Buzz Issue 46 June 2004 THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM News Making Friends with Fossils Page 2 D-Day Archive Re-discovered Page 3 Fun and Games in the City Garden Page 4 A Choreographic Collaboration Page 7 People Spin Cycle Page 4 Brum’s Olympic Archer Page 5 ISSUE 46 VOL 3 JUNE 2004 MID MONTH EDITION The University of Birmingham Newsletter Archaeologists ‘Troy’ to Date Wooden Horse Jon Clatworthy and Ian Fairchild examine the rediscovered archive of top-secret D-Day documentation. The archive includes research by the late Professor Fred Shotton (pictured left), Lapworth Professor of Geology and former University Vice-Principal. His work was fundamental to the decision made by the military about which beaches were chosen for the Normandy landings. See page 3 for the full story. A researcher at the University has hollowed out new evidence to reveal that the period in which the Trojan War – subject of new Hollywood blockbuster Troy – took place, was in fact earlier than previously expected. Archaeologist Ken Wardle and fellow scientists, Peter Kuniholm and Maryanne Newton from Cornell University, USA and Bernd Kromer from the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences, Germany, have studied burnt building timbers unearthed at Assiros in Northern Greece which show that the height of Mycenaean civilization, in which the supposed Trojan War took place, was more than 50 years earlier than thought. Until now dates for this period have been based on archaeological evidence which starts with the Pharaohs in Egypt. New techniques of dendrochronology – matching the growth patterns of ancient timbers and carbon dating – the measurement of the quantity of an unstable isotope of carbon remaining in the wood after thousands of years – have enabled the first accurate absolute date to be determined, independently of Egyptian chronology. Experts remain divided over whether the Trojan War – which saw Greek warriors defeat Trojan soldiers with the aid of a wooden horse – is fact or fiction. The war is supposed to have taken place in Mycenaean era – the civilization named after its principal city, Mycenae in Southern Greece, the seat of Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks. The charred timbers from mud-brick houses destroyed by fire discovered by Ken and his team show that the end of the whole Mycenaean period may be set before 1075 BC and the end of the period in which the Trojan War took place (if it ever did) probably before 1270 BC. Ken Wardle, Senior Lecturer in the University’s Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity in the School of Historical Studies, said: ‘ This is a real breakthrough as it shows that the dates of both the Mycenaean period and the Trojan war are earlier by more than 50 years than expected. However, the date for the war intriguingly matches the date proposed nearly 2,500 years ago by the Greek Historian, Herodotus, who set it '800 years before our time' with nothing better to start from the number of generations since the heroic expedition. Our research takes a more scientific approach but reaches the same conclusion. ’ He added: ‘Films like Troy will convince many people that the Trojan War really did take place. All that remains to obtain a precise date for the war itself is to find some of the timbers used to build the wooden horse!’ D-Day Secrets Unearthed
Transcript
Buzz Issue 46 June 2004
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
NewsMaking Friends with Fossils Page 2
D-Day Archive Re-discovered Page 3
Fun and Games in the City Garden Page 4
A Choreographic Collaboration Page 7
PeopleSpin Cycle Page 4
Brum’s Olympic Archer Page 5
ISSUE 46 VOL 3 JUNE 2004 MID MONTH EDITION The University of Birmingham Newsletter
Archaeologists ‘Troy’to Date Wooden Horse
Jon Clatworthy and Ian Fairchild examine the rediscovered archive of top-secretD-Day documentation. The archive includes research by the late Professor FredShotton (pictured left), Lapworth Professor of Geology and former UniversityVice-Principal. His work was fundamental to the decision made by the militaryabout which beaches were chosen for the Normandy landings. See page 3 forthe full story.
A researcher at the University has hollowed out new evidence to reveal that the period in which the TrojanWar – subject of new Hollywood blockbuster Troy – took place, was in fact earlier than previously expected.
Archaeologist Ken Wardle and fellowscientists, Peter Kuniholm and MaryanneNewton from Cornell University, USAand Bernd Kromer from the HeidelbergAcademy of Sciences, Germany, havestudied burnt building timbersunearthed at Assiros in Northern Greecewhich show that the height ofMycenaean civilization, in which thesupposed Trojan War took place, wasmore than 50 years earlier than thought.
Until now dates for this period have beenbased on archaeological evidence whichstarts with the Pharaohs in Egypt. Newtechniques of dendrochronology –matching the growth patterns of ancienttimbers and carbon dating – themeasurement of the quantity of anunstable isotope of carbon remaining inthe wood after thousands of years – have
enabled the first accurate absolute date tobe determined, independently ofEgyptian chronology.
Experts remain divided over whether theTrojan War – which saw Greek warriorsdefeat Trojan soldiers with the aid of awooden horse – is fact or fiction. The waris supposed to have taken place inMycenaean era – the civilization namedafter its principal city, Mycenae inSouthern Greece, the seat ofAgamemnon, leader of the Greeks.
The charred timbers from mud-brickhouses destroyed by fire discovered byKen and his team show that the end ofthe whole Mycenaean period may be setbefore 1075 BC and the end of the periodin which the Trojan War took place (if itever did) probably before 1270 BC.
Ken Wardle, Senior Lecturer in theUniversity’s Institute of Archaeology andAntiquity in the School of HistoricalStudies, said: ‘This is a real breakthrough asit shows that the dates of both theMycenaean period and the Trojan war areearlier by more than 50 years than expected.However, the date for the war intriguinglymatches the date proposed nearly 2,500years ago by the Greek Historian, Herodotus,who set it '800 years before our time' withnothing better to start from the number ofgenerations since the heroic expedition. Ourresearch takes a more scientific approach butreaches the same conclusion.’
He added: ‘Films like Troy will convincemany people that the Trojan War really didtake place. All that remains to obtain aprecise date for the war itself is to find some of the timbers used to build the wooden horse!’
D-Day Secrets Unearthed
Museum Curator Jon Clatworthy whet appetites with apresentation on erupting volcanoes, earthquakes and fossils,before letting the visitors get to grips with some fossils anda whole range of dazzling rock formations. The studentswere particularly impressed by the museum’s collection ofrocks and minerals and the well-preserved fossil collection –the most extensive collection in the Midlands.
Jon explained the key role such School visits play in thework of the museum: ‘Education is a large part of the work wedo at the Lapworth Museum. We deliver workshops to all agegroups from primary school children to retired adults.
‘Many schools cover little or no Geology so we try to promote aninterest in the subject through these workshops. If visitors then go
on to study Geology, that’s great. The museum serves as ashop window for the University. Today’s workshop was abasic introduction to Geology for those who know very littleabout it, but we also provide more tailored workshops intopics like evolution for groups with more specific interests’.
‘Geology is a subject that lends itself well to these types ofworkshops as it is a practical-based subject – I find thathands-on activities work better with school children. And weget a lot of positive feedback from School teachers – so wemust be doing something right!’
The students were given a ‘Welcome to the University’talk from Katherine Smith, Schools and Colleges LiaisonOfficer in the Student Recruitment and WideningParticipation Team where they heard about theadvantages of going to university, the different subjectsto choose from, and how to plan ahead. AmbassadorHannah Marriott also gave a presentation offeringpractical tips and a real insight into the life of a student.
Pupil Greg Philips described his visit: ‘The University ismuch bigger than I expected and it’s got brilliant facilities –especially the sports facilities. I thought I’d never go toUniversity but this visit might just have persuaded me to’.
The Student Recruitment and Widening ParticipationOffice organise visits to the University for schools andcolleges both locally and nationally throughout theyear. School visits are usually targeted at students fromYears 9-13 (age 13-18) but primary school pupils are alsocatered for.
Katherine Smith, sees the role of school visits becomingmore important in the run up to 2006: ‘Many studentsare worried about ‘top up fees’ and wonder if they will beable to afford to come to university post 2006. Such anexperience shows them that a university career is aworthwhile investment’.
Academic colleagues who are interested in deliveringsubject-specific workshops or presentations to groupsfrom schools and colleges should contact KatherineSmith on 43501 or email [email protected]
News 2Buzz Issue 46 June 2004
A QuickWord...
Don’t be fooled into thinking that now that thehustle and bustle of exams is over things havegone quiet on campus. From those markingexams to the preparations for the summergraduation ceremonies, behind the scenesthings are still moving at pace. And that’s notto forget those working non-stop over thesummer including key teams in admissionsand recruitment.
