1. www.derby.ac.uk/connected
Connected
Summer 2013 Issue 49
The University of Derby Magazine
Team Derby Athletes’ Best Year Yet
Page 12
Law Tutor's 'Light-Hearted'
Approach Wins Serious
National Award
Page 13
Big Show Delights
Audiences
Degree Show Feature and Photo Special
Pages 8 and 9
HollyBoothphotography

2. Connected 2
Editorial and Online Team: Sean Kirby, Joanna Colburn,
Rosie Marshalsay and Joe Lawson
Proofreading: Press and PR Team
Distribution: Joanna Colburn
Photography: Richard Richards and Sally Edwards
Design: Web and Publications
Acknowledgements
On The Pulse
with Professor John Coyne, Vice-Chancellor
What a
fantastically
creative end to
the session I am
having the
privilege to
experience. We
have had our
usual mix of
creative output
from the Faculty
of Arts, Design
and Technology;
with fashion,
music, art, textiles, theatre arts and film
among those on public display across the
University during the Degree Shows.
I was massively impressed by our ‘Welcome
to Thebes’ production at Derby Theatre – our
Theatre Arts Programme Leader, Yvonne
Hurt, cannot be accused of choosing easy
pieces for our second year students – but
they pulled it off with aplomb. It was also
pleasing to see one of our Brazilian Science
Without Borders’ students taking a lead role
in the play.
I have also enjoyed our stimulating
conference season where BA (Hons) History
students revealed some stunning insights
into a wide range of subjects, and BSc
(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science students
showed their mettle in a very professional
way.
We have great plans for further
improvements to the University, with design
and innovative thinking being brought to
bear in the continued enhancement of our
physical environment.
Creativity has also been at the fore in the
design of our teaching programmes, with
some notable success and commendations
in new programme developments. This
creative touch will become an increasingly
important characteristic as we chart our
future.
Perhaps the most creative space I have been
operating in recently is that relating to Higher
Education policy. It is a time when we have
to remain alert. The transition to a market is
being mapped through in a process which
also changes some of the superstructure,
with the Higher Education Funding Council
(HEFCE) working through what a regulatory
role might be. The departure of Alan
Langlands as Head of HEFCE is
disappointing but natural given the
wonderful role of Vice-Chancellor at Leeds
University which he will now be taking up.
He has done the sector a great service and
will be a hard act to follow. We would have
benefited from the stability and wise counsel
he has shown in post for a little while longer.
We have some big judgement calls to make
about the precise Higher Education space
we shall occupy but we have the enormous
benefit of a strong financial and physical
environment in which to make real choices.
We must ensure that we think creatively and
innovatively in addressing the key questions
that face us as the impact of student choice
comes further into play. We need to know
exactly what student choice will mean – and
begin to learn what economists have always
known; choices aren’t always rational and
markets find equilibrium but not instantly!
As we prepare for this evolving world we
shall nonetheless take time out to mark the
occasion of our 21st birthday as a University.
It will be a quiet family affair hosted at the
home of our Chancellor, The Duke of
Devonshire. We shall be able to reflect that
we have had a wonderful journey. Whilst our
current context may be of immediate interest
we should not lose sight of the great work
and service that we have given in 21 (short)
years.
Page 5
Sew Much Interest In Fashion Event
Pages 8 and 9
Students Dazzle Audiences With
Their Talents During Degree Shows
Page 12
Team Derby Athletes’ Best Year Yet
Pages 13
Law Tutor's 'Light-Hearted'
Approach Wins Serious National
Award
Contents
Degree Shows - Pages 8 and 9

