Annual Review 2016 #MyChesterStory 2 Annual Review 2016 Contents Factfile Achievements 3 Forewords 4 Established: 1839. The University is one of the longest established Tribute to His Grace the Duke of Westminster English higher education establishments still in its original form, KG, CB, CVO, OBE, TD, CD, DL 8 predating all but Oxford, Cambridge, London and Durham. Mission, Vision and Foundational Values 9 Students: 19,500 (70% undergraduates, 30% postgraduates). Student experience #MyChesterStory and ‘The Yellow Sofa’ Staff:1,576 (full-time equivalent). campaign 12 Student life 14 Chancellor: His Grace the Duke of Westminster KG, CB, CVO, OBE, Student research and projects 18 TD, CD, DL, requiem in pace. New educational opportunities 20 Student support 22 Vice-Chancellor: Canon Professor Tim Wheeler DL. Chaplaincy 26 Volunteering 27 Campuses: Four in Chester, one in Warrington, one in Thornton, in Employability 32 addition to NHS sites on the Wirral and in Crewe and Macclesfield. The learning environment Staff activities 38 Partner organisation: University Centre Shrewsbury (with Research and innovation 43 Shropshire Council). Publications 50 Staff presentations 52 Associate colleges: Reaseheath College; University College Isle of Conferences 55 Man; Wirral Metropolitan College; West Cheshire College. Visitors 57 Facilities 59 Honorary graduates include: Sustainability 61 HRH The Prince of Wales KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, CD, QSO, PC, ADC; Joan Bakewell, The Rt Hon Baroness Bakewell of Stockport, DBE; The Most Rev Community and Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York; Terry Waite CBE; Sir Outreach 64 Ian Botham OBE; Loyd Grossman CBE, FSA; Sir Andrew Motion FRSL; Sir Educational partnerships 66 Ken Dodd OBE; Tim Firth; Sue Johnston OBE; Phil Redmond CBE; Gyles University Centre Shrewsbury 68 Brandreth; Willie Carson OBE; Matthew Kelly OBE; Estelle Morris, The Rt Business engagement 70 Hon Baroness Morris of Yardley; Ronald Pickup; The Earl of Derby; Sir Tony Beyond our boundaries 76 Robinson OBE; Neville Chamberlain CBE; Viscount Michael Ashbrook Global perspectives 81 JP, DL; Professor Sir John Enderby CBE, FRS; Shirley Hughes OBE; Beth Honorary graduates 87 Tweddle OBE; Colin Parry OBE; The Rt Hon Frank Field DL, MP; Martin Alumni 91 Lewis OBE; Kenneth Baker, The Rt Hon Lord Baker of Dorking; David Senior staff 93 Pickering FCA, DL, FIoD; Professor Alan Emery FRSE; Gillian Burns MBE; Sir Members of the University Council 94 Ranulph Fiennes OBE; the Singh Twins; John Lea DL; Nicola Horlick; Colin Financial results 95 Daniels; Mark Cavendish MBE; David Parr; Sir Philip Craven MBE. #MyChesterStory 3 Achievements 5th most improved university for student £23,000 experience and 29th out of 117 institutions raised for charity by Chester Students’ Union Times Higher Education Student Experience Clubs and Societies Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Survey 2016 Bronze Heist Award For ‘The Yellow Sofa’ departments won the Bronze Athena 33,226 hours Campaign and #MyChesterStory SWAN award for commitment to advancing Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions women’s careers 28th out of 125 universities of voluntary work contributed by students Whatuni? Student Choice Awards 2016 and staff in the last year World-leading research in 14 areas of the University’s research activity 87% Overall satisfaction rate £386 million Research Excellence Framework 2014 Gold Investors in People Accreditation overall National Student Survey, 2016 University’s contribution to the region, for excellent people management practice according to an independent economic impact assessment report in 2015 First university in the North West White Ribbon Campaign to end violence University Leadership Award – Accreditation for sustainability and social against women Canon Professor Tim Wheeler DL responsibility Student Experience Award – National British Universities & Colleges Student Support and Guidance for Young Sports Unsung Hero Award Carers Support Scheme Jane Hodson – Chester Students’ Union Innovation Award – Sports and Societies Administrator for 25 years Participant in National Union of Students Thornton Science Park HR Excellence in Research award sustainability programme from the European Commission Environmental Sustainability Award – UK University Ultimate Cheer Champions Sustainability Unit Chester Vixens Cheerleading team University Entrepreneur Award – Alumnus Dean Paton for Big Heritage Global Equality and Diversity Awards 2015 UK Quality Assured − Institutional Audit 2010 Research award 33 out if 151 universities in the People & Positive judgement in all areas relating Safest university city in the North West University of Chester Law School’s Forum for Planet University League with a 2:1 award for to academic standards and the quality of The Complete University Guide, 2016 Research into Equality and Diversity environmental and ethical performance learning opportunities for students. 