with dignity. retained its place as the most targeted graduate recruiters across the globe to already a very good, professionally-supported We have thus arrived at a testing stage of the university by the UK’s top 100 graduate develop and manage a variety of projects academic community. Front cover: Martin Amis journey to 2015, and the months ahead will call for employers, according to a new survey. and events, all dedicated to equipping Photo by Ed Swinden Manchester’s success in attracting outstanding wise, compassionate, effective human resource students with key career management University of Manchester students are people has been achieved partly because the Board management at all levels. There will be no deviation skills and knowledge vital for future being targeted by more top recruiters for of Governors, recognising the importance of the from the essential task of building excellence across career success. 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), decided the institution. Key appointments will continue to be 2007 graduate vacancies than are any that the University should create a significant made, but at the same time the University must other UK university students, according to “The results of this survey testify to the strategic deficit in 2005-06 to accelerate targeted absorb the surge in growth that we experienced in High Fliers Research Limited’s survey, ‘The enduring excellent reputation which recruitment. years one and two, and address structural anomalies Graduate Market in 2007’. The survey Manchester graduates enjoy with carried over from the merger. That is why genuine, questioned employers listed in The Times employers.” That was a sound decision, but one with significant effective re-profiling has from the outset been a key Top 100 Graduate Employers 2006, which The MLP, Careers & Employability Division consequences, especially on top of the structural strategy in the Manchester 2015 Agenda , and why it is includes a range of both private and consistently maintains an excellent deficit that we had inherited from Project Unity. now imperative. public sector employers. Mergers always create unnecessary duplication, but reputation amongst graduate recruiters. It in order to give the new institution two years to Jane Ratchford, Director of the MLP, has been voted the best higher education settle down a formal understanding was reached Careers & Employability Division, said: careers service in the country for four with the relevant Trade Unions that the new “Improving the employability of our years running in the annual Association University would delay for two years any loss of jobs students and graduates is a key goal for of Graduate Recruiters/ Barkers National arising from any merger. But ambitious agendas are Professor Alan Gilbert the University. At the MLP, Careers & Graduate Media Audit. never without cost. President and Vice-Chancellor Employability Division, we work with 2 3 News
In brief research into radiation sciences and engineering decommissioning. Vital Topics The new laboratory will include accelerators and Manchester Business School has attracted some experimental equipment to study the irradiation of the world’s most influential business leaders damage and effects on materials and chemical to the region to speak at this year’s Vital Topics systems used in nuclear environments, as well as lecture series, sponsored by The Royal Bank of cutting-edge computational modelling and simulation tools. Scotland. The series kicks off in March and the line up includes: The new multi-million pound centre – which is Wednesday 14 March expected to open within the next two to three years - John Patterson, Executive Director of will initially house around 60 staff and postgraduate Development, AstraZeneca students. It will be located on the Westlakes Science and Technology Park near Whitehaven. Is There a Future for the UK’s Pharmaceutical R and D sector? The centre will have close links with the existing Wednesday 18 April British Technology Centre (BTC) at Sellafield, which is Willie Walsh, Chief Executive, British Airways managed by Nexia Solutions, and will form part of The Future for Flying the recently announced National Nuclear Laboratory. Wednesday 2 May As part of the investment agreement with NDA, The Keith Jones, Managing Director, PC World Group University of Manchester will recruit a team of new Get with the Programme – Keeping Customers academic staff and will work to extend access into the BTC for academic researchers from other Happy with Next Generation Technology From L-R, Dr Ian Hudson , Head of Technology and Skills, Nuclear Decommissioning Agency; Jamie Reed , MP for Copeland; universities. Thursday 24 May Prof Richard Clegg , Director of The Dalton Institute; Prof Simon Pimblott , Chair of Radiation Chemistry at the University. Val Gooding, Chief Executive, BUPA Out of the blue Professor Simon Pimblott, who has been appointed from the United States to head up the research into Why is Health Important? “After much thought, I’ve decided to donate the The Whitworth’s latest show, Indigo: radiation sciences, said: “This is a major opportunity collection to the gallery, not only because of the Tuesday 26 June A Blue To Dye For , has meant a surprise for Dalton Nuclear Institute and the NDA to build exhibition, but also because of the gallery’s ethos, Millions for new Sandy Carter, Vice-President, SOA and Websphere gift to the gallery of a significant textile truly world-leading research capabilities in the fields strategy, channel and marketing, IBM above all the exceptionally good accessibility of its donation by, Dr Jenny Balfour-Paul, an collections for researchers and students. of radiation chemistry and radiation damage on Business Flexibility in the 21st Century authority on indigo. Manchester is also an ideal location both for its nuclear research centre materials. Each event starts at 6pm with a networking historical association with textiles and dyes, and as Professor Richard Clegg, Director of the Dalton Dr Balfour-Paul worked alongside Dr Jennifer Harris A major new nuclear research facility is The University and the NDA have signed an initial canapé reception, prior to the lecture at 6.30pm it’s a lively city with a large student population Nuclear Institute, said: “The signing of the agreement of the Whitworth as a curatorial consultant to the with easy links to other major cities. I am happily collaboration agreement, which will see each and will take place at Manchester Business being built in Cumbria with £20million of with the NDA is an extremely important show. At the show’s opening, Dr Balfour-Paul confident that this collection will be cherished, and organisation invest £10million over a seven-year School. Tickets are £22.50 and can be purchased development in our ambition to make The University announced the donation of her renowned available to inspire visitors from all communities initial funding from The University of period. The total investment is expected to reach at www.mbs.ac.uk/vitaltopics of Manchester into one of the world’s most collection of indigo dyed textiles to the Whitworth and generations now and in the future.” Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute around £50m over this period. and the University. prestigious nuclear research and education centres This major exhibition of art, craft, fashion, and and the Nuclear Decommissioning The money will be used to provide specialist research and will act as a magnet for attracting leading Dr Jenny Balfour-Paul said:”I have spent over design featuring historical and contemporary Authority (NDA). equipment and facilities and to drive forward scientists and researchers.” twenty years researching all aspects of indigo indigo-dyed artefacts from around the world is on Bridging the skills gap worldwide. On my travels, I have formed a unique show at the Whitworth until 15 April. An employment and training event aimed at collection … The cream of this collection is a main improving career opportunities for local Ardwick feature of the Whitworth Art Gallery’s exciting new residents took place last month. More than a touring exhibition which has been superbly dozen major local employers, including The curated by Dr Jennifer Harris. University of Manchester were represented at the ‘Ardwick Works!’ event. School holds position The event aimed to give residents an insight into a range of employment and training Manchester Science Park wins top award in world MBA rankings opportunities within organisations which they Manchester Science Park (msp) has been named as may have perceived as being closed to them. Manchester Business School has We have faculty members from all over the Outstanding UKSPA Member Park for services to maintained its position at 22nd in the world, and an enormous breadth of teaching Steve Grant, Assistant Director of Human tenants and the local community. The world’s top business schools in the and research experience that’s available to all Resources at The University of Manchester, said: announcement came at the annual UK Science Park Financial Times full-time MBA ranking, our students, so it’s great to see this “We would like to be seen as an employer of Association (UKSPA) conference held at Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University Research Park. published recently. The School was ranked recognised in the FT ranking. One of my key choice and also contribute to creating new 5th in the world for international business objectives is to promote Manchester opportunities in Ardwick and this event was an The judges selected msp ahead of other UK and 4th in Europe for percentage salary Business School on the world stage, and ideal opportunity to build sustainable science parks due to the outstanding services it increase of its graduates. independent surveys like this add weight to provides to its tenants, the contribution it has relationships with our local communities. our claims to offer a truly international made to the success of the City of Manchester The School is now placed 9th in Europe and experience to our students.” “Ardwick Works! was so successful we aim to and for its excellent environmental policies. 4th in the UK, with particular strengths in its stage similar events in other areas of central doctoral programme - ranked 2nd in the The Financial Times survey measures a wide CEO Jane Davies who collected the award from Manchester later this year. As major employers mathematician and tv presenter, Johnny Ball world - and in international experience, range of factors, surveying MBA alumni three The judges based their decision on three main we intend to come together regularly to look at (pictured), said: “msp has evolved beyond all where it is 6th in the world and 1st in the UK. years after graduation. It looks at their career criteria: msp’s services to its tenants, its impact on what we can do collectively to support the recognition in the last 20 years and it is great to It is 13th in the world for the career progress progress and, within the school, considers the community and its environmental initiatives. development of job opportunities in parts of have this progress acknowledged at a national of its alumni. diversity of the staff and student body, the msp provides free business development support level. We have outgrown the space available at our MBA programme and research activities. Manchester with high levels of unemployment to all its tenant companies including organising Professor Michael Luger who joined original location and now have three msp sites and also share best practice.” networking events, offering free business and Manchester Business School in January as across the City of Manchester. msp plays a major marketing support and arranging access to director. He said: “We’re delighted to have role in the Manchester: Knowledge Capital Greater Manchester universities. maintained our position at 22nd in the world. initiative and winning this award will help us to continue to raise standards in our field and msp is home to more than 100 companies, and the 4 extend the range of our expertise even further.” University is a major shareholder. 5 News Research VP’s view The challenge is on
Professor Bob Munn as one of the highest-scoring first-round losers, Early last month I met some of the latest After victory in the 2005/6 series of and beat the University of Bristol 200-140 in that cohort of staff on the New Academics University Challenge, the University of Manchester team has made it through play-off and the University of Reading 210-60 in Professor Julian Thomas Programme. Nearly all said that one important the second round. factor in accepting a job here was for reasons to a quarter-final match against related to research. One then asked how we Wadham College, Oxford, to be The all-undergraduate team comprises Ciaran can square that strong orientation towards broadcast on BBC2 at 8pm tonight Lavin (English and Philosophy) (captain), Adam Clark (Ancient History), David Elliott (Mathematics research with Goal Four in Manchester 2015: (5 March). ‘Excellent teaching and learning’. The answer is and Physics) and Tim Hawken (Music). Archaeologists find village near Stonehenge that we must, we can, and we are doing. Despite losing their first-round match to Merton College, Oxford, they qualified for a play-off match The largest Neolithic village ever found He said: "My part of the project over the past couple He added: " We found two small buildings on a For a