3. Connected 3
Contribute
If you have a story for Connected, please contact
Sean Kirby or Joanna Colburn in the University of
Derby Press Office on 01332 591891, or email
s.kirby@derby.ac.uk.
We use the following acronyms when referring to the
University’s academic faculties:
• Faculty of Arts, Design and Technology – ADT
• Faculty of Business, Computing and Law – BCL
• Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences – EHS
• University of Derby Buxton – UDB
• University of Derby Online Learning– UDOL
• University of Derby Corporate – UDC
Don’t forget our online version is available:
www.derby.ac.uk/connected.
News in brief
Colleges Look To The
Future With Fresh New
Look
Buxton and Leek Colleges of Further
Education started a new chapter in their
lives when new signs bearing the brand
name of both colleges went up at the
entrances to the two campuses.
Leek College has also recently learned it had
been successful in its bid for a £1.6million
Skills Funding Agency (SFA) Enhanced
Renewal Grant.
Exciting plans to invest in the College’s
estate through refurbishment of its current
campus and the building of state-of-the-art
facilities for Construction, Engineering, Hair
and Beauty, and Art and Design students,
are now underway.
Research Review Makes
For Interesting Reading
This year’s Research Review, due to be
published in July, showcases the breadth
and depth of research at the University.
It features a study into monogamous Owl
monkeys (unusual for primates), looks at
how effective local initiatives are at keeping
teenagers out of crime, and whether natural
colourants can improve your physical health.
Law Prize
A Derby student has been awarded a
prestigious Law prize by the High Sherriff
of Derbyshire.
Natalie Lawman, 21, a third year LLB (Hons)
degree student, received the prize for her
outstanding contribution to law and justice in
Derbyshire over 12 months, from Alan
Woods, the then High Sheriff of Derbyshire,
at a presentation ceremony at Derby’s
Council House in March.
Her prize included a certificate and a book
inscribed by the High Sheriff.
The award was organised by Senior Lecturer
in Law, Scott Atkins.
University Celebrates 21st Birthday With Chatsworth Do
The stunning backdrop of Chatsworth provided the venue for the University’s 21st
Birthday Staff Party and brought together staff members and their families for an
evening of celebration. Almost 3,000 guests mingled on the Duke of Devonshire’s
private lawn, whilst enjoying a tasty hog roast and entertainment by University Music
and Theatre Arts students.
Outdoor Centre Is Outward
Bound After Safety
Accolade
The University of Derby Buxton’s Oaklands
Manor Outdoor Leadership Centre now
boasts a licence from the Adventure
Activities Licensing Authority after a
comprehensive assessment found its safety
practices were second to none.
Oaklands Manor’s experienced leaders can
now offer activities such as climbing, caving
and paddle sports to young people off-site
around the UK; as well at its 58-acre Buxton
site.
New Business Journal Launched
Derby Business School has published Volume One, Issue One of its new peer-reviewed
journal, Critical Perspectives on Business Management.
The bi-annual international journal covers topics including business, business management,
leadership and organisational behaviour, marketing, economics, human resources
management, accounting and finance.
Copies have been lodged with the British Library, Bodleian Libraries, Cambridge University
Library, Scotland and Wales’ national libraries, and the Library of Trinity College in Dublin.
Volume 1 Issue 2 is due to be published in July (2013).

4. Connected 4
News From The Faculties
A team of up and coming culinary arts
and hospitality students from the
University of Derby Buxton earned praise
from the catering world’s top
professionals after impressing them in
the finals of a national competition.
Students Andrew Collis, 20; Joe Penrose,
19; and Prabjot Ragbotra, 20, from
Birmingham; made it through to the finals
of the prestigious Nestlé Toque d’Or
Competition. Winners were announced at
a celebration at London’s Dorchester Hotel
in June.
Taking on the roles of chef, commis chef and front of house respectively, the Buxton team
had beaten hundreds of other students to get into the four-day final, during which they had to
present their bid for an in-house catering contract for a large corporation. With their mouth-
watering menu the students came tantalisingly close to winning the title, which was taken by
a team from South West College (Dungannon).
Robert Stordy, University Chef-Lecturer, said: “Our students were a great credit to the
University and I am so proud of them for making it to the finals and creating such a
magnificent menu. The praise received by all the teams from celebrities of the catering
industry was second to none.”
Business, Computing and LawUniversity of Derby Buxton
Buxton Students’ Taste Of
Success In National Competition
Our students were a
great credit to the
University and I am so
proud of them for making
it to the finals and creating
such a magnificent menu.
Robert Stordy
Supply Chain Science To
Deliver Business Savings
Firms using radio frequency identification
(RFID) tags to track goods in transit could
save significantly on transport and fuel
costs with a Derby Business School
consultancy service.
RFID tags, or 'intelligent' bar codes, on
parcels and products are scanned and
tracked by computer systems. Companies
such as bookseller Amazon can then tell
customers where their purchase is at any
time.
A new consultancy service by the
University’s Centre for Supply Chain
Improvement enables companies to extract
more useful information out of the data
they are already getting from existing RFID
systems – requiring no expensive upgrades
– with a view to saving firms time and
money.
Better utilisation of RFID data means
businesses can better position supply
chain vehicles, reducing time spent
travelling half or completely empty.
Dr Ming Lim, Head of the University
Centre, said: "It's very difficult to say how
much an individual company could save on
overheads, as that would depend on how
efficiently things were already being run,
but I don't think a saving of 20% on fuel
costs for a medium-sized firm, for
example, would be impossible."
Professor Ming Lim
Students Andrew Collis (centre left) and Joe Penrose (centre right),
with (far left) their Chef Lecturer Robert Stordy, and (right) Strategic
Director of the University of Derby Buxton, Dr Peter Dewhurst.

