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16 January 2006 UniLifeVolume 3 Issue 4

Nobel Laureate to Lead Brooks World Poverty Institute Features Letter from the President

Research Spotlight Dr David Kirby on Communicating Science page 9

Profile Professor Richard Clegg, Director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute page 12

Feature Manchester hosts Courtesy forbids a mere Antipodean to comment publications and collaborations genuinely the debate on on the UK’s ambivalent relationship with its borderless, but research funding has until recently e-Government neighbours across the Channel – except, perhaps, been confined largely to national funding regimes. page 18 when the interests of The The emergence of the ERA reflects a determination are involved. So let me voice surprise about the low to change that limiting reality. So, in a less formal level of research funding that the University way, do bodies like the World Universities Network, receives from Europe. Given the major financial of which Manchester is a founding member, whose interdependencies that have developed in so many most promising function is to help international other areas of the EU, the three per cent or so of clusters of universities access multi-jurisdictional our total research expenditure that comes from the research funding. Contents EU budget seems derisory. The research community in the University will, I Such patterns do not emerge by accident, so the hope, give increasing priority to establishing truth must be that the difficulty of securing, international research collaborations that enable 3 News managing and/or accounting for EU research funds them draw on major funding sources outside the 8 Research has been deemed, by most of our researchers, too UK. Where these involve collaborations with US great to justify the effort of accessing such funds. institutions, the quid pro quo may well be the 11 Knowledge and Technology As there is not a superabundance of research ability of our University to access EU funding on Transfer support within the UK, the barriers must indeed be behalf of the wider enterprise. In any case, because considerable. the availability of such funding on a greatly increased scale is a reasonable long-term 12 Profile Why worry? The EU Budget for the next seven expectation, we should be building up the years will have been finalised when these 14 Reaching Out necessary expertise and experience to ensure that comments are published, doubtless vindicating Manchester can be a major player in funding current pessimism about proposed Framework 7 16 What’s On programmes associated with the ERA. funding. Cuts of up to 50 per cent are being 18 Manchester hosts the debate mooted, so this may seem an odd time to be on e-Government advocating a stronger commitment than ever to collaborative and funding links with the European 20 Looking back Research Area (ERA). The real issues, however, go well beyond the vagaries of short-term funding opportunities. The strategic challenge is to ensure that Manchester will be in a position to take full advantage of an emerging internationalisation of Front cover: Professor Joseph Stiglitz major research funding. Researchers have long Professor Alan Gilbert been internationally mobile, and research President and Vice-Chancellor. at the announcement of the formation of the Brooks World Poverty Institute. Photo by Russell Sach

2 News Nobel Laureate to Chair Brooks World Poverty Institute Nobel Laureate Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz has been appointed by The University of Manchester to chair its new Brooks World Poverty Institute (BWPI), a project that will see substantial involvement from staff in the Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM) and the

School of Environment and Development (SED). Professor Joseph Stiglitz and President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Gilbert Professor Stiglitz was present at the announcement having previously funded a Chair in Enterprise, and to mark the creation of the BWPI in London on is a former chairman of the Alumni Association. His take place in the University’s and it Wednesday 30 November, 2005. support for the BWPI represents one of the largest will focus on the outcomes of the contested WTO known gifts to fund poverty research in Europe. trade talks in Hong Kong, and their effect on The Brooks World Poverty Institute will be a economic development and poverty reduction multidisciplinary centre of global excellence Rory Brooks said:“I am proud to be involved with efforts across the globe. researching poverty, poverty reduction, inequality the establishment of the Brooks World Poverty and growth. Well over a billion people - about a Institute at Manchester University, my alma mater Stiglitz's critical view of globalisation and market fifth of the world's population - live in absolute and in particular with today’s announcement of the liberalization is summarized very well in the lecture poverty. The BWPI will encourage new ideas and appointment of Professor Joseph Stiglitz. he gave at the University's Institute for knowledge, as well as new approaches to poverty Development Policy and Management (IDPM) in “That the Institute has been able to attract an research, which are urgently needed to develop the 2001, which can be found at academic of the calibre of Nobel Laureate Professor world’s understanding of the dynamics of poverty www.manchester.ac.uk/idpm/research/stiglitz.htm Stiglitz, one of the world’s leading figures in this and to aid the development and improvement of field, is testament to the ambitious vision for the The BWPI Inaugural Lecture planned for 1 February strategies and processes to combat it. University, set out by President Alan Gilbert.” 2006 promises to be as interesting and controversial. Stiglitz was Chief Economist and Senior Vice- The Brooks World Poverty Institute will be For more information on BWPI visit President of the World Bank from 1997-2000 and inaugurated on Wednesday 1 February, 2006 with a www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/research/bwpi/ was also Chairman of the Council of Economic public lecture by Professor Stiglitz. The lecture will or email [email protected] Advisers in the Clinton White House. He is widely known for his critical stance on the privatization and liberalization policies pushed by the World Bank and the IMF, which led him to step down from his position in the World Bank in 2000. In 2001 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in economics for his analyses of markets with asymmetric information. Manchester has traditionally been a centre for the creation of ideas and knowledge that have profoundly influenced global patterns of poverty and well-being. In the Post-War period, the University gained a global reputation for research on social and economic change in developing countries, crowned by Sir Arthur Lewis's Nobel Prize for research on development economics, and by the work of scholars such as Peter Worsley, Max Gluckmann and Teodor Shanin. The Brooks World Poverty Institute will build on this tradition, and in particular on the work carried out by IDPM’s Chronic Poverty Research Centre (CPRC) over the past five years. The Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation has generously agreed to support the BWPI with a gift of £1.3 million over three years. Rory Brooks has been a long term supporter of the University, Rory Brooks and Professor Stiglitz

www.manchester.ac.uk/idpm/research/stiglitz.htm www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/research/bwpi/ 3 News

Honours In brief

Speakers Edward Pysden from Eversheds, Sir Howard Bernstein and Professor Alan Gilbert looking at the Image Collections. Royal Academy of Engineering rewards the Excellent Dr Cotton Christmas Gifts Unlock the Dr Ian Cotton, a lecturer in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, has John Rylands Library received an inaugural award for excellence in teaching by the Royal Academy of Engineering. Conservation work being carried out on the John Rylands Library received a festive boost in December Dr Cotton has been awarded a prize of with a reception held at the Town Hall to encourage businesses to contribute to the Appeal Fund. £10,000 in recognition of his work. Extensive conservation work has one of the finest and most Development Fund. The plans The teaching prizes were inaugurated by the been carried out on the library spectacular collections of rare include: Academy to acknowledge and reward lecturers and there is only £2million leftto books and manuscripts spanning who have chosen to remain in the higher raise. Set to re-open in 2006, it is five millennia. • A new entrance wing with education sector during the early years of hoped the John Rylands Library modern visitor facilities their career. The Library's treasures include will continue to enrich the the St John Fragment, which is • Lift access to all public areas Prizes are awarded on a competitive basis to cultural landscape and be a the earliest known example of • New exhibition galleries lecturers in electronics or electrical major visitor attraction in the the New Testament in existence • Improved book conservation engineering at higher education institutions North West. and the Rylands Haggadah, an and reader facilities in the UK and ideal candidates must have amazingly beautiful example of distinguished themselves from their peer The John Rylands Library has the Passover story, produced in The Library will form part of the group by showing a strong and continuing been described as the most the fourteenth century. commitment to teaching, professional 'beautiful building in new £1.25billion Spinningfields activities, promoting engineering as a Manchester' by the Lonely Planet The Unlocking the Rylands development, which is being rewarding and creative career, establishing Guide. It is undeniably an Appeal has secured a Heritage carried out by Allied London industrial-academic links and other activities exquisite example of neo-gothic Lottery Fund grant and money properties in partnership with which ultimately ensure the output of top architecture as well as to from the European Regional Manchester City Council. quality graduate engineers. Astrazeneca Scholar of the Year Manchester Graduate Wins Dr Gillian Farnie of the School of Medicine has The John Llewellyn Rhys Prize been awarded the prestigious honour of AstraZeneca Scholar of University of Manchester graduate, Jonathan Trigell, has won The John Llewellyn Rhys Prize with the Year. his thought provoking debut novel ‘Boy A’.

