De montfort Newsletter

OCTOBER 2009 issue 26 Young artists’ festival showcases graduates’ work

news Student heads to India to aid diabetes testing OCTOBER 2009 issue 26 Young artists’ festival showcases graduates’ work Cover image: Ozlem Tasman, who appeared at the 2009 Biennale, performs one of her pieces. Welcome to issue 26 of dmyou T hree DMU graduates have showcased their work at a prestigious arts festival. Dancer and choreographer Ozlem Tasman and musicians Gareth Sprey and James Kelly performed at the 2009 Biennale held Shailen Karia in front of one of the Mobile Diabetes Assessment Units. in Macedonia in September. Find out more about their performances Pharmacy student from Leicester has diagnosed with the condition. on page three. DMU was shortlisted for four Lord A put into practice the skills he learnt as part of his degree to assist a celebrity- Patrons for the charity now include Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Shilpa Stafford Awards and, along with research partner Nottingham Scientific Ltd, walked backed charity with diabetes testing in India. Shetty. away with the prize for ‘Innovation in Shailen Karia, 20, has just finished his Silver Star recently opened an office in Goa Development’. second year of study at De Montfort University and Shailen will travel around in one of the The award was given for the and headed out to Goa on 20 September to charity’s Mobile Diabetes Assessment Units development of the ‘Primo’ a pioneering spend two weeks testing people for diabetes. offering free testing to people in the satellite navigation device which was community. developed as part of a knowledge transfer During his trip Shailen also spent some time partnership (KTP). at the country’s largest pharmaceutical More information about the win is on company, Ranbaxy. page 5. “I have always wanted to volunteer abroad Dr Julie Fish, of the Faculty of Health so was ecstatic when Professor Taylor told me I and Life Sciences, is carrying out the first had been chosen for the placement,” he said. study to look at the experience of lesbian Keith Vaz said: “I am delighted that De and bisexual women suffering from breast Montfort University has found a student so cancer. enthusiastic about increasing diabetes The study will investigate many aspects awareness in India. This trip will be of huge of the illness, including the experiences and benefit to Silver Star and to Shailen. attitudes of breast cancer sufferers. “As someone who was diagnosed with The full story is on page 7. diabetes during a routine test, I am certainly Summer graduations took place in July aware of the importance of making testing for and there are two pages of photos and diabetes widely and routinely available stories from the ceremonies. worldwide. Silver Star has done some excellent See pages 10 and 11. The trip was organised by DMU Pharmacy work in the UK and I am excited for this This issue, the 20 questions are tackled Professor Joan Taylor (pictured above) and the success to be replicated in India.” by Andy Rees, from the Faculty of Business Silver Star Appeal, a charity which campaigns Professor Taylor said: “I’m really pleased that and Law. Find out what the bravest thing to provide diabetes awareness. we have been able to find someone like he has ever done is on page 16. The charity was founded in 2007 by Shailen who has shown so much enthusiasm Leicester East MP Keith Vaz after he was for the work that Silver Star do.” 2 FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news

T hree De Montfort University graduates have represented the UK at a prestigious young artists’ festival in Europe with cutting edge dance and music performances. Composer and turntablist James Kelly during a performance. Ozlem Tasman performed her solo choreography ‘Step of Faith’. Dancer and choreographer, Ozlem Tasman, and musicians Gareth Sprey and James Kelly were selected by Arts Council Gareth Sprey, a graduate of the BA of Performance and Digital Arts, said: England to perform at the 14th edition of (Hons) in Music, Technology and Innovation, “This is just one example of the way the the Young People’s Biennale event held in showcased his Sonic Graffiti sound exceptional work of DMU graduates is Skopje, Macedonia in September. installation, a project which he first being recognised internationally. The The Biennale is an international developed as part of his final year festival is a tremendous opportunity for exhibition giving young artists ranging from assessment at DMU. these artists to showcase their work 18 to 30 years old, a unique opportunity to James Kelly, a graduate of the BA and to share exciting creative share their talent. (Hons) and the MA in Music, Technology possibilities with young people from BA (Hons) Dance graduate Ozlem and Innovation, is a turntablist and across Europe.” performed her solo choreography Step of composer who performed his composition, Laura Dyer, Executive Director of Arts Faith, a rhythmical and intricate dance Transformations of the Mind, which mixes Council England, East Midlands, said: routine which involves Contemporary environmental and instrument sounds with “The Young Artists Biennale brings great Dancing and Street Dancing techniques the use of vocal samples from philosopher art to everyone and is particularly along with other influences such as Belly Jiddu Krishnamurti. important to the graduates taking part Dancing and Kurdish Folk Dancing. Rob Brannen, Head of the Department at the very beginning of their career.” DMU pioneers innovation in student-lecturer dialogue D e Montfort University has received a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) project grant to identify and develop models of Politics and International Relations. The novelty of this approach is that it will allow models of feedback to be developed which enhance student learning in these feedback to improve the student-learning experience. subjects as well as identifying how the practice can Professor Alasdair Blair, Head of Historical and be transferred to cognate disciplines. Social Studies for the Faculty of Humanities at DMU Feedback is widely perceived by students, tutors in Leicester, was awarded £199,975 to carry out and in pedagogic literature, to be of enormous the study entitled It’s Good To Talk: Feedback, intrinsic value, impacting upon student learning, Dialogue and Learning, in conjunction with the motivation, self-esteem and performance. University of Warwick and London Metropolitan Professor Blair said: “The project places DMU at University. the forefront of work in this area and confirms our Only 10 projects were funded in this strand of the commitment to improving the student experience.” NTFS, which provides funding for institutions to build During the project, from August 2009 to July on the expertise of National Teaching Fellows. 2012, Professor Blair will be working with Sarah Professor Alasdair Blair has been awarded The project will particularly focus on feedback at a Richardson from the University of Warwick and £199,975 to carry out the study. subject level by examining practice in History and Steven Curtis from London Metropolitan University. FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news 3

