THE UNIVERSITY OF MAGAZINE // SPRING 2014

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF Spring 2014

Welcome Contents The Features nonesuch nonesuch 3 Spring 2014 ed to ed 7 Editors Hilary Brown The red nonesuch, Climate of opinion 10 Catherine Lee the ‘Flower of Bristol’, Lines of duty 17 Nick Riddle gave its colour to the Contributing Editors University’s academic Changing faces 22 Hannah Ford hoods and its name The continuing story 25 Freya Sterling to the University’s first Managing Editors student magazine, David Alder // Director of Marketing and The Bristol 5 Communications Nonesuch, in 1911. 7 Jill Cartwright // Nonesuch, in its Head of Public An editor is born current magazine Relations Office Tania Jane Rawlinson // form, was first Director of Campaigns published in 1991 for and Alumni Relations ‘all those who share a Contact common interest in the Many happy returns to Epigram – Bristol’s student [email protected] ’. +44 (0)117 394 1046 newspaper – which is celebrating its 25th anniversary (Campaigns and Alumni this year. Relations Office) +44 (0)117 928 8895 I hope you enjoy reading about Bristol University and journalism, and then (Public Relations Office) take up your own pen or keyboard. Denis Burn (BSc 1975), Bristol’s Chair of Design Council, is seeking alumni, staff, student and Court members’ views about pelotondesign.co.uk the University’s future. Produced by News Public Relations Office Alumni responses now will inform the search for the University’s next Senate House Tyndall Avenue Vice-Chancellor, who will take over from Professor Sir Eric Thomas Latest from Bristol 2 Bristol BS8 1TH (Hon LLD 2004) in autumn 2015. Please visit bristol.ac.uk/alumni/future In pictures 4 by Saturday 31 May. Printed by Bristol in the news 6 Gemini West You can also support Bristol today by standing for a range of volunteer posts Nonesuch, April 2014 © University of Bristol 2014 in the Alumni Association (Convocation) and I hope to see you soon at one Extracts may only be of our forthcoming alumni events in Bristol, or further afield (p29). reproduced with the permission of the Public 25 Relations Office. The three (or more) If you need part or all ages of media of this publication in Nonesuch magazine // Spring 2014 an alternative format, Printed on Cocoon Silk 50 please telephone Bill Ray (BSc 1975) Emissions reduced through carbon +44 (0)117 928 8895. offsetting: 16,100 kg of CO2 saved Chairman of the Alumni Association (Convocation)

Keep in touch 29

/bristol.university.alumni Email 17 Listings Media influencers: [email protected] @BristolUni the people behind Alumni in memoriam 28 Website the headlines bristol.ac.uk/alumni bristol.ac.uk/alumni/linkedin Events 29

Spring 2014 // nonesuch 1 Latest from Bristol bristol.ac.uk/news

News

Size doesn’t matter Health Treatment for high blood pressure could be as simple as removing one of the tiniest organs in the body, and may be more effective than existing therapies. A small nodule (no bigger than a grain of rice) found on the side of each carotid artery is a major culprit in the development and A bird’s eye view regulation of high blood pressure. Alumni The discovery, led by Professor Presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff (BSc 1994) has Julian Paton from Bristol’s School been elected as the new president of Europe’s of Physiology and Pharmacology, largest nature conservation charity, the RSPB. could revolutionise the treatment Brick by brick of hypertension, the world’s Krestovnikoff, a wildlife expert on BBC One’s The One Show Campus biggest silent killer, and the and Coast, will lead the charity’s governing body for the next This year, some of Bristol’s buildings will receive a much-needed results of a human clinical trial five years with the aim of securing a healthy environment facelift, while others open their doors for the very first time. are expected next year. for birds and other wildlife. After graduating from Bristol with a Zoology degree, she volunteered with various wildlife n April, the School of Biological Sciences will the Anson Rooms, and the University swimming organisations and trained as a diver before becoming the move into the new, five-storey Life Sciences pool, is due to finish in October. The renovations, popular presenter we know today. IBuilding on Tyndall Avenue (pictured above). co-designed by students, will completely Not only will the building provide state-of-the-art transform the 1960s concrete building to prepare it laboratories for teaching and research, but it will for the future. New facilities include social spaces, In numbers also boast some impressive eco-credentials, seminar rooms and quiet areas for private study. including solar panels to heat water, ‘living’ walls, Slightly further afield, Brunel’s original train 30 and bat roosts. station, the Engine Shed, opened its doors last Bristol’s position in the 2013 QS Gary Foster, Professor of Molecular Plant December as the city’s new enterprise hub. World Universities rankings. A royal seal Pathology, said: ‘The new building will enhance Thanks to a partnership between Bristol City the undergraduate experience by facilitating Council, the University and the West of England research-led study and staff-student interaction, Local Enterprise Partnership, the Grade I listed of approval making Bristol the first choice for research building, built in 1841, will be managed by Bristol 20,000 Neonatal research The number of applicants Lindsey and teaching’. SETSquared – the University’s award-winning Bristol has been awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in Meanwhile, a £30 million refurbishment of the business incubator – which will use a third of the Russell (BA 2013) beat to become the 36th Blue Peter presenter, as voted recognition of its leading research in obstetric and neonatal Richmond Building, home to the Students’ Union, space for early-stage technology businesses. practice that has saved babies’ lives all over the world. for by CBBC viewers. Russell credits her success to UBTV, the student-run Three strands of research carried out at the University have made giving Wanted: Bristol’s future leader television station, which helped put birth, and the early stages of life, safer for mothers and their babies. Since Vice-Chancellor together her show reel and entry. the late 1980s, Professor Peter Fleming and Dr Pete Blair’s ‘back to sleep’ advice has reduced the occurrence of cot death and saved the lives of more Professor Sir Eric Thomas (Hon LLD 2004) is to retire as than 15,000 babies in the UK alone; Professor Marianne Thoresen’s more the University’s Vice-Chancellor in August 2015. £84,500,000 recent pioneering cooling treatment for babies who suffer oxygen shortage After 14 years in the role, Professor Thomas said: ‘I believe it will be the right What the NHS could save annually at birth saves more than 1,500 babies from death and disability each year; and an obstetric emergency training programme known as PROMPT, time for a new leader to take Bristol on to the next stage. My time at Bristol by using an anti-cancer drug that is has been the most enjoyable, challenging and fulfilling of my professional led by Tim Draycott, has reduced hypoxic injuries (where the brain is cheaper than the current treatment career and I am fiercely proud of our students and graduates. There is still starved of oxygen) by 50 per cent and bracial plexus injury (a result of much to do in the next 18 months, including finding my successor.’ but equally effective in treating sight nerve damage) by 70 per cent. To help the University in its search for a new leader, we want to know loss, according to a nationwide study Research like this has been made possible thanks to generous what you think makes Bristol so unique, and what qualities you think are involving the Bristol Clinical Trials donations from alumni and friends of the University. The Centenary important in our future Vice-Chancellor. Please share your thoughts via Evaluation Unit. Campaign aims to raise £100 million by the end of 2014, ensuring that

our online survey at bristol.ac.uk/alumni/future before Saturday 31 May. Miranda Krestovnikoff © Jim Lennon Illustration // © Alberto Antoniazzi Bristol’s second century is even more impressive than its first.

2 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Spring 2014 // nonesuch 3 In pictures bristol.ac.uk/news

News

1 Key to the universe // Physics 1 4 Professor Peter Higgs (Hon DSc 1997) and In brief Professor François Englert were awarded Alumni the Nobel Prize in Physics for predicting the existence of the Higgs boson particle, discovered at the CERN Large Hadron Collider almost 50 years later.

