Annual Review 2013-2014
Annual Review 2013-2014
Contents -
Big Picture – University of the Year 02-03 Welcome from the Vice-Chancellor 04-05 Feature: University of the Year 06-07 Top 10 Achievements of the Year 08-09 Student Experience 10-23 Feature: Employability 24-25 Research and Impact 26-41 Feature: Research Institutes 42-45 Feature: 12 Degrees North 46-47 External Engagement 48-57 International 58-65 People 66-77 Sustainability 78-85 Honorary Graduates 86-91 Financial Summary 92-95 Principal Officers of the University 96 Donors 96
1 Welcome
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3 Welcome
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statistically significant ‘better than benchmark’ Welcome from the figures for retention and the region’s highest rating for student satisfaction, across all 23 Vice-Chancellor questions, in the 2014 National Student Survey. The Times Higher Education’s Student Experience Survey reinforces this message, with Edge Hill University the highest-rated newcomer Each year we make one commitment to in this year’s table, joint-second nationally for our Edge Hill University’s Governing Body: campus environment and top in the region for that the University this year will be support and welfare, centralised facilities and our Students’ Union. And, comparing our weakest even stronger and better regarded than performance (2006) with our best (2013/14), we the year before. have climbed 57 places in national newspaper league tables, more than any other university. I have no doubt we achieved this. As we were We are confident that this trend will continue. putting the finishing touches to this Annual Review, Edge Hill University was announced To ensure this, we have invested over a quarter by the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards of a billion pounds in the campus in the past as University of the Year. decade, with fourteen new buildings and over 1400 new student residences – all en-suite, with This is the most prestigious accolade in the televisions, computers, even fridges. We offer two Higher Education sector and the University was theatres and sector-leading sports facilities, with chosen as the winner from a list of six shortlisted a new £30m sports centre coming on stream in institutions after a comprehensive judging 2014/15, and this year alone have added five new process. It is a privilege to work alongside all science laboratories, a newly-refurbished building those who strive to fulfill Edge Hill University’s for Geography, our £17m computing, music, film commitment to changing lives – our staff, and TV production facility (Creative Edge), a lake students, alumni, Students’ Union, our partners and even a beach! and our friends and it is rewarding to see this spirit recognised. Our research base continues to grow, with a 240% increase in entries to the 2014 Research This outstanding accolade rounded off a year Evaluation Framework, the results of which of accomplishments. We were named as the top we await with optimism and anticipation. diversified university according to the Graduate And, with new programmes in Digital SFX, Social Mobility Index, which compares the socio- Games Programming, Music, Network Security economic background of students at entry and and Forensics, BioScience, Child Health and the proportion obtaining graduate jobs after Children’s Learning, we are confident that the completing their degrees. We believe that virtuous circle of recent years will continue. education should be a transformational process, improving lives and life chances, and this measure Finally, I would want to acknowledge the people recognises our, and our graduates’, success. who are making this happen, the people who are changing lives – our staff, our students, our Part of this achievement reflects the fact that, alumni, our Students’ Union, our partners and following on from record numbers of our friends. Thank you. We look forward to applications, average entry grades for students at working with you as part of a university which the University have improved by over a quarter in really is ‘going places’. the past five years, with more than one-third of our intake having ABB+ or equivalent grades at Dr John Cater A level or BTEC. But it is also reflected in Vice-Chancellor
5 Welcome
Edge Hill University has been Edge Hill named University of the Year in the 10th annual Times Higher University: Education (THE) Awards. The award is the most prestigious accolade in the Higher Education sector and the University University of the was chosen as the winner from a list of six shortlisted institutions which included Swansea Year 2014-15 University, the University of Glasgow and Birkbeck, University of London.
The judging involved a comprehensive assessment process culminating in a visit to the “Congratulations to all the staff campus in Ormskirk by Times Higher Education and students (and old boys and girls editor John Gill. At this visit in September, John met staff and students from all levels, across the like me) of Edge Hill on their richly university’s beautiful campus to discover just deserved award of University Of what sets Edge Hill apart from the competition. The Year at the THE awards 2014. A fitting tribute to a brilliant In the run up to the announcement, members of the Edge Hill community shared their thoughts institution.” through social media on why the University should win the title, and following the Writer, Broadcaster and Edge Hill announcement, #THEawards was a top 10 trending UK twitter topic. Alumnus Stuart Maconie
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The University of the Year award was collected by “It is a deserving winner of the University of Vice-Chancellor Dr John Cater at a glittering the Year title.” awards ceremony in London hosted by comedian Jack Dee at the end of November 2014. Vice-Chancellor Dr John Cater added:
Following the announcement, the Times Higher “I’m delighted and extremely proud that Edge Education wrote that the judges in the awards Hill has won University of the Year. The were impressed with how Edge Hill had steadily University is stronger than ever before and I’m built its reputation with strong performances and honoured to have been involved in its consistent year-on-year improvement since it gained growth and improvement during my tenure as university status in 2006. Vice-Chancellor.”
This was capped with an exceptional year in Hundreds of nominations for outstanding 2012-13, when it was one of only four universities institutions, departments and individuals were in England to benefit from an increase in submitted across 18 categories covering the full applications in the first year of higher fees. range of university activity. These awards showcase the pioneering spirit, adaptability and John Gill, Times Higher Education editor, said: sheer quality of the Higher Education sector. “Edge Hill is a great success story, having quietly established itself as an institution that improves The University’s Learning Services department and impresses year after year. was also shortlisted in the Outstanding Contribution to Leadership Development “Its achievements in student satisfaction and category in the 2014 awards. graduate employment were noted by our judges, as was its financial performance and the part it plays in transforming lives in the local region.
“Its investment in academic staff, the strengthening of its research profile, the growth in applications and its innovation were all notable achievements.
7 Top 10 Achievements of the Year Top Top in the North West for Overall Student Satisfaction – 10 National Student Survey 2014 Achievements of the Year Strong levels of graduate employment with 95.3% of first degree and other undergraduate award holders finding employment or further study within six months of graduating. This makes us one of the top eight public universities for graduate Winner of employment in England (DLHE survey by the Higher Education Statistics University Agency 2014) of the Year Top Times Higher Education University of the year for 2014-15, as well as shortlisted in 2007-8, 2010-11 and 2011-12 Two university in the UK for Social Mobility based on Edge Hill’s success in developing a broad range of students to achieve graduate jobs (Social Mobility Graduate index 2014)
8 Annual Review 2013-2014 Top 20 240% English University for a great first increase in Research Excellence impression – making students feel Framework (REF) submissions at home straight away compared to the 2008 figure (YouthSight 2014)
Top Over for Personal Development and Assessment and Feedback in the region (National Student Survey 2014) 1000 nominations received in the 2014 student-led staff awards
Summer 2014 saw our Safest Largest Campus Ever in the North West for third year running graduating cohort – and remains in the top 10 nationally almost 4,000 students graduated (Complete University Guide 2014) in 16 ceremonies across 5 days
9 Student Experience
10 Student Experience With one of the most welcoming campuses in the country, and rated one of the top two for Social Mobility, our students truly experience life changing opportunities at Edge Hill.
With industry standard facilities, one of the safest campuses in England and Wales, employability focussed courses and being top in the region for teaching excellence, we provide the best overall student experience in the North West and fantastic opportunities for our students. Student Experience
Open for Creativity
Renowned broadcaster, author and alumnus Stuart Maconie returned to campus to officially open Creative Edge, the University’s £17 million 1 flagship media and computing hub.
The stunning – and sustainable – addition to Edge Hill’s ‘creative campus’, which opened its doors to staff and students in September 2013, got the celebrity treatment with a formal launch in March this year. During the high profile event, VIP guests were able to see examples of students’ work, the TV and recording studios and listen to The Inkhearts and Hooton Tennis Club, two bands signed to the University’s own record label.
2 The state-of-the-art building provides high-spec suites of industry-standard facilities for Media, Music, Film, Animation, Advertising and Computing students on a par with those used by the BBC at MediaCityUK. As well as working studios for TV, radio and music production, Creative Edge houses animation and photography studios, cutting edge computer labs and a 250-seat lecture theatre, complete with cinema-style surround sound, to enable students to see and hear their film projects on the big screen. It also provides the perfect environment for exciting collaborations between 3 Media and Computing staff and students.
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Students Celebrate Innovative Installation “Saint of the Slums” has the Edge
A documentary produced by five The spectacular video wall that Film and TV students was selected to dominates Creative Edge’s foyer and appear at the Liverpool Irish Festival. gives the building its initial wow factor has won its creators a Connor Richmond, Matthew Harrison, Sophie Malone, Alex Walsh and Rebecca Seddon, who all prestigious international award. study Film and Television Production, created Audio visual integrator scooped the Kitty: The Saint of the Slums, a documentary on Pure AV historical figure Kitty Wilkinson as part of their ‘Innovative Education Project’ at the 2014 university coursework. InAVation Awards for designing a unique audio-visual environment within Creative Edge Kitty Wilkinson was an Irish wife of a labourer who that allows students to learn, create, develop moved to Liverpool in 1832 and saved many lives and showcase their work. during the cholera epidemic by allowing neighbours to wash their infected sheets and linens in her house. The project involved a high-spec lecture theatre With the support of the Rathbone family, Kitty’s with digital cinema facility, 27 seminar rooms efforts eventually led to the opening of the country’s with a mix of projection and display devices, IT first public washhouse in Liverpool in 1842, suites and creative ‘break-out’ spaces, digital revolutionising and transforming UK healthcare. signage and IP-TV across the campus and the iconic feature video wall in the building’s The team of students originally created the impressive atrium. documentary as part of their second year coursework, but became heavily invested in the 3 story and continued to develop it over the summer months, even travelling to Derry~Londonderry to gather footage.
The students secured interviews with Kitty’s great, great, great niece Rev. Elizabeth Storey and Liverpool-Irish Historian Greg Quiery, as part of the documentary.
Connor, Matthew, Sophie, Alex and Rebecca remain committed to telling Kitty’s story, and are planning to approach other film festivals as well as local schools in Liverpool and Ireland to spread the story further.
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Student Nurses Learn Students Lead Mental from the Best Health Commitment
The nurses of the future can learn Edge Hill has become the first from a urology expert after an Edge university in the UK to offer its Hill lecturer won the British Journal sports students the chance to gain a of Nursing’s Urology Nurse of the leading mental health qualification. Year award. The Department of Sport and Physical Activity Sarah Doyle, who is seconded part time as a received a prestigious Mental Health First Aid lecturer in the pre-registration child nursing (MHFA) Champion award at the House of Lords branch in the Faculty of Health and Social for providing the UK Department of Health Care, also works at Alder Hey Hospital in accredited MHFA course to Sports Development Liverpool as a Urology Advanced Paediatric and Sports Studies students. Nurse Practitioner. Following the success of the initial programme, A nurse for over 15 years, Sarah qualified at which was delivered in partnership with the University of Wales, Bangor and moved Merseyside Workplace Training, the MHFA is now to practice at Alder Hey Hospital where she available to all undergraduate sports students and joined as a general surgical nurse. There, has also now been rolled out to the Students' Union she developed an interest in paediatric and other service teams across the University. urology and undertook an MSc to concentrate on this specialism. Originally developed in Australia, and now recognised in 21 countries, the MHFA programme provides As part of a team at Alder Hey she introduced students with a wealth of skills and knowledge, innovative treatments in paediatric urology including how to spot the early signs of a mental such as tibial nerve stimulation for refractory health problem, providing first aid, guiding overactive bladders and the use of entonox someone towards the right support and ways to help for children and young people undergoing reduce the stigma attached to mental illness. procedural urethral catheterisation. Sarah has also had the opportunity to visit Professor Andy Smith, Associate Head for the world centres of excellence as part of her clinical Department, said: “Everyone in the Department is development and has been able to learn about delighted to have won this award and it has added new treatments and implement them at further momentum to our commitment to Alder Hey, share expertise at national and undertaking research and enterprise activity of international conferences and teach the nurses international significance in the field of sport, of tomorrow at Edge Hill University. physical activity and mental health.
