| 3 Henry III’s ‘fine’ records online | 4 Science Minister visits | 7 Two new FRSs | 19 Student stars in Kingdom

CommentThe College newsletter Issue no 175 | July 2007 First widening participation doctors

Greg Funnell The first students to follow the Extended Medical Degree Programme (EMDP) at King’s have graduated, receiving a personal message of congratulations from the Prime Minister. The EMDP is the UK’s first widening participation medical degree course and is aimed at pupils from low achieving schools in London who have the ability and desire to become doctors.

‘Worked so hard to realise their dream’

Stella Adesoye, Anya Omunnakwe and Linda Onyema were awarded their degrees at Southwark Cathedral on 29 June. ‘For as long as I can remember my aspiration has been to work as a doctor. Graduating is a huge relief because medicine has been a lot of hard work, but it is definitely worth it!’ comments Linda. The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, praised the students’ achievements: ‘I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Pamela Garlick and students from the Extended Medical Degree Programme when I visited King’s last year. There are nearly 200 students in the programme training to become From left: Dr Stella Adesoye, Dr Linda Onyema and Dr Anya Omunnakwe – the first students to graduate from the Extended Medical Degree doctors. Many had to overcome Programme. significant obstacles to get there. Tutu, Fellow and Visiting from there is no mean feat for at King’s in 2001 and now takes Congratulations and good luck to Professor at King’s, also offered anyone, so I am particularly proud 50 additional students, funded everyone on the course and all who congratulations: ‘King’s has one of of those of you who have worked by HEFCE, into the School of are graduating today.’ the finest Medical Schools in the so hard to realise your dream.’ Medicine every year. The students Archbishop Desmond world and to graduate in medicine The six-year EMDP started continued on page 2 News

First WP doctors Principal’s Column

julian anderson continued from page 1 Gavin Brown, Head of Anatomy principle of these changes is do not have the A-level grades and Professor Susan Standring and to make clearer the distinction extracurricular achievements to Drs Graeme Clayden and Barbara between management and secure a place on a conventional Moreland who teach the EMDP governance. Two major new medical course but they have students. They were joined by committees are planned which the right attitude and academic Sir Cyril Chantler, Chairman of will cover issues relating potential to make excellent the Trust Board of Great Ormond to students, and research. doctors. Most of the students Street Hospital and former Dean of Systematic dialogue with have no family history of higher the Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ individuals across the College education and many come from Medical Schools. Sir Cyril and will continue through socially, as well as academically, Professor Standring originated the consultative fora and, needless disadvantaged backgrounds. idea of the EMDP at King’s. to say, any matter relating to Professor Rick Trainor, Dear Colleagues the academic life of the College Principal, offers his congratulations As you read this we will be may still be raised by staff at ‘Some are in the top 15 to the graduating students: ‘We entering a new financial year Academic Board. per cent of their year’ wish them the best of luck in and I am pleased to report An issue that has been their chosen area of medicine. that the College’s finances are discussed recently at the Board King’s is committed to widening in a healthy state. We have and at virtually every senior EMDP course director Dr participation. As well as the spent over £500 million on our committee of the College is Pamela Garlick explains that EMDP and Access to Medicine estate over the last decade and that of our citation policy. It the EMDP students perform outreach projects, we are involved more than £10 million over the is important that published extremely well on the course: in a wide range of initiatives last two years alone on new academic papers credit the ‘These students now make up over aimed at encouraging students academic posts. Nevertheless College correctly as King’s 10 per cent of the medical student who otherwise might not consider there is still much to be done College London as the first population at King’s and the best higher education as an option.’ and we intend to incur a planned element of an author’s affiliation. of them are consistently in the top deficit of £1 million this year in This is important not only to 15 per cent of their whole year EMDP students: order to invest in areas that we ensure that King’s is correctly group in examination results.’ • are recruited from non- have prioritised, in particular positioned in university league Sir Graeme Catto, President of selective state schools or sixth IT. It is important to emphasise tables, but soon funding council the General Medical Council and form colleges in deprived inner that all our investments are to research money is likely to former Vice-Principal of King’s, London boroughs allow academics and students to be allocated increasingly on adds: ‘It is crucial that doctors • take six years rather than five flourish and excel in their core bibliometric measures. While the become much more representative to complete their degree with activities, and an improved College’s record has improved of the populations they treat and the extra support in the first three IT infrastructure is a vital somewhat during the past two extended degree at King’s is a major years part of this. Other high priorities years King’s still underperforms step forward in achieving this.’ • are required to sit the same in the strategic plan, especially significantly in this area (and has examinations and achieve the The graduating students also those connected with even been alleged to be worst same pass marks attended a College lunch with generating increased income, in Europe in getting appropriate • get involved in the wider Vice-Principal (Arts & Sciences) Access to Medicine scheme, will be pursued as soon as credit through citations) due to Professor Keith Hoggart, Dr working with local schools to resources allow. papers being credited wrongly. Pamela Garlick, Access to raise pupils’ career aspirations A number of reforms are 47 per cent of papers from one Medicine outreach manager Dr planned for the coming year. School were wrongly credited

Greg Funnell Of major importance is the in 2005-6; there is clearly much introduction of a ‘standardised room for improvement. platform’ central admissions On another note, I would like process. This will, however, to reiterate my opposition to the continue to be driven by proposed boycott by UCU of Department-level academic Israeli academics. My opposition judgement. Universities have is shared by the UK Board of dramatically different admissions Universities UK and every other procedures, but by any standards Vice-Chancellor in the Russell King’s sometimes responds to Group as being a grave threat applicants much slower than to the principles of academic other institutions, and this must freedom. I am not aware of be improved. strong feelings within the We also plan to introduce a College to support the proposal major reform of our governance. and I certainly hope that it is This will involve a large-scale defeated. reduction in the number With best wishes for the of committees reporting to summer. Access to Medicine outreach manager Dr Gavin Brown and EMDP course director Dr Pamela Academic Board: the guiding Rick Trainor Garlick congratulate the students prior to their graduation.

 | Comment | July 2007 News

Henry III’s ‘fine’ records online Greg Funnell A unique project ‘digitalising’ the ‘Fine Rolls’ of Henry III was launched on 22 May at the Maughan Library. The Library was the former Public Record Office building where the rolls were housed for over a century before their move in the 1990s to the new home of The National Archives at Kew.

Freely available online in English

This fascinating and unique resource, hitherto largely inaccessible and unusable is now freely available online in English. Henry III ruled from 1216-72, and during his reign a Fine Roll for each of his 56 years was drawn up. These contain written details about offers of money to the king Professor David Carpenter discusses the Fine Rolls with Terry Jones of Monty Python fame. Terry Jones has written books and presented for a whole variety of concessions television documentaries on medieval and ancient history and attended the launch of the digitisation of the Fine Rolls. and favours, as well as a great deal of other material. to look through them membrane Arts & Humanities Research Written in Latin on parchment by membrane and zoom in on a Council. The current project and containing up to 35,000 particular entry. The historical covers the rolls from 1216-48, and words, the Fine Rolls measure interest of the material is revealed it is hoped further funding will be up to 30 feet in length. A fine is in a ‘fine of the month’ feature secured to carry the work on to the essentially an agreement to pay where every month there is end of the reign in 1272. money for a concession. The first comment on material of particular entry is about the release of a rebel significance in the rolls. from prison during the 1215-17 The project is a three-year Fascinating and unique civil war. enterprise in conjunction with The resource This pioneering project – in National Archives the 800th anniversary of the birth at Kew and of Henry III (1207) – is led by funded The Fine Rolls will also David Carpenter, Professor of by be available in a print Medieval History. Working with Drawing of a woman’s head, probably the version. Previously the Mirabel, widow of Elias the Jew, from the College’s internationally Gloucester as it appears next to a record Fine Rolls had only renowned Centre for Computing stating that she paid 15 marks (£10) for been available in in the Humanities, the Fine Rolls custody of her late husband’s houses in print form in two that city. from 1216-48 have been published obscure volumes online, translated into English and the development of the of Latin which an electronic index created. common law and the appeared in Professor Carpenter comments: commercialisation of 1835-6 and ‘This major new resource will the economy. Family were only 15 transform the understanding historians who make per cent of the of politics, government and up 65 per cent of the whole. society in a reign that saw the users of The National Visit www. implementation of the Magna Archives, will find them finerollshenry3.org.uk Carta into English political teaming with relevant to see Henry III’s Fine life and the beginnings of the information.’ Rolls online. parliamentary state. The project does ‘The rolls are vital for the study not neglect the rolls The first great seal ofH enry III, which is of royal patronage, the position themselves and their attached to documents granting the moor of Alfietmore toS tanley Abbey in exchange for of women, urban privileges, the digitalised images appear the surrender of land and the right to take changing nature of the gentry, on the website and it is possible wood in Chippenham Forest, Wiltshire.

July 2007 | Comment |  News

Science Minister visits King’s

Greg Funnell The Minister of State for Science Centre (Transplantation). King’s and Innovation, Malcolm Wicks involvement in the government’s MP, visited King’s on 24 May for Global Medical Excellence Cluster a briefing on some of the College’s was also discussed. major biomedical research and The party visited the Wolfson commercialisation initiatives. Centre for Age-Related Diseases, The Minister was welcomed to where Professor Clive Ballard Guy’s Campus by the Principal, talked about his group’s research Professor Rick Trainor, Professor on dementia. Sir Lawrence Freedman, Vice- Professor Peter Jenner, Founder Principal (Research), Professor and Chief Scientific Officer of Robert Lechler, Vice-Principal Proximagen, the College’s most (Health), Professor Simon Howell, successful spin-out company, then Dean of Guy’s Campus and Dr gave a presentation. Proximagen Alison Campbell, Director of aims to develop novel therapies King’s Business. for relieving severe symptoms of He was briefed about the neurodegenerative disease. College’s research strategy, The tour then moved to the in particular in the area of Henry Wellcome laboratories for Malcolm Wicks MP watches PhD student Eva Sirinathsinghji at work during his tour of the biomedicine. This included Medical and Molecular Genetics, genetics laboratories on his visit to King’s. King’s academic partnership in headed by Professor Ellen commercialisation activities and scientific innovation. all three categories of Biomedical Solomon. The visit culminated business partnerships. Malcolm Wicks now has a new Research Centre co-ordinated by in a presentation by Dr Alison The Minister ended by talking role as Minister for Energy in the the Department of Health and the Campbell about knowledge about research funding and the new Department for Business recent award of King’s fifth MRC transfer and the College’s government’s commitment to Enterprise and Legislatory Reform.