In the run-up to the 60th anniversary of D-day,there was a lot of media interest in therediscovered archive of work by former Vice-Principal Professor Fred Shotton investigating thegeological aspects of possible invasion beaches inNorthern France. Professor Shotton’s workplayed a large part in the military’s decision aboutthe beaches that were chosen for the NormandyD-day landings. For the full story see page 3.
Keeping with the historical feel but even furtherback this time, Birmingham is helping to shapethe way we look at history. The Institute ofArchaeology and Antiquities’ Ken Wardle andcolleagues discovered new evidence that theTrojan War (as seen recently in the summerblockbuster starring Brad Pitt) and theMycenaean period actually took place earlierthan expected. Full details on the front page.
The Widening Participation team took theopportunity to reach out to the next generation ofUniversity students last month with activities thatranged from television, radio, photography andjournalism skills at the Creative Media Day to ahands-on trip to the Lapworth Museum for aGeology Workshop. Practical workshops onsubjects from business to engineering, fashiondesign to science were also on offer at theUniversity’s second Looking Forward, AimingHigh: African-Caribbean Young Men of theFuture Conference at Millennium Point. Moredetails on all these events inside.
A list of summer graduation ceremonies anddetails of this year’s Honorary Graduates can befound on page 8. Don’t forget to let us knowabout all your graduation news and stories.
Pupils from Whitesmore and Smithwood Schools contemplate who has gotthe biggest smile!
Thirty-five year nine pupils from Whitesmore and Smithswood Schools in Chelmsley Wood enjoyed a trip tothe Lapworth Museum for a Geology Workshop during a visit to the University last month.
Eager geologists from Whitesmore and Smithswood Schools getting to grips with fossils
The seminar is the result of alongstanding partnership between theBusiness School and HSBC.
Sir John joined The Hong Kong andShanghai Banking CorporationLimited in 1961 and worked in Asia for25 years before moving to the USA asPresident and Chief Executive Officerof HSBC USA Inc, a wholly ownedsubsidiary of HSBC Holdings.
In July 2000 he became a non-executive director of Ford MotorCompany and a member of the Courtof the Bank of England in June 2001.
He was Chairman of the Institute ofInternational Finance Washington DC from 1998 to 2003 and was electedPresident of the InternationalMonetary Conference (IMC) in June 2002.
Sir John returned to London tobecome Group Chief Executive ofHSBC Holdings on 1 January 1993 andbecame Group Chairman on 29 May 1998.
Professor Jonathan Michie, Director ofthe Business School, said: ‘We wereextremely pleased to welcome someone of
Sir John’s standing to the School. He is aninspirational business figure and we weredelighted he was able to share hisknowledge and experience with our students.
‘This is an excellent example of our closepartnerships with business and industry,which benefit students across the school.We have a well-established relationshipwith HSBC. Not only does this visitstrengthen those links, but it was also agreat opportunity for Sir John to see ournew Business School.’
HSBC Chief Reveals What’s on His MindStudents at the Business School gained an insight into the mind of a leading business figure when Sir John Bond,Chairman of HSBC Holdings talked to Business and Economics students about the subject of at a seminar entitled‘What’s on my Mind’.
News 3Buzz Issue 46 June 2004
This archive material includes research byProfessor Fred Shotton, Lapworth Professorof Geology and former Vice-Principal, whowas given the task of investigating thegeological aspects of possible invasionbeaches in Northern France. ProfessorShotton’s work was fundamental to thedecision made by the military about the beaches that were chosen for theNormandy landings.
Many dangerous sorties were undertakenincluding visits to the beaches in order toobtain samples of the sand and deposits foranalysis and Fred was actually flown overNorthern France in the Spring of 1944 to seethe beaches for himself.
Fred died in 1990, but many anecdotes andtales surrounding his work bring him alivetoday. Jon Clatworthy, Curator of theLapworth Museum at the School ofGeography, Earth and EnvironmentalSciences, says, ‘Fred told the tale of hisexcursion in a modified mosquito aircraft overoccupied France – he was able to lie on the baseof the fuselage observing the beaches through aspecially fitted glass panel.
‘On one of the excursions to the beaches a pieceof equipment used to make boreholes to obtainsediment samples called an auger was leftbehind. Obviously no-one wanted the Germansto know which beaches they might use for thelandings, so there was some discussion of aplan to drop augers on all the beaches from
Norway to Biscay until it was realised that thereweren’t enough augers! The archive material isfascinating and even includes the transcript ofan interrogation of a geologist who was amember of the German army.’
Fred and his team ascertained that thebeach at Brancaster in Norfolk was the mostcomparable to the geological make-up ofthe Normandy beaches. The beach wasbombed so that the nature of craters andhow they were affected by the tides could beexamined to see whether vehicles couldthen pass over the beach without becomingstuck in the mud that underlay a thinshifting cover of sand.
Professor Ian Fairchild, Professor of PhysicalGeography, says: ‘Fred was an acclaimedscientist who specialised in the deposits andthe ecology of the UK during the ice ages ofthe last million years. Up to 1943, Fredwas involved in water supply for troops inNorth Africa and after the landings he lookedinto the water supply needed for camps inNorthern France, the location of new airfieldsand the likely problems in crossing the Meuseand the Rhine.’
The archive is extensive and includes maps,photographs and top-secret research paperswritten by Shotton. An exhibition iscurrently on display in the LapworthMuseum of Geology.
Admission to the museum is free.
Top Secret D-Day Archive Rediscovered The University has rediscovered important top-secret documentation relating to research into the Normandy landings on D-Day.
First year students Goldie Rappaport.Emma Pollard and Harry MacQueenfound themselves at an impromptu dressrehearsal in lecturer Jo Thackwray’scostume design studio when theymodelled some 17th century Costumesfor The Sunday Times’ Good UniversityGuide photo shoot.
The annual newspaper guide, which ispublished in September, is designed togive potential students an overview of UKuniversities. Photographers on the papervisit universities across the country to takeimages of campus life - and this year theychose Birmingham.
In order to capture Drama at Birmingham,students were photographed trying oncostumes designed by Jo. The girls donnedlong dresses and wigs while Harry took aproud bow as he played the ‘gentleman’from one of the great restoration comedy’sof the 17th century.
Head of Costume Jo said: ‘It was great funfor everyone - very Liaisions Dangereux era.The students loved dressing up and this was agreat opportunity for them to expressthemselves through costume, while theyimprovised some dramatic poses.
‘Drama at Birmingham has an excellentreputation and this was a good opportunity topromote the high standards of thedepartment. The stereotypical images ofuniversity life are usually very traditional, sothese photographs will add a touch of colourto the guide.’
A Costume DramaCorsets, fans and wigs recently took centre stage in the School ofHumanities as three talented students from the Drama and Theatre Artscourse put their theatrical skills to use when a national newspaperjournalist arrived on campus.
News 4Buzz Issue 46 June 2004
Spin Cycle
A quick round-up of this month in the media: The Centre for Lifelong Learning’sGary Wood was interviewed by Mercia Radio about the potrayal of sex ontelevision, in relation to the new season of Big Brother and was interviewed by BBCMidlands Today and Central News about football supporters He also appeared inhis regular ‘tame psychologist’ slot on BBC Radio WM’s The Late Show talkingabout ‘getting over relationship break-ups’; Jonathan Michie, Director of theBusiness School, discussed the business of football supporters with BBC Radio WM;Social Sciences’ Dr Peter Webb spoke to the Sunday Mercury about apathy amongvoters; Ann Logan of the School of Medicine was interviewed by BBC MidlandsToday, The Birmingham Post and The Birmingham Evening Mail regarding her stemcell research; Social Sciences Colin Hayspoke to the International Herald and Tribuneand the Sunday Mercury about European elections; Peter Watt from the Institute ofLocal Government Studies was interviewed for the BBC’s Politics Show on theLiberal Democrats proposal to introduce a local income tax; Chris Game from theInstitute of Local Government Studies gave various interviews about the local andEuropean elections, including BBC Breakfast TV, Sky News and BBC News; PeterWebb from Social Sciences spoke with the Sunday Mercury about voting apathy andpeople being more interested in popular culture than popular politics; Paul Smith,Jon Clatworthy and Ian Fairchild carried out various interviews on the D-Dayarchives (see story on page 3), including BBC Midlands Today, the BirminghamPost, BBC Radio WM, BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire, North NorfolkRadio, BBC Look East TV, BBC News Online, the Times Higher Education Supplement,the Evening Mail, BBC Radio Norfolk, Saga 105.7FM Radio; William Doe andLawrence Young spoke to the Birmingham Post about the visit by Health MinisterRosie Winterton MP to the Institute for Cancer Studies; John Kings from theSchool of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences spoke to the SundayMercury, BBC Radio WM and BBC Radio Shropshire about climate change and theissues raised in the Hollywood blockbuster film, The Day After Tomorrow; SamuelGeorge, Chair of the University’s Astronomical Society, and Somak Raychaudhuryof the School of Physics and Astronomy gave various media interviews regardingthe Transit of Venus, including the Birmingham Post, Saga Radio, BBC Radio WM,BBC Midlands Today, BBC 6’O Clock News and the Birmingham Evening Mail.Keep up the good work!
e-drama, a concept devised by localcompany Hi8us, is an innovativeproject resulting in a creative andeducational online drama-making toolthat creates virtual characters which areplayed by virtual actors. The actors arethen steered by virtual directors invirtual scenes.
