Alumni Magazine
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alumni issue magazine 14 winter 2013 / 2014 05 The scholar adventurer Owen Lattimore’s journey from the Mongolian deserts to the corridors of Leeds 10 75 Years young Leeds University union celebrates 14 Seeing the light How Becs Andrews is exploring the relationship of art to science 22 Changing the world 10 ways Leeds is making a difference to people’s lives ALUMNI FROM THE EDITOR CONTRIBUTORS CONTENTS RICHARD HANSON (Mechanical Engineering 1980) got distracted by the University darkroom as a student, resulting in a career reporting from around the world for charities 05 and working for national newspapers and magazine in REGULARS the UK. He lives with his family in Sheffield. He photographed Becs Andrews for Leeds Phil Steel (English 1997) magazine in November 2013. Head of Alumni Relations www.hansonphoto.co.uk ALUMNI NEWS 02 What links One Direction, international diplomacy, Happy New Year! JONATHAN SHARP the West End, Kenyan Literature..? 2013 was an exciting year for us at Leeds. In Jonathan Sharp (Chinese October, we welcomed the University’s 12th Studies 1967) was extremely DEPARTMENT ROUND-UP 12 Vice-Chancellor, Sir Alan Langlands, and you lucky to be hired by Reuters Stories from your department which sent him to 35 countries can hear Sir Alan’s thoughts as incumbent VC as a foreign correspondent in this issue. Building commenced on the first covering everything from wars THE LATEST FROM LEEDS 18 new library at Leeds since the 1970s. And at (Vietnam, Lebanon, Angola) to What’s happening on the Leeds campus the beginning of December we announced the Olympics (Los Angeles). A 10 our campaign to Make A World of Difference, special highlight was shaking VC'S VIEW 27 with your help harnessing the expertise and Nelson Mandela’s hand a week Sir Alan Langlands’ first impressions after his release in 1990. Sharp, resources at Leeds to tackle some of the world’s now semi-retired, lives in his biggest challenges 2014 is going to be even favourite city, Hong Kong. FORTHCOMING EVENTS 28 more special. From visionary academics in East What’s happening for Leeds alumni Asian studies to Cultural Fellows in the creative arts, Leeds has often been leading the way. We’re determined that will continue. We’ll Leeds is published twice a be talking to you a lot about how you can play year by the University of Leeds FEATURES a part in our Making A World of Difference Alumni & Development Team. It is received by more than Campaign in 2014, and we introduce it this 210,000 graduates, members issue by showing you some of the amazing work and friends of the University AHEAD OF HIS TIME 05 Leeds is already doing. Our alumni community across the world. Owen Lattimore and the birth of East Asian studies grew last year to 210,000 worldwide, and this year will grow even more. With your help we CELEBRATING 75 10 can make Leeds’ positive impact on the world Leeds University Union traces its history bigger than ever. RAY OF LIGHT 14 Best wishes for 2014. Becs Andrews explores art and science Editorial Team Help us reduce our 10 WAYS 22 Phil Steel, EditorJill environmental impact LEEDS Leeds is Making a World of Difference Bullock, Deputy Editor Simon Jenkins Leeds magazine is ALUMNI Melissa Snowden printed on 50% recycled paper and mailed out Thanks on 100% biodegradable ONLINE 14 Laura Dakin, Chris packaging Hammond, Nicholas Loubere, Emma This magazine is available COVER IMAGE: McKeown, Mike Nix, online for download at www.alumni.leeds.ac.uk/ BEC ANDREWS, CULTURAL Adam Robinson, Ben FELLOW AT THE UNIVERSITY Whitaker magazine OF LEEDS. FUNDED BY JOIN THE OPERA NORTH, BECS ANDREWS HAS SPENT THE We’d love your feedback If you would like to DISCUSSION help us reduce our PAST TWO AND A HALF Web: www.alumni.leeds. YEARS EXPLORING THE ac.uk environmental impact BOUNDARIES BETWEEN by receiving Leeds by ART AND SCIENCE, WORKING WITH ACADEMICS, Twitter: @leedsalumni email, please let us know STUDENTS AND THE contacting us using the LEEDS LOCAL COMMUNITY. www.facebook. Facebook: details above SHE DESCRIBES LEEDS’ com/leedsalumni CULTURAL FELLOWS SCHEME – INSPIRED Mail: Alumni and Visit BY THE UNIVERSITY’S GROUNDBREAKING Development Team, alumni.leeds.ac.uk GREGORY FELLOWSHIPS University of Leeds to view the magazine WHICH RAN FROM 1950 TO LS2 9JT online, to comment 1980 – AS “BRILLIANTLY PROGRESSIVE.” and find out the 22 www.facebook.com/leedsalumni Phone: latest stories Leeds Alumni on LinkedIn PHOTOGRAPHER: +44(0)113 343 7520 RICHARD HANSON @LeedsAlumni on Twitter alumni news alumni news ALUMNI NEWS “The architecture is wonderful,” screenplays, plays, short stories and said Margaret. “You can go to some AMBASSADOR children’s books, all based on East places and think, ‘that’s not how Africa’s history and social conditions. I remember it—they’ve destroyed IN HANOI His wide-ranging