Annual Review 2 0 11 Contents University of Chester Factfile

Mission and Vision 3 Established: 1839. Chester is one of the longest Some of the University’s most recent key established English higher education achievements: Core values: establishments of any kind, pre- A caring Foundation 4 dating all but Oxford, Cambridge, • ‘Outstanding Provider’ – the verdict of Ofsted London and Durham inspectors on the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) A distinctive student experience 6 which covers training in Early Years, Primary and Students: 16,800 (76% undergraduates, Student life 6 Secondary teaching; Student support 12 24% postgraduates) Innovative courses 14 Staff: 1,413 • Graduate employment – Unistats has independently Volunteering 17 rated the University as the highest ranking in the Chancellor: His Grace the Duke of Westminster Employability 26 North West for its graduates securing professional or KG CB OBE TD CD DL managerial positions; The pursuit of excellence and innovation 32 Vice-Chancellor: Canon Professor Tim Wheeler DL Research 33 • Popular student choice – Chester had the fourth Presentations 38 Campuses: Three in Chester, one in Warrington, highest growth in UCAS applications out of the UK’s Publications 40 in addition to NHS sites on 318 institutions providing higher education, and this Conferences 42 the Wirral and in Crewe and represents a ratio of nine applications for every place; Macclesfield Institutional achievements 48 • Established partnerships – over 50% of Chester’s Associate Colleges: Isle of Man College; Reaseheath secondary trainee teachers from 2010-11 are now A supportive culture and environment 51 College; Warrington Collegiate; West employed within partner schools; Staff 52 Cheshire College Campus facilities 56 • Excellence in teaching – 10 subjects (Archaeology, Environmental issues 58 Honorary Graduates HRH The Prince of Wales; Dame English, Food Science, French, Geography, Maths, Chaplaincy 59 include: Joan Bakewell CBE; The Most Theology and Religious Studies, Social Work, Sport and Reverend and Right Honourable Dr Exercise Sciences and Subjects Allied to Medicine) Inclusiveness and responsibility 60 John Sentamu, Archbishop of York; were singled out by three major national newspaper Widening access 61 Terry Waite CBE; Sir Ian Botham league tables as being the best in their field in eyk International activities 62 OBE; Loyd Grossman OBE; Sir areas of their work; Andrew Motion; Ken Dodd OBE; • Affordability – Chester is one of the top five most Partnership and community 67 Tim Firth; Sue Johnston OBE; Phil affordable universities in the UK for cost of living, Regional importance 68 Redmond OBE; Willie Carson OBE; according to The Sunday Times University Guide; Educational partnerships 76 Matthew Kelly OBE; Estelle Morris, Visitors 78 The Right Honorable Baroness • Volunteering – over 600 students and staff have given Honoraries 81 Morris of Yardley; Ronald Pickup; 17,430 hours to the community over the past year. Graduates 84 The Earl of Derby; and Tony Robinson. Alumni 88

Senior colleagues 90 Members of the University Council 90 Financial results 91 To obtain this information in an alternative format – large print, on audio tape or in translation – please call 01244 511450 or email [email protected] Mission The University was established by the Church of England in 1839 and, within an open and inclusive environment guided by Christian values, we seek to provide our students and staff with the education, training, skills and motivation to enable them to develop as individuals and serve and improve the communities within which they live and work. This mission, which has helped shape our development and diversification, continues to inform our future planning and strengthening as a University institution. Vision At the heart of the University’s vision is our commitment to: ensuring a rewarding student learning experience; developing the expertise of our staff; teaching excellence; and our growing research and scholarly profile. Fundamental to these ideals and aspirations is the positive impact that the University has on the lives of our students, our staff, and our community, all of which underpin the institution’s significant and developing contribution to the region and beyond. In valuing and celebrating our long history and traditions, the University is modern, dynamic and enterprising in its approach to developing new opportunities. In particular, we are committed to engendering a sense of pride and shared ownership in all those associated with us and with what we do.

Dr Lesley Cooke, Chair of the Mission Committee and Prince Asiamah, student member This Annual Review has a number of A caring interconnected themes, based on our Core Values. At its heart is the pursuit of excellence in scholarship, research, knowledge transfer and provision of business services. This is Foundation reflected in the excellent outcomes from audits by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), Ofsted and professional and statutory bodies.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, The University puts a particular premium Canon Professor T J Wheeler DL on enriching the student experience by encouraging volunteering, fostering the A university is often thought of as a development of transferrable skills. We are collection of buildings in which scholarly proud to offer opportunities for our students activities take place, an ephemeral entity to pursue their academic, leisure and social with traditions and a past, or an economic activities, within the University and beyond. catalyst to support industry, commerce Many have gained national recognition and the professions. for their studies and contributions locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, across The University of Chester may be all the a wide range of pursuits. above, but it is really about people - the 18,000 plus individuals who study and Especially pleasing are the employment work here. The 2011 Annual Review prospects for our graduates. We have the attempts to reflect the wide range of highest ranking in the North West with 93% activities in which they are engaged. In of our graduates securing professional/ 92 pages, it could never do justice to the managerial positions or proceeding to further totality of what happens every day, but I study. This resulted in Chester having the hope it gives a representative flavour. 4th highest growth in UCAS applications of the UK’s 318 higher education institutions, It reflects what matters to staff and representing a ratio of nearly 10 applicants Valuing openness and inclusiveness, we seek students, their hopes and aspirations, per place. their triumphs and successes and the to promote an environment within which very real difference that their endeavours The Review describes the work of all our students and staff are provided with make to the communities that the committed staff and enthusiastic students University serves. and that is what defines a university. opportunities to reflect on moral and spiritual issues affecting individuals and society. Annual Review 2011

national media league tables. As a long- Warrington Campus, which has allowed time resident in the area myself, I hope that us to expand product ranges to meet the those who live and work in and around the students’ expectations, and provided better University have been aware, or even better, equipped office space. have experienced the improvements in community relations and made the extra Welfare and Accommodation is a growing effort to be a good neighbour themselves. area with an ongoing interest in private This work culminated in CSU winning its sector housing, and we continue to work first ever national accolade, the National closely with local landlords and Cheshire Lord Bishop of Chester, Dechlan Jarrett, Union of Students (NUS) Community West and Chester Council, to ensure the Lord President of the Chester Students’ Union Relations Award, which highlights the accommodation provided is of a suitable University Council and (CSU) President importance of the area and the residents standard. In Welfare we continue to Pro-Chancellor that welcome students to Chester, support students through their challenges 2010-11 has been a year of preparation Warrington and the nursing sites. and welcome external partners, such as The University of Chester sets out to reach for higher education, with universities a firm of local solicitors and the NHS, to the very highest standards in all that it does. waiting anxiously to see the impact of the It has been a record-breaking year for provide free, weekly drop-in clinics. The core value of any and every university government-led increases in tuition fees. CSU: we broke income records for our should be excellence. The University of Chester has at every Freshers’ Week commercial services, In August 2011, CSU became a company 5

stage responded quickly, honestly and with the proceeds ploughed straight back limited by guarantee and we restructured In this we continue to build upon our collaboratively with the students. This is into supporting the largest number of our internal governance systems after two founding vision, to provide teachers for why I am confident that those who study students we’ve ever had participating in years of consultation. This has resulted in the schools which the Church of England here, now and in the future, will continue to sports teams and societies to the tune the addition of two valued external trustees was establishing in the early 19th century, receive the highest level of pastoral care and of 1,800, and we accumulated a massive and a more proactive Student Council that which formed the basis for the open and academic instruction/teaching/support. number of volunteering hours. Our sports is more representative of the changing inclusive system of university education teams are modelling a more professional demographic of our members. We see this which we have today. Our activity now The rate of development is sometimes approach, which has resulted in league and as an extremely positive change, to ensure ranges ever more widely across the hard to keep up with! The Seaborne Library cup wins, climbing the British Universities that we are always focused on our mission academic spectrum, but always with improvements, sporting facilities and and Colleges Sports (BUCS) tables, which statement and representing the broadest our founding vision in mind, to educate restructure of CSU spaces, to name a few, presents even greater challenges. This range of opinions possible. people for ‘careers of service’. all signal the University’s and the Union’s significantly improves students’ experience ongoing commitment to enhance the as competitive sports people alongside CSU is continually striving to represent I am delighted at the progress which the student experience. The reputation of the their study. students’ best interests year on year, University continues to make, as set out in University and CSU continues to improve, working side by side with the University. this Annual Review. attaining higher standards than ever in the With financial support from the University, Here’s to a record-breaking 2012, and to National Student Survey (NSS), Ofsted and we relocated our offices and shop at the the future. A distinctive Student student life All students embarking experience upon their higher education experience at Chester are able to capitalise 6 on the wealth of

opportunities to pursue their interests within the University community and beyond.

Charlie Ingram

We are committed to providing all our students with a high quality, caring and supportive learning experience, including work-related learning, that equips them with the necessary personal and academic skills to engage confidently with the wider world. Annual Review 2011

of his MSc Specialist Practice studies, to this experience, Emma, who is also he wanted to explore the barriers in a studying for an MSc in Sports Sciences rural or isolated setting and the Orkney at the University, is the only Performance Isles proved to be the perfect location. Analyst to work with the national team. As a student on the MSc/Postgraduate She joined the University as a Sport Diploma Specialist Practice course, Charlie and Exercise Sciences undergraduate in was seconded for an academic year from 2006, gained an internship at Warrington Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust Wolves during her second year, and in a Ruth Nugent Professor Caroline Rowland and Peter Shaw to become a Specialist Practitioner with short time progressed from scholarship to A graduate’s dissertation was named the an international consultancy firm in London the Nursing and Midwifery Council. academy analyst. best of the year by the highly respected and has a visiting lecturer role at Chester. Society for Medieval Archaeology. Ruth Having had a highly successful career in A number of Chester Dance students Nugent was awarded the John Hurst Prize management as a senior civil servant, applied to show their work in Emerging for the Best Undergraduate Dissertation in Peter continues to travel the world in his Voices in Dance, the first Student 2010 for her work on birds in early Anglo- role as Head of Public Sector Practice. International Festival of Dance (Sifdans), Saxon burial rites. She is now continuing hosted by the University of Bedfordshire to research early Anglo-Saxon burials at The culmination of the BUCS (British in April 2011. Four were selected and postgraduate level at Chester, incorporating Universities and Colleges Sport) North benefited from meeting a range of 7 some of the themes and ideas from her West Indoor Rowing series was held at the industry experts, international artists original work. The Prize rounded off an University in December 2010. Seven North and students which has stood them impressive year for Ruth, who also received West universities were represented, with in good stead for their careers. All the University’s Bluecoat Archaeology and more than 200 athletes competing across were awarded First Class honours Heritage Prize for the consistently high six categories (male and female crews in degrees and have progressed to standard of her work. Heavyweight, Lightweight and Beginner), further studies or performing roles. cheered on by an army of supporters. The The Faculty of Business, Enterprise presentation of the medals rounded off an Lifelong rugby league fan Emma and Lifelong Learning made history by excellent day, with the Champions award Edwards’s skills and experience awarding the University’s first PhD by going to the University of Manchester. have earned her unique roles publication. Peter Shaw was awarded a in Super League and with the doctorate for his publications in the field Specialist Practice nursing student Charlie England squad. In signing her of leadership, exploring how leaders step Ingram spent his ‘alternative practice’ first full-time contract as Head up and succeed in demanding roles. His week with The All Age Disabilities Service of Performance Analysis for many publications include The Four Vs of in Orkney. Having investigated the Warrington Wolves, she became Leadership, Making Difficult Decisions and transition from adolescence to adulthood the only female Performance Deciding Well. He is currently a director of for people with learning disabilities as part Analyst in Super League. Thanks

Emma Edwards Challenging the mathematical elements of of teaching that he had co-published an an Ionesco play, third-year English student article with an undergraduate student. Kirsty Law came up with an unusual and original insight for an assessed Two Law students have triumphed in a presentation on the Absurdism module. national mooting competition. Joshua She applied her topic of ‘Ionesco – the Walters and Sarah Phillips, both third-year Bizarre, the Strange and the Absurd’ to LLB students, took on their contemporaries The Lesson and found that the playwright’s from the University of Birmingham in the calculation did not add up, subsequently Inner Temple National Mooting event in working with Dr Derek Alsop on the London, which sees around 30 universities problem. They jointly wrote an article for pitting their wits against each other. The pair Student golfer John Fernandes Rachel Butterworth’s single cover the prestigious journal Notes and Queries each won £150 in prize money, as well as which was published in December 2011. mini-pupillages, training at the prestigious With an enviable handicap of just students Dave Wiltshire, Sonny Van Loef This was the first time in Derek’s 27 years 2 Hare Court Chambers in London. one, John Fernandes has brought his and Janis Sokolovskis. exceptional talents from the golf course to his degree course. John was attracted In the week that they were awarded their “The English Department is incredible, so to Chester by the strength of the Sport First Class honours degrees in Fine Art, 8 and Exercise Sciences programme, the Estelle Woolley and Caroline Backhouse

supportive and enthusiastic. Anyone would be fact that the North West has a range curated their first contemporary lucky to be a part of it.” Kirsty Law of high standard golf courses, and the art exhibition entitled ‘The University’s International Student Exchange Conversation’, held at Christ Programme (ISEP). He hopes to pursue a Church, Newtown, professional golfing career, competing at Chester. The pair the highest level in the future. used the Church as their studio space Commercial Music Production students and co-ordinated the wrote and released a single under the group show, uniting University’s own Aspiration record label artists connected and it reached No.1 in Amazon UK’s with the Department ‘Movers and Shakers’ chart in May. Bounce of Art and Design. by Rachel Butterworth vs DaSonJa had The work on show its live debut in Manchester, as part of a encompassed a wide showcase gig, organised and performed by range of themes and third-year students. The single saw singer different media Rachel team up with house DJs and fellow areas including

Kirsty Law (centre) with other English students Estelle Woolley (centre) with fellow artists Annual Review 2011

painting, installation, photography and performance. Both Caroline and Estelle have secured jobs within the creative industries, together with running arts workshops within the local community, which has enabled them to develop their professional practice.

Achieving notable, medal-winning success in several high-profile Taekwondo competitions, Rich Edwards Rich Edwards (right) Dr Mark Bendall (left) and Politics students in London balanced study with sporting excellence. He came to Chester to study Sport and to black belt status but gave it up at 18 medieval archaeology from the Society of Research held at the University of Central Exercise Sciences, having taken up to begin a full-time job as an architectural Medieval Archaeology and the David and Lancashire in April 2011. More than karate at the age of 13. He progressed technician. At Chester he became Betty Evans Memorial Prize for Academic 150 students from across the country involved with the Wirral and Chester Achievement and Services to Archaeology presented their research through posters School of Taekwondo at Northgate Arena at the University. He is especially proud of and spoken presentations, and the Chester and tried the Korean discipline. Through his dissertation that considers Thingwall students gained significant experience 9

a fellow club member, he discovered the township’s role as a purported site of Viking from this dynamic, interdisciplinary event. Taekwondo Club at the University and assembly. Dean was also successful in began to dedicate much of his free time securing a £50,000 prize in the Barclays Politics students and staff gained an inside to training. By the time he graduated in Take One Small Step competition with view of life at Westminster when they November 2011, Rich had accumulated a ‘The Roman Fort Project’ after securing visited in June. Dr Mark Bendall arranged silver medal in the World Championships, thousands of public votes. He is currently for students to have a tour of Parliament a gold in the British Championships, gold studying for a postgraduate research degree Buildings with the Parliamentary Researcher and silver in the English Championships, at the University of Oxford, where he is to Derek Twigg, MP for Halton, together as well as silver and bronze medals in concentrating on the early medieval estates with a talk by Guto Bebb, Aberconwy MP, the West Midlands Championships. of Eastham, Bromborough and Poulton- so they had a balance of Conservative and cum-Spital in Wirral, alongside running his Labour approaches. All watched a video A star Archaeology student has gone from own business, Archaeology for Schools. link of Prime Minister’s Questions, and a running pubs to pursuing his childhood few had tickets for the Public Gallery. Also love of the subject and hasn’t looked back Final-year Geography and Development in attendance was Chester Lecturer Dr since. Dean Paton excelled on his course Studies students won best poster and Jonathon Louth, who informed an MP about and was awarded the John Hurst Award presentation in their category at the first the Australian electoral process during a for the best undergraduate dissertation in British Conference of Undergraduate question and answer session. Valedictory Day prize winners from Gregory, a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate audience. The programmes were recorded four worked on the film as part of their the Warrington Campus included Jay in Education) student. Claire was nominated as outside broadcasts from the student postgraduate degree in TV Production at Petherbridge, who received both the Hilary as someone who has a positive attitude to bar and North West Media Centre at the the Warrington Campus and for Hayley and Tucker Prize, awarded to the student who her work, willingly shares ideas, and offers Warrington Campus and formed part of a Lianne this is the second time their work has made the greatest contribution to the her colleagues support in a way that raises third-year Radio Production module led by has been shortlisted for these awards. Warrington Campus and the K M Herring their self-esteem and confidence. David Grimshaw, Senior Lecturer in Radio. Award for the student who has displayed the greatest progress during their course. A team of Radio Production graduates There was a double success for the Jay volunteered for numerous events from the University celebrated after being Department of Media’s Radio Production throughout her time at university, led a awarded silver at a national radio awards course in May. The University’s student group of students in producing a short ceremony. Debatable, by former students radio station Cat 1251, which is hosted by promotional film for Women’s Christian Tom Kerrigan, Shaun Hocking, Jonny Ireland students from the Warrington Campus, Aid, as well as completing a year’s study and Tom Hansom, was nominated for the scooped the Most Improved Student Radio in America and contributing towards Best Speech Programme in the North West Station title at this year’s I Love Student other charity films. She secured three region of the Student Radio Association Radio Awards. The station’s manager work placements with the BBC, landed Awards, earning the quartet a place in the Dave Grimshaw, Senior Lecturer in Radio The team behind award-winning Til Death Do Us Part a Production Management Assistant role final shortlist for the national title. Debatable Production, was also mentioned on the BBC (picture courtesy of the BBC) 10 on the BBC One daytime programme Rip was a series of entertainment shows Radio 5 Live Weekend Breakfast Show in

Off Britain and has been described as featuring a panel of four and a chairperson. a feature about inspirational educators. The Dancer and choreographer Kathryn Kirk a ‘great ambassador’ for the University. Topics discussed included long distance I Love Student Radio Awards, supported by shared her passion with the city of Chester The J L Dobson Trophy, for the student relationships, alcohol, and education versus Absolute Radio, are designed to recognise in the 2010 Winter Watch Parade. Kathryn who has made a significant contribution experience, which prompted questions, talent, dedication and commitment behind was studying for a Master’s degree to fellow students, was given to Claire comments and lively input from the studio the microphone. in Performance Practice and needed to create a public performance piece. The Department of Media also had reason Through the city’s annual festival, she to celebrate when the short film Til Death found the ideal way to blend her studies Do Us Part won Master’s students Hayley and her enthusiasm for her art. Her Evans, Lianne McKeown, David Robinson personal contribution to the Parade was and Joanna Jaworska the Production a performance with ‘The Cooks’, which Award at the BBC North Developing Talent Kathryn recorded in the style of a TV show, Conference 2011. Praised for its ‘revealing and she was joined by some undergraduate interviews, intelligent production and high students who played other characters standard of technique’, the documentary within the piece. The Parade was open to explored the lengths pet owners go to all and the feedback from this community Students from Cat 1251 with, front right, Sejal Kansara, Claire Gregory with the J L Dobson trophy from the Student Radio Association once their beloved animal has died. The event was very positive. Kathryn Kirk (kneeling) at the Winter Watch Parade Titan the Robot at the University

Student support

The University prides itself on the quality of support provided for students and it has been recognised by an array of awards from external bodies. Students can access information, advice and guidance on every aspect of their lives while studying at Chester, and this service aims to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy an enriching student experience. Annual Review 2011

The Student Support and Guidance team Up to 20 Sports Scholarships are available learning materials from the Chester Campus helps to create a positive, self-directed for undergraduate students who compete bookshop, John Smith’s, or online via the student experience at Chester, by providing at elite level as part of the University’s Aspire scheme, run with the University. support, guidance and development dedication to supporting excellence in opportunities and empowering students interdisciplinary study. These take the Santander Universities has increased to achieve their full potential in society. form of funding (£1,000 per year for support to the University as part of its The Department assists with any aspect of up to three years) and sports science commitment to 46 UK universities and over Tax Credit; Parents’ Learning Allowance; the student experience, from settling in to support from staff, together with use 900 worldwide. This partnership with higher Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA); NHS student life to helping with any problems. of the extensive testing and research education provides awards to outstanding Student Bursary Scheme; and bursaries facilities. The University also provides students and voluntary projects, helps from external sponsors or charitable trusts. The University is keen that the forthcoming Music Scholarships for students playing a entrepreneurs and gives students the increase in tuition fees for 2012 will not leading part in the cultural activities of the opportunity to travel abroad to continue their The University is keenly aware that discourage students from entering higher institution. Choral and instrumental awards studies. Its global network exists to help individuals from different cultural and education. The Office for Fair Access up to a total value of £800 are available to provide students with the support they need educational backgrounds have differing (OFFA) is an independent body, set up to suitable candidates. For postgraduates, the to become tomorrow’s leaders and, as a needs, so advice, support, counselling, promote widening participation to higher Gladstone Fellowships have been offered participating University, Chester students can and learning opportunities are available education for under-represented groups jointly between the University and an benefit from the range of funding options. throughout each course. There is also the following the introduction of tuition fees, external sponsor and have covered the cost opportunity to study abroad for a semester, 13 and the University has been working of tuition fees for PhD students. Through the generosity of the University of for a year, or for a full-time undergraduate or with the organisation to find its most Chester Alumni Association, and gifts from postgraduate degree in order to experience comprehensive support package ever for All new full-time students are entitled to £25 parents, governors and staff, the University higher education in another country. The students. As a result, low income awards of credit for books, stationery, laptops or provides three annual awards of £500. These University upholds the highest professional will be guaranteed to all students who meet netbooks, computer accessories and other University Foundation Awards for Excellence standards and is committed to meeting the the criteria, with additional support through are intended to assist outstanding students needs of students and international partner a partner scheme. Eligibility for the full range of the University with study overseas, organisations with sensitivity and care. of fee waivers will be for students with a support for a higher degree or sporting family income of less than £25,000, with competition at international level. A giant robot, best known for his fee waivers worth a total of £4,000 available appearance on Big Brother, visited to help to more than 200 of these with the lowest Student Support and Guidance advises deliver an important health message and incomes and £1,500 to all others. Up to 100 on the range of options to supplement raise awareness of World Aids Day. As a fee waiver awards of £1,500 for locally- students’ income while studying at the guest of the University and NHS Western targeted students with family incomes University including: a range of on-campus Cheshire, Titan the supported campaign between £25,000 and £42,000 are available. jobs (Unijob) or external opportunities for through the University’s Health4All initiative, Approximately 40% of admissions are part-time work; Access to Learning Funds; on drug and alcohol awareness and safe expected to receive a fee waiver. Sports science support Childcare or Adult Dependant’s Grants; Child sexual health messages. Innovative courses

The ratio of nine applications for every place at Chester is clear evidence of how its range of courses is designed to meet the aspirations of students in the 21stcentury.