The AstraZeneca ‘Boy A’ tells the tale of a literature written by a British the Alps for Natives.co.uk and is Scholar’s award enables teenager called Jack who has or Commonwealth writer writing his second novel CHAM. young scientists to further their professional had to shed his old name in aged 35 or under at the time development by facilitating their attendance at order to rid himself of his of publication. Sarah Waters, Chair of the international meetings in Gillian’s case, the San former life. Judges, commented:“Boy A Jonathan was born in 1974 and Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in Texas. impressed us on many levels: as The prize, which recognises lived in St Albans and a compelling narrative, a Gillian will speak about her research at the fine young writers early in Manchester before moving to San Antonio conference - the largest breast their careers, is one of France. In 2002 he completed beautifully structured piece of cancer convention in the world. Britain’s oldest and most an MA in Novel Writing at the writing, and as a thought- prestigious literary awards. University. He now organises provoking novel of ideas. It’s a Entries may be any work of events and races throughout wonderful debut.” 4 In brief

‘Venture Out winners’ Professor Wearne

Venture Out, the ideas stage of Awarded Top Honour the first University-wide Professor Stephen Wearne, Senior Research Venture Competition, has been Fellow from the School of Mechanical, an unprecedented success with Aerospace and Civil Engineering, has been numbers of entries exceeding awarded the Association for Project all expectations. The Management’s top honour - the Sir Monty competition has been equally Finniston Award - for his life-time popular with undergraduates contribution to research and teaching since and postgraduates across all joining the University from industry. He has four Faculties. also been awarded the Institution of Civil First prize winners Gemma Engineers’ Garth Watson Medal and the Buckley and the Allerchek team Institution of Chemical Engineers’ Brennan received a cheque for £1,000. Medal for his publications. Allerchek is a revolutionary new system for measuring allergens in food which could save Rare Coin Joins hundreds of lives every year. A Collection at The handy pen will be used to detect L-R: Jane Davis CEO of Manchester Science Park Gemma Buckley - the presence of nuts and other Allerchek team Gemma Hopkins - Allerchek team Nicola Aldren - allergens in food. Allerchek team Peter Winter - Director of Manchester Science Enterprise Centre Maybo Chiu - Allerchek team Cornelia Wilson - Allerchek team The numismatic collection at The Manchester Second prize winner Ketsaya Museum was recently enriched by the Vacharanukul proposes to Centre (MSEC). Jane Davies said: venture creation. The next stage addition of an exceptionally rare British coin: improve accuracy in industrial “Manchester Science Park of the competition, Venture a specimen of the 1831 proof - or pattern cutting processes with a wanted to be involved in the Further, will give the winners the crown - of William IV (1830-7). portable and easy to install non- competition because we hope opportunity to start their own What marks the coin as so unusual is that was contact laser sensor. that many of these people will businesses with a £25,000 first never issued for circulation, having merely Third prize winner Emma Pegg go on to create viable businesses prize. been produced as part of a special set of coins. with the potential to add value has come up with a magazine Competition organiser Lynn Only 120 were issued and as a consequence and create jobs. Some of whom called ‘NewTonic’ to inspire Sheppard (MSEC) hopes that are eagerly sought after by collectors. Until may eventually end up as our young people by making science everyone from Venture Out will now it was the only silver denomination of tenants.” more fun and accessible. enter Venture Further,“The high this reign not represented in the Museum’s collection, the fifth largest in the UK, featuring The awards were presented by The aim of the Venture standard of so many entries in more than 76,000 specimens. Jane Davies, Chief Executive of competition is to give staff and Venture Out made it almost Manchester Science Park and students across the whole impossible to judge. We would The King’s head on the obverse was the work Peter Winter, Director of University the chance to turn strongly urge everyone who of the Chief engraver at the Royal Mint William Manchester Science Enterprise their ideas into reality and learn entered Venture Out to enter Wyon, regarded by many as the finest medalist about the processes of new Venture Further.” Britain ever produced. The incredibly ornate mantled shield on the reverse was engraved by the Dutch artist Johann Baptist Merlen. www.manchester.ac.uk/venturecompetition The coin was a bequest from the late Mrs Mary Edmonds, daughter of Sir Harry Baldwin - Queen Victoria’s dentist, through the National Art Collections Fund and will soon be on display in the Museum’s Money Gallery.

Jonathan Trigell 5 News In brief Cold Comfort Earns Prestigious Award

Fourth year medical student Suzy Stokes has been awarded a University Service Medal for her kindness to a stranger she met on Kilimanjaro.

Suzy - currently on clinical noticing that I was suffering from University Service Medals, placement at the University extreme cold despite wearing all awarded for exceptional service Hospital of North Staffordshire in the clothes I had with me – Suzy to the University or community. Chlamydia testing is simple and discreet Newcastle-under-Lyme - was part offered me her own gloves, parker Suzy said:“I am honoured to of a ‘project holiday’ to climb and ski goggles. receive this medal on behalf of Kilimanjaro and gather Professor Garner was so the whole MARS team, every Fast-Track Sexual physiological data on Acute impressed that he recommended member of which contributed to Mountain Sickness. With friends Health Screening Trial Suzy for one of the prestigious the expedition’s success.” Ian Tyrell-Marsh, Nick Kalson, Young women visiting pharmacies for the Adam Whitehead, Mark Earl, morning-after pill are to be offered screening Hannah Frost and team leader for the UK’s most common sexually- Andrew Davies she interviewed transmitted infection, chlamydia, in a BUPA- and examined around 300 fellow- funded study led by Dr Loretta Brabin, Reader climbers, under the team name in Women’s Health in the School of Medicine. Manchester Acute Research Society or MARS. One in ten people under 25 have chlamydia, which often has no symptoms and can lead Australian climber Craig Burton to infertility, although it can usually be was so moved by their kindness treated with just four tablets. and Suzy’s selfless offers of help, that he wrote to the Dean of the The Department for Health wants all Primary Medical School Professor Andrew Care Trusts to offer chlamydia screening to Garner upon his return, saying:“I under 25s in non genito-urinary clinic settings met the team on my way up, and by April 2006. As 18,000 women in Greater they were so friendly and helpful Manchester currently go to pharmacies for I felt an immediate bond with emergency contraception each year, the study their project. will target this group with a discreet testing pack to return by post. “They went out of their way to respond to my questions and Dr Brabin’s team hope to identify a potentially fears about the climb, and – Suzy surrounded by her team mates at the summit.’ large group at risk of the infection, as well as inform the development of future screening strategies. Sufferers will be referred to a genito- urinary clinic for full screening and treatment. Manchester Launches a Expert Witness for Parliament Sporting Partnership Professor Colin Talbot of Manchester Business School’s Centre for Public Policy and The University’s Sackville Street building was the as it represents the beginning of a new partnership Management addressed Parliament’s Treasury impressive venue for the launch of the World and a new journey for the FIS Family and The Select Committee last month. He was present Academy of Sport Executive Centre and the University of Manchester. This was reinforced by to advise the Committee on microeconomic International Ski Federation (FIS) Academy Professor Alan Gilbert, President and Vice-Chancellor policy, alongside other experts from industry Executive Programmes last month. of The University, who said:“The University is now focused on working with world-leading organisations and academia. More than 70 guests from the University, such as FIS and targeting its significant academic Manchester City Council, the local community and It is the fourth time that Professor Talbot has expertise to deliver a unique global solution to the the world of sport attended the launch. been invited to appear before a Parliamentary sport and major event industry.This first partnership Select Committee in this role. As Professor of Master of Ceremonies, Gordon Burns, took time out with FIS signifies our intent and commitment to the Public Policy and Management at Manchester from his North West Tonight news programme to global pursuit of academic excellence in partnership Business School, Professor Talbot’s research kick off the lunch-time proceedings with the with world sport.” focuses on public management reform, and introduction of a promotional video for the Centre The Centre is in a unique position to attract specifically researching how the performance before confessing that his own personal ambitions executives from the world of sport to Manchester. of public services is steered, measured and to be a world-class athlete never quite met his Vicky Rosin, Assistant Chief Executive of reported upon. aspirations. The same, however, couldn’t be said for Manchester City Council, said:“We are particularly Gian-Franco Kasper, President of the International looking forward to working with the World Ski Federation (FIS) and former competitor in Alpine Academy of Sport to promote Manchester and the and Nordic Skiing, Skeleton, Bobsleigh, Riding and wider North West region to the major event Water Skiing, before beginning his illustrious career organisers and international sporting federations in sports administration. with the aim of attracting subsequent world Mr Kasper spoke of his excitement at the launch of championships, international events and sports 6 the FIS Academy executive programmes, particularly sector funding to the region.” Research

