Reporter

Issue 560
September 2011

This photograph was taken by Chinese student Wang Ziwei, who

is doing an MA in International Communications, and was an
entry in the Culture in Focus photography competition.

Inside

Making sense of violence:

a new multi-media project
launches to coincide with the tenth
anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist
attacks. Page 4

Working in
partnership
Leeds art libraries on the
map: a new guidebook is taking

researchers to the citys treasures.

Page 7

Countdown to the Staff

Festival: activities to suit

everyone at this years event on

Friday 9 September. Page 15

Next issue: October 2011

Deadline: 26 September 2011

Staff and students have worked together to refresh

the original Partnership Agreement and now the new
Partnership is ready to be put into practice.
At the heart of the Partnership are the core
values on which a Leeds education is based.
Professor Vivien Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor
for Student Education explains: The
Partnership sets out mutual expectations
for all of us, both staff and students. Just
as staff expect students to be open and
willing to engage in learning and to be active
participants in their education, so students
can expect staff to engage fully in making
sure that education is of the highest quality,
including great teaching, constructive
personal tutorials and advice on opportunities
after graduation.
Its now crucial we take this agreed
Partnership back to schools and services so
that as many of us as possible get involved
in discussions about how best to put it into
practice. In schools, this will mean working
with Leeds University Unions (LUU)
representatives through Student:Staff Forums
to ensure there is a clear understanding
of what the Partnership will mean in their
school clarifying deadlines for the return of

feedback and sticking to them, for example,

or making sure that students know how
best to contact staff or to use LeedsforLife to
prepare for personal tutorials.
Ben Jackson, Education Officer for LUU, is
pleased the University promotes dialogue
between staff and students so strongly: Im
delighted that staff and students at Leeds
have created the Partnership together.
Having clear expectations of each other
will help us work collectively to make the
University better for everyone. I look forward
to seeing students and staff collaborating on
more projects in the future.
The Partnership, together with supporting
materials and case studies, will be made
available online. School, faculty and services
information about the Partnership will be
published on their websites during the
coming year.
[continued on page 2]

Reporter / Issue 560

Working in partnership [continued from front page]

Support materials
to help you
THE REPORTER
is the University of Leeds staff magazine
and produced eight times a year. Over
8,500 copies are distributed to staff
across campus.

To support colleagues in discussing

and raising awareness of the
Partnership, the following materials are
available on the Partnership website:
1) Powerpoint slide, leaflet and
posters for use in student
inductions this September.

The Reporter is produced by Sarah Ward

in the Communications and Press Office.
Contributors to this issue include Kate
Murphy, Rose Roberto, Clare Shortall and
Abi Rowson.
http://reporter.leeds.ac.uk

2) Workshop materials to support

discussion of the Partnership in
Student:Staff Forums.

3) Codes of Practice and advice for

staff and students.

STORIES AND LETTERS

Story ideas and letters are welcomed as
hard copy or in email. The deadline for the
next issue is Monday 26 September.
EVENTS
Please submit events online at
www.leeds.ac.uk/events W
DISTRIBUTION AND INSERT ENQUIRIES
Phone Tom on 0113 343 8373
or email t.saxton@adm.leeds.ac.uk
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES
The Reporter
Communications and Press Office
Level 14
Ziff Building
Leeds LS2 9JT
Tel: 0113 343 6699
Email: the.reporter@leeds.ac.uk

If you would like information in

alternative formats (eg, large print
or audio) please contact us.

Access these at: http://partnership.

leeds.ac.uk W

The Partnership in action

The Partnership is already in action across
the University in a variety of different ways.
Visit the website to view case studies and to
share examples of best practice:
http://partnership.leeds.ac.uk W
Intercultural Ambassadors
Programme
The University of Leeds Intercultural
Ambassadors Programme, which was
launched with a LeedsforLife-funded pilot in
2010-11, trains UK and international student
volunteers to create and run exciting projects
to help students from all backgrounds enjoy
the benefits of being part of our multicultural
global community.

During the programmes pilot year, with

the support of Santander Universities,
ambassadors ran the I-Fiesta Global
Village, the Global Football Tournament and
the Global Perspectives Creative writing
workshop and short story competition
as part of the annual LUU International
Cultural Festival. Other projects included
Show us your life in collage; Culture in
Focus photography competition; Leodis
International Dining Club; and the new LUU
society, Unity in Diversity Forum.

In the pilot year, staff from International

Student Office, Skills@Library, Language
Centre, Leeds University Union, Lifelong
Learning, Careers Centre and Health and
Safety Services worked together to support
the ambassadors, with staff from other parts
of the University also contributing.
The International Student Office has been
awarded a Higher Education Academy
Teaching Development Individual Project
grant for 2011-12 to further develop and
disseminate the programme. Staff interested
in contributing to the programme should
contact Katy Manns, Head of International
Student Office.
LUU Blueprint

Leeds University Union has

been listening to student opinion
all year and we have pulled
together a report that outlines
student expectations at the
University of Leeds. We looked
at where the Union and the
University could work together
in partnership to improve,
dramatically in some places, the
experience of current and future
students. The Blueprint covers
all areas of student life from
recruitment, to learning, from
induction to renting and from
facilities to employment.
Tom Salmon
Marketing Manager, Leeds University Union

You can read and download the Blueprint

from the LUU website.
www.leedsuniversityunion.org.uk/news/
article/website/2574/ W

September 2011

A fresh approach to change

Professor Dawn Freshwater, our new Pro-Vice
Chancellor (PVC) for Staff and Organisational
Effectiveness, believes that ethical relationships,
public service values and integrity are central to
effective leadership and organisational development.
With wide-ranging experience of working
in joint appointments in the NHS and
universities over a period of 30 years,
she has led and managed numerous
organisational change programmes and
was awarded a Fellowship by the Royal
College of Nursing in 2002 for her innovative
change management methodology which
included reflexive modelling. As a Professor
of Mental Health for a decade, Dawn joined
the University four years ago as the Head of
School of Healthcare.
Professor Freshwater hopes to bring a
different perspective to the PVC role: The
remit is much broader role than previously
importantly, the focus of the role is academic
driven, so with academic colleagues, I
hope to better understand the dynamics of
our organisation and, in the context of the
available resources, optimise the potential
to deliver our academic mission. With
optimum systems and processes for leading,
managing and developing our staff, were
better positioned to deliver the best research
and teaching and to be on track to achieve
our 2015 mission.

Professor Freshwater will work with

academic colleagues, including Deans,
Heads of School and the Professoriate, to
look at established systems and, where
appropriate, develop new strategies and
processes to optimise performance: Its a
great opportunity to revitalise some existing
processes, and ask questions about whether
some approaches are still fit for purpose. Ill
be listening and asking questions about what
works and what doesnt, trying to understand
how some of the ideas and suggestions that
people have can be fed into the organisation
development process positively. I see change
as optimising our potential, but I dont see
myself as the one to make that happen
rather Id like to hear how people are already
managing this and how existing quality
practices resonate across the organisation. I
see myself as a conduit and enabler between
staff who working to develop and implement
effective and sustainable strategy.
Organisational effectiveness is everyones
business; its a vital and dynamic aspect of
our daily work, even an exciting part! We can
reframe the way we define it, so that its not
viewed as simply foregrounding cost savings,
but instead a much more complex interplay

of influences and drivers that facilitate

opportunities for enhancing the ways in
which we manage movement. As Head of
the School of Healthcare, I experienced a
great deal of freedom and flexibility about
how I worked with the School Management
Team to shape academic vision and
develop strategy, and now want to share that
experience and work with people to develop
creative solutions and approaches.
Professor Freshwater will bring an academic
perspective to a number of University
committees and the Equality Service will
report to her. She will also provide a lead
academic input into the prioritisation of
capital projects. She will continue her
research work she has two national
research grants and six PhD students and
also edits an international journal, sits on
the Council of Deans of Health and sits on
the Research Excellence Framework (REF)
panel. Its going to be extremely busy but
its also going to be very exciting she says.
It will be a balancing act, but how better to
know about how people can balance their
lives effectively and creatively than to be
experiencing it myself?