5. Connected 5
Sewers, knitters and clothes-makers saw
fantastic fashion and textile technology at a
free ‘hands on’ ADT event.
The first ‘Sewing Bee Saturday’ event in May
at the University’s Markeaton Street site
included free textile printing and fashion
workshops, where people could try out
techniques and make garments. Visitors
were able to take home anything they made
during the day.
It built on the interest in home-made
clothes and furnishings generated by the
popularity of recent BBC Two series, The
Great British Sewing Bee. Guest of honour
at the University event was one of the TV
show’s contestants – Derbyshire mechanic
Mark Sanders – who even wore a
steampunk outfit he’d made himself, on the
day.
The event was organised by Bev Reardon –
ADT Schools and Colleges Liaison Tutor –
and colleagues.
Bev said: “Skills such as needlework, and
clothes and fabric making, are seeing a real
resurgence at the moment. It’s not just about
saving money on fashion but also about
being creative and knowing you’ve produced
a unique garment no one else has.”
A new mobile phone application (or app)
developed and launched by Derby
psychologists aims to help people
connect with nature, and boost their
wellbeing.
The free ‘Finding Nature’ app, which is now
available for Android devices, has been
developed by the University’s Psychologists
and its Institute for Learning Enhancement
and Innovation (LEI). It is based on research
which has shown that making a note of
three good things that happen to you
throughout the day for a number of days
can have a significant on your wellbeing.
Dr Miles Richardson said: “We know that
developing a closer connection to nature is
great for our wellbeing and creativity. The
restorative benefits of nature have also
been shown to be greater than those from
other leisure activities, such as sport or
entertainment.
“This app offers people a new way to
connect with the natural world and to
discover whether their observations of
natural events have a beneficial effect on
their wellbeing.
“After downloading the free app all you
have to do is take a photo of something you
see, or write a sentence about something
you have noticed in nature, three times a
day for five days.”
For more information on the Finding Nature
app and the project visit
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSXcsBpXzuk
or to download the app, search ‘Finding
Nature’ in the Google Play store at
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?
id=uk.ac.derby.findingnature
Education, Health and Sciences
An App A Day
Could Chase The
Blues Away
Arts, Design and Technology
Sew Much Interest In Fashion And
Textiles Event
Mark Sanders and his wife Donna in steampunk
costumes with Bev Reardon (centre).
Skills such as needlework,
and clothes and fabric
making, are seeing a real
resurgence at the moment.
Bev Reardon
The free ‘Finding Nature’ app, which is now available for android devices, has been developed by the
University’s Psychologists and its Institute for Learning Enhancement and Innovation (LEI)

6. Connected 6
A group of Brazilian students who are
studying at the University for a year were
welcomed by the Mayor of Derby and
given a tour of the city’s newly
refurbished Council House.
The 25 international students are studying
in the Faculty of Arts, Design and
Technology at Derby as part of the Science
Without Borders initiative, which will
eventually see universities around the UK
welcome up to 10,000 Brazilian students
onto courses over a four year period.
During the visit to the Council House they
heard from the then-Mayor, Councillor Lisa
Higginbottom, about her role and the
responsibilities of the Council.
Joy Lewis, the University’s International
Student Centre Team Leader, said: “It is
very important that our international
students feel welcome here in Derby and
understand their importance in the wider
community, so meeting the Mayor was a
wonderful opportunity for them.”
For more information about the Science
Without Borders initiative, visit
www.derby.ac.uk/international/science-
without-borders
Excitement among staff and students at
Buxton and Leek College is building as
work to complete its brand new 18,000
square foot vocational teaching centre at
Harpur Hill is almost complete.
When the Skillsbase Training Centre officially
opens its doors later this summer, hundreds
of students will get the opportunity to study
towards vocational qualifications in subjects
such as motor vehicle, logistics,
warehousing and storage, painting and
decorating, railway engineering, track
maintenance and welding at the industry
standard facilities.
Mary Blauciak, Vice-Principal, said: “We are
all very excited about what the new
Skillsbase Training Centre will offer to the
people of the High Peak and Staffordshire
Moorlands.
“All of the facilities and courses have been
designed alongside industry, and so we
know that the students who study with us
will gain skills that are in demand locally and
nationally.”
Ruth Grindey, Information Learning
Technologies and Logistics Development
Coordinator, added: “Our fantastic links with
industry also mean that our students will be
learning their trade on the latest hi-tech
industry standard equipment such as
warehouse racking, shelving and forklift
trucks supplied by Briggs, motor vehicle
hand and power tools supplied by Snap-On,
and cars supplied by Toyota.
“The site will also have an external rail track
for our new courses in rail engineering and
maintenance.”
For more information on the courses that will
be run at the Skillsbase Training Centre, visit
www.buxtoncollege.ac.uk
Finishing Touches Ensure Skills Centre Is Fit For Business
Buxton and Leek Colleges of Further Education
Brazilian Students’Warm
Welcome FromDerby Mayor
University of Derby Corporate
University Holds Award Ceremony For Professionals
More than 160 professionals from over 20
UK organisations including Derby City
Council, Croda, and leading security
specialist Showsec, graduated with
awards from
University of Derby
Corporate (UDC)
recently.
The awards
ceremony for
professionals was
held at Pride Park in
April to celebrate
the successful
completion of
courses in areas
such as
Professional
Development,
Business and
Management, Events Safety Management
and Leadership.
Andrew Hartley, Managing Director for UDC,
presided over the ceremony and Professor
John Coyne delivered a congratulatory
speech.
Andrew said: “It was fantastic to bring so
many business professionals together at the
ceremony. We were extremely pleased to
have had the opportunity to acknowledge
them in the same way as we do our degree
level students.
“Each person has demonstrated a true
commitment to developing their skills and
knowledge, particularly as they’ve been
studying whilst working, and all should be
extremely proud to achieve their award.”
International
Buxton and Leek College’s brand new
18,000 square foot vocational teaching
centre at Harpur Hill is almost complete.
Graduates at the University of Derby
Corporate (UDC) awards ceremony.