“Our experience of undertaking this work has 1 been overwhelmingly positive, wide-ranging and has had a lasting effect on our staff, students and partners who are committed to having a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing in society.”
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15 Student Experience (©morebyless)
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Pitch Making the Perfect Familiar Unfamiliar
Creative students from Edge Hill Edge Hill student Fenia Palyvou’s University put some sparkle into their thought-provoking artworks have studies during the ultimate work been shown at one of the largest experience project – working with contempo rary visual arts festivals global advertising agency Saatchi & in the UK. Saatchi on their prestigious cider account. The MA in Making Performance student was Rekorderlig selected to showcase her talent at Independents, a fringe festival that runs alongside the Twenty third-year students on Edge Hill’s BA renowned Liverpool Biennial. Advertising programme worked with Saatchi Creative and former student, Tom Cleeland, Fenia’s piece, In Between, is a three-dimensional on a real brief to engage young people with the “optical game” exploring the connections and Rekorderlig brand and bring a taste of Sweden tensions between familiar and unfamiliar to UK student life. objects. Set against the backdrop of the iconic ‘Bombed Out Church’ (St Luke’s in Liverpool), The students received the brief – plus plenty In Between consisted of a series of arches of handy hints and advice on their pitches from designed to look like a distorted alleyway, Tom – via Skype before travelling to Saatchi’s accompanied by an unsettling soundscape London office to present their ideas to a panel of increasingly strange yet identifiable noises. of senior executives. Audiences were able walk through and interact with the piece, which was specifically designed to Student Nick Appleyard said: “We’ve been doing complement the venue’s distinctive architecture. creative pitches from day one on the course but this was in a different league altogether. As well “In Between takes something that looks familiar as the chance to put everything we’ve covered on (an arch) and makes it feel unfamiliar,” explained our course into practice, we also received really Fenia. “By the use of two basic elements – visual useful feedback and career advice and can now and sound – a curious environmental experience add working with Saatchi & Saatchi to our CVs.” was created within the already extraordinary space of St Luke’s Church.” Tom Cleeland recently returned to campus as part of the Media Department’s Employability The installation forms part of Fenia’s research Week to give an inspirational talk to Advertising into site-specific art and ways of expressing students and answer questions about his career the unfamiliar. As well as testing her artwork with one of the world’s top agencies. in a public environment, Fenia also interviewed and filmed visitors as they walked around the 1 exhibition to see how their experiences differed.
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Showcasing Superior Staff
Students have shown their appreciation for 15 of Edge Hill’s outstanding lecturers, personal tutors and support staff at this 1 year’s student-led Teaching Awards.
Now in their fourth year, 1,000 entries were received for the awards which were developed by the University and the Students’ Union to recognise staff who go above and beyond to make the teaching and learning experience at Edge Hill even better.
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2 New Student Homes on Campus
Our accommodation offering was extended this year with the completion of the £12m halls of residence, Chancellor’s Court South.
The new halls of residence, boasting 246 rooms, all have a flat screen computer and freeview 3 TVs, en-suite bathrooms and shared kitchens and living areas. Some of the rooms have also been built around the specific needs of students with a disability.
The Chancellor’s Court South accommodation brings the number of students who can be accommodated on campus in Ormskirk to 1,947.
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Music Management Success
Rebecca Boulton, the manager of pioneering bands Joy Division and New Order, talked to Music students about the Hacienda, Factory Records, and managing two of the 4 world’s most celebrated bands during an event at Creative Edge. Getting Students Active
Rebecca’s talk gave an insight into the varied Edge Hill students will have more chances to role of a music manager working at the highest play sport thanks to £213,689 National Lottery level in the industry. She discussed everything funding from Sport England’s University Sport from working with music publishers and sync Activation Fund. Currently, just over half of agents to negotiating a book deal for So This Is students play sport at least once a week; the new Permanence, a collection of Ian Curtis’ funding will be used to increase this level of notebooks and lyrics which has received participation through a range of improved and considerable media attention. new activities, and by targeting students who live on campus and women, who are currently 3 under-represented in sporting activities.
4 Scholarships for Future Teaching Stars Off to a Good Start Eight new Secondary Computing Edge Hill has been named one of the top 20 universities in the UK for ‘an excellent early PGCE students at Edge Hill student experience’, according to a survey of University scooped a £25,000 more than 10,300 students. Institutions rated tax free scholarship funded by ‘excellent’ in the survey by YouthSight were praised for the quality of teaching, pastoral care, the Department for Education having “lots of things organised for new students”, “responding quickly to queries”, The eight successful Edge Hill applicants being “supportive” and having friendly staff. underwent a rigorous application process aided by partner schools Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Blackburn and AKS, Blackpool.
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Students Make Music “The idea is that students learn about the music industry by being part of it. They are involved in Their Business all aspects including searching for emerging talent, music production, video production, releasing tracks and organising live events. It’s a collaboration Edge Hill is giving aspiring music between the students and the artists that brings producers, journalists, marketers unique benefits to both.” and talent scouts a taste of life in One of the first bands to be nurtured by The Label, the music industry – and the Chester’s Hooton Tennis Club, have recently opportunity to work with the North secured a record deal with Heavenly Recordings, the label responsible for launching Manic Street West’s rising stars – with the launch Preachers, Beth Orton, Doves and The of its own record label. Magic Numbers. Third year student Adam Walker was part of the The Label Recordings is the brainchild of group who ‘discovered’ the band, selecting them Senior Lecturer and bassist with The Farm, Carl Hunter, who is able to use a wealth of as one of the first two acts to work with The Label. knowledge and industry experience to support He said: “To see a band like Hooton Tennis Club and mentor young artists and boost the sign a new deal is incredibly exciting. From helping creativity and employability of student to scout them, reviewing their shows and being volunteers looking to secure a job in the involved in the recording process, I’ve gained record industry. valuable experience in communicating with artists and widened my contact base.” By being part of The Label, students can gain valuable hands-on experience in a diverse range of areas including A&R, music production, graphic design, video production and marketing in a realistic, yet supportive and risk-free, music industry environment.
“The Label gives students a really distinctive learning experience,” said Carl Hunter, “and provides them with the useful skills to help them with that vital first foot on the record industry ladder.
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Festival First Renowned student dance companies, Edge FWD and Third Edge, performed on the main for Students stage while other students were involved in the Festival’s music industry conference, presenting their business ideas to some of the music Students from across the University world’s leading figures. took centre stage at this year’s The whole festival was documented by students Liverpool Sound City Festival, who filmed, produced and edited the footage performing with headline acts, into high-quality, professional videos for running their own venue and commercial use by Sound City. filming the event. Roy Bayfield, Director of Corporate Communications at Edge Hill University, said: Edge Hill’s unique partnership with the largest “Through Sound City our students are getting international music, digital and film festival in opportunities to volunteer, perform and the UK, gave students the opportunity to gain participate in an international conference, pitch valuable industry experience and boost their business ideas to an expert panel and film the CVs while working with some of the best bands most interesting bands. They are gaining exactly in the business. the kind of industry experience that employers want to see, and making contacts that will help For the first time in festival history, Edge Hill them kick-start their careers.” had its own stage, managed by students, to promote up-and-coming local talent. As well as acts supported by The Label Recordings, the University’s student-led record label, the line-up included bands handpicked by volunteer talent scouts who trawl Liverpool’s music venues looking for the next big thing.
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Students Nurture As part of the partnership, Edge Hill’s record label, The Label Recordings, mentored five of New Talent the acts – Visitors, Luke Cusato, Little Grace, XAMVolo and Katy Alex – providing student volunteers with the opportunity to work Edge Hill students are set to play with the talented artists. The five acts also a key role in nurturing the next participated in an elite masterclass programme where they received help, support and generation of singers, DJs and mentoring from music industry experts musicians as part of a new including BBC Introducing’s Dave Monks, partnership with the Liverpool Grammy Award-winning producer Steve Levine and LIMF’s music curator, Yaw Owusu. International Music Festival, one of the largest and fastest The Label’s student volunteers then had the growing music festivals in the UK. opportunity to organise a showcase event featuring the five acts, where they were involved Edge Hill is sponsoring the LIMF Academy, in everything from booking the venue to a programme set up to nurture young unsigned promoting the event to liaising with the artists. artists and give them the opportunity to perform in front of an audience of thousands during As part of LIMF, Edge Hill students were also the Festival. granted VIP access to exclusive events to meet with music industry contacts and review the The LIMF Academy selected 15 young bands, events to enhance their employability in the artists and DJs to perform on stage, as well as competitive music industry. offering extensive free activities and workshops for 13 to 21 years olds, including singing skills, recording techniques, music production, DJing, drumming and free running dance.
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Employability Setting Students Up for Success
Edge Hill University is at the forefront of providing employability opportunities to students above and beyond their degree study, helping them to stand out from the crowd in a competitive graduate job market.
Enhancing student employability is central to the University’s strategy. Although the majority of degree programmes lead to professional qualification, accreditation or endorsement, placements, work experience and carefully curated employability events are widely available across the institution, giving students many opportunities to enhance their employability while they study.
Faculties have excellent relationships with employers who regularly interact with students on campus. Earlier this year, Telecommunications giant TalkTalk worked with students from the Department of Computing on the Skill Up TalkTalk Hackathon, a competition where students were set the challenge of designing extensions on a mobile app, making valuable connections and gaining industry experience.
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Edge Hill University students were also invited The University also works with local employers, by Barclays to participate in the Barclays building positive relationships so that students Technology Challenge, creating business in part-time work are supported in terms of proposals, prototypes and a money developing their skills and confidence. This management app for the global bank. For year, WHSmith in Ormskirk were announced as Computing graduate Megan Keating the the winner of the National Student Employer of opportunity to participate in this event led to the Year Award, the second year in a row that an her being accepted on the prestigious Barclays Edge Hill nominated local employer has won Technology Centre Graduate Scheme. this award.
The University holds a number of events Edge Hill also offers ongoing support to aimed at addressing student employability. graduates once they leave the University. The Department of Media’s ‘Make Yourself Alumni can access the Careers Centre services Employable’ event offered career development for up to three years after graduating, which sessions, employer presentations and expert includes one-to-one meetings with Careers advice to current students. This is in addition to Advisers and access to a wealth of online events held by the Careers Team throughout the resources. academic year, including regular Graduate Recruitment Fairs featuring some of the UK’s The success of Edge Hill’s employability biggest employers. strategy has been acknowledged as one of only three case studies published by the Office for This year, the University created Edge Hill Fair Access (OFFA) as a positive example of Works, the business facing unit of the Careers how a university can improve student success Centre, helping students and employers to through an employability strategy. Edge Hill connect and providing more opportunities University boasts strong levels of employability, for students, including more part time jobs with 95.3% of graduates in work or further on campus. study, and remains committed to providing students with opportunities to enhance their chances in the competitive graduate job market.
25 Research and Impact
26 Research and Impact From the opening of three interdisciplinary institutes to the unique work carried out across all our faculties, we aspire to being known for our excellence and life changing research.