China chooses Leeds as Olympic training base

Leeds and the Chinese Olympic Committee have announced that
the sporting superpower will use the city as its official European preGames training base ahead of the London 2012 Games.
The deal has been agreed with the Chinese Olympic Committee by
Leeds City Council, and is supported by the University and Leeds
Metropolitan University, with the initial direct financial benefit from
hosting the team expected to be a minimum of 250,000.
The University will accommodate and host some 300 athletes,
coaches and support staff representing China in at least 11 sports, as
they prepare and acclimatise to English conditions before heading to
London for the Games.

The athletes coming to Leeds will be representing their country

pending qualification in mountain biking, fencing, modern
pentathlon, athletics, swimming, womens water polo, womens
handball, womens hockey, table tennis, boxing and taekwondo.
Discussions are also ongoing regarding a number of other sports.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Arthur said: Its a great honour for
the University and city of Leeds that China has chosen to complete
their preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games here. We
have superb facilities on campus and more than 1,500 students from
China at the University, and I know we will provide a superb training
camp environment for world-class athletes. Our staff and students
will give the Chinese team a wonderful reception next year and I hope
be inspired by our involvement with the 2012 Olympics.
3

Reporter / Issue 560

Making sense of violence

Histories of Violence, a new multi-media project led by Dr Brad Evans (School of
Politics and International Studies), launches in September to coincide with the tenth
anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York and the USA.
The inaugural event a symposia called Ten
Years of Terror will be launched through
the Guardians Comment is Free news site.
It features filmed lectures by some of the
worlds most pre-eminent thinkers, including
Noam Chomsky, Mary Kaldor, Simon
Critchley, Michael Hardt, Saskia Sassen, and
Zygmunt Bauman, reflecting on different
aspects of violence and how the world has
changed since the 9/11 and 7/7 terror
attacks. Excerpts of the films have been
edited together to form a public broadcast
which will be screened at leading art galleries
and institutions, including the Guggenheim
Museum in New York, Leeds City Art Gallery,
The Hague, Pace University in New York,
and the University of Paris VIII.
Histories of Violence is dedicated to exploring
the theoretical, practical and aesthetic
dimensions to violence, the age-old problem
which afflicts humanity, says Dr Evans.
Its a trans-disciplinary project thats open

to everyone academics, students and

members of the public and all the resources
can be freely accessed via the website
www.historiesofviolence.com The aim is to
encourage the widest possible dissemination,
discussion and reflection about violence and
the impact it has on our lives.
The website also features a Theory section,
containing more footage of noted academics
as they give lectures about key figures such
as Nicoll Machiavelli, Michel Foucault,
Slavoj Zizek, and Judith Butler. Each lecture
is accompanied by a biography and reading
list to help a non-specialist audience explore
the subject further. Other website elements
are dedicated to Art which launches with a
retrospective of the internationally acclaimed
work of New York-based artist Robert Longo
Literature which features an interview
and reading with Tom McCarthy, in particular
his latest novel C Film and Theatre.

News round-up

REF2014 Guidance on
Submissions

Encouraging results in the

National Student Survey

The REF2014 Guidance on Submissions

is now available, setting out the general
framework for assessment in the 2014
Research Excellence Framework (REF).
It includes guidance on procedures, data
that will be required and the criteria and
definitions that will apply. The document can
be accessed at www.hefce.ac.uk/research/
ref/pubs/2011/02_11/ W Please email
queries to leedsref@leeds.ac.uk

The results of the National Student Survey

2011 show that 86% of our final year
students are satisfied with their experience at
Leeds up from 82% last year.
Our scores went up in all six of the question
categories, with the greatest increases
(4 percentage points) for overall satisfaction
and assessment and feedback.
The improved overall satisfaction scores
mean that we move up significantly in the
national ranking as well as within the Russell
Group, where we are now in the top 10.

The idea for such a multi-media, multidisciplinary project came from Dr Evans
research and teaching. I was initially going
to get people to contribute their thoughts
about violence for a theoretical book, but I
got the sense that there was a real possibility
to multi-media learning in an innovative way,
he says. The more the idea developed, the
more I realised that there was the potential
to say something important about violence
in all its various forms. Not least, how we
understand the problematic of violence in
the post 9/11 world. Most of the academics
involved in the project are at the global
forefront of critical thinking in their areas, so
Leeds is at the hub of all this activity which is
very positive for us. As the project grows, Im
hoping that there will be more opportunities
for people from different backgrounds, as
well as other faculties and schools across the
University, to get involved.

With 75% of eligible students completing the

survey, we have one of the highest response
rates in the sector. The information provides
us with valuable feedback on what students
think of their experience at Leeds.

Free minibus now available

to Weetwood Hall
Weetwood Hall has introduced a free minibus
service to and from the University, which is
available to all staff and visitors staying at
Weetwood Hall. Pick-up points are outside
Parkinson Steps and the LUBS car park.
Journeys can be pre-booked by calling 0113
230 6000 and are subject to availability.

September 2011

Investment
to improve
access
New adjustable furniture has been installed
in 125 of the Universitys central teaching
rooms, greatly improving accessibility for our
disabled students.
The furniture, which represents an investment
of some 60,000, was installed after colleagues
from Estate Services, Equality Service and the
Central Timetabling and Room Bookings team
acted to further improve access for wheelchair
users and other disabled people.
Networking for sustainability (l-r): Chris Warrington, Laura Stroud, Julia Clarke, Mike Parnwell, Claire Marsh,
William Young, Nick Taylor and Carl Foster.

New network for a

sustainable future
As issues such as climate change, land
degradation, and food insecurity force
industrialised nations to shift their fossil-fuel
based, resource intensive lifestyles to more
sustainable alternatives, the higher education
sector is being urged to consider its role in
educating future leaders, thinkers and citizens
to build their capacity for meeting these
challenges. The Education for Sustainable
Development Network (ESDN) is a new
group of University staff and students who
seek to consider how taught programmes
and research activities can be designed and
delivered to respond to this need.
Chaired by Dr William Young from the
Sustainability Research Institute, the ESDNs
steering group comprises representatives
from each faculty who lead initiatives in
their disciplinary areas, identify and build
links with others already working towards
these aims, and develop cross-disciplinary
experiences linked to the formal curriculum
and to the broader experience of studying
and living in Leeds. The ESDN is also

contributing to the Curriculum Enhancement

Project, specifically via the ethics thread
and a proposed strand on sustainability.
ESDN is partially funded by an Academic
Development Fund (Fund for Learning &
Teaching) project, led by William Young
and Julia Clarke, which is supporting pilot
initiatives in the faculties of Environment and
Business.
The Network has launched a new website
to showcase best practice examples from
each discipline, along with a space on the
Virtual Learning Environment to share actual
teaching materials, says project officer
Claire Marsh. Wed like interested staff and
students to help populate this site with details
of what they are doing to enhance education
for sustainable development.
Contact Claire Marsh or visit www.esd.
leeds.ac.uk to find details of your faculty
representative, news of upcoming events or
register your support. W

HM the Queens Diamond

Jubilee Bank Holiday

Leeds graduate
employment rates improve

As the additional Bank Holiday granted to

celebrate HM the Queens Diamond Jubilee
will fall at a time when the University would
ordinarily be closed by custom and practice,
it has been agreed that staff will be granted
an additional day of disposable leave in
2012. The day should be added to your
usual entitlement for 2011-12.