2 Flower power // Biological Sciences Bright colours and enticing fragrances aren’t the only features flowers use to attract pollinators. Bristol researchers, led by Professor Daniel Robert, created a buzz when they revealed that flowers also produce electrical signals to Will Dean (BSc attract bumblebees to their pollen. Moreover, 5 2003), founder and when a flower is running low on nectar, it CEO of the popular changes the voltage of the signal to alert military-style obstacle approaching insects. event series, Tough Mudder, has been 3 Pitch Perfect // Alumni named the National Fans of author Rachel Joyce (BA 1983) can now Top Professor EY Entrepreneur of the enjoy her latest novel, Perfect. In 2012, Joyce Peter Higgs Year 2013 Emerging Above Professor wrote the international bestseller, The Unlikely François Englert Award winner. Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Nishtha Chugh (MSc 2011), featured 4 Conquering cancer // Health in the autumn edition In the future, cancer could be prevented from 6 of Nonesuch, won The spreading by manipulating the levels of a Guardian International particular protein, known as PRH, in individual Development cells. The role of PRH is to interact with DNA and Journalism ‘switch’ particular genes on or off. Research Competition 2013 from the School of Biochemistry suggests that for her reports on changing PRH levels could stop cancer cells attempts to change moving from their original location. attitudes towards gender in Rwanda. 5 Raising the flag // Alumni Matthew Baugh (BA 1994, MSc 1997), former 2 Paul Stebbings HM Ambassador to Somalia, received an OBE in (BA 1977), Artistic the Diplomatic Services and Overseas List of the Director of ADG- 2013 Birthday Honours for promoting peace and Europe and TNT security in Somalia. You can hear Baugh speak Theatre Britain, has about his experiences of working in countries received an MBE for affected by conflict at the Best of Bristol Alumni his services to theatre. Weekend on Saturday 5 July (bristol.ac.uk/ alumni/events). Sri Nazir Razak (BSc 1988), Group 6 Quantum computer // Engineering Chief Executive Scientists and engineers led by Dr Mark of CIMB Group, Thompson have, for the first time, generated and 3 was named CEO manipulated single particles of light (photons) of the Year by the on a silicon chip – a major step forward in the Minority Shareholder race to build a quantum computer. In the future, Watchdog Group quantum computers will use light (photons) at Malaysia- to carry information, rather than electricity, ASEAN Corporate but harnessing the photons has remained a Governance Index challenge until now. Awards 2013. Key the to universe © CERN Flower // Power © Dominic Clark

4 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Spring 2014 // nonesuch 5 Bristol in the news bristol.ac.uk/news

News Feature

The tools used to produce Bristol’s student paper may have changed, but the mission remains the same: to engage, inform and entertain. In Epigram’s 25th year, James Landale, the paper’s first editor (pictured), reflects on the op-ed that launched his career in journalism, and current editor Josephine Franks considers how the publication continues to make its mark.

Leading the way Science Two scientists from the University and an alumnus have been named in the Science Council’s list of the top 100 practising scientists. Professors Max Headley and Judy Harris (pictured above), both from the School of Physiology and Pharmacology, and Professor Cecil McMurray CBE (PhD 1970), Managing Director of SciTec Consulting, were recognised by a range of organisations, including the ed to European Commission, the NHS and the government, for their contributions to UK society Rowing into the and the economy. record books Students Final-year student, Jamie Sparks (2011-), and best friend Luke Birch, have become the youngest pair to row across the Atlantic. Fewer people have rowed the Atlantic than stretch. Rowing 3,000 nautical miles non- have travelled into space or climbed Mount stop, they each lost more than a stone- Everest. But after 55 days at sea, Sparks and-a-half of weight, suffered blistering salt ed and Birch, also known as ‘Two boys in a sores, and even had to contend with flying boat’, crossed the finish line of the Talisker fish. But their endurance paid off when they Whisky Atlantic Challenge in fifth place. not only broke the world record to become During the ‘world’s toughest endurance the youngest pair to complete the race, race’, the pair encountered 30-knot but also became the biggest ever individual On the fast track winds and battled powerful waves, often fundraisers for their chosen charity, Alumni surviving on just 80 minutes of sleep at a Breast Cancer Care. Richard Branson has praised two businesses, founded by Bristol alumni, that feature on Fast Preparing for the Pacific Track 100 league table for 2013. Students Branson applauded the number of businesses On 7 June, Elsa Hammond (PhD 2012-) founded by young entrepreneurs on the 2013 will begin her attempt to row 2,400 miles list, including online food retailer, graze.com (Edd in the first ever Great Pacific Race. Read, MEng 2007, above left), and translation Hammond, the only woman from the UK services provider, Language Connect (Ben Taylor, registered in the race, will aim to break the solo BSc 2001, above right). women’s record while raising money for the Plastic The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 league table Oceans Foundation. The race is the first to cross ranks Britain’s 100 private companies with the the world’s largest ocean from California to Hawaii. fastest-growing sales in the previous three years.

6 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Spring 2014 // nonesuch 7 From the horse’s mouth

Feature James Landale (BSc 1990, MSc 1992, Hon LLD 2013) wrote Twenty-five years on Nonesuch asked Epigram’s his first op-ed for Epigram (reproduced below) in 1989. Now current editor Josephine Epigram was born in a different age. Margaret Thatcher was Franks (BA 2013, MA Deputy for BBC News, he looks back at his prime minister, the Berlin wall stood and tweeting was for European Literature 2013-) student offering and discovers some home truths. birds. There was no email, no internet. Contributors wrote to reveal the secret of the their articles in longhand and then typed them into the Epigram paper’s success. computer or arrived at the office bearing a floppy disc. We blagged some desk-top publishing software and copied the publication’s style from other papers. I would hand-deliver the final disc to the printers, who would chuck it on their to-do pile between the freesheets and Epic - Gram? smutty magazines. A few days later I would pick up the printed Voice of today copies and distribute them round the halls from the back of a car. Most student politicians are on power trips. That is Early editions were strewn with my own caprice. Throughout its history, Epigram has stood as a to be the first comment of this newspaper. Epigram The humour is too arch, the copy in need of subbing and publication by students, for students. Along the way, is not for such people, but for students themselves. the pictures ropey. But there are some good stories, the listings it has brought stories into the national limelight, It does not represent the news, the 3rd floor of the are comprehensive and the sum is greater than the parts. weathered the storm of potential closure, provoked Union, or any specific group of students. In fact, it My first leader is a touch self-important, and the typos still changes in University policy, and entertained and represents no-one. Its aim is to interest, inform, amuse smart. But the essential point was a good one and one that still informed countless readers. and stimulate the student body of Bristol University stands today – that university should be more than just the From humble beginnings, Epigram has grown to as well as provide a forum for their own views to be next stage of life after A-levels. It should be savoured as a rare a 56-page publication with a print run of 5,000 and expressed. That is, of course, if they have a view to moment when you can live a life of unrestricted intellectual a readership of over 10,000. Its 50-strong team of express. Bristol University has a reputation of general discovery, unencumbered by the responsibilities of family, writers and editors changes each year, so the paper is apathy and indifference, buoyed up by middle class mortgage and job. As a student, you should be able to talk continually evolving and relevant to students’ concerns. affluence that excludes concern about grants, loans pompously about truth, beauty and justice, because if you It also means that writers can experiment knowing and the Poll Tax – the sort of issues close to home that don’t do it then, you never will. that failure will be temporary and success can be a student normally worries about. At Bristol, I had just that opportunity. The Politics consolidated, a vital experience for those who go Epigram does not want to bridge the divide Department invited visiting speakers to explore issues that on to a career in journalism. between a self-important Union and an apathetic ranged far beyond the core syllabus. Seminars would segue One major change since 1989 is the shift towards student body. It merely wishes to engender amongst into a discussion over drinks that would, in turn, become a pub online media. We launched a new website last year the student body a knowledge of what it is to be a crawl. It was an opportunity to unleash the mind in a way that to bring the quality of our virtual output in line with student. It is not just doing a certain course. It is not would not have been possible on a more rigid course. the print publication and offer enhanced content. just living in London, dashing down to Bristol for a The task I set Epigram was to interest and inform students, Of course, our competitors also seize the opportunities couple of mid-week lectures. It is not just the next and make them aware of what they could find and do outside presented by online media, which challenges us to stage after A-levels. University is a specific way of of the library. I hope it will keep working at the same task. At a seek out new angles and ways of engaging readers. life, a communal existance [sic] that joins together university, as in society, newspapers can play an important role. But I believe Epigram’s future will be defined by the some very different people, like it or not, by their print publication. The prestige of getting one’s name James Landale will speak at the London very student status. Branch of University of Bristol Alumni into print has if anything increased as a result of the ease Many have lost sight of this. Epigram aims to Annual Lecture this November. of online publication. Readers may be drawn elsewhere chage [sic] this, because it believes that students will bristol.ac.uk/alumni/events for one-stop entertainment and updates, but Epigram profit from knowing more about what is going on carries an assurance of quality journalism with the in the University. authority of a 25-year history. A further aim is to act as a watchdog on the Our core values have remained constant. We are Union and University hierarchy. This doesn’t mean committed to providing a platform for students to endless critical editorials. It means that you, the discuss issues they feel passionate about. Epigram’s student, have a letters page in which to voice your strength comes in part from its independence, and it opinions, to praise as well as to deflate a few egos. seeks to uphold James Landale’s vision of the paper as Some student politicians may be on power trips, a medium through which students discover what is but that doesn’t mean they cannot further student really going on at the University. That’s not to say that interest. The Union has a wide range of services we expect our readers to agree with everything we (on the whole, very well run) that help and bring publish; on the contrary, we encourage them to engage together students in an invaluable way. online and to pen their own responses. Epigram has set its sights high. It will be a While Epigram will no doubt have to continue challenge, not only for those who organise it and to adapt to the changing world of journalism, I feel contribute to it, but also for you, the student. It’s confident that its integrity will prevail. Here’s to a your paper. Read it, write for it and eat your fish future of inspirational writers, engaged readers and and chips out of it. Remember, the editor is on a the power of the student voice. • power trip too. Whether he can also produce a epigram.org.uk good newspaper depends on you. Josephine Franks © Jamie Corbin James // Landale © Jeff Overs

