The free magazine for The University of Manchester

3 March 2008 UniLifeIssue 5 Volume 5 University helps to put Chinese on the curriculum Features Letter from the President

News Lindow Man to come to Manchester Museum page 4

Research Might fish provide Lowe-down on boyhood disease? page 11

The University’s annual Faculties and Schools ambitious goals? How ready were they to keep Conference was held in February. As in previous managing strategically once the roller-coaster of Profile years, people with key responsibilities in Schools, very rapid growth and sharp financial constraint Chris Searle, Director Faculties and Administrative Directorates met for a gave way (as it will from 2008-09) to the more of the Ahmed Iqbal day-and-a-half to take stock of how the University mundane challenges of consolidation and Ullah Race Relations had performed, at all levels, over the previous 12 financial sustainability? months, and to review goals, strategies and Centre In short, had they lost confidence, or interest, in the priorities going forward. page 12 grand ambition of creating, here in Manchester, In 2008, our fourth year since the University was one of the world’s truly great institutions of established, we took time to consider, not just the higher learning? past 12 months, but also our overall progress. The response was overwhelming – and immensely There were two reasons for doing this. Firstly, many reassuring. Not one Head of School or Dean of the early imperatives driving the new institution wanted to re-think the Agenda. There was nothing Contents have run their course. The University’s 2008 but support for the vision and the long-term goals Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) Return was that we have set ourselves. Such concerns, doubts submitted late last year. Our major IT systems and inclinations to change direction that were project, after inevitable implementation problems 3 News expressed all had to do with means, not ends. and with a few glitches still to be ironed out, is 8 Research finally providing us with timely, accurate financial, So the Faculties and Schools Conference thus HR and student data. Phases One and Two of our focused in a businesslike fashion on key strategic 12 Profile: Chris Searle Capital Programme (totalling £401 million), are challenges. In the coming weeks, we will be virtually at an end, having come in on time and engaging colleagues across the University in 14 Reaching Out within budget. Finally, the administrative staff re- formulating detailed plans both for implementing structuring, delayed for two years as part of the 15 Knowledge and the recommendations arising from the Review of initial merger Agreement, has now been tackled – Undergraduate Education and for defining the Technology Transfer not without pain, but with the promise of efficient University’s research priorities post-RAE. There will 16 What’s On administrative services and lower administrative be an emphasis on the timely sharing of costs as it beds down. information and ideas in order to allow colleagues at all levels engage with the issues, influence 20 Discover the Whitworth The second reason for standing back and reviewing decision making and have a say in shaping overall progress was to try to decide where we are future priorities. following a year in which the University community Front cover picture by Simon has been under very significant pressure. The Manchester 2015 Agenda remains our blueprint for the rest of the 2004-15 decade. The Pendrigh from Peakpix Digital Getting the University’s budget back into surplus challenge is to take this already distinguished Images. was never going to be easy. All the measures institution into the very top echelon of the world’s required to achieve that goal are now in place, and great universities. I am delighted that all my senior on target. But the process has been hard. colleagues remain convinced that Manchester, in Colleagues across the University have worked February 2008, remains a good place to start the together magnificently to make the required rest of the journey. savings, grow revenue and manage the workload and functional impacts of the voluntary severances required to consolidate the gains made in the early years of the new University. With some trepidation, I decided to test the appetite of my senior colleagues for pushing ahead boldly with the Manchester 2015 Agenda after a difficult 2007. So I offered them the chance to recommend a total review of the Agenda, including a fundamental reappraisal of the 2015 vision itself. Did they think that the journey so far been worth Professor Alan Gilbert 2 the effort? Were they in favour of seeking less President and Vice-Chancellor News

Primary is first to put Chinese on curriculum

A primary school in Manchester has become one of the first in the UK to teach Chinese as part of its curriculum – with help from teachers supplied by the Confucius Institute at The University of Manchester. The Year Three and Four pupils at St Paul's Primary School in South Manchester will be the first children in the north west to learn Mandarin during school time – even though only one of the pupils is of Chinese descent. The children – from Withington – also celebrated Chinese New Year with a special performance at a school assembly– partly delivered in Chinese. And in recognition of their success, the Office of Chinese Language Council International has just awarded the school the status of “Confucius Classroom”, which will enable it to act as a resource for other schools in the area - with the help of University of Manchester staff.

Head teacher Don Berry said: “The University has Director of the Confucius Institute at The University Chinese economic power is growing exponentially. been on hand to support us with teachers and help of Manchester Professor Hong Liu said: So it’s an important job to bring Chinese culture to develop resources and now we are expanding our “Manchester has the largest Chinese community the wider community - and the work by St Paul's is provision from after-school sessions into outside London with more than 30,000 ethnic helping us to achieve exactly that. curriculum time. Chinese living and working in the city and The “I’m delighted that our partnership with the school University of Manchester attracts more than 1,500 “The lessons are proving very popular with our is so successful and I’ve no doubt it will go from Chinese students each year. children, to the extent that we have created an strength to strength. Let’s hope that St Paul's will extra session for eight and nine year olds alongside “And China is important: Mandarin is spoken by be the first of many,” added Professor Hong Liu. an older group of 10 and 11 year olds." more than a sixth of the world's population and

Timetable announced for election of new Chancellor

The electoral process required to appoint a new Chancellor to the University has been announced. Since the creation of The University of Manchester in October 2004, Anna Ford and Sir Terry Leahy have acted as Co-Chancellors of the University. Their period of office is due to come to an end on 31 July 2008, and neither Anna nor Sir Terry is eligible for re-appointment. Therefore a new Chancellor will be required to take up office from 1 August 2008 and will serve for a period of seven years. The key dates in the electoral process are: • Issue of Nomination Forms Co-Chancellor Anna Ford Co-Chancellor Sir Terry Leahy Wednesday 12 March

Close of Nominations • Members of the General Assembly whose If only one candidate is validly nominated the Wednesday 23 April appointments do not terminate before the Returning Officer (in this case the Registrar and Close of Voting (if required) date set for the election Secretary of the University) shall declare him or her to be elected. Wednesday 4 June Any person whose name appears on more than Declaration one of the above shall be entitled to only one The University has appointed the Electoral Thursday 5 June vote. Full details of the electoral process will be Reform Services (ERS), a not-for-profit issued, along with nomination forms, on organisation which is part of the Electoral For clarification, the electorate consists of those Wednesday 12 March. Reform Society and a well known and respected persons whose names appear on any of the name in balloting, to provide assistance over the To become a candidate a proposition for following lists, fourteen weeks before the course of the election. election date: nomination should be submitted, which must be signed by at least 20 people who are eligible to The ERS will provide administrative support and • Members of the Alumni Association whose take part in the election. Nominations must be offer technical assistance in facilitating on-line names and addresses have been registered on received by the Returning Officer no fewer than voting among the alumni constituency. This will the ‘opted-in’ list six weeks before the date appointed for the allow a greater level of participation and provide • Those holding paid superannuable election. Each nominee should certify that they an independent and respected appointments in the University which extend hold no paid appointment in the University. endorsement of the electoral process. to the date set for the election 3 News

In brief British Bhangra conquers adversity to go global

Bhangra music has gone from an obscure "In the 1980s Bhangra bands were selling up to 1960s Birmingham import to an internationally 30,000 cassettes a week in Asian music shops. recognised art-form - says the author of the "But despite its massive popularity, the music was, first ever history of the genre. and continues to be, unrecognised by the official But according to Dr Rajinder Dudrah who is Head top 40 - though it outsells many of the official top Of Drama at The University of Manchester, the 40 bands. music has had to struggle against cultural racism "Even though the genre is now taught in schools, it and community politics to stake its place in British Charlie Viney and Katherine Foster is still sidelined by the British music establishment. popular culture. "When Bhangra artist Panjabi MC sampled the The Senior Lecturer in Film and Media Studies Mulcahy and Viney foster theme tune of 1980's TV series 'Nightrider', it sold charts the rise and rise of the mix of Punjabi beats millions of copies globally. However it was ignored new talent and lyrics, UK pop, RnB, reggae, garage, grime and by Britain until American rap star JayZ used the tune. The Centre for New Writing’s annual Mulcahy other world sounds in his new book ‘Bhangra: and Viney Prize, for the best novel-in-progress Birmingham and Beyond’. "Bhangra music has now become a cultural by one of its MA in Creative Writing students, backdrop: you hear it regularly for example in Dr Dudrah said: "Bhangra has made a hugely has been awarded to Katherine Foster, for an advertising. extract from her novel Three's a Crowd. The important contribution to British popular "So surely it's now time for it to be formally prize of £1,000 was awarded by Charlie Viney, music despite the attitudes of the mainstream acknowledged by the music industry alongside our co-founder of the literary agency, at a ceremony music business. other major artists," added Dr Dudrah. at Manchester's Central Library. Ian McGuire, Co-Director of the Centre for New Writing, said: “The Mulcahy and Viney prize is an excellent way for us to recognise and honour the work of the talented young writers in our programme. I am sure that, with the able assistance of the agency, Katherine Foster will go on to achieve great things.”