The University is home to a thriving, dynamic research culture and staff feed their expertise directly into their teaching providing new perspectives for all our students. Research and Impact
A Safe Learning Palsy, epilepsy and chronic lung disease, oxygen dependency, a tracheostomy and a gastrostomy. Environment The family are well practiced at various medical techniques used to care for Holly on a daily basis, but found the experience useful for It is widely accepted that the best testing their knowledge. The family took part place to care for children, especially in a simulated emergency tube change scenario at the suite. if they have complex continuing healthcare needs, is in their own Hayley said: “The Better at Home suite will be homes. invaluable to parents. It is a brilliant, brilliant learning facility for parents transitioning from hospital to home with a child with Due to this, Edge Hill University has developed complex needs and everyone is so helpful and The Better at Home suite in partnership with welcoming. It would help alleviate fear and national charity WellChild and Alder Hey worry for parents, say you have just been talking Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. to a consultant and they’ve said that your child needs a tracheostomy. That’s a big life changing The Better at Home suite is a simulated learning experience. And it’s the fear of the unknown suite which provides a safe environment for that overtakes you and until your child has the parents and carers to consolidate their skills and operation you don’t know how you are going thus facilitate the transition from hospital to home. to cope. Parents have specified that using the suite “This is a great facility, it’s got the tools and provides a realistic home setting in which to resources that will help parents so much. learn and have stated that simulation provides I wish I could have been able to have that kind support and opportunities to develop confidence of facility when I was told that Holly needed a by reflecting on skills with the facilitator. tracheotomy. It would have been nice for Holly’s Through Edge Hill University supporting the siblings too, to show them what it would be like, Better at Home suite, families and carers and for lots of children it would be great to go are receiving support which enables child along to as a family and all learn together. and family centred care to be delivered in the “I can’t champion it enough, it’s a brilliant most appropriate setting. learning resource to help families as it is frightening looking after a child with complex Hayley Smallman and husband Gary have needs. There is so much to take on board, the experienced the suite first hand. Their 13-year- potential of the Better at Home suite is just old daughter Holly has complex medical needs. massive, its endless.” Holly was born in 2001 with an undiagnosed metabolic disorder which left her with Cerebral
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The Real Impact Edge Hill has also been instrumental in assessing the potential of a new drug treatment of Drugs for heroin addiction that could prevent overdoses in high-risk populations.
Edge Hill’s research into the effects Evidence shows that when prisoners with a of illegal drugs could potentially history of heroin addiction are released back into the community, the risk of them dying from change – or even save – the lives of a drug overdose in the first two weeks is very thousands of people in the UK. high. Research, carried out in conjunction with the NHS, suggests that a very high percentage of Collaborative projects looking into the effects such prisoners would be willing to accept a new of popular recreational drugs on cognitive drug treatment, involving the administration of functioning found that ecstasy can impair visual naltrexone by injection. This would prevent memory, vital for activities such as driving a car, them achieving a ‘high’ from any heroin used operating machinery, or playing sport. Evidence over this two-week period. also showed that cannabis, the most commonly used illegal drug, may not affect visual memory Professor Philip Murphy explained: “When but is linked to impairments in other aspects of administered orally, naltrexone can be effective cognitive functioning, including verbal memory. for up to three days, but when injected, it can be effective for up to two weeks. However, Interviews with patients receiving treatment for naltrexone is not licenced for administration heroin addiction found that using methadone, by injection for the treatment of heroin a ‘cleaner’, longer lasting heroin replacement addiction. Our findings may ultimately provide drug, can be beneficial in helping people to a basis for changing the licensing arrangements stop using heroin, but should not be seen as an for naltrexone, so that unnecessary deaths can ‘instant cure’ or as a treatment on its own. be avoided.”
The research showed that the likelihood of being free of heroin use six months after the initial interviews was significantly higher for patients who had been exposed to methadone treatment for longer, and as part of a supportive therapeutic programme of psychological and social support.
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Implicit This new research, using eye tracking, has demonstrated that implicit attitudes predict Racism patterns of attention when people scrutinise the CVs of applicants from different ethnic groups.
Professor Geoff Beattie has been He found that we are more likely to focus on the exploring whether prejudice, negative bits of a CV when the candidate is from a different ethnic background to ourselves. In other more subtle than before, is still a words, our 'rational' decisions about candidates major part of our everyday lives. are partly shaped by our unconscious mind.
There are few people in today's society who This research culminated in Our Racist Heart: explicitly espouse racist attitudes and yet there An Exploration of Unconscious Prejudice in are many organisations (including universities) Everyday Life (Routledge, 2013). It was where BME individuals are grossly described by Professor Michael Billig of underrepresented, particularly at senior levels. Loughborough University as 'a remarkable So why might this be? One possibility is that book' and was one of the editor's highlights in some individuals could hold implicit attitudes the American Psychological Association's review that are at odds with their expressed attitudes, journal Choice. It has also made the Amazon but that could nevertheless influence their bestseller list. behaviour.
Professor Geoff Beattie has been developing a variety of new techniques to measure these unconscious attitudes, including associative reaction time tasks and eye tracking. Research had previously shown that there is an ethnic bias in both shortlisting and interviewing but the actual mechanisms remained obscure.
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Protecting Our Ports Making History
Dr Clare Strode and Thom Dallimore An Edge Hill project is helping from Edge Hill University's Biology hundreds of students make the Department are working with the often difficult transition from Liverpool Port Authorities (LPA) to studying at school or college to prevent potentially deadly diseases independent learning at university. entering the UK. Developing Historical Thinking is a collaborative project, developed by academics The collaborative project aims to monitor and postgraduate students at Edge Hill vectors of disease that may inadvertently be University, the University of Roehampton, and imported through shipping vessels into the UK the Institute of Education at the University of from around the world. Working together, Edge London. The project is designed to help develop Hill and the LPA are designing an efficient students’ understanding of historical enquiry method of surveillance for mosquitoes that and research. It aims to support A Level and could be carrying diseases such as dengue fever, undergraduate History students by providing malaria, West Nile virus and chikungunya. additional resources, free workshops and formative feedback to enhance their learning. Thom Dallimore said: “Through this project, we hope to gain a better understanding of the Funded by the Higher Education Academy, the potential mosquito habitats that surround project uses social media and other online Liverpool docks, so that we can predict high techniques to help students improve their areas of risk. Monitoring the movement of research and study skills. mosquito species in and out of the country in this way acts as a first line of defence in disease Professor Alyson Brown, one of the project’s control.” co-founders, was recently interviewed on Radio 4’s Making History programme. She said: “The In addition, the pair have been working on a project aims to help new students cope with the new book about British mosquitos featuring different requirements and pressures of Thom’s detailed illustrations. The book, in undergraduate level learning, while also giving collaboration with the Field Studies Council our postgraduate students the experience of will help naturalists identify species found in working on a collaborative research project.” Britain. Some of the resources can be accessed for free at: edgehill.ac.uk/histlearn
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Pinhole Photography Neill Cockwill, Programme Leader for Media, Film and TV decided to use the art of pinhole Captures Construction photography to capture the stunning image as part of his practice-based research into the reception and understanding of time through A photograph using a 312-day long photographic exposures. exposure has been produced to The image not only shows the stages of Creative document the entire construction Edge’s construction, but some dramatic process of Edge Hill University’s solography too, which is the photographic £17m Creative Edge building. process which captures the path of the sun.
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A Virtual The Unforgotten Learning World Exhibition
Ensuring that student nurses are Acclaimed children’s writer and co- suitably prepared for practice is an creator of the 2012 Olympic Games ongoing challenge for educationalists. Opening Ceremony, Frank Cottrell Boyce, visited Edge Hill to give a The Faculty of Health and Social Care is currently engaging with a group of MSc Nursing students in reading of his Guardian Children’s the world of Second Life to examine how the use of a Fiction Prize winning novel, The virtual world as a formative learning and teaching Unforgotten Coat, which follows tool can enable students to develop competence and confidence in the development of skills required to the story of two Mongolian refugee undertake systematic patient assessment. brothers in Liverpool.
This immersive learning takes place on the Post The event was part of a collaboration Graduate Medical and Dental Education Second Life between the author and Edge Hill academics Island. Established in 2009 by Professor Luther of the Carl Hunter and Clare Heney, who provided North West and Medical Deanery (now part of Health the photographs out of which the story was Education England), the island was designed to developed, transforming Liverpool into a deliver 3D North West Simulation and Base Training. version of Mongolia through the medium of Polaroid photos. To explore how this could be used within traditional education, Brian Smith and Dominic Rimmer from After further creative research, Carl and Clare Edge Hill’s Technology Enhanced Learning team, and have now turned their unique imagery into a academic staff Bill Jackson, Eve Allen, Julie Devereux, touring exhibition, launched at the annual and Mairi Byrne, created the Smith Centre. Penny Readings in St George’s Hall, Liverpool in 2013. The images have undergone another With a reception area, orientation and debriefing transformation, from digital images created room, and two consultant rooms, Adult, Mental to look like Polaroids into physical, analogue Health and Child nursing students can practise the Polaroid-style photographs, adding new layers key skills of observation, questioning, listening, and of magic, mystery and meaning to this paraphrasing within the safety of a controlled online powerful story. environment. 2 Julie Devereux said: “The scenario is designed to prepare students for the complex and dynamic field of practice, be able to share their developing expertise with their peers and learn new skills from each other. It aimed to prepare students for the complex and dynamic landscape of modern nursing, to respond creatively and innovativelyand to make decisions in challenging situations.”
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35 Research and Impact
It’s All In Linda presented her findings at the 2014 Develop Conference, Europe’s leading games the Game development event. She said: “There is a lot of research into the negative effects of playing videogames, but there has been less Psychologists at Edge Hill are examination of the psychological experiences questioning the popular perception associated with the activity. My research reveals the importance of social belonging, of digital gaming as a solo activity opportunities for social networking and the that encourages social isolation and promotion of social integration for game reduces human interaction. enjoyment, and this could have an impact on future game development.” Dr Linda Kaye’s innovative research into the Linda is currently working with colleagues psychology of digital gaming has found that far at NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences from hindering social interaction, certain digital in the Netherlands on a collaborative research games can promote positive shared experiences project involving students on game development between players. Her work with players of and design courses. The project will see students immersive simulation games such as Football developing games that promote specific showed that social digital gaming can Manager psychological experiences. These can then be foster a sense of group identity that goes beyond used both to test Linda’s theories and to give the boundaries of the game, resulting in positive NHTV academics a greater psychological insight psychosocial outcomes for players in terms of into the making of their students’ prototypes. self-esteem and psychological wellbeing.
36 Annual Review 2013-2014
A Fresh Approach to The project will explore and analyse the true potential of the new digital space and provide Digital Distribution valuable insights into digital film audiences and content consumption that challenges the traditional approach to filmmaking and funding. Edge Hill is supporting independent filmmaking through a ground The Digital R&D Fund for the Arts is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, breaking collaborative project Nesta, and the Arts Council for England. funded by a £125,000 award from the Digital R&D Fund for the Arts.
Head of Media, Professor Philip Drake, is working with We Are Colony, an innovative new Video on Demand (VOD) platform, and Film London on a new model for releasing independent feature films. We Are Colony allows users to pay for and access movies and exclusive content, from trailers and teasers to interviews with cast and crew, both before and after release.