Genome Discovery will Help Combat In brief Disease and Lead to New Drugs Medical Professionalism in a An international consortium of researchers led by The University of Manchester has cracked the gene Changing World code behind a key family of fungi, which includes both the leading cause of death in leukaemia and Valerie Wass, Professor of Community-based bone marrow transplant patients and an essential Education in the Medical School’s Division of ingredient of soy sauce. Primary Care, is one of the authors of a major new report from the Royal College of The genome sequences for the fungi Aspergillus Physicians on Medical Professionalism. fumigatus, Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus oryzae were published in the December 2005 issue With doctors’ roles and responsibilities of Nature magazine. Despite being from the same blurred by social and political changes, fungal family, they have been found to be as advances in clinical practice reshaping genetically different as fish and man. expectations and events like Shipman and Alder Hey undermining public trust in Aspergillus is an air-borne fungus, carried all over medicine, a working party was established to the world as spores. Although usually harmless, define a new, strengthened form of medical Aspergillus fumigatus was identified as a cause of professionalism to maintain trust and infection as long ago as 1848 and is now the confidence in doctors. From October 2004 to leading infectious cause of death in leukaemia and June 2005, it gathered oral and written bone marrow transplant patients. Aspergillus responses and drew on specialist literature nidulans has helped scientists unravel many and opinion to produce the report,‘Doctors fundamental cellular processes over the last 50 in Society: Medical professionalism in a years, whilst Aspergillus oryzae has been used in Chest x-ray of a patient with invasive aspergillosis, changing world.’ caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. the Far East to produce sake (rice wine), miso (soybean paste) and soy sauce for 2000 years. Its findings are that instilling, supporting and leukaemic patients, as well as being a major and evaluating medical professionalism Professor David Denning, of the School of allergen for asthmatics. throughout a doctor’s career will have a Medicine, who coordinated the project, said:“Fungi beneficial effect on patient care, seeing such “Identifying these genome sequences will play a critical role in the earth’s ecosystem, being values as fundamental not only to the transform scientific understanding of why this responsible for almost all degradation of plant doctor-patient partnership but also to group of fungi is so lethal and allergenic. The material as well as recycling nitrogen. doctors’ roles in society. Under six themes, information revealed will also develop our the report makes clear, practical “However, they also produce toxins, such as understanding of the biology of composting and recommendations to promote both aflatoxin which can cause liver cancer. Aspergillus mycotoxin production, and provide benefits for improvements in patient care and more causes a life-threatening infection for transplant many other areas of science and medecine ” challenging and fulfilling lives for doctors. These include strengthening leadership and www.aspergillus.man.ac.uk managerial skills, better inter-professional education and training, evaluation of medical professionalism throughout a New Grants and Contracts doctor’s career and better management of medical careers, particularly through mentorship to transmit professional values. Doctors are asked to see themselves as role £6 Million for Planes, Trains models, and to assess their values, behaviours and relationships against the and Automobiles working party’s description. Professor Wass said: "Students studying The University of Manchester has been awarded It will focus on developing new methods for the medicine in the 21st Century live in a £5.98 million to develop a new class of light alloy processing, forming, joining and surface engineering different society from that in which their solutions that will transform the way aircraft, of aluminium, titanium and magnesium. The aim is teachers trained. This most welcome report trains and automobiles are built. to develop new engineering processes which will highlights the need for medical schools to enable aircraft and car manufacturers to design and prepare and instil in our future doctors The grant, which will span a five year period, has build lighter, more environmentally-friendly vehicles professional values of the highest been awarded by the Engineering and Physical using these materials. standard, appropriate to the needs of this Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under the changing society." Portfolio Partnership Scheme. Professor George Thompson, Head of the Corrosion and Protection Centre in the School of A special launch event attended by Professor Alan Materials, who is leading the project, said: "These www.rcplondon.ac.uk/pubs/books/docinsoc/ Gilbert and Professor John O'Reilly, Chief Executive materials are exceptionally difficult to form into of the EPSRC, was held on December 16 to mark complex shapes or weld, which dramatically the award. limits their use in the design and manufacture of Research into improving the performance of light air, land and sea vessels. alloys will be carried out in conjunction with Alcan, "This is a major issue for the automotive and Novelis, BAE Systems, Airbus, MEL and Jaguar. aerospace industries that are under increasing The project, entitled: "Light Alloys for pressure to save fuel and reduce pollution. If we can Environmentally Sustainable Transport," will be the improve processes such as the welding of aluminium largest of its kind in the UK with plans for over fifty panels then they will be able to build much lighter research staff over the next five years. aircraft and cars, saving on fuel and emissions." 7 Research Eat your way to a Fast Portable Brain Scanner better brain for Scientists at The University of Manchester are Professor Hugh McCann of the School of Electrical developing a portable brain scanner which is and Electronic Engineering and Dr Chris Pomfrett your baby directly sensitive to the brain’s electrical of the School of Medicine based in the Department operation – allowing the screening of large of Anaesthesia at Manchester Royal Infirmary have sections of the population, as well as enabling been awarded a grant of £280,000 from the A team of scientists from The University of prompt action to be taken in emergencies. The Wellcome Trust for a three year project to design, Manchester and has technology, based on Electrical Impedance build and trial a prototype brain imager and test its turned established thinking on its head in a Tomography (EIT), is fast and directly sensitive to use in clinical diagnosis, drug trials, and bid to understand the serious and often the brain’s deep electrical activity. neuroscience research. deadly condition, hydrocephalus, commonly known as ‘water on the brain’. Brain scanners are not available in every hospital due This new and patented technique uses EIT, an to their prohibitive cost. Where they are available, electrical scanning system with no moving parts, A simple dietary supplement taken during they are large, noisy, fixed installations that are not synchronised to a so-called Evoked Response pregnancy could prevent the brain defect portable. The result is that there is usually a long system that stimulates brain function; hence, the resulting from hydrocephalus, the waiting list for patients to be scanned. revolutionary research suggests. name fEITER. Pilot studies of fEITER have yielded Moreover, with growing concern over neuro- images of brain function less than half a second Now, parents of children suffering from the degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, there is after stimulating the patient. The new prototype condition in the United States have stumped a greater need than ever before for large numbers will be computer-linked to existing image viewing up the money to pay for the next stage of of patients to be routinely scanned. systems and it will be used to attract both early their investigations. research customers and investors who will fund its And, surprising though it may seem, present-day The money will fund a lab at the University mass manufacture. scanners are not actually directly sensitive to the of Central Florida headed by the British brain’s electrical operation, thus resulting diagnoses fEITER offers the prospect that every clinic will researchers, who hope their work will lead to may be inconclusive. Additionally, many subtle have a brain scanner for preliminary scans, and a significant reduction in the risk of effects that occur on timescales shorter than one it could be taken to wherever the patient is, even hydrocephalus and treat, perhaps even cure, second are not registered by previous technology. at home. those cases that do occur.