Dr Steve Hepworth, Professor Bernard Kelly, Heather Moore and Dr Paul Mort

Nuclear institute strengthens ties with Sellafield The University’s Dalton Nuclear Institute has strengthened its working relationship with A bog body mystery Sellafield Ltd - the company charged with managing and operating the Sellafield site - with a key member of staff starting work on a unique PhD in Manchester. Lindow Man, the 2,000 year old body found in A number of groups including pagans, Heather Moore, who is a key player in a peat bog at Lindow Moss near Wilmslow in archaeologists and curators, have been involved in formulating the future decommissioning 1984, will be visiting The Manchester Museum consultations which have informed the way his strategies at Sellafield, is embarking upon post as part of a special exhibition, opening on 19 body will be put on display, with emphasis being graduate studies in Decommissioning Modelling. April. On loan from the British Museum, he placed on displaying him in a respectful and will be on display for a year. sensitive way and preparing visitors for Heather, from the Decommissioning Technical their encounter. team at Sellafield, will be undertaking research ‘Lindow Man: A bog body mystery’ will explore the into a new type of decommissioning business different stories relating to Lindow Man, and look Find out more about the preparations the model in support of future decommissioning at what he means to us today. Seven people with Museum is making and contribute your own and the overall strategy for the Cumbria site. particular connections to him have been comments or memories to a special blog at the interviewed for this exhibition. Their personal web address below. Heather will be researching a new business experiences provide a unique insight into the model that stems from an idea formulated by impact that he has had on their lives, and those Professor Bernard Kelly, the Chair in Nuclear of many others. Decommissioning Engineering at the University. 4 http://lindowmanchester.wordpress.com/ Planting the seed Cancer care for eating five a day expert appointed Professor of Nursing

An expert in supporting cancer patients has been appointed Professor of Nursing jointly by the University's School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work and Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust (CMMC). Professor Kinta Beaver has a distinguished career in researching ways to provide better support and information to people with cancer, and developing and evaluating innovative ways Children were reminded of the importance of “We are constantly being told about how of providing follow-up care post treatment. eating five portions of fruit and veg a day important it is to eat five fruits and vegetables a during a half-term botanical bonanza at the day, but how many of us are aware of where our Professor Beaver’s appointment is the first Manchester Museum. food comes from,” said Eleanor Taylor, who with under the new CMMC Research and fellow student Ghzaleh Masnavi, ran the event. Innovation Division, founded to the increase `Plants in Disguise', organised by two PhD students collaboration with the University. She will work from the University’s Faculty of Life Sciences, aimed “There was a taste station where people could closely with the Trust's directors of adult and to show youngsters – as well as a few adults – the taste some exotic fruits like Sharon fruits and children's nursing, researchers across the benefits of eating plenty of greens. pomegranates to encourage people to be more Central Manchester hospitals and with partner adventurous in their eating habits and introduce Visitors to the Museum got to learn about some of organisations to develop research projects led more variety to their diet.” the more unusual fruits and vegetables and by nurses. She will also head a programme of examined some of the exotic plants that Visitors to the Museum also got the chance to patient-centred research focusing initially on produce them. tour the University's botanical gardens, The Firs, survivorship issues for cancer patients and in nearby Fallowfield, where they were shown The event, funded by the Biotechnology and follow-up service provision for patients with how dye is produced from plants. Youngsters Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), different chronic diseases. even got to dye T-shirts that they could then take focused on the use of plants in everyday life. Professor Beaver, who began her career as a home to wear. nurse at the Victoria Hospital in Blackpool in 1984, has produced outstanding research. She received a Special Training Fellowship in Health Services Research from the Medical Research Council in 2001, which enabled her to develop Manchester Business School holds innovative ideas on follow-up care for women with breast cancer. She also won the 'Cancer Nursing' annual research award for best paper strong position in world rankings in 2005. Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Human Manchester Business School (MBS) has students for the demands of doctoral research. We Sciences Professor Alan North said: “I am maintained its position as 22nd in the Financial also deliver more than a PhD experience in that delighted with this, the first of many Times' ranking of the world's leading business students are encouraged to take part in all kinds of appointments through the Research and schools, published in January. MBS is ranked opportunities and activities that enable them to Innovation Division. Kinta Beaver’s outstanding as one of Europe's top ten business schools develop a successful academic career.” body of work has had an immense impact on and is placed 4th in the UK. Professor Michael Luger, director of Manchester patients’ lives and illustrates perfectly why the The ranking highlights how MBS' alumni benefit Business School said: “MBS' consistently strong division was founded: to ensure nursing from their time at Manchester - with the School performance clearly positions the School at the science achieves significant results in the ranked 10th in the world for career progression. forefront of global business education. This is an clinical setting.” MBS is 11th in the world, and 2nd in the UK, for excellent base from which to drive MBS towards international experience and its doctoral achieving its ambition of becoming one of the programme is rated 1st in the world. world's top ten business schools.” Professor Cathy Cassell, Director of postgraduate The Financial Times survey measures a wide range research programmes said: “Our excellent staff are of factors - surveying MBA alumni three years after internationally renowned in their fields and graduation. It looks at their career progress, salary supervise our students closely – so they benefit increase and, within the School, considers diversity from world-leading advice about how to develop of the staff and student body, the MBA programme their doctoral research. We have a thorough and and research activities. rigorous research training programme that prepares 5 News

Sallie’s A green future for China?

