The Voice July 2012

theVoice TheUniversityofSouthamptonmagazineforstaff|Issue13|July2012

Improving lives

Dr Helen Roberts gives an insight into her research on Parkinson’s disease

A warm welcome Staff collaborate on an improved student induction experience

Now you’re talking my language the Voice speaks to Professor Mike Kelly

4 A warm welcomethe Voice finds out about an exciting new project that aims to provide the best possible induction experience for our new students.

6 Your IT service the Voice speaks to the iSolutions team about their work in supporting staff across the University.

8 Improving livesthe Voice speaks to Dr Helen Roberts, who is leading research in Hampshire that could pave the way to a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

10 Southampton Blackoutthe Voice follows staff and students on their campus-wide energy audit

12 Find your voiceStaff from the world-leading Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory share their experiences of working in this unique environment.

16 Now you’re talking my language

One of the 60 achievements we are celebrating this year is our work to encourage children and undergraduates to learn languages. Professor Mike Kelly gives an insight into this success.

Features

Inside

This information can be made available, on request, in alternative formats, such as electronic, large print, Braille or audio tape and, in some cases, other languages.

For further information, contact the Publications Officer on +44 (0)23 8059 4985the Voice is published by Communications and Marketing. Staff can submit items for inclusion by emailing [email protected] is limited and the Editor’s decision is final.

© University of Southampton 2012

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LeaderColumn

It’s my sincere hope that it will offer us all time out for fun, food, music and relaxation. It will provide an opportunity to catch up with friends from other parts of the University or to track down some of the 60th anniversary installations around the Highfield campus. It is also the first time since I’ve been Vice-Chancellor that we have attempted to bring together so many staff from across the different campuses, and I hope to see many of you there.

The 60th success in our anniversary campaign is all about our people – the staff, students and alumni who have changed lives for the better through their work and whose lives have been transformed by their connection to the University. Regrettably, my graduation photo, above, mostly illustrates the ageing process since the 80s – it doesn’t reveal what an important, transforming moment this was for me personally. Completing my masters and commencing my PhD in 1983 enabled me to change career direction and provided the academic foundation for almost all I have achieved since. Like many of our graduates, I’m grateful to the University of Southampton for an education that changed my life.

I am looking forward to hearing more of your stories; some staff and alumni have already shared interesting, insightful and funny memories on our 60th anniversary website. I encourage each of you, however long you have worked here, to make your mark on these celebrations.

2012 is a significant year for a number of other reasons besides our 60th anniversary. Our first students at the University of Southampton Malaysia Campus will begin their studies this year; our institutional review will be carried out in October and our first cohort of students paying the new fees will start their programmes here. Already this year we have launched a major new institute – the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) – and installed our distinguished new Chancellor, Dame Helen Alexander. My appreciation goes to the many staff who have worked hard on these events, each of which have been a credit to the University and will help define our success in the next phase of our development.

Professor Don Nutbeam Vice-Chancellor

To share your stories on our 60th anniversary website, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/60

Our Staff Party is a great opportunity for us to celebrate the successes of our University over the last 60 years and to imagine our future achievements.

Don Nutbeam at his graduation in the 1980s

4 theVoice |July 2012

A warm welcomeSouthampton Welcome is an exciting new project that is bringing staff together from across the University to improve the induction experience we provide to our new students. the Voice finds out more.

for information to be shared directly with five local councils so that students are automatically exempt from council tax payments, rather than each student coming in to university for their council tax exemption letter. This alone will significantly reduce staff workload and student queuing in this busy period.

These sorts of improvements are set to continue throughout the year – and into next year as the project enters its second phase.

Stay in touchKey communication channels that the project team will use to communicate developments:

− Updates at the monthly Education and Student Experience Advisory Group (ESEAG) meetings

− Updates for team leaders at the Assessment and Taught Admin network meetings

− Targeted briefings to colleagues directly impacted by process changes or involved in delivering induction talks

− e-Voice and SUSSED for more general updates for the wider staff community

There will also be training sessions for those staff delivering service to students eg on service desks.

If you have any queries, please contact Christina Young, Project Manager for Southampton Welcome, on [email protected]

Launched in January this year, the Southampton Welcome project has brought staff from across the faculties, academic units and professional services together to develop a joined-up, consistent induction programme that aims to provide the best possible first impression of the University to our new students.

The project visionTessa Harrison, the University’s Registrar and the executive sponsor for the project, says: “The vision for the Southampton Welcome project is to create an outstanding introduction programme for all new starters – an experience that is powerful, comprehensive and genuinely welcoming.”

She continues: “I have been delighted to see members of the project team, from many different services and faculties, working together creatively towards this vision. We hope to make a real difference to the induction experience in September 2012 and we will continue to build on this for 2013.”

Nicky Passmore, Deputy Director of Student Services and Mary Hurst, Faculty Operating Officer for Humanities are leading the delivery of the project. Christina Young is the Project Manager. Mary comments: “This project will enable faculties to focus more on the value-added activities that are already in existence as part of the way they introduce new students to their academic experience of higher education. As a university we can help to create the space for faculties during those all-important early weeks of term by providing some generic induction activities for students.”

Improving induction processesTo begin with the project team are looking at the existing induction processes around the University. Nicky comments: “We have found some examples of excellent practice that we would like to extend to other parts of the University. We have also discovered many examples of inefficiency and duplication which will be reduced through this project.”

The next step is for the project team to identify where processes can be improved to enhance the overall induction experience for September 2012. This work is divided between three cross-disciplinary teams:

Communications is looking at the messages students receive at different stages of the welcome process, for example through student handbooks and the website, to identify duplications and gaps in the information.

Induction is identifying all the induction activities carried out across the University, from the day students arrive to the end of the second week of study, to ensure that students from all programmes can benefit from the same excellent induction process.

Queues is looking at how to reduce waiting times across campus. For example, they will be working out ways to encourage more students to pay their fees online to reduce queues in Building 37 at the start of term.

Success storyAlthough it is still early days, Southampton Welcome has already seen some successes. For example the project team has arranged

Feature

5July 2012 |theVoice

“The vision for the Southampton Welcome project is to create an outstanding introduction programme for all new starters – an experience that is powerful, comprehensive and genuinely welcoming.”

TessaHarrisonRegistrar


Your IT service

TeamProfile

TheiSolutionsteamsupportsaround30,000peopleacrosstheUniversityintheiruseofITsystems,includingstaff,studentsandvisitors.Theteamhasaround250staff,coveringabroadrangeofactivities,fromprovidingdesktopPCstotraining,creatingwebsites,buildingserversandadministration.

the VoicetalkstoShelliePotter,ITInformationandCommunicationsManager,abouttheteam.

QWhere is your team based?AWherever our users are; at any one time we

could be anywhere across the campuses supporting people who need IT to do their job or to study. We don’t have one central location; although most of the team is usually based in buildings 2, 35 and 54, we move around the campus depending on where the need arises. For example, on Wednesday afternoons at the moment members of our ServiceLine team move to the Hartley Library where colleagues and students can receive face-to-face assistance. You will recognise them from their black iSolutions T-shirts.

QCould you briefly describe what your team does?