The result is that a network of playerscan take part in virtual role-plays.Pupils can play at being anyone fromGeorge Stephenson making the case forbuilding the Liverpool to ManchesterRailway to a would-be parent who is acarrier of a genetic disorder faced withthe difficult option of screening. Theteacher or pupil can play the part of theDirector, who tells the characters whento begin the improvisation and canprompt characters privately or steer thestory in a certain direction.
e-drama has been used in schools todeliver a range of curriculum areas andteachers have recognised that one of
the great benefits is that the onlineapproach enables players to remainanonymous. For example, a shystudent may feel far more confident inan anonymous online situation,allowing them to share their views,discover skills and abilities previouslyhidden. Equally, a loud student, afraidto perform well in the presence of peersmay be liberated to demonstrate theirknowledge in a lesson.
The e-drama tool has the potential to bedeveloped for a range of otherapplications in addition to education.It has already proved useful for thedelivery of careers advice and forprojects that seek to break downcultural barriers between specificgroups. Other areas that may benefitinclude counselling, professionaltraining and conflict resolution.
Researchers will create AI agents thatwill appear on screen as additional ‘bit-part’ characters, alongside the
characters controlled by the humanplayers participating in the drama. A special AI directorial agent willhowever have the ability to detectstagnation in the dialogue, repetitionand emotional tone, and be able torespond to these factors.
Professor John Barnden, Head of theSchool of Computer Science, and leadinvestigator, says, ‘We are delighted to beleading this particular extension of analready well established project as we see itas an important development in the area ofartificial intelligence (AI).
‘The major aim of the School’s work is todevelop credible AI agents that will takepart in the drama and to automate some ofthe directorial functions. We look forwardto testing the developments with users andinvolving other areas within the University,for example Psychology, Drama andEducation. I encourage anyone who is interested to contact me.’[email protected]
Computer Scientists IntroduceArtificial Intelligence to e-dramaHave you ever wished you could walk a mile in someone else’s shoes? A high-tech new project beingdeveloped by computer scientists at the University could let you do exactly that. Working in partnershipwith Hi8us Midlands, Maverick TV and BT Exact, BT’s research technology and IT operations division, agroup of Birmingham researchers are taking part in a major new software project centring on the use ofArtificial Intelligence (AI) in interactive online drama.
Members of the public tried their handsat croquet, roll-a-penny and even wellythrowing. For the less energeticdemonstrations of the art ofwoodcarving and guided walks byEdwardian ladies and gentlemen to theaccompaniment of a fairground organistset the mood of the day.
The Garden’s Director, Pamela Smithsaid: ‘We are delighted to open the gates to the garden and invite the public in.We hope that as many people as possible willcome and visit this secret garden.
‘The Garden is an important feature for theCity, not only allowing students to learnmore about the importance of botanicgardens and the wonders of the plantkingdom, but it is also a haven for visitors tocome and enjoy.’
Medical herbalists were available toadvise on how plants can be beneficial toour health and the Birmingham Bee-Keeping Association gave a generaldisplay of different types of hives withWinterbourne honey on sale, collectedfrom the hives at the garden.
Fun and Gamesin City GardenVisitors to the University’s Botanic Garden at Winterbourne were swept backin time at the Edwardian Summer Fete at the beginning of this month.
Wednesday 30 JuneThursday 1 and Friday 2 July
15% OFF*Books, CDs, DVDs, Videosand Paperchase at Borders
Bring your Staff ID Card, businesscard or a business letterhead toBorders in the Bullring and takeadvantage of this amazing summer offer
Terms and conditions
*On presentation of valid business ID for
example letter head or business card on
Wednesday 30 June, Thursday 1 and Friday 2
July 2004 only. Offer excludes newspapers,
magazines, gift cards and vouchers, book
tokens, theatre tokens, non-stock special
orders and Starbucks. Not valid in conjunction
with any other offer (Best, 3 for 2, 2 for £22, 3
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Call 0121 616 1094 for more details
Staff DiscountDays at Borders
Buzz Issue 44 May 2004
News 5The People Who Make it Happen!
‘I’m very excited about it, and obviously a bitnervous too, but having recently competedthe World Student Games, I’ve had someexperience of big events,’ she says. ‘It will bebrilliant – I just want to get out there now!’
Naomi, a second year student (whoseother musical instrument is the piano),has been selected for the British women’sarchery team alongside AlisonWilliamson and Helen Palmer.
It makes her Birmingham’s only currentundergraduate to have made it to the2004 Olympics.
However, two alumni – Tom Bertram,who has been picked for the men’sBritish hockey team, and Louise Bond-Williams, who will be a member of thefencing contingent – will also representthe University at the Games.
‘Having a current undergraduate studentgoing to the Olympics is an enormousmotivation for everyone else,’ says SarahNewby (pictured below), a Sponsorship
and Developmentofficer within theFoundation forSport, based at theMunrow Centre. ‘Itreally lifts people whohave trained withthem and just showsthat it can be donewith hard work andtraining. Internally, it has massive
repercussions: it’s something youngerstudents coming in can aspire to.’
Birmingham’s sporting credentials aresomething to which other academicinstitutions aspire: it ranks as the topredbrick university in the country forsport combined with academic study,despite its refusal to drop A-level gradesin order to admit talented sportsmen and women.
‘Naomi got the grades and is doing very wellon her course,’ says Sarah.
But Birmingham is about more thansimply turning out Olympic-levelathletes. Its dedication to sport is comprehensive.
People often think that because Birminghamis the leading red brick university for sportand academic study, it’s elitist. But it’s not,’stresses Sarah. ‘We offer support andopportunities to as many people as we can.It’s essential when life gets quite stressful,such as when you’re doing your finals. That’swhy we issue a ‘Summer Term Pass’ tostudents and staff, which allows flexibility inthe Active Lifestyles Programme around thebusy exam period.’
Birmingham’s sporting provision –which is vast – is aimed not only atstudents, but at University staff and thelocal community. Whatever people’slevel of interest and capability, says Sarah,Birmingham can, and does, rise to the occasion.
‘We have facilities people can use in the sameway they would use their local gym orswimming pool,’ she explains. ‘We alsooperate the Active Lifestyles Programme(ALP) which consists of about 150 classes aweek, covering everything from badmintonand yoga to step aerobics, reflexology andstreet dance and for all fitness levels.’
This makes Birmingham the biggestrecreation programme provider in theUK, and its classes attract about 10,000participants a year.
The University is also pushing theGovernment’s Game Plan, a strategy for delivering sport and physicalactivity objectives, and aims to expand itinto the wider community.
‘So we provide mass participation sport andactivity, on a very informal basis and verycheaply: the average cost of our classes is
£1.50 for students and £2 for staff andcommunity members,’ says Sarah.
The level above ALP is what is known asIntra-Mural Sport (IMS) – described bySarah as sport that is both competitiveand fun.
‘This is inter-departmental, inter-halls ofresidence and groups of friends who want toplay competitive sport but at a recreationallevel. There are seven sports leagues, withinwhich are different divisions.’
Sports on offer at this level includesmen’s and women’s football and netball,and teams get promoted and relegatedeach year depending on theirperformance. ‘About 1,700 people tookpart in IMS last year. Those figuresincluded 13 halls of residence and 36 departments.
‘Although it’s enjoyable, it’s highlycompetitive too. Our programme is vastcompared to other universities and is takenvery seriously.’
The next rung on Birmingham’s sportingladder is the Athletic Union (AU), whichboasts 43 individual sports clubs at theUniversity, with 1,750 members, whocompete in the British Universities SportsAssociation (BUSA) championships.