birthday treat Innovative plans for a new 'eco-city' in China The event was opened by the Chinese Academy of were outlined at a conference held recently at Science's Professor Rongping Mu, who spoke about Centre for New the University. China's ambitious goal to become an “innovation- driven country” by 2020. Writing alumna Sallie Peter Budd, director of ARUP, a global design and Day’s novel, ‘The business consulting firm, outlined the design of the Professor Simon Guy, from Manchester's Palace of Strange new Dongtan Eco-city near Shanghai. With capacity Architecture Research Centre, called for: Girls’, will be for 80,000 residents, the city is designed to have a “Wider public discussion and fresh thinking about published by Harper low ecological footprint and will achieve this sustainable design beyond the narrow debates of Press on 5 May. through zero emission transport, water recycling, green architecture, in order to maximise The novel is set in control of noise and light pollution and preserving sustainable growth.” 1959 at the height of the local bird habitat. the 'Scrap and Shut' Following the conference, Manchester Business cotton crisis, and The plans were discussed at the event hosted by School further strengthened links with the Chinese centres around the Manchester Business School's Institute of Academy of Science by signing a collaboration Singleton family and their annual holiday Innovation Research and the University’s agreement to work together on future innovation in Blackpool. Architecture Research Centre. The conference was research and the exchange of staff. designed to begin a dialogue with China on the Jack Singleton, a foreman at a local mill, has crucial issue of innovation for sustainable growth. been offered both the job of mill manager and a union post, forcing him to choose between the welfare of his fellow workers and that of his family. As the novel continues shocking discoveries are made and promises broken, and the family struggle to find their place in a Enterprising move by Eddie shifting society. A generous donation from this initiative, which I hope will Sallie, who undertook her MA in Creative Eddie Davies OBE (right), inspire entrepreneurs of Writing in 1999-2000 after joining a local owner of Bolton Wanderers the future.” writing group, said: “I'm delighted that ‘The FC, will fund a new Chair for A successful entrepreneur Palace of Strange Girls’ is to be published. My Entrepreneurship at himself - Eddie Davies sold Strix, agents auctioned the novel during the summer, Manchester Business School the maker of the switch that and it was actually sold on my 55th birthday. (MBS). The Chair will lead the turns off kettles when the water recently launched Centre for “I only began writing when my youngest child boils, to ABN Amro in 2005 for Enterprise and spearhead the left for university in 1998, and found over £300 million. He expanded School’s drive to generate Manchester’s MA experience very positive: from the company from its Isle of Man entrepreneurial activity. the introductions to visiting agents and talks by base and it now has a global publishers to the analysis of novels and critiques MBS is already committed to presence in Belgium, Russia, of my submissions. I learned a tremendous supporting emerging businesses Hong Kong and China. amount, received a great deal of support and through its Incubator, which has Eddie Davies has a long-standing advice and was grateful for the opportunity to recently been working behind relationship with MBS, having return to study - 25 years after my first degree.” the scenes with BBC2’s Dragons’ attended the School in 1982 Den on the viability of when he took an intensive contestants’ business plans. substantial contribution to Portuguese language course in further its work. In recognition Eddie Davies said: “MBS has an preparation for working in of this, the Eddie Davies library excellent reputation for Brazil. So impressed he was is now one of the largest innovation in business education with the School, and its library, business libraries in Europe. 6 and I’m delighted to support that he decided to provide a Rory Brooks on his trip to Bangladesh Brooks sees Bangladeshi success for himself Women's work The principal funders of the University’s Brooks World Poverty Institute (BWPI) have visited The often unrecognised contribution of the Bangladesh to see for themselves how its work is improving the lives of the poor. 'hidden army' of women factory and engineering workers to World War II is being The BWPI was made possible by severely affected by flooding and development can help to make celebrated at an event later this month. a donation of £1.3 million over river erosion. improvements to people’s lives The Women's History Network North West is three years from the Rory and by encouraging new approaches Thanks to help from the Chars being launched on Friday 14 March at a special Elizabeth Brooks Foundation, to deep-seated problems. Livelihood Project, houses are event at the Imperial War Museum North. The one of the largest known gifts in now raised on plinths to protect “These projects in Bangladesh event is being sponsored by the University's Europe to fund poverty research. them from flooding, providing offer a glimpse into how Gender Research Network which is based in the Rory and Elizabeth, accompanied families with a stable entrenched problems can begin School of Social Sciences. by University researchers and environment to work and live. to be tackled. The event - which takes place in International post graduate students, visited The party also visited a “It’s clear from the work at BWPI Women's Week - will feature a film entitled two schemes in the country in microfinance banking scheme in that top quality research, 'The Ladies Bridge' which depicts the which BWPI researchers are a Dhakar slum, which allows working with other actors and reconstruction of Waterloo Bridge in London directly engaged with partners in people on low and irregular and agencies, can play a vital role in during World War II. The film will be followed Bangladesh. unreliable incomes to borrow this process. by a discussion of the role of women's war One initiative works with the and save regularly. “Both Elizabeth and I are labour in the North West. people who live on the sand Rory Brooks said: “It was delighted to be able to do what The event begins at 5pm and the film islands on the Jamuna River enlightening and rewarding to we can to accelerate the benefits and discussion will take place between north of the capital Dhakar - witness at first hand how of this work.” 6pm and 7pm. known as Chars – who are research into poverty and For further details contact Clare Debenham on [email protected] or 0161 445 0529/0161 446 2022. Douglas Alexander launches IDPM golden jubilee

Secretary of State for International During his visit, the Secretary of Sate paid tribute to Development Douglas Alexander dropped in the contribution that IDPM and other UK on the University's Institute for Development researchers are making to our understanding of Policy and Management (IDPM) to launch the development. celebrations for it's 50th anniversary year. IPPM Director Dr Willy McCourt said: "A visit from One of the oldest organisations of its kind, IDPM the Secretary of State was the ideal way to begin promotes social and economic development our Golden Jubilee. through education, training, consultancy, research “We look forward to extending the links that we and policy analysis. already have with him and with the Department for Since it was established in 1958, IDPM has trained International Development." more than 10,000 people from across the globe. 7 Research

In brief No evidence of link between MMR jab and autism spectrum disorders

There is no evidence of a link between the comprised 98 children who had an autism spectrum MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) jab and autism, disorder, and two comparison groups - 52 children according to the largest published study on the with special educational needs, but not autism, and issue, which involved a University of 90 typically developing children. Some of the Manchester researcher. children with autism had experienced a setback or regression early in their development. Immunisation against MMR plummeted when the vaccine was linked to the development of autism All the children had been vaccinated against MMR, following the publication in 1998 of research on 12 but not all of them had been given both doses. children, which has since been discredited. Blood samples were taken, to check for the presence It is hoped that this study – the Special Needs and of persistent measles infection, or a persistently Autism Project (SNAP), carried out by Professor abnormal immune response, indicated by circulating Andrew Pickles of the University’s Health measles virus or increased antibody levels. Methodology Research group and researchers from Results of the blood sample analysis showed that Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in there was no difference between autistic children London, King’s College London and the Health and the comparison group in circulating measles Protection Agency – should lay to rest any remaining Unique study gives mum virus or measles antibody levels. This finding was not parental fears about the vital vaccine. and baby food for thought affected by whether the child had received one or The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders is now two doses of MMR or whether they had regression Researchers at the School of Psychological recognised to be between 6 and 12 cases per 1000 or not. Sciences are recruiting hundreds of pregnant children, depending on the strictness with which the This is now the third and the largest study that has women in a unique study to find out how diagnostic criteria are applied. important certain fatty acids are in developing failed to show a link between the MMR jab and their babies’ brains. The findings, published in the Archives of Disease in autism and the authors hope parents finally feel Childhood, were based on a community sample of happy to have their child vaccinated. Omega 3 and 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids ten-to-twelve year old children drawn from a This study is just one of several studies of the causes, (PUFA), which are found in oily fish, nuts and population of 57,000, born between 1990 and 1991 development and treatment of autism in which seeds, are crucial to brain development. They in one area of Southern England. The sample help regulate cell metabolism and maintain cell Professor Pickles is engaged. membranes, which are essential in activity of the neurons (nerve cells which transmit messages around the brain). However while there have been a number of studies demonstrating the importance of Strictly e-Dancing! certain PUFA known as long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) in brain development and indicating positive effects on children’s cognitive Bruce Forsyth may have been slow to embrace processes, a clear picture of specific cognitive the full potential of computing on Strictly benefits has not yet been gained. Come Dancing, but a new project known as e-Dance is exploring the use of technology to Alison Rees’s study of 200 mothers from create new forms of collaborative Greater Manchester will comprehensively choreography. examine maternal PUFA intake during pregnancy alongside a range of infant cognitive A partnership between Research Computing outcomes, in order to clarify the role of these Services (RCS) at The University of Manchester, the nutrients on aspects of cognitive development. Open University and choreographic researchers at the Universities of Bedfordshire and Leeds, is Alison will examine the women’s and babies’ looking to use technology to help capture the nutrition from pregnancy to toddlerhood and creative process of dance, perhaps the most also test the babies’ cognitive development (motor skills, learning speed, early reasoning ephemeral of art forms. and information processing) at three, nine, 18 The project will create digital memory traces of and 24 months at the University’s world famous choreographic development that can be archived, BabyLab. interrogated and reused in a range of different • For more information or to take part in contexts in order to explore the interplay between Internet, and to weave material from recordings the study contact Alison Rees on dance, technology and e-Science. into live events. 0161 275 1970. Whilst most e-Science research - in which The project is looking at how choreographers and Manchester (and RCS in particular) are world dancers negotiate the paradoxical position of being leaders - has helped enable the next generation of in different physical locations, yet together in a scientific discovery, more artistic domains have virtual space. Which is not something that Bruce been slow to realise the potential of these and Tess have yet had to worry about… emerging technologies. To find out more about e-Dance you can contact e-Dance will produce software to enable Michael Daw or Martin Turner in Research choreographers to visually annotate video of Computing Services at rehearsals and performances, to plan pieces that [email protected] or 8 exploit networked virtual spaces over the [email protected] Comet dust lands in Manchester