Figures from the Higher Education Statistics

Agency (HESA) report, Destinations of
Leavers from Higher Education for 2009/10,
show that 92.6% of Leeds graduates were in
employment or further study six months after
graduating, an improvement on the previous
year. The number in graduate-level jobs also
increased to 73% up 7% compared to
2008/09.

During the summer, adjustable tables were

installed in most of the seminar rooms accessible
via wheelchair and in lecture theatres with flat
level access and a space for a wheelchair. Also,
at least one chair with arms can now be found in
the majority of the seminar rooms.
We were looking for maximum flexibility
when we chose the furniture, so that it can
be adapted to suit a wide range of people,
says Greg Brachacki of the Leeds Assessment
Centre. It was also selected and positioned to
be discreet and, where possible, its matched to
the adjacent desks.
Its often the simple, straightforward things that
make a massive difference to disabled people,
and these adjustable tables and chairs will do
just that, adds disability coordinator Joanna
Cannon. Theres still work to be done to further
improve accessibility of the central teaching
rooms but this furniture is a big improvement.
Whilst this investment focuses on accessibility
from the student perspective, further work will be
carried out to look at improvements for disabled
staff using the central teaching rooms. Other
initiatives during the next year include a review
of the assistive listening systems used in the
University and a further review of lecture theatres
to identify where waiting spaces for wheelchairs
need to be created to improve accessibility.
To coincide with the installation of this furniture,
the Universitys central rooms database has
been further developed to include accessibility
information and describe the level of provision in
all the central teaching rooms, explains David
Dixon, timetable manager. Were also working
on developing the online registration system to
help gather information about disabled students
in a more timely fashion.
For further information on any of these initiatives
or if you have any feedback on access issues
relating to central teaching rooms, please contact
Equality Service at www.equality.leeds.ac.uk/ W
The rooms database can be found at
www.teachingspace.leeds.ac.uk/ W
5

Reporter / Issue 560

New post
brings
Dean new
challenges

This is a completely new role which has

never been done before so, for the first time,
theres someone whos specifically looking
after postgraduate research and focusing on
the interests and experiences of current and
future postgraduate research students, says
Professor Paul Harrison, the newly-appointed
Dean of Postgraduate Research Studies
(PGR).
The University created the post because it
recognises that the quality of PGR students
is vital to the success of our research mission
and, therefore, our overall strategy, he
continues. Ill be reviewing the experiences
of existing students, including their induction,
supervision, transfer to full PhD, thesis
production, training and eventual graduation.
I want to get a clear picture and make sure
were doing the best we can in every one
of these areas. My aim is to facilitate the
sharing of good practice; its not a case
of one size fits all students in different
faculties have different needs but where
there are points in a process when uniformity
is good, we should adopt them.
Another part of Professor Harrisons role
is to further develop relationships with
funding bodies. I want to gain a better
understanding of current and future funding
strategies, so I can direct new opportunities
to the relevant people. Ill also be

Research reaching a
wider audience
An expanded and increased
commercialisation service is aiming to bring
innovations, ideas and inventions from the
Universitys academics to a wider audience,
through the formation of spinout companies,
licensing agreements or knowledge transfer
partnerships.
To help these expansion plans, the University
now has a renewed contract in place with
IP Group, an organisation which specialises
in the commercialisation of intellectual
property originating from research-intensive
institutions like the University.
The University already has 25 listed spinout
companies the largest number of any UK
university and were aiming to increase
this further, says Andrew Duley, Director
of Commercialisation in the Universitys
Research and Innovation Service.
Weve already been working with IP Group
for nine years, during which time theyve
helped us process around 1,000 Initial
Opportunities for Disclosure IODs the

preliminary form that people submit

which outlines their research or idea and
how it might be applied commercially,
says Andrew.
Once we have an IOD, the
commercialisation team and IP Group will
work with the academics involved to look
at some key areas of the proposal. This
includes its intellectual property, the value
proposition and market opportunities which
may be wider than initially thought financial
requirements and the team required to
support and manage the project. Once weve
clarified these areas, we can offer advice on
how best to take the project further.
If youre interested in discussing
commercialisation, get in touch with Andrew
Duley at A.J.M.Duley@leeds.ac.uk or, if you
want to discuss spinout companies in more
detail, contact IP Groups Dr Laura Bond at
laura.bond@ipgroupplc.com or
07855 771375.

coordinating joint funding submissions from

multiple schools and faculties, and possibly
even universities. PGR is the lifeblood of our
research, and with more funding we can
build a stronger PGR body.
Professor Harrison, who will continue
as Professor of Quantum Electronics in
the School of Electronic and Electrical
Engineering, is keen, too, to build the
Universitys international reputation. The
internationalisation agenda is really important,
and it would be good to establish more
relationships with other organisations and
increase mobility both ways. Students benefit
hugely from spending time abroad and its
also a great way to develop our reputation if
our students do well, other institutions start to
think more highly of Leeds.
Im very positive about the Universitys
future. The development of the strategy map
was important and we decided what kind of
University we want to be. Now were in the
implementation stage and have actually got
to deliver on those aims. The University has
been here for over a century so theres a lot
of tradition to preserve. Change may not be
fast but its about building something thats
going to last and making sure the University
is here in another 100 years.

Case study - Syntopix

Syntopix was founded in 2003 as a spin-out
from the Department of Biochemistry and
Microbiology by Dr Jon Cove and Dr Anne
Eady, and focuses on the discovery and
development of compounds for the topical
treatment of dermatological conditions. The
science underpinning the company was
initially funded by the Wellcome Trust and,
with support from IP Group, Syntopix raised
further investment prior to floating on the AIM
market in 2006.
In May 2011 skin care specialist Syntopix
joined forces with another successful spin out
company from the University in a deal worth
900,000. Syntopix bought Leeds Skin Centre
for Applied Research Ltd (Leeds Skin), a
commercial testing facility whose clients
include several major players in the medicinal
and cosmetic healthcare sector. Leeds Skin,
founded in 2008 by Dr Richard Bojar from the
Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology,
is based in Wetherby and evolved from
what was the Skin Research Centre at the
University. The acquisition of Leeds Skin was
a pivotal transaction for Syntopix, which can
now carry out clinical trials in-house, meaning
it can conduct more sophisticated studies and
minimises risks. The significant cell biology
experience of Leeds Skin complements
Syntopix microbiological expertise, aiding the
development of Syntopix products.