news Rod Copell and Jill Cunniffe University staff and students were saddened to hear of the deaths of Rod Copell and Jill Cunniffe recently. Roderick (Rod) Copell, Rod knew that he was facing a battle with Jill Cunniffe gained a BA in Health cancer in the year before he retired and chose Studies from DMU in 2003 and Faculty of Technology to continue working until the age of 65, retiring subsequently taught active birth and clinical Obituary by Paul Dean in October 2008. skills for midwifery students at the He will be sadly missed. University. Rod started his working life at the British Jill qualified as a midwife 26 years ago United Shoe Machinery Company as an at the Leicester Royal Infirmary School of apprentice engineer. Jill Cunniffe, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. Rod spent a further seven years working Health and Life Sciences She was involved in Leicester’s Birth in the engineering industry where he Reflection Scheme which aimed to make completed various projects with the degree Tributes have been paid to a midwife and pregnancy a more positive experience of professionalism that he would later bring visiting De Montfort University lecturer who for mums. to DMU. died after a short illness. As a result, a collection was made by In 1975 he joined the staff of Leicester her family for the Leicester Hospitals Polytechnic as a Senior Technician in Charity which will go towards improving the Mechanical Engineering based in the psychological care of women following Hawthorn Building. childbirth. With Rod’s mechanical, electrical and Bernie Gregory, Senior Lecturer in computing skills there was nothing he could Midwifery, said: “Jill will be sadly missed by not turn his hand to. He assisted countless all her friends, colleagues and students that students over the years and was involved she has influenced so much over the years with an incredible number of projects. with her enthusiasm for midwifery.” Outside of work Rod enjoyed many Jill leaves a husband, Nigel, and children hobbies including sailing, caravanning, Nic, Sarah and Laura. gliding, railways and hiking. Jill Cunniffe. Academic Bright sparks win £10,000 for staff election creative thinking T he election of the academic staff representative on the Board of Governors was A cash prize of £10,000 was given to two De Montfort University alumni at the annual Multimedia Computing this summer, and Robert Malone, who also graduated this year with a Andrew Hugill, Course Leader for Graphic Design Paul Linnell and Toby Moores. concluded on Tuesday 30 June Creative Thinking Awards in first class degree in BA (Hons) Elina’s Visual Route Planner 2009. The number of votes cast August to highlight the wealth of Music Technology and Innovation. (ViRP) finds travel routes for for each candidate in the election imaginative innovation among The prize was open to all final tourists between landmarks or was as follows: graduates. year undergraduate students from attractions selected from The awards were created and all faculties undertaking a major photographs on the internet. Tina Barnes-Powell 47 (18.6%) sponsored by Toby Moores, project or dissertation and who Robert’s music creates auditory Paul D. Bremner 16 (6.3%) Visiting Fellow at the University’s achieved the top grade. illusions through the use of Mervyn Dobbin 30 (11.9%) Institute of Creative Technologies Judges included Pro Vice- innovative sound structures, Tony Gregory 103 (40.7%) (IOCT), who is also a consultant in Chancellor Professor Philip Martin, ambiguous allusions and commercial creativity and runs the Director of the IOCT Professor references. Joan Taylor 57 (22.5%) highly successful ideas company Tony Gregory is therefore elected Sleepydog Ltd. as the academic staff nominee to The £10,000 prize was split the Board of Governors. In between two graduates: one who accordance with Schedule 6 5(2) designed a prototype for a of the Further and Higher hand-held route-planning device Education Act 1994, the Board of for tourists and another who Governors, as the appointing created sound illusions which trick authority, is required to formally the listener. ratify the election. The winners were Elina Andersson, who graduated with a first class honours degree in Elina Andersson and Robert Malone, the winners of the Creative Thinking Prize. 4 FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news

Innovation award for Distinguished sat nav research Lectures esearchers behind a pioneering navigation device online R which can tune into different satellite networks around the world have scooped an award for innovation. The device, known as the Primo, was developed by researchers at De Montfort University in partnership with D e Montfort University’s series of Distinguished Lectures are now available to download. Nottingham Scientific Ltd (NSL). The team triumphed in the ‘Innovation in Development’ The audio downloads are available from category at the Lord Stafford Awards East Midlands, held on www.dmu.ac.uk/news_events/events/ Thursday, at which DMU had four finalists across two categories. dls/audio Satellite navigation receivers (commonly known as ‘sat navs’) The lectures are by well-known names and are traditionally reliant upon one network. The Primo is the first respected figures, including Lawrie McMenemy, receiver that can gather information from a number of sources, Ken Shuttleworth and Miles Templeman. including the US Global Positioning System (GPS), the European For further information about up and Galileo system, the Russian Glonass system and similar satellite coming speakers, other events and booking systems currently being developed across the world. information please visit Dr Eric Goodyer. The device uses Software Defined Radio (SDR) to decode dmu.ac.uk/news_events/index the incoming data from the satellite. Dr Eric Goodyer, who managed the project, runs DMU’s Telematics Teaching Lab which is sponsored by Orange Mobile Call to join Communications and Lincolnshire based Linkwave Ltd. Dr Goodyer said: “The De Montfort engineering team were unique project really grateful for the opportunity to help NSL with this exciting new development.” DMU was nominated in the ‘Innovation for Sustainability’ D e Montfort University has launched Amplified Leicester – an experimental project designed to boost business and category for its work on nettle-based upholstery material with Camira Fabrics. communities by sharing bright ideas and It also received two other nominations in the ‘Innovation in expertise. Development’ category for DMU spin out company Fiteris, which The project, has developed software that automatically inserts metadata into led by Professor video footage, and for the ‘Topping Chair’, an aid for medical of New Media Sue Cathy Topping is pictured with her Thomas, explores invention and Peter McLeod, Innovation professionals developed by former midwife Cathy Topping with Manager at DMU. the help of DMU’s ProspectIP. how innovation could be catalysed by linking the city’s Rescuing the world’s diverse groups. “We think it’s the photographic heritage first project of its kind in the world D e Montfort University is addressing the dearth of experts who can preserve the world’s imperilled photographic heritage with a Birmingham, the British Library and private collections throughout Britain. The MA works towards understanding the and we hope it’s the beginning of a really exciting era which new Masters degree long-awaited by experts in scope of photographic history and provides the Professor Sue Thomas. might see whole the field. tools to carry out independent research in this communities The unique MA in Photographic History context, working in particular from primary working together in an entirely new way across and Practice is already being hailed by leading source material. social media like Twitter and Facebook,” said lights in the sector. Course Leader for the MA, Research Professor Thomas. The pioneering course will educate future Fellow and photography scholar, Dr Kelley The project received £116,000 funding curators, historians and archivists of Wilder, said: “This pioneering Masters is likely from the National Endowment for Science, photography, as well as those working with to be of interest to people from a variety of Technology & the Arts (NESTA) and is historic photographs at auction houses and disciplines including conservation students, supported by DMU’s Institute for Creative libraries, and is already attracting students from archivists, historians of science and those Technologies, which will be based at all over the UK and Europe but is expected to from various fields of visual studies, for Leicester’s new digital media centre at also draw in those who work (or want to) with instance visual anthropology, photography or Phoenix Square. photographic collections elsewhere around art history.” Roland Harwood, Director of NESTA’s the world. Students will handle photographic material, Connect programme, said: “This experiment is DMU is collaborating with the Wilson learn analogue photographic processes, write designed to show how social media such as Centre for Photography Studies in London, and history from objects in collections, compare Twitter and Facebook can be used to connect also working with the collections of the historical photographic movements, and debate the city’s disparate and diverse communities National Media Museum, the Central Library, the canon of photographic history. and networks.” FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news 5