Fragments of cosmic material captured by a NASA mission have arrived in Manchester for analysis, with researchers hoping to unlock the secrets of what space was like billions of years ago. Scientists in the School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences (SEAES) have received small fragments of material from the Wild 2 comet, which was brought back to earth by NASA’s Stardust space mission. The Cosmochemistry research group is now analysing the material using two state of the art mass spectrometers. The Interstellar Dust Laser Explorer (IDLE) will be used to profile the chemical make-up of the dust particles. It uses beams of ions to create magnified As the particles embedded themselves into the images of materials at a molecular level. aerogel, travelling at around 6km per second, they slowed down and created what are known The Refrigerator Enhanced Laser Analysis for as ‘tracks’. Xenon (RELAX) machine will be used to detect the presence of xenon. This is achieved by firing Manchester has received a cross section of a carrot- powerful lasers at the samples and actually shaped track containing embedded comet particles. Books use science to delve destroying them in order to extract the The University of Manchester, as part of a UK information required. consortium, was chosen by NASA to receive the into Egyptian history It’s hoped that analysing the xenon found in the samples due to the fact that IDLE and RELAX are Fans of the ancient Egyptians will be interested comet fragments will give scientists a window the only machines of their type capable of to know that University of Manchester into the distant past and help them unravel performing certain crucial analyses of the comet Egyptologists have published two new books. mysteries surrounding the birth and evolution of fragments. Both machines have been developed by our solar system. scientists at the University. ‘Cleopatra – Last Queen of Egypt’ is a revealing biography of one of Egypt’s greatest rulers The samples that have arrived in Manchester are Manchester has five scientists working on the told, not through the histories of the Romans embedded in highly porous sponge-like material three-year project funded by the Science and or the lens of Hollywood myth-making, but called aerogel. Technologies Facilities Council (STFC). through the expert knowledge of Joyce Tyldesley. Joyce, an Egyptian queens specialist in the KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology and Researchers add further weight to Manchester Museum, has stripped away preconceptions and used her skills as an Egyptologist to give a rich picture of a country link between cancer and obesity and its queen. The book explores the debate surrounding Researchers from The University of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (51%) and kidney Cleopatra’s provenance and beauty, uncovers Manchester, Christie Hospital and University of (34%) cancers. the history of the now-submerged ancient city Bern in Switzerland have published findings in They also noted weaker, but significant, positive of Alexandria, home to Cleopatra’s palace, as the Lancet medical journal which further associations between increased BMI and rectal well as Cleopatra’s cultural afterlife – how the support the link between obesity and risk of cancer and malignant melanoma in men; myth was made and preserved. developing cancer. postmenopausal breast, pancreatic, thyroid, and A second book – ‘Egyptian Mummies and Following on from findings reported by the colon cancers in women; and leukaemia, multiple Modern Science’ – has also been published, World Cancer Research fund last year, the study myeloma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in both this time written by a long-established team of reveals that risk is increased not only in common sexes. They found associations were stronger in Manchester scientists. cancers such as breast, bowel and kidney, but men than in women for colon cancer - 24% in also in less common cancers such as blood men compared with 9% in women. Edited by the Director of the KNH Centre, cancers (myeloma and leukaemia) and melanoma Rosalie David, the book aims to show how the The study looked at cancer data from all over the (a form of skin cancer). team’s investigative methods are being used world, and while the results for North America, for new international research into disease Dr Andrew Renehan and colleagues from The Europe, Australia and the Asia-Pacific region were evolution and ancient Egyptian pharmacy. University of Manchester and Christie Hospital, did broadly similar, there was a stronger link between a meta-analysis (a combined analysis of 221 increased BMI and both premenopausal and post Highlighting the unique resource of previous studies), looking at over 250,000 cases of menopausal breast cancers in Asia-Pacific Manchester’s Egyptian Mummy Tissue Bank, cancer, to determine the risk of cancer associated populations. the book looks at the progress of ancient DNA with a 5kg/m2 increase in body mass index (BMI). research and the treatments available for The senior author on the study, Dr Andrew conserving mummified remains. The researchers found in men, a 5kg/m2 increase in Renehan, said: "Over the past five years, there was BMI raised the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma been increasing proof that obesity is linked with ‘Cleopatra – Last Queen of Egypt’ by Joyce by 52%, thyroid cancer by 33%, and colon and cancer risk, but despite this, we do not know Tyldesley is published by Profile Books and is kidney cancers each by 24%. whether weight reduction in people protects them priced £20 (hardback). against cancer. The findings of this study are In women, a BMI increase of 5kg/m2 increased the ‘Egyptian Mummies and Modern important to address these issues and explore ways risk of endometrial (59%), gallbladder (59%), Science’, edited by Rosalie David, to prevent cancers in the future." is published by Cambridge University Press. 9 Research

Diet and lifestyle critical to recovery, says study

Diet and lifestyle may play a much more significant role in a person’s ability to respond favourably to certain drugs, including some cancer therapies, than previously thought, say scientists. Writing in Nature Genetics, University of Giant planets shun single life Manchester researchers have shown how the nutrients in the environment are critical to the fitness of cells that carry genetic mutations caused by diseases. A research paper co-authored by an astronomer Dr Rattenbury was part of an international team that at the University has revealed the discovery of provided key data sets to the study. The findings The findings, for the first time, provide a another system of planets that has striking have been revealed from an effort involving a world- scientific insight into why some people might similarities with our own Solar System. wide net of telescopes, including the UK's Liverpool respond better to certain medications than Telescope on the Canary Islands. others. The research, published in the journal Science, also reveals the discovery of scaled versions of Jupiter and A technique known as gravitational microlensing has The team used baker’s yeast – a model Saturn orbiting a star 5,000 light-years away, which been used for the study, which is best suited for organism studied by biologists to reveal are half as massive as the Sun. studying extra-solar planets that resemble the gas molecular processes in higher organisms – to giants of the Solar System. explore the relationship between environment While there are more than 250 planets now known, and genetic background. there are only about 25 such systems with multiple A UK team of microlensing planet hunters are now planets – and the newly discovered system resembles looking to do further observations that could not The large-scale study involved removing one of our own Solar System more closely than any only lead to the first detection of an earth-mass the two copies of all yeast genes – similar to previously observed. extra-solar planet, but even of less massive ones. removing one parent’s set of genes in a human – and analysing the resulting fitness under The new research also suggests that such giant Professor Keith Horne from The University of different dietary restrictions. planets do not favour the single-life but are more St Andrews said: "Apart from individual spectacular likely to be found in family groups. discoveries, the technique of gravitational “If the gene targeted is quantitatively microlensing allows to infer a census of planets Dr Nicholas Rattenbury, a Science and Technology important, you would normally expect the yeast within the Milky Way. Once we know that planets Facilities Council-funded Postdoctoral Research to show a reduction in fitness,” said Dr Daniela similar to Earth are common, it is straightforward to Associate at the Jodrell Bank Centre of Astrophysics, Delneri in the Faculty of Life Sciences. go ahead on finding them and investigating whether said: "Like humans, gas-giant planets appear to these harbour any forms of life." “But what we found was that in certain prefer not to come as lonely hearts.” environmental conditions, removing one copy of certain genes actually produced the opposite effect and surprisingly the yeast cells grew more quickly and were healthier.” The team further established that this effect Hundreds of strokes was mainly occurring in genes involved in the proteasome – the quality-control system within avoidable, says study the cell that degrades unwanted proteins.