8 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Spring 2014 // nonesuch 9 Climate change certainties Tessa Mayes (BSc 1989) is a journalist, film Findings from the director and producer Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2013 report Climateof s the River Mole breaks its banks, flooding villages near my parents’ Each of the last Ahome, climate change is front-page three decades has news. So, too, are the confusing been successively messages surrounding it. warmer at the In the first Prime Minister’s Questions Earth’s surface of the new year, said he than any preceding ‘suspected’ that the ‘abnormal weather’ was decade since 1850. linked to climate change, while critics called his comments ‘casual’. Lord Stern, author In the Northern of the Stern Review on climate change, Hemisphere, 1983- commented at the Davos World Economic 2012 is thought to be Forum that he had ‘underestimated the risks’. the warmest 30-year And yet the UK Met Office has forecast that period of the past temperatures are unlikely to rise significantly 1,400 years. until at least 2017. ‘IT’S HARD Over the period You’d think by now that a subject with 1901-2010, the global a long record of scientific scrutiny would REPORTING THE mean sea level rose be clear. But its politicisation – and the by 0.19 metres. speculative nature of some scientific studies TRUTH. YOU – makes it difficult for journalists to cover Atmospheric climate change accurately. HAVE TO PUT carbon dioxide The way climate change is discussed is concentrations as controversial as the subject itself. Prince PREJUDICE ASIDE’ have increased by Charles, for example, is one of many to 40 per cent since describe those who dispute climate change Overwhelming scientific evidence and pre-industrial times, science as ‘deniers’. But rather than clarifying mainstream political views dominate the primarily from fossil the debate, this label precludes discussion, media and so they should, but that doesn’t fuel emissions. leading to studies with less alarmist mean alternative views should be censored. Over the past interpretations of the data being dismissed. Minority views may overturn orthodox two decades, the So how should journalists cover climate thinking, and if and when they do, journalists Greenland and change? Like any news reporters, they should will report that too. It’s not the place of Antarctic ice sheets stick to the facts. I would also argue that journalists to predict the future, just have been losing they should have more expertise. Unless you report current truths. Anything else mass, glaciers have know how UN climate reports are received is campaigning journalism. continued to shrink by scientists and debated by politicians, It’s hard reporting the truth. You have to almost worldwide, how can you put them into context? Not put your prejudice aside. But it’s vital that and Arctic sea ice Feature all studies are equally valid, but how can news journalists are aware of the context has continued to journalists assess what’s important if they and meaning of what they’re reporting so decrease in know little about the science? News articles as to avoid creating panic and confusion. If extent. When it comes to an issue as emotive as climate can all too easily lead to scaremongering not, how can we get accurate information? ipcc.ch change, can we rely on journalists for accurate rather than enlightenment. We don’t want to live in a world where The media should air opposing views people end up disbelieving all reporting information? Here, two academics from the Cabot on climate change, but journalists should because of the kind of hype expressed by one Institute, and four alumni working in journalism, be expert enough to assess the scientific character in the movie Ice Age: The Meltdown: and political importance of those views ‘The five-day outlook is calling for intense campaigning and industry, discuss some of without being accused of bias. Otherwise flooding followed by ... the end of the world! the factors influencing the portrayal of climate audiences will believe that all views are And a slight chance of patchy sunshine later change in the media. equally important when they aren’t. That’s in the week’.

Illustrations © Paddy Mills Paddy © Illustrations propaganda, not news. tessamayes.com

10 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Spring 2014 // nonesuch 11 Climate change in the media

Feature

of the Cabot Institute who provide advice Dr Tony Juniper remained faithful to the facts. But is this the to government should also help foster a best use of their time and resources? After all, political climate that encourages evidence- (BSc 1983, Hon DSc many others now speak up for the science. based decisions. 2013), former Director of Indeed, it is notable how some of the most To ensure this, the media and the Friends of the Earth, is a alarming messages on climate change now academics must improve how knowledge come from mainstream organisations. For is shared. Debate is important but too writer, campaigner and example, in 2012 the World Bank published often focuses on well-established physics environmental adviser a report that pointed out how a failure to cut rather than the wider issues. This has led emissions would lead to unprecedented heat the discussion to ossify into unhelpful uring many years of environmental waves, severe drought and major floods, with patterns: scientists versus sceptics, campaigning I came to believe in serious impacts on the economy. environmentalists versus business. These are Dkeeping emotion on the right side Another 2012 report from global poor representations of the topic. Insurance of science. Straying across the line could management consultants PWC – hardly a companies are concerned about climate invite negative consequences, including voice for radical environmentalism – told change. Our military believes it could loss of credibility and momentum toward of the dangers that would come with the exacerbate future conflicts. Religious leaders campaign aims. So it is that much of the six degrees of warming that could occur maintain that preventing climate change campaigning on climate change has been during the 21st century. And even Christine that disproportionately harms the poorest about science, but times are changing. Lagarde of the International Monetary Fund is an ethical issue. The media has a duty not Despite rising scientific evidence and said in 2013 that ‘without concerted action, only to report the debate, but also to frame political acceptance of the need to cut the very future of our planet is in peril’. it in a useful, enriching manner. Similarly, I emissions, there has been a shift in emphasis. Having raised the alarm to the point would urge scientists to broaden their areas of Political support for shale gas has risen, where the mainstream and science consensus expertise and build coalitions of knowledge while support for renewable energy sources is on their side, what should campaign groups with colleagues. and policies for low-carbon living have do next? As damage from extreme weather Angela Knight CBE Another challenge is that the news cycle diminished, in part propelled by media becomes more pronounced, the science will (BSc 1972) is Chief is fickle and climate change is often covered coverage of opinions expressed by climate become less important as societies struggle in an ad hoc manner. Climate change change sceptics. with how to stage an effective response. In Executive of Energy UK should not be sporadic headline news but a There are several reasons for this change, turn, this will require an increase in public continuous part of the news cycle, reflecting including the hostile editorial positions demand for low-carbon energy, food and he climate change debate is a Professor Richard its widespread impact on our lives. This of several media organisations, the effect transport solutions, and that is where more confused one. Media articles also requires a change within academia. As of recession and a change of government. work is needed. Tabound, with opinions ranging from Pancost is Director scientists, we tend to think about engagement Despite the temptation to raise the volume The challenge for campaign groups now is denial through scepticism to alarmism. of the Cabot Institute in the same way that we think about our of emotional messages as scientific ones not only about winning technical arguments, The one thing they have in common is ‘THE NEWS other academic outputs – discrete results flounder, most campaign groups have but also about building cultural acceptance of insufficient scientific basis, with ‘public and Professor of that lead to discrete press releases. With a the changes we need to make. It is not for lack accessibility’ being the usual justification. CYCLE IS FICKLE’ Biogeochemistry few notable exceptions, we are less skilled in of science that we are failing to change, but This is a cop-out. It’s clear that climate does commenting on the wider issues. Reports because that change is widely seen as being change – witness the vineyards planted by the limate change is one of the most from the Intergovernmental Panel on all about sacrifice. Romans in York and the Victorian penchant profound challenges facing Climate Change go some way to addressing Environmentalists are used to being led by for ice-skating on the frozen Thames. The Chumanity. However, it is one this, but they alone are insufficient because science, but increasingly the work that must question we should be asking is what to do associated with uncertain and complex they are an infrequent synthesis of the be done is linked more with communications about climate change, regardless of whether consequences, with the most pernicious literature, making them less engaged with and psychology than atmospheric chemistry. or not it is man-made. concerns not necessarily being climate current events or ongoing policy decisions. This is a hard nut to crack, not least because Environmental campaigners have made change itself but how it exacerbates In short, academics who research climate it is all about emotion, and thus outside many their points, politicians have listened and other issues, such as extreme weather change need to recognise their roles as campaign groups’ comfort zones. So is it with this winter’s flooding still a major events, food security, access to resources, well-informed experts and enter the debate. time to rebalance the effort, to see the need concern, more action is inevitable. Energy and the spread of disease and conflict. We should be injecting climate change into for more emotion and less science? I think it companies are responding to the challenge to It cannot sit in isolation from the rest of the the conversation on topics as far-ranging as might be. reduce carbon emissions – widely considered news, but demands nuanced exploration flooding, land use and planning, sustainable tonyjuniper.com to be a prime cause of climate change – and that facilitates the responsible formation energy, global insecurity and agricultural have been for some time. of opinion and policy. strategies. We don’t have all of the answers. As CEO of a trade association that Experts, the public and the media form a Sometimes our most important contribution represents the industry, I can tell you that triangle around policy-makers, influencing is raising unasked questions. But no matter ‘CHANGE IS coal-fired power stations are being replaced political decisions. Most government how we do it, we must work with all parts by cleaner gas-fired facilities, nuclear plants decision-makers want to enact beneficial of the media to share what we have learned. WIDELY SEEN are being rebuilt and wind farms are up and policies, but they must do so in a storm of http://cabot-institute.blogspot.co.uk running. But no sooner than we attempt to (mis)information, opinions, ideology and tackle the UK’s carbon footprint, another Professor Pancost will talk at the Cambridge AS BEING ALL short-term political imperatives. We must Branch Summer Lecture on Saturday 31 May. set of conflicts arises, fuelled by the lack of therefore work together, and members bristol.ac.uk/alumni/events ABOUT SACRIFICE’ clear communication about the complexities