September 2011

Leeds art libraries

on the map
Librarians and archivists around Leeds
have been working on the Art Researchers
Guide to Leeds, a new guidebook that will
take researchers to treasures such as letters
between Henry Moore and his fellow artists,
centuries-old sketches featuring Kirkstall
Abbey and photos of the Cottingley Fairies.
There are botanical illustrations so realistic
you feel compelled to stroke petals, and
illuminated maps, manuscripts and charters
with the paintings of Queen Elizabeth I,
whose elaborate signature officially classifies
as a work of art itself. Many of these gems
are not online.
Leeds has fantastic collections on
architecture, art, and design, but researchers
dont know how to get their hands on
everything they might need this guide helps
solve that problem, says Rose Roberto,
subject librarian for fine art, cultural studies
and design, and guide editor. Through a
visual narrative, the guide points the way to 10
libraries and repositories with art and design
resources. Indexed by over 80 subjects, it
includes a citywide map, navigation icons, a
time-saving subject index to collections and
colour images of each place.
What makes the guide useful is the map
and index. If youre doing research on

fashion, for example, the visual index shows

which places have the right material, and
whether its in book, archives or audiovisual
format, says Rachel Myers, former librarian
for design at the University.
Contributors come from all over Leeds,
including experts from the Henry Moore
Institute, the Royal Armouries and West
Yorkshire Archive Service. University
contributors are the Librarys Chris Sheppard,
Jill Winder from the University of Leeds
International Textiles Archive (ULITA), and
retired staff Ben Read and Peter Meredith
from the Schools of Fine Art and English,
respectively. The new Marks & Spencer
Archive also has an entry.
Published by the Art Libraries Society of UK
and Ireland, the guide builds on the work of
Leeds Art Libraries in Cooperation. People at
Edinburgh institutions are writing their own
guide, also to be designed and edited by
Rose Roberto, and a Dublin guide will follow
in 2013.
The Art Researchers Guide to Leeds is on
sale for 5.95 at the Stanley and Audrey
Burton Gallery and ULITA, the Henry Moore
Institute, Leeds City Art Library and Gallery
and Blackwells.

Corinne receives
honorary degree
A live performance by award-winning singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey
Rae was the highlight of this years honorary degree ceremonies.
Also honoured were former chairman and chief executive of iconic
Yorkshire business Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, Jonathan Wild, who
received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws; biologist Professor David
Stuart, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science; and
NHS Director General of Research and Development, Dame Sally
Davies, who received an Honorary Doctorate in Medicine.

Chancellor Lord Bragg congratulates Corinne Bailey Rae

on receiving her honorary degree.

Leeds-born Corinne Bailey Rae grew up in the city and graduated

with a degree in English from the University in 2000. She has since
enjoyed widespread popular and critical acclaim for her music, with a
collection of Grammy, Brit and MOBO awards to her name.
7

Reporter / Issue 560

Faculty fo

Faculty focus
Faculty focus

Performance,Visual Arts
and Communications

During the past few months, the Reporter has been looking at each of the Universitys
nine faculties in turn here, in the last of the series, Dean of the Faculty of
Performance, Visual Arts and Communications (PVAC) Professor David Cooper tells
us more about the faculty. For me a great University, a true University, broadcasting. Alongside this hub is a diversity

Faculty
facts
Performance,

Visual Arts and

Communications
Faculty facts
The Facultys vision is that by 2015 we
will be recognised for our international
excellence in the research and teaching
of culture and its products through
theory and practice in the disciplines
of communications, design, music,
performance and the visual arts.
In the 2010 QS World University
Ranking, Arts and Humanities at Leeds
(including PVAC) was placed 49th in the
world and 9th in the UK.
Over 70% of the facultys PhD students
go on to follow a career in further or
higher education.
PVAC offers 43 studentships through the
Arts and Humanities Research Council
Block Grant Partnership (2009-13).

has three main responsibilities. And like

the sides of an equilateral triangle, they are
entirely mutually dependent and of equal
importance. Thus there is no hierarchy to
them no single aspect can exist without the
other two.
The first of these is to be a forge for the
development of new knowledge and creative
work. The second is to be a storehouse for
the existing work that new outputs arise from,
expand and challenge. And the third is to
share and disseminate that knowledge and
those outputs, whether from the distant past
or the immediate present: with our students;
with other scholars, artists, scientists and
engineers; with commercial, industrial and
cultural partners; and with humanity at large.
This lies at the very centre of the strategy
of the University of Leeds this is what is
meant by research-led teaching. And from
research-led teaching springs innovation and
enterprise from our students and a greater
clarity of public engagement from our staff
who are used to explaining their research to
the student audience.
A significant recent development in research
is the Facultys transformation fund project.
The Culture, Society & Innovation Hub was
launched in July, and will be an engine for
cultural and creative industries research
at the University. It will strengthen existing
and initiate new strategic partnerships
internationally in its four strands: cultural
industries and innovation; transforming
cultural heritage; design, performance
and technology; and transformations in

of research projects, all with major impact

within and beyond the academy. Perhaps
the highest profile of these is the waterless
washing process developed by Professor
Stephen Burkinshaw, which has won a
number of major environmental prizes and
is currently being commercialised. Current
cultural partners include leading arts
organisations, museums and galleries from
Yorkshire to Qatar.
The Academy of Cultural Fellows, inspired
by the highly influential Gregory Fellowships
in the Creative Arts established at the
University in 1950, and strongly supported
by our institutional partner, Opera North, will
consist of a group of brilliant young artists
who have the time and space to develop their
individual voices and make a major impact
through their own work, while at the same
time enhancing student experience across
the institution. Highly successful composer
Cheryl Frances-Hoad was appointed as the
first new fellow in September 2010, and Becs
Andrews, an acclaimed theatre designer, has
been appointed as our second fellow.
A key principle of recent conferences led
by PVAC is the breadth of participation
(including researchers, practitioners and
professionals) and the diversity of forms
such as last years Digging the Seam:
Media & the End of the Coal Miners Strike,
or the forthcoming Performance Studies
International: Performance, Culture and
Industry which will see a parallel performance
festival in Leeds in collaboration with the
major performance organisations in Leeds.

ocus

An international approach
In keeping with our outward looking
philosophy, we have a strong tradition of
international partnerships in which we
seek to:
engage with the leading knowledge
creators, critics, disseminators, and users
impact on individuals and societies
adopt a responsible and responsive
global stance in the development of all
academic activities.
We identify, develop and disseminate good
practice via an international curriculum for
all increasing Study Abroad exchange
opportunities with universities in North
America, Australia, China and across
Europe, and extending the study period for
undergraduates across the faculty to four
years with a year abroad opportunity. We
are also increasing the number of visiting
professors and short-term postgraduate
scholars to enhance the learning experience
of all students. Theres a broad range of
invitations for PVAC staff to make overseas
visits for research and pedagogical events
and this has been extended via Erasmus and
faculty funds to faculty office staff, including
the Research Manager
Students from China, Taiwan and Korea have
a long history of links with the facultys older
Schools and are rapidly developing them
with the new, and links with India and South
America are being developed.
The faculty has a tiered approach to
international partnerships; at its most indepth there is development at research
group, postgraduate and undergraduate
levels. For example, the Design development
with Zhejiang University in China, where a
research centre in colour imaging is linked
to research groups in both institutions,
with a collaborative MSc and PhD shared
supervision. A similar strategy is being
followed in the Middle East, starting with the
first museum studies PhD candidate from
Qatar a curator at the National Museum
is returning to an academic career
developing museum studies in collaboration
with the School of Fine Art and the City
of Leeds. In parallel, a lecturer from King
Abdul Aziz University (KAU), Saudi Arabia,
has been working as a post-doctorate here.
She is building a business plan to deliver
museum studies when she returns to the
KAU, as part of a wider research proposal
to develop KAUs museum collections and
open a new museum in its school of Art and
Design.