NHS IT project reviewed HEIST Award for King’s EP A study of the progress of the NHS local managers can’t focus on IT programme found that financial implementing the system because deficits and poor communication of competing financial priorities continue to hamper its successful and uncertainties about the implementation. The researchers, programme. including King’s Professor Naomi With the announcement of the Fulop, also report that delays could new IT programme in 2002, many constitute a growing risk to patient NHS Trusts stopped investing in safety. The study was published their existing systems. This study online on 17 May in the BMJ. highlights how delays now mean that existing technology may not be fit for purpose and some staff ‘A real risk that feel this represents an unacceptable patient care could be risk to patient safety. Naomi Fulop, Professor King’s Graduate Prospectus 2007 won top prize at one of higher education’s most compromised’ of Health and Health Policy, prestigious award events, held at Old Trafford on 3 May.A t the 17th Annual Heist Department of Management, Awards the College’s Graduate Prospectus won the Gold award. It was presented to Olivia Davenport (second from right), Marketing Production & Communications In this follow-up to their comments: ‘We have found that Manager, and Christine Ayre (second from left), Corporate Identity Manager, by TV initial study published in 2005, NHS staff support the goals of newsreader Fiona Bruce. The citation for the prospectus said that it was ‘A clear researchers from King’s, Imperial this programme and believe in winner with the judges’, and that they were impressed by the clean layout and use College London, the University the benefits of IT modernisation. of text as it was considered, thorough, in depth and appealed to students. ‘This of Bristol and London School of But they have a number of serious prospectus fulfilled the panel’s expectations regarding this prestigious College.’ Hygiene and Tropical Medicine concerns, in particular potential interviewed a range of key senior risks to patient safety. It’s crucial Professor Fulop also gave patient information will be held NHS staff in financial, IT and that patient information is stored evidence on 7 June to the on the system, who will have clinical roles. and accessed via a robust, secure House of Commons’ Health access to it and whether patient Respondents felt that local IT system. While the delays Select Committee about the IT confidentiality can be adequately financial deficits are having a continue, IT networks are programme. The Committee protected. Professor Fulop was serious impact on the success becoming outdated and there is recently launched a new inquiry asked about progress of the new of the programme. As financial a real risk that patient care could into the Electronic Patient Record, IT system and why its delivery problems continue to worsen be compromised.’ exploring issues such as what is up to two years behind schedule.

 | Comment | July 2007 News

Biomedical Forum launched

naresh verlander On 22 June the National Institute in his lab that is being translated for Health Research (NIHR) into advances in the treatment Comprehensive Biomedical of patients undergoing kidney Research Centre (BRC) at King’s transplantation. and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS In December 2006 King’s Foundation Trust launched its was successful in a joint bid Biomedical Forum to showcase with its partner NHS Trust translational research and foster and was awarded one of five collaboration between scientists, Comprehensive NIHR Centres. clinicians, dentists and allied The aim of this Department health professionals. The inaugural of Health initiative was to find event brought together key figures leaders in scientific translation from the BRC and culminated in order to accelerate new in a lecture by a leading treatment and technologies Back row (from left): Professor Graham Lord (Deputy Director of the BRC), Professor international scientist. for improving health and to Robert Lechler (Vice-Principal, Health), Professor Charles Wolfe (Director of R&D for Guy’s The inaugural speaker was boost the nation’s international and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust) Professor Larry Turka (External ScientificA dvisory Board), Professor Richard Trembath (Director of the BRC), Professor Dame Carol Black, Professor Larry Turka, a leading competitiveness in this area. Professor Sir David Lane and Professor Sir Michael Rawlins (External ScientificA dvisory nephrologist from the University King’s is the only university Board). Front row: Professor Martin Bobrow (External ScientificA dvisory Board), Dr Lynn of Pennsylvania, who is also a to provide academic partnership Carlisle (Deputy Head of Administration and Deputy College Secretary, Health) and Dr Kate Blake (Senior R&D Manager Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust). member of the Centre’s External in all three categories of research Scientific Advisory Board. His centre (Comprehensive, Specialist opportunities for translation. The opportunity to perform world- lecture, Transplantation tolerance and Patient Safety and Service Forum will have specific relevance class translational research for – moving the bench to the bedside, Quality). to the Centre’s scientific themes the benefit of patients has never was introduced by Professor The Biomedical Forum and will also provide critical been greater. The Centre and Graham Lord, Deputy Director is a unique feature of the mentorship and training for the key features like the new Forum, of the BRC. In his lecture, which Comprehensive Centre, bringing scientists and clinicians working in which will enable a regular sharing was well attended by staff from together, every two weeks, senior the Centre. (See Comment 172). of ideas and strategies nationally across the College and the Trust, investigators across disciplines, Professor Graham Lord, who and internationally, put us in an Professor Turka talked about the educators and representation from is also Director of Translational excellent position to respond to basic scientific work being done industry to constantly review Research Development, said: ‘The this challenge.’

Elder abuse study Chief Rabbi lectures at King’s naresh verlander More than 200,000 elderly people 2.6 per cent to 4 per cent: are being abused in their own a figure of approximately homes, the first ever UK study of 342,400 older people subject elder abuse published on 14 June to abuse or neglect. reveals. Researchers from King’s Mistreatment is broken down Institute of Gerontology and into neglect, financial abuse, Social Care Workforce Research psychological and physical abuse Unit, together with The National and sexual abuse. Centre for Social Research, carried Professor Simon Biggs, Director out the study. of the Institute of Gerontology, Their findings show significant comments: ‘This study is numbers of older people at risk. important because, for the first An overall 2.6 per cent of older time, it provides reliable estimates people, equating to about 227,000 for the extent of abuse and neglect people aged 66 and over, living among older people who live in in private households (including their own homes. It therefore sheltered housing) reported to have significantly widens the evidence experienced mistreatment from base for future policy making. a relative, friend or professional ‘Once wider groups are added, carer. This figure indicates that the figure rises to 4 per cent and The Chief Rabbi, and Visiting Professor and Fellow of King’s, Sir Jonathan Sacks, one out of every 40 older people draws attention to the possibility gave a major lecture entitled Religious Education for a Society of Diversity in the visiting their GPs may be a victim. of “social” forms of abuse beyond Great Hall on 12 June. This was the Department of Education & Professional When mistreatment was the areas of family and caring that Studies annual lecture. Widely recognised as one of the world’s leading broadened to include neighbours have traditionally been looked at.’ contemporary exponents of Judaism, Jonathan Sacks became Chief Rabbi of the and acquaintances, the overall For further information contact United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth in 1991 and was knighted in 2005. He was made a Fellow of the College in 1993. prevalence increased from Sue Johnson ([email protected]).

July 2007 | Comment |  News

New Statistical Genetics Unit

A new Statistical Genetics Unit has genes that contribute to human of Medicine and Institute of been launched bringing together diseases and behavioural traits. Psychiatry, and will provide a researchers in the MRC Social, ‘I am excited about our new rich resource for state-of-the-art Genetic and Developmental Statistical Genetics Unit because statistical genetic research and Psychiatry Centre (SGDP), it brings together the expertise in for training much needed future Institute of Psychiatry and the the MMG and SGDP under the researchers in this field. Department of Medical and leadership of Cathryn Lewis and ‘This development has allowed Molecular Genetics (MMG), augmented substantially with two us to create a critical mass of School of Medicine. new academic appointments that excellent researchers at a time when The Unit, to be led by Professor increase the breadth and depth of these skills and interests are essential Cathryn Lewis, forms a critical expertise,’ said Professor Robert to deal with the data coming from mass of researchers in this Plomin, SGDP Centre Director. the whole genome association expanding multi-disciplinary ‘The statistical genetic issues studies, recently the subject of field, and will be consolidated involved in localising genes for much publicity. We are very pleased by two new academic posts. The common disorders and complex to be at the forefront of some of Unit will develop novel statistical traits are very similar for medicine Professor Cathryn Lewis will lead the new these studies and will now be able Statistical Genetics Unit. methodology for genetic studies, and psychiatry so it makes sense to keep well ahead of the field,’ and collaborate closely with to merge our strengths in statistical statistical genetics field.’ added Professor Ellen Solomon, molecular and clinical colleagues genetics to create a world-class This initiative strengthens Head of the Department of Medical on research projects to localise group at the cutting edge of the the link between the School and Molecular Genetics. Making movies of molecules