“The proteasome is important as it maintains Hundreds of strokes could be Despite the obvious importance The delay in TIA patients being the equilibrium of the cell,” said Dr Delneri. prevented each year if of early assessment, the research assessed by a stroke specialist is “When this equilibrium is lost it can result in a patients suffering ‘mini – published in the Journal of due to a number of reasons, number of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, strokes’, known as transient Neurology Neurosurgery and including the patients themselves Huntingdon’s, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. ischaemic attacks or TIAs, Psychiatry – suggests that, on not realising the potential serious “For example, in rapidly-growing cancerous cells were assessed sooner by average, access to the specialist nature of the attack. Initial the high proteasome activity renders the tumour specialist clinicians. clinics takes at least twice as symptoms are temporary, lasting long as it should. a matter of minutes or hours cells immortal, so drugs that block the A University of Manchester study before the face, arm and, proteasome’s actions are currently used as has found that almost two-thirds “Current UK guidelines sometimes, leg return to normal, therapeutic compounds. of patients attending what are recommend that all people who so patients often feel well by the termed ‘rapid access’ TIA clinics have had a TIA should be “Our study shows that reduced proteasome time they are seen by a clinician. activity could be either advantageous or took more than the assessed by a specialist within damaging to the cell depending on the recommended seven days seven days of the start of Dr Smith added: ”Our findings nutrients available to it in the surrounding to be seen by a suitably symptoms,” said Dr Craig Smith, suggest that current provision of environment.” trained professional. from the University’s clinical TIA services, where delayed neuroscience group which presentation to ‘rapid access’ TIA A TIA, often characterised by a The findings suggest that, ideally, when coordinated the research. clinics is common, does not temporary weakening of one therapeutic drugs are administered to alter the appear to provide an appropriate side of the face and the “Our findings suggest that this proteasome activity, the environment – setting for urgent evaluation or corresponding arm, drastically standard is not being met and, governed by the type of tissue or a person’s diet timely secondary prevention in increases a person’s chance of in reality, TIA patients should and lifestyle – should be taken into those who may be at the highest suffering a major stroke within ideally be assessed for risk of consideration to assure the correct beneficial risk of stroke. effect. days of the initial symptoms, further stroke within a couple of with some studies putting the days, if not on the same day as “If the speed with which TIA risk as high as a one-in-four the initial symptoms.” patients can be evaluated is probability. improved many strokes in the UK 10 each year could be prevented.” Parliamentarian, explained to the Labour politician her research on obesity and the brain. “We currently have two research projects underway exploring how obesity might affect the brain in stroke and in Alzheimer’s,” aid Catherine. “There is already evidence to suggest that being overweight can increase a person’s risk of stroke but we are trying to determine whether obesity can also make the effect of stroke worse. “The second study is attempting to establish whether obesity or a high fat diet are risk factors in It’s back to the lab for MP with a Alzheimer’s disease.” Catherine, who admits to knowing passion for science little about politics before her visit to the Commons, said she thoroughly Catherine and Brian Iddon enjoyed her time wandering the corridors of powers.

Bolton MP Brian Iddon swapped Brian, who has a science background, Society’s MP-scientist pairing scheme. “I got to watch Prime Minister’s the backbenches for laboratory visited Dr Catherine Lawrence, a question time and attend some of Catherine, who spent a week in benches last month when he neuroscientist in the Faculty of Life the committee discussions; I was London in November 2007 learning visited the University. Sciences, as part of the Royal amazed at just how hectic an MP’s about the day-to-day routine of a life is,” she said. Might fish provide Lowe-down on boyhood disease?

Scientists have been awarded £72,000 to study zebrafish in a bid to understand the causes of an incurable genetic disorder in humans. The University of Manchester team will use the model organism to investigate Lowe syndrome, an inherited complaint affecting only boys. “Lowe syndrome is a rare disorder that produces cataracts of the eyes, defects in brain development and kidney problems in young male sufferers,” said Dr Martin Lowe, who is based in the Faculty of Life Sciences. “Life expectancy is short due to complications associated with the disease, which can cause blindness, arthritis, rickets, mental impairment and kidney failure.” The research will focus on one particular gene, OCRL1, which scientists have identified as being a key factor in the cause of the condition. “Lowe syndrome arises from a mutation in OCRL1, which is a gene found on the male X-chromosome involved in degrading fat-soluble molecules in the Dr Lowe and Oscar body called lipids,” said Dr Lowe.

“Although significant progress has been made to He said: “In the long term it is hoped that zebrafish Lorraine said: "The Lowe Syndrome Trust is delighted increase our understanding of OCRL1, we still do not will serve as a model system for experimenting with to award a grant to The University of Manchester to know what processes it regulates.” chemicals that suppress the symptoms of Lowe further research into this rare disease. Sadly, due to One of the difficulties earlier studies have faced is syndrome in the hope of one day finding a cure.” lack of awareness and funding, many children suffering from this disorder only live until their finding a suitable model system to explore the The research is being funded by the Lowe Syndrome teenage years." mechanisms underlying the disease. But in a pilot Trust, which was set up in June 2000 by Lorraine study, Dr Lowe and his team found that OCRL1 Thomas after her son, Oscar, 14, was diagnosed with Further information about the Lowe Syndrome Trust works in a similar manner in zebrafish as it does in the condition in 1999. can be found at the web address below. humans.

www.lowetrust.com 11 Profile

Searle's Striving

Having sought out some of the world's trouble Being nearly 6ft 5inches, he naturally became a authorities decided they were too critical and spots, as well as difficult inner city challenges in fast bowler, playing for England Schools. And he vetoed publication. Chris, determined as ever in the UK, in the cause of education, Chris Searle, idealised the West Indies (“I'm still a West Indies the face of authority, raised the money and the new Director of the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah supporter”). published them anyway - and got the sack. “The Race Relations Centre, is a man with a mission. book was well received, not least by Father Trevor “I decided to put the two together and went to He passionately believes in causes, from helping Huddleston, the Bishop of Stepney, who teach in Tobago,” he says. “I was mad about the poverty-stricken people in politically-charged supported the project,” he says. “Then the cricket, but I also became deeply interested in places like Grenada and Mozambique to children went on strike and about 800 of them West Indian literature, Caribbean language and inspiring teenagers in deprived areas of the marched to Trafalgar Square in protest. It was a history, and the relations between the Caribbean London's East End. big story - and eventually I got my job back. I was and England.” very moved by my students’ actions on my behalf He has enjoyed such a long, busy and He has since written several acclaimed books on and by the effectiveness of their protest.” altogether remarkable career that it is those topics, including The Forsaken Lover (1973), impossible to cram it all in. Radical school The next major move, reflecting Chris's radical which won the Martin Luther King Prize, and teacher, university lecturer, teacher trainer, socialism, was to Mozambique, just after the Words Unchained, both examining the language writer and poet, striving to improve conditions colonial government was overthrown in 1976 and used in the Caribbean, the powerful influence of and inspire young people wherever he has the country gained independence from Portugal. the colonisers' language and the way in which been, for more than 40 years, during which He taught at a local school at Nampula, in the Caribbean language freed itself from the chains. time he has produced around 50 books on north of the country for two years. “I had a subjects as diverse as Caribbean language, Always striving for another challenge, he moved wonderful time and I discovered again the power cricket and jazz. back to the UK in the seventies to teach at a of education, literacy and creative writing, demanding secondary school in Stepney, in especially poetry, as I had in Stepney,” he says. Born in Romford, Essex, in 1944, he failed his London's East End. “I wanted to put into practice eleven-plus, but went to the University of Leeds He returned to the East End (a repeating pattern) my belief in the power of creative writing and as a mature student to read English. “I was a for a couple of years before spotting another poetry by getting the children out on the streets late developer,” he says with irony. He has revolution to support in 1980 - in Grenada, his and writing poetry,” he says. “Those hugely certainly made up for any lost time. wife's home country. “I backed the revolution,” creative young people found their voice and he says. ”I was put in charge of teacher His first job, after graduating, was at the produced some beautiful poems.” And then a education, where we were able to make a radical University of Calgary in 1967 - “But I soon remarkable event happened. change,” he says. Previously, primary school decided I wanted to teach in schools.” Chris tried to get the poems resulting from the teachers had no training, but now they went on His other passion was (and is) cricket. 12 Stepney Words project published, but the courses for the first time. The courses won co- CV