start, teaching students is what makes us in Britain has been discovered by of years has been concerned with the investigation terrace overlooking the Southern Circle and the a University rather than a research institute. archaeologists at the Stonehenge world of a series of structures inside the great henge at Neolithic settlement, similar to those in the larger Grants and fees for teaching also constitute a Durrington. settlement at the eastern entrance to the henge significant fraction of our income. So we heritage site. monument. "The project found a group of six houses connected should regard teaching and learning as core The village dates back to 4,600 years ago when with an avenue which links Durrington Walls with "Although they had been subject to erosion, it's business where we must strive for excellence. The fussy farm Stonehenge was built - leading archaeologists to the River Avon. interesting that they were completely devoid of A reputation for excellent teaching also Head of the School of Psychological Sciences believe that the people who lived in the houses artefacts and other finds, even in the postholes for "And just like Stonehenge - two miles away - it's attracts the best students from around the Professor Geoffrey Beattie is one of three expert probably constructed the world-famous the roof supports that surrounded the hearths." monument. connected to the river by it's own avenue. world. This reinforces our international mentors in a new television series `The Farm of reputation, and provides recruits to our "Either these were the dwellings of important Fussy Eaters`. The show follows the journeys of The findings help to confirm the theory that "It's this structural connection as well as the date research programmes who will become the people, set aside from the main settlement but eight people who have problematic relationships Stonehenge did not stand in isolation but was that leads us to believe that these people were the next generation of researchers. overlooking it from the terrace, or they may have with food, but are determined to conquer their actually part of a larger religious complex used for builders of Stonehenge." been cult houses, shrines or houses of the dead, funerary and other rituals. Evidence from around the world shows that habits and fears. "Neolithic people probably processed between the secluded inside their palisades and never actually excellent teaching and research are not From borderline diabetic Craig who can eat Professor of Archaeology at The University of two monuments at midsummer and midwinter, the occupied." mutually exclusive. Universities acquire an Manchester, Julian Thomas, is one of the directors of two celestial events upon which the circles and nothing but potatoes, Weetabix, bread and plain Professor Geoffrey Beattie international reputation primarily through crisps, to chocaholic Ruth who consumes five 400g the Stonehenge Riverside Project. avenues are aligned. their research, and a strong research reputation bars a day, the participants hope their two weeks “There are often deep-seated psychological issues attracts the best scholars from around the in a Lincolnshire farmhouse will help them change underpinning these kinds of problems, and my world. As enquirers in their research field, starting point was to uncover these,” Geoff says. their ways. Geoff will help them get to the heart of excellent researchers are still learners who can “As to whether the residents managed to change where their dysfunction comes from and learn to empathize with students and their learning. their ways, you’ll just have to watch to find out!” modify their behaviour, whilst dietician Lyndel Excellent researchers also convey their subject Costain and chef Rachel Green encourage them to The Farm of Fussy Eaters is on UKTV Style at knowledge and enthusiasm in their teaching learn to eat normally, healthily and socially. 10pm on Mondays. (and our New Academics Programme helps Mummy’s amazing maize that to happen effectively). The far-reaching influence of Spanish and explained Professor Terry Brown, who Our efforts are bearing fruit. Internal awards Portuguese colonisers appears not to have headed the research in the Faculty of Life recognize and support teaching excellence, and extended to South American agriculture, Sciences. scientists studying a 1,400-year-old Andean we have seven National Teaching Fellows. “Maize is the staple food crop of the region mummy have found. Teaching materials provided online increasingly Built in quality but prior to colonisation it also had a ritual enhance learning opportunities for students, The University of Manchester researchers significance – the indigenous people were especially through interactive activities. Finally, The University has received a prestigious The £38 million building houses research compared the DNA of ancient maize found amazed by maize and even worshipped it. the satisfaction levels revealed in student building award for the Manchester laboratories, core facilities, offices and in the funerary offerings of the mummy surveys increased noticeably last year Interdisciplinary Biocentre (MIB) in meeting rooms over five floors together and at other sites in north west Argentina “Given the immense changes that took place in South America following the arrival compared with the previous year, although we recognition of the quality of its with a sixth floor plant room, and can with that grown in the same region today. of the Europeans it is surprising that this would like more students to respond. So the construction. accommodate more than 500 bioscience Surprisingly, they found both ancient and crop has remained unaltered for hundreds students who flock here every year can indeed research staff in up to 85 research groups. The MIB on Princess Street was one of 11 modern samples of the crop were of years.” experience excellent teaching and learning. construction projects selected from the Work was assessed against a range of genetically almost identical indicating that Using the new facilities of the Manchester 2,700 inspected in the past year by criteria including site safety, structural modern European influence has not been as Professor Bob Munn Interdisciplinary Biocentre for studying Manchester City Council’s Building Control stability, fire safety, use of materials, sound great as previously thought. Vice-President ancient DNA, Professor Brown is now Service which sponsored the award. insulation, access for all, conservation of Teaching & Learning fuel and power and weather resistance. “The entire culture of South America examining ancient maize specimens from The scheme recognises excellent practice changed when the Europeans arrived in the Peru, up to 6,000 years old, to determine if across the complete of building projects Director of Estates, Diana Hampson 15th century – everything from the these much older specimens are also similar which are judged against the Built in accepted the award at a ceremony at language to the whole way of life,” to modern crops. 6 Quality Awards standards. Manchester Town Hall. 7 Research