AIn a nutshell, we fix, develop, support, train and manage anything to do with IT. We also do a lot of things people may not realise – for example project management, business analysis and supporting systems, such as the University’s data centre and the supercomputer cluster, Iridis 3, which has been ranked one of the most powerful university-owned supercomputers in Europe.

Because of the breadth of the activities and research at the University, we support staff and students in using around 600 pieces of software. This makes us very different from IT

ValerieThorntonBusiness Analyst/Tester

DrewRobinsonProjects and Business Analysts Manager

MarkAngersBusiness Relationship Manager

KatLovattService Desk Analyst

Fromlefttoright:

ShelliePotterIT Information and Communications Manager


services in many other organisations, which often have a very narrow subset of corporate tools. As the University increases its number of postgraduate researchers, we are ensuring that they have the support they need in using specialist software for their work.

In terms of training, we cover two main areas. Firstly, we provide sessions on the University’s mandatory tools, such as the accounting software Agresso that many staff use on a day-to-day basis. We also provide support for Microsoft Office applications, for example how to get the most out of PowerPoint for teaching, how to send communications to students using mail-merges in Outlook, how to format your PhD thesis, and so on.

QWhat is the biggest misconception about your team?

AThat we are just the ServiceLine Service Desk. The Service Desk is the initial point of contact for IT issues and from there each query is directed onto the relevant area of expertise in the iSolutions team. We also work directly with faculties, with our business relationship managers acting as the main point of contact to understand what each faculty wants to achieve.

QWhat does the team enjoy most about the work you do?

AOur work has a lot of variety – no two days are the same. We are passionate about the technology we are working with and really care about the services we provide to meet the University’s needs – and because of that, it can be a very rewarding job.

QWho is the joker in the team?AThis is definitely a team effort. We have

a whiteboard in the kitchen of Building 2, which started out as work-related tool, but has become a fun, creative space that really pulls the team together. People add pictures to represent a theme each week (at the moment it’s ‘film week’ for example) and then every Friday, the answers are revealed. These informal spaces are important when everyone is working so hard.

QWho is the sports enthusiast in the team?AThis has to be Drew Robinson, who ran an

incredible seven marathons in seven days from London to Paris in May, raising just over £4,000 for Help the Heroes.

QAny exciting new developments?AYes, quite a few. We have recently launched

a new online service: ServiceLine OnLine, for non-urgent queries, to enable people to log their query themselves rather than calling up ServiceLine. The aim is to improve efficiency and provide a faster service for our customers – and also to keep people more informed: you can view when your ticket was logged, which team it has been passed to, and when it’s expected to be resolved.

At the moment we’re working on a project to build a new Data Centre off campus. Data use at the University grows year on year and these new centres will cater for this constant growth and increase resilience. They will also be very energy efficient, supporting the University’s sustainability agenda. We will be sending more details of these developments as these projects progress.

We are also working on a new, more user-focused, iSolutions website, which we hope to launch by the start of the new academic year.

For more information about iSolutions, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/isolutions

EdFinnService Desk Manager

RickCrossSenior Enterprise Solutions Specialist

MattParrisSoftware Services Team Leader

NickWilliamsSenior Professional Specialist

NicMonksCoaching and Training Specialist

SamCantwellDesigner, Design and Print Services


Profile Dr Helen Roberts

Improving lives

9July 2012 | theVoice

DrHelenRoberts,basedinAcademicGeriatricMedicine,ispartoftheAgeingandHealthGroup,aninterdisciplinaryteamofresearchersbasedinMedicinethataimstoimprovethehealthofolderpeople.Helentells the VoiceabouthergroundbreakingresearchtofindacureforParkinson’sdisease.

QWhat sparked your interest in the field of geriatric medicine?

AWhen I was a junior doctor I realised that the complexity of geriatric medicine appealed to me – and it still does. Many of the older people we see have difficulties in several areas, for example poor mobility and lack of social support, and addressing these issues by coordinating with colleagues from nursing, therapy and primary care, both within and outside a hospital setting, is very interesting. Older people are also fascinating to work with because of their personal history and viewpoint, which adds another dimension to the clinical aspect.

QPlease can you tell us more about your research on Parkinson’s disease?

AParkinson’s disease is very variable: it’s not clear, for example, why some people with the condition have a tremor while others have stiffness and difficulties with walking. My research is focused on gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms that cause this variability, which could help us to manage Parkinson’s more effectively with medication and ultimately help towards a cure.

QWhat does the project you are currently working on involve?

AThe project is called Tracking Parkinson’s. It’s a national study funded by the charity Parkinson’s UK and supported locally by research staff from the National Institutes for Health Research (NIHR) South Coast Dementia and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (DeNDRoN). There are around 30 participating centres in the UK and I am leading the research in Hampshire, based at Southampton General Hospital and Romsey Hospital. We aim to recruit 80 people with Parkinson’s who are either within three years of diagnosis or who were under the age of 50

when they were diagnosed. These participants will be followed for three years, during which we will record their condition carefully every six months and take blood samples to analyse any links between their symptoms and certain genes or biomarkers. The overall aim is to recruit 3,000 people nationally, making this one of the biggest studies of Parkinson’s disease in the world so far.

QWhat made you choose Parkinson’s disease as an area of research?

AI have been leading a clinical service for older people with Parkinson’s in Southampton and Romsey for over 12 years, so it was natural to get involved in research too. I have been fortunate to be able to collaborate with colleagues in the faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine, as well as clinical colleagues in geriatric medicine and neurology, both here and around the UK. As the Director of the South Coast DeNDRoN network, I am part of a national study group on Parkinson’s, so I had the opportunity to involve our group in the Tracking Parkinson’s project.

QWhat is it like being part of research that could make a real difference to people’s lives?

AIt’s very exciting but also humbling, as I know how much people with Parkinson’s want to take part in research and also how much effort goes into collecting the money that Parkinson’s UK uses for research like this.

QAs well as your research, you are also involved in teaching. Please tell us more.

AI have been responsible for the Medicine and Elderly Care 12-week course in year three of the Bachelor of Medicine (BM5 and BM4) degrees for around eight years now, based in Southampton and Winchester. Each year my team and I improve the course in line with student feedback or suggestions from clinical colleagues. It’s essential that medical students have a full and varied programme in line with General Medical Council guidelines and we have a lot to cram into 12 weeks. I really enjoy seeing the students improve in knowledge and confidence and get a sense of satisfaction from knowing that they will become good doctors for the future.

QWhat do you enjoy most about working here?

AMy work is very varied and there are clear opportunities to develop research ideas linking with clinical colleagues and those elsewhere in the University. I also have many close colleagues and friends here.

QWhat do you like doing outside of work?

AI enjoy a long dog walk with family and friends in the New Forest at the weekend.

QWhat are you reading at the moment?

AI have just started Charles Dickens’ Little Dorrit, the current choice of my book club. Before that I finished Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry, which oddly enough centred on a man with Parkinson’s and his family’s struggle to care for him. Next in line is the new Victoria Hislop novel.

QWho would be your ideal dinner party guests?