7. Julie Stone, Head of University of Derby Online
Learning (UDOL), reflects on a successful year
Connected 7
University of Derby Online Learning
University of Derby Online Learning has
been trading independently for almost a
year following the migration of the
University’s online programmes from
within the faculties to UDOL, and what a
year it’s been!
The team has worked extremely hard to
develop the UDOL business as a separate
operating division of the University, and
their efforts are certainly paying off as we
continue to meet our targets both in terms
of student numbers, currently at around
2,500, with an income of £4.6million
yeilding an operating surplus of around
£1.3million.
In fact, we’re already way ahead of our five
year business plan; bringing in an income
and surplus in year two that was predicted
by the end of year three.
There have been so many highlights over
the last year but key ones for me include:
▪ Receiving academic board approval of
the UDOL Academic Framework which
provides UDOL and its partners with clear
and transparent standards to secure
efficient development of scaleable, online
content.
▪ Receiving Collaborative Partnership sub-
committee approval of the Business
Model Framework so that partners can
be quickly progressed and there is clarity
and transparency in the partnerships
models and due diligence processes.
▪ Expanding the infrastructure to include
new and important roles and extending
our online tutor bank.
▪ Improving our student retention and
achievement rates.
▪ Improving attendance at our annual
Awards Ceremonies - 30% of UDOL
graduates attended the Ceremonies in
January 2013, a 22% increase on the
previous year.
▪ Launching new programmes in
conjunction with Faculty partners and
moving from 15 to 20 credits.
▪ Numerous IT developments and improvements, including our website www.derby.ac.uk/online (take a look today).
▪ Securing new international partnerships with HELP University in Malaysia; Business Management School in Sri Lanka; and Education for
Advancement (EFA) in the Caribbean.
I’ve no doubt that the coming years will remain challenging but I’m confident in our offer and in the team we have in place to deliver. This is
why UDOL remains on track to secure a position as a leading provider of online learning programmes for those unable to be on-campus.
Many thanks to our University colleagues who have provided such fabulous support to UDOL during this first year of operation.
Julie Stone

8. Connected 8
Students Dazzle Audiences With
Their Talents During Degree Shows
A transforming lorry, award winning
fashions, a film of a flight over the Arctic,
and striking art installations were among
the many highlights of this year’s Degree
Shows.
‘The Big Show’ – as it was called this year –
saw final year students’ work in subjects
including crafts, fashion, textiles, fine art,
film, design, theatre, visual communications,
architecture, music technology, creative
expressive therapies, art therapy and much
more on free public display in early June.
In addition to the principal exhibition spaces
at the University’s Markeaton Street and
Britannia Mill sites, Derby Theatre was the
stage for the Graduate Fashion Show, and
Derby QUAD for screenings of Film students’
work.
The short-film night included a documentary
by Jess Victor and team, about the work of
the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric
Measurements (FAAM) project, measuring
atmospheric conditions over the Arctic,
using air flights.
Other short films (each around ten minutes
long) were: The Fisherman’s Son – a
fisherman with anxiety problems finds out he
has a son, The Coolest Kid – a boy tries to fit
in at his new school, Iblis – a psychological
thriller and All The Wall’s Clocks – a man has
to deal with his past and issues of regret.
Engineering (Motorsports) students’ main