‘Birmingham has come second out of 147universities in eight out of the last nine yearsin the BUSA competition,’ says Sarah. ‘Clubsat Birmingham are very lucky because theyhave very strong support within theFoundation for Sport. We offer everythingfrom fitness testing, financial advice on howto run their clubs and PR and marketing. Theway we see it is that the more efficient clubsare off the pitch, the more efficient they areon the pitch.’
The top rung of the ladder is the sportsscholarship scheme, which providesassistance to elite performers. Althoughdemand is much higher, Birmingham
currently supports about 30 suchscholars. These include two ‘gold’ (fullsenior international) competitors, one ofwhom is Naomi Folkard and the other isJames Austin, a third year psychologystudent from Lichfield whose sport is judo.
Although few students will attain thislevel of sporting excellence, Birminghamis determined to continue its drive toencourage people to participate in sportand physical activity.
‘Our numbers go up every year, although sodo the numbers of people coming to theUniversity,’ says Sarah. ‘But ALP is definitelyexpanding year on year – as is theprogramme – and in terms of facilities we arehitting saturation point in various areas. Ifwe had more facilities we could really expandour ALP classes still further. Sport is amassive part of a lot of people’s lives at the University.’
Looking to the future, Sarah says: ‘Wewant to maintain our position within the topthree universities in the UK in BUSA, but atthe same time we want to increase theparticipation of staff, students and the localcommunity. We want to encourage them toget active and lead more healthy lifestyles.That’s what we’re about – offering physicalactivity and sporting opportunities to everybody.’
Naomi Folkard (pictured right) is a young woman with two very impressive strings to her bow – literally. As well as being an accomplished violinist, the 20-year-old music undergraduate she is one of Britain’s highest-ranked senior female archers and is off to Athens this summer to compete in the Olympic Games.
‘I’m very excited about it, and
obviously a bit nervous too, but
having recently competed the
World Student Games, I’ve had
some experience of big events. It
will be brilliant – I just want to
get out there now!’
Take a Bow!The Archers Aim for Athens
By Ros Dodd
We will be taking the opportunity over the summer to cleanse our data and distribution lists and to update our records. If you would like to change the amount of copies of BUZZ that you currently receive or would like to inform us of a change to your distribution details, please contact Debbie Truman at the Aston Webb Reception Tel: 0121-414 8130 email: [email protected]
Do you have a good idea how we canimprove the campus or a specific building or area?
This is your chance to get that idea heard. Address yoursuggestions to Sam Smith c/o the Public RelationsOffice, Aston Webb (internal) or FREEPOST BM2843,Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1BR or visitwww.newscentre.bham.ac.uk/ lookandfeel.htm and fill in the online form.
Look and FeelPlease note that BUZZ will be produced monthly overthe summer vacation period (July – September) andwill return to its usual fortnightly production run inthe new academic year.
News 6Buzz Issue 46 June 2004
Recent visitors to the gardens atWinterbourne will have noticed aship being built in the centre of theGeographic beds. These beds,originally planted in 1959 are being replanted with habitatsrepresentative of named regions ofChina, Japan, Canada, Chile, NorfolkIsland and Birmingham. The centreship feature will house tender plantspecimens and interpretation aboutplant hunters and plant centres of origin.
Staff at Winterbourne are holding acompetition to name the ship. Thewinner will be invited to launch theship at our plant collections weekend(July 3 and 4).
Send your name, contact details andsuggested name for the ship [email protected].
Competition ends June 21.
Name the ShipCompetition
Competition
The University’s Botanic Garden atWinterbourne has become one of 20UK botanic gardens and conservationorganisations to sign up to theInternational Agenda for BotanicGardens in Conservation. In total over240 gardens and organisations in 71countries have registered theircommitment to work towards targetsidentified in the Global Strategy forPlant Conservation, as adopted bythe Convention on BiologicalDiversity in 2002. The ultimate andlong-term objective of the Strategy isto halt the current and continuing lossof plant diversity.
The Executive Secretary of theConvention on Biological Diversitystated: ‘At present we do not have acomplete inventory of the plants of theworld, but it is estimated that the totalnumber may be in the order of 300,000species. Of particular concern is the factthat many are in danger of extinction. The
disappearance of such vital and largeamounts of biodiversity sets one of thegreatest challenges for the worldcommunity: to halt the destruction of theplant diversity that is so essential tomeet the present and future needs of humankind’.
Winterbourne will be contributinginformation and developing goodpractice and case studies which will berecorded as a contribution to theglobal effort to save plant diversity.The Strategy lists 16 outcome-orientedglobal targets for 2010, including theconservation of at least 10% of each ofthe World’s ecological regions and protection of 50% of the most important areas for plant conservation.
Winterbourne’s contribution will be inassessing and conserving threatenedplant species in the West Midlands andholding a selection of worldwidethreatened species in ex situ
collections at the botanic garden aswell as contributing to other targetsthrough the garden’s BotanicalBirmingham initiative.
The Botanical Birmingham initiativerecognises Winterbourne’s place as anurban botanic garden and significantlyseeks to provide a unique link to thecommunities and industries of theWest Midlands. The project defines the‘new nature’ experienced in people’swork, family and leisure lives and seeksto develop the concept of urbanethnobotany. Garden Director, PamelaSmith, presented a paper on theproject at the recent World Congress ofBotanic Gardens.
A booklet, Botanical Birmingham allabout the West Midlands’ past andcurrent contribution to botanicaldiscovery and plant conservation isavailable from the garden and AstonWebb reception, price £2.00.
Botanic Garden Signs Up to Global Strategy
Working in partnership with theUniversity’s Environmental Co-ordinators, a decision was reached toaward a contract to Secure IT, acommercial operating company andReCOM , a local charity.
As EC legislation on waste is increasinglyforcing organisations to recycle more anddispose of waste with consideration ofthe environmental impacts, this is seenas a good opportunity to work with both suppliers.
Secure IT are a local company whorecycle obsolete IT Equipment andcommit as little as possible of their wasteto landfill.
ReCOM, are a relatively new charity whowill collect fully workable machinesabove a certain specification and donatethem to local projects in the WestMidlands area.
Budget centres now have two options forthe disposal of obsolete IT equipment. Tofind out more visit the UniversityProcurement or Environment websiteswww.finance.bham.ac.uk/procurementwww.environment.bham.ac.uk
For further details please contact eitherPauline Harrison 0121-414 8541 orTrevor Shields 0121-415 8790
Recycle ITThe University’s ProcurementDivision is pleased to announcethat it has agreed two contractsfor the collection of obsolete IT Equipment.
Please note this is not a studentship
The Fellowship is intended as one year’s full-time employmentfor junior researchers. It can also be used to buy out time frommore senior researchers’ contracts, for example from teaching. Itis not intended as a student programme.
The Programme currently has Fellows in a range of positionsfrom those just finishing PhD’s to Professors. The Fellows eitherwork to support a range of commercialisation projects based onacademics’ research, or they can work on their own idea towardsforming or supporting a spin-out company. The programmeprovides training, mentoring and support to the Fellowsthroughout the Fellowship year.
Information regarding the programme is available from:Dr. Moira DecterProgramme Manager for Midlands Medici at the University of [email protected]. 0121-414 4905www.midlandsmedici.org
If you are interested in applying for one of this year’s five MediciFellow vacancies, please contact Sally Steele in PersonnelServices on 0121-414 3706 or email [email protected]
Are You a Potential Medici Fellow? ‘The transferable skills I have developedthis year have greatly complemented myresearch training. In any given week, Iwork on a portfolio of cases evaluatingtechnologies and the underlying science,distilling the commercial value of it, and engaging with academics,technology transfer professionals and industry to transfer theseinnovations from the lab bench.’
Lee Machado, Medici Fellow 2003-4School of Medicine, The University of Birmingham
‘Medici has introduced me to businessand management and got me thinkingin a commercial way. Now other peoplein my department come and ask me ifthey want advice on a related issue.They see me as someone who has gonethrough the process and can help them.’
Dr. John Lees Medici Fellow 2002-3Space Research Centre, University of Leicester
Award Winning Glassblowing ServicesMember of the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers
A fully comprehensive and guaranteedservice offered in the design,fabrication, modification and repairof scientific glassware, specialised or standard apparatus for research and commercial use.
Our on-site workshop which is locatedin the School of Chemistry, is fullyequipped with the required machineryto offer bench work, lathe work,apparatus design, sinter and optical
window sealing, glass to metal and graded seals, cold working and evacuation work using our in-house vacuum system.