A team of international scientists, other living systems – to move, hand when greeting. Similarly, structures with incredible including Alessandro De Vita of sense, reproduce and accomplish molecules can either be ‘right efficiency. The process is indeed the Department of Physics, has the processes that keep all living handed’ or ‘left handed’. often like a handshake, but it is made ‘movies’ to provide the first creatures alive. Dr Alessandro De Vita, Reader not sufficient that the two hands direct evidence of how individual The key to understanding all in Physics, comments: ‘Mother be both right or left – they must molecules recognise each other and biological processes is recognition. Nature has taken billions of years also come in contact and close form structures. The way molecules recognise each to evolve molecules capable of around each other in a concerted, The human body has more other and transfer information has meeting and forming complex symmetrical way.’ than one thousand trillion trillion been likened to the way people molecules (10 to the power shake hands. When two people of 27) with around 100,000 meet they both automatically put Lecture theatre officially opens different shapes and functions. out their right hand. It could also be Greg Funnell Interactions between molecules a pair of left hands, but no matter enables humans – as well as how your hands are orientated you bacteria, animals, plants and will never fit a left hand into a right HR initiative launches A unique partnership created to and extensive links with the global bring together academic experts HRM academic community, on human resource management the HRM Learning Board will (HRM) with key players in the provide an opportunity for the field from industry and government dissemination of knowledge and has been established by the thinking based on the latest Department of Management. research in human resource Known as the HRM Learning management conducted in the UK The Edmond J. Safra Lecture Theatre was formally opened on 8 May by Mrs Lily Board, it was launched on 12 and around the world. Safra (centre), an Honorary Fellow of King’s, and commemorated with a special June at the Maughan Library by David Guest, Professor of lecture given by Dr Stephen Minger, Director of King’s Stem Cell Biology Laboratory. Professor David Guest and Stuart Organisational Psychology and This memorial lecture, highlighting frontline advances in research into Parkinson’s Woollard (HRM Learning Board HRM, comments: ‘King’s is Disease, will be an annual event at the College. The lecture honours the late Mr Edmond J. Safra, philanthropist and financier, and his widow,Mrs Lily Safra FKC, Director) both of the Department. delighted to extend its knowledge who recently made a generous gift to support research being undertaken at the As King’s has one of the transfer programme into the College into the causes of Parkinson’s Disease. The Principal (left) welcomed Mrs leading groups of human resource HR arena and further develop Safra and thanked her for her tremendous support. Baroness Rawlings, Chairman management researchers in Europe, important links with industry.’ of Council, also paid tribute to Mrs Safra’s philanthropic generosity.

 | Comment | July 2007 Profile

Gillian Bates & Michael Malim Greg Funnell In May Gillian Bates, Professor of Neurogenetics, and Professor Michael Malim, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, were elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science. Here Comment finds out more about them.

When did you become interested in your subject? postdoctoral fellows from all over the world. MM: I liked science at school and I really As well as undertaking my own research I also enjoyed being an undergraduate studying particularly enjoy recruiting and mentoring biochemistry at Bristol but I think it was during junior faculty members and helping them with my DPhil in molecular genetics (in yeast) at their careers. Oxford that I became really switched on about GB: High profile gene cloning projects were research. It was during this time that research generally extremely competitive. Unusually into human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for its time, efforts to isolate the HD gene really took off and I think reading papers on this were being co-ordinated under the umbrella subject inspired me to want to work in the area of the Hereditary Disease Foundation (HDF) of HIV/AIDS molecular pathogenesis. as a collaborative effort between UK and US including my mentors, collaborators, postdocs GB: I first encountered Huntington’s disease research groups which brought complementary and students as well as the foundations, has (HD) when I was an undergraduate and talents to the project. This collaborative been recognised. I hope that this will increase working as a cleaner in a psychiatric hospital research group isolated the HD gene in the profile of HD and be an inspiration to young as a summer job. The disease made a profound 1993 and the mutation was found to be an investigators. impression on me and so I was very happy to be abnormally long repeated DNA sequence or given the opportunity to work on the cloning CAG repeat at the beginning of the gene that Why should students pursue your subject? of the HD gene when I joined Hans Lehrach’s encodes the protein dubbed ‘huntingtin’. MM: It is a fascinating subject and a fascinating lab at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund as a I came to the United Medical and Dental virus. Viruses are brilliant tools for understanding postdoctoral fellow in 1987. Schools of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals in basic human biology and HIV is a very 1994 to establish my own research group. It was important and interesting pathogen. There are Tell us about your career to date. a wonderful time to initiate my independent 8,000 people dying every day of this disease MM: After gaining my DPhil in 1987 I intended research career as nothing was known about the and although this is a pretty bleak picture, a to go to the States for two years as a postdoctoral pathogenesis of HD and everything had still to be tremendous amount is being achieved through fellow at Duke University. But after enjoying done. Therefore, with support from the Medical education and testing as well as through five years at Duke I joined the faculty at the Research Council and HDF, I set out to generate research and developing new therapies. University of Pennsylvania in 1992. I remained a mouse model of HD as a valuable research GB: A career in research is always stimulating there for nine years before coming back to the tool. We published the first HD mouse model in and continually presents new challenges, but UK in 2001 to help establish a new programme 1996 and analysis of these mice has been key in the plight of HD families adds an additional of infection and immunology at King’s. uncovering alterations that occur in HD patients’ compulsion and urgency to the work as well as Whilst in the States my group identified a brains early in the disease process. They have making any advances much more rewarding. human anti-retrovirus gene product which is become the model most frequently used for the a potent suppressor of HIV infection. More preclinical assessment of potential therapeutic recently, we also discovered the principal compounds. My lab continues to use mouse Fact file mechanism whereby this protein mediates its models to further understand the molecular basis antiviral effect, a process called hypermutation. of HD and to explore possible therapies. Book on my bedside table Virology as a discipline is under-represented This will be the 20th year that I have been MM: Saturday by Ian McEwan. I am also in the UK. For instance, when you attend major involved in research into HD. I have been reading Harry Potter and the Order of the HIV meetings there are many British speakers fortunate to continue to contribute to the goal Phoenix with my son. but most of them work in the US. Part of the of finding therapies for HD and to do this I have GB: Black and Blue by Ian Rankin – I am attraction of coming back to the UK was to moved into areas of research that were outside currently reading the Rebus books. help ‘beef up’ virology research here. King’s my expertise. This has been greatly helped by the continues to help me to realise my goal of HDF, Huntington’s Disease Society of America Proudest work moment developing a leading academic programme and more recently the HighQ Foundation who MM: One of the proudest moments of my in virology. have built an HD community of inspiring people career was when the Department of Infectious My research team use laboratory models to and fostered a collaborative ethos. Diseases was officially opened by Archbishop study the growth and spread of HIV. We’re Desmond Tutu in February 2004. particularly interested in the ‘seesaw battle’ that How does it feel to be recognised by the Royal Society? GB: Making our mouse model available exists between the infected host and the virus. MM: I am very flattered. It is great recognition to the scientific community through the And we’re exploring possible ways to manipulate for all the people I’ve had the privilege of Jackson Laboratories as soon as was possible or influence this to develop new therapeutic working with during my research career. accelerated research into HD. More than 200 strategies for controlling HIV/AIDS. GB: I am overwhelmed that this research, papers have been published on this model. The lab comprises a mix of PhD students and which has involved many exceptional people

July 2007 | Comment |  International

Australian of the Year talks at King’s

naresh verlander Professor Tim Flannery, Australian national conscience, and all round of the Year, gave a speech at King’s Renaissance man.’ on climate change on 5 June to In January the Australian Prime mark World Environment Day. Minister John Howard named In his lecture The Weather Makers Professor Flannery Australian – The History and Future Impact of the Year 2007 for ‘encouraging of Climate Change he discussed Australians into new ways of what could and should be done to thinking about their environmental combat climate change at a time history and future ecological when the environment has reached challenges’. the forefront of public debate in The award celebrates the Australia and the rest of the world. achievement and contribution of eminent Australians, by profiling leading citizens who are role ‘Tim Flannery is From left: Dr Ian Henderson, Lecturer at the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies and models for the country. Australia’s David organiser of the event, Mrs Frances Adamson, Deputy High Commissioner for Australia, Recent recipients include Professor Tim Flannery and Professor Carl Bridge. Steve Waugh, Patrick Rafter, Attenborough’ on Earth, arguing that ‘we are all of the Menzies Centre for Professor Ian Frazer and Cathy “weather makers”’ and that the Australian Studies, commented: Freeman. Fiona Wood, Australian In his lecture Professor Flannery only choice, both logically and ‘Tim Flannery is Australia’s of the Year 2005 – is a King’s drew on ideas from his new book, ethically, is ‘to begin to address David Attenborough: explorer, alumna having graduated in The Weather Makers: Our Changing climate change before it is too late’. naturalist, palaeontologist, medicine from St Thomas’ Climate and What It Means for Life Professor Carl Bridge, Head historian, controversialist, Hospital Medical School.

Nazi occupation and its aftermath Spanish naresh verlander Ambassador

The Spanish Ambassador, Don Carlos de Miranda, inaugurated a major two- day conference entitled New Perspectives on the Spanish Transition to Democracy. The conference was organised by the Department of Spanish & Spanish-American Studies, one of the oldest university Spanish departments in the world. The conference, which was held at the Strand Campus on 18 and 19 May, included 25 speakers – from the UK, Spain, America and Denmark – and First row: (from left) Professor Lloyd Kramer, Chair, History Department, UNC; Professor Rick Trainor, Principal; and Professor Arthur seven sessions: Politics; Civil Burns, Chair, History Department, King’s. Second row: Dr Jan Palmowski, Chair, European Studies Programme, King’s; Professor Richard Overy, History Department, University of Exeter; and Dr James Bjork, History Department, King’s. Back row: Dr Chad Bryant, History Society; Nationalism; Culture; Department, UNC; and Professor Christopher Browning, History Department, UNC. International Dimension; Memory; Collective The Nazi occupation and its have been published by young by Professor Christopher Experience and Public aftermath in Central Europe was historians – Dr James Bjork and Browning, History Department, Remembrance. the subject of a colloquium held at Dr Chad Bryant – working in UNC, one of the leading It was organised by Dr Diego King’s on 4 June. The event was the departments of History at historians of the Holocaust and Muro, Lecturer in European organised as part of the University King’s and UNC. To celebrate commentary was provided by Studies, and Gregorio Alonso, of North Carolina, Chapel Hill these publications, as well as Professor Richard Overy (Exeter), Lecturer in Modern Spanish and King’s strategic alliance. the developing partnership a prominent historian of the History & European Studies, In the space of 12 months between King’s and UNC, the Second World War and Dr Jan both of the Department of two important new monographs two departments organised this Palmowski (King’s), an expert on Spanish & Spanish-American shedding fresh light on the colloquium. German national identity and the Studies. history of Central Europe The two authors were joined German Democratic Republic.

 | Comment | July 2007 Focus

The Eating Disorders Unit The Eating Disorders Unit at the Institute of Psychiatry and Maudsley Hospital was founded by Professor Gerald Russell in the 1970s. In those days the Unit focused exclusively on treating and researching anorexia nervosa, a life- threatening illness which affects mainly young women around the time of puberty.

he well-known ‘Maudsley Model’ of family therapy for Tadolescents with anorexia nervosa was pioneered at the Unit at a time when elsewhere strict, and often rather coercive, behavioural regimes for refeeding predominated. Family- based treatment is now enshrined in the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on eating disorders as the treatment of choice for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. In 1979, Professor Russell was the first to describe bulimia nervosa, which soon became recognised as one of the most common psychological disorders affecting young women.