9. Connected 9
project almost turned film fiction into reality,
with their ‘transformer truck’ engineered to
help Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service in
vehicle road traffic collision rescue training.
Hydraulic jacks and removable bolts were
fitted to a truck so the roof, part of the
driver’s cab, doors and dashboard could be
removed or swung out; allowing firefighters
to rehearse rescue techniques again and
again.
The truck and a ‘Safety Engineering
Simulator’ (SES) Toyota car followed up the
courses’ 2011 ‘transformer car’.
It was a change of style for the University’s
annual Graduate Fashion Show this year, as
it was staged at Derby Theatre and streamed
live on the internet for the first time.
The Fashion Show was one of the biggest
events during the University’s annual Degree
Shows programme.
Product Design students looking to change
lives and the community with their innovative
offerings showed off their ideas at this year’s
show. Designs included an affordable
housing solution for the Third-World, a
sustainable solar powered bus shelter and
an automatic paint brush self-cleaning
device.
Students on the Creative Expressive
Therapies degree showcased their work on
art, music and dance pathways during their
‘Statement as Image’ show.
Student Mary Stephanou created a striking
art installation bringing together items she
discovered in charity shops, skips, parks and
abandoned buildings to create a thought
provoking ‘room’. It explored the idea that
each object holds many memories, but that
they can only be known to each item’s
original owner.
Her fellow exhibitor, talented painter
Katherine McEwan, completed two larger-
than-life self-portraits. The two striking
paintings in acrylic on hardboard which took
Katherine three weeks each to paint, are
mirror images of one another and represent
her exploration of illness and medicalisation
in today’s society.
Students in the Ex-Tractor HGV
The Big Show
Jess Victor and team’s FAAM film documentary
Mary Stephanou inside her
memory house art installation
Fashion student Laura
Clowes’ sunglasses
One of Katherine McEwan’s
large scale portraits
BA Hons Fashion studies
catwalk show 2013
HollyBoothphotography
Mary's room is incredibly
atmospheric and evocative. As
you enter the space its lighting
and odour touches many of the
senses and you can't help but be
affected by the room as a whole
as well as by the individual items
you encounter. It is a wonderful
exploration of memory,
attachment and association.
Jean Bennett, Senior
Lecturer in Therapeutic Arts

10. Student Support and Information Services (SSIS)
Connected 10
News From The Departments
Human Resources
During the spring, staff across the
University were invited to give their views
on what it is like to work at Derby by taking
part in its annual Staff Engagement Survey.
1,360 staff members responded to the
survey – a fantastic 73% of those invited.
The responses to the statements in the
survey provide an overall engagement index
for the organisation. This year the
University’s index was 70.5, an increase from
2012 and higher than an average of 65.1
observed across the Higher Education
sector.
The University set a target to reach an
engagement index of 70 by 2015, which it
has reached two years early.
Senior Management teams in all areas of the
University are now examining the results of
the survey in more detail, looking at the
necessary actions for the future to ensure
the University continues to be an employer
of choice.
Staff Engagement Targets
Met Two Years Early
After seeing excellent levels of turn out
during its student feedback campaigns
throughout the spring, the SSIS Student
Experience Team believes it had been its
most successful year yet.
The Student Experience Team ran a series of
roadshows across the University’s campuses
and sites where students could fill in the
University’s own 2013 Feedback campaign
and the two main national surveys; the
National Student Survey (NSS) and the
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey
(PTES). These surveys gave students the
chance to comment on their overall learning
experience, the quality of University learning
resources and their personal development.
Suzanne Wigley, Student Experience
Coordinator, said: “The suite of surveys is
vital for both the University’s own internal
development and how we’re measured
against the sector, as the National Student
Surveys affect our league table results and
what prospective students read about us
through Unistats and KIS.
“Once they are combined with the results
collected through Feedback they help us to
move forward and continually improve.”
“We’re proud to be a University that takes
the student voice seriously. Our ‘You said it.
We did it.’ information
(www.derby.ac.uk/YSIWDI) is one way that
we communicate with students about how
we are moving forward.
“We wanted to take this opportunity to say a
big thanks to staff and students who got
behind the campaign. We’re also pleased to
announce the winners of the prize draws are
students Jon Maisey, Afis Sobowale, Melanie
Blades and Said Khaldi.
Excellent Turn Out During
Survey Season
Estates
Cleaning supervisors and other University
managers brushed up their skills with a
course to make them better leaders.
Fourteen people – the majority from Estates
cleaning services team – received
Organisational and Professional
Development Institute of Leadership and
Management (ILM) Team Leader awards, at
a mini graduation ceremony held at the
Kedleston Road site.
The awards followed successful completion
of a four day programme, spread over ten
weeks, for supervisors to develop
themselves as team leaders and learn how
to motivate staff, and to plan and monitor
tasks. Students learnt through direct
teaching, and group activity and
discussion.
George Osborne, University Building
Services Manager, nominated Estates
Management staff to attend the course and
said it was unusual to have so many join
and pass it together.
ILM graduate and Cleaner-in-Charge Mark
Wills, 56 – who has worked at the
University for 16 years – added: "I am
slightly dyslexic so I was very nervous
about doing the course, particularly the
written reports side. But it's totally opened
my eyes in terms of the way I react to
people, communicate with them and get
the job done. I feel a lot more confident."
The ILM course ran from October to
December last year (2012).
Training Course Helps Managers Shine
ILM Award recipients