Borosilicate, Quartz and Soda-Lime,glassware is used
For no obligation advice andquotations please contact SteveWilliams Tel: 0121-414 4436 Email:[email protected]
In accordance with the decision taken by the University Council inSeptember 2003, charges in all carparks will increase to 0.80p per daywith effect from 1 August 2004
Car ParkingCharges
News 7Buzz Issue 46 June 2004
The Department of Commerce’sProfessor Walker has just completed apreliminary analysis of his findings.Now he aims to find out:
❙ What are the current business issuesconcerning SMEs in the region
❙ How a leading business school andbank can make available resources to assist
❙ How the Business School can test theoretical models ofentrepreneurship into real businessstart up situations to help potentialand embryonic companies in the region.
The in-depth questionnaire surveystratified companies according to size,age, location and activity, focussing oncompanies with less than 100employees. Considerable statisticaland informational data will follow theextensive research.
The preliminary results highlight anumber of issues surrounding SMEsalong the A38 Technology belt, whichstretches from Birmingham intoWorcestershire. These include positiveuse of e-business and good relationswith customers and the need forgreater strategic planning. The initialfindings were consistent across allgeographical areas surveyed, with 42percent of companies engaged inmanufacturing, 35 per cent in servicerelated fields and 23 per cent in theretail and distribution sectors.
Professor Walker said: ‘This work isespecially important as central
government, through Advantage WestMidlands, is providing substantialsupport, both financial and resource wiseto ‘corridor projects’ and the region’scentral technology belt has been identifiedas one of these ideal locations nationallyfor the establishment and growth ofcompanies.’
‘It was encouraging to note that e-businessis being embraced by many companies,yet there was no evidence that it wasutilised as a planning tool for the future.It was a concern also that over half thecompanies reported a few key customersdominating their turnover, though manyreported good customer relationships. Itwas also interesting to note that over halfthe companies surveyed felt their bankswere supportive of their growth and fully understood the nature of the business concerned.’
In the coming months the School willpublish data to assist in theestablishment and growth of SMEs inthe Central Technology Belt, and alsotesting the academic growth modelsfor business to ascertain their viability.
Professor Jonathan Michie, Director ofthe Business School, said: ‘ We arebringing together quality research,innovative teaching and commercialenterprise to help businesses in theMidlands. The School is seeking to assistentrepreneurs in practical ways yet at thesame time produce original research to expand knowledge in this area, which is vital to both the regional andnational economies.’
Business School Supports SME GrowthMore than 3,000 employers in the region are taking part in researchby the Business School funded by The Royal Bank of Scotland, whichaims to assist in the establishment and growth of SMEs along the A38Central Technology Belt.
Jayne’s a Portrait of SuccessSix months after she posed for her graduation photograph, alumna Jayne Beach issmiling on the other side of the camera. Her photography and videography business,which focuses on big days of another kind – weddings – is developing at record pace.
Medical School Joins European HeartDisease NetworkAcademic expertise at the University’sMedical School is contributing to aEurope-wide network fighting heartdisease. The European VascularGenomics Network (EVGN) is the firstEuropean Funded network of excellencein the field of cardiovascular disease.Professor Asif Ahmed heads theBirmingham team whose blood vesselresearch will now be communicatedaround Europe.
The Medical School is one of 25 basic and clinical institutions involved(encompassing 35 academic groups), andalong with 2 biotechnology companiesand 1 management company promotesmultidisciplinary interaction. Ten EU Member or Associated States are involved.
The network acts as an interface betweenscientists in order to promote andaccelerate the transition of knowledge invascular biology. Its ultimate aim is toimprove diagnosis and treatment ofcardiovascular diseases.
Cardiovascular disease is the leadingcause of death in Europe, accounting forover 5 million deaths each year. Half ofall deaths in Europe in 2002 were fromcardiovascular diseases. Heart attacks andstroke, which predominantly result fromatherosclerosis (fatty deposits) in arteries,account for 80% of deaths fromcardiovascular diseases.
Professor Asif Ahmed’s work looks at howthe body could grow new blood vesselswith the ultimate aim of preventingheart disease in the first instance ratherthan relying on surgery.
He says of his involvement: ‘I amdelighted to have this opportunity to workwith colleagues around Europe in furtheringcardiovascular research. By sharinginformation and resources we will effectivelynot have to re-invent the wheel. This willspeed up the progress of research so our workgets from laboratories to patients quicker,developing new diagnostic and therapeuticstrategies that will provide benefits forpatients across Europe’.
The University pays a significant amount for carriage of goods/deliveries and often it isnot until after the invoice is received that the charges are discovered.
With the implementation of the Proactis Commitment Accounting System, the needto obtain accurate details to include on purchase orders issued to suppliers has becomemore important. The Procurement Division has devised a ‘Request for Quotation’ formfor use when purchasing commodity-based regular demand, lower value items,equipment and services.
The purpose of the form is to obtain accurate details such as cost, discounts andcarriage charges. The form will not only enable budgets to be managed more effectivelybut will also enable invoice mismatches and queries to be avoided.
For more information about the ‘Request for Quotation’ form, please seewww.finance.bham.ac.uk/procurement/ or call Pauline Harrison on 0121-414 8541.
Request for Quotation
‘The business has expanded much faster than Ianticipated,’ says Birmingham born Jayne, whorepresents one of the region’s many SMEs. ‘I’vereached a point where my main restricting factor isrecruiting skilled photographers to meet the demand offuture bookings. I also need to employ someone to takeon the day-to-day running of the business so that I canconcentrate on the strategic side.’
The 35-year-old mother of two does not conform tothe stereotypical entrepreneur and her success in thebridal photography and video sector is far from ‘flashin the pan’.
‘I had always been interested in a career in business,’ shesays. ‘But in my early 20s I just wanted children. AsJessica and Elizabeth (now aged ten and eight) grew, sodid my desire to achieve more.’
Jayne’s first step was to further hereducation by studying part-time for A-Levels before enrolling on a Bcom(Bachelor in Commerce) Degree at theBusiness School.
Jayne says: ‘The School has an excellentreputation and a degree from Birmingham isa passport to success. The course appealed tome because of the practical nature of thesmall business module, and the academics’experience in industry and their close links with employers.’
Still in her first year of business Jayne is confidentCharisma will continue to boom. Her plans involveventuring further into e-business and becomingactively involved in bridal fayres and exhibitions.
She says: ‘Part of my success is due to strategic planning.I’m now in a position where I can reap the benefits of allmy hard work, thanks to some strategic foresight, and Ihope by taking this route the business will continue to flourish.’