ADame Judi Dench, Annie Lennox, Graham Norton and David Walliams would be very entertaining and I would let my husband come as well.


Feature

Staff and students worked together on a campus-wide energy audit

Southampton Blackout


On 27 April more than 250 of the University’s staff and students took part in the Southampton Blackout, a campus-wide energy audit and switch off exercise, believed to be the biggest of its kind in the sector. The volunteers spent their Friday evening on the Highfield Campus turning off equipment, including computers, monitors and printers, that had been left on before the weekend.

The exercise was initially conceived nine months earlier by Simon Kemp in Engineering and the Environment and Dr Neil Smith in Estates and Facilities, as a means to highlight the enormous positive environmental impact that our staff and students can have by taking a few simple actions.

Energy usage on the Highfield Campus was measured over the weekend after the Blackout and compared with comparable weekends earlier in the year. The results showed that the exercise had reduced power consumption by six per cent – saving seven tonnes of carbon, nearly £2,000 and enough energy to power five family homes for a year.

Simon, who is Director of Employability in Engineering and the Environment and the University’s Green Academy Programme Leader, comments: “These were really incredible results. It’s important to note that our volunteers weren’t powering down entire buildings or major equipment, they were simply switching off basic office electrical equipment and lights that had been left on. If everyone took responsibility for these actions each weekend, we could save close to £100,000 over the course of a year.

“I can’t praise the students who took part enough – all of the staff involved with the Blackout were impressed with their professionalism and enthusiasm. Being involved with an event and audit of this size is important experience for all of them.”

The exercise was part of a major campaign to promote sustainability around the University, including increasing rates of recycling, reducing energy usage and encouraging more sustainable modes of transport.

Neil, who is the University’s Environment Manager, says: “The results of the Blackout were really encouraging, but what’s crucial is that we take the energy, enthusiasm and awareness of our staff and students and ensure that we’re using it to embed more sustainable behaviours across the organisation. We have some very challenging targets to meet over the coming years – not least reducing our carbon emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 – and it will be important that everyone plays their part.”

Rebecca Smith, a third year undergraduate environmental science student, was one of the student volunteers on the night. She says: “I was really pleased to play a part in such an important event. People hear all the time that they need to be behaving more sustainably, but it’s important to highlight to them exactly how they can do this. Switching off electrical equipment is a good place to start.”

If you’d like to find out more about the Southampton Blackout and the other activities taking part as part of the wider sustainability campaign, you can email [email protected] and follow @Sustainable_UoS on Twitter.

A few things to consider when you leave the office this summer:

Have you switched off your computer and monitor?

Have you unplugged any mobile chargers or other electrical equipment?

Have you recycled the paper after your end of year clear out?

Can you turn the lights out in your office?


1. What is your role at the Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory?

2. What has been your biggest achievement while working at the laboratory?

3. Looking forward, what are you excited about working on in the future?

Paul Lewin Professor of Electrical Power Engineering

1. I lead the laboratory and oversee the coordination of all of our activities in terms of research, enterprise and education.

2. In 2002, the laboratory was at its lowest ebb; everyone was dealing with the impact of the loss of Tony Davies, the founder of our laboratory. With the huge support of my academic, administrative and technical

colleagues, as well as our researchers, I have been fortunate to oversee the recovery, development and growth of a superb team over the last decade. Now, in 2012, we have more than 80 staff and students as well as an established international reputation for our research and commercial testing activity.

3. Developing highly reliable electrical power networks for a low carbon future will present more challenges and problems than I can imagine.

The Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory is one of only two laboratories in the UK that provide the high-level testing and research facilities required by electricity supply companies. The laboratory was renamed in 2002 in commemoration of Tony Davies, the first Professor of Electrical Power Engineering at Southampton. We talk to five members of staff and students associated with the laboratory.

What’sonyourmind?

Find your voiceProfessor Paul Lewin (left)


Dr Nicky FreebodyResearch Fellow

1. My role is to conduct research in various projects related to high voltage and polymer engineering. On top of this I also help to maintain areas of the laboratory and assist any PhD or project students in their work.

2. To date my biggest achievement within the laboratory would have to be completing my PhD, while at the same time publishing journal papers and presenting my research at international conferences.

3. In the future I am looking forward to working on a multi-million pound project to design new insulation systems that will improve the efficiency of power generation plants. I am also looking forward to working with my colleagues on other innovative research projects within the world-leading Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory.

Neil PalmerHigh Voltage Laboratory Manager

1. I have been part of the laboratory team for over 19 years and Laboratory Manager for the last two. After Tony, the founder of our laboratory, passed away, I have played a leading role in the implementation of his vision. Over the last decade the building has doubled in size and the number of personnel using it has increased tenfold. The laboratory has become a stand-alone facility involved in research, product development and type testing that is respected throughout the UK and worldwide.

2. The achievement of creating and implementing operational manuals for the whole facility has had the biggest positive impact on communication and safety. It has also worked towards my personal goal to provide an efficient and fair working environment.

3. Having reached this point in my career and achieved more than I ever expected, the drive for continuous improvement in my role is still strong.

Alex HoltPostgraduate student

1. I am currently a postgraduate research student working on an exciting multidisciplinary project between Chemistry and the Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory. We are working on the design and testing of smart insulation that can change colour in the presence of an electric field.

2. Presenting my work at a number of electrical engineering conferences has been a very enjoyable challenge especially as my background was originally in chemistry.

3. With changes to the power distribution infrastructure due to the increasing exploitation of renewable energy sources, as well as the need to transport electricity over increasingly long distances, there will be more demand for high-performance dielectric materials. This is a fascinating topic that requires expertise from many different subject areas.

Dr James PilgrimLecturer in Electrical Power Engineering

1. I lead research on a wide range of industrially funded projects on high voltage cable systems, as well as working on our enterprise activities and acting as first point of contact for various areas of the laboratory.

2. Aside from being awarded my PhD, one of my biggest achievements has been having some of my work on the calculation of cable current ratings recommended for inclusion into an international guide.

3. For me, one of the most exciting developments is the creation of a European supergrid based on high voltage submarine cable systems. There are a huge number of engineering and research challenges associated with this, meaning it should be a fascinating area to work in over the coming decades.


Young viewers of the BBC television programme Blue Peter have been challenged to come up with a name for the University’s innovative remote-controlled plane, more accurately known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The plane has been developed in collaboration with the BBC, which wants to use it for aerial filming. It was manufactured from nylon and plastic through a revolutionary 3D printing technique. Presenter Barney Harwood launched the competition on 19 April. He told viewers: “We want a funky and distinctive name for this futuristic gadget – be inspired by other memorable names such as iPad, Tom Tom and Raspberry Pi.”

“It is always great to be working with a UK university team and helping turn research into real-world solutions,” says Matthew Postgate from BBC Research and Development. “It’s even more exciting that by working with the Blue Peter team the project has given us the opportunity to get young people interested in science and engineering.”

Professors Andy Keane and Jim Scanlan from the Computational Engineering and Design research group in Engineering and the Environment are leading the UAV project, which also involved postgraduate students.

The return of National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW) in March every year provides a welcome focus for public engagement in Engineering and the Environment. Large numbers of staff and students work to showcase the impact of our research for the visiting public with an ever-expanding set of engaging, informative and hands-on activities.