news Retail Management Phonebox is world’s eicester Business School, one of the industry poses. Our Retail Management smallest gallery L largest providers of business and management education in the UK, based at degree has been designed by staff with actual experience of retailing to help A n old-fashioned, red telephone box thought to be the world’s smallest gallery opened in July in the North Yorkshire town of Settle. De Montfort University, launched a new undergraduate degree in September. graduates of DMU maximise their employment prospects.” The three year BA Retail Management Former DMU student and Assistant After restoring the decommissioned box (Hons) course (four years with a placement) Merchandiser on Womenswear at Next Plc, with the help of the local council, a group of adds to the University’s existing retail buying Rebecca Locker, said: “I studied Marketing and local residents decided to create an art gallery courses and covers subjects including people Management at DMU for four years including a dedicated to the art of the postcard. management, customer research, visual commercial placement. The support of the Gallery curator, Roger Taylor, who is De communications, decision making techniques University was amazing, with relevant industry Montfort University’s Professor of Photographic and greener business. contacts and the opportunity for paid work History and one of the world’s leading experts Retail Management students benefit from experience. in the subject, lives near the telephone the Business School’s links with leading UK “In my final year I studied Retail Marketing, box/gallery. retailers and recent Business School graduates which was based on real companies and He said: “We are very excited to see such a have been employed in management roles at certainly improved my critical abilities - this creative use of the phone box and it’s great to Next, Tesco, House of Fraser, Arcadia and identified a clear career path for me.” have a bit of fun as well as involve the wider Dixons Stores Group. Leicester Business School students can community in a contemporary art and Course leader, Phil Garton, said: “Retailers complete an optional paid placement year with photography project.” are increasingly looking for graduates who can employers such as M&S, Toys-R-Us, Blacks adapt and have the skills to meet the Leisure, Faith Shoes, Avon, Sainsbury’s and challenges that this fast paced and dynamic Sportsworld. University business adviser champions enterprise Ken Livingstone gives talk A member of staff at De Montfort University was shortlisted for a national award for his contribution to enterprise activities with on ﬁnancial crisis students and graduates in Leicestershire. M ore than 140 delegates from local government, housing, education and the health sector heard former London Mayor, Mr Livingstone’s opening speech outlined the key issues for the public sector in an economic downturn. He said that the Ken Livingstone, speak at De Montfort Government should put forward clear policies University in July. to help the country tackle the effects of the recession. These included the reduction of military spending, progressing large infrastructure projects and greater investment, as well as strengthening Britain’s relationship with rapidly growing emerging market economies, such as India and China. Stuart Hartley, (pictured above) who is Professor John Seddon, from Cardiff Programme Manager for Business Incubation University and Managing Director of Vanguard and Enterprise in the Incubation Team at Ltd, reinforced the need for an efficient DMU’s Innovation Centre, was put forward for government in his speech on systems thinking. the Champion of the Year Award at the UK’s He called for cuts in central government first annual National Enterprise Educator budgets instead of cutting local services. Awards and was named runner up in the He said: “Politicians should be cutting the category. Whitehall specifications industry, not public The awards were organised by Enterprise services; it’s a simple but elegant solution. If Educators UK (EEUK) and the National they did this, there would be huge savings and Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) local services would improve dramatically.” to reward those working as enterprise Professor Lawrence Pratchett, Head of educators and supporting student and graduate Public Policy at DMU, chaired the event. He entrepreneurship in higher education. said: “This has been a highly successful debate Stuart, an entrepreneur himself, having including some interesting and innovative successfully set up and sold a marketing Former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone. suggestions on the impact of the financial crisis business, is a qualified business adviser with on our public sector. over five years experience of supporting and Ken Livingstone was guest speaker at the “This seminar has shared debate with advising pre and early start up businesses. He Leicester Business School Annual Public Policy colleagues that our students hear on a range of manages campus enterprise opportunities (ceo) Debate – ‘From Recession to Renewal: our courses in the department and the annual at DMU, which offers business support and understanding the impact of the financial crisis public policy debate at DMU in 2010 will advice and is dedicated to creating an on the public sector’, organised by DMU’s continue to look at challenging issues that enterprising environment at the University. Public Policy department. affect us all.” 6 FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news

University gives DMU announces awards DHL specialist HR for excellent teaching training D e Montfort University’s lecturers celebrated another year of success at Cornelius and Angela O’Sullivan of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (HLS); D e Montfort University has won a contract to deliver bespoke human resources (HR) management training to HR staff at international the Teaching Excellence Awards in June. William Curtis of the Faculty of Humanities Staff were presented with their awards by (HUM); and Lucy Mathers of the Faculty of express and logistics company, DHL UK. Vice-Chancellor Professor Philip Tasker at a Technology (TECH). The training programme includes master ceremony held in the Trinity House Chapel. 12 members of staff were presented with classes followed by a postgraduate diploma in Professor Tasker said: “These awards are a Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Management of Human Resources, which will way of recognising and celebrating individuals Awards. This year over 150 students nominated lead to graduate membership of the Chartered who have made an exceptional, positive impact lecturers they felt deserved to be accredited for Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), on student learning. DMU prides itself on its their dedication to student learning. and forms part of DHL’s HR Academy, inspirational and innovative methods of The awards were presented to: Della Advanced Level Programme. teaching, so it is wonderful to see so many Swaine (AAD); George Lambie (BAL); Jenny DMU staff will deliver four master classes members of staff acknowledged for their King (BAL); Miles Weaver (BAL); Philip to HR managers at DHL sites, in Daventry, contribution and achievements.” Wilson (BAL); Momodou Sallah (HLS); Bedford and Milton Keynes. Topics include: This year, six Teacher Fellow Awards were Sandra Hall (HLS); Andrew Mousley (HUM); Assessing the Impact of the HR Function, presented to: Claire Orwin, of the Faculty of Katherine Burrell (HUM); Nichola Philips Building Effective Employee Engagement in the Art and Design (AAD); Rachel Grimley, of the (HUM); Sally Doughty (HUM); and Kenneth Workplace, Recognising and Rewarding People Faculty of Business and Law (BAL); Pippa Clegg (TECH). at Work and Cultivating Talent in the Organisation. Stephen Peak, Head of Corporate Development at DMU, said: “We are delighted to be working with DHL to help enhance its HR team’s knowledge of HR processes and equip them with the tools to make them more effective and efficient at their role.” DMU marks Ben Recipients of the Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award. Hur anniversary D e Montfort University marked the 50th anniversary of Ben-Hur with the fourth Breast cancer study focuses on Annual Association of Adaptation Studies Conference at the British Film Institute in lesbian and bisexual women London. Organised by DMU – the leading institution A researcher who is examining the experience of breast cancer amongst cancer amongst this group of women and they seem to have been overlooked in in the UK on the subject – the conference sought to broaden the scope of the study of adaptations, in particular focusing on film lesbian and bisexual women is health information and cancer adaptations of literary texts. urging those affected to come services. The event featured 22 panels covering forward and take part. “I am hoping that this topics ranging from comic book adaptation, to Dr Julie Fish from De study will help shed some British television and classic novel adaptations. Montfort University is looking light on the experiences of James Russell, DMU Senior Lecturer in Film for lesbian and bisexual breast cancer amongst Studies, presented a paper entitled Exhilaration women who have, or have had lesbian and bisexual women and Enlightenment: Ben-Hur and American Belief breast cancer to take part in Dr Julie Fish. and that it will contribute to at one of the conference’s pivotal sessions, the study, the first of its kind helping provide a high Ben-Hur 50 Years On. in the UK. about lesbian and bisexual standard of healthcare to Mr Russell, said: “Although most people The study will investigate women’s experiences of people in this group.” remember Ben-Hur as a 1950s movie featuring the experiences and attitudes breast cancer and the findings The research is funded by Charlton Heston and a spectacular chariot race, of breast cancer sufferers, will inform policy development. the NHS Cancer Action Team, it has actually been a key popular text over the knowledge and beliefs of Recommendations will also a national team that facilitates last 130 years of American history. It was the breast cancer, views of factors be made to cancer the implementation of the bestselling American novel of the 19th Century which may increase risk and organisations and other NHS Cancer Plan and works despite only being published in 1880, it was the sources of information facilities to help improve closely with the Department adapted as a massively successful silent film in and support available. services. of Health, Strategic Health 1925 and the 1959 version we will celebrating The research is aiming to Dr Fish said: “Currently Authorities and various cancer this year was one of the most commercially and promote better understanding little is known about breast networks and charities. critically successful historical epics of all time.” FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news 7