To celebrate delivery of Cheshire The programme was developed following Constabulary’s Specials training, a public the 2009 Rose report that recommended information day was held for those building capacity within schools and considering signing up to the voluntary improving access to specialist, high quality force. The Faculty of Social Science already support for pupils with dyslexia. The 14 delivers the Foundation Degree in Policing University offers dedicated teachers the

for every new officer joining Cheshire Police opportunity to develop their skills, and Irene and the new programme is an extension of Scott, from the Continuing Professional this alliance. Delivered by fully qualified and Development Department, now teaches experienced police trainers, the programme the course as part of the Master’s degree brings a new element to the training with a in Teaching and Learning. It is accredited vigorous practical training programme and by the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), a formal assessed exam at the end of their and enthusiastic teachers have reported initial training. All new Specials are registered improved learning outcomes for dyslexic on to the Certificate in Neighbourhood pupils as a direct result of their studies. Policing, which is accredited by the University and is already used for new Police As global connectivity continues to spread, Community Support Officers (PCSOs) joining allowing the exchange of ideas and the Constabulary. information at an increasing rate, the world becomes not only much more integrated, Helping teachers to improve the life but also more culturally aware. Professor chances of children with literacy difficulties Allan Owens is embracing this change and and dyslexia is the aim of a new course. developing his MA programme to reflect

Cheshire Police Special on duty (picture courtesy of Cheshire Constabulary) Annual Review 2011

the modern trend. Via his Drama Education of the Faculty’s academic portfolio. It allows modules, he is seeking out methods of undergraduate students in the final eary teaching through drama on a global scale and of study to consider a postgraduate route ways in which they can be applied and shared in this field and enables graduates in the in partnership with universities from Spain children’s workforce, with an increasing to Palestine. For teachers interested in the focus on continuing study and professional programme, Allan believes they can interact development, to pursue these aims. The MA and work with people from all over the world, in Early Childhood also affords prospective gaining exposure to all kinds of ideas and students, from unrelated backgrounds, the methods that can be applied in UK schools. opportunity to secure their knowledge of this distinct specialism. A workshop promoting singing in primary schools in order to improve the wellbeing The Department of Midwifery and and attainment of pupils was held at the Reproductive Health has been awarded University. A Song for All Reasons was open UNICEF and World Health Organisation Baby to teaching professionals, people working Friendly Initiative (BFI) accreditation. The in music education outside schools and University is the only one in the region to Sandra West, Module Leader (left) and Andrea McLaughlin, Head of Nursing (right) with Midwifery students musicians who visit schools. Participants achieve this recognition and is just the eighth 15 gained an understanding of how to energise in the UK. The BFI works with the healthcare has been harnessed in the writing of new with morbid obesity, has been developed at children’s learning through song. This system to ensure a high standard of care nutritional guidelines for the management the University. The MSc in Clinical Bariatric included using song to raise self-esteem, in infant feeding. BFI reviewers were highly of diabetes; the delivery of public lectures Practice is run in partnership with Gravitas, support motivation for learning and add impressed with the second-year Midwifery for the Nutrition Society; pre-registration the internationally recognised experts and to the participants’ repertoire of songs for students for their knowledge, their approach training for dietitians in the North West providers of bariatric weight loss surgery. different curriculum areas. The event was to breastfeeding and clinical skills. The award (commissioned by the Strategic Health The National Bariatric Surgery Registry a taster of the Postgraduate Certificate in was made for the Neonatal Nutrition module, Authority); a portfolio of internationally (NBSR) report highlighted the effectiveness Education – Singing in the Curriculum or a enabling students to gain BFI accreditation. renowned training programmes for of bariatric surgery, such as gastric stand-alone course. professionals in the promotion and bypass procedures, in treating obesity A Master’s programme in Diabetes management of health through exercise and the chronic illnesses that accompany The Faculty of Education and Children’s Management has been developed by the and nutrition science; and undertaking new it. Remarkably, more than half of Type 2 Services has vibrant provision for Department of Clinical Sciences to help research investigating the health effects of diabetes patients treated with bariatric Continuous Professional Development, healthcare professionals support people chocolate on people with diabetes. surgery had no evidence of the disease enabling candidates to engage successfully with diabetes. The University has clinicians one year after surgery. The course has been with postgraduate level study. The and experts with considerable experience in A new innovative course, designed to designed to give primary care physicians opportunity for a focused specialism in Early helping people to cope with their condition give health professionals the skills and and allied health professionals the expertise Childhood is seen as an important element and manage it effectively. This expertise expertise to assess and manage patients needed to care for such patients. As the only provider of pre-registration Employment prospects for graduates are training in Dietetics in the North West, excellent and there are exciting career the Department of Clinical Sciences paths in acute hospitals, primary health delivers undergraduate and postgraduate care, clinical research, advocacy work and level programmes. The training is teaching, working with the media and with commissioned by the NHS North West the food and pharmaceutical industries. in response to demand for dietitians in the clinical environment. Vocational skills An extraordinary exhibition was an are assessed via live clinical examinations alternative reality for 12 Art and Design and a personal portfolio, developed during students involved in a Work Based practice placements where students record Learning placement at the Kingsway Alex Nelson’s artwork in Second Life evidence to meet professional standards Campus. Two teams of students for competence. These are supervised specialising in a range of creative of users based all over the world. The and partially sighted. The University has and assessed by practising dietitians and disciplines went global with their first project, launched by Chris Millward last validated and accredited certificates orf students also have their support throughout major art exhibition, thanks to the year, explored three main concepts – puppy walking supervisors, guide dog the course, especially during the clinical Second Life network. This is a real working successfully in groups, using trainers, breeding stock supervisors, placement. Graduates are then entitled time, online, social network where virtual space to explore artistic ideas dog care technicians and re-homing 16 to apply for Registration in Dietetics with anyone can create a character (avatar) and the notion of professional practice. officers. Tony Catt, Disability Officer at the

the Health Professions Council. and interact with an entire population The exhibition, which happened online University, says that his guide dog Kenna in real time, showcased digital replicas has been a lifeline for him, and is delighted of the students’ actual artwork, ranging by the link with Guide Dogs. fromphotography and painting to film and sculpture.

A unique three-year foundation degree course for guide dog trainers has been developed in partnership with Guide Dogs. If the trainers continue for a fourth year, they can advance to a full Bachelor of Science degree. The Canine Assistance: Client and Dog Partnership degree programme is the only one of its kind in the UK and provides an academic background to underpin the professional training that ultimately aids the blind Tony Catt with Kenna

Kerry McEvoy with her real life work Annual Review 2011 Volunteering The strong tradition of public service is a cornerstone of University life and over 600 students and staff have made a significant contribution of 17,430 volunteering hours to the wider community in this academic year.

Two volunteering schemes are managed by with a gardening challenge at the Mulberry the Student Development Team: the national Centre, a day centre for adults with learning v Scheme for students and staff aged 18-25 disabilities, where they helped to clear a years; and the UCV Scheme for students and large flowerbed of scrub and weeds. The staff aged 26 and over. Both allow volunteers theme for Student Volunteering Week in to record their hours and work towards a 2011 was ‘Inspiring futures; connecting range of certificates. The University is also communities’ and it highlighted how 17

part of the Cheshire vInvolved Team, which volunteering plays a vital role in enhancing includes the Youth Federation, Volunteer personal and professional development, and Centre Chester and CVS Cheshire East. encourages community cohesion.

Students played an active role in the Advertising students from Chester and community by participating in Volunteering Warrington successfully rebranded a England’s Student Volunteering Week. This charity set up by two Chester residents was its 10th anniversary, together with after travelling in Africa. Their brief was to the UN’s International Year of Volunteers rebadge the charity 3rd World Hope, which and the European Year of Volunteering. was founded by two friends who were The Student Development Team ran a welcomed by African residents, despite their series of events to benefit the local area. desperate poverty. Under the guidance of For example, in association with Flintshire Kate Sillitoe, Senior Lecturer, the students Countryside Service, students planted trees on the Experiential Learning in Design at Flint Castle on the Dee Estuary. They module conducted research to find out how also assisted with the Fairtrade attempt to the charity’s branding and website were break the World Record for one continuous perceived and then developed the brand to string of bunting, and the week ended take 3rd World Hope into the future.

Kate Sillitoe and Shaun Williams A group of students from Warrington and the charity. Besides the journey being a life- Hope, which runs projects with orphanages Chester set out to ‘roll out the barrel’ all altering experience, Tom and Robert aim to in Malawi. The concept of the night drew the way from Dublin to Warrington as they raise £20,000 for WaterAid – an international on inspiration from the original Full Moon recreated a fundraising event from more non-governmental organisation whose celebrations in Thailand. than 50 years ago. They collected an empty mission is to transform lives by improving barrel from the Guinness Brewery in Dublin access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation • An eclectic evening full of live music and rolled it all the way to the Warrington in the world’s poorest communities. Tom performances was held by Intrigued Events Campus. The barrel was taken through Dublin was inspired to raise money for the charity to raise money for Arthritis Research UK. The with help from the Trinity College Students’ after spending six weeks at the head office event consisted of two live bands, The Suns Union before catching the ferry across the in London working with the community and Shy and the Fight, and two acoustic Irish Sea. It was then rolled through Liverpool fundraising team. sets from Tokyo Jazz Panda and The Falls. city centre with the group taking it in turns Arthritis UK leads the fight against arthritis, a to push. Throughout the journey the group Pedalling more than 750 miles in just joint disease that affects around eight million raised money for Chester TWIN, a registered nine days, student Michael Betts raised people in the UK, and all proceeds went to charity associated with the University that £2,000 for two charities that are close to the charity. works to improve the health and wellbeing of his heart. Michael cycled from London to people across the world. Berlin with lifelong friend Fady Nassar, in Tom Riley • Enigma Events organised Collision Jazz 18 aid of the British Heart Foundation and the Nights, a special musical evening to raise

International Development Studies and NSPCC. Inspired after a similar venture • Let Us Entertain You Events staged a funds for the Genesis Breast Cancer Natural Hazard Management graduate last year, when he cycled the famous John carnival evening in the Chester Students’ Prevention Appeal. Featuring contemporary Tom Riley is pedalling a staggering 20,000 O’Groats to Land’s End route raising £2,500 Union Bar with specially selected jazz music from the 1920s blended and miles around the world on a humble push for a friend’s football coaching charity, he performances showcasing some of the best mixed with modern day pop, this created bike, to raise funds for WaterAid. Tom, who welcomed the opportunity for another dancers, acrobats, gymnasts and magicians a distinctive sound. Performers included graduated in 2011, and his friend Robert physical challenge and to use the German Chester has to offer. This event was a Jazz DJ playing on a gramophone, and a Lucas are cycling through four continents skills acquired on his course. organised to raise funds and awareness for saxophonist who ‘collided’ the two genres and 20 countries to the nationwide charity Make a Wish, which by playing pop music in a jazz style. The raise money for Groups of Events grants the wishes of children and young charity benefited from all the revenue raised. Management students set people fighting life-threatening illnesses. up their own companies and • Matchmakers Events hosted a ‘Blind organised a series of social • Chai Events hosted the ultimate midwinter Date’ evening at the Students’ Union. events to raise money beach party experience to raise funds and They hoped to make some lucky people’s for a range of worthy awareness of a human aid charity. The Full romantic dreams come true, but there causes, while gaining Moon Party: Passport to Koh Phangan, was a twist – willing contestants who valuable skills from the took place on the evening of February’s failed to win, were auctioned off for experience. full moon. All proceeds went to 3rd World a date. Blind Date raised money for

Rolling out the barrel at the Warrington Campus Annual Review 2011

the British Heart Foundation and was Wrexham. The theme for the night was performances from dancers, and projector supported by Countess of Chester Music Heroes and guests were encouraged screenings of 1920s silent films. The themed Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s to dress up as their idol. All the proceeds charity event raised money for the NSPCC Department of Sexual Health, to raise went to Claire House. which works to end cruelty to children. awareness of safe sexual health practices within the student community. • A 1940s tradition was revived by Past • Retrix Events held the first ever Rubik’s Time Events with a Tea Dance in the city’s Cube night for students to raise money for

• Big Wobbly Fish Events hosted a Couture Guildhall. A Dance Down Memory Lane Sparks, a children’s charity. Guests were Volunteers at the Cheshire MIlitary Museum Masquerade to raise money for Breakthrough was held at the Watergate Street location encouraged to dress in all six colours of Breast Cancer. The Forest House in Chester to raise money for The Royal British Legion. a Rubik’s Cube and at key points had to as part of CSV Make a Difference Day, the hosted music and dancing and masks were The building was transformed to represent swap clothing until all were in a single UK’s biggest annual day of volunteering, sold on the night. The money raised from a wartime street party and the event was colour. Prizes were awarded for the most which aimed to encourage random acts of the event helped the charity to continue to aimed at local pensioners and their families, outrageous outfit and to the quickest kindness across the country. fund ground-breaking research, campaign with all proceeds going to The Royal person to complete the puzzle. Sparks for better services and treatments, and raise British Legion, which celebrated its 90th aims to provide funding for medical Two third-year History and Archaeology awareness of breast cancer. anniversary in 2011. research for a practical and positive effect student volunteers at the Cheshire Military on children’s lives. Museum gave up their time to curate • Venus Events hosted a female inspired • Fire & Ice, which consisted of a night of two different exhibitions. Katie Stone 19 evening which celebrated women and child-like games for adults, including Pass Students baked cakes for people living in planned a display of photos depicting the everything women love, while raising the Parcel and Hook-a-Duck, was staged by some of the city’s homeless hostels. The Royal visits to the Cheshire Regiment, money for Claire House Children’s Hospice. Snowstorm Events. With a Fireman Sam student volunteers spent Saturday morning while Anna O’Neill organised another on All proceeds from the event went to the (Fire) and Pingu (Ice) theme, organisers of in the kitchen, before heading out in the memorials and memory to commemorate Wirral Hospice, which provides a service the event hoped that students would come afternoon to distribute them in hostels Remembrance Day. Through their efforts, for children and young people with life along to relive their youth for the evening linked with the charity, Chester Aid to the visitors to the Museum were able to view threatening or life-limiting conditions and and the revenue went to Children Today. Homeless (CATH). The day was organised items including photographs of Prince their families from Merseyside, Cheshire, Established in 1994, the Christleton-based Charles visiting the Cheshire Regiment North Wales and the Isle of Man. charity helps disabled children and young in West Berlin in 1978 and memorials to people up to the age of 25 to enjoy a better soldiers who lost their lives in the World • Musicians and singers fought to be quality of life through specialist equipment. Wars. The exhibitions allowed the Military crowned the winner of Battle of the Bands Museum to display some of its treasures and the event was a chance to showcase • A dazzling event, taking people on a trip normally in storage or in the archives new local musical talent. After hearing all back in time to 1920s New York, was held and focused attention on specific topics five acts, the audience decided who would in Chester by KLS Events. Guests were that coincided with important national win the top prize of a day in a recording entertained by the region’s top jazz quartet, events, such as the Royal Wedding and studio, courtesy of Aerial Studios based in the Night Train, together with cabaret Baking cakes for CATH Remembrance Day. a Communist regime at the University area through the creation of paths and the of Havana. The first-year International planting of seeds in order to encourage Development Studies and Spanish tourism. Joanna learned a great deal about student received an MCA to enable her Malaysian culture and lifestyle, and the to explore some of the topics from both whole experience has inspired her to select areas of study while visiting the country. field conservation as her career of choice. For example, Maria completed a report on the linguistic and historical aspects of Western Kenya was the location for Kay the Spanish spoken in Cuba and saw how Henderson’s Experiential Cuba delivers free health and education Learning module which to most inhabitants in advance of many gave her a once-in-a- other developing countries. However, lifetime chance she was shocked to discover an ‘inverted to help economy’, whereby hotel cleaners earn a with the higher salary than qualified professionals, work of together with the restrictions on external Colin Cooper in Nepal media which meant little outside 20 influence on inhabitants. Reflecting on

A number of students gained University United Nations document on Nepal. His the experience, Maria felt that Cuba was Mission Committee Awards (MCA) to dissertation fieldwork was carried out a country with endless possibilities that is help to fund travel overseas for work on to evaluate links between international just waiting for change. voluntary projects, conduct dissertation development and religion through research and learn from different cultures. healthcare in a rural village. Central to An MCA meant that Joanna Greenwood his trip was funding for the purchase and travelled to Borneo to see the effects of Colin Cooper, an International transport of supplies for the community deforestation at first hand. The Animal Development Studies and Theology and library in Nangi, as well as participating Behaviour and Welfare student participated Religious Studies student used an MCA to in the design and implementation of the in a MESCOT (Model Ecologically travel to Nepal. He completed a six-week new facility. The whole experience greatly Sustainable Community Tourism) project, unpaid internship at a national newspaper increased Colin’s understanding of the which aims to provide alternative sources in Nepal for his Experiential Learning region from international development of income to palm oil. Joanna participated module, conducted academic research and religious perspectives, while gaining in a series of wildlife surveys which for his dissertation and volunteered on a valuable new skills. revealed the great range of biodiversity new library project. At The Kathmandu around the Kinabatangan River and helped Post, Colin wrote a range of articles, Cuba was the destination for Maria with her identification skills. In addition, proof-read submissions and worked on a Arbones to experience student life under she assisted with the rejuvenation of the Annual Review 2011

community groups and teach in the university, while studying 60 hours of a network of churches, schools, homes Sport and Exercise Sciences student developing world. Funded by an MCA, Kay Mandarin Chinese, visiting historical for children and adults and an outreach Karl O’Connor used his MCA to teach in carried out fieldwork with the Western and local sites of interest, and attending programme for vulnerable women. Sarah a disadvantaged school in Cape Town. Region Christian Community Services lectures and seminars on Chinese Louise worked in three babies’ homes This South African placement enabled (WRCCS), which promotes economic and history, politics, and sociology. The with differing environmental and support him to work with all kinds of children social development in the region. This experience allowed Amy to enhance her needs. She visited a holding centre for while providing education, skills and annual student placement has continued learning through studying the culture and abandoned children in Kampala and met motivation for students to develop as to strengthen the partnership between the heritage of China. the social work team. Part of her funding individuals and serve their communities. University and WRCCS, which has many was allocated to secure the perimeter One of his major achievements was benefits for both organisations.Teaching A new perspective on cultural diversity was fence around the babies’ home in Gulu, to to set up a street soccer team in the in a primary and a secondary school gained by Claire Campbell, who travelled provide much needed protection. Her main school with a colleague, and their two in the developing world gave Kay the to Cambodia through Projects Abroad. An impression from the trip was that children teams came first and second in the opportunity to carry out the research for MCA allowed her to see the long-term in Uganda are not considered a high league. They also set up a girls’ soccer her dissertation, increased her confidence effects of the war on the country, such priority and the long-term effects of this team in the school for the first time in and communication skills, and has inspired as the extreme poverty experienced by lost generation have major implications for three years and this legacy of Karl’s her to seek a career in teaching. most inhabitants, poor infrastructure and the future of this developing country. placement is still flourishing. the people maimed by mines from the The Study China Programme was Khmer Rouge era. Her experience revealed 21

selected by English graduate Amy how difficult volunteering in a developing Winters to gain an insight into country can be, primarily because it is university life in a completely hard to understand poverty and tragedy, different culture and was without having experienced it to such a facilitated by an MCA. The level. Despite other difficulties, such as Programme, run by the the language barrier and lack of resources, Chinese Embassy and Claire came away from the experience the University of having decided on her dissertation topic, Manchester, invites knowing that she would like to help people students from through counselling, and having learnt across the UK more than she could have imagined. to stay at a Chinese Sarah Louise Lewis travelled to Uganda as a result of her MCA and worked with Watoto, a Christian organisation that works with individuals to rebuild their lives and provide them with skills. Watoto has Karl O’Connor

Sarah Louise Lewis in Uganda Students showed their support for children the Walls’ in aid of the charity Guide Dogs. organisations at the 2010 Volunteer and Job across the globe by donating to Operation Four students organised the event after Shop Fair. This event was organised jointly Christmas Child. Those at the Chester the Chester Guide Dogs fundraising branch by Careers and Employability and Student and Warrington Campuses filled over 150 approached the University appealing Development and 29 local organisations from shoeboxes with help from the Students’ for volunteers to help with fundraising. the paid and voluntary sectors attended. Union, the University’s clubs and societies, The event was part of the national Go Students were able to access information women’s football team and staff. Operation Walkies for Guide Dogs appeal and every on the many options open to them and the

Christmas Child is the largest children’s participant received a free goody bag ‘Paws on the Walls’ chance to discuss their futures face-to-face Christmas project in the world, run by the filled with a certificate and treats for their proved beneficial to all concerned. charity Samaritan’s Purse and the gifts are canine companions. Despite the rain, many sent to orphans and vulnerable children participants turned up with their beloved community and the freezing cold meant that The Flintshire Coastal Conservation living in difficult circumstances. dogs to walk the City Walls and raise funds participants experienced how the homeless programme was undertaken as a for the charity. are forced to cope in all weathers, while collaboration between the Student Four animal-loving students encouraged supporting the charity. Development Team and Flintshire County dog owners and their pets to ‘Paws on A group of dedicated student volunteers Council’s Countryside Service. This enabled braved sub-zero temperatures to sleep The Garden Quarter Association, together a total of 25 volunteers to take part in seven outside to raise money for a local charity for with the Surestart Victoria Children’s Centre activities throughout the academic year, 22 the homeless. Protected only by cardboard and the University, provided an array of with 10 volunteers completing three or

boxes and bin bags, the group raised activities for local residents on the Chester more events. Activities ranged from scrub more than £500 for Chester Campus. The Garden Quarter/Garden Lane clearance and fire maintenance at Talacre, to Aid to the Homeless Sports Day included a football tournament tree planting and path surfacing at various (CATH) as part of of mixed six-a-side football matches on the sites on the All Wales Coastal Path. Two of the Big Sleep University’s all-weather pitch and volunteers the most popular events involved surveying Out. The CATH from the Students’ Union and Student and creating habitats for the only Natterjack sponsored Development helped to make the day a toad population in Wales. Sleep Out success. Children’s activities in the Sports involves the Hall included face-painting, parachute whole games and beanbag races and some of the equipment was loaned by Chester Bluecoat Primary School.

Students were provided with the opportunity to meet representatives from both volunteer and private Flintshire Coastal Conservation programme

Operation Christmas Child donations Annual Review 2011

The trials and tribulations that faced young to take part in the sport. The winner of the stalls. The event raised a grand total of women over the last century were the focus Business Connection Award was Mark £400 and surplus clothes were donated to of a project produced by a group of keen Gleave, a dedicated volunteer at community Cancer Research. film makers from theWarrington Campus. interest company Healthbox, which aims A group of five TV Production students to improve the health and wellbeing of As 2011 was the European Year of volunteered to produce the film orf Chester people through educational and practical Volunteering, students and staff were Women’s Aid, a local charity, whose aim is programmes. Mark was also instrumental rewarded at a special award ceremony for to raise awareness of issues surrounding Volunteer Showcase and Celebration Evening in securing a Lottery bid of almost £10,000 going above and beyond the call of duty. domestic abuse against women and for Healthbox to benefit Chester residents. The Volunteer Showcase and Celebration children. They produced a film documenting International Mentor welcoming students at Evening, organised by the Student how women’s lives had changed over the the airport, accompanying them on trips and A group of fashionistas led by Joy Spencer, Development Team (part of Student past century. A special screening of the film helping them to feel welcome on campus. a researcher from the Faculty of Health Support and Guidance), saw student and took place in front of 200 guests who were Emma Price volunteers as a session leader and Social Care, urged people to clear out staff volunteers honoured by the Lord invited to the International Women’s Day at St John Ambulance Young Carers. their closets for Children With Leukaemia Mayor of Chester. In addition to the main event by Chester Women’s Aid. She developed and facilitated the Jazz X and received support from Granada TV awards, four students were honoured with Project which delivered dance sessions in the process. The aim was to exchange Volunteering England Gold Awards. These A remarkable group of students was to young carers, helping them to exercise unwanted clothing while raising money prestigious national awards are given in honoured for its achievements at the and socialise. James Down has given over for charity. Having read about the success recognition of outstanding service to the 23 annual Valedictory Service and Prizegiving. 400 hours to volunteering. He worked as a of the last two Frock Exchanges, the community through Leadership, Dedication Andrew Bell, Emma Price, James Down Student Ambassador and took on the role production crew behind Granada’s ITV and Achievement in volunteering. and Felicity Arman each received a of ‘Viral Man’, where he spent a week in Fixers helped to fund merchandising and University of Chester Volunteer Excellence costume raising awareness among students filmed the evening. There was also an Award for their commitment to the of the Swine Flu pandemic. He also set up auction, a raffle and hair and beauty local community. Andrew is a dedicated the Criminology Society to provide a student network and volunteered as a mentor at the Cheshire Area National Probation Service. “Volunteering has made Captain of the Women’s Badminton Club, Felicity Arman has been involved in many me think about what fundraising events for her club and charity, is going on in the including Chester Aid to the Homeless Big Sleep Out, stewarding the Chester Run and world, and this stays bag packing in local supermarkets. She has with me every day.” also been working alongside Badminton Emma Chandler, International Development Studies England as part of their North West and Sociology student, Volunteer for ChildLine Forum to encourage other young people

Frock Exchange she also set up the Gift of Life campaign to encourage people to sign the Organ Donor register.