“Fetal-onset hydrocephalus results in a www.umip.com blockage in brain development which everyone has always thought was brain damage due to fluid accumulation,” said Dr Jaleel Miyan, The University of Manchester Research ‘dating agency’ scientist leading the research. “But our studies have shown that the condition may in fact cause a change in the boosts hunt for disease genes composition of the fluid and that it is this chemical change that prevents normal cell Doctors and scientists across the UK can now division resulting in arrested brain collaborate over the Internet to search for the development. genes underlying chronic diseases, thanks to a new “We have also been excited by the results of ‘DNA Banking Network’ hosted by the University. tests that have shown it may be possible to Patients across Britain with cancer, heart and other ‘unlock’ the potential brain in fetuses with common diseases have been providing blood hydrocephalus using a simple dietary samples for research since 2000, and the project supplement during pregnancy.” will allow more researchers than ever before to That supplement is currently under wraps as access these along with detailed, anonymised data. studies are completed to test its potential to Collaborators can also request top quality research cut the rates of hydrocephalus in the same materials from the DNA Network's archive. way folic acid has cut the incidence of spina Dr Martin Yuille, Director of the Network's archive, bifida. In the UK and US, hydrocephalus explained: "The infrastructure for handling patient affects one child in every 500 live births; this samples was initiated in 1999 with funding from rises to one in every 100 births in the the Medical Research Council, and is already up and developing world. running, but we’ve now added a sort of scientists' The Florida laboratory is underwritten by an dating agency and shop. Vetted scientists can find enthusiastic group of parents who have set both data and materials about a disease on the up a foundation to fund the research work. website, before 'dating' a collaborator, designing an experiment together and making an online wish- Like Dr Miyan, they believe the condition can list of the patients' DNAs they need." be better treated without the need for surgery and realise the best hope for this lies The data and tens of thousands of samples for a with the British scientists collaborating with dozen diseases are managed at a robotic archive in discovered all our genes but also revealed that their local neurosurgeon Dr Jogi Pattisapu. the Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical biologists need serious logistics for this type of Research (CIGMR) at the University and in the research. The UK DNA Banking Network is leading Indeed, the team has been hailed the Health Protection Agency's European Collection of the world in providing both a sample and data ‘flagship research group’ by the President of Cell Cultures labs in Salisbury. infrastructure and Internet-based distribution, to the Society for Research in Hydrocephalus help uncover the genetic pathways of complex Martin continued: "This development builds on the and Spina Bifida, Ms Carole Sobkowiak. disease." success of the Human Genome Project, which

8 www.dna-network.ac.uk. Research Spotlight In brief

Urban Britain is a Recipe for Heart Disease Researchers from the Medical School, Sandwell District General Hospital near Birmingham and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi have found that people moving from South Asia to the UK significantly increase their risk of contracting Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). In a three-year project, they compared the lifestyles, eating and physical exercise patterns of Gujartis living in Sandwell with those remaining in their villages of origin. Professor Kennedy Cruickshank said:“On average, people in Britain had much higher body mass, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and inflammation levels, because time- pressured, urban lifestyles in the UK involve a greater fat and calorie intake than would be typical in Gujarat. The prevalence here of processed and convenience foods and red meat, in combination with Western lifestyle differences and labour-saving devices, often result in obesity and associated health risks. “To our surprise, levels of physical activity did not actually differ between the sites, probably because nutritional intake in India was quite low. However, the greater dietary intake identified in the UK needs to be matched by more physical activity.” Dr David Kirkby http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2005.06.005 First Professor of Science in fiction (as distinct movies such as Jurassic Park and Biology at the American Teenage and Young from science fiction) has a The Day After Tomorrow. Their University in Washington DC for significant impact on the public shaping of the images goes five years.“I got very interested Adult Cancer perception - and understanding - beyond arousing public in issues related to science of science. Think what Jurassic awareness, although that is communication,” he says. So, he Professor Tim Eden has been appointed as Park did for dinosaurs. Or important. It also stimulates a went off to Cornell “to retrain in the UK’s first Professor of Teenage and Gattaca for human genetics new sense of urgency and so the field of science Young Adult Cancer, based across the engineering. Or The Island of Dr feeds back into policy debates. communication.” University, the Christie Hospital and Central Moreau for DNA Manchester & Manchester Children’s Secondly, taking that last point experimentation, turning A year ago, he was appointed University Hospitals NHS Trust. further, he is interested in how animals into humans. Large Lecturer in Science communication through fiction, Communication at The Professor Eden’s appointment will put the framed posters for those films – on such topics as genomes and University and Trusts at the forefront of University of Manchester, joining and a collection of dinosaur genomic engineering, research into a disease that affects over the History of Medicine, Science models (as well as a Boris Karloff biotechnology and 2,200 young people every year, and rising. and Technology in the Faculty of figure) decorate Dr David nanotechnology, help to shape Life Sciences. Not surprisingly, his Incidence rates over the last 30 years have Kirkby’s office. His research our scientific culture – and taught courses are attracting a grown by 50 per cent - an average annual focuses on the ways in which popular interest and lot of interest among students rise of 1.2 per cent - and cancer is the most science is communicated understanding. through fictional media. from across the University.“It is a common cause of non-accidental death in Dr Kirkby’s research reflects the great place to be,” he says.“There teenagers and young adults in the UK. Dr Kirkby explains:“My overall emerging field of studying the is a lot of interest, not least from Very little is known about why teenagers get concern is the way in which that effects of the entertainment scientists who would like to be cancer. £2.5 million has been invested by kind of communication impacts media rather than the reporting Hollywood consultants.” And, in Teenage Cancer Trust to fund Tim and his team on scientific culture and of science and scientific that regard, he believes that for ten years, to act as a national research lead influences public discovery through news and through their fictional and voice on teenage cancer issues. understanding,” he says. That documentary formats. representation, there has been a concern is channeled into two big change in the way scientists particular areas of research. He comes to it from a scientific background. An American, from are presented – and perceived: Firstly, studying what happens Chicago, Dr Kirkby has a “Scientists now have a more when scientists become involved doctorate in Evolutionary positive image and are often the in fiction, perhaps as technical Genetics and, in addition to heroes in films, except for the consultants on Hollywood being a research scientist, taught horror and comedy genres.” 9 Teaching and Learning

Manchester Access Programme is launched

The Manchester Access Programme (MAP), a pioneering project developed by the Student Recruitment, Admissions and Widening Participation Division in partnership with each of the University’s Faculties, was launched on Saturday 10 December 2005.The L-R: Ruth Kelly MP, Julian Skyrme, Paul Tolton initiative has been designed to further the University’s ambitious goals in relation to widening participation and fair admissions. Widening Participation Student The programme aims to support the progression of post-16 students currently underrepresented in higher education into addresses Education Secretary The University of Manchester. Students participating in the scheme are from areas of Greater Manchester known to have low Paul Tolton, an 18-year-old first-year Mathematics student at the University, recently met participation rates into higher education. A the Secretary of State for Education, Ruth Kelly MP, at a special reception held in key aspect of the scheme involves students Westminster to launch the publication of ‘From the Margins to the Mainstream: working with a member of University Embedding Widening Participation in Higher Education’. teaching staff on a structured academic assignment, allowing them to demonstrate In his speech at the reception, attended by more really opened my eyes to the possibility that I might their academic potential , subject-knowledge than 150 people including Members of Parliament go to university - something that no one else in my and specific intellectual and transferable skills. and a range of education policy-makers, Paul immediate family had ever done before." commented that: "The Targetted Access Scheme Julian Skyrme, Head of Widening Participation, said: With two years of careful planning and input (TAS) at The University of Manchester made a "We are delighted that the University's Targeted from a range of senior staff within the massive difference to getting me where I am today. I Access Scheme has, once again, achieved national University, the scheme was launched first came into contact with the University through exposure for assisting talented students like Paul to internally at the University’s Recruitment activity days on campus and visits to my school access higher education. and Admissions Conference in October 2005 from student mentors from Year 9 onwards and this and has been well received in each of the 13 partner schools and colleges across the city. The University’s Head of Widening Participation, Julian Skyrme, said that the benefits of the scheme to the University are Setting Standards for clear:“Through this initiative the University will be able to access and nurture the academic development of talented and Engineering motivated young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, whilst the students themselves will be able to gain accreditation for their The Centre for Excellence in Enquiry Based Learning (CEEBL) played host to 32 senior academic work undertaken at the University engineering academics from across the UK in a two-day workshop designed to explore through structured admissions incentives.” the implications for assessment practice of the new UK-SPEC output standard for Students successfully progressing through Engineering Departments. the scheme will be entitled to a £2,000 per Organised by the Engineering Subject Centre, the In his closing comments, Ivan suggested that the year Manchester Success Scholarship as part workshop was led by the CEEBL’s Educational main challenge of the UK-SPEC output standard for of the University’s agreement with the Office Consultant, Ivan Moore. Making extensive use of Engineering Departments is that programme for Fair Access (OFFA). EBL methods, Ivan provided opportunities for the teams will need to work closely together to design Further information about the scheme can participants to explore their current assessment the programme and to share the responsibility for be obtained from its Co-ordinator practices and develop approaches to the design of developing and assessing the output standards. [email protected] / 0161 275 programmes of study, modules and assessment Academic staff will no longer be able to work 7544 in the Student Recruitment, Admissions practices that provide evidence that the independently and to promote their own pet topic and Widening Division. programmes are producing engineering graduates through a module, but will need to develop who meet the requirements for Professional modules that contribute to the overall outcomes 10 Accreditation by the Engineering Council. described by the programme. Knowledge and Technology Transfer Battle to Beat the Bugs VPs View wins Bio-firm Top Honour

Ai2, a University of Manchester spin-out company incorporated in April 2005, has been awarded the Biotechnology Start-Up of the Year prize at the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s Bionow awards.