news Holography developed Director of Sustainable to aid student speech Development therapists P rofessor Paul Fleming has been announced as De Montfort University’s unique holographic teaching resource The hologram is able to capture and new Director of Sustainable Development. He helped establish the Sustainable Development A which captures mouth shapes in 3D has been developed by experts at De illustrate mouth and tongue shapes for each sound variation that therapists need to Task Force two years ago and will now lead the Montfort University and could become a recognise. This can then be played back and University’s pioneering work on implementing vital tool for speech therapists. viewed from a number of different angles. the Sustainable Development strategy. This will Pip Cornelius, Senior Lecturer in Phonetics It allows students to see the exact shape of focus on the key areas of Teaching, Research, and Phonology, and Professor Martin the mouth as it produces each sound and is Built Environment, Health and Well Being, and Richardson, Chair of Modern Holography, have particularly useful for sounds which are made Community Engagement. been developing the tool to improve how at the back of the mouth and are hard to see. Reporting to Professor Vivien Lowndes, Pro students are trained in phonetics. Development of this 3D tool is a huge Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Fleming Phonetics is the study of speech sounds improvement on the 2D diagrams that are will work with staff in faculties, research and is a crucial part of the training for students currently used in both training and clinical institutes and support departments to position studying the Speech and Language Therapy settings. DMU as an internationally leading university for degree at the University. Pip said: “Student therapists must be able sustainable development. Speech and Language Therapists work with to identify and transcribe over 100 speech The University has already made much people who have a range of communication sound variations and this tool is a great way to progress with its energy, transport, waste and difficulties and can include children born with help students visualise the different movements fair trade policies as well as its teaching and cleft lip and palate, mouth and throat cancer the mouth and tongue make when we are research. A staff survey is currently underway, patients and stammer sufferers. speaking.” sustainable development featured during freshers’ week and work with the National Union of Students Aiming Higher programme is about to start. The University is also working with key Professorial Lecture Series continues partners in the city (through the Leicester Partnership) to make progress towards the “one Leicester vision” of Leicester being one of A new programme of professorial lectures started in October, featuring speakers who will talk on subjects ranging from Sciences, will give a lecture entitled It’s More Than Just Enunciation: Working Together to Support People With Speech Language and the UK’s most sustainable cities. managing change to live music. Communication Problems. For more details see The first lecture, The Importance of Power Live Music is Dead! Long Live Live Music! www.dmu.ac.uk/sustainability in Managing Change and Changing is the subject of Professor Simon Management, was by Professor Bob Carter Emmerson’s lecture on 3 December. Students gain from the Faculty of Business and Law and took place on 15 October. Professor Emmerson is from the Faculty of Humanities. essential e-skills Professor Mohammad Ibrahim, of the All lectures take place at 6.00pm in the Faculty of Technology, will talk on Queens building. D e Montfort University is one of a handful of universities taking part in a national scheme to help IT students gain essential skills Understanding the Dynamics of Creativity – A Media Technology Perspective on 29 October. For more information or to book a place on one of the lectures contact the Events through internships. On 19 November, Professor Jannet Office on eventsoffice@dmu.ac.uk or by ‘e-skills internship – the professional Wright, of the Faculty of Health and Life visiting www.dmu.ac.uk/events placement programme’ aims to transform the way young people think about internships and make it easier for students, employers and universities to get the most from them. The scheme is organised by e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology, and was designed with input from universities and employers. The Placement Unit in the Faculty of Technology will organise the internships. Suki Clayer, Placement Manager at the Unit, said: “Students who take part in the e-skills internship will stand out, not only for having undertaken a placement year, but for having Professor Bob Carter Professor Mohammad Professor Jannet Wright Professor Simon met a nationally-recognised level that is Ibrahim Emmerson specific to the IT industry.” 8 FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news