The children and staff at the Nursery on the Warrington Campus used their green fingers to raise money for charity. Each participant planted a daffodil bulb and took their plant home to look after as part of the Marie Curie Cancer Care Mini Pots of Care fundraising event. Once grown, they brought back their daffodils and their sponsor money, which amounted to an impressive total of £350.

A staff member from the Fitness Suite at Kirsty Ashton receiving her award from Keith Lemon the Warrington Campus took part in a 24- Nursery fundraisers among a host of daffodils 24 hour cycling marathon to raise money and

An inspirational young woman, who awareness for his close friend who suffers has spent her whole life fundraising from a rare, debilitating condition. Tom Student David Heath gained funding Football Club’s Exacta Stadium proved for charity while battling with her own Sherrington decided to take part in the to open a Community Cinema in the to be a resounding success. Hostel debilitating illness, has won a national challenge after his friend Hayley Watson Garden Quarter. This area, which has a residents received 12 weekly training accolade. Kirsty Ashton, who studied at was affected with Guillain-Barré Syndrome high proportion of students, benefited sessions at Northgate Arena prior to the Warrington Campus, beat off fierce following an allergic reaction to an injection from a series of screenings, attracting a the tournament to improve fitness competition to win The Spirit Award at before an African trip. Cycling for a whole wide and varied audience. The project has and skills and this was delivered by the glittering National vInspired Awards 24 hours, Tom pedalled in relay with his given David a deeper understanding of student volunteer, Darragh which took place at the IndigO2 arena friend John Gartland, to raise over £2,000 the cultural impact of cinema, experience O’Callaghan. Competing were in London. This was in recognition for for the Guillain-Barré Syndrome Support of community outreach and the teams from Cheshire West the time and effort she has devoted to Group which helps to fund research and opportunity to meet people of all ages and Chester Council, Cheshire raising £83,000 for the charity When You provides support. and backgrounds. Constabulary, Supporting People, Wish Upon a Star that sends children to Stonham Housing, Chester Aid to the visit Lapland. She underwent a kidney Many local causes have benefited Supported by a Community Project Grant Homeless (CATH) and NACRO. The transplant operation in October 2008, from the assistance provided through and with training from a University event was jointly organised by the following more than three years of dialysis the University’s Community Project volunteer, a community seven-a-side Council’s Adult Social Care and Health and while on the transplant waiting list, Grants scheme. football tournament held at Chester Department, Chester Voluntary Action, Annual Review 2011

“I felt the tournament was a great Mike Jenkinson from Student Support and create a buffet for the University’s annual Guidance was awarded funding from the Volunteer Showcase and Celebration opportunity to interact with people who Community Project Grants scheme for two event, to demonstrate and publicise have had a less privileged lifestyle than me initiatives at Greenbank Residential School, its work, while gaining experience of near Northwich. The first was the purchase managing a catering operation. and I had a great sense of achievement of equipment for the Autism Awareness when they made progress.” Film Project which aims to enable autistic The Chester Go-Ride Cycling Club young people to create a film about living received funding to allow children to Darragh O’Callaghan with the condition. The second was a experience professional track cycling continuation of funding for the allotment for the first time. Lucy Clough, Clerical CATH, Stonham Housing and the was welcomed by all participating hostel garden. The garden was completed and Assistant from the Department of University and the main funding came residents and the Supporting People team planted by the end of June 2011 and is English, has been a club coach for the from Cheshire West and Chester Council’s were the overall winners of The Stonham now an integral part of the school. Mike last two years and secured a Community Enabling Community Empowerment Housing Barry Whitham Cup. felt that the project had given him a chance Project Grant for children in the Chester Fund. The opportunity to improve fitness to give something back to the community area to cycle at the Manchester and be involved in a community initiative After safety equipment was installed and his highlights were the creation of a Velodrome, as part of the Club’s mission at Ellesmere Port Gymnastics Centre , new school resource and the enjoyment of to improve bike skills and road safety for thanks to aCommunity Project Grant, the children. juniors. Lucy reported that the trips have 25

former student Jody Bell has seen the been such a success that some children club continue to go from strength to CookSmart, run by Nastaran Sepanj, a are now regulars at the Velodrome. strength. The membership trebled within Nutrition and Dietetics student, received a year to around 200 and there are a support from a Community Project Grant The th ird annual Blackberry Fair further 60 free runners and 20 adult to cover the costs of food and recipes. in Whitchurch benefited from the members. The new equipment has led The project consisted of a series of Community Project Grant scheme directly to competition success, with two cookery lessons with Chester Youth Club, and through the involvement of Sarah club gymnasts in the top six in Cheshire in which young people gained knowledge Vaughan. Sarah, Volunteer Systems and Merseyside, who have also gained of food and health and confidence in Co-ordinator in Student Support and selection for the North West grades finals. cooking, while Nastaran gained practical Guidance, used the funding to set up a Jody cites personal development and the skills for her course. She was also community Fairtrade shop, to purchase art opportunity to pass on her skills as her responsible for securing further funding materials and provide an apple pressing main motivation for involvement, while from the scheme for the Good Grub demonstration. This allowed Sarah to hone the community (which has a high level Club. This group of student volunteers her event organisation skills and brought of childhood obesity) benefits from the devises and runs cookery sessions with the community of Whitchurch together chance for members to enjoy the exercise clients at Chester Aid to the Homeless to provide entertainment and promoted Darragh O’Callahgan (centre) with fellow student helpers and discipline offered by gymnastics. (CATH). The Club was also invited to Fairtrade and tourism for the town. Employability

The success of Chester students in finding graduate level work is testament to the 20-year history of the Work Based Learning programme, new initiatives to help students find work and the provision of courses that meet the needs of employers.

Left to right: Professor Chris Pyke, Jason Lloyd, and Mark Reidford from Innes Reid Investments Ltd and Paul Daniels, thebestofchester Annual Review 2011

Chester has been named as the highest designed to give Chester students the degree, which gave him the foundation ranking university in the North West for edge in the graduate job market; the online for a career in financial services. During graduate employability. The latest Unistats ‘Job Shop’ advertising over 800 vacancies his course, Jason secured a placement figures reveal that the percentage of this year; customised, expert one-to- at Innes Reid thanks to working with graduates in graduate level employment one support from experienced Careers thebestofchester to set up work placements. after completing their programme of study Consultants; and the unique ‘Graduate Jason impressed Innes Reid so much that from the University is an impressive 81%. Head Start’ programme which equips the company offered him the role of Trainee This is an increase on the 78% achieved in graduates living in the region with skills to Paraplanner on the completion of his degree. the previous year which saw the University find appropriate employment. achieve a shared top ranking place in the Andrew Fitzgerald, a Computer Science region. The figures also show that 21 During May and June, over 900 second-year student, was offered further work courses at the University have the leading students across all faculties successfully following his placement with Bradbury employability figures in the region for their completed a placement as part of the Fields, an organisation that provides Victoria Howell subject specialism. These include Biological Work Based Learning (WBL) module. The services to visually impaired people living Sciences, Fine Art, Marketing, Social Work, University works with 1,600 local, regional, in the Merseyside area. He was able to future. Victoria Howell, a Journalism and Languages and Law. national and international organisations, apply the web development techniques TV Production student at the Warrington including charities, schools, the public and e-commerce from his studies to the Campus found two positions that tied The HESA (Higher Education Statistics sector, corporate business and SMEs to workplace and found that the experience in with her studies and split her WBL 27

Agency) figures replicate this success with provide opportunities for work experience. influenced his career choice. placement between Salford Online, a 93% of the University’s degree students This programme, developed over the free community website dedicated to securing employment or further study after last 20 years, allows students to develop For Natasha Nicholson, a Business providing news for local residents, and the graduating, an increase from 91.2% the transferable skills, while exploring potential Studies student, her placement in the Manchester Evening News. previous year. A series of new initiatives by career options and making a significant HR department of Lexon UK, one of the the Careers and Employability Department contribution to the organisation. The leading pharmaceutical distributors in A TV and Radio Production student took has resulted in increased student strong relationship with the local business the UK, exceeded her expectations. She full advantage of a WBL placement by employability and benefits to the University’s community ensures that quality placements utilised skills from her degree course, turning it into her own show on Radio employer partners. These include: UniJob, are offered and the WBL module gives gaining a much greater understanding Warrington, an online community radio an on-campus student employment initiative Chester students a guarantee of at least five of how a business works, especially in station. On her first day, Amy Powell was which advertises paid positions within the weeks’ relevant experience in the workplace. human resources, and was subsequently interviewed live on air about university University exclusively to its students, with offered temporary employment with the life and subsequently designed a whole over 200 campus-based jobs offered to A recent graduate has secured a job at potential for a graduate position. radio programme for broadcast. Amy was students since the start of the project; the a leading Chester firm of Independent asked to give reasons why she was better Enhance your Employability programme Financial Advisers after making a positive A small work placement at a big than any other placement student and so of more than 30 employability workshops; impression during his work placement. Jason newspaper helped a student gain an impressed were they with her response, a series of Recession-Buster workshops Lloyd studied for a Business Management idea of how she would like to shape her that she was offered her own slot. modules of her course in Chester. EUFIC professional skills and experience. Over aims to raise consumers’ understanding four days, they learn how to market and awareness of choosing a well- themselves effectively and how to identify balanced and healthy diet and Magdalena their personal and workplace skills and was actively involved in a number of its best practice. They also receive one-to-one projects. She carried out a review on guidance from a Careers Consultant, can consumers’ reactions towards nutrition undertake a developmental project during a and health claims (which has been five-week placement with a local employer, accepted in a Nutrition Society journal), sit the internationally recognised European prepared presentations for international Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) Sian Hibbert (centre) with the BBC News team (picture courtesy of the BBC) conferences, went to Istanbul for the qualification or build an employability European Congress on Obesity, where portfolio, which gains 20 credits towards a Preparing for coverage of the Liberal spending a week on the BBC Radio 1 she interviewed the main speakers for Master’s degree. More then 300 graduates Democrat and Labour party debate was Breakfast Show. Second-year Radio EUFIC’s podcast, and supported several have benefited from the scheme so far, just some of the work for two students Production with TV Production student tasks for the FLABEL (Food Labelling with over 75% progressing into graduate after winning a much sought after Sophie Pritchard beat fierce competition to Advance Better Education for Life) employment after the programme. internship with the BBC News team from other aspiring DJs and producers to project. Magdalena felt that the experience 28 in Manchester. Matthew Lambert and earn a week of work experience with Chris exceeded her expectations and she After working in a number of voluntary and

Sian Hibbert, who both study Politics and the team. Sophie, from the Warrington now works as a Community Health temporary roles, Adam Linfield decided and History, were chosen to work with Campus, attended the Bangor masterclass, Ambassador at Age Concern in Liverpool, to participate in the GHS programme and the BBC North West news team after run by the station during its Big Weekend organising community health events and impressing a judging panel with an essay event, where she was given the chance to other health and wellbeing activities. on a talk given by its Political Editor, Arif prove her production skills. As part of her Ansari, at the University. Matthew’s placement she spent time with The Chris The ground-breaking Graduate internship saw him shadowing the North Moyles Show team, including Warrington Head Start (GHS) programme is West Tonight and the Politics Show graduate Dave Vitty or ‘Comedy Dave’. available free of charge to those who production teams and this allowed him have studied at Chester and other to chart the development of a story A six-month placement at the European graduates who have returned to to broadcast. Similarly, Sian’s valuable Food Information Council (EUFIC) the area. This venture targets experience in the newsroom has led to her enabled a Weight Management Master’s recent graduates, who considering a career in journalism. student to experience working life are currently unemployed in a busy international environment. or underemployed, and He has millions of listeners across the UK, Magdalena Kolka worked as a Nutrition those seeking professional but one student in particular was intently Communications intern in Brussels, while development at work tuning in to Chris Moyles in preparation for flying back regularly to complete the by helping them to gain

Adam Linfield (left) with Graduate Head Start and Clatterbridge Cancer Research staff Annual Review 2011

gain experience within the charity sector. International Travel Connection, Darland the University. Based in the Informatics Following a successful placement, Adam, High School, Upton-by-Chester High Centre, the icCreate team, of which who graduated with an MA in Social School, Wirral Metropolitan Borough Andrew is a part, designs, builds and Anthropology in 2006 from the University Council and Atkinson Accounts. implements creative and functional of Aberdeen, was offered a permanent role websites and applications for a variety of with his placement provider, Clatterbridge A talented Fine Art graduate, Kerry businesses across the North West. Some Cancer Research. Judson, triumphed in the national ‘If We of these projects are then used as case Can You Can’ challenge after weeks of study material for the Computer Science Tim Wilderspin graduated from the rigorous judging and public voting. She and Information Systems degrees, which University of Exeter in 2010 with a BSc was inspired to create her own clothing ensures that industry experience in Renewable Energy and a strong brand called ‘Style It Rich’ through her and business requirements background in renewable energy own passion for fashion and art. The are included in students’ technologies. As he lives in the North brand has received considerable interest learning. West, he was able to take part in the and positive feedback from high street GHS programme and completed a five- retailers and clothing agents. All week placement in the PV Accelerator at Kerry’s designs are in production Tata Steel in Shotton (formerly Corus). Kerry Judson and she is currently working on Following this placement, Tim was offered establishing a secure online site a six-month contract with the organisation regaining confidence in the workplace and and a series of fashion shows and is now a permanent employee. the opportunity to update my skills. The around the UK. placement element of the programme A mother, who was looking to return was particularly valuable as it allowed me A graduate has applied his to work after a career break, praised to increase my confidence. I would urge expertise to help new students the University’s GHS Team for other mums and dads in my situation to to access the latest news, helping her on the path back to a attend the programme.” events and information from successful career. As part of the Chester Students’ Union programme, Lisa Rowe was An event to showcase the opportunities (CSU). Andrew Muncey placed within the Faculty available to benefit both graduates developed the new Chester of Business, Enterprise and local businesses through the GHS Students’ Union iPhone app, and Lifelong Learning programme was held at the University. the launch of which coincided as Web Co-ordinator. Employers from across the North West, with the unveiling of icCreate, She said: “I found the who have offered placements, were invited a web and app development GHS programme to be to hear graduate participants share their venture that combines the IT extremely beneficial as stories on how it had benefited them. skills of students, academic it gave me tips towards Guests included Chester Renaissance, staff and IT professionals from

Celebrating the Students’ Union iPhone app launch “I am completely overwhelmed and so very grateful for all of the backing and support I’ve been offered. The whole experience of this competition has provided me with invaluable learning that will serve me well and allow me to get my business up and running.” Amy Broadbent, Santander Enterprise Challenge Winner

‘Dragons’ were: John Newton-Jones, the growth of local SMEs (Small and Principal Founder and Managing Director Medium sized Enterprises) and to provide of the Snowdonia Cheese Company; student experiential learning for a career Andrew Donaldson, a partner in BiG in marketing. Chris Millward came up Storage; and Kirsty Craig, Managing with an innovative care product and the The Hot Room Director of Kirsty Craig Associates. The generous Dragons doubled the prize 30 winner was Amy Broadbent, a Business money for them both. The winner gained

Skills and talents of recent graduates, Manager for the Creative Industries, and French student and the runner-up access to the incubation facilities at the current students and staff have been have been working closely with a mix was Chris Millward, who is studying for Riverside Innovation Centre and both harnessed for an innovative business on of graduates and students on projects an MA in Teaching and Learning. Amy’s winner and runner-up are being closely the Warrington Campus. The Hot Room for businesses. The Hot Room is run as idea is a social enterprise to support mentored by Kirsty Craig. brings together the creative genres of a commercial operation, with the best events management, public relations, students selected for each particular job. advertising, video, radio, television, graphic design and commercial music The finalists for the first University production under one roof. Providing all of Chester Enterprise Challenge had the specialisms a large agency can offer, the opportunity to win £500 for their it gives students the chance to work business idea, which had to demonstrate on projects for clients, which leads to creativity and innovation, as well as material for their portfolios, some income practical thinking. It was open to all and experience of meeting deadlines registered University students and the and hitting targets. Kate Sillitoe, Senior short-listed candidates pitched to three Lecturer in Visual Communication and business gurus who were looking for Digital Design, and Mick Farr, Project a spark of entrepreneurial talent. The Finalists, University staff and Dragons from the Santander Enterprise Challenge “I would encourage all students to get fully involved in Case Study University life, whether it’s societies, departmental events or volunteering. It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back to the Jenni Moss University. You have so much fun along the way, and gain skills vital for your future careers.”

The driving force behind the success of the University’s and the ways in which simple interventions, such as People and Planet Society is Jenni Moss, who has worming tablets, immunisation and advice on healthy been its crusading Chairperson over the past year. This eating, can improve the nation’s health. Jenni conducted influential forum is part of the largest student network research there for her third-year dissertation on in Britain, campaigning to end world poverty, defend vegetable consumption in a female student population human rights and protect the environment. Chester’s and received recognition for this work with a Denis activities have included raising over £2,500 for the Burkitt Study Award. She described the trip as “the most Pakistan Earthquake Appeal, creating an allotment from incredible experience” and would like to undertake more waste land, participating in community clean-ups and research on international food issues, especially on food Jenni fundraising for earthquake casualties initiating a vegetable bag scheme. security and climate change. 31

Chester was the university of choice for Jenni when Back in Chester, Jenni has been a mature student she decided to enter higher education at the age of 24. mentor, a student ambassador for open days and a Despite her South Wales roots and employment history, learning facilitator on the Aimhigher summer schools spanning the service industry and office work in the for school children. However, it is the People and UK and abroad, she opted to move to the city in order Planet Society which is closest to her heart and she has to enter a more caring profession. She is now in the galvanised members to achieve an impressive range third year of her Human Nutrition course and has loved of activities all contributing to the aims of the parent student life and the chance to study in the Department organisation. The innovative Veg Out scheme, supplying of Clinical Sciences, which she describes as “friendly, affordable, seasonal vegetables to the University supportive and excellent”. community and beyond, has earned Jenni a national Jenni has put her nutritional skills to good use on her award from People and Planet for the ‘Most Inspiring recent experiential learning module in Ghana, where Going Greener Project’. This accolade, together with her she worked in a number of hospitals and clinics through vInspired Gold Award, Students’ Union Society Person of Paulus Djoletoe at the School of Hygiene in Accra and the Year and Ede and Ravenscroft Award for Excellence Chester’s Dr Basma Ellahi. Living in the community and Outside Academia, underlines Jenni’s passion for helping working with Ghanaians gave her a unique insight into other people, which she hopes to build upon in the future Chris Brooks presenting Jenni’s Ede and Ravenscroft Award the health problems faced by this developing country with nutritional work in the North West and overseas. Professor Claire Griffiths at the Francophone Africa colloquium

32

The pursuit of excellence and innovation

We seek continuous innovation and improvement and constantly aim to secure the highest standards and quality in our learning and teaching and the creation and application of new knowledge. Annual Review 2011

English cathedrals: Canterbury; Chester; Literary representations of material Research Durham; Exeter; and St Albans. It culture in the 19th century are the focus provides a fully funded PhD studentship of research by Professor Deborah for a Chester student. Wynne of the Department of English. The University’s research profile plays a Victorian literature contains many Professor David Clough from the detailed descriptions of objects, from fundamental role in its internal and external Department of Theology and Religious furniture to ornaments, and her research Studies has been researching the demonstrates that Victorian novelists activities. The specialist knowledge and expertise implications of traditions of Christian depict humans as having complex, often thought for relationships with non-human emotional, relationships with things. fostered within the institution continues to animals and is completing the first volume Professor Wynne received a grant from underpin the link between research, knowledge of his monograph On Animals: Vol. I – the Arts and Humanities Research Systematic Theology. Since few have Council to complete her book, Women transfer and business services. previously considered where animals and Personal Property in the Victorian belong in Christian theology, there is a Novel, which examines how the works great deal of unexplored territory and of Charles Dickens, Henry James and The Centre for Work Related Studies is of delivering work based learning; co- much to learn. Professor Clough argues George Eliot represent women’s complex, the focal point of the University’s work delivery with employers and accreditation; that Christians have particular faith-based often legally problematic, relationships to 33 based activities with students, business how universities can work with business reasons for being concerned about fellow the material world. She is now exploring and the community. The Centre offers organisations to facilitate employer animal creatures, who are co-subjects of representations of textiles in a book education and training opportunities for engagement in higher education; and God’s creative and redemptive purposes. called Literary Fabrics: Texts, Textiles a wide range of individual and group practitioner based research. He will explore the ethical implications and Costume Dramas that will help learning and development needs, of this theological perspective in the readers to understand that clothes and and provides advice and consultancy Professor Howard Williams from the second volume of the work, discussing cloth, far from being trivial, are central to businesses and organisations. Its Department of History and Archaeology Christian attitudes to factory farming, to understanding human life and key academics are active in developing and has been awarded a £200,000 experimenting on animals and using components in cultural representation. sharing innovative workplace learning Leverhulme Trust research grant to animals for human entertainment. He practices through international conference explore memorials in five English was invited to give a keynote paper at The research interests of Professor presentations and a range of publications. cathedrals. This is a joint project with the conference Christian Ethics Engages Chris Baker from the Department of Research areas include: the nature of Philip Schwyzer, Professor in Renaissance Peter Singer at the University of Oxford; Mathematics include the ways in which reflective learning; hangingc power Literature at the University of Exeter, serves on the Steering Group of the mathematicians can assist scientists to relations between tutors and other entitled ‘Speaking with the Dead: Animals and Religion Consultation of the understand evolutionary systems through stakeholders; formative assessment as a Histories of Memory in English Sacred American Academy of Religion and was the development of mathematical models teaching and learning aid; the delivery of Space’. This interdisciplinary project is awarded The Farm Forward Grant for based on dynamical systems, and the flexible learning in new fields; the practice investigating commemoration in five Excellence in Research and Teaching. study of stability and instability, oscillations, chaotic behaviour, and catastrophes. (French-speaking) African studies at the in a separatist rebellion in 1982. His misuse services. Professor Helen Cooper, Explosion, oscillation and extinction University involving the Departments of most recent project, funded by the from the Department of Community and represent three alternative scenarios Modern Languages and Geography and British Academy, concerns the complex Child Health, received a grant from the that can be encountered in population Development Studies. The University dynamics of post-conflict recovery in National Institute of Health Research dynamics and Professor Baker’s research is now developing a higher national areas of Casamance along the Guinea- (NIHR) to support further work on the encompasses how ‘best’ to model certain and international profile in this area of Bissau border. Dr Evans is also working Adolescent Needs Assessment Tool. evolutionary phenomena; methods scholarship through the memberships and with external colleagues and with Dr Professor Elizabeth Mason-Whitehead for discrimination between discrete or external activities of the researchers in David Perfect, Visiting Research Associate gained funding from Stockport Council to continuous and between deterministic or the Francophone Africa Research Group. at Chester, on the involvement of The evaluate four Stockport schools running stochastic models; and the discovery of One such member is Dr Martin Evans, Gambia in the conflict. programmes for young people, with a methods for the reliable computation of from the Department of Geography strong emphasis on teenage pregnancy. predicted outcomes (or the identification and Development Studies, who has Professor Elizabeth Harlow from the A collaborative research study is being of unpredictability). concentrated his research on the Department of Social Work conducted carried out by June Keeling, Senior Casamance region in southern Senegal. research for the Children’s Workforce Lecturer, Department of Pre-registration Cross-faculty collaboration has been This is the scene of West Africa’s longest- Development Council in collaboration Nursing, and Colleen Fisher (University established around Francophone running civil conflict, which originated with Professor Nicky Stanley from the of Western Australia) on the topic of University of Central Lancashire and Dr domestic violence in midlife women in 34 Gordon Blunt, an independent consultant. Australia and the United Kingdom.