37 Research and Impact
Performance Through A global leader in wetstock management, Fairbanks Environmental Ltd, has also Partnerships benefited from a KTP designed to improve the workflow of its data analysts. The project resulted in an effective model for storing, The pioneering work undertaken by representing and processing data that has Edge Hill’s Centre for Data Analysis freed up existing resources to concentrate on Fairbanks’ new customers, ensuring its growth and Representation (CeDAR) is trend continues. The KTP has recently delivering a tangible impact on concluded, producing achievements that business, as demonstrated by the exceeded the planned outcomes for both Fairbanks and the University. team’s successful Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). In addition to these successful projects, the Centre for Data Analysis and Representation KTP is a UK-wide, Government-funded (CeDAR) was shortlisted for the Times programme aimed at helping UK businesses Higher Education Leadership and Management improve competitiveness, productivity Awards this year for its pioneering partnership and performance through better use of the with software consultants SimCon Ltd. knowledge, technology and skills available The project has developed software to improve within universities. Professor Mark Anderson is the accuracy of weather forecasting and climate director of CeDAR modeling, which is used by US Government and military agencies to inform policy and A KTP with Bi3, a security and customer operational decisions. intelligence solutions company, is developing a web-based software framework that will enable the company to capture and visualise high volumes of data from multiple sources, making it easier to present meaningful intelligence back to their customers. The project also aims to build the capacity within Bi3 to develop, maintain and support the software, and enable the company to react quickly to the release of new hardware technologies.
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Stopping Abuse Mike and Melanie have also been instrumental in Edge Hill’s involvement in an international in Sport project to empower young people to understand abuse and keep themselves safe.
Edge Hill continues to strengthen its The #stop1in5 campaign, part of the EU-funded project Sport Respects Your Rights, aims to reputation as a centre of excellence develop capacity among young Europeans to for research into child protection and raise awareness of child abuse in sport and safeguarding in sport, conducting become agents of change in their own sporting pioneering studies that help to raise environments. awareness, shape policy and protect Working with the Rugby Football League and young athletes. the Lawn Tennis Association, Edge Hill University represents the UK as one of seven Child protection experts Dr Melanie Lang and international project partners. The collaboration Dr Mike Hartill have recently edited the first has resulted in the development of the Rugby book to comprehensively review global League Youth Panel, which actively campaigns contemporary developments in this sensitive to end sexual and gender based violence in and often controversial area. sport. Edge Hill Sport & Physical Activity students recently presented the project at the Safeguarding, Child Protection and Abuse in NSPCC national training centre to more than Sport: International Perspectives in Research, 40 national sport governing bodies and County Policy and Practice brings together the world’s Sport Partnerships. leading research specialists on the subject. As well as critically analysing current child Visit: sportrespectsyourrightsuk.co.uk protection and safeguarding policy and practice in sport across a range of countries, the book also examines issues such as emotional abuse, injury and over-training that aren’t covered in previous books on the subject.
39 Research and Impact
Short Story Success Civil Rights and
Multi award-winning poet John Burnside has Race Relations won the Edge Hill Short Story Prize 2014 with his collection Something Like Happy. Now in its Professor Kevern Verney, Associate Dean eighth year, the Edge Hill Prize is the only UK (Research) in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, award that recognises excellence in a published has co-edited a new book, Barack Obama collection of short stories. John said: “I’m really and the Myth of a Post-Racial America, grateful that this prize exists to celebrate the further cementing his international reputation short story. As a writer, the short story demands as one of the leading academics on black civil the most and to me is the most satisfying.” rights and race relations in the US. In the book, Professor Verney, who blogged the 2012 American Presidential Election, looks at the anxieties expressed by conservative/Republican spokespersons about immigration in the present day US and, puts them into an historical perspective.
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Massive changes to Higher Education?
Following the launch of UK’s first undergraduate credit-bearing MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) in 2013, Edge Hill hosted a conference to discuss the possibilities and pitfalls of this emerging, and controversial, area. The Digital University: MOOCs and the Humanities, brought together academics, senior management and CEOs with former Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts, to explore the idea Reducing Exam Stress of the Digital University in the 21st century.
Research at Edge Hill looking at ways of reducing test anxiety could have a major impact on students’ exam stress levels. Professor Dave Dancing in the Dark Putwain’s research found that students who worried about exams were more likely to do Young male dancers often experience prejudice badly, and suggested ways that students and and sexism at school according to research by educators can minimise stress. As well as raising Senior Lecturer in Dance, Mark Edward. The awareness with educators, the public, and semi-autobiographical study of schoolboy through targeted intervention, the research dancers in the North West found that bullying found that following an on-screen, self-help and peer pressure not to dance existed in programme called STEPS (Strategies to Tackle schools at both ends of the socio-economic Exam Pressure and Stress) also helped to reduce spectrum. Mark said: “You can be a ‘secret’ exam anxiety. geek, but dance is more difficult to hide – and why should it be hidden?”
41 Feature
Edge Hill’s investment in research Research continues with the creation of three new interdisciplinary Research Institutes Institutes that bring together clusters of research excellence from across the Faculties to build capacity, encourage innovation and collaboration and ensure our work has real impact.
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Institute for Beyond Benefits Street
Creative Are TV programmes like Channel 4’s Benefits Street legitimate portrayals Enterprise of social injustice or simply ‘poverty porn’ designed to demonise the ICE focuses on practice-led research working classes? that connects us to, and has an impact on, the creative, digital and These were the controversial issues discussed at a recent ICE symposium, which responded cultural industries. to current debates on welfare and aimed to challenge stereotypes and get people to rethink Research spans areas as diverse as performance, their own misconceptions and preconceptions. creative writing, media, film, computing and sport, and is linked to the Institute’s five key Beyond Benefits Street included keynote themes of sustainability, good enterprise, the presentations by lecturer and filmmaker Dr flourishing city, creative labour, and class, Deirdre O’Neill and Michael Wayne, Professor in community and social justice. Academics work Screen Media at Brunel University, as well as in close partnership with researchers, educators, contributions from academics and practitioners communities and industry practitioners to address in the fields of journalism, communications and current challenges, and contribute to debates on media studies. the roles of culture and creativity in driving economic growth and sustainability. ICE is also Professor Wayne said: “The Beyond Benefits home to the Good Enterprise Lab, which brings Street symposium is very important. It opens up together academics, businesses and other conversations about how working class people are organisations to tackle the region’s social challenges. represented and questions the media apparatus, The Lab is already helping to spark ideas and practice and priorities. It is linking academia with initiatives related to health, ethical employment the outside world in a very real way.” and sustainable food in West Lancashire. edgehill.ac.uk/ice/
43 Research Institutes
The Institute is committed to exploring the Institute for opportunities for cross sector collaboration and co-operation and to draw on the experience of Public Policy practitioners as well as academic researchers to and Professional inform new ways of working and learning. Expert on health and the social effects of income inequality, Professor Richard Wilkinson, made Practice (I4P) history as the Institute’s inaugural guest speaker.
Professor Wilkinson, co-author of the best- I4P was set up in part as a response selling book The Spirit Level, helped to launch to the impact of the global crises I4P with a discussion of the damaging effects of post 2008 and the impact of the inequality, how it can be reduced, and the path austerity measures in the UK. to sustainable wellbeing. For more than 30 years, Richard has played a The Institute provides a focus for public policy formative role in research and public awareness research across the University and a space for of health inequalities and the social determinants those working, or intending to work, in the field of health. He persuaded David Ennals, the then to engage in critical and informed reflection and Secretary of State, to set up a working party thinking and professional development. which produced the Black Report on Health Inequalities published in 1980, and since then As well as organising a programme of his research has concentrated on health, workshops and guest lectures, I4P also hosts a income, anti-poverty and fairness. research and practice informed seminar series, open to all, which examines public policy Other guest speakers have included Professor Peter challenges, practice developments and Scott, one of the UK’s foremost authorities on professional learning. Higher Education, who gave a public lecture on the sector’s future in difficult and changing times.
edgehill.ac.uk/i4p/
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Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI)
The PGMI is a partnership between Edge Hill University and regional health professionals and providers seeking to improve the quality of health and social care in the North Improving Patient Safety West through education, research and innovation. Through Collaboration
Although based in the Faculty of Health and The PGMI has been selected to Social Care it includes academics from all faculties with a shared interest and expertise in support the North West Coast postgraduate medical and clinical research and Academic Health Science Network training. Engagement and collaboration with (NWC AHSN) on a project to external partners underpins the PGMI ensuring that its work is relevant and will impact evaluate the impact of its Patient positively on the rapidly changing health and Safety Collaborative. social care environment. The NWC AHSN is one of 15 AHSNs to The PGMI is a provider of innovative multi implement a Patient Safety Collaborative as part professional postgraduate education and a national programme to improve the safety of practice-based research which supports the patients and ensure continual learning sits at development of all professionals working in the the heart of healthcare in England. field of health and social care to improve service delivery, treatment, care and health. It provides The team, led by Professor Clare Austin, a base for academic programmes including the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, Royal College of Surgeons accredited MCh and Dave Lynes, Head of Business Development, (Masters of Surgery) and the new MSc in Dental has secured funding of around £38,000 to assess Implantology, which has recently welcomed its the impact of intervention on practice. As well first cohort of 27 students. The PGMI has a as undertaking 360 degree feedback with growing research profile and works closely with patients and health practitioners, they will external health and social care providers to develop an e-learning programme for safety ensure that its research addresses relevant improvement themes. issues and can make a difference.
The Institute benefits from collaborations with a wide range of partners including Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, the Royal College of Physicians, and North West Deaneries. 45 Research Institutes
46 Annual Review 2013-2014
Helen said: “This was a really interesting brief to 12 Degrees take part in as it really made me consider the ‘aim’ of dance photography. As I progressed through taking shots in classes at the Lowry, North is Picture through show rehearsals and finally performances at high profile venues, I realised Perfect my aim wasn’t to capture the apex of every dance move, but to document the full range of movement and emotion associated with the 12 Degrees North, the prestigious different stages of the performers’ development”. graduate dance company based at The exhibition included the documentary film Edge Hill received extra funding ‘Do you see what I see?’ featuring the dancers, from the Arts Council this year to their reactions to the images and their responses build on its initial success and secure to a series of questions put to them by Karen Jaundrill-Scott, Project Director of 12 Degrees its future for another two years. North and Director of External Affairs and Employability at Edge Hill. The initiative delivered by Edge Hill University, allows emerging artists to perform at venues in Karen said: “My current research area is the region such as The Lowry and Blackpool addressing claims of gaps in graduate employability Grand Theatre. Earlier this year the company and looking at how students and graduates view also worked alongside internationally renowned their own journey as they embark upon a choreographers Lea Anderson and James portfolio career in the arts. It was really Wilton to create new works. interesting to hear how the company members reacted to the images of themselves and how by And to literally illustrate their success a asking them certain questions they were able to photographic and film exhibition charting the critique them in perhaps a different way”. journey of dancers on the 12 Degrees North training programme premiered at Edge Hill University’s Arts Centre before transferring to The Lowry in Salford.
The photographs were taken during various stages of dancers’ progression through the programme, by writer and director Dr Helen Newall, Reader in Performing Arts at the University and the film directed by Karen Jaundrill-Scott.
47 External Engagement
48 External Engagement
Working in partnership and engaging with communities ensures the knowledge we create has a real impact economically, socially and culturally.
For our students, building relationships, sharing expertise and working with partners provides life changing chances to develop, learn and realise their career ambitions.