Students live the Coaching course for managers a CSI life success tudents became real life CSI agents in S July when they took part in a forensic A new coaching course launched by De Montfort University has achieved national recognition. search of a Leicester house during a The Postgraduate Certificate in Coaching course run by crime experts at De Montfort (PCC) taught through DMU is now a University. recognised course by the Association for Year 10 and 12 pupils from Countesthorpe Coaching. It is one of just a few university- Community College and Longslade Community based, distance-learning qualifications in College, Birstall, donned white suits and visited coaching in the UK, and provides an affordable the house to comb the place for samples and way to train managers with minimal disruption fingerprints to help solve a murder mystery. in the workplace. They took their samples to DMU chemistry The first cohort of students on the part-time labs on campus to use electron microscopes PCC course has recently graduated following and other specialist equipment to put all the the successful completion of web-based clues together before naming their suspect. learning, tutor-led, skills-development days and The Crime Scene House sits in the middle self-study. of a terraced street in Leicester city centre and On completion of the course students can was bought by the University to help with identify coaching opportunities, support Children taking part in the event at DMU’s Crime Scene House. Photo courtesy of the Leicester Mercury. training of Police Officers from the individuals and teams to achieve results and Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire forces. develop plans to fit the needs of their DMU trains officers from the two forces on its foundation degree in policing and also organisation. Coaching is part of a range of Leicestershire’s Police Community Support Officers. executive leadership and management Not only is the house used during each course to set up lots of different scenarios police education provided by the University’s Leicester may come across in their day-to-day job, it is also utilised by DMU for the training of its forensic Business School. science students. The day-long student event at the University, which took place in July, was sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry to encourage more people to study the subject under the scheme DMU triumph in Chemistry: The Next Generation. Members of Leicestershire police were also on-hand to offer recruitment advice to potential scenes of crime officers. environmental sustainability Drama graduates take part in report epic adventure D e Montfort University has scored top results in a report which benchmarks environmental and corporate responsibilities in T hree final year drama students from De Montfort University took to the stage at Leicester’s state-of-the-art Curve Theatre in Lauren Sulley, 21, Clive Keene, 21, and Kiel O’Shea, 22, joined more than 80 members of the Leicestershire community to work on the higher education. This ‘Universities that Count – Environment Index’ report assesses the extent to which July, for the production of His Dark Materials production. universities from across the UK integrate Part 1. All three played significant parts in the play. environmental responsibility into their strategic Lauren was cast in the central role of Lyra and operational activities. Belacqua, with Clive performing alongside her Fifty five institutions took part in the as Lyra’s friend Roger, while Kiel took the role benchmarking exercise, with DMU achieving an of armoured bear Iorek Byrnison. overall score of 75 per cent – well above the Three members of staff from DMU also Higher Education sector average score of 62 appeared in the production – Jacky Bingley, per cent. from ISAS, who played five parts including Mrs DMU scored particularly well in the Lonsdale; John Kearns, of the Faculty of Art Environmental Performance & Impact section and Design, who played Tony Costa, and Luke with 92 per cent, achieving very high scores for Cooke, from Academic Registry, who among waste management and our self-selected other roles played Iofur Raknison, king of the impact area of staff and student travel. armoured bears. Karl Letten, Environmental & Sustainability Rob Brannen, Director of the Centre for Officer, said: “Environmental and sustainability The students take part in a rehearsal for His Dark Materials. Excellence in Performance Arts, said: “We are issues are now very important topics within the Based on the fantasy novels by Philip delighted that three of our drama students HE sector. Exercises like the Environment Pullman and adapted for the stage by Nicholas have been recognised in this way. They have Index are an excellent way of seeing how DMU Wright, His Dark Materials Part 1 took the done exceptionally well to meet the demands is progressing with these important issues audience on an epic adventure through worlds of the final year of their degree and the when compared with other universities across familiar and unknown. demands of the production.” the country.” FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news 9

graduationnews A week of celebrations – De Montfort University students graduate he University congratulated and marked the successes of its graduates in July at a host of ceremonies T at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall. Vice-Chancellor Professor Philip Tasker, said: “Our graduation ceremonies are a fantastic way of acknowledging the achievements of our students who have put so much effort into accomplishing their goals. “They are the highlight of the year and it is a privilege to celebrate in their successes, as well as to commend the staff who have been a dedicated and constant support.” Gary Lineker. Bill Maynard. Gurinder Chadha. Over the week, nine honorary degrees were world – was awarded an honorary Doctor of also conferred on people who represent Technology. some of the highest levels in their respective Leicestershire actor, Bill Maynard, received fields. an honorary Doctor of Arts following a Gary Lineker, Leicester City and England genre-spanning acting career in theatre, TV, footballing legend, was presented with an radio and film. honorary Doctor of Letters. The award Bend It Like Beckham director, Gurinder completed a hat-trick of honorary achievements Chadha celebrated her honorary Doctor of Arts from the trio of Leicestershire universities. by visiting Leicester with her husband and two Entrepreneur and UK and Ireland President sons, whilst Henry Doyle, the former President Bridget Riley. of PepsiCo, Salman Amin, was also awarded of the Leicestershire Law Society, was given a the honour. Master of Laws. A Companionship of DMU was conferred In recognition of her work as an on Bridget Riley for her contribution to the International Red Cross nurse during Ethiopia’s world of art. She is most renowned for her famine of 1984, Claire Bertschinger was the geometrical black and white paintings which recipient of an honorary Doctor of Science. became synonymous with Op Art during the And following his donation of Kodak’s 60s and 70s. important library of photographic journals to Meanwhile Mo Ibrahim – mobile phone DMU, former Director of the Kodak European entrepreneur, philanthropist and one of Time Research Centre, Sam Weller, was given an Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the honorary Doctor of Arts. Mo Ibrahim. Claire Bertschinger. 10 FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news

Kirstin Jackson Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology Thousands of students As the first student to complete the received their degrees degree in the UK, Kirstin can now count herself a fully fledged practitioner in during the summer Hearing Aid Audiology after gaining a pass in the subject. graduation ceremonies. She already worked at Hidden Hearing Ltd, but wanted to further her career in the field Here we take a look at so requested to begin training at DMU. some of their stories. Kirstin Jackson Marina Boor Andrew Johnson BA International Marketing and Business BSc Industrial Design Marina’s career in the world of PR Andrew graduated this year with a first in is off to a flying start. the subject, having seen his ‘Folli Watch’ showcased at the annual New Designers She netted the employer award exhibition in London. for Exceptional Performance in a Placement Role as well as Best The watch, which releases caffeine into the International Marketing and blood to help redress the causes and Business Student and received Andrew Johnson with one of effects of driver fatigue, was one of his final Marina receiving her awards. first class honours. his designs. year designs. She now works for advertising and PR agency, Unsworth Sugden Following a successful placement year with Milton Keynes company, Advertising Ltd, following a placement year with the company. NiftyLift Ltd, Andrew began working with the company following his graduation. Ruth Chenai Mushambadope Jessica Waters BA Public Policy, Government and Management BA Contour Fashion After netting a first class degree, Jessica rounded off her degree with a 2:1 Ruth also scooped one of and saw her work showcased on DMU’s Leicester Business School’s top end-of-year catwalk. awards for Best Public Policy, Her final 80s and pop culture-inspired Government and Management swimwear collection, ‘Acid Reign’, featured Student. bright neons, lycra material, bold straps, her She balanced her full time degree, own signature print and zips. a job and raising her two She said: “I am really looking forward to the Ruth Mushambadope at the daughters and is now looking to awards ceremony. challenges that lie ahead now that I have her future career which she hopes Jessica Waters left DMU.” will be in a top civil servant job. Sam Brunyee Phillip Bott BA Contour Fashion BA Advertising and Marketing Communications Sam’s final year ‘Original Sin’ lingerie Phillip not only achieved a first in collection gained her a place on the London his degree at Leicester Business Fashion Week catwalk, as well as a 2:1 for School, but was also named her final degree mark. winner of the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM) Award. The collection featured classy fetish wear aimed at a high end market, with inspiration Looking ahead, Phillip hopes to taken from Gothic architecture in churches study an MSc in Strategic and window designs. Marketing and Consulting at the Phillip Bott is presented with his award. University of Birmingham. “The course was intellectually stimulating and encouraged students Sam Brunyee not just to solve problems but to do it creatively,” he said. FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news 11