The project, entitled ‘Evaluating the Children’s Workforce Development The preliminary findings of a pioneering Council’s Support to Front Line Managers’, study using Global Positioning System is now available online. She is also (GPS) technology to investigate the working on a three-year contract on demands on players in elite rugby were ‘Assessing Applicants for the Position unveiled at the 2011 Annual Professional of Advanced Social Work Practitioner’, Rugby Conference at Twickenham by funded by Formation and Social Care Can Dr Paul Worsfold, Senior Lecturer in Do Partners, on behalf of the Children’s Sports and Exercise Sciences, and PhD Workforce Development Council. student Nicola Cahill. Nicola’s research on the demands of training and playing David Coyle, Senior Lecturer in the in elite rugby union was commissioned Department of Mental Health and by the Rugby Football Union on the Learning Disability, is carrying out an recommendation of the Professional Game evaluation project in east Manchester Board and part-sponsored by the English focusing on the impact of individual Institute of Sport. Researchers collected Dr Martin Evans in Senegal budgets on people using substance 304 sets of data from 54 Aviva Premiership Annual Review 2011

As a developing sport, handball in England has received very limited support from a sports science perspective. Sam Moss is addressing this through a collaborative project with England Handball, following her first two degrees at Loughborough University and Chester. The relationship between the University and the England Handball Association allows students to gain experience in physiology, nutrition, strength and conditioning and performance The U19 Men’s England Handball team with Sam Moss (kneeling right) at the U19 European Championships in Sweden analysis. Sam provides a support system for coaches and players, while university in facilitating and consolidating in Clinical and Forensic Psychology completing a PhD on the physiological all aspects of young people’s leisure lives. before conducting research on a pilot demands of elite handball competition. Diaries are being used to collect data about risk management project aimed at young She is investigating how the demands the ‘spare-time activities’ for students offenders. Robert was then employed by GPS device being fitted of competition cause fatigue in national living on campus while studying, and Merseycare Primary Care Trust to conduct handball players and its impact on player those who commute into the University. an evidence-based practice evaluation 35

Rugby matches involving eight leading performance and recovery. Sam has Residential students have a distinct of a risk management policy for the clubs in the 2010-11 season. Bath Rugby, attended international training camps and experience from those who travel in, management of sex and violent offenders. Exeter Chiefs, Harlequins, Leicester Tigers, the U19 Men’s European Championships and the main aim is to examine how this His current PhD project is examining London Irish, London Wasps, Northampton and presented preliminary findings at a plays out in their leisure lives. Lee’s MSc the experiences of individuals involved Saints and Sale Sharks players wore GPS national conference. The aim of her PhD research showed differences in alcohol in deviant youth groups in Liverpool and units to provide a range of information for is to use the research to improve playing consumption patterns between residential those in the same areas who do not the study. The results showed significant and coaching practice, to enhance the and commuting students and the aim of join such groups. His work addresses differences between six positional groups performance of England Handball teams this further study is to look at the relevance what factors contribute to making such in terms of time on pitch, total distance and produce players of the future. of different influences such as friendship abstainers different and how these can covered, distance covered at low and high networks, types of accommodation, socio- be developed into social policy aimed speed runs, and maximum and average A collaboration between Alcohol Research economic backgrounds and how these and at engaging offenders and developing speeds. The aims of the study are to UK (formerly AERC) and the University other social influences are interdependent. pathway programmes in excluded focus on the use of GPS in training and has resulted in a PhD project for Lee communities. Robert is also a Visiting game performance to establish positional Wilson. Lee is using skills from his first Robert Hesketh is studying for a PhD co- Lecturer in Understanding Criminology. demands, to identify potential injury risk, two degrees in Psychology and Research sponsored by Merseyside Police and the and to monitor relationships between Methods to undertake a sociological University, having completed two Master’s Having won her PhD place and funding training, competition and fatigue. analysis of the significance of residing at degrees and a Postgraduate Certificate (jointly sponsored by Thompson Cox Partnership and the University) through during the period AD 400-1100 and how psychosocial needs in patients with using the Wirral Diabetes Database. a national competition, Joanne Kirton is this relationship may have transformed in haematological cancer. He has also been This study will enable Chukwuemeka furthering her knowledge of early medieval the post-early medieval period. In addition collaborating with the Clatterbridge Cancer to acquire the necessary skills and stone sculpture by carrying out research in to her PhD research, Joanne is involved in Centre NHS Foundation Trust and Queen’s knowledge to help in the development of the North West. Building upon her first two a number of fieldwork projects, including University Belfast to explore acceptance Nigeria’s healthcare service programmes degrees at Durham University, Joanne is re- Northumberland’s Bamburgh Research and positive adjustment in cancer patients. and especially in the management of characterising the region’s sculpture through Project and Project Eliseg in Llangollen, chronic illness. Ultimately, he would like the contextualisation of these monuments Denbighshire, lectures in the Department of Drs Jacquie Don, Michelle Tytherleigh to pass on his international experience within their landscape settings. This research History and Archaeology and has appeared and Liz Whelen conducted a study and skills to the younger generation of considers sculpture as a monument, which on both Time Team and The One Show. exploring obstacles to engagement with Nigerian medical scholars. is actively involved in the formation and the Healthy Home Tutors and Healthy transformation of human relationships, A Gladstone Fellowship, in association Families Initiative, part of the ‘Way of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation developing a biography of its own and with Cheshire Safer Roads Partnership, Life’ Programme running in Conwy, North Trust is the joint partner for a Gladstone actively altering the place in which it resides. has enabled Richard Warren to undertake Wales. Dr Julian Lloyd is conducting Fellowship enabling Heather Flett It is hoped that the project will illuminate PhD research into ‘The Social and Familial research as part of the International Father to conduct research on adolescents how monuments were used and perceived Context of the Older Motorcyclist: Acceptance-Rejection Project which is dependent on long-term invasive A Qualitative Understanding of the an international study (affiliated with the ventilation (LTV) as they progress from 36 Perception of Motorcycling Risk and Center for Interpersonal Acceptance and paediatric to adult health care in hospital

Protection and the Impact of Injury on the Rejection at the University of Connecticut), and the community. After graduating as an Lives of Family Members and Friends’. designed to assess the effects of Adult Degree Nurse, Heather worked as a A graduate of the University of Liverpool perceived father involvement and parental Nurse in Primary Care, until she completed Applied Social Science course, Richard power-prestige on relationships. her Specialist Public Health Nursing (Health has worked for the private sector and for Visiting) Master’s degree at Chester. Cheshire Probation Service supporting Another Gladstone Fellowship has allowed She opted to carry out PhD research in offenders on initiatives such as ‘Think Chukwuemeka Nwaneri to conduct this subject area because of her primary First’. He is using a range of research research into Type 2 Diabetes at the and secondary care experience, multi- methods to gain a greater insight into University and Wirral University Teaching disciplinary working and vulnerable groups. how older motorcyclists perceive risk and Hospital Foundation Trust at Arrowe Park. Through ethnographic methods, she will the effects of accidental injuries on the A Nigerian medical graduate and physician, be interviewing, observing and reviewing wider community. he previously carried out research on all involved in the care of these patients the EU-FP 7 project on Global Health at and hopes to gain a deeper understanding Dr Nick Hulbert-Williams received a Trinity College Dublin. His doctoral project of effective transition processes for young Gladstone PhD Fellowship (funded by has provided the opportunity to examine people (with complex neurodisability and the University and the Countess of factors that influence or contribute to dependent on LTV), their families and Joanne Kirton at Project Eliseg, Llangollen Chester NHS Foundation Trust) to research mortality in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, healthcare providers. Annual Review 2011

37

Heather Flett Professor Howard Williams

Presentations

The dissemination of knowledge by staff and students through conferences, lectures, workshops and exhibitions means that the University’s collective expertise reaches a truly international audience.

The joint Macclesfield Critical Care and methods of teaching and assessment. Faculty of Health and Social Care Practice Professor France has also chaired conference Development Research Partnership (PDRP) sessions and given a number of presentations presented two conference papers at the across the world, such as ‘Enhancing the Annual British Association of Critical Care Student Learning Experience through 38 Nursing International Conference in Belfast. Learning and Teaching Research’ at the

One, reviewing the potential effects of conflicts Association of American Geographers Annual in the evidence base for critical units was Meeting in Seattle. given by Consultant Nurse Heather Cooper and co-authored with Adam Keen, Senior Lecturer Two series of public lectures were given by in the Department of Allied Health. The second speakers from the Department of History and paper was on the compliance of patient rest Archaeology at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum. periods presented by Adam Keen and Charge The first collaboration ocusedf on famous Nurse Peter Galley. failures with Diana Dunn speaking on Richard, Third Duke of York; Professor Peter Gaunt, on Alongside a screen showing a live Twitter Richard Cromwell; and Head of Department Dr feed, Professor Derek France, a Senior Keith McLay on James II. The second series Teaching Fellow in the Department of covered the effects of war on the 20th century Geography and Development Studies gave with Dr Tim Grady discussing Germany’s First his inaugural professorial lecture on ‘Bringing World War defeat; Dr Michael Huggins, looking Digital Technologies into Teaching and at Ireland after independence; and Dr Donna Assessment’. This exemplified the rise of new Jackson speaking about the Vietnam War’s technologies which are enabling innovative effects on the United States. Annual Review 2011

Tony Wall, Senior Lecturer in Professional Thomas Parr and Christopher Burgess, Social Work History Network seminar held the world’s population of black rhinos, but Development, has given a number of from the Faculty of Health and Social at the University in 2011. Professor Elizabeth very little is known about these animals. conference papers, including: ‘Prefiguring Care, presented a paper on ‘Service User Harlow made a keynote presentation at the Dr O’Donoghue’s research reveals how Higher Education as Action Inquiry’ at the and Carer Involvement at the University Living Values in Social Care Conference in Namibia’s rhino population could rescue the Action Learning, Action Research Association of Chester – Reflections on the Impact, London. Dr Andy Lovell, Reader in Mental species from extinction. World Congress in Melbourne and ‘Two Outcome and Value of Involvement in the Health and Learning Disability, gave papers Experiential Pedagogies: Meticulous Social Work Programme’ at the Authenticity at the British Institute of Learning Disabilities Professor Allan Owens from the Faculty Accountant and Creative Sculptor’ at the to Action, Rhetoric or Reality: Critical National Positive Behaviours Support of Education and Children’s Services Council for Adult and Experiential Learning Perspectives on Service User and Carer Conference and the 2nd International gave keynote lectures at the Professions International Conference in San Diego. Involvement in Education for Health and Nursing and Midwifery Conference on and Creativity Conference at the Theatre Social Care conference at the University of Building and Promoting Excellence in Academy of Finland, the National Drama ‘Late Again, Cinderella: The Strange Tale of Central Lancashire. Practice in Galway. Dr David Coyle, Senior Association of Sweden, Vesterbergs, Feminism and Practical Theology’ was the Lecturer in Mental Health and Learning Sweden and at the British Council in Tallin, subject of a professorial inaugural lecture Three members of the Department of English Disability, presented at the Royal College Estonia. He also undertook practice-based delivered by Professor Elaine Graham, from hosted events as part of the Shell Chester of Nursing Network for psychiatric nursing tours in collaboration with the Taichi-kikaku the Department of Theology and Religious Literature Festival. Dr Graham Atkin, Senior research at the University of Oxford. Theatre Company in Japan and the Theatre Studies. The lecture considered some of Lecturer, gave readings from his favourite Academy of Finland, and contributed to the the ways in which the discipline of practical poems, short pieces and prose and drama How archaeology can shed new light on Drama and Theatre for Children and Young 39 theology has been informed by feminist on the theme of the ‘seven ages’ of human the way in which societies mourn and People: Possibilities for Anglo-Japanese theory over the past 20 years, its dominant life. Alan Wall, Professor of Creative Writing, commemorate their dead through images, event in London. themes and significant achievements. It read from the work of writers who have been artefacts, monuments and landscapes was concluded by arguing that the perennial critical involved with medicine, including from his the topic of Professor Howard Williams’s feminist sensibilities of protest, resistance own book Doctor Placebo, which made the inaugural professorial lecture: ‘Ashes to and transformation still have relevance. long-list of the Wales Book of the Year in 2011. Asses and Dust to Rust: Archaeology and Dr Emma Rees, Senior Lecturer and Editor Death in the 21st Century’. The lecture of the Cheshire Prize for Literature anthology highlighted how archaeologists must Zoo, introduced readings from some of the seriously and systematically investigate the contributors of the book’s short stories. material culture of 21st-century death.

Mike Burt, Senior Lecturer (now Honorary An enthusiastic audience at the University Lecturer) in the Department of Social Work heard an insight from Dr Paul O’Donoghue presented at the Voluntary Action History of the Department of Biological Sciences Society Conference in Kent; the Centre into ‘Namibia’s Forgotten Rhinos’ in aid for the History of Health and Healthcare at of the Save the Rhino Trust – Namibia. Professor Elaine Graham Glasgow Caledonian University; and the Namibia currently holds more than half Professor Allan Owens Publications

The range of publications written and edited by staff members highlights the active research community at the University and the re-launch of the University of Chester Press underlines the institution’s commitment to original research.

The Department of English has produced and Archaeology co-edited English Key Concepts in Healthcare Education, Wrexham Newspapers, 1848-1914 and two publications: Dr Deborah Wynne’s Historical Documents, 1603-1660. edited by Dr Annette McIntosh, Jan was invited by BBC Radio Wales to Women and Personal Property in the Gidman and Elizabeth Mason-Whitehead; talk about the book. The launch event Victorian Novel and Still Life: Poetry from Professor Peter Stokes from the Chester Key Concepts in Palliative Care, edited at Gladstone’s Library for this first title the Cheshire Prize for Literature 2010, Business School edits the International by Moyra Baldwin and Jan Woodhouse; published by the University of Chester edited by Dr Emma Rees. Professor Claire Journal of Organizational Analysis and Pregnancy and Birth: Everything You Press was also an opportunity to Griffiths, Head of Modern Languages, wrote Critical Concepts in Management Need to Know by Professor Mary Steen, celebrate the re-launch of the publishing 40 published Globalizing the Postcolony: The and Organisation Studies and Key Concepts together with a German translation operation. The Press primarily publishes

Politics of Gender and Development in in Business and Management Research Schwangerschaft & Geburt; and The material from the University, in addition to Francophone Africa. From the Department Methods. Tony Wall, from the Professional Handbook of Midwifery Research by Mary publications with a significant relationship of Theology and Religious Studies, Dr Development Unit, co-edited Making Steen and Taniya Roberts. to the history, life and culture of Chester Steve Knowles wrote Employer and University Partnerships and its surrounding area. Beyond Evangelicalism: Work: Accredited Employer-led Learning. Professor Derek France from the The Theological Department of Geography and Methodology of Stanley Tony Pickford from the Faculty of Development Studies co-wrote Pedagogy J Grenz and Dr Paul Education and Children’s Services wrote of Climate Change. David Pattie from Middleton was the a Children’s History of Chester and the Department of Performing Arts has author of Martyrdom: Professor Allan Owens has co-authored co-edited a book entitled Kraftwerk: A Guide for the Mapas Teatrales: Crear, Desarrollar y Music Non-Stop. Dr Judith Done, a former Perplexed. Evaluar Prextos Dramáticos (the Spanish Director of Careers and Employability and Professor translation of Mapping Drama: Teaching now a Visiting Fellow, has co-written the Peter Gaunt and Assessing Drama). Brilliant Graduate Career Handbook. from the Department The Faculty of Health and Social Care Dr Lisa Peters, the Law Librarian, wrote University staff and guests at Dr Lisa Peters’s of History has seen the publication of five titles: Politics, Publishing and Personalities: book launch

Dr Judith Done Annual Review 2011

41

Conferences

The University provides a focal point for many staff, students and visitors to gather and benefit from the exchange of knowledge, expertise and best practice.

For the first time, the Department of Previously, the Department had held its Sport and Exercise Sciences hosted the third Careers and Research Conference for 2011 BASES (British Association of Sport undergraduate and postgraduate students and Exercise Sciences) Annual Student as part of Personal Development Week. Conference in Chester, with the theme Dr David James from Sheffield Hallam of ‘Integrations and Innovations: An University delivered the keynote lecture, 42 Interdisciplinary Approach to Sport and after which students presented their

Exercise Science’. Over 400 delegates own research work. Winners of the best examined a range of topics including presentations received funding to attend exercise and health issues related to and present their work at the 2011 BASES elite sport. As well as showcasing the Conference as well as prizes sponsored by research work of rising student stars, Human Kinetics publishers. The afternoon the conference also highlighted the consisted of career-related information for essential transfer of academic study into students, with talks by staff on advice for the ‘real world’, with a careers fair and practical workshops aimed at enhancing vocational skills. A major highlight of the conference was PhD student Jamie Highton receiving the award for best student oral presentation. Competing against postgraduate students from other universities, Jamie delivered an impressive presentation and defence to take the prize. Jamie Highton at the BASES Conference

BASES Conference careers fair Annual Review 2011

securing PGCE places and MSc students 50th anniversary of political independence in presented case studies on their applied French-speaking West Africa. As issues such intern experiences. as forced labour and human trafficking return to the global political agenda, the multiple The first British Psychosocial Oncology legacies of French and British imperialism Society conference was held in Chester on continue to provide a historical frame for Cancer and Relationships with Others. This contemporary research invoking multiple was organised by the Chair of the Society, Dr links between the colonial past and the Nick Hulbert-Williams from the Department post-colonial present. This colloquium was of Psychology, and he also delivered two the first research event organised by a team presentations. He gave a further public of Francophone African researchers at the Participating in the Diversity Festival lecture at the University’s Diversity Festival University. Supported by the Research and on cancer survivorship and equality. Knowledge Transfer Office and collaborating of the Government’s approach to anti-social how they can affect all groups of people, with the Informatics Centre, the group is behaviour and its expectations of housing even at a local level. The Celebration also The Early Years Conference in the Faculty constructing a virtual research environment associations, together with the role of the saw the launch of its first official awards of Education and Children’s Services for Francophone African Studies. The Housing Ombudsman Service in disputes. ceremony, acknowledging people from the drew keynote speakers of international colloquium proceedings will be published Cheshire and Chester communities who repute in the field, especially Professors as an edited collection of essays by the The University hosted the 2010 Celebration have made a significant impact in developing 43

Cathy Nutbrown and Peter Clough. Invited University of Chester Press. of Cultural and Religious Diversity for the and supporting initiatives for cultural and practitioners also made key speeches on Cheshire Asian and Minority Communities religious diversity. curriculum development and early years At a time when housing law is facing Council (CAMCC). The annual gathering practice in Africa. Student presentations major changes, the University teamed up attracted several high profile guest speakers, Offering something for everyone, from were an important feature of the annual with a leading solicitors’ firm to explore including: Dame Margaret Anstee DCMG, Bollywood and Flamenco dancing through Conference and included contributions the future of housing provision in the UK. former UN Under-Secretary and first female to lectures and training workshops, the about specific research projects and A conference, organised by Whiteheads head of a UN peacekeeping mission; Dr annual Diversity Festival opened its doors experiences in work based projects abroad. Solicitors Limited at the University, brought Semira Manaseki-Holland, who talked about to local residents, staff and students. It took External evaluation noted that the chance students, academics and some of the her recent five years working with women place soon after the Equality Act 2010, and to celebrate students’ work and research housing sector’s leading organisations in Afghanistan; and the news reporter, so the events aimed to reflect the theme of at this Conference was a significant and and representatives together. In a bid to former MP and UNICEF ambassador Martin Equality in a New Era. These included films welcome opportunity. share experiences and good practice in Bell OBE. The purpose of the event was to from around the world, keynote lectures, the housing sector, attendees explored bring people together in order to promote food demonstrations, a focus on Welsh An international and interdisciplinary the expected changes in case law and greater respect and understanding between and Japanese culture, a celebration of research colloquium, Post-slavery, Post- legislation and looked at current and future different cultural communities. The CAMCC sportsmen and women with disabilities, a imperial, Post-colonial? Contesting Historical challenges that will shape housing practice. also hoped to expand its impact by working taster course in British Sign Language and Divides in Francophone Africa, marked the Delegates gained a better understanding to increase awareness of global issues and singing from around the globe. International academics joined staff was encouraged through interactive focus of the 2010 election on promoting of Stochastic Delay Differential Equations. and students at the University to take workshops and lectures on research the parties’ leadership image, the impact of This is one in a series of four conferences part in a prestigious 10-day intensive by partner universities. The meaning of the first televised leaders’ debates and the on the subject at Chester that has received programme using innovative learning ‘intercultural awareness and competence’ comparison of the advertising campaigns funding from the Leverhulme Network. and teaching approaches to develop was debated and emphasis was placed on with the 2001 and 2005 elections. intercultural awareness. Delegates from the multidisciplinary approaches including: open A distinctive conference explored the Universities of PH Vienna, Tartu, Flensburg, space learning; enactive drama methodology; A research colloquium, hosted by the relationship between the economic Lithuania, Malaga and Linköping with 20 and border crossing. All participating Chester Business School, attracted a wide downturn and religious and spiritual life of their undergraduates participated in the students achieved academic credit under the range of speakers covering topics of value in the UK over the next decade. The programme with the Faculty of Education European Credit Transfer Scheme. to researchers. Professor Caroline Rowland first Spiritual rogressionP in Economic and Children’s Services. The project explored Research in partnership with the University was the chair and the keynote speaker Recession event aimed to investigate the responses and strategies of educators of Malaga in 2009 revealed a concern that the was Professor Mark Saunders from the beneath the surface of current debates facing the demands and consequences quality of student teacher preparation was University of Surrey. concerning the role and contribution of of globalisation, especially with the great lagging behind the reality of the classroom. religion to public policy, civil society and variations across Europe. Engagement Representatives from partner universities Business leaders and political figures from political and economic life in the UK. with intercultural issues in education across Europe decided to work together to across the North West joined academics The Conference addressed two agendas provide student teachers from different study to explore the key to sustainable business which are shaping these debates: how 44 programmes with an understanding of the and public affairs at a two-day forum severe cutbacks in

intercultural dimension of education. organised by the University. The Chester public spending Forum is an annual symposium developed and welfare The power of marketing as a political tool by Professor Phil Harris, Executive Dean was explored during a symposium for a of the Faculty of Business, Enterprise and special interest group of the Academy of Lifelong Learning at the University, and Marketing held at the Chester Business supported and hosted by Bank of America. School. This focused on Political Marketing This event focused on exploring the key from the General Election: Perspectives, to successful ‘sustainable business’, how Prospect and Practice and was co-chaired it might be measured and benchmarked by Professor Phil Harris, Westminster and how sustainability could be a Chair of Marketing and Public Affairs at the business advantage. It also explored the University, and Dr Paul Baines from Cranfield implications of the increasing emphasis on School of Management. Each contributor sustainability for the role of public affairs in delivered a presentation based on their national, regional and international settings. paper. Feedback was then incorporated into an article for the Journal of Marketing A three-day international conference was Students from the University of Malaga and the University of PH Vienna Management. Discussions included the held on Numerical and Analytical Solution