September 2011

Research and
employability study
shows that Arts is in the
right place
A new report and resource pack has
been produced for use with current and
prospective students to help emphasise
and develop connections between
research-led teaching and employability.
Students, Research and Employability
in the Faculty of Arts was funded by
a University Teaching Fellowship, and
involved focus groups, alumni interviews,
observed teaching and document analysis.
Its vital that we consider these issues,
says Dr Matthew Treherne (School of
Modern Languages and Cultures) who ran
the project with Abi Rowson. Nationally,
the role of the arts and humanities in
universities is subject to debate; within the
University the issue of employability is high
on the agenda; and research-led teaching
remains an institutional priority.
The findings confirmed that our
curriculum fosters transferable skills like
communication, problem solving and
project management. We found that
employability isnt the only reason for
studying the arts students love their
subjects for their own sake but that
a research-led education in arts and
humanities is also an investment which will
pay long-lasting career dividends.
The challenge lies in communicating
these dividends clearly and convincingly to
future and current students, so they can
articulate the benefits of their academic
experience at Leeds to future employers.
Theres scope to emphasise a whole range
of skills that our approach to research-led
teaching can bring such as flexibility,
analysis, teamwork and leadership.
The project has produced resources for
students, including: materials outlining
what research-led teaching is and how it
supports the development of employable
skills; sample questions from job application
forms and interviews with suggestions
for how students engagement with the
research process can enrich answers; and
a case study demonstrating links between
research-led teaching and employable
skills. These can be integrated into existing
resources, in particular module resources
and the VLE, student handbooks and
Careers Centre material.
For staff, the report includes an article
about the implications of the project for
teaching practice and a paper suggesting
three opportunities for development.
Access the report at https://elgg.leeds.
ac.uk/illmt/weblog W
9

Reporter / Issue 560

Making the most of

the power of networks

World-class
upgrade for
Leeds Dental
Institute
A 9.5 million refurbishment of the
Leeds Dental Institute means that dental
students training in Leeds now have
access to some of the best facilities in
the world.
The refurbishment includes 120 new
dental chairs, a new X-ray department,
24 new surgeries for NHS consultants
to provide specialist dental treatment
and a new entrance and reception.
The investment provides a first-class
environment for patients and the most
up-to-date facilities for the teaching of
dental students and other dental care
professionals, including student dental
nurses and hygienists.
The Leeds Dental Institute is run jointly
bythe University and Leeds Teaching
Hospitals NHS Trust, who bid for the
investment three years ago so that the
number of undergraduates studying
dentistry could be expanded, and to give
dental students access to up-to-date,
world-class facilities.
Dr Margaret Kellett, Director of Leeds
Dental Institute, said: Thanks to this
very significant investment we have
transformed the building and provided a
state-of-the-art facility where more dental
students will be able to receive top quality
training in a modern environment.
Our new curriculum and our dental
mannequin unit have been hailed as
the most innovative and advanced in
Europe. The changes have been very well
received by students and staff and we are
already making a big difference to dental
training in the region.
10

A friendly forum where people can meet

colleagues face to face, share ideas and best
practice, and be updated on new initiatives,
with the aim of improving communication
and effectiveness across campus, is
how Debbie Gibbs describes the Personal
Assistants (PA) Network that she and Gaynor
Butterwick, Faculty PA for Leeds University
Business School, have established.

spoken to the group about the Universitys

strategy, and Marion Lowrence, PA to the
head of Yorkshire Universities, and The
Queens Yorkshire PA of the Year, has given
a presentation. In future, the plan is to hold
meetings every two months which will be
hosted at different venues across campus so
members visit offices away from their normal
working areas.

The idea for the PA Network grew from

informal meetings that PAs used to have offcampus. Thinking that it would be useful to
put the network on a more organised basis,
Debbie whos PA to Pro-Vice-Chancellor for
Student Education Professor Vivien Jones
and Gaynor emailed the PAs for senior staff
to gauge their interest and invite them to an
initial meeting.

The network is still in its initial phase of

development and currently consists of PAs
for senior members of staff, but the longterm aim is to widen membership to other
PAs in the University, says Gaynor. Setting
up this kind of network is also something
that Id recommend to other members of
staff. Getting to know other people who do
a similar role is great; it increases morale
as youre part a recognised and supportive
group, and it also gives you a group voice
across campus.

We stressed the potential benefits of

the group, and the response was really
encouraging with around 25 people coming
to the first meeting, says Debbie.
Giving people the opportunity to put a face
to a name improves communications on a
practical basis across faculties and between
academic and support staff. Regular
meetings are also an opportunity to discuss
and update each other on current initiatives
and developments across campus.
As well as general discussions, the PA
Network aims to have presentations from
internal teams and services, preferred
external suppliers and senior members of the
University. So far, the Vice-Chancellor has

Building networks:
Debbie Gibbs (l) and Gaynor Butterwick.

Professor Michael Arthur, Vice-Chancellor,

said: Large organisations, such as ours,
work best via their informal networks rather
than their formal processes. Its fantastic
that the PA network has formed and that
people from different parts of the University
are getting to know each other well. PAs are
important and influential members of staff
and Im delighted that they are contributing
so positively to new ideas and the future of
the University.
If youre interested in joining the PA Network
or if youd like advice on setting up your own
network, contact d.gibbs@adm.leeds.ac.uk
or gaynor@lubs.leeds.ac.uk

Leader
column
Professor Michael J P Arthur
University Vice-Chancellor

The summers nearly over, but we have every reason to have a spring in our step.
From the success of recent open days to
significant improvements in how students
rate their time here, and from the health
of University finances, increased research
turnover (to more than 126m per annum),
to plans to invest millions in enhancing the
student experience, theres much to feel
proud and optimistic about.
This year will be our last to get everything in
place ahead of the arrival next September of
the first cohort of students paying 9k tuition
fees. Expectations will be high and we will
all need to think carefully about how we can
contribute towards meeting them.
Junes open days were our first experience
of recruiting in the new fees environment. It
was vital we got them right. A huge amount
of planning led to a resounding success,
with around 24,000 visitors to campus over
two days greeted by scores of positive and
well-prepared staff and student volunteers.
Feedback was fantastic, with 95% of
visitors rating the day good or excellent
and praising the helpfulness of staff and
students. Many commented on the positive
feeling around the University its spirit, its
openness and its warmth. My thanks to
everyone involved it was so important to set
such a positive tone for our future.
All universities have been through
challenging times, but now we must remain
tightly focused on our future. Spending
9k to study at Leeds will be a significant
investment, but I am confident we will not
have any major problems recruiting students.
Weve just completed the Integrated
Planning Exercise (IPE) and even factoring
in a 5% reduction in student numbers next
year a good forecast given subsequent
White Paper proposals financial projections
are much better than last year. Despite
ongoing funding cuts, we can feel confident
that our hard work has brought us to a
position that allows us to properly invest in
our student experience and our future at this
critically important time.