11. Learning, Teaching
& Assessment
Conference On
Horizon
The Institute for Learning Enhancement
and Innovation (LEI) are preparing to host
the University's annual Learning,
Teaching & Assessment Conference
entitled ‘Raising aspirations in a time of
change’, which will take place at the
University’s Buxton campus on Thursday
July 4 (2013).
As in previous years, the conference is
open to all staff, including associate staff
and collaborative partners.
Professor Paul Trowler, Research Director
in the Department of Educational Research
at the University of Lancaster, will be the
keynote speaker, presenting on Great
Expectations in Hard Times (with apologies
to Dickens).
There will be a range of formal
presentations, workshops, discussion
groups, demonstrations and posters given
by University colleagues.
For further information go to the
conference website
www.derby.ac.uk/lei/learning-and-
teaching/lta-conference/lta-conference-2013
or contact Helen Crooke
h.crooke@derby.ac.uk
Connected 11
The sun and the crowds come out
for University Family Fun Day
Marketing Learning, Enhancement and Innovation (LEI)
Raising aspirations
in a time of change.
Around 2,500 people flocked to the
University’s Kedleston Road site on a warm
and sunny Sunday May 5, for its second
annual Family Fun Day. Families joined
local sports mascots Freddie the Falcon
and Rammie the Ram on a host of free
activities including a climbing wall, crazy
golf and traditional sports day games, as
well as enjoying interactions with meerkats,
parrots and even skunks!
Team Derby sports clubs put youngsters
through their paces in football, hockey,
American football and cricket, and Producer
of BBC StarGazing Live, Mark Thompson, delighted crowds with a talk about the fascinating
TV series. After all that activity the hungry crowds were catered for by a fantastic barbeque
served up by the Students’ Union Academy Bar.
Professor John Coyne said: “The day was a huge success in showcasing what the University
has to offer and firmly established our place at the heart of the community. Plans are already
afoot to make it even bigger and better next year.”
Plans are already
afoot to make it even
bigger and better next
year.
Professor John Coyne

12. Connected 12
News From The Communities
AlumniSport
Team Derby Athletes
Celebrate Best Year Yet
First ‘Derby In
London’ Event
Proves Capital
For Graduates
A group of Derby law, IT, business,
education, creative and hospitality
graduates who now call London home,
attended the Alumni Relations Team’s
first ever ‘Derby in London’ event earlier
this Spring.
The 30 graduates, who are employed
within a range of companies including
global brands KPMG, PwC, Burberry,
charities, or working freelance or in self-
employment, came together to share
memories of their time at Derby and to
network.
Derby LLB graduate Kevin Millward is
now a London-based freelance barrister,
who graduated in 1997.
He said: “It was a great evening. I've met
up with graduates from my course, and
caught up with the news and
developments at Derby.
“It’s a fantastic idea for the University to
have these types of events and I look
forward to the next one.”
Laura Ratcliffe, Alumni Relations Officer,
added: “Following the success of the
‘Derby in London’ event the Alumni
Relations team looks forward to taking
the University to another UK city for the
next ‘Derby in….’ very soon.”
Find out more about the University of
Derby’s alumni at
www.derby.ac.uk/alumni
Team Derby Football Club
This year has been Team Derby’s best yet
in University Sport. With only a few bowls
of the cricket season left to be played the
University is celebrating its highest ever
position in the British Universities and
Colleges Sports (BUCS) Championships,
where it currently stands in 63rd place up
from 77th in 2011/12.
Ollie Shearer, Sports Development Manager,
said: “Our sports teams have had some
sensational results this year. They have
worked incredibly hard and it has really paid
off. Each player and team has performed
fantastically well. Some of the highlights
have to be American Football, basketball,
men’s and women’s football, Futsal, Rugby
Union and squash winning their respective
BUCS titles. As well as trophies in
Dodgeball, snooker, volleyball, football,
dance, cheerleading and basketball.”
“It’s not just the teams, some of our
individual performers have provided some of
our best successes. Medals in archery, Judo
and Taekwondo capped off a brilliant year.”
“Our Team Derby Scholars have also had a
successful year with Jack Burnell winning
Gold and Silver in swimming and Yasmin
Marks picking up Silver in rowing.
“This hard work and effort has been helped
by the support and dedicated work of
University partners Derbyshire Institute of
Sport. The strength and conditioning training
and joint coach appointments has helped
move Team Derby onto the next level.”
A highlight for Team Derby’s Rugby Union
first team was winning the QBE Rugby Pro
competition, and experiencing the fantastic
prize of a training session with Leicester
Tigers RFC players and coaches and
receiving £1,000 of training equipment.
Ollie added: “If our cricket team performs
well (no pressure!) we could improve, and go
even higher than 63rd. We are delighted to
be well on target for our goal of being in the
Top 50 by 2015.”