News 8Buzz Issue 46 June 2004
WEDNESDAY 14 JULY (Sir Dominic Cadbury presiding)
10.30 am The Business SchoolHonorary Graduate: Jasper Carrott – Doctor of the University Comedian
1.45 pm Health Sciences, Humanities 1Honorary Graduate: Sir Christopher Mallaby – Doctor of LawsManaging Director in UBS Investment Bank, Deputy Chairman of UBS AG in Frankfurt
4.30 pm BiosciencesHonorary Graduate: Mr Bob Moore – Doctor of the University Deputy Pro-Chancellor of the University
THURSDAY 15 JULY (Sir Dominic Cadbury presiding)
10.30 am Historical StudiesHonorary Graduate: Reverend Dr Munitiz – Doctor of Letters
1.45 pm Humanities 2Honorary Graduate: Mrs Clare Morrall – Doctor of Letters Literary Midlander of the Year, Booker Prize Shortlist 2002
4.30 pm Medical SchoolHonorary Graduate: Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya – Doctor of Engineering Professor of Manufacturing, University of Warwick (Warwick of Manufacturing Group), Alumnus of Birmingham (MSc, PhD)
FRIDAY 16 JULY (Sir Dominic Cadbury presiding)
10.30 am Chemistry, Engineering 1, Physics and AstronomyHonorary Graduate: Dr Simon Campbell – Doctor of Science Synthetic Organic Chemist, Alumnus of Birmingham
1.45 pm Dentistry, LawHonorary Graduate: Lord Corbett – Doctor of Laws Life Peer (2001)
4.30 pm TBC
MONDAY 19 JULY (Sir Dominic Cadbury presiding)
10.30 am Engineering 2Honorary Graduate: Mr Fred Dibnah – Doctor of the University
1.45 pm Computer Sciences, Sport and Exercise SciencesHonorary Graduate: Miss Jane Sixsmith – Doctor of the University International Hockey Player, 320 caps for England and GB
4.30 pm Lifelong Learning, Education, Historical Studies 2Honorary Graduate: Mr John Tomlinson CBE – Doctor of Music English Bass Singer
TUESDAY 20 JULY (Lord Hannay presiding)
10.30am Psychology and Public PolicyHonorary Graduate: Dr John Makumbe – Doctor of LawsFounder Chairman of the Zimbabwe Family Association,Founder Chairman of Transparency International Zimbabwe,Lecturer in the Department of Political and AdministrativeStudies at the University of Zimbabwe
1.45pm Social SciencesHonorary Graduate: Sir Stephen Wall – Doctor of Laws HM Diplomatic Service, Head of European Secretariat,Cabinet Office
4.30pm Music, Maths and Stats, Social Sciences 2Honorary Graduate: Mr Sakari Oramo – Doctor of Music Musical Director of the CBSO
Degree CongregationsSummer 2004
Grand Sports FinaleThe Annual Athletic Union Annual Dinner provides a focus foracknowledging sporting achievements and awarding blues andcolours to sportsmen and women who have attained success yearboth on and off the sports field. The competition is tough with nominees for this year’s awards amongst thestrongest yet. Nominations are as follows:
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEARJames Austin (Judo)
❙ Competed in the World UniversityGames in Daegu
❙ BUSA Champion at U81Kg
Mike Cornes (Triathlon)
❙ Represented GB at World Championships
❙ Represented GB at Senior Aquathlon
Gert Kunka (Badminton)
❙ Won BUSA Individuals (2nd year insuccession)
❙ Runner-up in BUSA Doubles
Dave Massam (Gymnastics andTrampolining)
❙ Won BUSA Level 1 Competition
❙ Senior GB Rings Champion
❙ Represented GB on rings at theEuropean Championships
Simon Ramsden (Hockey)
❙ Represented England B
❙ Plays for Cannock HC, winners ofthe EHL 2003/2004
❙ Voted player of the Tournament atthe European Cup Winners Cup
SPORTSWOMEN OF THE YEARKate Edwards (Netball)
❙ Represented Wales at Senior Level
❙ Competed in the WorldChampionships 2003 in Jamaica
❙ Member of winning BUSA Netball team
Naomi Folkard (Archery)
❙ Selected to compete in the 2004Olympics in Athens
❙ Competed in the World UniversityChampionships in Daegu
❙ Member of GB Elite Archery Squad
❙ UK Ladies Indoor RecurveChampion
Sian Halliwell (Lacrosse)
❙ Represented Wales at Senior Level
❙ Captained Welsh U21 Team
Claire Holme (Athletics and Cross-Country)
❙ Represented GB at the IAAF WorldCross Country Championships
❙ Third in the Trials
Hannah Smith (Hockey)
❙ Represented British Universities
❙ Selected for England U21
CLUB OF THE YEAR-Football (men’s)LifesavingSwimming
TEAM OF THE YEAR-Golf 1st Team (BUSA Runners-up)
Mountain Bike (BUSA Champions2nd year in succession)
Netball 1st Team (BUSA Champions3rd year in succession)
Squash Men’s 1st Team(BUSA Champions)
Taekwondo (BUSA Champions)
COACH OF THE YEARRichard Beale (Football)
Wayne Hill (American Football)
Gary Humpage (Swimming)
Nick Hynes and Matt Suckling(Squash)
Helen Palmer (Netball)
VICTORIA WESLEY AWARD FOROUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONTO THE ATHLETIC UNIONLou AllenAndy GreenLucy MacCallumTom MartinPaul Szumilewicz
Sports Relief Saturday 10 July
In celebration of Roger Banister’s4-minute mile, Sports Relief is proud to present the biggest mile event inhistory! Whether you want to ‘go theextra mile’ as fast as you can, stroll itwith your family, or dress up with your friends, why not check out what’s going on up at CentenarySquare, Birmingham?
All money raised will help people livingtough lives in the UK and overseas, soget ready to change the world by mileson Sport Relief Saturday.
For further information see www.sportrelief.com or call 08712 444411
News 9Buzz Issue 46 June 2004
Commit to Get FitstartsJune 21Sign UpNow…For more information pleasecontact Amy Cleeton
Birmingham joined together withnine local universities and colleges offurther education as well as MGRover, The National Black Boys CanAssociation and Connexions CareerService, to put together an excitingprogramme of activities for 135 Year10 students and 40 parents.
The conference, which was hosted bythe School of Historical Studies andRadio WM presenter, Dr RobertBeckford, formed part of theWidening Participation Unit’scommitment to the AimHigherinitiative to raise standards ofattainment among cultural andcommunity groups identified asunderachieving in comparison withcity averages.
The morning’s activities included arange of practical workshops onbusiness, construction, catering,engineering, electronics and health,while the afternoon’s sessions focusedon design, engineering, business,media/music, science, fashion design,and sports studies. Parents andteachers were also invited to attendthe event and had the opportunity totake part in advice sessions aboutfurther and higher education.
The conference gave the studentspractical information on how to
realise their career goals. Youngstudent Dean Harris said: ‘Before Icame here today I wanted to be afootball coach or PE teacher. This dayhas helped me to figure out the bestway of doing that and thequalifications I will need’.
Keynote speaker and local rolemodel, Karl George, Director ofAndersons KBS Limited, gave aninspirational speech calling onparents to lead by example and toencourage their children to aspireto greater achievements. Karl wasawarded Birmingham’s YoungProfessional of the Year in 2002 and is Founding President of the 100 Black Men of Birmingham Organisation.
Conference Organiser, TinaWilkinson, was delighted by thesuccess of the event and describedthe Conference as ‘a wonderfulexample of partnership-working whichhas given these young men a clearpathway for their talents’.
If you are interested in contributingto future Widening Participationevents please contact Sandra Cooke, Head of WideningParticipation x 47693 or email:[email protected]
Looking Forward TogetherThe Young People’s Parliament in Millennium Point was the venue for the University’s second LookingForward, Aiming High: African-Caribbean Young Men of the Future Conference, held in association withAimHigher and Connexions. The event was designed to celebrate African-Caribbean achievement and tohighlight the many opportunities available in the City.
Students enjoying the Media/Music Workshop at the Looking Forward, Aiming High: African-Caribbean Young Men of the Future Conference
Nothelfer GmbH, a German company and part of the ThyssenKrupp Technologiesgroup, is currently building a new production line for Landrover in Solihull andhas sent over staff from its Ravensburg base for one year to complete the project.
Six mechanical engineers, employed by Nothelfer Ravensburg, have been takingpart in the English communication skills programme organised by CathrynOverall and delivered by Claire Richardson.
The project has been highly successful and will continue for a further fourmonths. Course tutor Claire, says: ‘All of the participants have been reallyenthusiastic and have made great progress. It has been very rewarding and great funworking with the group.’
Building CommunicationBridges at Land RoverBirmingham International Business Communications (BIBC), part of the University’s English for International Students Unit (EISU) has been delivering an English communication skills programme at the Landrover factory in Solihull since early January 2004.
(Left to Right) Participantson the BIBC Englishcommunication skillsprogramme at theLandrover factory inSolihul: Siegfried Sonntag,Max Topolovec, GebhardMotz, Walter Hangarter,Saim Murat Tokgöz andRoland Glaser.
Cognitive psychology is the inspirationbehind Wayne McGregor’s new work, AtaXia,which premiered at Sadler’s Wells earlier thismonth. Birmingham Psychologists have beenworking in collaboration with Wayne and hiscompany, Random Dance, to throw new lightonto the investigation of the human body.
The performance is a culmination of a six-monthcollaboration between the dancers andpsychologists called Cognition and Choreography.The research has acted as a springboard for thecreation of AtaXia, while assisting the scientistsinvolved in their own individual research.
AtaXia is a medical condition that interferes withthe body’s ability to co-ordinate muscularmovement. Generating a fresh, radical look athuman physicality, AtaXia explores dislocationand loss of control while using complextechnology that has become the hallmark of Random Dance.
In working with Wayne and the dancers, Birmingham Psychologists have enhancedthe dancers’ creative processes and have learned more about what underlies the way inwhich dancers make their movements and the relationship between the brain and behaviour.
Alan Wing, Professor of Human Movement at the School of Psychology, says, ‘Workingwith contemporary dance has led us to ask new questions in our research and encouraged usto develop new analysis methods. For example, evaluation of the variability in reproducingcomplicated dance phrases is providing us with new insights into how the brain representsspace and movement.’