In brief CESAR could hail cheaper The impact of braces Karen takes the Chair Dead Sea Scrolls Celebration Professor William Shaw of Manchester’s School Karen Hassell of the and greener small aircraft of Dentistry said: “We revisited 337 of our School of Pharmacy The University is to hold a celebration to mark the 60th anniversary since the first discoveries original sample as adults, and those who had has been appointed of Scrolls in a cave near the Dead Sea. The been assessed as needing orthodontic to a new Chair, in University has had a long association with the treatment in 1981 and received it had straighter Social Pharmacy. study of the scrolls and the celebration on teeth and were more likely to be satisfied with Thursday 15 March is jointly hosted by the them. Karen joined the Centre for Biblical Studies and the Centre for University as a “However orthodontic treatment in childhood Jewish Studies. contract researcher had little positive impact on their in 1991, and has built Professor Devorah Dimant of the University of psychological health and quality of life in a strong reputation Haifa will talk on ‘The Qumran Texts and the adulthood. as an expert in Qumran Community’ at 2pm in Humanities Lime Grove A101. This will be followed at 4 pm in “Further, a lack of orthodontic treatment in sociological and Humanities Lime Grove A113 by an illustrated childhood did not lead to psychological health services lecture on the scientific conservation of the A major study involving the Universities of difficulties in later life for those children where research on the Scrolls by Dr Ira Rabin from Berlin who has Manchester, Roehampton and Cardiff has cast a need was identified but no treatment pharmacy workforce. She is Director of the Centre for recently been working on the cataloguing and doubt on the assumption that orthodontic received. Pharmacy Workforce Studies, a research centre analysis of the Reed Dead Sea Scroll Fragments treatment improves psychological well-being. “It can be concluded that, although in general influencing policy, practice and debate on in the Rylands Library – the Rylands is the only The team of psychologists and dentists studied employment and professional issues within the institution in Britain to house Scroll fragments. participants’ self-esteem increased over the 20- the long-term effects of both orthodontic year period, it was not as a result of receiving profession. After a reception at 5.30pm in the Foyer of treatment and lack of treatment when a need braces and didn’t relate to whether an "I'm delighted about my new post and looking Humanities Lime Grove, Professor George had been identified in childhood, in a paper orthodontic treatment need existed in 1981. forward to the challenges ahead, particularly Brooke, a leading authority on the Scrolls, will published in The British Journal of Health This runs contrary to the widespread belief expanding my role within the University,” she said. present a popular lecture on ‘The Dead Sea Psychology . among dentists that orthodontic treatment “I'm also keen to extend my workforce research into Scrolls for the Next 60 Years’. All are welcome to improves psychological well-being.” any or all of the events. Over a thousand 11-12 year olds were recruited other health care disciplines, and hope to establish a to the project in Cardiff in 1981, and their The team also concluded that the health or workforce research network to share ideas and dental health and psycho-social well-being attractiveness of a person’s teeth is a minor research that cut across employment boundaries." assessed. They were re-assessed in 1984 and A £280,000 grant to engineers could help systems, small passenger aircraft tend to use factor in determining their psychological well- 1989 and finally in 2001. being in adulthood. spark the development of cheaper, lighter control systems that have not seen any significant Professor’s accolade technical advance for a number of years. A University of Manchester mathematics and greener small passenger aircraft. Dr Nigel Schofield (pictured) and a small team of professor has joined an elite band of academics. A team from the Power Conversion Group in the Professor Nick Higham has been added to researchers will concentrate on developing electrical school of Electrical and Electronic Engineering will ISIHighlyCited.com in recognition of the high systems to operate external flight control surfaces use the money to investigate how current number of citations his work has received from like the rudder, wing flaps and the landing gear. his peers. mechanical and hydraulic systems on small aircraft Thomson Scientific's ISIHighlyCited.com is a free, - such as private jets and those used for short Replacing bulky mechanics and hydraulics with publicly available website that collects the work flights - can be improved using more advanced more electrical-based systems could allow a small of the world's most cited and influential electrical engineering. aircraft to carry more passengers and therefore researchers across a diverse range of disciplines. The research forms part of the Cost Effective Small reduce the carbon footprint of each traveller. Less Currently, there are 10 other academics at the Aircraft (CESAR) project, which involves dozens of mass would also mean less fuel burn and less University listed on the site, commercial and academic organisations right carbon dioxide being pumped into the atmosphere. in the field of mathematics, there are only 21 across the European Union. academics listed in the UK and just 300 Dr Schofield said: "With the increasing popularity of worldwide, so Professor Higham has indeed All aspects of aircraft design and development will air travel, the demand for smaller commercial joined a select band. be examined during the EU-funded project, with the aircraft is likely to increase in coming years. The number of highly cited academics is one of ultimate aim to produce a new concept for aircraft "The project certainly won't provide a solution to the criteria used in some of the published world with between 10 and 50 seats. rankings of universities. the huge problem of aircraft emissions, but it could In comparison to the latest breed of high-tech lead to cheaper, smarter and more environmentally Professor Higham's full profile appears at www.isihighlycited.com jumbo jets, which feature advanced electrical friendly aircraft taking to the skies."