The company, set up by Dr Curtis Dobson “This way of fighting viruses outside the in the University’s Faculty of Life Sciences, cell has been overlooked in the past and specialises in the development of novel so a lot more research is needed. antibacterial compounds. “Whether antiviral drugs will provide a “My work concerns chemicals called cure on their own remains to be seen but apolipovirs that have demonstrated both that will be a focus of the next stage of antimicrobial and antiviral qualities,” said our work.” Dr Dobson, who last year won Bionow’s Manchester: an ‘Enterprising Dr Dobson’s studies stem from work he Project of the Year for the same research. originally carried out with colleagues at University’ in a City with “These compounds have been shown to be the University that looked at the role highly effective at killing bugs and so could viruses play in certain forms of dementia. Global Ambitions have applications in the coating of medical “It was through studying the interaction Happy New Year! I hope that in 2006 we can maintain the devices and instruments. of human proteins with viruses that the momentum we established in 2005 in the fields of innovation “We also believe these chemicals could apolipovir compounds were discovered. and collaboration with industry. be developed into anti-fungal creams “We found that a class of human Some of our achievements in 2004/5 in the creation and and barrier technologies in the fight proteins involved in immunity were rich commercialisation of intellectual property were really quite striking. against hospital infections like MRSA.” in anti-infective activity, which has led to • The number of invention disclosures to UMIP doubled against the But, says Dr Dobson, the first application this powerful peptide-based previous year to well over 200, and we put over a million pounds for the anti-infective compounds is likely antimicrobial technology. of proof-of concept money into accelerating about 20 of the most to be in the coating of contact lenses to “We have already developed compounds promising ones. prevent eye infections. 10 times stronger than the original • Our generous ‘85/15 policy’ on license reward-sharing produced 6 Longer-term, the company hopes the chemicals we tested and have filed four figure returns to some academics. compounds can be developed into patent applications. antiviral drugs that could treat diseases • Our portfolio of spin-out companies grew to 52 and they attracted “We are now looking to put together a like HIV and hepatitis. £44 million in external funding during the year. The University programme of further tests which will be made £4.5M from sale of shares in spin-outs, and most of this “In the lab, apolipovirs have been shown the final stage of the pre-clinical work.” went back to the faculties and schools. In the UK and the wider to attack the HIV virus before it can The project is being managed by the international arena our record in this kind of technology transfer attach itself to the cell and so, in theory, University’s intellectual property is now really beginning to get us noticed, UMIP having been could kill off the virus completely. company UMIP. singled out for mention as a good example of exemplary practice by a number of independent key reviews in the venture capital and the technology transfer worlds. www.umip.com Another positive development is our increasing ability to work in a strategic way with partners from the commercial world. The four faculties now work collaboratively to identify company partners, and agree arrangements for establishing relationships. The partnership that the University formed with IBM (UniLife Volume 3 Issue 3) is a case in point, and we anticipate the establishment of a number of similar, high-profile, strategic partnerships over the next year. The University is also involved in an exciting new venture at One Central Park, which opened its doors in September. We have a particular responsibility for the Research and Graduate Centre, which is located amidst units devoted to business formation operated by MSEC and our incubator company UMIC. The Centre is an ideal site for industrially-focused research groups or CPD activities which are lacking appropriate space on this campus. For further information please contact Martin Conway (ext. 63772). Around us, Manchester’s self-confident resurgence continues apace. Important political discussions are bubbling up around how best to govern the 5.3 million population ‘Manchester-City- Region’, which is now seen as the most important economic growth-pole outside the south-east. Its designation as a “Science City” will continue to deliver significant opportunities for the University in 2006. Professor Rod Coombs Vice-President for Innovation and Economic Development Dr Curtis Dobson receiving his Bionow Award for NW Start Up of the Year. 11 Profile

If he hadn’t been a leading nuclear research scientist, he might well have been a top cocktail waiter. If you fancy a classic gin sling, whisky sour or monkey gland, Professor Richard Clegg, Director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute, is your man. He can mix them with the best, having enjoyed a spell when newly graduated in an art deco café in, of all places, Halifax.

Clegg’s Cocktail

During his time as a coctail waiter, Richard had excited about seeing the end-user application – particularly the sea. It was the time of the signed on with a recruitment agency which sent and there was also a wow factor working with big notorious “beach incident”, when Sellafield got a him for a job with British Nuclear Fuels at equipment. I’ve always enjoyed the engineering as bad press. Richard’s job was to establish the Sellafield. And that was the start of an well as the science.” scientific facts – the actual risk.“It really was outstanding 20-year career in the industry, which negligible when put in context and compared to The head of his department at Harwell, Jack saw him rise rapidly to being Head of the everyday risks from normal activities that people Cunningham, acted as his mentor – and Company Research Labs in his mid-thirties and, don’t worry about ” he says.“After all, my wife and encouraged him. So much so that in his third year eventually, Director of Science, accountable for the I would not have lived on the coast in St Bees and he got a second placement there. science base across the whole BNFL group, which brought three boys up there if the risk was as it had around 150 contracts with 50 universities. So, the die was cast. Richard graduated from was often reported to be by an alarmist press.” Brunel in 1980 – and looked around for a chance His keen interest in things nuclear started as a True to his belief, he volunteered for Sellafield’s to do a PhD in Nuclear Science. He was delighted student. A coalminer’s son, he won his way from “Speakers’ Corner”, part of their award-winning to get an offer from the one and only Alfie the local comprehensive, Bingham Toothill in public relations policy, which included their Maddox at Cambridge. However, the project Nottingham, to Brunel to do a four-year sandwich famous “open door” initiative, providing an money from Harwell was deferred for a year, so he course in Applied Chemistry. As it happened, he educational – and entertaining – Visitor Centre.“I looked elsewhere – and ended up, happily, at was directed in his second year to a nine-month travelled throughout the UK giving talks to Salford.“At the time they had one of the UK’s best- placement at Harwell.“It was pure chance,” he various schools and groups like Womens equipped nuclear departments,” he says. There, he says.“But I became completely fascinated.” He Institutes– and I loved it. Public understanding of did his PhD on the radiolysis of vitamin B12 and worked on the manufacture of radioisotopes, science is very important.” “It taught me not to phthalocyanine pigments, doing most of his work which were made overnight on the cyclotron and defend the nuclear industry but how to listen to, on the linear accelerator at the Paterson Institute. then taken in the morning to London hospitals. and understand, peoples’ anxieties.” There, they were used diagnostically to image Then came the brief cocktail phase – before he His work on environmental issues ranged from various parts of the body.“We worked a joined BNFL in 1985, where he started as a the sea, to the atmosphere, to making regulatory 24-hour day, but got to follow the process graduate trainee working in the controversial area assessment of the geological disposal of 12 through to the actual imaging. I was of Sellafield’s effects on the environment, CV