4 Annual Review 2016 Forewords Canon Professor TJ Wheeler DL Vice-Chancellor and Principal The University of Chester is all about its major draw for applicants. For example, the people, so this year’s Annual Review takes Higher Level Apprenticeship scheme was as its theme #MyChesterStory, our award- launched to allow key regional employers, winning marketing campaign, which such as Airbus, the opportunity for their staff illustrates how students and staff develop to benefit from high quality professional their own narrative throughout their time as learning combined with obtaining valuable part of the University community. qualifications. The establishment of the new Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Life So collectively, how might we describe Our Sciences has resulted in further diversification Chester Story over the past year? in our curriculum offering, and the enhanced strategic partnership with Reaseheath College On the world stage, Chester made its mark will eventually lead to a ninth Faculty of on the best ever performance for Team GB, Agriculture and Veterinary Science. Those with individuals’ involvement in the 2016 returning to study, or without the necessary Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. I am UCAS points for conventional undergraduate so proud that Dr Paul Worsfold and former entry, now have a preparatory programme students played a key part behind the scenes of study that will lead directly on to the in supporting athletes to achieve unparalleled University’s full suite of degree programmes, success, while a speech by our distinguished via the new Foundation School. honorary graduate Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, Nobody living or working at, or visiting, launched the Games for the ‘Superhumans’. our campuses could fail to notice the This achievement of excellence in the sporting ever-evolving environment. A significant arena is echoed by the University’s pledge, investment in new facilities for all our to help its students and staff to realise their stakeholders includes, for example, the potential in their journey through life. introduction of Learning Resources at the Kingsway and Queen’s Park Campuses and Our current students have experienced the opening of the enlarged and revitalised the way in which we have responded to Seaborne Library. Thornton Science Park national higher education agendas and has seen laboratories refurbished to world- adapted to the demands of employers, class standard and initial work to create the by researching and introducing a range of Intelligent Energy Systems Demonstrator, courses to equip students with the skills they which will help companies to develop and need to gain worthwhile careers, which is a exploit new technologies for the energy Canon Professor TJ Wheeler DL and the Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster. #MyChesterStory 5 sector. This forms part of the important As you will read throughout this document, array of services for local businesses what makes the University special is the to engage with the University, and the students and staff, who contribute so much success of this interaction was underlined to its character, diversity and energy. I thank by Thornton Science Park winning the every one of you and hope that Your Chester Innovation category at the 2016 Educate Story will be as fruitful and fulfilling as that North Awards. of so many others who have been part of the University community over its long and #MyChesterStory had particular resonance distinguished history. for those alumni attending the uplifting dedication of a commemorative window in our historic Chapel. This devoted group The Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster of former students all have their own Lord Bishop of Chester, Chester memories and wanted to mark Lord President of the University Council and their association with the institution by Pro-Chancellor contributing to the installation of this impressive legacy. The Alumni Window’s The University has come a long way in recent artwork depicts elements of the history years, but it’s always helpful, indeed inspiring, of the institution from its inception in to look back to its origins in 1839, when the 1839 through to the 175th Anniversary original Diocesan College of Education was celebrations and is a permanent reminder founded in response to the need to train of that landmark year for present and future teachers for the Church of England schools, students, staff, alumni and guests. which were being founded across the North West of England. The past year has also had its sadder moments, with the loss of two of its The needs in our society, to which