Journalists put Russian press freedom under spotlight Prominent figures in journalism gathered at The At the February event in Manchester, members of the University of Manchester recently to discuss press public had a chance to question panellists in a freedom in Russia. “Question Time” style discussion. Professor Stephen Hutchings from the School of They included President of the Russian Television Languages, Linguistics and Cultures brought together Academy and host of the programme 'Vremena' on journalists and academics from Russia and the UK in a Russia's Channel 1 Vladimir Pozner. bid to raise awareness of issues surrounding freedom Colleagues also paid tribute to murdered Russian of speech in the former Soviet state. journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was due to take The gathering is one of three debates on Russian part in one of the events. media culture organised by Professor Hutchings. The Professor Hutchings said: “There is great concern in other two will take place at the University of the UK over the rising tensions between media Birmingham and the Frontline Club in freedom and the international security agenda in the London in March and April respectively. 8 light of terrorist activities in Russia.” 9 Feature CV
Name Martin Amis Writer Professor of Creative Writing, The University of Manchester “I am at the point of my life where I Bibliography want a new milieu and I think I have Novels something to offer.” • The Rachel Papers (1973) • Dead Babies (1975) • Success (1978) Indeed, “following in father’s footsteps” is not a the poet, he went to work as an editorial assistant on • Other People (1981) suggestion he takes to kindly, even though Sir the Times Literary Supplement - and wrote his first Kingsley also became a teacher in later life – at novel, The Rachel Papers, in 1973, when he was 24. • Money (1984) Swansea, Princeton and Cambridge- for 15 years. “By Success was immediate - it won the coveted • London Fields (1989) all accounts he was very good at it,” he says. Somerset Maugham Award for best first novel. In 1975, Dead Babies appeared, followed three years • Time's Arrow: Or the Nature of the Offense Now, at 57 and with eleven acclaimed novels, as well later by Success, whilst he was Literary Editor of the (1991) as collections of short stories, books of non-fiction New Statesman. and countless essays and critical pieces to his name, • The Information (1995) he is very much looking forward to his first academic In the 1980s, he produced what is considered to be • Night Train (1997) job. “I always fancied teaching,” he says. “I am at the his masterpiece, Money: A Suicide Note (1984), the point of my life where I want a new milieu and I first of an informal trilogy along with London Fields • Yellow Dog (2003) think I have something to offer. I have a vulgar (1989) and The Information (1995). • House of Meetings (2006) curiosity about the young. I want to know how In 2003 came Yellow Dog and in 2006 ‘The House of ideological they are and what effect modernity has • The Pregnant Widow (2007) had on them. I can’t think of a better way to learn Meetings’, his eleventh novel. He is currently working Collections about them, because nothing lays you more open on his latest, The Pregnant Widow. “It is a very autobiographical, generally rash novel,” he says. “At a than writing fiction.” He has five children of his own, • Einstein's Monsters (1987) but “they only give you a partial view”. certain age, you become curious about what you’ve lived through and it is a matter of tweaking and • Two Stories (1994) So, whilst coaxing along new writers, he is clearly mauling that material. Feminism has been the main • God's Dice (1995) keen to learn himself and, as always, on the look-out issue in my lifetime, hence the title.” for possible material for another novel. But his prime • Heavy Water: And Other Stories (1998) concern is for his students. Amis has always tackled big and distinctive themes, fearlessly and often controversially. And he has • State of England: And Other Stories (1998) “When I was young I might have benefited from always explored them with a distinctive - and • Amis Omnibus (omnibus) (1999) some guidance from a kind and helpful 57-year-old innovative - literary style. writer,” he says, with typical irony, considering that • The Fiction of Martin Amis (2000) he has something of a reputation for being an So, he brings to his new job exceptional experience acerbic writer and a fearsome critic. “I’m sure I can be as a writer – and as a man concerned with the big • Vintage Amis issues. In a way, he is entering a new phase in a helpful and gentle. I know that writing fiction leaves Non fiction you totally exposed.” wider sense– he returned to England last September, after living essentially for more than two years in • Invasion of the Space Invaders (1982) The challenge of not only teaching creative writing, Uruguay. but also assessing students’ work, exercises him. • The Moronic Inferno: And Other Visits to “Nabokov said there is only one school – one of He and his second wife, the writer Isabel Fonseca, America (1986) talent,” he says, underlining his original point. And he moved back to London for the sake of their • Visiting Mrs Nabokov: And Other Excursions is not about teaching new writers “the tricks of the daughters’(Fernanda, aged nine and seven-year-old (1993) Acclaiming Amis trade”. But there are what he calls “benchmarks”, like Clio) education. And coming back has caused him to freshness, freedom from cliché, levels of perception look afresh at Britain, Europe and what he identifies • Experience (2000) and, perhaps most importantly, “economy of energy as the worryingly growing hostility towards the • The War Against Cliché: Essays and Reviews “You can’t teach talent,” says Martin Amis, newly-appointed Professor of Creative –how to make the best use of it”. United States and Israel. 1971-2000 (2001) Writing. “But I believe it can be coaxed along.” He is truly committed and strongly believes that the “I find that people here are very masochistic,” he • Koba the Dread: Laughter and the Twenty academic milieu has – and has earned – a valid place says. “The tangle of ideologies that dominated Million (2002) Considering that he never had any special tuition, yet has become arguably the in fostering creative writing talent. Just to take one Europe has peaked in America. The lesson of history leading novelist of his generation, he is genuinely enthusiastic about teaching example, he cites Ian McEwan, a product of the long- is the desire for power – and the loss of power established creative writing course at East Anglia, led causes anger. Britain does not relish being no longer creative writing. He did, of course, have what might be considered the huge by Malcolm Bradbury, a notable exponent of the a world power. Islamism lost power centuries ago – advantage of learning at the knee of his famous novelist father, Kingsley Amis. campus novel. The number of successful writers and is still angry about it.” produced is certainly some measure of the When the Centre for New Writing is launched in But his drily humourous response to that notion is: “He never gave me any tuition.” effectiveness of the teaching. September, Martin Amis will be there, raring to go, Of course, few reach the heights – and celebrity running postgraduate seminars and participating in status- that Amis himself has achieved over 30 years. public events – and coaxing that talent along, kind, After graduating from Exeter College, Oxford, with a helpful and gentle, knowing how vulnerable one can First in English, where his tutor was the late be exposing oneself to the real world through Jonathan Wordsworth, great great great nephew of writing fiction.