Name Professor Richard Clegg Position Director, Dalton Nuclear Institute, The University of Manchester Education 1980 BSc (Hons) Applied Chemistry, Brunel University 1984 PhD Radiation Chemistry, Salford University 1991 MBA Lancaster University 1996 FRSC 2002 Honorary Professor, The University of Manchester Career History 1985-87: Graduate Trainee, BNFL, Sellafield. Modelling of environmental impact of Sellafield’s discharges into the Irish Sea 1987-89: Health Physicist, BNFL, Sellafield 1989-95 Project Manager, Drigg post- closure radiological assessment programme, BNFL, Sellafield 1994 Company Technologist, Chemistry, BNFL, Sellafield 1995-97 Head of Corporate Research Laboratory, Springfields 1997-2003 Director of Science, BNFL, Risley. Also: Non-Exec Director of BNFL IP Limited; Non-Exec Director of Westlakes Research Institute, and Non-Exec Director of Pangea International Resources Ltd (Switzerland). 2003-05 Project Manager, Project Dalton, The University of Manchester, on 80 pr cent secondment from BNFL. Retained Director of radioactive waste. “For several years I project the North West Development Agency and BNFL– Science responsibilities in BNFL managed the post-closure radiological assessment and Richard was tasked to lead it.“I believed that 2006: Director of the Dalton Nuclear programme at the Drigg low level radioactive the UK needed reinvestment in its nuclear skill Institute, The University of waste disposal site in West Cumbria”. Drigg base – and Manchester was best placed to Manchester provides a national service receiving waste from establish the centre,” he says. hospitals and universities as well as the nuclear Other Roles So, now we have the Dalton Nuclear Institute, with industry. “This was a fascinating job entailing Professor Clegg joining Manchester as Director. His 2000: Member of CBI Science and modeling, experimentation and fieldwork – we had enthusiasm for and faith in the project are Technology Committee to calculate the doses to individuals for up to infectious.“The Institute will become one of the 10,000 years in the future. Beyond then it was 2001: Member of North West Science top nuclear research and education centres in assumed that the next ice age would have come!” Council academia in the world,” he says. Our work will “What it taught me was how tightly regulated the underpin the broad entirety of the nuclear sector.” nuclear industry is compared to other sectors.” 2004: Member of Diamond industrial It will cover decommissioning and clean-up, reactor advisory committee (CCLRC) Richard was appointed Director of Science in 1998 technology, fuel cycle technology, naval propulsion, and set about rationalising the company’s 150 medical applications and links into fusion power – 2002: Chairman of Foratom research contracts, establishing just four university- “an enormous technological challenge”. R&D Group, Brussels based research alliance clusters – at Manchester, A new £20 million Dalton campus, a joint UMIST, Sheffield and Leeds. investment between the University and the Then came the merger, which caught his Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, is to be built imagination. He saw it as a springboard for the in West Cumbria, on the Sellafield site, providing development of a reinvigorated UK centre for research facilities and equipment that cannot be nuclear research and education. Professor Sir housed on Oxford Road.“It will be the nuclear Martin Harris was responsive to his vision. A equivalent to Jodrell Bank,” he says.“It’s very feasibility study, Project Dalton, was set up with exciting.” 13 Reaching Out Healthy ears at the Special Olympics, Glasgow

Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy students participated in the first ever Healthy Hearing screening programme at the Special Olympics in Glasgow.

The Healthy Athletes Programme runs parallel to services. The implications of sensory loss may the Special Olympics and was the first time the seriously affect their quality of life but often this hearing of athletes was screened. Screenings were loss can go unnoticed by carers, or becomes undertaken by staff and students within the confused with behavioural difficulties. Manchester Audiology, Speech and Language 996 athletes completed the screen, of which 34 per Therapy programmes. cent were found to have a significant hearing loss. The team had a number of clear objectives, Often it can be as simple a case as management of including educating the professional community ear wax. about the health needs of persons with intellectual Temporary hearing loss affecting those with and development disabilities, notifying athletes intellectual disabilities may have a more who were found to suffer from significant hearing considerable impact on their experience than it Many coaches noted that hearing loss explained loss and advising if follow-up care was needed. does on others. Individuals without these behaviour that had been conceived as being part of disabilities are able to compensate through other Whilst the screening area was very busy, it was the learning disability. important that athletes had an enjoyable senses and make conceptual guesses. With little thought being given to the possibility of experience. Volunteers were welcoming and A further 235 athletes were referred to an hearing loss, despite the higher incidence of reassuring and large helium Bugs Bunny balloons audiological clinic for follow up treatment. sensory loss amongst this population, the challenge were used to mark the check-in desk, along with is to encourage carers and residential facilities to several sets of bunny ears for volunteers to wear. The majority of athletes had mild to moderate sensori-neural hearing loss; however a number had take this seriously and ensure all people have It has been recognised that individuals with profound and severe hearing losses which had gone access to hearing assessments and follow up. learning disabilities have reduced access to health apparently unnoticed by carers.

14 University wins Manchester Environmental Business Pledge

The University has achieved a Silver award for its increased significantly in recent months and are a environmental performance and awareness under major element of the University’s overhead costs. the Manchester Environmental Business Pledge The Silver Award builds on the Bronze Award that scheme, sponsored by Manchester City Council. the University was awarded in July 2005 and clearly The Environmental Business Pledge is a unique indicates the progress that has been made in a initiative developed solely for Manchester short space of time. The Bronze Award shows businesses and was introduced through awareness of environmental issues and the Silver Manchester City Council’s 2004 campaign, Award demonstrates assessment of environmental Challenge Manchester: 100 Days to a Clean City, impact. The University will be aiming for the Gold where over 250 businesses pledged to improve Award next, which demonstrates improvement of their local environment. To continue this work environmental performance. Manchester City Council have been working with Healthcare in the USA The Groundwork assessor of the University’s external agencies such as Groundwork to expand University of Manchester academics Dr David application, was impressed with the information the Pledge and offer services to support Bamford, Elizabeth Chatziaslan and Fiona supplied which fully met the criteria in: waste organisations in improving environmental Gorton made an initial fact finding trip to the identification, waste recycling, water reduction, energy performance and in the process also achieve cost University of California San Diego (UCSD) efficiency, environmental policy and local Initiatives. savings. This is particularly important for the recently to exchange best practice and University as indicated by Professor Bob Munn, Further information on the Award and environmental excellence in healthcare provision with the Vice-President for Teaching and Learning, in an performance is available from Damian Oatway, long term view of benefiting the NHS. email to all staff in December, as energy bills have Environmental Officer on 0161 275 2277. The purpose of the visit, funded by the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), was to interview key staff at the UCSD Medical Centre, Hillcrest. Chief Executive Officer, Richard J. Liekweg, was keen to share best practice and facilitated access to several key members of his staff, including the Directors of Patient Safety; Decision Support, Imaging Services and the Medical Director of Managed Care. The University of Manchester delegation also met the Vice Dean for Medical Education and Professor Vish Krishnan who are setting up a Masters degree in Healthcare Management at the Rady School of Management, UCSD. The opportunity was taken to visit key personnel at Kaiser Permanente, the primary private healthcare provider in California. Dr David Bamford will make a second trip in March 2006 and will include a visit to Washington and Seattle to continue this project. Recommendations within the report have already been presented to the NHS at various levels and some of them will be ‘Date with Diversity’ is a big hit implemented in due course.

Black and Asian students from The University of trainees and more senior members of staff to find www.wun.ac.uk Manchester recently received the opportunity to out first-hand what it is like to work in the find out exactly what the professional service professional services. industry has to offer them. Zoheb Iqbal, a second-year Architecture student More than 40 students attended ‘Date with who attended the event, said:“The chance to meet Diversity’, a full-day event organised by the people from this business sector was a great University’s Careers and Employability Division opportunity… it was a wonderfully organised, (CED), involving the participation of top accountancy thoroughly enjoyable event and gave me a greater firms Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG. insight into the professional world.” Patrick Johnson, Head of Diversity at the CED, said: Cunningham, Recruitment Manager at “This event is just one example of our commitment PricewaterhouseCoopers, said:“It was a really to promoting diversity within academia, business productive day.We’ve now got people coming and society as a whole, as well as raising the skills through the recruitment process as a direct result of level of our students. The students received a attending the event – people who might not have practical insight into audit, tax and advisory roles considered a career in accountancy before, but through business games, presentations and even a whose perceptions we were able to challenge, for mini careers fair.” mutual benefit.” The day was divided into three parts, each of which To find out more, contact Patrick Johnson on 0161 was spent at one of the firms’ Manchester offices. 275 2828, or email Students were able to meet with recent graduate [email protected]. 15 What’s On