Growth Over the years the Unit has grown steadily in terms of its clinical remit, staffing, research output and public profile. Professor Janet Treasure now heads the Clinical Unit within the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and (nationally and internationally) to service adulthood, across the whole range of severity. Professor Ulrike Schmidt the Section of Eating providers setting up local eating disorder services. Moreover, it will cover a whole spectrum Disorders at the Institute of Psychiatry. The of research, from the development of early Child & Adolescent Eating Disorders Service Research detection tools and targeted psychological is led by Dr Ivan Eisler. The Unit houses a large portfolio of research treatments, to the evaluation of physical Clinical and academic space for the Unit projects aimed at further understanding the and hormonal system changes of illness is currently across four sites – the Institute of causes of eating disorders and developing and recovery. This work will be done in Psychiatry, Maudsley Hospital, Guy’s Hospital, better treatments. Projects include studies on collaboration with beat, the UK-wide charity Bethlem Royal Hospital and Denbridge House, the genetic, neuropsychological, personal and for eating disorders. Bromley. The Unit has about 60 clinical and environmental risk factors and their interactions ‘In five years time we hope to have new research staff and a steady stream of visiting in different eating disorders, and studies using treatments for anorexia that make a lasting and researchers and clinicians from around the brain scanning to understand the ways in which positive difference to the lives of sufferers and world who spend time in the Unit. food and other cues are processed in anorexia their families. As well as introducing web-based nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Several treatment early detection and intervention tools, we will Teaching studies are in progress to evaluate psychological focus on the needs of those with the most severe The Unit has some eight or 10 PhD students. treatments for people with eating disorders and form of the illness and on specialist areas such as Between five and 10 students taking the their carers, using new technologies. mothers with eating disorders and women with doctorate in Clinical Psychology, the MD or The Unit has many national and international reproductive problems.’ MSc degrees undertake their projects with the research collaborations and is part of a Marie Unit. There are close links with the Institute of Curie Research Training Network (INTACT), Public understanding Psychiatry DClin Psych programme and the funded by the European Union. The Unit has a strong commitment to Neuroscience & Mental Health Studies MSc The Unit has recently obtained a National increasing public understanding of science. programmes, through Professor Iain Campbell Institute for Health Research five-year applied Team members recently participated in an from the Unit, and through consultant clinical research programme grant, Translating evening on eating disorders at the European psychologist Dr Kate Tchanturia, who is the experimental neuroscience into treatment of Dana Alliance for the Brain and a session at the Women’s Mental Health Module Leader. anorexia nervosa. The publication of the NICE Cheltenham Science Festival: ‘the Vanishing Junior and senior researchers meet weekly for guidelines for eating disorders three years Point’. The Unit has also convened an Eating research meetings to listen to outside speakers or ago highlighted the dearth of knowledge on Disorders Research Network under the auspices to get a friendly grilling on their own projects at how to treat anorexia. ‘We are delighted that of the UK Mental Health Research Network. different stages of development. the government is responding to this need by A new book Skills-based Learning for Caring The Clinical Unit also runs skills training making funds available for crucial research in for a Loved One with an Eating Disorder: The courses for clinicians keen to learn about aspects this area,’ comments Professor Schmidt. New Maudsley Method from Professor Treasure, of assessing or treating eating disorders. It ‘This programme is unique as it integrates is based on research at the Unit. For further provides training, consultation and supervision studies covering anorexia from childhood into information visit www.eatingresearch.com

July 2007 | Comment |  King’s people

Committees and working groups. Awards He trained to be a doctor Academy of Medical Sciences

at Guy’s Medical School, and greg funnell Queen’s Birthday Honours following further study and house Brian Anderton, Professor of jobs, returned as Lecturer of Neuroscience at the Institute of Sociology as Applied to Medicine Psychiatry, has been elected to in 1973. He was appointed the Fellowship of the Academy of as Professor of Medicine and Medical Sciences in recognition Sociology in 2006. of his excellence in medical Fields Wicker-Miurin, co-founder science. and Partner of Leaders’ Quest, and Head of the Department of member of College Council, was Neuroscience and Director awarded an OBE for services to of the MRC Centre for international business. Neurodegeneration Research, Fields Wicker-Miurin joined established in 2006, Professor Council in 2002 and is Chair of Anderton is one of 40 new the Audit Committee. She has Fellows to be elected this year. enjoyed a highly successful career Speaking about this with large, international businesses. recognition Professor Anderton Professor David Armstrong She was named by Euromoney as commented: ‘I am very honoured one of the top 50 women in finance to be elected a Fellow, especially David Armstrong, Professor of in the world, by Time magazine in the company of other eminent Professor Brian Anderton Medicine and Sociology in the as one of 15 people most likely to colleagues doing crucial work School of Medicine’s Department influence the future of Europe and in cancer, developmental Academy fellows are elected of General Practice & Primary by the World Economic Forum in biology and bioethics, amongst for outstanding contributions Care, has been awarded a CBE for 1997 as one of 100 Global Leaders other fields. This highlights to the advancement of services to medical research. of Tomorrow. the Academy’s commitment medical science, for innovative David Armstrong is a medical to promote advances in application of scientific sociologist and health services Dietitian honoured medical science – in my case: knowledge and conspicuous researcher with a particular interest Jane Thomas, Senior Lecturer understanding of disease service to healthcare. Professor in primary care. He is a member in Nutrition & Dietetics, has mechanisms in Alzheimer’s Anderton was admitted at a of the Medical Research Council been awarded a Fellowship of disease.’ ceremony in London on 28 June. and Chairs its Health Services and the British Dietetic Association Public Health Research Board as (BDA). The Fellowship is well as a number of other MRC conferred in recognition of her Psychology prize On 3 July Professor William Yule, Emeritus Professor of Applied Long Service Awards Child Psychology, was presented Dominic Turner with the Aristotle Prize at the Xth European Congress of Psychology. The Prize was given to the European Federation of Jane Thomas Psychologists’ Associations by the dedication, particularly in the field President of the IVth European of education, to the promotion of Congress of Psychology in 1995 the profession and the science and to be awarded to a psychologist practice of dietetics. from Europe who has made a The award is the highest distinguished contribution to honour given by the BDA and was psychology. made at their annual conference The Aristotle Prize Committee dinner in Belfast City Hall on 20 considered Professor Yule a very June. BDA fellowships were first worthy recipient. ‘Professor Yule awarded in 1979 and there have is internationally recognised as been 66 recipients since then. having made major contributions to Since she joined King’s in 1979, clinical psychology across a broad The Principal, Professor Rick Trainor, with (from left): Miss Joan Adams, Miss Carlotta Jane Thomas has been involved range of areas, and much of his Dionisotti and Mrs Rose Calokatsia who all received awards recognising 40 years of in the education of more than work in the last two decades has a service. 500 student dietitians, setting distinctly European flavour.’ On 30 April King’s staff who Great Hall. Of the 22 staff with high standards and acting as a Professor Yule was awarded have completed 25 and 40 25 years’ service 15 were able to professional example as a leader, the Lifetime Achievement Award years’ service were recognised attend the event and of the four role model and mentor. She is only by the International Society for at the annual Long Service with 40 years’ service three (see the third member of staff to receive Traumatic Stress Studies in 2005 Awards hosted by the Principal, above) were present to receive the award, other recipients include and made an Honorary Fellow of Professor Rick Trainor, in the their awards. Ann Brown in 1979 and Pat Judd the British Psychological Society in 1998. in 2006.

10 | Comment | July 2007 King’s people

Teaching excellence recognised across the College

The winners of the annual Dr Jan Dr Alistair Professor Alan Palmowski Hunter Collins King’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching were announced last month. These awards, now in their fifth year, provide students with an opportunity to recognise teaching staff from each of the p g r eg College’s nine Schools of study. a t ri ck

Nominations were put forward f unn e ll b ar

by students and endorsed by th Heads of Department. Schools Dr Jonathan Jitna Harvey can either give the award to one Koffman Por Wells person or divide it. The winners were announced at the College Teaching Committee and one award of £1,000 will be made per School. g r eg

Biomedical & Health Sciences f unn e ll Dr Alistair Hunter (Anatomy & Human Sciences) Dr Ian Alison Penney Henderson Jones Lewis Dental Institute Dr Kate Brooks (Conservative Dentistry) Humanities Dr Dionysios Stathakopoulos (Byzantine & Modern Greek) pete r Dr Jan Palmowski (German) g r eg h o f unn e ll w

Professor David Carpenter (History) ar d Dr Ian Henderson (Menzies Centre) Professor David Dr Steve Dr Dionysios Florence Nightingale School of Carpenter Barker Stathakopoulos Nursing & Midwifery Jitna Por Institute of Psychiatry Harvey Wells (Health Services and Population Research)

Law g r eg

Penney Lewis f unn e ll Alison Jones Medicine Dr Sarah Dr Deborah Dr Sarah Stringer (Specialist Stringer Potts Registrar in Psychiatry) Dr Jonathan Koffman (Palliative Care) Physical Sciences & Engineering Dr Steve Barker (Computer Science) Professor Alan Collins (Physics) Social Science & Public Policy Dr Deborah Potts (Geography)