While the event is an annual highlight, the faculty also invests substantially in a range of public engagement and outreach activities, often in collaboration with the Student Recruitment and Outreach Office.

These range from one-off visits, such as elite cyclist Chris Boardman delivering lectures to the public and to schools on the links between sport and engineering, through to long-term

programmes, including the TEAtime lecture series, an exciting, informative lecture series giving years 11 and 12/13 A level (or equivalent) students the opportunity to connect the fundamental content of science and maths to current university research.

Looking ahead, the faculty has a number of activity modules on the University’s Bringing Research to Life road show and is exploring ways to involve more alumni in our engagement work. In the field of the built environment, they are also developing an exciting new Future Cities widening participation programme with regional secondary schools.

Contact Naomi McGrew, Outreach Co-ordinator ([email protected]) or Dr Steve Dorney, Public Engagement Tutor ([email protected]), for more information.

Blue Peter challenges children to name new University plane

Keepingyouup-to-datewithouractivitiesinthecommunity

Community and Outreach

Plane to be named by Blue Peter viewers

For more details, see www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/articles/plane-design-competition

This is celebrated as success no. 1. You can explore our 60 successes at www.southampton.ac.uk/60

Bringingresearchtolife


For over six years, the crew of the R.V. Callista have been running the renowned Discover Oceanography sessions, where visitors get to experience a ‘hands on’ introduction to marine science.

Based at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton, R.V. Callista is a purpose-built catamaran that is used by Ocean and Earth Science students undertaking fieldwork for their degree course and by active researchers at the Centre. But when it’s not being used for teaching, Callista is boarded by a wide range of interested parties including schools, clubs and corporate groups. More than 20,000 visitors have taken part in the past two years.

Physical oceanographer Gary Fisher, who runs the sessions on R.V. Callista, says: “Discover Oceanography is an opportunity for people who wouldn’t usually get the chance to get involved in marine science – it’s great to get the wider audience interested in going out on the water and engaging in science.”

Discover Oceanography sessions can also be adapted to provide corporate teambuilding – so could be an option to consider for your department’s next away day. For more information about school trips, public or corporate sessions provided by the team, visit www.discoveroceanography.co.uk

Oceanographyoutreach

Keepingyouup-to-datewithouractivitiesinthecommunity

Best foot forward Health Sciences academic Dr Julia Potter is leading a pioneering new classroom programme for seven to 11 year-olds to encourage school pupils to look after their feet.Exclusively piloted at Bitterne Park Junior School in Southampton, the Podiatry and School Science (PASS) project is now being developed across the UK. The project, commissioned by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, aims to raise awareness of foot health and podiatry through the science curriculum.

“This project has proved to be a fun way of engaging children who have all been extremely enthusiastic,” says Julia. “Delivering lessons through schools is a great way to raise awareness of such an important issue to children at a key stage of their development and is also incredibly rewarding for podiatry students. It’s fantastic for the University of Southampton be leading this project and I very much look forward to seeing the positive benefits of it rolling out across the UK.”


ProfileFeature

Now you’re talking my languageThe University’s excellence in language studies is one of the 60 achievements we are celebrating this year. Through relationships with schools and universities, our researchers are helping thousands of school children and undergraduates to unlock their language learning potential, as Professor Mike Kelly explains.


QPlease can you tell us more about your work?

AI’m leading a team called the Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS) which is doing a lot of work to encourage school and university students to see the value of learning languages and to show them how much fun it can be. And at the same time we are working with teachers to bring them up-to-date with the most effective ways of teaching, in the classroom and online. Among other things, we are co-ordinating a national programme called Routes into Languages, in which over 70 universities and hundreds of schools are working together to get more young people learning languages.

QWhat have been the main successes so far?

AThe Routes into Languages programme is hugely successful. It includes several hundred student language ambassadors – undergraduates who go into schools to help them with languages – who are terrific role models for school students. There are dozens of events around the country, including learning languages through football, study days, careers days and competitions. We have compiled all sorts of useful information and materials on our Why study languages? website (www.whystudylanguages.ac.uk), which is mainly aimed at school students and has sections for teachers, parents and careers advisors.

QWhy languages: what sparked your interest in this area?

AMy first encounter with foreign languages was in secondary school, where I learned French, German and Latin, and picked up smatterings of Russian. I couldn’t believe how different the world looks when you speak in a different language and how different you feel about yourself too. I fell in love with France and couldn’t get enough of the literature, the ideas, the music and the people. I still get a kick out of all that.

QHow is the University helping young people to reach their potential?

AThe best way for young people to reach their potential is for them to work with brilliant teachers and the next best way is for them to have a really good course of study. We think that Southampton students have both of these advantages and we are always working to improve our teaching and our courses. LLAS also works to support teachers in

universities and schools across the country, with professional development events and lots of useful resources to use.

QWhat new developments do you expect in the next 60 years?

AWe have exciting plans and ideas for the next couple of years, particularly to develop better e-learning approaches. But looking further ahead, in 2072, technology will have transformed things we struggle with. For example, I expect that we’ll have information loaded directly into our brain, with word lists, phrases, dictionaries and maybe whole libraries accessible in the blink of an eye. Instant translation will be taken for granted. But I think the challenges will be how to manage all this stuff so as to communicate successfully, build good relationships with people and live a satisfying life.

QWhy is it so important for young people to learn languages?

AIt’s really important for their future. It’s the sort of thing that is a lot of hard work to begin with, but pays dividends later on, like playing the piano. It’s a lot easier to pick up languages when you are younger. And when you’ve learned something of one language you can pick up the basics of another more quickly.

QWhat advice would you give to a member of staff learning a new language?

A Be clear why you want to do it and what you want to achieve – is it for work, for leisure, for family connections? Then sign up for a course that will enable you to achieve it. If you’re already familiar with the language you might find that a Language Café would suit you – it’s a scheme we dreamed up in Southampton and spread across Europe, where a group meets regularly in a café or workplace, sets its own programme and everyone chips in on expenses, such as practising speaking with a native, for example.

QWhat attracted you to Southampton initially?

AI came to Southampton in 1986 for the Chair in French position, knowing it was a nice place to work. At that time it was a very average redbrick university, but with ambitions. I thought: “This is the kind of place where I can really make a difference.”

QHow have you found the University as a place to develop your career?

AIt has been terrific. I’ve always found it a ‘can do’ place. If you want to do something nobody’s going to stop you, so long as you can find the money to do it. There is a lot of scope for initiative delegated to individuals and groups, and it has been exhilarating to do new things that you couldn’t do in a more hidebound university. I saw this especially during my five-year stint as Head of Humanities, when colleagues from lots of disciplines were bubbling with energy and imagination, as I’m sure they still are.

QWhat do you enjoy most about working here?

AI’d have to say that it’s the people. I’ve worked with some wonderful colleagues and some fantastic students. It really is a friendly university with a culture of openness and accessibility.

QWhat are the main changes you have seen over the years?