Name Chris Searle Position Director of the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Centre Education 1966 BA (Hons) English University of Leeds 1967 MA English McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 1972 MEd ‘The Teaching of English’ Exeter University Career 2007 Director of the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Centre 2004-2007 Visiting Professor, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies, York University, Toronto 2005-2007 Education Officer, Yemeni Community Association and Manager, Asylum Seeker Development Programme, Sheffield College 1996-2002 Lecturer of Educational Studies, Goldsmiths’ College, University of London 1990-95 Headteacher, Earl Marhsal Comprehensive School, Sheffield 1984-90 Advisor (Multicultural Education), City of Sheffield Education Department 1983-4 Head of Humanities, Daneford Comprehensive School, Bethnal Green, London operation from the University of the West Indies men had come over to do the dirty jobs in the 1983 Divisional Co-ordinator, and became a model for teacher education in the steel industry and stayed on even when the Multi-Ethnic Education, Inner Caribbean. At the same time, Chris got parents to industry collapsed. But they had never had the London Education Authority help out in the classroom during the teachers' opportunity to learn English properly. I was able absence. “It was a very successful programme, to create that chance for them.” 1980-82 Chairperson of Language, bringing the children and the parents closer Arts and National Co-ordinator, He still counts them among his friends. together, sharing life skills,” he says. “The US National In-service Teacher invasion when it came was a real blow.” He then accepted an invitation to go to York Education Programme, University in Toronto as a Visiting Professor - and Grenada, Caribbean So, it was back for another stint in his beloved East whilst he was there saw the opportunity to come End, before moving in the mid-eighties to an 1979-80 Deputy Head of English, to this University. extremely fruitful time in Sheffield (where he still Langdon Park Comprehensive lives), beginning as Adviser for Multi-Cultural “Luckily I got the job,” he says. “I was inspired by School, Poplar, London Education there and including a spell as head teacher the tremendously valuable work done by the 1976-8 Head of English, Nampula of the city's most multi-racial school, Earl Marshal. Centre and it's a precious opportunity for me to Secondary School, be able to carry it forward. I feel very privileged to After six years there, he moved on to spend the Nampula, Mozambique be able to succeed Lou Kushnick, who started it next six years preparing teachers of English for all. And I'm inspired by Ahmed Iqbal Ullah, the PGCE at Goldsmiths College, University of 1974-6 Head of English, Langdon Park boy it's named for. It is important not to see him London. He commuted between Sheffield and Comprehensive School, London as a victim, even though he was brutally London before taking up one of the jobs he has murdered. He died defending one of his friends 1970-4 Deputy Head of English, Bishop’s most treasured - Education Officer for the Yemeni who was being racially abused by a white boy. He High School, Tobago, Caribbean Community Association in Sheffield. was an inspiration. He wanted to change our 1967-8 Lecturer of English, University of His work with that community attracted the consciousness and had pride in his own people. I Calgary, Alberta, Canada positive attention of the media. “I had the oldest feel moved to try to continue the influence of his class of pupils in the country,” he says. The bright and burning life. We want to serve all 1966-7 Graduate Teaching Fellow of average age of the Yemeni men he was teaching young Manchester people. And I want the English, McMaster University, English was 77. “They were wonderful men - influence of the centre and its resources to be Hamilton, Ontario generous, intelligent, funny and serious about used by all trainee teachers, local communities their classes,” he says. “It was one of the most and other interested scholars. We have a prime beautiful teaching experiences I ever had. The opportunity now.” 13 Reaching Out

Sammy inspires a new generation of students

Readers of February’s edition of UniLife will remember the remarkable story of Sammy Gitau who rose from a Kenyan slum to achieve his dream of gaining a Masters degree at the University. Now, four final-year Accountancy with Business Information Systems (ABIS) undergraduates from the University have been working with Sammy on a new website aimed at helping communities living in the slums of Nairobi, where Sammy grew up. Ashrafun Nessa, Farah Sarwar, Usman Waheed and Rugby scrums Lin Yin are creating a website to promote workshops and training to help local people develop skills and trades, so that they can work good as Sharks their way out of poverty. In Kenya’s current climate of unrest, the site, www.marifa.org also aims to sign in promote a sense of unity, by emphasising collaboration among competing tribes. Sammy story: Final year ABIS students Farah Sarwar, Ashrafun Nessa, Usman Waheed and Lin SPORT at The University of Manchester ABIS student Farah Sarwar said: “The project Yin with Sammy Gitau and MSV Manager Andrea has launched a major coaching provides us with valuable project management and Grace Rannard. partnership with Sale Sharks Rugby Club. system development skills, whilst at the same time The agreement will see the University’s first enabling us to help accomplish a dream for the and second teams benefiting from top class community resource centres. The project has also been strongly felt by the student team, who coaching, whilst the University will support fuelled our passion to help those who are less themselves have multinational backgrounds, and Sharks’ community work. fortunate than us.” the challenge of finishing this unusual project is bringing out the best in them.” The University’s Sports Development This project forms part of the students’ accredited Manager James Birdsey said: “We are very Career Management Skills module and is one of Sammy also hopes to organise a football excited about this partnership and we many course projects sourced by Manchester tournament in Mathare, bringing together different believe it will take the standard of our teams Student Volunteers (MSV), which is managed by tribes through their unifying love of football. The to a new level.” the MLP Careers and Employability Division. Manchester United Community Foundation donated football kits via Manchester Student ABIS tutor Chris Westrup said: “This is one of Young players are already excited about the Volunteers, for Sammy to take to the slums. The several interesting projects that MSV has sourced new deal and Manchester has six England football club has strong links with MSV; several for us which challenge our students, encouraging under-18 internationals wanting to come to students, including Manchester Leadership them to develop the skills employers value, whilst the University next year. Programme students Gareth Bradley and Michael allowing them to develop as socially responsible Tennekoon, volunteer at Manchester United’s Study The new partnership will also include pre- people. The plight of Kenya at the moment has season strength and conditioning work for Support Centre. the University players at Sharks’ state-of-the- art training base in Carrington. www.marifa.org The appliance You can bank on a great career

of science The diverse career opportunities on offer in More than 120 A-level students got a investment banking were chance to find out more about life as a revealed to first and scientist at a special event held at second-year undergraduates Manchester Museum early this year. at a recent event hosted by A series of ‘Study Days on Genetics’ were the University. held in association with the University’s ‘Banking on your Talent’ brought Faculty of Life Sciences and Nowgen. The together more than 300 students took part in seminars, debates and students from the universities of hands-on laboratory sessions. Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and For further information on how to get Sheffield and representatives involved with student engagement at the from five prestigious City Manchester Museum, contact Lauren investment banks. Women and Furness, Widening Participation Officer at ethnic minority students, who [email protected] are underrepresented in certain informal networking The event was organised by the industry roles, were particularly opportunities aimed to provide MLP Careers and Employability encouraged to attend. students with key insights into Division, with the collaboration A range of exhibitions, applying to and working for of the student-led Manchester 14 presentations, skills sessions and investment banks. Economics Society. Innovation and Technology Transfer

Chopper venture creates campus buzz

A high-flying student has created a buzz by setting up a business importing and selling miniature helicopters. Vernon Kerswell, a second year Information Systems Engineering student from Manchester Business School (MBS), scooped the £1,000 first prize in the annual Venture Out competition after setting up a business importing and selling a range of easy-to-fly remote control miniature helicopters and UFOs. Vernon and business partner Dominique Briggs – also an MBS student – have sold nearly 2,000 of the flying machines through shops and via the company's website - www.extremefliers.co.uk Run by the University's Manchester Science Enterprise Centre (MSEC), Venture Out is the business ideas competition where students submit unique ideas ranging from fun and funky to the seriously high-tech. Second prize of £300 went to third year Modern Languages student Elizabeth Gillam, who has started up a novel social enterprise, which aims to combat global warming by utilising vacant city Kneeling Left to Right: Vernon Kerswell, Dominique Briggs. Standing Left to Right: Lynn Sheppard, MSEC; centre properties. Professor Rod Coombs, Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development; Muhammad Ali; Third prize of £150 was claimed by Muhammad Ali, Elizabeth Gillam; Sicong Li. a third year Electrical and Electronic Engineering student, who has pioneered a unique system for The Venture Out competition is supported by Venture competition. Vernon spotted a novel reducing the eye strain caused by PC monitors. AstraZeneca, Barclays, Eversheds, Thread Creative, product and had the determination and talent to Henry Li's Original Limu Drink, a health drink made Ideas to Market and the University of Manchester establish a successful part-time business. We really from Limu Moui, a seaweed found in Tonga, was Incubator Company (UMIC). hope the enterprise will continue to flourish.” highly commended by judges. Henry is a second Lynn Sheppard, Director of MSEC, said: “The For more information about the Venture year undergraduate studying Management and success of Extreme Fliers shows that you don’t have Competition, please visit the web address below. Leisure in the School of Education. to be an inventor or a scientist to succeed in our

www.manchester.ac.uk/venturecompetition/ Nurturing new business in Reddish

The University of Manchester than 17 companies have moved in, Incubator Company (UMIC) is some of which are high-growth working in partnership with University spin-out companies. Stockport Council to develop But Broadstone’s incubator has also business incubation space at attracted a growing number of Broadstone Mill in Reddish. high-calibre firms to locate in Reddish. A not-for-profit Community Interest Company has been formed which “That’s because we encourage will provide 12,000 sq ft of state-of- tomorrow’s industries to locate and the-art workspace and incubation develop in Stockport with a view to facilities designed to nurture and creating an ongoing wealth and grow new and small businesses. employment base in Houldsworth Village,” says Tony Walker, hi-tech The scheme is part of Stockport incubator manager at the Council’s Community Pride University of Manchester Incubator campaign and sees the Council Company (UMIC). and University working alongside the Mill’s landlord Broadstone Tony continues: “The great thing House Ltd. about working alongside Stockport Council’s existing Houldsworth UMIC’s association with Broadstone “Companies can access the their wealth in the area. We have a Business Centre means that the Mill goes back to 2005 and the first incubator at a critical growth phase huge historical legacy and an areas value and appeal rises with a business incubator offices were and quickly graduate to follow-on attractive asset base to work with.” business incubation service focused opened in 2006. Since then more space. A key factor in 'sustainable on this key location. clusters' is keeping companies and 15 What’s On