12 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Spring 2014 // nonesuch 13 Climate change in the media

Feature of meeting emissions targets and arguments Rebecca Frayn (BA 1984) Yet anyone tackling climate change about the benefits of renewables over other is a writer and film-maker faces an immense challenge, because it is an energy sources. Cabot Institute: abstract issue that can overwhelm and terrify Members of the public, for example, may leader of the pack us. We are all implicated in the problem champion renewable energy but object to hat do any of us in the media and the solutions are not clear-cut. Not having a wind turbine behind their house. ‘PREFERENTIAL or arts have to offer but surprisingly, many of us find it easier to close Many campaigners and journalists fail to Climate change affects the W stories – in fact or fiction – our minds and simply hope for the best. explain that a wind farm doesn’t run all the MEDIA SELECTION food we eat, the energy we told as imaginatively and compellingly We Can, the environmental lobbying time and so needs a conventional power use, the homes we live in, the as possible? The media has a duty to group I co-founded in 2008, wrestled with station to back it up. Like it or not, nuclear LEADS TO work we do and how we travel. communicate climate change to ensure this dilemma. Environmental campaigners power is one of the options we need to POLARISATION’ It can even affect our health. we have an electorate capable of making are often seen as young and radical, so We consider if we’re going to be able to support The Cabot Institute brings informed decisions, while those in the Can attempted to plug the demographic gap cleaner energy solutions. together scientists from across arts can help audiences imagine the and give middle-aged, middle-of-the-road And what about the cost? It will require the University to tackle these unimaginable, through the magical realism citizens a voice. And since we were film- a vast amount of money to ‘decarbonise’ interrelated issues. Research of films such as Beasts of the Southern makers, writers and journalists, we decided the UK’s power-generation system. People Wild, the biblical grandeur of novels like to use our skills to lobby the government to areas range from flood-hazard may blame energy companies for their rising Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, or the take urgent action on climate change in the gas and electricity bills, but it’s impossible Professor Stephan Personal worldviews can therefore enter modelling to mapping the polemical passion of documentaries such run-up to the 2009 UN Climate Change to make the changes needed without some Lewandowsky into a positive feedback loop, in which wheat genome to deliver as The Age of Stupid. Conference in Copenhagen. But how best to sacrifice. Any business that has to invest in predispositions are reinforced by selective new high-yield, drought- achieve this was the subject of much debate. the future has to pass that cost on. is a member of exposure to misleading media sources. Of resistant crops. We concluded that the younger generation the Cabot Institute course, the same feedback cycle can emerge ‘CELEBRITIES WIN was the most eloquent and touching and Chair in Cognitive among people with opposing worldviews, embodiment of the future. So our children ‘THE PROBLEM IS who also preferentially select their media 4 often accompanied us on vigils outside Psychology sources, but these sources happen to be more faculties support the Cabot THE BATTLE FOR Parliament, even dressing up as endangered THAT THE MEDIA likely to report accurately on climate change. Institute’s operations: Science; COLUMN INCHES’ species to lobby MPs. We organised a he US Secretary of State John Kerry The result: increasing polarisation on an issue Social Sciences and Law; competition, One Minute to Save the World, IS SELECTIVE AND recently called climate change of fundamental importance to us all. Engineering; and Medical asking for short films on climate change, and Ta ‘weapon of mass destruction’ The problem is compounded by the and Veterinary Sciences showed the winning entries at the House PEOPLE ARE ONLY – emotive words that hark back to the journalistic ethos to strive for ‘balance’. of Commons. We got more press coverage contentious rationale for the 2003 Iraq War A commendable goal in political coverage, than we expected to, but it quickly became EVER TOLD A and the misreporting that accompanied it. it can lead to bias in coverage of science. apparent that association with celebrities In an ironic twist, segments of the media USA Today recently fell into this trap 600+ was by far the best way to win the battle for members across the University PARTIAL STORY ’ are getting it wrong again when they when its editorial endorsement of the column inches. Far fewer journalists would report on climate change. Except that this scientific consensus on climate change have attended our first vigil in Parliament time they are downplaying rather than was accompanied by an opposing piece by Square had it not been for the bizarre rumour

The problem is that the media is selective, exaggerating the risk. lobbyists infamous for comparing people £15m that Victoria Beckham was going to turn and people are only ever told a partial story. Witness this headline: ‘And who accept climate science with the funding that the Cabot up to launch a new underwear range. And it Household bills are discussed in isolation now it’s global COOLING! Return of Arctic Unabomber. The same outfit attempted to Institute has helped secure wasn’t until a toothy celebrity agreed to put from power-generation changes and yet they ice cap as it grows by 29% in a year’. The fact sow doubts on the adverse health effects of for research, fellowships her name – and picture – to the article I had are linked; the wholesale costs of energy are is that Arctic ice has lost 40 per cent of its smoking on behalf of the tobacco industry. and postgraduate training ghost-written that my long battle to get the primarily set in the international marketplace cover since 1980, and has likely been lower This so-called ‘balance’ in the debate since 2010 Daily Mail to cover our campaign was won. and are not controlled by governments or during the past few years than at any time on climate change has had identifiable We Can ran its course and I soon became companies; policy-makers have driven during the previous 1,500 years. The media consequences. It has misinformed the public The Cabot Institute is hosting an international demoralised by how paltry my contribution workshop in September on strategies for carbon-reduction targets originally aimed matters. And if it misinforms about climate about the strength of the scientific consensus: adapting to climate change. Speakers felt. It was a wildflower scheme I helped at all industry but borne mainly by energy change, that has consequences. people tend to think that only around two include Michael Mann, Director of the Earth establish in the London suburb where I live companies. Current energy policy was Research has identified people’s thirds of scientists agree on climate change, System Science Center, Pennsylvania State that inspired me to tackle climate change in University, and climate historian Professor evidently never properly explained to the worldviews as the major determinant of when the true proportion is more than 95 per Naomi Oreskes from Harvard University. other, more tangible, ways, and plant what public when it was decided. whether they accept the basics of climate cent. The US National Academy of Sciences bristol.ac.uk/cabot seeds I could in a metaphorical sense too. So What we need is a more open and honest change. People who endorse unregulated free calls it a ‘fact’ that the globe is warming and I accepted an offer to direct the Green Party’s debate, not one that seeks to divide society markets tend to reject the fact that the globe that humans are responsible. These facts are political broadcast, before setting to work on into those who favour renewables (the good is warming. Their worldviews are more accepted by around 97 per cent of scientific a novel that obliquely tackles the theme. guys) and those who raise the questions threatened by a possible response to climate articles on this topic, and they require a Our individual contributions as (the bad guys). We need to put our emotions change – which might involve taxation mature discussion of how best to meet the storytellers may be modest, but climate to one side and get down to explaining or regulation – than climate change itself. challenges posed by climate change. change is the story of our times. So tell it the practicalities of tackling climate change. These people also choose to rely on media The media matters. And because it straight or tell it sideways. Tell it long or tell I’m trying, but no one is reporting. Anyone sources that are more likely to misinform continues to get it wrong at times, we must it short. But tell it. • out there? about climate change than to disseminate approach its coverage with scepticism. rebeccafrayn.co.uk energy-uk.org.uk scientifically accurate information. bristol.ac.uk/cabot

14 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Spring 2014 // nonesuch 15 Shop online at ubushop.co.uk Feature 1 2 7 Information is everywhere. But who are the journalists and editors deciding 15% ALUMNI DISCOUNT which stories make the headlines? And at checkout with what do digital advances mean for the code ALUMNI15 traditional press? Nonesuch asked four until 25 July 2014 Bristol alumni for their take on British 3 journalism today, and their predictions for the future.