I know too some colleagues face ongoing

uncertainty, and we are working closely with
units in organisational review to ensure they
are academically and financially sustainable.
But the number of areas in review is falling.
Seven have exited the process this year,
most recently Research and Innovation
Support and Student Services. I am
confident more will follow.
I touched recently upon our graduates
employment prospects, but they are worth
repeating. The Destination of Leavers from
HE (DLHE) survey shows that 92.6% of
our 2010 graduates were in graduate level
employment or further study six months after
graduation. According to this measure, we
even outperform Oxford!
Great news also comes in the guise of the
National Student Survey (NSS) 2011. 86% of
our students say they were very satisfied or
satisfied with their experience an increase
of 4% on last year and a result that puts us
in 10th= position in the Russell Group. We
also achieved improved scores across all
categories including teaching, academic
support, organisation and management
learning resources and personal development
a truly fantastic outcome.
Viv Jones and our Pro-Deans for Student
Education are to be congratulated for their
highly effective leadership and their detailed
and dedicated work in improving our
performance. This years success shows that
with focus and professionalism, real progress
can occur a massive thank you from me to
all staff concerned for this very timely result.
VCEG and the Deans are currently looking
at how best to invest 12m in enhancing
the student experience and the 9m we
have added to our Strategic Support and
Development Funds. The Deans input in
this, as in so much else, has been critical.
Different views have been expressed with
some incorporated into plans and some not.
These are major strategic decisions, and

collective input and ownership is critical.

Changes in the composition of VCEG
will also help to refresh and sharpen our
strategic focus. Dawn Freshwater, who takes
over as PVC for Staff and Organisational
Effectiveness, has been highly successful as
Head of the School of Healthcare and has
significant experience of leading change.
David Hogg takes on a new integrated role as
PVC for Research and Innovation. As Head
of the School of Computing, he led a review
which revitalised the school he also brings
considerable experience of leadership and
personal success in research and innovation.
Dawn and David are first and foremost team
players and I am really looking forward to
working closely with both of them
Richard Williams and Steve Scott have
been in VCEG for six of the seven years I
have been here and I thank both for their
outstanding contribution. Richards major
achievement has been getting everyone
thinking about enterprise, innovation and
research in an integrated way. Steve is a
fantastic citizen of the University I would
highlight his painstaking work on promotions
as his great legacy amongst his many
significant achievements. Andrew Thompson
made his mark as PVC for Research, as did
Ed Spiers, who stepped in and also did the
job brilliantly. I am indebted to both Andrew
and Ed for great research results this year
and getting our preparations for REF2014
well underway.
I hope everyone had some time for relaxation
this summer and that all feel refreshed. The
coming year will be challenging, but the
success of open days and improvement in
our NSS scores shows us just how good this
University can be when under pressure.
They also remind us of an important lesson
if professionalism is combined with effort and
teamwork, we will get the results we want.
Lets put our hearts and minds into making
this year our best yet.
11

Reporter / Issue 560

Professor Patricia McKinney, (School of
Medicine, LIGHT) criticised research linking
an increased risk of childhood asthma
with electrical lines. She said the research
lacked a biological basis or hypothesis to
test and pointed to major deficiencies
in its methods. Her comments appeared in
the Scotsman and also gained widespread
international coverage in Australia and
Canada.

In the
news

A giant robotic worm that can wiggle its

way around obstacles caused a media
stir worldwide. Dr Jordan Boyle (School
of Mechanical Engineering) featured on
Channel 5s Gadget Show and news of the
worm appeared in New Scientist and the
Financial Times, as well as media outlets in
Brazil, Russia, France, Australia and The
Netherlands. The super-sized worm-bot
is modelled on the C. elegans nematode, a
tiny worm that uses an ultra-simple nervous
system to control the way that it moves.
Unlike its natural counterpart which has no
skeleton the robot has a rigid backbone
like a snake. However, a series of springs
along the length of its body give the robot
worm-like flexibility. The project was funded
by the Engineering and Physical Sciences
Research Council.
Dr Mark Monaghan (School of Sociology and
Social Policy) appeared on BBC Radio Leeds
commenting on the classification of drugs
under the Misuse of Drugs Act, in particular
the drug ketamine. He suggested that it was
time to reclassify several drugs or review the
current law, especially as recreational drug
use has continued to rise.

12

Professor Jane Francis (School of Earth and

Environment) featured in an item on the
Observer about Antarcticas tropical past.
Reporting from the International Symposium
on Antarctic Earth Sciences the article
quotes recent research, including drilling
projects and satellite surveys, which show
that the region previously enjoyed a warm
climate before gradually cooling down to its
present condition.

The current fashion for some women to

favour all things fake including eyelashes,
nails and tans was the subject of an
article in the Independent. Professor Ruth
Holliday (Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender
Studies) contributed to the debate, saying:
Traditionally, there has been a tension
between the natural look, representing
respectability, and therefore marriageability,
and the fake, glamour aesthetic which
was seen as the opposite. For modern
women its no longer important to appear
marriageable Making a show of your
fakeness with red lipstick, or a statement
fringe is a way of not conforming. The most
pernicious form of femininity is the myth of
the natural.

The campaign to replace mathematical

constant pi with tau received plenty of
media coverage especially on Tau Day held
on the 28 June, which represents taus value
of approximately 6.28. Quoted in the Daily
Mail, Kevin Houston (School of Mathematics)
said: Pi simply isnt the most natural
number that we should associate with a
circle. The proper number is 2pi, or tau.
The story also appeared in the Times and on
the BBC.
The state of various European economies
prompted much discussion, and our
academics were interviewed for Radio Leeds.
Both Dr Charles Dannreuther and Hugo
Radice (School of Politics and International
Studies) commented on the announcement
of a second bailout for the troubled Greek
economy, whilst Professor Malcolm Sawyer
(Leeds University Business School) provided
expertise on Italys debt crisis.

Research showing that the heavy

armour worn by the French knights
at the Battle of Agincourt may have
swung the outcome in Englands
favour, received widespread coverage.
Articles quoting lead researcher Dr
Graham Askew (Faculty of Biological
Sciences) appeared in the Guardian,
Times and Telegraph and the story was
covered by Radio 4s Today, News at
Ten, CBS News and BBC Look North.
Lead researcher Dr Graham Askew
even appeared on Calendar wearing
a suit of armour, demonstrating how
its weight would make it cumbersome
and tiring to wear.

Professor John Young (School of Medicine)

was quoted in an article about delirium
in elderly patients in New Scientist. He is
currently leading a study which is testing
measures to raise awareness of and
prevent delirium, which in many cases goes
untreated.
Professor Liane Benning (School of Earth
and Environment) was interviewed on Radio
Leeds, reflecting on the end of the NASA
shuttle programme.