news Police Community STRL celebrates ‘50th anniversary’ Support Officer roles T he Software Technology Research Laboratory has celebrated its 50th PhD student successfully completing their degree. identified he work of a Police Community Support very different from one another but each play To mark the occasion in July, Professor Hussein Zedan, Head of the research group, T Officer (PCSO) is splitting into two different and distinct roles, according to an important part in today’s society. He said: “There appears to be a definite held an event which was attended by research at De Montfort University. trend towards the ‘Junior Enforcer’ but it is dignitaries from Saudi Arabia, (the cultural and Jonathan Merritt, Law academic at DMU, important to note that where the role of ‘Bridge military attaches) Libya (the cultural counsellor) has studied how the job of PCSOs is Builder’ is being undertaken, the PCSOs and China (the minister councillor) as well as developing in the UK and the likely future appear to be highly valued in the community Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor David Asch directions of their roles and responsibilities. and the evidence suggests that people come and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research Evidence suggests that PCSOs are either forward with information to PCSOs who might Professor Vivien Lowndes. working as a kind of assistant constable, not have done so to a police constable directly. Professor Zedan said: “I am very proud that ‘Junior Enforcers’, or as mediators between the “Having said that the enforcement work 50 PhD students have completed their degrees police and the public, ‘Bridge Builders’. PCSOs undertake can also help address with us. The ‘Junior Enforcer’ role is shaping the community concerns, increase police “It is a great achievement and is testament PCSO into someone with a level of productivity and build public confidence in the both to their hard work and to that of enforcement powers who ultimately operates police.” colleagues within the STRL. as a support to the police. The research was funded by the Socio “We look forward to working with the next The role of the ‘Bridge Builder’ provides a Legal Studies Association and is based on 50 students.” link between disconnected community interviews and focus groups with officers of members and each other and between the various ranks, including PCSOs, Constables, community and the police. Sergeants, Chief Constables, a Chief Inspector Mr Merritt believes that these two roles are and a Superintendent. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor David Asch, Pro-Vice National award for virtual lab Chancellor Professor Vivien Lowndes and Professor Hussein A n academic from De Montfort University learning resources in the science field, in Zedan pictured with some of the visiting dignitaries. has scooped a national award for her work particular for the creation of The Virtual Leicester firm’s in creating a virtual lab. Analytical Laboratory, which helps students study science at degree level. £15k donation to Dr Rolfe, who is also eLearning Champion new building in the University’s School of Allied Health Sciences, said: “I’m absolutely delighted and A Leicester law firm has pledged £15,000 support to De Montfort University’s efforts to nurture some of the best talent in the amazed to win this award from the Association for Learning Technology. “A few years ago I couldn't animate so country with a donation to the new Business & much as a stick man walking, and to be in a Law Building. position where my scientific animations are After liaising with DMU’s Development gaining national recognition is now truly Office, Harvey Ingram LLP gave the initial sum fantastic. towards the Hugh Aston Building, the “The Virtual Analytical Laboratory supports University’s new £35m landmark adjacent to student transition to science at university, and the Magazine. this award will help promote this freely- In addition, the donation will support a available resource to a wider audience.” £1,500 first prize in the annual DMU Business The judges commented: “The panel were Venture Competition, three annual £500 particularly impressed with Vivien’s multimedia bursaries for students who develop the best Virtual Analytical Laboratory, a substantial start-ups in the Campus Enterprise Opportunities online resource that supports students in their Dr Vivien Rolfe, who has received a national award for her work. Project and an annual £500 scholarship for the transition to studying science at university.” Law School’s Legal Practice Course. Dr Vivien Rolfe was selected as a joint The award was presented to Vivien at the Nigel Gregory, Head of the Development winner of the Association of Learning ALT’s annual conference on 9 September in Office, said: “The Development Office Technology (ALT) Learning Technologist of the Manchester. establishes relationships that the University feels Year Award. ALT’s Learning Technologist of the Year are supportive of our vision and our students. The awards are designed to celebrate and Award is now in its third year of operation and When we approached Harvey Ingram it became reward excellent in practice and learning. is open to individual members of ALT, and to clear that there was a raft of opportunities to Vivien was given the award for her work on individuals and members based in ALT member engage them in the life of the University.” the creation and evaluation of multimedia organisations. 12 FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news

DMU study helps Prisoners of war A De Montfort University academic has put communities received a British Academy Research Grant to study the history of the captivity of all German prisoners of war in Britain during in control World War I. Panikos Panayi is Professor of European History in the Department of Historical and ground-breaking study developed by De Montfort University staff is being used to Social Studies. He has published 15 books and A help the Government in its attempts to increase the power and inﬂuence of people and communities. more than 60 articles. His latest book has been commissioned by DMU’s Local Governance Research Unit skills, confidence and power to shape what Manchester University Press and is entitled: (LGRU) worked with the Centre for Citizenship public bodies do for or with them. Prisoners of Britain: German Civilian, Military and and Democracy at the University of The key findings of the research have Naval Internees, 1914-1920. Southampton on the year-long study for the already contributed to the Government’s The grant will enable him to visit the Department of Communities and Local ‘empowerment’ White Paper to create greater National Archives of Germany in the cities of Government (DCLG). opportunities for community and individual Berlin and Coblenz as well as the archives and The study explored and developed evidence involvement in local decision-making. libraries in London to carry out research. from over 3,500 reports, to aid the Dr. Catherine Durose, Research Project By the end of the war there were more than Government’s successful implementation of Manager at the LGRU, said: “Community 500 places of internment in Britain housing policies for communities in the future. empowerment is going to be an important more than 100,000 prisoners. The project aimed to identify when, where priority in the coming decade as policy makers Professor Panayi says: “This is an exciting and how the Government can most effectively realise that people often don't want to be told project, which will lead to the first history of the engage with communities to give people more what to do, but rather they want to be asked imprisonment of Germans in Britain during the of a say in shaping the priorities of their local and sometimes involved in the decisions that war in 1914-1920.” councils on matters such as health, education affect their everyday lives. This research and crime prevention. provides evidence-based lessons of how to Community empowerment is defined by effectively empower individuals and Government as enabling citizens to have the communities.” DMUIN THENEWS P rofessor Simon Dyson’s research into Sickle Cell Anaemia and its effect on schoolchildren was featured on BBC Radio 4 keeping personal details safe after passport information was found in a punch bag. Contour Fashion graduates’ final while the Green Parent covered news of collections were covered in the Lancashire Doreen Crawford’s revised Little Red Book to Evening Post, Wigan Evening Post and a Professor Panikos Paniyi who is researching German prisoners of war in Britain. encourage breastfeeding. host of other local papers, whilst Rosetta DMU’s STING Lau’s storage design went international on research into nettle the Business Wire in China, News Now Students switch off fibres was covered by Hong Kong and Reuters.com. BBC Radio Leicester, theecologist.org, Mo Ibrahim, who was made an honorary Doctor of Technology this year, was featured S tudents living in Bede and New Wharf halls will be competing against each other in The Student Switch Off this academic year. Research into nettle Yorkshire Post and in a double page spread in The Voice. Other ﬁbre at DMU. Prizes will be given out to encourage 24dash.com. honorands including Gary Lineker, Bill A pioneering satellite navigation device Maynard and Claire Bertschinger were students to save energy and do their bit to developed by DMU and Nottingham Scientific featured in Hello, Match of the Day tackle climate change. The prizes will Ltd won at the Lord Stafford Awards and was magazine, the Weekly News and Nursing specifically be given to students who sign up to covered by the Leicester Mercury, Times. Elsewhere, business graduates become Eco-Power Rangers – residents who Nottingham Evening Post, 24 Dash and Marina Boor and Ruth Chenai pledge to use their energy carefully and Midlands Business News. The University Mushambadope hit the Leicester Mercury. encourage their friends to do so as well. received four nominations this year and there Research from the Faculty of Business & Prizes on offer include tickets to nights out was widespread regional coverage about the Law into the split roles of Police Community in Leicester, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, NUS nominated projects before the Support Officers was covered by Extra cards and energy-saving gadgets. The awards took place. key trade publications, Jane’s winning hall will receive a celebratory end-of- Dr Brian Brown commented in Police Review, Metropolitan Life year party. the Leicester Mercury on the and Police Life. The actions encouraged by the Student wettest July in record and the Last but not least the new Switch Off are simple, but are those that can psychology behind pandemics MA in Photographic History & sometimes get neglected when you're living in following the swine flu outbreak. Practice was featured in the halls. They include switching lights and The Leicester Mercury also Times Higher Education and appliances off when not in use, not overfilling interviewed Dr Tim Watson on Dr Tim Watson. CNBC.com. the kettle and putting on an extra layer of clothing rather than turning up the thermostat. FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news 13