Contact Theatre Burlington Society John Rylands Library The Wedding Dance The Society of Mature Students and Postgraduates in Tues 4 Mar to Sat 8 Mar, 8pm. £10/£6 the Universities of Greater Manchester. (Deansgate) Cuban immigrant José is a modern Don Juan and Burlington Rooms, Schunck Building, Visit the historic John Rylands Library on Deansgate, magnificent dancer. Arriving in London, he exploits his Burlington Street (next to JRUL) home to one of the country’s greatest collections of talent for teaching the most passionate dance of them 0161 275 2392 printed books, manuscripts and archives. Regarded as all - the salsa. www.burlington.man.ac.uk one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, the Library has Britannia Rumba just been voted Manchester’s Best Iconic Building in the Thurs 6 Mar 10pm, £5 or FREE with ticket for MCR Awards 2007. Permanent exhibitions tell the story The Wedding Dance of the Library, display treasures from the collections and include interactive exhibits to engage visitors. This one off unique musical special will take audiences International Society NEW FOR 2008 on a journey through the history of the Congolese SPRING TRIPS rumba, from links with Cuban musicians, through pop Close-Up Session: Every Thursday 12.15-pm Saturday 8th March and rock inspired 60s rumba to the fast paced 90s Enjoy a closer look at selected items from the Library's Lake District visiting Windermere soukous rumba from the streets of Congo. outstanding collections and find out more about the The Arab and The Jew Overnight Trip! building every Thursday lunchtime. Saturday 8th to Sunday 9th March Thurs 3 Apr to Sat 5 Apr, 8pm. £10/£6 EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS Allel Nedjari and Amit Lahav are Gecko. Bath (with visit to Stonehenge) Enriqueta Rylands: Who Do You Think She Was? Having grown up on opposite sides of the Arab-Israeli Saturday 15th March Discovering the founder of The John Rylands divide, here they celebrate their brotherhood and laugh North Wales visiting Blaenau Ffestiniong Railway Library until 19 May 2008 and cry at their reflections. and Portmeirion Village This exhibition celebrates the life of the Library's founder, Oxford Road, Manchester Sunday 16th March Enriqueta Rylands and marks the centenary of her death Tickets/Info Alton Towers in 1908. Born in Cuba, she travelled widely as a child 0161 274 0600 Saturday 22nd March before settling in England in the 1860s. She became the www.contact-theatre.org Robin Hood's Bay and Whitby third wife of John Rylands and inherited the bulk of his estate when he died. She built the Library in his memory. Sunday 23rd March Aspects of her extraordinary life are illuminated by stories North Wales visiting Anglesey (with guided tour) discovered in the Library's archive. These provide a new Music and Drama Saturday 29th March perspective on this fascinating woman. Themes include Harewood House and How Stean Gorge family life, travelling for health, her love of art and her at Manchester Sunday 30th March work for good causes. Quatuor Danel Blackpool Close-Up Session Sat 12 Apr 11-11.45am Thurs 6 Mar 2008, 1.10pm, Free Saturday 5th April Enjoy a closer look at items from the collections which The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall North Wales visiting Llangollen and Powis Castle tell the story of Enriqueta Rylands as a book collector, with exhibition curator Elizabeth Gow. Tickets £2.50, Haydn Quartet in B flat, Op.76 No.4 Opening hours Weinberg Quartet No.9 in Fsharp minor, available from Visitor Services on 0161 306 0555 or Mon-Fri 9.30am – 7pm (during term time) [email protected]. Op.80 – UK première Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5pm (during vacation) Quatuor Danel Seminar Mr Pye Visits the Library Wed 26 Mar Small World Café opening hours Meet Manchester Museum's Victorian gentleman, Mr Thurs 6 Mar 2008, 2.15pm, Free Mon-Fri 11am – 3pm The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall Pye, as he visits the Library to find out more about Mrs Student Minuets 327 Oxford Road (next to Krobar) Rylands and her gift to Manchester. 0161 275 4959 Quatuor Danel Return From Exile: The Life And Times of George email [email protected] Gissing until 19 May 2008 Fri 7 Mar, 7.00pm www.internationalsociety.org.uk The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall An exhibition of manuscripts and printed books from Mozart Quartet in D, K499 The George Gissing / Kohler Collection. George Gissing Pascal Dusapin Quartet No.5 (2005) (1857-1903) was a late Victorian novelist whose works Beethoven Quartet in F, Op.59 No.1 depicted the harsh realities of Victorian working class Chaplaincies life and dealt with important issues of his day, such as Student Showcase science and religion, and the emancipation of women. Thurs 13 Mar, 1.10pm. Free St Peter’s House Chaplaincy The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall SUNDAY WORSHIP Public opening hours A recital featuring the talents of Undergraduate and 11am Holy Communion Mon and Wed-Sat 10am-5pm Postgraduate star performers from music. 12.15am Bible Study Tues and Sun 12pm-5pm 12.45 Lunch (1st Sunday) Reader opening hours University of Manchester Wind Orchestra together 6.30pm Evening Worship (term-time only) Mon-Sat 10am-5pm with Stockport Grammar School Wind Orchestra FREE ADMISSION Sat 8 Mar, 7pm FOYER 10am - 5pm The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall An area where students and staff can relax and meet The John Rylands Library Alongside Manchester greats such as Martin Ellerby and friends. A tea/coffee machine is available. 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH Peter Meechan, this performance will feature works by Precinct Centre 0161 306 0555 Los Angeles based Eric Whitaker and Frank Ticheli. 0161 275 2894 email [email protected] email [email protected] www.manchester.ac.uk/library The University of Manchester Baroque Orchestra and Ad Solem – Weds 5 Mar, 7pm RC Chaplaincy, Avila House The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall Mass Times (term-time only) Handel and Italy SUNDAY: 7pm (in the Holy Name Church) next door to Chaplaincy Lancashire Sinfonietta Mon, Wed, Fri: 6pm in the Chaplaincy Chapel Fri 14 Mar, 7.30pm Tues, Thurs: 12.15 pm in the Chaplaincy Chapel The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall Oxford Road (opposite the Students’ Union) Delights of the Danube 0161 273 1456 The Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama email [email protected] Bridgeford Street, Manchester M13 9PL www.rc-chaplaincy-um.org.uk 0161 275 8951/8950 The Jewish Student Centre and Synagogue email [email protected] Hillel House, Greenheys Lane. www.manchester.ac.uk/martinharriscentre 0161 226 1139 email [email protected] www.rabbiyy.com 16 The Whitworth The Manchester Gig Guide MANCHESTER ACADEMY 1, 2 and 3 Art Gallery Museum Tina Dico DISPLAYS/COLLECTIONS SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS Mon 3rd Mar - £10 Adv Mind Forged Manacles: Blake and Slavery until 6 • MoNO: Museum of Native Oak Jack Penate + Tinchy Stryder April 2008 • Jamie Shovlin: Manchester Tue 4th March - £11 adv The show explores both the horrors of slavery, which Gary Numan Blake was adamantly opposed to, and mental • Birds of America: Passenger Pigeon Sat 8th March - £19 Adv enslavement, which Blake summed up with the phrase • Ilana Halperin: Physical Geology ‘mind forg’d manacles’. The exhibition features over Panic at the Disco sixty of Blake’s vivid and imaginative watercolours and EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES Wed 12th March - £16 Adv engravings from the collection of the British Museum. Big Saturday - Sciencetastic The Feeling Blake’s Shadow: William Blake and his Artistic Saturday 15 March, 11am–4pm Thu 13th March - £15 Adv Legacy until 20 April 2008 Celebrate National Science and Engineering Week and Brain Awareness Week with University scientists in this Inspiral Carpets This exhibition will explore the influence of Blake in the Fri 14th March - £20 Adv development of the visual arts from the eighteenth family fun day. Ring 0161 275 2648 for further details century to the present day. and booking. Manchester Academy's 5th Annual St Patrick Week Party Feat. Stiff Little Fingers + The Men Trade and Empire: Remembering Slavery until 27 Easter Holidays They Couldn't Hang + DILE April 2008 Tuesday 25 – Friday 28 March and Sat 15th March - £18 Adv 7pm - Late The exhibition explores slavery and its impact on trade Monday 31 March – Friday 4 April and empire through objects picked from the Gallery’s Join in a variety of activities including: Scouting For Girls + The Sonic Hearts + Nick collection. These range from a pair of 18th century • Ancient worlds Harrison watercolours by Thomas Hearne that show day-to-day Sat 29th March - £12.50 Adv - SOLD OUT • Smashing pots life in the Leeward Islands. Gogol Bordello Walter Crane and the Illustrated Book until April • Golden fleece Sun 30th March - £14 Adv Doors 7pm 2008 Visit www.manchester.ac.uk/museum or ring 0161 275 Tickets from: Focusing on the book illustrations of Walter Crane, this 2648 to find out more. exhibition will span Crane’s entire career, incorporating Students' Union, Oxford Road TALKS AND TOURS: a range of illustrations from his early commissions to Piccadilly Box Office @ easy Internet Cafe (c/c) his world famous Toy Books, Grimm’s Fairy Tales and Ideas Café: Documentary Imperative 0871 2200260 private drawings created for his children. Monday 3 March 6.30-8pm Royal Court (Liverpool) 0151 709 4321 (c/c) Join a discussion and special screening of Jordan City Visions 29 March – August 2008 Students’ Union Baseman’s new film Documentary Imperative. Book on This exhibition looks at how artists have represented Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL 0161 275 2648. Free the experience of urban living in the last 150 years. 0161 275 2930 Flights of Fancy: Select decorative schemes of the Showcase: The Manchester Museum www.manchesteracademy.net 1920s and 30s, until to Mid Oct 2008 Research Seminar In the early 20th century the influence of Modernism Design for the 21st century: The new Egyptian encouraged a move away from highly pattened walls. galleries in Liverpool This change in fashion affected wallpaper production as Wednesday 5 March, 3-5pm Jodrell Bank a whole and manufacturers, keen to retain their Dr Ashley Cook will talk about the exciting new EVENTS customers, produced numerous fancy paper decorations developments in the World Museum, Liverpool. to add interest to plain or textured backgrounds. Drop-in, free 25 - 28 March, 2pm Collection Exhibitions Archive Now Online You and your lifestyle Ask an Astronomer Ask a Jodrell Bank Astronomer all those burning The Whitworth’s online ‘Collections Catalogue’ now Monday 10 March, 6.30pm allows you to browse and search selected exhibitions What we choose defines who we are. Hear the findings questions about stars, planets or the telescope. No held at the Gallery over the past 10 years. Follow the of this research project, and see how closely your tastes extra charge. link from homepage at: might fit national trends. Free. Book on 30 March to 4 April, 2pm www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk [email protected] Ask an Astronomer The Whitworth Art Gallery Alchemy: The Big Alchemy Discussion Ask a Jodrell Bank Astronomer all those burning Oxford Road, Manchester Saturday 15 March, 2-4pm questions about stars, planets or the telescope. No 0161 275 7450 Join artists, curators and critics in an open discussion extra charge. email [email protected] about the culmination of the Alchemy project. Book on 2 April, 11.30am. 0161 275 2648, Free Children’s Guided Walk of the Arboretum, Opening hours Join the Arboretum Curator on a guided walk of the Open: Tuesdays-Saturdays 10 - 5pm Arboretum and discover what products trees make, you Centre for New Writing Sun-Mon (and Bank Holidays) 11 - 4pm maybe surprised. Space is limited, so please book in advance. No extra charge. Our unique events bring the best-known contemporary FREE Admission novelists and poets to Manchester to discuss and read The Manchester Museum Summer opening hours Closed on Mondays from their work. Everyone is welcome, and ticket prices Oxford Road, Manchester Every day 10:30am to 5:30pm, until Sun 28 Oct. include a complementary glass of wine or soft drink 0161 275 2634 www.manchester.ac.uk/museum Closed on Thu 4 Oct. (except Martin Amis public events) Jodrell Bank Observatory Visitor Centre, Literature Live Macclesfield, Cheshire John Thaw Studio Theatre, 6.30pm, Tickets: £3/£2 01477 571339 www.manchester.ac.uk/jodrellbank/viscen Thurs 6 March Courses for the Public Novelist and screenwriter Hanif Kureishi. The Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) runs a large and varied programme of courses designed for adults Mon 10 March studying part-time, whether for pleasure or personal/ Novelist and poet Helen Dunmore and poet professional development. Most are open to beginners August Kleinzahler. and no prior knowledge is assumed unless stated. Mon 7 April Concessions are available to staff and graduates of The Poets Matt Welton and John McAuliffe University of Manchester. Brochures and application forms are available on request. The Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama Bridgeford Street, Manchester M13 9PL CCE, 1st Floor, Humanities Devas Street 0161 275 8951/8950 0161 275 3275 email [email protected] www.manchester.ac.uk/continuingeducation www.manchester.ac.uk/martinharriscentre 17 Burbidge Joinery Full colour and black and white and Construction digital printing and copying Hardback and Softback Binding Quality UPVC Windows and Doors International Fax Bureau All Windows and Conservatories are individually Design for Posters, Flyers etc Small family run nursery made to each customer’s specified requirements. Mature qualified, experienced and T-Shirts and Mouse Mats knowledgeable staff Caring and friendly atmosphere - Secure, A family business with over 24 years’ experience. nurturing environment We also supply a large range of Indian Stone, Open from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday - 3 months to pre-school Happy children - Cobble Sets and Solid Oak Sleepers. Barnes Wallis Building, Outdoor play area The University of Manchester, For free advice or information contact: 88 Carmoor Road Sackville St, Manchester (off Hathersage Road/Upper Brook Street), Paul Burbidge (City and Guilds qualified Joiner) tel: (0161) 306 3269 Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester M13 0FB 0161 494 5228 email: [email protected] For information, please telephone Sharon on 18 www.u-print.com 0161 248 5340 or visit our web site www.ciarastots.com 19 Discover the Whitworth