Spiritual Progression in Economic Recession conference delegates Annual Review 2011

provision, combined with increases Office and students from the Department in costs of living, will impact on poor, of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies at the lower and middle income families and University of Central Florida. communities and the ambitious political and economic hopes that accompany the A two-day conference explored the ways ‘Big Society’. in which class has been represented in language, literature and other cultural The similarities and differences in policing forms since the French Revolution. between the UK and the USA were Spectres of Class: Representing Social discussed at an open seminar hosted at Class from the French Revolution to the the Warrington Campus. Coming from Present gave attendees the chance to Guy Hodgson at the World War II and the Kasabian drummer, Ian Matthew Media Conference similar origins, the two systems have explore the relationships between social diverged significantly to meet the cultural class, identity and popular culture. Experts World War II and the Media in the North Louise Ryan (who nurtured Charlotte and criminal differences of each society. from countries as varied as New Zealand, West Media Centre on the Warrington Church), concert pianist Marie-Louise The event was held by the University in Iran, Nigeria, Brazil and Greece joined Campus. The venue was particularly apt, Taylor and guitarist John Wheatcroft, partnership with Cheshire Constabulary and academic staff and postgraduate students being a converted theatre where British Head of Guitar at the London Guitar-X the University of Central Florida and led by from the Department of English to discuss and Canadian airmen were entertained music school. Some students performed serving officers of Cheshire Constabulary, a range of subjects, from class and conflict from 1939 to 1945. Eleven international with the artists, and there were two 45 officers from the Orange County Sheriff’s in the news to the lyrics of The Smiths. and national speakers addressed both public performances; a piano recital from contemporaneous coverage of the conflict, Marie-Louise Taylor and a virtuoso guitar The Chester Centre for Research into and its portrayal in the present-day media. performance from John Wheatcroft Sport and Society (CCRSS) hosted a Topics ranged from national and media (supported by the Department’s lecturers). series of lectures by several internationally perceptions of Latvia’s role in the war to renowned academics as part of its annual the women in Dad’s Army. Students wanting to make their mark Sociology of Sport and Exercise Seminar in music, film and media were given a Series. The lectures were attended by An eclectic line-up of world-renowned glimpse of life in those careers at the undergraduate and postgraduate students, music professionals visited the University Warrington Campus. The second Inside colleagues from industry, and members to participate in a week of performance the Creative Industries Conference gave of the public as part of the Centre’s role to and tutorials. Popular Music Professionals past and present students an invaluable enhance community engagement through Week saw visiting artists run master insight into this fast-paced and rapidly its teaching and research activity. classes and workshops for students changing sector. Speakers took part in a taking the Popular Music undergraduate panel session with the students to give The Department of Media marked the degree courses. Contributors included them a flavour of what their work entails, 70th anniversary of Germany’s invasion Ian Matthews, the drummer with the and gave insider tips on how to get ahead of the Soviet Union with the conference band Kasabian, professional vocal coach in the field. Professional Development and Allied Health recently established Centre for Faiths Care, and Mental Health and Learning and Public Policy, which is a partnership Disability respectively, were co-ordinators of enterprise between the University and workshops at the Multidisciplinary Cancer the William Temple Foundation. It aims to Congress in Stockholm. Jo Skellern, Senior promote greater knowledge, understanding Lecturer, Department of Mental Health and and analysis of the relationship between Learning Disability, presented a paper at the religion and public policy and wider public 2nd International Conference on Violence life in the UK and beyond. in the Health Sector in Amsterdam. June Keeling, Senior Lecturer in the Department A Badminton Youth Tournament, affiliated of Pre-registration Nursing, facilitated a with the London Olympics 2012 and the workshop at the 2011 British Sociological first of its kind to be held in the region, Association’s A Sociology of Mental Health took place at the University. Aimed at Study Group at Edge Hill University. She encouraging more 16- to 25-year-olds to also presented her research findings at the participate in the 2011 British Journal of Midwifery Study sport, the Stephen O’Brien MP (third right) with NHS and University staff Days in Glasgow, London and Manchester 46 and at the domestic violence sub-group

A prestigious international health offered the chance to share experiences of of the Department of Health Taskforce on conference was held at the Warrington volunteering overseas. The Kisiizi-Chester the health aspects of violence against Campus. Organised by NHS North West Project is an example of an international women and girls. and supported by the University, the development initiative that has fostered Health Work in Developing Countries permanent links between the Church of The University hosted its first Big Conference was attended by health and Uganda Kisiizi Hospital, the Countess of Society Forum to discuss the ideas education professionals from across Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and behind the Government’s policy the region. Addressed by a number of the University to share skills, knowledge, programme that aims to ‘put more experts in this field, it included a speech information and experience. power and opportunity into people’s by Eddisbury MP Stephen O’Brien, hands’. In an interactive public Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Durban was the location for Professor lecture, representatives from politics, for International Development, who spoke Mary Steen’s paper at the International education, public service, business, about his Department’s backing for the Confederation of Midwives Triennial voluntary and faith communities NHS in overseas development support. The Conference on fathers’ views and debated what the Big Society could Conference targeted health professionals experiences of involvement in maternity mean for the city and beyond. The and managers, who have volunteered, care. Debbie Wyatt and Pat Talbot, Senior event complemented the work or are interested in working abroad, and Lecturers from the Departments of being carried out by the University’s

Members of the North West Youth Forum Annual Review 2011

event was linked with the Olympic Inspire Corporeality: The Body and Society programme. The competition was organised was the theme of the Department of by Badminton England’s North West Youth Social Studies and Counselling’s Annual Forum, made up of eight ambassadors for Student Conference. The keynote speaker the sport from the region. Felicity Arman, was Professor Elizabeth Ettorre from the Captain of the Badminton Club, was the University of Liverpool and other an ambassador for the North West Youth external contributors included Dr Jayne Forum along with fellow students Stephen Raisborough (University of Brighton), Dr Grimes, Men’s Captain, and Amy White, Robert Meadows (University of Surrey) Women’s Captain. Over 30 young people and Professor Dan Goodley (Manchester took part in the day and local clubs offered The GB and Ireland Academic Lions Student Rugby League (SRL) squad in training Metropolitan University). Delegates their support. participated in a series of workshops up game against the Northern Territories The North West Master’s in Teaching and and an edited collection of essays from National stars of the future for Rugby and a three-test series against the Learning (NWMTL) Coaching Conference the Conference will be published by the League touched down on the University, Australian student team. The SRL organises at the Warrington Campus provided a University of Chester Press. as the GB and Ireland all aspects of the game within the further chance for coaches to come together to Academic Lions and higher education sectors and has more share ideas, information and experience Student Rugby League than 100 college and university teams and help working teachers in the region 47

(SRL) squad visited playing across the country. to develop their skills as they build a Corporeality: the Main Campus for career. The NWMTL is a consortium of The Body and Society its first team training Budding young scientists from schools universities across the region, delivering session before its tour across Cheshire submitted their entries the Master’s in Teaching and Learning of Australia. The for an annual celebration of the appliance (MTL), a professional, postgraduate squad is selected of science. Organised by the University, qualification for teachers and students who from the the Cheshire Science Communication have an in-school coach to guide them best players (SciComm) Festival invited whole classes through the difficult balance of professional in the SRL from primary schools across the county work and academic study. The event was Four Nations to take part in a competition to showcase led by Lynn Sampson, Senior Lecturer in Championships their scientific and engineering ingenuity. the Faculty of Education and Children’s and the The theme was communication and Services, and featured two of the most England entrants were invited to demonstrate their respected keynote speakers in this field Colleges team. ideas to the competition judges. Pupils in the country – Julie Starr and Rachel

The tour took with the best entries then developed Lofthouse, who were invited as part of the DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL STUDIES AND COUNSELLING in four games, their project to be demonstrated at the Conference’s goal to strengthen the MTL including a warm- SciComm event. course in the North West. Institutional achievements

The University has strengthened its reputation as one of the region’s leading universities through institutional assessments and exacting national and professional measurements.

Academic standards and quality of teaching, partnerships between faculties educational provision at the University and central quality assurance services, were praised by the higher education and collaborative work with key partners. 48 watchdog, the Quality Assurance Agency Auditors applauded the effectiveness

(QAA). The QAA audit is designed to of the University’s Work Based and provide the public with information Integrative Studies (WBIS) programme about the learning opportunities made – a degree tailored to provide academic available to students, and on the academic recognition of learning undertaken primarily standards of the awards. During its latest in the workplace which gives credit for inspection, the audit team commended the prior learning. University for its good practice in ensuring standards and enhancing the quality of Ten subjects taught at the University learning opportunities, the supportive (Archaeology, English, Food Science, relationships that underpin the learning French, Geography, Maths, Theology and and working in the institution and the Religious Studies, Social Work, Sport and strength of its partnership work, which Exercise Sciences and Subjects Allied was described as ‘exemplary’. Among to Medicine) were singled out by three other areas of good practice praised by major national newspaper league tables as the auditors were the strong personal being the best in their field in key areas of engagement of all staff, supportive their work. The Guardian University Guide relationships underpinning learning and 2012, published in summer 2011, judged

Staff involved in the QAA audit Annual Review 2011

clear in advance and that they received pedagogical knowledge and skills. The were interviewed, assessors were sufficient advice and support in their Good Teacher Training Guide ranks the satisfied ‘beyond any doubt’ that the studies. A total of 100% of History overall provision at Chester as 12th out University met the requirements of students surveyed decided that staff were of 75 institutions, with Primary Training the IiP standard. Areas of particular “good at explaining things”. Theology ranked as fourth overall. This is due to strength included an emphasis on staff and Religious Studies staff gained top excellent Ofsted grades, the high quality development, a culture of continuous marks for being “enthusiastic about their of students, the good employability improvement, and effective leadership teaching” and 100% of students surveyed record and the standard of facilities at the and management. The award is a national in Social Work said they were “able to Riverside Campus. quality standard for organisations access specialised equipment, facilities or and helps to transform business

Students celebrating the NSS feedback rooms when they needed to”. High scores Following the award of Investors in performance. To qualify, employers need were also achieved by English. Overall, People (IiP) accreditation to the University, to demonstrate best practice across a the Social Work courses to be the ninth 89% of students felt that their course progress has continued on monitoring range of processes related to people best in the country out of 74 institutions provided them with skills they could use improvement, reviewing development management, personal development and teaching that subject. Satisfaction among in employment and had enjoyed their time areas and interviewing staff. After the organisational effectiveness. students on Geography programmes, and at the University. initial four-day visit when over 90 staff specifically with how they are assessed, won that Department the highest ranking The University has again received the 49 in the country in those areas. In The highest recognition for its exceptional Independent Complete University Guide teacher training provision. Ofsted 2012, The Guardian University Guide inspectors focused on the Graduate 2012 and The Times Good University Teacher Programme (GTP), which Guide 2012, half of the 10 highest covers training in Early Years, Primary performing subjects at the University, and Secondary teaching. The University English, Geography, Social Work, Sport and its school partners were rated as and Exercise Science and Theology and ‘outstanding’ in every category, securing Religious Studies, are rated as being in the ‘Outstanding Provider’ status. Many top 10 in the country. of the University’s trainee teachers Chester students gave valuable feedback gain employment locally: for example, on their courses through the National more than 50% of 2010-11 secondary Student Survey. Highlights included trainees are now employed within partner 100% of students surveyed taking schools. External examiners praised the Physical Geography agreeing that staff creativity and innovation of the secondary were enthusiastic about their subject; trainee teachers and that the enrichment the criteria for marking had been made activities have challenged trainees’ Julie Dagnall, Director and Julie Mulliner, Assistant Director of HRMS with the Investors in People award Louisa Yates came from Surrey to study English at summer conference in 2010; marked assignments; and Case Study Chester as an undergraduate and has now progressed assisted with curriculum development. to complete a PhD with the support of a Gladstone This whole experience has encouraged Louisa to Fellowship. Louisa began her higher education continue with an academic career and she is now Louisa Yates journey at a London university, but left after a spate teaching part-time at Chester and Edge Hill, in addition of burglaries and attacks on students where she was to assisting the Gladstone’s Library Warden with the living. She was attracted to Chester by the reputation of ‘Re-defining Liberalisms’ course. After a difficult start the Department of English and felt that the University to her student life elsewhere, Louisa has capitalised on and city would provide a more intimate, secure and her time at the University and is now well-placed for a supportive environment in which to pursue her successful future in academia. academic interests. Louisa cites the high satisfaction scores for English in the National Student Survey and other independent feedback as evidence of the QUEER MANIFESTATIONS: Department’s popular courses and strong support LITERATURE, HISTORY, THEORY, CULTURE network, while the opportunity to study in an attractive and compact city has added to her student experience. TH KEYNOTE SPEAKER: PROFESSOR SALLY MUNT (UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX) Following graduation, Louisa worked for a year This interdisciplinary one-day conference seeks to explore 50 the burgeoning field of queer studies, with particular before progressing to a Russell Group university to emphasis on its impact upon literary histories, theories, and cultures. How influential is heteronormativity in complete a taught Master’s degree in English. She culture today, or in the past? Is it true, as Sharon Marcus claims, that ‘queer theory often accentuates the subversive dimensions of lesbian, gay, and then made a successful application for a Gladstone transgender acts and identities’? Do readers force heteronormative readings onto queer texts, or vice Fellowship and returned to Chester to undertake versa? Must literary readings always focus upon ‘secrecy, shame, oppression, and transgression’? research on her PhD thesis: ‘Between Texts: The What has it meant to be ‘in’ or ‘out’ of the literary closet? Resonant Fictions of Sarah Waters’. This interest In addition to the keynote paper ‘Queer Fish’, there will be papers on the following topics: Romance between men in the Wild West; in neo-Victorian literature had been sparked by a Queering the Hebrew Bible; the ‘beautiful boy’ and theories of gender in Will Self; third-year undergraduate essay and she relished the queer social networks; inter-female intimacy in Dickens; Englishness in American opportunity to work with staff at the Department of masculinity; performativity and the queer Other in science fiction; melodrama, English. The Gladstone Fellowship paid her tuition fees space, and same-sex desire; the aftermath of AIDS; rethinking Slash Fandom as a queer space; homosociality and the and a living allowance, which meant that she could Hell’s Angels; ‘Queer’ style in Henry James and Alan Hollinghurst; castration combine research with teaching undergraduates. and masculinity; heteronormativity and the law; Queering utopias; decadent The Department encourages its postgraduates to Catholicism; apparitional lesbians and postmemory fiction; queer practices and non-linear theories of evolution; become involved in all aspects of academic life and the penetrated male; homoeroticism in Victorian Hymnody; Chinese aestheticism over the past four years Louisa has presented at 15 and queer desires; Thackery, Dickens, conferences; given English and Work Based Learning and Victorian military masculinity. lectures; published a book chapter and a journal article; organised the main Department of English Celebrating Canon Professor Anthony Thiselton’s fellowships Annual Review 2011

51

A supportive Based on teamwork and appropriately devolved authority and responsibility, we seek to promote a dynamic and cost-effective culture and organisational culture within which all our staff and students feel empowered and actively supported to respond creatively and environment efficiently to the challenges of a changing environment. Staff

Staff members combine their considerable talents and experience to achieve excellence in many fields and make the University an enriching and supportive place to study.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Reverend and Right Honourable Dr the Academy of Marketing and made a Rowan Williams, has been appointed the life member at its Annual Conference. Gladstone Professor of Literature and He received the award in front of 400 Theology, a new honorary chair at the guests at St George’s Hall in Liverpool. 52 institution. By conferring this title, the The Chairman of the Academy, Professor

University is continuing a long tradition Ruth Ashford, commented on his with the Church of England which began tremendous output of research, teaching with one of its founder members John and development to support marketing Bird Sumner, who became Archbishop scholarship and businesses worldwide. of Canterbury in 1848. The current Archbishop of Canterbury said: “I am most honoured and delighted to receive the formal notice of appointment as Gladstone Professor … I hope I shall be able to contribute in some tangible way to the life of the University, and am deeply grateful for this association with it.”

Professor Phil Harris, Executive Dean of Business, Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Westminster Chair of Marketing and Public Affairs, has been Professor Phil Harris with his award

The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr Rowan WIlliams, Gladstone Professor of Literature and Theology (picture courtesy of Tim Ashley) Annual Review 2011

recommended daily amount. Blood tests day-to-day business and management of and ultrasound scans provided Dr Ellahi History UK and liaises with bodies such and her team with the evidence they as the Royal Historical Society and the needed to advise on health improvements Historical Association. for those affected. Wayne O’Brien, Senior Lecturer in TV Margaret Murphy, a renowned crime Production, was singled out for praise novelist, was appointed by the University by the BBC in June 2011 after Chester as Royal Literary Fund (RLF) Fellow and students had dominated BBC Sport’s offers her writing expertise to students developing talent placements for the Archaeologist Professor Dai Morgan Evans in Rome Dr Emma Rees with her own copy of Sarah Wasn’t Built in a Day (picture courtesy of Channel 4) Waters’s Fingersmith free of charge. Margaret has published a previous 18 months. The BBC’s Outreach number of books and been short-listed for Manager Archaeologist Professor Dai Morgan one of 20,000 volunteers nationwide to the First Blood Award and a Crime Writers’ Evans featured in a documentary, which help spread the word at the first ever Association (CWA) Dagger. She is also the aimed to find out if an authentic Roman World Book Night. This venture saw the founder of Murder Squad, was Chair of the villa could be built using only tools and Publishers’ Association, the Booksellers’ CWA 2009-10, and has tutored creative materials from the 4th century AD. The Association, the Independent Publishers’ writing at Master’s Level, as well as Channel 4 series Rome Wasn’t Built in a Guild, the Reading Agency, libraries, World leading workshops in creative writing for Day saw him work alongside a team of six Book Day and the BBC collaborating on library groups and literature festivals. skilled craftsmen, constructing a villa that the distribution of one million free books to he designed in just six months. Over six the public. Emma gave out 48 free copies An historian has been appointed to programmes, viewers watched how the of Sarah Waters’s Fingersmith, in the hope the highest office of a national team coped with putting archaeologists’ that the novel would remind them of the organisation that promotes theories on how the Romans built into joys of reading for pleasure. History in Higher Education. Dr practice at an important historic site Keith McLay, Head of History and in Wroxeter, Shrewsbury. The English Dr Basma Ellahi, Head of Clinical Sciences, Archaeology, was named Co- Heritage villa is now open to the public, and visited Peshawar as part of a research Convenor of History UK at the UK features underfloor heating, a plunge pool, project investigating the reasons behind Institute of Historical Research, frescos and mosaics. Professor Morgan the high incidence of debilitating bone alongside Professor Ann Hughes Evans visited the site every two weeks diseases, such as osteoporosis, in the at Keele University. History UK to oversee its construction and ensure rural population. Using questionnaires to monitors the position of History historical accuracy. assess diet and lifestyle in the community, in UK Higher Education, lobbies the researchers discovered that the for improvements and advances Dr Emma Rees, Senior Lecturer in the calcium intake of a sample of 140 women good practice. As Co-Convenor, Department of English, was chosen as aged 40 to 65 was less than half of the Dr McLay is responsible for the

Dr Keith McLay said that: “Wayne’s students are hard- When the UK Border Agency (UKBA) Conservation biologist Dr Paul O’Donoghue, working and enthusiastic but they also needed to find a forensic provider to a Lecturer in the Department of Biological have that extra bit of magic that translates identify a species of animal quickly, the Sciences, is involved in a rhinoceros DNA itself into great creative content and gets University stepped up to the challenge. project that is helping in the fight against them noticed. It is Wayne who is able to Dr Ian McDowall, Head of Biological organised wildlife crime across the world. mine this precious commodity and give Sciences, and student Louise Robinson Paul is a member of the RhoDIS, which his youngsters the confidence to take were able to offer their expertise, extracting is the first DNA database for this ‘black it to an audience outside the University. and sequencing mitochondrial DNA from market’ species and allows users to trace BBC Sport and BBC Learning are just two strands of fur and skin provided by the seized goods back to the individual animal. departments in BBC North now reaping Agency. They were able to scan species The project extracts DNA from seized

the benefit of these top-notch students. databases and match the DNA sequence to rhinos and sequences 14 genetic markers Dr Paul O’Donoghue with rhinos in Namibia Wayne should be applauded for not only a racoon dog, a species reared in captivity to to produce a DNA profile for the database. teaching them to perform academically but supply the fur trade. Margaret Starling, from Profiling a large number of African rhinos attitudes to women in sport have improved, also giving them the practical know-how to UKBA, thanked Dr McDowall and his team could reveal the patterns of gene flow and highlighted how the Sian Massey succeed in the media profession.” for their quick response to the appeal. and general genetic health of populations, controversy resulted in increased interest and this could influence decisions to from women wanting to be referees. move animals to new areas in order to 54 reinvigorate populations. A rugby veteran with more than 1,000

“The ban on the games to his name has helped the commercial import of Wendy Owen, Senior Lecturer in Sport University Women’s Rugby team make its and Exercise Sciences, who played in mark in Europe. Dr Ian Pritchard, Programme cat and dog fur poses England’s first national women’s football Leader for the Sport and Exercise Sciences a real challenge in team, hoped that sexist comments made BSc, has coached the team to success in about a female referee would lead to the European Universities Rugby Sevens the field of forensic positive change. Wendy was a member Championship. The squad was selected of the English national side that played its to represent the UK at the fifth annual identification. In this first international match against Scotland in tournament in Lille and was named sixth case UKBA needed 1972, was the first to train on the pitch at best student team in Europe. Sports Wembley Stadium and to travel to Europe. sociologist Ian served with the Royal to find a forensic In her autobiography, Kicking Against Engineers and then trained as a PE teacher. provider quickly, and Dr Tradition: A Career in Women’s Football, On the pitch he played for his national she highlighted how the national women’s team at youth level, and played around McDowall and his team team had to endure much sexism. Wendy, 1,000 games for a variety of clubs. Ian has were marvellous.” a qualified FA coach with more than 25 been happy to hang up his rugby boots in Dr Ian McDowall Margaret Starling, UKBA years experience, acknowledges that favour of coaching and is delighted that Annual Review 2011

the student team has performed so well, integral part of the Department of Theology and Ian White, Director of Catering and finishing the season as League Champions, and Religious Studies’ research and teaching Conference Services, were among the winning promotion and being voted Chester life. He is also included among 39 biblical guests at a 2011 Royal Garden Party. Students’ Union (CSU) Team of the Year. scholars of significance since the 18th century in the Dictionary of Biblical Over 500 years of dedicated service to the A world-renowned specialist in biblical Criticism and Interpretation. University was celebrated by an awards interpretation has been recognised for his ceremony for long-serving members of scholarly eminence with two prestigious Kim Greening, Deputy Head of Practice staff. This event was held in conjunction honours. Canon Professor Anthony Learning, has been elected a Fellow of with the annual Founders’ Day service that Thiselton, Emeritus Professor in Theology, the Royal Society for Public Health. Dr commemorates the University’s foundation Edward Austin, Julie Dagnall, Anna Sutton and was appointed Fellow of the British Nick Hulbert-Williams, Senior Lecturer in Ian White at the Royal Garden Party in 1839. Susan Bate, Mary Carter, Professor Academy (FBA) and Fellow of King’s College, Psychology, has been appointed on to two Neville Ford and Professor Miranda Thurston London (FKC). The eminent academic, National Cancer Research Institute Clinical their carers in infection control programmes, received gifts from the Vice-Chancellor for whose work is the subject of a number of Studies Groups in Primary Care Oncology ensuring they are involved in any changes 25 or more years of service, while other PhD theses, was appointed as Emeritus and Psycho-social Oncology as well as to and that their views are heard. long-serving staff received certificates and Professor at the University in 2003 and is an the Steering Group for the Department of letters of thanks. Health PROMS (patient reported outcome Manny Emslie, Senior Lecturer in Dance, is measures) project in patients who have one of fewer than 20 people worldwide to 55

undergone revascularisation surgery. He be a Certified Ongoing Skinner Releasing was also invited to attend the Parliamentary Teacher. This is an innovative approach to Launch of the new Melanoma Guidelines dance and movement training utilising for Health and Beauty Care Professionals. image-guided floor work to ease tension and promote an effortless kind of moving, Julie Hughes, a Lecturer and Nurse integrated with alignment of the whole Consultant in Infection Control, won a self. Manny’s expertise places Chester at prestigious Nursing Times award in the the forefront of Skinner Releasing in higher category for ‘Service User Involvement in education and gives undergraduates and Infection Prevention and Control in a Mental postgraduates access to world class teaching. Health Trust’. Julie’s work focused on how patients in mental health/learning disabilities It was a very regal affair for a quartet of facilities often have more underlying physical colleagues who enjoyed tea at Buckingham health problems than the general population, Palace. Edward Austin, Director of Finance, which can put them at greater risk of Julie Dagnall, Director of HRMS, Anna healthcare associated infections. She has Sutton, Executive Dean of the Faculty Professor Neville Ford, Pro Vice-Chancellor Julie Hughes winner of a Nursing Times award been working to include service users and of Education and Children’s Services Adrian Lee and Professor Miranda Thurston Campus facilities

The facilities for students, staff and the public on the University’s four campuses continue to evolve after unprecedented investment in recent years. 56

Entrepreneurs and established businesses from Cheshire and the North West now have access to additional business expertise and support following the launch of a new incubation hub. The University has invested almost £6m in the Riverside Innovation Centre (RIC), located next to the Riverside Campus, which offers a variety of facilities to help develop untapped business potential. Jointly funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Riverside Innovation Centre is the first of its kind in Chester and provides city-centre incubation premises for up to 15 new businesses. In addition,

The Riverside Innovation Centre Annual Review 2011

the Centre focuses on support for conference suite, break-out rooms, two existing businesses seeking to fulfil networking business lounges available on their economic potential. It features a a free drop-in basis, and meeting rooms number of key services and purpose- for hire. Business support is also available designed facilities including a 150-seater on site with a number of key partners from the business community based at the Centre, including the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce.