news DMU expert awarded Nursing and midwifery reunion prestigious national A celebratory reunion for nurses and midwifes who studied at De Montfort University took place at the Charles Frears art museum post Campus in September. ne of the world’s leading photographic history The event was an opportunity for past and present students to meet with colleagues and O experts from De Montfort University has been awarded a prestigious professorship from the National old friends to enjoy a celebration of their Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., US. profession. The National Gallery of Art’s Center for Advanced Study in It was open to anyone who studied at the Visual Arts (CASVA) has awarded the 2010 Edmond J. Leicester’s Brookfield House or DMU’s Charles Safra Visiting Professorship to Roger Taylor, Professor of Frears Campus. Photographic History and Senior Research Fellow. Christine Hancock, former General During the role, Professor Taylor will work with the Gallery Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, gave to build close connections between curatorial staff and visiting an address to the guests, telling stories about scholars to CASVA. her time as a trainee nurse. He will also research the memorably-named Linnaeus Interactive displays had been set up to Tripe – a British photographer he came across when show a retrospective of nursing and midwifery researching his Impressed by Light exhibition. through the past five decades, from pre-NHS Professor Taylor said: “It’s an unexpected privilege to be days all the way through to the 1990s. offered this professorship. More than 200 people attended the event, “I’ll be researching Tripe’s background in the Madras which was held in the gardens of Charles Infantry, and his innovative role as a documentary Frears. photographer. His large format pictures are wonderful and were mostly taken in Burma and India during the 1850s, but there’s never been a major exhibition dedicated solely to his work.” Ian runs ultra A recent national review of research in the UK by the Research Assessment Exercise classified the University’s marathon in photographic history research as ‘world leading and memory of dad internationally excellent’. Gerard Moran, Dean of Faculty Art and Design, added: “It’s marvellous that Roger’s visiting professorship at the National A gruelling race along 56 miles of countryside paths was no match for DMU’s Dr Ian Murdey, who tackled an ‘ultra Gallery of Art should come along to cement the truly international reputation of DMU’s work in this way.” Roger Taylor has received the 2010 Edmond J. Safra Visiting marathon’ in memory of his father. Professor Taylor will spend four months at CASVA, Professorship from the National He completed the race in 10 hours 10 beginning from 19 January to 19 May 2010, where he will Gallery of Art’s Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts minutes to finish in an impressive 16th place also be conducting a seminar on the Gallery’s collections. based in Washington DC. out of 244 runners. Dr Murdey, who is DMU’s transport coordinator, ran from London to Brighton to raise money for the hospice where his father Lawrie received treatment and care before his death DMU closer to from cancer earlier this year. The race was held on 20 September and Dr Fairtrade status Murdey estimates that he has raised roughly £800 for the hospice by taking part in the race. D MU has taken a step closer to becoming a Fairtrade university by adopting a Fairtrade Policy. The policy, agreed by the Vice-Chancellor’s Group and Dr Murdey, who is married to fellow running enthusiast Jill and has two children, Ysa, five, supported by De Montfort University Students’ Union, sets out and Danny-Ray, three, has run a total of 13 the University’s commitment to increase the use of Fairtrade marathons and one ultra marathon in the past. products across its campuses and to actively promote Fairtrade As part of his training for the event, he ran to students and staff. into work and back each day. The policy is one of five keys goals which are required to He also recently completed a 120-mile become a Fairtrade university, a status awarded by the Fairtrade cycle ride up four mountains in the Alps. Foundation. Dr Murdey said: “My legs and joints seem to The other goals include: Fairtrade foods being available in have recovered well so far. I think my family shops, cafes, and restaurants; Fairtrade foods being served at have got used to me trying these sorts of meetings hosted by the University and the Students Union; a things by now. They think I am mad but I also commitment to campaign for Fairtrade and the formation of a Dr Ian Murdey pictured during his think they are quietly proud.” 56-mile race. Fairtrade steering group. 14 FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news