The University also shares its knowledge and facilities by holding public lectures by leading academics, organising events and providing state of the art cultural and sporting facilities for the North West and beyond. External Engagement
Overcoming Social One part of this partnership, the People’s Family Project, was launched by Edge Hill PhD Challenges through Sport researcher Laura Houghton as an in-depth investigation into the physical activity of children living in the Everton area of Liverpool. A ground-breaking collaboration The project began with a Family Fun Day on between Edge Hill University and Goodison Road where children enjoyed various activities delivered by Everton in the Everton in the Community, which Community staff and Edge Hill University will benefit Merseyside families students including; target competitions, through research-led projects and drawing, arts and crafts and face paints. student academic placements, was Everton in the Community and Sefton Clinical officially launched this year. Commissioning Group (Sefton CCG) are also funding a fixed term research post to support The exclusive five-year partnership focuses on Edge Hill’s collaborative research and impact numerous student-led initiatives in the areas of related activity on a sports-based mental health public health and physical activity, sport policy project to be delivered in Sefton and and community sport development with the surrounding areas. objective of overcoming a variety of social challenges facing those across Merseyside on a In addition, Labour MP Andy Burnham and daily basis. comedian, broadcaster and writer Jake Mills were amongst a host of speakers at the Everton in the Community is a leading sporting partnership’s Understanding and Promoting charity which runs a number of award-winning Mental Health: The Role of Sport and Physical programmes promoting health, education, Activity conference. employment and equality of opportunity across Merseyside. The charity currently supports The conference was hosted by the University 1,500 local charities a year and in 2013 it was alongside Everton in the Community and chosen by the Prime Minister to win the Big Mersey Care NHS Trust. It promoted an Society award. understanding of mental health and wellbeing in local communities. It also described how At any one time, 30 students from the University community sport and physical activity, delivered work on the project. This gives real experience as part of broader health programmes, can of working with the charity of a Premier League contribute to the management and promotion of football club but also of community projects mental health. which will help students gain graduate level employment following their degree.
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51 External Engagement
Tackling Technology Reducing the Teaching Burden of Care
Edge Hill’s commitment to A new project, funded by the supporting the education workforce National Institute for Health and raising standards in schools has Research Research for Patient been recognised with a Government Benefit (NIHR RfPB) Programme, award of nearly £100,000 to boost is helping to reduce the burden on the teaching of computer skills. people caring for terminally ill loved ones at home. The funding formed part of a new Government initiative to train teachers ahead of a rigorous The Carers’ Alert Thermometer (CAT) is a new computing curriculum introduced in simple screening tool, developed with more than September. 245 carers and professionals, that aims to provide an alert to potential areas of burden As well as developing teacher training resources that carers are experiencing. and hosting four national conferences, Edge Hill also delivered 80 full-day training events for A ‘next steps’ section signposts carers to local more than 400 teachers across 4,000 primary services and an ‘action plan’ can trigger and secondary schools. intervention as appropriate. Initial feedback from family carers and health and social care Edge Hill worked with technology and software professionals suggests that the CAT is quick and companies Promethean and Rising Stars on the easy to use and will be an important tool to help training programmes, which covered computing identify carer needs. topics like Raspberry Pi, Robotics, Minecraft, App Inventor and Python programming – all The CAT is a response to a major research designed to appeal to and excite young people study, undertaken at Edge Hill University and about computing. funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), which found that the support The next generation of Edge Hill-trained received by unpaid family carers could be a teachers is already embracing emerging significant factor in what happens to terminally technologies and how they can be used in ill people, particularly those with cancer, at the schools. Trainee teachers at the University have end of their lives. set up Raspberry Pi clubs, communities and forums to help spread the word about the Professor Barbara Jack, Director of Edge Hill’s computer’s potential as well as taking their Evidence-based Practice Research Centre, said: knowledge into schools. “In many cases the research found carer breakdown played a pivotal role in end-of-life hospital admission. The CAT will help carers and professionals identify these touch points before they escalate, helping many more terminally ill people avoid hospitalisation during their final days.”
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Students jump the Edge Hill has scooped the Liverpool Sound City UK Student Innovation Award for the second Q to win award year running. Third year Computing students Laura Stowers and Lyndsey McCormick took home the prize for their QJump app idea, which allows users to avoid long queues at music festivals by pre-booking food and drink. The girls will now be mentored by industry professionals.
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Bridging the Students took part in six specialist training sessions at local fire stations, designed to Theory-Practice Gap provide them with practical experience of emergency scene management, and to give an insight into how ambulance and fire services Paramedic Practice students had work together in real life. the opportunity to put theory into The scenarios featured make up, fake blood practice in a realistic emergency and lifelike manikins to make them as realistic situation, thanks to Edge Hill’s as possible. Students and tutors also held a flourishing partnership with debrief after each incident to discuss the positive aspects of the exercise as well as areas Greater Manchester Fire and for improvement, a feature that replicates Rescue Service (GMFRS). real-life incidents.
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Electronica Exploration BIG Business
Research by leading musicologist and Edge Hill Lancastrian entrepreneurs and business people lecturer, Dr Richard Witts, has resulted in an gathered at Creative Edge for the BIG (Business audio-visual recreation of Kraftwerk’s early Innovation for Growth) Conference 2014. years. Kraftwerk - A Future Past, a collaboration Looking at ‘Transformation: Mission & between Dr Witts and contemporary music Ambition – how creativity and innovation can ensemble Icebreaker, articulates the band’s unlock expanding and emerging markets’, the journey from experimental krautrock band to event combined workshops and seminars with international icons, and highlights their practical demonstrations and case-studies, and continuing influence within the music industry. featured keynote speeches from Wayne The show was premiered at the London Science Hemingway MBE and LEGO’s Kayleigh Davies. Museum and continues to tour around Europe.
Dance on Prescription
A pioneering research project to assess the benefits of performing arts for seriously ill children at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has won a prestigious award.
From Where You Are, developed by Senior Lecturer in Dance Lisa Dowler and the Small Things Dance Collective, received an NHS Children and Young People’s Award for Excellence in Participation. The research showed that children and young people experiencing acute pain often responded positively and creatively to improvised dance practice.
Strictly Come Coding
Trainee teachers at Edge Hill swapped sequins for software when they put sixth formers through their paces in a twist on the hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing. Strictly Come Coding saw young computer programmers from University Academy Liverpool in Dingle paired with students on the PGCE IT Education course to train for a code off against opposing teams in a gameshow-style event.
55 External Engagement
The successful partnership was initially established in 2008 to deliver a Royal College of Surgeons accredited Master of Surgery (MCh) programme for existing qualified doctors. The qualification allows doctors to advance their clinical skills and knowledge while having access to the hospital’s internationally renowned clinical facilities and laboratories.
Edge Hill academics worked with WWL surgical experts to design the comprehensive MCh courses and continue to collaborate to ensure that they are at the cutting edge of both contemporary surgical practice and research. Pi-oneering Public Event International collaborative partnerships are currently developing, particularly in India, and Computer programmers of the future were overseas student recruitment initiatives are invited to campus to get a slice of the Raspberry proving successful. Pi action at a special family event to celebrate the tiny technology’s second birthday.
The Family Hack Day attracted 300 students, Global Recognition teachers, parents and computing enthusiasts keen to learn about the capabilities of the credit for Midwifery card sized computer and get involved in challenges based on games and software Edge Hill University’s Midwifery Department development, hacking and robotics. has achieved Baby Friendly Initiative University Accreditation from UNICEF – Since the revolutionary hardware was launched the world’s leading organisation for children in 2012, computing science and IT trainee in over 190 countries. teachers and lecturers have invited schools, colleges and hundreds of members of the The Baby Friendly Initiative is a global community to attend events at the University to programme from the World Health demonstrate the Raspberry Pi’s potential. Organisation and UNICEF that assesses standards for maternity, health visiting, neonatal and children’s centre services. The Celebrating Surgical award reflects Edge Hill’s commitment to supporting breastfeeding and parent infant Success relationships by working with public services to improve standards of care.
Top surgeons joined academics, alumni and Full accreditation has taken five years to health professionals for a special event to achieve, with each stage of the assessment celebrate six years of collaboration between externally verified by UNICEF UK. Edge Hill University and Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh (WWL) NHS Trust.
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Computer says NAO
Edge Hill brought electronics, experiments and excitement to the World Museum Liverpool during National Science and Engineering Week. Visitors had the chance to meet the University’s amazing robot, NAO, programmed by Computing students, as well taking part in demonstrations and discussions aimed at showcasing the creative potential of Computing and inspiring the next generation of computer scientists.
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58 International
Widening horizons and changing perspectives.
By providing the chance to study and travel overseas, learn foreign languages and mix with staff and students from across the globe, Edge Hill is continuing to embed an international perspective into all aspects of university life. Partnerships with European and worldwide institutions and organisations allow a breadth of knowledge, diverse learning experiences, research options and staff and student development opportunities. International
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A slice of the There was also a lively academic conference to discuss creativity in animation, and how cultural animation action collaborations might lead to new forms of creativity, new practice, and new opportunities for enterprise and research. More than 300 British and Chinese animation experts and scholars Edge Hill’s impressive Creative Edge building welcomed a host of world-renowned animators came together to share knowledge who took part in an extensive programme of and forge new collaborations at the presentations, workshops and screenings. The first ever CAKE Festival, held at event closed with an awards ceremony honouring the best animation submissions from Edge Hill University. both UK and Chinese entrants.
The pioneering Creative Animation Knowledge CAKE 2014 was part of a British Council Exchange event included an international film initiative linked to CICAF, the China festival, featuring the very best animated works International Cartoon and Animation Festival. from across the UK and China. As well as The aim is to nurture long-term relationships celebrating established filmmakers, the festival between UK and Chinese animation industry also showcased the work of recent British and and education sectors, particularly within the Chinese film school graduates – heralding the Hangzhou region, the centre of animation next generation of talented animators. production and education in China.
The five-day festival saw presentations from BAFTA winning animator and Sir Paul McCartney collaborator, Geoff Dunbar, and Peter Saunders from leading puppet animation company, Mackinnon and Saunders.
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Life-saving training Student takes programme for part in new Indian hospitals reality show
A life saving partnership has been A talented Computing student had formed by Edge Hill University in the chance to show off his creativity the worst affected region of the and technical skills at an international country with the highest suicide conference on the emerging area of rate in the world. augmented reality (AR).
Edge Hill University is to a deliver a vital Joe Bolton, who graduated in 2014, spoke at the mental health training programme for nurses National Congress Conference in Ontario about in Mysore, India. his key role in the Datascapes project, a collaboration between artists, musicians, Alongside colleagues in the region, Edge Hill mathematicians and computer scientists from Faculty of Health and Social Care staff have Edge Hill and Canada’s Brock University. The secured funding from Tropical Health and ground breaking project uses protein data, Education Trust (THET) to implement and passages from the Bible and augmented reality deliver a mental health training programme for to create unique musical and visual art works general hospital staff, and research the that are projected into the landscape. effectiveness of the interventions. The training will focus on improving mental Audiences were able to view the artworks using health interventions for those who have a mobile app that Joe created as part of his final attempted suicide and/or are at a vulnerable year project. He presented a paper at the stage in their life. conference discussing the app and its potential future applications. After receiving initial funding in 2012 and forging a partnership with Dr Mirali Krishna at Joe, who secured a job before graduation at CSI Holdsworth Memorial Hospital and video analytics company Bi3, said: “Working on Professor Rajiendra at Mysore Medical College, DataScapes gave me valuable experience of how in 2014 Paul and Steve returned to India to start to manage a long running project that required up two mental health projects which aim to contributions from many different people to be build understanding of people who attempted able to function. I also gained a new suicide and have a mental health need. understanding of how AR works, and a new appetite for data visualisation, that helped me The team will return to India in 2015 and 2016 stand out during interviews and throughout the to train 100 staff across both hospital sites in recruitment process for my current job.” completing mental health assessments and developing treatment plans for those who have 2 attempted to take their lives. A further 40 staff will then be trained to become trainers themselves and cascade their knowledge throughout the hospitals.