works have been it’, but no! It’s all blended. I can Thailand’s Ambassador to Vietnam is translated into 11 languages. imagine people coming to have a look Anuson Chinvanno (Modern Chinese round and thinking yes, I’d like to Studies 1983). Anuson holds the role come here.” at an important time of economic opportunity, when trade between the countries has increased dramatically. Vietnam and Thailand have a target of 20 billion US dollars in two-way trade by 2015. He is promoting cooperation and investment between the countries to take advantage of the enormous market in Southeast Asia and to export their products globally. KATY RUDD ENJOYING NATIONAL HER TIME AT REHEARSALS FOR THE THEATRE NATIONAL THEATRE COURTESY: DIRECTOR KATY RUDD When The Curious Incident of the BEN WINSTON WITH Dog in the Night-Time dominated DIRECTING HIS WIFE MEREDITH AND SIMON COWELL the 2013 Olivier Awards, Katy KATY RUDD ENJOYING ONE DIRECTION ON THE RED CARPET Rudd (Theatre and Performance HER TIME AT FOR ONE DIRECTION’S REHEARSALS FOR THE 2009) celebrated with the National NATIONAL THEATRE Worldwide audiences of a certain age FILM Theatre creative team. Katy is filled cinemas to see One Direction: PHOTO: TOP CRIME Associate Director of the play, PHOTO: MAYORAL ALUMNI This Is Us, a film produced by Ben CALVIN AURAND which won seven Olivier Awards. REUTERS Winston (Broadcasting Studies 2004). FIGURES She then directed a one-off charity COUPLE Ben spent a year filming the global sequel called A Curious Night at the celebrities, their passionate fans and JOHN AND MARGARET With one Leeds graduate coming Theatre, featuring Jude Law, Matt PROMINENT KENYAN During their year in office, the their family, including Johannah DAVIDSON SURPRISED to the end of his five-year term as Smith and Dame Helen Mirren for AUTHOR MEJA Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of BY THE SCHOOL OF MWANGI Poulson (Midwifery 2002), mother HISTORY FOR THEIR LUU FUN director of public prosecutions, charity. She is now working on the Leeds, Tom Murray (Metallurgy of One Direction member Louis 50TH ANNIVERSARY another Leeds graduate stepped West-End revival of Mojo starring PHOTO: 1972, Cert Education 1973) and his Tomlinson. Ben also wrote and into the leading role at the Crown Ben Wishaw, Brendan Coyle and KIJO wife Edna Murray (Social Policy PHOTO: LAUNCHES directed the band’s MTV Video ADAM ROBINSON Prosecution Service. In November, Rupert Grint. Katy built her career and Administration 1986), hope Music Award winner, Best Song Ever. CAREER Alison Saunders (Law 1982) replaced whilst a student at Leeds, directing to improve the community life With his company Fulwell 73 Keir Starmer QC (LLB 1985, University productions. of children in Leeds through their Productions, Ben works extensively in HISTORIC MOMENT Rob Shield (Philosophy 2008) enjoyed LLD 2012) to become head of the project Leeds Offers Fun for the film and television, notably producing ROB SHIELD AND dancing with the LUU Swing Dance Government department responsible Young (LOFTY). “I want my year in the Smithy sketches for Comic WIFE TINA STRIKE More than half a century after Society so much that he’s turned it for prosecuting criminal cases in office to be all about having fun and A SWINGING POSE LEEDS LINK TO Relief and JLS: Eyes Wide Open. He OUTSIDE OF LEEDS John Davidson (History 1966) and into a business with Swing Dance England and Wales. creating fantastic opportunities in our directed and executive produced last UNIVERSITY UNION Margaret (née Knowles) (History Leeds. His company provides lessons While at CPS London, Alison KENYAN WRITERS city for young people,” says Tom. year’s highest rated documentary, 1966) met at a Freshers’ event, they and dance performances in a variety was heavily involved in high profile A winning Leeds United team PHOTO: Gary Barlow on her Majesty’s EDWIN WALLACE returned for a visit to the University. of energetic dance styles from the cases such as the retrial of Stephen Multi-award-winning author Meja attracted Tom to Leeds in 1968 and, Service, which captured the making The couple came across a surprise swing era. Rob, a professional dancer, Lawrence’s murder case and the Mwangi (Withdrawn English 1992) like many a Leeds graduate, he has throughout the Commonwealth of when, on the day of their 50th teacher and choreographer, specialises London disorder cases. In the has become one of Kenya’s most remained in the area. He taught the Queen’s Jubilee anthem, Sing. anniversary, the School of History in the Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, 2013 New Year Honours, she was prolific writers. Meja was inspired science, then went into politics “I really enjoyed my time at Leeds,” welcomed them in true 60’s fashion Jazz and Blues. He and his company appointed Companion of the Order by the work of fellow Kenyan Leeds full-time and became Chair of says Ben.