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Spring 2014 // nonesuch 17 Behind the headlines

Feature

Will Hutton Fantastic work goes on at universities, and (BSc 1972, Hon LLD 2003) academics are starting to make their research more user-friendly. But newspapers don’t ‘the pundit’ have the money to support journalists like they used to – they have fewer staff, with Dr Alison Smale Will Hutton began his career as an less time to read research. Public debate is (BA 1977, Hon LLD 2009) investment analyst, before joining the BBC circumscribed thereby. I believe academia as an economics correspondent in 1978. should be hard-wired into the media, and ‘the correspondent’ He spent four years as Editor-in-Chief that people, like me, should do our best to of The Observer, for whom he continues help that process. Dr Alison Smale is Berlin Bureau Chief for the New York Times, to write regularly. He is now Principal of Digital is the future. It’s going to be all where she started as Weekend Foreign Editor in 1998. In 2009, Hertford College, Oxford University. about apps, mobiles and tablets. I’m not sorry following her appointment as the first female Executive Editor of If I’m honest, I chose journalism because about that, but I do worry that information the International Herald Tribune, she was described as ‘the most I wanted to make opinion-formers, and will become more siloed. If you go online powerful British female journalist working outside of London’. the British public, aware of how deeply and only see information that confirms I specifically wanted a career in foreign correspondence – the destructive our financial system was. I was your existing prejudices, you’ll rarely be Krissi Murison (BA 2003) chance to speak languages and get to know different cultures (and still am) a zealot about changing it. challenged. That’s problematic. One of the ‘the editor’ – in what was a pre-digital age with almost no hint of today’s In 1978, when I first started on Financial great things about newspapers is coming possibilities of communication. I wanted to be the eyes and ears World Tonight, there was more seriousness of across the unexpected. Former Epigram Music Editor, Krissi Murison, joined NME as Staff of readers not fortunate enough to travel the world and report on intent, and more attempt to separate news When I started as a journalist, the internet Writer in 2003. Six years later, she became the first female editor in what they found. and comment. Broadsheets were more wasn’t invented, and the mobile phone didn’t the magazine’s 57-year history. In 2012, she moved to the Sunday I have been lucky to have witnessed some very important influential, but then newspaper circulation exist. You can be certain that in the next 30 Times Magazine where she is now Associate Editor. events: the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, when I crossed from East was probably twice as high as it is now. There years, we’ll see new platforms for amazing I’ve heard journalism described as ‘writing the first draft of history’. to West Berlin with the first East German citizen to come across was just more written word to be read. I can journalism emerge. Human beings want it. I’d certainly apply that to some of my colleagues who are doing Checkpoint Charlie; the explosion of the Chernobyl reactor in see continuity as well as difference today. Democracies need it. We’ll find a way. extraordinarily important work, from exposing Britain’s modern-day 1986; the tragic wars of the Balkans in the 1990s; 9/11 in New British journalism has always had a readiness slavery rings, to reporting direct from civil war-torn countries. York City; the exciting expansion eastwards of the European to make trouble, a willingness to debate, and As their commissioning editor, I like to bask in that grandeur too! Union that culminated in the Euro crisis; the effects of the 2008 a glorious desire to entertain and inform. Deciding what stories to cover is usually as simple as asking the global banking collapse. If I achieved something in explaining Information is power, and you have to get question: does it spark my interest? If I read or overhear something those events to many readers or viewers, I would consider that to as much information into the public domain that makes me want to find out more, the chances are I’m not alone. be a justification for choosing journalism. as possible. It’s not enough for a journalist to Others will be curious too. Journalists find stories. These usually depend on human beings get news; they need to impart that news in a A journalist’s responsibilities to the reader are to inform, to entertain, behaving in ways that are unusual, wrong, funny, way that’s understandable and useful. to grip, to surprise and to make damn well sure you’re accurate. hugely influential, or politically, economically, Journalism is about holding truth to When I started on magazines, digital publishing was a complete socially or culturally significant. power. But in Britain, it’s housed in a very afterthought. The online team (for ‘team’, read ‘individual’ in most Every day, you look for the story you ideological framework. The vast bulk of the cases) was usually relegated to the furthest end of the office, and might tell your friend or family member, press is incredibly centre right. Their choice systematically ignored. Once it was clear there might be a future in and you look for how to do that in a way of story, and how they present information, the internet, most magazines ran around like headless chickens for a that informs but also entertains, or a way makes the British public think in certain few years, trying to make their pages look more like websites. They that makes people laugh, cry and think. ways. And in that sense, it’s actually rather were simultaneously throwing all their content away for free online, Your responsibility to your audience is sinister. I’ve no doubt that anti-European then wondering why physical sales were going down. to find such stories and, above all, to tell sentiment, and distrust of public expenditure Now the dust is settling and we’re beginning to see how to make it or show the truth – in so far as the latter and immigration, are all higher because of work. The Sunday Times’ online subscription model was controversial can be determined. Sometimes it’s just journalism – but journalism that’s concerned when it was first introduced, but it’s definitely working: our paid-for as important to make sure the reader with influencing thought, rather than circulation – print combined with digital – is now stable. It won’t be understands what you don’t know, as to imparting information. long before it‘s rising again. show what you consider you do. People are coming to accept that great content has to be paid for. Journalists have always looked for For me, subscription models are clearly the future. Anyone looking new means to spread their stories. In for trusted, in-depth journalism will sign up to their preferred media the digital world, that spells constant outlet, in the same way I already do with Spotify for my music and change, because technology is ‘BRITISH Netflix for my box sets. developing so fast. Today, we can There’ll always be an audience for quality journalism, regardless of involve and engage millions JOURNALISM HAS the medium (paper, iPad, website, phone app or something that hasn’t more people in constructing been invented yet). The basics – world-class words, photos, opinions and appreciating those stories. ALWAYS HAD A and information – will never change, only the way people access them. READINESS TO

Krissi Murison © Paul Stuart Alastair // Stewart © ITV News MAKE TROUBLE’

18 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Spring 2014 // nonesuch 19 Behind the headlines ‘Studying at university is a chance to learn from distinguished academics, explore ideas, ask questions, Feature and search for answers. By making a gift today, you’ll ‘SOCIAL MEDIA help build a new lecture theatre on Priory Road – HAS TRANSFORMED a modern, comfortable space to help Bristol students THE ENTIRE enjoy the best experience our University can offer.’ LANDSCAPE’ Wallis Rushforth (Law 2010-) (pictured) Build a lecture theatre. Build a future.

Others in the field the ‘jungle drums’ of a medium one cannot Alastair Stewart OBE Sue Lawley OBE (BA 1967, (Hon LLD 2008) afford to ignore. Choosing which stories to cover is a huge Hon LLD 1989) // Former TV ‘the broadcaster’ and difficult responsibility. It’s a collective and radio broadcaster process – from the editor down. The stories David Jordan (BSc 1975) Alastair Stewart was offered a job after a we choose are those that surprise, shock and // Head of Editorial Standards chance appearance on Southern ITV while provoke. By definition, ‘news’ is the novel, and Policy, BBC Priory Road Deputy President of the National Union the unexpected – it is ‘new’. There is service Paul Appleby (BSc 1977) lecture theatre of Students. He joined ITN as Industrial information too, but the beating heart of // Chair of Bristol Media; Correspondent in 1980, and is the news is the story that prompts a response Director, VID Communications The Priory Road lecture theatre longest-serving newsreader on between ‘I didn’t know that’ and ‘OMG’ will open its doors to social sciences British television. (as they say on social media). Misha Glenny (BA 1980) and law students this autumn. At its heart, ‘journalism’ is what the There is a risk of a period in the doldrums // Freelance journalist The theatre will provide a long- French root of the word (de jour) implies: for newspapers as they work out what they Martin Clarke (BA 1985) awaited, practical teaching space what happened today? In TV and radio, the must do to stay alive. We need to think about for hundreds of students. role of journalism is to provide facts. You how megaliths like the BBC influence local // Publisher, Mail Online then invite the viewers or listeners to make media, their websites and social media. Alexandra Frean (BA 1985) Inside the theatre, we’re delighted to their own minds up. Newspapers are second cousins these // Washington Bureau Chief, honour our Pioneers – alumni, like you, Impartiality is a challenge. But it’s a days to TV and radio, especially ‘rolling who give more than £1,000 over the limitation I cherish and one I think is at the news’. I think ‘appointment-to-view course of the academic year – by name heart of our liberal, pluralist democracy. bulletins’, like ITV’s 6.30 pm offer, have Dr Wendy Darke (BSc 1986) on individual seat plaques. The plaques Bad societies have bad, biased media. good prospects. People still like honest, // Director, BBC Natural History Unit will act as an ongoing acknowledgement Good societies elevate honesty and balanced reporting that has been well Sarah Montague (BSc 1987) of your generous support, and will remind balance in journalism. considered before transmission. // Presenter of the Today generations of future Bristol students Factoring out emotion matters. At the It’s a precarious time for all of us when programme, BBC Radio 4 just how supportive and inspirational Beslan siege and bombing, off camera, I was everything you need is on the internet. Like our alumni community is. weeping. On camera, I was stoic. It’s not for the classic Eric Morecambe sketch featuring Susanna Reid (BSc 1992) me to lead you in an emotional response – Grieg’s piano concerto – we’re ‘playing all // Presenter of Good it’s for me to give you the facts. the right notes – but not necessarily in the Morning Britain, ITV Social media has transformed the entire right order’. • Isabel Oakeshott (BA 1996) landscape. From gossip to vital tip-offs, it’s // Political commentator changed the way we engage with the facts, Please make a gift today our contacts, our competitors, our colleagues These pieces are extracts from longer interviews. To Darren McCaffrey (BSc 2007) read more, and find out about other alumni working in // Reporter, and, of course, the public. It’s a ‘heads-up’ – journalism, please visit bristol.ac.uk/alumni/nonesuch bristol.ac.uk/alumni/donate