people diary CONGRATULATIONS TO: UNIVERSITY EVENTS Bernd Stahl who has been made a Professor Distinguished Lectures of Critical Research in Technology in the Centre Professor Lord Patel of Bradford for Computing and Social Responsibility, based 6.00pm 11 November in the Faculty of Technology. Professor Stahl leads the ETICA project Contact Events Office for booking and which involves a number of organisations for more information across Europe. The team aims to predict the technologies that will enter common usage in Professorial Lectures the next 10 to 15 years in a bid to tackle Professor Mohammad Ibrahim, ethical pitfalls before they become a problem. Faculty of Technology He is a De Montfort University Teacher Thursday 29 October Fellow and serves as Chair of the Faculty Human Research Ethics Committee and Professor Jannet Wright, Coordinator of the Information Society Doctoral Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Programme. Bernd Stahl, Professor of Critical Research in Technology. Thursday 19 November Professor Simon Emmerson, OTHER NEWS: Faculty of Humanities Thursday 3 December Posters win prizes Zoe first volunteered in Nepal in 2008, spending two months at the workshop in For full details see page 8. All lectures start De Montfort University students won three out Bhairahawa, helping children to develop their at 6.00pm. of a total of nine prizes at a recent research competition. mosaic-making skills. She found the work so To book, contact the Events Office at The final for the Vitae Midlands Hub rewarding, she returned to Nepal this summer. eventsoffice@dmu.ac.uk Regional Poster competition for research In addition to providing support with the making students took place on 7 July. More than 80 of mosaics and ceramics, she provided tuition LEICESTER EVENTS in English and maths. posters were entered into the final from 13 Halloween Horrors universities across the Midlands. Abbey Pumping Station DMU students won the second prize, the Researcher’s Choice and Best Poster Summary Thursday 22 October, 11.00am to for non-specialist audience prizes. 3.00pm. Admission £1.70 The Vitae Midlands Hub is one of several Mask making and a hunt for spiders and regional ‘hubs’ run in partnership with Vitae. bats will be among the activities. The Midlands Hub supports universities and More information is available by emailing supervisors in the Midlands to develop the museums@leicester.gov.uk or by calling personal and professional skills of researchers (0116) 299 5111. in the region. DE MONTFORT HALL Zoe helps rehabilitation of Literature at Lunchtime Nepalese children Photography Lecturer Zoe Childerley spent Edith Wharton’s ten weeks volunteering with the Esther ‘The Age of Innocence’ Benjamins Trust (EBT) in Nepal. It was her Thursday 29 October at 12:30 second visit to the remote, inhospitable area in the south west of the country, where she Shakespeare’s provided vocational training and education to ‘The Tempest’ Nepal’s stigmatized children; deaf children, Thursday 26 November at 12:30 victims of child-trafficking into Indian circuses, Tickets £5 street children and the homeless children of Dr Jane Mackay discusses classic literature. prisoners. EBT is a registered children’s charity that All lectures are held in the Victoria Suite and deals with the rescue and rehabilitation of last approximately one hour. Nepal’s forgotten children. There are currently More information from the Box Office on more than 130 children receiving full-time care (0116) 233 3111. at its refuges in Kathmandu and Bhairahawa. Zoe Childerley in Nepal. If you would like to submit a story for dmyou People, please email jbreens@dmu.ac.uk or call ext 8353. FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY PLEASE VISIT DMU’S NEWS HOMEPAGE AT www.dmu.ac.uk/news 15

20:Q Software re-engineering 1. What is your name? Andy Rees. keeps old 2. What is your role at DMU? computers Head of the Department of Strategy & Management and Faculty Head of working Undergraduate Studies. De Montfort University Senior 3. How long have you been with us? A Research Fellow has won nearly £100k to fund a groundbreaking research Since September 1978! project into software re-engineering. 4. Describe your average working day… The project, undertaken by the Faculty Emails, meetings, seeing students, emails of Technology’s Dr Martin Ward, was one of again… and some teaching. just six to be awarded a Royal Society Industry Fellowship and he has received a 5. What interests you most about your grant of £98,006 to work directly with work? industry. Working with students. During his four years as a named 6. What do you do in your spare time? Fellow, Dr Ward will work with Software Cooking, gardening, supporting Leicester City Migrations Ltd. on the titled project, Football Club and spending time with my family. ‘Industrial Strength Software Re-engineering Approach’ (ISSRA). 7. What is the best piece of advice you After years of research on logic, he have been given? found infinitely-long formulae which show ‘Never ignore a problem, face it today’. what will happen for any eventuality within 8. What is the first thing you think of a computer program. Its application means when you wake up in the morning? 15. If you were stranded on a desert companies will no longer have to struggle Molly our dog. She’ll need to be let out. island who would you most like to be to keep old computer systems running by stranded with? adapting older languages. 9. Who would you like to see playing you Ernest Shackleton – he’d get me home. Instead of throwing out these old if a film was made of your life, and why? systems and creating new ones at a huge Peter Kay – he’s from the North like myself and 16. What frustrates you most in life? cost of time and money, Dr Ward will work would make me appear funnier. Not much, although slugs attacking my dahlias with Software Migrations Ltd. to use his 10. What was the first record you comes close. FermaT transformation system in bought? 17. What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever developing an application for practical use. The Times They Are A-Changing – Bob Dylan done? The ‘high-level code’ he has invented Jumped into a river to help save one of our takes any old code which is specific to a 11. What has been your most students, someone else got him out! particular system and translates it into embarrassing moment? something which is much easier to read, Taking my three-year-old daughter to the toilet 18. What did you do on your last understand and modify. Most importantly, it on a crowded train. The lock stuck when birthday? runs on any machine and will stand the coming out and she started screaming. I share my birthday with my wife and Ronaldo. test of time as computer software 12. What scares you most? The two of us (not Ronaldo) spent the night at becomes more advanced. Crossing high bridges when driving. The George Hotel in Stamford. Dr Ward said: “This Fellowship gives me the opportunity to undertake a sustained 13. What single thing would improve the 19. What is your most annoying habit? piece of research and bring the results all quality of your life? Refusing to miss The Archers, no disturbances. the way into a practical application. Fewer emails. 20. If the world were to end tomorrow “The project sounds a bit like the 14. When you were a child, what did you what would you do today? Philosopher’s Stone, turning lead into gold, want to be when you grew up? Stay at home, have two glasses of my best but it really does work and I am excited A scientist, like my father. wine and walk the dog with my wife. about the prospect of the next four years working on it.” Royal Society Industry Fellowships are awarded twice a year, with six on each occasion selected from all scientific INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS Copy submitted for dmyou is included in the magazine at the disciplines across all universities. discretion of the editor and may be edited for reasons of length or style. Please send any articles you wish to be considered for publication to jbreens@dmu.ac.uk Thank you Editor Julia Breens Photography Published by De Montfort University, Staff writers/Editorial Assistants hollisphotography.com The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH. Ruth Davies Nicola Godwin Mark Barnett Copy should be sent to dmyou, Email news@dmu.ac.uk Jim Boulton Press and Public Relations Contributors Nigel Essex Department, 0.02 Portland Building, Leicester. David Alder Jo Hughes Mark Makela Victoria Burton Chris Johnston Northams Photography Website www.dmu.ac.uk Jo Crozier Elizabeth Mattock Intranet http://intranet.dmu.ac.uk

De montfort Newsletter

by Phillip Bott on Feb 24, 2010

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De montfort Newsletter — Document Transcript