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Worldwide Care Summer in Collaborations Sichuan
A fact-finding visit to South Edge Hill staff and students had the Africa has boosted the growing opportunity to immerse themselves international partnerships between in Chinese culture at a prestigious Paramedic Departments at Edge international Summer School. Hill University, the University of The Global Immersion Programme, held Johannesburg and Saimaa annually at Sichuan University, is an University in Finland. opportunity for selected academics and students from all over the world to share Senior Lecturers in Paramedic Science and international perspectives and experience Pre-hospital Care, Kevin Armstrong and Robert education in a different cultural setting. Deighton, joined international colleagues at the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Department Dr James Renton, a Reader in History at Edge of Emergency Medical Care to discuss areas of Hill, was among 150 international academics Pre-hospital research and programme invited to teach on the programme. He said: collaboration projects, including the sharing “We work very hard in the History Department of best practice in paramedic education, as to help our students become independent well as future Paramedic student exchanges. thinkers with a desire to learn new ways of seeing the world. The Global Immersion During the visit, Kevin and Robert had the Programme is a wonderful way to broaden the opportunity to experience UJ’s impressive horizons of the excellent student body at Clinical Skills Simulation Centre in Sichuan University, a top ten university in Johannesburg and the Chris Hani Baragwanath China, and give our own students a rare and Academic Hospital, the third largest hospital valuable learning experience.” in the world, where UJ students undertake hospital clinical practice placements. The visit Students Patrick Boss and Joe Powell, who were culminated with a guest speaker appearance by selected via a rigorous departmental Robert Deighton and Juha Jormakka of Saimaa competition to represent Edge Hill at the event, University at the international Emergency Care engaged in a mix of study and cultural activities Society Pre-hospital Care Conference. designed to give them a taste of life as a Chinese university student. As well as classes and Edge Hill and Saimaa Universities are also lectures, they also enjoyed trips to famous sites working with Emergency Services Cooperation such as Jinsha, the home of the ancient Shu in Schleswig-Holstein (RKiSH), based in people, the Zhuge Liang Memorial Hall and the Hamburg, as part of a pan-European project historical street of Jinli, which gives a glimpse to improve international paramedic practice into the China of the past. through knowledge sharing and provide opportunities for hands-on experience of 1 European emergency care.
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Lecturers know ‘What Matters’
A film by Edge Hill film lecturers, Carl Hunter and Clare Heney, formed part of an international charity event looking at ‘What Matters’ to young people. The film was produced, directed, edited and premiered during World Merit Day, an inspirational 1 event featuring some of the world’s finest speakers, including teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, alongside a full programme of workshops, seminars, music and comedy. Singapore Success
A partnership with FY Institute of Technology in Singapore saw a record 26 Business and Management and Engineering Management students graduate this year. The success of the five-year collaboration between Edge Hill and 2 Singapore’s leading academic institution has also resulted in the University’s first overseas alumni association, further raising the profile More Mandarin of Edge Hill abroad.
Edge Hill’s trainee teachers now have the unique opportunity to learn Mandarin Chinese Anglo-Chinese and visit China as part of Edge Hill’s growing partnership with Chongqing Normal University. Conference The initiative, which aims to address a shortage of Mandarin-speaking teachers in the UK, Edge Hill University hosted a conference to follows the University being awarded explore, understand and compare UK and prestigious Confucius Institute status by Chinese approaches to Primary Maths and Early the Chinese Government in 2013. Years education. The two-day conference provided delegates from both countries with 2 opportunities for mutual learning and cooperation and to investigate further collaborations between UK and Chinese educational institutions.
65 People
66 People
Celebrating and developing our people, and their contribution to the University, learning and the community is at the heart of everything we do.
Staff and students are valued and supported in their academic and personal lives and encouraged to achieve their potential. Our endeavours to reward strong performance and provide a learning and working environment like no other is not only recognised by staff and students but also external organisations. This has all contributed to being awarded the Times Higher Education University of the Year. People
First Class Males Warm Reviews for Alumna and Author Seven members of Edge Hill’s unique student dance company, When a writer starts a novel, it’s the Edge FWD, have added academic beginning of a long and sometimes success to their impressive list of lonely journey and more and more achievements this year. writers are taking that journey as Paul Bagget, Theodore Fapohunda, Ryan James part of the PhD process. Brown, Jaime Monfort-Miralles, Guy Shread, Malachi Simmons and Samuel Turner all gained Edge Hill alumna Carys Bray, who wrote her top marks in their Performing Arts degrees to novel, A Song For Issy Bradley as part of her top off a sensational three years with the PhD has been shortlisted for the Costa 2014 critically acclaimed group. First Novel Award. The author received the shortlisting after also gaining warm reviews The Edge Hill graduates are now looking for her book in many papers including forward to using the valuable experiences from The Guardian to The Independant with praise their degree studies and work with Edge FWD from Nick Hornby, Helen Dunmore and many in their future careers. others. Course leader Dr Ailsa Cox, along with Carys’ fellow PhD supervisor Professor Robert Theodore Fapohunda recently accepted an Sheppard read the novel stage by stage from the apprenticeship with Company Chameleon and first draft to the final pages as Carys completed Northern Contemporary Dance School, while her PhD. Ryan Brown has already secured work with JV2, Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company’s graduate Her short story collection, Sweet Home, was scheme. Jaime Monfort-Miralles is heading off published by Salt in 2012, but it is the novel that to Barcelona to undertake a Contemporary has made her name after Hutchinson secured Circus postgraduate course, Guy Shread is the publishing rights for a six figure sum. A studying on the coveted Emerging Performer Song For Issy Bradley was the subject of a course at Hope St Physical Theatre, and Malachi London Underground advertising campaign in Simmons has secured a job with Boy Blue summer 2014, and was also featured as the Entertainment, a partnership with The Lowry, Radio 4 Book at Bedtime. teaching hip hop to boys. Carys is one of several accomplished writers Edge FWD was established in 2010 by Senior working on PhD projects in the English and Lecturer and choreographer Debbie Milner History Department. Helen Walsh’s novel, The with the aim of encouraging boys and young Lemon Grove, ‘a love letter to the west coast of men to feel confident about dancing and Mallorca’, appeared on best seller lists this helping them to see dance as a career choice. summer. C.D. Rose’s spoof reference book, The Since forming, they have performed at the Biographical Dictionary of Literary Failure, is Edinburgh Festival and Liverpool Sound City, published by Melville House this winter. Poet as well as in schools and colleges across the Tom Jenks’ On Liberty, Repressed, is a reduced North West, and have worked with award- version of John Stuart Mill’s classic text, out winning professional choreographers. soon from Knives, Forks and Spoons. 2 1
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Student Overcomes This commitment to educational achievement won Ben an Adam Bell scholarship in 2013, Adversity – and and a nomination for the University’s student employee of the year at its employability awards. Graduates with a First Ben started his studies in 2011 when close family confirmed they would take greater Computing student Ben Acolatse responsibility for caring for his mother. She and has overcome huge personal Ben took a joint decision that he should take his degree at Edge Hill, over 200 miles from home, adversity to graduate with a so he could focus on academic work. First Class honours. Even so, Ben has continued to care for his Ben became an academic high-flier while caring mother and the £2,000 Adam Bell Scholarship for his mother, who lives in South London and – for students who demonstrate dedication and suffers from multiple medical problems, compassion for others – meant he could afford including arthritis, schizophrenia, diabetes and to travel regularly to and from London. a rare form of bone cancer. Keen musician Ben, who also makes hip- Ben’s determination to succeed at University, hop/R&B mixtapes and writes songs with despite coming from one of London’s most major-label artists, said: “My course was disadvantaged areas, played a vital role in extremely rewarding and the First Class degree helping him to deal with his personal situation. has opened a lot of doors by putting me in a “There were times when the only thing that kept category of high-achievers that employers are me going was my dream of impressing my mum keen to recruit.” with a First Class degree,” he said. “It’s always been my ambition to make good of myself and not fall into the trap of being a victim of violence or ending up in prison, which happens a lot where I come from.”
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Former Music Wilde spent six years at EMI where, among many other things, he was responsible for Mogul Launches “EP” creating the acclaimed Another Late Night/Late Night Tales compilation series and a CD of of Stories music to run to, commissioned by Nike. “I enjoyed the creativity of the job but I hated Former music industry executive the politics and the business side, which was turned Creative Writing student, increasingly what the job was about. By the end I felt like all the creativity was gone so when I AW Wilde, brought his twin had the opportunity to leave and focus on passions of music and literature writing, I jumped at it.” together to celebrate the publication Wilde moved up North to Chester and enrolled of his first collection of short stories. on the MA in Creative Writing at Edge Hill University, with the long-term goal of forging a The launch of A Large Can of Whoopass, a new career as a writer. collection of tales about life’s changes and life changers, had all the hallmarks of a music Wilde is currently working on his first novel and industry event. Held at Rough Trade West in has just been awarded a bursary to finish London, it featured DJ sets from BBC6 Music’s writing it at William Gladstone's residential breakfast show presenters, Shaun Keaveney and library in Wales. Matt Everitt, providing a suitably rock ‘n’ roll backdrop to Wilde’s readings from the book. For more info about AW Wilde’s work visit: “I just stuck to what I knew,” said Wilde, whose - awwilde.co.uk former life as Creative Director at EMI Music - thejudasgoat.tumblr.com Publishing saw him help the careers of - wildwriters.co.uk Lindstrom, Duffy, Joanna Newsome and Beirut. “As a self-published writer, I was responsible for promoting the book so I approached it as I would a record launch.”
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Eye Level and the Naughty Corner
Two theatre companies have been created by graduates of Edge Hill’s drama degree.
Seven alumni were given their big break after a 1 play which their very own theatre company wrote and performed won a prestigious award at this years’ Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The Edge Hill graduates beat 90 other shows to Bourne to Dance win the Sunday Times NSDF (National Students Drama Festival) Award for their performance of The Bastard Queen, a play which was written Three aspiring dancers from Edge and developed by the theatre production Hill have had the opportunity to company they set up following graduation; work with one of the UK’s most Naughty Corner Productions. popular and successful choreographers The Bastard Queen was originally written as the on his latest sell-out production. dissertation piece of Edge Hill graduates Mikee Dickinson, Jemma Lynch and Mary Delaney, for Elliot Bousfield, James Bowling and Malachi which they all received First Class Honours. Simmons joined professional dancers in a Following their graduation the group then powerful adaptation of William Golding’s Lord formed Naughty Corner Productions with fellow of the Flies, directed by five-time Olivier Award- former Drama students; Nick Fraser, Winston winning Matthew Bourne. Branche and Megan Bond, and Creative Writing student Tom Silverton. Second year Dance student James Bowling said: “It was a very demanding and intense Winning the NDSF award means that they will experience but really rewarding. I learnt so also receive a week-long run at The Pleasance much from working with the professional Theatre, London in January 2015. dancers that I can now apply to my course and my work with Edge FWD.” Ross Green, who is originally from Rochdale, has also launched his own theatre company The Edge Hill connection goes beyond these called Eye Level Theatre after completing his three successful students. Dance graduate and degree in 2013. former member of Edge FWD, Luke Saville, along with Samantha Broadbent from 12 His first show, Consent, was performed as part Degrees North, the graduate dance company of the FDWL festival in the South West, and based at Edge Hill, were instrumental in finding fellow Edge Hill Graduate Samatha Ackerley and training the North West cast as part of designed its costumes. Bourne’s New Adventures company.