AOf course it has grown; it now has four times as many students as when I started. But the thing that strikes me most is the ambition and the achievement. It was a middle of the road British university, but is now a top 100 global player, with world-leading strengths in lots of areas.

QAny memorable experiences along the way?

ALots of high points, and a few lows, but not too many. One year, I was part of a delegation to China with the then Vice-Chancellor, Bill Wakeham, and we were required to participate in a karaoke session at one of the host universities in Beijing. My duet with Wendy Hall was something to behold. Another year, I taught a course on French bande dessinée (comic strips), which ended with small groups of students creating their own comic. One group had the nerve to depict the bande dessinée class itself, ending with me still talking as the next class was arriving in the room. It was brilliantly done, but completely imaginary, of course.

Find out more: www.whystudylanguages.ac.uk


NewsfromaroundtheUniversity

Your News

On 19 April Dame Helen Alexander was installed as the seventh Chancellor of the University of Southampton during a formal ceremony at Turner Sims. During the installation ceremonies, Vice-Chancellor Professor Don Nutbeam commented: “Dame Helen is an outstanding leader and distinguished businesswoman. Her intellectual ability, dedication and business sense are much in demand and she has made an immense contribution to UK industry. We are delighted that she has accepted our invitation to be Chancellor.”

Dame Helen comments: “When speaking to both staff and students, I am struck by a real sense of pride in shared success and history. I have every confidence in the long-term success of the University of Southampton and in taking up the post of Chancellor I shall do my very best to contribute to its development in the coming years.”

After the event, Dame Helen added: “Thank you all, for the most terrific day. It was an honour to be installed in such a splendid way and the only bit I truly hadn’t expected was how moving it was.”

You can view the video of the ceremony at www.southampton.ac.uk/installation

Tackling global povertySouthampton researchers are leading two international projects to help people living in the poorest areas around the world to manage ecosystems more sustainably and reduce poverty.

The first project will investigate the benefits people can gain from the natural environment – known as ecosystem services –in areas where forests and agricultural land meet in the Amazon basin and Africa. Professor Guy Poppy, Director of Multidisciplinary Research, who is leading this project, says: “We know that nearly one billion people around the world live in poverty in the types of environments we see in Colombia and Malawi. By assessing these areas to understand why people act the way they do and how the environment changes over time, we can begin to determine how to manage that change to improve ecosystems management policies. This will help alleviate poverty in the developing world.”

Robert Nicholls, Professor of Coastal Engineering, will lead the second study in Bangladesh where his team aims to understand the relationship between ecosystem services and human health and wellbeing in deltas. They will develop methods to predict how deltas around the world may evolve to ensure future policy can make the most of the ecosystem services to benefit the local population.

The two projects are part of the £40.5m Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA) programme and follow a successful bid to lead two of the three available projects, following a worldwide competition that attracted over 320 bids.

DameHelenAlexanderinstalledasChancellor

The new project will help alleviate poverty in the developing world



Acupuncture can help treat lung diseaseAcupuncture can help relieve the breathing problems people experience with chronic lung disease and significantly improve the quality of life for patients with the condition, according to leading researcher Professor George Lewith from the University’s Complementary Medicine Research Group.

“The effects of acupuncture are large, which is quite remarkable in a condition that seems to respond fairly poorly to more conventional treatments,” says George, commenting on a recent study carried out by researchers in Japan. “Acupuncture relaxes all the muscles around the chest wall. It’s consistent with what we’re trying to do conventionally, which is to help patients with their breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. When people feel less breathless their quality of life improves dramatically.”

George explains that more research is needed to validate the findings of recent research, which included 68 participants, to assess whether it would be valuable for acupuncture to be provided through by NHS.

To view the original research paper and George’s editorial, visit http://tinyurl.com/cyqbj72

More than 700 students have signed up to take Curriculum Innovation modules next academic year. These newly designed modules give students the chance to develop skills for their future in new and innovative ways.

Modules on offer include Business Skills for Employability, Ethics in a Complex World and Understanding Modern China. The most popular module so far is Global Health, which has been selected by 115 students.

All the modules offer students the chance to study a new topic alongside people from different programmes to their own. This not only allows them to learn about the subject, but also to consider different perspectives and develop skills that will help them in the future.

Harriet Fielding, a second-year student who is taking one of the modules this semester, says: “I have to really think about how I’m articulating my point to people who don’t understand my subject. I think this will help me to interact with people from different backgrounds when I find employment.”

For more information, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/cip

Curriculum Innovation modules prove popular

RadicalnewcancersurvivorshipstudyResearchers from the University’s Macmillan Survivorship Research Group have developed the first study of its kind to investigate the experiences and needs of people after primary treatment of colorectal cancer, which is one of the most treatable cancers in the UK.

More than 1,000 patients have been recruited to the study, 187 of whom are from Southampton. They will be followed up for more than two years to assess their health and wellbeing, and how quickly they recover after colorectal cancer.

The results will inform healthcare providers and professionals across the country about what helps or hinders rapid and effective recovery and who has the confidence and ability to manage their own problems. It will also help identify areas for the development of interventions to aid the recovery process of those who may be at risk of experiencing problems.

“Up until now the general focus for cancer research has been on cure and prevention,” says Dr Deborah Fenlon, Senior Research Fellow and Chief Investigator of the study. “Macmillan is uniquely concerned with helping to improve the lives of people living with cancer, and for us it is absolutely imperative we understand the experiences of the two million cancer survivors in order to positively inform the professionals who interact and support them, helping them get the best out of life once treatment is over.”

For more information, visit www.soton.ac.uk/msrg




Your News

Celebrating 30 years of fibre optic successUniversity spin-out company Fibercore Ltd is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The hi-tech company, which started life in the University’s world-renowned Fibre Optics Group at the Optoelectronic Research (ORC) Centre, is now a global leader in the design and manufacture of speciality optical fibres.

Established in 1982, Fibercore was launched as a business venture to offer the speciality optical fibres developed at the University to the commercial market. Today, it ships more than 1.3 million metres of fibre every month to more than 200 customers around the world. Based at the University of Southampton Science Park, the company has received national recognition for being the only company ever to have won all three categories of the UK’s highest business honour – the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.

Dr Chris Emslie, Fibercore Managing Director, says: “Fibercore was born from a foundation of professional research, excellence and expertise. We are proud that 30 years on our company is still a byword for quality, innovation and unrivalled technical support.”

Professor David Payne, Director of the ORC, comments: “Fibercore is a shining example of a successful spin-out company. By pure professionalism, dogged determination and focus on innovation it goes from strength to strength in a difficult global market. We look forward to working with the company well into the future.”

To find out more about Fibercore, visit www.fibercore.com

Exhibition commemorates child refugees of the Spanish civil warThis July there will be a special exhibition in the Hartley Library to commemorate 75 years since thousands of Basque children were evacuated from Spain to the UK during the Spanish civil war. In 1937, 4,000 children made the journey by ship from Bilbao to Southampton to escape the fighting in Spain and were then sent to a temporary camp at North Stoneham, Eastleigh. Eventually they were either housed by charities, the church or families. The exhibition in the Hartley Library’s Special Collections Gallery tells their story through photos, objects and their own testament of the time.