A ChoreographicCollaboration
News 10Buzz Issue 46 June 2004
June Diary Vacancies
WEDNESDAY 16
1.00 pm Division of Primary Care,Public and Occupational HealthSeminar - The WARM Study – risk factorsfor winter admissions – preliminaryresults – Ms Rachel Jordan, Dept. ofPublic Health and Epidemiology.Room UG04; Dept of Primary Care andGeneral Practice, the Learning CentreBuilding. Seminars on this programmeare accredited for 1 hour of CPD
1.10pm Summer Festival of Music –Early Music Ensembles. The BarberInstitute. Admission free
4.30pm (following tea at 4pm inHaworth 209a) School of ChemistrySeminar – Bacterial Halogenation –Professor Jim Naismith (St Andrews).Host: Prof Ruedi Allemann. RoomUG04 in the Learning Centre
SATURDAY 19
One-day school organised by theCentre for Lifelong Learning. HistoricGardens of Wiltshire. Course fee £28.Telephone 0121-414 8065 for details
6.00 pm University of BirminghamWomen’s Club evening meal formembers, Selly Park Tavern. ContactWendy Sterling Tel: 0121-454 6565
THURSDAY 17
1.10pm Summer Festival of Music. TheFestival String Orchestra, withconductors Louise Wood and Ed Furse,perform Elgar and Finzi. The BarberInstitute. Admission free
THURSDAY 17
10.30 am University of BirminghamWomen’s Club coffee in the home ofMonica Ricketts. Tel: 0121-449 4228
FRIDAY 18
1.10pm Summer Festival of Music. TheFestival Chamber Choir and ChamberOrchestra perform Mozart and Handel.Followed by a buffet at 2.30pm. TheBarber Institute. Admission free
TUESDAY 22
2.00pm Drawing from Art and Life.Life-drawing workshop led by artistTerry Mullett, using poses inspired byworks in the permanent collection.Tickets £10, £7.50 Friends and the over60’s, £5 students. The Barber Institute.Contact the Education Officer, BrianScholes, Tel: 0121-414 7335
WEDNESDAY 23
1.00 pm Cancer Studies ExternalSeminar – Integrin-mediated celladhesion – the cytoskeleton connection –Professor David Critchley, Leicester.Host: Professor Michael Wakelam.Seminar Room (S104), Cancer Studies
1.00 pm Division of Primary Care,Public and Occupational HealthSeminar - Listen to my madness –developing a social model of distress andmadness - Dr Helen Lester, Dept. ofPrimary Care and General Practice.Room SF223-4; Dept of Primary Careand General Practice, the LearningCentre Building. Seminars on thisprogramme are accredited for 1 hourof CPD
4.00 pm- 7.00 pm The Year in IndustryCompany Exhibition in The GreatHall. All Year in Industry studentsplaced throughout the West Midlandsin 2003/04 will be displaying the results of their 12-month work placements.
THURSDAY 24
Shirty Gerties sale - Staff House
10.30 am University of BirminghamWomen’s Club coffee in the home ofJan Smith. Tel: 0121-455 6391
1.00 pm Genetic Seminar - The causesand consequences of triplet repeatexpansion in Fragile X syndrome – MarkHirst, Senior Lecturer in HumanGenetics, The Open University. RoyalGenetics Laboratory, Seminar Room
FRIDAY 25
Scent To Go sale - Staff House
SATURDAY 26
One-day school organised by theCentre for Lifelong Learning. Saintsand Sinners: Pilgrimage in the MiddleAges. Course fee £23. Telephone 0121-414 8065 for details
SUNDAY 27
2.30pm Sunday Tour. Join a guide tourfor a valuable insight into thecollection and the history of theBarber. Admission free
WEDNESDAY 30
University of Birmingham Women’sClub Summer outing to Hanbury Hall. Contact Marjorie Knight Tel: 0121-454 1098
G36745 KTP AssociateSchool of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) Academic: Research and Teaching Closing date: 18/6/2004
M1061 LecturerDivision of Medical Sciences - Physiology Academic: Research and Teaching Closing date: 25/6/2004
S36731 LecturerSchool of Computer ScienceAcademic: Research and Teaching Closing date: 22/6/2004
S36729 Lecturer (2 Posts)School of Computer ScienceAcademic: Research and TeachingClosing date: 22/6/2004
M32975 Post-doctoral Research FellowDivision of Cancer Studies - Cancer Studies Academic: Research and TeachingClosing date: 21/6/2004
M32974 Postdoctoral Research FellowDivision of Reproductive and Child Health - Paediatrics Academic: Research and TeachingClosing date: 24/6/2004
M32976 Postdoctoral ResearchFellow/AssociateDivision of Neuroscience -Neurolphysiology Academic: Research and Teaching Closing date: 21/6/2004
M32962 Research AssociateDivision of Medical Sciences - Medicine Academic: Research and Teaching Closing date: 17/6/2004
S36741 Research Associate/FellowSchool of Physics and Astronomy Academic: Research and Teaching Closing date: 21/6/2004
S36674 Research FellowSchool of Physics and AstronomyAcademic: Research and TeachingClosing date: 22/7/2004 Head Coach/Development
T30165 Manager (Squash)The Foundation for Sport Administrative and Other Academic Related Closing date: 17/6/2004
Y30154 Marketing ManagerMarketing Services Administrative and Other Academic Related Closing date: 18/6/2004
T15000 Secretary / AdministratorAdministrative Support Support: Technical, Clerical, and Manual Closing date: 17/6/2004
F34379 Help Desk AdvisorInformation Services Support: Technical, Clerical, and Manual Closing date: 17/6/2004
For a full and up to date list of vacancies see www.punit.bham.ac.uk/vacancies/vacancySearch.htm
JUNE 23This major symposium at King’sCollege London will explore the valueof international collaboration inresearch and higher education -particularly in science, medicine and healthcare - and will be ofinterest to anyone interested in these fields. Among the distinguishedinternational speakers contributing will be:
❙ Mike Johns, Director of the Health Sciences Center, EmoryUniversity, USA
❙ Michael Gibbons, Sec.General of the Association of CommonwealthUniversities
❙ Sir Graeme Catto, President of the GMC
❙ Mark Walport, Director of theWellcome Trust
❙ Stephen Parker, Vice President,Monash University, Australia
❙ Dame JeniferWilson-Barnett, Headof the Florence Nightingale Schoolof Nursing
Discourses will be interspersed withdiscussion and will include theimportance of international researchcollaboration; educating thehealthcare workforce of the future;and the ethical challenges facingscientists and health professionals in higher education.
The symposium is free and will be heldat Guy’s campus, London SE1.
If you would like to register please doso as soon as possible viawww.kcl.ac.uk/175/events/event0623.htmlor contact [email protected]
Tel: 020 7848 3103
Global Partnerships in Research and Education
News 11Buzz Issue 46 June 2004
Staff News Small Ads
Views expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of the University or a statement of University policy. The publication of advertisements does notimply any endorsement by the University of the goods or services advertised. All submissions may be subject to editing. The Editor’s decision is final.
Printed VersionPublication Date: 01 July 2004Deadline: 16 June 2004 Mid dayPlease send all your items for the web or print versions to the PublicRelations Office (1st floor AstonWebb, by the rotunda) by email, post or why not in person? We’d enjoy meeting you!
Please note: Submissions receivedafter mid day on copy deadlinecannot be guaranteed to be included
Buzz on the StreetsWe’re constantly cleansing our data and updating our records. Please letSam (below) know if you want extra copies of Buzz or if you think weneed to amend your distribution details.