Paul Kirkbright at the Riverside Innovation Centre Students in the Modern Languages labs The Department of Modern Languages has installed state-of-the- Development Studies – an apt performance of the building, leading to art language learning combination as the Department is also sustainable efficiencies in running costs. technology in its labs one of the very few in the country to offer on the first floor of the doctoral supervision in French-speaking Binks Building and staff and Spanish-speaking developing areas. 57

and students are now reaping the benefits of access A series of improvements has been to the cutting-edge facilities. taking place on the 1960s Price The Department delivers Tower, a landmark building programmes at undergraduate for both the Chester Campus and postgraduate level and the city. Following the which combine the study of replacement of the lifts, internal modern foreign languages and external refurbishment with a unique range is ongoing and features solar of humanities, social control glazing, anodized rain science and science screening, cladding and natural subjects. Chester is ventilation. The project will result the only university in in a significant improvement in the higher education appearance, upgraded circulation sector to offer spaces and a dramatic Modern Language change to the and International thermal Layout of the Riverside Innovation Centre

Plan of the Price Tower improvements James Taylor publicising ‘The Big Green Makeover’

Environmental issues

The University is keen to ensure that its carbon footprint is kept as low as possible and makes every effort to minimise the institution’s impact on the environment.

‘The Big Green Makeover’ has been Hall wardens also receive training to raise launched through the efforts of Business awareness and encourage change. This student James Taylor, who is also a leading residential scheme will help the University light in the People and Planet Society. to meet Higher Education Funding Council James worked on the initiative as an intern for England (HEFCE) carbon reduction for Student Support and Guidance and the targets of 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. aim is to inspire students and staff to lead It will encourage students to save money 58 a greener life. The project concentrates on and raise environmental awareness when

reducing the carbon footprint of students they move off campus. at the University through the ‘The Five The non-residential project includes Greens’: Water; Resources; Travel; Waste; a home visit from a trained student and Energy. A video was created by student volunteer for an audit and advice on lifestyle volunteers and the University’s Media improvements. Staff and students can Services for Induction Week, showing how download an audit pack, carry out their students can become more environmentally own checks and consult the student hub friendly. The key messages are reinforced by website. November is Environment and publicity material and all are encouraged to Recycling Month, supported by the Chester develop a sense of ownership. Students’ Union and Health4All, which After Induction Week, the project is offers a range of activities for a sustainable split into residential and non-residential lifestyle, such as swapshops, awareness elements. The former encourages campus talks and community clean ups. Finally, students to change their behaviour there is a monthly Educational Sustainable through ‘The Five Greens’, with posters Living Forum (E4SL) to ensure that students reminding students that small changes in and staff are actively involved in helping the their behaviour can make a big difference. University to become a greener institution. Annual Review 2011 Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy Team aims to foster the elements of learning and mission through all its activities and encourages friendship and community across the University.

Chaplaincy provides personal and Notable services included the Dedication involvement of the University Choir, led spiritual support through opportunities Service with Bishop Willie Pwaisiho, the by Vicki Bulgin, Musical Director; Chris for prayer and worship, which celebrate well-attended University Carol Service Wilkinson, the University Organist; Calum the diversity of the Christian traditions. in the Cathedral, the Founders’ Day Piper, Chapel Clerk; Alison Upton and In addition, the Team encourages Service celebrating the staff long service David Cowie, Chaplaincy Assistants; and participation in groups and activities awards, Remembrance Day services, numerous students and staff. that have a positive effect on local and the Charismatic High Mass on the Feast global issues (such as Fairtrade and of Christ the King; and the Rock Euch. Other Chaplaincy events have included 59

Chester TWIN – the University charity); On the last two events Chaplaincy staff and student Quiet Days, both of and engages with and supports other collaborated with Advertising, Events which were well received, the popular faith communities on campus and Management and TV Production students annual Chaplaincy Retreat in North Wales, in the community, seeking dialogue, at Warrington to promote, resource and a regular film night, staff garden parties, a understanding and shared action. film these visually and aurally spiritual range of local outings and the provision of a services in the North West Media Centre. tipi for Freshers’ Week. The establishment of the Foundation Community has provided an opportunity Weekly worship continues to have a variety for those who believe that the University’s of spiritualities and has included services Christian Foundation is important to around Learning, Worship, Friendship and gather for worship and discussion. Mission, Taizé, High Mass, a Methodist A range of staff and students have Covenant Service, Presbyterian participated including the Vice-Chancellor, worship, a Seder Meal, and a Professor Neville Ford, Dean of Research focus around the liturgical and Knowledge Transfer, Tracey Jones seasons. All of these from Pre-registration Nursing and Fr Ian services were supported Delinger, Assistant Chaplain. and enhanced by the

Confirmation Service Students from the Al Najah University, the West Bank

Inclusiveness and responsibility

We actively espouse the principles of equality of opportunity and diversity, and continually apply them in the conduct of our relationships and business. We are, in particular, committed to widening access to higher education. Within an ethically aware and professional environment, we acknowledge our responsibilities to promote freedom of inquiry and scholarly expression. Annual Review 2011

undertakes targeted student mentoring Church of England Academy in Ellesmere Widening access programmes with up to 15 local schools and Port will open a multi-million pound new colleges. Progression agreements exist with Academy building in October 2012 and its the further education associate colleges, students continue to make considerable The University is committed to creating whereby their applicants are assured of an progress. The academy programme has opportunities and improving participation for under- offer, interview or audition providing they expanded to include the University Academy meet all academic and non-academic entry Birkenhead (UAB) which opened in January represented groups in higher education. The aim requirements for a particular programme 2011, and whose GCSE results have (they are not offered lower grades). improved dramatically, seeing an increase is to inspire individuals to raise their expectations of 7% of students achieving 5 A* to C In partnership with the Helena Kennedy including English and Mathematics. Further through the well-established outreach programme, Foundation, the University has offered academies due to open in 2012 are the the chance for talented students seeking University of Chester Academy Northwich, the Helena Kennedy Foundation’s Article 26 initiative sanctuary to gain access to higher education. University Academy Liverpool and University Often having left their homeland in the most Academy Warrington. and the sponsorship of academies. challenging circumstances, undergraduates can benefit from a tuition fee waiver until their UK status is resolved, a Personal 61

The University’s outreach activities, including education. The research has shown that Support Plan to help them to overcome widening participation, focus on students Aimhigher Summer Schools successfully any barriers to achievement on their degree from areas with low participation in higher targeted young learners from groups programme, group support and training education. This year, the programme under-represented in higher education and from Student Support and Guidance included 46 Aimhigher events involving 58 the most disadvantaged 20% of young throughout their course, and further training schools and 1,940 participants, organised in people were two to four times more likely and mentoring provided by the charity. One collaboration with Aimhigher partnerships to attend a Summer School than the most student was able to take advantage of this in Cheshire and Warrington, Halton, advantaged 20%. The University also opportunity in 2010-11 and a second has now Salford, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and joined the institution. Both are flourishing Merseyside. Similarly, the Aimhigher and and making the most of the opportunity to HEFCE Summer Schools aimed to give change their lives through education. young people a taste of higher education to help them to decide whether to apply The University of Chester Academies Trust and what to study. The intention was (UCAT) is a prominent sponsor of academies that through the provision of sustained, and is one of the few multi-sponsors to be intensive residential activities, targeted accredited by the Department for Education Aimhigher Summer School pupils with student learners are encouraged to enter higher volunteers for the quality of its provision. The University Asst Chief Constable Janette McCormick, with Kelley Estes, Amber Perezin, Professor Ross Wolf, Timothy Medeiros and Stephen Fickey from the University of Central Florida

International activities

Staff and students contribute to the global knowledge economy through a number of external activities and this interaction with a worldwide audience promotes a greater understanding of different cultures, while enhancing the academic experience. The University has some 16,800 students from across the world, 62 primarily from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Finland, Australia, the United States, India, China, Nigeria, Georgia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

Seventeen legal studies and criminal trip, organised by Professor John Borland, justice students from the University of included an open seminar at the Warrington Central Florida visited the University to see Campus, where serving Cheshire Police Cheshire’s police system and experience officers, as well as officers and students the contrasts between law and order associated with Orange County Sheriff’s in the UK and USA. Activities included Office (OCSO), shared their experiences. accompanying Cheshire Police officers in Warrington and visiting the Winsford HQ Building on the visits made last year by to learn about police operations, including senior University staff to seven prestigious firearms, forensics and dog handling. The Universities in Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan, Annual Review 2011

delegations from these Chinese institutions success in establishing educational links visited Chester to explore joint teaching with Greater China, encouraging a two-way and dual degree awards. In this scheme flow of students, personnel and expertise. It Chinese students commence their course celebrated the University’s work to develop at their home university then transfer to its international profile through overseas Chester for up to three years to complete student recruitment, and disseminating its their degree in Business Studies. Other knowledge transfer skills. subjects could include Law, Crime and Justice, Mathematics, Journalism and Media. A delegation from Jianqiao College, Kay Kent (from the Faculty of Business, Shanghai secured links with the University Enterprise and Lifelong Learning) visited as part of a visit to strengthen ties with Wuhan to meet the cohort of 16 students the city. Representatives explored how aiming to continue their studies in Chester from the organisations can work together September 2012, while Brendan O’Sullivan and promote links between Shanghai, and Guy Hodgson, from the Faculty of Arts Jianqiao College, the University and the and Media, also visited three universities in city of Chester. Jianqiao students now Beijing to explore joint teaching programmes. have the chance to study for two years Kay Kent, Fredrik Charpentier of Finnair, Bev Ridyard of Manchester Airport and Dr Chris Haslam in Chester after completing a two-year 63

The University was runner-up for the China course in English Language and Business The successful partnership with Caucasus news review programme PS. The feature Rising Star Award 2011 at the North West in Shanghai and they will graduate with a University in Tbilisi has been extended for showed students on campus, together with Greater China Awards held at The Lowry University of Chester degree. The Chinese a further five earsy through the exchange interviews with senior Chester staff. in Salford. The accolade, sponsored by UK delegation had a tour of the city and met and dual degree programmes in business Trade and Investment and the Northwest with local leaders to discuss a collaboration and law, staff exchanges, collaboration in Chester-based Musical Director and Development Agency, was given to the between the cities. research and the exchange of scientific Garden Quarter-based freelance composer North West organisation with the most materials. This collaboration generated Matt Baker teamed up with experts at The French Consulate General in London prime-time television coverage in Georgia the University, to create a recording to has established a consular agency at the as some of the initial student cohort are strengthen links between schools in Cheshire University, associated with the Department now on postgraduate courses in Chester. and South Africa. He approached multimedia of Modern Languages. The Honorary The media visit was organised by Nana specialists in The Harlequin Project, part Consul is Yvan Besnard and the community Samkharadze, Vice-President of Financial of the Department of Computer Science of French nationals in Cheshire and North Affairs at Caucasus University, with Nelly and Information Systems, to produce Wales now have the opportunity to meet Sologashvili-Purcell, Deputy Director of the two professional audio CDs which were him in the Binks Building to process International Office at Chester. Georgian presented at the International AfriTwin Project applications for passports, ID cards and students were filmed on campus during Conference in Cape Town. The production A Chinese delegation with University staff other vital documentation. the 10-minute slot on the popular Georgian was a collaboration between Cape Town schools, Helsby Hillside and Woodfall delegation from Seshadripuram First Grade residents had not progressed to a life a tour of the city and met business and Primary Schools and Neston High School, College in Bangalore also visited Chester outside the shanty town and the reasons council representatives. and participating students worked together to explore joint teaching and progression included poverty, education, drug trafficking with Matt to write an anthem celebrating the agreements to undergraduate and and government plans for the site. One A two-year programme is underway to raise friendship between the two countries. postgraduate courses in Business Studies. development has been the establishment the quality of initial teacher training in the of an Eco-recycling Co-operative so that Occupied Territories. The £80,000 contract Following a promotional visit to Nigeria Anne Boran, Head of the Department of residents can earn money from recycling with the World Bank is run by Professor by Kate Nwosu, International Officer, the Social Studies and Counselling, returned materials and forge links within and outside Allan Owens, Professor Tim Wright and Nigerian Universities Commission – the to Sao Paulo, Brazil to conduct a survey in the favela. Steve Tones of the Faculty of Education and country’s body responsible for accrediting Vila Prudente, a shanty town (or favela). Children’s Services and allows four West universities and endorsing overseas The research was facilitated by a University The University has signed an agreement Bank universities and the three in the Gaza partnerships – visited Chester to explore International Research Excellence Award with the Université Saint-Espirit de Kaslik Strip to work together with the University the development of relationships with and supported by the Movement for (USEK), Lebanon, to co-operate in enhancing on this pedagogical capacity building project. Nigerian Universities for student progression, the Defence of Favela Residents (MDF), academic and research opportunities Chester staff ran the first creativity training in-country delivery and staff development of which she was a founding member. for staff and students. The collaboration session in the West Bank, with direct video particularly in Health, Business and IT. A senior Anne’s study focused on why long-term promotes the exchanges of teaching staff streaming to the Gaza Strip, and overseas and students between Lebanon and the UK, study visits to Chester by colleagues from 64 for academic study and sharing knowledge Palestine have now commenced as the next

and expertise. The guests from USEK, the stage of the programme. Rector, Father Hady Mahfouz and Executive Assistant, Dr Georges Yahchouchi, had a Senior Lecturer Steve Tones and Professor tour of Chester and met with a range of Allan Owens also organised and participated representatives from across the University’s in the first ever Run to the Arts event in different faculties. Bethlehem with colleagues from Bethlehem University. Over 60 participants ran from the The ongoing relationship between the University’s main campus to the Alrowwad University and higher education institutions Cultural and Theatre Training Centre in Aida in Tunisia was celebrated by a visit by the Camp, home to Palestinian refugees since country’s ambassador. His Excellency 1948. The Alrowwad Centre uses performing Hatem Atallah discussed the opportunities arts as a way to challenge the stereotype of for an initial agreement that could include Palestinian people and their culture, and a exchanges between students and staff, joint performance for the runners focused on the academic programmes for postgraduates rights of Palestinian children to play without and collaborative research projects. Mr danger and the importance of women in Professor Tim Wheeler with Father Hady Mahfouz Atallah spent a day at the University, had the struggle. Collaborations between the Boys playing cards on the pavement in Vila Prudente, Sao Paulo Annual Review 2011

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Universities began in 2003 with learning, and dissemination of the immigrants’ teaching and research in Drama Education, testimonies of their sea voyage, and the and since 2009 in Physical Education. language teaching and learning process to help with integration into the community. A group of Master’s level students and staff This work examines themes such as in the College of Education at Appalachian post-colonialism and multiculturalism and State University visited the University feeds into established and developing as background research on comparative research projects as well as directly into systems in higher education. This was part undergraduate and postgraduate modules of a tour of UK colleges and universities in Modern Languages. The interviews and and the majors in College Student accounts collected from these migrants Development had the opportunity to meet bring first hand evidence from Europe to with students and staff to find out how balance material from Africa. initiatives at Chester, such as mentoring, influence the student experience. An International Research Excellence Award enabled Dr Pat Lumb, Senior The International Research Excellence Appalachian State College students at Chester Lecturer in Mathematics, to work with Dr 66 Awards scheme enabled Colleen Schaffner, Pedro Lima at Instituto Superior Téchnico

Professor of Behavioural Biology, to populations of spider monkeys. The GPS as PUC is solely an educational institute, in Lisbon. This allowed progress on their undertake a year’s sabbatical in Mexico to training has allowed the team to widen there are no campus sports facilities. They joint research project on mixed type focus on spider monkey behaviour. Maya the scope of the research and to add a volunteered at Bola Pra Frente, a soccer functional differential equations and Dr Mexican research assistants were trained conservation component to the project. school that provides sports and art activities Lumb participated in a one-day workshop to use Global Positioning System (GPS) to keep disadvantaged children in education. on mathematical modelling and numerical devices for data collection to locate wild Students Melanie Hardingham, Mathew This valuable experience challenged many methods in Portugal. spider monkeys at the Mexican field site Butler and George Sanders used funding stereotypical views of Brazil’s slum children. for uploading to a new from the University’s Ambassador Awards Dr Libby Damjanovic, Senior Lecturer database. Some of the scheme to gain cultural awareness of the A research visit for Brenda Garvey and in Psychology, was supported by an findings have received Rio de Janeiro area. During their two-month Mark Gant, Senior Lecturers in French and International Research Excellence Award press coverage, such trip they learnt about Pontificia Universidade Spanish respectively, to Palma de Mallorca to work closely with leading experts in as the discovery of Catolica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC), student life to meet members of the Caritas charity cognitive experimental psychology at the traditions across and the education system. PUC is a leading and Senegalese immigrants was supported University of Granada, including Professor five different Brazilian university and less privileged by an International Research Excellence Santiago de Torres. The scheme also backed students are often deterred by an aptitude Award. Caritas Mallorca has been helping a 10-day field class to Almería, South East test and high costs. Two contrasts are that Senegalese migrants since 2008 and the Spain, for 25 final year Geography and most of the students are from the city and funded research concerned the collection Natural Hazard Management students.

Spider monkey Lindsay Roberts (left), and Matt Baker (right), Co-Chairs, Garden Quarter Residents’ and Traders’ Community Association, with Dechlan Jarrett and LauraAnnual Pearsons Review of 2011 Chester Students’ Union

Partnership 67 and community

Through our staff, students and alumni, we seek to play a leading role in the intellectual, cultural, social, spiritual and economic life of the local, regional and wider communities we serve and with which we interact. Regional importance

The University plays a key strategic role in the wider region, strengthening its relationships with an array of organisations, businesses and community groups. The High Sheriff’s Awards for Enterprise

Chester Students’ Union (CSU) won the integrating into the area. Projects have Malcolm Walker CBE, Founder and Chief runs residential experiences for groups Community Relations category at the included community clean-ups in the Executive of Iceland Foods Limited, ranging from young people with learning National Union of Students (NUS) Awards. Garden Quarter, working with the Council presented the awards at the High disabilities to corporate businesses. This event celebrates excellence in the to reduce household waste, participating Sheriff’s Awards for Enterprise at the Highly recommended was Applewood student movement and the contribution in the Love Food Hate Waste campaign, University. The initiative was established Wealth Management, based in Chester 68 which students and students’ unions and the University’s People and Planet in 2006 by the then High Sheriff of and Oswestry. The winner of the

make to the lives of students and the Society working Health4All and with a Cheshire, David Briggs MBE, one of Mornflake Oats Awards for Innovation areas in which they live. CSU has actively local farmer to supply vegetable packs for the University’s honorary graduates, worth £3,000 was GSD, Graham Shapiro encouraged its students to be ‘good the community at a reduced rate. CSU’s to recognise outstanding achievement Designs, in Nantwich which provides neighbours’ by respecting, contributing and local community initiative called Common by enterprises in Cheshire, Halton and a range of brochures and websites. Sense Innit (CSI) has promoted a safe Warrington. Winner of the first prize with Highly commended was Certero, a and secure environment for students and a free place on the Chester Business specialist software vendor of Software fellow residents, while CSU President School’s MBA (worth £10,000) for an Asset Management and PC Power Dechlan Jarrett has been collaborating on appropriately qualified staff member was Management solutions from Warrington. the Council’s One City Plan to ensure that Hooton-based Click Consult, a leading The High Sheriff’s Awards for Enterprise students are involved in Chester’s future. internet marketing and web development represents one of the highest values of In recognition of CSU’s hard work agency. Highly commended was Amita any competition of its kind in the country in the community, Jack Mason, (UK) Ltd, an award winning IT support thanks to significant contributions from CSU Vice-President (Chester) company in Middlewich. The winner the sponsors, including Barclays Bank, was asked to switch on the of the £3,000 Bank of America Award Bank of America, Bolesworth Estate, Christmas lights at the for Corporate Social Responsibility Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West Light Up our Quarter was The Petty Pool Trust, College and and Chester Council, Flowcrete, Halton celebrations. Outdoor Centre in Sandiway, which Borough Council and Mornflake.

Jack Mason, CSU Vice-President (Chester), Laura Pearsons, CSU General Manager, Ruth Owen, CSU Deputy Manager and Dechlan Jarrett, CSU President Annual Review 2011

Professor Allan Owens from the Faculty to provide digital media skills for the Students and creating a website for the of Education and Children’s Services acclaimed new production, The Creation. Chester Guild of Tour Guides. has collaborated with Barbara Pickford Staff and students from The Harlequin from the Ethnic Minority and Traveller Project (THP), based in the Department A Cheshire-based ceramicist has benefited Achievement Service on the Gypsy, Roma of Computer Science and Information from the University’s entrepreneurial Traveller Project. This is a two-year drama Systems, brought a whole new dimension platform for gifted artisans. Janet Holmes practice-based research initiative funded including filming, photography, animation welcomed the opportunity to set up her by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s and graphics. The Creation was a workshop in the Atelier, which houses Department for Communities and Local theatrical collaboration between Chester new ‘start-up’ businesses for rural artisan Government/Race Hate Crime Funding that Mystery Plays and Theatre in the Quarter, craft industries at Burton Manor College. raises awareness of Traveller lifestyle and which told the Biblical version of how the An extraordinary exhibition was organised Janet Holmes at work on one of her clay sculptures allows dialogue between pupils, teachers, world began. Gareth Rainsforth, Dave there entitled The Spirit of Nature in Design. governors, local councillors and the public. Carter and Andy Davies developed motion This showcased the creations of Harrogate- documentary exploring the area’s past. TV The Project has secured further Knowledge graphics, video and stills animations for based artist Steve Blaylock, who displayed presenter Michael Wood visited the centre Transfer funding for Professor Owens and the stage screen during the performance work including a whole range of nature- to join walkers as they carried out a journey Professor Rob Hulme to research into the at the Roman Amphitheatre during inspired creations such as dragonflies, from Neston to St Olave’s Church to mark concept of ‘Travelling methodologies’. Chestival 2011. Other THP projects spiders, birds and trees. The Atelier was the Chester Viking Walk. This activity will included filming a video for the support also the backdrop to a special pilgrimage be featured in a new BBC series for 2012 69

Through the Faculty of Education and module on English for International filmed for a television entitled A Story of a Nation. Children’s Services, the University has co-sponsored a new Professional Learning Centre at Dee Banks School in Chester, “As ever, it has which aims to provide mainstream school been an absolute joy teachers with skills and experience to work effectively with special educational needs to work with The pupils. Featuring bespoke facilities, the Learning Centre hosts special needs courses Harlequin Project. for teachers and teaching assistants. As well Andy and his team are as offering training opportunities, the Centre will accommodate the local SENCO (Special just so creative; their Educational Needs Co-ordinators) forum involvement has added a which will provide specialist training. whole new element to The creative talents of the University’s th e performa n ce.” multimedia experts were called upon Jane Dawson, from Chester Mystery Plays

Sculpture by artist Steve Blaylock at the Atelier memories about their gardens and the type excavation drew to a close, the public was cons of the first past the post voting of plants that were common at the time. invited to an open day to coincide with the system. Charlie Lynch and Max Sworder Under the direction of their course leader, Dr Festival of British Archaeology. Around 200 argued the case that the current system Donna Jackson, Senior Lecturer in Modern people were given tours of the site and had be replaced with a system of proportional History, the group of student volunteers the opportunity to watch re-enactments by representation, while Ricki Jackson and trawled through gardening history books of Cwmwd Iâl at Vale Crucis Abbey. Dr Aaron Matthew Andrew opposed the proposal. the period, as well as through the archives Watson, artist in residence, created a DVD The students, who were among the and old photographs of Mendips. photo-animation of the excavation which inaugural intake for the Politics degree contains a visualisation of how the cross programme, heralded a new chapter for the “I am thrilled to hear may have originally looked. Society, which is keen to encourage more Shropshire Union Canal clean up young people to join its ranks. that John’s childhood New life was breathed into an historic Students participated in many community Chester society in a ‘town and gown’ event Head teachers and other education volunteer projects involving the regeneration home Mendips can be that stirred up some learned discussion. specialists visited the Warrington Campus and maintenance of a section of the used for educational Four University students joined The Chester to build further local links with higher Shropshire Union Canal. This is looked Debating Society to argue the pros and education. Heads and principals from the after by volunteers from a combination of purposes and that it 70 two organisations, the British Waterways