10 11 What’s On
The Whitworth International Society Chaplaincies Music and Drama The Manchester Jodrell Bank Art Gallery Fri 9 – Mon 12 March St Peter’s House Chaplaincy at Manchester Museum The facilities at Jodrell Bank are going through a Cornwall SUNDAY WORSHIP period of redevelopment. The Visitors Centre Thursday 8 March, 1.10pm DISPLAYS/COLLECTIONS 11am Holy Communion SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS currently has a café, an exhibition space and a Sat 10 Mar Student Showcase 12.15am Bible Study 3D theatre open, and visitors can still explore the Lake District visiting Airaforce Waterfall and A recital featuring the talents of undergraduate Wild Britain extended until 27 Aug 2007 various trails and the natural habitats of the Indigo: A Blue to Dye For to 15 April 2007 12.45 Lunch (1st Sunday) Ambleside and postgraduate star performers from Music. Wildlife photography exhibition by Ben Hall. Arboretum's 35 acres with its 2000 species of The Uncertainty of Identity : The Biographies of 6.30pm Evening Worship (term-time only) Alchemy Artists to 29 April trees and shrubs and National Collections. Things From 24 March 2007 – March 2008 Sun 11 Mar Friday 9 March, 6pm FOYER 10am - 5pm Exhibition of past work by the artists selected for Jodrell Bank Observatory This exhibition explores the contexts in which Chester (with guided walking tour) MANTIS SOUTH-NORTH 2007 An area where students and staff can relax and Alchemy Fellowships. Macclesfield, Cheshire 01477 571339 the identity of an art or design object is formed MANTIS presents a wide range of electroacoustic Sat 17 Mar meet friends. A tea/coffee machine is available. SPECIAL PROGRAMME www.jb.manchester.ac.uk and destabilised – creating its `life history’ or music performances and workshops exploring the North Wales visiting Blaenau Ffestiniog Precinct Centre 0161 275 2894 idea of South and North. Revealing Histories – Remembering Slavery `biography’. Where does the object come from email [email protected] and who made it ? Sat 24 & Sun 25 March Sun 18 Mar Wednesday 14 March, 7pm Peak District visiting Buxton and Hardwick Hall RC Chaplaincy , Avila House The History of the slave trade is not black history, Featuring Walls: celebrating three centuries BBC Philharmonic Chamber Concert but the story of a shared past that shaped British Burlington Society Open daily (Mon-Fri) 8.30a.m.-10.00 p.m. of wallpaper decoration to 30 Sept 2007 The BBC Philharmonic’s Chief Conductor, society and impacts on the present. On March 25, Sat 24 Mar Mass Times (term-time only) The Society of Mature Students and Featuring Walls shows off some of the Gallery’s Gianandrea Noseda, brings a new series of concerts the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Trans- Postgraduates in the Universities of Greater North Wales visiting Anglesey (with guided tour) SUNDAY: 7pm (in the Holy Name Church) next most visually stunning and inventive decorations to The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall. Atlantic Slave Trade Act in 1807, eight museums and Manchester. to explore wallpaper as a signifier of social Sun 25 Mar door to Chaplaincy galleries in Greater Manchester will launch Revealing Histories: Remembering Slavery. Burlington Rooms, Schunck Building, status, a source of imaginative inspiration and a Blackpool Mon, Wed, Fri: 6pm in the Chaplaincy Chapel Thursday 15 March, 1.10pm Burlington Street (next to JRUL) reflector or our cultural preoccupations. Tues, Thurs: 12.15 pm in the Chaplaincy Chapel A Concert of Sundanese Gamelan Degung EVENTS Sat 31 Mar Oxford Road (opposite the Students’ Union) A selection of classical and popular repertoire Some of the highlights for January include: 0161 275 2392 The Textile Gallery The new displays are www.burlington.man.ac.uk Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby 0161 273 1456 performed by music students currently studying arranged thematically around subjects such as Sat 10 March 11am-4pm [email protected] gamelan as part of their degree course. Rites of Passage, Inspiration for Design and Sun 1 April Big Saturday www.rc-chaplaincy-um.org.uk Blast Off! For National Science and Engineering Recycling, with each highlighting the wide Alton Towers Saturday 17 March, 7.30pm Week have a go at a range of activities including The Jewish Student Centre and Synagogue geographical and historical range of the Opening hours The University of Manchester Chorus Physics Tricks for Kids and visit the Jodrell Bank Gig Guide Hillel House, Greenheys Lane. collection. Mon-Fri 9.30am – 7.00pm (during term time) and Symphony Orchestra Mobile Planetarium. Most big Saturday activities are 0161 226 1139 University of Manchester Chorus and Symphony free but some may cost £1.50. All ages . Manchester Academy TOURS AND EVENTS Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5pm (during vacation) MANCHESTER ACADEMY 1, 2 & 3 Every Saturday at 2pm there is either an [email protected] Orchestra combine to perform Verdi’s Requiem. Sat 17 March 1pm -3.30pm 327 Oxford Road Mon 5 March Sat 17 Mar Exhibition Tour or an Eye-Opener Tour. (next to Krobar) www.rabbiyy.com Introduction to Forensic Science 0161 275 4959 Wednesday 21 March, 7.30pm Solve a crime in this fun and practical workshop The Rifles The Undertones + Opening hours The University of Manchester Big Band The Hours Mark Radcliffe & [email protected] (Book) £1 (8+) The Family Mahone + Mon to Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 2pm - 5 pm With two of the most innovative soloists in jazz Tue 6 March www.internationalsociety.org.uk Sat 24 & Sun 25 March 12 noon, 1.30pm Mastoden U2 tribute Achtung Baby FREE Admission