Allergy award Professor Corrigan is instrumental St Mary’s Hospital above the following current and former Chris Corrigan, Professor of Asthma, in establishing allergy as an laboratory where Alexander College staff were acknowledged: Allergy & Respiratory Science, independent medical specialty Fleming discovered penicillin. Revd James Buxton has been awarded the William and has assembled the curriculum Ruth Cawthorne Frankland award for outstanding for adult allergy trainees in the KCLSU recognises staff Paul Cornell services to clinical allergy. He UK. The award is named after The KCLSU Awards were held Georgina Cox received the award from the British William Frankland, one of the on 24 May at Tutu’s. This was Jennie Eldridge Society for Allergy and Clinical ‘fathers’ of allergy in the UK, an opportunity for KCLSU to Dr Pamela Garlick Immunology at their recent annual who did seminal initial work on recognise students and staff who Martin Harvey meeting for his work with trainees allergen characterisation and have made a contribution to the Denise Johnson in allergy. immunotherapy. He worked in King’s community this year. The Helen McNeely

July 2007 | Comment | 11 King’s people

Greg Funnell secondment to the Cabinet Office delighted to be joining the Royal to give the lectures. for two years from September Pharmaceutical Society at a On 13 July Professor Plant 2007. The official history will time of great opportunity for the received an honorary doctorate be from the JIC’s origins in 1936 profession and look forward to (DUniv) from the University of to the end of the Cold War. He strengthening the Society’s links York in recognition of his work will examine JIC’s organisational with the scientific community.’ in legal, social and political developments, the nature and philosophy. composition of intelligence Head of Alumni Relations assessments and how, historically, the government has used JIC’s New Rector findings. The research will be Baroness Rawlings was awarded Honorary based on classified and declassified Sir Roy Anderson, chief scientific Life Membership of KCLSU. archival sources and interviews adviser to the Ministry of Defence, Jenny Owen with past serving members of the and a pioneer in the epidemiology Dr Stewart Paterson committee. The history is due to of infectious diseases, will succeed Baroness Rawlings be published in 2011 to coincide Sir Richard Sykes as Rector of Professor Vaughan Robinson with the 75th anniversary of the Imperial College in September. Sir committee’s founding. Roy was a lecturer in Zoology at The JIC is part of the Cabinet King’s from 1973-8. Sir Richard is Appointments Office and responsible for also a King’s alumnus. providing Ministers and senior First director officials with co-ordinated Jennifer Garner interdepartmental intelligence Lord Slynn retires assessments on a range of issues Jennifer Garner joined King’s in of immediate and long-term June as the new Head of Alumni importance to national interests, Relations. Jennifer comes from primarily in the fields of security, the US with 15 years’ experience defence and foreign affairs. in higher education, including eight in alumni programmes Senior scientific role and development. She has an undergraduate degree in English and a master’s degree in non- fiction writing. She will be leading From left: Lord Bingham of Cornhill, Professor Arnie Purushotham the Alumni Office to expand Professor Andrea Biondi (Co-Director of outreach and programming for the Centre of European Law), The Rt Hon Professor Arnie Purushotham will be the 90,000 King’s alumni around the Lord Slynn of Hadley, Professor Piet the first director of the Integrated the world. Contact Jennifer on Eeckhout (Director) and Professor Mads Andenas (Director 1994-9). Cancer Centre. The Centre brings ext 3458 or via email together Guy’s and St Thomas’ [email protected] On 16 May The Rt Hon the Lord and King’s College Hospital NHS Slynn of Hadley, President of the Foundation Trusts, and the South Law and Philosophy Chair Centre of European Law, retired East London Cancer Network Lord Plant, Professor of after 13 years of service. Professor Jayne Lawrence (already designated as a Joint Jurisprudence and Head of the Following the Advisory Board Cancer Centre) with King’s, and Jayne Lawrence, Professor of School of Law, has been appointed meeting Lord Slynn chaired the other organisations involved in Biophysical Pharmaceutics, has to the Vincent Wright Chair in 32nd Annual Lecture, given by the delivery of cancer services recently been appointed as the Law and Philosophy at Sciences Thymen Koopmans, former judge locally. It is central to developing new Chief Scientific Advisor to Po in Paris from January to July at the European Court of Justice world-class cancer services to serve The Royal Pharmaceutical Society 2008. He will teach for four hours (1979-90). people across South East London of Great Britain. a week, give some public lectures Judges, barristers and solicitors and, for more specialist services, In her new role Professor and engage in a collaborative were in attendance. A drinks patients from further afield. Lawrence will provide scientific research project with Dr Patrick reception was held afterwards and Professor Purushotham, advice and expertise to the Society Legales on Neo Liberalism and Lord Bingham of Cornhill gave Professor of Breast Cancer at and its Council and will work to the Rule of Law. During his tenure an address paying tribute to Lord King’s and Consultant Surgeon at develop the Society’s portfolio of the post he will remain as Head Slynn’s unstinting yet unintrusive Guy’s and St Thomas’, takes up of science activity. Another key of the Law School at King’s. support of the Centre of European his new role with immediate effect. aspect of the role will be to act In the spring term and for the Law. Lord Bingham will deliver as a media spokeswoman for the first part of the summer term this year’s Commemoration JIC historian Society on science issues. Professor Plant gave the eight Oration. In May Tony Blair approved the Professor Lawrence is now Bampton Lectures at Oxford Lord Slynn talked of the great appointment of Dr Michael Goodman, working with the Society’s University on the topic of Liberal affection he holds for the Centre Lecturer in the Department science team in London for two- Pluralism, Citizenship, Law and King’s and wished them every of War Studies, as the Official and-a-half days a week, while and the Sacred. The Bampton success for the future. The Centre Historian for the Joint Intelligence continuing in her current position Lectureship was founded in has decided to name the annual Committee (JIC). at King’s for the rest of the week. 1780 and Professor Plant was Centre of European Law PhD Dr Goodman will be on Professor Lawrence says: ‘I am the first non-ordained person studentship after him.

12 | Comment | July 2007 King’s people

Principal’s Circle Obituaries

On 19 June the Principal hosted a special dinner at the DR Rod Watson more open-ended and less recipe degree from London University Strand Campus, in honour 1947-2007 like. This was a three-year and later the FRCPath. of the founding members of project whose outcomes were to In 1962, he became Senior his leadership giving club, the have a major influence in framing Lecturer in the Department Principal’s Circle. The Principal’s the national curriculum for of Dental Medicine at Guy’s Circle recognises the generosity science and which led to several Hospital Dental School. In of alumni, staff, former staff significant publications. 1966, he was appointed Head and friends of the College, who His most well-known work of the new Department of Oral donate £1,000 or more during will be the project shared with Medicine and Pathology and not an academic year to the Annual the Association for Science long afterwards to the University Fund or to the Principal’s Education, the science teachers’ of London Chair of Oral Discretionary Fund. professional association, and Medicine and Pathology that he Since its establishment 15 King’s that he directed from held until his retirement in 1986. months ago, 46 members of the 1996-2001. This project led On retirement, Rod’s work Principal’s Circle have donated to three books to support the accelerated as he achieved over £105,000 in support of new teaching of practical work in Emeritus status. He continued academic facilities, scholarships, schools and sold over 12,000 to contribute to the UK Salivary extra-curricular opportunities and copies. His work has played Gland Tumour Panel and welfare initiatives for students. Dr Rod Watson did a degree in a major role in sustaining the write his texts from the Guy’s Their generosity helps students to Chemistry at the University reputation of King’s for its work Department of Surgery. realise their potential, both inside of Birmingham and then went in science education. Rod received many awards the classroom and beyond. into teaching, both in the UK Dr Watson’s passing will leave and appointments for his For additional details and Spain. He then chose to do a large hole in the fabric of the academic achievements. He was contact Alison Thompson a PhD studying the impact of Department of Education & the first to carry out a statistical ([email protected]). different styles of undergraduate Professional Studies. His warm, survey of oral cancer in England laboratory work on students’ enthusiastic face was part of the and Wales, the first to describe learning under Professor Lewis glue which held our community the features of oral tuberculosis MP visits Strand Elton, at the University of Surrey. together and he will be missed. following the introduction of This work sparked a lifelong Professor Jonathan Osborne, Head chemotherapy and to recognise interest in the role of laboratory of Department of Education & the malignant potential of work in the learning of science. Professional Studies chronic candidiasis. He joined King’s as a Lecturer But, above all, Rod was an in Science Education in 1985 outstandingly gifted author, and was promoted to a Senior Professor Roderick producing a litany of extremely Lecturer in 1996. Rod was an Cawson 1921-2007 readable textbooks which enthusiastic and stimulating man, became standard undergraduate always challenging his students and postgraduate reading. He to explore why they thought will live on in these for many what they did and pushing them decades to come. onto higher things. Many will Dentistry owes a lot to Rod’s remember him for his wry and wife Diana, who supported gentle sense of humour. him throughout his work. Rod Rod steadfastly pursued a line was revered by all and sought The MP Mark Field with the Principal. of work looking at how the role of out for his many talents and On 14 June the Principal practical work, and in particular encyclopaedic knowledge. He welcomed the MP Mark Field to the investigative work, could was engaging with an infectious College. Dr Patricia Reynolds led be improved in the teaching sense of humour that was always a visit to the International Virtual of school science. His work in good taste. Dental School at Strand Bridge begun, in the late 1980s, with a Michael Gleeson, Professor of House, which has opened since project to establish a National Otolaryngology Mr Field’s last visit to King’s. Mr Environmental Database that Roderick Cawson died on 25 Field also visited the Chapel and could be used in schools to April in King’s College Hospital the South Range of the Strand develop students’ understanding where he had qualified 60 years DEATH NOTICE before meeting the President of the of the role of evidence in science. earlier, first in dentistry and Students’ Union Daryn McCombe This led, in the early 1990s, to subsequently in medicine. On 16 July 2007, Lyn Pilowsky, and Vice-Principal Professor Sir his appointment as co-director After serving in the RAF from Professor and Head of Section Lawrence Freedman. Mr Field has of a major research project 1944-8, Rod was appointed Neurochemical Imaging and been MP for the Cities of London funded by the then Department to a Senior Lectureship in the Psychiatry, passed away. A and Westminster since 2001 and for Education looking at how Department of Oral Pathology full obituary will appear in his constituency includes King’s practical work could be made at King’s. He obtained his MD September’s Comment. Strand Campus.