(BW) Canal Adoption scheme and a special continues to inspire volunteering programme created by the everyone who visits.” University’s Student Development Team. Yoko Ono This means that local residents and students continue to work together to improve the For the second year running, a team of environment at this historic location. archaeology experts and students joined Bangor University and Llangollen Museum History students worked on a research to excavate the site of the Pillar of Eliseg. project to gather information for use in Set on the lower slopes of the Horseshoe re-creating the authenticity of the garden of Pass, Llangollen, this landmark is believed John Lennon’s childhood home at Mendips to have been erected in the 9th century in Liverpool. The National Trust house is AD by Concenn, the last native ruler of a focus for Beatles fans and while the Powys, to commemorate the victory of his building dates back to the 1950s, the garden ancestor Eliseg over the English. No dating contains modern plants. The students evidence was found on the dig but the appealed to people who lived around construction was consistent with a burial Menlove Avenue in this period to help with monument of the Early Bronze Age. As the Archaeology students excavating the Pillar of Eliseg site Annual Review 2011

Some of Cheshire’s finest writers gathered at the Riverside Campus to celebrate the launch of Still Life, an anthology of poetry from The Cheshire Prize for Literature. The collection contains 58 of the short-listed poems for the 2010 competition, including those of the eventual winners. John Lea, the then High Sheriff of Cheshire, congratulated the anthology’s contributors and presented individual copies of the Alicia Kendall with Tim Firth, Jaki Brien, Anna Professor Peter Harrop, Pro-Vice Chancellor (fourth right) with Warrington Campus staff , head book. Some of the published poets read teachers and other education specialists Sutton and Mrs Cogan (Head Teacher) their work to the enthusiastic audience. area’s schools and further education colleges Renowned poet Simon Armitage read the future and was aimed at junior school- joined representatives from careers advisers the poem selected to win the 2010 High The descriptive and narrative skills of a trio aged children. With support from the Faculty Connexions and Warrington Borough Council Sheriff’s Cheshire Prize for Literature, of Cheshire schoolgirl storytellers were of Education and Children’s Services, the for a campus tour and the opportunity to sponsored by Bank of America for the rewarded in a competition launched by the man famed for Calendar Girls whittled learn more about the institution from staff. fifth consecutive year. Rita Ray took the famous Frodsham playwright Tim Firth. down hundreds of entries to choose the The event allowed the group to find out £2,000 first prize for her poem entitled Alicia Kendall, from Wirral Grammar overall winner and two runners-up. Tim, an 71 more about the programmes and facilities at Still Life with Oranges and Walnuts, School for Girls, was named the winner honorary graduate of the University, was the Warrington Campus. (Luis Meléndez) and was presented of The Great Cheshire Story Prize for helped by Jaki Brien, Senior Lecturer, and a with her award by the northern bard. her spellbinding short story, while Zoe team of students who critiqued each entry. Education experts at the University worked The runner-up was Helen Clare, from Baker, from Fallibroome High School, with young readers to judge their favourite Levenshulme, Manchester, for her poem Macclesfield, and Kate Mimnagh, children’s books for a national award. Readers Gerris Lacustris and she won £400 for from West Kirby from Upton Hall School and Wirral Grammar her entry. Former winner and runner-up Grammar School, School for Boys met with University and retail Simon Gotts received £250 for his piece were highly staff at Linghams bookshop in Heswall to The Careers Master, and former runner- commended discuss their experiences of reading 12 of the up Clive McWilliam was awarded £100 for their best books for children published in the past for his poem Spellbound. Organised by transfixing year. The group made recommendations to the University, the Cheshire Prize for tales. The go forward to the UKLA (The UK Literacy Literature is one of the North-West’s competition Association) Children’s Book Awards. The leading writing competitions and is open set out Faculty of Education and Children’s Services to individuals who live in Cheshire or have to find co-ordinated the judging of the book award for other connections with the county. budding the Chester area. writers of

Rita Ray with Diana Barbour, the former High Sheriff of Cheshire (left) and Simon Armitage Professor Elizabeth Mason-Whitehead with the Florence Nightingale letter

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Annual Review 2011

A moving and poignant letter penned by Certificates in Innovation and in Enterprise As Cheshire soldiers returned from the MSc Sociology of Sport and Exercise Florence Nightingale to a father grieving Facilitation, co-delivered with the firm. With Afghanistan, the University’s team of programme could take advantage of for news of his son, missing in action in economic and governmental pressure to trauma experts highlighted the need paid and voluntary placements with the Crimea, was purchased at auction teach innovation and enterprise and the for more support to address the effects Sport Cheshire (Cheshire and Warrington by the University. More than 150 years business’s success in developing curricula of psychological trauma in troops Sports Partnership) to complement their after it was sent, the rare, black-edged, and teacher training programmes, the returning from war zones. The national academic studies and pursue vocational autographed letter, written from the co-operation between Innovation Lab and announcement that a 24-hour helpline and interests in a range of sport-related Balaclava General Hospital, was bought at the University, with its leading edge WBIS extra mental health nursing were to be sectors (including public and private a sale in Nantwich. The letter has pride of framework, was a natural development. The provided for those who have served in the sports bodies, health organisations, and place in the Faculty of Health and Social first WBIS Enterprise Facilitation programme forces was publicly welcomed by Dr Stuart educational establishments). Care’s Riverside Museum collection of began in 2011 at Tameside College in McNab, Programme Leader of the MSc curiosities from the world of medicine, Ashton-under-Lyne, with an initial cohort of in Psychological Trauma, but on the BBC The Corporate Business and Enterprise nursing and social work. 17 teaching staff. he expressed his view that much more is team from the Faculty of Business, needed to truly address this complex and Enterprise and Lifelong Learning has Military Miscellany was a series of four Thanks to the energy and commitment sometimes well-hidden disturbance. undertaken a number of projects for public lectures celebrating the University’s of students on the MA in Clinical external organisations in the region. links with Cheshire Military Museum and Counselling, Chester has an exciting new Applied student internships continue to be Market research funded by the Northwest the Society of Thirteen. Academics from the society: University of Chester Counselling offered by the Department of Sport and Development Agency (NWDA) investigated 73

University of Swansea, Keele University, Society (UCCS), which is rapidly gaining a Exercise Sciences with a range of sporting the practical implications of diversification University of Cambridge and Durham reputation in the North West. UCCS was bodies such as the English Institute of for Combined Therapy Centres (CTC) Ltd, University spoke on topics from warfare in established by students in 2010, to provide Sport, Warrington Wolves Rugby League an expanding physiotherapy practice, medieval Europe to the Vietnam War at the a networking forum for past and present Club, St Helens Rugby League Club, Port and made recommendations for possible Grosvenor Museum in Chester. students, together with interested parties Vale FC, Tranmere FC, as well as smaller- expansion for E H Williams (Nurseries) outside the University to meet up on a scale placements working with individual Ltd. Lateral thinking workshops were Enterprise opportunities for entrepreneurs regular basis and network within a friendly athletes from Chester and Wrexham commissioned by Bank of America and a and teachers are being delivered thanks to environment. The Society is organised on Triathlon Clubs. These work based free session was delivered to assist with an arrangement between the University a voluntary basis by current students, with opportunities provided over 40 postgraduate demands experienced by Wirral Council’s and the Innovation Lab. Through the Work the active support of the Department of and undergraduate students with the ASBO Team. Action learning facilitation Based Integrative Studies programme Social Studies and Counselling. A seminar opportunity to gain critical experience of workshops were funded by the North West (WBIS), the University is supporting this series broadens knowledge and practice delivering sport science support with high Employers Organisation for its senior staff, Cheshire company which has won contracts of the counselling profession and the level sports teams. Moreover, they have led and carried out with the help of the Faculty to support staff in schools and colleges to range of speakers challenges the audience to a number of full- and part-time posts for of Education and Children’s Services. The develop student entrepreneurs using an to think about their own expectations, students on completion of their studies. In Wirral Council Corporate MBA Programme action-oriented, experiential approach. The motives and understanding of counselling addition to the applied internships offered has seen over 30% of senior managers University has also accredited Postgraduate and psychotherapy. to students in the Department, students on being awarded a Distinction and projects undertaken by students have now states and other projects include an package. The Department of Community mental health. A new certificate was identified significant combined savings online video sports application for the and Child Health, led by Jean Mannix, launched by HRMS to develop leadership and extra income for the organisation. An Oxford-based mobile phone specialists Deputy Head, won a competitive tender and management skills for those already Ofsted report highlighted the benefit of Babelquest, a training DVD for Halton with the Northwest Strategic Health in supervisory roles and those aspiring Wirral Council’s investment in its senior and Warrington Youth Offending Team, Authority for the NHS North West Public to progress to first line management. managers through this MBA course. A and an advertising photography project Health Leadership Programme that HRMS was also part of a national new Internship Programme is also being for a home shopping channel. centred on the development and delivery project group responsible for the established with leading companies such of a leadership programme for public development of the People Management as the Stobart Group and Yamoto (Japan). Helen Carr, Senior Lecturer from health. She also visited Cornwall with Framework which enables organisations the Department of Community and a team from NHS Northwest to review to measure the impact of their people The Hot Room at the Warrington Campus Child Health, was part of the team the capacity and progression routes into management interventions. brings a wide range of media products which successfully led a project to the Specialist Community Public Health and creative ideas from students and incorporate Brief Intervention Training Nursing programmes. The continued support and mentoring staff to benefit the wider community. into undergraduate nursing curricula provided by Jane Loudon, Programme Its work for the European Guide Dog in Cheshire and Merseyside. All pre- Assistant Director of Human Resource Leader and Senior Lecturer, and colleagues Federation has created a fully accessible registration student nurses now Management Services (HRMS) Julie in Drama and Theatre Studies has meant website for blind and partially sighted undertake this training and it was Mulliner has been involved in a national that the graduate company Performing 74 users across European member successful at the Northwest Public Health research project to investigate the range of Pathways has been touring schools

Awards. A collaborative project with the organisational models for structuring the and colleges to provide an interactive, Wirral and Cheshire Partnership Trust Human Resources and Development and entertaining and career-focused was undertaken by Human Resource Management functions experience. Performing Pathways offers the Faculty of Health in the UK higher education sector, educational programmes for young people and Social Care to together with factors that support best and those of all ages, backgrounds and develop a Global practice partnership working between staff abilities to engage with their creative self Mental Health developers and HR generalists. Assistant and ultimately contribute to their own Assessment Director Karen Cregan has participated personal development and the enrichment Training in a national intervention to determine of the community as a whole. Dance teaching a profile of the health and wellbeing students also had the chance to work status of University staff, to assess with renowned company Chameleon the impact of increasing knowledge of on an external workshop and a visit to health and wellbeing from participating in the University. The company initiates, individualised assessments, to investigate encourages and supports dance theatre the links between physical activity and by fostering artistic exchange between psychological wellbeing, and to establish dancers, choreographers and students the links between physical, dietary and both regionally and internationally.

The Performing Pathways team: Phillip Goss, Sabrina Francis-Reid, Ed Morris, Kimberley Nairn and Kate Moorhouse “Jon was a very impressive student. Alongside being a professional rugby league player who trained and played week in, week out – even gaining Case Study his Great Britain cap while at University – he studied incredibly hard and it’s testament to his determination that he succeeded in completing the Jon Clarke programme in only four years which is a remarkable achievement for a part-time student.” Dr Daniel Bloyce, Deputy Head of Sport and Exercise Sciences

Warrington Wolves star Jon Clarke swapped his kit and dissertation investigated recovery rates following a boots for a cap and gown when he graduated with a simulated rugby game. He is now undertaking a Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science (SES). At the age degree at the University to increase his knowledge in of 27, the rugby league player realised that he needed this area and hopes to pursue this as a possible career to start thinking about life after the game and decided option after rugby. Jon’s testimonial year with Warrington to enrol on a Bachelor of Science degree. His decision Wolves supported Help for Heroes and local charity coincided with the strengthening of the relationship Newlove Warrington and this rounded off over a decade between the club and University and this meant that of dedicated service to the team. He is now playing for 75

he was able to combine studying with playing at a Widnes Vikings as Captain and brings all his considerable professional level. experience to help the team thrive in its return to the Despite not having studied for 11 years, Jon found that Super League after an absence of six years. with help from lecturers and his club he was able to make the most of his course. He said: “It wasn’t easy but the support I was given from the staff in the SES Department was great and helped me to settle in. The teaching was brilliant too – even in the subjects that I wasn’t as keen on. They made their lectures really interesting and relevant and the hours would just fly by.” After the disappointment of missing the 2009 Challenge Cup win through injury, a complete change of fortune in the summer of 2010 saw him scoring a try in the Challenge Cup semi-final, being part of the winning team in the final, and hearing that he had gained a 2:1 for his degree. Throughout his degree, Jon particularly enjoyed Jon Clarke in action (picture courtesy of Mike Boden) learning about strength and conditioning and his Educational partnerships

The University continues to forge links with a range of other educational institutions to extend its sphere of influence and bring the benefits of higher education to a wider cross section of the community.

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The first seven students from the Isle of (WBIS) so that teaching assistants in local 15 UK higher education institutions with Man College received their BSc degrees in schools can study for a degree qualifying Church foundations. Originally established Computer Science. The qualifications are them to teach. Teachers can also access as colleges of teacher education, they awarded by the University after the successful Master’s level courses delivered at the have developed into universities and completion of three years full-time study at School through the Faculty of Education and university colleges offering a wide range of the Isle of Man College. Although it has been Children’s Services. Teachers from across undergraduate and postgraduate courses involved with computing degree programmes Shropshire have taken up the challenge especially in the arts, humanities, social in the past, this was the first opportunity for and numbers on the MA programme have sciences and health and social care. Isle of Man College graduates in Chester the course to be completed wholly on the doubled in the past two years. Members share a common faith heritage Island. The graduation ceremony in Chester and a strong commitment to values such Cathedral was enjoyed by the students, their recognised by a political member. Tim The Higher Education Awards for Warrington as social justice, respect for the individual families and College staff. Casemore and Ailish Angus completed Collegiate were held at St Elphin’s Church and promoting the public good through a University BSc in Public Health at the and celebrated the achievement and work with communities and third sector Undergraduates from the Isle of Man College and, as an extra-curricular activity, commitment of students who have organisations. The Cathedrals Group College, who surveyed fellow students’ they asked their contemporaries how completed Higher Nationals, Foundation maintains and develops co-operation views on drug and alcohol advice, were educators could convey health-related Degrees, teacher training and higher-level between the Church Universities and messages on drugs and alcohol to young professional qualifications. Among the Colleges and associated individuals and people. The students conducted their successful students was Paul Kinsella, organisations, while liaising with relevant 77

research over four months and presented who received the Phil Callaghan Memorial Committees, including the Joint Advisory the findings to Orla O’Donoghue, the Isle Award for outstanding achievement in IT. Committee for the Church Universities and of Man’s Department of Education and Established in August 2010, the Centre Colleges (JACCUC). Children’s Drug and Alcohol Liaison Officer. for Higher Education at Warrington Having received certificates of thanks from Collegiate provides higher-level learners Bill Malarkey MHK, Ailish and Tim are now with a professional teaching and learning studying for Master’s degrees in Public environment and is an associate Health at Chester. college of the University.

A partnership between the University and The University has continued the Marches Training School provides higher to play an active role in The education opportunities in the Oswestry Cathedrals Group through area, which has no local university. A Canon Professor Tim Professional Certificate and a Certificate in Wheeler’s two-year Higher Education have been accredited by period of service as the University for the School through the Chair. The Group is Bill Malarkey MHK presenting a certificate of thanks to Tim Casemore Work Based Integrated Studies Programme an association of

Canon Professor Tim Wheeler with the Reverend Janina Ainsworth, Chief Education Officer for the Church of England and the Bishop of Oxford at The Cathedrals Group’s Dearing Memorial Lecture Visitors

Eminent visitors from all walks of life visit the University to share their knowledge and skills. These guests draw audiences from across the region and provide an enriching

78 experience for students,

staff and the public.

Students at the University were able to meet and ask questions about the future of tourism in England at a guest lecture from one of the country’s leading experts. James Berresford, Chief Executive of Visit England, spoke about the organisation’s forward plan. This sets out targets for English tourism to 2020 and how they can be achieved through partnership between the public and private sector and not-for-profit organisations. It looks at marketing events, such as the 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, improving England as a place to visit and developing a successful and thriving tourism industry.

VisitEngland Chief Executive, James Berresford (left) and Colin Potts, Lecturer from Chester Business School (right) Annual Review 2011

VisitEngland is the Government-funded Judge Robert Seymour, the author of Wig organisation responsible for leading the Begone, gave an overview of 30 years development of tourism in England and was in the legal profession, having acted as an ideal case study for final year Tourism and a judge advocate (military judge) and a Events Management students. former practising barrister. He illustrated the mechanics of the criminal justice Michael Wood is probably best known for system through his own anecdotes and his BBC television series Great Railway recollections and explained how the Journeys. A broadcaster, historian and court martial system differs from civilian documentary filmmaker, he has presented jurisdiction. This was from the perspective numerous television series, made more of his 19-year career in military justice Lynn McDonald and Professor Mike Thomas, John Gardner with Professor Roger Kay Executive Dean, Faculty of Health and Social Care than 80 documentaries and written several that saw him trying cases in situations as history books. In a lecture at the Main diverse as a mountain-top hut in Cyprus to of literature and a psychoanalyst, while Dr For the Shell Chester Literature Festival, Campus as part of the Shell Chester a German kindergarten. Francesca Haig is a poet and Senior Lecturer Lynn McDonald, the world’s foremost Literature Festival, he told the extraordinary in the Department of English. Nightingale authority, visited the University story of one English community over 15 Legal and ethical roles were put under and explored Florence Nightingale’s centuries in The Story of England. Using the spotlight at the Annual Law Lecture. Simon Armitage is one of the country’s extraordinary life and career, getting to archive material and enlisting the help of John Gardner, Professor of Jurisprudence best-loved poets and he read from his the heart of her range of interests and 79 the current inhabitants of Kibworth with at the University of Oxford, was the guest collection, Seeing Stars as part of the achievements. Lynn McDonald was a a village-wide archaeological dig, the first lecturer hosted by Chester Law School. Shell Chester Literature Festival. Winner Member of Parliament in Canada from complete DNA profile of an English village The lecture, entitled ‘The Electrician’s of The Sunday Times Young Writer of the 1982 to 1988 and is a former President and family memorabilia were revealed. Tale’, opened with the story of the police Year 1993, Simon works as a freelance of the National Action Committee on shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes writer, broadcaster and playwright, and has the Status of Women, Canada’s largest and considered issues of law and morality written extensively for radio and television. women’s organisation. surrounding the responsibilities of those in His translation of Sir Gawain and the Green uniformed public service. Knight, published in 2007, was widely Sue Birtwistle, one of the University’s acclaimed. His visit to the University honorary graduates, was born in Northwich Salley Vickers discussed her latest collection coincided with The Cheshire Prize for and is the co-creator of the BBC adaptation of stories with Dr Francesca Haig as part Literature Awards Evening, for which he of Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford. She has of the Shell Literature Festival on campus. read the winning entry. also worked on several well-loved BBC Bestselling author of Miss Garnet’s Angel, productions including Pride and Prejudice. Salley Vickers has written six novels, including Florence Nightingale is one of the most Co-author of The Cranford Companion, Mr Golightly’s Holiday and, most recently, famous figures in modern history. Yet Sue Birtwistle explained how Elizabeth Dancing Backwards. She has worked as a much of what we know of her comes Gaskell’s timeless stories were interwoven Judge Robert Seymour dancer, an artist’s model, a university teacher from unreliable second-hand accounts. to create the BBC dramatisation and the attention to detail that won Cranford so Departments of Biological Sciences, Sport The impact of one of the most famous many awards. This event on campus was and Exercise Sciences, Mathematics, English writers was put under the in association with the Shell Chester and Computer Science, together with the spotlight at the second in the Professor Literature Festival. Informatics Centre staff. Glyn Turton Lecture series. Charles Dickens’s cultural, commercial and Chester’s Conservative MP Stephen Mosley Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio lived historical influence was xplorede by returned to higher education when he met the darkest and most dangerous life of any acclaimed scholar Dr Juliet John, in with experts from the institution’s Faculty of of the great painters. As part of the Shell ‘Dickens Worlds: Culture, Commerce and Applied Sciences. He was given a tour of the Chester Literature Festival events hosted Tim Mann, Head of Social Work, Karen Vanner, the Heritage Industry’. Dr John is Reader Learning Together Partnership; Professor Peter Harrop, various research and teaching laboratories on campus, Andrew Graham-Dixon gave a Tim Loughton MP, Gerald Meehan, Chair, Learning in English at the University of Liverpool Together Partnership, Halton Borough Council; and before attending a series of presentations. As unique insight into this world. The author Martin Jones, Step Up to Social Work programme and the Director of The Gladstone Centre a member of the Government’s Science and pieced together the scraps of evidence left for Victorian Studies in Wales and the Technology Select Committee Mr Mosley, of Caravaggio’s life and his book Caravaggio: Infirmary and has been described as a North West of England. himself a chemistry A Life Sacred and Profane shows how the ‘Clinical Investigator – Apostle of Sanitation’. graduate, was artist created the drama, immediacy and Drama and Education students enjoyed visiting the intimacy of his pictures, while departing Tim Loughton MP, as Parliamentary Under- a special series of lectures delivered University to from the conventions of his time. Andrew Secretary of State for Children and Families, by four eminent Japanese academics. find out about has presented seven major television series visited the Warrington Campus to see a Professors Hirohisa Ogawa, Junko Iwata, the research on art for the BBC and is a regular presenter new social work programme in action. He Hiroaki Nakajima and Yuri Kobayashi gave work that is carried on The Culture Show. met students taking part in the national lectures on early childhood education, out on campus Step Up to Social Work scheme, a new the importance of children’s natural play, and met Proposed changes to the organisation of fast-track Master’s programme for social Bertolt Brecht in Japan and children’s specialists the NHS was the theme of the fifth annual workers, and those who had worked on it. culture. The visit was funded by the Japan from the Haygarth Lecture which took place at the The students are all trainees with seven Foundation, which is Japan’s principal University. Professor John R Ashton CBE, local authorities who have collaborated organisation for promoting international Director of Public Health – Cumbria, offered to support the Government-supported cultural exchange. his thoughts on public health returning to initiative. Step Up to Social Work targets sit within local government jurisdiction as high calibre graduates with the skills and part of plans by the coalition government. experience necessary to enter front line The Haygarth Lecture was established in services with families and children. It aims conjunction with NHS Western Cheshire, to to make a difference to the lives of families celebrate the long tradition of public health and children by increasing the quality of action in Cheshire. It is named in honour of social workers entering the profession and the 18th-century physician, John Haygarth, enabling local employers to shape initial The Japan Foundation visit to the Faculty of who practised Medicine at Chester training for students to address local needs. Education and Children’s Services

MP Stephen Mosley with Dr Nina Dobson and Professor John Williams from the Department of Biological Sciences Annual Review 2011 Honoraries

The conferment of honorary degrees celebrates the contribution of prominent individuals and encourages them to build a closer association with the University.

Willie Carson OBE consecrated Bishop in 1989 and was he was a member of the University Council Doctor of Science, honoris causa Bishop of Blackburn until his retirement and the Mission Committee. Willie Carson was British Champion in 2003. Since then he has served Jockey five times, won 17 British Classic as Honorary Assistant Bishop in the The Right Honourable races, and passed the 100 winner mark in Dioceses of Chester and St Asaph, been the Lord Hoyle a single season on 23 occasions making a member of the Chapter of Chester Doctor of Letters, honoris causa a total of 3,828 wins. He was made Cathedral and acted as the Bishop of The Right Honourable the Lord Hoyle was 81 a Member of the Order of the British Chester’s Honorary Advisor for Rural elected Labour MP for Nelson and Colne Empire in 1983 for his services to horse Affairs. In 2007 he was awarded a CBE and then Warrington. He became MP racing, appeared on two series of A for services to the community in the for Warrington North in 1983 and served Question of Sport and remains a regular North West. Among his many other roles, until 1997. He was then raised to the presenter and pundit for BBC Racing. He was also Chairman of Swindon Town FC and has had sustained involvement with the children’s charity Cloud 9.