Their second show Out was featured at Exeter’s 1 Ignite festival in early June.
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Sarah puts Success on Ice
Rising ice hockey star Sarah Hutchinson’s talent and determination has not only won her a place in the Great Britain Women’s National Ice
2 Hockey team, but also earned her an Edge Hill Sport Scholarship.
The Sport and Exercise Psychology student is Learning from life one of only two women in the North West to be part of a men’s hockey team, so she is no stranger to tough competition. The defenseman Graduate Andy Mitchell discovered now plays for Bradford Bulls in the Moralee a passion for outdoor learning while Conference, the men’s highest amateur level, as on a work placement at a school in well as for Kingston Diamonds in the Women’s Premier League. Norway. His experience is now helping him bring a breath of fresh Sarah, who recently travelled to Italy to play for air to UK schools. the GB Women’s University Team in the 2013 Winter Universiade, said: “In this game you Throughout his PGCE, Andy had become have to keep going and remember why you’re increasingly interested in the use of the playing. I’ve loved the game from an early age outdoors in young children’s learning and but it’s taken me a lot of work to get to where I development. A week long placement at am today. Passion and drive are key if you want Birkebeiner outdoor nursery in Lillehammer, to succeed.” where children spend almost all their time outside regardless of the weather, convinced It was those attributes, coupled with an appetite him that the Scandinavian approach could to push herself forward in such a male- benefit children back home. dominated sport,that helped her win one of Edge Hill’s coveted Excellence in Sport “The children played, ate and even had their Scholarships. naps outside,” said Andy. “Although they had adequate supervision, the children were “Winning this scholarship has helped me out encouraged to play and explore independently financially and has enabled me to achieve my and also to take age appropriate risks. dreams of competing for Great Britain. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my “Many schools in the UK don’t have a lot of family, friends and Edge Hill University, they outdoor space, but I think you can still apply have all been so encouraging.” some of the same principles, even in an inner city school. For me, it’s all about using the Sarah is now hoping to be selected for the GB environment to stimulate learning, whether Senior team and compete in the World that’s a wood, a school field or a playground.” Championships in Dumfries in 2015.
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“Juggling studying at Edge Hill and my Declan training with the first team has been tough but it’s all been worth it, both on and off the pitch.” Sephton-Hulme Widnes Vikings star Declan Sephton-Hulme, who was told he was unlikely to play Rugby again after suffering a brain haemorrhage in 2006, has graduated with an Upper Second Class degree in Sport and Exercise Science.
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Poetry at the Palace Lecturer Takes Top
Reader in English Literature, Dr Mari Hughes- Sporting Role Edwards, has received royal recognition for her work on Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, and Dean Williams, Senior Lecturer in Physical her commitment to promoting literature. Education, has become one of only four athletics officials in the UK to be appointed to Europe’s Mari was among a select group of talented highest officiating body. poets, writers, actors, performers and teachers invited to Buckingham Palace for an event He secured a place on the European Athletics promoting British poetry. She was formally International Technical Officials Panel after his presented to the Queen and spoke to her about high profile role as Chief Field Referee for the her work at Edge Hill and the importance of London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. promoting emerging poets. The Panel, which consists of the top 72 technical Mari said: “It’s great to have the royal family officials from across Europe, ensures that everything acknowledging poetry’s importance so publicly. associated with an event adheres to accepted It’s a reassuring sign that poetry is still significant European protocols and international rules. and embedded into our cultural lives.” Since joining the Panel, Dean has officiated at the European Team Championships in Estonia and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
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Lynda Brady Mark Allanson
Edge Hill University has appointed Mark Allanson, Pro Vice-Chancellor a new Pro Vice-Chancellor to its with responsibility for external directorate team with responsibility relations has joined the University for student experience. from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) Lynda Brady is responsible for further enhancing a joined up approach across where he was regional consultant academic and support services. She joined Edge for the North West. Hill after spending the past 12 years at the Open University (the OU) in a variety of roles. Prior to joining HEFCE Mark was Director of Between 2005 and 2011 she was Regional External Affairs at the University of Bolton, Director for the OU in the North West leading where he was involved in outreach, business the team responsible for supporting the OU’s development, applied research and knowledge 25,000 students studying in the region. transfer. Mark has worked closely with senior civil servants in the Department for Business, From 2011 onwards Lynda was Director of the Innovation and Skills. Learner Support Service, with responsibility for a range of information, advice and guidance and Mark has also had university-wide experience operational services central to supporting more of leading marketing and recruitment, and set than 200,000 OU students to achieve their up and ran a successful technology based study goals. incubator company. In his earlier career Mark was a Director of a Chamber of Commerce and Before joining the OU, Lynda worked for seven Managing Director of Business Link. years at Liverpool John Moores University where she was a Principal Lecturer in Law and In his new role at Edge Hill University, Mark Head of the Legal Practice Course, having aims to further develop the University’s started her career as a solicitor in Local international strategy. Government. He said: “We are very focused on putting teaching, Lynda has also assumed the role of University learning, research and development into real Secretary. This role ensures appropriate practice. We’re about finding out what students governance and legal compliance by the and staff are capable of within a university institution. learning environment, stretching and challenging themselves and each other. Everyone should try 1 to educate themselves to their fullest potential and we offer that for our students.”
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Bernard Laverty
New Chair of Governors and Pro-Chancellor Bernard Laverty was appointed to the role at the start of 2014.
Bernard was elected to the position from the University’s lay Governors. He was originally 1 appointed as an independent governor of Edge Hill in 2005, and is a non-executive director of a number of Edge Hill’s subsidiary companies.
He was admitted to membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) in 1984 and worked in private practice in Liverpool with PKF and in Preston with KPMG.
He went on to join Lancashire textile company David Whitehead & Sons Limited where in 1996 he led a management buyout of the company. 2 The Board of Governors has oversight of the educational character and mission of the University with specific responsibilities for financial probity and the effective use of resources.
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78 Sustainability Environmentally aware and ecologically sound. Our green credentials are important for a sustainable future.
We are translating our environmental awareness into our research, have developed alternative ways to travel and have even opened facilities for students and the local community to develop their green fingers. Sustainability
New Research is Hay Day a Walk in the Park for Wildlife
A walk with friends in the countryside Research by an Edge Hill can reduce depression and stress conservation expert will help to and have a positive impact on ensure that one of the UK’s most mental wellbeing, according to biodiverse habitats remains a research carried out at Edge Hill. haven for insect and plant species.
In a co-authored article in the journal Elizabeth Sullivan from the Biology Department Ecopsychology, Melissa Marselle, a post-doctoral is investigating long-term vegetation change researcher in the Department of Psychology, in upland hay meadows in the Forest of claims that group walks in local natural Bowland in Lancashire. Her work, which is environments are beneficial for public health. supported by Natural England, is the first in-depth survey of the meadows for 25 years This is the first study that has investigated the and aims to monitor whether the land, parts psychological benefits of group walks on a of which are designated as Sites of Special national scale. The study evaluated group walks Scientific Interest, is being managed in a way in local natural environments across England that will benefit the meadow species. that are part of the national ‘Walking for Health’ initiative run by Macmillan Cancer “A hay meadow requires a particular type of Support and The Ramblers, comparing group management which has been practised in this walkers with similar non-group walkers. area by generations of farmers,” explained Elizabeth, “but with agricultural intensification The study found that individuals who took part and increased use of pesticides, this way of in group walks in nature had significantly lower management has been lost, resulting in a depression, negative emotions, and perceived dramatic reduction in plant and insect diversity. stress, as well as greater mental wellbeing and positive emotions. In addition, nature-based “This research will assess whether conservation group walks appeared to mitigate the effects of objectives for the meadows are being met and stressful life events. will investigate how the fragmented distribution of the meadows affects their long-term survival. Melissa, who worked with Katherine Irvine By looking at the genetic diversity of the plant (The James Hutton Institute) and Sara Warber species we can find out how well connected the (University of Michigan) on the original idea sites are. Isolated sites are usually less for the study, said: “This study shows that genetically diverse and more vulnerable to group walks in local natural environments species loss. The research findings will help to may make a potentially important contribution inform the direction of conservation policy and to public health.” will, hopefully, help to maintain these fantastic habitats for the future." 1 2
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Brain Boosting Business The Good Life
Students are not generally known Students and staff have been for their commitment to healthy working with various community eating, often grabbing calorie-laden groups to develop the University’s fast food on the go as they rush allotment in St Helens Road. between lectures. As part of the NUS Student Eats project, the A new venture by a group of student Edge Hill Students’ Union allotment allotment entrepreneurs is hoping to change eating habits is flourishing with thanks to The Princes’ Trust on campus by promoting a healthy alternative who repaired raised beds, built covers and which is both nutritious and affordable. treated the wood to protect it from the weather. They also painted designs on a flower bed Third year Health and Nutrition students Rhian reserved for a local nursery and ran a short Andrews, Kay Billingsley, Gemma Fletcher and planting session for the children to help them Val Hutson have created ‘Nutri-Juice’, a blend of get their bed started. nutrient-packed fruits and vegetables designed to boost brain power for exams, combat hangovers The nursery regularly attends the site to learn and ensure students enjoy a balanced diet. about growing and gardening before taking their produce back to the nursery where they make Val said: “According to our research, students at dishes or share it with their family. Edge Hill are not meeting the Government’s recommended five portions of fruit and A team from the charity Making Space and the vegetables a day and we wanted to do something West Lancashire community restart team now to alleviate this problem. We’re really passionate help to manage the site and look after the about wanting to improve the diets of students planting, growing and caring for the fruit and and wanted to create a product that is low in vegetables with the help of local residents from cost and provides them with one of their five Ormskirk and Skelmersdale. portions of fruit and veg each day.” Ormskirk 1st Scout group are also developing The team was awarded awarded £500 to start plans to become involved at the site as part of up their new venture and, if customers give it one of their community and outdoor badges, the thumbs-up, are hoping to expand the helping the allotment stay a lush, green space. business further to bring their products to even more students and staff at Edge Hill. 2
Kay said: “Being students ourselves, we understand their needs. Instead of spending a couple of quid each morning grabbing a calorie- laden latte, we thought it would be great to create a juice that is within budget, fits into their hectic lifestyle and is a healthy option.”
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Sustainability on the Menu sustainability by taking part in a new initiative with Food Link NW to enrich lives in Lancashire through local food. Edge Hill University is helping to shape the future of food To officially launch the Food Sustainability sustainability with a new Lancashire scheme, Edge Hill hosted an event that brought producers, shops, community partnership that aims to establish projects, farmers, restaurants and local food Lancashire as one of the UK’s first enthusiasts together to raise awareness of the ever Sustainable Food Counties. importance of food sustainability.
The University is in the process of drawing up Senior Lecturer in Nutrition, Kathleen Mooney, a Sustainable Food Charter for Lancashire in said: “We wanted our students to be very involved collaboration with Food For Life and Lancashire in the initiative because food sustainability is County Council, which will be only the UK’s inextricably linked to the field of nutrition as it second county-wide charter, after County Durham. is important to determine if a healthy diet can also be environmentally sustainable.” The charter seeks to build community food knowledge, skills, resources and projects and Edge Hill University’s commitment to transform catering and food procurement. sustainable food is a joint initiative between the Tackling food poverty and increasing access to University’s Good Enterprise Lab, established affordable healthy food are also on the menu. to tackle social challenges, and the Centre for Human Animal Studies, the only research Edge Hill’s Health and Nutrition students have centre of its kind in the country. already shown their commitment to food
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Driving to a Cleaner Future
A survey across 116 universities has found Edge Hill is in the top two for electric vehicle ownership.