ACCOMMODATION
House to Let. Spacious, attractive two-bedroomed terraced houseoverlooking Kings Heath Park. Fullyfurnished. 50 yards from 69 bus touniversity (15 minutes), close toshopping. £600 pcm plus bills.Available immediately for academicyear 2004-5. [email protected]
Modern three double bedroomed semi-detached property, lounge, diningroom, fitted kitchen, cooker, dishwasher,plumbing for washing machine,downstairs w/c, bathroom with showercubicle, central heating, double glazing,good rear garden and garage. Availablefrom 24th June - £650 p/m. Tel:0121-777 4660 E-Mail:[email protected]
Single lecturer seeking furnishedaccommodation for 2004-5 academicyear, starting any time between nowand September. [email protected]
To Let. Modern 2-bed flat in Selly Park(available 01/07/2004). Fully-furnished,GCH, re-decorated summer 2003,garage, parking spaces. Suit post grads, young academics, professionals.£625 pcm Tel 0121-414-7121(d), 01905 381650(e) email: [email protected]
MISCELLANEOUS
Piano tuition. Edgbaston. MikaelPettersson B Mus (Hons), concertpianist with competition prize-winners amongst students. 0121-4563421; Mobile 07970 734 905
Tax return back in the in-tray?Mynette & Co (est 1976) offer a local,personalised accountancy/taxadvisory service. Call 0121 449 7322or email: [email protected]
Thought of joining the BirminghamBach Choir? Lively rehearsalsWednesday evenings. Contact NickFisher on 0121 455 9901 [email protected]
Specialist advisers to academics;Colin Coates & Partners offer tax andaccounting services includingProfessorial salary review andretirement covering The UniversitiesSuperannuation Scheme
Chill-out at the Munrow Centre!Stress Buster Chair Massage only £8(on University campus). Call Davidon 0121 444 5814/07812 3505 (mob)
For Sale: Rover 100 Ascot SE - RRegistration 5 door hatchback. Inexcellent condition with very lowmileage, 15000. Fully serviced, MOT until October 2004 £1,550.00. Please Phone 0121 414 3294 or 0121 427 8786 (evenings)
Need a Plumber? All domestic workundertaken. Free quotations. Fullyinsured. Complete bathrooms, showers,drains, and general maintenance. ETPlumbing Services. 01902 345032 oremail: [email protected]
Congratulations to Professor Ann Davis,Deputy Dean of Arts and Social Sciences,who has become a member of theHigher Education Academy’s committeeappointed to undertake a special subjectreview of the future role of subject areascovering medicine, health care andsciences and social work and socialpolicy. The committee is due to report inDecember 2004.
Following in a long tradition of CREESstaff briefing ambassador-designatesbefore they begin their postings inCentral and Eastern Europe, TimHaughton briefed the new BritishAmbassador-designate to Slovakia,Judith Macgregor, on domestic Slovakpolitics at the Foreign Office. Alsoparticipating in the briefing wasVladimir Bilcik who is currently a MarieCurie fellow in the ERI.
Congratulations to Nick Blinco, DeputyDirector of Development and AlumniRelations on being selected as a SectorFinalist in the Birmingham YoungProfessional of the Year Awards 2004.
Dr Michael Hubbard of the InternationalDevelopment Department (IDD) gave evidence to the InternationalDevelopment Committee of the House ofCommons at a hearing discussing the Department for InternationalDevelopment’s draft agricultural policy paper
The recent IDD-led research on ‘role ofgovernment in adjusting economies’provided useful evidence, emphasisinghow liberalisation of agricultural tradeincreased the need for new publicservices to facilitate marketdevelopment, particularly in lessdeveloped areas, the difficulties faced bygovernment in adjusting agriculturalservices, and the options for reform.
Professor Nigel Brown, Head of theSchool of Chemistry, has beenappointed as the Director of Science andTechnology at the Biotechnology andBiological Sciences Research Council(BBSRC). He will take over his new position with effect from 1 September 2004.
Congratulations to Professor WilliamDoe (pictured), Dean of the MedicalSchool, who has been appointed to the Board of Directors of UniversityCollege Worcester.
Clangers
Please note that Dr Bushra al-Duri isfemale and not a ‘he’ as stated in thearticle 'A Supercritical Success' printed inBUZZ issue 44
Following the article 'Are You A PotentialMedici Fellow' in BUZZ 45, it should benoted that the Medici Programme is nota studentship. The Fellowship is intendedas one year's full-time employment forjunior researchers. It can also be used tobuy out time from more seniorresearchers’ contracts, for example fromteaching. It is not intended as a studentprogramme.
Please see article on page 6
Effecting Change forthe Child with SpecialEducation Needs
A Celebration of the Contributionof Professor Ron Gulliford
THURSDAY 14 OCTOBER6.00 pm
Dilemmas in the Quest for Inclusion
Klaus Wedell CBE, PhD, FBPsS,Cpsychol, Emeritus Professor at the Institute of Education,University of London
School of Education For more information pleasecontact Mrs Jennifer R.WhittakerTel: 0121-414 6733Email: [email protected]
AnnualLecture
Arts 12Buzz Issue 46 June 2004
Wat-er Triumph! Caroline’s Exhibition Plumbs the Depths Yet that’s exactly what gallery assistant Caroline Barriehas done in a groundbreaking new exhibition entitledFrom the Depths: Water in Art, which has just opened atthe Barber Institute of Fine Arts.
‘It feels unbelievable,’ said Caroline. ‘I never thought my firstexhibition would feature prints by Rembrandt, Dürer andDelacroix – it’s beyond my wildest dreams.’
Perhaps unusually for a gallery situated in Britain’s mostland-locked city, there’s been a definite nautical themefor a lot of this year’s exhibitions and events at theBarber, which commenced with the record-breakingexhibition ‘The Sun Rising through Vapour’: Turner’s earlySeascapes in October, and continued with Family OpenDay: Art, Music and the Sea earlier this month.
‘We started the year with Turner’s seascapes, and we havequite a few sea-themed prints in the collection, but I wantedto widen it out,’ explained Caroline. ‘From doing theinventory I knew we had a lot of prints to do with water, so Ithought I’d do that.’
The exhibition explores how artists through the ageshave portrayed man’s relationship with water in workand leisure, life and death, and religion and mythology.
And for the first time ever, the Barber is supporting anexternal charity linked to the theme of the exhibition –WaterAid, an international organisation dedicated toproviding safe domestic water, sanitation and hygieneeducation to the world’s poorest people.
‘Whilst I was researching the exhibition on the internet,looking for water quotes, I came across the WaterAid website,’said Caroline. ‘I read the case studies and thought, ‘Crikey,this is a worthwhile charity; how can I do something to help?’.’
‘I thought about the exhibition sponsoring the charity, andthought there was a natural link.’
Leaflets about WaterAid now are available at theexhibition in the Education Gallery, and throughout therun of the exhibition, people will be able to makedonations in a box positioned, appropriately, under thepicture of Christ and the Woman of Samaria,
Caroline hopes this exhibition will be the first of many– although she’s uncertain how she’s going to top Waterin Art’s all-star cast of artists.
‘How do you better something that’s got Rembrandt, Claude,Delacroix and Dürer in it?’ she said. ‘But I plan to try. Watchthis space!’
It’s every gallery curator’s fantasy to be able to organise an exhibition of works by artistsof the calibre of Rembrandt and Claude.
Exhibitions and Events at the BarberUNTIL 31 AUGUSTReserve Gallery: Conservation in Focus:Murillo’s The Marriage at Cana
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am-4pm
Gain a rare insight into how the BarberInstitute looks after the priceless works of art in its permanent collection by watchingMurillo’s The Marriage at Cana being cleanedand conserved. Visitors can watch and ask questions as the picture conservatorpainstakingly restores the picture to itsformer glory over the summer months.
UNTIL OCTOBER Coin Gallery: Talking Coins: 1800 Years of Numismatic Treasures
Coins taken from the Barber Institute’scollection exploring the many roles they play in Roman, Byzantine and Central Asian society.
27 MAY - 15 AUGUSTEducation Gallery: From the Depths: Water in Art
Numerous aspects of this essential yetparadoxical element are explored througha selection of works drawn from the depths of the Barber’s ever-expanding print collection. Artists featured includeDürer, Claude, Rembrandt, and Delacroix.
A record 1,550 visitors helped make theBarber Institute’s 10th annual FamilyOpen Day a bigger success than ever before.
Families flooded through the doors toenjoy the highlight of the Barber’s year –this year subtitled ‘Art, Music and the Sea’.
Art Alive! performances by actorsdressed as Monet, the Admiral, andthe Pirate Storytellers were a particulardraw, while youngsters also got thechance to make their own pirate hat,parrot and fish tank.
An uncannily authentic Turner’s Cabin,where the great sea painter JMWTurner held forth on everythingfrom perspective to wig-making, in a
faultless Cockney accent, fooled manyinto thinking it was moving, thanks toits sloping floors and ships’ sound effects.
There were also concerts from Africandrummers, Andean panpipe-players andstudent jazz musicians.
Barber Director Richard Verdi wasdelighted at the numbers, which wereboosted this year by an alumni reunionof ‘60s students and a donor day alsohappening on campus.
‘Open Day is the biggest event in the Barber’syear, and many of the families that comehave never been to the Barber before, so it’simportant we show them a good time,’ saidProfessor Verdi. ‘This year, as usual, I don’tthink anyone was disappointed.’