Further details of press coverage can

be found at http://mediacuttings.leeds.
ac.uk/index.aspx W

Our people
Honours

Send your honours to the.reporter@leeds.ac.uk

Professor David Hogg (School of Mathematics) has been

appointed the new Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research with effect from
1 September.
Professor Paul Harrison (School of Electronic and Electrical
Engineering) has been appointed Dean of Postgraduate Studies with
effect from 1 August.
Isabel Hunt has been appointed as Communications Director with
effect from 1 October.
Professor Frans L Muller has been
appointed to the chair of Chemical
Process Engineering. Based in the Institute
of Process Research and Development,
he will oversee research into continuous
flow processing, process modelling and
simulation, and innovative ways of working
in the process environment.
The University together with St Gemmas Hospice has appointed
Professor Michael Bennett to the post of St Gemmas Professor of
Palliative Medicine. He will head a new Academic Unit of Palliative
Care at the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, a teaching and
research institute within the Universitys School of Medicine.
Professor Phil Scott (School of Education) won this years Bragg
Medal of the Institute of Physics for significant contributions to
Physics Education. The citation makes reference to his: influential
research in physics education which has had a significant impact
on teachers and the teaching of physics in secondary schools.
Very sadly, Professor Scott unexpectedly passed away shortly after
receiving this award.
Professor Alan Andrew Watson (School of
Physics and Astronomy) received the Faraday
Medal of the Institute of Physics for his
outstanding leadership within the Pierre Auger
Observatory and the insights he has provided
to the origin and nature of ultra high energy
cosmic rays. He was also recently awarded the
OCeallaigh Medal by the International Union
of Pure and Applied Physics Commission on
Cosmic Rays in recognition of his significant
contributions to the field.
Professor Joe Holden was awarded the Gordon Warwick Medal 2011
by the British Society for Geomorphology.
Professor Ken Carslaw (School of Earth and Environment)
and Professor Giles Davies (School of Electronic and Electrical
Engineering) each received a prestigious Royal Society Wolfson
Research Merit Award. Professor Carslaws research involves
modelling of the physical and chemical properties of atmospheric
aerosols and the effect on clouds, atmospheric composition and
climate. Professor Davies leads two groups confronting major
international research challenges of terahertz frequency electronics
and bio-nanoelectronics.

September 2011

Dr Jim Caryl and Dr Dave Sproson were both declared winners in the
outreach project Im a Scientist Get Me Out of Here. The Wellcome
Trust-funded project sees students talk with scientists online and then
vote for their favourite. Dr Caryl (Faculty of Biological Sciences) won
the Genes zone and Dr Sproson (School of Earth and Environment)
won the Marine and Underwater Science zone. Details are at http://
imascientist.org.uk/ W
Waterloo Teeth, a collection of poems by Professor John Whale
(School of English), has been shortlisted for the 5,000 Felix Dennis
prize for the best first collection of poetry of the Forward Poetry
Competition. Known as the bardic Booker, this annual competition
is the only major award that honours both established and up-andcoming poets.
Professor Simon R Biggs (Institute of
Particle Science and Engineering) has
been elected as a new Fellow of the
Royal Academy of Engineering. The
citation states that the honour is for:
Distinguished for achievements in
the application of colloid and interface
science to the development of new
functional materials and innovations in
the engineering particulate systems in the
chemicals, minerals and nuclear sectors.
Professor Jim Deuchars (Institute of Membrane and Systems
Biology) has been awarded the G L Brown Prize Lecture for 2012 by
the Physiological Society of Great Britain. The prize is given for an
annual series of peripatetic lectures aimed at a younger audience to
stimulate an interest in physiology. Watch part of Professor Dauchars
lecture (with audience karaoke!) on the Wonders of the Wanderer
or What your vagus nerve can do for you at www.youtube.com/
watch?v=GERi_LkJ8sw W
Professor Frank Nijhoff (School of Mathematics) has been appointed
a Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellow by the Royal Society, the
UKs national academy of science.
Congratulations to Residential Services who have been awarded the
Customer First Standard by Putting the Customer First the awarding
body for the National Standard for Customer Service in recognition
of its efforts as a service to put the customer first at the heart of what
they do and deliver a first-class experience.
Following visits and interviews, the assessor praised many examples
of good practice in all areas of the business and where it was a reassessment, was pleased to see that strong progress had been made.
More information about the Customer First Standard can be found at
www.customerfirst.org W
Leeds University Union (LUU) has been awarded Gold status under
the new Students Union Evaluation Initiative (SUEI) Level 2 criteria.
Leeds was among the first unions assessed under the new, more
rigorous SUEI criteria, and one of only three students unions to have
been awarded Gold at Level 2 so far.
Volunteer Elizabeth Stainforth was awarded the Marsh Volunteer
Award 2010 for the Yorkshire region for her outstanding work at
the Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery. The Volunteers for Museum
Learning awards are run by the British Museum and the Marsh
Christian Trust, and recognise the valuable contribution of
museum volunteers.
13

Reporter / Issue 560

Small ads
Small ads can be submitted online at
http://smallads.leeds.ac.uk W
The charge is 7 for 10 words or part
thereof (University members)
or 10 (general public).
The deadline for the next issue is
Wednesday, 5 October 2011 at 4pm.
For enquiries please contact
Thomas Saxton on 0113 343 8373
or email t.saxton@adm.leeds.ac.uk

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Advertisers are independent from the University. The University

makes no warranty or representation as to (a) the accuracy of
ads or (b) the quality of goods or services advertised. To the full
extent allowed by the law the University excludes all liability.

Summer school goes from strength to strength

This years Leeds International Summer
School (LISS) 2011 more than doubled in
size since its launch last year, attracting
nearly 30 students from institutions in
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong,
Ireland, Japan, Mexico and the USA.
Students chose two of the following modules
to pursue during their four-week stay, which
were specifically chosen to showcase local
heritage and culture and the Universitys
expertise:
the English Country House:
A Social History
British Popular Music in the
North of England
British Literature and the Bronts
the Olympic Games Sport in the UK
Every Friday was reserved for a field trip
for all students, including a visit to the
magnificent Castle Howard (famously the
location of Brideshead Revisited), a highly
memorable trip to Manchester which
included a punk rock gig featuring one of
their own module tutors John Robb of The
Membranes a weekend in London with
tours of Wimbledon, Wembley Stadium and
a walk to iconic sites and museums, and a
trip to Haworth for an insight into the lives of
the Bront sisters and a walk over the moors.
14

There were optional trips to local places

such as Whitby (where many students tried
fish and chips for the first time!) and York,
the country estates of Harewood House and
Temple Newsam, a tour of weaponry through
the ages at the Royal Armouries and a look
at the Damien Hirst exhibition at Leeds Art
Gallery. The LISS team also put on social
events such as film nights, bowling, dessert
pot luck and pub quizzes.
Besides all the fun, there was a serious
academic element, as the students
had to write essays and prepare group
presentations for assessment on their
chosen modules. In return for their efforts,
they were able to transfer 20 University
credits to their home institution (equivalent to
six US credits or 10 European Credit Transfer
System credits).
The School also attracted interest from
further afield, with a flying visit from Kyoko
Yamaguchi of International Christian

University (ICU) in Japan, who attended a

class of British Literature and the Bronts
and accompanied students to Haworth.
Kyoko was particularly impressed by
the friendliness and interaction between
students of all nationalities, and confirmed
shed like her students from ICU to
participate in next years programme.
The real test is whether the students enjoyed
it, and of that theres little room for doubt.
Many of the students have vowed to tell
their Study Abroad Coordinators back home
how good the programme is, and three
have already made enquiries into pursuing
further study at Leeds. Sukhi Guram from
the University of South Carolina commented:
The program has definitely exceeded
my expectations so far. Ive really enjoyed
my time here at Leeds, and Amanda
Fitzner of the University of Alberta, Canada,
concluded: I think I speak for everyone
when I say we had a blast!