July 2007 | Comment | 13 Flashback

The King George III Museum King’s was once home to an extraordinary collection of scientifi c curiosities assembled by King George III and housed in his private astronomical observatory at Kew, built to observe the Transit of Venus in 1769. The Museum was later donated to the College by Queen Victoria in 1841 and opened by Prince Albert amid much fanfare two years later. The Museum was located opposite the Council Room at the Strand Campus.

CollEGEarCHiVEs

HE KING WAS FASCINATED test Benjamin Franklin’s theory that lightning by the rapid advances in natural conductors worked more eff ectively with Tphilosophy and the new science pointed tips. of electricity that took place during his reign. In 1761, he commissioned one Annals of computing of the most accomplished instrument- The Museum also occupies a distinguished makers of his day, George Adams, to position in the annals of computing. Before produce an array of new precision devices its opening, King’s had witnessed the to survey the land and explore the night demonstration of a new calculating machine skies, to measure mechanical force designed by the self-taught bookseller, Thomas and probe the mysteries of electricity Fowler. The trial of Fowler’s calculator took and magnetism. The collection was place in front of an audience that included augmented by equipment belonging to the polymath Charles Babbage, a celebrated

Stephen Demainbray, Superintendent mathematician regarded by some as the CollEGE arCHiVEs CollEGE of the Kew observatory and one of the father of computing. King’s tutors who supplemented his income Like Fowler, Babbage sought to by giving public lectures on the latest science build a machine that might automate using his own demonstration apparatus. mathematical calculations and his reputation rests on designs for two types exquisite items of calculating machine – the diff erence The collection eventually comprised engine and the analytical engine, the hundreds of exquisite items manufactured latter equipped with punch-cards and by the leading instrument-makers of the arguably the world’s fi rst programmable day – including orreries and equatorials, computer. Babbage’s project quickly ran microscopes, heliometers, telescopes, springs into diffi culties when government funding and pendulums, electrostatic devices and was stopped. Protected by a glass display steam engines, even the extraordinary- case, it was this prototype of the unfi nished sounding ‘Dr Nooth’s apparatus for Diff erence Engine No1 that eventually preparing medicinal waters’, and the King’s took pride of place in the centre of the personal soda fountain. The King George iii Museum was housed at King’s from George III Museum where it remained 1841-1927. The government ceased funding the until its transfer to the Science Museum. observatory in 1841 and its contents were the Prince Consort opened the Museum in earmarked for dispersal. However, in August June 1843. The proposed highlight of his tour An inspiration 1841, the electrical and mechanical collections was a demonstration of Wheatstone’s early When Sir Charles Wheatstone died in 1875, were presented to the College for the purposes telegraphic apparatus situated on the river he bequeathed his own extensive collection of maintaining ‘a general course of experimental terrace. It comprised a battery-generated of scientifi c apparatus to the College including philosophy’. It was not unusual at this time spark that would trigger the remote fi ring of his prototype telegraph machines which for universities to keep their own collections cannon on top of the Lambeth shot tower helped transform global communications, of experimental apparatus and geological situated on the south bank of the river. Rather and his stereoscope, complete with slides and anatomical specimens which were used embarrassingly the experiment failed when the commissioned from pioneering photographers as teaching aids. The exceptional quality of cannon fi zzled out! including Roger Fenton. It also boasted his the George III Museum’s contents, however, One of the most extraordinary pieces of concertina, the musical instrument which cemented the College’s reputation as an demonstration equipment in the new museum he invented in 1844. Many of these items important new centre of learning and research was Adams’ ‘philosophical table’, built in 1761 remain at King’s under the care of the in physics and chemistry, also refl ected in the and a laboratory bench designed to conduct College Archives. appointment of the celebrated John Daniell experiments into magnetism and mechanics. Wheatstone’s gift reinforced the Museum’s and Sir Charles Wheatstone to the chairs of Other highlights included the inclined horse- reputation as a place of study, recreation and Chemistry and Experimental Philosophy. way, used to test the reliability of new carriage inspiration for generations of students and Mindful of its importance, and taken aback wheels prior to manufacture. The ‘electric egg’, public visitors. By the 1920s, however, it by its richness, the College Council promptly fi rst demonstrated in 1748, produced a vivid became clear that an overcrowded College cleared one of its libraries to make room for lightshow when electricity was discharged needed the valuable space that it occupied. It the collection – an impressive double-height across it. Other electrical devices included was loaned to the Science Museum in 1927, galleried space that eventually was incorporated Gravesande’s Whirling Globe and an example where it remains to this day in its own gallery. into the Physics Department. It was here that of James Lind’s Thunder House, designed to Geoff Browell, Archives

14 | Comment | July 2007 Around the College

Speed networking Alumni return to King’s alex bevis This year’s Alumni Weekend take part in a debate in the Royal (8-10 June) saw more than 600 Courts of Justice on excessive alumni return to the College. use of imprisonment, following This was the fourth of the annual a talk by Rob Allen, Director of reunion weekends which provide the International Centre for a range of social and academic Prison Studies. events for former students and Alumni were also invited to staff of all ages and disciplines. take part in the official re-opening Highlights included a Friday of an area of the Royal Festival night concert by the King’s Hall, following the multi-million College London Symphony pound refurbishment of the Orchestra in the magnificent Southbank Centre. Donald surroundings of Middle Temple Howle and Geoffrey Gardner, Hall. Alumni had the chance to who graduated from King’s in take a tour of the newly-renovated 1951 (the year the Royal Festival Strand Campus and members Hall opened), reminisced about of King’s academic staff gave a the Southbank and Royal Festival number of thought-provoking Hall. The ceremony, which was Academics speed network in earnest. talks. Dr Peter Neumann, documented by a film crew, Director of the Centre for Defence was then concluded by Steven On 15 May 36 academics, including followed. Each round lasted just Studies, spoke on terrorism, in Rhodes, Chairman of the King’s Professor Keith Hoggart (Vice- five minutes so participants had a lecture entitled 7/7: What we College London Association, Principal, Arts & Sciences), from to be concise with their questions know now that we didn’t know declaring the refurbished area across the College’s schools and and answers which focused on then, while alumni were able to officially open. campuses took part in a ‘speed their research collaborations and networking for research’ event common ground. in the Council Room at the ‘This type of event has been Strand Campus. The aim was to well received at several other foster collegiality and encourage Russell Group universities and we possible collaboration between are keen to make a success departments. This was the first of it here at King’s,’ says Chris event of its kind to be held at Coe, Director of Communications. King’s and was organised by the ‘Participants found the session Public Relations Department. useful and fun and many intend to The session began with follow up connections they made. a sandwich lunch and the We aim to build on this success networking then started in earnest. and organise further sessions.’ Six rounds of speed networking Email [email protected] for details.

Alumni re-open an area of the Royal Festival Hall as part of the Alumni Weekend. News in brief Cancer therapy New Chief Executive Simulation for education King’s, Cancer Research Ron Kerr will take up the Technology and Innate Pharma position of Chief Executive While the G8 leaders discussed Ladies College as part of the S.A. (Lyon) have entered into at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS development issues in Berlin 36 Cheltenham Science Festival. a Research and Intellectual Foundation Trust with effect 15-year-olds spent the day in External observers from the Property Agreement based on from 1 October 2007. He has a Cheltenham creating an integrated British Council and Global Forum the work of Dr Sandra Diebold wide-ranging NHS career and African Health Strategy. for Health see potential in strategic of the Division of Immunology, is currently the Chief Executive Simulation experts from simulation as an educational tool. Infection & Inflammatory of United Bristol Healthcare Simulstrat, a King’s spin-out Simulstrat CEO Ken Charman Disease. Dr Diebold will pursue NHS Trust. Sir Jonathan company, set the children, and comments: ‘By participating in a research programme which Michael stepped down at the one team of adults, the task of a simulation these children have will further the development of end of April after six and a half dealing with the burden of AIDS, learnt more about an immensely compounds for cancer therapy. years in the role. Director of TB, malaria, urban migration, complex subject than they The agreement, put in place Strategy and Workforce, increasing mental health issues, would have done in weeks by by King’s Business, includes a Tim Higginson, is the Acting and social development between any other educational medium. licence to Innate Pharma for Chief Executive and will 2007-24. Gifted and talented Their understanding has moved intellectual property generated continue in this role until the pupils from across Gloucestershire on from melodramatic media during the project. end of September. were invited to take part. The imagery. They are informed and event was held at Cheltenham motivated.’

July 2007 | Comment | 15 Around the College

Second Life grant Rough guide to the King’s brand The King’s Visualisation Labs be combined for the first time In this edition of Comment, obtain brand resources like (KVL) in the Centre for with high graphical quality for members of King’s staff should the logo, fonts, imagery and Computing in the Humanities have these types of models. The 3D find enclosed a copy of the templates. It will be helpful for won a prestigious contract to create models will be supplemented by Rough guide to using the King’s anyone preparing materials for a new and innovative teaching and existing and new interpretative brand. This new guide offers an external audience, and is learning environment in Second content and a spectrum of original information about the College’s aimed at achieving a greater Life for higher education. interactive tools, scenarios and corporate visual identity, consistency in presentation Second Life is an Internet-based automated tutorials, incorporating editorial style, and how to across the College. virtual world where more than six manipulable and customisable million users (or ‘Residents’) can actors, props, sound effects, interact with each other through lighting and scenic technologies, avatars, providing an advanced streaming video and scripts Photograph 51 performed level of social networking. enabling individual and group fabrizio esposito Residents can explore, meet other movement and choreography,’ Residents, socialise, participate explains Professor Richard in individual and group activities, Beecham, KVL Director. and create and trade items and ‘Second Life is very much services from one another. the zeitgeist at the moment,’ This project, funded by the comments Simon Tanner, Eduserve Foundation and Director, King’s Digital undertaken in collaboration with Consultancy Services. ‘This four strategic partners, will build project marks a significant advance 3D models and artefacts of cultural in both the sophistication and scale and historical importance in of deployments of shared virtual Second Life. environments in higher education, ‘Real-time navigation will nationally and internationally.’