Dr Alicia Pozo-Gutierrez, a lecturer from Modern Languages, says: “The children left their homes and sailed across the stormy Bay of Biscay to Southampton. Everyone thought they would only be away for three months. In the event, many had returned home by 1939, but around 250 were still in Britain in 1945 and most of these went on to make their lives here.”

The exhibition is open from 16 to 27 July 2012 (Monday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm). For more information, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/archives/exhibitions/exhibnews.html




Ilikanamedspin-outcompanyoftheyearSouthampton spin-out company Ilika was awarded the University Spin-out of the Year award at the New Energy Awards 2012, a leading event in the renewable energy sector. The materials technology company was also shortlisted for the Company of the Year award.

Graeme Purdy, Chief Executive of Ilika, says: “We are delighted to have won this award and to have been nominated as Company of the Year. Since we spun out from the School of Chemistry at the University in 2004, we have quickly established an international

reputation for rapid development of novel materials, many of which have an application in the area of clean energy and it is pleasing to see that reputation being recognised.”

Event organisers, Vitesse Media plc, commented: “In a hotly contested category, Ilika stood out for the innovation of its offering, its ability to forge powerful partnerships with the likes of Shell and Toyota, and its use of venture capital and the public markets to fund its growth. The company was considered to have made excellent progress as well as possessing outstanding future potential.”

For more information about Ilika, visit www.ilika.com To find out more about the awards, visit www.newenergyawards.com

Ilika is a materials technology company created in 2004 as a spin-out from Chemistry



Your News

Why volcanoes could be a girl’s best friendSouthampton scientists have discovered a previously unrecognised volcanic process, similar to one that is used in chocolate manufacturing, which gives important new insights into how diamonds are formed during volcanic eruptions.The scientists investigated how a process called fluidised spray granulation can occur during high-intensity explosive eruptions (known as kimberlite eruptions) to produce well-rounded particles containing fragments from the Earth’s mantle, including diamonds. This physical process is similar to the gas injection and spraying process used to form smooth coatings on confectionery, and layered and delayed-release coatings in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and fertilisers.

During kimberlite eruptions, large diverging pipes are formed. These contain rounded magma-coated fragments of rock, known as pelletal lapilli, which are linked to diamond grade (carats per tonne), size and quality.

Dr Thomas Gernon, Lecturer in Earth Science, says: “This multidisciplinary research, incorporating Earth sciences, chemical and mechanical engineering, provides evidence for fluidised granulation in natural systems which will be of considerable interest to engineers and chemical, pharmaceutical and food scientists who use this process routinely. The scale and complexity of this granulation process is unique, as it has not previously been recognised in natural systems.”

Southampton scientists are exploring how diamonds are formed during volcanic eruptions



Excellence in cyber security research British intelligence agency GCHQ has awarded the University Academic Centre of Excellence status in cyber security research. Southampton is one of eight UK universities identified to help make the UK government, businesses and consumers more resilient to cyber attack by extending knowledge through original research and providing top-quality graduates in the field of cyber security.

The status was awarded by GCHQ as part of the government’s national cyber security strategy in partnership with the Research Council UK’s Global Uncertainties Programme and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. Each Centre will receive a £50,000 capital investment and will benefit from closer collaboration with GCHQ, the UK cyber community and industry.

“We are very pleased to have our world-leading research in cyber security recognised through the awarding of this Centre of Excellence status,” says Professor Vladimiro Sassone, Director of the Centre. “Our well-integrated research portfolio links together aspects of internet privacy and trust, super-identity and access control, and secure hardware devices in one full circle.”

‘Mixedfamily’mumsleadonculturaleducationinthehomeThe mothers of Britain’s ‘mixed families’ – those in which the parents have different cultural backgrounds – are ensuring their children learn about their heritage and culture, according to a collaborative development project between the University of Southampton and London South Bank University. The findings show that even if it is the child’s father who comes from a minority background, the mother will take the lead in teaching them about their father’s culture.

“Whether it’s ensuring their children know about the history and culture of their ethnic or religious group, overseeing faith instruction, teaching them how to cook traditional foods, dressing in traditional clothes or introducing them to traditional music and dancing, it’s mostly mothers who are taking charge of ensuring their children appreciate their cultural heritage,” says Professor Ros Edwards from Social Sciences.

In a new initiative funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and conducted with the relationship support organisation OnePlusOne, researchers have used their recent research findings on ‘mixed’ relationships to develop online resources that raise awareness about the sorts of issues ‘mixed’ couples may face, and to provide relationship support where needed.

On your bikeResearchers at the University have conducted one of the largest cycling surveys in the UK to find out more about the attitudes and concerns of cyclists in the Southampton area. Staff, students and volunteers from the local community helped to distribute 3,700 survey packs to cyclists at key points on the city’s cycle network.

The research, which was conducted for Southampton City Council, revealed that two-thirds of the people who took part in the survey now cycle more frequently than they did three years ago. Keeping healthy and enjoyment are the main reasons for people riding their bikes more, but the results also showed that one-third of those who have increased their cycling are doing so because of rising fuel prices.

Dr Julia Branson of the University’s GeoData Institute says: “The survey data not only shows us the routes people are using in Southampton and at what volume, but also people’s habits and opinions in relation to cycling. This will help the city council to

develop its cycle strategy for the future. “The most frequently used routes in the city are between the University’s Highfield Campus and Southampton General Hospital, and between the city centre and the Common, along the route of the Avenue.”

For more information, visit www.southampton.gov.uk/cyclesurveys


Staff StoriesYourexperiencesofUniversitylife

CharlotteWoods,AssistantMediaRelationsOfficer

Charlotte put together the media plan to showcase the University’s academic expertise in the context of the Titanic. As a result, several of our academics were interviewed on national BBC News, as well as featuring on local radio, in local newspapers and on a number of international websites.

“As well as the media coverage, two of our academics – professors Tim Bergfelder and Tony Kushner – feature in the Titanic exhibition in the new SeaCity museum in Southampton. Academics in History also run an annual group project to give second-year students the opportunity to engage with the legacy of the Titanic in the city and across the world,” says Charlotte. “I think all these aspects

show that we have really engaged with the commemoration of this tragedy.”

As well as her role at the University, Charlotte studied the Titanic’s sinking as part of her history degree here at Southampton. “As part of our project, we delivered a lesson and presented an assembly to local schoolchildren to highlight the importance of the Titanic to Southampton’s social, economic and cultural history,” she explains.

ProfessorTimBergfelder,HeadofFilmResearch on the Titanic has been part of Tim’s academic activities at Southampton for over a decade. In 2000, he was one of the organisers of a major international conference held on Titanic cultural responses at Southampton. He has also co-edited the book entitled The Titanic in Myth and

The Titanic anniversary

This April marked the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on its maiden voyage from Southampton. the Voice finds out how staff from across the University have been involved in commemorating this tragedy, whether through research, media interviews or outreach activities.

Charlotte Woods, Assistant Media Relations Officer


YourexperiencesofUniversitylife

Memory (2004) and has occasionally been a consultant on the Titanic, for example, for the SeaCity Museum.