Music and Drama at Gig Guide The Whitworth Manchester Art Gallery MUSIC DISPLAYS/COLLECTIONS MANCHESTER ACADEMY 1, 2 and 3 Friday 20 Jan 2006, 1.10pm The Object of Encounter Aura and Authenticity to MANTIS (Manchester Theatre in Sound) Thurs 19 Jan Starting Line vs MXPX February 2006 MANTIS presents the first concert by the new Secret Machines KAIROS ensemble, specialising in live electro- Friday 20 Jan The first in a series of three annual exhibitions acoustic improvisation and new repertoire. Dierks Bentley devised to explore the effects of interpretation and display methods on visitors’ responses to art Thursday 26 Jan 2006, 2.15pm Sat 21 Jan works. The series of three exhibitions have been Quatuor Danel Bedouin Soundclash organised in collaboration with students and staff A Danels seminar focusing on the life and works Clutch + Corrosion of Conformity of the Centre for Museology in the School of Arts, of Mieczyslaw Weinberg. Sun 22 Jan Bleeding Through Histories and Cultures at the University of The Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama Mon 23 Jan Manchester. The University of Manchester, Bridgeford Street, Vman Events 12 On Friendship to 5 February 2006 Manchester M13 9PL Tue 24 Jan 0161 275 8951/8950 John Cale + Band This exhibition examines the notion of a queer email [email protected] Wed 25 Jan aesthetic in post war British art and includes Academy Unsigned 66 works by Lucien Freud, Francis Bacon and David www.manchester.ac.uk/martinharriscentre Thur 26 Jan Hockney. Regina Spectator TOURS AND EVENTS Fri 27 Jan Every Saturday at 2pm there is either an Dragonforce Exhibition Tour or an Eye-Opener Tour. Sat 28 Jan Burlington Society Goodreef , Sun 29 Jan Oxford Road, 0161 275 7450 The Society of Mature Students and Postgraduates Robyn Hitchcock + The Minus 5 Gallery Café 0161 275 7497 in the Universities of Greater Manchester Tue 31 Jan Gallery Shop 0161 275 7498 Soulfly Opening hours Burlington Rooms, Schunck Building, Weds 1 Feb Burlington Street (next to JRUL) Bauhaus Mon to Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 2pm - 5 pm 0161 275 2392 The Kooks FREE Admission www.burlington.man.ac.uk Thurs 2 Feb www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth Coheed and Cambria vs Thrice Jose Gonzales Fri 3 Feb Thunder Soil Chaplaincies Courses for the Public The Open St Peter’s House Chaplaincy Sat 4 + Sun 5 Feb SUNDAY WORSHIP The Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) runs a NME Awards Tour (Sold Out) 10.00am Group Work large and varied programme of courses designed Sun 5 Feb 11.15am Morning Worship for adults studying part-time, whether for pleasure Jackie Leven 6.30pm Evening Worship (term-time only) or personal/ professional development. Most are Mon 6 Feb FOYER 10am - 4pm open to beginners and no prior knowledge is The Rakes An area where students and staff can relax and assumed, unless stated. Concessions are available El Presidente meet friends. A tea/coffee machine is available. to staff and graduates of the University of Tue 7 Feb Chaplains also available Monday to Friday Manchester. Brochures/application forms available. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Floor B, Room B25, 0161 200 2522 CCE, 1st Floor, Humanities Devas Street Wed 8 Feb Precinct Centre 0161 275 2894 email: Gene Loves Jezebel 0161 275 3275 [email protected] Thurs 9 Feb www.manchester.ac.uk/continuingeducation 52 Teenagers Avila House RC Chaplaincy Fri 10 Feb (next to the Holy Name Church) Mew Mass Times Haven Mon - Fri 1.05 pm (term-time only) Sat 11 Feb Oxford Road All American Rejects 0161 275 6999/273 1456 Sun 12 Feb The Jewish Student Centre and Synagogue Adequate 7 Hillel House, Greenheys Lane. 0161 226 1139 Students’ Union Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL [email protected] Tickets from: www.rabbiyy.com Piccadilly Box Office @ easy Internet Cafe (c/c) 0871 2200260 Ambrose Mosque: Tuer Street Royal Court (Liverpool) 0151 709 4321 (c/c) Mosque: Sackville Street Building Students' Union 0161 275 2930 16 www.manchesteracademy.net Prayer Room: Renold Building The Manchester Jodrell Bank Museum The facilities at Jodrell Bank are going through a Small conference and meeting rooms available period of redevelopment. The Visitors’ Centre year-round. Licensed for weddings and baby- SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS currently has a café, an exhibition space and a 3D naming ceremonies. Richard Owen: Dinosaur Man until 26 February theatre open, and visitors can still explore the The man who invented the dinosaur various trails and the natural habitats of the Tabley House, Arboretum's 35 acres with its 2000 species of , , WA16 0HB 01565 750151 Face to 29 January email: [email protected] Beautiful origami butterflies inspired by the trees and shrubs and National Collections. Museum’s collection. In January 2004 Jodrell Bank completed a 180 www.tableyhouse.co.uk Today’s Medicine, Tomorrow’s Doctors degree observational pathway close to the base to 19 February of the world-famous Lovell radio telescope. An exhibition of posters from University of Manchester Medical students detailing the clinical aspects of disease. Macclesfield, Cheshire 01477 571339 Due South 9 February – 29 May www.jb.manchester.ac.uk Fri 20 Jan Stunning images from the last great wilderness Live and Direct Showcase by John Kelly, selected artist with the British Emerging black and Asian theatre directors Antarctic Survey. master class showcase EVENTS FOR FAMILIES (Children must be John Rylands Library Sat 28 Jan accompanied by an adult. Please note bookings Rootz of Emotion (with the exception of Magic Carpet and the The John Rylands Special Collections Library, Musical performance exploring the West African After Hours Pyjama Party) can only be made on Deansgate, will be closed until 2006 for essential belief in ‘Orishas’ (Guardian Spirits) the day. refurbishment and the construction of a new Fridays during term time 11am – 12 noon £1 visitor and interpretative centre. Access to all the Tue 31 Jan – Tue 28 Feb Magic Carpet special collections is available through the main Seconds Out Saturdays: 21 Jan, 18 Feb 2.30pm Sundays: 22 Jan, 19 University Library on campus. A Special Poetry slam night with your chance to get up and Feb, 1.30pm FREE Collections Reading Room is open on Floor Purple impress for 180 seconds The Grand Tour Four, Monday to Friday 10am - 5.15pm and Saturdays 10am-1pm. Readers may find it helpful Wed 1 Feb Saturday 21 January 1.30, 2.30, 3.30pm FREE to contact us in advance on 0161 275 3764. Flip the Script Dinosaur Adventure Further information can be found on our website Contact’s monthly playwriting slam. Saturday 28 January 1pm-4pm FREE www.rylibweb.manchester.ac.uk/spcoll/ Smashing Potatoes! Sat 4 Feb F.R.E.S.H. Saturday 4 February 1.30, 2.30, 3.30pm £1 Underground UK breakdance competition. Stories from around the World Saturday 11 February 1pm-4pm FREE Wed 8 Feb – Sat 11 Feb Living in the Freezer International Society The Shout Intense drama based on the 1977 film starring 1pm-4pm FREE Language Classes Jan - Mar 2006 The Big Frieze! Alan Bates ADULT EVENTS Booking line: 0161 275 2648. Registration for a new timetable of language Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester classes starts 16 January at 9.30am. Thursday 26 January 5.30 – 6.30pm FREE Tickets/Info: 0161 274 0600 Beautiful Burial in Roman Egypt For information on our full range of trips and For information on other events please Monday 6 February 6.30 – 8.00pm FREE events, please visit our website. visit our website You know it makes sense! A limited number of tickets are available from Book online at International Society just £4 on the day from the Ticket Office between www.cafescientifique.manchester.ac.uk 327 Oxford Road (next to Krobar) 11am - 4pm daily. 0161 275 4959 Wednesday 8 February & Wednesday 5 April 5.30 – Open: Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5pm www.contact-theatre.org 7.30pm FREE Community Advisory Panel www.internationalsociety.org.uk Are you interested in influencing the Museum’s work? Then join our Community Advisory Panel. Ring Gurdeep Thiara on 0161 275 8768. Seminar Listings Thurs 9 February 6.30 – 8pm FREE Art Exhibition Travels in Antarctica Seminar listings are now available online at www.manchester.ac.uk/seminars, and members Fri 10 February 6pm – 6.30pm, Sat 11 & Sun 12 25 January – 8 March 2006 of University staff will be receiving a weekly February 1.30 & 3.00pm FREE Renold Building, Sackville Street e-mail bulletin which includes a link to this page. Due South – Tales from the End of the Earth On show will be paintings by the well-known To publicise seminars please submit details to Tues 14 February 12.30 – 2pm FREE North West artist [email protected] as before. Say it with Flowers SHEILA DEWSBURY, a council member of the Manchester Museum, Manchester Academy of Fine Arts and a Fellow of Oxford Road, Manchester the Royal Society of Arts. Open: Tues-Sat 10 - 5pm; Sun-Mon (and Bank Holidays) 11- 4 pm. FREE Admission All are welcome to attend the opening (wine & 0161 275 2634 nibbles) at 7 pm on Wednesday 25 January in the Renold Building . www.museum.manchester.ac.uk 17 Feature

Manchester hosts the debate on e-Government The University of Manchester played host to a major conference e-Government recently with a panel of top experts from across the UK.