20 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Editors’ reflections

Feature Changing faces No celebration of Epigram would 1992/93 1997/98 1998/99 2002/03 be complete without mention Michael Gomulka (BSc 1995) leading media and defamation Andy Dangerfield (BSc 1998) Michael Shaw (BA 1999) Murray Garrard (BA 2003) of its editors – the students with Criminal defence and media lawyer. Kirsty Walker (BA 1995), Development Manager, Director, Times Educational Communications Officer, the vision and courage to break crime barrister, 5RB an Epigram editor herself, fulfilled British Heart Foundation Supplement (TES) Pro Humanitarian Accountability new ground, challenge authority her ambitions to become a Partnership I came across a story that a leading political journalist. Barney I arrived in Bristol as a raw 19-year- An editor once told me that a and court controversy in pursuit cabinet minister was secretly Wyld (BSc 1994), my deputy old with ambitions to change journalist’s articles are never In 2003, the term ‘top-up of a story. And what memorable funding a Eurosceptic editor, became a speechwriter the world, and started writing for anywhere as good, or as bad, as fees’ first entered the student campaign using the address and then a communications Epigram immediately. they remember them. I look back consciousness. Bristol was ranked stories some of them were… of a launderette around the director. Tom Morton (BSc 1995) at the pieces we ran in Epigram among the lowest universities in corner from his constituency and James Moody (BSc 1994), Interviewing Goldie was nuts. We with a mixture of fist-in-mouth the country for social diversity. And office. They were distributing a fine double act, are now sitting both grew up on council estates embarrassment and happy hundreds of thousands of student leaflets that campaigned against atop brand management and in Birmingham, yet here he was, surprise that we managed to protesters were ignored when the government policy. If verified, it advertising on either side of a mega-star dating Björk. I asked get a newspaper out at all. UK joined the invasion of Iraq. Yet would cost the politician a career. the Atlantic. him for his political opinions and he the story I remain most proud of gave me the best copy I could have We certainly attempted serious publishing was ‘Queer Off’, about I called the Daily Mirror and We had no idea what would hoped for. journalism. Our reporting on the the expulsion of a gay couple from spoke to a Mr , become of any of us. But Clifton Suspension Bridge suicides a student nightclub. who politely told me exactly how whenever I see Jim [Landale] I’d lightened up a touch by the time played a part (if only a small many thousands of pounds the reporting, Pete [Hyman, BA 1991] I became editor, but I still wanted one) in the campaign to add the Compared with some of the issues story was worth, depending reflecting on his years as Tony to shake things up. On the whole, safety barriers and we tackled, the story might seem on whether it made page one, Blair’s speechwriter, or the bylines I was supportive of the Students’ reprinted a piece by a student who trivial, not least in light of the shifts two or three. The problem? My of others, I’m proud to have been Union. I believed you needed visited his father in jail in Rio. in attitude towards homosexuality source. I would have to tell the part of the same tradition. to use it or lose it. But I wrote an in Britain today. But in January Mirror that it was my friend’s editorial on how an independent But it’s the silly stuff that sticks in 2003, Section 28 (which banned father who was printing the Towards the end of my term, a student newspaper should be free the memory. Like the night we educational establishments from leaflets. I couldn’t. Mr Campbell former Epigram editor came to to ask any questions, and publish spent in Leigh Woods failing to find promoting homosexuality – a law took it well. Not. see me. She needed a double- anything it wants. the group of Satan worshippers not dissimilar from that recently spread article to boost her who were supposed to meet there passed in Russia) had not yet been The year was a whirl. Hundreds application to the Cardiff School The Union told me I couldn’t every Wednesday. Or our story repealed. The story itself changed of students contributed; many of Broadcast Journalism. Could publish. I called the Epigram team about a student who ‘overdosed’ little. But social tolerance is built were writing published pieces I find the space? Any reluctance and they piled into the office. We on pesto – a tale quickly picked up incrementally, and it’s thanks to this for the first time and many have was quickly dispelled by the refused to leave until the Union by the tabloids. story and thousands like it in the gone on to stellar success. warmest of smiles. I’ve always guaranteed we could go to press grassroots press that, ten years Gideon Lichfield (BSc 1994) was wondered what happened to unchanged. The deal was that I still see a face from Epigram on, the opposition to gay marriage with The Economist for 17 years. Susanna Reid (BSc 1992). I would resign. I wrote one final every day. She wrote a few legislation in England and Wales Adam Speker (BA 1997) is a editorial outlining my reasons – music interviews and chaired the was so marginal. uncensored, of course – and left. disciplinary committee for my predecessor, but after university, I rarely saw her until, a decade later, she invited me to her birthday party. We got married in 2010.

22 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Spring 2014 // nonesuch 23 Editors’ reflections

Feature Feature Mixed Modern ideas of journalism and the Fourth Estate media have both a prehistory and an uncertain future. Epigram isn’t the Among the academics at Bristol who study only media to be the media in various contexts are three who, documenting student life in Bristol. taken together, cover the modern press from its medieval antecedents to its current crises. Bristol students first hit the airwaves in 1995, and have 2003/04 2007/08 2010/11 been broadcasting as Burst Radio Craig Woodhouse (BSc 2004) Josh Burrows (BA 2008) Ellen Lister (BA 2011) since 1997. Political Correspondent, Sports Writer and Editor, Lawyer, Linklaters LLP Former Burst DJs The Sun on Sunday The Times The include Heart FM I’m particularly proud of our presenters Paris Bristol was thrown into the eye The idea that the University coverage of the fee increases Troy (LLB 1995) and of an international media storm was planning to take over the proposed by the coalition continuing Nicola Bonn (BA when an 18-year-old science Students’ Union was unpalatable, government. Two thousand 2003), comedian student, Rosie Reid (BSc 2008), and unprecedented. When we students marched from Senate Marcus Brigstocke decided to sell her virginity on covered the story, I worried that House down Park Street, and our story (Drama 1995-1997) the internet to cover her debts. the University would exact terrible Comment Editor, Luke Denne and magician Chris I’d chosen to take Epigram in a revenge. That never happened, (BSc 2011), was interviewed on Cox (BA 2005). tabloid direction (a sign of things to but we did receive, and print, Sky TV at national protests in burstradio.org.uk come, as it turns out), so this was a stern letter from the Vice- London. Epigram covered it all. the perfect story. Chancellor. Just when the story Inter:mission looked like it would run and run, We also covered the violent riots Committed to Public interest was piqued further the Union AGM barely reached in Stokes Croft – the worst riots capturing Bristol’s because Rosie was a lesbian. We quorum and nobody seemed Bristol had seen since 1980. Not cultural scene, met Rosie and her partner, who to care. entirely a ‘student’ issue, but we Inter:mission is told us they’d dreamed up the did become more engaged with an online arts story to sell, rather than it being With hindsight, discovering the local community as a result. and listings a serious ploy for Rosie to sell cocaine in just about every magazine, featuring her body. We splashed the story toilet we tested is perhaps not We ran some great interviews interviews, reviews, as an exposé, though Rosie did surprising. But it was an example (Fearne Cotton, Julian Fellowes blogs and features later claim that she had sold her of what student papers tend to do and Major General Chris Wilson) written by students. virginity to a 44-year-old man for badly: investigative journalism. I and expanded the music section intermissionbristol.co.uk £8,400. Whether that was just had badgered our news team to hugely – Bristol being, as every UBTV another story to sell to the papers, generate front-page stories. Here, fresher knows, ‘the home of drum UBTV is the latest I guess we’ll never know. they came up with the goods. ’n’ bass’. I also loved our Sports student-run venture section, where we featured to be ‘Broadcasting Harry Byford (BA 2008), now at a quote from Ian Holloway – Bristol’. As well The Week, won The Guardian’s ‘everybody’s favourite Bristolian’ – as covering Student Columnist of the in every issue. campus news, the Year Award for his ‘insights’ • team produces into student societies. ‘What These pieces are extracts from longer regular features did I get for my efforts?’, he interviews. To read more, and hear from other Epigram editors, please showcasing wrote. ‘Hundreds of offensive visit bristol.ac.uk/alumni/nonesuch Bristol’s drama, comments, calls for my“sacking”, comedy and and countless awkward music talent. conversations with people who I’d ub-tv.co.uk been mildly rude about. And, like a first sexual experience, it was worth every second.’