In April he organised a cultural day, at which academics from Film and History gave a series of talks on the Titanic, followed by a film screening and discussion. “The cultural day attracted a good mix of different ages and backgrounds, including one participant who came from London, and who turned out to be a descendant of one of the stewards on the Titanic,” says Tim.

“The Titanic has remained an enduring cultural icon even though there have been ship disasters before and since that have cost many more lives. I believe the universal themes of the story – humanity, technology and class issues – are key factors, as well as the timing, heralding the beginning of a very turbulent century and drawing closure on a previous era.”

ProfessorTonyKushner,DirectoroftheParkesInstituteforthestudyofJewish–non-JewishrelationsProfessor Tony Kushner is an expert on migration. His research on the Titanic and its link to Jewish migrants is published in the book Jewish Journeys: From Philo to Hip Hope (2010), which he co-edited with James Jordan (from English) and Sarah Pearce (also from History). Leading up to the Titanic

anniversary, Tony talked to the BBC as well as writing an article for the Jewish Chronicle on the Jewish aspects of the Titanic tragedy. He also took part in the cultural day in April and has contributed to the exhibitions at the SeaCity Museum.

“At times, the anniversary has become a little tasteless with not enough attention given to the loss of life of ordinary people on the ship – both the crew and those travelling steerage,” Tony comments. “As my grandfather’s cousin, Joseph Hyman, was a survivor of the ship and was traumatised thereafter I am more than aware of the damage caused, even to those who did not drown.

“However, generally speaking I feel the University has got the balance right and in the direction of serious reflection and commemoration rather than sensationalism and exploitation of a human disaster.”

ProfessorAjitShenoi,DirectoroftheSouthamptonMarineandMaritimeInstitute(SMMI)“Events such as the tragic accident of the Titanic have many inter-related causes and features,” says Ajit. “In the case of the Titanic, these include severe sea conditions, poor visibility, faulty human responses, inadequate lifesaving gear and brittle rivets holding the ship’s plates together. These features needed to be addressed together, in a holistic

manner, to find a solution to minimise the likelihood of such an event happening again.”

With its multidisciplinary approach, the new SMMI will be at the forefront of research to help prevent tragedies such as the Titanic happening again. “Different academic disciplines need to work together to address the disparate causes of such incidents. For example, oceanographers can improve the prediction of sea conditions; physicists and electronics engineers can provide better sensors and equipment to improve visibility; social and behavioural scientists can improve human responses; ship scientists can improve lifesaving equipment; and brittle material can be replaced by tougher and more resilient materials developed by metallurgists, he explains.”

Academic staff and students with all these areas of expertise are working together at the SMMI, crossing the boundaries between the disciplines to provide solutions that have a profound impact on society.


Professor Tony Kushner, Director of the Parkes Institute for the study of Jewish–non-Jewish relations

Professor Ajit Shenoi, Director of the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute

Professor Tim Bergfelder, Head of Film


ProfileWherearetheynow?

Expanding our network in South East Asia

In March this year, when a senior delegation from the University went to Malaysia, Sarah Jarman, Director of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR) and Zoe Hart, Alumni Relations Officer – Volunteers and Students, were among them. Alumni attended several events including round-table meetings with the Vice-Chancellor in Kuala Lumpar and Singapore and a lecture by professors Dame Wendy Hall and Nigel Shadbolt.

Sarah and Zoe returned with great enthusiasm for reinvigorating the alumni network. Sarah comments: “On this trip we met many alumni who are enthusiastic about our growing presence in South East Asia. We hope to meet and learn about many more of our graduates as that presence develops further.”

Zoe added “Members of our staff community may have established relationships with Malaysian alumni – we would love to hear from any colleagues who may be able to help us grow our network in Malaysia.”

Renewing contacts, strengthening friendships

Southampton graduate Haji Asmil Daud (BSc Economics, 1958) is one of our notable Malaysian alumni. Haji had an illustrious career in the Malaysian government and retired in 1984 as Registrar of the University of Technology Malaysia. During his career he also served in the Ministry of Transport, as deputy secretary general in the Ministry of Public Enterprises.

Haji helped the University to form the Malaysia branch of our alumni community. He explains: “The setting up of the University of Southampton Society – Malaysia Branch was through the combined efforts of a few alumni.

“I was happy to contribute where I could. Those who were involved in the establishment of it shared my sentiments that the presence of such an association would help strengthen friendships made during one’s time at the University. It would also facilitate the formation of new friendships between individuals who share a common bond.”

Our staff also value opportunities to stay in touch with alumni – and they can provide crucial support to efforts led by ODAR to

As the University builds its presence in South East Asia, we are also revitalising our alumni network in the region. the Voice finds out more.


build a vibrant alumni network. Dame Wendy comments: “The lecture Nigel and I delivered in Malaysia provided a useful opportunity to make and renew contacts with Southampton alumni. In particular I enjoyed connecting with Dr Nor Aniza Binti Abdullah (Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology at the University of Malaya) who was a great help with arrangements for our activities there and who is such a wonderful ambassador in Malaysia for the University of Southampton.”

Eric Cooke, Admissions Tutor for ECS and a Malaysian himself, has also attended some of our alumni events. He recalls: “There was one particularly special year (2006) when eight students from one single school in Malaysia all achieved Firsts from

the University of Southampton, seven were in Computer Science and one was in Finance and Accounting.

“Last year I met up with this group at the alumni event at the British High Commissioner’s Residence and they were still very proud of their University and their own achievements while they were here,” he comments.

Alumni support for our branch campusHaji sees the University of Southampton Malaysia Campus as a positive development. “The fields of engineering and technology are very much areas in which the Malaysian government would like to see local expertise being nurtured and developed. With the setting up of the engineering campus,

Malaysian engineering students who may find studying in Britain cost-prohibitive will now have the opportunity to be trained in one of the top educational institutions in the world without having to bear significant financial burden.”

Get in touchIf you can help expand our Malaysian alumni network, please email Zoe Hart on [email protected].

For more information about the University’s Malaysia network, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/alumni

To find out more about the University of Southampton Malaysia Campus, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/my

Making Headlines


Headlinesfromourhistory

Photograph and cuttings courtesy of the Southern Daily Echo

To celebrate our anniversary here are just a small selection of the headlines the University featured in 60 years ago.

News confirming our Royal Charter

A message from President Eisenhower for the University’s first Chancellor

The first degree ceremony


Workinghere

Your University

To take this forward the University E&D Champion, Professor Jeremy Howells (Dean for Business and Law) chairs a newly formed Equality and Diversity Advisory Committee. With membership from across the university, this committee will oversee the E&D agenda and raise key issues with the University’s Executive Group (UEG). Further to this there are E&D Champions across the University and Harassment Contacts who informally support individuals needing assistance.

The University’s E&D team support the committee and staff networks, and take forward a range of strategic projects such as integrating E&D into the Research Excellence Framework planning process and supporting the University’s Athena SWAN submissions.

AthenaSWANAthena SWAN is a charter to improve support for female researchers and academic staff to improve gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Professor Iain Cameron chairs the university wide Athena SWAN group

tasked with resubmitting the overall award; Chemistry, Ocean and Earth Science, Physics, Health Sciences, Medicine and Electronics and Computing Sciences are all preparing to submit.