13. From USDU President James Beckett
Community Relations
Team Leaves Union In Great Shape
Connected 13
A University tutor has been named Law
Lecturer of the Year.
Senior Law Lecturer David Hodgkinson
received the honour at the tenth annual
LawCareers.Net Training & Recruitment
Awards - run by influential legal profession
website LawCareers.Net - held at London's
Design Museum.
David, who joined the University in
December 2007, was one of only six award
finalists, chosen from the 254 lecturers
originally nominated by students.
Student comments about David praised his
legal knowledge and teaching style, also
adding: "He is well organised and the
lectures he gives are always a pleasure to
attend. He is a funny man with a strict no-
nonsense attitude to bad behaviour, but
encourages excellence at the same time."
David believes the skills he once employed
doing occasional stand-up comedy gigs
prove useful in keeping students engaged in
their studies.
Commenting on his win at the May 16 award
finals he said: "I am very proud to win, and I
must say that I am very grateful to the
students at the University of Derby and to
my colleagues. It is a team effort and I feel
wonderful in being able to bring this home
for us all."
Staff Spotlight
Law Tutor's 'Light-Hearted' Approach Wins Serious National Award
David Hodgkinson has won a
'Law Lecturer of the Year' Award
University Community
Work Heads In New
Direction
Over the last four years the Community
Relations team has been involved with
some valuable and significant work that
has helped to transform lives in migrant
communities in Derby.
However, with the education landscape
constantly evolving and the emphasis on
recruitment greater than ever, the team’s
focus and direction is changing. We are
broadening the impact of our work across
the region and taking a lighter touch
approach to the role, rather than getting
involved in-depth with any particular
community group or project.
We are establishing a ‘Community Fund’ to
support projects that will have an impact on
communities. We’ll create and deliver more
staff and student volunteer opportunities,
and raise the profile and presence of the
University across the region through the
work we do.
Understanding, sharing and supporting the
voluntary work our University
colleagues do in their own
communities will be a key focus
for us, as will working jointly
with regional businesses on
community related initiatives.
Finally we will be expanding the
number of volunteering
opportunities linked to wildlife
and the environment that
students have been involved
with over the last two years.
This new programme of work
will need the support of the
University, its staff, students
and stakeholders. Through such joint
endeavour the hope is that we can raise the
aspirations of all who are involved.
For more information contact Peter Walker
Community Relations Officer on
p.walker@derby.ac.uk
The end of the academic year will also
bring the end of their UDSU terms for
President James Beckett and Dom
Anderson, who prepare to leave for
pastures – and Unions – new. They make
way for newly elected members Matthew
James (VP Academic Affairs), Dan
Robertson (VP Welfare & Student Rights)
and Sophie Hewitt (VP Student
Development).
While James Beckett will return to his
Masters degree in Sustainable Architecture
at Derby, Dom will be taking up his role as
Vice President (Society and Citizenship) for
the NUS in London, after being elected to
the national role in April.
James Beckett said: “The last few months
have been a fantastic end to our time here,
and we know that we are leaving the
Students’ Union in really good shape.
“The changes we’ve made to our
commercial services have put us in a strong
financial position. We are employing more
students than ever (putting £180,000 back
into students’ pockets) and over the
summer we will be refurbishing Blends café,
opening a new shop at Britannia Mill and
updating the Union Quarter.
“The results of our recent survey - The Big
Conversation - have also given the
Students’ Union clear future direction, to
concentrate on providing advice and
guidance, and supporting our students’
future employability. Because of this
feedback we will be appointing more staff to
support and share expertise in these areas
in the coming year.
“Representing our students has been a
fantastic experience for each of us, and we
wish the newly elected team the best of luck
for the future.”

