ANNUAL REVIEW Credits Design: Graphics, Learning and Information Services (LIS) Infographics, Graphics LIS and Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions Editorial: Corporate Communications and Vice Chancellor’s Office Photographs: Media Services, LIS, University of Chester staff and students, unless otherwise stated. Factfile © University of Chester 2014 Established: 1839. Chester is one of the longest established English higher education establishments of any kind, predating all but Oxford, Cambridge, London and Durham. Students: 17,800 (74% undergraduates, 26% postgraduates). Staff: 1,280 (full-time equivalent). Chancellor: His Grace the Duke of Westminster KG, CB, CVO, OBE, TD, CD, DL. Vice-Chancellor: Canon Professor Tim Wheeler DL. Campuses: Three in Chester, one in Warrington, one in progress at Thornton, in addition to NHS sites on the Wirral and in Crewe and Macclesfield. Associate Colleges: Isle of Man College; Reaseheath College; Warrington Collegiate; West Cheshire College. Honorary Graduates include: HRH The Prince of Wales; Dame Joan Bakewell CBE; The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York; Terry Waite CBE; Sir Ian Botham OBE; Loyd Grossman OBE; Sir Andrew Motion; Ken Dodd OBE; Tim Firth; Sue Johnston OBE; Phil Redmond OBE; Willie Carson OBE; Matthew Kelly OBE; Estelle Morris, The Right Honorable Baroness Morris of Yardley; Ronald Pickup; The Earl of Derby; Sir Tony Robinson OBE; Neville Chamberlain CBE; Viscount Michael Ashbrook JP, DL, Professor Sir John Enderby CBE, FRS; Shirley Hughes OBE. Front cover picture: Adam Hughes (Informatics Centre Manager), Professor Graham Smith (Head of Natural Sciences), Jo Southern (Faculty Administrator), Professor Nick Avis (Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering), Garfield Southall (Associate Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering), Professor Steve Wilkinson (Head of Chemical Engineering), Dr Jason Roberts (Senior Lecturer and Area Manager, Mathematics), Dr Linda Rayner (Deputy Head, Computer Science and Mathematics) and Professor Jonathan Lawrence (Head of Electronic and Electrical Engineering) at Thornton Science Park. st ‘new’ university 1 Top in the North West Achievements 2014 Complete University Guide 2014 The Guardian University Guide Students and staff contributed 23,250 hours World-class of voluntary work to the community over the past year. student support & careers advice 5 EFQM Recognised for Excellence The University makes a substantial contribution of some £298 million per annum to the Best University in the North West for its region, according to an independent economic teaching experience impact assessment report issued in 2012. Excellent employability A ratio of nine applications for every place. prospects with 92% of our graduates in employment or further study within six months of leaving In the 2013 New Year Honours List, alumnus Sir Dave Brailsford CBE was UK University with the 1st knighted for services to cycling and the London 2012 most improved Olympic and Paralympic Games, while University student experience Times Higher Education Awards 2012 Council member Christine Allen received a BEM for her services to the community in Merseyside. 88% Student satisfaction highest ever and above the national average National Student Survey 2013 To obtain this information in an alternative format – large print, audio, electronic or alternative format – please call 01244 511450 or email [email protected] Achievements 3 Contents Factfile 2 Achievements 3 Forewords 6 Mission and Vision 8 Core Values 9 The Chester Difference 10 A distinctive student experience 11-38 Investing in the student journey 12 Investing in new learning opportunities 28 Laura Hill case study 18 Investing in employability 32 Investing in community participation 19 Molly Johnson case study 38 Anna Mackenzie case study 27 A caring foundation 39-46 Investing in support for students 40 Alexandra Hazen case study 44 Investing in spiritual guidance 45 4 Annual Review 2013 A supportive culture and environment 47-60 Investing in staff 48 Investing in sustainability 57 Investing in facilities 54 Matt Fowle case study 60 The pursuit of excellence 61-80 Investing in research and innovation 62 Investing in external engagement 72 David Pattie case study 68 Investing in publications 76 Investing in conferences 69 Inclusiveness and responsibility 81-90 Investing in outreach 82 Likith Balakrishna case study 90 Investing in international links 85 Partnership and community 91-121 Investing in regional activities 92 Investing in acknowledging excellence 107 Michael Williams case study 101 Investing in graduates 113 Investing in educational collaborations 102 Elliot Dillon case study 117 Investing in external visitors 104 Investing in alumni 