Autumn/Winter 2008 | Issue 7 University of Reading Magazinefor Alumni and Friends University Shines at Beijing Olympics Also in this issue: A Business School for the 21st Century Celebrating 100 years of Wantage Reading’s first ‘Alumnus of the Year’ – Debby Reynolds FEATurES NEWS World climate 04 Henley Business School: bringing together Reading’s internationally rated research with Henley’s global 10 06 modelling reputation for management and leadership education. Robot with a brain Experts from the Walker Institute for Climate System Research at the 06 Rowing for Gold: we catch up with Richard Egington, part Cultured neurons University took a leading role in a of the men’s rowing eight crew at this years Olympics. control robot major international science summit, held in Reading in May, which aimed 08 Alumnus of the Year, Debby Reynolds: the inaugural award 08 to revolutionise the way we predict climate change. An international presented to the former Chief Vet for Defra. strategy to significantly improve 10 100 years of Wantage: Warden, John MacDonald looks back predictions of climate change was established. Scientists considered at the last century and what makes Wantage so special. such a revolution necessary and pos- sible because of major advances in scientific understanding and the ever Welcome… increasing power of computers. REGULars A warm welcome to the ‘The summit set out to establish a latest issue of the University roadmap to deliver more reliable pre- 01 University News of Reading Magazine. There dictions of climate change, especially have been a number of sig- at the regional and local level. We 12 Development news nificant changes at Reading are seeing major advances in climate since the last issue, not least modelling and in the development of the creation of the Henley 13 Alumni & Friends News the supercomputing power we need. Business School at the If the international modelling com- University of Reading, follow- munity works together, there is no 15 Where are you now? ing the University’s merger multidisciplinary team at from a human or a computer, its doubt that we can achieve significant with Henley Management ‘Its sole improvements in our ability to predict 18 Events Round-up College. The merger marries the University has devel- sole means of control is from its means of oped a robot which is con- own brain. climate’ says Professor Julia Slingo, Reading’s expertise in finance and real estate education control is its 20 Events Diary with Henley’s MBA and executive education programmes, trolled by a biological brain Professor Kevin Warwick from the Founding Director of the Walker own brain’ creating potentially the largest ‘full-service’ business Aformed from cultured neurons. This School of Systems Engineering, said: Institute. school in Europe. cutting edge research is the first step ‘Firstly the biological brain controls On the other hand, we are also thankful that some to examine how memories manifest its own moving robot body, and sec- things don’t change – this issue celebrates Wantage Hall’s themselves in the brain, and how a ondly it will enable us to investigate 100th year of providing Reading’s students with classic, brain stores specific pieces of data. how the brain learns and memorises Oxbridge style accommodation and we were delighted to The key aim is that eventually this its experiences. This research will welcome back many generations of Wantage residents to will lead to a better understanding move our understanding forward a special celebratory dinner. of development and of diseases and of how brains work, and could have The ‘University of Reading Magazine’ is of the University of Reading, the Editorial We also continue to attract and produce elite athletes, disorders which affect the brain such a profound effect on many areas of published by the Development and Alumni Board or the Friends of the University. All no doubt drawn in by our fabulous SportsPark facility on Relations Office of The University of Reading rights reserved. campus. Five Reading students and alumni represented as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s science and medicine.’ and designed by Lift Creative Communica- Team GB at the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, re- Disease, stroke and brain injury. Dr Ben Whalley from the School © The University of Reading 2008. tion Design, www.studiolift.com turning home with 3 medals. Our congratulations go to The robot’s biological brain is of Pharmacy, said: ‘This project gives Tel: +44 (0)118 958 9209 University of Reading Magazine all those who contributed to Britain’s most successful made up of cultured neurons which us a really unique opportunity to Autumn/Winter, 2008, Issue 7. Special thanks go to our designers at Olympiad in a century. are placed onto a multi electrode look at something which may exhibit Another very welcome addition to the University Lift (Matt Carey, BA Typography, 1997 and Jo Editor array (MEA). The MEA is a dish with complex behaviours, but still remain Lankester, BA Typography, 2005) and to Ian calendar is the awarding of the title ‘Alumnus of the Year’ Professor Julia Slingo Trish O’Neill approximately 60 electrodes which closely tied to the activity of indi- Burn (PG Cert, Typography, 1999). at our summer graduation ceremonies. The award is given pick up the electrical signals gener- vidual neurons. Professor Slingo, was one of three Editorial Board to a graduate of the University who has made a significant Printers: St Ives Web ated by the cells. This is then used Hopefully we can use that to go University of Reading academics to James Barr contribution to society and their profession. The inau- to drive the movement of the robot. some of the way to answer some very be recognised in the recent Queen’s For further information concerning any of Ian Burn (PG Cert, Typography, 1999) gural winner is Professor Debby Reynolds, former Chief the articles in this issue, please contact: The robot has no additional control fundamental questions.’ Birthday Honours list. She was Caroline Bysh Veterinary Officer for Defra. The Editor, University of Reading Magazine, awarded an OBE for her outstand- Matt Carey (BA Typography, 1997) The Alumnus of the Year award is not only recognition Development & Alumni Relations Office, of one graduate’s contribution and achievement, but re- ing contribution to climate science. Blandford Lodge, Whiteknights, Reading Carol Derham (BA Education, 1999) minds us that Reading alumni are having a positive impact Emeritus Professor John Dunning was RG6 6AH. Liz Hinde in all walks of life across the globe. They are our greatest Professor in development also awarded an OBE for services to Tel: 0118 378 8006 Fax: 0118 378 6587 Jo Lankester (BA Typography, 2005) email: [email protected] Brenda Morris (BA English, 2007) ambassadors and their support is vital for the future of ALDAR, the Abu Dhabi-based interna- planning. The Chair of Development International Business Scholarship our University. ‘Focus on web: www.reading.ac.uk/alumni Sue Rayner (PG Cert, Typography, 1999, tional property developer, has agreed will focus on issues of central concern and Dr Angela Alexander, Senior I hope to either see you at one of our events soon, or to issues No part of this magazine may be repro- Archaeology, 2002) to sponsor a new £625,000 Chair to public and private bodies across Clinical Lecturer in the School of hear news of your achievements. Please remember to keep concerning duced without the prior permission of the Ruhi Singh in Development in Real Estate and national boundaries in development Pharmacy was awarded an MBE in touch and that our door is always open should you ever publisher. Whilst every care has been taken Andy Wood development for services to Pharmacy Practice, return to campus. Planning. and regeneration. to ensure the accuracy of editorial content, Education and to the Voluntary Sector. Cover Image: Reading olympians on their Enjoy the magazine! The University is home to the larg- The appointment will be made later and no responsibility can be taken for any errors She was recently made Chief Scientist and / or omissions. The views expressed in return to London celebrations. est department in Europe for teach- on this year, and the new Chair will of- regeneration’ Left–right: Anna Bebington, Ric Egington, Andy Wood this magazine are not necessarily those ing and research in real estate and ficially take his/her position early 2009. for the Met Office. Natasha Page, Debbie Flood. Director of Development & Alumni Relations University of Reading Magazine • 1 NEWS NEWS New facilities for Honorary degrees University at Beijing Olympics The University awarded Honorary Degrees to two giants of the world of construction and business this summer. John Armitt CBE, Chairman of the Olympic he University is proud to have played its Away from the water, the Great Britain men’s hockey A hugely dairy research Delivery Authority and Peter Erskine, former part in Great Britain’s fantastic 2008 Olympic team which included Jonty Clarke just failed to reach successful Chairman of O2, visited the University to receive Games success, with its students and alumni the semi-finals, and played Korea in the fifth-sixth The Animal Science and Nutrition Olympic regatta their degrees. combining to add three medals to the place classification match. research facilities are the best of for both the John Armitt CBE was awarded the Honorary Tteam’s impressive haul. Iain Akhurst, Director of Sports and Recreation at their kind in Europe, if not the Degree of Doctor of Science. Peter Erskine was Battling it out in Beijing were four members of the University said: ‘We are extremely proud of our Great Britain world, and the centre is one of only awarded the Honourary Degree of Doctor of Laws.