24 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Spring 2014 // nonesuch 25 The continuing story

Feature

By Nick Riddle ‘Sermons were the mass medium par excellence for Nello Cristianini, Professor of Artificial Intelligence Press on many centuries,’ says George Ferzoco, Research Fellow in the Faculty of Engineering, studies the creation and Historians of the Western media have tended to describe Ruling the waves in the Department of Religion and Theology. ‘That was consumption of online news and other media using the its evolution through the 18th and 19th centuries Dr Simon Potter in the Department of Historical Studies the only time when everyone in a community would be only tools that can handle such a vast output: algorithms towards a kind of late-20th-century culmination, with has studied the history of the British press and British gathered in one spot to hear what someone in authority and pattern recognition. professional journalists and powerful editors working for broadcasting, both of which are bound up with the rise had to say about something.’ ‘Social scientists have been doing content analysis for national newspapers and international corporations. But, and fall of the British Empire. His most recent book, Bishops and priests would often draw upon documents decades – “coding” every article in a newspaper by hand says Potter, ‘That’s starting to look like just one phase in Broadcasting Empire: The BBC and the British World, 1922- sent by the papacy for the content of their sermons. Bulls – but one person can only manage a few hundred articles,’ a continuing process. Big institutions are starting to have 1970, is based on eight years of archival research and of canonization, for example, provided material for says Cristianini. ‘We teamed up with colleagues at Cardiff serious funding problems, the BBC is under attack from draws on collections in Britain, Canada, Australia, New preaching on relevant feast days for new saints. Ferzoco University to see whether that coding could be automated.’ all quarters including the government, and new media Zealand, and the USA. Before that, he examined the has made a particular study of Celestine V, the only pope And it could, thanks to the digitisation of the news are challenging them.’ preceding era in News and the British World: The Emergence until Benedict XVI to resign voluntarily (in 1294), and media. What once required highlighter pens and many How things will play out in the future remains of an Imperial Press System, 1876-1922. the way his ‘official portrait’ was constructed through hours of human concentration can now be accomplished uncertain. Potter suggests two possibilities: ‘a diverse ‘Right from its foundation, the BBC was actively these bulls, and various hagiographical works and on a vast scale through artificial intelligence and data media ecology, with big organisations like the BBC and trying to promote the unity of the British Empire in the testimonies, as part of the process of making him a saint. mining. ‘We’re monitoring 1,100 newspapers, and the Guardian, living side by side with the Huffington face of foreign rivals and internal dissent,’ says Potter. ‘He spent most of his life as an almost superhumanly we’ve developed a process that can machine-translate 22 Post and other online journalism outlets and blogs,’ or the ‘Radio was seen as a technology that could link Britons austere hermit who would go for weeks on bread and languages into English,’ says Cristianini. ‘That enables us disintegration of corporate news media, ‘leaving a sea of at home with “overseas Britons” in Canada, Australia, water and would genuflect 500 times a day,’ says Ferzoco. to study macroscopic patterns in the world’s media.’ unprocessed, pick-your-own, online journalism’. New Zealand and South Africa.’ ‘But that stuff doesn’t make it into the official portrait. Projects conducted so far include comparisons of If this leaves the notion of the Fourth Estate looking The BBC’s Empire Service – the forerunner of the They created an image of him that was more mainstream the news agenda across the European Union, a study somewhat imperilled, Potter argues that it’s often been a World Service – was founded in 1932, and broadcast – a nice, pious guy who quit for all the right reasons and of gender bias and readability in news articles, and an vague and self-serving concept anyway. ‘In the late 19th the first Royal Christmas message (written by Rudyard deserved to be made a saint.’ enquiry into what makes online readers favour certain century, WT Stead and other pioneering journalists built Kipling and read by King George V) the same year. Ferzoco’s research into the workings of the 13th- stories. By and large, the findings are what one would up the idea that the press is there to focus public opinion From the 1930s onwards, the World Service broadcast century media led to a flood of requests from the 21st- expect (news articles tend to be male-biased, though and keep parliament in line,’ he says. ‘In the aftermath British music, drama, sport and comedy to promote century media for his comments after Benedict XVI less so if the topic is fashion or entertainment; public of the Leveson Inquiry, many people are wondering British cultural connections with the dominions. Potter resigned – ironically assigning Ferzoco himself a small affairs articles are less readable, and less popular, than whether the press has ceased to fulfil this function and describes the BBC’s role on behalf of the state as that role in the formation of Benedict’s public image. entertainment articles), but the work demonstrates the succumbed to a lust for sensation. But a lot of newspaper of ‘a sub-contractor for cultural diplomacy’; and it’s a ‘The media has always relied on people perceived potential of Big Data to detect patterns and relationships editorials used Fourth Estate rhetoric in their responses role that has continued up to the present, although the as authoritative,’ he says. ‘In the Middle Ages, it was in the world’s media – not just via news outlets but on to Leveson, declaring “You can’t regulate us, because our government is due to withdraw funding for the World individuals of elevated or “holy” status, because they Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms independence from government authority is absolutely Service this year. were considered infallible. Today, authority arises out (mediapatterns.enm.bris.ac.uk). crucial to modern democracy”.’ of a combination of speed, verifiability and quotability.’ As more and more historical material is digitised, the Can the press still make such a claim, with the unruly Bulls, bishops and Benedict potential of large-scale, automated analysis as a method of Fifth Estate challenging its supremacy? The debate Centuries earlier, medieval Europe recognised only three Data drive study in the arts and social sciences is becoming evident. continues, but studying the history and development of estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners. Reputations In the accelerated world of the modern media, traditional Meanwhile, Cristianini has recently been awarded an EU the media – from medieval sermons, to BBC broadcasts, were made and broken, and master narratives woven, journalism must compete with the online communities Fellowship for a major study of Big Data, data mining to trending topics on Twitter – makes a crucial through the mass media of the Middle Ages, which was of bloggers, hacktivists and other networked individuals and pattern recognition, and its ethical and practical contribution to our understanding of politics and society delivered mostly via the pulpit and the painted image. that, inevitably, have been called the Fifth Estate. Woodgate Lee © Illustrations dimensions (thinkbig.enm.bris.ac.uk). in the modern world. • 26 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Spring 2014 // nonesuch 27 Listings