TrainingandsupportThe team develop training and support activities, such as E&D training for the University Leadership group, e-learning modules (E&D modules can be accessed through Blackboard) piloting Cultural Diversity Awareness training and briefings on equality legislation. The team also coordinate a whole range of diversity events and networks, including International Women’s Week, Black History Month and Interfaith Week. Recently a new Parents and Carers Network has been launched and there are plans for a network for minority ethnic staff. These add to other networks already in existence for women in the science and engineering areas, and for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) staff. Full details of the work of the team and networks can be found on the diversity website: www.southampton.ac.uk/diversity.

The website also has up to date reports for Council who require annual monitoring reports to see how we are progressing.

GetinvolvedwithequalityanddiversityThe E&D team would like to encourage involvement from more people in the University in equality and diversity work. Please get in touch if you would be interested in:

− becoming a Harassment Contact − the Athena SWAN work − participating in one of our networks − contributing to one of our events

As the University becomes even more diverse and international, integrating equality and diversity (E&D) in everything we do, for our staff and students, is increasingly important. Our aspiration to be in the top 50 universities globally requires us to respond actively to global diversity and ensure we are behaving with fairness towards all members of our community.

Kamalijit Kerridge-Poonia, Head of Equality and Diversity

Sunny Takhar, Equality and Diversity Officer

Alexander Melhuish Diversity Projects Officer

If you require any other information you can contact the team by email at [email protected] or visit www.southampton.ac.uk/diversity


What’sgoingonaroundthecampuses?

Arts and Events

A new city centre site for the John Hansard Gallery This is an exciting year for the John Hansard Gallery. The internationally recognised arts venue based on the Highfield Campus has recently taken the leap into Southampton city centre with the opening of John Hansard Gallery Central in May. A year-long programme of exhibitions will take place at the additional, temporary exhibition space, which is located on Civic Centre Road. These will showcase outstanding contemporary art from the UK and beyond, in tandem with the main gallery programme on the Highfield Campus. Admission is free to both venues, enabling people from across the University, the city and beyond to access great art.

This expansion forms a stepping stone to the John Hansard Gallery’s long-awaited city centre relocation in 2015, when the old Tyrrell and Green site will become home to a brand new city centre space for the Gallery. This will be placed next to a new base for the City Eye media centre and a performing arts venue, as part of Southampton’s new arts complex. The project is led by Southampton City Council and supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and will complete the development of the city’s Cultural Quarter.

From 10 to 21 July, John Hansard Gallery Central will feature artist Simon Pope’s film Memory Marathon, commissioned by the Olympic Delivery Authority in 2010 and coinciding with the arrival of the Olympic torch in Southampton (14 to 15 July). At the same time, Glasgow-based artist Torsten Lauschmann will exhibit at the main gallery site until 12 August, followed by Rona Lee, whose exhibition follows a residency at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton.

John Hansard Gallery Central is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 6pm.

The John Hansard Gallery on the Highfield Campus is open Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 11am to 4pm.

For full details of exhibitions and events, visit www.hansardgallery.org.uk, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @jhansardgallery


What’sgoingonaroundthecampuses?

Turner SimsTurner Sims has announced its 2012/13 Season, which sees the beginnings of new projects, outstanding British artists and a dazzling array of classical, jazz, world and folk music. The line-up includes first time visits from performers such as flautist Sir James Galway and kora master Seckou Keita, pictured below.

Some of the season’s other highlights include:

Sally Beamish, James MacMillan and Dai Fujikura perform world premieres.

Turner Sims Associate Artists, the Elias Quartet, launch the venue’s first complete cycle of Beethoven string quartets for 30 years.

Mitsuko Uchida explores works by Schumann as part of the Piano Series, which also includes recitals by Steven Osborne, Benjamin Grosvenor, Paul Lewis, John Lill and Stephen Hough.

Guitarist John Williams performs with John Etheridge, while Juan Martín presents Musica Alhambra and David Russell is in recital.

Cellist Matthew Barley launches Turner Sims’ series to mark the Benjamin Britten centenary.

The Academy of Ancient Music present Bach’s complete Orchestral Suites, following their acclaimed Brandenburg Concertos project.

Enjoy British folk from Faustus, Eliza Carthy, Tim Van Eyken and The Mellstock Band.

Tickets are now on general sale and can be bought online (www.turnersims.co.uk), from the box office (023 8059 5151) or in person.

Our leading centre for arts is celebrated as success no. 8. You can explore our 60 successes at www.southampton.ac.uk/60

Seckou Keita

See page 35 for a competition to win tickets to a Turner Sims concert of your choice.


Coffee BreakQuizzesandcompetitions

Changing the world for 60 years

34.Leading-edgeresearchintodialectricmaterials


Quizzesandcompetitions

By now, you will have seen the installations and plaques popping up on our campuses as part of our 60th anniversary celebrations. Below are six of our 60 world-changing achievements, but can you match the fact, below, with the correct achievement?

51.Understandingnervoussystems

9.SafeguardingtheWellingtonArchive

20.Improvingairportsecurity

48.Safeguardingglobalfoodsupplies

56.ThepoetryofF.T.Prince

Which achievement involved collaboration with colleagues from Durham University and the University of Massachusetts?

Which achievement has contributed to the setting of new international standards?

Which achievement will see the opening of a major new archive in the Hartley Library later this year?

Which achievement has involved research into snails, cockroaches and crabs?

Which achievement involves work with communities in Colombia and Malawi?

Which achievement is the University looking to secure £700,000 to continue?

To explore our 60 successes and for more information about our anniversary and events, please visit www.southampton.ac.uk/60



60Celebrate your successThe Staff Party

Civic dinner for the new University in 1952Image from the University of Southampton’s Special Collections and © The Southern Daily Echo.

27 July, 2-4pm Highfield CampusVC Speech at 3pmFor a free drink and travel from other campuses, register at:

www.60.southampton.ac.uk/ staff-party

http://www.60.southampton.ac.uk/staff-party


YournewsandviewsYou are invited to:

Send your ideas for articles and news items for the next edition of the Voice or for the monthly e-Voice

Tell us what you think of the Voice

Follow ‘Where’s Don’ on The Forum sharepoint.soton.ac.uk/sites/staffdialogue

Email: [email protected]

CommunicationsandMarketing:helpingyouIf you are looking for guidance on creating some promotional material for your faculty, academic unit or professional service, seeking facts and figures about the University and its history, looking for help with our brand and visual identity or just wanting to contact one of our approved suppliers, the Communications and Marketing webpages on SUSSED can help.

Visit SUSSED > Services > Communications and Marketing > Branding resources to see the resources on offer.

For any queries, contact [email protected]

WinticketstoaTurnerSimsconcertYou could win tickets to the Turner Sims concert of your choice in October if you can answer the question below.

What award did the Kairos Quartet win at the MOBOs in 2011?

Email your answer to [email protected] by 29 July 2012. The winner will be contacted by the Turner Sims shortly after.


Kairos Quartet

www.southampton.ac.uk [email protected] +44 (0)23 8059 8542

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