The Right Reverend Alan Chesters CBE Doctor of Theology, honoris causa Bishop Alan Chesters studied at Oxford and was ordained as Deacon and then Priest. He became Director of Education for the Diocese of Durham, followed by Archdeacon of Halifax. He was The Right Reverend Alan Chesters CBE The Right Honorable the Lord Hoyle

Matthew Kelly and WIllie Carson OBE (picture courtesy of Ede & Ravenscroft Photography) peerage as Baron Hoyle of Warrington. Matthew Kelly The Right Honourable the He was a member of the Labour Party Doctor of Letters, honoris causa Baroness Morris of Yardley National Executive and Parliamentary Actor David, better known to the public by Doctor of Letters, honoris causa Labour Party Parliamentary Committee, his stage name ‘Matthew’ Kelly, qualified Estelle Morris was born in Manchester Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party as a teacher from Manchester Polytechnic and is a graduate of Coventry College of from 1992 to 1997 and a member of the and has enjoyed success as an actor Education where she gained a Bachelor Shadow Cabinet. He was Government and television presenter. From 1991 he of Education degree. She taught Social Spokesperson for Defence, and was a presented You Bet and then became Science and Humanities at a school in Government Whip. He has had a long presenter of Stars in their Eyes, fitting Coventry and became Head of Sixth involvement with Warrington Wolves Rugby in a part-time Psychology degree with Form Studies, retaining a commitment The Right Honourable the Baroness Morris of Yardley League Football Club, and received the title the Open University. In 2003, while still to outreach work. In 1992 she was (picture courtesy of Ede & Ravenscroft Photography) Freeman of Warrington in 2005. presenting, he appeared in Steinbeck’s elected to Parliament for Birmingham Of Mice and Men on stage in London Yardley and has held positions including Sue Johnston OBE and achieved a Lawrence Olivier Award Secretary of State for the newly created to represent Tarvin in 1987 and remained Doctor of Letters, honoris causa for Best Actor. He recently replaced Department for Education and Skills and an elected member for 22 years. In Sue Johnston was born in Warrington and Simon Callow in Beckett’s Waiting for Minister for the Arts in the Department 2007 he was Executive Member for the performed with an amateur dramatics Godot. Matthew is President of the for Culture, Media and Sport. She was Culture and Community portfolio, and 82 group in St Helens, joined the Salford NeuroMuscular centre in Winsford, a conferred as Baroness Morris of Yardley took keen interest in Heritage and Leisure

Players and then studied at the Weber charity co-founded 20 years ago by his wife in the County of West Midlands in 2005 and International Relations. He is also Douglas Academy in London. In the 1970s Sarah, and each year the charity hosts a and was appointed Chair of the Children’s Chairman of Chester International she worked within the theatre-in-education Spirit of Christmas Carol Service in Chester Workforce Development Council and Links Association. He was Lord movement and then appeared in a variety of Cathedral, led by Matthew. President of the National Children’s Mayor from 1999 until 2000, television programmes including Coronation Bureau. She chairs the Strategy Board of was made an Alderman of Street. She met Phil Redmond whose the Institute of Effective Education at the Chester that year, and was company Mersey Television was auditioning University of York and the Education and also granted the Freedom of for the new soap Brookside and Sue landed Learning Committee of the Paul Hamlyn the City. Among other the part of Sheila Grant. Sue has become Foundation. roles, he is currently a national figure appearing in The Royle Vice President Family, Jam and Jerusalem, Brassed Off Eric Plenderleath of Chester and Goodbye Cruel World among others. Masters of Arts, honoris causa District Scouts She has received countless commendations Eric served with Tarvin Parish Council for Association, including the British Comedy Awards, more than 26 years, working to establish and Vice Chair BAFTA nominations, Royal Television the Tarvin Community Centre in 1974, and of the Gang Awards, Scouseology Awards and an OBE in remained on the committee for 20 years. Show Business 2009 for her services to drama. Eric Plenderleath He was elected to Chester City Council Committee. Annual Review 2011

She was elected to Chester City Council Board, later becoming Creative Director. He in 1989 and In 1991 she became the is Chair of National Museums Liverpool and ninth female mayor of Chester and then is closely involved with the arts, culture and the city’s first ever Lord Mayor. While charity, including Alder Hey Hospital. serving on the County Council, she ran the Volunteer Bureau for Chester Council David Rowlands of Voluntary Service until 1997. In 2005 Master of Science, honoris causa Sue became Leader of Cheshire’s Liberal David began farming in partnership with Democrat Group and served on Cheshire his parents in Mickle Trafford and now runs Police Authority. Among many other the farm with his son and daughter. This Sue and Graham Proctor with their daughters commitments, Sue is a Deputy Lieutenant, business joined the High Level Stewardship John Price MBE (picture courtesy of Ede & Ravenscroft Photography) a Parish Councillor, School Governor and a scheme in 2007, encourages wildlife and Magistrate serving on the Vale Royal bench hosts farm visits. He has served as a Parish John Price MBE Graham Proctor and in 2004 Sue was awarded an MBE for Councillor in Mickle Trafford and District and Master of Science, honoris causa Master of Science, honoris causa services to the community in Chester. Chair of Elton Parish Council. He became John Price served on Chester City Council Graham Proctor studied at the former a Chester City Councillor, and then a for more then 40 years and received an Chester College in 1961 before teaching Professor Phil Redmond CBE Cheshire County Councillor from 1997 until MBE for services to Local Government in general science and physics at Christleton Doctor of Letters, honoris causa 2009. Among many other roles, David is a 83

2005. For much of his career he was also and then Bishops’ Bluecoat Church of Professor Redmond started his career as a Governor at Upton High School and West an officer for the ostP Office Engineering England High School. He was elected to Quantity Surveyor, but then opted to begin Cheshire College, Chair of the Oldfield Union and has had a lifelong and ongoing Great Boughton Parish Council and then a writing career in television. In 1978 he Educational Trust and the Cheshire Rural active commitment to trade unionism. From City Council and was Group Leader for the developed the school-based series, Grange Charitable Trust. 1974 until 1977, he served simultaneously Liberal Democrats from 1984 until 2001. Hill, which earned him the Writers’ Guild on Chester City Council and Cheshire Graham was elected Lord Mayor in 2001 Best Newcomer and ran for 30 years. In the County Council. He was Leader of the and is an Honorary Freeman and Honorary 1980s he set up Mersey Television which Council during a joint cabinet with the Alderman of the City of Chester. After years went on to become the largest independent Liberals and became Lord Mayor of of dedicated service, the Scout Movement television company in the UK, producing Chester in 1989. In 1990 he was honoured Graham with both the Long such programmes such as Hollyoaks and Founding Chair of the Chester Service Award and Medal of Merit. Emmerdale. In 1993 he founded the first International Links Association. regional branch of the British Academy of He became a member of the Susan Proctor MBE, JP, DL Film and Television Arts. Three years later he Local Government Twinning Master of Arts, honoris causa was appointed Vice Chair of the North West Committee and Executive Chair Susan Proctor was born in Ellesmere Port Film Commission, becoming a patron in and President of the Walled and met her husband Graham when he 1999 and was awarded the CBE in 2004. In Town Friendship Committee. arrived to teach science at her old school. 2006 he joined Liverpool’s Capital of Culture David Rowlands

Sue Johnston OBE and Professor Phil Redmond CBE (picture courtesy of Ede & Ravenscroft) Graduates

The impressive graduation ceremony in Chester Cathedral marks the beginning of a new chapter for graduates as they embark upon their careers and are able to contribute their knowledge and skills to society.

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Annual Review 2011

A former police officer, who transferred to prevent similar situations in the future. Lloyd Bristow created the ‘Can’t Cook, his professional talents to the University, Throughout the course, Steve was able to Don’t Cook’ programme while studying integrated himself into campus life by draw upon his extensive experience as a for an MSc in Public Health Nutrition, in earning a first class degree, alongside his police officer and convert the qualification order to equip students with skills and existing work commitments. After a 30- into a full BA degree. confidence in the kitchen. Recognising year career in the Cheshire Constabulary, that first-year students often had poor former Inspector Steve Clapham took Studying at the University helped one dietary habits, which could contribute to on the role of Proctor at the University in student make a complete career change. serious health problems, Lloyd devised 2003 to assist with overseeing disciplinary Adrian Kwasnicki worked for more than 20 the initiative to educate students about procedures. Two years later, Steve began years in IT for British Airways, spending healthy eating. Running over 10 weeks, studying part-time through the Work Based the last three years as the UK Field Service Jenna Vernon students were taught how to make Integrative Studies (WBIS) programme for Manager. He worked as freelance trainer cheap, healthy meals from scratch. Lloyd his qualification in Conflict Transformation. for five years before going into education placement programme, she had already now works as a Community Nutritionist The subject focuses not only on the as a Continuing Professional Development been able to spend some time working as in Greater Manchester, specialising in resolution of conflict, but also the Adviser and Head of Outdoor Education at a Marketing Assistant and this experience paediatric nutrition. amendment of attitudes and behaviours St Wilfrid’s School in Blackburn. He decided proved to be pivotal in helping her take the to study for a Postgraduate Certificate next step into permanent employment. (PGC) in Coaching with Barefoot Coaching, Having gained a degree in Communications 85

a programme supported by the University. Studies and Creative Writing, Jenna After gaining the PGC he decided to believes her time spent at Chester was enhance his knowledge in coaching and ‘invaluable’ in helping her to secure a leadership and continue his studies to foothold on the career ladder so quickly. Master’s level at Chester. Adrian felt that his MA in Coaching for Transformational A Master’s degree student, who gave up Leadership (WBIS) has broadened his a successful career in order to pursue his knowledge, given him more confidence as childhood passion, has now progressed to a coach and made him a better person at study for a PhD with the Department of home and work. History and Archaeology. Jonathan Worton spent more than 20 years working in the A student wasted no time in landing her advertising, design and exhibition business dream job with Chester agency de Winter before deciding to re-enrol as a student. PR & Marketing. Jenna Vernon found Having been a keen historian since herself in a full-time role with the company childhood, Jonathan flourished on the just one day after her final exam. As part of programme, gaining an impressive mark Steve Clapham her degree’s Work Based Learning (WBL) for his research dissertation. Lloyd Bristow at a Can’t Cook, Don’t Cook event An international student is using her the legal system during his time in the University experience to make a positive military, John decided that he wanted to change to public health in her own pursue a profession in law and started country. Sophia Obasogie, from Nigeria, on his new career path. He is now taking moved to Chester to study for her MSc in a Bar Professional Training Course in Public Health as she wanted to improve Manchester, a full-time commitment, and her knowledge of preventative medicine will then have to complete a 12-month in public health. A qualified nurse and pupillage, the final stage of training to midwife, Sophia returned to Nigeria to be a barrister. conduct a study examining the practices of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) Ali Cutler is an in-house example of the for her dissertation project and one of success of the WBIS scheme, which the recommendations arising from the allows people to enter higher education research was to create an awareness while still continuing their current campaign to improve the skills and employment. Ali works in the Student practice of TBAs in the country. Support and Guidance Department and wanted to gain a higher education 86 A former Royal Military Policeman qualification for career purposes. With

who left school with only a handful of an existing Higher National Certificate qualifications has gained a first class from earlier study, Ali was able to Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB). John incorporate that into her BA degree in Richards joined the Army aged 18 and Administration and Leadership, which retired in 2002 as a Warrant Officer she studied part-time over the next Class 1 – the highest non-commissioned three years. She was able to attend rank – after 22 years of service. After workshops at Arrowe Park, closer to leaving the Army he worked abroad her home, which minimised travel time, in the security industry before jointly and the flexibility meant that she was establishing an IT company which is still able to continue playing hockey and running. But having gained a taste of cricket, missing only one game in three

“The lecturers are fantastic. They are very approachable, helpful and constantly encouraging you and giving you study tips and pointers.” John Richards, Law student

Sophia Obasogie Annual Review 2011

of study. Having spent a number of “Receiving my PhD years in the building industry and then NHS mental health care, Paul came to has been my greatest Chester in 2003 for a BSc Criminology achievement at the course and has been studying, and working, at the institution ever since. University. This has After gaining his first degree, he completed an MA in Crime and Justice been hard work, however and in 2008 embarked upon his PhD, enormously gratifying, exploring the lived experiences of mental health workers in a northern and it has been a NHS Trust. Paul became a Visiting pleasure to study, and Lecturer in 2008 and two years later he was appointed as a full-time Lecturer in now work, with a great Criminology in the Department of Social many accomplished Studies and Counselling. Ali Cutler Helen Smith a ca demics.” Dr Paul Taylor 87

Employment Services awards. Through years. On top of Ali’s achievement from her textile-based art she worked closely a professional standpoint, she is also with the Department of Performing especially proud as she does not come Arts on a production called Shreds of from an academic background. Beckett, based on the work of absurdist playwright Samuel Beckett. In her third Helen Smith had the distinction of year she took part in two acclaimed live gaining the highest mark across the art installations at Liverpool’s Walker Art entire institution for her first class Gallery, entitled ‘Dances With Statues’, degree in Fine Art and made the most in collaboration with students and staff, of her three years at University. She and was invited to work alongside participated in, and co-ordinated, art professional artists on an exhibition for exhibitions as well as setting up a thriving the Liverpool Biennial 2010. online make-up business. She also earned the title of North West Student For Dr Paul Taylor, a former construction on Campus Employee of the Year in worker, graduation represented the the National Association of Student culmination of almost a decade’s worth

Dr Paul Taylor Alumni

Former students have been able to capitalise on their University experience and excel in all walks of life.

A graduate from the Warrington Campus Former Warrington student Dave Vitty, better aimed for chart success as his group, the known as ‘Comedy Dave’ from BBC Radio 1’s Great British Barbershop Boys, competed The Chris Moyles Show, returned to the against the stars in the album charts. Alan Warrington Campus to play a gig for students Hughes is a quarter of the Sony signing, and catch up with some of his former whose album Christmas Time was a lecturers. Dave graduated with a degree in big selling success. Commercial Music Media and Business Management in 1995 Production graduate Alan, who is also a and the visit was an opportunity for current teacher, was discovered while the group students to learn more about his career. In 88 was representing the UK at the International 2011 Dave also wore a pair of ice skates and

Barbershop Convention in Philadelphia and exotic costumes to entertain ITV 1 audiences secured a record deal soon afterwards. for Dancing on Ice.

Internationally acclaimed artists and former Kerry Bowie, a Higher Level Teaching students The Singh Twins received MBEs for Assistant (HLTA) at The Arches Primary services to the tradition of Indian miniature School, in Blacon, was commended by the painting in 2011. The award came at a University for her positive effect on pupils particularly important time as Rabindra and and entered for the Outstanding HLTA of the Amit were selected as official Ambassadors Year. Following her qualification at Chester, for Liverpool’s Decade of Health and Kerry has acted as Primary Link teacher Wellbeing which aims to promote the for PE at The Arches, working with a local importance and value of art and culture. In high school and feeder schools to promote addition to their solo exhibition at the National sport. She has organised sporting events, Portrait Gallery, the Singh Twins won the established an after-school club and looks People’s Choice Award in the 2008 Liverpool after a team of teaching assistants. Her Art Prize and published a book entitled The positive attitude inspires and motivates the Making of Liverpool: Portraits of a City. children in her care.

The Great British Barbershop Boys with Alan Hughes (left) Annual Review 2011

Sainsbury’s which agreed to stock Mammy until Russell’s ‘retirement’ from teaching where he and his wife opened a personal Jamia’s in 216 stores worldwide. The brand ushered in a new overseas adventure. He is training studio. They now employ 18 staff is so successful that Waitrose is now selling now Director of The Kathmandu University and the gym has twice been named one the products in more than 150 UK shops. High School in Nepal which allows him to of America’s Top Gyms by Men’s Health use his considerable educational experience Magazine. In addition, Alwyn trains clients Two friends, who both studied for their within a developing country. and staff, has co-authored three books, Master’s qualifications at the University, contributes regularly to several fitness have turned a research project into their For the last 15 years, Julie Mitchell has been magazines and consults and lectures on the full time business, helping to identify welcoming crowds of visitors to Chester. fitness lecture circuit, sharing his fitness and people with osteoporosis and a high risk It wasn’t a career that she had anticipated business knowledge across the world.

Louise Wilson of bone fractures. Tracey Hunt and Isobel when she graduated with a BEd in Primary Pugh studied for an MSc in Exercise and Education, with Art and Psychology, in Louise Wilson, a former Animal Welfare and Nutrition Science and set up their own 1991. Julie and husband David are the Behaviour student, has combined her love company, providing a bone density testing world’s first husband and wife town of hands-on practical work with a passion and advisory service. From their studies criers and it was on their wedding for Biology at Wagtail UK, a Flintshire-based the pair realised that they could give day that primary school teacher dog training company. Initially a volunteer, women exercise and nutrition guidance that David made his debut. Both were she is now the company’s Head Trainer. would help them to maintain their bone appointed as Chester’s official Town 89

Having worked with sniffer dogs in a range density and reduce their risk of fracture. Crier and Julie was the world’s highest- of venues, Louise has been eager to find bonematters has now worked with more ranking female crier at the 1999 World new ways to use an animal’s talents. Wagtail than 20 universities throughout the UK, as Town Crier Championships in Canada thus provides dogs for pest control, live well as health clubs, local authorities and and sixth overall. She has combined body detection, hunting out the use of illegal companies such as Unilever, MBNA and her duties with a successful career fertilisers and finding snares to prevent Barclays Bank. as an art specialist, teaching in 75 illegal poaching. different schools to date. Russell Jackson studied on the Technical Originally from Albania, Sajmira Cairns, who Studies teacher training course from 1967 to After a successful career in graduated in 2009 with a first class degree, 1970 at Chester and since then teaching has high-level martial arts, Alwyn was inspired to create ‘Mammy Jamia’s’, an taken him around the world. After graduating, Cosgrove studied Sports Science unusual range of premium preserves, when he volunteered with the United Nations at Chester and is now one of the her husband received some jars sent from lecturing in Bahrain and then returned to teach most sought-after fitness experts Albania as a gift from her mother, Jamia. at Ellesmere Port Boys’ Grammar School (later in America. His US summer The unconventional flavours were a big hit Whitby High School). Russell and his wife camp teaching experiences when the Eastham couple sold the jam then moved to Oman, where Russell taught led to work in a New York gym at an indoor market, so they approached Engineering. The couple returned to Whitby before he moved to California

Julie and David Mitchell Deans of Support Departments Members of the University Council 2010-2011 Senior colleagues Dean of International Development Professor Kevin Sykes President: The Right Reverend Dr Peter CertEd, DPE, DASE (Leeds), MSc (Loughborough), PhD Forster, the Lord Bishop of Chester (Liverpool), FHEA, FBAPT, MRSM (London), MIBiol, CBiol Deputy President: Canon Jeff Turnbull Senior Management Deans of Faculties Dean of Learning and Teaching • Mrs Christine Allen Vice-Chancellor and Principal Applied and Health Sciences Professor Jethro Newton • The Right Reverend Alan Chesters CBE Canon Professor Timothy Wheeler Professor Sarah Andrew BSc (Bradford), MSc (Salford), PhD (Wales), Grad Cert Ed, FHEA (to 31-12-2010) DL, BA, PhD (Wales), FE Teachers’ Cert, CPsychol, CSci, BSc (London), PhD (Nottingham) • Dr Lesley Cooke – Staff AFPBsS, FSS, FRSA, MIPR, MIOSH, MIIRSM Dean of Research, Postgraduate and (from 01-01-2011) Knowledge Transfer Arts and Media • Mr Howard Cooper Professor Neville Ford University Secretary and Bursar Mr Brendan O’Sullivan • Mr Colin Daniels MA (Oxford), MSc (Manchester), PhD (Liverpool), FIMA, FHEA Mr David Stevens GDipMus (Huddersfield), PGCE (Manchester • His Honour Judge Elgan Edwards BA (CNAA) (Liverpool John Moores), ACIS Metropolitan), MA (Liverpool) • Mr John Evans Dean of Students • Professor John Fisher (from 01-07-2011) Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Resources Business, Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Dr Lesley Cooke • Ms Karen Fisher – Staff Cert Ed, BEd (Cambridge), MA, PhD (Leeds), AFBPsS, FHEA and Quality) Professor Phil Harris (from 01-07-2011) Dr Malcolm Rhodes BA (York), Cert Ed, PhD (Manchester Metropolitan), • Professor Neville Ford – Staff BA (CNAA), MA (Keele), EdD (Durham) 90 FCIM, FIPR, FRSA Directors of Services • Professor Michael Hoey • Mr Dennis Holman – Staff Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Provost (Warrington) Education and Children’s Services Business Development (to 31-08-2010) Dr Peter Harrop Ms Anna Sutton Mr Charles Woodcock • Mr Dechlan Jarrett – Chester Students’ BEd, PhD (Leeds), FHEA Cert Ed, BEd, MEd (Wales) Careers and Employability Union (from 01-08-2010) Mr Paul Gaunt • Ms Jill Jones (from 25-01-2011) Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience/ Health and Social Care Catering and Conference Services • Professor Roger Kay – Staff Corporate Performance) Professor Michael Thomas Mr Ian White (from 01-09-2010) Dr Chris Haslam BNurs (Manchester), MA (Law) (Liverpool John Corporate Communications • The Very Reverend Professor BSc (Newcastle), PhD (Southampton) Moores), PhD (Nottingham), RMN, RNT, Cert Ed, Ms Jayne Dodgson Gordon McPhate ENB655 (Professional Qualification in Psychotherapy), Corporate Planning and Special Projects • Mrs Cathy Maddaford Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Academic FHEA, MBPsS Mr Paul Kirkbright • Mrs Marion Needham Secretary/Director of Legal Services Facilities • Mr David Pickering Mr Adrian Lee Humanities Mr Jared Allen • Mr Stephen Povey – Staff (to 30-6-2011) MA (Oxford), LLM (Staffordshire) Professor Robert Warner Finance • Mr Graham Ramsbottom BA, MA (York), MA (Oxon), PhD (King’s College, London) Mr Edward Austin • Mr Peter Roberts Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Human Resource Management Services • Councillor Sandra Rudd Professor Michael Thomas Social Science Mrs Julie Dagnall Learning and Information Services • Mrs Margaret Steward BNurs (Manchester), MA (Law) (Liverpool John Mr David Balsamo Mr Brian Fitzpatrick • Councillor Adrian Walmsley Moores), PhD (Nottingham), RMN, RNT, Cert Ed, BA (Middlesex), MSc (London), MSc (Oxford), CQSW ENB655 (Professional Qualification in Psychotherapy), Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions • Canon Professor Tim Wheeler, DL, FHEA, MBPsS Ms Lynette Bailey Vice-Chancellor Registry Services Mr Jonathan Moores Secretary: Mr David Stevens Annual Review 2011

Credits Financial Results 2010 -11 Design: Emma Shipman, Graphics, LIS Cover: Angela Bell (Graphics, LIS)

Editorial Team: Sarah Griffiths, Jayne Dodgson, Gemma Sproston, Alexandra Williams, Amy 2.34% 0.16% 4.32% Jones, Chris Leonard and Jenni Westcott 13.52% (Corporate Communications) and Kath Roberts (Vice-Chancellor’s Office) 0.44%

Photographs: Mark English, Angharad Armson, 40.04% Steve Newby, Jon Lingwood (Media Services, LIS), staff and students

31.98% © University of Chester 2012

The University’s 2010 Annual Review was a regional finalist in the ‘Best 61.35% Publication’ category for the Chartered Institute for Public Relations PRide Awards and the How-Do Public-Service 45.84% Communications Awards.

Income 2010-2011 Expenditure

Funding Council grants 31,905,112 Staff costs 48,043,576 Tuition fees and support grants 36,531,879 Other operating expenses 25,046,151 Research grants and contracts 351,311 Depreciation 3,382,393 Other operating income 10,773,445 Interest payable 1,834,013 Interest receivable 126,646

Total income 79,688,393 Total expenditure 78,306,133

Retained surplus for the period 1,382,260 “I’ve had a fantastic experience at the University. The History and Archaeology Department has been so supportive of my studies and my business and I’ve had the opportunity to work with some really brilliant lecturers. I really can’t thank them enough for their support.”

Dean Paton, winner of a £50,000 prize in the Barclays Take One Small Step competition for ‘The Roman Fort Project’ winner of the John Hurst Award for the best undergraduate dissertation in medieval archaeology from the Society of Medieval Archaeology and his business Archaeology for Schools is now based at the Riverside Innovation Centre

University of Chester Parkgate Road, Chester CH1 4BJ Tel: 01244 511000 Fax: 01244 511300 Email: [email protected] Website: www.chester.ac.uk/annual-review

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