September 2011

www.leeds.ac.uk/events

Noticeboard
The Sadler Gift the legacy of a visionary Vice-Chancellor

2011 marks the centenary of visionary Vice-Chancellor Sir Michael Sadler, who came to the University in September 1911. The Stanley &
Audrey Burton Gallery is celebrating his cultural legacy to the University and the city, with a new exhibition The Sadler Gift.
The exhibition highlights Sadlers pivotal
role in the development of the University Art
Collection and his wider importance to British
art of the early 20th century. Sadler stayed
at Leeds until 1923 and during this time he
was pivotal in shaping the artistic world of
the city through his involvement in the Leeds
Art Club, the Leeds Art Gallery and in helping
found the Leeds Art Collections Fund. He
had an agenda to make the University a
close participant in the citys cultural life,
and organised open lectures and concerts
here and hosted visits by key poets, authors,

artists and thinkers. He left the University a

substantial gift of paintings, drawings, prints
and textiles, which still represents the core of
the University Art Collection.

Countdown to the Staff

Festival

If youre feeling creative and competitive,

enter the Cake competition just pick up
a cakeboard from the Catering Offices
on 1st floor of University House by 5pm
on Thursday 8 September. Or, bring your
camera along on the day and see if you can
snap the winning image for the Photography
competition. Information on the competitions
and the full programme is available at www.
leeds.ac.uk/staff_festival

Live performances, fairground games, a

craft market, kids area, food and drink stalls,
chill out space, green zone and all kinds of
sporting activities are just some of attractions
on offer at this years Staff Festival, which
takes place on campus on Friday 9
September.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a

catalogue of the Sadler Gift, edited by Dr
Hilary Diaper, former Keeper of the Gallery. It
will also be complemented by a programme
of events, including the popular Burton
Saturdays. A symposium exploring Sadlers
wider legacy for British art and education
is planned for February. In the spring, the
Gallery will also look at the Sadler textiles

You can sample a lunchtime taste of the

fest from 13pm, when the craft market
and refreshment stalls will be open, or
come along after 3pm to take part in the full
Festival experience. All the action is taking
place around the University precinct and
stage@leeds or if it rains in the LUU
building, Refectory and stage@leeds.

Volunteers are wanted to act as stewards and

run some of the stalls, so if you can spare an
hour or two and fancy getting involved, just
contact stafffestival@leeds.ac.uk W

Its a great opportunity to take some time out

before the new academic year begins and
meet up with colleagues. You can also bring
partners and family members, as theres
definitely something for everyone to enjoy!

Programme details for the 2012 Student

Education Conference have been finalised
and are available to download. Formerly the
Learning & Teaching Conference, the 2012
conference will be held at the University on 6

Student Education
Conference (SEC1)

through the interpretations of contemporary

artist Pip Dickens.
The Sadler Gift runs from 6 September until
17 December 2011. The Gallery is open from
Mon-Sat, 10-5pm and admission is free.
www.leeds.ac.uk/gallery/events.htm

A complementary exhibition based on

Sadlers gift of Kashmir shawls will be
displayed at the University of Leeds
International Textiles Archive from 13
September to 30 March 2012, Tues-Fri,
9.30-4.30pm, admission free.

January 2012. The conference theme will be

Excellence and will feature a keynote speech
from alumna Claire Cashmore, who will be
representing Great Britain in Swimming at
the 2012 Paralympic Games.
For more details please contact Stephanie
Stones on 0113 343 3186 or s.e.stones@
adm.leeds.ac.uk, or visit the Learning and
Teaching support website at www.lts.leeds.
ac.uk W

Family Concerts Series

A series of concerts designed to engage
young children and their families is being
held at the University throughout the year,
beginning with The wonderful world of
song by Family Lieder+. Come and enjoy
an informal and interactive introduction to
the world of song, featuring famous classics
alongside rare gems, which the whole family
can enjoy.Ticket details can be found at
http://store.leeds.ac.uk/ W

15

FAQs
Jim Bird
Information Systems Officer,
Careers Assistant

Careers Centre
Tell us about your job.
Ive actually got two roles. As Information
Systems Officer I look after the systems
within the Careers Centre, providing support
and development where necessary. There are
numerous information systems, ranging from
small Excel spreadsheets to large web-based
databases. Some are just used by teams of
staff whilst others are University-wide and
open to all students, graduates and staff.
Im also a Careers Assistant, working with
students on a one-to-one basis when they
come to drop-in sessions. Weve seen
an increase of 35% in the last year, and
can get over 100 students a day calling
in for information, advice and guidance.
Employability is such an important issue
now, and the Careers Centre is right at the
heart of it.
What are the best bits of your job?
I like both roles and they complement
each other, but I really enjoy working with
students on a one-to-one basis. Giving them
advice and support is great you can make
suggestions and plant ideas that will really
help people with their lives. Its fantastic when
students go on to get a job or placement,
especially when they get in touch to say how
much you helped it shows how important
the Careers Centre is to the University.
You helped set up the Events, Vacancies
and Employer system what does that do?
The system gives students exclusive access
to details of around 3,000 employers and
hundreds of graduate and internship
vacancies and careers events targeted at
Leeds students. Its updated daily and is
relevant to students in all years. Its proved
incredibly successful, but the main issue is
letting people know it exists! It can be found
via careerweb.leeds.ac.uk W

16

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When you have read

this please recycle it

What else is happening in the Careers

Centre to help students?
Our activities include a drop-in service
(open 9-4 Mon-Fri), which is increasingly
popular especially when people are applying
for jobs. We give feedback to improve
application forms and CVs, which is getting
more important as many candidates get
rejected at the application stage. Weve just
launched a Careers Registration System,
so when students register at the University
theyre prompted to choose a statement
which best describes their current careers
thinking. The system automatically responds
with suggestions and links for where they
might go next for information, advice and
guidance. It also provides us with data about
the Decide, Plan and Compete framework
of the Employability Strategy, which will be
useful for faculties and departments.
How can students be encouraged to use
the Careers Centre?
The main thing is to make them aware of the
services and expert advice we offer! Tutors,
especially, are a fantastic resource for us
they can have a huge impact by encouraging
students to use our services. The Careers
Centre gives advice on all kinds of areas,
like the Erasmus work programme, Spark
business start-up scheme, further study,
placements and internships, so weve got
something for everyone.
Whats your most frequently asked
question?
There are two depending on which part of
my job Im doing; Can you check my CV?
or Theres something the matter with my
computer can you fix it?

Tell us about all your fundraising activities.

Ive done a few long-distance challenges to
raise money for charity and recently did a
coast to coast cycle ride with a friend whos
been blind since his teens. He was saying
how much he missed cycling, and I managed
to get a tandem which was bright pink!
from the Universitys Bicycle Users Group.
We went from Whitehaven to Sunderland
in two and a half days, raised 1,500 for St
Gemmas Hospice and had a great time.
Any plans to get involved with the Staff
Festival?
Last year my band Ninja Horses played
but unfortunately we just played our last gig!
I play a hand drum called a Cajn its like
a box that you sit on. Ive got a new project
Epic Derek which might be ready in time
to perform at the Fest. Id love to play there
again its a brilliant event.
Who would be in your super group?
A very difficult question! Jimi Hendrix for
his guitar, voice, originality/ inventiveness;
Freddie Mercury as front man; John
Bonham because Ive taken so much
inspiration from him; Steve Harris, because
I love what he and Iron Maiden made heavy
metal stand for. I think these musicians
would play music thats varied and dynamic,
from heavy to gentle, sublime to outrageous.
What are the three best things that youve
experienced in the last year?
I help administrate five leagues with over
30 members, so being promoted to the
premier league in the staff squash leagues
was great. Cycling the C2C was brilliant
and felt full of worth. Ive had some great
breaks including Glastonbury festival and my
girlfriend and I had the most amazing week
in beautiful Mevagissey.