The ‘Will to Survive’ Greg Funnell

Beverley Bogle (left) of the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery, Olga Rossi and Mariangela Granelli play Rosalind Franklin in Photograph 51. and member of the Januka Quadrille Dance Group, organised and took part in an evening of dance, music and talks in the Great Hall on 11 May to mark the bicentenary of the Abolition of Slavery Act (1807). The Will to Survive: the Photograph 51 by Italian playwright white lab coat so to symbolically transatlantic slave trade told the story of the slave trade and the slaves’ resilience, Elena Pugliese, who visited King’s be a researcher and the play was determination and will to survive through music and dance. in 2003 for her research, was performed in an old wooden- performed at the University of stalled lecture theatre meant to Turin in June as part of the XII be King’s. There was a good Festival delle Colline Torinesi. The description of the ambition to Free limited edition files play focuses on the role of King’s carry out research in a prestigious Greg Funnell in the elucidation of the structure university but also the difficulties The Public Relations Department of DNA and was performed at the and the realities of life as a has a supply of limited edition Palazzo degli Istituti Anatomici scientist. Overall it was a play magazine files in which you which has been part of the about the idea of research.’ can archive your back issues of university’s Faculty of Medicine Photograph 51 is the name given Comment. The files were designed since the end of the ninth century. to an X-ray diffraction image of by the Corporate Design Unit and Dr Carla Molteni, Reader in DNA taken by Rosalind Franklin are available for staff on a first- Physics, watched the play and in 1952 that was critical evidence come, first-served basis. Please enjoyed it. ‘Everybody in the in identifying the double-helix email [email protected] audience was made to wear a structure of the DNA molecule.

16 | Comment | July 2007 Research

Midwives’ assistants Crohn’s breakthrough ism/science photo library A study from King’s has found workers, reporting that they freed that support workers in maternity up midwives to spend more time services make a key contribution with women and babies. Their to the care of women and babies roles include giving breastfeeding but a lack of standardisation advice, providing outreach in training and role could services to vulnerable women, compromise standards of care. and running antenatal and Researchers from the School postnatal groups. of Nursing & Midwifery and the However, a number of Trusts Social Care Work Research Unit were converting midwife to at King’s conducted a survey, support worker posts and some commissioned by the Department support workers were doing tasks of Health, of managers in a that require specialist midwifery Light micrograph of a section through the colon epithelium of a patient with Crohn’s disease. number of NHS Trusts providing knowledge. Professor Jane maternity care in England. Sandall, who led the research, A study by scientists from King’s arthritis, Crohn’s disease, bipolar Managers were enthusiastic said: ‘There is a danger that and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, disorder and hypertension. The about the contribution of support support workers may be called Cambridge has found a new gene findings are published inNature upon to substitute care provided – IRGM – which could predispose and Nature Genetics. by midwives, without sufficient people to Crohn’s disease and it Christopher Mathew, Professor investment in their training has linked Crohn’s with the gene of Molecular Genetics at King’s, or development. This is a less PTPN2 which is also found in type who co-led the Crohn’s study, desirable situation which needs 1 diabetes. It also confirmed the says: ‘Crohn’s is a complex genetic careful management at a local importance of the process known disease and now we can explore level to ensure public safety.’ as autophagy (the clearing of this whole clutch of new genes The report recommends the unwanted material in cells) in the to answer questions such as what setting up of a national framework development of the disease. effect they have on the course and for training and competencies, The research is part of the severity of disease and possibly on with a need to identify skills and largest genetics project ever drug response in disease sufferers. tasks that can and cannot be undertaken, the Wellcome Trust In the longer term, these genes will delegated to a support worker. Case Control Consortium. This also be targets for the development £9 million collaboration of 25 of new treatments.’ leading scientists across the UK Crohn’s disease is a common has analysed thousands of DNA form of chronic inflammatory Police investigation samples looking for genetic bowel disease, affecting between signposts for tuberculosis, coronary 30,000 and 60,000 people in the professor Mike Hough and Tiggey heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid UK. May from the Institute for Criminal Policy Research have published two reports examining Cardiovascular study the handling of low-level complaints against the police. The Scientists from King’s have within cells, modulates two other types of complaint suitable for local shown that a protein called beta- proteins (heat shock protein-90 resolution include allegations of actin has a crucial regulatory and nitric oxide synthase-3), incivility, impoliteness, intolerance effect on nitric oxide production which in turn regulates the and minor assaults. process before complaining. by blood platelets. Nitric oxide amount of nitric oxide generated Local Resolution (LR) involves Complainants were not satisfied is a gaseous molecule produced by platelets. minor complaints being resolved with the process because it often within blood vessels which Lead investigator, Dr Albert at a local level rather than by failed to deliver an apology. Also, is essential in maintaining a Ferro, Senior Lecturer in the outside police forces or the officers felt the process was biased healthy cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular Division, says: Independent Police Complaints towards complainants and a greater It has many actions, including ‘It is incredibly important for our Commission (IPCC). LR gives number of officers were dissatisfied dilating blood vessels, slowing understanding of cardiovascular police officers the opportunity to with the result than were satisfied.’ the hardening of arteries and disease to identify what normally explain and justify their actions The research concluded preventing blood platelets from regulates the synthesis of and apologise if appropriate. It also that LR has the potential for becoming over-active and nitric oxide. Our research not allows complainants the chance dealing effectively with low level forming clots. only advances this knowledge to air their grievances directly complaints, but is not always This study, which was considerably but it also identifies to the police. In 2005-6, 46 per being used to its full potential. published in May in the journal a potential novel drug target for cent of allegations of wrong doing Complainants should be better PNAS (the Proceedings of the therapies to increase platelet recorded were locally resolved. informed about the process and National Academy of Sciences) nitric oxide production, which Professor Hough commented: the options available to them. In found that beta-actin, which could be useful in the treatment, ‘We found that few complainants addition, officers require better forms part of the ‘scaffolding’ or prevention of heart disease.’ knew anything about the LR training about the LR process.

July 2007 | Comment | 17 Media watch

Maternity study Recycling Six Day War Football focus Jane Sandall, Professor of The concept of recycling A CNN programme to mark As Middlesbrough joined Midwifery and Women’s was examined on Radio the 40th anniversary of the the fight for a legal challenge Health, was interviewed on 5’s Drivetime. Tony Thorne, 1967 Six Day War featured against West Ham United’s Sky News, BBC News 24, language consultant, explained an interview with Dr Ahron Premiership survival, Jonathan Radio 4’s Today programme, that most, if not all, languages Bregman, Department of Taylor, Director of Studies in BBC Five Live and BBC had this word, but that it may War Studies. Dr Bregman Sports Law, spoke to BBC Radio Kent. Her research into mean slightly different things also talked about the 2006 Radio London about the legal maternity staffing was also in different cultures. Lebanon war between Israel obstacles facing the ‘gang of reported on GMTV and BBC1 and Hezbollah. five’. Breakfast News. RAE Hidden victims Arabic uptake Security challenges The latest Research Assessment Exercise was discussed on Prisoners’ families are Dr Mashail Ali, Internal Following the penetration Radio 4’s The Learning Curve. hidden innocent victims Programme Director at the of a Challenger 2 tank by a David Papineau, Professor who experience significant Modern Language Centre, roadside bomb in Iraq, Michael of Philosophy of Science, impoverishment according to taught presenter Jumoke Clarke, Professor of Defence explained the process. new research from the Centre Fashola a few words of Arabic. Studies, was interviewed for Crime and Justice Studies Dr Ali also discussed the on BBC News, BBC1 Ten and the Institute of Psychiatry. reasons for an increase in O’Clock News, BBC Radio Gladiators Dr Roger Grimshaw, Research Arabic uptake and difficulties Newcastle and BBC Radio Director, was interviewed on of learning the language on Nottingham. Professor Clarke Charlotte Roueché, Professor Radio 4’s Today programme BBC London Radio’s The also spoke to Sky News about of Classical and Byzantine about the report. Late Show. recent developments in Iraq. Greek and Head of Byzantine & Modern Greek Studies, was interviewed on BBC2’s Flexible learning Iraq visit Mental illness Timewatch about inscriptions of gladiators in Ancient In a government-funded Dr John Gearson, Reader in A BBC2 Newsnight report Ephesus. experiment, pupils in Plymouth, Terrorism Studies, discussed examining the accusations of Devon, can start formal lessons Tony Blair’s last visit to Iraq institutional racism levelled at at 07.45 or 11.00 instead of as Prime Minister on BBC the Mental Health Services Global terrorism 09.00. Dr Bethan Marshall, News 24. Dr Gearson was included an interview with Senior Lecturer in English interviewed on the BBC World Robin Murray, Professor of Dr Peter Neumann, Director Education in the Department Service about the UN Security Psychiatry. of the Centre for Defence of Education & Professional Council considering climate Studies, spoke about the Studies, debated the advantages change as a security issue. terror trials and MI5 on ITV and disadvantages of the four- Alcohol advice London Tonight, Fox and Sky week trial on Radio 5 Live. News. Dr Neumann was also Lebanon conflict Following revised advice from interviewed about al-Qaeda the Department of Health and Pakistan on the BBC1 Ten Born again Dr Sergio Catignani, Lecturer stating women pregnant O’Clock News and discussed the in the Department of War or trying for a baby should end of the ETA ceasefire on The Dean of King’s College Studies, spoke about the avoid alcohol completely, Radio 4’s PM programme. London, The Revd Dr Richard current conflict in Lebanon Andrew Shennan, Professor of Burridge, explored the issues between Lebanese forces and Obstetrics, was interviewed on of ‘born again’ Christianity the Fatah al-Islam group in the Sky News, Channel 5 News Big Brother on the BBC World Service Nahr el-Bared refugee camp and BBC Southern Counties programme Heart and Soul. and the effect that the conflict Radio. Dr Richard Howells, Reader might have on Lebanese in Cultural and Creative domestic security. Industries, appeared on Sky Reservist health Hot topic News discussing Big Brother and reality television. He Simon Wessely, Professor of Fiona Russell, PhD student in argued that in addition to Epidemiological and Liaison See www.kcl.ac.uk/headlines the Cardiovascular Division, having lost its novelty some Psychiatry, one of the authors for the latest media coverage talked about chillis on BBC1’s time ago, the public were also of a King’s Centre for Military or on Campus noticeboards. Ever wondered about…? She coming increasingly to realise Health Research study into the Comment is keen to know explained the physiological that as reality television, health of reservists, outlined of any staff featured in the effects of capsaicin, the active Channel 4’s Big Brother was the findings for Radio 4’sPM ‘hot’ ingredient in chillis. becoming decreasingly real. programme. media, call ext 3202 or email [email protected]