today, Tom Arthurs and Ingrid Laubrock, the Revealing Histories – This Accursed Thing If slavery Thurs 8 Mar Thurs 22 Mar was the foundation of prosperity and Empire, what Collection Exhibitions Archive Now Online Tabley House Manchester University Big Band celebrates the Howling Bells The Sounds Does that mean to us today? (Book) Free (8+) Unearth The Whitworth’s online ‘Collections Catalogue’ music of Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus . The Bees Small conference and meeting rooms available Fri 23 Mar now allows you to browse and search selected Sat 24 & Sun 25 March 1-4pm Fri 9 March John Rylands year-round. Licensed for weddings and baby- Thursday 22 March, 7.30pm Revealing Histories Inspiral Carpets Stiff Little Fingers exhibitions held at the Gallery over the past 10 naming ceremonies. Ad Solem The University of Manchester Open weekend with workshops, performance and Enter Shikari Bromheads Jacket Vman Unsigned: years. Follow the link from homepage at: Chamber Choir hands-on activities. All ages. Free Think Floyd University Library Tabley House (Pink Floyd Tribute) The Gekko + Purlin + www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk Ad Solem perform an inspiring programme of Fri 30 March 11am-12noon The Chase + Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 0HB 01565 750151 The Deodates + Oxford Road, 20th-century choral works from England, Magic Carpet Cassettes + The Alamo + The Under the Bhodi Tree (Deansgate) [email protected] 0161 275 7450 Scotland and France. Storytelling for the under 5’s with reptiles and Musa House Sat 24 Mar The John Rylands Library, Deansgate is coming to www.tableyhouse.co.uk Amphibians theme. £1 under 5. Sat 10 March Four Tet (Kieran Hebden) [email protected] & Steve Reid the end of a three year, £16.5 million Friday 23 March, 7.30pm Sat 31 March 12noon, 1.30 LCD Soundsystem transformation. The Library is due to re-open to The University of Manchester String Orchestra Revealing Histories – This Accursed Thing Mando Sun 25 Mar Kristin Hersh Wednesday 13 the public in spring 2007. The temporary Special This massed-string work is not to be missed, (Book) Free (8+) Sun 11 March Mon 26 Mar Collections Reading Room which has been performed together with Three Pieces in Olden Sat 31 March & Sun 1 April Deftones The Young Knives Contact Theatre Victorian Gentleman Collect an “I’ve spied Mr Pye” operating from the Main Library is now closed to Style. Focus Sun 1 April Courses for the Public sticker from Graeme Pye Esq somewhere in the readers. Special Collections reader services will Tues 13 March – Sat 24 March Tues 13 Mar Jackie Leven The Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) runs a For further information contact: Museum today. FREE Idlewild re-open on Tuesday 10 April 2007 in the John Palaver – A Festival of Language and Performance s Tues 2 April large and varied programme of courses designed The Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama Prebooked Family Events (0161 275 2648) Rylands Library, Deansgate. During the closure A collaboration between Contact and the Thurs 15 March 36 Crazyfists for adults studying part-time whether for Bridgeford Street Drop-in Family Events (£1 per child, unless The Frank & Walters Tues 3 April period we shall do our best to meet the needs of University of Manchester’s School of Arts pleasure or personal/professional development. Manchester M13 9PL otherwise stated. For group bookings please call Fri 16 Mar Hinder readers who require urgent access to specific Histories and Cultures. The Palaver festival Most are open to beginners and no prior 0161-275 8951/8950 0161 275 2648. Children must be accompanied by Poison The Well items and would appreciate advance notice of celebrates language and performance and an adult). knowledge is assumed unless stated. [email protected] Tickets from: such requests whenever possible. If you have any includes a diverse selection of performances, Concessions are available to staff and graduates www.manchester.ac.uk/martinharriscentre Opening hours Students' Union, Oxford Road queries about Special Collections reader services, talks and showcases. of The University of Manchester. please telephone 0161 275 3764 or visit our Open: Tues-Sat 10 - 5pm Piccadilly Box Office @ easy Internet Cafe (c/c) Brochures/application forms available. website at www.manchester.ac.uk/library . For information on other events please Sun-Mon (and Bank Holidays) 11- 4 pm 0871 2200260 CCE, 1st Floor, Humanities Devas Street visit our website. FREE Admission Royal Court (Liverpool) 0151 709 4321 (c/c) 0161 275 3275 Oxford Road, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Students’ Union 0161 275 2634 www.manchester.ac.uk/continuingeducation Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL Tickets/Info: 0161 274 0600 www.manchester.ac.uk/museum www.contact-theatre.org 0161 275 2930 12 www.manchesteracademy.net 13 Reaching Out