14. Connected 14
Derby Theatre’s first ever professionally
produced show Cooking With Elvis was
an incredible success, receiving critical
acclaim from audiences and press alike.
The Olivier Award-nominated play
performed in May (2013), captivated
audiences with impressive performances,
witty dialogue and humour, leaving
theatre-goers singing right until the very
end.
The production was overseen by the
Theatre’s newly appointed Artistic
Director, Sarah Brigham, who is now
looking to build on its success with the
recent announcement of the venue’s
second professionally produced
production, coming-of-age classic, Kes.
Sarah said: "We are delighted that our
first home-grown production has been
such a success with audiences. We'd like
to thank each and every one of them for
coming to see the show, telling their
friends and coming back!
“Derby is a vibrant and great city and we
are delighted to be part of its superb arts
scene."
Gary Johnson, General Manager at the
Theatre, added: "We have had an
overwhelming audience response to our
first professional produced show under
Sarah Brigham's artistic leadership. I
need to pay tribute to the Derby Theatre
staff who have pulled out all the stops to
achieve such an amazing production.”
For more information about upcoming
Theatre performances in Derby, visit
www.derbytheatre.co.uk
Audience Can’t Help
Falling In Love With
Home-Grown Productions
Derby Theatre
Schools and Community
Football Conference
Monday 24 June 2013, all day event
Burton Albion FC Pirelli Stadium
University of Derby sport and education
academics host this event for those involved
in community football programmes, or Head
Teachers and teachers interested in learning
outside the classroom. The parties will be
brought together through workshops to
begin to create effective partnerships, and
discuss how they can work together. Chair of
the Sport and Recreation Alliance, Andy
Reed OBE will give a keynote speech.
Places £20
To book visit
www.derby.ac.uk/science/sport-and
exercise/events/schools-and-community-
football-conference
Blue Remembered Hills
Derby Theatre
25 – 29 June 2013, various times
Dennis Potter’s charming and profound play
captures his expansive humanity, his wicked
humour and his fierce intolerance of
ordinary cruelty. Dennis Potter speaks to our
fractious, changing world with a simple but
powerful rhetoric about personal
responsibility. He takes us to a world of
dappled sunshine and long, playful
afternoons in order to dramatically remind us
that no-one is ever truly innocent.
For tickets visit www.derbytheatre.co.uk
Vintage Suitcase Fair
University of Derby Buxton campus,
Devonshire Road, Buxton.
Sunday 28 July 2013, 10am – 4pm
The Dome will be packed with vintage
clothing and accessories, homeware,
‘upcycled’ and restored furniture, soft
furnishings and textiles, handmade jewellery
and fine china to browse and buy, as The
Vintage Suitcase holds a fair in Buxton.
Entry £1, free to children under 12.
For more information visit
www.vintagesuitcase.co.uk
Develop
Derby Theatre
Thursday 11 July 2013, various times
A day for emerging artists to network, take
part in skills-based workshops, and to meet
and hear from industry professionals.
There will be opportunities to listen to
industry leaders and keynote speakers,
watch performances and engage in practical
workshops and discussion-based breakout
groups tailored for young artists.
£20
To book visit www.derbytheatre.co.uk
Kes
Derby Theatre
13 September – 5 October 2013, various
times
Derby Theatre presents its second
professionally produced show (directed by
its own Artistic Director, Sarah Brigham),
much-loved classic, Kes, adapted from the
novel A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines.
Set against a northern backdrop, Kes is a
well-known and much-loved book and film.
A coming-of-age, classic told with humour
What’s On?Here are just some of the fantastic events taking place
across the University over the coming months. For full
listings pick up a copy of the University’s latest Events
Guide, or visit www.derby.ac.uk/events

15. Connected 15
and warmth which continues to speak, and
be relevant to, audiences of all ages
through its powerful story of struggle in a
tough world.
To book tickets visit
www.derbytheatre.co.uk
Leek and Buxton College
Open Day
(Buxton campus only)
Saturday 22 June 2013, 11am – 3pm
GCSE results and advice and guidance
days
Thursday 22 August 2013, 11am – 3pm
Friday 23 August 2013, 11am – 3pm
Book your place at
www.buxtoncollege.ac.uk
University Open Days at
our Derby and Buxton
campuses
Saturday 7 September 2013, 10am – 3pm
Saturday 12 October 2013, 10am – 3pm
To book a place visit
www.derby.ac.uk/study/opendays
Connected Gallery
Age category 14-17
Alumni Sport Award
Cricket
Fairmeadows
Public voteAge category 18-24
Age category 14-17: Winner of the 14-17 age category of the School of Science’s Nature Photography Competition, taken by Kara Leachman, age 14.
Cricket: Derbyshire County Cricket Club player, and Derby student, Chris Durham (centre), celebrating the University’s shirt sponsorship with (left) the University's
Deputy Chief Executive Hari Punchihewa and (right) Estates Director, Ian Willgoose.
Alumni Sport Award: The Alumni Relations Team present the University American Football team, the Derby Braves, with the first ever Alumni Sport Award.
Fairmeadows: Children from Fairmeadows Primary School enjoy a day of learning at the University with Education Lecturer Claire Scott.
Age category 18-24: Winner of the 18-24 age category of the School of Science’s Nature Photography Competition, taken by Raluca Ruscan, age 19.
Public vote: Winner of the public vote of the School of Science’s Nature Photography Competition, taken by Abi Page, age 22.

16. Connected Gallery - The Big Show Special, images from Degree Shows 2013
www.derby.ac.uk/connected