The research, which includes institutions across the country in May 2014, shows that Edge Hill has 50 percent of its vehicle powered purely by electricity. This helps to underline the University’s green credentials.
Pete McAllister, who conducted the research for Green Campus Award intelligentcarleasing.com said: “With a fast growing green energy sector in the UK, electric vehicles are fast becoming an all-round low Edge Hill University has won a prestigious carbon driving option. It’s brilliant to see such a Green Flag Award for the third year running. high adoption rate amongst the UK’s universities and hopefully this is a good The Green Flag Awards, presented by indicator of the broader motoring picture in environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, years to come.” recognise and reward the best parks and green spaces across the country.
The award, one of a record-breaking 1,476 given Pedal Power out this year, recognises the University’s huge efforts in minimising the environmental impact Students and staff are being encouraged to get of its activities, maintaining natural habitats on their bikes with a new automated cycle hire through its commitment to biodiversity, and point on campus, making it easier developing a sustainable campus for the to get around the University and beyond enjoyment of students, staff, visitors and the without harming the environment. local community. The cycle docking station is the sixth to be installed by VISIT Sefton and West Lancashire The Mark of Good Taste in conjunction with Hourbike, which operates the cycle hire scheme. Bikes can be taken from Edge Hill’s food outlets have joined more than one docking station and deposited at any other 150 caterers, serving more than 750,000 meals in West Lancashire. a day by winning the Soil Association’s Food for Life Catering Mark. At a special event to raise awareness of the scheme, students and staff had the opportunity The accreditation promotes fresh food, to get information on cycle routes, bike safety, environmental sustainability and ethical security and maintenance as well as take part in sourcing. The Catering Mark is based on the a range of cycling activities including a one-hour principles that food should be fresh, local, guided cycle tour of Ormskirk and Aughton. seasonal and better for animal welfare. It means food is freshly prepared using ingredients which are free from GM and harmful additives and shows we prioritise healthy choices and sustainable purchasing.
85 Honorary Graduates
This year Edge Hill has awarded Honorary honorary doctorates to nine people who lead the way in women’s rights, Graduates education, sport, energy and music – areas which resonate with the University’s teaching and research.
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Sir Harrison Birtwistle CH Wally Brown CBE
Lancashire-born composer and Honorary Doctor of Education Wally “national treasure” Sir Harrison Brown is a community leader and Birtwistle was made an Honorary education champion, who is widely Doctor of Philosophy for his regarded as “one of the most important services to music. individuals in Liverpool’s history.”
Born to a working class family in Accrington in As Chair of the Community Relations Council, 1934, Birtwistle took up the clarinet but, after Wally was an instrumental mediator during having a piece accepted for the Cheltenham Liverpool’s Toxteth Riots in 1981, dealing Festival in 1959, he decided to devote his efforts directly with Margaret Thatcher and Michael to composing. Heseltine, and became the first black person to be appointed Chair of the Merseyside Today Birtwistle is one of the leading figures in Community Relations Council. British and international modern music. He is best known for composing the opera Punch and He was Principal of Liverpool Community Judy, a work commissioned by Benjamin College from its creation in 1992 until his Britten’s Aldeburgh Festival, and the works retirement in 2008, transforming it into one of Verses for Ensembles and The Triumph of Time. the most successful and outstanding further His most recent opera, The Minotaur, was first education colleges in the UK. performed in 2008, 40 years after his first. He was made a CBE in 2002 for services to Birtwistle was appointed musical director of the education and awarded freedom of the City of newly-established National Theatre in 1975, a Liverpool in August 2012. post he occupied for eight years. He became a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 1986, Wally continues to contribute to the local received a knighthood in 1988 and became community as a Non-Executive Director of Henry Purcell Professor of Composition at Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust Board, Kings College London in 1994, a chair he held and also the Chair of Liverpool Community until 2001. Health Audit Committee and a Member of the Equality and Diversity Group.
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Colin Drummond OBE John Foxx
Environmental business leader Legendary singer, composer, and Edge Hill industry partner, graphic designer and film-maker, Colin Drummond, has received John Foxx, has been made an an Honorary Doctorate in Honorary Doctor of Philosophy. Business Administration. Best known as a member of the band Ultravox, He was appointed Executive Director of South Foxx signed as a solo artist to Virgin Records in West Water PLC (now Pennon Group PLC) in 1979 and released three albums of pioneering 1992 with a remit to build and run the group’s and influential electronic music, before setting non-water business, which eventually became up his own recording studio, used by artists such as and . Viridor. Under Colin’s leadership Viridor has Siouxsie and the Banshees Nick Cave become one of the UK’s leading recycling, renewable energy and waste management In the mid-1980s, under his real name of companies, and he still heads up the company Dennis Leigh, he made a living as a graphic as Non-Executive Chairman. artist, became a visiting lecturer at the Royal College of Art. In 2010, Colin took part in the Channel 4 series Undercover Boss and in 2012 received an OBE He later returned to music and released an for services to technology and innovation. He album to accompany a sequence of films, Tiny currently chairs the Business Advisory Board for Colour Movies, which premiered at that the the cross-government Living with Environmental Brighton Festival. In 2007, a showcase of his Change programme. artwork and music was presented at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Viridor is currently working in partnership with Edge Hill University’s Faculty of Education to John is currently working with a new band, deliver a programme of higher education study John Foxx and The Maths, and recently toured that supports Viridor’s UK management strategy. with Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.
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Dr Helen Pankhurst Michael Pennington
International campaigner and One of the UK’s best-loved comedians activist Dr Helen Pankhurst, who Michael Pennington, better known once said “women’s rights run in my as Johnny Vegas, has been made an veins”, has received an Honorary Honorary Doctor of Literature. Doctorate in Philosophy. Born in St Helens, Michael started out as a The great-granddaughter of Emmeline stand-up comic in 1995, winning the Festival Pankhurst and granddaughter of Sylvia Critics Award and a Perrier nomination at the Pankhurst, leaders in the British suffragette 1997 Edinburgh Festival. He has been a regular movement, Helen has worked tirelessly for panellist on shows such as QI and 8 Out of 10 more than 25 years in the fields of international Cats, but is perhaps best known for playing development and humanitarian assistance. characters such as Charlie Doyle in Happiness, for which he received a British Comedy Award, She is CARE International UK’s campaign Geoff ‘The Oracle’ Maltby in Benidorm and Moz ambassador and is also a Senior Technical in Ideal. Advisor for the Water Team of CARE USA, with a remit to support CARE’s water sector In 2013 Michael turned his talents to directing work internationally. with two dramas for BBC1’s Moving On series and the Sky Arts drama Ragged, as well as the Helen has previously been Head of music videos Handyman Blues for Billy Bragg International Programmes at Womankind and DIY for Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott. Worldwide and the Regional Programme Officer in the Horn of Africa at the Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD). She has also has followed in her ancestors’ footsteps by pioneering women’s rights in East Africa.
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Heidi Thomas Barrie Wells
Multi award-winning screenwriter Sport-loving philanthropist and Heidi Thomas has been presented successful entrepreneur Barrie with an Honorary Doctorate in Wells has been presented with an Literature. Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration. Dubbed the ‘Queen of primetime TV Drama’, the Liverpool-born writer is behind numerous Liverpool-born Barrie is a financial services high-profile dramas and TV series, including entrepreneur who established several successful the BBC’s , and Upstairs Downstairs Call the insurance businesses. But it was a trip to the , now in its third series. Midwife Beijing Olympics that inspired him to use his business skills to help aspiring young athletes Her writing career began in 1984 when she won achieve their goals, and ensure seriously ill and a National Youth Theatre New Play award for disabled children could enjoy sport. her first work, All Flesh Is Grass, and she then drew national attention in 1985 when her play In 2009, Barrie set up the Wells Sports was awarded the Shamrocks and Crocodiles Foundation which funded athletes training to John Whiting Prize. compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games, including Jessica Ennis-Hill, Beth Tweddle and Heidi, whose writing often reflects matters of Liverpool’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson. public and social discussion, was honored at the 2012 UK Women in Film and Television awards In return for Barrie’s support the athletes give where she was presented with the Technicolor up their time to inspire school children to take Writing Award in recognition of her contribution up sport under the Wells Sports Foundation’s to the industry. Athletes 4 Schools scheme, which has worked with more than 35,000 school children. Her creative ability to make strong connections with her audience, especially with themes that The charity also funds ‘Box 4 Kids’ – a unique address issues such as community life, families, opportunity for seriously ill and disabled health and education, has placed her among the children to enjoy a VIP day at major sporting most in demand screen writers for television. events in the comfort of an executive box.
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Sue Tibballs OBE
A campaigner who has worked tirelessly to change women’s sport policy, promote investment and encourage more girls to take part in physical exercise has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in science.
Sue Tibballs is former Chief Executive of the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF), a charity built for the purpose of encouraging women into sport and physical activity, celebrating sporting success and working with policy makers to drive change in how the government supports women’s sport and fitness.
The charity was behind the campaign to include women’s boxing in the 2012 London Olympics, leading to Leeds-born Nicola Adams becoming the first ever woman to win an Olympic boxing title. It also led calls against the Saudi Arabian government’s refusal to send sportswomen to the Olympics, resulting in the country’s decision to send two female athletes to compete in the 2012 Games for the first time in the nation’s history.
Sue was recognised by the Queen and awarded the Order of the British Empire in the 2014 New Year’s Honours list.
91 Financial Summary
Where University Money Comes From
2013/14 data rounded to nearest million
Student Tuition Fees Government Funding Grants £71m £16m
NHS funding £13m
Residences and Catering
£8m
Other Sources £7m
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How University Money is Spent
2013/14 data rounded to nearest million
Teaching £49m New buildings, facilities and equipment £31m
Services for Students £18m
Maintaining the Campus £9m Running the University £7m Facilities for Students and Staff £6m Providing Residences and Catering £5m Other £3m Doing Academic Research £1m
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95 Acknowledgements
Principal Officers Donors Donors of the University
Chancellor Christine Bennett Patricia Abbott Professor Tanya Byron Gill M Davies Kathleen Holmes Mark Flinn Dorothy Collings Pro Chancellor Sylvia Rothwell Ann Bowden Bernard Laverty Eileen Brown Michael Powell Ruth Caine Louise Davies Vice-Chancellor Muriel Harrison Olive McComb Dr John Cater Christine Bennett Maureen Jenkinson Sylvia Rhodes Corise Ducker Deputy Vice-Chancellor Anne Pagendam Esther Owen Steve Igoe Lillian Sharpe Isabel Robinson Carole Sodo Anne Moule Pro Vice-Chancellors Sylvia Bostock Dr John Cater Lynda Brady Student Experience and University Secretary Mark Allanson External Relations Seth Crofts Dean of Faculty of Health and Social Care Dr Lynnette Turner Acting Dean of Faculty of Education Professor George Talbot Research Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Clerk to the Board of Governors Lesley Munro Editor Lucy Rees
Copywriters Sophie Wilcockson, Sara Callan, Jenny Morgan
Creative Direction/Print Management Andy Butler
Design Matt Lewis & Sam Wiehl
Photography Stuart Rayner, Iain Lynn, Dan Monaghan, Patrick Boss, Paul Simpson, Helen Newall, Fenia Palyvou, Geof Atwell and Times Higher Education. Image on page 13 ©morebyless
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