118 Senior staff 122 Financial results 2012-2013 123 Contents 5 Forewords The Senior Management Team with three of the Chester Students’ Union sabbatical officers Canon Professor T J Wheeler DL Vice Chancellor and Principal The University has seen an unprecedented year of new and ensuring that the student experience remains of paramount categories such as student satisfaction and employability pioneering initiatives in 2012-13, complemented by external importance. The most significant development is the prospects. Together with the award of many other accolades recognition of its increasing prominence, which led to it being acquisition of Thornton Science Park that will ensure that and the 23,250 volunteering hours undertaken in the considered the top ‘new’ university in the North West. While Shell’s legacy of research and development on the site community, these accomplishments demonstrate that the achieving significant success academically, it has continued, will continue with the fostering of education in science University continues to provide a vibrant and effective learning rightly, to place a strong emphasis on the established tradition and engineering and through business engagement and working environment which enriches the surrounding of giving back to the communities that sustain it, and to across the region. The considerable investment in student region and further afield. society more broadly. This is at the heart of our Mission. accommodation with the construction of Grosvenor House, This combination of dynamism, excellence and community the purchase of Sumner House and the refurbishment All the achievements detailed in this Annual Review would contribution is driven by the talented staff and students of of existing halls means that the capacity of University- not have been possible without the dedicated staff and the institution, whose commitment and creativity make it a owned accommodation has expanded and this has been inspirational students, past and present, and the support of distinctive educational institution, with a growing regional, accompanied by the upgrading of learning environments and partner organisations, who all play their part in making the national and international reputation. facilities across the campuses. University of Chester such a unique educational institution. The University has faced the challenges created by the The range of university guides and surveys measuring the changes in funding for higher education by innovating and University’s performance shows considerable success in core 6 Annual Review 2013 Chester Students’ Union sabbatical team The Right Reverend Dr Peter Forster Lord Bishop of Chester, Lord President of the University Council and This has been a great year of new experiences and growth has meant that it will now be an annual celebration of, and Pro-Chancellor and we couldn’t be happier. There are now four full-time for, the great staff and students of this University. We were elected sabbatical officers to represent the growing number delighted that following on from these ‘Above and Beyond A new generation of students has joined the University of of students at the University. This means that we now have an Awards’, Dr Neil Pickles was shortlisted nationally by the Chester community during this year: the first cohort to be officer dedicated to running campaigns, increasing student Times Higher Education in the ‘Most Innovative Teacher of the subject to the introduction of higher level tuition fees. involvement and ensuring that the 2,800 students in our Year’ category. sports teams and societies are getting the most out of their There was clear potential for expectations to be raised as a extra-curricular activity. Chester Students’ Union (CSU) has We are looking forward to the 175th anniversary of the consequence and the University has anticipated, and in many also been working closely with the University’s volunteering institution in 2014-15 and will be encouraging current cases exceeded, these aspirations. As this Annual Review team and environmental impact initiative, Green Chester, to students to become really involved with the celebrations. It illustrates so comprehensively, it has responded capably to the create opportunities for students to gain numerous new skills has been a great year for all as the University continues to demanding new world in higher education, with its customary that will help in finding employment after graduation. grow, develop and prosper. professionalism. Over the past year, we have made a concerted effort to CSU’s main aim in everything we do is to ‘enhance the The title of ‘Most Improved Student Experience’ is not awarded improve student representation by training over 400 Student student experience’ by working alongside the