In memoriam Events

Timothy Sullivan Michael Gorman (Hon LLM 1990) died June 2013 Alumni in Jerome Blight Calendar (BA 1960) philanthropist and editor, (Diploma 1995) died August 2013, memoriam died September 2013, aged 76 aged 46 May to December 2014 Dr David Leakey Michael Gorman’s journalistic leadership helped to shape the (Hon DEng 1995) died September 2013, modern Chinese media. He was editor and publisher of the aged 81 The University extends its sincere condolences to Bangkok Post from 1971-1983, steering the paper successfully Caroline Spokes Make sure you’re invited to relevant events the friends and families of those listed below for through a turbulent period in Thai history. He also set up the (BSc 1999) died December 2013, in your area by updating your details at whom we have received notification of death. China Daily, the country’s first English language newspaper. aged 35 bristol.ac.uk/alumni/mydetails. Dr Christopher Scanlan Michael was a trustee of the Thomson Foundation, having (BSc 2000) died May 2013, aged 35 worked with the Thomson Organisation Ltd for a decade after Raymond Hill Peter Wiggell Graeme Price (BSc 1934) died December 2013, aged 101 (BSc 1951) died December 2013, aged 88 graduating from Bristol. (MEng 2002) died July 2013, aged 33 Dr Geoffrey Kellaway Kathleen Wilkinson (née Lloyd) Michael’s career in journalism was seeded at Bristol where he David Twomey (BSc 1936, DSc 1973) died September 2013, (BA 1951, Cert Ed 1952) died September (LLB 2002) died July 2013, aged 33 edited Nonesuch News, the then-student paper which preceded aged 99 2013, aged 83 Chi-ho Chan Elizabeth Price Jack Worrall Bacus and Epigram and which lent its name to this magazine. At (MEd 2003) died July 2013, aged 50 (BA 1938, Diploma 1939) died April 2013, (BA 1951, Cert Ed 1952) died September Bristol, Michael also met his wife Christine Gorman (BA 1958, née Nicholas Leak aged 96 2013, aged 85 Wilson), who survives Michael together with their three children. (BSc 2004) died November 2013, Phyllis Sims (née Howker) Jean Clifford (née Pearson) aged 32 (BA 1938, Diploma 1939) died September (BA 1952) died May 2013, aged 83 Michael was a dedicated Bristol University volunteer and Adam Davis 2013, aged 96 Betty Diprose (née Mitchell) supporter, and was a member of Court. He was featured (BDS 2010) died July 2013, aged 29 Desmond Rexworthy (BSc 1952, Cert Ed 1953) died July 2013, in Nonesuch (Autumn 2006), which is available to read online BSc 1940) died October 2013, aged 93 aged 83 at bristol.ac.uk/alumni/nonesuch. Emeritus Professor John Kent Raymond Wallis June Wilcock (née Gibbons) died October 2013 May September November (BSc 1944) died May 2013, aged 88 (BA 1952) died July 2013, aged 85 Dr Derek Parsons Sister Valerie Cook Ruth Woollons former staff member, died August 2013, Monday 12 May Friday 19 to Sunday Thursday 6 November (BA 1946) died November 2013, aged 89 (BA 1952, Cert Ed 1954) died August 2013, Dr Eur Ing Michael Farringdon Hilary Gould (née Jones) aged 80 aged 82 (née Koussoulos) (BA 1969) died June 2013, aged 67 University of Bristol talks 21 September London Branch of University of Edna Thornley (née Smith) Emeritus Professor Richard Peace (BSc 1960, MLitt 1974, PhD 1991) died May (BSc 1946, Cert Ed 1947) died September Ralph Wyatt Dr David Hobson died December 2013 Speaker Professor Bruce Hood, Eastern Canada Reunion Bristol Alumni Annual Lecture 2013, aged 76 2013, aged 88 (BA 1952) died July 2013, aged 82 (BSc 1969, PhD 1972) died December 2012, Tony Philpott Professor of Developmental // Quebec Speaker James Landale, Dr Graham Neale aged 64 Brigadier Denys Begbie Dr Kenneth Hibbitt former staff member, died 2013, aged 75 Psychology in Society // London Deputy Political Editor, (MB ChB 1960) died October 2013, aged 84 (BSc 1947) died January 2014, aged 92 (BVSc 1954, PhD 1960) died October 2013, Michael Pimley Charles Jeffrey Spittal BBC News // London aged 85 Geoffrey Akerman (BSc 1969) died December 2013, aged 66 October Eur Ing Barry Laight former staff member, died October 2013, (BSc 1961) died September 2013, aged 73 Saturday 31 May (MSc 1947) died October 2012, aged 92 Estelle Morgan (née Wilson) Professor Peter Daniels aged 89 Wednesday 8 October (BA 1954, Cert Ed 1955) died 2014, aged 81 Ronald Cowie (BSc 1972) died April 2012, aged 61 Cambridge Branch December Dorothy Clark (née Hill) Donald Whaley (BA 1961) died January 2014, aged 75 Pioneers’ Reception (BSc 1948, Cert Ed 1949) died January 2014, Emeritus Professor Ronald Board John Phipps former staff member, died September Summer Lecture aged 87 (BSc 1955) died March 2013, aged 81 Dr Andrew Crossland (BA 1972) died 2013, aged 67 2013, aged 80 Speaker Professor Richard (invitation-only) // London Thursday 11 December (BSc 1961) died November 2013, aged 73 The Rev Mr Francis Dennett Dr Abayomi Claudius-Cole Anna Corsan (née Cembrowicz) Dr John Wilson Pancost, Cabot Institute Alumni Association (BA 1948) died August 2013, aged 89 (MB ChB 1955) died April 2012, aged 87 Anthony Stuart (BVSc 1975) died November 2013, aged 62 former George Wills Senior Research // The Scott Polar Research Saturday 11 October Annual Reception and (BVSc 1961) died December 2013, aged 74 Fellow, died October 2013 Dr Harold Elliott Dr Tudor Edwards Dr Pamela Davies (née Daldorph) Institute, Cambridge Cambridge Branch Student Awards // Bristol (PhD 1948) died September 2013, aged 93 (BSc 1955, PhD 1959) died 2013, aged 79 Patrick Ivory (MB ChB 1975) died September 2013, Annual Dinner // Cambridge (BA 1962) died October 2013, aged 72 aged 61 The Rev Mr Arthur Hall Peter James Monday 15 December (BSc 1948, Cert Ed 1949) died January 2014, (BSc 1955) died December 2013, aged 79 Professor Lawrence Wilson Dr Yon Mayhew July aged 90 (PhD 1963) died December 2013, aged 79 (PhD 1975), former staff member, died 2013, Thursday 23 October London Branch of Dr William Hobbs aged 89 Mary Mallard (née Davies) (MB ChB 1956) died 2013, aged 86 Dr Robert Gurney Friday 4 to Sunday 6 July Association University of Bristol Alumni (BA 1948, Cert Ed 1949) died June 2013, (MB ChB 1964) died June 2013, aged 73 Christopher Holtom Alumni Weekend 2014: Annual Reception // London Carol Service // London The Rev Mr Trevor Davis aged 85 (MA 1976) died November 2013, aged 86 (BA 1957) died December 2013, aged 82 Dr Esther Robb (née Morton) Best of Bristol // Bristol David Thorning (MB ChB 1964) died October 2013, aged 75 Philip Newman Lois Godfrey (née Featherstone) (BSc 1949) died November 2011, aged 87 (BSc 1976) died March 2013, aged 58 Catch up with old friends, (BA 1957) died August 2013 Dr Stephen Reynolds Vote now Clifford Bridge (BA 1965, PhD 1971) died 2013, aged 70 David Jermyn reminisce about your university Vivian Horn Don’t miss your chance to vote for your Alumni Association (BSc 1950) died July 2013, aged 92 (LLB 1978) died August 2013, aged 57 years and rediscover the beautiful (BA 1958) died November 2013, aged 76 Dr Timothy Leedham (Convocation) representatives on Court, and on the Alumni Terrence Ford (BSc 1966) died November 2013, aged 68 Dr Joyce Miles Alan Meredith city of Bristol. Enjoy an exclusive (BA 1950) died February 2014, aged 91 (MLitt 1979) died January 2013, aged 85 Association Committee. You can find out who’s standing for (BDS 1958) died October 2013, aged 78 Susan Hodgkinson tour of the new Life Sciences The Rev Mr Derek Jefferson (BSc 1967) died October 2013, aged 68 William Allan election, and vote, at bristol.ac.uk/alumni/take-part. John Brown building, hear from Matthew (BA 1950) died October 2013, aged 90 (MEd 1983) died July 2013, aged 91 (BSc 1959) died November 2013 Deborah Cullen (née Henderson) Baugh OBE (BA 1994, MSc Online and postal voting close at midnight, Friday 4 July 2014. The Rev Canon John Martin (BA 1968) died November 2013, aged 67 Michael Colwill George Kaps (BA 1950) died September 2013, aged 89 (BSc 1984) died 2013, aged 51 1997), former HM Ambassador If you would like a paper ballot form, please contact the Alumni (BSc 1959) died May 2013, aged 75 Dr Trevor Gibbons Kenneth Matthews (BSc 1968, PhD 1971) died October 2013, Lesley Mabon to Somalia, and enjoy a Relations team on +44 (0)117 331 8210. Hazel Stringer (BA 1950, Cert Ed 1951) died August 2013, aged 66 (BA 1984) died 2013, aged 50 Due to an administration error, the death (BA 1959, Testamur 1960) died September commemorative lunch in the aged 88 of Timothy Jackson (BSc 1982) was You will also be able to vote in person at the AGM on 2013, aged 75 Professor Charles McKean Dr Bojan Flaks magnificent Great Hall of the Wills mistakenly announced in the Autumn Saturday 5 July, part of the Alumni Weekend 2014. David Norris (BA 1968) died September 2013, aged 67 (DSc 1986) died October 2013, aged 72 Michael Bedingfield 2013 edition of Nonesuch. He is alive and Memorial Building. (LLB 1950) died October 2013, aged 83 (BSc 1960) died December 2013, aged 74 Adrian Morris William Swabey well, and we apologise for any distress Martin Duchesne (BSc 1968) died January 2014, aged 67 (BA 1986) died 2013, aged 50 Kenneth Blake caused to friends and family. (LLB 1951) died 2013, aged 85 (BVSc 1960) died May 2013, aged 75 Dr James Tiles Dr Antonio Teles da Silva David Wiggell (BA 1968, MSc 1969) died January 2014, (PhD 1989) died September 2011, Please email any notifications of death to For more information and details of how to book, please visit

(BSc 1951) died May 2010, aged 85 aged 69 aged 59 Alberto Antoniazzi © Calendar illustration [email protected] bristol.ac.uk/alumni/events or call +44 (0)117 394 1049

28 nonesuch // Spring 2014 Spring 2014 // nonesuch 29 ‘Ernest would be so happy to know that part of his legacy has made this life-saving research possible.’ Mrs Ethel Brook

Ernest Brook (BA 1952) left a legacy to help fund an oxygen chamber, a vital piece of equipment that will be used to examine how oxygen levels in the placenta affect unborn babies. Dr Patrick Case, from Bristol’s School of Clinical Sciences, hopes his pioneering research in this area will help reduce brain damage in unborn babies, and incidences of autism, attention deficit disorder and schizophrenia in later life. Everyone can leave a legacy

Contact: Ella Searle, Planned Giving Manager, University of Bristol, Senate House,Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TH T: +44 (0)117 394 1045 E: [email protected] bristol.ac.uk/centenarycampaign/how/legacies Exempt charity number: X1121