Dr Jennifer Harris, The Whitworth Art Gallery; David Barrie, The Art Fund’s Director and Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director of The Crafts Council. Material goods

The textile collection at the Whitworth Art that acknowledges, in some way, textile history and Textiles have always been good at being politically Gallery is one of the most important in the UK, textile techniques, even if they seem, at first sight, a and socially engaged, probably more so than any and we’ve been collecting industrially long way from textiles as we might imagine them. other craft tradition. Norma Starszakowna is produced textiles since 1958 when we first under-represented in UK collections and her work At Collect at the V&A this year, we made an joined the University. sits at an exciting interface between textile art and ambitious purchase of a piece by Norma textile design. In 1990, we started collecting textile art as we felt Starszakowna, as part of Art Fund Collect, which it made an effective bridge between fine arts and encourages the quality and profile of contemporary In the coming years, we will focus some of our textiles. We sensed that it would be an craft in public collections, with money gifted from collecting energies on new technologies and new increasingly interesting area, at the forefront of the Patrons of the Crafts Council and The Art Fund. techniques in dyeing and printing, connecting to craft and often conceptual. objects in our historic collection that were often at This is a large wall based piece, with subtle and the cutting edge of technologies and techniques. We’ve made some iconic, ambitious purchases, powerful political themes. It will be on display, developing an international reputation. This is work following conservation, in the coming months.

www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth

News Contact Events Contact Adverts Contact 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 12 noon 20 March Deadline 12 noon 20 March Deadline 12 noon 20 March

Next Issue 7 April 2008 J1894 02.08 The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL Royal Charter Number RC000797