Taking it higher More than 900 year 5/6 pupils from over 30 Greater Manchester primary schools have taken part in specially developed primary school Higher Education Awareness Days at the University this year. It is part of the “Higher Futures4U” initiative encompassing an interactive campus tour introduce young children to the idea of which has again been supported by the Student following a ‘day-in-the-life’ of a typical University for the first time through creative Recruitment, Admissions & Widening Manchester student (minus a visit to the campus-based activities. Importantly, pre-versus- Participation Division and The Manchester Students’ Union bar!), extracting DNA from post evaluation mechanisms have shown the Museum. onions in the Manchester Museum and a series project to make a remarkable impact in of Higher Education activities working with transforming the children’s previously held As an Aimhigher activity, all the schools taking Student Ambassadors to find out more about knowledge and attitudes towards higher part in Higher Futures4U are located in areas the opportunities University offers. education.” known to have low participation rates into Full colour and black and white higher education. For the vast majority of Paul Shone from the Student Recruitment, Further information about the scheme can be children, the visit to the University is their first Admissions and Widening Participation Division, obtained from Paul Shone digital printing and copying opportunity to meet real students and visit one who coordinates the scheme, said: “Higher [email protected] or 0161 275 2056 of their local Universities. Futures4U is one of the key vehicles through in the Student Recruitment, Admissions and which the Student Recruitment Admissions and Widening Participation Division. Hardback and Softback Binding The awareness day is key part of the project and Widening Participation Division is able to involves pupils taking part in carousel activities International Fax Bureau Design for Posters, Flyers etc T-Shirts and Mouse Mats
Website Design, Hosting and Name Registration The University of Manchester approved Travel Agent Barnes Wallis Building, Competitive hosting prices including a full range of the latest web server technology. PHP, mySQL, PERL, Tel 0161 274 3060 The University of Manchester, Frontpage all included with so much more! Full website We offer a complete business Sackville St, Manchester name registration available at highly affordable prices. and leisure travel service. Full website design service for small and medium sized See our University Travel guide at tel (0161) 306 3269 business, or just for individuals that want to add spice www.deltatravel.co.uk/man_uni.html to any web presentation! email [email protected] Delta Travel, University Precinct, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9RN www.u-print.com 14 www.2dfx.co.uk Email [email protected] tel 0161 274 3060; fax 0161 274 3555; email [email protected] 15 Museum Piece
Manillas or ‘ring money’
25 March 2007 marks the 200 year anniversary of The economy of West Africa prior to European the slave trade, but as they arrived here in the the abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Act. intervention was either based around barter or early twentieth century, it suggests they were To mark this, eight museums and art galleries in the use of non-coinage based currency such as collected as they were moving out of circulation Greater Manchester, including The Manchester shells, woven cloth, weapons or beads. Jewellery These manillas act as a disturbing reminder of Museum, will be launching Revealing Histories: was also used, and copper bracelets had been the monetary value placed upon people used as Remembering Slavery with a programme of seen by early European traders being used along slaves during the time of the Trans-Atlantic slave performances and events to examine the history the coast of Africa. At the height of the Trans- trade and highlight the financial impact the and legacy of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, and Atlantic slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries Trans-Atlantic slave trade had on British society. the way it has shaped British Society. this currency became the most dominant form used between African and European slave traders. For more information about`Revealing Histories’ A group of objects at the Museum which links to events at the Museum please visit the project are manillas (pictured). Brass manillas The currency devalued with the decline of the www.museum.man.ac.uk like these would have been exchanged for slaves slave trade, although it was still used in Africa and used as currency in West Africa. At one time, a until the mid-twentieth century. It is impossible King manilla would have been worth one slave. to say if the manillas in Manchester were used in
88 Carmoor Road (off Hathersage Road/Upper Burbidge Joinery Brook Street), Chorlton-on- Medlock, Manchester M13 0FB and Construction For information, please telephone Sharon on Quality UPVC Windows and Doors 0161 248 5340 or visit our web site All Windows and Conservatories are individually made to each www.ciarastots.com customer’s specified requirements. Small family run nursery Mature qualified, experienced and knowledgeable staff A family business with over 24 years’ experience. Caring and friendly atmosphere - Secure, nurturing environment Laminate and solid timber floors supplied and fitted. Open from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday - 3 months to pre-school Happy children - Outdoor play area For free advice or information contact: Paul Burbidge Extra curricular activities on offer such as : (City and Guilds qualified Joiner) 0161-494 5228 Baby Yoga and massage - Baby signing - Physical Outdoor Development 7 0 Next issue is 5 April 2007 . 2 0 5 0 5 1 News Contact Events Contact Adverts Contact J News and story ideas Events and listings information Ads and distribution queries Internal Communications Office Philippa Adshead Janice Brown tel 0161 275 2112 tel 0161 275 2922 tel 0161 275 2113 email [email protected] email [email protected] email [email protected] online www.manchester.ac.uk/staffnet/news Deadline Noon 15 March Deadline Noon 15 March Deadline Noon 15 March The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL Royal Charter Number: RC000797