The panel included Colin Cram, Director of the NW The University of Manchester hosted the 'Question Professor Simon Rogerson, Director of the Centre Regional Centre of Excellence, Rod Matthews, Time' event two days prior to a major conference of Computing and Social Responsibility at Director of Information Services at Knowsley MBC, in Manchester on Transforming Public Services, De Montfort University, spoke of the challenges Professor Simon Rogerson from De Montfort which had been described by the European facing the initiative, saying:“e-Government to me University, Ian Watmore, the Head of the Commission as the most important e-Government is about citizens. No matter how good the e-Government Unit at the Cabinet Office, Professor event in 2005. technology is, if the perception of citizens is that Bob Wood from The University of Manchester and e-Government is not delivering, then those According to Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Dr Paul Timmers, Head of the e-Government Unit systems will not work. That is the biggest e-Government Unit’s mission is “ensuring that IT at the European Commission. challenge that we face to date.” supports the business transformation of So what exactly is e-Government? According to Government itself so that we can provide better, Examples given by Professor Rogerson of where one online source, e-Government is “a neologism more efficient, public services.” perception may not be the reality, were the and contraction of electronic government, is the postponement of voting because citizen utilization of electronic technology to streamline The conference was hosted by Professor Paul Layzell, perception is that they don’t trust it and GPs not or otherwise improve the business of Vice-President for University Development, who said: using the booking system in the NHS government, oftentimes with respect to how "We want to encourage debate about e-Government infrastructure so that citizens can have a choice of citizens interact with it.” and attempt to clarify its aims and objectives.” hospitals because they don’t perceive that the Put simply, e-Government aims to help in the Professor Paul Layzell explained that the purpose system is fit for purpose. transformation of public services. This will be of the conference was an opportunity “to probe He finished by saying:“My challenge would be done by supporting local government in their some of the issues around whether the legacy of one of citizen perception – that e-Government is goal of achieving full electronic delivery of e-Government will actually improve public services right for them.” priority services in ways which put the and produce a more engaged and empowered customer first. public, or whether it simply serves to further And that ultimately sums up the real challenge 18 alienate already socially excluded groups.” faced by e-Government today. OPPORTUNITIES TO HOST JAPANESE VOLUNTEERS The Japan Centre North West is now recruiting potential host organisations (including University Departments) that would be willing to accept a Japanese student from a University in Japan for four or eight weeks in 2006. If your department deals with Japan or may do so in the future, or even if you need some extra help in the office, then a Japanese volunteer could prove invaluable from a business, cultural and personal level. The Programme is called the English Language Study and Work Experience Programme and the students study English for one or two months at the University Language Centre, followed by an unpaid work placement of four weeks starting in March, June or November, or eight weeks starting in October. The Programme is growing in popularity and demand for students is high, so if you are interested please contact us for a registration form. We would then endeavour to match your department with a suitable student. Barbara Cousins, Development Executive, Japan Centre North West, Direct Tel: 0161 275 6097, [email protected] or Emma Johnson, Associate Director, Japan Centre North West, Direct Tel: 0161 275 2305, [email protected] Japan Centre North West, The University of Manchester, Waterloo Place, 176 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9QQ

Full colour and black and white digital printing and copying Hardback and Softback Binding International Fax Bureau Design for Posters, Flyers etc Full colour and black and white T-Shirts and Mouse Mats , The University digital printing and copying of Manchester, Sackville St, Manch ester tel (0161) 306 3269 email [email protected] Hardback and Softback Binding www.u-print.com International Fax Bureau Design for Posters, Flyers etc T-Shirts and Mouse Mats

The University of Manchester approved Travel Agent Barnes Wallis Building, Tel 0161 274 3060 The University of Manchester, We offer a complete business Sackville St, Manchester and leisure travel service. See our University Travel guide at tel (0161) 306 3269 www.deltatravel.co.uk/man_uni.html email [email protected]

Delta Travel, University Precinct, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9RN www.u-print.com tel 0161 274 3060; fax 0161 274 3555; email [email protected] 19 Looking Back

A Portrait of The University of Manchester

Advisory Editor Professor Brian Pullan testimony of living alumni from many decades. to pass through. He did not acknowledge me nor did Book publication November 2006 These first-hand accounts of individual experiences, he blink an eye. No doubt he was lost in the realms a small selection of which are offered here, add a of higher mathematics … In October 2004 the newly merged University of unique human dimension to the story.” RMK, Honours Mathematics, 1959-62 Manchester set out its bold ambition ‘to build a truly world-class university that will continue to I loved my years as a student at Manchester and I If anyone reading this can remember a large attract the best students, the most talented staff have always been grateful for the scientific basis of pink elephant called Dinsdale, then it wasn’t and significant research funds from around the my education. My subject was Chemistry... Our own my imagination. world’. Ambition, innovation and progress, however, favourite Professor Robert Robinson (Organic AK, 1970-73 have been the hallmark of higher education in Chemistry) ... became President of the Royal Society, a Academic life was (as one would have expected) Manchester, as with the city of Manchester itself, Nobel prizewinner, and was knighted. ‘academic’. But outside of the academic there was a for over a century and a half. Evelyn D, BSc Hons (Chemistry) 1928 lot happening in Manchester. After all this was the The University’s Division of Development and When we returned to Ashburne in October 1939, we North West – the home of music … the Apollo Bar Alumni Relations has joined forces with all had to wear identity bracelets with name, identity and the Hacienda ... publishers Third Millennium to compile a new card number and the Ashburne address and Maz M, 1980-83 illustrated volume which aims to offer a fast- telephone number. We also had to take warm If you have any memories, photographs or any moving, fascinating history of university life in clothing to wear in the makeshift air raid shelters – other items of interest to be considered for Manchester from its roots in the industrial and for firewatching… inclusion please send them to Jane Havell, Victorian era to the present day. The book will Hilda M, Honours General Science, Chemistry and Managing Editor, c/o Third Millennium, also reflect the daily minutiae of the student Physics with Mathematics, Owens 2-5 Benjamin Street, London, EC1M 5QL, experience in different periods, contributed as I chose Manchester partly to please my headmaster, Tel 0207 336 0144, or email [email protected] memories and reminiscences by Manchester a Manchester graduate, but also because the staff by 28 February 2006.` alumni of every period. list at Manchester was impressive with four FRS’s Copies can be ordered online direct from the web Third Millennium Managing Editor, Jane Havell, among the forty staff … Regarded as rather aloof and address below. Go to Books Gallery and select says:“Working on the fascinating story of higher unapproachable was Max Newman, the head of the Forthcoming Titles education in Manchester, I have been struck by the department … I recall holding a corridor open for him

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Next Issue is 6 February News Contact Events Contact Adverts Contact News and story ideas Events and listings information Ads and distribution queries Internal Communications Office Philippa Adshead Lorraine Harrop Telephone 0161 275 2112 Telephone 0161 275 2922 Telephone 0161 275 2113 Email [email protected] Email [email protected] Email [email protected] Deadline Noon 20 January Deadline Noon 20 January Deadline Noon 20 January

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