18 | Comment | July 2007 Student news

KCLSU Awards Student stars in Kingdom with Stephen Fry

Greg Funnell ITV Hannah Field, a student on the MA in Text and Performance Studies, recently appeared in an episode of Kingdom, Stephen Fry’s latest television drama series for ITV. The action revolves around country solicitor Peter Kingdom, whose compassion and humility has won him huge respect in the picture postcard town of Market Shipborough. In episode four, Hannah played bright student Laura, who is expected to go to Cambridge, but then deliberately sabotages her interview for family reasons. Alerted by her agent to the The Darts Society clinches the Society of the Year award. role, Hannah was snapped up for the part within a couple of days. Roles in school plays and the itself which is very appealing. I King’s College London Students’ On working with Stephen drama society at the University of think practical experience can Union (KCLSU) celebrated the Fry, she comments: ‘He’s been Kent, led to a part at the National add a deeper and more complex contribution students had made my hero for years so I was very Theatre in a play called The Menu understanding to academic throughout the year in the KCLSU nervous before I arrived. The by Anthony Neilson. Just recently writing. The opportunity to do Annual Awards Ceremony on 24 first scene I shot was just Richard Hannah has been filming an voice and movement training May. Students and their guests Wilson, Stephen and me in a episode of the BBC drama Doctors. every week is very useful attended the ceremony where the Cambridge quad – it doesn’t Talking about her MA, professionally.’ Principal, Professor Rick Trainor, get much more intimidating Hannah says: ‘The course Hannah recently performed and the Chairman of Council, than that! includes work on different a rehearsed reading at the King’s Baroness Rawlings, addressed ‘Stephen was so friendly, he disciplines within the theatrical Head under the direction of the award winners, commending gave me a big hug at the end of framework, such as playwriting, another member of the course, their achievements. that first day. He also helped me acting, design and direction, as Georgina Guy. ‘It’s great that the Awards presented included: with the crossword – he really is well as the more traditional essay course brings students together Commendations, Half-Laurels, as clever as he appears on QI!’ writing on play texts and theatre like that,’ she notes. Laurels and Honorary Life Memberships. Students received naresh verlander the majority of the awards, but leaders of campaigns, and the respond digitally to analogue input College staff (see page 11) and leaders of KCLSU’s 150 clubs from a specially-enabled pen. This KCLSU external partners were and societies. allows a reader to receive certain also praised for the time and effort KCLSU has invested more digital services from a PC simply contributed to enhancing the than two years working to achieve by interacting with the magazine student experience. the Investing in Volunteers via annotations made on it via the accreditation from Volunteering pen, which is connected to the PC England. over a Bluetooth wireless link. Volunteers award It was jointly supervised by The Work Interaction and Technology King’s College London Students’ Student shortlisted Group in the Departments of Union (KCLSU) has become only Management and of Computer Employability: the Value of an the second students’ union in the Gbolahan Williams, a final-year Science. The winner will be International Dimension on 21 country to achieve the Investing Computer Science student, has announced at the final awards June held in the Franklin-Wilkins in Volunteers Quality Standard, been shortlisted for ‘The Student ceremony which will take place on Building at King’s. He is pictured recognising the excellent work Innovator Award’ organised by 21 September. here (right) with Professor Keith they do with volunteers. KCLSU The Engineer magazine for his Hoggart, Vice-Principal (Arts & was assessed against a range of final year computer science project Sciences) and King’s Portuguese best practice standards and has called ‘iMAG’. Bill Rammell & Brazilian Studies student shown to excel in all aspects of As part of a project outsourced Jennifer Morais who took part working with its volunteers. to King’s from The Financial speaks at King’s in the Erasmus scheme. King’s KCLSU volunteers range Times, Gbolahan has developed Bill Rammell, Minister of State maintains student exchange links from those leading projects in a system creating an application for Lifelong Learning, Further with more than 60 universities the local area and beyond, to that could form the basis of a and Higher Education, gave the across Europe. Bill Rammell was those representing others through future ‘interactive magazine’ – one keynote speech at a conference General Manager of KCLSU from Student Council. Others include that is digitally legible and able to on Erasmus & Graduate 1989-94.

July 2007 | Comment | 19 Books

Three favourite... places for a summertime drink near waterloo Campus As recommended by Rachael Corver, Development Communications Manager

studio six, Gabriel’s wharf If it’s hot outside head down to Gabriel’s Wharf, a Thameside ‘village’ of boutique shops and restaurants situated between the Oxo Tower and the LWT studios. Studio Six – more log cabin than traditional pub The biopolitics of the war Tulipmania Dr Livingstone, I presume? – off ers plenty of outdoor seating on terror and a good range of beers in a Dr anne Goldgar, History Dr Clare Pettitt, Department of quiet corner. If the sun is shining Dr julian reid, lecturer in Department English what more do you need? international relations In the 1630s the Netherlands Dr Livingstone, I presume? is a fresh BfI bar, southbank The War on Terror is represented was gripped by tulipmania, a and original take on a very old This new bar and restaurant as a confl ict between regimes speculative fever unprecedented story that of the meeting between at the British Film Institute tasked with achieving security in scale and, as popular history Stanley and Livingstone in Ujiji in (formerly known as the NFT) for human life against an enemy would have it, folly. The story goes Africa in 1871. has huge windows making it dedicated to destroying the social that otherwise sensible merchants, Dr Pettitt realised that this light and airy and a great place and political conditions necessary nobles and artisans spent all they handshake between a pretend for watching the crowds on for that security. had on tulip bulbs. American and a Scottish the Southbank buzzing about. An enemy motivated against However Dr Goldgar reveals in ‘Englishman’ had a vital Comfy armchairs, free wi-fi and the interests of common humanity, Tulipmania that it wasn’t like that contemporary resonance in the the friendliest service in SE1 and which in being so driven, is and these stories aren’t true. She wake of the Civil War which had create a relaxing atmosphere. ready to resort to subhuman tactics, lays waste to the legends, revealing created so much ill feeling between Try their superb ‘pint of hot and which therefore requires, that while the 1630s did see a America and Britain. Dr Pettitt sausage rolls’ bar snack. paradoxically, a less than human speculative bubble in tulip prices, is also the fi rst to suggest that response in defence of the integrity neither the height of the bubble the meeting was the fi rst global Meson don felipe, The Cut of human life. nor its bursting were anywhere media ‘event’ due to the recent A Waterloo institution, this The biopolitics of the war near as dramatic as we have been installation of the transatlantic family-owned tapas bar is on terror critiques such claims led to believe. cable which meant the story could always packed. Perfect before that liberal regimes exist for the Dr Goldgar shows the far more be reported simultaneously on a trip to the Old or Young Vic: security of human life, and that interesting reality: the ways in both sides of the Atlantic. the service is speedy, the tapas the terrorists now targeting liberal which tulipmania refl ected deep The book also contains the is tasty and the all Spanish wine societies are themselves devoid of anxieties about the transformation only discussion available of the list excellent (the family own human causes and aspirations. of Dutch society in the Golden visit that three of Livingstone’s their own vineyard). Every It demonstrates why this is not Age. black African servants made night a fl amenco guitarist a war in defence of the integrity She shows how Dutch citizens to Britain in 1874, turning up plays on surely the tiniest stage of human life, but a war over the became enchanted by the hitherto unexamined evidence in London and the whole political constitution of life in combination of art and science of their presence in this experience is so authentic you which the limitations of liberal that made up a tulip bulb, and country and their experience can really feel that you are in accounts of humanity are being how experts in tulips appeared in of western industrialisation and Valencia for a few hours – even tested, if not rejected outright. communities of merchants and modernisation. if it is raining outside. Any resolution of this confl ict, craftsmen. She also illustrates how The book is reaching an as argued in this book in depth, the plague, concerns of capitalism, audience well beyond Dr Pettitt’s Let us know your three favourite requires moving beyond the limits and the loss of trust among own academic discipline and has things related to a King’s of existing understandings of what individuals in a rapidly changing received a very positive reception Campus and they could provide constitutes human life and its society combined to create the from academic historians and colleagues with useful tips. political potentialities. cultural crisis that was tulipmania. Africanists. Email [email protected] Manchester university Press university of Chicago Press Profi le Books

Comment is the College’s regular newsletter, edited by the Public Relations Department and designed by the Corporate Design Unit | Comment is printed on paper produced with 80 per cent recovered fi bre| Articles are welcomed from all members of the College, but please note that the Editor reserves the right to amend articles | Copy for the next issue can be sent to Julie Munk, Public Relations Department (ext 3075), James Clerk Maxwell Building, Waterloo Campus, or emailed to [email protected] by 22 August.

20 | Comment | July 2007